Interacian workers were mobbing swiftly, but just as carefully with the cargo that they carried. Many showed the forms and documentations and others were elsewhere using their Bakumeters to tell the time and gauge their weapons. Those who were set were helping others suite up and begin practicing their weaponry. Many who were assigned Bakugan were running through the abilities and their Battlegear assessed to them.

While they were all managed and readying for combat, the superior chambers separate were completely closed off by high level guards with silver naginata that were severed in two prongs to tase and blast unfortunate intruders.

Deeper down the dark halls, farther underground in almost complete darkness, there was a magenta glow radiating in a large chamber with elegant and flowing marks everywhere. As outlines of Riaan's chamber illuminated brighter, the more the crust shook outside. The sound of thunder was music to Riaan's ears.

In the center of a large attributed circle, Riaan stood passively as all of Hades Pillars stood in silence at his magnificence.

"Now then." He started. "I trust that you all had sufficient rest to reinstitute yourselves."

Magnus smirked. "Of course, Milord. We're ready when you are."

Zion nodded. He was completely oblivious to the astute glare Galilea was giving him, not that it bothered him.

"I had my bath, and I did my makeup." Amina sighed. "So, I guess I'm good to go." Her face frowned. "But please, if we're going outside again, let me change first so I can wear something I don't care about getting contaminated."

"Amina…hold your front." Lucia scolded. "Our divine one needs our support." She bowed towards Riaan. "My sincerest apologies, Milord."

Riaan raised his head. "It's quite fine. For now, the absorption has been fully processed. I trust that all of your Bakugan have gotten back to you with their final fittings prior to the arranged meeting." He shot a glance to Galilea. "And Galilea."

The former co-head of Hades Pillars raised her head. "Yes, sire."

"I trust that your Bakumeter has been fully repaired and functions at 100% capacity. The engineers made sure of that."

Looking down at her wrist, Galilea looked at her Bakumeter, which looked like her old one. Though it felt sturdier than she anticipated. It was a little hard to move her wrist.

"Zion, are our mobilization efforts assembled to your specifications?"

The Pyrus Interacian stood at attention. "Yes, sire. The men have their weapons tested and Battlegear assigned. They are ready when given the word."

"Good." Riaan turned around and faced his staircase leading to his prestige throne. "According to Lucia, the Gundalians are readying a final front. As crude as they are, they do have spirits of vengeance…at the very least, as a show of respect, we shall give them the blood that they do so seek."

Zion looked calmly ahead. He remembered the angst and horror on Ren's face when he almost cut him down. He won't have any qualms doing it again. He'll spill as much blood needed for the sake of reality.

"So what do we got?" Magnus inquired.

Riaan snapped his fingers, in a flash a large panel of the geography showed several blue signatures that were still far away, but were closing in. "Approximately 1 hour ago, Lucia forewarned the Gundalians with their brigade coming our way. Their arrival time is to be precisely 4 hours, 32 minutes, and 6 seconds. We have our forces assembled in designated areas, and are armed and set."

Amina crossed her arms. "And we're here because…?"

Lucia moved to scold her, but Cyrus's hand beat her to it.

"Because, our fair Amina." He started. "Our lord needs us to be prepared for the front as well. Our little infestation is going to come crawling into Empyrean after all."

Amina turned away. "And whose fault might that be?"

"The blame falls on all us." Zion strictly chided. "We've held them in little regard than intended." His thoughts ran into Luke when he battled with their weapons; that adrenaline was coursing through his veins still. 'And amongst others who exceeded those regards.'

"And that's precisely the reason why I expect each and every one of you to look back on your recent engagements." He snapped his fingers, and six individual panels showed up, revealing the icons, stats, and the Bakugan belonging to their enemies.

"Homework?" Amina raised a brow, subconsciously filing her nails. "Milord, really? We have the ammo now, don't we?"

Zion stamped his polearm's end into the ground, creating a clang so loud that it would've intimidated anybody. Amina turned to him in question.

"Thank you, Zion." Riaan stated. "To answer your question, Amina. It's because, at the moment, these six are our most prominent adversaries. We are to expect the Battle Brawlers in due point. However, these six specifically have acclimated and have fought against the negative energy that our forbidden projects have built up on. Be warned, do not take them lightly. Especially Alice. Are we clear?"

Magnus shifted his weight to another hip. "I gotcha." He didn't want to, but he understood thoroughly. He still felt annoyed with what happened when Shawn and Maggie went through.

"If that is our lord's wish, so be it." Lucia stated. "Milord, I promise you, your commands of us will not go unjust a second time."

Galilea nodded, a resolute glare in her eyes. "Indeed."

Cyrus smirked. "Milord."

Riaan turned towards him with an expectant look.

"I believe that it's time to show them your new pet that we helped put a leash on."

Riaan calmly grinned. "Hmph. I suppose so. Everyone, I have an announcement. In the events that if anything does in fact falter, Hades Pillars' leader Cyrus, and myself, have come together. Thanks to the battle energy that was conducted in your recent onslaught, we have outfitted our newest last line of defense."

Lucia blinked. "Milord…"

Amina scoffed arrogantly. "So then you finally made use of that pet?"

Riaan turned to the shadows beyond his throne. "I would very much appreciate the lackluster of that term, Amina. Our allies are not 'pets'. They are able-bodied assessments. See for yourselves."

Something moved in the darkness beyond their reaches. Despite the darkness and human appearances, being part Gundalian, they could see in darkness clear as day. They saw a figure emerging from the shadows, clanging of armored boots against the ground. All their eyes were glued at the image.

"Milord, you serious…" Magnus started.

Riaan closed his eyes as he seemed distressed. "This isn't a principle that I appreciate. But, against the better judgment, this was the one option that would ensure us in case of a delay." Armagedoid opened on his shoulder.

"Code Eve tried to take over me, too. I understood their pain as they went through this…" his head lowered. "But, as Master said, to understand something, one must experience a great pain. Those who share the pain of manipulation, will find their solace."

"And that solace, shall be when they are here." Riaan openly glared at the figure, the glowing visage it had having an intricate pattern on it. It was magenta, just like his eyes.

In the darkness of the ravines, one could barely see, let alone breathe. If one wasn't careful, they could trip and fall on their face to dry earth, or get blown around by chilly air.

Yet, through this disastrous wasteland with broken gorges, two large frames glided towards a stop in the pits. Green talons and brown legs with yellow toes perched on the dry soil. Jumping off them, two humans landed on their knees and stood back up with little problem.

They took a look around, surveying the area for any signs of negative energy increases. It was enormous for certain, but with no signs of Bakugan attacking, they seemed alright. But they didn't want to take chances.

"Fly Beetle, anything?" Shuji asked.

Using his Subterra attributed powers, he sensed vibrations in the earth. They were all vague to him, but he wasn't getting anything too drastically close. "Nah, we're clear."

Atmos raised his head, his Ventus powers giving scents off in the cold atmosphere. "And nothing from above either."

Jase adjusted his glasses. "It would appear, that we're secure or the time being." He checked his Bakumeter, looking up everyone's signals. Shawn and Maggie's signatures were especially close.

Fly Beetle's vibrations sensed them as well. He turned around, getting his guard up. "Someone's coming now."

Shuji glared. "Bakugan?"

Atmos calmly turned around with Jase.

Rather than expecting enemies, the valley gorges that were from the far left had two shadows moving swiftly. One shadow in particular was moving like a gorilla. The first one leaped out, landing on a knee with surprisingly soft crash. The armored joints protected him from any possible impacts. The second one came slithering out, revealing a massive jellyfish-like creature.

"Well now, you sure took your time." Jase passively teased.

"Slowpokes." Shuji mocked dryly.

Jelldon lowered his head, allowing Maggie to jump off his gel sacs and skip to a stop. "Oh boo. Looks like we weren't the first ones here, guys."

Shawn leaped off Verias' shoulder and moved own his arm. He moved himself to reconvene with Maggie and the others off to the side; Fly Beetle remained still and power appendages to the ground to keep a radar around them.

"Looks like you guys made it." Shawn chimed casually. "Looks like we were worrying over nothing for you guys, huh?"

Shuji crossed his arms, huffing. "No flies on you."

"Maybe not on him, but does anyone smell something?" Maggie sniffed the air, it wretched of foul toxins. "Blegh…Shuji, tell me that wasn't you?"

Shuji's left eye twitched from his ally's belittling. As much as he really wanted to say no, he couldn't deny that the air itself smelled. It has been for a while now.

"The negative energy Riaan is infecting the land with is creating toxins." Jase deduced. "It shouldn't be anymore lethal than mild city pollution, to us at least."

Shawn shifted his hips to the side. "So if we made it here after you guys, that means we're still waiting on Luke and Alice, that right?"

"Slowpokes." Maggie chastised.

"Or, maybe…" Jelldon's questioning caught the attention of everybody else. "You don't think they got ahead of us, did you?"

"I'm not sure about that." Verias stated. "But, knowing Abis, I don't think he's that dumb as he used to be."

Jase looked at his Bakumeter as he was typing in Luke and Alice's Bakumeter signatures. "As belittling as it may be, I can't say for certain that even Luke at this point to attempt a suicide brigade on the enemy stronghold. Not to hold standards for the boy, but a gambit like that doesn't necessarily fit his style." He looked at his little radar inside his Bakumeter. The signals were vague, but they were within sizeable range.

"So what's the word?" Shuji asked.

"Their pinpoints haven't changed. Seems they're still lagging for some reason."

"I sure hope they're okay." Maggie fret.

Jase readjusted his glasses a second time. "We can't hold off for very long. Regardless of the numbers, the mission remains the same. It'll be up to them to make it here by themselves. They're responsible for themselves."

Shawn turned around and faced the exits that connected to the labyrinth beyond their reach. As worried as he was as well, he knew that Luke wasn't going to stay down very long. He had to believe in him, and Alice. 'Luke, you better remember what we said. Don't make us wait too long.'

There was a sharp, dense chill that ran through the ravines of the Gundalian valley. There was so much confusion, so much contempt, that it was hard to even move without setting off Luke or Luka, specifically the latter. Alice had no idea what was happening, but with the look in their eyes it was clear she walked right into an active landmine.

The chill in the air was so dense that one could see their breaths. If Luke had paid attention to his own it would've been synchronized with Luka's calm breathing. Surprising enough they could breathe at all in the toxic air.

The they weren't the only ones who held a stare-down. Abis Omega and Brontes were perched on their respective shoulders eyeballing one another. Even though they presumed plastic forms, their gazes were as much flesh and blood as the ones spilled earlier.

"Luka." Luke softly muttered.

Luka was stone silent, gathering all his fortitude through his nose, and out his mouth. With a calm breath, he returned the reply. "…I see that you've made it here after all." He started. "Surprise, surprise."

Luke felt the dry sarcasm in his voice. He couldn't tell if he was actually amazed or disappointed. He chose the latter.

"Alto Brontes." Abis stated.

The Haos Bakugan eyes the serpent, his psycho smile plastered on his face like a mask. "Long time no see, Abis." He chimed. "I see that you've been rather well."

That secondary sarcasm did little to comfort anyone. In fact it only made the situation more sour. Alice stood off to the side with her eyes fixed on Luke's burning gaze on Luka. She never saw him this focused on a single person before.

"So you decided to keep off your home world and fight. I should've known better than to think someone like you of all people could possible stand to listen to reason."

Luke's eyes narrowed, it felt like bait. "If you're trying to remind me of Thermosphere, I'm over that. It was my fault, we get it."

Luka scoffed. "You say that, but does that make you feel any better?"

"No. Maybe I can't change the past like I want to…" He thought briefly of what his friends spoke of him, especially what Esther told him before they embarked for Gundalia. "But I can still make a change for the better. And not just myself."

"Hmph. You know as well as I do that you can't solve everything the way you want to. And even after all this time seems that I still wasn't enough to keep you and your friends out of harm's way." It was a pointless endeavor. Luka blamed this on himself. He should've tried harder to keep Luke and everyone away from Riaan's influence when he still had the chance in the vey beginning. Looking back on it, he would've wanted to change that part of the past like Luke would have wanted for Thermosphere. But reality was at a standstill, and neither was going to move forward if looking at each other reminds them of their crude misdeeds.

Another strong silence fell between them as the temperature dropped by a few more degrees. Now it was so cold goosebumps could be seen crawling along Luke and Luka's skins. Their rivalry has to come to an end.

Turning to Luke, Alice obliged for answers. "Luke? What's going on?" she worriedly asked, turning towards Luka. "Is he…?"

"No, Alice." Abis butted. "It's not what you think. He isn't part of Hades Pillars like the rest…he's after Riaan, just like the rest of us."

Luke intervened. "He's Luka. He's from Vestal, the same planet we were returning from when we came to your place. He's been on Master Riaan's tail for years and is trying to save as many lives as he can."

Alice looked uncertain, but she knew better than to question the judgment and wisdom when Luke meant it. Now was one of those times.

Luka took one look off to the side at Alice, meeting her brown eyes with a piercing gaze. After a prolonged second, he turned towards Luke with disgust. "I see…so you've managed to drag even more into this mess." He sounded more sour by the second. "Are you proud of yourself now after everything that's been done?"

Luke stepped between him and Alice. "Hey, you know better than to bring Alice into this. She chose to do this. Just like I have."

"Is that so? And does it make you feel any better knowing that because of your decision to stay, one of your comrades is being toyed with Riaan as we speak."

Luke and Alice's eyes widened. Abis and even Hydranoid seemed morally in tune with their partners' shock.

Luke eagerly stepped forward. "Are you sure about this?"

Luka shot him a glance. "Did ever steer you the wrong way?" Once again, it was a comment with a double-edged sword. Truth to his words he wasn't a liar; costly at his own self-esteem. It was a no-win testimony of irony.

Luke's fists clutched in growing ire. His patience with Luka was starting wear in him with all the insults being thrown at each other. It was hypocrisy central. "Hey, stop putting both of us down like that. You know I'm not gonna stand here and listen to your insults all day." He turned away with disinterest. "If you're just going to nag and tell me to get lost, we'll do that. But we're still not quitting."

"Even if your friend is held hostage?" Luka prompted.

Luke didn't know why, but the scorn inside was beginning to brim. His stomach churned as he thought of Luka's life. That's when he deliberately chose to strike a weak point.

Luka stopped in his tracks, curious at Luke's comeback.

"At least I had friends in my life. I pushed them away once and that falls on me. I'm not taking them for granted again, not like what you're doing every time we see you. Do you know how much we've accomplished since we've met you? You may have known longer than we have, but we've chosen to take action along the way. You saw us, didn't you? Back in Empyrean." He reminisced on that battle he had with Maximus, especially the final round. That adrenaline he had was coming back to him as he looked down at his clutched fist. "I'm sorry that you didn't have any one in your life like I had, and that you had to be alone up until now…but now things are different. We need all the help we can get."

"And what if I say that's useless? What if everyone stood in your way and you couldn't get to Riaan without killing them first?"

Luke thought critically of what he was saying. He made a valid point. If Shawn or Alice told him to stop, would he really? But a past thought entered his mind.

"In a way…you and Luka, you're like the same. You're like the opposite sides to the same coin. You both chose the path of justice, yet chose different ways. He chose to try and handle the problem himself; you willingly brought us along despite the burden of death. The fact that you've reached out to people that once pushed you away…is why I believe you can reason with Luka."

The reminisce of Esther's words touched a soft spot in Luke. Despite the pain he was looking so relaxed.

"What?" Luka questioned, unsure of the answer he was getting.

"Sorry. I was just remembering something. I think I'm starting to understand now, why you're doing this…"

Luka seemed more confused with his trailing testimony. "What do you mean you know me?" his anger spiked. "You don't know anything about me, you fake!"

"That's not true. We have strengths in different areas, but no matter what strengths and weaknesses we have, we're in this together. You're trying to solve a problem by yourself but it's not working. Working alone isn't fallible anymore!"

"Shut up…"

"Luka, it's time that you stop and take a deep breath!"

"Shut up."

"You're no longer alone anymore. We're here, and we're asking for your help!"

"SHUT UP!" In an outrage, Luka turned on his heel, slicing his energy blade through a standing boulder. His teeth gritted as the one swing fell it and it went crumbling down by his side as darkness shrouded his face. Luke and Abis remained silently calm while Alice looked startled at the outburst. As the rocks settled, Luka slowly turned back towards his rival-at-arms. "You may have been there when I explained everything, you may have been there when Vestal have fallen. You're even here now, but what gives you the right to tell me how I can live my life?!"

"Because I wanna save you, too!" Luke protested. "And if a battle is what it takes to save just one person, that'll be more than worth it! That's your logic, isn't it?"

The look on Luka's face intensified to surprise. Normally it was him who was telling him down, but the roles were completely opposite. Brontes looked to Luka as he was for once stammering on his words.

"Heh, guess I didn't give you enough credit than I thought I did. Not only are you stealing my role as an avenger, but now my way if thinking? You're as low as I thought." His eyes adjusted to show resolution. "If you think a battle will change anything between us, just try!" He held up his Bakumeter. "I warned you the last time we met that if we ever crossed paths again, it'd be as who we are. You know what that means…"

"Yeah, I do." Luke held up his Bakumeter. "And I have no intention on losing this!"

When Luke lifted his hand from the wound, an intense pain surged. He physically flinched from the shock he felt from the blood starting to leak. 'Crap. It's this wound again…'

"Luke!" Abis retorted.

Hearing his Bakugan's cry, Luke mustered his strength to spread his legs. 'But…this won't compare….to the pain that I would feel if I don't save my friends!' His green eyes gleamed. "Abis, I'm ready! Let's do this!"

Getting over his earlier shock, Abis readied. "Alright…let's show them who we really are then!"

"It seems that they are about to battle again." Hydranoid observed.

Worrying drastically, Alice tried to intervene. "Wait, guys. Please! You don't have to do this!"

"I'm sorry, Alice, but this is something between me and Luka we have to settle ourselves." Luke told her, glaring still at the avenger. "I know the others are waiting, but this can't wait any longer. If Luka can't see how much he's needed from others, then we'll have to do it his way."

"But Luke, you and Abis still haven't recovered from the last battle." She reasoned.

"Maybe not, but we don't have a choice." Abis reprimanded. "Hydranoid, you and Alice stay clear…time to settle the score with Brontes after all this time."

Alice didn't want to stand out from this. She knew Luke was still worn from the battle against Cyrus and Zion, and admittedly almost got killed. But from the fire in both their eyes this was an intervention where she wasn't invited. The tension between the two was so intense that it was even making Hydranoid suspicious. The two looked at each other and stepped away.

"Okay…but please…just be careful." Alice pleaded.

"Don't worry. We will." Luke replied. He turned back towards Luka and Brontes, reaching back for his sword. 'For everyone's sake, for Esther, for Alice, Luka…even myself…' He held the blade out, glaring daggers at Luka. 'We won't go down without trying!'

"Looks like they're ready." Alto Brontes chimed. "You ready to tango the serpent's dance, friend?"

"For the future, there is no other way." Luka held out his energy sword. "Come!"

Luka: 100% Luke: 100%

Moving with haste, Luke pulled out the Gate Card first. "Gate Card, set!" The card slid to a stop and faded through the black crust in a bright blue shockwave. The field set, he looked down at Abis in his hands. "Abis…this is it. You ready to settle things with Alto Brontes?"

"I am." He responded, a little rasped than usual. He was still worn out from the battle before. "Let's show them we're not the same as we were before."

Luke nodded. "Okay." Abis closed and he threw him in. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Let's go, Aquos Frill Abis Omega!"

In the center of the battlefield, a blue vortex of water sprouted skywards. The water bisected to reveal reptilian sharp orange eyes with bright blue accents around the face and blue crystal on the forehead. A sharp-finned tail swung around and dissipated a fraction of it. Abis roared out, his hissing causing his reflexes to expand his frill and find to show how domineering they were.

With an impressive opening, Luka held out Alto Brontes. "Bakugan…brawl! Bakugan, stand! Rise, Haos Alto Brontes!"

In a golden yellow light, a white blur shot up and somersaulted backwards. It crashed on a knee and dust faded. It slowly lifted, revealing Alto Brontes in a very tall fashion. He cackled a laughter as he stood motionless, yet he cackled so sinisterly.

Alto Brontes: 600 Frill Abis Omega: 600

With both Bakugan out and blades drawn, both players took a moment to look at themselves, and their partners. Luke looked at Abis glaring ahead with a fire more vicious than venom.

'Abis. We've really grown since then.' He thought to their battle with Luka, the bitter defeat they suffered was a serious wake up call. 'Back then, we didn't even know what we were doing. I treated you like an animal…but now, we're partners to the end.'

Similarly, Luka glared at Brontes. 'I don't know why, but I can't stand the thought of losing to someone like him. You can't either, can you? That's why, when we saw them in Empyrean…it was like everything we knew about them was gone. You can't change who you are, not that drastically. However he did it, I'm gonna find out, and make sure that I overcome that to stop him.'

Together, the memories the two shared in the adventure started flowing. All the times that began with Luka saving the day and Luke was the first impression that blossomed into a mutual reluctance. That reluctance turned to ambiance, and understanding. Until finally, it came to the point of respect. Now, in their prime as rivals, they stood not as superior and inferior…but equals. Both them and their Bakugan.

The atmosphere grew eerily quiet for the two rivals. Alice and Hydranoid stayed as quiet as possible as they observed from the side.

In unison, Luke and Luka's teeth gnashed together. "Let's settle this!"

"Right!" Abis and Brontes shouted.

With the air still silent, Luka drew his energy sword and went racing after Luke with a battle cry. Alice gasped with horror. Luke glared as he watched him advance. With what space he had, Luke held his blade in his left hand and charged with Abis after Brontes.

"LUKA!"

"LUKE!"

The four combatants closed in on another, time slowing down as their background went white. Slowly, their blades drew back behind their heads. Flashes of their childhoods popped in their minds.

With every heartbeat, Luke saw his enclosure in his home, with Shawn away from the real world. No other friends expect for the monster that was Riaan who thought nothing of him than spare time on a weapon that was severely outdated.

For Luka, his childhood self was seen in every heartbeat. All alone. The entire time. No family. No parents. And he ended yup in Interacia, forced to survive on his own terms and rely on himself to find a way to defeat the monster that trained Luke.

Glaring in the white flare between, their childhoods were looking at one another, their green eyes showing the innocence they once had…now gone in a fading white light.

CLASH!

Reality returned when their swords parried, generating sparks with each grind of the mini blades in each nanometer of the energy and steel. Their faces were inches apart, seething rage and determination in gnashing teeth to overpower the other.

Abis slammed his tail into Alto Brontes, who used his four arms to barricade the attack. The clown held his footing as Abis pushed as hard as he could, causing momentum to shift between the two combatants. Likewise with their partners, the will of competition was in their eyes as well.

After what felt like an eternity, Luka and Luke finally broke away from each other. Luke landed and saw Luka dashing after him on the offense. Rather than parry from a standing point, he leaned to the side and turned his wide blade with Luka's swing, causing Luka to almost lose balance. He slid his heel along the ground to adjust and did a piercing blow skywards. Luke narrowly escaped the attack's heat that was inches away from his head. Luka's eyes narrowed – something Luke immediately caught up on. With a valiant cry, Luka swung his laser sword diagonally, time gradually slowing down as his momentum turned him away. Luke was seen ducking from that attack, which would've cut his head off if he wasn't careful. On a knee, Luke lunged in retaliation, parrying Luka once more. Their fierce clash made sparks flourish between them as they danced across the battlefield.

With Alto Brontes blocking with all four of his arms, Abis still had his head. Opening wide, he lunged over, headbutting Brontes square in the face and causing him to stagger. The massive clown backpedaled away, barely in time to process Abis swing his tail again. He maneuvered to the side, but Abis' slithery and swift reflexes he learned from Preyas kicked in. The tail whipped again, faster than before into the chest and sent Brontes to the ground.

Swords clanged again between Luke and Luka as they swiftly parried one another. The world turned swiftly around them as they moved like they were in sync. It was just two men, who were on the same goal, yet different roads. But now, it was time for those roads to intersect and become one.

Abis hissed as he wrapped coils around Brontes. He moved around the body until he was fully constricting the Haos Bakugan. Unable to move, Brontes struggled in vain as Abis kept him in place.

Luke swung down, but Luka shot off to the side with an ability. "Ability, activate! Shining Nightmare!"

Abis raised his head and prepared for his strike. He opened wide and lunged for Alto Brontes, but a bright flash revealed one arm with a silver blade with yellow trimmings between them that took Abis' fangs. Abis was met at a standstill as Brontes used the momentum to get his three other arms to summon the weapons. His reflexes kicking in, Abis let go and veered away as Brontes' rotation made his blades spin.

Abis regrouped, but Brontes was well on his tail. He narrowly escaped another slash that cleaved the rock formation behind him.

Alto Brontes: 600 (+400) = 1000 Frill Abis Omega: 600

Luke was similarly on the defense. As he lifted his sword to strike, a pain in his side caused him to wince. His teeth gnashed at the aching sensation. 'Crap! Not again!'

Finding the opportunity, Luka went on the offense. Luke looked up and blocked in time, but the force from the blade's swing was so strong it caused him to fly backwards.

"Luke!" Alice fret.

Luke rolled on his back onto a knee and straightened up. He saw Luka charge at him and prepared his counter. "Ability, activate! Mirror Shock!"

As Brontes swung his arm repeatedly, Abis ceased his slippery maneuverings and flexed out his frills. Brontes swung into the frills as they glimmered a glowing blue. But instead of cleaving into them like he wanted his attack bounced right off, sending him into a crevice wall with a gag.

Alto Brontes: 1000 (-400 -400) = 200 Frill Abis Omega: 600 (+300) = 900

Luka swung into Luke at that same moment, but Luke used the brunt edge of his sword to take the extreme heat of the laser blade. He adjusted his hilt and swung his blade away, causing a break between the two that caught Luka by surprise.

'He deflected my blow. But how did-?'

Luke unleashed a cry as he kicked Luka in the chest, sending the Vestal to the ground. Luke raised his sword and came down, but Luka regained composure and rolled away to a knee.

'He's a lot faster than last time. And he's actually anticipating where I'm about to strike. Just what is he?'

Deciding to take a break from sword, Luka focused on attacking with Brontes as he got up. "Ability activate, Magic Dice!"

Over Brontes' head, a magical dice was summoned. It started spinning rapidly to hold a place in the numerical system. Deciding not to act brash, Abis and Luke waited for what it could be.

The first number was a 1. In Brontes' hands, four magical guns pointed at the serpent and fired yellow energy projectiles, increasing his power to 400. Using his tail, Abis vividly whipped all the energy beams away to thin air. The second time the dice stopped, it was on a 5. Four magical orbs shined over Brontes' head and ascended into the air. They faded into the darkness for a second and a golden gleam was seen above. Several streaming yellow beams spiraled in a helix towards the serpent.

Alto Brontes: 400 (+200) = 600 Frill Abis Omega: 900 (-200) = 700

"Ability, activate!" Luke shouted. "Dive Bomb!" Abis hissed loudly as he arched into the ground. The ground rippled like water as he dove into it, fading to blue while the yellow blasts exploded where he was supposed to be.

Alto Brontes: 600 (-300) = 300 Frill Abis Omega: 700

Brontes nervously laughed. "Oh where of where did the little snakey slither off to. Don't tell me that he ran away…" he paused, his eyes gleaming expectantly. "Like he did when his friends needed him."

Luke's eyes narrowed. The memory of Thermosphere and the Devil Miasma returned to him. But that did little to sow him down as he pointed his sword ahead. "Abis!"

A geyser of water flourished beneath Brontes, bringing him to a standstill. Unable to fully breathe inside the wake of the water's uprising, he was completely open for something swift below to shoot up and wrap around his frame. With a sharp gag, Brontes found himself immobile as Abis tangled his arms behind, pinning the drenched Brontes to the ground.

"We're…over that!" Abis strained, trying to keep Brontes contained with all his might. "How many times will it take for you…to see that?!"

Luke reached forward. "Gate Card, open! Phantasm!" The Gate Card beneath Brontes and Abis started shimmering. Brontes' body started to slowly turn to stone, starting from the feet and moving up towards his torso.

Luke held his guard up still, though he wasn't willing to attack so carelessly. "We won't give up on you, Luka! There's more than one way to solve problems besides pushing others away!"

Luka raised his blade high, his glare darkening on Luke. "This is my answer, you fake!"

As his sword lifted, Brontes weakly raised one of his arms; something Abis took notice of.

"Ability, activate! Black Gates!" In the free hand, a yellow scythe was summoned. Brontes brought down on his side, the sickle piercing the earth and causing the ground the shatter. The Gate Card shattered to pieces, allowing him full mobility again.

Brontes pushed Abis off, sending him into the ground. Similarly, Luka swiped at Luke, causing him to parry and falter into a trip onto his back.

"If you want to take your friend back, you need to show the resolve to kill whoever you must." Luka's glare harshened as he glowered down on Luke. "I have my own way of avenging the innocence, and if you won't understand…then you're at fault."

Luke wanted to rebuff, but he was too exhausted. His wound ached again.

"Ability, activate! Wizard Proxy!"

Brontes raised all his arms and moved them hypnotically. Abis was dazed as a golden borealis illuminated around him and Brontes. He could feel his power getting sapped away like a leech.

Alto Brontes: 300 (+300) = 600 Frill Abis Omega: 700 (-300) = 400

Still reeling from the last battle, Abis' reflexes weren't as fast. A long, slicing kick came his way that he couldn't evade and was struck across the body. He let out a crying hiss as he reverted to ball form, plopping to the ground.

Luke: 60%

"Abis!" Luke cried.

"You left yourself open!" a voice shouted.

Luke gasped. At the last second, he lifted his blade's blunt end and angled it to allow the hot laser blade to glide past his nose. It was so close that if it were an inch closer it could've left a cut on his face.

Luka reeled back while Luke rolled away. He grabbed Abis while Brontes returned to Luka. Alice and Hydranoid continued observing.

"What are they doing? Are they seriously trying to kill each other?" Alice questioned.

Hydranoid questioned it as well. "…I don't know." One head spoke before another did. "But it looks like something Luke and that other are settling. You can see it, can't you Alice."

Alice could definitely see it alright. She saw the fire in both their eyes, especially from Luka. This was personal, more so than she thought. She had to steel herself for the worst…but that didn't stop her heart from racing. 'Luke…Abis Omega…'

Regaining balance, Luke struggled to stand against Luka. "You look like you're about to pass out. How do you expect to stop Riaan if you're about to fall over? You're weak." Luke labored in breath, but he showed fortitude. That same, determined glare that he always had when he alone was fixed on Riaan. It was now casted on someone else's face; someone who he could've saved sooner from walking down the path he had. The solo path of the avenger was to be his and his alone. But a defiant stare was shaking Luka to his core.

"Will you just shut up…" Luke growled, using his sword as a temporary cane until he caught his breath. "Seriously. You're making it look like I'm the sane one now."

Luka's eye twitched. "Don't compare me to you. I'm not as reckless as you are."

Luke was seeing the taint in his eyes. They weren't like the ones that reprimanded him back on Interacia. These were the eyes he had when he didn't want to accept his faults. 'He's gone too deep, he really is just like me.' It was another dose of irony that he was facing. First Luka showed him the light, now it was his turn to save him from the darkness. It was like looking in a mirror, a sad, sad mirror. He was facing his past self, something that made him think back to his training with Preyas and Amazon when he accepted and was grateful for his past self to help him be who he was today. 'Luka, you saved us so many times, but no one was there to save you…but now we're here. We'll make you see that, even if it kills us!'

Luka threw a Gate Card out without calling it, making a yellow shockwave bloom at their feet. "The only one who has the right to stop Riaan is me. You think a weakling like yourself has any right? You're damned!" He held up Brontes, sending him in. "Bakugan, brawl! Alto Brontes, stand!" In a yellow glow, Alto Brontes stood for battle.

"Abis…" Luke whispered. "Are you okay?"

Stirring in his grip, Abis managed a meek response. "Yeah, I'm okay now."

Luke looked up towards his rival, glaring daggers. "They're strong. But…we won't ever give up. Will we?"

Abis nodded. "Yes. Let's go again, and make them come to their senses!"

"Right!" Luke seized Abis and threw him back in. "Bakugan, brawl! Frill Abis Omega, stand!" In a pillar of water, Abis returned to battle in tandems of messy coils.

Alto Brontes: 600 Frill Abis Omega: 600

Luka went first with an ability. "Ability, activate! Trans Rapture Illusion!" Alto Brontes staggered towards Abis and raised his arms. Abis flexed his frills and braced for impact than go on the attack.

The blows came raining down on him as his power level sunk to 300. The clown cackled as his foe was willingly taking the beating. He expected him to put up a defense, but instead he was taking the full blunt of the attack, like the weakling he was.

The same could be said about Luka as he repeatedly slashed his sword against Luke, who bunted and didn't attack. Luka wasn't giving him any opening to attack. He was too exhausted to move carelessly, otherwise his wound would get worse. They had to wait for an opening…

'Now!' As Luka's sword came down, Luke managed to bide energy for a quick strike that parried swiftly.

"What?!"

"Ability activate, Filter Cannon!" Likewise with Abis, the serpent continued with the barrage until he found an opening. He flexed his frills, causing Brontes to stammer back. The clown looked ahead and saw the bruises on his frills and body were slowly rippling and turning glossy blue, which transferred to the orange diamonds on the chest. The clown was taken back as Abis' glare hardened with Luke's and the maw opened, unleashing a charged up, intense impact of glossy blue energy square in the chest at close range. Brontes' scream was horrendously loud as he was blown off his feet.

Alto Brontes: 600 Frill Abis Omega: 300 (+300 +400) = 1000

Luka grimaced from the shockwave unleashed, which left him open for Luke to punch him across the face, causing him to stammer backwards. Luka grabbed his face, but that gave Luke the chance to kick him in the ribs, sending him sliding back.

Gliding with his heels, Luka showcased another ability. "Ability activate, Shining Nightmare!"

Brontes managed to use his ski-like legs and glide just like him. He chopped into the glossy energy with a bladed arm, managing to bisect it as the two beams crashed into the canyons, creating a bright blue explosion behind Brontes as he posed.

Alto Brontes: 600 (+400) = 1000 Frill Abis Omega: 1000

Brontes lifted his head, showing the look of a madman. "This…is actually getting really fun." He cackled mischievously. "For such a small fry, you pack quite a bit of venom in those small teeth. My goodness, how the mighty hatch so early."

Luka reached out. "Gate Card, open! Land Pressure!" The Gate Card opened, and an intense gravity kept Abis from moving. The serpent was slowly pinned down, his body unable to make any moves at all.

Alto Brontes: 1000 Frill Abis Omega: 1000 (-200) = 800

Brontes saw the strain his downed adversary had and meekly mocked. "Now what shall you do? Pinned down like a toddler? Are you just going to whine and complain like before~?"

Rather than struggle and fall for the taunts, Abis was surprisingly quiet and calm. His eyes were as sharp as knives that made Brontes freeze on the spot. The serpent wasn't at all deterred like he intended. This was no laughing matter.

In a mock parry, Luka and Luke were clashing their blades with fierce precision. Luka managed to get a good swing, but Luke evaded and jumped back for good measure. Their glares met again.

"Are you trying to stop me, or are you just running away?" Luka scolded. "You won't win like that!"

Luke didn't verbally respond. If Luka really was clear-minded, he would've been calling the kettle black. Luke was trying to help him, in more ways than even he knew. He veered away for a reason. It was what Luka would do. That was his style. Bide time until the right opportunity. Luke was the opposite. It was al attack for him without thinking. Now the roles were completely reversed as well as who was desperate to prove themselves they were right. And this time, Luke actually understood what he was doing.

This only irritated Luka further. "You won't beat me! I tried to pull you all out of the darkness, now you're all going on a pointless suicide! Did you even think of your actions before you made them?"

Luke didn't respond again. He and Abis would rather save themselves for the battle.

Luka exasperatedly sighed. "Guess the time for talk is over…Ability, activate! Atmosphere!" Brontes raised his four appendages and yellow energy spheres hardened, becoming several metallic hemispheres with glowing yellow blades on them. He threw them at Abis as he was still immobilized.

Alto Brontes: 1000 (+400) = 1400 Frill Abis Omega: 800 (-400) = 400

The spheres closed in as Luka went to swing at Luke again. Off to the side, Alice looked vividly anxious at what's to come. Luke had to attack, but he wasn't even lifting his sword. Was he still worn put from that last battle? She wanted to shout out to him, but she saw an ability ready. She decided to back off at what tricks an Aquos player had in him.

"Ability, activate! Dive Bomb!"

At the last second, Abis submerged beneath the earth to become a vague bright blue figment. The disks completely missed. Similarly, Luke ducked from Luka's swing.

Alice watched the battle with restrained surprise. 'He used the Gate Card's gravity to help his Dive Bomb ability speed up, dragging him into the card itself faster.' Even she was caught admirably impressed by these actions. 'He's a very adept battler.'

Luke rolled beneath Luka and came up behind, slashing his back. Luka pivoted and parried at the last second. They danced and moved while Brontes was unaware of where Abis might come up. But beneath him, a blue figment was seen.

"Below you!" Luka warned, but it was too late.

"Ability, activate! Storm Drain!" Suddenly a swirling wave of water erupted beneath Brontes, whipping him up in a torrential storm that covered the Gate Card. The pressure of the water cyclone began to break down the Gate Card's affects, causing it to shatter and make the pieces scatter in the waves, along with Brontes.

Alto Brontes: 1400 (-300 -300) = 800 Frill Abis Omega: 400 (+200 +300) = 900

Brontes tried to fight the currents for as long as he possibly could, but they became too much for his body to handle. The clown was caught in the whirlpool's wake, swirling him in a hectic frenzy that shot him into the sky, his body flailing.

"Brontes!" Luka shouted.

Limp in midair, Brontes' fingers twitched. His eyes glowed bright as he adjusted, facing the eye of the whirlpool.

Luka swung again, but missed Luke entirely as he veered away. Luke struck again, this time barely grazing Luka's face as he dodged left. This time he jumped away, but at the cost of a scratch that dripped blood on his check.

Looking at his new wound and feeling it, he shot a glare at Luke, who slashed again, causing a delayed reflex that pushed Luka to the ground. Though two abilities were layered atop one another in his Bakumeter.

"Double Ability, activate! Magic Dice, plus Shining Nightmare!"

Alto Brontes got his balance and in his left two arms, a dice was manifested. It landed on a 3, and the dice glowed and took shape of a glowing Haos energy scythe, while in the right hands, blades with yellow energy manifested as his power went up to 1500. He came spiraling down, closing in towards the vortex.

"Abis, let's do this!" Luke encouraged. "Ability activate, Sea Ruler!"

The liquid vortex spiraled haphazardly into a hemisphere that converged pressure onto a single spot. From the spiraling water generated, a tower of water slithered skywards. All the water below followed it n a large wake and spiraled pressurized beams around it. In the center was Abis Omega as he roared valiantly.

Alto Brontes: 1500 (-400) = 1100 Frill Abis Omega: 900 (+400) = 1300

Brontes slashed his arms and energy scythe while Abis shot head-on with the hemisphere of water with rings around it. A bright shockwave illuminated the sky above, causing bright water to spray over the battlefield and rain down on everyone.

Luke and Luka separated from their parry as the light and water rained down on them. As the wave receded, they were labored in breath; Luke more so. Abis dropped to the ground behind Luke with heavy pants that seemed in sync with his own. On the opposite end, Brontes crashed onto his back behind Luka. He didn't bother looking back as his Bakugan reverted to ball form, rolling to his feet.

Luka: 60%

"They won that round." Alice commented. "But Hydranoid…"

"Yes, Alice. I can see." He paused, taking a look at both their physical conditions. Luke and Luka were panting, exhausted, and even more so, shivering. "This next round, may very well be the last."

Abis reverted to ball form for Luke to catch. The battler felt his wound side sting critically, which caused him to cough a little blood.

Alice gasped. "Luke!"

Luke panted drastically, his vision a little fuzzy. But he managed enough strength to keep himself standing in spite of Luka's protests. "Look at yourself, you can barely stand." Luke scoffed. "All you're going to do is end up killing yourself for no reason. What's the point of surviving if you don't know when to back out of danger?"

Luke parted his feet, giving him some room to crouch. "You're…wrong." He objected. "I'm not aiming…to survive." He lifted his head, giving Luka what could've been his most serious glare yet. "I want to live my life."

Luka stammered in his words. He couldn't find it in himself to stop Luke.

"You don't get it, do you? I've chosen to live out what I can of my life. Maybe I'll end up dying along the way. Maybe there might be a chance that I'll fail. Maybe not everyone will survive…but up till recently, it's been about getting away with our lives, that we've never been able to realize what we can still do with the time that we have left. You may call yourself an avenger, but what are you possibly avenging, when nothing was your fault to begin with?"

Luka's eyes widened in shock.

"You're just giving yourself excuses for something you think you could've prevented. I've been there before, and I'm telling you, that won't help you. I'm not hiding anymore, and neither should you!"

Luka's teeth gritted. Somehow what Luke said struck a nasty chord in his heart that almost made him see red. His heart rate rose as he wasn't seeing the weak, long-haired teenager that he crushed and tried to keep alive. Instead, it was an entirely new person – an equal.

He raised his sword, causing the others to get alarmed. Grabbing his own long hair, Luka had a dark visage as his green eyes glared at Luke.

"Wait, what are you-?"

SHING!

In one, crisp swipe, everything around Luka went white. His sword went clean through his long hair that he cleaved right behind his head. Luke, Abis, even Alice stood in moral shock as they watched the locks fall to the ground around the enemy.

Slowly, Luka levered the sword down to his side, his face cascaded in shadows as all that was left of his hair was the slicked back red bangs. He glared at Luke, his green eyes renewed with a seemingly new level of revelation in them.

"Luka, did you just…?"

"Are you happy now?" Luka scowled, poising his sword. "So, you're not the same dreck as before. I see that now. So then…do you want to finish this or what?"

Seeing his rival finally deem him as an equal, the shock Luke had slowly turned to elevated surprise. Fastening himself, Luke readied. "You bet!"

In his mind, Luka recited what was recently spoken, and that's when he drew to his conclusion. 'So this is it. It's survival against living. We'll see now which one has the more meaning.'

"Gate Card, set!" Luke shot the Gate Card into play, creating a blue shockwave. Together, both combatants threw in their Bakugan.

"Bakugan, brawl!" In yellow and blue flares, Brontes and Abis arose for the last time.

Alto Brontes: 600 Frill Abis Omega: 600

"Ability, activate! Wizard Proxy!" Alto Brontes raised his four arms, cackling maniacally at Abis as he summoned a golden borealis around them.

"Ability, activate! Frill Rippler!" Abis flexed his frills with a sharp glare. Hissing loudly, the golden borealis around him began refracting in his massive membranes. The frills rippled the concentrated light across the ground, tearing it open as Brontes covered up. But the attack packed a lot of force that created a bright wall that made it impossible to see.

As the wall erupted, Luka budged off to the side, grunting from the shockwave.

Alto Brontes: 600 (-300 -200) = 100 Frill Abis Omega: 600 (+300 +200) = 1100

Covering up, Luka was caught blindsided when a sword came his way. Luke slashed, causing Luka to retrace his steps. Regaining ground, he glared at Luke, who staggered off to the side with his left eye shutting to sustain his pain; but dried blood was still on his lip.

"Double Ability, activate!" Luka shouted. "Atmosphere, plus Sprite Glow!"

The light burst suddenly dispersed, revealing Brontes letting out a battle cry. He summoned metallic hemispheres with blades and created loops of light in his two arms. He threw them all at Abis, who flexed his frills and covered up from the razor blades and light rings that clashed against him repeatedly.

Alto Brontes: 100 (+400) = 500 Frill Abis Omega: 1100 (-400 -300) = 400

Abis was once again on the defensive and bide as much as he could. Luke was the same, with him sliding back while Luka's strength was overpowering his own. Their swords remained clash, yet nothing could get through to either.

An ecstatic, yet lively expression was on Luka's face. "Brontes, go!"

Cackling, Brontes made his attack move faster around Abis. "With pleasure!"

Abis continued fending, his battle style clear as day – despite how dark it was. Even as the hemispherical blades were tearing into his membranes. Superficial tears were seen with each clash, as were the scratches on Luke's face as he parried near-death blows constantly.

Finally grasping footing, Luke ducked and swiped at a lower angle, causing Luka to back off. "Ability activate, Filter Cannon!"

As the flying discs bombarded Abis, his thinning membranes shielding him began pulsing glossy blue energy. The loops struck him again, but instead of bouncing off for a boomerang attack they were quickly absorbed into the frills, much to Luka's shock.

Luke poised his sword forward. "GO~!"

Revealing himself from his membranes, Abis revealed his maw fully charged. He opened wide and shot a viscous glossy blue beam that went straight ahead. When the hemispheres launched into an interception, the beam raced through them. Its pressure was so great that they were eviscerated, and the blast continued to Alto Brontes, swallowing him in a blue pillar that expelled skywards and emanated shockwaves beneath.

Alto Brontes: 500 (-400) = 100 Frill Abis Omega: 400 (+400 +300 +400) = 1500

The shockwaves were so strong that it made Luke pierced the ground with his sword for stability; Luka did the same. Alice moved behind a rock so she wouldn't get blown away by the explosion. When they subsided, she turned around, seeing a field of dust of Luke and Luka, both nearly out of breath.

Abis watched Brontes stagger from that blast. His huge knees were quivering as he strained to stand, but at the end he was able to muster the will to get up and face his serpentine rival.

"So, this is your strength." Luka muttered. "I see…you and that Abis Omega, it's impressive that you both made it this far ahead. But if you think you truly surpassed us…" He balled his left fist. "Then try us."

Luke and Abis tensed up. The two could feel something change in the atmosphere around them. They could feel the air getting tense as a shadow covered Brontes, making his eyes gleam bright red.

"I was ready to save this for Hades Pillars and Riaan...but I've found someone who deserves it just as much! Ability, activate!" Luka raised his arm high, the Haos ability shimmering brightly. "Spirit Dominion!"

Brontes shined a bright yellow light from the core in his body. He cackled as the air around him distorted, turning into a dark void that surrounded their opponents and Alice watching. Abis and Luke looked around, feeling an eerie wave cast over them like a nighttime cloud covering the moon.

"What's this?" Luke murmured.

"It's a new trick that Brontes learned." Luka explained. "Now…make his power your own!"

Brontes spread out his arms, creating light ripples that distorted towards Abis. As they traveled, the rings of light separated into several yellow phantoms and swarmed him. The frilled serpentine found himself surrounded in a swarm of wailing ghosts whose wails ached his body. As he sneered, some of the ghosts spirited back towards Brontes, streaming into his core and causing his body to be engulfed in a bright yellow aura, reminiscent of Haos energy.

Alto Brontes: 100 (+1400) = 1500 Frill Abis Omega: 1500 (-1400) = 100

"He swapped our power levels." Luke realized. He heard Abis groaning as the wails failed to let up. "Abis, hang in there!"

"Don't worry about me, Luke! We have to win this!" Abis glared ahead, looking unshaken. "…no matter what."

"We'll see about that." Luka pulled up another set of double abilities. "Shining Nightmare, plus Magic Dice!" As the last of the spirits faded into Brontes, his arms protruded battle axes and a die, which landed on a 3 and made another energy scythe.

Alto Brontes: 1500 (+400 +300) = 2200 Frill Abis Omega: 100

"If you say you're better than you were before, then let's see what tricks you have to counter all that." Luka declared.

Luke looked at him, then shared eye contact with Abis. Their stares were brief, but in them showed a mutual understanding. After a few seconds they synchronized their nods and faced Luka and Brontes again.

Luka poised his sword for a counterattack. 'They'll probably use a Command Card like Evil Clear to nullify my abilities, or maybe something to make the swap reverse again.' He prepared another ability. 'I can use Black Gates to nullify its effects before they-'

Luke shot his arm out. "Gate Card, open! Aquos Reactor!"

Luka's eyes widened. 'Wait, an attribute bonus instead?'

The card glowed to reveal the Aquos symbol, as well as the surroundings. Each corner of the card spouted geysers of water, which swamped the area around Brontes and Abis. The latter hissed as a rogue wave washed up against his back, making his power rocket to 500 Gs.

After several seconds of pondering, Luka calmed. 'I see, so he's aware of my next move and faked me out. Well then…' He poised for his next strike. "Let's play this out by ear!"

Luke closed in and began the parry session. They strayed the other's shots and stepped back when needed. They intercepted again and Luke deflected a shot. He attempted a horizontal swipe but Luka raised his blade and blocked it, but the force pushed him away.

Brontes' axes cleaved through the wall of water around Abis. The clown laughed maniacally as he closed in on him, as did Abis with Luke in tow.

"It all comes down to this! Ability, activate!" Luke's sword arm showed a bright blue light coming from the Bakumeter. "Daedalus Cyclone!" As Brontes closed in, Abis held his position as suddenly, a massive aquatic vortex spiraled around him. The end of it shaped into a serpentine draconic head that opened wide for Brontes.

Luke and Luka screamed with all their might as their swords clashed one more time. The static between them sparked tremendously while Abis roared out, unleashing the vortex of draconic water at Brontes. The clown crossed his energy scythe and axe arms alike and held his ground while the waves sprayed everywhere.

Alice and Hydranoid heard the sounds of thunder rolling overhead. The water from Abis' attack was drizzling over them, causing them to look up to see yellow lightning bolts flourishing from Brontes that conducted into the humid atmosphere. It was lightning and rain everywhere – a thunderstorm.

Abis and Luke continued their attempts, but their attacks and wounds caught up to them. A pain flared in Luke, causing him to let up.

Luka's eyes widened as he swung with all his might, yelling at the top of his lungs. The vortex around Brontes was cleaved by his axe blades. Time slowed down as Luka and Brontes were seen in similar slashing poses, their opponents backed off but getting their guards up.

"We won't lose this…" Luka swore. "No more running from this! LUKE!"

"Abis!" Alto Brontes charged as well, equally as valiant. No tricks this time.

Abis and Luke narrowed their eyes. This was their final stand. As Luke coughed blood, he showed an ability.

"Fusion Ability, activate! Refractor Booster!"

Abis' body flared in bright blue as the frills shined a brighter tint than before. As Brontes charged in, Abis' maw widened as another surge of water gathered around him, but the pressure was twice as intense and gathered around his body. The cyclone of shredding water shaped around him perfectly as he charged with Luke for one more strike. Similarly, Brontes screamed valiantly as Luka brought his blade back.

All four contestants with fires in each of their eyes closed in, as lightning struck the waves rampaging around them.

Two swords swung at once, illuminating the atmosphere. Everything went silent except for the downpour and thunder that loomed overhead. Luke and Luka passed each other in slashing poses, with Abis and Brontes shown as the tidal waves of the attack receding. Neither side moved as they were on their opposite ends. The waves calmed down as the Gate Card turned off, and the thunder dispersed. The Haos light radiated down on Luke and Abis as shadows were over their eyes, same with Luka and Brontes as instead of light, water drizzled onto them.

After a long minute, something finally gave in…and the que was an energy sword piercing the ground after it flung out of someone's hand.

Luka fell to his knees with Brontes, both falling forward into the drenched ground at the same time. The final scores were shown:

Alto Brontes: 1200 Frill Abis Omega: 1500

Luka: 0%

Luke had finally won the fight, the light above him and Abis fading as they struggled for balance.

"It seems that the battle is over." Hydranoid deduced.

Alice solemnly nodded. "Yeah." She watched as Luke was starting to fall over. "Luke!" She rushed over and caught him just before he struck the ground. Her arm laced around his ribs and his arm was over her shoulder.

"Alice…?" Luke mumbled.

"Are you okay? You need to take it easy while you can." She insisted.

Luke softly smiled at her, genuinely pleased with her. "Thank you, Alice."

Luka slacked on the ground as Luke was given the full support he needed – what he never had. As he laid on the ground, his mind was drawing a complete blank on what just happened. That's when he felt his fingers get slightly numb from a possible impact. The revelation left him speechless. 'I see…he had the chance to slice off my hand at that impact. Instead he used the blunt edge of his blade.' He closed his eyes, accepting defeat. 'I suppose, I'm giving mercy just this once. What a strange feeling indeed…'

Luke steadied himself and looked over his shoulder. He stared at Luka laying on his stomach on drenched rock, seeing the contemplation clear as day. He wasn't sure what to say now, nor how to put it in words. But he figured now was as good as time as any to tell him.

Separating from Alice, Luke managed his strength and sauntered over to Luka, looking down at his body. The two met eye contact and a pressing silence fell between them.

Luka turned his head away, unable to bear the shame. "You going to finish me off, or what?" he dryly scoffed.

Luke didn't bother sighing. "Maybe you've forgotten something. I'm not Interacian. I'm human."

"And I'm Vestal, what's your point?"

"I'm not sure how to word this without making much of a mess…but I guess I should say…that was a good battle." His start made Luka turn his head back and stare dead in the eye. "The truth is, I think I learned more about you in this battle than what words can say. I'm sure you learned something about how I live now, too."

Admittedly, Luka turned over on his stomach, staring at the darkness around them. "You're not wrong there." He closed his eyes to relax his tired frame. "I think I figured it out as well."

"Are you bothered by it?"

He paused before he gave his answer. "For some strange reason…no." Another pause came before he asked something. "Tell me something…what's it like, being around friends?"

Luke glanced off towards Abis, who seemed just as confused as how to put it. They looked at Luka, Luke giving a proper response. "It's kinda complicated really. I guess…it's kinda fun. It's never really boring if you're around the right kind of people. It's a lot harder than you think to watch their backs, but they watch yours in return. We kinda look out for another, like a family I guess…"

Luka stared at the sky. He perplexed about his answer for a while before Luke followed up on something.

"And believe it or not…you're one of our friends."

His eyes widened.

"You're like…how should I put this…? You're someone who looks out for others and puts them on their feet in the direction out of a situation. You've been watching over us for a long time, keeping us from getting into bad spots. You've shouldered a big burden all on your own, that maybe…maybe you were too scared for others to become like you."

Luka was in moral shock as Luke stared at the darkness above them as well. "Look around you. Do you really think that you can solve this all by yourself? Something tells me that you can't…not when you neglect other's support."

He thought abut what Luke said and tried to think of a rebuttal, but after the struggles he went through and the battle he lost, it was like a wave of relief overcame the bitterness inside of himself. There wasn't enough recompense for himself to handle, but here was Luke, offering – ne demanding – that they pull themselves together to make it through to the end. There was a lot of truth in what he pointed out. Admittedly keeping an eye on them left an impression to say the least.

He thought about everyone who Luke came into contact with who helped him along the way. Ace, Baron, Keegan, Gus, Spectra, Ren. It was a lot of people. Mire so than what Luka shoved away. If they were united. Then maybe…

Brontes was unable to move too well after that battle, but he was trying. He was on his knees when he heard slithering behind. "Alto Brontes, can you stand?" He got behind the fallen Bakugan, his frills folded to show no intention on fighting. "You said before that you had a partner before. I'm sure that for his sake, that instead on looking out to survive…you should try to make the most of what you can do, too."

Brontes strained to make a move, but he started falling over. Abis used his head as leverage and supported one side to help him skywards. Brontes was eventually able to come around and face Abis, seemingly gracious.

"My…how gullible are you." He teased.

"Maybe gullible, but sensible." He responded.

Brontes chimed. "Touché."

Luka looked down as he got to a knee, his eyes shut as he exhaustedly smiled. "So I'm a friend then…I guess even I'm not destined to end up alone after all." A hand reached down to him, catching him by surprise. "Huh?"

"You were never alone. You had Brontes beside you. And now you have me and Abis Omega. Whatever happens, I say we're past all this. It's time that we all start living what we can of our lives. What do you say?"

Luka stared at Luke's eyes to see if he was serious about this. He was, dead serious. Deep down, Luka knew now he couldn't handle this alone, and what Luke was doing may have been foolhardy, but foolhardy was better than dead.

Meekly grinning, his hand reached for Luke's. He grabbed it, hoisting him up. The two stared eye to eye with each other and Luka nodded. "So then…no more excuses for either of us, huh?"

Luke smiled. "Yeah. Let's go get our friends back."

Luka scoffed. "Whatever you say."

From the side, Alice was watching Luke reach out to yet another person besides her. He helped them out of the darkness and towards the light where others would be for the remainder of their days. As she looked towards Hydranoid, the two softly smiled at one another. They were truly blessed to have known Luke.

The others have been hanging around the edge of the gorge of a while now, so long in fact that Shuji thought his feet almost fell asleep. Maggie was swinging her heels side to side on a rock while Shawn was keeping a lookout. Jase was using his Bakumeter to measure the negative energy output and found a monstrous sum just beyond the canyon borders – Riaan's domain.

Atmos turned his head towards the valleys, the winds picking up a signature. "I sense something."

Fly Beetle turned in the same direction. "I feel it, too. The signature is strong."

Maggie's eyes widened. "Look!" She pointed in the direction of the canyons. "I see it!"

Shawn and Shuji looked ready, as opposed to Jase, who turned around and looked at the gorge expectantly. They all saw something head their way, and it was flying fast in their direction. The closer it got, the more anxious they got.

Jelldon gasped. "Wait, isn't that…?"

From the canyon darkness, Hydranoid, in his true form, glided across the ground towards the others. On the three heads were three people attached to them. On the center head was Alice, and on the far left was Luke. And much to everyone's surprise on the far right, Luka.

"Luke!" Maggie gasped. "About time!"

"It looks like Alice is with him, too." Shawn said. "That's good."

Jase's eyes narrowed. He saw the extra party member that was on the third head. He didn't have to imply anything for anyone else to know.

Hydranoid landed on the ground, lowering his three heads gently to allow his passengers off. Alice gracefully pulled off, and Luke casually jumped. Luke took his time getting off while supported by the neck. Once set, Hydranoid reverted to ball form and returned to Alice.

Everyone regrouped with them in the middle, all showing their bright smiles.

"There you guys are." Maggie said. "We've been waiting forever on you."

"Yeah, I almost took another nap because of you." Shuji joked. "What took ya?"

Luke looked down. "Sorry for the wait. Abis and I…had to tie up a loose end." He turned towards Luka, giving the floor to him. Everyone's gazes were fixed on him and his newly cut hair. It was almost like a new Luke had come to life."

"Hang on…is that Luka?" Maggie questioned.

Luka turned away, glancing menacingly. "What of it?"

Shuji blinked on moral surprise. "Man, what happened to you guys?" He paused after thinking about it. "Wait, hold on. Did you guys…?"

"It's settled then, wasn't it?" Shawn asked Luke.

Luke nodded slowly with a soft smile. "Yeah."

"And from the looks of it…" Jase walked between everyone towards the center. "It seems that the victor has been decided. Isn't that right, Luka?" From his tone, he knew the answer. The slightly calmer glare Luka had was proof of that.

Luka turned away again, huffing. "Why ask me? Ask your friend over there. He can explain."

Luke stammered in place. "Wait, hold on! I don't explain that good! I-It's just stuff on the spot!"

Shawn looked towards Alice for her insight. She smiled and nodded in sincerity, making Shawn turn towards an embarrassed Luke with a grin of approval as well. Shuji smirked, and Maggie beamed proudly. Jase humbly lowered his head as he meekly grinned.

"Well then, I suppose you'll have to be brought up to speed sooner or later. Now that we're all here, we can begin the next phase of our plan." He turned towards Luke and Alice. "But first, I suppose we can have a little longer reprieve. You'll need your strength back, won't you?"

Luke straightened himself back up. "Alright, I won't take too long. Just a few."

Alice stepped forward. "And we'll be beside him for support, right Hydranoid?"

The hydra nodded. "Yes."

"You don't have to loop me in." Luka explained, walking pass everyone. "I already know full well what's going on. You wanna go save your friend, well I can tell you that she's definitely in Empyrean. You guys sure you can take that?"

"Wanna bet?" Shuji raised a brow.

"We already know Riaan might be expecting us. There's no point backing out of this." Shawn stated. "We're clear on that."

The other Haos battler huffed. "Right. Figures." He steeled himself for the fight to come. "Okay. Brontes and I are ready. We'll make preparations needed for the attack."

Everyone started walking away towards the eye of the pits, with Luke lagging behind. He was close to limping; something Jase didn't miss in a heartbeat. He kept his gaze firm on Luke's back.

"Luke."

He stiffened. "Yes?"

"I know that you've definitely improved in many strengths…but could you stand to try and be a better liar when covering up yourself?"

Luke froze in place, but the realization dawned on him of Jase's intellect. He should've seen this coming. "…heh, and here I thought I could've gotten pass you just this once."

"Let me see." He got closer to Luke and made sure no one was looking. Luke pulled up his shirt to show him the darkened wound. Blood vessels were popped and skin was shown dark red. Jase showed no surprise due to being insightful. "When did you get this?"

"During the battle with Hades Pillars, I think." He explained. "I shielded Alice from that explosion."

"And you fought Luka in this condition." The military man stood up and turned to the side. "And here I thought your reckless behavior couldn't get anymore unpredictable. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were going to storm Empyrean like that."

Luke looked down in shame. He had a grim feeling Jase would say something like this. But before he protested, he was given something. It looked like pills, along with ointment and a small strand of bandages.

"Take these as soon as you can, the painkillers should last about two hours. I'll go along with your little ruse for the time being, but don't push yourself anymore than what you absolutely must. That goes especially when you wield your sword. If the others find out, I won't be the one taking responsibility."

Luke nodded and accepted the medicine. His side stung like fire. "Thank you, Jase." He walked away slowly behind a rock to apply the medicine, as to where Jase watched him carefully with Atmos in ball form on his shoulder.

"Jase, I don't like this anymore than you do. Are you certain this is the right thing to do?"

Jase frowned, adjusting his glasses. "The mission comes first. Luke knows how important this is, it's his decision to make…no matter how much it may blinding to bear in my eyes." He watched from the corner of the rock as Luke swallowed the painkillers. "We'll just have to watch each other's back just that much harder I suppose."

A half hour rolled by and everyone was on the outskirts of the valley. They were rested and ate, whatever they had to do. They heard footsteps and looked back to see Luke with Abis on his shoulder.

"How're you feeling?" Shawn asked.

Luke didn't make any hasty movement. The bandages wrapped around his torso made it hard to move about. And the ointment Jase gave to him was stinging and numbing still. He powered through regardless. "Yeah, Abis and I are okay, right?"

"Yeah, we're ready…"

The others looked at each other with hints of inquiry, making them nervous. Thankfully they seemed to have dismissed that and turned back ahead. Luke joined them as they looked out afar.

"So how bad is it?"

Shuji furrowed his brow. "Take a look."

Luke did as told and looked at the domain beyond them. He showed mild shock when he saw the large dome-like top with magenta spikes on all four sides curving inwards. There was a large, gaping opening where there were soldiers still filing out. There had to be hundreds at least who all had Gundalian Bakugan of different attributes with Twin Destructor and Zukanator latched onto their backs. Each Bakugan had magenta eyes and a grim aura emanating from them. The whole warzone was looking like a fog of darkness that made it hard to breathe just from looking at it.

"The negative energy levels are extremely immense." Jase stated. "Riaan must have evolved to make their output that much more impenetrable."

"So I guess we can't sneak in like we did on Vestal." Maggie deduced.

"Yeah, and if we go underground, we'll probably end up being detected by Subterra Bakugan. And also, being below the surface, it's probably built up plating that will make it unyielding."

Shuji crossed his arms. "So even a Triple Ability and higher power level will only fuel the thing. This guy basically absorbs Bakugan battle energy to make into his power. So if he's making us fight all these guys, he's gonna tire us out while he feeds."

Shawn readied his rapier. "Then that means we'll have to power through as fast as we can, just like with Galilea."

"We can't wait forever. Esther and Atchibee should be here." Verias stated. "They're waiting for us."

Luka heard them strategize and offered his own compliance, However, before he did, his senses picked up on something coming from behind. He pivoted and turned back towards the valley.

"What is it?" Shawn asked. He wasn't sensing any negative energy rise from that direction.

Jase turned around, looking at his Bakumeter to see several signatures closing in from the valleys. It wasn't as big as the massive wave they were about to strike. But they were still grand in size no less.

"More Bakugan?" Jelldon questioned.

"It must be the battle Luke and Luka had. The Bakugan affected must be coming back." Maggie figured.

Something swift moved towards them from the shadows of the valley, which didn't escape Hydranoid's surprise. "That's…"

A familiar Bakugan with red wing membranes and a demonic look landed in front of them. He stood proudly as someone was on his shoulder. A closer examination revealed a certain Gundalian with a human appearance and a confident grin.

Maggie looked shocked.

"So, it appears you've come after all." Jase said neutrally.

Linehalt gently kneeled and raised his hand to Ren. He levered Ren onto the ground, which he stood on his two feet. He staggered some, but Linehalt's heel supported him. He gave Jase and everyone a serious look.

"I'm fine." He said in a serious tone. "Linehalt and I are back."

"Ren?" Maggie questioned. "But I thought you were getting surgery. What happened?"

"There's a lot more at stake than my own health." He looked towards Jase. "Gundalia is on the line. As much rest as I need, I have to do everything I can to save it with what power I have…even if Linehalt and I get killed in the end."

Under normal circumstances anyone would object to this, but the experience they were put through left this thought to be questioned itself. He had a good point, no matter how bitter it may be.

"…well now, it seems we're full of gung-hos today." Jase recited. "I'd rather not repeat myself, but please, do mind your condition."

Behind him, Luke subconsciously moved an arm on top of his numbed wound.

Ren then turned to Luka, getting over his cut hair. He was more focused on something else. "You're Luka, aren't you? Jase told me how you saved me when that inferno came our way. Linehalt and I will repay you in any way we can."

Luka stood tall, glowering over Ren. "Don't worry about it. What matters is that we fight. If we don't stop Riaan and that monster Armagedoid, the next one he'll be after is Neathia."

Ren confidently smiled. "Then it's a good thing I came prepared." He turned around, showing everyone the company that caught up with him.

The others turned towards the several Gundalian soldiers that were following with weapons in hand. They weren't on Mobile Assault Vehicles, no doubt all of the them destroyed. To help in the matter, however, there were four others that lead their pathway. One of them was a woman with blue hair tied in a bun with reptilian eyes. Another was a shorter girl with spiky green hair and a red cell over one eye. Another was a navy blue-haired individua with a smirk and a calm composure. The last one wore a green coat with light brown hair that went pass his shoulders. The four Gundalians present walked up behind Ren, presenting themselves.

"More Gundalians?" Shawn inquired.

Ren nodded. "Yes. They're personal friends of mine who helped me a lot. I want you guys to meet them personally." He turned towards his team. "Guys, these are the guys Prime Minister Nurzak told you about, the ones who have been on this lead from the beginning."

The green coat individual closed the purple book he had in hand with a booming clap and a smile. "I see. A foreign cast thickened with the plot of the play, right from the beginning." He humbly bowed. "A pleasure to meet you, call me Jesse Glenn. Gundalia's finest actor."

Shuji raised a brow, scoffing. "Heh, well let's hope you're as dramatic as a brawler as you are am actor, pretty boy."

Jesse arose and met Shuji's gaze. "Trust me, my friend…my performances are to die for."

"The name is Lena Isis, at your service." The blue-haired woman stated.

"Name's Zenet Surrow. Don't forget it." The shortest Gundalian spoke.

Though it wasn't thoroughly the subject, Maggie was meekly glancing away, annoyed for some reason. "Eh…hello." She said dryly. 'And here I thought I was supposed to be the only short one? I can't lose to this cute competition!'

Zenet looked confusedly at Maggie. "Huh? What's your problem? Got a cold or something?"

The last one grinned. "So you're the company causing all this ruckus. Pleasure." He raised his arm and tilted two fingers in a half-hearted salute. "Mason Brown."

"It's nice to meet all of you, pleasure's all ours." Shawn greeted, turning towards the others. "Well guys, guess we're all going out on this one."

"It would appear so." Verias agreed.

"Is the Prime Minister not here yet?" Ren asked Mason, to which he frowned.

"He's still on his way. He's taking a different route since we can't teleport for some reason." Mason looked ahead, seeing massive army of darkness and infected Interacian Bakugan. "So that's who we're fighting is it?" He could feel it from where he was standing. The ground was wretched in negative energy that it was making it hard to breathe.

"Well I sure don't like the looks of this." Zenet begrudgingly scoffed.

Lena narrowed her eyes as her skin crawled. "Such venomous power…and it's stretching all the way out here."

"The real enemy is hiding inside." Ren warned. "We're gonna pull everything in this last strike. They're not leaving Gundalia without something to remember us by!"

All four nodded. "Right!"

Shuji turned towards the wave of enemies ahead of them, cracking his knuckles. "Guess there ain't no going back now. Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. They want a head to head fight after what we pulled."

"Right. Then let's hit them with all the tricks up our sleeves." Maggie encouraged.

Shawn tapped his knuckles on Luke's shoulder. "Hey, you ready?"

Luke nodded, staring ahead with a flare in his eyes. "You bet." He and Abis glared hard at Empyrean's entrance. 'Hang on, Esther. Atchibee. We'll come find you, no matter what.'

As everyone prepared to fight, Luka took one good look around himself. He could see so many faces eager, even in the ace of death. His own heart was racing, but not because of the possibility of death awaiting them, but because of the adrenaline. The head-on clash that he and Luke had, it helped spark something that made his grip on his energy sword tighten.

Brontes floated over his shoulder. "Well now, this is a new change of pace." He teased. "Looks like we have some dynamics with working with people after all."

Luka look at Luke one more time to see him and Abis set on the prize. A cold wind blew across his face, making remaining strands of his cut hair get blown away into the darkness. He looked on, seeing the last of the locks get pulled somewhere, with nothing to drag them back.

After a minute of recollecting himself, Luka took a deep breath to calm himself. "Brontes…show them no mercy."

"Most definitely."

…

On the other end of the line, the warriors trained by Zion were standing tall with their Bakugan beside them. At the back of the crowd, Zion had his battle axe parallel to the ground with the sharp end piercing the earth. He looked proudly as he could see Gundalians in the distance with their few numbers stacked against them.

"Zion, are they in position?" A voice came from his Bakumeter. He picked it up while still fixated on them.

"Aye, Cyrus. They're here alright." He shrilly responded.

In the darkness within Empyrean, he smirked. "Good. Now then, you all know what to do."

Zion looked towards his sides. Coming from the right was Amina, and on his left, Lucia walked out with a hand to her hip, while still quite elegant. All three Hades Pillars members glared ahead menacingly as their men were afoot.

"Quite so. Out." Zion ended the communication, straightening himself. "Well ladies, better make sure you ain't wearing something fancy."

Amina – who was adoring a long brown skirt and thin frilled dress shirt, huffed. "Good thing I came out with materials I wouldn't mind wasting out here."

"His majesty will be expecting a show of power…let us give him what he desires." Lucia said. She then gave Amina a glance. "And Amina, do try to follow my lead at prompt."

"We'll see. I'm in a good mood…so let's see how long that lasts." She teased. "I wanna have as much fun with them before testing our new little pet."

Zion's glare spiked, holding up his battle axe and pointing forward. "For Interacia and our lord, do not falter!"

The men all roared battle cries, holding weapons high and ready for their foes.

On the other end at the valley entrance, Alice held Hydranoid. "Here we go, everyone. You all know the plan from before?"

They all nodded.

Alice glared ahead. "Good…then let's go!"

Luke poised his blade, along with Luka. They stood side by side and shared eye contact momentarily before directing towards the fray. Together, they poised to strike, to take back their friend, and to show Interacians what it means to live.

Finally back! Hope this didn't take too long! I know I was gone for 3 months, but I had to finish an arc for The Contender's Ascent, as well as make a new fanfic called Fire Emblem Fates: Trainer's Revelation. Give those a read when you can!

So it finally happened. Luke and Luka had their battle, and settled their rivalry at long last. I had to put as much effect into t as I could, and I mean as much of it that was possible. Let me know if you guys liked it!

So, with that said, please review and give me feedback if you can! Thanks for the long wait, and next chapter will be a hectic showdown for sure!