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.

38. Expunged

On Gundalia, the battle of Riaan's armed forces was creating chaos throughout the land. The gray rock overturned when Twin Destructor gunfire blazed through the atmosphere, hitting everything within sight. The battlefield was crawling with Luxtor advancing, with the air filled with Longfly and Ziperator. As many of these Bakugan took to the battle for Riaan's sake, others were far from giving up.

Taking to the battlefield, Linehalt shot Boomix at advancing forces, gunning them down no problem. Purple beams shot everywhere across the scenery like a blaze, swamping as many Bakugan out there. This recent wave dissipated, leaving no traces of them aside from paved earth.

"That's nice work, Linehalt!" Ren shouted.

The dust soon cleared, only to show more Bakugan advancing. Gunfire and energy beams from cannons and machine barrels counterfire Linehalt, causing him to shoot skywards to evade the assaults.

"There's just no end to them!" Linehalt yelled.

"Keep going!" Ren swiped his arm. "Ability, activate! Dispel Closer!" Energy projectiles and beams shot at Linehalt as he remained still. With one free hand, the inner purple circle shined and conducted all the energy that beamed his way. All of it surged into the palm and traveled in purple sparks into Boomix, where he aimed and locked on.

"Now, Battlegear Ability, activate! Boomix Dimension!"

Linehalt shot an intensified purple blast from his battlegear at the enemy Bakugan all around. As the beam traveled, it suddenly disappeared through a gap in space. The void dispersed, leaving time for confusion before multiple holes opened around the enemies. The severed beams punctured them, igniting explosive shockwaves that made the earth tremble.

Ren was looking elated, but the scowls from around caused him to jerk right. "Linehalt!"

The warning was too late when green gunfire rained down from above. Linehalt was too late to look when the gunfire beamed down on him, causing him to lose balance and the grip of Boomix as he plummeted.

"Linehalt, hang on!"

"Ability, activate! Death Trident!"

The Longfly that shot the attack aimed before three violet and white projectiles shot out of the blue, engulfing it in an explosive wake that knocked it out of the sky.

Ren and Linehalt managed to recover when they looked up, seeing the Longfly disappearing in green energy. "What the…?" The unpleasant roar echoed through the ai, making him jerk immediately towards a girl with orange hair and a three-headed hydra Bakugan flying above them. Upon further inspection, he saw that it was Alice. 'Hold on, is that…?'

"Hydranoid, ability activate, Terminal Barrage!" Hydranoid's three heads opened their maws and charged up more energy orbs. They opened wider before open-firing rapidly on the enemy aerial Bakugan around them. The pulse blasts raged through the atmosphere and bombarded nonstop, blazing through relentless gunfire and barreling down foes.

Seeing the enemies go down, Ren was in momentary awe as he watched Hydranoid in action. To say he and Linehalt were in shock would be an understatement. 'Such incredible precision and power…'

With cover made, Hydranoid descended, allowing Alice to look down. "Are you okay?!" she shouted.

Recovering from his initial shock, Ren nodded. "Yeah, we're fine! Thanks for the save!"

More Bakugan were starting to advance onto them, though remarkably far less through the air. They all snarled and aimed their cannons at Hydranoid and Linehalt specifically.

Alice threw down a Gate Card, which landed at the base of six different Bakugan close together. "Gate Card, open! Active Ghost!" With one swipe, the card activated, creating a landmine creation that swallowed six Bakugan as they dissipated to raw energy. When the Gate Card dissipated, the flames barely flickered while Linehalt picked up Boomix from close by. Aiming, he bolted another energy beam through the broiling flames that struck more Bakugan in the back, creating a bright purple explosion.

Beyond those, more gunfire and blazes drew closer. They barreled back at Linehalt and Hydranoid, but Alice was more than equipped to handle the situation.

"Ability activate, Merge Shield!" A violet, indigo, and dark blue energy spire circled around Hydranoid that enveloped him slowly like flames. The gunfire and beams targeted for him only ended up being absorbed by this bizarre dark mist. When they let up, the mist snaked into the three maws, shutting tight as they glared down the frontlines.

"Now, Hydranoid!" Alice shouted.

"You took the words right of my…mouth!" All three heads opened wide, expelling the same colored flames that blazed through the atmosphere into the frontlines. All the Bakugan were engulfed in dark flames as the ground forcibly tore apart, releasing the flames of Hydranoid's wrath to a greater extent through the invasion.

"Nice work!" Alice praised.

Linehalt lined up with Hydranoid as Ren adjusted on his shoulder. They watched the blaze scorch the enemies and their Battlegear like they were made of ice. As shocked as he was, he had to get back in there. "Linehalt, let's work together on this, ready?"

"Absolutely! Let's show these disgusting insects just what Gundalians are made of!" Linehalt aimed Boomix as Hydranoid opened his maw to ready more fire to deliver to the oncoming invasion.

---

Making way through deep valley, the Trailer that everyone was in slowly descended. The Vestal-turned-human machine started transforming as it gently lowered to the ground, beginning to cover traction once again.

"Is everyone okay?" Shawn looked around, seeing all his friends recovering from that stirring ride.

Fighting a gurgling stomach – and possible regurgitation – Maggie lazily stirred up rom her seat. "Ugh…y-yeah, I think so." She lurched. "J-Jelldon, are you feeling good…?"

Opening in ball form, Jelldon was in an awkward position on his side. "Is everyone feeling dizzy?" he groaned.

Shawn grinned. "Guess that means you're okay. Good." He looked towards Shuji and Fly Beetle. "You guys good?"

"Yeah, yeah. Keep your shirt on, would ya?" Shuji supported his seating by pushing up on the table. "Man, just when I got over teleporting…" he groaned.

"Well I can certainly say that was a close call." Jase said. He remained unfazed the whole way through as he was typing in the external codes. "Is everyone holding out I presume?"

"Oof…well I felt worse." Maggie complained. She shook her head to rid the queasiness and realized what happened. "Wait! Are we really okay?!"

A holographic panel projected in front of Jase. It showed varies of diagrams and systems revealed in 3D that were barely unhinged. "Aside from a few scratches and paintjobs, we sustained minimal damage." He explained. "We should be well enough on the way to the base."

Maggie sighed in relief. "That's good."

"Yeah, only there's one problem." Shuji noted.

And explosion from the distance got their attention. Making haste, they all rushed towards the hatch and opened it. Getting topside, they could see smokestacks and gunfire in the distance, where the fighting was going down.

"That." Shuji finished.

"I get it." Shawn replied. "Luke and the others are still back there."

"Not to mention that Gundalian Ren also has the routing towards the base." Atmos added. "We won't make headway easily without guidance in a place like this."

Jase prodded his glasses up with two fingers. "While there is merit to that claim, I quite agree. But, it's extraneous if we turn back now. I'm afraid we'll only get ourselves caught in something the others risked themselves for."

"Are you sure they're gonna be okay back there?" Jelldon worriedly asked. He was assured as Verias turned towards him.

"Hey, don't worry about it. They're fine. Knowing Abis and Atchibee, those two are probably having the others back."

"Leave it to Luke and Esther to just do this stuff often." Maggie sighed grimly. "Somehow I'm not surprised anymore. Those two are seriously a problem, if you catch my drift." She mischievously smirked.

Jase returned the smirk with his own. "To each their own…well for their sake, let's just hope we don't see Esther carrying Luke on her shoulder. I'm sure the problem child would be an even bigger problem if he complains about being another weight."

"Hehe, yeah, something like that…" Maggie snickered. She knew that Jase got her. He could see it too, as did everyone else. But now wasn't the time for enamor teasing, now was time for action.

A humming was heard coming their way through the canyons behind that they went through. The humming turned to a frequency that everyone else started hearing clearly. And from the sound, it was coming in fast.

"Seems we have some company." Jase noted, taking a more defensive stance. Everyone followed his lead and pulled out their Bakugan.

The vibrations ahead soon stopped, and swerving around the corner, the manta flying ship of Rogue Zero appeared. It closed in and hovered in the air, analyzing Jase, Shuji, Shawn, and Maggie within its scanners.

"We found them." Hendrix grunted.

"Yes, I can see that." Ariella snobbishly backhanded. "Now then, to finish what we started…" She grabbed the intercom, glaring through the monitor ahead with a smirk. "What's this? You guys deciding to stop running and face us head on for once?"

Killian glanced at her, noting how empty her taunt was. 'They did that before, does she realize that?'

Maggie beamed proudly. "Who says we're running from you guys? Please. Could you come up with anything more original than that?"

Areilla's brow arose at Maggie's boast. "Ha, tough talk coming from such a little girl. Your friends can through their weight around but you're just a matchstick."

"Yeah, a matchstick that's gonna set you ablaze."

Shawn crossed his arms. "We had a funny feeling you'd come along. Figures we'd be seeing you again."

"And figures to you as well." This time it was Cesar who spoke. "To think that of all the calculations, I didn't need to do any to know that you would all be here. What does it take to take down this grubby, disgusting disease?!"

"That's rich, considering that boss of yours is a disease." Shuji scoffed.

"Nevertheless, with ambition comes sacrifice. We of Rogue Zero are willing to take that gamble. With our divine one now on this planet, the infection is expelling across the core rapidly, thanks to the renown Empyrean that's been recalibrated."

"Empyrean?" Jelldon questioned. "That huge tower we went through?"

"What does he mean 'recalibrated'?" Fly Beetle interrogated. "It's a big white tower."

Jase looked up with scrutiny. "We'll have to think of that on the way through. Right…" He held up Atmos. "We have to put a rather sizeable dent in their advances for the time being. If they got around Luke and Esther, then we need to make haste."

"You got that right." Shawn held up Verias. "You ready?"

"Always."

Ariella scoffed. "You caught us off guard with all your little Bakugan evolving, I must admit…but now you'll be seeing just what real power is!" In a bright flash, the rest of Rogue Zero appeared on the ground in front of them. The gang all jumped off the parked Trailer and squared off against them within the valley depths. With nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide, this was the next big stand to take, and everyone was set on their own personal prizes.

Killian was fixed on his own especially, thinking of Galilea and her warning. 'I can't hold back this time. Galilea's and my reputation are at stake. Everything I worked for…' Before he lost his reason, he snapped back to reality. 'Don't stray. This is a battle, look alive!'

"I take it from your numbers that Maximus and Xander are off somewhere I presume?" Jase inquired, currently seeing the headcount being 4, just like them.

Ariella scoffed. "Something like that, not that it matters. We should be more than enough to handle you of all people."

Jase mentally shook. He found this act of using arrogance and boasts to hide her own insecurities and fears all too clear. It was seen in her eyes. He knew she would deny it, so there was no point. He would just have to exploit that and show them who's the boss.

"Alright, it's on." Shuji cracked his knuckles.

The many eyes glared at one another. Shawn was gleaming down Hendrix, who held up a burly, veiny fist. Shuji leered at Ariella, who returned the serious glare. Cesar beamed at Jase as he held a calm vibe, leaving Maggie to glare down Killian.

With their foes picked personally and the raging tide on the horizon, only one team was going to be left standing, while the other will be swept away.

---

"Alright, Gate Card set!" Shawn threw the Gate Card out onto the gray ground. The card faded to a yellow shockwave that dissipated into the earth. "This ends now."

"Your actions are far from words alone. I know now that mere words won't settle this…you've sealed your fates." Hendrix held up Rafflesian, opposing Shawn with his choice in Bakugan.

The combatants were glaring daggers at one another, a stiff moment of sheer win passing through them, their spiky heads barely shifting in the shrilling breeze given. It was amazing how wind was beneath a shallow crust to begin with. Both brought their arms back and threw with all they had.

"BAKUGAN, BRAWL!"

Verias and Rafflesian shot at each other with light and brown bullets. They closed the gap until time slowed down at the last second. Their ball forms came close to connecting, inch by inch, and when they did, a clanking sound struck the air like lead. Their ball forms undid in midair, making brown and yellow light repulse from the other.

From the yellow light, a pair of clawed fingers with brass knuckles shot out, followed by clawed feet with gladiator-themes wear for the thighs. A spiky mane hunched over the back while a staff's axe-like end dug into the earth, stopping the repulse. Prime Verias emitted a bloodcurdling roar that shrilled through the atmosphere. He ran similarly to a gorilla before breaking into an elbow charge at the orange energy, which faded to be Rafflesian.

The two Bakugan began their clash, with Rafflesian's thorns lashing into the armored elbow, only to be blown away as Verias raised his battle axe, hammering Rafflesian and befalling him.

"Just like that, Verias! Shawn shouted. Hendrix of course didn't seem too pleased by this setback.

Rafflesian: 450 Prime Verias: 600

Verias stepped back in the vents of a counterattack. And sure enough, Rafflesian stirred back up, though he was greatly deterred by that harsh swing to the head. Hendrix showed an ability first.

"Ability activate, Ground Force!" Rafflesian's underside began glowing a bright orange energy as fissures of this same energy began erupting from around. Once ready, he slammed a thorn into the earth, sending a seismic fissure at Verias.

Rafflesian: 450 (+300) = 750 Prime Verias: 600

"Shawn!" Verias braced himself. Shawn nodded in understanding. "Ability activate…!" Verias' axe-like end glowed a bright light that extended the saber's tip. "Bolt Cutter!"

The shockwaves closed in, seemingly swallowing Verias. However, second later, a yellow slash mark vertically cut through the attack, revealing Verias without even a speck of dust as the waves faded to thin air.

Hendrix glared. 'Such power.'

Rafflesian: 750 (-400) = 350 Prime Verias: 600

Shawn pulled out his fencer and aimed forward. "Okay, it's on Verias!" At his battle call, the evolved maniacal ape began his charge at Rafflesian again, bring his axe to the side to ready a menacing swing.

Hendrix hurried a counter as his Bakumeter showed an ability. "Ability activate, Root Seep!" Rafflesian plunged his thorns into the ground, where they burrowed deep until trails of earth aimed at Verias from below.

Rafflesian: 350 (+200) = 550 Prime Verias: 600 (-200) = 400

Shawn countered with another ability. "Ability activate, Primera Pressure!" Verias's battle armor enveloped in a small glow of Haos energy that condensed around his body. When the thorny vines shot up to attack, Verias' empowered body emitted a strong force that repulsed the thorns.

Rafflesian: 550 Prime Verias: 400 (+400) = 800

Rafflesian tried to endure the shockwaves, but he was too vulnerable to do anything. Verias suddenly seized one of his roots, yanking hard and dragging Rafflesian through the earth towards him. He pulled back and gave one excessive yank and drove him from the earth, whirling him in an arch and slammed him back into the ground with sundering might. The shockwave caused Hendrix to recoil.

"Such power…" Finding himself at a stalemate, he pulled out Legionoid. "I call Bakugan Trap, Subterra Legionoid!"

From the dust waves, a brown light shimmered, summoning Legionoid. The six-headed serpent hissed as Rafflesian was still recovering.

Rafflesian: 550 Prime Verias: 800

Legionoid: 350

"Looks like they're calling backup." Shawn acknowledged.

"I can see that." Verias braced. "Stay on guard."

Shawn readied his fencer. "Yeah I know."

Hendrix showed two abilities overlapping one another. "Double ability, activate! Dense Poison, plus Bud Bomber!" Legionoid opened one of his many jaws and expelled a glossy brown venom blast at Verias. He jumped and evaded the attack, allowing Rafflesian to open fire brown projectiles from the small seeds at the top of its petals. When Verias landed, he began slashing and twirling, severing the projectiles.

Rafflesian: 550 Prime Verias: 800 (-200 -300) = 300

Legionoid: 350

Verias continued parrying the shots with deathly accuracy. He cleaved into the projectiles and dodged venomous blasts, all while trying to close the distance. Hendrix pulled out another ability to attempt Shawn from getting the upper hand. When it was shown to have a bright core at the center, there was no questioning what it was.

"Ability, activate! Mirror Force-X!"

The chords and tendrils started gathering around Rafflesian as the Bakugan was gaining power. The lenses reflected the incoming Verias and Legionoid, making Rafflesian's body spout veins that pumped energy like sugar that made a light tremor around his body.

Rafflesian: 550 (+1200) = 1750 Prime Verias: 300

Legionoid: 350

Verias stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed the pressure in the air building. When he looked up, he saw that Rafflesian was pumping veins with a dark aura surrounding the lenses as they were magnifying dark energy, readying a blast wave.

"Just because you may have survived this long, it does not mean there is no end to your struggles." Hendrix scolded. "We won't allow you any further."

"We'll see about that." Handling the situation, Shawn swiped down at the Gate Card. "Gate Card, open! Flat Power!" The card's glow made Rafflesian's aura slowly fade. All that extra power he had soon calmed down, leaving his body to settle back to what it was before.

Rafflesian: 1750 (-1300) = 450 Prime Verias: 300 (+300) = 600

Legionoid: 350

Hendrix's eyes narrowed as he mentally cursed. 'He knew about my power surges, so he used a command card to reset all that power.' Subconsciously, his fists began to ball. His frustrations are beginning to rise again.

With the power reset, Rafflesian suffered recoil from that discharge. With their guards down, Verias closed the gap and slashed across Legionoid, instantly reverting him to cylindrical form.

Hendrix: 50%

"Alright, you're next." Verias looked at Rafflesian, seeing him still in some daze.

Taking actions, Hendrix showed another ability. "Double ability, activate! Chaos Booster-X! Plus, Mineral Plight!" Once again, Rafflesian was enveloped in chords, all while a bright orange glow emanated from beneath. The earth trembled as rising dust and fissures centered around Rafflesian as his dark swell manipulated the earth into a funnel of minerals that he shot at Verias. He watched the surge travel at Verias quickly. 'This will reduce the recoil gradually!'

Rafflesian: 450 (+500 +200) = 1150 Prime Verias: 600

As the dust and mineral shockwaves went at Verias, he glared intensely. He snarled with steam coming from the nostrils.

"Ability, activate!" Shawn shouted. "Jade Surge!" All the green gems on Verias' body started glowing with a small hum. The energy created a bright aura to slowly envelop the atmosphere. Light traveled from the gems into streams into the purple gem on Verias' crown. The gem glowed a bright yellow as the energy was unleashed in a massive beam of glossy light that shot across the atmosphere.

Rafflesian: 1150 (-300) = 850 Prime Verias: 600 (+300) = 900

The intense light blast dissipated Rafflesian's futile attack, beaming right into him. The beam erupted, creating a shockwave that Rafflesian immediately reverted to ball form from. The gusts were strong enough to shove several feet away. He fell to a knee when he caught his breath, with Rafflesian dropping to his show.

Hendrix: 40%

Verias reverted to ball form and returned to Shawn. The Haos battler offered no words as he simply glared at Hendrix.

Retaining as much calm as possible, Hendrix stood back up, seemingly unfazed. However, that wasn't the case. Inside, he was broiling. But he knew better than to lose composure. 'As weak as we are…we must survive.' His thoughts of those times with Magnus back in the streets upheld a lot of morals he still looked back on. But those changed when he saw the image of a little girl with long black hair with a long purple shirt.

"Thank you so much, Mister!" Even her voice was so chirpy that it was too innocent. "I'll never forget you!"

A chord struck Magnus as he thought back to that time. A time of revelation that struck him as a different person. A person who had no qualms with throwing out trash like lifeless bodies. He couldn't believe he valued those things, and it was making himself angrier as he was facing Shawn.

His breathing started to get heavier to where it looked like deep sighs. His determination was even more fired up than ever as he clutched Rafflesian. 'I must not lose. I must survive!' He threw down the gate Card. "Gate Card, set!" He threw the Gate Card, which shimmered into the earth. "Grant me all the strength you have, Rafflesian. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master. I shall give you all the strength I can." Rafflesian answered.

Clutching him tighter, Hendrix brought his arm back and threw him in. "Bakugan, brawl! Rafflesian, stand!" As he stood, Hendrix shot Legionoid upwards. "Bakugan Trap, Legionoid!" In an instant, both Bakugan appeared on the battlefield side-by-side, ready for the next battle.

"Looks like he's getting serious." Shawn analyzed.

"Yes. I feel it, too." Verias realized. "You think he's gonna pull out the stops like last time?"

"Can't say I'm certain…but we better watch our backs." Shawn reached and Verias closed for combat. "Bakugan, brawl!" Shawn threw in Verias, who arose hunched on his brass knuckles and giving a gorilla-like roar.

Rafflesian: 450 Prime Verias: 600

Legionoid: 350

Shawn and Verias glared down Rafflesian and Legionoid. The two enemies were looking a little shaken from that last fight, but they weren't backing down.

"We will not let it end here." Hendrix retorted. "We shall survive!" He pulled out two forbidden abilities, two of which that Shawn recognized.

'Wait, he's really gonna…we gotta get cover, and quick!'

"Double ability, activate! Chaos Booster-X! Plus Mirror Force-X!"

That did the trick as two sets of cores overlapping one another placed onto Rafflesian's body. The Bakugan remained still as heartbeats escalated from his entire body becoming aligned in dense chords. His shuddering indicated an intense constriction writhing pain through every fiber in his body. The Bakugan could feel gravity intensifying around him from the incredible power climb that was surging through him. His eye patterns were starting to dilate and shrink as the silver lenses began to magnify even more power, causing a pillar of raw dark energy to surround Rafflesian. His screams of anguish rivaled the roaring pressure of his enhancement.

Hendrix watched the darkness engulf his Bakugan, glaring harsh daggers at the expectant climb. 'No matter what, we must not lose.'

Rafflesian: 450 (+500 +1200) = 2150 Prime Verias: 600

Legionoid: 350

The gravity caused the ground to shake around Verias and Shawn, causing them to use their weapons as support for their bodies.

"They're over loading right off the bat!" Verias realized. "Is he serious?!"

"It's too late now. Look!" Shawn referred to ahead, seeing all the dark energy compress into the front lens of Verias' petal. The energy lens crackled as dark orange was seen swirling inside, similarly to a galaxy. "You set?!" he yelled.

"Like we have much choice." Verias bright his staff forward, putting it in a bunt position.

As the energy was charging up, Hendrix had gritting teeth. "That won't save you!" he reached forward, directing his Bakugan at Verias. "Rafflesian…END THEIR SUFFERING!"

Rafflesian bellowed moments before the lens turned pitch-black. All matter around him was suspended, as though time stopped. A split second soon came, unleashing a dark orange, orange, and black beam from Rafflesian's lens that disintegrated rocks in its way as it paved towards Verias. The Haos ape braced for impact rather than didge, much to Hendrix's surprise. The shockwaves of the attack created an intense dark brown pillar that depressed the earth once, then twice, then the whole earth submerged a couple of meters as energy flowed through grand fissures from his earlier strikes.

Shawn covered up through the shockwaves that were flowing around him. Using his fencer as a support along the earth, he kneeled and ducked his head as rocks passed over him.

Through the rampaging waves, Hendrix remained calm all the way through the dark light ahead of him. 'I'm sorry I had to do this…' he thought. 'But…every adventure has to end somewhere. Mine will not be here.' He closed his eyes, allowing the magnitude to diminish.

Through the explosion, something bright slashed clean through.

Hendrix's eyes widened. 'What?'

The explosion was seen split apart, quickly dissipating. Even through the destroyed land, a steaming axe at the end of a staff was shimmering without a single dent. Holding it was Verias who looked completely unfazed.

Hendrix was stammering out of disbelief. "How…?" He noticed a glowing card from Shawn's Bakumeter. 'No, did he-!'

"That was Bunker Axe." Shawn explained. "We nullified all of your abilities in one swing."

Rafflesian: 2150 (-500 -1200) = 450 Prime Verias: 600

Legionoid: 350

"He nullified all of my abilities…" Hendrix fell to a brief silence, long enough to see Verias slam the axe down on the ground, creating a shockwave that forced Legionoid and Rafflesian to fall over. "His evolution has made him even more versatile at handling and absorbing power from my attacks…I should've known."

"Alright Verias, now let's rive them away!" Shawn enforced.

"You got it!" Verias crouched before pursuing his opponents.

Taking a stand, Hendrix reached out. "Gate Card, open! Land Pressure!" The card shined, instantly creating a gravity field that slowed Verias down drastically. Soon, Verias stopped moving altogether.

Rafflesian: 450 Prime Verias: 600 (-200) = 400

Legionoid: 350

"Now I'm afraid you cannot move." Hendrix grunted. "Now, ability activate, Draft Poison!" One of Legionoid's heads expelled a green toxin from the maw that turned into a whirlwind when it touched the air. It surrounded both of them, making a funnel of green winds in the events of a shield.

Rafflesian: 450 (+300) = 750 Prime Verias: 400

Legionoid: 350 (+300) = 650

"Save yourself the trouble, and just give up."

Shawn pulled out another ability. "Sorry, but nobody's giving up around here…not while we're still fighting. Ability, activate! Mangekyo Blade!" Verias' staff-axes started to shimmer a golden light, which sharpened to blades. He used his raw muscular prowess to lift it overhead and chopped into the ground. With one swing, the card shattered like glass before the whole thing disintegrated from the light fractures of the blade reducing it to shrapnel.

"He nullifies my Gate Card as well." Hendrix evaluated calmly, though he seemed slightly irritated.

With free movement, Verias brought his blade back and shot dead ahead. With surprisingly little effort, he twirled his double-edged staff, making a light blade swing and dissipate the whirlwinds surrounding Legionoid and Rafflesian. In one swift motion, a glistening cut passed them, leaving Verias to pose behind as the two were at a standstill. Seconds later, long cuts of light opened on their bodies, causing searing pain.

"GAH!" Rafflesian found it hard to move. The gash of light he had continued to grow and cloak his body, almost like an infection. "This light…what is it going?!" He soon found it impossible to move at all, not even twitch when a light cloak encased him and Legionoid like statues.

"With Mangekyo Blade, not only do we nullify the Gate Card…" Shawn said. "But also prevent the opponent from activating abilities."

Hendrix glared in shock. He had nothing up his sleeve to counter. He'd be impressed if he wasn't so serious about this. He could only watch in horror as Verias turned around and readied his blade.

"Now, Fusion Ability, activate! Sheer Valkyrie!"

Rafflesian: 750 (-300) = 450 Prime Verias: 600

Legionoid: 650 (-300) = 350

The axe blade on the end shined brighter than before, giving Verias the strength he needed to finish this. "Sorry about this…but you're done!" He passed them again, this time facing Shawn with a slash pose. As he held his head down, the light of his blade receded, and the blades also receded back to thick ends. Verias remained humbled as Rafflesian and Legionoid groaned before light cuts pierced their light encasements, making them gag and revert to their smaller forms.

They rolled to Hendrix's feet, where he looked down in shame.

Hendrix: 0%

Hendrix closed his eyes, realizing what happened. "Milord…I am sorry."

Verias returned to ball form for Shawn to catch. He gave Hendrix a serious glare, but chose to remain silent out of respect for his honorable foe.

---

"You ready to meet your maker?" Maggie challenged Killian. "I should warn you, this isn't anything like last time we fought. We're a lot different, right Jelldon?"

"I'll hold you to that." Killian held up Moskeeto. "Moskeeto…"

"I know. Enough is at stake…so let us give it everything we've got."

"Right." Killian balled his fist to sustain himself. In his mind, the thought of Galilea crossed his mind. 'I can't be fired…I won't have anywhere else to go if that happens. No, don't think that. Do this for yourself, and for her!'

Killian: 100% Maggie: 100%

Killian showed a Gate Card and threw it. "Gate Card, set!" The Gate Card went outwards, expelling in a green shockwave. "Bakugan, brawl! Ventus Moskeeto, stand!" In a green tempest, Moskeeto was summoned into battle, hissing determinedly.

"Looks like it's just us, Jelldon." Maggie commented. "This guy is tough, he beat us the last time all by himself. And that other time was because we had help."

"Guess we should really see for ourselves how far we've come, right?" Jelldon convinced.

Maggie nodded. "You're right, let's go." She grabbed Jelldon and spun around. "Bakugan…brawl! Bakugan, stand! Come out…Pyrus Glow Jelldon!"

In a red light, red static ignited the atmosphere. Dozens of tentacles with glowing gel packets in them glistened as Glow Jelldon straightened and growled at Moskeeto. The Bakugan's body gave off one more gel flare as a sign of intimidation, which did surprise them a little.

Moskeeto: 450 Glow Jelldon: 600

"Looking good, Jelldon!" Maggie gave a thumbs up.

"Thanks!" Jelldon responded. "Now let's get to it." He glared ahead, looking more fired up than ever, and Maggie couldn't agree more.

Taking advantage of the situation, Killian decided to make the quickest strike. "Ability, activate! Needle Diffuse!" Moskeeto shot down like a bullet in an attempt to puncture Glow Jelldon.

Maggie readied an ability of her own. "Ability activate, Petroleum Shield!" Jelldon's main gel sac on his face shined a bright red, creating a liquefied, dense red shield that glistened like water. Moskeeto struck the shield, but much like a trampoline, he bounced off back into the air. "Sorry, but we're not allowing sucker punches this early on our watch." Maggie retorted.

Killian rebounded from that failed attempt and showed two abilities. "Maybe this will change your tune! Double ability, activate! Frequency Shaker, plus Max Sonic!" Moskeeto launched a high-pitched soundwave while his eyes glowed green, his wings beating fast to unleash an ultrasonic green funnel of sonic waves.

The two attacks joined as they traveled down at Jelldon, making a spiraling storm that could shred anything in its path. However, Jelldon remained undeterred.

Moskeeto: 450 (+300) = 950 Glow Jelldon: 600 (-100 -100) = 400

"Maggie!"

Maggie nodded. "I know. Let's try this!" Her Bakumeter revealed another ability. "Ability activate, Soft Conductor!" Jelldon remained still as the sonic blasts were allowed to hit him. They swallowed him in a powerful whirlwind, one that caught Killian by surprise.

'Did that really work?' He raised a brow, feeling this was too easy. 'No, I think I just made it worse!'

The sonic energy was dissipating, revealing Jelldon's glowing body. The gel inside was shining brightly as the shards and waves kept rippling along his body. The attack slowed down and was actually changing to gel, much to Killian's horror. That gel was being absorbed into the main gel sac on Jelldon's head, making his entire body glow brighter.

"This seems bad." Killian nervously noted. He looked down at his Bakumeter, seeing that his suspicions were true.

Moskeeto: 950 (-200 -300) = 450 Glow Jelldon: 400 (+100 +100 +200 +200) = 1000

"Sorry buddy, but with the Soft Conductor in play, all your abilities are absorbed into Jelldon and his body nullifies them. And he absorbs that gel that's been made and gains 200 Gs from each ability." She gave Killian what could've been the most serious look, the tone change surprising Killian again. "A lot of Moskeeto's abilities revolve around subtracting power from the opponent rather than gain a lot…but what happens if you can't?"

Killian mentally cursed himself for her insight. He didn't think it's be this tough, and it was only in a few short moves as well.

Moskeeto attempted to keep his distance, but Jelldon's new elasticity in his tendrils made it easy for him to swat down. Moskeeto plundered to the ground like the fly he was.

"Moskeeto!" Killian yelled. "Gnnngh…! Okay, time for some backup." He pulled out Triad El Condor and threw him skywards.

"Not so fast!" Maggie shouted. "Ability, activate! Wall Flame!" Suddenly a birdcage-like barrier of fire came down around Jelldon and Moskeeto. The flame-like bars were breached by Triad El Condor when his small form went in. The capsule sizzled, but it still opened. Triad El Condor emerged, though he seemed greatly buffered.

Moskeeto: 450 Glow Jelldon: 1000

Triad El Condor: 350 (-200) = 150

"How'd he do that?" Killian asked.

"Simple." Maggie told. "Wall Flame is a Pyrus ability that ensnares the battlefield in a cage of fire. Any Bakugan who enters the battle that isn't Pyrus automatically loses 200 Gs."

Killian grunted in annoyance. Once again, she's got him. 'Guess I better give her credit. She's way better than last time. Still, that can't save her from this!' He swiped his arm. "Double ability, activate! Triad Hot Blast, plus Parasite Claw!"

An elemental blast of hot air shot from El Condor's mouth at Jelldon, while Moskeeto hissed as he expelled green lasers from the claws. The two attacks met Jelldon as he used his tentacles to block, holding them off the best he could.

Moskeeto: 450 Glow Jelldon: 1000 (-100 -100) = 800

Triad El Condor: 150 (+300) = 450

"Now! Gate Card, open! Hate Gate!" The card glowed beneath them, releasing a strong flow of air from down beneath them. The air veiled around Triad El Condor and Moskeeto, increasing their power further.

Moskeeto: 450 (+800) = 1250 Glow Jelldon: 800

Triad El Condor: 450 (+800) = 1250

'I have to save my trumps for later. When we see more of her abilities, we'll know how to counter. But for now, keep the pressure on!' He reached out. "Moskeeto! Aero Slim!"

With another violent hiss, Moskeeto shuddered his wings, releasing another green rainstorm into Jelldon. This time the attack buffered the jellyfish enough to leave him stammering. His power decreased to 700, yet Moskeeto's went up to 1450.

"Hang on, Jelldon!" Maggie encouraged. She continued watching Jelldon get beaten relentlessly by Killian's onslaughts. She was honestly shocked at how savage this was getting so quick. 'Man, he's really laying everything out for us here.'

Moskeeto continued the barrage, unyielding to no end. "Surrender!"

Jelldon grunted as he tried to hang on, despite how hopeless it seemed through the barrage he was dealing with. Killian watched as his heart was racing a thousand beats per minute. Every successful strike would bring him closer to his boss.

Maggie closed her eyes, sighing to calm herself. "Okay…time to stop pulling punches ourselves." She looked up at Killian. "Alright Killian, you've seen us on our defense, now it's time for our offense!"

Killian braced himself. However, what happened next he wasn't prepared for.

Maggie snapped her finger, pointing at Jelldon. "Time for our newest surprise! Jelldon…Attribute Change!"

"What?!" Killian exclaimed.

Jelldon's eyes dilated through the shockwaves. "I gotcha Maggie…" He started grunting as his body began to glow. The attacks around him started to dissipate. The massive gel-like gem at Jelldon's center began showing rainbow colors that were refracting all throughout his body. Everyone watched in utter shock as Glow Jelldon's body changed to a tan-like brown, with the yellow on his body turning to a dark brown. The green eyes turned yellow, making his entire them turn Subterra-like. "Now I'm Subterra Glow Jelldon!" he declared.

"He changed his attribute…all on his own…?" Killian was too shocked for words. He wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it. He was feeling a lot of things, awe especially.

Maggie smirked. "Now the fun begins." She showed her Bakumeter, which showed a Subterra ability. "Ability activate, Desert Spirit!" Jelldon's body slowly began to fade into thin air, leaving him almost camouflaged. What could've been made out were the few grains of sand in his place.

"He disappeared?" Moskeeto gasped.

Moskeeto: 1450 (-200) = 1250 Glow Jelldon: 700 (+200) = 900

Triad El Condor: 1250 (-200) = 1050

Killian looked around, trying to see where his opponent might come up. He scouted left and right, but everywhere he turned lead to nowhere. "He's gone…is he camouflaging?" He looked ahead, seeing a few grains of sand here and there, slowly they began expanding into streams of sand, which picked up speed. "What the-?!"

Moskeeto and Triad El Condor looked down. Beneath them, there was a whirlpool of sand that was forming around an epicenter, and it continued growing.

"Ability, activate-!" Maggie started.

In the center of the whirlpool of sand, Jelldon revealed himself, reforming from some grains in the sand. He spun like a top as the ground shook from the expanding sand cloud. He roared violently as his arms directed the wave outwards.

"SAND TYPHOO~N!"

A typhoon of sand expanded, swallowing up Moskeeto and Triad El Condor. They ascended higher, but it was too late. They both were whirled around, the grains splintering their skins.

Moskeeto: 1250 (-400) = 850 Glow Jelldon: 900

Triad El Condor: 1050 (-400) = 650

Killian used his left-sided cape as a makeshift shield as sand blew hysterically. He couldn't see as the sandstorm enveloped everything in the blink of an eye. There was nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide, especially for Killian's Bakugan.

Moskeeto and Triad El Condor continuously spun around, unable to resist the flow of the sand. Higher and higher they got until the funnel shot both out, sending them barreling in nosedives and reverting to ball and pyramid forms at Killian's feet.

Killian: 40%

The sandstorm started to diminish into a small gust, which soon lifted to reveal Jelldon. He stood triumphantly as he glowed red and reverted to his attribute and ball form towards Maggie. "Try and top that!" she retorted.

Killian went to pick up his Bakugan as he realized how low his life gauge was. He beamed up at Maggie and grunted, another thought of his luscious mistress in mind. His brow twitched as he was getting desperate. 'I gotta work faster than this, damnit!'

"Killian…" He looked down as he heard the voice. It was Moskeeto talking in ball form. "We've got one shot in us…we have to. We'll find a way, right?"

Trying to find reassurance in his words, Killian clutched his Bakugan tighter. He dug deep into his partner's words and tried to brace the inevitable comeback. He steeled himself as he watched Maggie pull out a Gate Card.

"Gate Card, set!" The card shot onto the ground, dissipating to red. Once set, she threw in Jelldon again, and as before he arose in electrified passion with six large alien eyes.

"That's gonna give chills the more I look at it…" Killian murmured low enough so as not to rile up his opponent. Getting over his initial shock, he threw Moskeeto in. "Bakugan, brawl!" In a green gust, Moskeeto also arose, hovering a few meters above Jelldon.

Moskeeto: 450 Glow Jelldon: 600

Maggie inserted an ability to start off. "Ability activate, Drain Flash!" Glow Jelldon's entire body began glowing from the gel sacs on his body. They illuminated a mild, and yet very strong, ray that caused a lot of Moskeeto's power to be sapped just from being near.

Moskeeto: 450 (-300) = 150 Glow Jelldon: 600 (+300) = 900

Jelldon continued repulsing with his sharp glow, making it impossible for Moskeeto to advance. He looked back at Killian, who got the message.

Nodding, he showed another ability. "Ability, activate! Clear Compound!" Moskeeto's eyes glowed bright green before he emitted strong energy waves that raced after the stroke waves. Slowly, they started to eat their way through the energy, cancelling the ability out.

Moskeeto: 150 (+300 +200) = 650 Glow Jelldon: 900 (-300) = 600

"Looks like he's on the offensive again." Maggie noted, which Jelldon braced for.

"That does it…it's time we show them who we are, Moskeeto." Killian himself wasn't as sure of what he said there, but he went along with it. He showed two forbidden abilities stacked atop of one another. "Time to settle this! Double ability, activate! Infestation-X, plus Altitude-X!" Moskeeto began to exude veins around his entire body. They enveloped his whole body as a maelstrom picked up around the area. The air sent a shockwave outwards that almost knocked Maggie off her feet. The winds howled as Moskeeto's body started glowing bright green, manipulating the gust storm to pick him up and shoot skywards. The insectoid ascended to where he was nothing but a speck in the high air.

Jelldon looked up, he was seeing the maelstrom similar to a tornado that howled. He knew it didn't look good but he held his confidence.

Moskeeto: 650 (+500) = 1150 Glow Jelldon: 600 (-500) = 100

Maggie held on while the storm raged. She needed to find a counter, and fast. 'Just…a little more…'

Getting needy, Killian swiped. "Moskeeto, now!"

Moskeeto hissed sharply in the high altitude, seemingly responding. The black and green insectoid started humming his wings as dark green, glistening waves of energy started filtering into the air and followed the whirlwinds. The unpredictable currents' trajectory made it impossible to tell when the stuff will filter towards Jelldon to infect him, but Maggie didn't take that chance.

This was the opportunity that Maggie waited for. "Gate Card, open! Ring Zero!" When the card glowed, the green whirlwinds flourishing around suddenly stopped, as if time had come to a halt before coming close to Jelldon.

Moskeeto: 1150 (-500) = 650 Glow Jelldon: 100 (+500) = 600

Killian's eyes widened from shock. Once again, he was dumbfounded by Maggie's counterattack.

"Ring Zero nullifies my opponent's abilities and freezes them in place. Now you can't move." Maggie showed another ability. "Jelldon, let's wrap this up!" she deliberately added extra emphasis for flare. "Ability activate, Tendril Trap!"

Jelldon's yellow tentacles beneath him slowly started crawling out. The image was like an alien squid ready to strike, which could disgust quite a few people. Jelldon's tendrils shot up and snared Moskeeto, wrapping and entangling him in his mesh and dragged him down. The numbing of the tentacles sent slimy, electrical pulses through Moskeeto that caused severe numbness.

"Now you can't move or use abilities that you've already used throughout the battle!" Maggie exclaimed. "Jelldon, time for the big bang!"

Jelldon growled as plasmatic pulses started charging around his body. Killian was unable to do anything, let alone use an ability. He reached for Triad El Condor but it was too late.

"Ability activate, Bolting Sun!" Jelldon howled as he generated a red, fiery ball of plasma between two massive tentacles. Once ready, he shot it in a straight line at the entangled Moskeeto, racing with electrical streams around it.

Moskeeto: 650 Glow Jelldon: 600 (+500) = 1100

The fireball drew closer, and all Moskeeto could do was stare as a roaring red blaze came his way. The light engulfed him, emitting a thunderous explosion of plasma and fire that roared in a large area. The impact also hurdled Killian onto his back and doubled over onto his stomach. Parts of his attire, especially his red cape, was torn up. He laid in defeat while the blaze diminished, revealing Moskeeto in ball form at his head.

Killian: 0%

Grunting from that backlash, Killian laid on the ground. "What…just happened…?"

The blaze ceased, allowing Jelldon to revert to ball form. Maggie caught him and looked down at Killian.

A part of her felt a little bad about what she did, it was obvious from the sour glaze in her eyes. Sure she wanted to win, but now that the battle was over she couldn't help but feel what she did was overkill. But this was war, and people get hurt, that's something she couldn't deny. "I'm sorry about this." She apologized sternly. "But if you keep hurting more people…then we'll do our worst."

---

Shuji held his posture tall and heavy. He was facing Ariella, and this time, he wasn't going to lose so lightly like he did last time neither.

Seeing his confidence, Ariella exuded her own air of disgust. "So I see you decided to step up again." She taunted. "Or should I rather say crumble and erode…like some heavy rock you were under perhaps?"

"Very funny." Shuji commented. "You should really do stand-up comedy. They'd love to hear your roasts." He smirked. "Too bad it'd leave a bad taste in their potholes."

Ariella held up her Bakumeter. "Don't worry…they'd all be cheering for me once I make them see my humor."

"They'll be laughing alright." He backlashed. "Laughing at how far you'll fall off your high horse."

Ariella: 100% Shuji: 100%

"If we're done with your pointless witting around, let's get to this, shall we?"

"Took the words right out of my mouth." Shuji went first, getting out a Gate Card. "Gate Card, set!" He threw the card into the ground, making it fade into a dark orange ripple in the Gundalian earth. "Alright Fly Beetle, you ready to rock?"

"Like you know it." The Subterra beetle responded.

Shuji seized him. "Okay, let's throw down. Bakugan, brawl!" He threw Fly Beetle into battle. "Bakugan, stand! Kick it, Subterra Stag Fly Beetle!"

The ground was enveloped in an orange light, a light so heavy that the earth actually depressed when the Bakugan arose for battle. A hardened backside arose first, leading to massive, ridged wing shield. Two legs dug into the ground, yellow claws snatching grains of dust. Incisor-like appendages appeared, but overshadowing all this was a gargantuan horn with honed edges like an axe blade. Stag Fly Beetle arose with a hissing shriek as he hunched over, ogling Ariella who showed no visible shock.

"So that's your evolved form." She mocked. "Interesting. Still…that won't be enough against me! Bakugan, brawl! Aquos Clawcer, stand!"

In a blue light, Clawcer arose for his turn. The crab squared against the larger beetle, showing no shock as well.

Clawcer: 450 Stag Fly Beetle: 600

To start things off, Shuji showed an ability card already in place. "Ability, activate! Stag Bullet!" On the massive horn's center, the orange diamond shined, with the few orange accents along the edges also shining. Bullet-like projectiles shot at Clawcer in spontaneous barrage.

Clawcer: 450 (-200) = 250 Stag Fly Beetle: 600 (+200) = 800

Ariella readied an ability of her own as the projectiles came her way. "Ability activate, Aquos Cyclowave!" Clawcer's mouth piece started lowering and unleashed an intense blue beam that raced across the earth.

Clawcer: 250 (+400) = 650 Stag Fly Beetle: 800

Brown bullets fired against a big blue ray. The two attacks met in the center, breaching a stalemate that battered the earth for a moment. However, as the beam seemed strong, it wasn't enough to save Clawcer when more projectiles bypassed the beam, hitting him in the face. He recoiled, letting up to have the barrage nail him.

'Such intensity.' As much as Ariella admired that strength, she had to fight back. "Get up, Clawcer! Ability, activate! Shield Crush Delta!"

"Yes…Milady!" Mustering his guard, Clawcer veered away from the projectiles the best he could and fired a blue crescent that blazed through the projectiles.

Clawcer: 650 Stag Fly Beetle: 800 (-300) = 500

The crescent drew closer, but Shuji was far from worried. "Is that all you got?! Fusion Ability, activate! Grand Booster!"

Stag Fly Beetle's body started flourishing an orange glow, his Subterra power enhancing to great levels. He got on all six legs and static crackled around the horn. Suddenly the projectiles shot faster, but they were almost three times as large, making them cannonballs that reduced the crescent to oblivion. More shots shot into Clawcer, and despite his defense, the monstrous barrage ignited the earth in explosions that even Ariella recoiled from.

Clawcer: 650 Stag Fly Beetle: 500 (+400) = 900

Ariella found no way to hold out as the terrain was being reduced/ Fly Beetle moved his horn slightly and started blazing massive projectiles across the area, making a thick enough mess for only him to see through. Using his multi-cellular eyes and his sonic sensory, the insectoid picked up on Clawcer's settings and charged across the ground.

"Gnnngh…" Finally letting up, Clawcer's aching body stopped receiving blunt strikes. "Is it over-?!" His hopes were short-lived when a harsh force rammed into him like a bulldozer. He was sent flying onto his back, making a depression in the earth.

Ariella's anger arose. 'He can't survive this. Of course, leave it to a weak Bakugan to pull his own weight.' Scoffing, she pulled out a small pyramid and tossed it skywards. "I call Trap Bakugan, Aquos Tripod Theta!" In another blue light by his summoning, Tripod Theta arose for battle.

Clawcer: 650 Stag Fly Beetle: 900

Tripod Theta: 350

Immediately Ariella went into assault. "Ventus ability, activate! Gale Malice!" Tripod Theta aimed his trident at Fly Beetle, releasing a green funnel-like whirlwind that traveled across the ground. Fly Beetle turned and crossed his forearms to defend from the attack, barely being pushed back.

Clawcer: 650 Stag Fly Beetle: 900 (-200) = 700

Tripod Theta: 350 (+200) = 550

The whirlwind kept pushing, but Fly Beetle refused to budge. While he was standing off against his foes, Clawcer was trying to stand, albeit barely.

"Then I guess we should step it up then." Ariella represented another ability. "Ability activate, Crustacean-X!" The ability card's core inserted onto Clawcer's front, where chords constricted his body. Veins prodded as energy ran through the inner carapace. The Bakugan hissed angrily as a dark blue aura enveloped him.

"What the-?!" Fly Beetle looked over, but he was buffered when a massive claw jabbed, riving him on his heels several feet away in a slide.

Clawcer: 650 (+400) = 1050 Stag Fly Beetle: 700 (-100) = 600

Tripod Theta: 550

Ariella showed another ability. "Now, Darkus ability, activate! Sea Curse!" This time, Tripod Theta aimed his trident and shot a blast full of dark water at Fly Beetle. Once again, the insectoid covered up and blocked the attack, while fending off Tripod Theta's power climb to 750. Fly Beetle kept grunting while Clawcer kept hammering at him, and Tripod Theta spouted dark water to hold him down.

"This is getting annoying." Shuji grunted.

"Had enough yet?" Ariella smugly asked.

Shuji threw the smirk back in insult. "You wish. Gate Card, open! Freeze Enemy!" The Gate Card opened, revealing a paralyzing light that stopped Clawcer. The Bakugan was in the middle of raising a claw when he felt suspended.

Clawcer: 1050 (-200) = 850 Stag Fly Beetle: 600

Tripod Theta: 750 (-200) = 550

"What the-?!"

"How's that?" Shuji smirked. "With this card, you can't activate abilities." Ariella's brow furrowed. She should've known he'd play a dirty trick on her. "Now then, let's knock 'em down! Ability, activate! Seismic Repeater!"

Fly Beetle's eyes flashed as he lifted his middle legs, the incisors vibrating violently. He hissed loudly as he raised his legs and leaned back, the energy crackling around the joints and charging. Once it was fully charged, Fly Beetle held nothing back as he slammed his full weight on the earth, plunging the incisors to unleash a brown shockwave that shot across the atmosphere.

Both Bakugan were unable to move as the shockwave raced across like a tidal wave, knocking them over like statues and blown away.

Clawcer: 850 (-300) = 550 Stag Fly Beetle: 600

Tripod Theta: 550 (-300) = 250

They shot across the atmosphere, reverting to blue shapes that plopped in front of Ariella. Her look only served to show how annoyed she was with him.

Ariella: 20%

The rumbling earth soon receded, allowing Fly Beetle to revert to ball form and into Shuji's hand. His glare showed how serious he was taking this now.

"Cheap shotting prick." Ariella swore under her breath countless times as she went to pick up her Bakugan. She arose and shot Shuji a brow. "Okay, I admit, you had me there. Seems there's more to your evolution than just an empty shell."

"I'll tell you what's empty, your insults." Shuji backlashed.

Ariella's brow twitched. She's was practically at a breaking point with her adversary throwing back every insult she had, but that's not what's bugging her. It's the fact that his boasts were actually full of raw power, power that she has been craving to get. It's this power that drove her away in the first place, it's how she met Rian while on the streets, scared out of her mind.

"Little one…tell me, what is wrong?"

His voice was full of concern, and that's when she was taken in by him. She worked hard, hard enough to rightfully deserve power. To have it be challenged like this, it was driving her crazy. 'This human scum…I won't let this end. I have to win!' she shouted in her mind. 'I have to…to protect myself from…!'

Her little distraught wasn't going unnoticed by Shuji. He and Fly Beetle were eying her as she looked like she's seen a ghost. "Is she alright?" Fly Beetle questioned.

Shuji shrugged. "Beats me…but I sure ain't taking changes. Get ready."

Her inner irate finally at its peak, Ariella's eyebrow narrowed in vulgar anger. "Do you honestly believe that I would lose to an insignificant dweebezoid such as yourself? You're an even bigger fool than that red-haired idiot that you call a friend! Gate Card…set!" She threw the card into battle, making it fade in a blue ripple. "Bakugan, brawl!"

In another blue light, Clawcer arose once more, snipping his pincers. Though he seemed weary, no doubt from the damage of last round.

"Looks like he can't last much longer." Fly Beetle analyzed. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

Shuji nodded. "Yeah. Better wrap this up. This is starting to get painful to watch." He picked up Fly Beetle and sent hm in. "Bakugan, brawl!"

In an orange light, Stag Fly Beetle arose for battle with a hiss. His red eyes glared down Clawcer like he was gonna be food. "Sorry if you end up being seafood."

Clawcer: 450 Stag Fly Beetle: 600

Ariella was the first to insert the counterattack. "The only food you'll be having is six feet under! Double ability, activate! Aquos Cyclowave, plus Shield Crush Delta!" Clawcer snarled as he opened his maw again, unleashing another voluminous blue beam. The beam traveled alongside a blue crescent, both shooting towards Fly Beetle. As they traveled, Clawcer's power shot up to 850, while Fly Beetle's dropped to 300. 'This should wipe him out in one blow.'

However, as the attack raced across the field, Fly Beetle nor Shuji were complying with her needs.

"Ready?"

"Let's do this."

Shuji lifted his Bakumeter to show an ability beginning to activate. "Alright, let's see how they like this! Ability, activate! Giga Horn Buster!" Stag Fly Beetle lowered his horn as it hummed violently. Intense static charged the horn until at last he exerted a monstrous wake that traveled across the battlefield. The beam dissipated the two attacks at once as it continued its course.

Clawcer: 850 (-300) = 550 Stag Fly Beetle: 300 (+300) = 600

The beam closed in on Clawcer, yet Ariella refused to let it end there. "Ability, activate! Vicer-X!"

The beam that shot at Clawcer made its mark, but with a jut of Clawcer's claw as chords went around it, veins sprouted all across its area. The Bakugan grunted as his humungous shield-like offense/defense was absorbing all that power, and even more so, blue ripples across his body was transforming into an aura that was taking far more from Fly Beetle. Ariella smirked as she saw this, and she was taking extreme delight. 'This forbidden ability worked the last time. He was lucky enough to survive. Let's see how he handles all that power worked at three times the affect against him!'

Shuji and Fly Beetle stopped their attack. They looked at each other, as if giving the other a subtle glance of acknowledgment. They looked back, readying some charge.

"You ready to deal with the power that you gave us?" Ariella smugly asked.

"We'll see." Shuji said. Fly Beetle braced with him.

"So be it." Ariella reached forward. "Strike now!"

Clawcer started crawling across the ground towards Fly Beetle. His pincers were a humming blue and continued to grow louder as he continued his charge. If this hit, it would be disastrous towards them.

Shuji readied an ability. "Let's go. Ability, activate! Horn Blitzer!"

Fly Beetle lowered his head, allowing Clawcer to see the glowing horn. The horn's shine continued brightening until at last the exertion was at its peak. Once the yellow ridges were charged, Fly Beetle fluttered his wings and shot forwards with all his might. They both charged at one another; horn and pincer ready to crush. Both unleashed valiant battle cries that clashed until it all faded to white.

A massive breakage of energy was heard. And to Ariella and Shuji, both were sheer stunned.

Fly Beetle's glowing horn completely snapped Clawcer's claws, literally. The glowing pincers dissipated once Fly Beetle's horn made impact. He pushed through, causing layers of the pincer to shatter off Clawcer as he was suspended in the air, while Fly Beetle posed behind, his horn fading back to normal. Ariella paled in disbelief, yet Shuji smirked.

Clawcer: 550 Stag Fly Beetle: 600 (+400) = 1000

"This…this can't be…" Ariella cringed when Clawcer landed with a thud. The crab Bakugan reverted to ball form and rolled to her feet. All she could do was stare at the blue sphere.

Ariella: 0%

The pompous Aquos woman watched Fly Beetle revert to ball form, with Shuji catching him. She didn't know what to say now. All the insults were knocked out of her gullet. For once in her life, she was completely speechless.

Shuji shot glares at her, giving a fierce warning. "If you really thought we were that weak as before, you're wrong."

---

On another part of the terrain, there was another fated showdown – a battle between two scientists. Jase and Cesar were glaring at one another, trying to deter one another. However, today, only one scientist will be walking away with his pride intact.

"Ah, Jase. My old friend." Cesar spoke in such heavy sarcasm that only the deaf wouldn't make out. "I see that time has been treating you well."

Jase gave him his trademark discerning grin. "Likewise. Those wrinkles under your eyes are a clear sign that you are probably due for a new chair."

"Hmph! My furniture nor sleep deprivation has nothing to do with this!" Cesar argued.

"I never asked you of your condition." Jase innocently remarked.

"Are you seriously playing coy with me?! Cesar, the greatest scientist of all of Interacia?!" He roared, pointing a finger at Jase. "I'll have you know, Jase, I still have done a lot more than what any of you earthlings could ever hope to achieve!"

Jase prodded his glasses, remaining intelligible by his nature. "Perhaps there is some manner of validity in your boast, that I can't deny." He held up Atmos. "However, let me ask how exactly your 'inventions' benefited Rogue Zero thus far?"

Cesar's brow twitched as a tick mark pulsed. "It's only because of your self-deprivation and lack of understanding of my genius that you're where you are!"

"We're here because of a simple miscalculation that you've made." Jase pointed out. "Scientists like ourselves strive for a great ambition, and that's to reshape our worlds into an image that we see for ourselves. But I suppose that's enough talk for now I suppose. Ready?"

"Oh~ yes, quite heavenly so." Cesar backed away in his levitating throne. Once they were a safe distance apart, their glares had met again.

Cesar: 100% Jase: 100%

"Gate Card, set!" From an insert in his armrest, the card shot out, sliding into place in a yellow ripple. "And now, Bakugan, brawl!" From a slot in the armrest, Freezer went shooting outwards. "Freezer, stand!"

In a yellow light, tentacles arose as Freezer hollered out. He was ready for battle.

"Very well then. Bakugan, brawl!" Jase threw in Atmos. "Bakugan, stand! Come forth, Ventus Gale Atmos!"

A green tornado spun out of nowhere, whirling at a tremendous rate. The typhoon slimmed as it shot skywards, where inside, a silhouette could be seen. Two green wings expanded from one side, and then another set from the other. The tornado soon dissipated, revealing Gale Atmos in full plumage glory. He emitted a shrilling caw that could be heard for miles through the sky.

Freezer: 450 Gale Atmos: 600

Cesar went first with two ability cards in hand. "Double ability, activate! Dark World, plus Brain Freeze!" Freezer's eyes began glowing an eerie yellow light that shined brightly. A pocket of air distorted around Atmos, but he remained calm as he was enclosed in a dizzying realm. With him enclosed in the hemisphere, Freezer's triangular top fired a yellow beam that drilled into the hemisphere, igniting the inside with yellow sparks.

Freezer: 450 (+100 +200) = 750 Gale Atmos: 600 (-200) = 400

Cesar chuckled at Jase's expense. The double ability was certain to throw Jase off since he hardly plays quickdraws this fast. 'This will most certainly throw him off. Let's see how he reacts to this when I-!'

The distorted ait was dissipating. Slowly, the dark blob spouted pockets of wind, which popped holes in various parts of the bubble.

"What?" Cesar went wide-eyed as he stared at hat happened.

When the dark bubble eventually popped, the bright atmosphere inside diminished. It revealed to be Gale Atmos, but he was enclosed within a barrier of whirlwinds that were being generated by the rotating propeller-like blades on his four wing joints.

"Ability activate, Aurai Shield." Jase calmly spoke.

Freezer: 750 (-100 -200 -200) = 250 Gale Atmos: 400 (+200 +200) = 800

Despite the grand shock he was receiving, Cesar recovered from his surprise and smirked. "Well, there's the typical defensive Jase. You had me quite surprised there, I must admit." He mischievously smirked. "But perhaps this will make you think twice before pulling a move like that! Ability, activate! Octo-X!"

A bright core enveloped Freezer's front. The Bakugan began grunting as he was panting in and out, his grotesque growls being met with veins protruding all over his body. Plasmatic energy started pulsing through the area and around Freezer as the Bakugan snarled. His top shined as he felt empowered.

Freezer: 250 (+1100) = 1350 Gale Atmos: 800

Cesar chuckled. "Beautiful, isn't it Jase?"

"And by this, I suppose you mean your experiments that have created this power." He clarified.

"You always were rather perceptive. A hassle/but for a human, perceptive." Cesar raised his head and proudly smiled. "You see, with ambition comes sacrifice. The greater your risks the greater the reward; that very concept embodies only the most servitude of minds set for the future."

"And to which you aren't wrong. However…" Jase held up two abilities. "Even the most hardiest of ambitions can go so far. Double ability, activate! Tailwind, plus Tornado Slash!" Atmos started generating the winds around him in a vicious whirlwind, similarly to Avianna Tempest, but this evolved version was causing the whole area around him to pick up a vicious draft. When he flapped all four of his wings, green saw-like waves traveled in the whirlwinds, looking like wind comets that shredded Freezer. The bakugan wheezed as his energy diminished from those shots, leaving cuts into his body.

Freezer: 1350 (-200 -100) = 1050 Gale Atmos: 800 (+300) = 1100

"Freezer!" Cesar panicked. He watched as his Bakugan grunted as he tried standing. "Hmph! Human logic can be such a dreck…" He tossed up Dynamo. "Dynamo, come forth!"

In a bright yellow light, Dynamo appeared beside Freezer.

"Now…COMBINE! Into Dynamo Freezer!" Cesar uproariously declared. With that, the two combined yet again, both Bakugan infusing one another and allowing Dynamo control of al six legs with his own.

Dynamo Freezer: 1450 Gale Atmos: 1100

Jase and Atmos watched the two combine. They seemed completely calm in spite of what's going down with the mad genius.

"Now, let's see how your evolution handles this! Ability, activate! Sub Dimension!" Dynamo's mechanical eyes glistened momentarily. The body expelled a distorted realm that trapped all of them. The vacuum around Atmos went surprisingly blank.

Dynamo Freezer: 1450 Gale Atmos: 1100 (-300) = 800

"Just. Give. Up." Cesar taunted. "No matter how high you choose to go, our power levels will simply exceed that. You're at a disadvantage, accept that!"

To his surprise, however, Jase didn't frown. Rather he kept that same grin. He prodded his glasses, a serious look slowly arousing on his face. "Honestly, such a pity runs on such big mouths." He showed an ability. "Ability activate, Float World!"

Atmos' eyes widened. The falcon spread his wings and a green glow briefly enveloped him. That glow created a green cloud-like area below, as though a Ventus Reactor was active.

Dynamo Freezer: 1450 Gale Atmos: 800 (+300 +100) = 1200

Cesar raised a brow. "What's this?"

Atmos' aerial drafts started climbing drastically. The falcon arose to greater heights as his four propeller joints began to spin, allowing him to glide high into the sky. This only seemed to irk his adversary more.

"Hmph! Just because you're at that altitude doesn't mean you're safe from me!" He reached out towards the field. "Gate Card, open! Land Pressure!" The card shined brightly, creating an intense gravity field that was faintly seen beneath the green cloud illusions beneath them. Cesar chuckled as he waited for Atmos to fall, but he never did. "What the-?!" He looked skywards, seeing him still gliding around freely. "What kind of trickery is this?! Jase!"

Jase looked forward while Gale Atmos glided far above his head. "It's not exactly what you call a 'trick', Cesar." He explained. "It's just an added affect of Float World. Atmos' new wings and joints allow him to stay within the air indefinitely, so high in fact that he is free from any obstruction of either side's Gate Card."

Cesar looked up astonished and processed what this meant as Atmos circled freely. 'An ability that makes you immune to all Gate Card effects?!' He looked at Jase to see him so calm. He wasn't going to be played so easily. "You insolent…! Very well, I'll shoot you down! Ability activate, Grapple Bazooka!" Dynamo Freezer unleashed multiple light projectiles that fired up towards Atmos high in the sky.

Dynamo Freezer: 1450 (+300 +300) = 2050 Gale Atmos: 1200

The blasts headed his way, but Jase remained calm as could be as he showed another ability. "Ability activate…Quad Vortex!"

Gale Atmos looked down at the incoming projectiles. He glided to a standstill and faced his wings and propeller blades. They began spinning faster, faster, and faster, until finally, green whirlwinds started surging around each one. "This one will hurt me more than it does you!" he shouted. The four green tornadoes shot from each spinning wing fan that completely vaporized the incoming bullets.

Dynamo Freezer: 2050 (-400 -100 -400 -100) = 1050 Gale Atmos: 1200

The cyclones shot into Dynamo Freezer, swallowing him in an intense turbine that could shred towering buildings. Cesar was barely scathed as he was whirled around from the drafts the 4 maelstroms created. He screamed as his chair momentarily lost gravity and plundered. Meanwhile, Freezer screeched as he reverted to ball form, along with Dynamo.

Cesar: 70%

The tempests receded, allowing Atmos to revert to ball form for Jase to acquire.

Cesar growled as he got up on his anti-gravity chair. He Ascended and picked up Freezer and Dynamo, snarling angrily. He looked annoyed to say the least, not just from his wits being meddled with, but with Jase. He was the greatest genius in all of Interacia, he had to show everyone who he was and his worth, and he'd bedamned to allow an earthling to usurp all his credentials.

"Mark my words, Jase! My genius will not be trifled with!" he roared accusingly.

Jase didn't seem fazed by this taunt. "Genius that was taken from others' credit."

"Shut your mouth…" Cesar growled threateningly.

"So you don't dent it. Fitting. A genuine scientist makes his work for good or for selfish intentions, but perhaps these Traps and these designs of Interacia, I find it very ironic."

"Jase…!" Cesar had it, he banged his fist against his armchair. "You have no idea what it's like, to have sacrificed so much! To spend your life from the time you could crawl to progressing forward!" In his mind, he was seeing himself in a small garage, where his inventions were a bunch of makeshift junk he found and played with. He still was astounded with how he made a mechanical robot using rods, wires, gardening tools and chords to an upside-down trash can. "When you don't have resources, you have to work off of others. Don't you see? Everything I do is for the better of our society! My will, is to see my inventions have an everlasting impact on Interacia! And I will not have you or some pesky cockroaches tell me what I am doing is wrong!"

His irate finally ended, leaving him breathing heavily. Jase was silent at his remarks, partially a little stunned, though it wasn't seen from the lack of facial expression. To some degree he can show empathy for Cesar. He spent his whole childhood in boarding and private schools, leading to his military career that he recently discarded. So he knew very well sacrifice for a world he cared for meant.

But rather than talk about it and show his condolences, he pulled out a Gate Card. "Then let's finish this. Gate Card, set!" He threw the card into battle, in which it faded into a green ripple. "Bakugan, brawl!" Once more, a green whirlwind shot skywards. From the top, Atmos cawed as he was airborne.

Cesar snarled. "Very well then. Bakugan, brawl!" He threw in both Freezer and Dynamo. Both Bakugan and Bakugan Trap arose for battle.

Freezer: 450 Gale Atmos: 600

Dynamo: 400

Jase pulled up an ability to go first. "Ability, activate! Omni Storm!" Atmos cawed as he flapped all four of his wings, creating green shockwaves that expelled down onto Freezer and Dynamo alike. Both enemies were unable to hold much ground as the trap fell onto its head, causing the neck to scrunch and static, meanwhile Freezer was buffered so hard his glass forehead cracked from the impact.

Freezer: 450 Gale Atmos: 600 (+400) = 1000

Dynamo: 400

Grunting through the harsh winds, Cesar reached out. "Freezer, dock with Dynamo again!"

Freezer nodded. He started squirming and crawled atop of Dynamo.

"I think not." Jase swiped his arm. "Gate Card, open! Diffuse!" The Gate Card beneath shined brightly, creating an unseen force that came between Dynamo and Freezer. Just as docking was coming to completion, both Haos Bakugan were repulsed from another, as though forcibly separated.

Cesar looked frantically at the severing. "W-what's going on? Why aren't they docking?!"

"That would be my Gate Card." Jase explained. "With this Command Card, Dynamo and Freezer shall remain separate."

Once again, Cesar showed great displeasure. "Sure you…!" He held up an ability. "Ability, activate! Cool Breath!" In an attempt to get back at him, Freezer exhaled an icy mist from his mouthpiece, which traveled up towards Atmos.

Retaining composure, Jase inserted another ability. "Ability, activate! Vacuum Turmoil!" Atmos' wings blades unfolded once again, summoning a strong cyclone that opened wide like a whirlpool. The icy mist entered the whirlwind, only to mix with the draft and was repelled back at Freezer.

"Dynamo, in front, now!" Cesar commanded.

The cybernetic trap's response system was deterred, but his functions allowed it to move quick enough in front of Freezer. Its red eyes flickered on and off as the static around the neck was intensifying before the mist swallowed it. It protected Freezer, but at the cost of the Trap Bakugan's systems being frozen over.

Freezer: 450 Gale Atmos: 1000

Dynamo: 400 (-200 -100) = 100

"Clever." Cesar was impressed, but he had to focus. He smirked as he held up two more abilities. "You impress me, Jase. Of all the calculations I could've made, only the ones against you and your so-called friends just always know a way to prove me wrong."

Jase straightened his posture. "Every man can learn from his failures. If you never know how wrong you were, there wouldn't be room for development." To a partial degree, that line of thinking made him think to a certain red-haired teen, even though he was referring to the fellow scientist. Though the way he made it sound implied to Cesar's case more so than Luke's, or rather himself.

"So it's okay to just accept failure?" Cesar cackled low, as though his sanity was being rummaged through. "I'm sorry…but failure this time is not an option! Do not mock my genius, Jase Mercury! Double ability, activate!" He inserted another two abilities, both with a bright core. "Experiment-X! Plus Octo-X!"

Two layers of bright cores enveloped Freezer's front, immediately putting an intense pressure on his body. The head was slowly being covered by nothing but hashed chords that made it feel like an Abis Omega was crushing him. Trying to fight through the pain, the chords stretched out towards Atmos and snared him. The constriction snared his neck, his wings, and the talons, making it nee impossible to resist.

"Such…force!" Atmos strained.

Freezer thus began the extraction and transfer. Yellow-red energy poured up the chords and traveled around Atmos. Immediately a burning pain went through his body, his lively energy being transferred to Freezer. The extraction of his power was painful, but he was doing his best to hold together. As his energy was being sapped, not only was Freezer starting to heal and grow stronger, but also his glass forehead was shining with intensifying plasma, giving him power.

Freezer: 450 (+550 +350) = 1350 Gale Atmos: 1000 (-550) = 450

Dynamo: 100

Cesar began to laugh at his opponent's pain. "Now you see your folly! No matter what, none can stand up to my genius! I have before, and I will keep growing!"

Atmos refused to struggle through the transfer, feeling like he was going to catch on fire. Through his ache, Jase said nothing.

"Well Jase, have you have anything to say now?!"

Jase looked towards Cesar, showing no anguish nor dismay. He simply held up two abilities, silently activating them.

Cesar lost his muse. "Hm?"

"I think that's enough fooling around…Atmos!" At his response, Atmos shrieked violently. "Double ability, activate! Boreas Arrow, plus Fusion Ability, Wise Sky!"

Atmos stared at Freezer with glowing eyes. An odd green glow came from all three of his gems on his chest, humming with power. The intensity only grew when a green outline enveloped his body, summoning a small typhoon that gathered around his beak.

Cesar's fear and astonishments started to sink in. When he looked around, he was seeing air currents gather around to spiral into the beak to create high pressure. The green glow brightened, but it only led to Cesar realizing he was screwed. "No…NOOOO~!"

When Jase reached out, Atmos let out one last cry as he shot a bolting green energy blast from his beak through the atmosphere. The attack was surrounded by the green spiraling whirlwinds, condensing its pressure to the shape of an arrow.

Freezer: 1350 (-400 -200) = 750 Gale Atmos: 450 (+400 +200) = 1050

Dynamo: 100

The green arrow traveled across the chords, air pressure being so strong that they severed into oblivion. The arrow closed in on Freezer as he was also mixed with fear. The arrow bypassed him, continuing its path into Dynamo. It faded as it passed the drone spider, leaving seconds of momentum to pick up before Freezer was swallowed in a green explosion, followed by Dynamo, who's already damaged systems couldn't take it anymore. Freezer shrieked as he reverted to ball form through the roaring shockwaves, but Dynamo wasn't so lucky. The arrow that passed it finally caught, leaving its head to explode. The entire body's frozen joints all shattered like glass, leaving cold metal to get blown away.

Cesar shrieked in horror and fright as his gravity chair shot back. He crashed onto the back, the chair emitting malfunctioning static as the scientist doubled over, laying on his stomach while Freezer rolled to his side.

Cesar: 0%

The drafts soon stopped, leaving Atmos to revert to ball form and for Jase to snatch. He looked over his handiwork as Cesar's mechanical marvels were all destroyed. He looked over at Cesar, seeing him still conscious, but unable to stand.

"No…this can't be…" he murmured, seeing his gravity chair and Dynamo in pieces. "My…my beautiful creations…"

Jase turned away. He would've offered condolences, but he couldn't after everything that's happened. "I believe our points have been clearly made today."

"Curse you…! Jase, you…!" Cesar shuddered. "I swear, I'll never forgive you for this!"

Jase stopped in his tracks and looked ahead, prodding his glasses again with mere two fingers. "…I can live with that…but I'm sorry."

All of Rogue Zero were either laying around or were unable to continue. With them incapacitated, the gang regrouped to see that they were all well and watched on as their incapacitation almost made it too sad to watch.

"So what do we do now?" Maggie asked.

"For now…we wait." Jase answered.

"Yeah, but for how long?" Jelldon asked.

Jase shrugged. "I believe the wait shouldn't be that long." True to what he said, figures were seen walking through the area. "I believe we have more company."

They all turned forward, seeing that passed Rogue Zero, there was also Luke and Esther running through the canyons towards them. While up above, Alice and Ren were on Hydranoid and Linehalt. They rendezvoused in one spot as the aerial Bakugan landed. Hydranoid reverted to ball form and Alice met up with everyone.

"You guys, is everyone okay?" she worriedly asked.

"Alice!" Maggie chirped.

Shuji smirked. "Hey, don't worry bout us, we're just fine." He pointed a thumb towards the side. "You should be asking those guys that question."

Ren and everyone turned their attention towards Rogue Zero, the remaining four members sprawled in defeat or otherwise distraught. With all of them down and out, even Ren was showing some surprise.

'Who are these guys?' he thought, turning to see Luke and Esther catch up with their friends. 'We didn't battle that long but they took them out without any help…man, just when I thought Dan and the Brawlers were showing off.'

"So are you guys really okay?" Jelldon asked. He was currently on Maggie's shoulder fretting for his friends.

Atchibee nodded. "We're just well Jelldon, thank you."

"So I guess that means you took care of Maximus and Xander back there, right guys?" Shawn asked.

Luke nodded. "Yeah, we did." He wanted to comment also about how easy it was to beat them, but that would be rubbing salt into the wound. He chose better to keep his mouth shut.

"The enemy vanguard was also brought back." Esther added. "Their numbers were greatly reduced from our efforts. On top of that, it seems that those in the back had retreated into the fissures within the earth. But I doubt they won't stay down for long."

Alice lowered a brow. "Right. And that also means they'll be back with greater numbers than before."

"Well we managed to limit their territory from expanding into the canyons and gorges, that's what's important." Ren commented. "We can't stay here for long. We'll have to get to the base. Linehalt!"

High above, Linehalt lowered his hand to allow Ren onto the palm. The Darkus Bakugan raised the palm close to the shoulder to let Ren jump on. Once ready, Linehalt began the ascent.

"Alright guys, follow me and Linehalt!" he yelled. "We'll show you there!"

"He's gonna fly?" Fly Beetle asked.

"Then I suppose we should be making leeway as well." Jase said, walking passed everyone towards the parked Trailer. "We better hurry. It wouldn't be wise to remain here any longer."

Everyone started, but Maggie looked back at Rogue Zero. Seeing them down and defeated like this, it was almost sick. A part of her was really sorry to just leave them like this, but her dismay for their actions outweighed that guilt. Still, seeing them like this was nothing less than sheer pity.

As she stared longingly, a hand touched her shoulder. She looked up to find it was Esther. "Maggie, we have to go."

Maggie started, but not before looking back one more time and climbed the nearest ladder. She followed everyone and was the second to last one before Esther closed the hatch. The Trailer transformed once more into flight mode, the tires getting beneath and the wings expanding some. The massive vehicle arose off the ground, soaring into the distance with Linehalt guiding the way.

Laying around, left in the dust, Rogue Zero looked unhappily. They had a cold feeling creep up their spines at the thought of their armies destroyed, but more so from what awaited them. They could only dread from this point on.

---

About an hour later of long flights, the group came to the end of the long canyon gorges. Shuji and Maggie were so relieved to see something other than alien rock out their windows the whole way. At the base of the exit, there was a massive camp-like compound, similar to a military setup. There were Mobile Assault vehicles parked, along with massive dome-like structures that looked to be made of reinforced metal.

"We're here." Ren and Linehalt descended to the ground, where Linehalt reverted to ball form. The Trailer slowly descended to an enclosed spot, where it transformed to its base mode. The top arose staggeringly high.

They all met Ren outside, where he was accompanied by three other cadets in traditional Gundalian battle armor. The group seemed sound for the moment, but to be safe they still kept a reasonable distance out of arms.

"Sorry about all this. We would've cleaned up sooner if we ha found out about your arrival." Ren joked, though he looked around to find that everything somewhat of a mess. Some Mobile Assault vehicles were parked incorrectly, and some soldiers called in sick. He needed to keep up.

"No need, it's quite alright." Jase remarked. "We aren't in much need of commodity, thank you very much."

"So where are we going?" Maggie asked.

Ren turned his head. "You guys, we'll be heading in there." Everyone turned their heads towards the main base. It was surprisingly big for a base, though on the outside it kinda resembled an indoor football or sports stadium. "That's the main compound. I'll try to get into contact with the Prime Minister Nurzak. In the meantime, you guys can stay in extra quarters we have available."

"Really?"

Shuji stepped up. "Look buddy, not be rude or anything, but I'm actually a little more comfortable being in the Trailer if you get what I mean."

"That's understandable. Just as long as you don't leave the grounds. We still wanna figure out what's going on, so will those terms do for now?"

"Yes." Alice nodded.

Esther stepped forward. "You have our word. We'll try to help each other the best we can for now."

"Like she said." Luke stepped forward, also looking stern. "We'll try to be of any help we can. We wanna save this planet…and we'll fight those guys again to prove it."

Ren grinned. "Thanks, we appreciate it." He turned towards his men. "Alright, you, get ready a transmission for the Prime Minister. You, make sure our guests have enough of what they need. And you, get into contact with the squads. We'll be heightening our security to a level 3 classification."

"Yes, sir!" The Gundalian soldiers marched off towards their designated areas. When they were gone, Ren turned towards them.

"Thank you all again for that help." He turned towards Alice and Hydranoid. "Especially you two, we're impressed. You pushed back a lot of numbers back there to issue a full-scale retreat."

Alice bashfully smiled. "Thanks. You too."

"I have to thank you for saving me back there." Linehalt told Hydranoid.

"You're welcome. No thanks are needed." The hydra responded.

"Guess since we're all acquainted, I'll get to it. See you guys in a bit." Ren turned to walk away, leaving the others to themselves. Before he was out of sight, Linehalt and Ren took one more look back at them before facing the other. Something about them seems odd, though not the bad kind of odd like they did with the Major 12. This kind of odd…was bubbly, and comforting. But still, they chose to persevere and move along.

The group turned to each other and Shuji stretched overhead. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm down for a shower."

"Just make sure to save some hot water for us too, okay?" Shawn asked.

"Yeah, no problem. Not gonna take long at all."

"That's exactly what you said the last time." Maggie shot him an annoyed look. Clearly she wasn't buying it. "If we run out of water again, you're filling up the water system."

"Okay, okay!" Shuji backed away, taking slight offense. "I get the message. I'll go." He started for the Trailer."

Not far behind, Shawn started his path. "Yeah, about time we start settling down. You coming, Luke?"

"Yeah, I'm coming." Luke followed Shawn into the Trailer, with Esther and the other also doing their own thing. The Darkus girl looked back at Luke as he followed in last. He thought she was going to smile but instead was given a blunt look, though for some reason he thought he saw the corner of her lips make a weak smirk. 'Huh, am I seeing something here?'

Before they went in, Abis turned on Luke's shoulder. He thought he sensed something.

"Abis, what is it?"

"…" Trying to process something, the sea serpent turned towards the overlooking canyon rocks. He had a feeling that someone was watching them, but that thought faded. "…it's nothing."

Luke wondered what got his attention, he looked up at the canyons to spot something, but Gundalia wasn't the brightest place out there. Still, somewhere in his gut, it was telling him to be ready. Slowly he made way inside, the door closing shut.

Elsewhere up by the canyon, unbeknownst to Luke, Luka was high up and gazing down at the bootcamp with Brontes on his shoulder. They were glaring daggers at Luke's back and saw through the window that he was talking to Shawn, while Maggie pestered him, leaving him whining about something. 'Should've known he'd do this.' He turned and walked above the gorge's flat roofs, remaining stoic with a cold face. 'Those guys really wanna throw their lives away…guess it really is up to me.'

---

Inside the deep darkness of the new Empyrean, the insides seemed very different, or at least Riaan's domain was. Unlike before, Riaan actually had a massive domain to cover the basis of his territory. While many rooms and hallways were underground and covered by white, the room that Riaan was in was his throne room, and it was the total opposite.

The throne room was mainly black, with red accents for accommodations. The red carpet lead to a stairway where Hades Pillars was as they stood in silence. Behind Riaan, Empyrean actually had bright red windows, which were strangely lit up in the underground darkness. The whole setup felt more like a Gothic church than it did a throne room.

The battered Rogue Zero hung their heads in silence. No words could be said about what they did, or rather what they didn't do. This failure didn't just traumatize them…it made them suffer. Suffer enough to where they dreaded for what's to come.

Riaan tapped his finger against his pedestal, clearly showing signs of impatience. "Do you wish to say something?"

Somebody could've said anything, but no one did. Not even the brave and wicked Maximus as his eyes continued shuddering.

"I see." Riaan sighed, pausing to allow the air to stale. "Very well then." He suddenly saw Cyrus stand up. "Yes, what is it Cyrus?"

"Milord, with all do respect, shall I explain what has happened?" he maliciously smirked. "I think they deserve to know if they do not understand."

"There's no need, Cyrus. They're already aware." Cyrus backed off, allowing Riaan to turn towards Rogue Zero. "Rogue Zero, you were the vanguard to our invasion. Your task was to ensure that we had established a large enough territory to ensure that we do not have interference for the next few days."

Killian thought he was merely redefining their mission. But he fell on false hopes as Riaan continued.

"However, because of your recent transactions, along with your records starting to show poorly, we of Hades Pillars and I came to realize this error." He snapped his fingers, showing visual holographic panels showing their earlier battles, especially when they lost terribly in the end. "You all had done admirably in getting to the canyons, but in doing so, your poor lack in judgement and critical thinking has led you to your foes whom had only put further pressure onto you. As a result, they used your strengths against you. They exploited you…like puppets."

Cesar sneered angrily as he was on a knee. He never kneeled. He was always in his chair, but Jase had to ruin it. Nevertheless, Rian continued.

"Our efforts to push back the Gundalian forces has led us to a small proximity that we've ascertained. However, the enemy Bakugan had come with reinforcements, as Lucia had predicted. To this, and your recent transactions, we came to a conclusion to what your punishment shall finally be."

Maximus looked up, his distorted gaze looking at Rian like he had seen a ghost. This wasn't the face that Riaan knew Maximus for. In fact, he normally saw him with a hood, but the actions with Luke had clouded him drastically. He didn't see a confident, heavily ambitious man who strived for power. No, far from that. This was someone scared and looking like he hadn't slept in days. It was just sad to see, which was why he came out and said it.

"Rogue Zero, your efforts in our operations had led us to nothing but success on New Vestroia and Vestal, now, it seems that from this reason that we must take a new approach."

"What are you saying?" Killian murmured.

Hendrix raised his head, looking solemnly at his superior with a disappointed gaze. Clearly he felt responsible. Ariella and Xander had anger in their gazes that they couldn't keep in.

Riaan's glare hardened, an ominous tone leading many to realize where this could be going. "It pains me to say. Rogue Zero…you're all…obsolete."

---

Here's chapter 39! Phew! Managed to keep it under 20K for once! So you guys got a sneak peak of what Luke's team can really do now. And it looks like Rogue Zero is in serious trouble. Next chapter, things are gonna pick up with Hades Pillars entering the ring! Reviews are appreciated! :)