From Depths We Rise

by Insane Dominator

1 year has passed since Dan and the Battle Brawlers saved the universe, and when things were serene, a new group of Bakugan players are sent to New Vestroia when a dimensional interference forces them to meet each other. Caught in the crossfire with aliens seeking resources, Luke, Abis Omega, and new friends must fight using unlikely odds if they're to save all from extinction.

32. Empyrean - Part I

A Haos Atmos dove through the air down towards its target. It closed in, but a sharp purple slash ran right through it, making it turn to its attribute color before fading away. After one of its own had fallen, two more – Pyrus and Ventus – both shot green beams to throw Percival off. His purple and gold sword carved into the attacks, severing the beams into thin lines that went around him, exploding behind him.

"Just like that, Percival! Keep it up!" Ace shouted. "Now, Fusion Ability…"

Percival raised his sword as the tip changed once more. "Deathly Karbia!" Percival lunged at the Atmos head on, unleashing a shrilled battle cry as he slashed the bright purple energy sword. He zipped passed the two Atmos, leaving a purple trail as they cawed in angst before fading.

"Nice one, Ace!" Baron smiled.

Ace smirked. "It's a little early for celebrating, Baron…" his eyes widened when he saw something behind Baron approach. "Look, behind you!"

Baron turned around with Nemus to see at least six tainted Bakugan all closing the gaps on him. They braced themselves, but suddenly a massive fist swung from the side, knocking down all the Bakugan in one swoop. The Bakugan all smashed into the ground, sundering with great force.

Nemus looked shocked at his savior before him. "Gus! Vulcan!"

Vulcan continued glaring at the numbers ahead of him. "Your friend is right. These numbers aren't letting up. At this rate we'll be swamped before they make it." He turned towards the side, seeing an Aquos Freezer present. It exhaled a breath of cooled mist that aimed for Vulcan, but Vulcan was more than prepared.

"Mega Viblow!"

His hands reached out, creating a distorted energy wave that expanded like a space shield around him. The cooled breath-like attack was blown elsewhere, instead being repelled to other tainted Bakugan close by. Those closest were hit with an intense frost, disarming them long enough for Percival to slash them down.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Ace shouted. "Baron, step it up!"

Baron nodded. "You got it, Ace! Ability, activate-!"

A Subterra Fly Beetle hummed loudly. Its wings expanded, creating small insectoid-like comets that began surrounding Nemus. Before the ability started, he found his vision blocked. "What's happening?!" the Haos Bakugan shouted.

"Nemus, hang on!" Baron shouted. "Keep it going! Ability, activate-!" he held up his Bakumeter, but the ability wasn't shining. His eyes widened in shock.

"Nemus!" Percival changed course to go help his friend, but he found his course being blockaded by several more Bakugan that descended from above. He instantly got on guard as he held up his sword.

Gus and Vulcan both looked around as well. When they saw they were also blockaded from everyone else by vast numbers, they did their best to hold onto their guards for the time being. But Nemus was still trapped, and they had to work diligently.

"Hang on!" Baron screamed out.

"Ability, activate! Draft Shield!"

The swarm began to swallow up Nemus before a sudden maelstrom of wind blew them all away. The tempest completely cleansed the surroundings, leaving vacancy.

"What the…?" Nemus was surprised. Suddenly a figure dropped from above, revealing Mystic Elico in his Ventus form. Nemus gasped. "Huh? You…?"

Baron's eyes widened. "No way…Keegan?"

On Mystic Elico's shoulder, Keegan was glaring at the stray numbers ahead of him. He held up his blue Bakumeter to show an ability. "Ability, activate! Tornado Mayhem!"

Mystic Elico swiped its arms, summoning several strong turbulences that scowled across the shredded domain. Miniature tornados swirled around, picking up various Bakugan and leaving little ground for the enemy Bakugan still withstanding. This left Percival openings as he raised his sword, creating an X-shaped formation that blitzed into the whirlwinds, cutting them and the frantic Bakugan inside, dispelling both.

"Nice work." Vulcan said.

Gus nodded. "Yes, quite so." He saw Keegan and Mystic Elico land on the ground again close by, he turned and smirked. "Well, well, look who finally decided to participate."

Keegan gave a meek pout. After what he went through to get to that server and the hell that proceeded, he wanted to just wring them up and lay them to wither in the sun. But he knew better than to argue right now. "…morons." He muttered meekly to himself.

"Looks like we got more incoming!" Baron pointed out, many Bakugan from around the area crawling and closing in on them.

Keegan looked at the vast numbers, only for more signs of his irritation to blossom. He groaned angrily. "I'm too tired for all of this…" he tossed out a Gate Card ahead of them. The card expanded to a shockwave across the ground beneath other Bakugan in numbers no less than five in one spot. He swiped his arms.

"Gate Card, open! Active Ghost!"

The Gate Card shined beneath the enemy Bakugan. When they looked down, it was too late before an explosion collapsed upon them. They were repulsed into the air, hammering their allies with their bodies before dissipating to thin air.

"Woah, nice call there." Ace remarked.

"Yeah, didn't see that coming!" Baron cheered.

Keegan did another groan as he did an eyeroll. "Uuugh…good god, you Vestals are more idiotic than those freaking humans…" he grunted harshly. "Either are you just gonna play this game like it's a tea party, or do you wanna fight?!" He swiped his arm, forcing Mystic Elico to slash at an enemy Pyrus Verias, deflecting its staff.

Gus smirked. "That's more like it." He reached out. "Vulcan! Time to step it up!"

"You got it!" Vulcan's feet glided across the ground, allowing him to skate and shift about to close the gap on his foes before him. When he got close, he slugged a Darkus Hammersaur across the face, sending it smashing into a nearby debris mound.

Getting the notion, Ace narrowed his eyes on the numbers, smirking. "Guess we haven't a choice. Ready, Baron?"

Baron nodded. "You got it, Ace! Let's get serious, Nemus! Ability, activate!"

Nemus raised his staff high, swinging it back around before his eyes started glowing. "Bakugan Multiplier!" He swung his staff around, and as he did, he 'batted' clones of himself at the many numbers. The Bakugan all screamed when Nemus numbers jettisoned into them, stabbing them with the sharp ends of their staffs. Baron balled his fist and smiled.

Ace looked around with Percival, the latter seemingly more cautious as more Bakugan kept coming. "We're in trouble, Ace. These numbers just aren't slowing down."

Ace turned his head, glaring at the Bakugan high in the sky. "Yeah, I know…" he heard the shrilled cries of the enemy Bakugan as they closed in. He held his stance so as to remain unbroken. 'Let's just hope that the others aren't in as big enough trouble as we are.'

The one spot was swarming with Bakugan from all over. From miles on end, numbers were crawling towards the battle energy. As they were drawn by something they craved, the bait was waning down. It was only a matter of time before one side gave in. For their sake, they had to hang on…just for a little while longer.

---

Up the tower they went, and with each step they took, Luke's group could feel their feet vibrate from this insane level of power. Even from such a low elevation, they could somehow see light as brightly as the sun from above.

"Hey, just spit balling here…but is that the sun from down here?" Maggie inquired.

Shuji looked up as he climbed the staircase, staring at the shimmering light from above. "Hey, now that you mention it, that is bright." When he looked too long, he winced. "I thought all these ceilings were sealed."

"They are." Jase said as he walked alongside Shawn. "I would imagine this is because the tower is also absorbing atmospheric sunlight. Is that right?" he turned towards Luka, but all he did was scowl.

"Something like that. Like I said, this tower was made to help amplify his powers of absorbing and replicating matter. I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to pollute this world's atmosphere in place of taking it for himself."

Fly Beetle jumped open on Shuji's shoulder. "So do your species also suffer pollution as badly as humans?"

Spectra smirked. "Quite an observation there. Maybe, maybe not. The sewers we abandoned is one thing, but our ozone layer is another…which has me thinking…" he looked up, seeing the bright ceiling with his mask still on. Even now, the heat was grand. "Would it be also accurate to say that he will also be separating sunlight with ultraviolet radiation?"

Maggie turned around and gasped. "Wait, isn't that the stuff that gives you sunburns?"

"Precisely." Jase said. "I seem to recall that Riaan takes the best traits of anything he can get his feet on to absorb. He's already made use of human adaptation in Interacian sequences, which explains a lot why they don't have much traits of other races…but, as we all know, looks can be deceiving."

"If Riaan is trying to get sunlight into this tower, then he can probably amplify the atmosphere around Interacia." Shawn deduced.

"Possibly." Esther said, her eyes narrowing. "But we all know that the atmosphere can't be that crisp. The technological advances of this world outdo the plant life to produce oxygen." She lowered her head s she knew Spectra and Luka were behind her. "Apologies if that doesn't sit well with you."

"It's fine. It's not like I care anyway." Luka said, showing no emotion in his words. "I just came back to stop Riaan, no matter what. Even if it was my home planet, I have to follow and make sure his abomination doesn't kill off more life."

Luke agreed with what Luka said for the most part. Riaan had to be stopped, but something about what he said irked him. He turned around, looking over his shoulder. "Used to be your planet?" he repeated. "What does that mean? It still is, isn't it?"

Luka scoffed. "What does it matter?"

"I mean you were born here, right? Don't you have a need to protect it? I mean I have family at home too, but I can't just forget about them."

"Luke." Esther said.

Luka stopped for a minute. Everyone else stopped and turned around to the stairway. When they looked back, they were shocked to see darkness as they peered down the spiral staircase in contrast to the bright lighting above them. Luka didn't show any emotion as a shadow loomed over his eyes.

"…is that what this is about? Just that?" he said softly.

"What?" Luke asked confusedly.

"If you wanna beat Riaan, you can't just think about them you know!" Luka snapped. "I don't know what compelled you to think that way, but what makes you think those that aren't here any kind of asset, huh?"

Luke looked confused. "Those not here…?"

Shawn stepped to Luke's side. "Luke, don't listen to him."

"What about your friend right there?" Luka pointed to Shawn, surprising the fellow Haos battler. "If he wasn't around, don't you think that you would've manned up and learned by now? You can't depend on people that won't beside you in battle you know. You're free to think about them as much as you want, but if they cloud your head in a fight, you're as good as dead."

"That's enough!" Esther stepped down, giving Luka a glare. "Both of you."

Luka gave Esther a cold look, but he chose to hold his tongue on the subject. "I'm only speaking the truth." He told her. "You of all people should know this as well. I know of what happened to you on Interacia with Rogue Zero." Through his chastising, Esther remained cold in stare. "If anyone's to blame, it's your lack of strength and individuality. Just remember that?"

He walked passed Esther and everyone else. His steps were as hollow as the chambers of hell themselves. As he climbed up, everyone was giving cold stares to his back; Luke and Abis Omega especially were upset. But when they looked over to Esther, she saw her emotionless stare.

"Esther, don't listen to him." Luke insisted. "You're better than that."

"He's right." Atchibee said on Esther's shoulder. "Perhaps there was a kernel of truth behind what Luka said…"

"But it doesn't justify the resolve, we know." Abis Omega said. "I'm sure Brontes has his own reasons as well." He shot a look up at Brontes, who was on Luka's shoulder. The Bakugan looked down at him, sharing a cold stare the two shared.

Breaking the tension, Jase prodded his glasses with his finger again. "Well, nice to see everyone getting along so well." He chimed. "Now then, do we press on?"

Luke nodded. "…yeah." He trudged up the stairs, following Luka's lead as he led the way up towards Riaan. Despite knowing better than to let it go, what Luka said before continued bugging him. If he was going to beat Riaan, he couldn't just rely on himself. Everyone else knew this. But for now, they had to keep going in resolute.

---

Atop of Empyrean, Riaan looked out at the vast ocean, watching it blacken further. But he knew better than to relish in such a pitiful victory. A wind shifted around him, making his own cape shift with it. It was cold. Frigid cold. Any means of warmth and refined air he felt before was long gone at this point. And b the frown on his face, he knew that time was drawing near.

On his shoulder, sending his mood, Armagedoid popped open. Even he fell silent at this mood. He questioned the motives before, but he still couldn't help but be curious. He was still learning emotion after all.

Suddenly a projection screen appeared behind them. The screen showed Cyrus with his head bowed. "Milord. We have come bearing you news." He said.

Riaan lifted his head. Still gazing out at the polluted atmosphere. "You may speak."

Cyrus nodded. "Gladly." With a snap of his fingers, he summoned projection screens within his background. All around, one could see various images of roadways and futuristic cars moving through streets. "The DNA and schematic blueprints that you have been transferring has been a great success. The soil from New Vestroia's expedition has been proven well suited for maintaining fresh energy, and the land has stabilized to allow pathways for safe travels. As of now, the blueprints for Vestal's technology is complete."

"I see." Riaan remained quiet before something urged him. "And…did you start working on them as well?"

Cyrus bowed before his eminence. "Sir, you have my absolute word. As soon as Cesar returns, we shall have the lab's instructions do the rest."

"Make it so, Cyrus. I will be back shortly."

"Yes, milord." Just like that, Cyrus cut the connection like a cable plug. The message was as swift as it was clear. Unlike the air.

Cyrus continued glaring out, his disposition unchanged despite the news of the schematics and energy required.

"So how much longer until we meet them?" Armagedoid asked.

Riaan smirked. "Quite anxious, are we?"

"…" Armagedoid struggled to find an answer.

"It's quite alright. If I'm honest, I'm rather excited as well. I can't wait to meet someone who I need to pay my thanks to for contributing so much to our cause." As facetious as his tone was, his words were genuine. Riaan wanted to meet Spectra for himself, and his Bakugan. When he does, even he may not be able to contain himself. "The mastermind of the ideology of forbidden cards. Spectra Phantom…"

---

"So…your Bakugan is part cyborg?" Maggie questioned Spectra. She was walking along with her friends, but out of curiosity, she chose to question Spectra for a while. "What's that like?"

Spectra smirked. "That a…complicated question." He looked towards the Bakugan on his shoulder. "Helios."

"My body is strong." The draconic cybernetic beast said. His gravely tone sent shivers down everyone's spines. "Thanks to this machinery, I can't be touched that easily."

"So you used machinery parts to enhance whatever your organic figure lagged in." Jase surmised calmly.

"In blunt, yes. And in retrospect, I wouldn't say it's something that we regretted." Spectra admitted. "Yes, we may have dug ourselves a deep ditch before, but because of certain others who constantly reached out, we have found a newer way to use Helios' body than just raw destruction."

Shawn took note of something. "By 'certain others', you mean that Battle Brawlers. Right?"

"Correct. You seem to rather noteworthy of these guys yourselves." Spectra smirked. "Mira may have told me a bit about you, but I wasn't…exactly convinced if you were the real deal or not. But after seeing that last battle, I think I actually have to believe her word on that."

Shawn and Verias looked to each other in confusion. Whether it was a compliment or an insult, they took what they could get.

"Still, to have gone as made cybernetic enhancements to living Bakugan." Esther paused, glaring at Spectra. "I'm not sure whether to condone such an act, even if intentional. That's another life you're molding."

"You're absolutely right, and I do take responsibility as such." Spectra faced forward with resolution. "But what's done is done. Perhaps not the past can be changed, but to make use of it and create a future. That's where the present lies. That is the bridge, and I intend to focus on that."

Esther remained silent, along with Atchibee.

"Cyborg Bakugan…" Luke muttered.

"I know." Abis Omega muttered.

"So such beings do exist." Atmos said on Jase's shoulder. "I've only heard about such tales from fellow brethren back when the Vestals were still within our lands. It seems even now, such a scar is but a reminder."

Jase prodded his glasses. "This brings up certain problems."

"What do you mean?" Maggie inquired.

"When you stop to think about it, it was in fact Spectra who came up with the ideology of cyborg Bakugan. With the evolved technology and Riaan's abilities, one can only assume the worst from there."

"Creating cyborg Bakugan." Shawn accused.

"Man, that would be a pain in the ass." Shuji scoffed.

Jase smirked. "Well…let's not get our hopes up just yet. We still don't know if he has the full capabilities to produce such a feat. Besides, such matters take time."

"He's right." Esther said. "Which means we still have a chance yet. Cybernetic or not, the Bakugan and life on Interacia can't go unjustified, not after what lengths Riaan has gone."

Maggie looked skywards. "But we still don't know what he's after, you know, other than to take life."

"There must be an incentive behind his actions." Jase's deductions were spot on as always. However, when he looked up, he saw that the stairway had finally reached an exit atop. "It looks like we're finally drawing close."

Shuji looked up as he followed behind. "Yeah, I see it, too. Fly Beetle, you see that?" On his shoulder, Fly Beetle lifted his horn.

"Yeah, I do too. And I can also feel that energy spike." He told them. "You know what that means."

Esther's eyes narrowed. "Somebody's up there. Everyone…be on guard."

They all silently acknowledged her lingering statement. Luke and a majority of everyone there knew very well that Rogue Zero was up there, or at the very least hoped that was the case. As they drew closer towards the lighted ceiling, the light from above the next floor could've been seen. The closer they drew towards the energy; the closer they drew to a rematch they've been waiting for; closer to settling a score that had gone on long enough. It was time to show Rogue Zero their worth this time.

Luka was the first to step through the light, disappearing into the second level. Everyone else followed. 'Here we go.' Luke determinedly nodded. Him, his Bakugan, and everyone else followed Luka, coming into view of a new scenery.

Walking into view of the next level of Empyrean, everyone looked around to find the arched windows all having glass over them to keep the outside air out. The smells of decaying oceans that enflamed their nostrils as they were going up were a lot weaker by this venting. All around the walls were solid white, with accents engraved into the floor as well as walls. Once they stepped foot, the white accents all flashed red, signaling their next breach.

"Well, here we are." Maggie chimed.

"Looks like it." Shuji glanced around, seeing the insignias everywhere. "This place still gives me the creeps. If seeing it underwater was enough to tell it was ugly on the inside."

"Suppose they have a thing for commodity maintenance." Jase teased, though his tone was on a more serious basis. "That said, we're still in the enemy's heart. There's no telling what traps there are."

Everyone braced themselves and tensed for any subtle movements or alarms. Shawn and Luke reached for their weapons, but Luka already had his energy sword ready to slit open a throat on the easiest provocation. Suddenly they began to hear a light humming from below, catching them by surprise.

"Everyone, move!" Jase ordered.

With reflexes, everyone moved as fast as they could, but energy bars surrounded them, creating a bright dome that trapped them like caged rats. They all gritted their teeth as they saw they were surrounded. It wasn't long before a loud, hardy laughter could've been heard.

"Who's there?!" Luka demanded.

The laughter echoed louder, making everyone in Luke's group recognize this haughty tone. "Wait…" Shawn glanced up, seeing something familiar that matched this unpleasant tone. "Of course. There's no mistaking it…"

"Cesar." Shuji growled.

On his que, Cesar slowly descended in his levitating chair. He cackled continuously as the mad genius has found his prey. "Ah! What have we here? Guests?" he clapped his hands together, feigning satisfaction. "Why, such good heavens! Look who I found snooping around in my home. Not insects…but rodents. Filthy rodents!"

"Cesar…" Luka growled. He didn't look happy in the slightest.

Cesar's eyes narrowed upon seeing the familiar face. "Oh, do I know you?" Luka served a growl, making him sigh. "Please, no need to get so worked up. I'm adhesively aware of who you are, Luka. Do you really think I'd forget a face just from the other day so soon?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

Cesar ignored the company's insults and looked over to the big catch. Spectra met eyes with him as he frowned. "Ah~, well isn't this a splendid surprise. The infamous Spectra has also fallen prey? My goodness, why, now I'm really going to have my hands full. Either this is too easy, or this is some kind of joke."

"My apologies." Spectra remarked. "I wasn't aware that you required us for comedic relief. Not what I had in mind for a mad scientist."

Cesar hummed annoyingly as he suddenly got into his face. "The name is Cesar! And I'll have you know, that I am a genius!" he shook his balled hand with a tick mark. "My name is well known all throughout Interacia! And I'll have you know, that I have done so much more than what you could ever hope to dream!"

Fly Beetle leaned into Shuji. "Seems he's still glorified over himself."

"Yeah." Shuji scoffed. "Now that's a crude joke." He looked back at the others, nodding a signal for the others. Jase understood and reached back.

Cesar meekly shrugged. "Oh whatever. Never mind the hypocrisy I suppose." He flashed a smirk at Spectra. "But still, to have someone as instrumental as you in my presence, why, who's to say that I can't be honored. After all, it is also because of you that we're able to make it this far."

"Is that so?" Spectra inquired. "You'll have to regale me on the reasons."

Light refracted off of Cesar's glasses as he chuckled. "With pleasure-!" A loud crackling sound got his attention. "Hm?" he frowned. "What's this?"

The energy cage crackled with brief sparks, with one of the bars seemingly fading in and out constantly. At its base, Jase held his massive taser-like staff he equipped and stabbed the base of the cage bar. The voltage it carried crackled to where the discharge was circulating through.

Cesar nearly flipped out of his seat. "W-w-wh…HEH?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" he yelled.

Jase faced the cage bar as his own glasses were refracting light. "I had a feeling at electrical impulses were also what created this cage. If even one jolt is enough, the bars themselves can be rendered useless for a short time."

"Why you…!"

"Alright, everyone out, now!" Luka ordered. Everyone began working their way around Jase as he sustained the hold. Maggie was first, then Shuji, Shawn, Esther, Luke, Spectra, Luka, and finally Jase as he flipped out, using his staff like a polearm and easing himself out. When the polearm retracted, the energy cage returned to normal, but with an empty nest.

"Phew! That wasn't so hard." Maggie mockingly pointed out. "Nice work, Jase."

Jase retracted his weapon. "It was basic science. I merely made its use the way I knew how."

Cesar's teeth gritted with greater annoyance. "You…Jase Mercury…!"

Luka saw an opportunity and took it. With his energy sword out, he made a beeline right for the mad scientist. He jumped into the air and raised his bright yellow sword overhead. "Cesar!"

As if staring at a blank screen, Cesar remained still as Luka came down with his sword. Before contact, however, a forcefield surrounded Cesar, stopping the blade's sharp edge cold.

"What the-?!" Luka lost his momentum, forcing him to backflip several feet away and rise from a knee. He watched as the shield lifted around Cesar. "A forcefield." He leered.

Cesar chuckled as he prodded his glasses up. "You see, I haven't lost my touch in case you haven't noticed. You really think I wasn't prepared?" He saw Luka's patience wearing thin as his stance changed. "Now, how exactly would you all like to proceed next?"

Luka readied to pull out Brontes, but someone else stepped up before he could. "Huh…?"

Shawn took a few paces ahead of the others, with Verias perched right on his shoulder. They looked so calm that it seemed almost unnatural. "Sorry, but we can't just sit by like this again." He told everyone. "We have somewhere to be."

Cesar raised a cocky brow. "Shawn Just eh?"

"Shawn!" Luke stepped up in worry.

"It's okay, Luke." Shawn assured, looking confidently ahead. "I know. But we prepared for this. Besides…" he looked back, giving him an assuring smirk. "We can't waste time here, can we?"

Luke knew what he meant, backing out on his insistence. "…yeah, you're right." He nodded.

The two best friends faced each other, each one looking with a knowing gaze before Shawn faced Cesar. They promised to be there for each other back on Interacia, even if somehow apart. This was one of those times that trust had to be tested.

"We'll be fine, Abis Omega." Verias said.

Abis Omega nodded. "We know…don't keep us waiting too long."

"We won't."

"Let's go." Jase conducted everyone, including Luka and Spectra as they followed in their paces. Esther followed behind as well, but not without Luke looking back at Shawn. She could see the one last look Luke had. He was smiling. All that worry he had before seemed to have faded as he paced with Esther. She smiled as well.

With everyone going up towards their next destination, that left the two Haos battlers to themselves. They stared at one another briefly, a mad scientist to a fencer/engineer/cohort to a rich kid. The patient looks they shared showed seriousness beneath their eyes.

"You know, there was a teleporter at the base of this room." Cesar pointed out. "You could've just used that to get up to where you wanted."

Shawn slowly reached for his fencer, gripping its handle. "Don't think we're stupid." He slowly unsheathed it, gliding the metal across the scabbard. "Even if it were true, we didn't come here to just stop Riaan. We came here for another reason as well."

Cesar raised a brow. "Oh? And what might that be?"

"Take a guess." Shawn fully whipped out his fencer, the pointed tip shimmering in the light that the sun-lit room generated. The way he stood said it all. "It's not just Riaan we're going to take down. Luke and the others are going up step by step…all the way to the top."

"How noble of you." Cesar muffled a snicker, which soon boomed to a hardy laughter. He laughed so much he nearly fell back in his lavish seat. "You're rich!" he laughed. "For an earthling, you sure know how to amuse a genius like myself."

"Not sure flattery will get to us this time around." Verias begrudgingly pointed out.

"No, afraid not." Once he had calmed down, Cesar's disposition changed to a somewhat crude calm. His pleasure had changed to seriousness. "You know, your chances of defeating all of Rogue Zero are less than 5.7%...I've done the math. You really think that we'll just let you walk right by up to our incredulous master?"

"I didn't say we were." Shawn gripped Verias. "Honestly, this is all personal."

Cesar smirked. "Well said."

Cesar: 100% Shawn: 100%

Shawn spread his legs, quietly pulling out a Gate Card. 'We've spent all that time with Tigrerra and Aerogan, and through it all, we've made some progress.' He thought back to his tutelage under the veteran Bakugan and her apprentice. He could remember hos deep they had to dig. As he looked at Verias, he could see he felt the same way. 'It's time we show them the results of what we've accomplished.' "Gate Card, set!" Shawn threw out the Gate Card first, making it fade to a yellow shockwave across the ground. "Okay Verias, you ready?"

"As I'll ever be. For our friends." He shut closed again, ready to be thrown.

"Okay then, let's go! Bakugan, brawl!" Shawn threw Verias out, skipping across the ground constantly. "Bakugan, stand!"

Verias popped open, summoned in a yellow glow. His staff twirled overhead before he caught it in midair, flipping onto one knee, twisting and jutting it out in readiness for his adversary.

"My, what a snappy entrance." Cesar half-heartedly mocked. "I'll have to make note of that. Now, see the errors of coming back to face Rogue Zero!" he uproariously shouted. "Bakugan, brawl!" From his armchair, a slot opened, shooting out his Bakugan. "Haos Freezer, stand!"

In a familiar bright yellow light, Freezer raised his tentacles, hissing loudly for battle.

Freezer: 450 Verias: 450

"Let's brawl!" they both screamed. Moments later, Verias and Freezer went charging at each other, shrilling cries as their battle had begun.

---

"Do you really think your friend will be okay?" Luka showed strict signs of doubt as he and everyone were climbing the stairway along the side. Beneath them, a light tremor faded in and out, constantly booming from the battle beneath them.

"Yeah, don't worry about him." Shuji said. "The guy's goody-goody, but I sure ain't doubting him."

"Yeah, he and Verias have been in worse spots." Fly Beetle casually said. "They'll pull out somehow."

Esther looked at Luke, frowning. "Luke…"

Luke continued his path ahead, remaining quiet along with Abis Omega. The awkward silence they had was disturbing her to no end. She thought he wasn't okay with it. After all, the best friends reunited after a while.

"…don't worry." Shockingly, Luke smiled. "He'll be fine. This is Shawn after all." He said strongly. "Besides, friends should trust each other, right? I know Shawn will get through."

"Yeah." Abis Omega nodded. "Same with Verias. I've had his back before, we'll do it again."

Esther softly smiled. She was rather proud of Luke and Abis Omega's self-assurance. She would've expected them to be desperate to stay beside Shawn because of their friendship. Seeing him confident and caring about Shawn like those was proof of how far he's gotten.

"So that was the mad genius back there, huh?" Spectra deduced, thinking back to Cesar.

Maggie nodded. "Yeah, no doubt about it. Trust me, there's no one out there who can gloat about themselves like Cesar can."

"That's putting it lightly." Jelldon commented. "Not to be rude, but he talks more about his genius than he does battle."

"I see. How very interesting." Spectra commented. The area beneath him continued shuddering as the battle energy was being pulsed throughout the tower. As it happened, he noticed networks shimmering green lights across the wall. "Seems that the tower was designed to not only absorb our atmospheric conditions as well."

Jase looked over, seeing the walls' crevices flowing with green energy. Immediately he recognized this energy. "Seems this is also networked along with the core as well."

Jelldon turned on Maggie's shoulder towards him. "So then…this is also designed to energize the core as well?"

"It would appear to be the case."

"Just like Thermosphere and Troposphere." Esther deduced.

"Precisely. I would imagine that the battle energy generated here would also be used to empower this tower's core. In other words, the more we brawl, the more power we feed the core." Everyone seemed to be getting it, but the news wasn't as good as Jase was putting it. "Let me explain. If we were at the base of this power, then it's likely that the core may be somewhere else in this tower."

"And where's that exactly?" Atchibee inquired.

Spectra put a hand to his chin. "I think I get it."

"Get what?" Luke asked. "Go you know…?" He looked towards Abis Omega, but the Bakugan showed equal confusion.

"Riaan." Everyone looked up to the top of the steps, hearing Luka's voice. "It's Riaan. Riaan created the core by using a part of his sequence with Cesar's technology. It has to be the only explanation, otherwise there would've been a much higher security down at the bottom."

"So then…Riaan used some kind of link to make himself the core?" Maggie summarized. "I don't know whether to call that genius, or really annoying."

"But that also means that in order to break down Empyrean…" Atmos started.

Jase nodded, concluding what he was going to say. "Means we must also deal with Riaan."

"Sounds like a challenge." Shuji huffed. "Man, if the guy wasn't a big enough pain in the butt to begin with."

"That's not the only obstacle I'm afraid." Luka forewarned them. Once again, everyone else fell silent as what he said piqued their interests. "I've realized something else. It involves Project Armagedoid."

Everyone's alarms went off inside their noggins. 'Wait, Armagedoid?' Luke had to question himself about that. It seemed so familiar, yet couldn't put his finger on it. When he thought to his last encounter, it clicked. 'Wait…that dragon?!'

"I had no idea that Armagedoid was going to be a Bakugan." Luka cursed himself mentally for not realizing this flaw sooner. "That Bakugan that he made, I knew there was something wrong about it. It felt like Riaan himself…but now I think I pieced it together. He created Armagedoid the same way he did with anything else, with his own power of copying."

"Are you sure about all this?" Atchibee inquired. "Not to sound farfetched, but maybe there's something else here we're not seeing."

"Maybe…" Luka held his grip onto his sword. "But that doesn't change what has to be done. Bakugan or not, Riaan has to be stopped. There's been enough of a mess made without any new accomplices."

To a degree, Luke had to agree with Luka. He knew Riaan had to be stopped. Even if he did create some kind of monstrosity and tricked it into cooperating. He still held some degree of standards, however. Something about this felt off. He just couldn't quite place it.

"We're nearing the next flooring." Jase told the group. Up ahead, they could see where the ceiling and stairs connected in a bright hue.

"I see it, too!" Maggie shouted.

'Almost there.' Esther glared at the light.

Luke and everyone remained quiet as they saved their breath for the strides up the stairs. When they got far enough, they found themselves beaming into the light. It was a white blur before they realized it. Next thing they knew, they found themselves on the next floor. This floor, much like the other one, was substantially the same, although the walls had bright blue walls that stretched high up. When they looked out as well, they noticed that the sea wasn't within sight. They were much higher up than before.

"Looks like we're getting closer to the top from here." Luka deduced, observing his surroundings. "It's all clear."

Everyone approached him. They all looked around, getting an interesting smell within their nostrils. For some reason, it all smelled like brine. It was the smell of the ocean.

"Do you smell that?" Abis Omega – being an Aquos Bakugan – immediately caught this sensation. "Luke? You feel it?"

"Yeah, I do…" Luke smelled the air. "Smells like seawater in here."

"There must be ventilation coming through from the outside then." Jase deduced. "At this altitude, saltwater tends to deter a little. Any higher and the grains would've crystalized to solid salt."

"That's some science right there." Maggie inquired.

"It's general geography on my part. The B.I.F was stationed near a seashore. When after rainstorms hit on high cliffs, some strong waves carry salt. We mind deposits rather at this point." He faced forward. "But rather than die from the fascination of sodium, I'm sure you're all just aching to when our ears pop."

Luke and Shuji had to cringe t that part. They knew the tower was very high, but the last time they flew that far high on the way to the B.I.F, their ears popped to no end. It was annoying.

Spectra looked up, noticing something above them. "Careful everyone. We have something." He chimed.

"What is it?" Luke looked up, seeing the white light above them. Upon narrowing his vision, he noticed a vague shadow dropping. "What the…?"

As the shadow dropped at an alarming rate, it had a massive raised.

"Everyone out of the way, now!" Esther warned.

Everyone again dove out of the way, getting by the skin of their teeth as a massive pincer slammed into the earth, causing a shockwave that picked everyone up. They all screamed as they jumped with bits of the tower's floor. Clawcer hissed angrily, while Ariella was atop of her Bakugan, smirking.

Rolling along the ground, Luka recovered and glared skywards at their foe. "You!"

"Ariella." Esther gasped on a knee. Like her, everyone else looked unscathed by the assault.

Clawcer hissed in hostility, whereas Ariella had a hand to her hip. "Well, well, well, what do we have here? Seven weasels that snuck into our little workplace." She taunted, glaring down everyone. "I thought we took care of you the last time. How many times do we have to stomp on you before you fools learn to stay out of our way?!"

Shuji scoffed. "Heh, I can see she's pretty pissed."

"Looks happy to see us if you ask me." Fly Beetle shrugged.

Esther narrowed her eyes. She remembered well of the woman who was her foe countless times before. Suffice to say the two venomous gazes the two shared didn't uphold any mercy. Even Esther had a shrilled venom coursing around her.

"So I see you all managed to get passed Cesar." Ariella observed, counting up the foes around her. "Looks like the scientist is gonna have his hands full with Lucia and Hades Pillars when this is all over."

Jase frowned. "I see even you haven't changed in confidence, Ariella."

Ariella smirked. "Ah, Jase. Well isn't this a surprise. Where's that other friend of yours? The blonde one."

Luka stepped forward, using his sword in a threatening taunt. "Listen, we don't have time to waste here. You're going to step out of the way, or be sorry." He threatened. "We're in no mood for this!"

Ariella's eyes narrowed. "How rude. Is that how you treat all women?" She swiped her arm, commanding Clawcer to raise a claw in retort. "Then I guess we'll have to make you learn some manners. Clawcer!"

Clawcer's claw was raised high, ready to strike. Luka reached for Brontes again, but before he could throw, a Gate Card shot passed his head. His eyes widened in shock as the card faded in a red shockwave across the ground. "What the…?"

"Bakugan, brawl!"

Ariella's eyes widened. "What-?!" It happened so fast to her. In a red glow, something red and covered in electricity sent Clawcer nearly tipping on his back. Ariella nearly caught up before she was able to jump off of Clawcer. Both barely regained themselves as they staggered back. When they composed, their eyes widened in surprise at their attacker. "You!"

Jelldon wiggled his tentacles, cracking with red electricity from the sucker punch he threw. Maggie stepped forward, confidently staring her down. "Hands off, lady." She mocked. "If anyone's got a bone to pick, it's me."

"Maggie?" Shuji gasped.

"Well isn't this a surprise." Spectra spectated. "Seems you're just full of volunteers in this group, aren't you?" he told Luka.

Luka withdrew his blade, scoffing. "Not my problem."

"Maggie, can we count on you as well?" Jase asked the perky young girl.

Jelldon squirmed with a low growl at Clawcer. Maggie looked forward, not willing to take her eyes off Ariella. "Don't worry. We'll be just fine. Jelldon and I can buy you some time. You guys just get to that creep before it's too late."

Clawcer glared daggers at Jelldon, but Jelldon's body fumed with red static drawing into the four tendrils. He raised them in defense. "You guys get going, now!" Clawcer went to pinch him, but Jelldon swiftly batted the big claw away like a fly, staggering Clawcer some.

Luke nodded. "Okay then." He darted for the next stairway off to the side.

"Good luck, buddy!" Fly Beetle shouted, hanging onto Shuji's shoulder as the Subterra battler hurried along with the mission.

"Don't keep us waiting, okay pipsqueak!" Shuji screamed as he trudged along.

With everyone high up and continuing their way towards the staircase, Maggie was left to her own battle to finish. "Don't worry…we won't." she said calmly. "Jelldon." Besides her, Jelldon leaned forward, ready for battle with a serious look.

Ariella smirked. "You've got a lot of nerve to come here of all places, little girl." She said. "But you know, I'm actually impressed. To think that you would think of getting this far. I would've thought you and your friends would've been finished back in those sewers."

"So you've known since then, huh?" Maggie scoffed. "Well I hate to disappoint you."

Ariella smirked. "Don't be. Just for you, I'll make sure to leave you crying like the little girl that you are. Clawcer!"

"Yes, Milady!" Clawcer stepped forward, pinching his claw to intimidate.

"Let's go Jelldon. You ready?" Maggie encouraged.

Jelldon nodded. "You bet." He faced Clawcer, watching him pinch constantly with crushing force. He remained unfazed. 'Maybe I would've been intimidated before, but…we didn't train this hard for nothing.' He thought briefly to his training with Diablo. 'No matter who I'm up against, my friends are counting on me. So I won't. Let. Them. Down!' With his mental speech, he gave Clawcer his own glare of defiance.

"What's this? Think your Jelldon's all big and strong now?" Ariella taunted, seeing Jelldon's intense stare.

"Trust me lady, you'll be surprised. We're not the weaklings you picked on before." Maggie grinned.

Ariella scoffed, her patience wearing thin. "Well we'll just have to see about that now, won't we?" her challenging taunt was answered with Clawcer growling outwards, his mouth shield uncovering to expel a shrilled below.

Jelldon discharged even more to his tendrils. Maggie braced herself.

Clawcer: 450 Jelldon: 450

Ariella stretched her arm forward. At her command, Clawcer went at Jelldon, and Jelldon remained stationary.

"Here they come!" Maggie warned.

"I'm ready!" the jellyfish Bakugan shouted. He braced himself as Clawcer reached his claw forward to attack.

---

Everyone continued their path as demanded. Luka and Spectra held the charge as the remaining four followed behind. "Everyone, don't stop!" Luka yelled.

"We know!" Luke yelled back up. It was distressing knowing Shawn stayed behind, but it was a bigger weight with Maggie also. Still, despite protests of worry, he knew better than to doubt them. They trained for this after all, so he had to persevere. "How much farther up until the next floor?!"

"Not much farther now." Spectra noted. "It looks like it's right up ahead."

As the group went up the stairway, they all made sure to remain very cautious as they did before. As they went higher, the smell of salt aggravated some nostrils. At one point, Shuji practically sneezed, but Esther was there to hold him before he could take a plunge back down. Luka nearly slipped at one point, but he stabbed the ground using his energy sword and propelled himself ahead. The group was traveling so high up that it was staggering enough knowing they had to get even higher.

As the battle energy seeped through the walls minutes on end, they all eventually made it to the next floor above. They all ran through the bright ceiling, passing the sea of blinding radiance to travel to the next floor, this one being a dark tan compared to the bright blue from the floor below. Even the accents and center of the room alike seemed well engraved, like a miniature canyon for ants.

Luka narrowed his eyes, glaring around at his surroundings. When he looked around, he saw yet again that the arched windows the size of Rome's colosseums were still shut. He didn't like the signs that were displayed.

"Your continuous intruding is admirable."

The voice immediately drew everyone off to the side. They all gave daggers at someone as their boots dug into the ground. Standing with a strong built was Hendrix, giving them serious frowns upon trespassing.

He crossed his arms. "But…this game has gone far enough for you." He finished.

"Hendrix." Luke grimaced.

"Another member of Rogue Zero." Spectra deduced. He watched as Hendrix walked closer towards them. "You're part of this entourage serving under Riaan, is that right?"

Hendrix stopped when he stood and blocked their path to the stairs. "I am." He answered. "Respectful or not, I was given orders to make sure nobody passes me. You can all come forth and face me…or we can forget this ever happened."

"That's quite an opposition you have there." Fly Beetle said.

"True that." Shuji said. He started walking up as well with his own serious expression. He stopped when he was several feet ahead of the others. "Well we've got our own proposition as well. Either you can let us pass, or we can settle this the hard way."

Hendrix stared at Shuji, his brow furrowing. He lowered his head and shook it out of dismay. "Why must this come to be?" he asked. "Do you not hold your lives in virtue?"

Shuji cracked his knuckles. Slowly, each one cracked. He chose to remain silent than tun his mouth against someone like him.

"Shuji." Esther muttered.

"Same rules apply to you." Jase said. "You understand what's important, right?"

Shuji grinned. "I know. Fly Beetle and I ain't gonna take too long…we just wanna make sure we get our point across this beef jerky." He glared daggers at Hendrix, who in turn shared the same stone-cold expression as before. He didn't look too happy with his foe's opposition.

Jase nodded. "Understood. Everyone."

"We know." Esther took off with the others. "Good luck, Shuji!"

"Thanks." Shuji watched from the corner of his eye as everyone made way pass him. As they embarked for the stairs, Luke looked back one more time. Shuji appreciated the concern he was given, even by one person, but he knew he had to stay strong as well.

He gave Luke a thumbs up and grinned. Once Luke got the memo, he nodded and caught up with the others. With them soon departing, it was down to the Subterra battlers. The atmosphere around them became as dry as an actual desert. If anything stood between them, they'd feel petrified by their auras.

"You gave grown stronger." Hendrix said.

"You can tell, can't you?" Shuji questioned.

"It's painful to not tell. Judging by that look on your face and this power I'm feeling from both of you…I'm not sure what you've been doing these past few days but I can tell you this…" Hendrix stepped forward, giving them a grim serious look. "You and your friends won't be getting out of this tower alive."

Catching the underlying dread on his tone, Shuji glanced over his shoulder. Out far, he could see many aerial Bakugan waiting for an opportunity to attack. They circled around, drawn in by the battle energy those beneath generated. He glanced back at Hendrix.

"So tell me this, is this really what you want?"

Shuji stepped his feet apart. The stance he took as he gripped Fly Beetle made it all too clear that he was ready to fight for his very life. "Does this answer your question?" he referred to pulling out Fly Beetle.

Hendrix sighed, calming all the muscles in his body. Once calm, he cracked his neck muscles, then like Shuji, he cracked his knuckles and paced forward. "Very well. So be it."

Hendrix: 100% Shuji: 100%

Hendrix stepped forward, glaring daggers with his eyes narrowing. "This time, when you lose, I'll make sure to bury you so that we know you won't tamper again. Gate Card…set!" he swiped his arm, throwing out a Gate Card, which faded into a bright brown ripple. "Lend me your strength, Rafflesian. Bakugan…brawl!" he threw Rafflesian in. "Bakugan, stand!"

With force, vines shot skywards before plunging. The accented ground was punctured as Rafflesian arose with a low growl.

"There he is." Fly Beetle said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, I can see him." Shuji remarked, his figment in Raffesian's vicious shadow. The Bakugan's growl didn't deter him, not like the ever-towering Gorem once did. In fact, thinking about Gorem only made his opposition to Hendrix all the more his responsibility; a responsibility he willingly accepted.

Once they were mentally prepared, Fly Beetle gently floated into Shuji's palm. "You ready?"

Shuji nodded. "Yeah." Fly Beetle closed, allowing Shuji to throw him in. "Okay big guy…let's rumble! Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!"

In an orange blitz, a flash was all it took before a horn shot out of nowhere. The wake of the attack surprised Hendrix as Fly Beetle suddenly stabbed Rafflesian's front immediately upon formation. The Bakugan screamed as Fly Beetle didn't deter, not while he stood on his six legs.

Rafflesian: 450 Fly Beetle: 450

Hendrix swiped his arm. "Don't deter! Show them your strength!" His order made Rafflesian raise his front tendrils. He slammed them down, only for Fly Beetle to flex his wing shields, bouncing them back. "What?" he gasped.

Shuji's eyes narrowed. "Alright buddy, let's see who holds their ground."

---

"We're approaching the next floor, everyone get ready!" Luka warned. They all braced themselves thoroughly. They all followed the steadfast battler as they followed him to the next floor up.

"Do you feel that?" Atmos asked. He was feeling a strong draft from above.

Jase narrowed his eyes. "As I thought. There's a current in the next room up. Everyone, be prepared. We may have breezes before us."

Luke and Esther followed behind with subtle nods. Even now, it was getting colder from the harsh winds that were picking up the closer they got to the next floor. It was only after they passed the next ceiling did they almost get blown over.

"What the-?!"

Luke's cries were followed by him almost falling over. Esther made it swift to catch him before he fell back down. "Luke!" she exclaimed, clutching onto him.

"Esther!" He was hoisted back up by her arm. "Thanks."

The wind picked up around them. Al at once, the drafts generated were blowing about in the room like a tempest. Deposits of grains and some dead leaves swished around in loops passing everyone to the outside arched windows that were open, which was where the drafts were coming from. Looking all around, the drafts were coming from each arched window open…and all of them were open.

Luka shielded himself as he looked around him. "Show yourself now, Killian! We know you're here!"

Jase stepped forward, unfazed by the winds it seems. "Seems that Killian has setup the perfect environment for himself. How fitting." His senses picked up on something above. When glanced up, he immediately got on guard.

"What is it?" Taking notice of Jase's looks, Luke looked up, his eyes widening upon recognizing the downwards threat from above.

For the umpteenth time today, everyone barreled out of the way of a massive proboscis. The massive nose punctures the green accented ground, making a vibrant hum ripple. Everyone rolled off to the side and glanced ahead, staring at the massive needle-like nose that pulled itself out of the ground.

Looking up, everyone saw the huge Ventus Bakugan that hissed in the drafts surrounding the room; some of which surrounded it and made its flapping wings more like gliding. On its back was Killian, and he looked as serious as could be.

"Killian!" Abis Omega exclaimed.

Moskeeto arose higher, prompting another strike. "Sorry guys, but you've gone up far enough." Killian said above. Surprisingly, he was loud enough through the winds. "If you wanna get through to the others, you have to deal with me."

Luka glared cold daggers at Killian. "You've got a lot of nerve for someone so high up."

Killian's expression remained unchanged. "Not gonna take chances. I'm not that dumb. Moskeeto!" At his command, Moskeeto prepared another assault fixed for them.

Luka and everyone prepared to counter, but through their prep, Jase casually walked forward. "It appears that…it's come for our turn now, Atmos." He told his Bakugan.

"What?" Killian muttered. Moskeeto hissed as well.

Luke bent to the side. "Jase…"

Without warning, Jase through a Gate Card between himself and Killian. The green shockwave dissipated along the ground, leaving nothing but winds as he remained calm. "Well now, seems the stage is set. Atmos? You ready?"

"Evermore, Jase." Atmos closed his ball form, allowing Jase to seize him.

Seeing his opponent readying for battle, Killian's eyes narrowed. He can't let this opportunity slide. For the sake of his job. He had one job: To make sure no one stops him. He reached down. "Go, Moskeeto!"

Moskeeto nodded. "Roger!" In a swift dive, he folded his body, making himself a nosedive into Jase. Killian remained perched on his back as they shot at the Ventus battler and his colleagues.

"Jase! Atmos!" Atchibee exclaimed.

Moskeeto dove at intense speeds, almost as fast as a bullet. Killian narrowed his eyes, lowering his head as he awaited for the puncture. However, in a blur faster than the speed of lightning, he found his whole world upside down. "What the…?!"

"Aw crap!" Moskeeto found himself falling to the ground. He was anchored deeply, smashing like an actual fly against the Gate Card. The floor glowed as the Gate Card shined, its radiance grounding Moskeeto and Killian alike.

"What's this?" Helios wondered.

Spectra watched the move with slight interest. "A Land Pressure Gate Card I see." He smirked. "Clever move."

Luke grinned. "That…" his eyes widened upon realization. "I…I can't believe I was worried there." He almost sounded like he lacked the belief.

Esther had an expectant look as well. "Should've known as much."

With Killian and Moskeeto both grounded, they hollered as they tried to get up, but to no avail. Jase turned towards the group. "That Gate Card won't last for very long. For the time being, everyone should be heading up. Killian isn't going to give up that easily you know."

Luke knew better at this point. He nodded, believing in Jase's decision. "Okay then." He took off to the stairway with everyone else beside him. Once they were taking off passed the Gate Card, they had to ignore the grunting Killian as he was pinned against the card.

"Gngh…damnit…" he weakly raised hi head, looking at everyone starting for the stairway. "Hey…we're not done with you…!"

"Your opponent is me." Jase reminded him. He was currently remaining stoic as his hands were behind his back. "My sincerest apologies. I didn't intend to actually force a hand in this. But, to be fair, you've given us such generous hospitality." He used two fingers to prod his glasses up. Light shimmered in them. "It'd be rude if I couldn't return that same kindness."

Killian grunted with Moskeeto. They both felt the Gate Card's effects lift as it dissipated. Soon enough, Moskeeto went to ball form, to whom Killian caught. He looked up one more time, seeing them climb the stairway. He didn't seem too happy, especially since Galilea might bit his ear off for this one. He mentally cursed himself as he was blindsided by Jase's trap.

Jase stepped forward. "Now then, shall we?" he held Atmos between two fingers.

Killian clutched Moskeeto. "Fine by me."

Killian: 100% Jase: 100%

The winds shifted between Killian and Jase. The two Ventus battlers were having yet another battle. This time, Killian was much stronger. But at the same time, as was Jase. There was no clear winner yet. There was only one way to decide this.

"Personally, I do admire the work ethic." Jase complimented. "However, it's your allegiance that is the problem."

Killian's brow furrowed. "You're one to talk. Heard about you and this B.I.F. At least I have a job."

Jase raised a brow. "So I see. Forgive my candor."

Killian raise a Gate Card. "After grounding us? You must be crazier than whoever came up with the plan to come back here to Vestal." He threw the Gate Card, making it fade in a green shockwave. He picked up Moskeeto. "Moskeeto, let's show them the door."

"With pleasure." Moskeeto closed in his ball form, ready to be thrown.

"Okay then. Bakugan, brawl!" Killian threw Moskeeto. "Moskeeto, stand!"

In a green light, a tempest picked up, amplified by the intense draft coursing through the open arches. Almost instantly, Moskeeto shot skywards, gaining an immeasurable altitude.

Jase looked up calmly. "I see he's already gained an advantage…very well then." In his palm, Atmos was ready. "Atmos."

"I'm ready, Jase." He nodded. "Let's make Skyress proud." He closed.

"Well said." He threw him out. "Bakugan, brawl!" Atmos went shooting across the ground, skipping. "Atmos, stand!"

In a green light, a green blur shot out of the ground. The bullet-like green creature closed in on Moskeeto. "Huh-?!" In a turbulence, a gust storm picked up, throwing Moskeeto off balance several times and doubling over in the air.

'So fast!' Killian gasped.

In a green maelstrom, Atmos stretched his wings out, pushing all the drafts away. The battlefield was clear from just one massive flap, leaving thin air between him and a befuddled Moskeeto. His yellow eyes seeped with a ferocious glare.

Jase smirked, a solemn draft shifting his hair. "Now then…shall we see who controls these winds?"

---

Gus swiped his arm, revealing an ability card. "Vulcan, now!"

At his command, Vulcan unleashed a shrilled roar as he pointed his hands at the many aerial Bakugan above. His hands retracted into cannons, unleashing an intense orange beam that pulsated with melting properties. The intense ray was so powerful that every Bakugan it touched was melted away.

Gus nodded in approval. "Nice work." He turned towards Keegan, who wasn't too far off with his Mystic Elico, now as a Darkus attribute. "You!"

Hearing Gus' shout, Keegan turned his head towards him. "What do you want now?!" he shouted back, with grim signs of irritation.

"Did you manage to implant that bug before the servers crashed?"

Keegan's brow furrowed. "Yeah, what do you think I did?!" Mystic Elico abruptly dodged a bolt of electricity from a Haos Jelldon. Keegan rebounded with his Bakugan.

"I see." Gus faced the army ahead of them. "In that case, let's hope the others got our message soon."

Vulcan tensed. "That makes three of us." An enemy Anchorsaur closed in; Vulcan swatted them away.

Nearby, Nemus was using Elemental Roar, pulsing yellow shockwaves that spread towards a Haos Verias. The ape with black fur fell back, but immediately rebounded as it used its staff to twirl and absorb in some of the shockwaves. It returned them using one steady swing, spreading them towards Nemus. At the last second, Percival stepped between, saving Nemus with his Blind Shield.

"Percival!" Nemus gasped.

The attack lifted, revealing Percival in one piece. "I'm fine, don't worry." He adjusted his stance, slashing his blade in a horizontal line. The purple trail dug into the enemies, cutting them all down.

"Man, we're taking bigger hits than we thought." Baron grunted. "We're barely hanging in there."

"We need to get some space, and quick." Ace recommended.

"I'm with you there." Keegan chirped. "We need to get out of this collapsing scrap metal!" He looked towards the sky. "Mystic Elico, up!"

The Bakugan obeyed the command. Soaring up, it uppercut an Atmos in their path. It continued sailing, and soon enough, with the trail it was making, the Bakugan were unable to process those below.

"Looks like we've found our exit route." Ace smirked.

"We need to hurry!" Ace shouted.

"Agreed." Gus nodded. "Let's go, Vulcan!"

"I'm with you!" Vulcan's feet ignited and he jettisoned skywards. His antigravity prowess allowed him to soar up, unleashing an uppercut that blitzed through numbers on end. They all backlashed far away, allowing an exit to be severed deeper by the Viking.

"That's our cue, Percival!" Ace shouted. Percival went flying up, wasting no time.

"You too, Nemus! And hurry!" Nemus sailed upwards next, with all the Bakugan disoriented around them. They all sailed up and into the decrepit air. They all fanned out towards the broken city, with many more Bakugan hot on their tail.

---

"BEHOLD! THE POWER OF MY GENIUS~!" Cesar uproariously announced.

Shawn balled his fists. He remained quiet with Verias as they held their respective weapons in hand.

"Ability, activate! Haos Force!" Freezer let out a roar as he reared his head back, gathering light into an energy orb. Once ready, he unleashed it at Verias, shredding across the ground.

Verias used his agility and suddenly vanished. He blitzed left, evading the beam that erupted where he once stood. Freezer fired again, but Verias evaded again. He shifted constantly, closing the gap onto his adversary.

Cesar smirked. 'I understand. Close range combat Isn't Freezer's strong point.' Realizing this, Cesar reached out. "Ability, activate! Cool Breath!"

Freezer took in a quick breath. "Chill down!" He exhaled, releasing an intense mist that went at Verias as he closed the gap in a lunge. Cesar's smirk widened as he saw Verias still bolting ahead.

"Now, Shawn!"

"Gotcha! Ability, activate! Heaven Solace!"

Verias continued bolting into the mist, vanishing within its space. He was briefly seen in a shield of light that dimmed within the cloud coverage, making his white fur as great camouflage as well.

Cesar's eyes narrowed. "What's this?"

Freezer looked around, but his ability backfired on him. He was staring left and right, trying to find out where Verias had gone. But then out of the blue, he felt a sensation crawl up his spine. He noticed a shadow lingering below. When he looked up, a staff was swung down.

"Now!" Shawn shouted.

Verias soared as he slammed his staff with extreme force. The intense light that once surrounded his body was directed into the staff's end. The cosmic yellow erupted at point blank, creating a pulse wave that Freezer screamed in. "PRIME MISTRAL!" they screamed in unison.

Freezer: 750 (-200) = 550 Verias: 450 (+300) = 750

The light dissipated, and the mist from earlier had long since vanished. Verias jumped on and landed on a knee. He looked over his shoulder, seeing Freezer still in shock from that last blow. He pivoted and prodded his staff into the back of his head, sending him falling forward into the ground.

'That was so fast!' Cesar gasped.

Freezer laid disoriented while Shawn and Verias were waiting patiently for their opponent. As they waited, they thought back to Tigrerra, 'The key to a successful battle is knowing your enemy's weak points. It doesn't have to be a physical weak point, but knowing even their behaviors and their attack patterns would be enough. Once you find an opening, strike hard, and fast, before they recover.'

Remembering what she instructed, Shawn glared ahead with a dead serious look. 'I should've picked this up before. Freezer's attack are all primarily long-ranged. That means its physical defenses fall short. Which means…it's one big opening.'

Cesar furrowed his brow. He saw Freezer stagger back up, and Verias was hot on his tail as he jumped up. 'He's a lot more agile than what I calculated than before. Time to slow it down!' "Ability, activate! Dark World!"

Freezer looked up to see Verias closing the gap with his staff overhead. In an evasive rush, Freezer's four eyes glowed, immediately making the area around them much like a void. Verias swung down, but Freezer disappeared. He remained calm as he noticed that the darkness around him was confined, leaving him with little room.

Freezer: 550 (+100) = 650 Verias: 750 (-200) = 550

Outside the dark blob-like dome, Freezer was revealed to have came out unscathed. He evaded in the nick of time and watched as his ability was compressing itself onto Verias.

Cesar watched with a careful disposition, shocking enough. 'At this point, they would expect me to use my other neutralizing abilities that Freezer has. Their Gate Cards have all been that way ever since the first battle. They won't get me this time.'

Verias looked up, seeing the dark ceiling come down. Quickly, he stuck his staff out, using it as a support beam that held the ceiling from getting any lower. With the hemisphere blocked for a second, Verias gathered himself as he took in a deep breath.

"Ability, activate!" Shawn shouted. "Simian Howl!"

Cesar's eyes widened. "An enclosed space attack?!"

It was muffled, but a shrilled roar was heard throughout the confines. The blob-like veil around Verias began to palpitate like rippling water. Freezer and Cesar looked surprised until they saw the blob expand like a balloon. It exploded, shredding the darkness along with yellow sonic waves across the room and echoing all around. The pulse waves were enough to cause Freezer to slide backwards across the ground, until he came to a staggering stop in front of Cesar.

Freezer: 650 (-200) = 450 Verias: 550 (+200) = 750

Cesar uncovered himself as he saw the results of the scuffle. Freezer was getting hurt pretty bad. He had to admit even he was surprised. 'Their attack patterns are a lot more different than before.' He witnessed Verias slamming his staff down on Freezer again, causing him to fall over in pain. 'They've become much more direct, but coordinated. To think they made it this far…my mistake.'

Shawn and Verias backed off, seeing Freezer stagger back up again.

"I must say, I'm impressed." Cesar said. "I thought I compiled enough data from that Hakapoid, but it looks like you're full of surprises." He reached up, pulling up a white hexagonal cube. "Come, Bakugan Trap! Haos Dynamo!" He threw the Bakugan skywards, where it glowed in a bright yellow light.

Dropping besides Freezer, the Dynamo released a mechanical howl. Freezer lifted himself again as he prepared for the comeback.

Freezer: 450/Dynamo: 400 Verias: 750

"I thought you'd do that." Shawn said.

Cesar smirked. "It is not surprising. Now…go! Combine, my minions!" At his command, Dynamo and Freezer fused together. Freezer inserted his six arms into the six legs, linking up as they would do before. "Behold the power of my genius!"

Freezer: 450/Dynamo: 400 = 850 Verias: 750

Shawn and Verias remained careful. They glared intensely at the combination.

"Witness the combined power of living and mechanical marvel!" Cesar uproariously pointed ahead. "Ability, activate! Grapple Bazooka!"

Freezer aimed all of the mechanical legs at Verias. The two hind legs were stationary while the front four legs were showing gunners. "FIRE!" Cesar's shout made the creature expel gunfire shots constantly, shooting yellow bullets that were in rapid volleys heading for Verias.

Freezer: 450 (+300) = 750/Dynamo: 400 (+300) = 700 = 1450 Verias: 750

"Verias!" Shawn exclaimed.

"I know…" Verias balled his fists tighter, gripping his staff with a little more force. In his eyes, he was seeing something relatively similar to what was being thrown at him. In his eyes, he was actually seeing visuals of Tigrerra rapidly slashing at him. Each bullet was like a slash that he had to parry. His eyes glimmered sunlight before they narrowed.

"Ability, activate!" Shawn shouted. "Siba Feral!"

Verias raised his staff and began to proceed. With a violent roar, he lunged ahead with dust separating behind him. He began spinning, twirling, and swatting his staff. Shocking enough, the bullets coming his way were all either being deflected or sliced through. Time slowed down constantly in segments, showing Verias nimbly defending without much footwork. He swatted constantly, knocking away energy bullet after bullet with sharp precision.

Freezer: 750 (-200) = 550/Dynamo: 700 = 1250 Verias: 750 (+200) = 950

Cesar chuckled. "Really? Is that the best that your little 'training' had to offer?"

Verias kept batting away. He swung constantly, blitzing with great speed and force. He twirled his staff as he was actually closing in on Dynamo and Freezer. The closer he got, the more direct the volleys got to him, and the easier it was to deflect them.

"You really believe that you'll stop them?" Cesar questioned again.

"Don't have to." Shawn said. "Get ready…" Verias closed the gap further, getting closer until he spotted the right timing. "Okay! Gate Card, open! Additional Task!"

Cesar's eyes widened. "What…?"

The card glowed beneath everyone. As the glow radiated, Freezer kept firing until the ground began to rupture beneath him. Looking down, he was suddenly swallowed in an explosion that sent him skyrocketing. "What's happening?!" he screamed, feeling himself come apart from Dynamo. He tried to hang on but it didn't work. He screamed as he was hurled across the battlefield while Dynamo went sailing skywards, soaring into his form and returning to Cesar's hand.

Freezer: 550 Verias: 950

Cesar caught Dynamo, a flabbergasted look on his face. "How did you-?!"

"The Additional Task is a command card that forces the Bakugan thrown last onto battlefield to be returned to the owner." Shawn explained. "You rely on Dynamo for the extra firepower that Freezer can't provide."

Cesar gritted his teeth. Once again, Shawn found a flaw in his strategy, a strategy that made him vulnerable in the end. He mentally cursed himself for revealing a weak point to his genius.

Meanwhile, Freezer was back up, but Verias was already over him. With a violent roar, he swung his staff like a bat and smashed Freezer's side. The Bakugan felt an intense shock run through his body as he was hurled into the nearest wall. The impact was so intense that the chamber shuddered while the wall had a crater.

"This can't…be…" Cesar was baffled as he watched a part of the arched windows crumble. The ventilation, and everything else crumbled onto Freezer as he reverted to ball form, dropping to Cesar's feet.

Cesar: 20%

Verias returned to ball form, where Shawn caught him calmly.

"You…" Cesar picked up Freezer by leaning over in his gravity seat. "You've got some nerve coming here. First trespassing, and now destruction of property…do you have any idea how much material and time I had to work for to make this tower?! You barbarian!"

"He looks mad." Verias said.

"I see." Shawn nodded. "Guess this means he's about to get serious on us…" his eyes narrowed, showing no fear. "Let's no give in, Verias."

"With you by my side, that won't be a problem."

---

Ariella swiped her arm. "Make sure she learns her lesson, Clawcer! Ability, activate! Aquos Cyclowave!" Clawcer raised his claw at his master's command, jutting it forward as an expansive blue beam shredded across the ground, racing for Maggie and Jelldon.

Holding on, Jelldon gave the beam a stern stare. "Maggie."

Maggie nodded. "Let's do it. Ability, activate! Gel…Shield!" In unison with her partner, Maggie held out her gloved hands while Jelldon materialized a red liquid shield. The attack heading their way rushed into the hemisphere of odd gelatinous material, but it kept getting absorbed. Despite the pressure that was against them, Maggie and Jelldon remained stern as their serious looks were enough keep them through attack, leaving Jelldon completely unfazed.

"That all you got?!" Jelldon roared. "Diablo threw harsher blows!"

Ariella raised a brow. "My, my. What a big, strong Bakugan you are." She meekly taunted. Her smirk widened. "Alright then, if that's what you want, tough guy!" she held up her Bakumeter, bracing another ability. "Ability, activate! Go! Shield Crush Delta!"

Clawcer pinched his pincers together, creating a blue energy crest. He lurched forward, shooting the crest across the ground towards Jelldon.

Clawcer: 450 Jelldon: 450 (-150) = 300

"Ability, activate!" Maggie roared. "Pyrus Volting!"

Jelldon remained surprisingly calm as he stared down the crescent barreling his way. Once it got close enough, his eyes shrunk briefly before he let out a battle cry, expelling a pressurized blaze that extinguished the crescent. The bolting blaze soared at Clawcer with extreme heat.

Clawcer: 450 Jelldon: 300 (+300) = 600

The roaring blaze soared ever so closer. Once it got close enough, Clawcer remained stationary. "Milady…!"

"I'm well aware." Ariella pulled up another ability. "Ability, activate! Carapace Shield!" Before her Bakugan, she watched as shockwaves of rigorous heat pulsated from the fire blast hitting a blue forcefield. However, the shield remained intact, despite the magnitude that heated the air around.

Clawcer: 450 (+100) = 550 Jelldon: 600 (-300 -50) = 250

Ariella covered up as the roaring flames continued. She grunted as she felt the very ground soon subside, leaving nothing but steam. "What power…" she awed.

Clawcer's shield went down, but he was far from protected. Jelldon suddenly jabbed forward, expelling heated volleys at him. The crab put his pincer in front to take the heated blows. Though they stung like hell, the Bakugan persevered, swatting them all away with a roar.

"We're gonna have to step up our game, Jelldon!" Maggie announced.

Jelldon raised his tentacles. "I'm ready when you are."

Ariella chuckled as she tossed Tripod Theta in her hand up and down. "I quite agree. Enough beating around the bush, it's time to get serious." She tossed the Bakugan Trap skywards. "Go! Bakugan Trap! Aquos Tripod Theta!"

In a blue bolt, the area besides Clawcer was struck. A mist cloud was created, with soon dissipated to reveal Tripod Theta with his staff in hand.

Clawcer: 550/Tripod Theta: 350 Jelldon: 250

Maggie clutched her fists, remaining determined alongside Jelldon. They weren't going to break before things just got started. It was time that they showed them all what they were made of. 'Maybe we did lag behind before.' Jelldon thought back to his time with the group, more specifically the times before his battle against Ziperator; the moment he snapped. 'But it's because of that I was able to realize what I wanted to do with my life. And I now know the answer.' He raised his tentacles, which crackled with electricity. 'No matter who my opponent may be, I won't show them their way…because our way is ours! Not what we're intimidated to do! Time to show Rogue Zero they can't push us around forever!' "Maggie!"

Maggie nodded. "I'm with you, Jelldon! Let's show this hag and her pals just who we are!"

"You're going to pay dearly, little girl." Ariella sniped. "You should learn to respect your elders. How's about we give you a lesson!" she reached out, commanding her Bakugan to advance.

"Funny, we were just thinking the same thing." Maggie stared, while Jelldon squirmed into the centerfield with his opponents to continue their fight.

---

Rafflesian let out a cry as he shot his vines at Fly Beetle. Rather than fly away to dodge, Fly Beetle withstood his ground as he used his horn to deflect to blows. The sharp horns to the prickly vines was a brief standoff that lead to both sides growling.

Hendrix raised his Bakumeter, showing an ability. "Ability activate, Bud Bomber!" Rafflesian's upper bulb-like area began glowing orange. From them, volleys of orange spheres shot at Fly Beetle, bringing his power down to 150.

Shuji remained calm as he began the next counter. "We'll see. Ability, activate! Subterra Seeker!" Fly Beetle's wings lifted, revealing the accents on it glowing magma in color. The buds that were heading right for him hit the wings, but instead they bounced off, shooting right back at Rafflesian.

Rafflesian: 450 (-300) = 150 Fly Beetle: 150 (+300 +100) = 550

The energy buds all bombarded Rafflesian, making powerful explosion that engulfed him. The Bakugan roared out in angst as eruptions enveloped him.

Hendrix remained calm under the pressure. He reached out. "Ability, activate…Seed Flare!" While taking the blows, Rafflesian heard his master's call. He growled low before he opened his massive leaves, showing dark blue inside with pockets where seeds would be. From all the holes, bright orange beams enveloped everything, erupting like small lasers that blasted the buds to smithereens.

In a bright flash, the dust between them settled, both Fly Beetle and Rafflesian glaring the other down.

Rafflesian: 150 (+300 +200) = 650 Fly Beetle: 550

"Why is it that you insist on persisting?" Hendrix questioned sternly.

Shuji glared daggers as a result. "You should know by now the answer." He answered sternly. "You tell us, why do you ask when it's obvious?"

Hendrix's eyes narrowed with Shuji's backtalk. He didn't mind much at all, but the fact that late teens and preteens were risking their well-being to stop an unstoppable force was ridiculous. It was suicide. But he knew better than to argue. Out of respect, he pulled up another ability.

"Then you will pay the price. Ability, activate! Root Seep!" Rafflesian let out another roar as he raised his vines overhead, plunging them into the ground. The flooring shuddered as the vines traveled underground, heading for Fly Beetle as he remained stationary.

"Be careful man!" Shuji warned.

"I know!" he exclaimed back. He braced himself as the roots beneath shot up from the sides. They entangled Fly Beetle's limbs, quickly coiling crushing, prickling holds onto the creature. Fly Beetle strained as he could feel his skeletal structure sustain pressure.

Rafflesian: 650 (+200) = 850 Fly Beetle: 550 (-200) = 350

Shuji watched the struggle, but he remained quelled. 'Stay hold.' Even so, Fly Beetle also remained calm.

"Is this the best you got?" Fly Beetle grunted. "Gorem…had much more pressure in one foot, than all this."

Hendrix's eyes narrowed. He could see he was tested. "So be it." He showed another ability and lifted his arm to do so. "Ability, activate…Chaos Booster-X!" A bright purple core showed itself on Rafflesian. The hashed chords on the corners all expanded around, constricting Rafflesian. He grunted low as he was feeling the power flow into him.

Shuji and Fly Beetle stared, with Shuji looking sternly ahead. "Get ready…"

Rafflesian's body exerted veins that pulsed with flowing power. As he glared, Rafflesian's body expelled a large, omnidirectional pulse that ripped across the battlefield.

Rafflesian: 850 (+500) = 1350 Fly Beetle: 350

The shockwave drew closer, but Hendrix remained quiet. He remained completely composed as he was about to see his adversaries get blown away.

Shuji smirked. "Alright…ability, activate!"

The shockwave enveloped Fly Beetle, leaving everything in a crisp white blur all for a moment. Fly Beetle and Shui briefly vanished inside the explosion of energy, before an orange glint slashed right through. The shockwave slashed in half, leaving a bright light.

"What?!" Hendrix exclaimed, watching the shockwave and vines both erode away.

Fly Beetle went zooming through the light, piercing Rafflesian head on with his glowing saber horns. "Kabuto Basher!"

Rafflesian screamed out in agony from the attack hitting him hard. The force of the impact was powerful enough to nearly uproot the Bakugan entirely. He bobbed his head back, whereas Fly Beetle ascended into the air and retreated back for some distance before touching the ground again.

Rafflesian: 1350 (-500 -200) = 650 Fly Beetle: 350 (+300) = 650

Hendrix eyed Shuji and Fly Beetle with disgust shown on his face. His patience was still well, but the many battles he's had with them has worn him down. He was annoyed. "If you intend to keep trying, then so be it! Ability, activate! Ground Force!"

Rafflesian groaned as he attempted to stand again. Once he was up, he began to make a light magnitude beneath him as the flooring was beginning to rattle. The magnitude spouted fissures with dust spewing in a shockwave towards Fly Beetle.

Rafflesian: 650 (+300) = 950 Fly Beetle: 650

The shockwave went throughout the domain, closing in on Fly Beetle. Shuji remained serious as Fly Beetle's horn began to glow.

Hendrix's eyes narrowed. "What…?"

"Alright…let's show them what it really means to stand your ground!" Shuji declared. "Ability, activate! Ballistic Wave!"

Fly Beetle's horn began to hum at an alarming rate, one so grand that it was beginning to pulsate orange electricity. The energy currents traveled to the tips, where he raised his horn high and slammed it down on the ground.

"Eat this!"

He slammed his horn into the ground, causing a tremendous orange shockwave to nearly rip apart the earth. The orange wave brushed through the oncoming fissures, dissipating them as the attack closed in on Rafflesian.

Rafflesian: 950 Fly Beetle: 650 (+400) = 1050

Hendrix's eyes widened. "What the-?!"

Rafflesian was at a loss for what to say. He could only stare in shock as an orange wave quickly came his way. He tried to hold on, but the pressure was too great. As the wave passed him, his whole world turned into a horrendous spin that uprooted him. The Bakugan screamed out as the shockwave sent him flying back into ball form, plopping in front of a shocked Hendrix.

Hendrix: 80%

The Bakugan reverted to ball form, with Shuji catching him.

Hendrix knelt and picked up his Rafflesian. He looked up, seeing the serious look on Shuji's face. His eyes narrowed with curiosity and slight annoyance. "Seems that I've underestimated you." He said, getting up.

"Wouldn't be your first mistake." Shuji retorted.

"So you say." Hendrix straightened up, cracking his knuckles. "But no more mistakes here on."

Shuji remained calm as Fly Beetle popped open besides him. "Don't count on it."

---

Atmos ascended slightly into the air, where Moskeeto looked up and folded his body. He bolted into Atmos, at a rapid speed no less. Despite this, Atmos' trained falcon eyes knew how long he had and lifted even higher over Moskeeto passed. With his opponent beneath, Atmos reached down and seized Moskeeto's wings. Shocked, the Bakugan's eyes widened before it was thrown into a somersault. Atmos drove him downwards, where Moskeeto hissed before he barely caught himself before impact with the ground. As he levitated briefly, he was unaware of the talon that stamped on his needle, digging him into the tower grounds intentionally.

As winds passed from the shockwaves, Killian covered up using a forearm. Jase remained unchanged.

From the rising dust cloud, Atmos shot skywards, with Moskeeto soon following. That earlier kick hurt like hell, but the Bakugan had to persevere. He narrowed in on his target, his multicellular eyelids dilating.

"Ability, activate!" Killian shouted. "Aero Slim!" Moskeeto reached up for Atmos, his claws glowing bright green. He expelled energy shards skywards, closing in on Atmos.

Moskeeto: 450 (+200) = 650 Atmos: 450 (-100) = 350

The shards came close to behind, but Atmos turned around when he was high enough. His eyes dilated as he faced the incoming energy beams.

"Ability, activate!" Jase exclaimed. "Green Talon!" Atmos adjusted himself and dove at the energy shards. As he did, the beads on his chest glowed before they fired constant green beams that shot at every shards. Green explosions ignited the atmosphere around Atmos and Moskeeto as they both dove through the blinding field.

Moskeeto: 650 (-200) = 450 Atmos: 350 (+200) = 550

Within the explosions, Moskeeto didn't deter. 'He's in striking distance still.' He zipped at Atmos, who dove with green flashes around them. Both were green blurs that passed one another, yet when they move, they drifted apart. Moskeeto thought he had him, until he noticed a green spark on his side rapidly growing.

Killian looked shocked, seeing green comets expand from the air.

"Fusion Ability, Anemoi Grace!" Jase added.

The green shards exploded, swallowing up Moskeeto in a hissing rage. The impact left Atmos to fly skywards in an arch and twist. He looked down at the waning explosion, awaiting the results. When the smoke cleared, he didn't see his foe falling, not to his surprise.

In fact, when the dust cleared, it was shown that a pair of glowing red eyes glimmered, with waves of energy rippling from them. "Close call…" Moskeeto murmured, founding himself saved by his Clear Compound ability. It was very close, but alas no damage was dealt. He was fine.

"As expected from you." Jase said. Killian prodded his glasses up, choosing not to retort.

Moskeeto: 450 (+200) = 650 Atmos: 550

Jase took careful observation of Killian as Atmos and Moskeeto got back to their respective positions. "I know how you fight, Killian. I'm sure you realize this from the last time we encountered."

Killian's eyes narrowed. "How can I forget?" he pointed an accusing finger at him. "It was you who pushed me off that edge. I nearly died you know."

"Oh details." Jase said dismissively. "But dwelling on said past doesn't help but prove my point now, does it?"

"And what point is that?" he asked.

It was Jase's turn to prod his own glasses up instead. "You're smarter than that, Killian. You don't act on impulse, but taking required action is rather a forced habit, wouldn't you say?"

Killian wasn't sure what to say in accordance to that. A part of him wanted to deny what he was being told, that what Jase was saying about forced into something he didn't want to feel obligated to was ringing in his mind. Before he dwelled too deep on the matter, he realized the battle was still going on. Before he could let Jase have a chance to attack, he used an ability first. "Ability, activate! Parasite Claw!" Moskeeto reached out again, charging up green energy that was turning into energy beams firing at Atmos.

Moskeeto: 650 Atmos: 550 (-200) = 350

The laser beams all closed in on Atmos, but then suddenly drafts from the arched windows began to increase. His feathers flickered constantly, his senses telling him to glide. Allowing himself to ease, Atmos ceased flapping, having himself beings caught in a tailwind that made him dodge skywards. The beams followed in the tailwind, redirecting at Atmos. Because of the lack of air flow behind, the beams were catching, up. Atmos spun out of the skywards tailwind, missing the attack as it ascended further.

"Now then, ability activate!" Jase announced. "Winding Winds!"

Atmos exerted a forceful cry as he flapped once, using the drafts to boost the green whirlwinds that dissipated the beams. The green winds mixed with the drafts went spiraling into Moskeeto, sending him flying into a wall.

Moskeeto: 650 Atmos: 350 (+200 +200) = 750

"Moskeeto!" Killian found himself brushed harshly by the drafts swirling around the atmosphere. Rather than helping him, he was getting more tedious with them. He adjusted his footing and used his arms to block, peeking over the sleeve to see Jase wasn't moved at all. 'What is this feeling? It's like the wind's howling, but it's like…barking at me.'

Jase remained unfazed. He frowned as the drafts were settling down, whereas Atmos gently glided down to his side. Moskeeto dislodged from the wall after that whirlwind slam. "I'm gonna feel that for a while." He groaned.

"Don't worry, not while we have this." Killian reached out. "Now! Gate Card, open! Element Merge!" The Gate Card opened, revealing itself with a bright shine. The power that was sapped from Atmos was being transferred over, being 200 Gs.

Moskeeto: 650 (+200) = 850 Atmos: 750 (-200) = 550

Atmos stayed strong despite his power being sapped. "Stay strong, Atmos." Jase instructed. "Wait."

Killian balled his fists. He was thinking back to what Galilea talked to him about a while ago. Even after the intentions in bed afterwards, a chill went up his spine just thinking about her threat. "What's important is to stay on task. Lose focus…and your superiors. Don't forget that." His senses knew something was wrong upon thinking, but he converted it into energy to fight. "Let's add the pressure on this time! Ability, activate! Needle Diffuse!" Moskeeto hissed as he folded his body. His nose stuck out as he bolted into Atmos, ready to pierce him.

Moskeeto: 850 Atmos: 550 (-300) = 250

Killian's eyes narrowed. 'This'll force him to play that move, then we'll be set…'

Jase pulled up his Bakumeter, signaling his ability. "Ability, activate! Storm Chase!"

Atmos looked up to see his foe diving down right for him. The creature's eyes flashed before Atmos began absorbing the drafts like he did before. With the drafts as his cover, he began to spin inside the enclosed whirlwind. A massive cyclone began to expel from his body rather than move around. The cyclone sent drafts everywhere rather than streamline fashion. The turbulence expanded to stop Moskeeto before he closed in, and the Gate Card itself shattered from the shockwaves of the wind.

Moskeeto: 850 (-200) = 650 Atmos: 250 (+300 +200) = 750

Atmos glided through the whirlwinds, sailing in a straight line through the air right for a deterred Moskeeto. As Atmos sailed in, he cawed loudly.

"Killian!" Moskeeto roared.

Killian nodded. "Don't worry! We got'em! Now…!" Moskeeto barely twirled out of Atmos' ascent. He corrected himself and glared skywards, seeing him and the drafts behind following. "Go! Ability, activate! Infestation-X!"

As Atmos continued skyrocketing with tailwinds at his control, Moskeeto had a bright purple core at the center of his head. The atmosphere around the Bakugan began to pulsate with green energy waves beginning to expel slowly, resonating from the veins that were pumping fluids of energy from the core on the Bakugan. He hissed loudly, sharply stinging some, but the jolts he was now used to. He grunted as he expelled the green swarm-like mass skywards. The buzzing, dense arrays of energy traveled along the drafts and currents behind the avian. Atmos looked beneath, his bright yellow eyes widening before he was swallowed in a humming mass of dense green. If he were to caw, they'd go unanswered through the howling winds.

Moskeeto: 650 Atmos: 750 (-650) = 100

The residual cyclones around the battlefield raged madly, this time in Killian's favor. He remained undeterred now as he could feel the air radiate some warmth for him to savor. It was cold ever since coming to Vestal – excluding Galilea's offers – but he took solace in what he could get with this temperature. 'Maybe I should start wearing a jacket after I get back to Interacia.' He thought to himself. He looked up at Atmos' cocoon of dense swarming energy parasites, eating away at him. "It's done." He said aloud.

Jase remained oddly sound in spite of the wind blowing around his hair. "You're awfully getting a little desperate it seems."

Killian's eyes narrowed. "What?"

"I'm aware of the stakes we have, but…to show you mercy would've put our whole reasoning of our efforts in vain. So, as you do, I shall as well." He slowly lifted his Bakumeter, giving full view of what looked like an ability. "Atmos, take control of the skies! Ability, activate! Ventus Comet!"

"What?!"

The atmosphere around the green energy currents began to flicker. It dimmed a little, and then expanded. Embers of green were seen inside, appearing through crevices of the immense mass. Suddenly, it all tore open from burning green maelstroms that rushed everywhere.

Moskeeto covered up from the attack, grunting as hot winds bypassed him. "What's happening?!" He uncovered, his eyes widening when he witness Atmos, unscathed from his entire attack. What's more, it looked like he was enveloped in a mass of green flames that didn't burn him. "That's…"

Jase reached forward, giving him the command. "Go!" Atmos went shooting skywards, twirling several times before he was directly above Moskeeto. He zigzagged at an alarming speed before he bolted in a beam of burning green right down towards Moskeeto.

Moskeeto: 650 Atmos: 100 (+650 +300) = 1050

Moskeeto's eyes were wide in shock at the Mach speed flash heading right for him. 'This looks like this is gonna hurt.' He was too late to act as Atmos smashed into him with full force, expelling green flames everywhere, severing any and all drafts that were around them.

"Moskeeto!" Killian shouted, but the roaring flames made him stumble away. He dropped to a knee to keep himself from blowing over like his Bakugan as he went to ball form and plopped in front of him.

Killian: 20%

The drafts and flames all quelled, revealing Atmos as he sailed in an arch around the domain. The falcon sailed passed Jase, before he morphed to ball form and was caught fruitlessly.

Killian staggered as he picked up Moskeeto, a shocked but also annoyed look on his face. 'How did he do that? It's like his level completely went up. But…how, and without a forbidden card…' In that moment, he could've sworn the temperatures of the winds dropped. He felt goosebumps on his bare shoulder as he saw Jase remaining unfazed.

"This shall be for the misconduct that Rogue Zero achieved from your leader's ambitions." Jase declared.

---

Further up everyone else went. They all felt tremors and pressure from beneath them, and Spectra was especially interested. "Seems that your acquaintances are causing quite the ruckus down below." He commented. "Hope they don't break the tower before we get too far up."

"Don't bet on that." Luka replied. "This tower is designed to absorb battle energy, so even if it were damaged, the energy would be converted to recovering its damaged parts."

"A self-repair system you say?" Helios inquired.

Spectra smirked. "My, how very interesting. Sounds like Riaan has more use of energy conversion than it seems."

"How are Ace and the others you think? Do you think they're okay too?" Luke asked as he followed behind.

Spectra kept his gaze forward as he traced up towards the next set of stairs. "They should be okay for the time being. But if things get too hairy, Gus knows better." As they kept getting higher, the group was still trying their hardest to get to the top, but as they were going, they were feeling…heavy. Gravity was against them. The higher they got, the more gravity and momentum worked against them. Their legs were sore, but they couldn't just stop. As aching as it felt, they chose to persevere and ran up the steps. They would crawl if they gad to. "I lost communication with Gus and the others a while ago, but Klaus must've gotten the signal out from the lab if they were successful on their help."

"They better, because we're against the clock on this one." Abis Omega said.

"I come now, my friend." Brontes chimed. "I'm sure we have all the time in the world."

"Your sarcasm isn't hilarious." Abis Omega retorted.

Brontes chuckled. "Just lightening up the mood!" he laughed.

"Everyone just focus already!" Luka snapped, heading for the top. "We're approaching the next set of stairs, everyone on guard!"

Everyone nodded as they followed behind.

Moments later, they reached the next floor. When they passed the light, they were swamped by a sudden heat wave. They all looked around, seeing that the atmosphere and room had red accented tiling about it. It looked strangely more of hot rock than actual tiling. It was so hot that it felt like they were going to fry.

"Man, who turned on the furnace in here?" Luke asked, starting to sweat.

"It's so…warm." Esther muttered.

Luka looked around, seeing heat waves travel like water everywhere. "The floor must be designed to encase heat from the sunlight absorbed. It can get cold at night possibly in some locations they must be traveling to, so they need to conduct all the heat to one spot to ventilate around the tower."

"You seem to know a lot about how the tower functions." Esther said, hinting crude suspicion in her tone.

Luka turned away. "I've been on Interacia for more than a couple years. I've studied a lot about how Riaan works, remember?"

"Right…" Esther slowly stopped, her brow immediately furrowing upon the sense of danger. Swiftly turning, she locked eyes with someone who appeared behind them. Almost instantly, she recognized the foe. "You…"

"Huh?" Luke turned around with the others, gasping upon seeing the familiar face. "You!" Instantly he and Luka pulled out their respective swords at the orange-haired for against them.

Xander folded his arms, giving them all a malicious smirk as Hyper Dragonoid sat on his shoulder. His signature mocking expression instantly made everyone challenged.

"Xander." Abis Omega sniped.

"Well, well…" he started. "Isn't this a lovely surprise. Old faces reuniting once again. Does anyone have a hanky, I think I'm about to cry." He facetiously sniped.

Hyper Dragonoid moved his upper half to see Abis Omega and Atchibee. "My, old friends. Why isn't this just great. I see that you've been doing well."

"…likewise." Atchibee said dryly. She didn't sound too pleased like Hyper Dragonoid was.

"Haven't been in your face since Interacia." Abis Omega scornfully reminded.

Hyper Dragonoid scoffed. "Like I could forget." The memory of his and Clawcer's combined efforts back then being overpowered by Abis Omega alone left him bitter for revenge. Revenge he's been waiting to bide up till now. "I've been waiting to see you two again…so that I can finish what should've been a long time ago."

"That goes double for me." Xander replied. "Seems it was a mistake to leave you on New Vestroia…you always have ways of getting somewhere, do you?"

Whether it was meant as a compliment or an insult didn't really matter to the group. They just knew that they were all in agreement of what had to be done. The heat was beginning to get to them, and that left little room to even argue.

Xander stepped up, seizing Hyper Dragonoid. He gave them all a serious look. The sportive demeanor he had was gone. He got the memo.

Luke stepped up, but an arm belonging to Esther reached out in front of him. "Esther?"

Esther eyed Maximus, cold daggers seeping into his soul from hers. Even the air around her cooled off a bit. "Luke, leave him to Atchibee and I. We'll hold him off."

"Esther…"

"If Xander is around, that means Maximus has to be as well. You both need to intercept him before it's too late. We'll buy you some more time."

"Esther…" Luke wasn't sure what to say. The others he couldn't argue against, but Esther was a different case. It was complicated what to say about her rather than to her. The two shared a history; they fought together in battle, even when Luke was a newbie still. A part of him wanted to stay with Esther and help her finish beside her, but something was different. It wasn't that he didn't believe in her, no. He knew she was capable, and that's where it lied. They relied on each other. A lot. To stay together meant their training was for nothing. They had to stand on their own two feet. That's what Esther was pointing out. She didn't say it…or rather she couldn't, but Luke knew. It was just one of those unexplainable factors they shared. They didn't have to exchange verbal meaning to say what was meant to be said. But now Luke got the point. He had to leave Esther to her own fights. He wasn't going to overlook her and have her carry him in his own fights anymore either. In fact, with the way it's been as of late, it was the opposite. It was Luke who was picking her up rather than him in the beginning. Irony aside, he knew he had to move. He nodded. "Okay…just make sure you're careful." He told her.

Esther turned her back to him, giving a cold shoulder. "You idiot, I'll be fine."

Luke did an eyeroll. "Alright, alright…geez, just checking."

"I know. But right now we need to focus. Get to the stop, and hurry!"

"Okay…" he turned his back from her, hesitating before he started. "…but watch it."

Esther nodded. "I know, idiot."

"Why do you keep calling me that?"

"Because it's true." Abis Omega chimed.

Luke grew a tock mark. "Grrr…whatever!" he ran off with the others. "You get the idea! You don't end up being the idiot when this is all over, ya hear?!"

Esther nodded. "Noted." She kept herself facing Xander with her allies heading skywards towards the nearest flight of stairs. As Luke faded from distance, a smirk fell on her lips.

This didn't go unnoticed by Xander. "What's so funny?" he snarked.

"It's nothing." Esther's face returned to plastered emotionlessness. "I was just thinking how your retribution will be short-handed for you."

Xander smirked. "Well isn't that ironic. I always thought you were the cold type who doesn't display emotion. I must've rubbed off on ya the last time we fought."

"Influences can vary, but it's still there. I won't deny that you and Rogue Zero have done immense influence on us." She clutched Atchibee and readied her fighting stance. "But this ends now."

Xander leered. "That's something we can agree on."

---

Up the stairs they went, this time it was just three of them, plus a Bakugan. Luke was racing as fast as he could, as hard as he could. In fact, alongside Luka, he was taking the charge towards Riaan. Though to be fair, the incentives were much different for each. For Luka, it was more personal reasons. For Luke, the picture was much bigger. His team was diverged, and just after they got back together only a few hours ago. That little speck of joy he had was diminished to raw annoyance that he was going to use to stop Riaan.

'Riaan…'

Images of the past flooded Luke's mind. All the way from when he was small leading up to a few short months ago. He saw the pictures of Abis Omega, and soon the friends he's made. The many of which included Esther. A lot has happened that he couldn't believe. But being here now meant something to him, and he was going to use now to prove his worth to the universe.

"We're getting close to the top." Abis Omega stated. He looked up, seeing light to the last room at the top. "You feel that, Luke?"

Luke nodded. "Yeah…I do."

"Then we better not keep him waiting any longer." Luka said. "Riaan!"

The three guys moved along as fast as possible, their heated figments all nearly at the verge of collapsing. They all persevered the best they could into escalating. As they labored into breaths, they drew closer to the light. As their bodies were nearing intense oven-like heats, they pushed through, revealing the brink of all white. The white almost instantly turned black.

Suddenly, in this darkness, a wave of cold air hit them hard.

"What…what is this?" Luka grunted. "This pressure."

Helios chuckled. "Can you feel it?"

Spectra nodded in the dim chamber. "Quite so." He stepped closer into the center of the pitch-black accents on the ground. He traced his foot, feeling even his toes getting cold despite the boots he wore. "A bone chilling air…with all light gone…hmmm…"

Abis Omega looked around the dim domain, the ominous pressure tickling every scale he had. When his head turned up, he saw something. "Look!"

"What is it?" Luke looked up, his eyes widening upon surprise.

Everyone else looked up as well. The room was dimly lit indeed, since all the light was beaming from the floor beneath. Yet green outlines from all the battle energy produced had escalated to this very point. They saw the outlines racing to the walls around them skywards towards the ceiling. The ceiling…actually glowed. It was a neon green accented symbol, which dimmed in and out as the energy was transmitted. Just looking at it sent a shiver down Luke's spine.

"Wha…what the heck is that thing?" he muttered. "Is that…?"

"The energy from the battles." Spectra realized. "I see, so this is where they're all being confined to…"

Luka stepped forward, staring at the dim neon ceiling. The energy he felt was all too familiar. "…Riaan…"

"He's just atop this floor." Helios said.

Spectra smirked. "Sounds fitting. Right underneath his noses the whole time, and yet he can still smell our scents…hmph." He looked towards Luka. "Shall we?"

Luka nodded. "Yes. Let's go." He started for the stairs elsewhere with Spectra, but as they were going along, he noticed something was off. He looked back towards Luke. "Hey, what are you doing?"

Luke didn't answer. Instead, he just stared ahead into the darkness of the chamber's walls. The floor was decently lit, but it looked like a void of pitch-black gleaming into the space. He and Abis Omega were unresponsive.

"Hey! You hear me?! Let's go!" Luka's shouts went unanswered. Luke surprisingly pulled out his sword against the wall. "What are you…?"

Luke took an offensive stance as he beamed leers at the darkness. "…" Silence loomed around, making ominous pressure build up before he finally spoke. "…you guys get going." He told them.

"What?" Luka squinted. He looked farther out, noticing something move in the shadows.

Luke didn't change his position as something his size shifted in the shadows. A slow, dry clap was heard echoing. Slowly, a foot stepped out of the shadows. "I see someone's been patient."

Luke's eyes narrowed. He heard the voice, but he reserved any need to talk.

"I was hoping that I would get to see you one more time before leaving this planet. You know, it was honestly boring after you guys were kicked out. I almost felt lonely…" Stepping out with his hood down, it was none other than the leader of Rogue Zero: Maximus Rogue. "And nobody likes being alone now, do they?" he facetiously finished.

The air's darkness oddly illuminated green from behind. More battle energy surged in networks, igniting enough to reveal Maximus's whole cloak.

"Maximus." Luka scowled.

"My goodness. What a frightening devil child you are." Brontes chimed.

Maximus chuckled. On his shoulder, Goblinball popped open, eying everyone there. When he noticed Spectra and Luka, he smirked wider. "The great Spectra Phantom, and…you." He spotted Luka. He did a mock curtsey. "Two prestigious battlers in the flesh. I give you my regards."

Luke eyed Maximus, his glare unchanged. "Maximus…" His eyes flashed back to their previous battle. When he felt the pressure then, it made his fists balled. He growled low before he chose to calm down, remembering his training.

"Were you trying to sneak your way around me? That's not very polite." Maximus said, walking closer to them. "And here I thought you'd be gracious enough to at least say hi before heading up."

Luka narrowed his eyes. "Hello." He sniped, pulling out his energy sword. "And goodbye!" He charged for Maximus, readying to slash him down.

Luke's eyes widened as he passed him. "Hey! What are you…!"

Luka roared as he went towards him, but Maximus remained stationary. Luka wanted to end this and get to Riaan, fast. However, as he closed the gap, a sudden force repulsed him, knocking him back behind Luke. "GAH!" The force from that sudden blockade made him clutch his damaged nose. "Gnngh…what the…hell?"

Spectra blinked. When he reached forward, his gloved hand reacted to a small spark. He gently grazed it skywards, recognizing the texture of the barrier being repulsive. He said nothing, but he looked towards Maximus for the answer.

Luke also looked surprised as he saw the forcefield behind him. When he gazed at it, he noticed how circular it was. He gasped. He looked at the stairway, being a static-like blockade around it. In fact, all around, he noticed some discharges here and there, coming from the neon symbol above them.

Maximus saw Luke's shock, smirking. "Seems there was on tiny detail I forgot to mention." He stepped apart. "There is only one way to open to the top. You have to defeat all of us."

Luke's brow furrowed. He knew this is what he wanted. He glared at Maximus, knowing that it was he who he was after.

"What's the matter, Luke? You look annoyed. Didn't you come all this way to stop us?"

"You bastard!" Luka sniped. He pivoted to slash across, but his energy blade didn't do much. Instead, it only deflected off the dome barrier around him and Spectra. "Damnit…!"

Luke glared, adjusting his stance. "I never said anything like that." He said. "If you were listening, you'd know why I didn't fall for that."

Maximus' eyes narrowed. In Luke's eyes, he could see that boisterous fire. He reveled in it. He chuckled again. "Well, well…" he chimed. "This truly is fate, isn't it?"

Luke held up his sword. "Depends on fate. Because I'm not gonna let anyone tell me or control me about my fate…I've decided that for myself long ago!" He bent his knees. "We're gonna make fates of our own…and we're gonna start by saving whoever we can. Especially from you!"

"I admire your enthusiasm, Luke. You always were my favorite." Maximus pulled down his hood, revealing his messy light blue hair and devil horned crown. "But you know what this means, right?"

"Yeah…I think I get the idea." Luke held onto Abis Omega. "It's time we settle this, Maximus!"

"Goblinball…" Abis Omega growled.

"Anything to say, Abis Omega?" Goblinball darkly chided,

"…yeah. We do." Abis Omega started. "…COME AT US!"

Maximus glared maliciously, whereas Luke braced himself for his part. And it wasn't just him bracing for the worst; down below, Esther and everyone were in the fight of their lives, and they were going to use everything they have to save Vestal once and for all.

---

Yo guys! How've you been? I know it's been like 2 weeks since my last update, and I do very much apologize for that. I really did fall behind, and I take full responsibility for that. I honestly thought I'd get this chapter up last week on Christmas, but like I said, I fell behind with a few things.

So, as you've seen, a couple of new abilities have been used, and next chapter I'll be showing even more new abilities, plus a few other surprises here and there. Otherwise, you'll have to wait and see what I mean.

So, let me do the math here for a second. For those who know how I roll, I tally up the amount of chapters I make in total per year. And I always like to keep track. And honestly, this year, I've really hit such a slump with all these hold-offs and all. But I did math, and wrapping up the last 7 chapters of One's Road to Remembrance, plus 3 chapters of Kalos Vacation Training, plus the 1 from To My Sweet Champion, plus 25 chapters in The Contender's Ascent, and add in 27 chapters done this year as of the start of 2018 to now is a total of…63 chapters. So, counting up through the years:

2015 – 96

2016 – 120

2017 – 96

2018 – 63

I'm not kidding, these are the stats that I've been noting as the year goes along. And since January 3rd also marks my 4-year anniversary of FanFiction here, I just want to say to all of you who've known me throughout these years, I want to say thank you, sincerely. I can't tell you how appreciative I am to have as much reviewers, buddies, and cohorts that I've gotten acquainted to from 4 years that I keep in touch with, all the way up to now, with making more buddies along the way. You guys mean so much to me. You guys, this site, these series that I'm writing about, all of it! I'm going to try as hard as I can in 2019 to get those chapter numbers higher than this year. I know I had it really rough, but I'm going to do whatever it is that I can do to make sure you guys get quality storytelling plus art at night when I can.

So, next time you see me, it'll be in 219, with the start of the new year being the end of the Vestal Arc. As they say, "Every beginning has an end, and every end, a beginning."

So, for the final time for 2018, please review/comment, and thank you all again! See you in 2019!