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.

41. Into the Darkness

The Gundalian base was a mess, more so than what it normally was. In earthling eyes, it was an alienized atrocity to look at; now it looked like a plague set off by a bomb out of thin air. Flames and embers skimmed across the charred ground where scraps of metal laid from Mobile Assault vehicles. Any remnants of anyone possibly here was as bright as day, contrasting how dark and sickly it was – more so with Riaan's infection blackening the land.

While the outside was a mess, the inside of the base was much worse. Luke and the team did everything they could to find as many injured as possible and bring them in. They managed to get it done fast and saved quite a few…but then soldiers able were bringing in bloodied dead bodies covered in white cloths for autopsy. Shuji had to hold in his stomach while covering Maggie up from the scene. Jase opted to help, but the Gundalian guards were pressing they did more than enough. They had to sympathize though given the circumstances, after all, they suffered a loss of their own. And right now, no one was feeling anywhere as guilty as Alice was.

Alice laid on a small makeshift bed in a lounge, where everyone was anxiously gathered. She was slowly fading in and out of consciousness after that massive blast wave settled. She was able to give some details, but Jase insisted on rest. They watched over her for what felt like hours, and nothing but frustration filled the room.

"…damnit." Shawn muttered. "How'd this happen to us so fast?"

"Shawn, relax. I know how you feel." Verias comforted. Thankfully all Shawn did was grunt and not irate like Shuji was.

Maggie sighed sadly, so Jelldon took to his role. "Maggie…it's okay. You're not hurt, are you?"

"No, I'm okay, Jelly." She groaned, glancing away mournfully. "But…"

Shuji bashed his fist into the wall for the umpteenth time, gritting his teeth. Rather than voice his frustration, he found it more relieving to hit something…though the metal might be need to be prepared.

"Yo, Shuji. We get it, can you simmer some man?" Fly Beetle insisted, being more laxed of the two.

Shuji grunted. "…sorry. It's just…what the heck are we supposed to do?"

"Well for starters, supposedly not beating yourselves over for one." Jase advised, getting the majority of everyone's attention. "Secondly, we need to remain calm. As perilous as this is for all of you, need I remind you that this is war. This isn't our first encounter with gruesome circumstances."

"Jase…" Shawn could see how calm and clear Jase was. But inside he feels just as guilty. He just never shows it.

"It's fine if you all need a way to vent, but keep in mind our guests." He turned towards a direction. "Isn't that right, Luke?"

Everyone glanced over their shoulders to look back at the scene. There, sitting on a stool looking down, Luke sat with Abis Omega on his shoulder. The two had been silent for who knows how long. After the revelation that Esther was taken by Riaan sunk in, it was like they…shut down, for a lack of better wording. Nobody could tell if it was because they were trying to think or they were just unresponsive from the news. Given his past deeds and actions, they knew it was best for them to have their space.

"Luke…" Shawn spoke softly towards his pal, but all he got was a furrowed brow and fists balling. He sighed.

The door to the lounge opened wide, revealing one Gundalian guard still able-bodied. Shawn reached for his fencer.

"What is it now?" Shuji inquired.

"Everyone relax, I merely requested a reconnaissance on the current situation." Jase moved through the pack as they all cooled down. "I apologize for our caution right now. Go on."

"It's as you surmised, Jase sir." The Gundalian guard reported. "The Captain has sustained critical damage from the attack on the frontlines."

In another room, Ren had his eyes closed as he was fast asleep on an operation table. The majority of his body had patches and ointment to treat the skin where burns lingered. Off to the side was the polearm coated in his blood after being surgically removed. Tentacles and liquid containers were around his left leg as Gundalian guards were writing diagnostics as fast as they could.

"We were able to remove the weapon from his left thigh region. We immediately began treating the blood loss and brain stability to Captain Ren. For now, he's in stable condition."

"I see. Thank you." Jase nodded. At least they were able to save one ally's life this time. He adjusted his glasses before resuming. "And what about the damage report? Has there been any findings you were able to uncover?"

The guard reached across from him and activated a holographic report that was made just a few moments ago. "Here." He handed the copy to Jase.

"We appreciate the invoice. I apologize for taking up your time. Please proceed if you will."

The guard nodded and walked back into the hall to attend his duties. The opening closed as Jase turned away. He started dotting in the code to sync the report into his Bakumeter as he was given expectant stares by everyone else.

"So how is it?" Jelldon quivered. He feared he wouldn't like the answer.

Jase continued typing as he formulated a response. "Well, the damage to the exterior of the base is at a minimum, thanks to you and Maggie's teamwork. Thanks to Shawn, Shuji, and Luke, the number of casualties has also been less than what it was estimated…but the number was still drastically high." Everyone held their tongue as he pressed on. "About half of the victims suffered from slain by cuts and blows dealt by a dense force. From the autopsy, we deduced by a manmade weapon. Specifically amongst blades."

"Was it Riaan, do you know?" Verias wondered in a serious tone. This made Luke perk up.

"No. You said before that he uses swords, correct? Swords don't always cut as heavily as these ones have. My guess is that it has to be something with more thick iron in it. I would wager it being an axe."

"You think Hades Pillars has a weapon specialist?" Maggie worried.

"That's the most rational conclusion. Most that were slain were by blades, yet Ren suffered a polearm…so now we know they not only have foresight, but someone on instinct who has no qualms of slaughter. It seems they're taking a more active approach than we anticipated."

"And here I thought Rogue Zero was mean. These guys are just monsters." Maggie grimaced.

"And amongst the bodies…" Shuji paused. "Anything about Esther?"

"Shuji!" Shawn snapped. Shuji held his tongue, but kept his stern lead on the matter.

Jase continued without hesitation. "Amongst the dead, we haven't found any with a description matching Esther's. Even if there were, she'd be distinguished reasonably compared to the Gundalians. It's just as Alice said, she was most likely taken by Riaan's forces."

Luke's fists balled tighter – so tight in fact that they were almost turning white from the lack of blood circulating. If he wasn't sure he'd feel any guiltier, he was now.

"Then it's decided. Esther, from here on, I want you to look after us, and then make up your mind if we truly are worthy of your acceptance. We may mess up a few times, maybe we'll make mistakes…but we'll do our best. That alone we can promise."

Esther's smiled softened as she nodded. "Alright then. I'll stand by you, and I promise that I'll be watching you from here on."

"Thank you. We appreciate it."

Abis Omega looked at Atchibee. "Atchibee, what Esther and Luke said. It implies to you. If I mess up in any way, do as you must."

Atchibee nodded. "Thank you, Abis. And also…thank you, to you and Luke…for saving our lives."

"It's a consequence we'd do a hundred times over."

They didn't realize until now what they said would be their downfall. They said that they would do whatever it took to try and clear or settle their sins, even if it meant dying…now Luke realized how stupid he was making such a promise. For the umpteenth time now, he messed up. And he messed up bad. Neither him nor Abis were comfortable with how they felt but they couldn't help it.

Then again, it wasn't their fault to begin with. It was nobody's fault. Preyas made him realize to accept and be proud of who he was in the past that made him move forward. Now he had to exemplify what his "evolution" stood for.

"So what do we do now?" Fly Beetle asked.

For once, no one had an appropriate answer. With everything destroyed, Ren's attack plan that ruined. He was injured and impaled. A sum of his men were killed, and even more injured. And with one member short, they weren't sure how to comprehend the situation.

The sound of sniffling was heard from the makeshift bedding. Alice was shuddering as she looked down in shame. They all turned towards her to witness her pained expression.

"You guys…this is all so…" she choked. "I…I'm so sorry."

"Alice, stay calm." Shawn advised, but Alice was beginning to tear up.

"This is all my fault. I…should never have gone with you guys. Now because of me, Esther was taken…and it's all my fault…".

"Alice." Hydranoid looked towards Alice, but offered little input.

"I knew something was wrong when they wanted me. This whole mess started because I was here and they knew it. They took it…they must've known something about me that they wanted. They…" she gasped. "They must've known about my Masquerade identity…that's it."

"Masquerade?" Maggie questioned. "You mean that bad guy you were talking about before?"

Jase put a hand to his chin. "That would explain the motivation. With Alice's battling skills and brains coupled by her Masquerade persona, that negative energy would be more than enough for Riaan to further infect other planets."

"Jase…maybe not here." Shawn gestured towards a guilty Alice.

He nodded. "My apologies, Alice. It was just a rationalized perception."

She sniffled again as she tried to compose herself. She turned towards Luke. "Luke…Esther told me so much about you…she told me, what an inspiration you became to her." Her thoughts fell onto the last moments before Esther and Atchibee vanished. "She was willing to give herself up for me…because she probably knew how much more important I was…she trusted me, and I let her down. She told me to say: 'I'm so sorry'." Unable to bear the guilt, she closed her eyes. "Please everyone, forgive me! Shun was right! I really was a liability!"

Alice teared up as the shame piled on for her. Everyone looked as she was feeling all the more responsible for this compared to them. Honestly, they didn't even know what to say. And even then, what could they say? It was heartbreaking that a strong member was taken, but now their morals were shot further by Alice taking blame.

The only one who seemed to be less pitiful than the rest of them was Luke and Abis. When they watched Alice sob at their feet, they were actually seeing themselves. It wasn't that long ago through Esther's singing and Shawn's loyalty, they came to their senses and realized their arrogance. It was a revelation and a moment they would never forget.

"Luke." Abis noted towards him, to which Luke silently walked in front of her.

Alice was calming down as her tears were stinging. She looked up, seeing the redhead passionately kneel to her.

"Alice, listen." He started. "I may not be the brightest one here, in fact I might be the dumbest. But I know what I'm saying has to be true. None of this is your fault. No one is blaming you for what happened."

"But Luke. Esther…she meant so much…"

"She is. Listen, Esther knew what she was doing. She never does anything without a good reason…not like I used to. That's why if I knew she was here, she'd hold nothing against you too." He lowered his head in shame, pausing of a less than musing time of his life. "Alice. The truth is, we've both done something wrong in our lives. And no matter what we do, it'll never go away. It's something you just have to accept that's part of you, and always will. You were Masquerade and killed hundreds of Bakugan…I killed thousands of people, and now their lives are on me."

Alice stopped her despairs as she listened to Luke's sympathy. Even she was stunned by his admittance to a crime. Bakugan was one thing, but this was another.

"I didn't know what I had done until it was too late. I lost everything…but eventually, thanks to Esther, even guys like me are given another chance, even when we didn't deserve it. And I also learned that your friends will be there for you…even when they think you're the worst."

He stopped and looked at Shawn. The Haos battler crossed his arms and grinned as his sentiment.

"What I'm trying to say…is that even when you've done something wrong, you need to find it in yourself to forgive and move on. Esther did for me, I don't see why she wouldn't do the same for you."

Alice watched as Luke pulled himself up.

"Look, I wasn't exactly the smartest Bakugan either." Abis said. "But I've battled with Atchibee, and she's just like Esther."

"They've saved us from ourselves…now we have to do the same for them." Luke turned away from everyone, a green fire in his glare. "I made a promise to her…"

"Then it's decided. Esther, from here on, I want you to look after us, and then make up your mind if we truly are worthy of your acceptance. We may mess up a few times, maybe we'll make mistakes…but we'll do our best. That alone we can promise."

Esther's smiled softened as she nodded. "Alright then. I'll stand by you, and I promise that I'll be watching you from here on."

"…and I'm not going back on that promise." He reached out his hand to help her. "I've learned to reach out to people who need help thanks to everyone here. We need Esther and Atchibee…and now we need you. So let's go help Esther…even if it means without a promise of acceptance in the end. You in?"

For the first time in a long while, Alice felt touched by Luke's sentiments laid onto her. She could only stare in bare awe as she saw into Luke's green orbs. She was good at reading people, and usually she knows when a problem occurs, or rather if someone was troubled. But the gaze Luke gave was for her, not the one she had for him. She thought he was lying and he was mad, but his soft tone, his gesticulation…it was beginning to sway on her.

"You really believe I can do this…" she muttered. A short-term silence fell before she accepted the hand, her determination restored. "Okay. I'm in."

Luke and Abis smiled.

Shawn walked up and slapped Luke in the back. "Now there's a new Luke flare. Almost figured you'd snap on us."

"Shawn…" Luke grimaced. He can't dent that maybe he would've back then when he started to change, but he's matured further.

"Don't worry, we're with you. We're not leaving this planet till we have them back." Shawn grinned.

"Atchibee's our friend too. And we need everyone if we're going to pull this off." Verias advised.

"She's my friend too." Jelldon proclaimed. "We can save them, right Maggie?"

Maggie balled her fists and eagerly nodded. "Sure am. Besides, I need someone to compare my boobs to when I keep growing through my teen years!"

Everyone's expression fell to a dull point. 'That seriously what she's focused on about her?'

Maggie nervously laughed off her statement. "I'm just kidding! Hahaha! She's my friend, and the closest thing that I've ever had to a sister. She's looked out for me just as much as you guys have. Now it's our turn to watch over her." Behind her head, a bead of sweat was seen. 'Hope they buy that.'

Shuji cockily smirked as he rammed his bruised knuckles into his palms. "And now we've got a better reason to crush these so-called pillars."

Jase approached everyone with his usual stare, adjusting his glasses. "As a soldier, diving into an enemy territory unprepared is a suicidal ambition. Not to mention we're short of such time. The negative energy is quickly overcoming the Bakugan around here."

"Jase." Atmos prompted.

"But…despite this gauntlet, as an acquaintance, I'm compelled to bring a stop to this. Esther has plenty of potential as a young woman and Darkus attribute. She deserves better than being handled by these philosophical ruffians."

"Then it's settled. We're going to Master Riaan's to get Esther back. Together." Luke confirmed.

Everyone's spirits were lifted once again. Alice looked towards Hydranoid to see them behind it too. It may not be the easiest thing to do, but a small part of her was finally starting to let go of the guilt she felt all this time. She may not be asking for forgiveness right now, but in times like this, actions to undo a terrible mistake would be her voice.

Luke faced Alice, everyone backing him up from behind. "Alice…we are going to save Esther. For her sake and ours."

"Right." She nodded.

---

It was all black. Nothing was responsive for Esther.

She was pinned along Riaan's wall with all her limbs secured by cuffs chained towards the accented wall. She and Atchibee were unresponsive ever since their apprehension by their loss. Though this did little to deter Hades Pillars as they talked with Riaan.

"Hmmm…" Zion turned from the prize and faced Amina and Galilea. "Misses, what exactly is this?"

"Hm?" Amina was applying makeup to her face in front of a small clam mirror. She brushed the powder along her cheeks to give them a lively glow.

"Amina!" His shout reached her this time.

"What now, Zion?" she huffed.

He rolled his head towards Esther, she followed with curiosity. "You see that?" He sounded like a parent lightly scolding his child – his very spoiled, arrogant, self-centered child. "What is that?"

Amina puckered her lips and innocently tilted her head. "Huh…oh, that? That's some rag that Galilea made me drag back here."

"That 'rag' was supposed to be Alice Gehabich. We all had one job each. Did you forget your objective because another worm crawled over your leather shoe again?"

"Excu~se me?!" Amina quipped.

Before things got out of hand, Galilea intervened. "Please, both of you calm down. Zion, our adversaries were formidable. Despite Amina's…transactions, the Battlegear was a last resort that we needed to ensure this victory."

"Correct." Riaan said, breaking into the conversation. "I understand your intuitive dismay, Zion. But to one's own loss means another's gain. Please, do keep open in mind."

"As you wish, Milord." Zion bowed in apologies for his actions. Amina huffed pridefully behind his back, but he ignored the scowling for now. Work before pleasure.

"So we knocked down their forces for time being." Magnus noted, getting back on the subject.

"Correct." Riaan snapped his fingers, creating a holographic display of images to resemble the fallen base. "Thanks to Zion's interference and the stealth simulations, we were able to shorthand our foe's advances for a short time. It may only be temporarily, but this will set an example that we come to take what we need…no matter to whom they belong to."

"Well said, sire." Lucia praised. "For all are clueless that you are everything."

"Kissup~." Amina chimed. Lucia glared at her, but Amina offered the same glare back. Yellow and blue gleams were like static against the two for their own sense of attention from the great being of Bakugan.

"With all do respect sire, was this show of force rather underwhelming?" Cyrus smirked. "I have no qualms with this tactic. I'm just curious why we couldn't wipe them all off there?"

Rian humbly closed his eyes. "Hmph. Cyrus, I expect a question no less from you." He turned away, hand to his chin. "Why not a full-scale destruction like Vestal? Well, I believe there's no reason to fully dip our hands in blood. We'd bathe too soon when the battle is still to go on."

Cyrus' smirk grew wider with interest. "I see. How very festive of yourself, milord."

"I'm glad that you understand." Riaan looked out at the darkness of his massive cathedral windows, showing only darkness. "To extinguish their hopes so soon would bring no gain to our own ventures. Everyone needs hope. It's a necessity; it's what keeps many alive…picture this, all of you. A small, dying flame can still cast embers. Those embers, they will spread thin. Not far, but enough to create a blaze on the next flammable spot. Creating a new fire. If that old flame went out so soon, to whom can we signal to? For our endeavors, there is no such thing as an easy battle. Their continual survival and need to battle is our fuel. Without it, there is no progression in our own abilities…" Riaan fell silent as he chuckled. 'I have Luke's little venture to thank for this lesson.' He turned towards his shoulder. "Isn't that right, Armagedoid?"

The Darkus Bakugan opened his ball form. "Yes, Master. It is a chain reaction, and we must bear responsibility towards it."

"I'm glad that you've been able to interpret that." Riaan internally grimaced. He no longer bared guilt for Armagedoid's decision; the Bakugan was given choices and free will and he made up his mind. To bring his creation with him down this path when a better light may lie elsewhere is saddening, but this is their path now, and now they must near that responsibility.

"Milord, what shall be our next move?" Lucia inquired.

Riaan turned towards his subordinates and grinned. "With our current standings, I'm close to ascertaining much of what we need. I've already started processing much of what we need. Galilea, I need you to finish your current reports within the hour. I will give you clearance to Cesar's lab to add programming to the work drones for the next step."

"I'll ready for as soon as we are dismissed." She bowed.

He turned towards Lucia. "Lucia, inform me immediately of any of your psychic."

"I shall, your grace." She graciously bowed.

He turned towards Magnus and Zion. "Zion. Magnus. Convert your time to building up our army. Make sure that they are armed and aware of their roles. Galilea has already gone over the work guidelines for their help."

In the back of her mind, the Ventus work leader half-heartedly scoffed. 'If they ever cared.'

"Amina, you may be relieved for now. I trust that's what you've earned, yes?" The Aquos girl chirped happily, much to everyone's chagrin. "Cyrus…"

"Need not to worry, milord…I know." He turned away and began walking. "Everyone, let's…" He trailed off as he watched Amina walk pass him. He fell in silence as the snobbish rich girl walked her ways towards Esther.

An awkward silence fell around everyone as Amina stared at the unconscious Esther. "…" The only thing heard from her was the sound of her jewelry clanking as she raised an arm.

CLAP!

The sounds of a massive smack ran across the chamber like a stone had fallen. Everyone stared expressionless as Amina slapped Esther across the cheek. The force was enough to leave a little pink with strands of her hair left in a mess.

"That's for you and your trash friend messing up my dress." She raised her palm again. "And this was for looking me without permission!"

"Amina." Cyrus called her off. "Please refrain from tantalizing with the subject…if you'd please. I'm sure you have better things to do than 'touch trash', as you'd put it."

Amina froze her arm in place. Just as she was about to smack her new toy around some more, she had input set into her. She looked at her gloved hand to consider his objection. Ultimately she relented. "Fine. But milord."

"Yes, Amina?"

"For what this trash did, by any means if she doesn't behave, please let me know. I would love to find a new hobby while on this backwater planet."

"Amina!" Lucia scowled.

Riaan frowned and humbly looked down. "I will consider your opinion if I must. Now then, dismissed!" All of Hades Pillars teleported away. Riaan turned his attention towards the wall, where Esther was.

"Master, exactly what shall we intend for her?" Armagedoid inquired. "Our enemies are to come get her if they are to realize if she's here amongst us. Wait…" He realized the situation. "Master…"

Riaan chuckled. "You're learning fast, my friend…yes." He gave Esther another interested look. "All we need now, is just time."

---

The medical room was quiet, all except for the slight bubbles and tentacles draped around Ren's leg. The medics that were momentarily gone were going to get some form of bandages to help tend to the wounds healing. Ren stirred awake in the process, his sharp reptilian eyes flickering from the bright operation lights above.

He shielded his eyes with his hands, making him groan.

Seems you're finally awake."

Ren opened his eyes as he heard the voice. "Gnnngh…wait. Aren't you…gah!" His questioned tone turned to a harsh yelp when he tried sitting up, only to recoil back down from his leg down.

"You'd better stay still. The operators informed me of your condition. You mustn't stand, not with a condition like this."

Ren's teeth gnashed together as he moved his head around to fight the pain. Once it settled, he looked up at the lamplighting, his gaze half-asleep. The anesthesia was still lingering.

"Perhaps this is a bad time." Jase turned away. "You'd better focus on healing your wounds."

"Wait…Jase." The Ventus battler stopped and looked over his shoulder. Ren was still conscious, but it was clear by his distraught expression that he was trying to fight the pain. "Tell me…how bad is it?"

He didn't think he was talking about his leg. That would've been the obvious answer. He chose to think broad for his answer. "…are you sure you can handle it?"

"Please…just tell me. I don't wanna stay here knowing that I could've done something." He sounded desperate for an answer, and Jase couldn't blame him. Given everything that's happened, he had a right to know.

He adjusted his glasses again. "…very well." He turned and walked back.

For the next five minutes, Jase told everything that's been going on. From the time Ren went unconscious, to the number of casualties reported in. He left nothing out. As he went along, he even showed visual proof that his Bakumeter showed. The images of dead bodies and burned battlegrounds edged into Ren's already broken mind. He was visibly shaking up from horror of what was happening. It was a terrible sight, but he asked for this. Jase just delivered. By the time it was over, Ren had visible tear stains on the corner of his eyes.

"I failed…I can't believe this…"

Jase stood over the shaken officer, unable to show any shortage of emotion. "The main damage was to your equipment. Your Battlegear and your Mobile Assault machinery numbers were severely reduced."

The pain in Ren's chest intensified. On either side of the operation table were his balling fists. He silently sobbed as he was trying to take in everything…including what Zion told him.

"Now…what was that you said before? 'Those who seek trouble, shall kneel before the predator', yes? How ironic."

Everything that Zion backlashed about Ren in their battle was piling on tenfold around him. How someone like him doesn't fake from the world; someone who accepts a true reality and answers for bloodbaths. That's the reality. Blood was spilled, and he twisted Ren's strong words around. He thought he knew what he was doing; that it was he who had the power to stop this menace…he was wrong, and he learned the lesson the hard way.

"I failed…I really did mess up." he uttered.

Jase stayed quiet as Ren continued his grieving.

"I thought we could handle him…that Linehalt and I could save Gundalia…nothing's changed since then." His tears started falling from the sides. "We really messed up this time. That guy…he was right…I sought trouble when I should've known better…I let the Prime Minister down. Linehalt. Guys…damnit. Damnit!"

Jase sighed. He's heard all this before, not too long ago in fact. First Alice feeling shameful, now Ren. It was tiring to handle the situation like this, but he's dealt with this constantly in the B.I.F and military, of wimps feeling sorry for themselves.

He turned around as the doors opened, the doctors and assistants coming in to do their work.

"Captain Ren is awake!"

"Someone, alert the Prime Minister! Report of the Captain's stability at once!"

The operator turned towards Jase. "Sir, I'm afraid you need to step out. We're going to be putting on some tests for the patient."

Jase nodded and began stepping out.

"Jase…wait."

Jase stopped again when he heard Ren's cracked voice. He continued looking away as the Darkus Gundalian's head was facing his back.

"You…what are you guys gonna do now? You can't be serious about taking them on…are you?"

"…we have our own motivations for what we're doing. Though you're not wrong if part of that reason is personal. However, as a former military man myself, I know the pains of failure amongst your peers... There are worse failures that can still stand on their own two feet."

The doctors pulled up the holographic charts as they gathered around Ren. The tentacles and liquid casing around his whole legs was being tended to by the authorized.

"Jase…are you saying…what did you do…?"

"The failure that I am? That's rather crude of you, why I'm disheartened to hear that." Jase facetiously answered. "You expect me to come up with all the answers now, hm?" a serious frown crossed his face. "That is perhaps my greatest failure."

"Please…make them pay." Ren begged, his tears boiling into anger. "Please…"

Jase walked out of the operating room, as the doctors went to work on putting Ren to sleep for the operations. He continued facing away as he stood in place, mulling over his choices. '…we'll see.' He walked away silently.

---

The cold winds blew in the dark atmosphere, like a late winter freeze. It was so cold that goosebumps could be made out n bare skin. But in this climate, Luke paid no heed. He was too busy in thought to care of nature's dying wrath.

Out on the balcony of the Trailer, he leaned against the railing as he gazed far out towards the dark canyons. Beyond there lied untold fables, and possibly other things beyond tall tales. Flashes of Luka entered his mind, which were surmounted by smiles of Esther and the moments they shared. So much was happening around him right now…yet he seemed too distracted to pull off any emotion.

"Boo!" Popping up from behind, Maggie opted to spook her comrade. "Gotcha, didn't I?"

With how dazed he was in his thoughts, it took Luke a while to realize the spook went right over his head. "Huh? Oh, hey Maggie."

"Daww, that wasn't fun." She pouted. "You were supposed to squeal. Isn't that what you normally do?"

Luke blinked several times before he sighed. "Sorry, guess I didn't give ya what you wanted, did I?"

Maggie huffed. "It's okay…I was just trying to see how jumpy you were. Everyone's still a little anxious ya know." She saw Luke stare out again in silence. "Hey Luke…you okay?"

Luke almost spaced out when Maggie brought him back. "Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking is all."

"You're apologizing a bit much there." She quipped back. "Anyways, what are you thinking about?"

"I'm…not sure. It's a lot of things right now." He lowered his head against the railing. He looked deeper in thought than ever. "There's Riaan's infection spreading, and this news of a new foe other than Rogue Zero. And also…"

"Esther?" Maggie cut him off.

"…yeah. That. You know, I meant what I said back there. I might not be the smartest like Jase, or maybe the strongest physically like Shuji. And I'm not as cheerful like you, loyal as Shawn…or even compassionate like Esther." He raised his head, the sense in the air turning thin and quiet around him. "I…think that I've been taking it all for granted again."

"Granted?"

"Yeah, granted. I didn't realize what I had until I lost it. I took all of you for granted, and that first time was all my fault. I never really considered your guys' lives back then or how you felt. I had it all when I didn't figure out what Master Riaan was doing. I've taken a lot of everything I had for granted…" he turned towards Maggie. "Now, it just feels weird, not having Esther here to talk to."

He started thinking back to the conversations he and Esther had, even when they were alone. Even in New Vestroia when they first met, to Thermosphere's mission, to Interacia and beyond. It wasn't easy to imagine, but it was true. Out of everything, Esther talked the most casually with Luke.

"She was the one to always have something to say to me, even when I'm down." He chuckled. "Usually she's right here talking about stuff before we head out or something. I didn't realize until now…how not hearing her voice feels…feels so…off." He sighed. "Man, I really do suck at saying these sorts of things."

Maggie stared at look for a few minutes s she was taking everything in. Now that she was the one speaking to Luke, this was the first time she heard something passionate from him. Normally it'd be something about the mission, or something silly when eating together. '

Is this how Luke really interacts with Esther? I didn't know he had this kind of side. Though…' Her mind drifted to the incident where he stayed with Shawn on Interacia. That was one, with another following their return to New Vestroia to train. And recently, him encouraging Alice. "If it means anything, I think you're just fine."

Luke raised a brow. "You think so?"

"I don't see why not. Look Luke, you're a big idiot alright, but you're not insensible. You know what you're talking about now, you just don't know how to word it out right. But sometimes, you think just like the rest of us, sometimes even better."

"Maggie…"

The Pyrus girl looked down in fond grief. "Can I tell you something personal? You know how my Mom and I were poor to where we could barely look out for ourselves? Well, there was this one time I actually tried to set her up with someone."

Luke stayed silent as he continued listening.

"I was 9 when I 'accidentally' made him and Mom trip into one another. They were starting to hit things off pretty well for a little while after I kept pushing things. It would've been nice to have a Dad for once, so that was my motivation." Her face fell. "But…the more time she spent with him, the less time she had with me. They'd kept going out at nights and I would sometimes be left alone. We didn't have enough money to hire a babysitter, so I had to bare the loneliness. I was only after I fell ill when my Mom realized what's been happening. That lead to her ending the relationship…just so she can look after me again."

"Maggie…" Luke didn't know what to say. He didn't realize what Maggie did was centered around her own ambitions. In a sense it would help herself and her Mom, but only one of them benefitted…and it wasn't Maggie. 'So she was alone like I was…'

"So I know what it means to take the things you hold dear for granted, Luke. I might've joked a little with the whole boob thing about Esther, but I mean it when I say I want her back as badly as anyone else. You guys are like family to me…even you and Abis Omega." She held an open Jelldon in her hands. "Jelldon's the best friend I've got. I'd be dead if I never had him by my side."

"I feel the same way too Maggie." Jelldon softly answered.

The girl nodded and continued. "We've all been through so much since meeting in New Vestroia. It'd never feel the same if we weren't together. We may have taken our lives and everyone for granted in the past, Luke, we're different now. We care about each other, right?"

Luke nodded. "Y-yeah."

Her smile widened. "Then that means you obviously care about Esther too. She's like a big sister to me. And I know if she were here right now, she'd probably be around you just like you said."

'You make it sound so weird.' He dismissed his awkwardness. "Maggie, thank you."

Maggie winked. "Don't mention it. Just think of it as payment for picking us up, kapeesh? When we get Esther back, we're gonna give her the biggest hugs out of everyone here."

Luke chuckled. "Are you just pulling our legs again?"

Maggie's mischievous smirk returned. "Perhaps~. Then again, I'm sure she would love a hug from you, Luke."

Luke flinched. "W-what?!"

"Haha! There's the ole Luke bravado! Where was that a minute ago?"

She chimed as Luke sighed in defeat. The moment was broken when Atmos in ball form floated out. "Are you two okay?"

"Atmos." Luke said, slightly surprised by the visit. "Yeah, what's wrong?"

"Jase had finished the files of Hades Pillars. He's asking us to meet him. Come." He turned and rolled along the ground around the corner.

"Well, we better get ready." Maggie told them. "You boys up for it?"

Luke smiled and nodded firmly. "Right." He and Maggie walked towards the door as well. A lone, cold wind brushed passed Luke that caused him to look back. Abis popped open on his shoulder and looked out at the canyons with his partner. Their gazes fell towards the odd, foreboding feeling of them meeting a certain someone waiting for them. Their expressions hardened.

"Hey, Luke! Coming!"

"Yeah, sure!" They walked inside, closing the door behind them.

---

In the next floor above, in the dining/meeting area, everyone was gathered and sitting in chairs as Jase was standing in front with a holographic chart he's been fiddling with for hours. He turned around once he was finished and adjusted his glasses. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I figured with the time we may have now, we can lay out our plan."

"Alright, so what do you got?" Shuji questioned patiently.

"We're aware of the two components of Hades Pillars, Lucia and Magnus." He pressed his hand against the visible folder, popping up three thumbnails of three different people. "And last night, we were attacked by three more."

Jase pressed the first one. Everyone's gaze fell on Zion and his Snapzoid.

"This was the Hades Pillar who staged the diversion attack, as well as grievously wound Ren Crawler. This man is known as Zion. He is a master weapon specialist and one of the more aggressive actors of Hades Pillars. Given his armor, he's fully equipped to handle any opponent at any angle. He's upheld a stern face the whole battle, so it's not easy for any normal eye to tell his emotions."

"So kinda like you?" Shawn inquired.

Jase cleared his throat and moved along. "One can say that, so that makes him an underhanded threat. Not only does he use a Pyrus Snapzoid, but if his opponent is off guard, he'll attack them personally…which is also the reason so many Gundalians were slain last night."

Luke's brow furrowed as he subconsciously was gripping his sword's hilt.

The screen changed towards Amina and Nastix. "Next we have the Aquos Hades Pillar, Amina. She was of the two who attacked Alice and Esther last night. From what was gathered she is a self-conscious and pompous woman of high value. She is highly arrogant to where she'll go underhanded with her tactics to win. What's more, to add to her forbidden abilities, she's able to use Battlegear."

Maggie gasped. "Wait, is that true?"

"Yes." Alice confirmed. "We saw it ourselves. Hydranoid and I were caught completely surprised."

"She tricked us into playing us out into the open." Hydranoid scowled. "She will pay the next time we see her."

"Forbidden abilities and Battlegear. These guys really don't play around." Abis stated. "So she's Aquos, right? Then who's the last one?"

The next screen pressed on showed Galilea with her Buz Hornix. "Our next member is Galilea, the Ventus battler, and the second major head of Hades Pillars. From what Alice has also told me, she's unlike the callous Amina. She takes steps in her attacks and coordinates counters to put up defenses and strike with force. She is also more formal and has a much more serious ethic. She seems to harbor more need of control for battle."

"So they sent their vice head to attack us. Damn." Shawn sidenoted. "So that's the three members you got?"

Jase pressed the panel, completely dismissing it. "For now. But for the time being, we now have data on 5 of these Interacians. And with their battling styles recorded, we can fully document and anticipate how they fight."

Shuji crossed his arms. "So that just leads the head, right? The Darkus person."

"I wonder what he's like?" Fly Beetle shrugged

"I don't think I wanna know." Jelldon grimaced.

"Well I do." Alice firmly said. "If we're going to get Esther, we'll need everything we can to beat them."

Jase nodded. "Correct, However, given our current pinpoint, we'll need to be careful if we come across amongst any of these characters. They're all amongst Riaan's personal elite…and we've seen first-hand how they made it to that position. We mustn't be too bold or else we'll end up like Ren has."

Luke perked in his seat. "Oh, right. How is he? Is he…?"

"For now he's being treated. He's stable still, but won't be going into battle for the time being. The attack plan won't go underway for him."

"Okay." Luke was terribly sorry for Ren's condition. But there was nothing he could do about that. It happened, so he had to move on and do what he could.

"So now that we know about these guys, do we know where they've taken Esther and Atchibee?" Verias inquired.

Jase used a finger to prop up his glasses. "I was able to hack into her Bakumeter signal once more. Here." He turned around and pressed a button on the modulator. The hologram showed again, this time with a map of Gundalia and the terrain around them. There were two beacons shown long distances between segments of narrow lands. One was red and larger than the one northwest, which was dark purple. "I was able to get a copy of the geography from the base's database. Here we have our location." He pointed towards the red spot, tracing it beyond the distance towards Esther's pinpoint. "And this is where her signal reaches. In between we have the canyons that we've flown over. They're not deep in sea level, but they do spread far. One could get lost easily."

"We can just fly over that part, right?" Maggie inquired.

"We accounted for that, Maggie." Alice told. "But we'd attract attention if we used the Trailer. And Riaan's infections are layered in the canyons. We'll be vulnerable to aerial scenery."

"Oh, right." Maggie frowned. "So then that means we'll need to travel straight through the canyons to get to her."

"It may be harder, but we'll have better evasion if he moved silently." Jase said.

"I see. So that's the game." Shawn said. "But Bakugan thrive in those canyons as well, don't they? They'd attack us either way…" he realized what this meant. "I think I get it now. This has to do with Hades Pillars."

"We can use the canyons to our advantage. We have geography on our side this time." Alice stated. "If we can use the battle energy inside the canyons to lure them towards us, we can use the field and get around them for a short time."

"So we're gonna go on foot on purpose." Luke surmised. He looked towards the screen, his invoice falling into silence. He was focused on something, which happened to be in the form of a beeping purple dot far away. "…wait, hold on. Something's up."

Everyone turned towards Luke.

"Master Riaan's smart, right? He usually looks into things and anticipate what we're gonna do. It's how he knew about us in Empyrean, right? So if he can do that, why didn't he disarm Esther's Bakumeter yet…unless he's pulling us in."

"You may be right." Jase agreed, much to his chagrin. "Riaan has various powers unlike anything man has seen. He was able to completely shut down communication between Gundalia and Neathia and block out any signals either could receive. For him to leave Esther's beacon on is a trap. But knowing that, are you still willing?"

Luke was taking caution into mind, but his speech from earlier dismissed any doubts. "No, we all agreed. Even if it was a trap, it's selfish to just leave Esther behind like this. Besides, they have that fortunetelling lady, don't they? So matter how we see it, we're screwed either way."

"They're waiting for us. They've spread the mats for an open entry." Fly Beetle interpreted.

"There's something else. Can't Alice just teleport us to Riaan's place? It'd save a lot of time and effort." Shuji advised.

Alice grimly frowned. "I'm sorry, but when I tried to suggest that myself, I realized that they might have some kind of machine to stop me. They did that to you guys when you were transporting to my house, didn't you? They could do the same and put me some place else…or worse."

"So no shortcuts, no plan to avoid, and no easy way to avoid a trap set by Riaan." Shawn surmised. "Looks like we'll have our hands full getting through this one."

"But there's a lot at stake, so we don't have much choice." Verias imposed.

Shawn shot him a glance. "Yeah, you're right. If we're going in, we better prepare for the worst."

Luke nodded. As everyone was speaking up an attack plan, he found himself looking out towards the darkness in the dying, crusty sky. His thoughts fell on Esther again as he could actually see her image. 'Esther. Atchibee. Both of you, wherever you are, we're coming. Just hang on.'

From the corner, Alice was gazing at Luke. She was seeing him growing spacious, but she knew he was willing to do whatever it was to keep his friends alive. She softly smiled.

---

Everything was a haze for Esther as she was slowly coming around. Her eyes groggily opened to give her a few of her massive chest. "Mmm…where…am I…?" she sleepily questioned.

She felt strange, and that was putting it mildly. When she tried to move, a clanging echoed and her wrists strained. The force shook her further as she turned and realized her appendages were clad in cuffs. When she looked from the side so were her legs. She was pinned to some smooth, engraved wall.

"What's going on? Atchibee?" She looked over, seeing Atchibee in a small energy cage. "Atchibee, wake up! C'mon, Atchibee!"

The ball shook weakly, groaning before Atchibee opened.

"Atchibee." Esther gasped.

"Esther? Is that you?" The enclosed moth looked at her surroundings, noticing how cramped it was. "What's going on?"

"I don't know. But it looks like someone's put us in shackles. Who-"

"Hello, Esther. Atchibee."

The masculine tone brought both out of their world of wonder towards the front. Standing several meters away with arms behind his back was Riaan, his magenta eyes glaring them down ever so calmly.

"Riaan!" Esther exclaimed. She lurched so hard she almost reeled back into the wall from recoil.

"I'm humbled to have you in my abode. I trust that you've made yourselves comfortable enough so we can talk." The entity nonchalantly, but also quite seriously, spoke.

Esther clutched her fists and tried struggling, but the reinforced attachments pinning her to the wall were preventing her from moving too much. Atchibee was too restrained in her own prison to break away.

"You can relax. I am not here to hurt you." Riaan reasoned. "Armagedoid and I have no intention on doing so. For the moment, that is."

That didn't distill confidence in Esther for a second. "You…what did you do?! Where's Alice and Hydranoid?!"

"You needn't worry. They're safe." He turned away. "Your actions in valor spared your associates' from my invitation. I was hoping for a more welcoming reception. Then again…I'd be thinking quite unfairly."

"Unfairly?"

Riaan glanced over his shoulder. "Your plight is understandable. Being a ruler and an interdimensional madman that I am, I have to do what is best for my goal. Though that course is of twisted gain and equal loss, so is the perspectives of the individual and experience. Isn't that so, Armagedoid?"

The Darkus Bakugan glared at his captives. From his low, testy stare, he was discerning these people and the moth.

Esther could feel her body run cold from this Bakugan. Her heartrate was declining to a slow level; though her mind was racing. 'Armagedoid. This is Riaan's Bakugan we've seen before.' She remembered the true form of this creature atop of Empyrean once. If she wasn't dreading now, she will be if he comes out. 'What kind of Bakugan did Riaan turn this one into?'

'This negative energy. It's on another level entirely.' Atchibee's ball form remained stunned as she could envision a pulsating dark purple aura around Armagedoid. Quite easily since they were Darkus Bakugan.

"What do you want?" Esther dully demanded.

"It isn't what I want exactly." Riaan corrected. "Rather, it's something that I need."

Esther went silent as Riaan pressed the matter.

"As you're sure that you're aware, there's been a considerate change in my plans regarding my advances. My associates among Rogue Zero have been rather testy, but no less were willing to get the job handles ne way or another. That is, until you and your friends have made me realize the error in my judgment on them. I've had to…make room. Now to move forward, I must also bring myself anew with new potential as well."

"Is that why you sent for Alice?"

Riaan paced passed her. "One could say. You're a smart girl. I believe you know what I'm talking about at this point if the subject is around her."

Esther furrowed her brow. It didn't take long before the realization dawned upon her. 'Her potential. No…Masquerade?!'

A holographic screen suddenly appeared off to the side, revealing Cyrus. "Milord."

"Yes, Cyrus?"

"I do apologize for my disturbance, but you should know that the parcel you've asked is finally ready."

This made a coarse grin grow along Riaan's face. "As expected of you. On schedule as promised."

"Shall I hand it to you personally now?"

"Yes. I'm not too busy as of the moment. Thank you once again, Cyrus." The communication turned off, leaving the room silent again as he faced Esther. "My apologies for that, it seems that something I've asked my associate has finally been completed."

Esther squinted, she wasn't liking the sound of that.

"Do not fret…though I can understand your skepticism. Don't worry, it's not the Mobile Assault vehicles yet. I'm afraid those are still within their prototype stages."

'Prototype stages. Then that means…!'

"This is something entirely of a new concept, one that Cyrus himself has offered to look into." In a dark flash, Cyrus appeared behind a glancing Riaan. "And speak of the devil."

"Your words touch my heart, your humblest majesty." Cyrus meekly mocked. He walked over, offering something to Riaan that was accepted. "I trust that you will find use for this."

Riaan inspected in what was in his hands. From the way he looked at it, it seemed unnatural, at least to natural human eyes. It looked like any other forbidden card, but to Riaan this had a very special meaning that would get him one step further to a direction he wanted.

"Very good, thank you." He looked up at him. "And you're sure this has been tested?"

"Believe me, sire. This is Cesar's research…" With a snap of his fingers, a handheld holographic panel appeared in his hand. "And we both know well of what his findings always induce. I trust that this shall be sufficient proof."

Riaan was handed the holographic panel and scoped it. As he read along the schematics and details, he held a serious composure the whole way. Once he got what he wanted he made the tablet disappear. "Yes, that will in fact do. Is there anything else that you'd like to report?"

"You'll be happy to know that Zion and Lady Galilea have congregated after their recent test runs. They're preparing for the division plan and should be on the dot."

"Good. Lady Lucia is probably reading your arrival in a few moments. I'm leaving the rest to you."

With another humble nod, Cyrus teleported away. For the second time, the room was silent as Riaan turned back towards Esther and Atchibee.

"What're you…going to do?" Esther glared, earning a glare from Riaan and Armagedoid. They turned away, walking off. Esther fell silent with curiosity.

"…do get comfortable. You may be my enemy now, but relish in what I speak. When I am finished with you, I can guarantee, your life shall see a new light…that is unless your friends come to keep you away from that light."

"My friends?" Her eyes widened. "Luke, and Alice…don't tell me!" She started struggling again, but Riaan ignored her. "They have nothing to do with this! You won't!"

"That's not in my place to decide that course of action. It's theirs to make themselves. It shall be them who shall realize how dark their paths shall be either way."

"Esther…" Atchibee murmured.

Esther gnashed her teeth together as a hollow pit took the place of her stomach. She realized the position she was in and refused to accept it. 'If they're really coming for me, then that means…' her thoughts traveled to Alice. '…Alice, please. If you can hear me, don't do it. You know better.' Her other thoughts started fading to black. 'Everyone…Luke…you idiots…why…?'

Silence in respects for her mulling, Riaan walked off to darkness, preparing for what he intends with his new quest.

---

The crusty Gundalian crevices lead deep into darkness. Despite the tall lengths to match skyscrapers, the light couldn't reach far down. It was like walking up towards the mouth of an abyss, only without water – either way one could barely breathe. The daunting path was where Luke and the gang walked up towards. They faced the howling series of tunnels with straight faces of determination.

"This is the entrance to the Gundalian chasms." Jase explained. "Beyond these series of natural chasms that all chain towards one another."

Maggie looked inside the darkness, her adolescent heart racing. "There's a cold wind coming from it. I doubt we'll be missing much negative energy in this place."

"Not to mention the Bakugan affected, too." For once, Jelldon was sounding neutral than worried. That earlier talk really knocked some sense into him. He's beyond the point of cowardice now.

Luke faced the valleys of the gorge ahead of them. "So if we make it pass this, we'll be one step closer to where Master Riaan's keeping Esther."

"Yeah, sounds about right. Unless he's doing something else." Shawn looked over towards Luke. "You okay? You're really serious about this."

"There's enough at stake as it is. First the planet, but now a friend. Master Riaan's gotta be beyond here with both of them."

"Don't fret over such desperation now, Luke." Jase chided. "That haste leads towards impatience."

"I know. We'll need to consider that no matter what, this could be a one-way trip. There's probably no way we'll be escaping a battle with him or Hades Pillars. He'll want that anyways to create more battle energy for him to use."

Jase huffed, prodding his glasses up. "Then we know what the circumstances are. This is a split operation. Shuji?"

The Subterra battler nodded. "Don't sweat it."

Maggie turned towards Shawn. "Alright Shawn, you ready to do this?"

"Sure, let's go."

Alice turned towards Luke. "Luke. I know I'm not Esther, and I won't be a replacement for the time being…but I'm ready to help you in any way that I can. So let's go when you're ready."

Luke nodded with a serious face. "Got it." He shot another look at the valley ahead of him with a chill running down his spine. Something was telling him there was bound to be trouble…trouble beyond Hades Pillars. And he's not going to shy away from it this time. '…if they're in this valley waiting for us…then we'll need to be ready. We're going to settle this…and we're both gonna move on.'

He gripped his sword hilt tighter.

"If they're not here, then they'll be waiting for us inside." Abis whispered.

Luke nodded, knowing who he was talking about. "Yeah…" His conversation with Esther came to his mind.

"The fact that you've reached out to people that once pushed you away…is why I believe you can reason with Luka."

"…but we'll do it, for all of us." He faced Alice with a determined glare. "Okay, let's go."

"Right."

He faced Shawn. "You'll be okay, right?"

"Don't worry about it. Besides, that's my line for you, isn't it?"

"Touche."

With all pleasantries aside, they all glared forward. Shuji and Jase followed in first, with Shawn and Maggie taking another course. The last to follow were Luke and Alice side by side. On their minds, another image of Esther and Atchibee made their hearts harden. No matter what, they were going to save them…even if it means suffering along the way.

---

It was to be the beginning of a struggle. Whether there or anywhere, the Bakugan that were popping up was staggering in number. Primarily Subterra and Darkus Luxtor, they all were turning towards one direction, slowly crawling to fulfill their curiosities. As prompt as instincts were, reflexes were not. Either the ground beneath them shined momentarily before exploding, or whirlwinds that consumed them, their numbers fell remarkably. It didn't help when the stragglers were slammed by a seismic brown shockwave that blew them off like flies.

Making way through the dark valley, Jase and Shuji moved by Bakugan. It was swifter than walking, and in the events of a quick battle, they'd be ready. Fortunately so far that instance has been almost practically instant. Luxtor and Jetro were in their way, but in no time the two would bulldoze their way through.

A lone Darkus Jetro faced them as its eye appendages fired dark rings that expanded towards them.

Shuji showed an ability through his Bakumeter. "Ability, activate! Horn Blitzer!"

Fly Beetle dug his toe claws into the dirt and lowered his head. He bullcharged straight ahead like an insectoid missile, his horn's sleek axe-like side extending in bright orange. He unleashed a violent roar as he bisected the spirals into distorted oblivion and smashed against the Jetro's face. A piercing, scrunching sound similar to bone cartilage crackled from the impact and the Jetro was sent flying into a valley wall, where the blow caused some boulders to fumble on and crush it.

Shuji huffed. "Looks like that's the last of them around here."

"I'm not feeling a negative embodiment strong enough to argue." Jase looked towards Atmos. "Is there anything that you see?"

Staying below the valley levels, Atmos' falcon eyes scanned his surroundings. They saw far and wide, from the simple gains in between the crevices, to the pitch-black in holes. Once he git a full view he looked down. "All clear for now."

They all treaded quietly, minding themselves and their surroundings quite well. Atmos and Fly Beetle continued to softly glide along the valley floor, their buzzing and propellers having a low enough frequency to alarm any from close range.

"You said that the cavern lead towards the end of the valley, right?" Shuji repeated. He wanted to make sure they were going the right way.

Jase glared ahead as they slowly proceeded. "Of course. They dwell for miles on end. As long as they don't stray form the wide clearings, we'll be well on foot."

Shuji was going for a response when Fly Beetle suddenly slowed down. He was using his lower arms – his snippers – to vibrate across the ground. The action surprised Jase as he and Atmos watched them.

"We're clear so far." The insectoid told his partner.

"Got it." Shuji grinned. "So you got the map, right? Well if that ends up not working, we've got Fly Beetle here. He's able to detect vibrations underground, so he can tell where everything is ahead is anything changes." He noticed the blank stare Jase was giving him still. "What's up? Something funny?"

After a long period of silence, Jase humbly snickered and prodded his glasses. "It's nothing. It's just…you seem more observant compared to when we first met. It's rather bold to see you be so aware f everything now."

Shuji was shocked by Jase's blunt explanation, but it didn't show on his face. In a way, he wasn't exactly wrong. Ever since coming on this bizarre journey, he's gotten a whole new set of skills that he never knew he had; guess that's one of them.

"Hmph, I'm gonna take that as a compliment." He smirked.

Jase grinned. "Why, taking light of my statements. You've certainly grown up."

Shuji scoffed. "You're one to talk."

Suddenly Atmos and Fly Beetle perked up. The fellow Bakugan senses were picking up a sudden spike in the negative energy surge. Fly Beetle's feelers began vibrating at an alarming rate, indicating presence not far ahead.

"What is it?" Shuji looked ahead, gasping. 'You've gotta be kidding me!'

Jase's glare narrowed. He could see clear as day, in spite of the dark hue.

Atmos and Fly Beetle slid to a halt when they came to a larger area in the clearing. Rocks and stones laid everywhere as the air was thick. They landed on the ground, allowing their partners to jump off and pace slowly around. Fly Beetle raised his horn and looked ahead.

"Look."

At his sensory, they all noticed a small distortion opening up ahead of them. Immediately Shuji and Jase got on guard as the two distortions manifested into Lucia and Amina respectively.

"That fortuneteller." Shuji scowled.

Amina sourly groaned. "Seriously? Just how gross does everything have to be here? I just soaked in a nice bath, and now I smell like lavender. If this planet's overhaul makes it smell when it's washed, I'm trashing this outfit."

"Please refrain from your excessive fashion for just one minute." Lucia sternly chided. "We have come here on our work, remember that."

Amina eyerolled. "Whatever. I still don't see why this has to be with you of all people." She maliciously smirked. "Is this your way of trying to offer up an offering so you can talk to me equally?"

"We've always been equals. Besides, as deploring as I find it, this is where the predictions stood. As detesting as I find it, we'll have to find it in ourselves to cooperate. Lord Riaan would not tamper with forgiving you so lightly as he did before."

Jase had arms behind him, legs spread in case of defense. "Not to be of bother to you fine ladies this day, but perhaps are you here looking for directions?" he chimed. "If so, we'd be happy to point you out."

Lucia broke away from Amina and gave Jase a glare. "Jase Mercury." She said his name. "I seem to recall our last encounter. It seems that my warning to you has yet to breach. You've seen first-hand of our wakes, and now one of your colleagues has paid the price."

"Yes, I seem to recall our last encounter quite well in fact." He countered. "It's not easy to forget when your opponent uses psychics over their present potential."

"Lord Riaan sees my powers and we turn that future into a present, that is how my gift has benefit to this point. And because of that, to remove you from the future visions is what Hades Pillars shall do. You are unworthy of milord's proximity."

Shuji got a glare at Amina, who proceeded to apply dark purple lipstick on her moist lips. "So you're the primidone that hurt our girls, huh, and took the other?" he cracked his knuckles viciously. "You know, there's a price for messing with my pals, especially not on my watch."

Hearing Shuji, Amina steered away from her looks and stared disinterestedly. "Uh, I'm sorry, who are you again?"

Shuji huffed. "Nothing important right now to you apparently, but we'll see. You ready?"

Fly Beetle nodded. "Absolutely."

"Seems we've reached an impasse, Atmos." Jase sinuated.

"That we have. Shall we answer?"

"More than you could possibly imagine."

Both Bakugan returned to ball form for their partners to catch. They glared at Lucia and Amina, who grew serious by their dispositions hardening. The cold air around them was enough to give goosebumps.

Amina: 100% Jase: 100%

Lucia: 100% Shuji: 100%

Amina tossed her hair back. "Honestly, why do I even bother? You. Can't you just see them getting hit by rocks or something?"

"My sight does not work like that, I assure you." Lucia scowled. "But…" She closed her eyes to concentrate. Inside her head, she was focusing on calming down the surroundings nearby. She breathed softly through her nose, and out. She remained silent for a full minute until she opened her eyes. "…very well. You will start off, and the one with the insect shall hold you off."

"Really?" she groaned. "Fine, whatever. Gate Card…set." Rather than some meek toss, she casually dropped it from her dainty, painted fingers and a blue shockwave raced throughout the area. She pulled her arm back and smirked as she tossed in her Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Go, Aquos Nastix!"

In a dark blue light, the ground was sizzling from an odd acidic surface bubbling upwards. The alien-slime creature arose for battle, expelling a low gurgle.

"So that's the one who can use Battlegear." Fly Beetle neutrally stated. "…looks like a nice guy."

"So they have Battlegear and these freaky cards, and on top of that a psychic." Shuji stated. "So we gotta play it defensive then, right?"

Jase prodded his glasses up again. "Quite so."

"Okay, we'll see if we can get them both in the open. Once there's an opening, you know what to do."

"Yes, I understand completely. Do keep in mind your oppositions."

"We know. Let's hammer'em Fly Beetle!" Shuji grabbed his Bakugan and threw him in. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Go, Subterra Stag Fly Beetle!"

In a brown light, Stag Fly Beetle shot up for battle. His toe claws dug into the ground as he raised his massive horn, a bloodcurdling bellow echoing in the surroundings.

Nastix: 700 Stag Fly Beetle: 600

Amina went first, not bothering to waste another second. "Ability activate, Gastro Soak!" Nastix' circular mouth aimed for Fly Beetle and fired a dense liquid that sprayed across the ground towards him. The rock melted and sizzled as it traveled.

Nastix: 700 Stag Fly Beetle: 600 (-200) = 400

Shuji lifted his orange Bakumeter, showing his own ability. "Ability, activate! Thorax Defense!" Fly Beetle's entire body was encased in a dark orange-brown aura as a metallic armor crackled around his body. It was skintight and faded in as the acidic gush reached him. Using her front arms, he blocked the attack as the acid poured onto him, making him sizzle and steam.

The steam soon cleared, but rather than melted armor, a shiny coat gleamed as Fly Beetle lowered his arms. "Thanks for the shower."

Nastix: 700 Stag Fly Beetle: 400 (+300) = 700

With a deep glare, Shuji gave the word. "Okay Fly Beetle…show them how rough we like to play!"

With a low growl, the massive beetle unhinged his wing shields, allowing his two sets of wings to beat vibrantly. He shot across the ground and raced into Nastix with his horn. Despite Nastix's slimy bulk, the horn dug deep. He pinned his toe claws into the earth to provide anchorage as he started pushing the slime creature. Nastix raised his tentacles behind the bulbous shoulders and swatted them, but Fly Beetle's enhanced carapace helped him endure until he gave one more shove, causing both to recoil. Fly Beetle ended up midair and readied to bolt.

"Ability, activate! Subterra Gravity!" Flt Beetle's eyes shined bright orange as an orange wave faded from his body all around. It dispersed in all directions. Moments later, the ground started vibrating as a seismic shake started erupting through the crevices.

"What?!" Amina gasped.

In a flash, a loud thunderous roar went through the area as Nastix felt an intense gravitational force slam him into the ground. His slimy wake was almost flattened as ground depressed around him.

Nastix: 700 Stag Fly Beetle: 700 (+500) = 1200

Amina gritted her teeth in annoyance as her Bakugan was struggling in the force. The more he tried to resist, the easier it was to push him back down.

Lucia calmly looked up, watching as Fly Beetle shot down like a rocket onto Nastix. The impact was like a bomb drop that created a loud wake of dust to explode into the atmosphere. The shockwaves caused winds to repulse any dust within the vicinity.

Amina covered up using her attire. She swiped away, an angered look in her eyes. "Grrrr…! You didn't just do that! Not to my dress~!"

"Try and stop us then!" Shuji countered forcefully.

"With pleasure…peasant! Ability, activate! Morph Cluster!"

From the wakes of dust, Nastix suddenly popped out of one end, gurgling aggressively and fired blue ectoplasmic globs into the dust cloud. Fly Beetle flew out of the shockwaves and maneuvered through the air, avoiding the slime globs

Nastix: 700 (+300) = 1000 Stag Fly Beetle: 1200 (-300) = 900

The globs kept firing across the valley. Nastix followed the giant beetle as he sailed in an arch across. The globs bombarded and sizzled along the bedrock when Fly Beetle suddenly tucked his wings in and grounded himself. He pivoted in a slide and stopped behind Nastix' guard. "Peekaboo! I see you!" He tackled the giant glob from behind, pushing him down while the bug shot skywards in an airborne fashion again.

Amina gnashed her teeth in frustration. "That damn fly, those things just define trash. They're always around."

"You would know." Lucia countered calmly, her gaze fixed on her opponents. "But…our adversaries are compelled battlers. Their beliefs in more to battles than just abilities is part of the reason their Bakugan have surpassed our associates'. Suppose if you're in this bind, I must come in."

Amina raised a brow, but acquiesced. "Hmph. Fine. It's fitting that you all deal with the pests anyways."

Ignoring her banter, Lucia threw in her Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Rise, Haos Lumitroid!" In a bright flash, her mutated Lumitroid arose, its magenta eye glaring a sharp dagger.

Nastix: 1000 Stag Fly Beetle: 900

Lumitroid: 700

Lucia held up an ability with a calm gaze. 'We will lower the power, and then he will try to outdo us both. When he does is when our counter forces his ally to battle.' The ability glowed, activating on its accord. "Ability, activate! Scorpion Needle!" Lumitroid's tail stinger glowed a bright light that focused on the ascending Fly Beetle, firing a bright yellow, sharp beam.

Nastix: 1000 Stag Fly Beetle: 900 (-300) = 600

Lumitroid: 700

"Fly Beetle! Look alive!" Shuji warned.

Fly Beetle's multicellular eyes noticed a bright beam coming from below. He dodged the beam, but barely. The harsh beam of light was dense and strong, stinging his side that it grazed. He powered through and glared down.

'This isn't good. Now we're up against two opponents now. But…I gotta keep them focused on me. It's just like a Subterra, you learned from Gorem. Stand your ground!' His glare hardened. "Alright Fly Beetle, let's kick their asses!"

"Ready!"

"Double ability, activate! Correlation of Haos to Subterra, plus Fusion Ability, Grand Booster!" Fly Beetle's body was enveloped in his attributed aura as he glared down Lumitroid. An even harsher aura enflamed him as he was coming down. A bright brown bolt zipped like an arrow heading for the scorpion and slime.

Nastix: 1000 Stag Fly Beetle: 600 (+300 +400) = 1300

Lumitroid: 700

The bolting comet closed in, but Lucia remained far from impressed. "I figured you of all people would know better than to try something so reckless. Especially given the experience you're perceived to have. Ability, activate! Flash Fade!" Lumitroid's eye shined a bright magenta light that radiated skywards. However, the brown aura refused to recede. Her eyes narrowed in a grunt.

Shuji smirked. At the same time, the beetle-like carapace in it shimmered with its outline.

"Sorry, but with Thorax Defense, nullify abilities won't work on us! Have at them, pal!"

Fly Beetle roared as he closed the gap between his opponents. A brown zip glinted before the ground erupted in a crater of dust and rock. The impact with Lumitroid and Nastix repulsed both Bakugan, and the earth constantly quaked from pressure.

Lucia covered up using her sleeve, an eye open so she could see. 'Such force.'

"Gnngh! Can't anyone do anything right?!" Amina outraged. "Fine then, guess I have to do everything again! Ability, activate! Toxic Blind!"

From the shockwaves that diminished, Nastix groaned as his weakened frame upright itself. He spat a glossy, ectoplasmic beam that raced after Fly Beetle as he trudged out of the crater.

"Careful, Fly Beetle!"

Light glimmered over Jase's glasses. He three his arm back and shot it. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Ascend, Ventus Gale Atmos!"

In a green cyclone in front of Fly Beetle, Atmos appeared, expelling a shrieking caw as his four wings stretched out.

"Ability, activate! Aurai Shield!" Atmos' joint blades unfolded, creating a green wind barrier that shielded him and Fly Beetle from Nastix's paralyzing slime attack. The winds also dispelled all the debris, leaving a cleared battleground.

Nastix: 1000 (-200) = 800 Stag Fly Beetle: 1300

Lumitroid: 700 Gale Atmos: 600 (+200) = 800

"Thanks for the save." Fly Beetle thanked.

Atmos nodded. "Be my absolute pleasure." He flapped his wings and ascended high over everyone. He looked giant with his wingspan so far.

Jase glared ahead with a serious frown. 'We're in the open if this battle prolongs. We must be quick about this.' He pulled up an ability. "We'll pin them down and keep their pressure contained. You two focus on offense from hence forth. Sound agreeable?"

Shuji nodded. "Yeah, sure."

Jase faced forward, unleashing his counterattack. "Ability, activate! Omni Storm!" The falcon cawed aggressively as he flapped his wings, shooting a shockwave that tore through the area. Nastix and Lumitroid alike were repulsed by a forceful gale that was tearing away chunks of boulders around them.

Nastix: 800 Stag Fly Beetle: 1300

Lumitroid: 700 Gale Atmos: 800 (+400) = 1200

The shockwaves of the windstorm raged relentlessly throughout the valley. Amina ran her fingers through her hair to keep it in place. "What are they…doing?!" she angrily grunted. "Are they trying to mess up my hair, too?!"

"Compose yourself!" Lucia pointed ahead. "Look!" Ahead, both could see a glint through the gust storm heading right for them. A closer inspection showed it being Fly Beetle buzzing through the wind fiercely. "This is the part where you momentarily contain them. Please do so at once."

With a scoff, the Aquos girl began typing into her Bakumeter. The coordinates manifested blue energy material that slowly eroded over the device.

"Ready, Prozar."

Amina snatched the materialized gadget from the surface and tossed it in. "Battlegear, boost!" The device shot onto Nastix' back, his ball form's appendages flattening to allow room for the atomic weapon to surface. It shined blue as it grew to its overworld size, making the mechanized nuclear cannon.

Nastic: 800 (+100) = 900 Stag Fly Beetle: 1300

Lumitroid: 700 Gale Atmos: 1200

Jase's observant stare kicked in as he glared down the Battlegear. 'Looks like she's using it after all.'

Shuji and Fly Beetle glared at their weaponized foe.

"Gate Card, open! Ring Zero!" The card glowed beneath Atmos and Fly Beetle, causing an unknown force to dissipate Atmos' storm. This also stopped Atmos from moving as well. "Hmph, now that my hair's fixed, let's make sure that doesn't happen again…Battlegear Ability, activate! Prozar Nuclear!"

The blue cannon on Nastix' back was beginning to hum at a high frequency. There were copious amounts of slime and boiling acids being atomized inside the chambers and aimed for the other side of the field. Once fully charged, Amina's smirk widened.

Jase glanced over at Shuji. "Suppose you have some ace up your sleeve, yes?"

"Don't jinx me yet man." Shuji held up an ability. "But we do have this! Let's turn this field around! Ability activate, Ground Shifter!"

Thanks to his enhanced exoskeletal defenses, Fly Beetle wasn't affected by the Gate Card's effects like Atmos was. He raised his bottom arms, the spiked feelers that glistened. He plunged them into the ground, creating a light tremor that traveled beneath everyone's feet.

"What're they doing…?" Amina growled.

Lucia sighed, the palpitations unaffecting her demeanor. "You got hasty again."

"GRAAAAH!" Fly Beetle roared with all his might. The ligaments finally shifted, causing the entire Gate Card to rotate around them. The end turned onto Nastix as the barrel was about to fire, but the attack froze in place, like time had stopped.

Amina's glare turned to shock. 'Did they…did they just reverse the Gate Card back on me?!' She looked at Nastix' still figure and realized she was pinned down. This wasn't gonna end well.

"Okay…no more playing around Fly Beetle." Shuji glared. "…sick'em." Fly Beetle dug his toe claws into the Gate Card and leaned forward. He extended his wings again and shot across the battlefield into Nastix. With a primal scream, his clawed fist balled and he socked Nastix across the face, sending the Bakugan doubling over.

While in midair, it morphed to ball form, along with the Battlegear and plopped before Amina's feet.

Amina: 20%

Amina looked at her defeated Bakugan with surprise. She turned that frustration onto Amina. "You idiot! Why didn't you tell me they were going to do that?"

"You said you had to do everything yourself." Lucia reminded dully. "And you seemed rather confident."

Amina's teeth gritted angrily. "You little…! So you set me up?!"

"I did not. I merely stayed out of your way as you said. Besides, it didn't change the outcome in our favor." She faced her adversaries. "Now, allow me to show you the virtue of patience, if you may."

She lifted her Bakumeter, showcasing an ability. The wind began picking up as the temperature oddly started declining. A wave of dust passed through the area as it felt like the hue in the area darkened further. It was almost like looking in pitch-black. Jase and Shuji's guards immediately went up. They had a good guess of what was coming next.

"Be ready."

"Yeah, I got a bad feeling she's gonna pull a fast one on us."

Slowly, Lucia pulled her arm higher, allowing the ability's core to show. "Ability activate, Solar-X!"

In the darkness of the caverns, a purple core shined, making a small beacon to follow. Chords extended all along Lumitroid as the Bakugan endured the throbbing stings all around the figure.

BA-DUMP!

The wide cyclopean eye had veins all around the pupil. The pupil shrunk as a hot red magenta light suddenly shined bright. It was a powerful, hot nova that illuminated the darkness and everything around it.

Fly Beetle and Atmos immediately felt their skins and armor searing from the radiation. The harsh magenta rays of compromised solar energy was like being close to a sun…only they couldn't get away from it.

Lumitroid: 700 Stag Fly Beetle: 1300 (-800) = 500

Gale Atmos: 1200 (-700) = 500

Jase and Shuji covered up, unable to glance at the harsh light. Just one peek and their pupils would singe.

"This card…" Lucia's silhouette was barely seen within the ghastly light, her voice echoing like an angel. "Is one whose light destroys even the darkness. Jase Mercury, I'm sure that you have done your homework on us, so you are aware that you cannot activate abilities to save you…Lumitroid!"

The light shined brighter, making the temperature around Atmos and Fly Beetle heighten further. They struggled as they did, but it was too much. The discomfort and radiation got to them, reverting them to ball form before further harm could come to them.

They plopped in front of Jase and Shuji as the bright magenta slowly faded, revealing even their own shadows burned into the ground. When Shuji looked back, he was stunned. "Woah…"

Shuji: 60%

Jase: 60%

"You are both very well-toned in battle. That's why, much like yourselves, I am not willing to risk chances of letup." Lucia explained curtly. Her Lumitroid returned to her hand, impressively at that because her eyes remained shut the whole way. "You are worthy adversaries, but for the sake of Lord Riaan's desires, we shall make sure you understand the mistake you have made."

The two men picked up their Bakugan and glared at their worthy adversaries.

"She's good." He hated to admit it, but Shuji had every right to say that. 'She waited for us until we were so focused on that creep's Battlegear. Guess she's as sharp with smarts as her look, too.'

"Our apologies." Atmos grunted.

Jase adjusted his glasses, continuing his own observations. "I didn't expect a forbidden ability so soon, I can admit to that." In his head, he was envisioning the last time he battled her. "And ability to amplify others…and to station powers and render them useless…and take power levels and multiply to its own. Their abilities are indeed superior to what we've been used to."

"Okay, so I guess we got a better deal on this plate handed to us." Shuji glanced at his ally. "So, we have a psychic and a crazy lady. And since we know what they can do…okay, guess we gotta pull a lot of fast ones if we're gonna get around that light."

"Quite so." Jase commented. "I believe this where we must…improvise." He smirked at that last word spoken.

Shuji smirked. "Don't we always?" He faced them with his own Gate Card. "Okay, just trust me on this. Gate Card, set!" he threw the Gate Card into battle, making a bright orange shockwave race across the ground. "Bakugan, brawl!"

In an orange light, Fly Beetle arose for battle again.

Jase was next. "Bakugan, brawl!" In a green light, Atmos shot up for battle once more with his insectoid friend.

"This time, Amina, try to be more cooperative." Lucia scolded lightly, earning a sigh from the diva.

"If it means getting these pests out of my sights further, fine. As long as I don't have to look at that unmoisturized complexion of yours."

"Fair enough. Let's go!"

Together, they threw in Lumitroid and Nastix. Both Bakugan arose and towered over their owners, ready for more of their vile struggle to unfold.

---

The winds howled deep within the gorges of the canyons. With the low temperatures continuing to decline, the atmospheric pressure of dark energy could be read like a thermometer. And from this sudden drop sending chills down their spines, it was an easy indicator as to what was the cause.

Maggie walked with Shawn through the valley, managing to get by some malicious Bakugan. She suddenly felt a spike and turned towards its direction. "What was that?"

"Something wrong, Maggie?" Shawn asked, turning around to face her.

"Shawn, did you feel that just now?" she quipped. "That energy, there's no mistaking it…"

Shawn paused to feel his skin crawl. "Yeah, I'm feeling it, too."

"Then that has to mean…" The adolescent trailed off. She knew what this of all things meant, and it didn't sit well with her stomach.

Despite his own worried if it's Luke battling, he knew better than to give up hope. "They'll be fine. Remember, we're all supposed to make it through these canyons together. We just need to stick to the plan."

'That's not exactly what I was worried about.' Maggie turned towards him. "So you think Luke's doing just that, too? You know how he can be and his way of thinking."

He crossed his arms. "Well for Alice's sake, he sure better." He grinned. "But then again, he's the one who followed along with this…and I'm sure they'll have tricks so we can see them again."

"Don't forget, Abis is with him, too." Verias noted. "That sly serpent's doesn't go down without a fight."

"Shuji and Jase should be prepared too I guess." Maggie raised a brow. "Now that I think about it, I don't think I've seen those two battle together before. Hope Shuji ends up pulling his own weight."

"Maggie…"

The Pyrus girl chuckled. "I'm just joking. Truth is they're both pretty resourceful. We all are. So we better use that like our lives depend on it. Now let's go!"

"Right." Shawn proceeded with Maggie deeper, but a sudden climb in pressure stopped them in their tracks. Shawn felt his bones stiffen.

'Wait, this energy…'

'So they DID follow us in here. I can feel it now!'

"Magnus, prepare to engage!" The echo of a feminine voice rung through the area, reverberating off the high cliffs and bouncing about.

"Alright, copy that." A masculine echo replied. "Let's teach some little asses some."

Shawn reached for his lance. Maggie tensed up since she didn't have a weapon of her own. From behind two large boulders up ahead, two figures pivoted around and revealed themselves as Magnus and Galilea.

"Alright." Magnus sounded anxious, but also stern. "Which one of y'alls wanna try and get passed me again?"

"Sorry, but we're not allowing one step further towards Lord Riaan." Galilea prompted. "You aren't certified, nor welcomed."

Shawn shot intense glares at them in return. He recognized them from the visuals that Jase did in the past few days. 'These two, they have a really strong negative pressure…we can feel it from here. That one has to be their frontliner, and the other is the subhead of Hades Pillars. If they're here, then that means…'

Maggie balled her fists, something Magnus took notice of.

"They bring along someone as small as you? That's gotta be damn good guts you kid…gonna be a shame unless you wanna run home towards your momma."

"Wanna bet that head of hair you got dangling pass your shoulders?" Maggie countered. "I almost mistook that for rope. No wonder it looks so dysfunctional."

Magnus whistled. "Damn…feisty little one. I think I like this kid."

"Perv."

Shawn leered at Galilea. "So you were with that other woman who abducted Esther, is that right?"

Galilea nodded. "Yes. Don't fret, our lord is keeping his watchful eye on her." She noticed both their glares remain stable. "Are you not worried?"

"Maggie…" Jelldon whispered.

Maggie nodded. "I know. Enough smack said. Now we just have to stick with the plan, with a smack-down. Shawn, you ready?"

Shawn fully unsheathed his fencer. "Yeah, let's stop the small talk already."

Magnus and Galilea huffed, acknowledging what was to happen. "So be it."

Galilea: 100% Shawn: 100%

Magnus: 100% Maggie: 100%

Maggie was the first to unleash a Gate Card. "We'll kick things off for you! Gate Card, set!" A red shockwave spilled through the ground as Maggie's card sunk into the ground. "Okay Jelldon, here we go! Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Go…Pyrus Glow Jelldon!" A series of yellow tendrils crawled around the surface of a red light. Two even longer strands of red, flipper-like tendrils extended and pulled up Jelldon. He glared ahead, unleashing a battle-ready scowl.

Galilea was next. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Rise, Ventus Buz Hornix!" In a green light, a black and magenta-colored hornet slowly ascended, unleashing a shrilling shout with chattering mandibles.

Magnus threw next. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Go, Subterra Glotronoid!" In a brown light, the black and magenta Glotronoid ascended, baring its claws and giving a shrilling hiss.

Shawn positioned his fencer and threw in Verias. "Okay, here we go! Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Go, Haos Prime Verias!" In a yellow light, white fur coated in gladiator and jewels ascended. An arm with a staff in its grasp had the axe end pierce the ground, ceasing the drag of Verias. He unleashed a primal, bloodcurdling roar that echoed throughout the entire wake of the valley.

Buz Hornix: 800 Prime Verias: 600

Glotronoid: 700 Glow Jelldon: 600

"Ready, Jelldon?" Verias gripped his staff tighter, his brass knuckles clinging hard.

"You bet!" With vigorous emotions stockpiling, Jelldon roared as he shot his tentacles at lightning speeds. He shot a clean jab into Glotronoid's gut, then the face. Despite his physiology, the jellyfish' evolution and past training with Diablo had helped him tremendously. Lightning fast jabs were quickly wearing down the armed lizard, who blocked with his forearms.

Verias released another loud roar of his own as he glared down Buz Hornix.

Galilea calmly picked up an ability for the first move. "Ability activate, Barbarian Tornado!" Buz Hornix' eye briefly glowed green. A rapid green funnel surrounded the insect and traveled in an arch overhead down onto Verias. He looked up and saw the incoming tornado, but his gorilla body helped him evade in a backflip from the tornado's impact towards the ground. The drafts however nearly threw the ape off balance. He landed on his feet, using his toe claws to anchor his hold.

Buz Hornix: 800 (+300) = 1100 Prime Verias: 600 (-300) = 300

Glotronoid: 700 Glow Jelldon: 600

Buz Hornix expelled another tornado blast, this time shooting dead ahead so Verias couldn't dodge. He stood his ground and waited for the opportunity.

"Ability, activate! Brass Sheria!"

Verias' teal eyes glossed over as the tornado came his way. He reached out in an attempt to actual clutch the tornado. The whole whirlwind was suddenly swirling into the brass knuckles that Verias had. Galilea's brow arose as she watched the vacuum get turned into light streams that the knuckles were absorbing. When it was all gone, all that was left were a few strands of light that fused into the shining knuckles.

Buz Hornix: 1100 (-300 -200) = 600 Prime Verias: 300 (+300 +300 +200) = 1100

Glotronoid: 700 Glow Jelldon: 600

Rather than make an explanation, Shawn swiped his fencer. "GO!"

With a primal roar, Verias crouched and shot across the ground, the spot where he was originally a cracked depression. He reeled his golden brass fist back and socked Buz Hornix in the abdomen, causing her to backpedal in the air.

While Verias advanced, Magnus was seeing Jelldon's constant bashings were beginning to wear down his Bakugan. He instantly readied an ability. "Ability activate, Nail Predator!" To counter Jelldon's jabs, Glotronoid's claws shined bright orange. When the jellyfish went to strike, the lizard slashed, instantly making him recoil to avoid the advance. He started slashing repeatedly at Jelldon as he stood his ground.

"Ability, activate! Petroleum Shield!" Maggie countered. Jelldon's gel gem on his front shined a bright red. It rippled out a liquid red forcefield around him that Glotronoid slashed into. The dense gel softened the attack, making the orange rakes dissipate.

Magnus looked far from impressed. "Smack for a little lady but cowers so soon?"

"You know, you sure like to pick on someone your own size." Maggie sarcastically grunted.

Magnus smirked. "But your power level is still lower. And just to be sure…" he looked over at Verias, who was relentlessly assaulting with fury on the massive hornet. "…how about stepping away from her for a moment. Ability activate, Giga Luminate!"

All the accents on Glotronoid's body shined a bright magenta light. The shining arrays from his body were like a gleaming beacon that made Jelldon close his eyes. Nearby, the light shined on Verias, causing him to cease his advances and veer away from the ominous light.

Shawn and Maggie squinted from the light, their own eyes stinging from this vague force.

Buz Hornix: 600 Prime Verias: 1100 (-300) = 800

Glotronoid: 700 (+300) = 1000 Glow Jelldon: 600 (-100) = 500

"So bright." Maggie grunted. "I can't see anything!"

Magnus turned towards Galilea. "Now this should work. So…" He nodded towards her sultrily. "Wanna get to work?"

Ignoring his advances, Galilea used the opportunity to target her adversaries. "Ability, activate! Durandel Cannon!" Buz Hornix' eyes shined bright green as she channeled her energy into her lower abdomen. The humming in her wings intensified as the spikes on the ends glowed bright green.

Buz Hornix: 600 (+400) = 1000 Prime Verias: 800 (-400) = 400

Glotronoid: 1000 Glow Jelldon: 500 (-100) = 400

Despite not being able to see, Shawn could tell an attack was charging. "Maggie…"

She nodded. "Yeah, I know, we got this."

Buz Hornix finally fired. A multitude of pressurized green lasers shot in all directions before converging their trajectories into Verias and Jelldon.

"Ability activate, Soft Conductor!"

Jelldon's green eyes suddenly glinted. The gel center he had shined a bright red. As if by some magnetic force, the green beams that were all being forced into them changed directions. The light gleams were also conducted from Glotronoid into Jelldon. The two attacks were leaving lights of magenta and green to swirl into Jelldon as he was taking the full blunt.

"What's this?" Galilea pondered.

"Soft Conductor is an ability unique to Glow Jelldon." Maggie explained. "He conducts all attacks into his soft body and neutralizes them. What's more, is that for every attacks that's conducted and neutralized, he gains 200 Gs!"

The attacks fully dissolved into Jelldon's soft skin, leaving faint red ripples across the body. He glared ahead, a red aura enveloping his body.

Buz Hornix: 1000 (-400) = 600 Prime Verias: 400 (+400 +300) = 1100

Glotronoid: 1000 (-300) = 700 Glow Jelldon: 400 (+100 +100 +200 +200) = 1000

With a determined flare, Jelldon reached his tentacles out as numbing, crackling electricity surged in them. He smacked Buz Hornix and Glotronoid, swatting them like flies.

"Alright Shawn, you're up!"

Shawn nodded. "Okay then. Verias!"

With a primal shout, the atrocious mammal pivoted and twirled his axe staff. It went blazing across the ground, creating a soft trench as it closed in on the two Bakugan.

"I don't think so." Galilea sinuated. "Magnus."

Magnus huffed. "Alright, we'll play it your way…" He took a short look at Galilea and immediately went for the attack. "Ability activate, Hyper Nail Predator!" The claws Glotronoid had sharpened and glowed bright orange again. They lengthened further into long nails that he used to swipe into the axe staff's double ends. The grinding of the two forces shot sparks everywhere until the axe was repulsed back towards Verias.

"Ability, activate! Queen Needle!" Buz Hornix' massive end stinger glowed a bright green color and shot for her opponents.

Buz Hornix: 600 (+400) = 1000 Prime Verias: 1100 (-300) = 800

Glotronoid: 700 (+300) = 1000 Glow Jelldon: 1000 (-100) = 900

The two attacks of a sharp needle and sharp claws closed in fast. In a matter of seconds, both Bakugan were in midair, ready to strike their opponents.

Maggie swiped her arms. "Gate Card, open! Clip Freeze!" The glow from the Gate Card shined beneath everyone. The force of that glow made Glotronoid's claws suddenly revert to normal, whereas the glowing end of Buz Hornix' stinger dissipated. Suddenly both Bakugan froze in midair, like time ceased around them.

Buz Hornix: 1000 (-400) = 600 Prime Verias: 800 (+300) = 1100

Glotronoid: 1000 (-300) = 700 Glow Jelldon: 900 (+100) = 1000

"What?" Galilea meekly gasped. She sounded more outraged than shocked.

"It's simple. Clip Freeze is a Command Card that nullifies the opponent's ability. And on top of that suspends them from moving!" Maggie explained. "Alright Jelldon, you know what to do!"

"Verias, let's go!" Shawn roared.

Both Bakugan either gripped their weapon or raised their tentacles. Together, they leaped and shot at their opponents; Verias at Glotronoid, and Jelldon at Buz Hornix. Verias raised his blade and slashed right through Glotronoid. Jelldon aimed all his tendrils and charged with electricity that pierced Buz Hornix, electrocuting her, Both Bakugan immediately reverted to ball form in front of Magnus and Galilea, much to their grievances.

Galilea: 20%

Magnus: 20%

Jelldon and Verias returned to Maggie and Shawn respectively, both looking dead serious with their victory for the round.

"Just like Thermosphere, right Shawn?" Maggie smirked.

"Yeah, sure has been a while." He agreed. 'Course we were still rookies at that time. A lot has changes since then.'

Galilea picked up her Bakugan and stared at it. 'I see…so flawless. Rather than use abilities, they use a Gate Card at the right time to stop us, and then use physical prowess. So do all New Vestroia Bakugan prefer close combat…?'

Magnus picked up Glotronoid, looking rather annoyed. "Okay, I see what's going on here. Y'all being serious about this." He shot a look at Galilea. "Girl, better take your position or else someone's gonna trounce yo butt for it."

Galilea retained a calm disposition. "…don't worry. I'm well aware of what we're up against. Lucia has her powers, and Amina has Battlegear…less you forget my intuition."

Magnus put his hands up. "Okay, okay. Your call."

"Good." She held a Gate Card between two fingers. "Now just follow me…and we will be all caught up with our progress."

---

The chambers of Riaan's quarters were quiet, deathly quiet. Inside of them was Esther as she was still chained up, along with her Atchibee. They've been trying to break free for some time every now and again, but ultimately came to the same conclusion. With no way to physically break out, they were left to dangle and conserve themselves as they dreaded for what might happen.

Riaan teleported several feet ahead of them, knocking them out of their spacing. He turned around, smirking at them. "Ah, I see that you're both finally cozy."

Esther squinted daggers. Her eyes were as cold as ice if one was a normal guy. But Riaan wasn't normal.

"Now then, since Hades Pillars has depart, I would like to proceed with things calmly. Armagedoid."

The Darkus Bakugan floated off Riaan's shoulder and his magenta eyes glowed. The accents all along the chamber wall Esther was on began to shine.

Esther could instantly feel something happening to her. 'What is this feeling…?' She couldn't explain it, but she was feeling her low bodily fluids rejuvenate. A cool stream went through her veins, keeping her hydrated. Proteins entered her stomach from inside, as if settling in fibers and minerals. Any urine she may have in her bladder was also suddenly being eaten away. It was a very weird, yet laxative feeling she couldn't fully deny from her body.

"I suppose you are wondering what is happening." Riaan explained. "As you know, my powers enable me to copy traces of life and mold it through me. That includes the process in which said life form can gather food, similar to plants. I am able to take those specific traits and infuse them to as I see them fit." He turned towards Armagedoid. "And now my Armagedoid is able to manipulate such abilities now."

The proteins and liquids continued filling Esther, making her tired physique feeling healthy in no time. The nutrients she had taken in was like how plants took in food and water from the ground, only it was through human muscle. Esther quivered at this feeling. 'So this is what it's like being a plant. This is so unusual…but for Riaan to do this kind of power, it's completely beyond the means of biology. His powers must be accelerating faster than what Jase could predict.'

Gathering herself at last, Esther gazed at Riaan. "Okay…you've given me provisions. But what exactly do you want?"

Riaan humbly grinned. "Straight to the point, I admire that. You see, Esther, I'm not interested in whatever information you may have at this time."

"We didn't have any information to begin with." She reasoned.

"Nevertheless, there is another matter that befalls your service." He started pacing side to side. "Remember how I said before that I would open your eyes to the truth? Well I believe that since you are here, you deserve to know of my cause."

"We heard that it involves something to do with Code Eve and the Bakugan." She answered. "Unless you've got another reason to go by."

Riaan scoffed and snapped his fingers. Suddenly all around them, the scenery started changing to a cosmos full of stars and galaxies. Esther and Atchibee were awestruck as they watched everything, including two odd balls of light that were colliding.

'Is this an illusion?'

"Millenia ago, I met Code Eve in the confines of space alone." He began. "We came together to create one vision: The creation of all life into one. To see all sources across the universe helping sprout seed into the growth of a new species that could resemble the finest of all life forms…and we agreed to start off as one." The visual changed to show the picture of a near-death Interacia. "It was our dream…but then, Code Eve chose to think differently. She thought just one wasn't a good starting point. From the beginning, she wanted to start out more so, creating more homes for our Bakugan children." He looked down at his trembling hands. "She left me. She left me and our dream behind. You may think that I'm the bad guy, and you may be right…but even us monsters were more than just born, they're made. I became the monster who seeks revenge because of her. She wronged me, and the dream. I didn't care as much about how it's done, but to abandon a goal like that with all the effort you went through is just plain waste! All that time…and she turned our backs on us. So now we had to do just that…for everything her false history has corrupted."

"'Corrupted'…?" Esther furrowed her brow as she watched the conversation that was shown from Riaan's memories playing. She could see one star flying off, leaving one all alone. She didn't want to feel sorry, but with how Riaan turned out she couldn't help it. "I'm sorry." She said flatly.

"Apology accepted." Riaan dismissed his illusions and walked towards her. "Now, since you have a familiar with my goals, do you still intend to fight?"

Esther's glare returned cold. "After everything, even after your past transgression turned on, it still doesn't change the damage that's been caused. What you put everyone through. I am humbly apologetic for the circumstances of your relationship, but no one deserves this."

Riaan huffed. "A fighter against a great force. Seems Luke's drilled some impatient will into you well."

"Luke?"

"You may not understand fully yet, but I do have something that I have been meaning to give you further. You see, I have an associate by the name of Cyrus. Out of all of Hades Pillars, he is perhaps what one could say be the most cunning. It was he who brought this up in a meeting recently, though it took some hefty consideration."

Esther and Atchibee glanced at each other. They weren't liking where this was going.

"I am a man of morals. I think best to consider another one's feelings and let them willingly decide for themselves." He briefly looked at Armagedoid. "But, with our current situation, there is but very little consideration to give and take. So Esther, I'll ask you, would you help me in my cause?"

Esther shit defying daggers at his face. "And what if I say no?"

Riaan mischievously smirked. "I was hoping you would say that." He held his hand up to reveal a forbidden card, the same one as before Cyrus left. "You know what this is, don't you?"

Esther and Atchibee stared skeptically as he continued.

"These forbidden cards were tested to help improve the growth and stability of maximum Bakugan potential at their current evolutionary stages. All their potential is pushed to the surface and released in battle. Cesar was a wise thinker. He thought another step ahead and thought to test further on making Interacian potential increase from these cards. However, due to the fixed DNA at the time, there wasn't much progress…and the experiments were rather…unclean." He looked at the card intensely. "But recent DNA infusions thanks to Vestal technology and New Vestroia branded diversities, along with human evolution, has given me the perfect formula that Cyrus willingly exploited to bring out the best in a battler. A battler who would surpass all limits, to fight for the sake of Interacia. This card was originally intent for Alice. However…" he shot a look at Esther, making her gasp. "It appears…that I might have to settle to recreating a Masquerade of my own."

Her blue pupils shrunk. "You wouldn't…"

"If you cooperate willingly, then we can bring out the best and brightest for you in an open manner. I don't want to get rough, especially on a young ambition such as yourself."

"You're a monster."

"Yes, I am aware of that. But as I have said, us monsters have our own justification. I just want my place; for at least just one more person out there to acknowledge my dream and who I am. And if I have to resort to creating them…then so be it."

Esther started struggling again. She had to get away, no matter what. On Bakugan was one thing, but on humans and living people was another. She was molded by her parents to a deep, apologetic religion at one time, and she had broken away to rely on herself. She couldn't falter a second time.

"Now…" Riaan held the card up as he walked closer. "Let us begin."

He placed the card in front of Esther's breasts and stepped back. The card stuck to her like glue. A bright magenta core shined on it and began expelling chords of the same color all over Esther. They snaked up her arms, around her legs, and started to even crawl onto her face.

Esther's pupils shrunk further as the chords were tightening. All she sw on Riaan was his smirk before the core shined.

"AAAAHHHHHHH!"

A piercing scream echoed through the chamber as magenta static enflamed Esther. Her body was violently shaking as she was feeling the strict bonds of the chord burn into her like fire. It only made it worse as she squirmed about frantically.

"ESTHER! NO!" Atchibee screamed.

Esther's painful cries echoed in Riaan's ears. He and Armagedoid watched as the girl was being reformed, and not in a peaceful way like the latter was. 'Cyrus, your methods may be of devious, but I must give credit…no matter how dark it is. If one does not face and conquer their fears, then they are inferior. That is your logic. I just wonder…how you'll do just that against the mightiest of all…'

---

The valley howled with dark winds as Luke peeked over his shoulder, a sword in hand. He glared in a panel from left to right, then back again. Once he noticed the base was clear, he faced Alice.

"Okay, no signs of negative energy up ahead. I think we should be fine."

"That's great." Alice chimed. "But still…this foul air, and this darkness everywhere, it's hard to tell where exactly you're stepping."

"Yeah, I know what you mean." He mused as he thought back to the Empyrean. "I haven't been in a place this dark since battling Maximus at the top of Empyrean on New Vestroia."

"It took us at our best thanks to the teachings." Abis noted. "Luke…"

Luke nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I know bud. Master Riaan was my teacher once, but even so, he's gotta pay for what he's done." His grip on his sword tightened. "Esther and Atchibee was one line that should never have been crossed. If I have to cross swords with someone I once respected, then fine."

Alice watched Luke with a sincere smile. 'He's so dedicated to the cause. He's acting just like how Esther described him. Maybe he's not thinking too far ahead, but he's in the right place.' The longer she stared, the more out of it she seemed.

"Alice? Alice?" Luke called.

"Huh? S-sorry Luke, I was uh…just thinking is all."

Luke raised a brow. "Really?"

"Yeah. It's actually shocking how much you were willing to sacrifice, even the risk of your friends' trust at one point…that incident you described, it sounded bad."

Luke frowned. "Yeah, it really was, It's not an easy thing to just talk about."

"I understand." A silence fell over the two before Alice grew determined. "Okay then, let's fix what we've done wrong and keep going."

"…"

The cold winds suddenly fell silent. The air froze in place as though time had stopped around them. The temperature alone had suddenly dropped, so much that a deathly chill went down all their backs.

Luke and Alice's pupils shrunk at this force breathing down their necks. It was like a demon was staring behind them and they didn't even know it.

"Alice…are you feeling that?"

"Yeah…I do."

Hydranoid popped open on Alice's shoulder. "I'm sensing a massive amount of negative energy, right on top of us."

"We're not alone." Abis spoke quietly. "…they're here."

SWOOSH!

As they slowly arose behind the rock slab, the wind howled monstrously. Dust and rock were blown away as the cyclone separated them from something on the other side. Luke and Alice gathered their bearings and put on their game faces. Their initial shock of this pressure over, the winds brushed them with goosebumps that were settling down, unlike their heartrates.

The dust and wind simmered down, revealing a smirking Cyrus. Beside him was Zion holding an axe over his shoulder. The former had arms folded as he glared down his opponents.

"It's you." Luke saw Cyrus' face. He recalled Interacia fairly well.

Alice tightened her fists, looking as calmly as Luke was, but staring daggers of anxiousness. Twi mistakes alike facing darkness.

Cyrus' smirk widened as he finally spoke. "Ah, Luke Drake Revolutia…Alice Gehabich." He said expectantly. "So good to finally meet you both. Face…to face."

Another howling wind passed through them, sending chills down all their spines.

---

Another familiar wind traveled across the canyon, where a certain Luka was racing towards the negative energy flourishes. The winds brushed passed him, making him trail to a stop. He turned around, eyes slowly widening in horror. He had a very bad feeling just now, and all his nerves screamed. "No…"

A dark hour has just come…and time was the demon ready to strike.

---

Hope you all liked what I did this chapter! I'll be sure to update the next one before my big move the end of June, so until then!