"L…ke…Luke." The faint sound of a voice echoed in the darkness of Luke's vision. "Luke…open…"

Luke groaned as he stated coming around. The constant palpitations of that same voice was like a hundred hammers on a peanut. He almost blacked out again because of it.

"Luke!" a fearful Alice jumped.

Luke sat up – his arms slagging a few times in the process. After staggering about, he began coughing. Some dust and water mixed spewed from his lungs that were kicked up from the last impact. After several blinks his vision finally saw the orangette with panic spelled all over her face. "Alice…" he grumbled.

"Luke, are you okay?"

"Y-yeah, I think I can manage." He stood up slowly, almost immediately feeling an intense pain biting down on his side. Alice moved closer but he tried his best to ignore it. "What happened?" He looked at his surroundings, his shock mounting by the second. Everything from the ground up looked completely annihilated. There was no other word best to describe it. Chaos came close, but he was pretty sure chaos doesn't remove miles of endless gorges in less than a couple seconds. Loose stones and rock were in a large clearing; bigger chunks littered about. 'You…you have to be kidding. We did all this?'

"It all happened so fast. Are you sure you're okay?" Alice worried.

Luke shook his head to dismiss his questions and focus on Alice. "Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry." It was a lie. He was hurting bad and his body stung in all the wrong places, but he didn't want to rub salt into the wound for Alice to hear. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Alice nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay. You grabbed and shielded me at the last second just as the shockwaves pulled us off our feet."

'So that's why I feel like I was ran over by a bus.' Luke thought to himself. "Then, that last blast wave…!" His eyes widened. "Wait, where's Abis and Hydranoid?!"

"I'm not sure. You were the first one I saw injured."

Turning around, Luke started calling out for his partner. "Abis! Hey, are you okay?! Say something!"

"Hydranoid! Hydranoid?!" Alice yelled. "Please, say something!"

"Abis! Guys!"

"Hydranoid!"

A large pile of rocks began shifting not far from them. Granite and gravel started severing as the larger stones began shifting beneath. Whatever was causing them to move, it was big.

"Guys?" Luke fret. For precaution, he reached for his sword for a defense position.

After several thumps from beneath, the rocks broke apart as one of Hydranoid's heads was the first to call out. His roar vibrated earth hard enough to cause the pieces to crumble at Luke and Alice's feet. As they kept distance and covered, they saw Hydranoid and Abis, though they were also weary and damaged.

"Abis!" Luke ran up to his partner; Alice followed.

"Luke…" the sea serpent's low mutter made it clear he was barely conscious. He was struck one time too many that last battle.

"Are you both hurt?" Alice asked hastily.

"Don't worry, Alice." Hydranoid breathed. "We're just fine." Another head answered. He turned towards Abis. "Abis Omega, how are you?"

"I'm…I'm just…fine…thanks…" Finally out of it, the serpent went into ball form, rolling up to Luke's feet. Shock soon caught up to Hydranoid as well, morphing into ball form soon after.

"Hydranoid? Hydranoid!" Alice called out again, but she got no response.

Luke bent down to pick up his partner. "Abis." Mortally sorry, he picked him up, only for his fingers to feel an intense burn. "AH!" He shook his fingers to get rid of the heat. "Man, that's hot!"

"Hydranoid's burning up, too." Alice picked up her partner to demonstrate, but unlike Luke, she was handling the heat a little better. More or less Hydarnoid's attributed aura looks cooler than Abis'. "Did that battle's power level climb make them like this…?"

Luke gasped at the realization. 'Wait, that can actually happen?!' Looking at what he thought it was a stupid question. If humans were to push pass their limits lifting weights and hauling matter, their own bodies would feel terrible. 'Guess we overdid with that last move. But at the very least, we're still alive.' He looked towards the beyond, seeing nothing but smoldering wasteland until it turned to slopes almost out of eyesight. 'Those guys must've teleported away or something. Guess we can call this a draw.'

Their Bakumeters began beeping wildly, making them answer almost instantly.

"Hello? Luke here." He answered. On the other side, he and Alice could see Jase on one screen, and Shawn on the next. In their respective backgrounds were Shuji and Maggie peering to get a view.

"Luke!" Shawn shouted. "You okay man?"

Luke nodded. "Yeah, we're fine. Right Alice?" he looked towards her, her nod confirming it.

Maggie sighed. "Phew. For a second there, I thought you guys were cooked. You idiots!" she snapped, making Luke cringe. Alice nervously sweatdropped.

"S-sorry!" Luke's eyes widened. "Wait, you mean you felt that?"

"Felt that? Get real man, we saw it." Shuji backlashed. "That blast was so big that we were almost caved in from where we were. It felt like an earthquake."

"The battle energy that was produced from you two was at a dangerous extent." Jase pointed out. "The only time this battle energy was produced back in Empyrean. And I can assume that all of our levels were to have been rather infallible as well, right?"

Luke and Alice turned to each other worriedly. The mention of power levels left them a little sore.

"You guys sure look beat up." Shawn said. "What happened? You look like hell exploded in front of your face." He didn't know how right he was.

Alice was the one to answer the question. She explained in detail of what went down, and how they confronted Zion and Hades Pillars' leader, Cyrus. She even made sure to tell of the power levels and what lead up to now. By the end, everyone was trying hard to grasp what just happened.

"No way…" Maggie gasped, her voice shaken up. "You serious about that?"

"I believe they're telling the truth." Jase said, his side showing a small panel of numbers of the power levels measures. "But to think there could be such Bakugan to handle power levels that high, it's almost unfathomable."

"Your guys' power levels seriously went up to 5000 Gs?" Shuji stammered.

Luke rubbed the back of his head. "Well…"

"We didn't have a choice." Alice butted in. "If it wasn't for Luke activating that Gate Card, we wouldn't have stood a chance. At least this way we could cancel the power stream temporarily."

Luke hesitantly nodded. He didn't quite follow by those logical words, but morally his last-second ace did push them back.

"So they got abilities that can gain power levels from all Bakugan." Shawn pondered. "Of all the abilities that they can throw at us, they picked one to use against us at the highest tide."

"Regrettably, that's the symbolism of Darkus attributes." Jase figured. "But…in order for them to have sustained a power that high, their bodies would have to evolve to contain such a force. Similar to humans, the body can only handle so much pressure before it gives in."

"And that's where evolution kicks in, right?" Shuji figured. "It makes sense when you think about it. Those Rogue Zero guys' Bakugan could handle some pretty big hits thanks to those forbidden cards they shammed."

"And yet Hades Pillars was able to somehow magnify that limitation." Jase prodded his glasses again. "And you've described Abis Omega and Hydranoid being rather 'hot', right?"

"Yeah, something like that." Luke felt Abis in his fingers. He was cooling down, but he was still surprisingly war.

"Luke. Alice. Your Bakugan must be tired. Since Hydranoid was an evolution ahead, his body shouldn't have sustained too much recoil."

Alice nodded. "Right, thanks Jase."

Jase turned towards Luke. "But Luke, I'd rather not remind you of the risks taken when a Bakugan's power level is beyond what their body can handle. You were lucky that climb stopped when it did. Another second and your lives would've been in grave danger."

"We know. Sorry." Luke apologized. He knew it was risky. He wasn't that stupid to know they might die. Jase was right when they got out lucky. "So I guess this means we have to wait until we feel better, right?"

"How are we supposed to beat them when their power can get that high?" Maggie pouted. "If we can't get to that height yet, we'll need to keep them at bay somehow."

"We barely made it out of our scraps." Shuji said. "We'd be lucky to get through this canyon without them on our tail."

In the distance, there were some low growls. Luke and Alice turned far out with peril in their eyes.

"Crap! We gotta move!" Luke snapped.

"You're right. We can't battle in our condition. We'll have to regroup." Alice suggested.

"We'll meet you guys at the base of the canyon! It'll be okay, don't worry! Alice and I will try and hide until the heat dies down!"

"You better." Shawn reprimanded. "We'll be doing the same. So Luke…be sure to meet us there."

"We'll be there no problem!" Maggie assured.

Shuji smirked. "We got this, I know I do."

Jase prodded his glasses. "Then it's settled. Now everyone, try not to trip and fall. And please…watch your step." With that, the communication ended.

Alice turned towards Luke. "Luke, we have to go now."

Luke nodded. "You're right. Let's get to where we can hide out for a while." Confirming their plan, Alice took the lead through the destroyed wasteland. Luke staggered behind, his own body feeling like a wet noodle. As painful as it was, he couldn't slow Alice down. He powered on, walking steadily away from the growls of the distant Bakugan.

The waves of the battle didn't go unanswered. Inside Empyrean, the underground dark palace was brimming a very eerie magenta glow from the windows. From the battle energy transferred through Riaan and the palace amplifying it, the glow of the monstrous alien fortress was making the air fouler. The already damaged planet was becoming cracked to where upon touch could turn it to dust.

Looking into the magenta windows of his chamber, Riaan couldn't see his reflection. He didn't bother to care since he accepted what he was: A monster. Speaking of monsters, another one was calmly walking up to him.

"Seems that you've made quite a ruckus up there again, Cyrus." Riaan started, still facing away from the revealed Cyrus.

"My apologies, your majesty." The Darkus man humbly grinned. "Seems that I have gotten overzealous in making my point again."

Riaan passively looked towards the massive vaulted ceiling. "The heavens themselves shook beneath the wake of hell's cry." He turned to face him. "So then…it went well."

Cyrus nonchalantly smirked. "I believe the results speak for themselves, your highness. Though, if I am to admit…even I was a little overwhelmed."

Riaan raised a brow. "How interesting of you to say, Cyrus." It wasn't often that Riaan hears such things from his most prominent minion and ally. Cyrus of all people? Admitting to being surprised? He didn't peg for that to occur. He started chuckling from the bitter irony. "Seems the blossoms in the back of the wilted garden still bloom."

"Then shall we pluck those flowers from their roots while the killer kicks in?"

"No. I believe that they have earned the right." Riaan paused. "Fall back for now. Allow them their way."

"As you say so, sire." Cyrus bowed. "Is there any particular reason?" He noticed the smirk on Riaan's face. "…I see."

"The modifications are on their testing stages, but overall, the Vestal technology used to enhance the armor and mechanics have been proven successful. I will summon you when the final fittings are to be ready."

"Understood." Cyrus turned around to walk away, but something else crossed his mind. "Milord. Lady Galilea's Bakumeter was damaged during the excursion. I believe she will be busy for a short time making the repairs."

"Galilea, you say?" Riaan put a hand to his chin, thinking about the vice-head of Hades Pillars. "I've been meaning to have a word with her…very well, once she turns in the reports documented, have you and Zion reconvene at the earliest. And Cyrus, did you get what I asked for as well?"

The Darkus battler snickered. He reached for underneath his cloak and pulled out what looked like a crystal ball, filled with swirling indigo energy. "I believe this should be enough, yes?"

Riaan could sense it. That crystal ball held more than enough of the amount needed. "Splendid work as ever. I had a feeling something was up your sleeve."

Cyrus tossed the capsule, which Riaan caught using telekinesis. He levitated the orb into his open palm. Magenta veins surged upon touch that bulged beneath his gloved hands. This level of pressure Cyrus acquired almost astounded him. Good thing he kept a calm exposure.

'Such power levels…all in one case…'

"I was able to gather some of the blast wave's power level pressure as you asked. I believe that your new little 'pet' could use a bone."

Riaan chuckled. "How kind of you."

"Ironic. Now then, if you allow me my leave." He teleported away, leaving Riaan to stare down at the crystal ball with a slowly widening, anxious smirk.

The quakes had soon simmered in the vast Gundalian lands far outside the canyon reaches. Where there was comfort inside the Gundalian base, their lied also uncertainty.

"And this is for certain?" Nurzak was on a hexagonal screen talking to the Gundalian guards stationed at the base. He was being reported of the current base conditions as well as the dramatic surge that happened afar.

"Yes, sir. That's all we know." One guard answered.

"The graph readings aren't false, sir. We've measured them three times to be sure." Another guard replied.

Nurzak pondered this for a short time. In all his years of living he wasn't certain that even a power level would be possible. It wasn't by mechanical means either, that was already tested. It was all a mix of raw and negative energy. Therefore, only one evident conclusion made sense.

"So these humans who are aligned with the Brawlers, they went after their friend I take it?"

The first guard nodded. "They left about half a day ago, Prime Minister."

Nurzak nodded. That was enough for him to get the reason behind it all. 'So that's what happened. Only in the heat of battle can a Bakugan's true power be realized. If the enemy was able to produce that much power themselves…'

He started dwelling into the misconceptions. If it were by all 6 gathered in one spot that wouldn't seem as bad. But if that were just one or a handful of them, then he gradually underestimated their chances. Hearing about Zion's inferno and manslaughter alone made it clear they weren't playing games.

"What do we do, Nurzak?" Sabator, his Bakugan, asked.

Nurzak closed his eyes to consider the possibilities. "I've already sent Mason and everyone to your location, and they should be there soon…however, I fear that we may have to hold off on the attack."

A fist slammed into a wall, alerting everyone in the room.

"Nurzak!" The yell came from the doorway, revealing a staggering Ren. He was in his human form, but there was a cast and bandages where his leg was. It looked painful to stand, and his gritting teeth didn't lie.

"Captain Ren, sir!" the second guard gasped. "What are you-!"

Ren ignored the two and walked up to the screen. "Prime Minister, you can't be serious about pulling back, especially now of all times."

"Ren." Nurzak responded calmly. "I was told everything. You've sustained a serious loss in men, and your leg I presume."

"Don't worry about that, it's fine." Ren lied. Even now it stung like hell. But he had to persevere for his sake. He continued. "Look, I know things are bad. But ever since those guys went into the canyons, the number of infected Bakugan coming from that direction has been declining. We can use that as an advantage and follow their tracks."

"And follow them into the heart of the fray?" As understanding as he was, confidence didn't spell on Nurzak. "Ren, this isn't the time to be brash."

"I know!" Ren breathed heavily. It was clear he wasn't in the best shape. Fretting, his guards drew close in case he were to collapse. "But those guys are out there risking their lives for us, while we're here licking our wounds like puppies. We just got out of a war with Mag Mel not long ago, and now we're in an even bigger mess than before. This isn't the time for me to sit in pity."

"Ren…" Nurzak allowed him to continue.

The Darkus Gundalian began reflecting longingly of his earlier experience, a mournful silence and stinging sensation running through his leg again. "I know, Nurzak…but if I'm going down, I'm going down on my terms. If those guys want a fight, we'll give them one."

Nurzak wasn't going argue amongst the headstrong decision Ren made. He had a feeling he would be set on a goal and take to it to finish it. That's the person who he is. As much as he wanted to think about his closest ally, he had to remember this was war. He's lost a daughter because of his foolishness.

But while Ren wasn't like Floria, he was well aware of that…but doing nothing would put everyone in vain. It was time to take his job seriously.

"…do as you wish, Ren Crawler." He conceited. "You're one my most trusted allies. Until we can get a signal or sign from the Battle Brawlers, I'm putting my faith in you. The others should be arriving soon. Once they do, assemble your forces and depart. We only get one shot at this, so make it count."

"Don't worry." Ren held up Linehalt in his clutch. "This time, we'll make sure we're prepared."

The video chat ended. Nurzak sat at his desk for a short while before he knew what he had to do. Sighing, he stood up and started walking.

"Where are you going?" Sabator asked.

"As Gundalia's Prime Minister, it is my sworn duty to keep watch over and defend the people of this world. Exactly what use am I if I am not there for my allies. Come Sabator." He walked off, his Bakugan floating to his side as they left the chamber. "We must make our own preparations."

Ren turned towards the doorway exit. "Assemble the unit as planned. We're heading out once reinforcements arrive on the double." As he walked along, he was still very sluggish and dragging his heel, but he was powering through. 'I don't care if I end up losing my leg at all. If that's the sacrifice it takes to save Gundalia, then so be it. Hang on guys, Linehalt and I are right behind you!'

After an hour of hiking through the depths of the Gundalian valleys, Luke and Alice managed to find an alcove embedded when the explosion of their last attack swelled throughout the area. The fissures along the sides of the canyon stone aided for tight enough spaces to where Bakugan couldn't reach them.

Luke looked left and right, seeing no sign of Bakugan following them. He head back into the crevice to inform Alice. "All clear. I don't think they should know about us here as long as we stay quiet."

Alice nodded in understanding. "So Luke, are you you're alright?"

"Yeah, just give me a sec alright?" He slowly pinned himself along the rough walls and slid down, but he skipped too much and landed on his butt harshly, alarming Alice. "I'm fine! I'm fine." He lowered his voice thanks to his self-awareness. "Sorry, what was that again, Alice?"

"It's nothing." She dismissed. "But…thanks again for back there."

He raised a brow. "For what?"

"For saving us? If it wasn't for you, Cyrus and Zion would've probably had their way with us. Who knows if we'd actually be alive still."

Luke meekly grinned. "Believe me, it's not déjà vu. That happens a lot to us on a daily basis anymore."

He meant to pass it along as a dry joke, but Alice took the hint rather seriously. She knew these guys went through hell and back, that much was obvious. It wasn't just in the way they speak…it was also their actions. Being a strategist, she was aware of a battler's reactions and ability patterns. The way everyone she knew was like they really were fighting for their lives. They knew how to brawl, because they had to.

Deep in retrospection, Alice started thinking back to her days with the Battle Brawlers. Coming out of retirement was a shock, even for her. She wouldn't be doing this unless her friends' lives were at stake, which in a way they were. But the heartrate and the adrenaline was still a lot.

Even now, being able to hold Hydranoid again was like a weight was back on her chest. She couldn't tell if she was supposed to be glad or sad; maybe both.

Noticing Alice's problem, Luke leaned forward. "Hey uh, Alice? You okay?"

"Huh? Sorry, I guess I spaced out for a second." She confessed. "I guess this is a lot to take in."

"Yeah, I guess it really is. Is Hydranoid okay?"

Alice looked down at her cupped palms, holding Hydranoid's open ball form. "Yeah, he's okay. He said he just needed a little breather is all. How's Abis Omega doing?"

Luke looked down at Abis still clutched between his fingers. "He's still out of it. I think that power surge did him in."

"I'm sure it'll be fine."

"I know. But you know something? I think Jase knew that I knew how risky it was. Normally he explains a lot to all of us in a short time that we have to keep up. But here he was…blunt." He hummed. "Guess he knows me pretty well by now, huh? It's sad."

Alice frowned. "Why's that?"

"Because…even in the beginning, I never really paid much attention to anything or anyone. I was just someone who always followed the lead." He looked out at the crevice entry, seeing nothing but dark hue. "When I first met Esther, she already knew what to do when she knew the cause. I'm sure everyone else knew too. But I was different. All I could think about was getting home and to Master Riaan's side. I thought if I just battled and got stronger, maybe he'd acknowledge me a little more. Guess that shows how really stupid I was back then, huh?"

In his clutches, Abis shook a little. He listened tentatively to his partner's words.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is, even if you really think you know yourself and what you want…someone else is there to know you otherwise. It took me a while to figure out what kind of a person I really am…" he looked down shamefully. "And really I don't know myself. This is probably one of things Jase or Shawn would say something like 'Before you can understand someone, you have to understand yourself', or something like that. But, just when I keep trying to figure out my friends, I always learn something knew about them. It's happened a lot to me as of late. A part of me is happy because I'm learning so much, but…it's sad that I didn't ask about them in the first place."

Alice frowned. "Is it really that saddening for you?"

Luke shook his head. "Not anymore. It took me a awhile to accept regrets, but I learned to accept and be proud of who I was." This news momentarily stunned Alice. "Because of what I was before, I made it to where I am right now. You should be thankful to whatever it was that made you, well…you. And that's everybody…including myself."

Alice didn't know what to say to Luke's little soliloquy. She couldn't imagine having that kind of experience thus far, but to hear it from him of all people about him being grateful for what person he was, it made her think back to the days of Masquerade.

Even now, what could she say about then? Masquerade was a persona, but he was a part of her. Even when no longer there in person, his spirit and rush for battle was what made him – her – a formidable brawler. He served Naga, and he sentences Bakugan to the Doom Dimension. He was bad. But…should she be ashamed of what he did? What she did? Looking back at it she didn't know at all what was going on. She was just one half that was being manipulated. But, having been through all this, it made her think twice about what to be ashamed of if it's what made her eyes open up to now. At least by Luke's logic, that's understandable.

'To accept myself and what I've done…' Long in thought for some time, she decided she needed to exploit more of Luke. 'To first understand others, you should understand yourself. But maybe through another…' She got comfortable sitting down. "Luke?"

"Yeah?"

"If it's okay, tell me…what was that like? When you destroyed Thermosphere. I understand if you don't want to. It's just…how did it feel? Knowing something you did was wrong, but you weren't in control of it."

"No, it's okay. I can tell you." He took a moment to gather his words, no matter how difficult it was for him. "Well, when I first learned that Master Riaan lied to me, it was like a bad. A really bad dream. I wanted to just wake up and wish that the nightmare would just go away. That's all that mattered to me back then. He was the only kind of closure I had in my sheltered life. Losing that part of him I clung onto, I got desperate. I'd do anything to make sure everything went back to the way things were."

Alice started to get the feeling of where this was going. Luke continued.

"When we arrived at Thermosphere, nothing really mattered to me. Not the people. Not Shawn or anyone…I guess I just wanted to escape from reality. So when I saw Master Riaan, I thought things were going to clear up for me again." His face was surprisingly so calm as he explained it, like he had come to terms with it. "I was so blinded by my own desires, I didn't get the big picture. I pressed that button, and then the next thing I knew…we were floating in the sea away from dead people. At first I didn't want to believe it was my fault, and that's when Luka talked some sense into me."

"Luka?" Alice has yet to know this person. She stayed quiet.

"Yeah, he knew of Riaan's true goals from the start. He's the one who helped me open my eyes by closing mine. When it all came to me…it was like a big wave just crashed into me and washed away everything I was. It was pretty shattering." He looked at Alice. "Sorry if this strikes a chord, but is this because of Masquerade?"

"Kinda." She admitted. "It must've been hard, accepting that you've killed so many without realizing."

"It was. We wished that we could've redone everything from the beginning…but that's not how things work. Just because you give up doesn't mean the problem will fix itself. I realized that. Even if the world would end, I needed to make something of my life, whatever was gonna be left of it." He looked down at Abis with a deeper intent in his green eyes. "Everyone I've met; Abis…our friends we've met along the way. It's not just for the Interacians I have to try for, it's for all of us. So you see, I think that's the meaning of living…and I want to live just a little longer for that same thought to shine."

'If we died…it's what we do left in our lives that mattered.' Alice was processing what Luke had spoken about. It was passionate at least, sure, and he's spoken a lot. So much she was actually surprised at what all he said. But she understood completely. What Masquerade did before did matter, but did now. She sent Bakugan to the Doom Dimension, but that regret was something that would give her strength for her battles to come.

With a smile, she clutched Hydranoid a little tighter. 'I think I get it now. So that's why…' She recalled earlier how Luke forgave her for Esther, She wouldn't want him so mad at her. That weight she felt earlier was starting to drop. 'I can see why Esther…'

"Luke…thank you. I think we really can do this. We'll go and…Luke?"

Luke wasn't responding. He was already outcold. The soft rising of his breath up and down indicated he was asleep.

'Guess he talked himself to sleep.' Alice figured. 'Guess we should get some rest, too.' Her own strength fading, she laid down on her side and started drifting to sleep.

In another region of the dark gorges, the dark air was just as foul to breathe in as poison, but Jase and Shuji were so used to the negative energy that they barely even noticed.

"It's getting late…this should be the ideal spot for now." Jase recommended. "We'll set out again in a few hours once we've rested."

Shuji sat behind the rocks he and Jase used as cover. Beside him was a small bag of leftovers and rations to snack on to keep their strengths up. He was busy munching on a makeshift sandwich when he chose to respond. "Yeah, sure." He muffled through the meat and grains in his mouth.

"That battle energy from earlier, it appears to have dissipated as well." Atmos deduced.

"So it would seem." Jase looked at his surroundings, noticing how dense the air was, and more importantly, how barely noticeable their surroundings were at night. It was just like their time on Interacia getting to Solaris. 'The negative energy must've discharged a large fraction of power throughout the area. I have a feeling that Riaan's infection will only speed along. But at this rate…'

Rather than dwell further on the matter, the brains of the team turn back towards Shuji. "Shuji, would you be alright with first watch?"

Shuji swallowed. "Yeah. I can. Fly Beetle can sense vibrations anyways. We'll know what's up."

"That's the benefit of a Subterra Bakugan." Fly Beetle commented.

Jase smirked. "Naturally. I'll be relying on you both."

Shuji lowly snickered.

"Did I amuse you just now?"

"It's nothing. It's just…heh. Looking back at it, we've all counted on you a lot this whole way. I'm not gonna run away from it, so let's be real here. You're always like two steps ahead of any of us."

Jase was flattered by Shuji's commentary, but for his serious tone he just stayed quiet.

"You know, when you said how observant I was, I guess you were kinda right. But I had to get my pants pulled along the way by you. I was getting pretty sick of being looked down by everything I…guess I should stop acting like a baby. Pfft, man, can't believe how long it took me to realize that before I met Fly Beetle."

"Better late than never for the wary, I suppose." Jase commented.

Shuji returned the smirk. "Heh, well, when I first met ya, guess you weren't surprised when a lot of us pegged you as a pompous sarcastic-spewing know-it-all."

"Everyone has the right to judge. Even if found guilty by one's charges, one is entitled to return the moral justice." He turned towards Shuji. "That said, you wouldn't be surprised if I found you rather lackluster yourself, am I right?"

Shuji shrugged. "Hey, I ain't denying. Just saying. But…thanks anyways man. For helping us along the way. You're still annoying when you use big words and all, but you're alright in my books."

Jase chuckled.

"What now?"

"My goodness, whate~ver happened to you Shuji? Speaking so poetically of high praise for this discarded warhorse. If I didn't know any better, you've grown soft."

Shuji scoffed. "Look who's talking. Pot calling the kettle black much?"

"Ah, but this pot is half-full, young one."

"Whatever, just shut some eye already." Shuji turned away and took his post outside the makeshift lair. He wasn't aware that Jase was watching his back.

"Suppose we don't have to watch over them anymore." Atmos whispered to Jase.

Jase quietly grinned. He finally looked down, closing his eyes with his arms crossed to rest. "Never had to…I stopped watching them…a long time ago."

The area was soon quiet as the two coincided in silence. For once in his life, Jase didn't have to look over his shoulder.

In another part of the quarry, Shawn and Maggie were settling in their own terms. It took a few dodges of Bakugan, and despite them being in the most reasonable condition to have Jelldon and Verias fight, they chose to preserve strength.

"Okay. This should be good enough." Shawn said, inspecting his spot. "Maggie, you doing alright?"

"Yeah, don't worry. Jelldon and I are fine, right buddy?"

In her hands, Jelldon moved his many appendages. "Yeah Maggie, you don't have to worry." As tough as he was, he still recoiled some.

Maggie sweatdropped. "No need to push yourself big guy."

"That last blast from their forbidden abilities must've taken a lot of their stamina." Shawn figured. He looked towards Verias, seeing how he hasn't responded much. 'Those guys, they really are strong. Even if we were able to hold them off, there was no telling if they still had another trump card up their sleeves. We were lucky to have ended the battle when we did.'

"So Shawn." Maggie got his attention. "Listen, uh…"

"What is it?" He was noticing how uneasy Maggie looked. From her slight fidgeting, to her looking down at her knees. It wasn't like her to be so bashful.

The Pyrus preteen nervously laughed. "I-it's nothing important! Hehe…he…"

Confused as he was, he didn't choose to pry. "O…kay?"

An awkward silence fell amongst them. It's been a while since the two talked or were away from the others. Quite frankly, it was hard enough to tell whether or not they should talk or sleep. It was best to conserve energy, but they needed something to help them get their mind off things. That's where Maggie comes in.

Clearing her throat, Maggie chose to finish her statement. "So~, about you and Luke?" she eyerolled.

Shawn raised a brow. "Yeah, what about us?"

"You guys have been friends your whole lives, right? What was it like, growing up with him?"

"What brought that on all of a sudden?"

"Nothing. Just curious. You're so loyal to him. Even when we all pushed him away, you were the only one who held true to him. It's just so weird to me."

Shawn meekly chuckled. "Well, having a poor lifestyle makes you see things that you shouldn't take to granted. Sorry if that's a bit rough on you, Maggie."

She shook her head. "Nah, it's okay. I was called much worse." She then frowned. "But you're some kind of self-taught engineer or something, and live in an apartment, right? I wish I had something like that growing up."

"So you regret your childhood is what you're saying?"

Alarmed by his question, Maggie shook her head. "What?! Of course not! Sure, okay maybe I was a little…picky at times, but my mom was all that I had. If I didn't have her…I'm not sure where'd I even be."

Shawn meekly chuckled. "Then that's how I feel about Luke."

Maggie looked at him, a soft tone setting in despite the gloominess around them.

"Growing up without a parent around is not exactly fair. At least you had Rebecca, and she looked content with you. I didn't have any parents, and really no one to turn to. That's when I met Luke. He offered me food when I was starving. He didn't have anybody, and neither did I…we just became loyal to each other I guess."

Maggie's eyes widened. She recalled when they were on Interacia back when Shawn wanted to go find Luke again when Luka was leading them.

"This guy may be more help, but that idiot you're making fun of knows more about loyalty than anyone I know. Whether it's misguided or not. I learned a lot more from the mistakes he wasn't willing to learn from to be who I am right now. I need to be there…because Luke's the one person I will go anywhere with."

"Yeah, he was an idiot. He still is in fact." He smiled. "But I knew there was good in him. It just took some missteps to watch him finally see his potential. I was thankful he was there for me, even as a bit of a spoiled kid…but I'm proud to call him a friend."

"So Shawn…I trust you. And I always will for pieces that fall from my mistakes. And I'll stand here and watch, and see this through to the end with you…so matter what happens, I'll be there to see you, because we can't win without trust in each other."

His smile widened. "Even if he told me, I wouldn't leave him behind again. I think…no, I know he wouldn't either. Man, I have some weird taste in friends, don't I?

Maggie blinked once, then twice. She was processing everything Shawn laid out. It all made sense now. Between her and Shawn, it was like a trade-off. She never had friends growing up, but has her mother. Shawn on the other hand had no parents, but had Luke. They were family. Luke and Shawn were basically brothers to one another, and as lord beholds, she just heard and witnessed that brotherly bond. A small part of her actually felt jealous…but that was a small part of her. She didn't have luxuries before, but now she actually has a family…and Esther was her older sister.

She softly smiled and giggled, her gratitude in her friends brighter than before. "Thanks, Shawn."

"For what?"

She tilted her head, winking. "Oh nothing to stress about. But I can see how Luke's lucky to have you in his life. And now I'm one of those people too!" She stretched her arms overhead. "Alright, let's get some grub and call it a day! We better have our strength back so we can kick Interacian butt!"

"Yeah. Sure."

Luke stirred in the howling winds outside made it hard for him to stay fully asleep. Slowly but surely, the inconsistent howls got to him, causing him to open an eye. He scratched the back of his head to rid of an itch and watched the dust storm outside rage. 'How long were we out for?'

A soft moan was heard from his side, instantly making him turn. He noticed how close he was to Alice as she slept on her side. His heart almost jumped as he did, but he knew better than to alarm her when she needed rest. Calming down, Luke watched Alice sleep with her head nearly touching his pant leg. As she was enjoying a sound sleep, he couldn't help but actually smile. Watching her take it easy after the hell they were put through felt reassuring. He knew better than to feel bad about dragging Alice into this battle, but it wasn't his decision to make. She did this willingly. And yet, watching her enjoy rest outside the Trailer's reinforced walls was bringing back memories of him and Esther on their first morning on New Vestroia. He wondered if she was really okay?

'Esther…' Looking down at Alice, all he saw was the light brown-haired figment that was Esther in her place. He knew better than to reach out because she wasn't there, but it still pained to know that the one person he trusted most turned his back and is now torturing someone else; it ached him. For her sake he had to be strong.

'I wonder how the others are doing?' He looked to his blue Bakumeter to try and get a signal, but the green was all static. 'Damnit, guess the signal's jammed.' He looked out, watching as a dust storm was impeding any view of the outside world. He sighed exasperatedly. 'Guess it can't hurt to try.'

He tried connecting to everyone again to see if they were still local, but as expected their locations didn't show. "How does Jase do that?" he mumbled to himself. He fiddled with his Bakumeter for a short while, until he suddenly got a small ring. He immediately answered so as to not arouse Alice from her slumber.

On the other end, Shawn was revealed. "Luke? You there?"

"Shawn?" Luke gasped. He felt Alice turn and stiffened. He was so glad his startlement didn't wake her. "What are you doing?" he asked quietly.

"I was going to ask you that. I was noticing how your signal was down. What took so long?"

"Sorry, got a little case of bad weather down here." He turned towards the dust storm outside, watching the dry grains spin and churn into some cracks in the dry ground. "How're you and Maggie?"

"We've gotten a little snagged, but we'll be fine. She's resting a bit."

Luke smiled at the irony played out. "So you two, huh?"

"Can't sleep either?"

"Didn't have to see me to answer that one, huh?" Luke teased. "Guess you're a little worried too, right?"

"Yeah, something like that. What's keeping you up?"

"Nothing. Just a little rough without the Trailer around."

Shawn chuckled it off. "Yeah, we really should've brought it along, have we not."

"Shawn…"

"Sorry. But we should be okay. The canyon shouldn't stretch much farther for all of us from here. You and Alice are hanging in there, right?"

"Yeah, we're managing." A silence fell as Luke processed something. His mind raced back to Esther. Beyond that, it was the first time he and Shawn spoke alone in a while. The mood around him seemed to soften as he thought fondly. "Shawn."

"Yeah?"

"You remember the day we met? How I gave you that watermelon that made us friends?"

"How could I forget? It's what basically glued us together."

"Yeah…those really were fun times, weren't they. We'd always play games whenever we meet up at the gates. I'd sneak you in and we'd play hide-and-seek. I can still remember the time we hid in that knight armor in the casing."

Shawn smiled. He remembered alright. He almost went deaf because of how loudly and long Luke's parents scolded them; mainly Luke. "Heh, a pretty tight fit. I don't even know how we got that glass casing off to begin with."

"Me neither. Those days…they were really fun, weren't they?"

Shawn's smile turned passively sweet. "Yes, very much so."

"It's really sad that we can't get back that time we had, when we were little. Back when we were innocent and knew nothing. But, life's about moving forward. What we did is in the past, but it's what helped me understand you better. Shawn…I'm glad to call you a friend. Whatever happens, we're friend for life…right?"

As if by a wish upon a star, Shawn could feel something in his own gut pass through. Anything clogging like a sense of worry for him began passing along, like a boat floating down a gentle stream. He softly smiled. "…yeah. Always."

"We've been through a lot. And we've made so many friends along the way too. I don't think we can imagine another day without the other around. That's why we gotta get Esther back."

"We will. She believes in you the most Luke…more than even you can see."

Luke bashfully sweatdropped. "Uh…w-what's that mean exactly?"

Shawn chuckled. "As always, such an idiot. Just think about her and all of us."

"I will...we're gonna get her back, no matter what. So can you trust me on handling myself a little longer?"

Shawn mused a light chuckle. "You've really grown, Luke…yeah. Just make sure you meet us at the rendezvous point. Because if you don't, I'm gonna have to be your grave watcher till you come out of the hole again."

As crude of a reference that was, Luke chose not to fight it. "You got it…see you soon." He cut off the communication, just as the dust storm outside started to worsen. The screen turned to static again, but Luke stared ahead with a resolve in his eyes. 'One day at a time…that's how we'll get to the next.'

The pain in his side earlier stung again. He reached over, clutching it tight as Alice slept soundly, a smile crossing her face. Whatever she was dreaming, the outside words spoken lifted any nightmares she would be fighting.

Elsewhere in another crevice, Luka was looking out at the black dust stampeding in front of the exit. He chose to wait it out before continuing. Once it was clear, he knew where to go next. He closed his eyes, his one hand holding Alto Brontes while the other was on the scabbard.

The section where the Interacians were in Empyrean were excessively busy. It was moving like a sweatshop. The mass of people were being outfitted by their advisors in armor, while others were finish their fittings and being given Bakumeters, outfitted to an individual Bakugan and its Battlegear fully assembled. From a deeply tinted panel above, no one could see their current boss or what she's doing. It was best they didn't.

After the fallback Galilea suffered, she had to immediately submit a report to Riaan. Suffice to say she didn't say many nice things about what she experienced. The look on her face spelled annoyance to a tee. While she was at her desk processing each individual's information, while monitoring the processions of her Bakugan's fitting, she was keeping a very steady eye out for any slackers. She can't have anyone slacking. This wasn't the time.

Flashes of Shawn's fencer slashing her Bakumeter popped into her head, causing her to break concentration for a moment. She stared blankly at the screen, but all she saw was how flawless their execution was. It only made her tired just thinking about the stress piling on.

She snapped out of it when a holographic panel appeared above her, revealing Cyrus. "Lady Galilea, do pardon the intrusion."

She stood up from her seat. "Yes, Cyrus. Is this important?"

"Straight to the point." He smirked. "I see. Still, while I understand your ill-will, our lord has summoned you."

"Now? But I was almost finished-" She stopped when she noticed the narrowed glare Cyrus was giving her. While she was giving her own testy glare, the poison in his eyes challenged hers.

"I'm sorry, Lady Galilea. But this is our lord…not I. Are you implying you have no time to waste for the entity you swore your trust and will to?"

She exasperatedly sighed. "Fine. As you wish." Cyrus smirked and ended the transmission. Galilea took one more look out to see the workers hustling due to the advisors she reprimanded to drive them. She teleported away, leaving the room vacant.

Moments later, she appeared in Riaan's throne room, getting to a knee. "Milord, please to forgive my late arrival."

Riaan stood at the bottom of his throne's stairway, Cyrus and Zion by his sides. Both had hands behind their backs and stiff as statues. Riaan looked down at Galilea. "It is well. I'm fortunate to have you here with me. Please, rise."

Cautiously, Galilea did as told.

"How are the repairs to your Bakumeter? Shall it be ready by the time our mobilization is complete?"

"The engineering team is replacing the metal lens and glass center. I am expecting a replacement duplicate within two hours."

"I see. And have you taken full responsibility for what's happened?"

Once again, she nodded. "Yes, your highness. As the second head of Hades Pillars, it was my sworn duty to uphold such high standards. Because of that, I was certain in our tactician assault would impede their path."

The room fell into a silence. Cyrus and Zion gave each other prompt looks to tell the other to stay silent. As Galilea awaited an answer, she was anxious for what she might get. Hopefully condolence.

"…and you believe such words will offer you forgiveness?"

No. Galilea's eyes widened at her lord's words.

"Lady Galilea, for as long as I have known you. You've been one of most capable and competitive people that I've had the pleasure of having enrolled into my forces. Your experience in the low business assortments with swift reprimand is the iron fist that enforces everyone to stay on task. Your execution is unlike any other." He turned around. "That said, it surprised me when I learned from the reports of how the attack plan on the base had you the least assisting."

Galilea tried to cover up for that flaw. "Your highness, Miss Amina was following my lead, I assure you."

Riaan snapped his fingers, displaying a holographic replay of her battle against Dusk Atchibee and Hydranoid. She could see how even things were until Amina pulled out her Battlegear. "I'm not doubting the degradation you're putting onto yourself right now. Even if that were the case, it's clear despite the tactician you are, your iron fist did not hold Amina in check…even though it still accomplished our goal."

"Milord, I'm afraid I don't understand."

Riaan humbly sighed. "Then allow me to ask you this. Exactly how is it that you allowed your guard to be let down against our foes?"

Galilea stood still. His words left her petrified inside to where she couldn't think of anything more than replays of Alice and Esther trouncing her strategies, to Maggie and Shawn overwhelming the trump cards to escape.

"You are smart, Galilea, but your self-discipline has weighed heavily on you. You are someone who is used to having the worker bees do the work and you direct and watch over them. Like a queen hornet. And do you know what cruel fate awaits the Queen Hornet and her larvae when winter comes?"

Galilea watched Riaan turn around. The magenta highlights in his eyes overcast by his dark shadow made him look more menacing than ever.

"They get disposed of by their own workers."

A darker tone set into the room that moment. It was like a demonic weight set in.

"You threaten your workers to live up to your expectations, but you've failed to realize my own. Don't forget, this isn't just a business anymore. It's a force. And like everyone out there, a force is as strong as its most capable combatants. From what I've seen, you have seemed to have mistaken that you are not helpless without your hive that doesn't listen to its queen."

Galilea was flabbergasted. "Milord…are you saying, that everything that I am doing right now…is for nothing?"

"Not everything. Your production and maintaining the stability of our weapons and forces is well…but you are another. You've taken your position for granted. Therefore, I've come to Cyrus for an executive decision." He looked at Cyrus, then at Zion. Both faced forward dutifully like they weren't afraid. He faced forward with his frown dead set on Galilea. "We have finally come to a decision. We have decided…that in order for you to realize your worth, we are relinquishing your holds as vice executive of Hades Pillars."

Galilea was stunned, as if she had experienced her life from the beginning. In her mind, everything was shutting down from the shock, but outside she was looking as composed as possible.

"I understand your shock. But you must understand, we are in a dire time right now. The plan has made enemies of Earth, New Vestroia, Vestal, and now Gundalia. So, to help in the frontlines, we have also decided that Zion will be the one to take your place."

Zion stepped forward and turned towards Galilea. He wasn't smirking confidently nor was be berating her. He wasn't sorry or anything, but he was swearing duty. Galilea couldn't begin to fathom how someone who is about manslaughter could swap positions with the likes of her!

"That look in your eye says that you disagree with my decision. If you are unsatisfied or misunderstanding my intentions, you and Zion can settle this amongst yourselves."

"I…I…" It was attempting, very much so. Even Cyrus looked amused by the prospect of his associates fighting for the position, no matter how pointless. Galilea of all people was certain she could handle Zion in a solo fight. But as she was waning to proving herself, she realized Zion's deadly weaponry. Bakugan was one thing, but effective hand-to-hand combat was only a fool's dream in her mind.

Riaan raised a brow. "Well now…what's it going to be?"

This was basically a no-win situation for her. Even if she wanted to, her new Bakumeter would still have to be uploaded with the forbidden abilities all over again, plus Buz Hornix' battle stats and the data she had lost on everyone. Couple that with her psyche already taking jabs from the videos and the stress…it was too much.

"Milord, I…" Ultimately, she knew where she stood now. She couldn't deny it any longer. Slowly, she got to her knees and she bowed before him. "I understand."

"Good. I'm sorry it has to be like this, Galilea…but I need you now more than ever." He turned towards Zion. "Zion, immediately begin the warfront by your specifications. You have full clearance by myself and Cyrus' consent to mobilize as you see fit."

Zion firmly nodded. "As you wish."

Riaan whisked his cape and turned to walk up his stairway. With his back turned, Galilea looked to her fellow associates with a blank stare, especially Cyrus. With his silent stare, his cold reception put her in her place. Zion and Galilea teleported off in silence, with Cyrus remaining behind.

"Come Cyrus, shall we resume ministering our guest?" Riaan offered.

Cyrus nodded. "As you wish."

Galilea returned to her seat, more zombie than ever. The news of her demotion was as fresh as grown weeds not tended to the garden of fresh-picked choices, which she happened to have left absent too long. She had dug her own reputational grave, and she didn't realize it until it was too late.

She slowly moved her fingers back to the holographic keyboard, trying to type something but was unable to. Her mentality was continuing to slip into the abyss. Her time when Riaan recruited returned to her. That one blissful opportunity was a bittersweet steppingstone she slipped on.

A much younger Galilea, no earlier than her late teen to early 20s, was scribbling into the paperwork with neat cursive. Since technology was still developing at that time and resources so thin, she wasn't as lucky when it came to tinkering like Cesar. Still, she managed.

Using a small calculator under a lamplight, she used it to deduce a coworker's pay. She wrote the amount and put it with another stack. Before long, the process did itself until the door to her office opened.

A man about twice her age with a stocky built dress like he was working in a firm walked in. "Galilea."

The busy file clerk/assistant manager looked up from her finished pile. "Yes?"

"You finished those forms yet? They're due by tomorrow."

The woman showed him another finished pile she got to long before he arrived. "Here. And I finished the pay forms to be distributed."

The manager smiled firmly. "I didn't expect this so soon."

"Don't worry, I also docked the exact pay for those who called off. I checked them all twice."

The manager walked over to take the two stacks clipped firmly together and took his leave. "I'm expecting you to be in charge of things while I'm out for the week. We have a board meeting on the other side of the town on production. Can I trust you with our staff spread so thin?"

Galilea clasped her hands together and looked more professional than before. "Yeah, of course."

The manager firmly nodded and grinned. "That's the attitude I like to see. Make sure everyone stays on task. If we're going to be successful, we need to set an example of what success looks like."

…

But reality slammed her hard into the ground. While he was away, the manager and the board meeting took place was consumed in Devil Miasma. Some of them made it out in time, others didn't. Galilea's manager was one of them. With her boss gone and the market entrusted to her, Galilea had to pull her own weight, plus anvils hanging over her head. This was her first job, and she'd be damned to see it go down in ruins. When she was dubbed the manager, she had to crack down even more than ever. She managed the shifts, her hours extended from open to close, and she made sure that all the new recruits were personally trained by her. If she was going to be the head honcho, she wanted to make sure they were doing their job right.

Things were well for three months, and Galilea just finished speaking about shipment and layout plans to better help customers get around the town's market better. Once everyone left the board room she was at the podium and docking her filed papers when one of her associates came back in.

"Miss Galilea?" the female coworker nervously called out.

The testy manager looked up. "Yes, what is it?"

"We have a visitor. He wants to talk to you."

"Is he a customer?"

Before she got her answer the employee stepped out of the way for someone to walk through. The man's complexion and magenta eyes gazed into her at only a fraction of a second. She watched anxiously as the unknown individual stopped a few meters in front of her.

Despite how bizarre and straightforward the approach was, she stuck her chin high. "Can I help you?"

The man passively grinned. "Pardon my intrusion, but are you perhaps Galilea Vergo?"

Galilea tensed at her full name announced. "Yes, and who might you be?"

"I'm a regular customer here in this market district. I personally wanted to meet you in person. There's some questions that I have been meaning to ask you?"

Galilea inwardly sighed. She found it extremely hard to believe that someone could just find their way to the boardroom without being an associate, more or less a customer claiming to be a regular. But with her own board gone and her guard up, she chose to play along.

"What questions, exactly?"

…

For the next thirty minutes, Galilea was answering Riaan's question promptly, with curtly sidetones to them. He asked a whole bunch of questions, from how she was able to keep a steady flow of consumers in such a short span of time, to the business and production increase. His questions about employee morale was self-explanatory. Everyone was busy as could be, each market stand lined up with one or two workers quickly giving them what they ask for with currency in return. Once Riaan got all his questions answers he looked content with what he was hearing.

"I see, so that explains how this market became so popular in a short timeframe."

"Yes, are there anymore questions?" Galilea sounded rushed. She wanted to get back to work as soon as possible.

"No, no. That will be all, Miss Vergo. Thank you for your time." He smiled. "I am very impressed with how down to the bone your ethic is."

She sighed. "It's what my manager weighed onto me before his passing. It's never easy to find the right kind of help."

"It is not." Riaan turned away, but stopped at the door. "I will tell folks that you are hiring, right?"

"Yes. Always."

Riaan processed the offer and turned to leave. Galilea was left alone in the boardroom, getting her stacks of papers. As she left as well, Riaan's questions boggled her mind.

'What was that all about?'

The late hours soon came and the market closed for the night. Galilea walked into her office after returning from a final inspection and sighed. "Okay, time to close up." She went for the keys to her fil cabinets to make sure no one would get to them overnight, but on the desk as she swiped her keys, there was an envelope inside. "When did this get here?"

She reached for the envelope, opening it. As she scrolled through the fine print, her attention turned towards the signature down at the bottom, signed "Riaan" neatly.

"A job invitation?"

…

Even now, that job invite was something she didn't regret. It took her some time, but after two weeks of critical thinking she decided to pay Riaan a visit. When she learned of his true intentions she was mortally horrified of course, but after another three days of pros and cons she decided to take the offer since she would be at the top of management. This revolution required someone dedicated like her, someone who worked from the ground up with their own hands and feet, and pass that onto others. Her expectations would be so much higher for herself than her late boss, but she was bidding to his last words.

Show them what success looks like.

And right now, she felt anything but. Her thoughts tired out, she looked down at her keyboard and resumed her work. For a long while, she was going to be at that desk.

Luke laid on his side as he was sound asleep at last. After another turn to his left side, his eyelids twitched before he had awoken. Glancing around his surroundings, the first thing he noticed was outside. It was dark, but there were no storms or strong winds. 'Guess the storm must've passed.' He looked at Alice again to find her still sound asleep. He must've slept not even a couple hours. He decided to get up and walked out of the crevice, making sure that no Bakugan were around. Once he was certain, he walked a short distance away from the crevice behind some rocks to relieve himself.

Once his pants were put back up, the rustling of the bely buckle stirred Abis. "Ugh…"

"Abis?" Luke muttered. "You okay?"

"Yeah…just a little shaken now." He answered. "But I'm ready now."

"That's good. Alice and Hydranoid are still sleeping. We should be careful not to wake them a little while."

Abis understood. He didn't argue, but he didn't fall back on what he said either. Everyone is either at the meeting point now or they're still resting. But the sea serpent knew better than to rush the pace they were going.

"Abis."

"Yeah?"

Luke turned to him, a genuine smile on his face. "We're not gonna die without a fight. That's a promise."

He nodded. "That's the way it has to be for us. It's our choice, and we're not going back on it."

Sentimental as the two were, Luke started walking when he started to feel the pain again. It was so intense this time that he had to use the rock to support himself.

"Luke?" Abis fret. "Luke!"

Luke clutched his aching side with his spare hand. It pained so much this time that all his nerves on the rib cage were screaming and crying for it to stop. Shakily, he reached down to pill up his black shirt beneath. What he and Abis saw only made their eyes widen in horror.

Beneath the blue coat and black t-shirt, there was a large black and blue bruise on the left waist. There was dried blood that was flaking off, but as he removed his hand it was clear some fresh offensive liquids were still blooming.

"Luke…!" Abis gasped horridly.

Luke stared down in disbelief, processing what he was seeing. 'When did this happen…?' He tried thinking back to whatever made this hideous wound. He was remembering how painful it was when he woke up after that hideous explosion. 'Alice said I shielded her during the blast, that's gotta be it.'

The pain returned, causing Luke to wince.

"That looks bad." Abis turned ahead. "We need to get to the others and quick."

Luke had to agree with his Bakugan, but he had to keep his own priorities as well. An image of Esther popped into his mind, her warm smile as she turned towards him. She looked happy to see him. With a thought like that with such a high risk, the Aquos battler was stone silent.

"You're right." He pulled down his black shirt, tucking the ends underneath the pants so no blood would drip through. "We need to get going while we still have time. But Abis, please…keep this between us."

Abis looked at him shocked. "Are you sure Luke?"

He nodded confidently. "We have to. If the others find out about this, they'll just think we'll slow them down. You barely recovered from that last battle, and I'm already injured." He looked own at his disclosed wound. "And Jase is probably the only one with the medical kit. Odds are he might already know since he's so snoopy…" he turned away. "But we can't fall back. It's just as I told Esther back on Interacia."

"I relied too much on you guys, but maybe I may not want to be seen again, and I'm fine with that. Abis Omega and I will die alone trying if we have to…but if not now, then please, just wait…until we might be ready to face you again."

"We said we would see Esther and Atchibee again. We said we would see them together. At the very least…they deserve that much." It was really scary to think about that. The chances that he might actually die along the way. He knew the others would probably be pissed, but this was his own decision. Selfish maybe…but it was for another's life at risk. "We promised we'd make whatever sacrifices of ourselves to avenge and protect everyone, you remember that?"

"…yeah, I remember." Abis bitterly recalled. Despite how morbid it was, he stuck by Luke's side. "Alright…then let's give it everything we got until we drop again."

"Right, let's go get Alice and-!" Just as Luke was turning, he felt another presence nearby. He heard the light treading of footsteps that came from behind. He and Abis saw someone coming closer, with a Bakugan on their shoulder.

"Someone's coming." Abis said sternly.

Luke's brow furrowed. The figment walking in the dark had a familiar figure he recognized all too well. "Yeah…I see them too."

The figure's boots treaded as light as a ghost with every step taken. Luke's quickening heartbeat was masked by his serious and calm face, his green eyes glaring down a familiar set of green eyes in his path.

Luka had finally arrived.

Another howl of cold winds brewed across , picking up their clothing and whisking them in the drafts carried. Neither one moved from their spot as they could see the serious intent in the other.

"Luke! Luke~!" Alice ran out of the cave, looking for her friend. She turned behind the rocks, stopping when she saw Luke staring down someone she never met. At the sight of him, her own heart raced from shock.

There was a serious tension in the air, one that even she found hard to breathe in. Whatever was happening it was clear: Something was drastically wrong that she walked right into.

Almost all the breath she had left her body. "Luke…what's going on?"

Luke stared down Luka, green Earthling eyes interlocked with green Vestal orbs. There was a deep defiance in the other, as was their Bakugan. Alto Brontes gazed silently at Abis Omega, to which the serpent remained undeterred.

"Luka." Luke murmured.

The Haos battler glared down the uninvited guest of honor. His eyes spelled challenge, and this time he wasn't letting Luke walk away with a freebee. Seeing this, Luke braced himself.

This time, one way or another…only one man and Bakugan will be walking away.

Sorry for the lack of battles this chapter. It's not often we get break chapters without fighting. The only exception was chapter 17, so this felt like a good change of pace. So now you know Galilea's history, her work ethic, and where she got her attitude from.

Now to the moment you've all been waiting for: Luke and Luka's ultimate showdown. Truth be told, I wanted to do it in this chapter, but I wanted to keep the whole 44 trend going. Dan and Masquerade reconciled in Season 1, and Dan beat Spectra for good in Season 2, and on Bakugan Battle Planet, Dan and Magnus had their ultimate fight, all on their 44th episodes. So it only felt fitting I told off and create buildup for the 44th chapter and clash of swordsmen and their ideals.

Sidenote: I created a poll, so feel free to check it out on my profile when you have the chance!

As always, reviews are very appreciated and thanks for the support!