Shuji pattered down the hall, eventually coming to a stop around a corner. He's been running for so long that he was out of breath. Though recently, that's been happening a lot less. He grabbed the wall with his hand and used it as leverage to lean on as he was hiding away. That last stunt he pulled was the one escape route he never thought would work.

"I think…I gave them the slip…for now…" he labored. He took one more look over his shoulder to make certain he was followed. No one was there. "Did we…?" He turned around. He knew better than this logic. "No, that can't be it…she'll catch onto us soon."

Though he was worried about his opponent's whereabouts, there was another matter that he pressed to. He opened his palm to reveal Fly Beetle. "Hey, Fly Beetle, you alright?"

The ball form rattled a couple times before Fly Beetle popped open. His movements were slow. "Well, I've certainly felt better." He chimed. "Thanks for pulling me out, bud."

Shuji furrowed his brow. "Yeah, don't mention it." He looked away. "But I don't think we'll be safe here. Gotta find the others and regroup, fast."

"I'm all for that." Fly Beetle said. Shuji put him on his shoulder for a better position. He took off in a small run ahead.

Awhile passed before Fly Beetle spoke again. "Yo, Shuji."

"Yeah?"

"I'm not questioning how we're doing things, but what made you throw down that Gate Card to begin with? It's not exactly what we're used to, you know."

Shuji's frown became visible on his face. It's true that what Fly Beetle said did counter the points they've made as Subterra Bakugan and partners. If anything, he probably could've used a Subterra Reactor, or perhaps another Battle Audience move. But in the back of his mind, there was a testimony lying there somewhere.

"…well I say this: Stand your ground!"

"Yeah!"

"We Subterra Bakugan hold our ground and prove our strengths! Now, let's prove our strength to this guy, what do you say?"

That time against Keegan really knocked some sense into Shuji, and helped him acknowledge being Subterra was his strong suit. Coincidentally, this is when a smirk crossed his face and he scoffed. "Heh, yeah, I getcha." He was running surprisingly fast. "Don't get me wrong, we can hold our own ground for sure…but we didn't come here for that, did we?" his quelled expression turned serious again. "We're here to et our friend back. We can worry about standing or ground another time. The mission's important first…or something that Jase would say."

His paddling had taken him to an enclosed area. The lights were on, but it seemed like he was in the clear. He looked around in suspicion.

"Now, if I were a programmed map, where would I…huh…?" He trailed off at the sounds of a growing squeal. It sounded faint, but it was slowly growing. He looked around as he raised a brow. "Fly Beetle, you hear something…?"

The growing squeal became audibly clear on Shuji's left. He turned towards the massive air vent that filtered down to him. He curiously peered inside the slits, trying to see what was coming down. For a moment, he thought he saw a shadow of someone zooming down, but the darkness made it a dismissal.

Big mistake.

Shuji's eyes slowly widened and shrieked when Maggie fell onto the air vent, pressing onto Shuji's face as he fell over. The little girl flopped onto him, sprawled in an uncouth manner. Jelldon plopped alongside the ground close by.

"Oooo, that could've gone better." Maggie sheepishly giggled. "But boy, what a ride that was! I almost forgot about how thrilling that was, right Jelldon?"

"Hehehe, yeah." Jelldon meekly chuckled. "Huh?"

He and Maggie turned towards the ceiling, hearing another body incoming. Acting fast, she alleyooped off to the side, allowing Shuji free movement to sit upright. He rubbed his face. "Ah, geez, what the hell was-!"

He didn't get a break when Jase came in feet first onto his abdomen. Shuji's entire oxygen supply took a nosedive as his wheezing was all that was audible. Jase stepped off to give Shuji his space, though from the looks of it, he was down for the count.

"See Jase? I told you this was the quickest route down." Maggie chimed.

Jase prodded his glasses using an index finger. "I wouldn't have doubted you if I hadn't seen it for myself. I seem to recall a certain time when you've just so happened to drop in at a perfect time." He and Maggie heard a loud groan between them. They both looked down. "Speaking of déjà vu…"

Maggie tilted her head as she bent her knees. "Ooooh…" she grimaced. "Sorry Shuji, didn't see you there." She looked towards Jase. "Well I guess that solves one mystery: Why the landing was pretty soft." She looked down and smiled innocently. "Nice timing there, big guy!"

"I'm…gonna kill you…" If Shuji had the strength to strangle them both, he could. For now, all he could do was stand and catch his breath. There would be time to beat faces in at a later date. He dusted himself off, grumbling. "Use me as a floormat why don't you. I'll show you a floormat when I…" His mumbles trailed off.

Jase and Maggie looked to each other, deciding to shrug it off like it was no big deal.

"In any event of our coincidence, it seems we've all managed to evade the topside escapade." Jase evaluated. "Judging by your solidarity, I take it that the others had to disperse as well?"

Shuji rolled his shoulder to loosen it after that experience. "What was your first clue?" He moved to crack his neck by tilting his head. "Aw, geez…" Once loosened, he upright himself. "Yeah, we got held up by that Galilea chick at the entrance. Doubt the others didn't make it very far without falling into a trap up ahead."

Jase put a hand to his chin. "That's a reasonable assumption. This new Empyrean must've been hardwired with new security upgrades."

Maggie turned to him. "Can't we just track them through your Bakumeter, Jase? You've done it before."

"A measure that I've already covered. However, since entering the domain, it seems that the signatures that I have been onto has been jammed. Riaan must be using this signal to make tracking more difficult for us."

"So we're going into a labyrinth blind, without communications? That's just great." Maggie grimaced, turning away with hands to her hips. "So then, how do we get around from here?"

"If the schematics to this new form of Empyrean are linked to the one on Vestal, that means the way to Riaan is going straight down." He turned towards Shuji. "Shuji, you said you were ambushed by Galilea before, were you? Which direction did you see everyone run off to?"

Shuji turned around, facing the direction he came from with a scrunched face. "They raced somewhere this way." He looked back. "But she's probably onto us. We can't sit here like ducks."

"Agreed. We'll stay together and work from here. If we follow the negative energy signatures, odds are sure to bring us to bring us to the others."

Maggie nodded. "Okay, so then let's be quick and tread lightly. We don't wanna run into anymore Hades Pillars again." Shuji and Jase nodded to this agreement and ran down the hall.

Deeper on the lower levels of Empyrean, Shawn had his heels spread as he was glaring down Magnus. The superior Subterra member of Hades Pillars was gleaming at him with a domineering glare. He watched cross his arms. "You really wanna keep going? You're in a bad neighborhood, kid?"

Shawn furrowed his brow. This man was irking him to no end. Regardless of how much he aggravated him, he couldn't stand to lose his cool. 'This guy's as tough as before. We've gotta use something to throw him off so we can get by quicker.' He had to keep in mind his own disadvantage. 'And I remember those forbidden abilities as well. Maybe…!'

Verias turned to Shawn. "Shawn, are you thinking what I'm doing?"

Shawn turned to him, whispering. "Yeah…you ready?"

Verias snorted. "Sounds like we're gonna be pulling a Luke. At this point, I'm worried that our health is on the line because of his influence."

Shawn smirked. "Hey, that's my best friend you're talking about." He looked towards Magnus. "And besides, not like we picked up on that habit before. We haven't got much to lose. You ready?"

"Ready." Verias closed up his ball form, allowing Shawn to hold him in one hand while a Gate Card was in another.

"Gate Card, set!" Shawn smoothly swung his arm, launching the card between him and Magnus. "Here we come! Bakugan, brawl!" He threw in Verias once more. "Prime Verias, stand!" In a bright yellow flare, a battle staff went into the air, which it came down in a set of brass knuckled hands. The fists slammed into the earth, caused by Verias erupting a primal shout for battle.

Magnus held up Glotronoid, a magenta aura surrounding the Bakugan's ball form. "You have no idea how big of a fool you and your friends are." He threw him in. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!" In a brown aura, the black and magenta Glotronoid arose for battle emitting a shrilled hiss at Verias.

The armed ape clutched his battle staff tightly, snarling. Shawn's fencer was held up as he was fixated on Magnus.

Glotronoid: 700 Prime Verias: 600

Shawn chose to brace himself as Magnus was the first one this time. He readied an ability. "Be giving you creds for hanging in this long, but look where you'd be standing. I ain't calling it a picnic for me either since that crazy Galilea's gonna have my head for this though…"

"Wasn't my idea for starters." Shawn excused. "If you're so worried about what she thinks, she must have a lot on you."

Magnus scoffed at Shawn's testimony. In a way, he wasn't wrong. "Hmph, well, don't get me wrong, she's a bombshell."

"Maybe…" Shawn knew from experience that Galilea was in fact a beauty. She wasn't so bad in the looks. But her stern demeanor was another. Plus she was an enemy. Magnus continued.

"But between all the chicks we have, Galilea's the most uptight about how things work. Lucia ain't that bad since she ain't much of a scolder and makes sense. Amina does her own thing…but mess with any of them, and they're biting down your throat. And Galilea is pinchy with her belongings."

Shawn cocked a brow. "Is that so? Pegged ya to be lucky if you're always surrounded by women."

"Believe me, them be beauts…" Magnus frowned. "As much as it's chill talking chicks with ya, I got a job to do. Nothing personal." He showed an ability. "Ability, activate! Hyper Nail Predator!" Glotronoid crossed his arms and made the glowing orange claws lengthen via energy. The Bakugan sped across the ground in a steep lunge dead ahead. Verias prepared as his battle staff's ends became blades.

As Verias bunkered from the first blow, his power level dropped to 300, while Glotronoid's rose to 1000. The lizard pivoted and swung with clean, crisp blows. He blitzed left and right, with Verias unleashing razor-sharp parries that made the air tinge with metal sparks. Glotronoid slashed, and in some cases Verias bobbed and weaved to make room. He looked back as Glotronoid sped his way but his blade's sharp end caught a spark. He moved again, and again.

Glotronoid didn't let up. He exerted a loud roar while Verias had to keep up with the defense.

"Fast." Magnus commended. It's as he remembered their recent clash. He knew Verias was fighting like his life depended on it. "Try and keep up with this! Ability, activate! Jag Spartan!"

Glotronoid backpedaled before the blades on the arms lengthened. In a heated lunge, he shot straight in a spiraling lash into Verias. He lifted his axe and took the blow. The barrage of intense slashes left orange trails flowing. So much in fact some of the weapons cleaved in half from the sheer shock of the attack.

Shawn was ready for his counter. "Double ability, activate!" he started. "Bunker Axe!"

As Verias took the assaults, his blue eyes widened. He managed to subdue their clash and pulled his arm back. Glotronoid went to rake, but Verias' blade swung, the intense blow cleaving the energy claws' nails clean off. He started on the offensive as Glotronoid's attacks were being parried by Verias' quick assessment.

"Plus Fusion Ability, Sheer Valkyrie!"

Verias pierced the blade's end into the ground and pole vaulted himself above. The blade dragged with his somersault forward. Glotronoid's extended blades crossed, but the axe blade's glowing end dragged a strong light that cleaved through the blades, driving the lizard on his heels backwards.

Glotronoid: 1400 (-300 -400 -300) = 400 Prime Verias: 600

Glotronoid eventually found its ground, but when he looked ahead, Verias had already driven a fist back and smashed it into his face, sending him into the wall. The entire chamber shook as weapons clanged against the ground; some Magnus had to evade. A random axe fell close to his leg.

"Aye, woah!" he looked back at Shawn. His brow raised beneath his visor. "…alright. Alright. I see how it is. Ability activate, Bright Cell!"

Glotronoid leaned up and the chest gem started shimmering. Once charged, it released a bright orange-brown beam that would've obliterated anything in its wake. His power shot up to 800.

Shawn made another counter. "Ability, activate! Territory Heart!" Verias stuck his staff out and summoned a greenish-yellow barrier around himself. The blast that was intended for him was absorbed directly into the barrier, not even making him flinch.

Glotronoid: 800 (-400) = 400 Prime Verias: 600 (+300) = 900

The green barrier came down in an instant, and Verias was already in a crouched position. He jumped into the air and ricocheted off the empty shelves. He stuck his staff into the ceiling, using it as a swing for him to sweep in and kick Glotronoid across the face. The blade dislodged itself leaving Verias in freefall.

"Ability, activate!" Magnus shouted. "Nail Predator!" Glotronoid's claws glowed and pounced skywards skyward at Verias.

Shawn wasn't going to let him have his way. "Ability, activate! Kingdom Gladiator!"

Verias' eyes shimmered bright yellow for an instant. His entire body's emeralds started shining an enigmatic yellow aura that traveled in veins around his body, transcending into the blade. The axe blade's two ends suddenly exploded with Haos energy that made them almost three times as long. Verias twirled the blades until the time was right. When it was…he didn't hold back.

"HRAH!" Swinging the blade down, Verias left behind yellow slash wake that diced metal everywhere. Glotronoid's nails didn't stand a chance as he was left with a grizzly slash across the chest that sent him on his back into the earth, causing a tremendous shake that made Magnus almost lose balance.

Glotronoid: 700 (-500) = 200 Prime Verias: 600 (+500) = 1100

Verias fell towards the earth and landed on a knee. He glared on as he watched his opponent stir in the dust. The Interacian Glotronoid had sustained serious amounts of damage from Verias' physical brutality.

Magnus looked more than confused. Hell, he whistled. "Well I gotta say, Zion would've definitely wanted to battle you two."

Shawn and Verias didn't like the subtle note Magnus was leaving them on. Rubble turned and metal fell apart as Glotronoid sat back up. The Subterra Interacian faced the adversaries again, a magenta aura enflaming him.

"…but I think I'll deal with him after I get those crazy chicks off my back." He held up his Bakumeter, which sparked a powerful bright purple core. "Ability, activate! Prominence-X!"

BA-DUMP!

A heartbeat rung in Shawn and Verias as an unstable draft picked up around them. The ground began shivering yet again as another wake was forming around them. They looked ahead, witnessing Glotronoid cross his arms as energy manifested into an anti-gravity forcefield. The pressure he exerted shrilled outwards, causing a stalemate in rocks and metals that were in freefall. A blast wave erupted with gravity pulsating towards the two. Shawn and Verias bunted using their weapons.

Glotronoid: 200 (+500 +1400) = 2100 Prime Verias: 1100

The two held up a strong guard the best they could. However, it was becoming a bit much for their heels to handle. Nevertheless, unlike before, they weren't going to lose ground so easily to Magnus.

…

As they were running down a hall, another soldier had fallen onto his back, unconscious by the blow that Shuji's fist had delivered. With him out, it would make matters much easier for them in the long run.

"Okay, do your thing." Shuji told Jase.

Jase nodded. "A little on the brash side I admit…but I believe that will suffice for now." He kneeled down to the unconscious mass on the floor. He picked up the arm and started typing in codes manually. "We'll copy the data and the maps to make matters easier for us as references."

"Okay, but make it quick." Maggie said. Suddenly she felt an intense wake. She perked her head up. "…do you guys feel that?"

Shuji looked in the direction of the energy flow. "Yeah, I feel that." His fists balled tight. He wasn't feeling so good all of a sudden.

"It appears that Galilea might not be the only one down here." Jase evaluated. He had his Bakumeter synchronizing with the unconscious body's. Once it was fully downloaded, he stood up calmly, turning into the direction of the wake. "Let's be on our way."

"You don't have to tell me twice." Shuji grunted. He and the others rushed off in the direction of the darkness.

…

The corridor trembled as the shockwaves of Glotronoid rumbled onwards. The blast wave continued sailing ahead, with their adversaries unable to get even a beat closer. The pulses of the attack buffered them to where it was near impossible for them to pass through.

Shawn looked at Verias, but was determined to get through. Magnus shoved his hand out in opposition. "Finish them!" Glotronoid unleashed a vile shockwave that raged on ahead. The magenta shockwave picked up metal shards and shot outwards into a frenzy at Verias.

"We won't let you get away with this!" Verias declared. "Shawn!"

Shawn nodded. "I hear you." He spread his legs, showing an ability. "Ability, activate! Brass Sheria!"

Verias' eyes flashed yellow and he spread his legs out as well. He reached out into the shockwaves and seemingly was gripping the air. The ape huffed as he was fighting through the energy with gnashing fangs. Grunting, he leaned forward as his brass knuckles started glowing.

"When we said we'd get Atchibee back, we meant it! So…watch!" With all his strength, he gripped the shockwaves and started absorbing them. The pulse waves redirected into his brass knuckles, the magenta turning into brass light that shook the atmosphere like crazy.

Verias screamed with all his might as he was being pushed back still by the shockwaves. He kneeled as he was taking in all the energy of the shockwaves and energy flourishing. He gnashed his teeth so hard that he felt like he'll need braces.

"Hang in there, Verias!" Shawn screamed through the shockwaves. For a moment, the incident on Interacia came to mind against Maximus. "We've been through worse before. So c'mon! The others are waiting!"

Verias was thinking hard to himself what the motivation was. His eyes glimmered brightly before he thought about his fellow Bakugan friends he's made. His body gave off a bright Haos radiance that exploded when he started sucking in more of the attack. He got to his feet, screaming as he barreled through with all his might. His knuckles remained stretched out, drawing the forbidden energy into the shine around his body.

Magnus furrowed his brow beneath his shades. "The hell…?"

Verias roared valiantly as he sailed through the forbidden energy, his knuckles drawn back and flourishing energy that shined through the magenta, like a star in the night sky. The ape momentarily vanished inside the blast wave, then the shockwaves suddenly stopped.

Magnus didn't have the time to blink before Verias reappeared in a knee, the metal beneath sundering from the streams of magenta around his body. The attack he absorbed had rocketed his power, and took even more with it as Glotronoid stammered. His fist reeled back as the power concentrated into the fist, his power rocketing into 3200, while the remainder of Glotronoid's power was sapped away. Verias roared as he smashed his fist into the depowered Glotronoid at point-blank, a bright flash blinking several times before everything went white.

Magnus covered up as raw light smashed in front of him. He and Shawn covered up as the eruption of light exploded like an atomic wake into the former's direction. The blast wave went down the chamber, the walls collapsing, and metal coming down everywhere. Clanging was all that was heard.

Once it settled, the metal and the armor laid everywhere. Everything in the chamber was toppled and destroyed. The walls were synthetically materializing as Verias had a bright yellow aura around his body, his teeth snarling as he was containing his current power level due to his training. Shawn looked ahead, no sign of Magnus nor his Bakugan within the rubble.

Both squinted, a silence falling around them as they waited for anything suspicious.

Suddenly, metal churned beneath. There was a magenta glow that covered a whole mound of metal and broken shelves. Shawn's eyes widened. "What's that…?"

They watched as the glow expanded, making more of the material shift. Seconds later it receded. There was another silence before metal exploded. Verias used his axe to cover for him and Shawn. The two looked back as the metal receded, only to look horrified at the new revelation. Both their attention drew skywards at something that towered over them.

Emerging from the rubble, Magnus looked worn. He seemed more agitated if anything. "Alright…you're good." He paused. "Now let's see how you handle this."

Glotronoid was sitting in the seat of a very large mechanism. It had four sturdy, crab-like joints that had black pointed ends with magenta accents along the armor. The main body was like that of a tank, with a thicj bade covered in black metal. Around that were magenta accents as well. However, what was the most shocking feature, was the massive harpoon-like lance at the middle of the whole thing, which was almost twice the length of the whole machine. The spikes on the silver spear ran on three triangular ends, and it was so thick that it seemed that it would act like a drill.

The drill faced Verias and Shawn, both of their spines crawling at this new machine.

Chaos reigned topside as explosions continued. Bakugan were firing on each other, and at this point it could've been friend or foe. But what mattered was that both sides would have to give it their all.

The soldier Bakugan lined up against Mason and Avior had all their Battlegear turned on them. The barrels shined brightly before they expelled energy blasts, ranging from gunfire to pure energy cannons.

"Ability, activate! Offering Armor!" Mason shouted. Avior spread his wings out as his body hardened. An orange outline of his body sealed him in, like a case. Attacks barreled right into him, exploding upon impact. When the smoke faded, Avior and his Lashor were both unscathed.

He didn't stop there as he went on offense. "Now! Battlegear Ability, activate! Lashor Heavy Striker!"

Avior took flight into the skies above. He looked down and hovered over the domain. The Lashor equipped to his wings surged with orange-brown energy humming at the engines' tips, where four prods stuck out. "Try and see if you can handle a little rain, swine!" Avior took aim and blasted intense brown laser blasts that blew up the earth. The shockwaves went towards the enemy Bakugan, swallowing them in destructive explosions.

Above, Avior and Mason watched the ground fireworks light up. They had looks that said they were ready. However, as the smoke cleared, Mason's frowned at something heading his way.

Suddenly the orange rays that were supposed to be Avior's went barreling back at him. He dodged up in time as the beams exploded upon impact with aerial Bakugan behind. They both turned around to see the Bakugan revert to ball form. They looked back down, seeing the reason being because of several Merlix, mainly Haos and Aquos, who used what looked like reflective distortions.

Mason scoffed. "Guess these guys are a lot smarter than we give them credit for."

"Then what are we just hovering around for, let's barrel down their defenses." Avior suggested.

Mason smirked. "Heh, I like your fighting spirit…okay then!" He hung onto Avior as he arched down into the fray.

Lumitroid fired multiple rounds of magenta beams at Phosphos. The projectiles were in boundless numbers that even the alien hydra's many head couldn't tolerate much of. He was forced to cover up using his Terrorcrest Battlegear, making it take the blows.

Contestir was flying around, though his maneuverability was poor. His Battlegear was grazed by a stray shot, causing him to deter.

"Contestir!" Zenet exclaimed.

Lena adjusted her glasses in evaluation. "They have such intense firepower on their side. We'll need to cover that up as much as we can if we're going to get through their lines." She crossed her arms. "So, follow my lead?"

"Yeah, yeah, I hear ya." Zenet groaned. "Let's just hurry! C'mon, Contestir!"

Contestir nodded. "Ready, Zenet."

Lumitroid fired again, the magenta beams heading for both Bakugan in its line of sight. Lena was the first to make an ability activate.

"Battlegear ability, activate! Terrorcrest Stigma!" Phosphos' heads' teeth clipped as he aimed ahead, the claws on the end firing thin blue lasers that rushed to take some of the heavy fire. Phosphos was able to handle some of the blazes, though only a stalemate could breach.

Zenet smirked as she knew her turn was next. "Battlegear ability, activate! Spartablaster Sol!" Contestir's Battlegear shined brightly, emanating a strong bright ray that went down on both Lumitroid and Nastix. The ominous ray was draining away a small amount of their power.

"Excellent." Lena looked towards the skies. "Alright Jesse, you're up!"

On Plitheon, the Bakugan soared with his Vilantor Gear attached. He hovered over the domain, with Jesse on his shoulder. The actor heard the chimes of Lena's voice and smirked. "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my cue!" he gestured an ability. "Battlegear ability, activate! Vilantor Gear Cycotron!"

Plitheon let loose a wide scowl. "Oh! I'm gonna enjoy this!" The ends of each circular engine showed red dots. Those dots charged up photons that patterned green. Once set, they blasted Lumitroid and Nastix with full force. The attack exploded continuously, raining down nonstop. Explosions erupted at a constant around Lucia and Amina. However, the looks on their faces showed anything but shock. They looked bored even.

Zenet gave a thumbs up. "Aw yeah, try and survive that!"

As the rays of Contestir kept going to keep them weakened, Phosphos and Plitheon kept bombarding them. But Lucia sighed heavily. "I can see why now you find this planet despicable, Amina." She nonchalantly stated. "These Gundalians are highly arrogant, are they not?"

Amina blew a lock away. "Maybe just a bit." She raised her brow. "Don't get in my way." She held her Bakumeter up, indicating an ability. "Ability, activate! Quash Photon!"

All three Gundalian Bakugan rained down their attacks heavily. As they did, they saw magenta static crackling inside the combustion. There was a tremendous humming that sounded like something was charging up inside.

Phosphos looked piqued. "Huh, what the-?!"

Before he had the chance to finish, a magenta pulse wave of plasmatic static went in all directions. The discharge emulated from Phastrix as the Mobile Assault Vehicle blasted energy that dispelled the attacks like magic. Contestir and Plitheon covered up, but the plasma crackled on their bodies, sending them slamming in the ground with Phosphos.

Jesse, Lena, and Zenet all didn't get the luxury of acting fast when the shockwaves blew them down. They slammed on their sides, dazed from their failure.

The residual plasma reticulated around Nastix, with Lumitroid unaffected. Amina snickered maliciously at their squabbling.

"Owww, my head…" Zenet grimaced, holding her head. "Hey, that really hurt…"

Lena stammered up, grimly glaring at the situation. "She just nullified all our abilities."

Lucia gently reached out. As if on command, Lumitroid fired beams from his Acceleton and blasted the Gundalian Bakugan as they were coming around. The entire area was coming apart as eruptions blew Lena, Zenet, and Jesse away. Lucia's expression didn't falter one bit as she watched them get lost in the blast waves.

As if yellow flames broiled ahead of them, Amina had a hand to her hip. "I love me some worthwhile entertainment. Should've brought a caterer so I can sit and watch." She hummed.

The three Gundalian Bakugan screamed as the explosions were nonstop. Non had an opening. And if they didn't get one soon, they would be finished.

"Ability, activate!" Ren swiped his arm, an ability activating as Linehalt ascended into the air above. "Gigarth Ray!"

Linehalt's wings glowed dark purple. He brought his hands up to concentrate the energy into the palms. Once set, he fired two saucer-like projectiles that went down to Snapzoid. Snapzoid's power level dropped to 300 as they close in.

Zion wasn't fazed by this tactic. "Ability, activate! Thunder Field!' The Interacian Snapzoid discharged red static all around his body. The Bakugan remained stationary as the electric field crackled into a barricade, one that the dark projectiles failed to breach and vanish instead. This jumped his power straight to 900, rivaling Linehalt.

Ren's teeth gritted, something Zion looked amused by. "Frustrated, I see?"

"Keep dreaming. You may have won before, but I assure you, that won't happen again." Ren declared. His knee stung again, making him wince at the agony. 'Damnit, I haven't fully recovered.'

Zion saw his opportunity and pulled two knives out from a strap in the armor. The two projectiles got close, but Ren tucked and rolled back, keeping himself from getting stabbed. When he rolled to a knee, he showed an ability already ready.

"Ability, activate!" he shouted.

Linehalt opened his palm, gripping a bright purple saber that extended from his palm. "Dark Saber!" He flew in with a fire in his eyes. He swiped horizontally, dragging the blade across the electric terrain and dispelling it. Snapzoid's power dropped to 600. "You're gonna pay dearly for what you've done before!" He slashed Snapzoid across the face, causing the Bakugan to grunt. "You won't be let off easy a second time!"

Zion cocked a brow. "We'll see." He watched Linehalt attempt another slash. He timed it just right. "Ability, activate! Vex Crunch!"

Snapzoid saw the next slash coming his way. Linehalt cried out as the saber slashed diagonally. All of a sudden, the smaller snake head inside the mouth bit onto the saber to keep it in place.

"What the-?!"

"Linehalt, look out!" Ren warned.

Linehalt looked directly into Snapzoid's giant maw and saw red energy expelling towards him. He deactivated the saber, but it was too late when the blast swallowed his upper body, sending him screaming into the sky.

Snapzoid: 600 (+300) = 900 Linehalt: 900 (-300) = 600

Linehalt spread his wings in midflight and barreled over to straighten himself. Once landed, he kneeled so as to catch his breath. He grunted low, but remained vigilant, as seen on his face. He straightened himself back up, wiping his imaginary mouth with his fist. "Tch, you think we'll be put down that easily? We have friends fighting for not just us, but for all of Gundalia." He declared,

"That's right." Ren agreed. "We had a couple of guys go on ahead of us for another's sake. Believe it or not, they came to help us to be prepared for you guys. They know more about this situation than what I could ever know. But…" he balled his fists, his glare darkening. "Just because I trust them to get the job done, doesn't mean I'm still not kicking, too."

Zion walked over to where his knives were. He casually leaned down to pick them up. "Dogs that bark quick often have little bite." He held one knifed between two fingers. "What happened the last time you barked this much? I seem to recall having to almost put you down."

Ren's eyes narrowed.

"A loyal hound is still another pet. If your leg is broken, what use if it for? It's no different from a dulled blade." To demonstrate what he meant, the spare knife that he threw earlier was held in another hand. "Either they keep up with their orders, or…" He snapped the blade between to armored gloves. The metal that was snapped in half crumbled at his feet. Ren looked at the metal, then back at him. "They get put down. So before you start going on, I ask you, have you really learned from your recent mistake. If so, shut your mouth and show me, you Gundalian!" He threw the knife directly at Ren's forehead. Ren used his forearm to block it in time. However, the metal pierced his arm, causing him to scream in agony.

"Ren!" Linehalt screamed.

Ren winced as he backpedaled. He opened an eye to see the knife piercing his clothing. "It's…okay, Linehalt." He pulled the knife out, which sprayed his blood. It dripped down his arm frantically, but he chose to ignore it. "Because this dog's done whimpering and barking. If this guy wants us to bite, then we'll gove him what he asked for!"

Using his same hand he used to pull out the knife, Ren gathered energy in his palm. Purple manifested into the palm and materialized into a mechanism he seized quickly.

"Battlegear Boost!" He threw Linehalt's Boomix towards him. The Battlegear materialized and became a prolonged rifle mechanism that he aimed while on a knee. His power level went up to 800.

"Battlegear ability, activate! Boomix Lock!" Linehalt took aim and pulled the trigger. Once charged, purple energy barreled out of the end and blazed at Snapzoid.

Without a pretentious care, Zion activated an ability to measure up. "Foolish. Ability, activate! Swallow Excel!" Snapzoid opened his maw wider, wide enough that Linehalt's attack shot directly into the gullet. The purple beam disappeared inside, where Snapzoid shut his mouth.

The serpent hissed as his abdomen extended, like a snake having consumed a large animal. The bulge worked towards the mouth, and he opened wide, sending the regurgitated projectile beam back at Linehalt. Linehalt was the one hit square on, the blast swallowing him and driving him to the ground.

Snapzoid: 900 Linehalt: 800 (-500) = 300

"Linehalt!" Ren watched Linehalt fall onto his back, the impact causing the ground throw shockwaves that buffered him. The cold winds stung his blood-stained arm. He winced but tried to fight it.

"You arrogant Gundalian lapdog." Zion mocked. "Perhaps I was all wrong about you. You know nothing of how a true battle is waged."

Ren was about to retort, but just as was about to, a brown sphere passed his cheek. His eyes widened.

"Bakugan, brawl!" A voice shouted as the capsule made it to the center of the area. "Bakugan, stand! Rise, Subterra Sabator!"

In an orange light, Snapzoid was blindsided by something big and heavy that slammed into his eel-like body. The force drove him back, making Zion recalibrate and move to the side. When he looked ahead, he saw who the culprit was.

It looked like a creature that resembled a minotaur. It had dark brown skin with black armor all around the body, especially with the broad shoulder. There were gears on the appendages, including a drill-like tail, with added drills on the shoulders. The Bakugan let out a roar to the atmosphere, declaring his arrival. When he lowered, he snorted, making steam flare from his nostrils.

"Sabator…" Linehalt grunted. "Then that means…"

Ren's eyes jolted wide. He swiveled around, seeing someone enter the battle. Zion looked piqued as well.

"I apologize for my tardiness." A pair of feet stepped up. There was another Gundalian who stepped in to help, and he was elderly in age. Stepping away from an explosion in the distance behind him, it was the face of a serious-looking Prime Minister. The man who instigated the task to stop Interacia himself.

"Prime Minister Nurzak!" Ren gasped.

Zion's eyes narrowed. He readied to reach for a polearm just in case.

Nurzak walked to Ren's side. "Thank you very much for your contributions, Ren. Your service will not go unjust." He glared at Zion. "So, you're the individuals who call themselves Hades Pillars. Your kind has decrepit Gundalia to levels even we cannot tolerate any longer. Our world has never been lively, but…" his eyelids half-shut. "Better alive than dead. I swore to make Gundalia the way it was again. But in order to do that, I shall rid of you myself." He pointed directly at Zion. "So be prepared, Interacian! You're about to learn how a Gundalian truly fights for his homeland!"

Sabator stepped forward, bashing his fists together. "I'm gonna bury you six hundred feet under!"

Linehalt stood beside him, readjusting Boomix. "Make that six thousand. We're not out yet!"

Ren and Nurzak beside one another as they showed blazes in their eyes. They were ready to give it their all. Zion's glare sharpened on them as he reached for his polearms with the sharp axe blade on the end. It wasn't Luke, nor Luka…but it looked like he was going to get another thrilling fight.

"This should be interesting…"

The throne room was all quiet. It was already cold because of the planet's natural heating being sapped slowly, but Luke could've sworn he saw his own breath. He, Alice, and Shawn stared into the thick shadows of Riaan's domain, not at all bothering with the designs and the angelic embroidery. They were all directed on something else entirely, and that something was another human being by the name of Esther.

Luke barely muttered as he blinked. He hardly even recognized his friend, with her long hair tied in a bun and visors covering her eyes. "Is that…really Esther?" He was too astounded for words alone. "She…she's…"

Alice didn't know what to say. Her hands covered her mouth as her eyes were shrunk. She didn't think it was possible, not from her experience. "My goodness. What did they…?"

Luka turned and glared at Riaan and Cyrus. He looked anything but friendly given the holes he was trying to burn in their faces. He raised his sword. "So, then this was your little project you've been working on this time." He deduced. "Talk!"

Cyrus nonchalantly grinned. "My goodness, sire. It seems that are guests don't seem to appreciate your fine craftsmanship. How very churlish."

Riaan had his arms behind his back. "It's as expected. These humans have imposed a great ordeal to come all this way to save one of their own. Though, I guess you can say that it was I who ended up saving her instead." His small grin by the end was what caused Luka to almost lose his cool.

The Haos Vestal gripped his sword tighter in response. "You monster."

"A deviant term from an opaque source." Rian rebuffed. "The term 'monster' is as biased as saying right and wrong…though, I empathize by your terminology. I suppose in light of my essence, I can be seen as one. But then again, to create a monster, one must become one himself." On his shoulder, Armagedoid popped open, who looked on calmly. "But because we are monsters, it doesn't mean even we have morals. I obliged kindly at first to Esther, and admittedly she failed to see my morality…now look."

All eyes went towards Esther. She walked between Luke's group and Riaan's side to stop in the center and turn towards the former.

Luke stood completely still. From the moment he saw her, he knew nothing seemed right about this. Her stance, as well as the two huge spears she had, were of clear indication. His eyes tried looking through the visors, but he only saw magenta. He wasn't sure whether or not she was blinded fully or not.

"Esther…do you remember me?" Luke cautiously asked.

Esther only glared daggers. She held up her left-handed spear at Luke. It was a response he figured was the case.

Hydranoid opened in ball form on Alice's shoulder. "Do you feel that, Alice?"

Alice nodded. "Yes, I do. It's a really strong negative energy. Riaan must've exposed Esther and Atchibee to it for so long that they must've…" She trailed off as her thoughts ran to Esther sacrificing herself for them. Her fist clutched her chest tighter. 'I was afraid of this. It looks like Jase was right all along. They were going to turn me and Hydranoid into one of their own. Oh, Esther.'

Abis popped open on Luke's shoulder. "So Luka was right after all. Seems that Riaan went and pulled another rug beneath our feet."

Luke angrily turned towards Riaan. Facing his former master again, he balled his fists. "Master Riaan, what did you do?!"

Riaan turned away. "Come now, are you truly as blind as back when we first met? What kind of question is that?" he scoffed. "If you want me to put it in simple terms, I suppose one could say that I showed Esther…the truth." He faced them again. "The truth underlying her ideal world. Her plagued thoughts fully realized. I provided a vaccine for her. She is free now."

Alice furrowed her brow. "A vaccine? More like imprisoned her."

"To free one thing, another must take its place in the cage. When humans adopt dogs, does the kennel leave the cage empty? She chose this of her own will. I merely showed her how to use the keys. Now, she has become my invaluable aid to rectify what has been falsely claimed."

Luka stepped forward, blade unsheathed and ready to run him through. "Don't play coy with us. We didn't come here for your philosophical preaches. Your habit of running your mouth to stall is something that'll never change."

Riaan turned his attention towards Luka. "Luka. I see that you've once again crossed paths with me. Tell me, are you going to go ahead once again?"

Luka scoffed. "Don't peg me of an idiot. Like I didn't realize that by now. I chose to come here with them." He shot a look at Luke, meeting his eyes. "I learned from my mistakes, and now I'm ready to embrace taking you down, with my…er…friends."

"Luka…" Luke murmured.

That word that still hard for Luka to swallow. Alto Brontes popped out of ball form. "I think you almost chocked there, Luka." He teased, earning a scowl from his partner.

Cyrus calmly walked up, a dark grin on his face. "You know, your friend came to pass this way because of what you all have done. Contributed by the battle energy released, we were able to absorb that power, and contain it for our new little pet here to be infused with. So in circumflex, her 'transparency' falls on you. It must be crippling to know that aiding your enemy is the most obvious star to spot in the night sky, wouldn't you agree?"

Luke balled his fists. "So then, that battle from before…"

"Now it makes sense. They never intended to stop us at all." Alice reasoned. "They wanted to push us, just so they could make Esther stronger."

Cyrus smirked. "If it's to any consolation, you did provide imperative sport. I thoroughly enjoyed our battle."

Luke took s stance and held Abis in his left hand. "Then we'll finish what we've started if it'll get Esther back!"

"Don't toil in the snow for too long, Cyrus…you may very well get frostbite." Riaan testified. "I believe that they've come far enough to earn a spot in contestation. After all, I'm sure they'd much rather see Esther for themselves. Why don't you join Zion topside and round up the remaining Gundalians. Inform Galilea and Magnus of the situation and pursue on the surface…I'm sure that shall suffice you for the time being."

Cyrus half-grinned. "As you wish, Milord." He turned towards Luke and Alice. "It seems that we'll have to settle our little score another time. I look forward to seeing if that time passes…" He started fading away, his lower half starting to teleport. "Until we meet again."

"Hold it!" Luka lunged ahead with his energy blade. With a valiant battle cry he slashed into Cyrus, but was too late when he went through thin air on a knee. "Damnit!"

Riaan glanced over at Luke and Alice. "I trust this will meet your accommodations. Now this matter can be settled between you and your colleague. I assure you, I won't try anything to interfere for the time being."

Luka fiercely glared. "And what the hell makes you think we'll believe that, huh?!"

Riaan maliciously frowned. "Monster I may be, I'm still a being of my word." He looked towards his side. "Esther, I believe you have something to say?"

The young woman walked up calmly, her armored heels clanging against the ground. Luke and the others gathered their bearings and observed in caution as Esther gazed them down, her visor's slits shining magenta.

Seeing this, Luke's face began to fall further. 'Esther'. In his point of view, he was seeing the vision of the real Esther…before he came to reality upon goosebumps chilling. He gripped his sword tighter. "Esther, if that really is you, then do you remember the promise we've made to each other? You can't forget something like that so easily, can you?"

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

"Alright then. I'll stand by you, and I promise that I'll be watching you from here on."

"And don't think that we forgot about you either, Atchibee." Abis reminded his moth friend. "Remember, we're in this together, just like our partners."

"We're not leaving here until we make sure you understand why we're here for you." Luke insisted. "Esther, please. If you're there, just hear us out."

Esther was quiet for a moment. It seemed like nothing he said made an impact at first. However, much to his relief, he was seeing her lift her spear for Luke. His eyes sharpened at the situation he was in.

"You…" she started. "You…made me who I am…weak!"

She charged for him, in a split second catching up to him and slashed her spear. Luke parried in time, but her surprisingly strong force pushed him across the ground.

"Luke!" Alice shrieked.

Luke found his ground and grunted. The impact dented into his left side, where his wound held. He barely stood as Esther calmly poised herself the small distance away. Abis turned towards him. "Luke, are you okay?!"

Luke coughed. "Yeah, I'm fine…" He glared at her. 'I didn't think she had that much muscle in her.'

Esther fell silent as she showed her spear again. Alice stayed back, but tried reasoning. "Esther, what's happened to you? Don't you remember?"

Esther's response was her head turning towards her. Alice gasped when she realized she may be next. Reacting in time, she veered away as Esther swung into the ground, barely missing her, s well as leaving a small dent in the metal.

"I lost for your sake…why must you be so important?" she monotonely asked.

Alice's stepped back, her gaze on Esther. What she said didn't elude her. 'This is bad. She must've been warped somehow. How do we break it?'

Luka turned back towards Riaan, looking for answers. "Hey!"

Riaan stopped halfway up the staircase. "Yes?"

"Where do you think you're going? Don't forget, we have a score to settle as well."

Riaan seemed extremely disinterested. "I can see that. Perhaps I will alleviate myself to your interests. However, shouldn't you be more inclined to help your friends in their strife as well?"

Luka looked back. He saw Esther attempting to slash Alice and Luke. He watched Luke parry Esther's advances, though it seemed he was struggling as he was on defense.

"If you're their friend now as you say you are, then shouldn't friends stay beside one another to help their own? You don't even know what she is capable of. It's fine for you to focus on your overall objective, but remember: Every plan needs to have a step. Don't overstep a flight you aren't certain one leap can get you. I'll be waiting patiently as I've said."

With that remark, Riaan resumed his walk up towards his throne. Luka turned back around to find his new friends in a struggle against Esther's advances. He took one more look at Riaan and lowered his head. This was the perfect time to act, but what Luke drilled into them in their fight hung over him like a lead weight.

Against his better judgement, he turned around. "Don't think I'm agreeing to your logic. I'm not letting my own assets being used on my allies as well." He jumped down the stairway to engage. Riaan sat on his throne and watched the spectacle emerge. This was surely to be entertaining.

"Master…" Armagedoid murmured.

Riaan watched calmly of the scene unfolding. "Armagedoid. Remember what I talked about with the human spirit. The mind is the strongest system in the human. Now, we'll just see how strong of a will…that these humans possess to salvage a mind that has surpassed its limits!"

All three contenders glared at Esther, her spears pointed at them to attack.

The massive drill-like structure opposed Shawn and Verias, both unable to make heads or tails of the situation they were in. "Meet our newest weapons, the Mobile Assault Vehicle: Vilance." Magnus introduced.

Verias gripped his staff tighter. The energy flowing off him was like radiant steam. He retained caution as he and Shawn knew this was a bad spot to be in. 'We figured they'd have something like this…just not this soon.' Shawn's eyes narrowed. 'Damnit, gotta end this fast!'

However, before he could move, Magnus made the next move. "Gonna kill you before the chick does to me. Ability, activate! Deep Sonic!"

The Vilance's massive protrusion suddenly opened into three sections. Glotronoid released a roar as he pulled a switch from inside. A harsh humming came first, then crackling brown lightning that concentrated into the base of the tri-ends. They materialized into one point, which glimmered before shooting an intense laserbeam directly into Verias.

"GAH!" Shawn and Verias covered up, the ground trembling beneath them. Metal was blasted off to the side as the beam was so strong, that even Verias' empowered frame and axe was barely blazing the siphoned rays around them. They exploded behind Shawn, destroying equipment.

Glotronoid: 200 (+400) = 600 Verias: 3200 (-400) = 2800

The eruptions soon receded, revealing Verias backpedaling a few steps. "Stay strong." Shawn encouraged. "Here comes another one!"

Verias looked ahead. "Huh?" He witnessed the tri-barrel managing to charge up another blast that raced across the ground. It tore to pieces as it came to Verias.

"Ability activate, Bolt Cutter!" Verias reached his staff out to cleaved right through it. The blade's sharp edge was enough to bisect it, leaving him with free space.

However, Magnus watched with a smirk.

Verias grunted as he found the glowing end of his blade dimming. The blade eventually turned off. "What? My ability-! GAH!" Before he could process it, the brown beam engulfed him in another painful blast. One so strong that it made him airborne and smash into the ground behind Shawn.

Shawn uncovered from the dust and smoke and looked back at his fallen partner. "Verias!" He watched him stir around, grunting as he attempted to stand. Shawn turned around, amazed. 'That ability should've halved Glotronoid's power level. Did the Mobile Assault Vehicle…wait a minute, that must be it.'

Magnus scoffed. "Vilance's Rim Sonic is an ability equipped with the vehicle." He explained. "From that stupid face you have, you're figuring out your Haos abilities won't cut it…literally." He held back a chuckle from his unintended pun. "That goes for Pyrus and Aquos Abilities as well."

Shawn furrowed a brow. 'I see, so that means only negative attributes can affect him. That means all our abilities won't do anything, not even defend. Great.'

The vehicle was charging up a third blast. Verias managed to stand to face the beam, though his body was worn slightly from the barrage he's taken so far. Vilance fired once more, creating a brown beam that sailed after Verias.

Shawn reached down towards the ground. "Gate Card, open! Wall Lock!" The Gate Card beneath Verias shined, creating a translucent forcefield-like wall that blocked the ability entirely. "Alright, go!"

"With pleasure!" Once the barrier receded, Verias leaped ahead. He vanished for a second before reappearing above Glotronoid and the device, his axe blade up. With a harsh cry, he slashed down into the metal. It left an endearing dent in the alloy. With the proximity, he glared at Glotronoid. "Now you're mine!"

Magnus scoffed. "Not likely. Ability, activate! Force Smasher!" Glotronoid raised his fist, which glowed with a bright orange aura. The front right leg of the Vilance copied its movements and the aura. When Glotronoid punched down, the Vilance pierced the Gate Card. The pieces shattered, creating a brown-orange shockwave that sent the shrapnel in Shawn's way. He and Verias covered up.

Glotronoid: 200 (+600 +200) = 800 Prime Verias: 3200 (-400) = 2800

"He just nullified the Gate Card." Verias realized. He looked back at Glotronoid, but the Vilance's self-defense protocols made the metal in which he stood on crackle brown static. He screamed in pain as he was forced to jump and kneel on the ground.

Glotronoid fired the Vilance again. The blast made impact, swallowing Verias in another riling powerful light. The ape was thrown onto his back yet again.

"Verias!" Shawn felt the ground shudder. He looked directly up, seeing the Vilance's metallic end against the ground. It looked like a ramp. He saw that Glotronoid was angled enough to be in position to attack Verias as he was stunned from the recent blow.

Magnus held up an ability. "Now, to end this little charade. Ability activate, Hazard Earth-X!"

The purple core emulated on Glotronoid's front. The Bakugan's chords faded into the body, where an ominous pressure began building up. The atmosphere and magenta aura around Glotronoid intensified, the pressure so great that the Vilance was vibrating.

Verias looked up at the dark aura flaring around Glotronoid, but that was all he saw before the lizard vanished. Before he registered it, he caught a wind from above before Glotronoid's dark aura-enflamed body shot like a meteor, erupting shockwaves that rushed everywhere. Verias' screams hollered in the dust, as did Shawn as he kneeled to reduce drags from the air.

Glotronoid: 800 (+800) = 1600 Prime Verias: 2800 (-1400) = 1400

"Verias." Shawn managed to power through the shockwaves to see his partner pinned into the ground, unable to move properly. Glotronoid realigned himself with Vilance in the meantime, his vehicle assessing his control and leaning back up.

"Shawm, I'm sorry…" Unable to stand, Verias morphed into ball form. Shawn looked in remorse as his partner had lost the fight, and worse, unable to break through the defenses.

Shawn: 0%

Shawn bent over and picked up Verias, looking at him with grief. "…damnit." He heard alignment in machines around him. When he looked up, Vilance's cannon was aimed directly at him.

Magnus watched with crossed arms. "Orders are orders. Boss says he wants us to do away with you, we gotta. Nothing personal."

Shawn gritted his teeth and looked around. The cannon charged up crackling brown energy that aimed for him. He took a step back, only to fall on his back. He winced as he fell on dense armor. His lower back ached.

'Crap, gotta get out of here, and fast!' He looked up at the cannon to see an energy blast beginning to crawl out. He balled his fists, knowing he wouldn't be able to make it out.

"Game over for you!" Magnus shouted.

"HRAH!" Suddenly the Vilance was rocked heavily from the side. The buffer caused the entire thing to momentarily topple to the side. The beam charging up misaligned and fired. However, the beam didn't hit Shawn. He followed its wake back to find it crashing into a nearby wall. Metal was obliterated and the shards flew everywhere. He covered up from the ruckus unleashed.

"What?!" Magnus turned towards the source. "Who the hell is here now?!"

Shawn uncovered and looked over towards his savior. Standing tall against the Vilance adjusting, a familiar beetle with an impressive horn stood between them. To say both were elated would be putting it lightly.

"Fly Beetle?" Shawn blinked. "Wait…then that means…"

Running up from behind, Maggie dashed in. Jase and Shuji followed behind. "Looks like we've made just under the wire!" Maggie squealed.

"Not a moment too soon, apparently." Jase spoke.

Shawn and Verias turned around, seeing their company return to them. "Shuji! Maggie! And Jase!"

Jase smirked as he chuckled. "Our apologies. I hope that our accustomed 'timed luck' wasn't worn on you just yet."

Despite Jase's perpetual tease, Shawn blinked it off. He nervously grinned. "Yeah, don't mention it." He genuinely smiled as everyone caught up to them. "Thanks for that, Shuji."

Shuji beamed. "Heh, don't mention it." He looked at their enemy, the robotic drill spider in their way, with Glotronoid atop. "So this guy's the one who gave you all this trouble?"

Fly Beetle leaned forward, snarling. "He has a weapon like that woman we fought before."

Glotronoid made the vehicle spread its legs out to settle into target ahead of him. Stag Fly Beetle squared off with equal readiness for another fight. Even though he felt hampered from the last one. Maggie and Jase stepped up as support.

"Three against one now." Magnus cocked a brow beneath his shades. "Alright, ganging up. I see how it is." Beside him, a green flash erupted.

In a flash, the teleportation lead Galilea beside him. Magnus voluntarily scooted back as she sighed. "I apologize Magnus, but it seems my target has wandered into…" She trailed off as she noticed the metal laying around. She looked over and saw shelves demolished. The chamber itself was in complete shambles. Everything that she manufactured…was debris.

When Magnus saw her turn to him, he looked dumbfounded. "Oh shit…"

Her ferocious glare and pursed lips made her domineer. She looked at him, like she was trying to bore a hole through his forehead. "What…exactly happened?" She dreadfully asked.

On the other side of the battlefield, Jase prodded his glasses. "Seems we have yet to evade our foes entirely."

"Yup, looks like it." Maggie stepped forward. "Don't worry, we're warmed up this time. We mean it."

Shuji balled a fist. "Alright lady, guess we'll just have to finish what we came for after all."

Fly Beetle released a loud roar, one that shook the corridor they were in. This made Galilea advert the attention towards her opponents instead, meaning relief for Magnus.

"It seems that our intruders are still putting up a resistance. Afraid we're going to have to deal with them here now." She exasperatedly sighed. "Understand, Magnus, we're going to have a word about how you're going to pay for all of this." She held up Buz Hornix. "But for now, mind if I step in?"

Magnus sidestepped. "Er…sure."

"That…won't be necessary." Another voice said.

Everyone in the chamber stopped moving when the voice came from behind Galilea and Magnus. The tension in the room momentarily increased when they all felt the temperature drop all of a sudden. AN impressive force of negative energy overtook the atmosphere, so much that it felt like a small pressure was exerting.

Shuji's teeth gnashed together. "What…what the heck? Is this all negative energy…?"

"Do you feel that, Jelldon?" Maggie quivered, her voice shaken somewhat.

"Yeah, sure do…" he cautiously agreed. "And I don't like it."

Shawn stood up, finally gathering his bearings. "You don't think…" He looked towards Jase, who held a calm posture.

To appeal to his observation, the negative energy in the room suddenly spiked, causing everyone to freeze up briefly as Cyrus appeared behind Galilea and Magnus. The two turned around, facing their leader.

"Cyrus?" Galilea quipped.

Cyrus nonchalantly grinned at his former second-in-command. "Greeting to you, Galilea. Magnus." He looked ahead, seeing the stunned group of four ahead. The looks on their faces showed caution. He squinted. "I see…"

"What's up, boss man?" Magnus inquired.

Cyrus returned to the point. "I hate to be the one to say this, but you two can let them all pass…they no longer concern us."

Galilea and Magnus gasped. "Beg your pardon?!" Galilea squealed.

"Our lord has given us a direct command. He wants us to move our assault to the surface so we can eradicate the rest of the Gundalian forces." He smirked. "It's a shame, but alas, it appears that our salvation intends to have a little snack before we disembark Gundalia."

"Are you kidding me?" Magnus groaned. "What the heel? We seriously gonna let these guys get away with-!"

Cyrus turned and glared at Magnus. That immediately quelled him as his small irate came to pass. He snapped his fingers at his internal swears.

"And I suppose you have no objections to a direct order from your savior, Galilea. Isn't that right?" Cyrus maliciously smirked.

Galilea fell silent. She remembered the last conversation that had Cyrus in it. She knew her place wasn't beside him anymore. She had no say. "Yes. If that's what he wishes." She briskly agreed. "Suppose we'll withdraw and advance ahead."

Glotronoid reverted to ball form and returned to Magnus. Fly Beetle returned to Shuji. Once more, the slate was clean as an ominous pressure shrouded around everyone. Maggie and everyone else observed as Hades Pillars turned towards them.

"Hmph, consider yourselves lucky. We have somewhere to be." Galilea grunted menacingly. "You may be welcome ahead, but do not expect mercy."

Jase prodded his glasses, accepting the dare. "To be frank, we've never been accustomed to the term 'mercy', thank you."

"Well I assure you, you'll wish you have," She started fading away from her bottom up. "The same will not be said about your precious Gundalian allies." With that remark, she teleported away, leaving Magnus to follow.

He shot a glare at Shawn and Shuji, specifically the former. He met his defeated glare. "Good luck." His dry tone faded with his body.

The last to fade away, Cyrus turned towards the lot with a superior intimidation. His glare was like venom that made them stay on guard, just as how he liked seeing his foes. 'If they end up surviving this ordeal…surely matters will become much more interesting.' The sentiment to himself was the last thing he thought of before fading. With him gone, the chamber's atmosphere returned to normal. The pressure reduced to where they could all steady out…for now.

Maggie slumped to her knee, groaning to the ceiling. "Man, that was a close one."

Shuji scoffed. "Yeah, no kidding. For a second I thought we had to take on more of those creeps."

"I wouldn't settle on that statement if I were you." Fly Beetle instigated.

"He's absolutely right." The attention drew towards Jase. "If they're allowing us to roam freely, then their institute targets are the Gundalians that lie above of us. In other words, it sounds like Riaan's objective is to wipe out all resistance from the Gundalian race."

Shuji furrowed his brow. "You think? I could've guessed that one."

"I'm well aware…I just figured that'd get out to the open for you to understand." Jase teased. "I know you're not too in debt with reading faces as you are with words, Shuji?"

Shuji grew a visible anger point on his forehead. He was lucky they had other matters to attend to. He sheepishly turned away. "Okay then." He snarled. "The next time your glasses are low, I'll point out how your nose looks smaller."

Jase raised a brow. "Is that so? I knew you were becoming observant, Shuji." He grinned. "Very well, but try not to do so while I'm asleep. This old soldier prefers his beauty sleep and rest."

Maggie dusted her clothes off. "Save the rest stuff for later."

"She's right, we've got a big problem ahead of us." Shawn stated. "If Ren's in trouble, and Luke and the others went ahead, that means we're stuck."

Shuji rubbed the back of his head. "Great."

Fly Beetle popped open on his shoulder. "I'm not that sound at planning, but we didn't come all this way just to turn back."

"He's right. Hades Pillars left us alone voluntarily. We should take the hint while we can." Verias advised.

Shawn nodded. "Yeah, that's a good point." He stared forward. "Besides…who knows what Luke, Alice, and Luka are doing up ahead."

"My assumption…is that they want us to meet Riaan in person." Jase surmised, his glare fixed on the hallway. "And just as you've pointed out, Verias, we need to make haste. If Riaan has everyone gathered in one place, there's no definite telling on what'll become."

Maggie pumped her fists. "Well then let's hurry! Esther should be up ahead, and if Luke doesn't have her, I'm gonna give his shoe a good stepping on!"

Shuji rammed his fist. "Well I'm saving my beatings for that Riaan creep. Let's head in!"

Shawn nodded. "Right." He took off with everyone, the entire team darting pass the corridor. However, Shawn slowed down for a moment. He stopped almost entirely, looking behind his shoulder to see the metal littered around him. In one part, he saw something that looked like a fencer, but without the blade. He took a moment to look at the one he had tucked away. As he held its hilt, he furrowed his brow. He gave Verias one look, the Bakugan returning the silent sentiment.

If he was going to help Luke and the others stop Riaan, he should at least be more prepared.

Contestir charged in again, his shoulder cannons firing nonstop. They beamed continuously against Phastrix, but the electrical veil around it dissipated any beams before they could do damage. Nastix gurgled, sending another plasmatic shockwave that blew Contestir over with a scream.

"Contestir!" Zenet screamed. She looked back, eyes shrunk in disbelief. "This ain't good. Nothing we're doing is working."

"Let me have a go!" Plitheon flew in to strike. "Jesse, let's hit them at a closer distance!"

Jesse reached for an ability, which was wedged in his book. "Ah, yes. A fine line to counter this act. Ability activate, Zone Verde!"

A green aura emulated around Plitheon, increasing his power and speed. He rushed in to do some nasty damage with a howl. Lumitroid unleashed more magenta blasts into Plitheon, but his superior speed gave him an edge.

"You'll have to be faster than that if you wanna impress me!"

Amina smirked. "Gladly."

The Phastrix vehicle recharged another electrical ring around the top. The energy spiked into a hum before another plasmatic shockwave rushed out. Plitheon found himself stuck in midair with the aura fading. He was unable to fight back as he was blown away.

"Oh no!" Jesse used a forearm to cover before the shockwaves blew himself and his comrades down. Lena and Zenet squealed as they plopped on the ground. Phosphos and Contestir fell from the blast waves next.

A snickering laughter came from the other side, which grew immensely. Amina was having a good laugh to herself. "My, so this is what we have to put up with? Honestly…" Lena and the others struggled to stand. "I didn't know Gundalians and their Bakugan were this ugly. I don't see a bother in using one of our special cards like we had to for those other pests we squashed."

Lena attempted standing, her face and arms tattered in dirt. "You sum…" she nearly staggered over with flinching eyes. "…you think this is funny?! We won't let you get away with this!"

"Your attempts at rousing your egos is touching. However, such speeches don't prove a point." Lucia stated. This made Lena grit her teeth. "And hostility is a calling card to short-minded witness. You may have strength in power levels…but it proves nothing."

In the middle of her retort, her and Amina;s Bakumeters rung up. Their assaults ceased for a moment for them to get the line set up. "Yes, Lord Cyrus?"

"Miss Lucia, I trust that you and Amina are within my speaking range, are you not?" Cyrus' tone was on the other end. "I trust that your endeavors are fruitful for your new devices."

Amina lifted her Bakumeter to speak. "Oh please, these tacky creatures are so last season."

"As I've figured. Listen well, the rest of Hades Pillars is to convene topside. Magnus, Galilea, as well as myself will be arriving shortly to…dispose of the mess you're all making. And for the record, if it's no trouble…do try to save some for me."

"Understood." Lucia cut off the feed from there, her disposition unturned as she expected. "His leadership shall be here in a moment Amina. You comprehend what I'm saying?"

Amina eyerolled away. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever." She turned away, sassily swaying her hips. "Don't go chiming when the opera is moi."

Lucia humbly followed her. Their Bakugan and their Mobile Assault Vehicles hovered away, giving them room to gather their bearings. Phosphos and the others slowly stood up when the fire settled.

"Hey, wait! Where are they going?" Zenet questioned. "Why they stop? They retreating or something?"

"I don't know…" Contestir trailed off when an explosion happened in the distance. Everyone turned their attention where the eruption broke through enemy lines, blazing haphazardly all around. As the shockwaves dispersed.

"Hey, guys!"

In the air above them, they saw someone familiar head their way. Hovering above, they saw Mason atop of Avior, looking down on all of them. "Mason!" Lena shouted. More explosions went off in the distance. This made them all jump.

"C'mon! We have to go help Ren!" Mason shouted, pointing towards the direction of the blast. "Hurry!"

They all looked towards one another, their gazes turning serious. Jesse turned and aimed at the erupting wake in the distance. "Then let us take our act to the next stage then. Let us embark!"

…

On another sector of the battlefield, Gundalians were falling left and right as their Bakugan reverted to ball form due to the heavy fire power. In the midst of the hellfire that was brewing, there was a small clearing at the entrance to Empyrean. Reappearing via teleportation, Magnus an Galilea stood tall. Both looked around, seeing the chaos ensuing.

"Looks like we've made just in time, wouldn't you say?" Magnus teased. "And not a moment too soon."

"Looks to be the case." She took notice that Cyrus wasn't with them. She calmly sighed. 'Figures. He must've gone after the most threatening to our plans.' She pulled out Buz Hornix. "At any rate, let us prepare."

"Sure." He held up Glotronoid. Magenta flares ignited as the Bakugan erupted onto the battlefield, their battlecries deafening ears across the terrain.

Luke staggered back to avoid another one of Esther's handheld sears. She was pivoting around parrying Luka and Luke at the same time, with an impressive display of dexterity as she twirled the two staves in both hands, keeping them away.

Unable to get close herself, Alice watched in angst. "Guys, be careful!" she warned.

"We know!" Luka snarled as he was trying to gain power over the parry. "Riaan must've infused Interacian muscle memory into her. Het body must've adapted to the effects by now."

Esther proved him right by kicking him in the chest, sending him back. She turned and used both spears to parry Luke as he was sluggish. At one point, she swung her leg across his knees and knocked him over. She hovered over him, her spears ready.

"Luke, get up!" Abis shouted. He noticed his partner's lip was dripping blood. His attention went towards his abdomen. 'This isn't good. His wound from earlier, it's starting to hurt again.'

A spear was aimed for his neck when he was down. Esther's fixation on him only sharpened. "Stay down."

Luke struggled to stand, but he was reluctant on staying frozen in shock. Now wasn't the time to be freezing in his stupid ideals like he did before. He had to act while he still was alive. He stood, despite what Esther said. "I'm…sorry, Esther. But I can't do that." He panted.

Esther patiently glared at her enemy; the one she looked at so despicably.

"Because…I've made a promise with a certain someone before all this. And I don't intend to go back on my word about using what's left of my life without that person right there." Luke held his blade up. "I don't know what Riaan did to you exactly to make you hate me, but somewhere, I know you're there. That same person who I've known all this time is there, too!"

When Esther went to attack him with both spears crossed, Luka and Alice could only watch as Luke bunted with his blade. He stood his ground, though it seemed he was treading some. He stood strongly as he let out a shout. He swerved on his heels and deflected the two spears off to the side. Esther could only watch as Luke's blade made a roundabout.

"And I know the Esther I remember would want me to fight with everything I've got!" His blade swung. "That's what I am!"

KER-CHING!

Swiping his blade upwards, Luke managed to stagger Esther backwards. In the process, one of her spears went spiraling into the air and came down off to the side, piercing the ground. She stood in place a safe distance as Luke took another position.

"And for that Esther's sake, I'll risk myself to save her and Atchibee." He finished.

Luka strengthened his hold on his sword in case something drastic happened. Alice held herself firm as she gave the situation a serious yet worried look herself. Riaan and Armagedoid continued observing the struggle, unwilling to lift even a figure. Luke's glare was so serious that it was almost frightening…or so it would be to the old Esther.

This Esther, however, remained anew. She scoffed. "And why would you care for someone so weak?"

The question rung in Luke's mind as he visibly raised a brow. "…what?"

Luka narrowed his eyes. He knew something was wrong.

"That very same person you've relied on, she's no more. You're talking about someone who was weak all this time, and she didn't even know it. It makes perfect sense why she became so envious of her friends she came to care for; the very same ones that chose to steal their faith away from her and thrust it onto someone like you."

"Someone…like me?"

"As I have said. I did not realize before what a blind woman I was until it was too late. It makes perfect sense now."

"Esther, what are you on about? Tell me!" Luke demanded. "I wanna help you!"

Esther affirmed her position. "Do not bother…that willingness to help is what put me in this position to begin with."

"What…what are you saying, Esther…?"

"For a long time, I thought I was amongst my peers. My position with you all was what gave me the upmost security. Together, we all came together to oppose the negative energy. But, in that expense, I've learned a painful truth. And that in doing so for the cause, the faith that I once had was no more. It was stripped away…and was given to you and everyone else."

Luke didn't say anything. He could only stare in disbelief as she turned and picked up the spear from the ground nearby.

"I've once admired you because of your resolve, to give up everything you've had, even if it was nothing, for a friend. For some reason, it's gotten you this far. It's what kept everyone going. Maggie. Shuji. Jase; even Alice. They've all given up so much for a cause that you coaxed them in. All because you proposed faith!"

"I didn't-!" Luke was cut off when Alice intercepted the conversation.

"Esther, listen to me! That's not true! I came knowing the consequences!" She retorted. "Yes, I admit, a small part of it has to do with you guys. You all were willing to risk yourselves to fight. How could step back when everyone I know might be in danger?"

Esther turned towards her. "Alice Gehabich." Her tone was as monotone as it was cold. "You were an apex amongst us. You've had prodigious experience in battles that I thought myself lower because if that. I'm here because of that fault. You and everyone else went on without me…you've taken my position for granted."

Alice stepped back, stunned by how Esther worded it. "Esther…"

She turned back towards Luke. "You…you've gotten much stronger, Luke. Stronger than me." Though Luke was appreciate of the statement, he knew better than let his guard down. "You've gotten pass me, and you've rounded up everyone, including myself. You've let me sacrifice myself…because I was weaker."

Luke stepped forward. "No! That isn't true! Esther, I care about you! We care about you!"

"…then why did you come for me, when the universe was more important?" her statement left Luke at a standstill. "We're all here for a reason, and that's because of Riaan. I have learned the truth about Riaan, and he showed me the way to restore my own faith. He gave me a reason now…a reason that you couldn't have seen."

Luke grunted. He couldn't believe her for a second. Suddenly when he tried walking again, his side ached, almost kneeling. "Luke!" Abis gasped. He turned towards Esther. "C'mon, Esther! You know us better than that! Why would we come here if the universe was so important?!"

Esther held up her spear end towards him. "I thought I knew…but I didn't know anything. I was blinded because I aimlessly followed your lead. I retired the mantle to you, Luke. And this is how you thank me…what a selfish gesture. You were supposed to have faith in me, faith that I could make it out on my own. But we've relied on each other for too long that I didn't have the strength…now we're here." She brought her spear back. "I now have my faith restored. I now believed in someone else and they gave me greater strength than you ever could!"

Luke winced, unable to bring himself to lift his blade in time. 'Crap, my body's shutting down. I…can barely lift anything…'

"I'll show you what happens…when you let go!" She darted for him, her arms pulled back.

Luke closed his eyes, knowing he couldn't block it in time with his side hurting now more than it ever has. He expected a fatal blow, but he heard metal and vibrations clash. When he opened an eye, he and Abis were stunned at seeing Luka before him, blocking the fatal attack.

"You…idiot!" he grunted.

"Luka?" Luke suddenly felt an appearance beside him. "Alice?" She grabbed his shoulder, using her own body to help support his own. She helped him get up and backpedal while Luka held off the manipulated friend.

"Luke, are you hurt?" Alice worriedly asked.

Luke strained himself, but taking a deep breath, he breathed in, and then out. "…yeah, don't worry. I think I'm okay right now. Thanks." Alice nodded and let go. Luke looked back with a heavy frown. "Esther…"

Managing to overpower her, Luka swiped, making her backpedal. With the standoff affirm he used this time to get something off his chest.

"Get ahold of yourself back there. Don't listen to what she's saying, do you understand?!" he yelled. "Listen, Riaan used her personal feelings and infused them with negative energy. She only saw you as a liability now. You said you wanted to get her back, didn't you?!"

"Luka…"

Luka glared back. "Look, I'm not good with…expressing myself. But I do know this. She's right. You have become strong, and in doing so, I realized my faults that being alone all the time won't bring about any results." He seethed leers back at Esther. "So yeah, this is personal. Not just between you guys, but for me. I want to show her just how wrong she is to think of relying on yourself or a monster will bring about anything…"

Luke stood straight up. "You're right. I'm sorry. I got distracted."

"Then you know what we have to do, right?"

Luka nodded. "Yeah, I know." He and Alice stood beside one another. "I said I was going to bring her back to her senses, no matter what…and I'm never going back on a promise. Esther! I'm sorry, but if I have to face you to get to see how much you're wrong, then don't expect me to hold back!"

Luka sneered, hearing Luke's declaration. "Heh…yeah, what the dreck said."

"Count me in." Alice declared. "I have to repay her for saving Hydranoid and I. We'll save you, Esther, we promise!"

Riaan watched from his high perch, intrigued by the show that was about to unfold. "This should be most interesting to spectate." He looked down at Esther at the base of the throne steps. "Do you intend to let these people – the ones who had succeeded you – do you intend to be indebted to them forever? Show them what you have gained, through the faith that I have shown you."

Esther reciprocated the action by clutching both spears tightly, her magenta visors shimmering brightly.

Esther: 100% Luke: 100%

Luka: 100%

Alice: 100%

Luke balled his fists tightly, he remained aware as Abis was on his shoulder. "Luke, we need to snap her and Atchibee out if it, whatever it takes." The sea serpent insisted. "If we don't…who knows?"

"I know Abis." Luke said, cooling his jets. "I wish we could go easy…but we'd indult all the effort we've put into getting this far. You think she and Atchibee can use…those cards too?"

Luka stepped forward. "It's likely. You saw what happened in your fights with Rogue Zero, didn't you? The Bakugan became more powerful, and their bodies accustomed to the power levels. Riaan no doubt conditioned her beforehand so they don't get themselves killed."

"Here she comes, Alice." Hydranoid warned.

Alice, affirming herself with resolve, stares intently. "I'm ready. Ready to save my friend."

Esther held up a Gate Card between two fingers. "Gate Card, set!" Swiping her arm elegantly across, the card flicked into the ground between, evaporating into a dark purple shockwave that ran through the area. Esther held up a Bakugan, which had a violet, black, and indigo aura around it. "With this…you shall know the pain that I've felt."

If Abis' orange eyes in ball form could widen, they would definitely be showing. "Is that…?"

Esther swung her arm around. "Bakugan, brawl!" The spherical creature went across the grand chamber, landing in the center. The aura faded as she slowly opened. "Darkus Dusk Atchibee, stand!"

From the ball, a dark purple pulse blinded everyone. They all covered up as cold, crisp winds blackened the atmosphere in the room. A mystifying dark haze blocked everyone that flapped inside. The sounds of wings flapped; each beat like a looming hum. They uncovered to look in all directions.

"Crrrreeeeaaaahhh…." An ominous chime rattled through their bodies. It sounded like something was inside that wanted to say hello.

Looking around, Brontes turned skywards. "Uh oh~…"

Luka looked up, jerking back. A scythe came down and he backed away in time. He met with Luke and Alice. They all looked and watched as the scythe prodded from the ground and returned to the dark haze. As it slowly faded, they saw dull red eyes glaring them down.

The haze at last faded, showing Atchibee once again. Although, nothing about her seemed too right. When she arose, there was a brief magenta aura around her body. Her scales and wings were notably duller in color, minus the "eyes" of the wings, which glowed brightly. The indigo/dark purple on her body had darkened to near pitch-black, and her white fur on her body had become darker. She raised her head into the atmosphere, expelling a boisterous dark shockwave that caused everyone to cover up again. Her shriek was so intense that it was making their bones rattle.

Once Atchibee settled down, they all uncovered, looking stunned. "It's Atchibee…" Abis awed, though not in a good way.

Atchibee hissed at them, unable to respond. Luke looked down at his Bakumeter, surprised at what he saw.

Dusk Atchibee: 650

'Her power level has also gone up a little.' Luke realized. 'Just like what happened with us when our Bakugan started evolving.' He fastened himself, grabbing Abis. "Okay Abis, you ready?"

"I am. I'm gonna set Atchibee straight, even if it hurts me." He argued. "Now let's go!"

"Right! We're coming for you guys! Bakugan, brawl!" Luke threw Atchibee into play. "Aquos Frill Abis Omega…stand!"

A blue geyser erupted in the middle of the terrain. From it, frills split it apart, dispersing it into drizzle. Abis Omega expelled an ear-splitting shriek of intimidation as his frills expanded and vibrated frivolously.

Dusk Atchibee: 650 Frill Abis Omega: 600

Abis slithered, flicking his forked tongue in and out as he leveled his long body to be at eye level with the shrieking Atchibee. Her cries were sounds of anger and territory. Abis stood his ground and expelled a shriek back.

It was time. 'Atchibee.' In his head, he thought back to when they first met in the woods. 'We've come a long way, haven't we? Now we have to show you…our results!'

With a tails swing, Abis attacked first. Atchibee flew up to evade the lash that boomed the flooring. Looking up, he saw Atchibee bare her scythes and threatened to come down. She sprung for him, but he slithered around and behind. He swung his tail again, and as she turned around, was smacked in the face. The manipulated moth-like creature stammered, but Abis added pressure by lunging with sharp fangs. She evaded again, this time getting directly above. Abis reaffirmed and turned skywards, shrieking up to her.

Then, something erroneous happened. The tiny pincers on Atchibee's cocoon bottom pinched. Slowly, they extended, making Abis slink his body lower to the ground. The pincers elongated, longer, and longer. Until finally, there was a massive extension of her lower-half protruding from the cocoon. It looked much like her previous evolution's worm-like lower-half. Atchibee shrieked as she used the lower extension like a grappling claw and pinned Abis to the ground.

"Watch out!" Luke warned.

Abis tried freeing himself, but the grip from her claws was immense. He looked up, seeing Atchibee's dulled eyes glaring hm down. Without a response, she raised a scythe slowly to pierce the snake's head.

"Ability, activate! Dive Bomb!" Activating the ability, Atchibee shrieked as the blade went down, but Abis ended up whipping his tail into her spiky chin to rebuff her. He upright himself and plunged into the ground, which exerted splashes like waves. His blue shadow slithered closer beneath Atchibee, bringing her power level down to 350.

Using her trained eyes, Esther found where he was going to strike. "Ability, activate! Chrysalis Shield!" A geyser of water rushed up from below, blasting Atchibee. The moth materialized a pink crystal-like barrier around herself that stopped the water and Abis' uprising in one go.

Dusk Atchibee: 350 (+300 +300) = 950 Frill Abis Omega: 600

Midair from the recoil of the waves, Abis slammed onto the ground. He looked up, glaring at the shield that faded away.

'Have to keep the pressure.' Luke showed another ability. "Ability activate, Storm Drain!" Abis' eyes glimmered bright blue and raised his head high. He shrieked out as he summoned a swirling tidal wave that rushed in all direction. The waves quickly rushed in and swamped Atchibee once her shield was down.

Dusk Atchibee: 950 (-300) = 650 Frill Abis Omega: 600 (+300) = 900

Atchibee hissed as the waves were swirling her around. She hissed in annoyed fashion. "Yes…I understand." Esther said. She looked towards Luke. "Aquos is nothing to Darkus, as we shall verify."

Luke's brow furrowed. "Is she going too…'

"Double ability, activate! Correlation of Aquos to Darkus, plus, Fusion Ability, Vermilion Raid!"

Inside the aquatic cyclone, Atchibee remained unmoved. With one fell swipe of her blades, two slashes blazed clean through, eradicating the waves like cake slices. Her body was in a purple aura, which affirmed her power increase to 1350. She added to this by expelling a hot breath of negative flames that evaporated the water and exploded near Abis. The eruption of blue and negative colors alarmed everyone as they saw Abis bring thrown into the air and slamming onto his front.

"Abis, stay strong!" Luke insisted. He looked back at Esther and Atchibee as his partner was getting back up. 'Just how much stronger did they get?'

Abis hissed again as he remained aware of the disadvantage. Atchibee flew across the battlefield, spewing negative flames from her maw and engulfing the terrain. The flames surrounded Luke and the others, prompting them to get closer to each other.

"Guys!" Taking action, Abis zipped towards them, surrounding them in his coils to protect them from the fires. He looked up angrily. "Atchibee!"

Atchibee paid no heed. Her dull eyes shined brightly when she fired more negative flames. Abis glared on as the flames swallowed him, enveloping a massive burst of darkness that sped shockwaves that Esther ignored. She looked on, unimpressed by what her attack did.

Riaan observed on through the blast waves. He seemed intrigued at what he was seeing. 'Reasonable opening…but she's not even close to warmed up. The fight's only just beginning.'

In the negative flames, Atchibee hovered over them. She noticed yellow glints in the flames, which made her use her scythes to block the projectiles that sliced through the flames and buffered her back into the air with a gasping quail.

The flames faded, and in front of Abis, Alto Brontes stood. The Atmosphere he generated circled around him, slicing the flames that didn't harm neither him nor Abis.

Dusk Atchibee: 1350 (-400) = 950 Frill Abis Omega: 900

Alto Brontes: 600 (+400) = 1000

"Thanks for the save, Brontes." Abis thanked.

Brontes faced forward, eerily smirking. "My pleasure, friend." He cackled.

Luke shot a glance at Luka, who had the ability activated. "Thanks for that."

"You can thank me after we snap them out of it." He warned. "You know her better than anyone else here, so bring out her strongest abilities and we'll stop them!"

Luke faced forward, reaffirming the situation. "Got it!"

Atchibee hollered for the umpteenth time. She faced Brontes and Abis as they glared her down.

"Ability, activate! Wizard Proxy!" Brontes raised all four of his limbs and expelled a yellow borealis around the battlefield. The aurora surrounded Atchibee, but she seemed unfazed, despite how her energy was being drained, the Darkus aura turning into a Haos aura around Alto Brontes.

Dusk Atchibee: 950 (-300) = 650 Frill Abis Omega: 900

Alto Brontes: 1000 (+300) = 1300

"Hope that you enjoy a little depletion, because we're going to be sucking that negative energy right out of your big behind." Brontes mocked.

Rather than throw an insult back, Esther countered. "Ability, activate! Wormhole!" Atchibee's wings remained locked as two black portals opened up at her sides. The black gravity sucked in the yellow borealis around, drawing in Brontes' power as his aura faded. Atchibee's dark aura returned as the vortex sucked it all inside.

Dusk Atchibee: 650 (+300 +300) = 1250 Frill Abis Omega: 900

Alto Brontes: 1300 (-300) = 1000

Seeing his Bakugan's power level drained away, Luka squinted. 'She was able to absorb the ability and power.'

Brontes kneeled momentarily, allowing Atchibee to use her scythes and slash the clown. He was fast enough to elude them, backtracking towards Abis. She flapped her wings, expelling a strong gust storm that blasted the two Bakugan. They barely stood their ground. Abis flexed his membranes to reduce any drag for himself and Brontes.

"So strong!" Abis grunted through the tempest. The winds howled highly around them. "Hydranoid, are you there?!"

"Yes Alice, I'm ready." He assured. "Just say the word."

Alice nodded. "Okay…let's knock her down! Bakugan, brawl!" she used her left hand to shoot Hydranoid. "Darkus Alpha Hydranoid, stand!"

Between Abis and Atchibee, a dark purple aura expelled three heads. Hydranoid arose, exhausting a primitive, demonic roar that shuddered weak-minded spines…which were none in the room.

Frill Abis Omega: 900/Alto Brontes: 1000/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 = 2800

Dusk Atchibee: 1250

With three heads, Hydranoid released a massive shout. A shockwave blew the winds of Atchibee away. The pulses were enough to buffer her some. Out of caution, she flapped her wings to gain altitude. The hydra spread his heels to anchor for battle.

"Our turn, Hydranoid!" Alice's Bakumeter showed an ability. "Ability activate, Death Trident!" Hydranoid opened his three maws wide. Inside, masses of white orbs with violet and dark energy began energizing. They took aim at Atchibee, where the three heads launched them at once at Mach 3 speed.

Frill Abis Omega: 900/Alto Brontes: 1000/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 = 2800

Dusk Atchibee: 1250 (-300) = 950

The plasma balls drew closer to Atchibee as she used her scythes to block the barrage. The airspace erupted in violet and white. The erupting waves blasted her further away from the smoke cloud that obscure herself from the group below. However, through her antennae, she was sensing accurately where they were below. She could point them out clearly.

"Ability, activate!" Esther shouted. "Glare Astral!" Atchibee's 'pupils' in her wings shined brightly as darkness breached. With the hue blackening everything, the others below only saw several blinks before dark purple beams projected at high speeds through the smoke, heading directly for them.

Frill Abis Omega: 900 (-300) = 600/Alto Brontes: 1000 (-300) = 700/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 (-300) = 600 = 1900

Dusk Atchibee: 950 (+300) = 1250

The beams drew closer, but rather than sit back and take it, Luke used Abis' strong points as he slithered in front of his allies. "Ability, activate! Frill Rippler!" Abis paneled his frills as they shined bright blue. The multitude of dark beams projected at high velocity into him, creating a pressure that sent airwaves upon impact. He stood his ground as he screamed out. Blue shockwaves expanded the beams as they were sent through the smoke back at Atchibee with greater force. The moth was helpless as the range was too great. They erupted upon impact with her.

Frill Abis Omega: 600 (+300 +300 +200) = 1400/Alto Brontes: 700 (+300) = 1000/Alpha Hydranoid: 600 (+300) = 900 = 3300

Dusk Atchibee: 1250 (-300 -300 -200) = 450

As Atchibee descended from the explosion, she barely got a glimmer of a shadow before it came down onto her. "Wakey, wakey~!"

"Ability, activate!" Luka shouted. "Shining Nightmare!"

"HRAH!" His arms morphed into axe blades and Brontes' power shot up to 1400. He spun vertically into Atchibee, sawing through her blades and defenses. The moth was dealt with a deathly slash that smashed her into the ground, making a tremor.

Brontes landed with his allies, all of them seeing Atchibee growling low. The dust dissipated, but she weakly arose, growling.

"Seriously?" Luka scoffed.

"What durability…" Luka awed.

From his throne, Riaan continued watching in silence. He offered nothing but the thoughts of the forbidden abilities and how they bodily enhanced the Bakugan. Esther's was no exception.

Atchibee hissed again as she ascended. Hydranoid snarled with his three heads opening maws. "Ability, activate! Terminal Barrage!" Alice shouted. Hydranoid's maws started charging up the same kind f energy was before, though on a far more destructive pressure.

As he charged the attack, Esther reached down towards the battlefield. "Gate Card, open. Additional Task!"

Before Hydranoid could accomplish the charge, the card shined beneath him, He felt a rupture beneath him that got his attention. "What's going on?"

"Hydranoid, no-!" Alice didn't have time to throw a save when the Gate Card exploded beneath Hydranoid. The Bakugan was sent back through the shockwaves, howling as he reverted to ball form. But rather than towards the ground, it was back to Alice's hand.

Riaan raised a brow. "I see, so she laid down the Additional Task Gate Card to set up whoever came last. This case, she took out the biggest threat. Very well done."

"Is he okay?" Abis asked.

Alice looked at her hand, seeing Hydranoid stir. She sighed in relief. "Yeah, he's okay…wait! Guys, look out!"

Abis and Brontes turned around. They looked up, seeing Atchibee right above them. She shrieked loudly as she flapped her wings continuously. Her eyes gleamed menacingly.

"Double ability, activate!" Esther started. "Phonic Liseran!"

Atchibee flapped her wings, making her surroundings darken to pitch-black. Luke nor Luka could see ahead of them as they had lost sight of their opponents altogether.

"Where'd they go…?" Luka gritted his teeth.

"I don't know…" Luka swore he saw a shadow ignite above Abis and Brontes. "Guys! Above!"

Abis and Brontes barely got the warning when a red light shined above them. It nearly blinded them. When they looked up, they saw the two large eyes of the wings shimmer with dark energy like a cosmic cannon. They tried maneuvering, but Atchibee quickly fired two massive beams of Darkus energy that plummeted like space cannons. They crashed into them, making them screech out as the assault was applying overwhelming pressure.

Luke and Luka were buffered by the assault. They backpedaled to avoid the shockwaves, but Luke was barely maintaining himself at the moment.

"Plus, Fusion Ability, Vermilion Raid!" Atchibee added to the large beams by spewing negative fire that razed over the battlefield. The darkness became enflamed as Abis and Brontes were screeching and crying out through the force of the attack.

Dusk Atchibee: 450 (+400 +400) = 1250 Frill Abis Omega: 1400 (-400) = 1000

Alto Brontes: 1400 (-400) = 1000

"Gnnngh…guys!" Luke shouted through the shockwaves. He couldn't get to them as the eruptions ceased. He and Luka watched as their Bakugan started falling over, but reverted to ball form before they crash landed.

They stared in shock as their life gauges fell to 50%. Their Bakugan rolled up to them.

"Guys…I'm sorry." Alice grimaced. She should've gotten back in there, but she didn't.

Atchibee returned to ball form and was caught by Esther. She gave them all a studious glare as Luke and Luka gathered their partners and bearings and faced her again.

"She caught us by surprise." Luka grunted. He sighed low, calming himself. "Alright, so anything yet?"

Luke furrowed his brow. He looked into Esther's eyes, unwilling to give in. "Sorry guys, that was my mistake." He swore. "…but, I won't let it happen this time."

Luka turned away. "You say that…but be sure to prove it through your actions. You seem to have a habit of doing that, you aware of that?"

Luke looked down. "Heh…I guess I do." He fixated onto Esther. "Thanks for all the support, Luka. I mean it. You too, Alice." He held Abis up. "Alright, I mean it. I'm done talking. Let's get her back the hard way now!"

"Atchibee, we're coming for you and Esther, just hang on." Abis insisted.

Esther and Atchibee remained unturned. They gazed at their foes with a look unrivaled. "I will not fall again." She murmured, her visors shimmering. "Not…to you…"

Sabator snorted out steam again. He banged his arms against his chest plates to rile himself up.

"Ability, activate! Destroy Horn!" Nurzak shouted.

Orange electricity discharged around Sabator's horns, conducting them into a single point. At once, he blasted the bolts at Snapzoid. "Come get some of this!" he challenged.

Snapzoid: 900 (-400) = 500 Linehalt: 300

Sabator: 900

The discharged closed in on Snapzoid, but Zion was more than eager to counter as he pulled out an ability. "Ability, activate! Verity Fire!" Snapzoid opened his gaping maw wide again, spewing a vortex of pressurized fire that countered the orange discharge. His power level went back up to 900 in no time.

Linehalt ascended into the air, glaring down the stalemate they were in. "Don't forget about us now! Ren!"

"Yeah!" Ren shouted. "Ability activate, Darkness Blizzard!" Linehalt brought his wings back before unleashing a dark purple whirlwind with arctic snow in it. The snowstorm blazed through the atmosphere and through the spiraling fire. It was enough to repulse the flames, allowing the orange electricity to continue its course and electrocute Snapzoid. The Bakugan hissed lowly at the pain it felt.

Snapzoid: 900 (-400) = 500 Linehalt: 300

Sabator: 900

Snapzoid veered away as Linehalt and Sabator reconvened. The massive eel snarled at the offense the two were starting to put up. Yet it refused to go down.

"I suggest that you stand down if you know what's good for you." Nurzak advised. "You are outclassed in the art of battle. Furthermore, you have no place or right to claim the inhabitance as part of a whole for your kind's sake-!" Nurzak barely caught onto the knife that nearly pierced his throat. He leaned away in time to avoid the weapon, which instead pierced the back of an unlucky Gundalian's head behind them.

Ren and Nurzak turned around to watch the Gundalian's body convulse before it fell over. The back of the helmet was oozing blood. They slowly turned around, only for Nurzak to barely grab his staff-like weapon and use it to bunt Zion's axe. The Gundalian Prime Minister was caught surprised at hiw much strength Zion possessed.

'What strength!'

Zion's expression remained unchanged as he followed through, pushing back Nurzak across the ground. The older Gundalian grimaced at how he barely caught onto that attack. "What…is he doing…?"

"Nurzak, look out!" Ren warned.

The warning came just in time when a polearm sped towards him. Nurzak was quick enough to unleash the energy blade at the edge of his weapon. He used that to deflect the shot and make the polearm spin into the ground nearby. Zion continued the pressure by advancing with axe swings. Nurzak found himself on the defensive at his aggressive and sturdy front.

"Suppose you Gundalians all rely on Bakugan." Zion scoffed, continuously parrying Nurzak's defensive blocks. "You leave yourself wide open!"

Nurzak managed to evade a deadly swing, allowing him to use his bisento end to pierce the armor, where the heart should be located. However, the energy saber was stopped cold by the armor. He was stunned at how thick it was. "What impressive defenses…"

"Nurzak, hang on!" Ren shouted. "Linehalt, back him up! Ability activate, Razen Breaker!" Linehalt's power jumped up to a staggering 700 as he charged up dark purple lightning between the horns. They were bolted into Snapzoid, giving Zion the chance to act.

Swinging his axe blade to parry Nurzak, Zion backed away and reached for the card. "Gate Card, open! Hate Gate!" The Gate Card shined below, giving Snapzoid even more power as he snarled.

Snapzoid: 500 (+1000) = 1500 Linehalt: 700

Sabator: 900

Linehalt's dark lightning bolted, but it had no effect. Instead, Snapzoid conducted it like it was second nature to him. Ren's eyes widened. "What's that?!"

"His power level just shot up immeasurably!" Linehalt realized.

They expected an answer, but instead, Zion just glared them down. In reality, in the heat of battle, one doesn't waste time explaining things when the opponent should be using their own brains to figure it out. Instead, he reached for the polearm Nurzak prodded from the ground earlier and placed it back into a slot in his armor.

"Then it seems we'll have to answer his call to arms ourselves!" Nurzak reached out, his hand crackling with brown electricity. The energy emitted transformed into energy that became tangible. He seized it, giving it to Sabator. "Battlegear Boost!"

He threw the Battlegear onto Sabator, who accepted it. The machine covered his back, going over his upper body. It revealed two massively large blades, which were almost identical to the ones Stag Beetle's midsection had. Only these ones were fully orange, and were attached to silver appendages. Sabator expelled another shout of triumph.

Snapzoid: 1500 Linehalt: 700

Sabator: 900 (+100) = 1000

"Now Ren, let us show this man just what the power of Gundalians are capable of." Nurzak insisted, showing a card that indicated a Battlegear ability.

"Right, Nurzak!" Ren showed a similar ability card.

Zion scoffed. He looked intrigued at what was going to happen.

"Battlegear Ability, activate!" they shouted.

"Chompixx Land Breaker!" The Battlegear on Sabator was the first to act. It started vibrating intensely, shaking up haphazardly. The scythes levered skywards before they were sent into the ground, their force causing a seismic shockwave to tear up the earth as it closed in on Snapzoid.

"Boomix Dimension!" Linehalt aimed ahead and fired another purple blast at Snapzoid. Though when it got to the middle, it distorted and vanished. Moments later, that same distortion appeared above Snapzoid, the beam barreling from a different angle instead.

Snapzoid: 1500 (-400 -400) = 700 Linehalt: 700 (+400) = 1100

Sabator: 1000 (+400) = 1400

The two attacks came from the earth as they did from the sky. Zion looked straight up as the darkness closed in on Ren's attack. He remained afoot as the explosions from both attacks surged in one spot. The land shuddered while the atmosphere was ignited in darkness.

"You want no mercy?! We'll show you no mercy!" Ren added. "Linehalt, again! Razen Breaker!"

"With pleasure!" Linehalt's horns ignited as dark purple lightning bolted into the explosion. His power spiked to 1500 in an instant, his attack creating an even bigger shockwave that jolted everything frivolously.

As the shockwaves were beginning to dim. Zion remained still inside the dust. The temperature around was still cold, but he didn't care. He just eyed his foes as his well-developed eyes to see in darkness could make out their rasped breathing.

On the other side of the smoke cloud, Sabator spread his hooves. "That got 'em."

Nurzak eyed suspiciously. He wasn't so confident about that statement. The area grew silent as they waited for the dust to settle.

In the dust, the heard a snarl, followed by the sounds of chords and lines quickly unfolding. Their visage vanished, but the snarling was still there. A black and red aura outlined Snapzoid, who seemed unfazed by the attack. The beast's snarls were far lower than before.

"What's this…?" Nurzak felt an intense heat signature rise up. He looked towards the ground, feeling a light tremor. But worse, he could visibly see the rock below starting to melt. His eyes widneed in surprise. 'The heat index is traveling through our earth at an astounding rate…' He looked at the growing flare around Snapzoid. 'This pressure…it's not like the experiments Kazarina's forbidden experiments have done. This feels…much stronger, and more controlled.'

Ren recognized the ability. The look on his face showed deep horror as he took a step back. 'This is bad…'

Nurzak had to remain strong. "Ability, activate! Tough Rock!" Sabator's body was covered in a bright orange coating. He crossed his arms, remaining affirm as he tried withstanding the heat index. "With this card, this should nullify all his abilities for a brief time."

Sabator's nostrils were blowing out steam. He found the hardened structure of his body becoming increasingly hot. The Bakugan grunted as he found his ground slipping.

Nurzak's eyes widened. "What's this?"

"Nurzak, get down!" Ren shouted.

"Ability, activate! Spartan-X!" Zion's nonchalant call of the ability caused broiling flames to envelop Snapzoid's body. The Bakugan expelled a loud roar that had red, feverish rings that expelled at Linehalt and Sabator. Both Bakugan grunted at the heat encompassing them.

Snapzoid: 700 (+900) = 1600 Linehalt: 1500

Sabator: 1400

The flames coated Snapzoid's body like pressurized armor. The armor of broiling flames cindered the ground, leaving ashes and embers flickering as he charged for Sabator and Linehalt together. With the intense heat and the Tough Rock trying to weight him down, Sabator blocked the attack, but his body was caught on fire from immediately impact. The minotaur screamed as the flames ate their way through his body, making his abilities completely useless.

"Sabator!" Nurzak screamed.

Snapzoid lashed his smller snake tongue and jabbed Linehalt in the neck. Immediately the flames swallowed him up as he shrieked as well. Ren's shock overwhelmed him as the armored flames around Snapzoid expelled, sending blast waves at near close-range, knocking both enflame Bakugan into midair screaming. The Gundalians were also blown onto the back, feeling shock stun the as waves of embers passed them, leaving cinder marks on the ground.

Their Bakugan everted to ball form, while Snapzoid returned to Zion's hand unscathed.

Ren: 80%

Nurzak: 60%

Ren was lying on the ground, grimacing at the unbelievable pain he felt. His attire had some char on it, but not too tethered. He sat up, looking down at Linehalt in ball form. "Linehalt…"

Nurzak was able to stand, despite feeling his elderly back hurt. He picked up Sabator and looked at his surroundings. He saw the many flames still lingering along the ground. His suspicions cascaded onto a general area. "So then…that was the forbidden power's affects then…such extremes."

Ren grunted, wiping his chin. "Prime Minister." He started. "That energy…that was nothing."

Nurzak looked towards Ren's rasped state. It was clear he wasn't recovered from the last battle he had with Zion, but he wasn't going down that easily. "I see, then that explains that enormous output back in the ravines. If that's the case…then they have much more in store for us."

Hearing their conversation, Zion cocked a brow. "You blind fools…have no idea on how far deep you've dug your own graves."

Nurzak stood against him in full opposition. "Tell me, where did you develop this power? Who taught you how to fight with your life? Was it this Riaan fellow?"

Zion threw another knife. This one Nurzak and Ren were able to evade in time. "You want to know so bad, when really you should be saving your breath to stay alive when this is over."

Ren's teeth gritted. "This guy…"

"Ren!" a voice shouted.

Hearing the call, Ren perked up and turned. He saw his team present, with everyone looking at him and Nurzak. "Guys, you've made it." He wheezed. "Some timing…"

Lena prodded her glasses, deeply frowning. "Our apologies. But the situation has gotten out of control." She looked ahead at Zion, seeing his cold glare fixed on them. "So that's another of them."

"Bleh…" Zenet got shivers just looking at him. "Man, just look at that guy, he sure doesn't look like he wants a hug right now."

Jesse chimed a smirk. "A performer with upmost talents. Suppose your little duet could call for understudies, Ren?"

"You guys…" Ren didn't know what to say. On one hand, he couldn't just turn the down and have them focus on other Bakugan. Then again, this foe was downright deadly that even Sabator was taken down. He had to get back in there, but he couldn't do it alone. "…thanks guys, I mean it." He adjusted his injured leg to shift the weight onto the other one. "Now let's go!"

Mason smirked. "This should be interesting."

Nurzak and Zion exchanged hostile glares, neither side willing to make a move. Suddenly, the heat index from Snapzoid's earlier burst turned sheer cold. A chill ran through the air and everyone's spines. Their lifted spirits seemed to have fallen.

"You guys…feel that?" Ren faltered.

Lena furrowed her brow. "Yes…I do." 'What's causing all this pressure? Is it coming from around us?' she fastened a lock-on to Zion. 'No, it can't be. It must be Gundalia. Our climate's deteriorating faster…'

"Everyone, on guard!" Nurzak ordered.

Everyone tensed up when a dark surge erupted besides Zion. They all saw a dark matter-like flash out of nowhere that sprung heels. They watched as a cold set of eyes opened, revealing a disastrous look that sent shivers down their spines. Cyrus has arrived.

"Who…who's that?" Mason murmured, his tone off guard.

Cyrus looked nonchalantly around, eying everything and everyone. He seemed more or less intrigued with what he saw seeing. "I see that you've found some livelihood again, Zion." He nonchalantly stated.

Zion looked at Ren and Nurzak specifically. "You can say that, sire." Cyrus stepped beside him. "I do believe that this shall suffice for you?"

Cyrus eyed the many battlers before him. He could sense their Bakugan and the power they all had. It made his smirk widen. "I see…" he cocked a brow. "So this is Gundalia's mightiest, all gathered in one spot. Truly, an honor this is."

Ren furrowed his brow. Something about what this guy saying didn't sound right.

"Zion, mind if I cut in?" Cyrus stepped to his side.

Zion nodded. "So as you please. Just don't get in my line of fire."

Cyrus maliciously smirked. "Believe me…that would be a sight to behold."

The Gundalians picked up their Bakugan and shot glares at Cyrus and Zion. The Interacian Hades Pillars top contenders have come out to play. Now, it was all a matter of defeating them on their turf.

The tension between Luke's side and Esther was about as thick as a block of steel. It was a cyclone of madness if one looked around it, literally. The room was filthy with visible levels of negative energy. Magenta aura flickers from Esther confirmed this. The more she stared, the more evil seemed to be pouring from her.

Luka gripped his hilt in wary fashion. Alice turned towards him. "Don't. You'll only make things worse as they are."

Luka furrowed his brow and lowered his sword. "Well, quite the pickle we're in, wouldn't you agree Hydranoid?" he chimed.

In Alice's grip, he opened and faced forward. "Atchibee has grown much stronger than last time."

Alice nodded. "Yes, she has." As she inspected, her thoughts drifted. 'Hydranoid is right. Atchibee's attacks are far more powerful than before. Is it all because of the forbidden infection in their bodies? They don't look like they're suffering any drawbacks just yet, still…' She balled her fist that clutched Hydranoid. She thought about Masquerade. 'No, don't think that. You're better than that now. Another Masquerade or not, Esther's still on the other side. We just need to push her to her breaking point.'

Luke pulled out a Gate Card. He took one look at it and looked at Esther to see her waiting for his move. "Abis, we've got to push through this time."

He solemnly nodded. "Yeah…I know. If we don't, then…" He closed off his word choices for the moment. "…well then, let's just be more prepared this time, ready or not."

Luke nodded. "Okay, let's go again. Gate Card, set!" Luke swung his arm, sending a blue shockwave across the ground over the battle area. 'Like Luka said, no time to talk anymore. Just keep pushing forward and prove through your actions!' He threw in Abis. "Bakugan, stand!"

In a sea blue flare, Abis Omega flexed all his frills as he arose for battle.

"Bakugan, brawl!" Luka and Alice shouted in unison. Their Bakugan rolled on opposite side, emerging in yellow and dark purple lights that arose the clown and hydra.

'Esther…' Luke had brief flashes at that instant. He was thinking back what he said back in the cathedral back on Earth.

"And what job is that?" Luke countered. "Just hear your miracles? Well I'm right here, Esther, and unlike before and this stupid religion, I'm actually listening to you and your problems!"

He almost felt stupid again for almost forgetting that line. He's right here again, and Esther is in front of him, displaying her insecurities, the very same he attempted to unshackle her from long ago…and the ones she saved him from even further. 'We're right here, Esther. We're gonna get through this…together!'

Abis took a sharp look back at Luke, who nodded assuring at him. He nodded back. He faced forward, frills flexed.

Esther darkly glared as she reached Atchibee out ahead of herself. "I will not be shackled again. I cannot be tied down by your words of promise no longer. I decide my own path to salvation!" She swiped her arm. "Atchibee, stand!"

In a dark purple glow, a brief dark tempest picked up. Everyone briefly buffered when Atchibee stood for battle, emitting a wild hiss.

Frill Abis Omega: 600/Alto Brontes: 600/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 = 2100

Dusk Atchibee: 650

Esther didn't waste time to pull out an ability to kick things off. "Ability, activate! Scale Down!" Atchibee hissed as her wings started blowing dark purple powder and scales that fell onto everyone. Brontes, Hydranoid, and Abis could feel how dense the power felt on their bodies and scales.

"That ability makes ability effects 200 Gs less effective." Alice informed. "She's trying to size us up from the very beginning."

Atchibee unleashed a bloody shriek before she took the initiative. She flapped towards them with blades bared, but everyone was smart enough to dodge. Atchibee was surrounded by Abis on one side, and Brontes another. Abis snapped his fangs at her, but she was quick enough to flutter back. She slashed, but Abis' sharp eyes caught glimpse and he veered away at the last moment.

With Atchibee distracted, she was caught off guard by Brontes. She turned and slashed, to veer him, but Abis snapped again. She ultimately got skywards above and took aim for Abis once more. She fired her extended bottom, but he used his flexed frills to deflect the pincers and tail.

Brontes mockingly cackled. "What's wrong, Atchibee? Looks like you're slipping. Don't tell us that those enhancements made you a slowpoke now?"

His taunt got the moth's attention. He stepped back, the attention he got was a sign for Luka to prepare.

"Ability, activate! Mirthless Blade!" Atchibee's blades glowed bright purple as she took a dive for Brontes. The Haos Bakugan backpedaled to avoid the raze blades that had paralyzing venom embedded in them. With his nimble body, Brontes moved gracefully in all directions to avert Atchibee's advances.

Atchibee watched his stances carefully, waiting for the perfect time. When he swayed, she grunted and slashed. The blade headed directly for his chest.

"Watch it!" Luka warned.

"Ability, activate! Saw Demolition!"

When Atchibee was about to make impact, a spiky saw churned and met her blades. Sparks flew – literally! Atchibee hissed as she was at a stalemate with Hydranoid, the hydra using himself as the barricade. "Give up, Atchibee!" he demanded. "You cannot break through us!" another head scowled.

Luka turned towards the side. "You…"

Alice gave him an affirmed smile. She seemed content with what she's done/ "I got your back, don't worry."

Luka was quiet for a moment, but he knew better than to lose focus. "Thanks."

Atchibee hissed as she was unable to break through Hydranoid's grinding abdominal region. The hydra in question had his sharp fangs snapping before the middle head bit into the neck. Atchibee was briefly stunned before each other head took a bite into the moth. She screamed and struggled as her other smaller claws were digging around, but the struggling was in vain. It didn't help that there was a blue shallow beneath her.

Luke swiped his arm. "Ability, activate! Dive Bomb!"

Hydranoid used his powerful jaws to forcibly pin Atchibee into the ground. He lurched back up as the moth was regaining her composure. The ground beneath her gushed a blast of pressurized water, stunning her back.

Frill Abis Omega: 600/Alto Brontes: 600/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 = 2100

Dusk Atchibee: 650 (-100) = 550

The Scale Down's effect weakened the assault, however, it still hurt. With her wings wet, she was paralyzed long enough for Abis to rush from below, throwing coils around the moth. His long body snaked round and constricted her in a tight hold, pinning her blades to her sides. When she shrieked out, Abis tightened his hold to make her yelp grow hoarse.

'Gotta do this. It's for your own good.' He thought. '…sorry.' He constricted tighter even, the grip so intense that it was almost impossible for even steel to not be bent by that might. Atchibee's scowls were growing weaker.

Esther pulled up an ability. "Ability, activate! Dusk Tornado!"

Atchibee's eyes flashed bright all of a sudden and her body was picking up a draft. Abis was too close as a typhoon of darkness swallowed him, screaming in terrified glory. The blast of dark winds spun into Hydranoid and Brontes, making them cover up.

Frill Abis Omega: 600/Alto Brontes: 600/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 = 2100

Dusk Atchibee: 550 (+100 +200) = 850

The dark winds blew wildly through the isles and shafts, making a typhoon raged through the area. Everyone covered up and managed to hold their ground, though Esther remained unfazed. She looked up, seeing Atchibee back in the air generating winds for the typhoon trapping the Bakugan inside.

"Ability, activate! Silver Twister!"

Abis grunted as he was using his frills to field himself and his allies, though it was doing little to keep them from being buffered from all around.

"Abis, incoming!" Luke warned.

"Huh?" Looking up, there was a silver light that was seemingly eating away at the tornado that locked them inside. The three Bakugan stared blankly before the silver vortex came down on them, enveloping them out of darkness…and into an even bigger, sharper typhoon.

Frill Abis Omega: 600 (-500) = 100/Alto Brontes: 600 (-500) = 100/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 (-500) = 400 = 600

Dusk Atchibee: 850

The silver scales glistened in a dazzling firework in front of Esther and Atchibee. Both Bakugan and human observed quietly at the quailing of the tornado rioting in the center if the domain.

The fierce winds nearly blew everyone off their feet. Had not been for Luke and Luka using their swords as anchors, they'd been blown away. Alice held onto Luke in that regard. The deadly drafts of the lashing winds felt like iron winds that grazed Luka's cheek. Luke's right hand glove had lost a sizeable level of leather because of it.

Riaan and Armagedoid continued with their meek observation of the battle. They showed anything but disinterest. If anything, they were more intrigued than ever, and not just because of the power Esther and Atchibee were displaying.

"Well Armagedoid, what do you think about our enemies?" he pondered. "Seems they're putting up a better resistance than expected."

Armagedoid didn't respond right away as he was raptured in the battle. Riaan understood and smirked. He could feel the change in the atmosphere from his point of view.

Esther and Atchibee's whirlwinds were rampaging through the area, expected to fall the Bakugan inside. But instead, the winds and silver energy was starting to get sucked elsewhere. They morbidly frowned s they watched it all get sucked into a vacuum that was crystal blue and glistening brightly. The residual darkness and silver was fanning into massive frills…

"Now, Luke!"

"Right!" Luke stood, thanks to the drafts absorbed by Abis' frills. "Ability, activate…!"

The glossy blue energy Abis had in his frills channeled into his crystal stomach. The crystals shined brightly as the maw charged glossy blue energy. "FILTER CANNON!" He didn't waste a second firing a reasonably large, glossy blue beam into Atchibee. It tore through the preserved winds and made impact with her. A blue explosion engulfed her, sending her backwards into the ground.

Frill Abis Omega: 100 (+500 +200) = 800/Alto Brontes: 100 (+500) = 600/Alpha Hydranoid: 400 (+500) = 900 = 2300

Dusk Atchibee: 850 (-200 -100) = 550

Esther stepped back as Atchibee crashed onto her back again. The flop did the trick as the heavy powder on Hydranoid and the others lifted. Scale Down's effect came to an end.

"You feel that?" Hydranoid gestured. "Her strength is failing." Another head chimed. "Before quick than sorry."

Brontes stepped beside with an eerie smile. "Oh yes, you took the words right out of my mouth."

Abis Omega folded in his frills and allowed his fellow Bakugan to stand beside him. Together they watched Atchibee as she struggled to get up. It was almost pitiful if it wasn't for her scythes used as leverage to hoist herself up. Her low howl signaled her will to battle on.

"Ability, activate!" Luka screamed. "Shining Nightmare!"

Atchibee heard a thud behind and turned around. She barely deflected a sharp blade by Brontes' arm as his power climbed to 1000. With a cackling laughter, the roles were reversed. Now it was Atchibee who was at the mercy of evading a fatal stab.

She maneuvered in a flutter backwards, dodging as many strikes as possible. Using her claws and blades as parry, she didn't realize how much her antennae were rattling. She froze briefly before it was too late.

"Double ability, activate! Extreme Chaos Leap Sting, plus Destroy Vanish!"

A metal rope slung around her one blade appendage, holding her back. Another did do for the other appendage. The demonic heads with fangs gnarled into the hard joints to keep them from moving as more tendrils laced around her to prevent her from moving. Atchibee's neck was laced with a good suffocating grip as she was yanked hard to the sounds of a saw running. She only glanced back to see Hydranoid with his spinning saw inviting her to her demise.

Frill Abis Omega: 800/Alto Brontes: 1000/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 (+300) =1200 = 3000

Dusk Atchibee: 550 (-400 and dropping)

Esther could only watch as Atchibee struggled in vain. Hydranoid's superior strength locked her in place as the saws grinded against her back. The pressure was so intense that the wings were buffering and tearing in some areas. She howled as her power was receding to lower levels.

"You're finished! Just surrender!" Hydranoid belittled.

"I'm sorry, Esther. But you have to understand!" Alice pleaded. Her voice was barely audible through Hydranoid's saw. "Please! Come back to us!"

The former colleague offered no response. It's unsure if she was even audible at this point. She just stared blankly like a possessed zombie, but with an angered conscience.

"Master." Armagedoid whispered.

"Yes, Armagedoid?" Riaan answered.

"I can feel it now. Her negative energy, backing into a corner…it's increasing." He turned towards him. "I believe, that she'll make that leap."

Riaan stared blankly. He was just as questionable about this as his fellow Bakugan. He could feel a strong pressure from Esther building up. His breathing remained calm despite his own mild synthetic heart racing.

The longer Esther remained silent, the less settling the situation felt. Atchibee's power level was closing in on its death call. But Esther remained passively calm. But this calm wasn't just confidence.

The shift in the atmosphere caused Luke's spine to crawl. 'Wait, this feeling…' His attention went towards Esther. He saw her lift her forearm, which had a black and magenta aura around it. His eyes widened. "She wouldn't…"

Luka and Alice's eyes widened. Brontes and Abis weren't liking where this was going, but were unable to bring it to a halt when the ability card shined in Esther's Bakumeter.

"Ability, activate! Indigo-X!"

The shout of the card caused everyone to pause. Time stopped in their tracks, that or they were too slow to react when the aching Atchibee had a bright purple core materialize in her chest. The core harnessed chords that faded into her gnawed body. Her body lurched from a wayward beat. Her hardened exterior was rummaging somewhat.

"What's happening?" Hydranoid grunted. He felt something strange…and was seeing equally strange.

Everyone saw it. Atchibee's body was spouting magenta veins beneath her hard backside. They coursed everywhere, even surprisingly into the sheer scythes she had on hand. The air around them had gotten chilled again. Abis saw his own breath. Hydranoid saw Atchibee turn dark purple in shades, and a bright purple in outline…like a ghost. Just like that, she fazed through his grip, making his tendrils nearly lace themselves.

"What happened?" Alice gestured. She saw Atchibee fly around above everyone, her body blending in with the darkness. "Did her body…turn into a ghost…?"

Luka furrowed his brow. His own skin crawled. He retained a high guard as the temperature in the chamber dropped even lower.

…

Shuji, Shawn, Jase, and Maggie raced down the corridor. They were making headway when they felt a sudden arctic draft slow down their approach. It was like they stepped into winter.

"What the…?" Shawn murmured, his skin crawling. He could feel a familiar negative energy rise up. "Don't tell me…"

Shuji's brow furrowed again. "Someone's up ahead battling alright. Whoever it is…they're strong."

Maggie shivered. "Brr…and this is the way we have to go?"

Jase, who took the cold mildly well, remained undeterred. "I knew something rather vague was going on around here. The concentration is enormous if it's coming from up ahead."

"Looks like we're in for a show then." Fly Beetle gestured.

Jelldon grimaced. "Oh geez…" He looked ahead the darkness that lied afoot. His glare hardened. He wasn't going to shiver like jelly anymore. "Let's hurry!"

"You've read my mind!" Maggie sprung through the cold towards its source. "Luke! Esther! Wait for us!"

"Hey, wait up!" Shawn shouted. He only picked up the pace as he groaned. "Geez…"

…

Atchibee's ghostly frame sparkled as she flew in circles over the other Bakugan. They felt cold ethereal dust rain down on them. It was cold as snow. Abis' cold-blooded body could feel its systems slowing down because of it. He fought it as he was eyeing his friend's glide around. Even her wails were distorted. They all looked at their Bakumeters to see something change.

Frill Abis Omega: 800/Alto Brontes: 1000/Alpha Hydranoid: 1200 = 3000

Dusk Atchibee: 001 (+649 +800) = 1450

'Her power level just spiked!' Luke immediately gazed up to find the moth coming down for the attack.

Abis used the flexed frills for fins to barricade Atchibee's path towards his friends. To his horror, the moth's ghastly body fazed through him. His body recoiled from her glide through and floored. His allies took note of the effect and slipped on their heels to evade her. She went down the middle, but she was far from done. She spun her body, making her scythes spiral dark matter that blasted Brontes and Hydranoid; the former buffered.

Once Brontes gathered his bearings, he saw Atchibee circle rather close. He sprung to slash at her body. Luka and Brontes were dumbfounded when the blade went clean through her, like thin air. 'What the…?'

Atchibee turned, slashing a clean strike into Brontes, who used two forearms to take the brunt of the blow that shoved him into the ground.

"Brontes!" Abis regained some of his shock and lashed his tail. He snaked it around his waist and pushed him up weakly to keep him from hitting the ground.

Hydranoid bellowed again at Atchibee. He fired warning shots at her, but they fazed through her, absorbing into walls as magenta lines that channeled towards Riaan nonchalantly. He was savoring the battle energy produced.

Alice balled her fists. 'None of our attacks are working. If we can't even hit her with energy, she must be able to bypass abilities.'

This observation was evident when Brontes found his footing beneath. He manifested a bright halo and threw it at the ongoing moth. However, it went clean through to the wall as nutrition for Riaan. He flipped away in time to avoid her crisp swipe as she continued her path for Abis Omega.

Luke and Abis didn't have to think for once. This time, they knew what they were doing as Atchibee came their way.

"Come on, Atchibee!" Abis shrieked. "I'm right here!"

Atchibee menacingly bellowed as she flew herself right into Abis. Knowing by observing, he knew coils wouldn't suppress her. Their heads collided instead, a dark shockwave stretching out far enough where winds picked up. They all backpedaled from being so close.

The serpentine creature didn't go down that easily as Esther thought. Even with the magenta flaring around her body, Atchibee was attempting to pin with all her might. And yet, Abis refused to budge. He snarled as all his frills were fully flexed to help with the systematic flow. The moth had so much power that he was feeling himself drag on the ground some.

Luke spread his heels. His eyes said it all. 'Don't give in, Abis…we know better than that!'

As if hearing him, Abis' eyes sharpened. "Atchibee~!" With a call out, he swung his head up. It made Atchibee actually recoil into the air. Esther and Riaan showed genuine surprise over the surmount. Though they were momentarily surprised by this change of events, Luke took full advantage of it and swung his sword. As if following the stroke, Abis snaked straight beneath and Luke swung in another direction. Atchibee used her extended lower bottom to snare. Abis easily snaked around.

It was hard to explain for Esther and Luke. As Abis was fighting back against Atchibee, she was fighting just as hard in return. This felt more symbolic between the two than what others imagined, and not just the Bakugan. Luke and Esther were the same. Esther watched Atchibee's claw make contact at last, slamming Abis onto the earth. But a coil got around the tail and he deliberately yanked her down. He moved to the side and she smashed into the ground. Adaptation. That's how they were able to survive. That's how they were able to get this far. They adapted to power and their environments and used them to their fullest. She watched Luke realize the flaws and make use of them. He saw when Atchibee was most vulnerable: When she was touching someone. He exploited that, and used it to a domineering quarrel. Even with a lower power level, the way Abis and Luke were fighting at their absolute best was stirring something. Her thoughts were a clouded dark fog, that was a given. But somewhere, she was seeing blue. A blue space that she could peer into. Her body was on Cloud 9. She could feel her worlds revolve around her as the battle with her three friends ahead were all she saw. And on their end, it was a cleansing, cool, blue space. It seemed enigmatic, yet inviting. But, in her end of the darkness, that's where she felt most free. She doesn't have to stress about the faith she once lost now…because now she doesn't have to have any if Riaan could show her the true power she needed. She could feel fulfilled, and moreover, alive. She wanted this feeling. She needed this feeling. To express herself that she didn't have to weigh anyone down anymore. She felt like a burden to them. She didn't deserve to be with them. She wasn't anywhere as important as what she nor Atchibee could've been. This battle, seeing Abis tangle and stall Atchibee with his life…it made her feel blank.

"Open your eyes!" Luke shouted. "You think we didn't care about you?! Don't you dare question yourself like that, Esther! You know better!" When Atchibee's claws raked Abis' abdomen, he timed the tail smack to her face just right. "You've came a long way from the cathedral! Don't close yourself off again after what you've said!"

Esther flinched. She vaguely remembered the cathedral fight on Earth, at what lengths Shawn and Luke fought to surpass their limitations to fight fate.

She came out of her shock when Abis' head collided with Atchibee's. The moth was distracted with that same thought.

Seeing their momentary rebuff, Riaan raised a brow in intrigue.

The recoil was what snapped Esther back to her senses. She looked ahead to find her angst reviving. "I will not…lose to such fallible odds."

Atchibee swooped back in, meeting Abis in the center. With her ghastly body in contact, he three coils around her. Hissing and shrieking rung for what felt like an eternity before Esther broke the stalemate with an ability. "Do not waver. Ability, activate! Mirthless Blade!" Atchibee's claws were hooked onto Abis as his coils laced around her. Her scythes smoothed on both sides and she swung them in a chop fashion behind Abis. The venom blades pierced his flesh, causing him to shriek.

"Abis!" Luke roared.

Abis felt his power drain to 400. The venom coursed quickly. He hazily looked at Atchibee, a fighting gaze still in his eyes. "You guys…are all alone…" he huffed. "There's nothing wrong…with leaning on others…we know what it's like when you have to prove yourselves…Luke and I have been there more times than we can count."

Luke reciprocated what he said. He thought of the vow back on Interacia and went off alone. Abis continued.

"But then you guys showed us what happens when you open up to everyone when you do try your best…now, we're gonna use that…to make you pay! Now!"

Brontes spread his legs. "You've got it, friend!"

Luka pulled up an ability. "Ability activate, Magic Dice!" Brontes raised two of his arms, summoning a dice from thin air. The cube continued spinning, until it reached a "2". The cube's two dots fired two small lasers that went for Atchibee. With her clear body, she was vulnerable. She ascended, but instead of brutalizing Abis in his paralyzed state, the ray shrouded him in a yellow aura, clearing up the venom cuts inside his body.

Abis Omega's power returned to 800. He and Brontes gave each other looks, as did their partners. "Don't stop. Keep the pressure on!" Luka shouted.

"You've got it!" Alto Brontes spun the die again, making it a "3". A scythe made of pure light was created and he swung it like a boomerang at Atchibee. The blade drew in fast.

Rather than take chances with physicality worn down, an ability was used. "Ability activate, Wormhole!" Atchibee generated a black portal in front, drawing in the energy scythe inside. It vanished into thin air, which in turn transmitted to a dark aura that made her power rise to 1750. She darted for Brontes, quickly tackling him to the ground.

Atchibee's claws were kept from piercing Brontes by his four arms. The four appendages had a stalemate, and the clown knew better than to give up. He watched Atchibee raise her blades to slice his down.

"Wow." He mocked sarcastically. "For a moth, it must really bug ya to let your guard down!"

Esther caught whim and looked up. Atchibee followed. They saw Hydranoid come crashing down on top. Brontes shoved her off and left her in midair for Hydranoid to smash his feet on and plummeted. The ground trembled from the weight it carried. As the dust settled, Atchibee was pinned to the earth hard. She looked worn out from all the effort she was putting so far.

"Quit your struggling already!" Hydranoid scoffed. "You're only making this harder for yourself!"

Atchibee attempted resisting. She used her scythes to slowly lever herself up, only to be pinned by Abis' sharp fangs and Brontes' arms on each limb. She was thoroughly suppressed by all three working together.

Seeing her Bakugan pinned down, Esther's visors shinned. She pulled out an ability, one with a purple core.

"Guys, look out! She's going to use another ability!" Alice yelled. They all looked down, their guards fastened at the warning.

"Ability, activate! Gazer-X!"

A purple core appeared on Atchibee, lashing out chords that entangled her body. Once again, the atmosphere felt heavy when a dark swell manifested around Atchibee. Dark blue, indigo, purple, violet, and vermilion shrouded her body like a flame. Hydranoid had to step off and veer away, as with everyone else. Atchibee slowly levitated into the air with the power as a base. Once it reached a high enough peak, the cocoon of darkness shrouded a pulsing spiral of the same colors in an obtuse fashion, swallowing Hydranoid, Brontes, and Abis in the raging hurricane of darkness.

Frill Abis Omega: 800 (-200) = 600/1000 (-400) = 600/Alpha Hydranoid: 1200 (-300) = 900 = 2100

Dusk Atchibee: 1750 (+200 +400 +300) = 2650

The darkness was a typhoon that didn't recede. The entire chamber pulsated with a chilling magnitude as Atchibee was like a quivering magenta beacon at the center of a galaxy-like typhoon that prevented anyone from moving. Luke and Luka used their blades as anchors again. Luke winced as the leaning made his injury lurch again.

"We will not be suppressed by you again." Esther grimly declared through the howls. Her visors shined brilliantly through the darkness growing. "And don't try…this ability cannot be nullified under any circumstances."

They all covered up as whirlwinds of darkness spewed everywhere, but they couldn't stop. Hydranoid, Brontes, and Abis managed to raise their heads high to glare at the magenta star atop. They had to aim for that. All three Bakugan looked at one another and back up.

"Guess we'll make the opening then." Luka told Alice.

"Yes, let's go!" she replied.

Hydranoid and Brontes lifted themselves up as best they could. "Ability, activate!"

"Death Trident!"

"Sprite Glow!"

Hydranoid's maws widened and charged up energy spheres. He blasted them along with light halos Brontes flung skywards. As both fired up, Atchibee's power was sapped by 600 in total, bringing her to 2050. However, Esther wasn't going down so easily.

"Fusion Ability, Vermilion Raid!" Atchibee's magenta vortex spewed negative fire that cycled with the typhoon. The added flares whipped into the spheres and halos that met in the center. The results were an explosive shockwave of darkness that shrouded everything as Atchibee's power climbed up to 2450.

The shockwaves continued towards them, but Luke swiped his arm in time. "Gate Card, open! Aquos Hazard!"

The card shined below at long last, making an elemental blue shine that turned the negative colors of the flames heading their way, to more deep-sea blue and light blue. The flames actually became water, which splashes and made waves that engulfed the Bakugan below. Atchibee, however, her negative, Darkus coloration altered. Save for the black and magenta on her body, the normal coloration was patterned to become Aquos. The hazy typhoon she made had dissipated sadly because of this.

Esther gritted her teeth. She seemed very displeased by this.

"I see, a Gate Card to change Atchibee's attribute…" Riaan invested. "Seems I'm not giving Luke enough credit it seems for his little kids games…" he snickered low. "How troublesome this has become."

"Now, guys!" Luke screamed. "Ability activate, Sea Ruler!"

The waves morphed and separated, turning into a typhhon of its own against Atchibee. When she looked down, the cold air was becoming rather dry as the humidity was being absorbed into ahemisphere of water rings and pressurized water that surrounded Abis. His while body was inside a water veil and many nebulous rings between Hydranoid and Brontes.

Frill Abis Omega: 600 (+400) = 1000/Alto Brontes: 600/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 = 2500

Dusk Atchibee: 2050 (-400) = 2050

"Okay, I'm ready!" Abis nodded. "Let's hit her hard!"

"Oh yeah, now you're talking!" Brontes brought a leg back.

"No need to tell us twice." Hydranoid scoffed, rolling his three tails ahead.

Both Bakugan used all their strength in their leg and tails in sweeping strikes to make a ripple in the water bubble. The liquid planet suddenly froze before a misty ripple fizzled away as it became a ring-loaded jets of water with Abis at the center of it. With the speed picked up by both Bakugan allies, he sailed at speeds that could break the sound barrier.

"TAKE…THIS!" With all his might, he crashed with an air-splitting pressure into Atchibee. Her cries of anguish were immediately muted by an eruption of water in the sky. Everyone down below felt rain drizzle down onto them, which felt better than what they expected.

Abis landed in front of his friends, his body in a blue aura. Atchibee fell out of the mist cloud in the sky, falling onto her back first. She reverted to ball form quickly after impact.

Esther: 10%

As Atchibee rolled up to Esther, the battler was quiet. The loss caused a dark crackle around Atchibee, which Esther felt a throbbing headache to boot.

The Bakugan reverted to ball form, caught by everyone else. They all looked ahead at Esther clutching her head in pain. It looked like someone was having a migraine in full blast on her.

"You guys seeing what I'm seeing." Abis rasped. That battle's effects took some toll on him it seemed, but he fought through it.

"Yes, I see it, too." Hydranoid determined. "That discharge of negative energy is withering away."

"If we can just push a little harder, we can send a shock through them strong enough to get rid of that negative energy, I'm sure of it." Alice said. She was a little surprised at her suggestion; she didn't know how she knew about this. Probably a little second-nature knowledge from when she was Masquerade. 'We won't lose here, not to this Esther.' She thought momentarily of the smile and ease Esther had. This wasn't her. Therefore, she had nothing to hold back. She held up Hydranoid. "Let's knock her and Riaan off their so-called pedestals."

Luka spread his heels apart. "Well said." He scoffed. "Just the word choice I had in mind."

Luke exhaled deeply. The air was still a bittercold that goosebumps billowed up regardless. But his wound remained an unstable manner. He didn't waste his breath looking for words of confidence. He just needed to get by using his skill to show Esther he meant business. And he sure as hell meant it.

Esther glared darkly. She refused to go down so frivolously. Her headache was simmering away, along with the flashy images of Luke and her friends. Even as her memories were flickering, the throbbing they created made her annoyance spike. Her loathing manifested greater negative pressure around her. She settled down and glared daggers to her prey…the ones who were causing so much of it. She pulled out a Gate Card.

"Gate Card, set!" She fired the card, making a dark purple shockwave run through.

Altogether, they flung out their Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl!" In attributed glows along the domain, shockwaves erupted as all the Bakugan arose for one more round.

Frill Abis Omega: 600/Alto Brontes: 600/Alpha Hydranoid: 900

Dusk Atchibee: 650

The atmosphere was visibly quaking from the standoff the Bakugan were having. The pressure was so intense that it was difficult to breathe. Any standard battler would probably be flooring from asphyxiation for shock. But everyone had a will and goal to look towards.

Atchibee slashed Abis, the serpent hissing when his flexed frills got a superficial tear. Luke's side stung at the impact. Abis returned the blow with a smack of the tail across the face. Esther's visors visibly cracked. Brontes and Hydranoid came from the sides to buffer and sink fangs into the moth. She forced them off with her wings flapping scattered powder and maintained her distance.

"Enough of this." Esther coldly declared. "Ability, activate! Phonic Liseran!" Atchibee flapped her wings, summoning pitch-black around her surroundings. Everyone went voluntarily blind when the darkness shrouded them.

"Here she comes." Luka warned, keeping a watchful eye all around.

"I know." Luke looked up, figuring that's where she would be. He saw red glints in the darkness that outlined Atchibee. He caught onto the growing Darkus energy charging. "Abis, get ready!"

Abis flexed his frills. "Ready!"

High above, the eyes of Atchibee's wings blasted down onto them. Nobody moved as the attack barreled at an alarming rate.

"Ability, activate! Mirror Shock!" Abis tilted his body up to panel over Hydranoid and Brontes. The beams combined into one and blasted him, making dark maelstroms flourish. However, the frills were sending the attack back, but the darkness had blue glossy energy embedded in it. The pulse wave barreled through the attack with greater force and blasted Atchibee skywards. The moth shrieked as she felt the full sting of her assault reversed onto her.

Frill Abis Omega: 600 (+400 +300) = 1300/Alto Brontes: 600/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 = 2800

Dusk Atchibee: 650 (-400) = 250

Atchibee was barely able to recover from the attack, though the darkness around her was completely torn away by the shockwaves of her attack sent back to her. She started falling as Hydranoid took aim. "You're slipping." He snarled.

"Ability, activate! Extreme Chaos Leap Sting!" Alice roared. Hydranoid bellowed out as metallic tendrils expelled from the underside of his wings. He fired intense dark beams that packed Mach 2 strength and explosive wakes upon impact. The erupting beams blasted the moth relentlessly.

"Ability, activate! Dusk Tornado!" Suddenly, an eruption of spiraling dark winds blew away the returned beam and dark blasts bombarding her. They dissipated as a wall of dark whirlwinds surrounded the Bakugan, making it impossible to see through.

Frill Abis Omega: 1300 (-700) = 600/Alto Brontes: 600/Alpha Hydranoid: 1200 (-300) = 900 = 2100

Dusk Atchibee: 250 (+400 +200) = 850

The tornado twisted and distorted in a number of spots that it was certain to make everyone inside get blown around. Esther's expectant look didn't seem to last very long when she didn't see them go into ball from. 'This shall block their vision. Now, before they make their next move-!'

"Ability, activate! Atmosphere!" A voice shouted.

Esther's lips parted with a small gasp.

The black tornado whipped around in front, but yellow glints shined before they flung out of the tornado at high speeds. Atchibee used her scythes to block, but when she deflected the first two, two more sliced into her. She screamed as she floored hard. Her tornado dissipated, showing Brontes adjusting as his comrades were unscathed.

Frill Abis Omega: 600/Alto Brontes: 600 (+400) = 1000/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 = 2500

Dusk Atchibee: 850 (-400) = 450

Atchibee hissed weakly as she was on the ground. The other Bakugan growled as she was trying to stand for the umpteenth time. The Bakugan's will was truly something to behold. She expelled another hiss as she managed to get airborne once more.

Esther pulled put another ability, one with a purple core in its center. "You can try and knock us down all you want…but it won't matter. We won't be out down by you anymore."

The others heard her loud and clear, and they saw her enact another ability. "Ability, activate! Revelation-X!"

Another purple core flourished in front of Atchibee, tangling her in a number of constrictions. The chords faded into the body, which manifested magenta veins around her body. They pulsed and throbbed, making her growl as the small magenta circles all over her body shined brightly. In the fillings were bright purple. She hissed as she was drawing in a dark purple shine around the body. The ends of her scythes shined bright purple as well.

"What's happening?" Hydranoid snarled.

Alice looked down, realizing that Atchibee's glowing body was producing toxins around her own body. The infested her own body, eating away at any weaker cells, and replicating the new ones with hardened results. As a result, the purple light around her looked a lot more like a shell if anything else.

Frill Abis Omega: 600/Alto Brontes: 1000/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 = 2500

Dusk Atchibee: 450 (+200 +400 +400 +400) = 1850

'She restored her power and went up big time!' Luke looked at his Bakumeter, then back at Atchibee. The metallic filament around her didn't seem to deter.

"With Revelation-X, all the abilities that drained our power has been absorbed. The cells created by Atchibee's forbidden powers eats away at the old ones, and quickly replenishes them with cells with a protective absorption coat around the nucleus. This absorbs and enhances her power instead of lowering it."

Luka balled his fists. 'Then that means if we lower her power, it'll reverse on itself. We have to attack her now, while our power levels are still higher!'

The Bakugan all charged at once. Atchibee crossed her glowing scythes and veered them off. However, the shine on her body was turning to silver scales and powder. It was manifesting to a new ability.

"Ability, activate! Silver Twister!" Atchibee hissed as she fired a silver and gray tornado at her opponents.

Frill Abis Omega: 600 (-500) = 100/Alto Brontes: 1000 (-500) = 500/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 (-500) = 400 = 1000

Dusk Atchibee: 1850

As the cyclone came in, Luke knew he didn't have a choice. He growled as he stood his ground. "No you don't! Double ability, activate! Filter Cannon!"

Abis flexed his frills and took in the large blast himself. The typhoon of silver grating scales tore into him, but the glossy filament on his body was absorbing it all. He hissed loudly as he opened his maw wide once the silver turned to blue. With a menacing shriek, he blasted Atchibee with all his might,

"Plus, Fusion Ability! Refractor Booster!" The frills glistened brighter on Abis, causing his maw to widen some as the glossy attack suddenly increased in volume. It tore through the airspace in a sharp beam that pulsated into Atchibee.

Frill Abis Omega: 100 (+500 +400(x2)) = 1400/Alto Brontes: 500 (+500) = 1000/Alpha Hydranoid: 400 (+500) = 900 = 3300

Dusk Atchibee: 1850

The raging blue laser closed in, yet Atchibee chose to not budge. With even her forbidden ability dispelled, the beam's wake was slowly swallowing her.

Esther quickly pulled in a save. "Ability, activate! Chrysalis Shield!" Atchibee manifested a crystal-like barrier that veiled her from view. The blue beam, no matter how intense it was, was deflected by the crystals all around. The vanished to the shadows behind Esther. She was undeterred when explosions of blue energy erupted the darkness behind.

Frill Abis Omega: 1400 (-1300) = 100/Alto Brontes: 1000 (-500) = 500/Alpha Hydranoid: 900 (-500) = 400 = 1000

Dusk Atchibee: 1850 (+300) = 2150

With her shields up, this gave Luka a small opening. "Now, Alice!"

"Right! Let's knock her down!" She declared. "Double ability, activate! Hellion Pulse, plus Fusion Ability, Final Destruction!"

"Ability, activate! Shining Nightmare!"

The crystal-like barricade was sturdy as a wall, until a yellow line diagonally swept through it. The crystal suddenly split into two, allowing Atchibee and Esther full visage of a white blur dodging out of the way as dark purple, black, and cosmic pink sparkles shined inside three large beams that made the earth tremble as it surged towards them. They stared blankly as time quickly became a blank space. Seconds later, everything fell silent as crystal snapped. It was obliterated by growing darkness that became a pillar that sent ripples across the chamber. Alice and everyone shielded themselves as the shockwaves ran pass them. They all stood their ground as Abis and Brontes stood beside Hydranoid as his Darkus aura-enflamed body unleashed darkness that erupted like a bomb going off before their wary eyes.

Frill Abis Omega: 100/Alto Brontes: 500 (+400) = 900/Alpha Hydranoid: 400 (+500 +600) = 1500 = 2500

Dusk Atchibee: 2150 (-500) = 1650

The blast waves soon simmered, with Alice and her comrades standing tall. The Darkus girl opposed with cool, calm, and yet dark disposition. "Had enough yet?"

Riaan tilted his head. He seemed pacified with how much everything is progressing. But he looked down at the dissipating smoke cloud, finding the secret weapon's silhouette still fixated in place.

When the dust settled, it revealed a set of magenta visors, as well as magenta eyes. Both Bakugan and human looked severely battered, but they stood strong and tall. In fact, they looked more ferocious than ever.

"Impossible…" Hydranoid scowled.

"They survived that?" Luka growled.

Even Brontes looked annoyed. "How many times do we have to slap these guys down? Seriously?!"

Luke balled his fists; his displeasure showing. He knew Esther and Atchibee have grown stronger since Riaan infused them. But to withstand a force for this long; truly stubbornness ran in their little group dynamic.

"I believe…this is where the battle ends." Riaan sinuated. "Esther…show them, your final trump card."

"'Final trump card'?" Alice repeated. She looked at Esther to see her pull up one more ability. "Don't tell me…"

Luka and Luke held their swords up. The Bakugan tensed up as they saw what came next.

"When I said I would have my faith, I meant it." Esther said, her tone insinuating grim consequences. "The way to the future isn't paved by power alone…it's by experience, and hardships. To use and be used. I am salvaged…and I will not be touched by the ones that called me their friend…when it's clear that we aren't."

"Esther, stop!" Luke shouted. "What're you-!"

Esther held up one more ability. It shimmered like a magenta beacon that illuminated her arm. The atmosphere blackened to nearly negative void colors around her as the card shined brighter. "Ability, activate…Dauntless-X!"

A purple core radiated energy on Atchibee one more time. The already exhausted moth froze in place as darkness completely stopped around them. Everyone around went completely still, like some paralysis had made them numb. Luke tried to move, but it was no use. His body was as frozen and time itself.

'What…what's going on…? My body, it's…?'

Luka was gritting his teeth, and Alice was feeling her heart race. It all wasn't by their doing; the shrieking tension in the atmosphere was doing all this. Slowly, the darkness that was generated by the negative energy from the battle was being sucked into Atchibee. It encased her in a small cocoon of dark matter. It was visible, but it kept shrinking, and shrinking…and shrinking. Until finally, the darkness was sucked into the purple core at the center. They saw the chord's coloration turn pitch-black. They all felt an intense spike of pressure.

"Incoming!" Luka screamed.

With a violent scream, Atchibee unleashed a dark maelstrom from her body. The shockwaves repulsed any residual darkness of Hydranoid's attack and made the three buffer backwards. Luke and Luka were about to pierce the ground a third time, but the shockwaves knocked them off their feet, along with Alice. Atchibee violently cried out as pitch-black scales surrounded her in a tornado, shielding her from everyone else.

Luke was trying to get himself standing, but found the task hard-pressed. "What…what's this power?" He looked down at his Bakumeter, his eyes widening upon seeing the results.

Frill Abis Omega: 100/Alto Brontes: 900 (-400) = 500/Alpha Hydranoid: 1500 (-1100) = 400 = 1000

Dusk Atchibee: 1650 (+500 +2200) = 4350

Everyone's eyes shot wide. Their bones chilled as they saw Atchibee's intense power that was at a power level Luka has never seen.

"This forbidden ability…" Esther started. "It nullifies all abilities. Furthermore, Atchibee absorbs the power of the last ability effect at double the rate. You will not match me."

"Care to put your money where your mouth is?" Hydranoid challenged. He strained to stand, despite the disadvantage. The hydra let out a bellow against the raging maelstrom of pitch-black petals. The winds pulsed, sending Hydranoid onto his back.

"Hydranoid!" Alice screamed. 'So much power…even Hydranoid is being pushed back. If we increase our power even further with Merge Shield…Atchibee might absorb that with her Wormhole ability, and that would mean…'

She could see it clearly in her head. If Atchibee reached that power level unconditionally, her body could be seen with cracks before spewing negative energy. It would be her destruction! A power level gain of 5000 would no doubt be the end for everyone in this room.

For once, they were all cornered. Riaan, who was seeing their shock, showed even his own concerns.

'It seems that they're pulling back their defenses for the time being.' He calmed down, retaining a quelled stature once more. 'Knowing them, they wouldn't risk it. However…'

Esther was another story entirely. She was glaring forward with steadfast visors. The black scales had magenta outlines as they violently rushed, swallowing Abis, Brontes, and Hydranoid in splicing torrents of negative energy. The tsunami spilled all over the domain below, the sea surrounding Atchibee with a magenta outline around her frame. If one looked closely, they could see her body visibly shaking. It looked like she was straining immensely.

Luke strained to even stand. "Atchibee…is she going to be okay…?" He mentally clamped shut. It was a stupid question! Of course she wasn't okay. He knew from the immense power levels back in the canyons that something this high by Atchibee alone was serious trouble. They had to bring it down and fast.

Before they could press on the matter, Esther used another trick up her sleeve. "Gate Card, open! Wrecker Freeze!" The Gate Card shined below, making a gravity light that slowed everyone down.

"What is she…?" Luka grunted.

"She's baiting us. She has to be." Alice determined. "She's daring us to keep our power levels low and use subtraction abilities to dwindle her."

Luke turned towards her. "But even with what we've got, they won't be enough to-!" His grim statement was cut off when black petals buffered him. He yelped as he fell onto the ground.

"Luke!" Alice screamed. She looked ahead. "Esther! Is this what you really want?! Is all of this even worth it?! What are you gaining with independence?!"

Esther said nothing. A magenta aura enflamed her body as pitch-black engulfed her and Atchibee. The moth hissed as her throbbing silhouette had magenta veins stretching further. They almost covered her whole body.

Watching from his throne high up, Riaan was looking down at the situation. 'It looks like the forbidden abilities are strong enough to withstand…but, she's getting desperate.'

Armagedoid showed concern. "Master…I believe that Esther and Atchibee are taking this too far."

Riaan humbly frowned. "Yes, I can concur with you there, Armagedoid." He continued observing the maelstrom of darkness surging. "But do not forget, in times of desperation, the basic human instincts are fight or flight. If pushed far enough…anyone would be doing what she is doing." He raised a brow. "Desperate times call for desperate measures. This is where all in battle turns careless."

'Are they seriously willing to risk their lives to separate from us?' Luke was getting frantic about the situation. 'Esther…'

Images flashed inside his head. Every one of them was a different instance of him and Esther, whether it was her telling him what he did wrong, or be it that he was supported by her. But one of the more prominent ideals came to mind again.

"Now I'm not asking nor telling you…but consider Atchibee and my feelings as well. We need you Esther…and I'll commit a hundred sins that'll take me to hell with those I've killed to prove to god he can be wrong, too."

"Esther is a fighter. I've seen it myself. If I'm holding her back from what she wants, I'll stay as far away as possible, but if I'm what helps her, then I'll stay. That's where I stand…and no God is going to tell me otherwise."

"Suites fine by me. Better than being fools than those who have no hope."

"Alright then. I'll stand by you, and I promise that I'll be watching you from here on."

'Esther…' His fists started balling tighter. 'You may have gone back on your word, but I'm not. I swear, even if you hate us for this, Abis and I are gonna risk everything to set you guys straight! If we're going to save you again, we'll be as foolish as we must.'

Abis was struggling to move inside the quaking darkness. He soon came to calm down and look back at Luke. Seeing his eyes calmed and fixed as well, the serpent knew better than to question what they were doing.

"Abis…if you can hear me…then you know what we've gotta do. Are you with me?"

The sea serpent caught on and nodded. "Yes!" He fanned ahead, flexing his large frills. He expelled another roar into the darkness, fighting it with what poor strength he had left.

"We need to bring their power down, and quick!" Alice shouted.

Luka shot her a look. "We can't waste our abilities like this. We have to bring it down at one time." He looked over at uke, his brow furrowed. Something was up. "What're you thinking?"

"Luke, what is it?" Alice asked.

Blinking once, Luke stood up calmly against the havoc. He seemed awfully calm despite the pressure collapsing matter itself around him. "Guys, listen. This may not be the greatest idea, but…we have to try." He turned towards Luka. "Luka! We'll nullify the Gate Card! When tat happens, swap Abis and Atchibee's power levels!"

"Swap them? What're you…?" Slowly it came to him what Luke was doing. Luka's own gaze widened slightly by this anomaly. "…you're not seriously thinking about…you're a fool!"

Alice breathlessly gasped. She knew what was going on as well. "Luke…"

"I know what's at stake guys. I'm pretty sure Jase gave me a serious warning about this stuff." He was trying to imagine what he said before.

"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."

"Yeah, I know we're gonna have to pay a big price, but…we knew this wouldn't be easy. Luka, you've been trying to drill into us that it's not easy making all these choices and that there might be an easy way out. But right now, I have to keep my word. I said before there might be the chance we might die saving our friend, right? That's not easy…" Abis looked over his shoulder at him. "But we didn't come this far knowing playing safe will always work out in the end. There are times when you have to risk everything to get your point across. That's precisely what Esther and Atchibee are doing. So now we have to respond by our way."

"Luke…" Alice trailed off.

Luka held his tongue. He had no place to argue the points Luke was making was true to his word.

"Like it or not, this is still a war. I get that. But look at Esther and Atchibee." Ahead of them, magenta veins were over their bodies. They looked to be in pain because of how intense the force was on them. "Even they don't deserve this. It's gonna make me feel sick…so like it or not, we have to win at any costs. So…am I making sense?"

There was a short but internal silence between Alice and Luka. They looked at him, then Esther. Even though she was supposed to be a friend, right now, she was an enemy. And enemy that had to be dealt with. Luke was offering just that.

After a prolonged period, Alice closed her eyes, straightening herself for the opposition. "…you're right. This is no time to be safe. Let's do it. Luka?"

Luka furrowed his brow. "Tch…personally, I'm not as obsessed with her as you are." He told Luke. This made Luke's brow twitch. "But, if we can at least get rid of that negative energy, then that'll be one less hassle for us."

"Guys…" Luke was pleased greatly for their support. He turned forward, standing tall. "Thanks, I mean it."

"Esther…I believe now is the time for you to finish what you have started." Riaan insisted. "Now…eradicate those who have held you back!"

Esther slowly reached out. "Atchibee…destroy them."

Atchibee released a bloodthirsty shout to the atmosphere. The typhoon of black petals expanded like a slow wall mowing down everything that stood in its way. Abis, Hydranoid, and Brontes watched in preparation for what's to come.

"LUKA! NOW!" Luke screamed.

Luke pulled up an ability from his Bakumeter, flashing yellow. "Ability, activate! Spirit Dominion!"

Brontes' bright core lit up. As the tsunami was closing down onto them, the clown let out a shrieking cackle as he reached his four arms up and distorted the air around them. A dark void enclosed everyone, including Esther and Atchibee as their attack was momentarily frozen.

Atchibee stopped in place, her breath hitching from shock. Esther was no different, her lips parting.

Riaan raised a brow. "What are they doing…?"

Luka turned towards Luke. "You sure about this? There's no turning back when this happens?"

"Trust me, we're ready." Luke assured. "We were the moment we stepped into here, didn't we?"

Luka turned his head away, awfully humbled. "You're an idiot…alright, but don't say I didn't warn you." He reached out. "Now, Brontes"

If Brontes could move his lips, he'd be smirking wider than he'd ever been. "Well Abis Omega…here's what asked for~!" His body released distorted waves that rippled around Abis and Atchibee, bypassing through the halted scale storm like a ghost. The light ripples distorted into wailing ghosts, which surrounded Atchibee. The frantic moth screamed out as she was slashing away at the ghosts, but to no avail. The ghosts were siphoning her strength, leaving her screams to fade to weak growls as the ghostly cyclone traveled into Abis' chest.

Frill Abis Omega: 100 (+4250) = 4350/Alto Brontes: 500/Alpha Hydranoid: 400 = 6250

Dusk Atchibee: 4350 (-4250) = 100

Riaan observed the power level exchange and realized what was happening. 'I see. So, they're attempting to take away all of the negative energy from Atchibee and placing it amongst themselves.' Even to his standards, this was downright bold. And yet, it intrigued him. 'Seems even they are getting desperate as well…but…even so…'

As ghouls were transferring, the line also carried magenta energy, which was signified as the negative forbidden energy. Abis remained steady when a throbbing pain entered his body. It was like his insides were being engulfed in flames. He cried out in pain.

Riaan observative grin widened. 'Even if Abis Omega has been used to battling negative energy, even his body can go for so long.'

Abis' teeth gnashed as the spirits kept carrying Atchibee's power level towards him. His breathing was growing intense to where it was rasped. The forbidden energy was flowing through him, and surrounding his body in a dense magenta aura. Magenta veins were crawling from around the orange core on his chest. The pain could only intensify every second.

"Don't give in." Hydranoid encouraged.

"He doesn't look so good." Brontes chimed.

The magenta aura flaring around his body was followed by growing veins. The negative energy was pouring in and through his system. He could feel his organs convulse from this infecting rush. It was like being killed over and over, with rebirthing being lightyears away. "Esther…A-Atchibee…" One more imaged flashed in his mind. "…Luke…" His vision was starting to get white…

"Don't yet!"

Abis' eyes widened, his vision returning. He looked back at Luke.

"Abis…it hurts…I know…" Luke subconsciously gripped his side. "But Abis…we're not in this alone." At his side, Alice and Luka stood. The two had his back. "C'mon Abis…both of us…aren't alone!"

Abis' eyes widened yet again. He breathlessly gasped again. He realized it, just like Luke. This wasn't just their own fight. This wasn't something they needed to prove by themselves. This was a conjoined effort even he could share with. They've suffered a lot…but they didn't have to suffer alone. He looked at his allies beside him; the ones he won over. 'Brontes…Hydranoid…' It wasn't just them in his mind. Verias, Jelldon, Fly Beetle, and Atmos. In his mindset, they were Bakugan he fought alongside with. His eyes flashed blue as his feelings for them grew.

"My friends…everyone-!" He shut his eyes, forcing the magenta aura around his body to be swamped over by a raging deep blue aura. His frills flexed wide, shockwaves raging as he expelled an empowering roar.

Riaan morbidly frowned. Esther on the other hand was in deep shock. "What's this…?"

An aquatic cyclone began raging at Abis' base. His bodily aura was making the veil of water twist and turn, spiraling until it had veiled his frills. His power level was climbing slowly.

4350…4352…4359…4370… The number just kept rising, and rising, until the number was 4450.

Getting desperate, Esther's teeth gnashed together. "What is this…?"

"Hydranoid! Let's give them some cover!" Alice shouted. "Ability activate, Chaos Armageddon!"

Hydranoid opened all three maws at once. Not just them, but the tendril maws also opened wide. The six beams of dark matter charged up until they were fully set. He let out a terrifying shout as the blast wave shredded through Atchibee's petals, leaving her wide open for the attack.

Looking for a desperate wake, she pulled out an ability. "Stay strong! Ability, activate! Chrysalis Shield!"

Atchibee hissed as she manifested a shield made out of crystal. The dark matter bolted straight into it, creating a typhoon of darkness that swirled and blew away everything. Everyone covered up from the hurricane of Darkus energy that's welled everywhere. The entire Empyrean vibrated from the wake.

Esther gritted her teeth through the eruption. She couldn't lose. She can't! She had to hang on!

"Esther! You saved me! Now it's our turn to return the favor!" Alice screamed. "Hydranoid!"

Hydranoid's demonic roars intensified. He ushered another harsh pulse into his dark blasts. They expanded, the waves sent deeper into the base. The crystal barrier was pushed hard by the brunt of Hydranoid's attack to where the crystals shattered. The shockwaves caused Esther to fall onto her back, and Atchibee shrieked as she was in freefall.

"Esther!" She looked back. Around Abis was a massive cyclone of water that was waiting to be freed. Luke continued. "I just wanted to say…everything you know about faith, it's okay if you don't have any in yourself! But that doesn't mean that you can never give up! You taught me that! Now…come back to us! Ability, activate!"

The water around Abis spiraled harshly, shaping into a draconic head. The vortex snaked after their target. "DAEDALUS CYCLONE!"

As the water rushed into Atchibee, her power was completely declining, while Abis' increased to 4950. The blue water washed away all the darkness that shrouded Atchibee and Esther, They both stared in awe as they could see waves washing away the power they worked so hard for until it became a blue blur.

'Luke…Abis…you guys really…'

In a dark void in her conscience, Esther and Atchibee's frames were stiff as ice. Esther's blue eyes opened weakly, her weary vision seeing the darkness surrounding her and Atchibee.

'W-where…are we…?' she sleepily wondered. It took for her a moment to compose of what was going on. 'Is this…my mind' She looked towards Atchibee. Even she looked stumped. 'Atchibee…what have we done?'

The moth turned into the direction of something coming their way.

"Esther…!" A faint voice murmured.

Esther's ears twitched at the voice calling for her. 'Is someone there?' She turned towards the sound, but instead a blue light swallowed her up. When she uncovered, she weakly opened her eyes again. Her eyes widened when the darkness around her was replaced by a deep blue space. It felt as dense as water. 'Water…' She felt her arm in the flow of the water. 'It's cool…my body feels lighter…but why?'

"Esther, look." Atchibee motioned.

Esther turned forward, her curiosity piqued as the currents was drifting in bubbles. The bubbles moved slowly around her and Atchibee to allow them to see what was going on. Her lips remained parted as the first bubble reflected Luke's face, his resolute on his face.

"Luke…!" She gasped, turning towards the bubbles that followed him. They showed a blond, then another guy with short dark hair, a little girl, and finally a man with a composition of a soldier with glasses. "Shawn…Shuji…Maggie…Jase…everyone…" It wasn't just them. So many faces were flowing around her, too. Ace, Baron, Spectra, and Gus being some. Keegan, Mira, Julie, even Alice. As the faces flowed past her, more bubbles came in. Together they looked inside, seeing various memories that were shared. They showed the night Luke and Esther first met, to wandering with Maggie and Shuji through the wasteland of New Vestroia. To discovering the Trailer and moving across the sea. She saw the memories of walking away from Luke and his utter disappointment on Interacia. That one made her frown…but one other memory popped up that she saw that struck a chord in her heart. "This is…"

The memory was after Luke defeated Ariella and Xander all on his own, after he and Abis risked their lives to save Esther and Atchibee. That was the very day that a very meaningful promise was made…a promise that she didn't keep hold of.

Realizing this, she hung her head low and turned around. Her face showed immeasurable pain…pain that she caused to her dear friends. 'Everyone…we're so sorry…we thought that we…I'm such a fool.'

As she drowned in sorrows, a warmer current made her perk and turn around. The warm waters came from behind and turned. She stood in shock and awe when she saw not just Luke and Abis Omega, but Shawn and everyone else, along with their Bakugan in full form. They were all standing still, waiting for her.

"E-Everyone…" She didn't know what to say. She wanted to step away due to shock, but they all looked so forgiving. She saw Luke and Abis Omega smile approvingly at them, like they had already forgiven them. "You all came…for us…"

The currents picked up around her and Atchibee. They started swirling blue stardust above, like a revolving night sky. She and the moth gave one last look towards each other before making up their minds. Choosing to cast away the lonely darkness, they allowed for themselves to be dragged towards their friends, all smiling and waiting for her.

She reached out to them, just as everything went white.

The waves in the chamber evaporated, leaving the ground completely soaked. Esther was seen laying on the ground, her body wet, and parts of her attire stripped due to the pressure of the waves. Her hair was freed and was spread all over.

As Atchibee reverted to ball form, she plopped to Esther's side. The dark patterns around her ball form faded away.

Esther: 0%

"Esther!" Luke rushed over as quickly as he could. The others followed as well.

Hydranoid and Brontes reverted to ball form first. The last was none other than Abis, who had a blue aura around his body. He grunted as he collapsed, reverting to ball form.

Riaan made no effort to feel surprised. He simply looked down and saw the negative energy that was washed away by that last blow. The floor was glowing magenta, consuming the energy that the battle had exerted. He closed his eyes and felt the energy course into him.

Luke got to his knees and hoisted Esther onto his lap. "Esther! Hey! Are you there?! Wake up!" He moved to remove the visors over her eyes. He cast them aside like trash. The visors cracked and shattered like glass in the process.

Alice balled her fists to her chest while Luka stared grimly. They both looked uncertain as they waited for the results.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Esther groaned. It was weak, but she was coming too.

"Esther." Luke mumbled.

Sitting up, Esther slouched over. Luke backed away to give her the space she needed as her eyes opened. Her blue irises were back. She blinked several times before processing what happened. "L-Luke…Alice…you both are….?" She sounded more surprised than she was tired.

"Easy now, you're hurt." Alice fret. She bent down to help Esther. "Can you stand?"

Esther winced. Her body ached like she had done the most intense workout ever and was sore beyond comparison. She sighed heavily to relax her frame. Luke went over to support her other side.

"Esther…is that really you?" Luke worried. He stayed quiet as he hoped it was.

Esther's attention went towards him. "Luke…" she weakly smiled. "…yeah, it is." Despite the relief, she looked upset. "But, I…"

"Yeah, we know." He interrupted. "I think I have a pretty good idea on what you're gonna say. We heard everything in that battle."

That made Esther look down grimly, shutting her eyes in shame. "Everyone, I've caused you all so much trouble…because I was weak. I'm sorry."

Luke looked towards her sadly. In truth, he understood how she felt. He caused so much trouble when he almost git them killed a couple of times on Interacia. It was like looking at his old self for forgiveness. He looked towards Alice and Luka, seeing their faces with expectance. He turned towards Esther, looking calm but reciprocated.

"…don't be. It's okay. This might be a little weird for me to say…but I know how you feel." He looked down at his feet. "I've made a bunch of faults too, you know that. And Abis and I tried staying away to get strong for a short time. But Esther…it doesn't mean that it's okay. You're not like us. You're you…and, well…the truth is, I admire you."

Esther stared blankly at him as he continued.

"Remember when you joined us on Earth over your faith in religion? It takes a really strong person to give up something so personal to be with others." He flinched at his response. "Uh, I didn't mean it like that. But, I'm trying to say…is that the Esther that was on New Vestroia, and the one who helped guided us to now…I wanna be with that Esther. It's okay to be weak in front of your friends."

Esther meekly turned away. That was one subject she couldn't touch base on. "But…how can you even look at me after what I've done to hurt you?"

"Because you're my friend. And Shawn taught me something very important a while back."

"And it's precisely because he's an idiot that I'm going back for him." Shawn rebuffed. "Besides, I know full well how incompetent Luke can be, but that doesn't make it okay to leave him in times like this."

"Shawn…" Jase trailed off.

"Look guys, you can believe what you want about Luke, but I know he can be a little insufficient without anyone. And I can't lie when I say I'm a little disappointed in Luke's recent actions. But what kind of friend would I just left him like this?"

"What kind of a friend would I be if I left someone I've known for so long like this? It's never okay to leave someone in trouble, even after they deserve it. That's part of what it means to be a true friend to someone."

Alice looked on, admirable gazes fixed on him. "Luke…"

Luka had his back turned at the speech. Although, from the small sneer, it seemed he was listening.

"Like it or not, we all came to save you. Because you never leave a friend behind to suffer. So Esther…Atchibee…both of you, will you guys stay by us?"

Esther was at a loss for what to say. She could barely comprehend, let alone move. She looked at Alice and Hydranoid there, as well as Luka and Brontes. She looked at Luke to see that it was him who joined them alongside their cause. Despite everything that's happened, the recent revelations she had about being with people she cared for trumped her dead faith.

Once she had found her bearings, she used her strength to stand by herself. She looked at Luke in seriousness, which turned to a smile. "Luke…okay. I'll make just one more promise." She said. "I'll never second-guess what we all have with each other. I swear."

Atchibee opened in ball form. "Abis Omega, I sincerely apologize for what we've done. This falls on us."

"Don't worry about it." Abis said, though his tone was quaking and rasped. "…we're glad to see you're back to yourselves."

Alice walked up to Esther. "Esther, it took me a long time for me to forgive myself for what happened to you and Atchibee. What happened wasn't your fault, nor mine. I'm happy that you're both back now."

Esther smiled softly at Alice, one that looked more than forgiving. "Alice…it's good to see you again." She started. "Yes, you're right. I'm glad to be back as well. Thank you for watching over everyone while doing so."

Alice's eyes misted. She felt so relieved that her friend was back. She went and embraced Esther, a gesture that took her by surprise. Though awkward, Esther accepted the embrace and had a hand behind Alice's back.

While the sentiments were still high, Luka was on another more serious note. "Good. Now then…" he turned his attention towards the throne ahead of them. "You better not have forgotten about the elephant in the room either."

Luke looked up with momentary surprise. "Riaan-GAH!" His side ached once more, the pain so intense that he kneeled an craned down. He clutched his side hard while Abis plopped onto the ground, his open ball form showing ware as well.

"What's wrong? Did you get hurt somewhere?!" Luka gasped.

Coming from behind, the chamber doors were still open for everyone to run through. Shawn and everyone else made a beeline inside despite how frivolously cold it was. They stopped when they saw the scene ahead of them.

"Guys, I see them!" Jelldon quipped.

Maggie's eyes widened. "It's Luke! And Alice and Luka! And…Esther!"

Esther turned around, seeing everyone accounted for. "You all came." She sounded more surprised than coldly stated like she normally was. She watched as everyone reconvened with them.

"Is everyone alright?" Jase asked.

Esther nodded. "Yes, I am now…thanks to all of you." Her attention went towards Luka and Alice, as well as Luke. The latter looked like he was in pain. "Luke, are you alright?"

"Gnnngh…" Luke panted heavily. He looked to be so out of breath.

Shawn made it to his side without a skip. "Esther, it's great seeing you again, I mean it." His smile turned to a frown as the latter was coughing. "Luke, take it easy. You're looking shabby."

Shuji furrowed his brow as he looked towards Luka. "hey, what did we miss? You guys look like you've been roughed up."

Luka stoically held his sword. "Guess you can say that." He glanced over his shoulder at Luke. "That reckless dunderhead over there, he had his Abis Omega take in Atchibee's infected negative energy and power level. I'm surprised really. Handling a power level near 5000 and still alive."

Maggie's eyes widened. "Near 5000?! That's more than last time!"

Jase straightened his posture. "I see…which means that they had to battle to extremes in order to get you back to your senses, Esther." The former B.I.F Colonel earned a grimacing nod from Esther. He could understand completely why Abis Omega would look so pale in ball form. Taking in negative energy when he wasn't conditioned was dangerous enough as it was. As for Luke, he could see why he was worn out. 'The medicine I gave him must be wearing off. He'll most likely be unable to stand further.'

A creaking from above caught everyone's attention. Their eyes averted towards Riaan, seeing him stand up and look humbly down at his opponents that somewhat amazed him – though he didn't show it.

"To think, that the hours I put into this project would be washed away in a single battle…how the seasons change so quickly." He mused loudly.

"Riaan!" Maggie guarded.

Riaan looked at Esther. "It seems that the influence that Armagedoid and I had on you wasn't as powerful as I thought it was. I'm impressed, Esther Conland, your resilience and reliance on your so-called friends is more cumbersome than I had suspected."

Esther straightened her back, giving him a stare that could freeze ice over. "Riaan, you've twisted my emotions into a weapon. You've forced me to extremes that almost costed Atchibee and my own life…you're far from the saint that you've tried to make me think you were."

Riaan turned his head away. "I never said that I was a saint. As you would put it, I am a monster. To your kind, I am an alien. But everyone needs to make use of the resources they have. The problem with you humans is that while your wills are strong, you take your lives and everything for granted. You're a manipulative species."

"Yeah, it's true humans use one another for dirty deeds as you said." Shawn rebuffed, folding his arms. "But using feelings is just as twisted."

"That's not all that's twisted." Shuji scoffed. "Killing planets is another thing entirely."

Riaan shut his eyes. "I will neither confirm nor deny that testimony. I have made it clear that all matters of perspective can be labeled as biased. This is more than just genocide…this plan…is rectification. Code Eve has lied to all of you. I merely wish to express to the universe my side of the story."

"And to tell your story by slaying billions? You have quite the ambition." Jase remarked.

Riaan lowered his head, thinking of how Jase worded it. "Ambition…heh…I suppose one can put it like that. But to ambitions to come true, one must be willing to act to reach that goal. To many, they must take the hard paths down that road…and yet not many can reach it by the very end. Only the few fortunate will be able to accomplish, and those few must prove through their actions they stay true. As we speak, the Gundalians are being pushed back by my forces. Along with Hades Pillars, the Interacian Bakugan are equipped with Battlegear and trained men. It won't be long till they're all wiped off the map."

Luka's glare sharpened. "Riaan! You're not getting away with this!"

"That's right. We'll stop you, no matter what it takes!" Alice added.

Riaan started down the stairs, each tap of his toes echoing. Magenta ignited the steps with every time he moved. "I have no doubt in my mind that you will. After all, you've proven that in your battle." He stopped at the base of the steps. "I admit that losing Esther as an asset may be a hamper. But, the repercussions are the contrary. The negative battle energy emitted has been completely absorbed." He slowly balled a fist. "All that power…thoroughly concentrated…" he balled his fist so tight that it was almost quivering. "With each loss, even more is gained because of it. I believe you all know this principle well?"

"Save it." Maggie rebuffed. "We're not looking for empathy! We came to get our friend back and stop you!"

"That you have. You've retrieved your friend, which means that your own ambitions are nearly complete. But I am afraid that you have come a little late. I have already taken the blueprints from the Gundalian genomes and technology this planet has to offer. With it, I'll be making more effective Mobile Assault Vehicles, and even more…customize it to specific Bakugan. I'm evolving and adapting quickly. At the rate that I am heading with Empyrean empowering my progress, Eve shall meet her comeuppance."

A cough from Luke changed the tunes. Everyone looked down to find him attempting to stand. "Master…no…Riaan…" He managed to get to his knees, showing his resolve to stand. His breathing was as heavy as steel. He prodded his sword into the ground to help support his swaying body. "Even if you think lowly of us…we're not useless…we've got a will to go on."

Riaan humbly scoffed. "You are mistaken, Luke. I don't seem to recall ever saying that I thought so lowly of humans." He turned away. "Yes, humans aren't the most moral species, but their ability to adapt and live on is commendable. Why do you think I have my Interacians look like humans?"

"But they're still not real humans." Alice said. "Everything you're 'taking back', it was never yours to begin with! It's plagiarism!"

Riaan calmly turned around. He faced everyone with resolute in their eyes. The way he stared at them didn't look so good. The entire room's magenta network was flaring up.

"I do not go picking such meddlesome quarrels. I seem to recall making that testimony back on Vestal. You recall, don't you, Luka?" At that, Luka gritted his teeth. "I personally have no desire to sully my hands at this time. I already have everything I need from Gundalia…" He looked sharper. "But, seeing as how Hades Pillars is proving a point, I must do so as well."

Everyone tensed up, a magenta aura flaring around Riaan.

"I told you that if you persist, there would be a much larger challenge ahead of you. I am a merciful entity, but I also stand behind my word. I may have gone easy and spared you on Vestal for one time, but that was the last time. Now, I must answer the call that you all have waited for! You all…shall be honored as generous opponents! You, shall be the first to bear witness, of what Armagedoid can really do!"

The doors closed behind them, making them all turn around and flinch. All around, the magenta outlines flared as they all readied for what could be a deadly fight. The negative energy pouring out of the room was palpitating extremely. They almost forgot how to breathe.

Armagedoid was on Riaan's shoulder as he targeted for all his opponents. He pulled out a massive, accented sword, challenging them all. "COME!"

The final stretch to save Gundalia has begun.

Sorry that it took me 2 weeks to make this. I intended for last week, but this took me a lot longer than what I had originally wanted. Also, it's not easy writing all these battles. It takes quite a bit of time in doing so. But compared to last chapter, I hope this one suffices!

Well, Esther is finally back with them again, and Abis Omega's power level has went up to 700 Gs…geez lol. But all seriousness aside, we have Zion and Cyrus again double-teaming Ren and the other prime Gundalians. I'm trying to include as many of them as I possibly can, but I'm hoping you guys are satisfied with all this.

Okay guys, I know I trolled you all hard in the Vestal Arc, but this time it's really happening. Next chapter, we'll be seeing Armagedoid in battle! And the conclusion to the Gundalia Arc to boot!

Also, something important: Happy 2 years to this fanfic! Man, 2 years! It's really came a long way, hasn't it! Until next time!