"Now then, I believe we are all aware of what's to come next?"

Riaan's words echoed as Hades Pillars eyed the projection above them. With the chamber ceiling lights off, the floors and walls were illuminated by bright network lights that were connected to Riaan's feet. His inferiors had neon lights as their attributed nightlights beneath them as they looked up at the holographic projection of Neathia's 3D schematics.

Riaan had arms behind his back, Armagedoid on his shoulder observing calmly. "This is what is to be our final designation. Neathia. As you can see, it's a bipolar opposite of Gundalia and its inhabitance." Several monitors popped up, showing photographs of the jungles and chrome scattered everywhere around the planet. The cities in particular had a paranormal shine to them. "Unlike Gundalia's already burnt out atmosphere, Neathia has a livelier atmosphere around it. Its resources are plentiful, and it has a populace much like its counterpart."

Amina was more focused on the chrome if anything, a luscious smirk on her face. "Mmm, looks very classy. Supposed we can take samples and make some jewelry perhaps?"

"Focus, Amina." Lucia chastised.

Amina huffed her chest out. "Hmph. Just saying. It'd be a shame to let such fine minerals go to waste." She drifted to her own thoughts. 'I wonder if chrome is good for baths?'

"So we be dealing with forces like Gundalia is what you're saying?" Magnus concluded.

Riaan held up one arm, spreading his fingers to detach the images to show a holographic image of Haos Bakugan like Luxtor, Nastix, Fangoid, Ziperator, and Longfly. "There was a reason why I opted to strike Gundalia down first. You see, while the Neathians are well with impersonating humans and being capable of hand-to-hand combat, they were a race who had long since prospered. Therefore, their warfare ethnics are far weaker compared to the Gundalians. It was only due to the Battle Brawlers' interference that the Neathians have been able to hold out as long as they did."

Cyrus blankly stared at his lord. "I see. Taking out Gundalia first would've been the most valued course of action."

"Correct, Cyrus. Gundalia had more species and attributed Bakugan compared to Neathia, which is limited to Haos as well." He lowered his arm, dispelling the holograms overlapping the 3D grid of the planet. "By handling Gundalia and cutting off the Neathians, we were able to procure a much larger arsenal of Mobile Assault Vehicles and Bakugan to assess in our armies. In which, we have been able to modernize using Galilea's engineering team. With those, we will launch a surprise attack and draw out the Neathians."

"And because of your calculative endeavors, sire, they will not receive any neighboring support. They will be vulnerable." Lucia bowed her head. "Truly, your wisdom exceeds anything my foresight can imagine."

Amina crossed her arms, scoffing arrogantly. "Kissup." Her remark earned her Lucia's reprimanding glare. "Hm, why the look? It's so uncouth…then again, it's suiting for trash picked up like you I suppose."

"Ladies." Zion's scratchy voice got the girls from arguing. "Apologies, milord. Do go on."

A projection of what looked like a massive tower with a circular base, with a large bottom much like a bauble would have, appeared on top of the Neathia image. "Miss Galiea was able to modify the Empyrean to now tolerate Neathia's essence. Cyrus, what was the name once more? Relay it if you will for me."

"Gladly, sire." The Darkus man smirked rather maliciously at the newly modeled Empyrean. "Everyone, pay attention. This…shall be Empyrean Beta."

Magnus raised a brow. "A lot more compact than what I imagined. The last Empyrean was nearly three times that size underground."

"That's because this is where it comes to play." Riaan manipulated the screen to make the very bottom of the bulbous bottom project some kind of beam, which ate away at the mantle of Neathia, literally. "My powers imbedded at the core of Empyrean's bottom will be condensed into a thin wave that will travel straight down. It will continue to do so the more Empyrean replicates and feeds off the planet, until it takes us towards its center."

"So when do we begin the attack?" Galilea questioned.

Riaan looked in Galilea's direction, but soon turned towards Zion, meeting his gaze. "Actually, Galilea…I believe Zion is more than capable of keeping the frontlines long enough until the Battle Brawlers arrive."

Amina squinted. "Uh, excuse me?" she blinked. "Did you just say him?" she pointed at Zion.

"Come now, everyone. When you stop to think about it, it seems entirely justified." Cyrus proclaimed. "Afterall, our forces alone were enough to sustain the Neathians, and their best contenders fell because of Zion and myself. And they didn't have to make us use our weapons as of yet." He turned his head at Zion. "Besides, if anyone on Interacia is capable of leading a one-man army, wouldn't it be you?"

Zion looked at the axe blade lodged in his gauntlet, turning it over to see if it was sharp enough. He looked up at Neathia's 3D image, slowly raising the blade to make it look like he could split it in half. Riaan and Cyrus expectantly stared at him, while his remaining peers showed frowns of wonder.

"I swear, milord…" his voice has a dark glee. "I will cut their burnt corpses in your name."

Fabia raced through her beloved city, looking over a fallen piece of chrome. When she got on top, she looked left and right for any signs of stragglers that weren't evacuated yet. "Aranaut, did you find anyone?"

At her call, Aranaut, in ball form, floated towards her side. "No, my queen. I've searched all over. It seems we've managed to procure the citizens to the shelter just in time."

Fabia sighed, a wave of relief washing over her. She looked back around, seeing the fallen chrome and buildings that were blown away by the earlier brigade. It still surprised her just how brutal and quick everything got in less than a few hours. Everyone was sleeping soundly, next thing they knew, earthquakes and a menacing tower was in the sun's direction.

'I've gotta figure out what's going on, and quick. Dan and the others should handle those guys.' She wanted to join them; she was very much tempted to. But the alleyway close by flashed a bright yellow light that snagged her attention. "Hm? Aranaut, did you see that?"

"Yes, I saw." Aranaut floated over, with Fabia following at a slower rate.

They both moved hastily, making sure to keep their guards up by any means. When they turned to the alley, breathless gasps escaped their throats, Fabia especially.

There, sprawled and gathered together, were some of the Neathians that she thought were from the frontlines. Paige was amongst them. Linus, Rafe, and Elright were all damaged, bloodied even. Scorchmarks and deep cuts lacerated them all around that she almost didn't recognize them.

"Oh my gosh!" She raced towards them, kneeling to get a look at their bitter conditions. "You guys…what happened?!" She didn't get a response. They all looked worn out. 'How did they even get here?'

Elright's eyes twitched. He stirred around and rolled his head towards Fabia.

"Captain Elright!" She moved closer to him. Her eyes widened at the insidious wound that was still bleeding out. She moved to try and help, but Elright weakly covered it for her. "No, Captain! You're hurt badly! You shouldn't be moving!"

"My queen." He murmured, his voice croaked and low. His vision was blurry, but he could make out his loyal queen. He wanted to reach out. Berate himself. But he just didn't have it in him. "The Brawlers are here…the enemy…they're monsters…I don't think…"

Fabia moved her hand over his mouth. "Please…take it easy. You're safe now."

Elright softly smiled. "Forgive me…" His eyes slowly shut, his body sulking further against the wall.

"Elright? Captain Elright?!" Fabia overlooked him. He was in bad shape, or worse! She hastily stood up, her shock transferring to her frontline people. All of them were in just as bad of a condition that she was at a loss for words. "Aranaut, they need help! Stat!"

An explosion shook the ground, grasping her attention further towards the large broken fortress of Neathia's wall, where she saw explosions in the distance. 'Dan, you better make sure you stay safe out there…'

The battlefield roared with explosions running amock. Chrome that wasn't tainted and crumbling apart yet was blown away to dust as magenta cannons and gunfire laid waste across Neathia. Without any shields that were all destroyed back in the Gundalian war, the one line of defense left was the few humans and Vestal who were fighting for their lives.

Zukanator mounting Nastix and Fangoid below aimed high above. As Dan and Drago sailed overhead, the Bakugan unleashed disastrous blast waves that barely caught their eye.

"Watch out, Drago!" Dan shouted. Drago used his high-speed mobility to ascend higher, evading the blast pulses that continued into the skies above, fading into explosive waves that dispelled any morning clouds. Drago descended, his focus set. "Let's kick it, pal!"

"You took the words right out of my mouth." Drago growled.

"Ability, activate! Dragon Thrasher!" Drago reared his head back and let out a loud cry, before reeling forward with a bright red energy beam that traveled down into the enemies.

The beam shot a clean course through the Fangoid and Nastic that were using these devices. Those using Mobile Assault vehicles were not safe from the high-speed attack that instantly reverted them to ball form. A straight line of the attack reverted many at once.

"Don't stop, Drago! We've gotta keep them away from Fabia and the others!" Dan looked down at the ground. So many were giving off an ominous pressure that he held on tight. "Steady now…"

With the Dragonoid within range, a fellow soldier raced ahead of his platoon and through a Gate Card out, which faded to a yellow shockwave. "Gate Card, open! Land Pressure!"

The card shined directly, instantly making gravity intensify around Drago. He looked down in confusion at his body getting heavier by the second. His whole center of gravity was dragged down, with Dan having no choice but to hang onto Drago's horns as he screamed.

"Dan! We're going down! Hang on!"

"Drago~!"

Drago crashed into the ground, making a harsh shudder in the earth. The dust quickly vaporized, revealing him on a knee. But against the Gate Card's force, it was as much as he could handle. He growled as he was composing himself after that harsh fall.

"Oh, my head…" Dan groaned, clutching his locks. "Huh?" He looked around, realizing that they were surrounded by Impalaton and aerial Mobile Assault Vehicle Bakugan and their Interacian partners with melee weapons and firearms aimed right for them. The sight was more than unsettling to them. "Not good…"

"Hold on, guys! We're on the way!" Reptak shouted not too far away. "Gunz!"

"Yeah pal, we're on it!" Gunz held up his Bakumeter, unleashing an ability. "Ability, activate!"

Reptak's shoulder cannon dislodged from its position along the back and got on his left shoulder. "Harvey Cannon!" Once readily charged, he unleashed a bright yellow beam that soared across the ground at the enemies in front.

The harsh blast exploded upon impact with several Interacian Bakugan. Most in the way were immediately reverted to ball form, while others were forced to back away. Even then, Reptak found himself being surrounded by numbers that were greater than before.

"Snap! Where are all these guys coming from?!" Gunz raged.

From above, Koptorix and Hurrix Mobile Assaults unleashed their attributed blasts. They zoomed down, creating explosions that caused Reptak to cover up using his massive arm pauldrons. The ground in front erupted into dust and soot, giving the grounded Bakugan a chance to fire Twin Destructor nonstop. Reptak stood his ground, but he found no room to strike back.

"Crap! Get out of our way!"

A random soldier shot a Gate Card onto the ground, making it fade in a green ripple. "Gate Card, open! Healing Up!" The card glowed, causing more than a half dozen Bakugan on Mobile Assaults and those having Battlegear to glow their attributed colors, signaling a power increase.

"Uh, Marucho? What do we got?" Radizen worriedly asked.

"Hang on, Radizen! Help is on the way!" Marucho readied an ability, but he noticed one soldier closing the gap on him with an energy sword. "Huh?!"

Stunned, Radizen didn't get to move in time. "Marucho! Look out!"

Marucho didn't have the reflexes to act as the sword was going for his neck. But just before impact, a brown flare lit up in front of him, blocking the energy blade. The soldier was knocked away by a knife claw while another one picked up Marucho and lifted him off the ground.

The soldier fell on his bottom, grimacing at his failed attack. When he looked back, he was met with a Subterra scorpion-like creature that hissed at him. He stepped back, unwilling to take a further gambit.

"Nice work, Roxtor!" Radizen praised, but it was cut short when gunfire and energy beams from Bakugan blazed in his direction. "Huh?! Gyyaaaaah!"

"Radizen! Ability, activate!" Marucho shouted. "Matter Shield!" Radizen crossed his arms and summoned a bright blue shield that was thin water. The fountain spray was so thin one could easily mistake it as invisible. Yet all the gunfire and energy blasts aiming for him was stopped cold, diffusing just as quickly.

Radizen sulked lazily. "That was a close one."

Roxtor spoke gibberish, making Radizen turn to him.

"Hey, I don't see you doing anything either! Give me a hand here!"

"Attack!" a soldier yelled out.

One of the other soldiers swiped his arm, sending another Gate Card out beneath Radizen and Roxtor. "Gate Card, open! Warlock!"

The card shined, making Radizen's bubble dissipate and turn to drizzle that rained to the floor in front of the Bakugan. "What the-?!" He looked ahead, only for a lone Aquos Fangoid to unleash energy discs from its shoulders that crashed into Radizen. He screeched out in agony as he fell onto his back.

Roxtor spoke gibberish, but it seemed like he was anxious. This was what Marucho was able to get behind. "Don't worry Radizen, help is on the way! Ability, activate! Under Explosion!" Marucho hopped off as Roxtor yelped out a battlecry, before he started eating rock and burrowed into the earth and tainted soil beneath.

The Interacians didn't feel anything until the ground started vibrating. A magnitude started picking up, and it evolved into an earthquake. The ground started cracking, until a harsh eruption of dust, rock, and soil shot into the air, while men and their Bakugan sunk into the ground created by Roxtor. He resurfaced from the hole he made, siding beside Radizen as the dust cleared, revealing a large area caved in and blocking off forces.

"Nice going, Roxtor!" Marucho praised. "C'mon guys! We can do this!"

"Right!" Radizen cheered; Roxtor yelled gibberish to agree.

The gunfire and raid didn't stop just because of some hole. Bakugan with aerial mobility such as Farakspin and Buz Hornix glided right over, summoning tornadoes that touched down and spiraled throughout the battlefield. They swallowed up everything, including Skytruss and Orbeum as they were too close.

"Ability, activate!" Shun countered. "Sparkly Shadow – Cross Storm!"

Jaakor put his hands together, summoning a green sphere of wind. He projected it outwards, making the tornadoes all dissipate and continued pushing towards the Bakugan that projected them. They were all blown back into the army. Some were accidentally hit by gunfire and reverted to ball form.

Skytruss and Orbeum rebounded, shaking their heads. "Man, that was a close one. You okay, brother?" Orbeum asked Skytruss.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's get back at them!" he shouted.

Jaakor got between them, towering with might and superiority. "Very well then. Let us combine our powers! Together now! Shun!"

Shun nodded. "Understood, Jaakor." He held up his arm, signaling a Ventus and Darkus Ability fusion. "Ability, activate! Ultimate Kazami Style – Rapid Fury!" Jaakor, Skytruss, and Orbeum all tensed their muscles and glowed their respective attribute colors. Jaakor ascended into the air at a comet's pace, with his students right behind him. They zigzagged, crossing each other at lightning speed until they were high atop the army. They eyed the enemies that waited below, and once they were set, they zoomed down together, blitzing at comet speed.

A soldier reached out his Bakumeter just in time. "Ability, activate! Chaos Vibro!" An Impalaton his Aquos Gren was controlling had its orange eyes everywhere brighten up until they expelled shockwaves and a bloodcurdling shriek. The shockwaves tore up the ground beneath as the echoes extended upwards.

The ninja Bakugan were all sailing straight into the shockwaves, expecting to beat them. However, they were all blown back ferociously, sailing in the opposite direction.

"No way!" Shun shouted.

The sound of air being sliced got him in time. He jumped and doubled over atop two soldiers two crossed their bisento with broad energy blades and pulled them back. Shun and his Bakugan all landed at the same time, eyeing everyone.

'These soldiers, they're not like the Gundalians we've fought before. Nor are they as mindless as the chaos Bakugan back when Mag Mel was around.' Shun furrowed his brow. 'They're all prepared and have been trained for this…what's worse. We can't get any solid ground.'

Drago was still unable to move very well. He was pinned by the Gate Card and the enemy Bakugan were closed in. Their battlers aimed their rifles and revolvers that had Kuso's name written all over him.

"Fire!" A soldier shouted. All at once, machine guns and firearms shot specifically at Dan. They closed in fast as he had no defense.

Dan's eyes reflected the incoming bullets, but Drago's hand shielded him. "Drago!"

The soldiers moved closer, docking and locking in on Drago. Bullets didn't permeate his iron-like scales, as all human material does. Not even missiles would deter a Bakugan, but around Drago's face and hand was enough to keep him from getting anywhere while he shielded his partner.

Dan backed away. The situation had quickly turned and he wasn't prepared for any of this. He noticed one soldier with a revolver on his right that had a clear shot.

"Oh crud-!"

"Ability, activate! Ground Shifter!"

Before Dan could duck, the soldier misfired elsewhere as a sharp appendage plunged into glowing ground right in his spot. Stick legs clung to the ground as Stag Fly Beetle used his mid-legs to manipulate the card to turning on the enemies. The gravity turned on the frontlines, causing their vehicles to get ground immediately. Koptorix and aerial Bakugan crashed into the ground hard, pinned by this force. The men around either had to move or were crushed by their Bakugan.

Drago felt mobility again as he turned towards his savior. "Huh? You're…Stag Fly Beetle, right?"

The beetle raised his horn. "Call me Fly Beetle for short, if you like."

"Alright, hurry!" Shuji shouted atop Fly Beetle's head. "Before they nullify the Gate Card."

Dan's eyes widened. "Huh?! Shuji?!" He was at a loss for words. He didn't know what to say, but he wasn't in a position to argue.

"Get right to it, Fly Beetle!" Shuji shouted. "Hey, Dan! You good down there?!"

Dan got over his momentary shock, breaking to a nervous grin. "…yeah. We're good." He balled his fists. "Right, let's go guys! Ability, activate! Dragon NR Gear!" Drago stood tall and unleashed a large roar that echoed into the skies. Red sparks ignited into static, which compressed into his body. With a hitch in his body, he unleashed the energy in an omnidirectional shockwave that rushed out towards the enemies paralyzed.

"Ability, activate! Sunder Sonic!" Shuji followed up with Stag Fly Beetle's attack. His wings shields opened up and his body engulfed itself in orange-brown energy. The accents on his body shined brightly before he flexed out, a violent roar and beating wings sending seismic shockwave that crushed the ground and pulsed outwards. But Shuji wasn't finished. "Fusion Ability, Grand Booster!" Flt Beetle's aura intensified, causing his shockwaves to become so great that they expande din range, and dented the ground deeper as it traveled along.

The combined explosions and added range made an earthquake that swallowed up miles worth of terrain. Soldiers' screams went mute as they were blown away or killed by the shockwaves for being too close. The bakugan were unprepared as these attacks rushed like wildfire, vaporizing large sums in one go.

Dan saw the devastation of their combined efforts, the light in his eyes at a standstill out of shock. "Woah…killer." He turned towards Shuji, who was on Fly Beetle as he was in the air. "Thanks for that, Shuji!"

"Yes, thank you both. We'll promise to pay you back." Drago insisted.

Fly Beetle hummed. "Chill. We've got bigger things to worry about."

Shuji cracked his knuckles, sneering at the army forces still remaining. "Heh, didn't think I'd get this high with you, Dan…" He shot him a glare. "But just so you know, we're not losing this time!"

Dan smiled. "Works for me! Let's go, Drago!"

Drago sailed further into the battlefield, whereas Shuji and Fly Beetle intentionally dropped themselves to the army below. Fly Beetle plunged his pincers into the ground at point-blank around stunned opponents that still stood. Another omnidirectional shockwaves pulsed everywhere, blowing them off their feet. Fly Beetle's eyes glowed red as he raised his horn, the thrill of battle causing his steel hide to strengthen further.

Bakugan unleashed beams onto Reptak, completely stopping him front advancing. As he was trying to find any form of ground, a rogue beam from fired down behind, exploding in a large shockwave that knocked him off his feet. He, as well as Gunz, crashed into the ground, both gagging from the shock and the pain the attack inflicted.

The Longfly with a Zukanator on its back aimed down with several of its other allies. Cannonfire and Twin Destructors started turning their barrels and unleashed more barrages that quickly came down.

Looking up, Gunz's purple eyes shined with shock at the incoming attack. "Crud!"

The beams didn't just come from above. They also shot from all around the area. Reptak barely had time to process before all the attacks were suddenly angled and bent in another direction. They all shot and were absorbed into a gelatinous body, leaving sizzle marks before a finger pointed skywards.

"Let's take out the fliers, Jelldon!" Maggie instructed.

Gunz' eyes widened. "What the?! Where'd they come from?!"

Having used Soft Conductor against dozens of foes at once, that brought the Bakugan all around to attack him now. They all scowled and aimed their attacks at him instead. But he was always ready.

"Ability, activate! Petroleum Shield!" Maggie activate the ability, manifesting a translucent red barrier around Jelldon as he stood his ground against the simultaneous blasts. The barrage was so vast that it seemed like it wouldn't be letting up for him. "Don't worry about us! Just hit them already!" Maggie screamed.

"What-?!" Gunz was caught surprised, but he was lifted by Reptak just before a soldier came down with an energy sword. The blade pierced the ground, and Reptak placed him on his shoulder and jumped high into the air. With a high enough altitude, he saw the many aerial Bakugan.

"Okay Gunz, now!"

Attempting to get over the shock, he sneered. "Alright punks, you asked for this! Ability, activate! Spar Hook!"

"Lock-on!" Through his lenses, Reptak locked onto a Farakspin and an armed Longfly. Once the lockers blinked, he lifted his arm gauntlets and the sharp ends manifested large yellow energy forms. He fired them at full fury, causing direct hist that exploded in the weak points spotted.

The energy blasts around Jelldon all dissipated, but none of them did anything more than make him snarl and wave his tentacles around.

"Gate Card, set!" Maggie swiped her arm, throwing a card out. The card shot to the army ahead, fading in a red ripple. "Now, Gate Card, open! Power Pressure!" The card shined below them all, causing the feet of the grounded Bakugan such as Jetro, Fangoid, Scaboid, and Ramdol to not be able to move, nor use their equipment set on them. Maggie eyes them all, knowing well what strength they all have. 'All their base levels are at least 600. The New Vestroia Bakugan have power 350 to 400. But Riaan sees them as too weak now. Now let's see that creep take a hit for a fault like that!'

"Let's go!" Jelldon roared. He lifted his arms, manifesting a plasma fireball that was as bright as a sun. "Bolting Sun!" He harshly threw the fireball into the crowd, causing a large eruption of plasma and flames that burnt away men and their Bakugan. He huffed, showing no sign of ill-confidence.

"Man, those guys are packing some power." Reptak awed.

"Yeah, no kidding." Gunz said, his tone hinting shock. They continued watching as Jelldon swatted and pummeled men and their Bakugan away, taking the matter dead seriously.

Shockwaves from nearby Impalaton were successfully blockading Jaakor, Orbeum, and Skytruss from making any movements towards the enemies. If anything, they had less of a chance than before. Shun was on Jaakor's shoulder as he was unable to get by the shockwaves either.

"Gate Card, open! Wrecker Freeze!"

A Gate Card shined beneath the Impalaton army, causing all their shockwaves to dispel around each other. With their defenses wide open, Atmos cawed as he sailed high over, spinning his blades like propellers. He cawed fiercely as four whirlwinds expanded into a maelstrom, swallowing all the enemies within its range and anchoring the soldiers. The light ones were picked up and blown away in the harsh turbines. Meanwhile, the Impalaton were all unable to fight back.

Jase lifted his Bakumeter. "Atmos…Wise Sky!" Several comets appeared around Atmos as he flicked the ends of his four wings, sending them all blitzing into his whirlwinds. They sparkled and combusted into green flares that enlarged the whirlwind, causing those inside to be hammered by glittering green lights that erupted soil and earth. A few Mobile Assault Vehicles like Impalaton were taken out almost instantly due to not being able to nullify the ability.

With Atmos high in the air, he circled over Jaakor and his students. Shun looked up in shock. "What happened?!"

Atmos' eyes glimmered yellow. He noticed something in the distance and saw one of the large cannons in the far back of the army aimed directly for him. With a Bakugan manually operating it, the cannon charged to full capacity. It glimmered several times before unleashing a streaking magenta blaze that arched over the army towards Atmos.

"Watch out up there!" Shun cried out, but neither Jase nor Atmos made the effort to move.

Jase and Atmos stared blankly at the incoming attack. Along with them, soldiers commanded Bakugan to unleash energy beams and respective abilities in saucers or electrical impulses that discharged. All at once the stage was set.

"Ability, activate! Vacuum Turmoil!" Atmos's propellers created a large vacuum-like whirlwind that funneled in front of him. The whirlwind stood in the way of all the attacks, including the massive cannon beam heading right for him. All the attacks swirled inside and were funneled with added whirlwind power back into the army. Elemental explosions and a searing ray zipped across the sky into the deep army afoot. A second nothing happened, then moments later, a massive dome-like eruption shot into the sky, signaling the vehicle being destroyed.

Within the shockwaves, those not nearby took aim and readied their Mobile Assault Vehicles. Koptorix and Hurrix were surrounding Atmos as his cyclone diffused. All readied conjoined laserbeams.

"Ability, activate! Moonlight Shadow Breaker!"

Green slashes suddenly appeared on the aerial Mobile Assaults and the Battlegear equipped. The Bakugan attack were unable to escape as the green slashes faded, revealing Jaakor on a knee below, thin green blades of energy jutting from his knuckles. Once they dispersed, the vehicles above exploded, clearing Atmos of obstruction.

"That's payback." Shun protested.

Jase prodded his glasses up, the light of the sun reflecting off them. "So you say."

"We will not be worn down by the likes of you evildoers!" Jaakor boldly declared. He, Skytruss, and Orbeum all charged in, while Atmos and Jase remained in the air.

"Ability, activate! Mangekyo Blade!"

A yellow spritz beamed across the battlefield, bypassing Bakugan left and right. They all had cleaved marks and gashes on them and their machines, the light of which enveloped them and prevented them from moving. Verias posed, while matters were taken to the physical battlefield.

Shawn let out a huff as he jabbed his rapier into someone's exposed neck, puncturing it. He pulled out and raced along, slashing and cutting through with the sharp end. Energy swords swung, but with his training, he ducked and swiped at the knees, making them kneel for him to slash them hard. When a bisento came for his backside, he sidestepped and had the man fall over.

"What the…?" Marucho was at a loss for what he was seeing. He backed away, shocked at what Shawn was doing. "Hey! Stop! They're not the real enemies!"

A soldier launched two bullets at Shawn. Using the harsh, round guard of his rapier, he stopped the bullets and rushed in. He rushed in, ducking and evading spears and energy blades that instead cleaves others. He was so focused that it looked like he knew what he was doing. Meanwhile, another Scaboid hissed as it launched Twin Destructor energy bullets at Radizen and Roxtor, keeping them from attacking.

"Guys!" Marucho shouted.

Radizen was so overwhelmed that he had to get to a knee. He snarled angrily at his foes. "They're…glutton for punishment!"

Shawn looked back, seeing his allies overwhelmed. "Marucho!" He looked up. "Verias!"

The ape nodded and seized Shawn. Together, they jumped into the air, avoiding gunfire and explosions that instead took out the immobilized enemy Bakugan. Verias doubled over in front of Radizen and Roxtor and held up his blade staff, summoning a yellow barrier that nullified the attacks incoming.

"Huh?" Radizen felt sparkles envelop him, instantly healing injuries from the earlier attacks. He turned his hand over, looking at it shocked. "Woah, I'm back to normal!" he turned towards Verias. "Thanks a lot, big guy!"

"No problem." Verias replied, still keeping the barrier up.

Shawn looked back at Marucho, his disposition dead serious. "You okay back there?"

Marucho swallowed a lump. "Yeah, sure…" he looked at Shawn's grip. Specifically, his rapier. It had blood on it, which left him uneased. "Listen, we need to take out the Bakugan. They're the main problem here."

Shawn frowned. He wished that were the case, but he knew better than to deflect the reality of the situation. He opted to say something, but a Gate Card was blown beneath, getting his attention.

"Gate Card, open!" a random soldier shouted. "Active Ghost!"

The card shined brightly, causing eruption to start bubbling. Shawn and Verias shot each other looks of knowing and Verias had no choice but to lift the barrier as his axe raised higher.

"Mangekyo Blade!" the ape roared as he slashed into the card just as explosions erupted. The smoke and flames blew in two different directions, unaffecting the enemies intended. The ape used the opening to slash past more enemies, leaving cuts that swallowed them in imprisoning light. He looked back over his shoulder. "Now! Attack!"

"Hmph! Fine by me!" Radizen shouted.

"Ability, activate!" Marucho shouted. "Abyss Blade!" Radizen scowled as he unleashed dense blue crescents that tore apart the landscape towards the enemy Bakugan. They were all reduced to ball form, leaving an open path for Shawn to get to work with Verias.

Together, they slashed rapiers and blades into enemy Bakugan, not batting an eyelash. This made Marucho flinch and look away as he watched Shawn cut down another soldier with sharp speed.

Shawn continued on, his calm expression unchanging as he and Verias continued the onslaught. 'No matter what it looks, this is war…' He slashed another foe, narrowly evading an energy saber in the process. 'And it's do or die!'

As the battle raged on like a madhouse, the chaos above was seen as clear as day. The Trailer was gliding across the sky on autopilot, which its turbines and airstreams were what filled Julie and the cameraman's ears.

"Are you guys seeing this?!" Julie shouted.

Back on Earth, in the safety of the Battle Brawler HQ, the broadcast was being shown on the big screen in front of Runo and Mira. Mira was doing her best to make sure the servers are able to link up to the broadcast and the news station.

"We see, Julie." Runo replied. "Mira, is it ready?"

"Almost…" She looked over at the panels, showing monitors to indicate servers and devices that she was able to connect to. "Okay…here we go!"

With a click of a button, Mira started connecting everything she could. Any device that was connected to the Internet was receiving a message, which stopped whatever it was kids or people were playing and had them get notifications of a live broadcast being shown on every channel.

In schools that were still in session, teachers looked over at their television screens and portable devices to see a sudden alert shown. Channels across everywhere was being turned towards the warzone happening on Neathia, explosions and a large wall of Bakugan afoot. Even across the world, those who were playing sports like soccer and football had to stop in the middle of their game when they all saw the screens that showed ads turned to a news report with explosions and Bakugan everywhere.

In Luke's estate, Luke's mother and father saw the channel flip on them. Rather than show reports of people and the world's calamities, there were instead frames of Drago, Dan, and the Battle Brawlers as they laid waste to the scene and counterattacked the Bakugan that were the enemies.

Claire's face showed shock. "Augustine, did you just change the channel?"

Augustine furrowed his brow. "No…I didn't." He looked more intently, staring at the screen with scrutiny. "What is this…?"

From the hallway, Cale walked in with a metal tray with two sets of teapots and a stirring spoon. He arrived just in time to see the news report that sprouted out of the blue. "Oh? What's this?"He moved closer, seeing the broadcast along with Augustine and Claire on the sofa. "What's going on?"

"We don't know. This appeared so suddenly." Claire fretted.

"This is your favorite roaming reporter Julie, live! From the planet known as Neathia!" The camera turned towards Julie, showing her face as she face the camera. Below were headlines titled "BATTLE ON OTHER WORLD – ALIEN FORCES TARGET NEATHIA!". "I'm currently looking over what is to be the reason behind this whole disaster that Earth is currently in. Right now, the enemy who goes by the name of Riaan, has infected many worlds, and now he's targeted his next victim planet: Neathia! Down below, you see what devastation his mutated Bakugan army is doing."

The screen showed black and magenta themed Bakugan attacking everything. Gunfire and men approaching, only for Shun to back away from throwing spears. The broadcast showed large cannons in the back firing beams that bolted past Drago and Atmos as they maneuvered out of the way. They exploded in cosmic blazes, making large structures erupt with devastating results.

The three were at a loss for what to say. They couldn't say anything. They were seeing the Battle Brawlers and familiar faces taking on an entire army, which as it passed, life across the ground and chrome was losing color and decaying.

"What…is all this…?" Claire trailed. "That…that can't all be…"

Augustine frowned angrily. He had a good feeling of what's responsible for this. "Riaan…"

"As you can see, we're dealing with a massive Bakugan Army, whom many of you have been aware of that's been controlled by none other than the sole perpetrator himself, Riaan! The mastermind behind this whole thing! He's been stealing DNA and essentials across the universe to help himself in his goal to crumble all worlds related to Bakugan. With the home world of New Vestroia, Earth, and Vestal, they've recently used their forces to crumble Gundalia, and are now attacking Neathia! But have no fear!" The screen showed Dan and the Battle Brawlers, along with Luke's little team included, fending and attacking back; Shawn and Jase were seen using their respective weapons to neutralize the enemy as their Bakugan slashed through a Twin Destructor barrel, and Atmos fired a compressed wind cannon down a Zukanator barrel, causing explosions. "We have the Battle Brawlers currently siding with others who are fighting this evil menace as we speak! They're risking their lives to do away with Riaan's forces, so let's see them through this thing!"

All across Earth, everyone was seeing the explosions and the crumbling devastation. It resembled a lot like Earth in a way, but now first-hand, everyone from home is seeing a lethal enemy's forces that could level cities.

Even from Russia, in her grandfather's home, Michael was looking with shock as she and a floating Hydranoid came running in. They looked at the news, shock at the Mobile Assault vehicles running amock as Drago and the others were fighting.

"Guys…"

Atchibee let out a shrilled cry as she sailed over enemy lines. She and Esther looked down, seeing Bakugan that were grasping their attention. They all hissed and fired at her, in which she fluttered in readiness.

"Ability, activate!" Esther shouted. "Wormhole!" Atchibee manifested a dark void-like portal that swirled to Darkus energy. A powerful energy beam shot from a Zukanator was neutralized, and instead transferred into Atchibee. The rest of the gunfire was parried and blocked by her sharp scythes.

"Fire!" A man reached out, his Jetro unleashing beams from its alien-like horns.

Atchibee flew up to dodge the attack, while Esther dropped down with one of the spears she kept back from Gundalia. Once she set foot, she raced after the battler, twirling her spear and jutting it through his chest. She pulled out, ignoring his anguished screams as he fell over.

She looked down at his body, her frown as heavy as a sack of bricks. She was well aware of her actions, and she knew this had to have been the case with Luke. Still, even she knew this was war. Their way of battling, was just how they lived it. Do or die.

"Let's go! Atchibee!"

"Right, Esther!" the cocoon moth shrieked.

An enemy went to attack Esther with an energy blade, but Esther's enhanced reflexes allowed her to keep up and slash into his chest. She zoomed past him as Atchibee did the same, parrying gunfire and dodging Mobile Assault Vehicles. "Ability, activate! Mirthless Blade!" Atchibee's scythes shimmered with venomous purple energy as she flew in and spiraled. In a barrel roll through the air, she crazed Bakugan and scratched the machinery equipped to them.

Atchibee grunted as she was slashing Bakugan, but her blades weren't that thick to slice cleanly through Mobile Assault Vehicles. Impalaton and Hurrix were whirling around, which left het to aim for the weak points. She sliced into legs, which Esther slices across chests. The moth accurately cleaves through Impalaton legs to completely disarm them, whereas she sliced venomous claws into the actual Bakugan to keep them from using the vehicles.

As she tilted sideways, Esther ran up to her scythe closest to the ground and grabbed on. Atchibee lifted back up and arch as below, men and mechanical monsters collapsed, making eruptions flare.

As Esther and Atchibee went to work, they looked down at the battlefield, seeing the many Bakugan to go still. Metal and sparks got her attention, causing her and Atchibee to gaze in one direction. "Esther…!"

Esther furrowed her brow. From the looks of things, she had a good guess of whom was fighting.

A large axe collided with an energy and metallic sword, grinding sparks into the air. Zion's ferocious glare rivaled Luke and Luka's determination as neither pushed nor pulled apart from the collision. The war monster ultimately reeled his left arm back, pulling out a polearm with a spear end. He slashed at Luka, but he parried it. In turn Luke found an opening to close the gap. Zion growled and pivoted, allowing Luke to pass through. He slashed, yet the Aquos battler pivoted and used the flat edge to deflect the shot and let it grind down the sword, sparing his face as he managed to get to the other side.

"HRAH!" Luka and Luke slashed their blades at the same time.

Zion sneered as he saw the two-way attack. Crossing his arms, he parried Luke's blow with the polearm, and Luka's was intercepted by the harsh axe blade. Both contenders were at a standstill as their pincer attack was keeping Zion from going anywhere.

"Zion…" Luka sneered. Luke pressed further, keeping the maniacal warrior at bay.

Zion snarled. He pivoted again and swirled out of range to face the two warriors again. "I've been waiting to settle our little score back from Gundalia, boy." He glared daggers at Luke, before glancing at Luka. "And to your little friend there, the look in his eyes shows it. He crosses blades as well." He pulled the polearm back into position behind his back. His left gauntlet popped out what looked like a jagged knife. "Well, two birds with one stone. Those pathetic Neathians didn't even begin to satisfy me. That Ren boy and that old were much more showman than them."

The image of Ren beaten up and bandages edged into Luke's mind. Amongst all the things that was to cross his mind, seeing Ren in a humbled, degenerated state like that was saddening. But he was a lot better than to go into a panic and say he'll avenge Ren.

Straightening his posture, Luke hardened his glare. "We'll make you eat what you say!"

Luka shot leers back. "Hmph, I'm not saying the same words as he is…but actions speak volumes, wouldn't you agree?"

Zion maliciously smirked. "Yes. They do."

Zion: 100% Luke: 100%

Luka: 100%

Luke and Luka held their swords up as the atmosphere sharpened like their blades. They squared against Zion, his own weapons of choice already shown. He lifted up a Gate Card, starting off for all of them.

"Gate Card, set!" He threw the card out to the middle of the terrain, sending a red shockwave that spread throughout the battlefield. In his clutches, a red and black sphere with magenta patterns gave way. "Behold…Bakugan, brawl!" He threw the capsule out, bringing forth the Bakugan. "Bakugan, stand! Rise, Pyrus Snapzoid!"

In a blinding flare. Red sparks shot everywhere. Luke and Luka veered away while bunting with their blades to keep heated rock from hitting their faces. Snapzoid rose, unleashing a bloodcurdling scowl that shook the earth beneath.

"Well, do you intend to keep me waiting?" Zion held up his weapons in advance. He was about ready to give them a piece of his mind…and metal.

"Looks like we're in for it now." Luka scoffed, his brow furrowing. "Hey, you."

"What is it?" Luke questioned.

"You actually know what's going on, right? If so, do me a favor…and get him on his knees so I can slice his head off!"

Luke poised to strike. "Right! Alright Abis, let's go!" He grabbed his Aquos Bakugan and threw him in. "Bakugan, brawl! Frill Abis Omega, stand!"

In a deep blue light from below, a brief water cyclone arose. It dissipated, revealing Frill Abis Omega set and flexing his frills for battle.

"C'mon, Luka~!" Brontes whined. "I thought we could've schooled them by now! Don't let these two wash me up now!"

Luka scoffed, grabbing his comedic partner. "Cram it, will you…we're getting there." He spread his legs and threw the Bakugan into battle. "Bakugan, brawl! Alto Brontes, stand!"

A bright light animated Alto Brontes into battle besides Abis Omega. Both Bakugan stood side-by-side as they leered at Snapzoid.

Snapzoid: 700 Frill Abis Omega: 700

Alto Brontes: 600

Zion sneered at his opponents before him. "Hmph, this should be something."

"You feel like doing some damage to this clown, Abis Omega?" Brontes chimed whimsically.

"More than you can imagine." Abis said in a serious tone.

Brontes cackled. He half-heartedly expected his tone to sound more mockingly agreeable, not like he didn't treat the situation any different. "Careful now…you know stress isn't good for the heart."

Snapzoid's vibrant hiss rattled the air, bringing Brontes to full attention on the enemy. The eel's curled tendrils shook and rattled with red static. Abis' frills trembled as his long tongue flicked in and out, his sharp teeth bared to rip into him at any given time. Brontes spread his legs, ready to engage into the fray.

The battlefield revolved around the three contenders, but none of them made any movements. They waited to see what the other would do as their eyes went towards those around them. As the Battle Brawlers and Luke's friends were going around striking down enemies and countering, it felt like time was irrelevant to all of them right now. The 2 VS 1 confrontation was just the tip of the iceberg…now to see where this all falls, and who's left standing.

A nearby chrome sticking out of the ground soon fell to the ground, its support no longer there. It crashed loudly, its fragments scattering across the area.

Zion's eyes shrank as he charged after them. His Snapzoid followed his lead.

"Here he comes!" Luka shouted.

Zion's running was swift and quick. He was surprisingly agile for someone who had heavy red armor on him all the time. Luke and Luka received traction and bolted to meet Zion in the center. They both swung their weapons, colliding with his gauntlet dagger and axe blade. Once again, a standstill was brought between them, but it didn't last long as both sides recoiled from the force.

Time slowed down as small shards of metal flew with the sparks in the air. Zion's teeth bared ecstasy for his delights being relished by Luke and Luka. They all glided on their heels backwards.

Luka went on the offense and went with the attacking blows next. Zion did proud in parrying each sift blow by the energy sword. Normal weapons would've melted at this point, but the reinforced metal weaponry made it child's play for Zion to keep up with. He swiped his dagger, causing Luka to veer away again.

"Ability, activate! Taser Fang!" Snapzoid unlocked his maw and his inner snake head with sharp teeth and blades shot out. It crackled in electricity as his power went up to 900. The tongue snapped at Abis, but he used his tail to swat and parry. Snapzoid didn't let up as he shot his tongue again, but the sea serpent continued fighting back with tail sweeps to move them side to side.

Upon the umpteenth strike, Snapzoid snarled as he shot a deathly snap at Abis.

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

Out of nowhere, Brontes dropped in front of Abis with his four arms laced with metal axe blades with golden edging. The jester swiped fiercely, deflecting the shot.

Snapzoid: 900 Frill Abis Omega: 700

Alto Brontes: 600 (+400) = 1000

Snapzoid snarled as his attack was rebuffed. Brontes cackled darkly.

With an opening, Luke bolted from the side to slash down, but Zion raised a blade and parried said blow. Though the force was enough to make him slide a heel back. Luka came from the other side. Zion sneered and pivoted towards Luka's direction, causing Luke's blade to slide off and give him room to dodge.

"Get him!" Luka shouted.

Luke nodded. "Abis, let's go! Ability activate, Dive Bomb!"

Snapzoid hissed as he shot his tongue at Brontes again, only to be parried once more. With the distraction, Abis folded his frills and arched into the ground, turning into a slithering blue light that traveled towards Snapzoid.

Snapzoid: 900 (-300) = 600 Frill Abis Omega: 700

Alto Brontes: 1000

Unaware of the danger lurking below, Snapzoid was in a clash with Brontes. The clown cackled as he watched the blue light get underneath. "Heh, I hope you can swim!"

At his call, a forceful geyser shot up, gushing Snapzoid with drenched fury. The eel scowled as jets of water sot at him from below.

Luke and Luka pushed further, parrying Zion's advances. With lightning quick motions, they were sharply deflecting and getting through to him. When Zion went for a dagger jab, Luka dodged to the side, leaving the axe blade and dagger to hit Luke behind, his sword in a bunting position to fend against the double-up.

The warrior growled at Luke, borderline snarling. "Ability, activate." He seethed between breaths. "Eel Shockdown!" Snapzoid hissed loudly as he powered through the geyser gushing him from below.. His tendrils uncurled, gathering red electricity. He snarled and plunged them under, causing a lightning storm that erupted the water into mist.

From the mist cloud, Abis let out a pained snarl. His body lingered in paralyzing static.

Snapzoid: 600 Frill Abis Omega: 700 (-400) = 300

Alto Brontes: 1000

Luke started to feel his heels give in. Zion was so strong that even with a bunt, his raw strength was pushing him back. Not to mention that he just recovered from severe wounds. He was starting to feel his edge give in and ultimately faltered back, allowing Zion to swipe to both sides and heave a heinous breath.

'He's strong.'

Luka pulled up his Bakumeter as he brought up an ability. "Ability, activate! Trans Rapture Illusion!"

Snapzoid hissed at Abis, grabbing his attention in time to see the threat of piercing red static around the tendrils. Snapzoid was completely unaware of a pair of white legs fading in from behind. Four arms stalked the Bakugan's back before repeated jabs pummeled the eel's back.

Snapzoid: 600 (-300) = 300 Frill Abis Omega: 300

Alto Brontes: 1000

Snapzoid reared himself back around, but Brontes was already gone. The eel snarled angrily as something white blurred behind. He turned around, facing Abis. He thought he'd seen Brontes when the jester made an illusionary spritz all around him. His arms and legs dashed madly everywhere to make it seem like there were countless arrays of the Haos Bakugan.

Out of haste, Snapzoid let out a shouted before firing in a random direction. That direction turned out to be Abis Omega with his body recovered and frills flexed.

"Ability, activate!" Luke shouted. "Filter Cannon!"

Red lightning discharged into Abis' body, with him holding his own the best he could. As he withstood ground, the red static was absorbed into the frills, making them hum bright blue and coat in a blue reflective energy.

Zion narrowed his eyes. "Hmph?"

"NOW!" Luke and Luka screamed in unison.

With Snapzoid's guard completely down, Brontes launched repeated jabs into his back. The eel went shooting forward into Abis, who had compressed blue energy broiling in his maw and unleashed a massive blue beam that soared into Snapzoid.

Snapzoid: 300 Frill Abis Omega: 300 (+400 +400) = 1100

Alto Brontes: 1000

The blue beam sailed into Snapzoid directly, engulfing him in a large blue explosion. The eruptive wave sent shockwaves everywhere, which Zion used warfare experience to duck low. He covered up as the waves pushed him back. But not half as hard as Luke and Luka's kicks to his gut. With him gasping, both swung forward, breaking through his defenses and sending him sliding across the ground. He used his axe blade to add traction and stopped briefly. He looked up, seeing Luke and Luka stepping forward. Behind them, Abis Omega and Alto Brontes respectively bared their force against his.

Getting his second, Luka held out his blade. "Is that all?"

Luke didn't say anything. He knew Luka was drawing out his impatience. But rather than the intended, a show of snark was composed on the warrior's face.

"I suppose then, that the warm up is over." Zion held up his Bakumeter, showing them an ability. In his free hand, he reached back for a spare poll and adjusted the end to make it equip to his axe. He then used the other end and prodded it into the dagger, making it have a blade end to it as well. With the double-edged weapon in hand, a steaming fury unfolded in his eyes.

"Ability, activate! Spartan-X!" A purple core manifested on Snapzoid's body, extending chords that steamed almost instantly. The Pyrus Bakugan snarled in a demonic manner, something that Abis and Brontes picked up on. As their caution escalated, the embers around Snapzoid arose to broiling fire. The scorches around the atmosphere intensified madly as the blaze was seen from afar.

…

Esther was sweeping in with Shawn, double-teaming one large soldier and slashing him down from both side. Instantly their bodies picked up on a negative energy spike.

"Esther, you feel that?"

"Yes. I do."

Suddenly a bright flare erupted from behind. A broiling roar bellowed loudly. Its echo was all too familiar in comparison. They both looked over their shoulders at the fire blazing afoot.

"Huh? Whos' cooking over there?" Radizen piqued, seeing the flare from afar.

Jaakor turned as well. "Do you feel this same energy as I do?"

"Yes, sensei. I do." Skytruss grimaced.

"It's like that time we were on New Vestroia." Orbeum scouted. "It's them!"

Shun looked over to where he could see the blaze. Like before, he felt goosebumps at this radiating blaze erupting out of nowhere. 'This is all negative energy. It's so intense.' At his suspicions, he narrowed his eyes on the battle. 'Who's battling that right now?'

…

Snapzoid's hisses crackled along with the embers in the fire enveloping his body like armor. The ground beneath was steaming and searing from raw exposure. Even passing dust was turned to embers upon touch that made Zion's appearance all the more gravely.

Snapzoid: 300 (+900) = 1200 Frill Abis Omega: 1100

Alto Brontes: 1000

"Looks like he brought it out after all." Luke pointed out.

Luka had a position like his, almost perfect mimicry. "What do you expect? If he's doing it this early on someone like you, that's a sign of respects in his books."

Zion pointed his axe-bladed end towards them, the blade's hilt reflecting light of the supernatural flame armor around his Bakugan. "As a show of Hades Pillars' respects, allow me to show you welps the ways in which Zion Brace decimates his foes. Now…burn!"

Snapzoid responded with a maniacal howl that soared skywards. His screech waves had red flares that echoed around him. Abis and Brontes used frills and arms to reduce the shock of the hot attack, but the searing embers around them were continuously cindering the earth.

Luke and Luka stood their ground, taking defensive measures accurately as they used their blades to bunt the direct contact with embers.

"With Spartan-X also active, all current ability effects are also ineffective against him. Which means this." Zion reached down at the ground with his spare arm. "Gate Card, open! Hate Gate!" Despite the earlier Dive Bomb ability, the Gate Card glowed brightly, empowering Snapzoid's flaring body. In a rush, his power level went up by 700, putting him at 1900.

'He used a Gate Card to increase his power level further.' Luke braced himself.

Zion gave a dark glare before taking to his heels. With him, Snapzoid unleashed a bloodcurdling scowl and raced after them with a slithering frenzy. The flames it dragged behind left the ground severely charred and burnt. Even cracks from the drying crust was smoking.

"We have to slow it down!" Luka barked.

"Right, we'll do that!" Luke held out his Bakumeter. "Abis!"

"Right!" the sea serpent hissed.

Luke's blue Bakumeter showed an ability. "Right, give us some cover! Ability activate, Storm Drain!" Abis raised his head, unleashing a menacing scowl as he expelled a raging tidal swirl around his body. The whirling water pressed against the Gate Card, collapsing its shine and causing it to turn black, nullifying it. Meanwhile, the raging waves pacified any attempts at Zion and Snapzoid advancing on them.

Snapzoid: 1900 (-700 -300) = 900 Frill Abis Omega: 1100 (+300) = 1400

Alto Brontes: 1000

The waves crashed spontaneously, swirling around like a pool. From Snapzoid's spot, steam was profusely expelling everywhere to where the water was evaporating. But the current was starting to deter him and his battler. Zion was barely holding through.

'Now!' Luka held up an ability. "Brontes! Go!"

"Right-O~!" The jester sneered as he spotted his opponents in the water. He cackled as he charged at him. Using magic, he miraculously teleported above Snapzoid, smiling sinisterly. "Don't say we weren't clowning around now!"

Luke's teeth gritted at what he had to envision next. 'He'll use it. I know it!'

With Snapzoid's flaming armor diffusing in the water Abis provided, the clown crashed down, pinning the eel into the water. He grunted as he was holding him beneath the tides, hit steam overcoming his facial expression. He persevered regardless.

Zion scoffed. "Burn…" He held up his ability, making the atmosphere seemingly hotter. "Snapzoid…Supernova-X!"

BA-DUMP!

A heartbeat raced through the atmosphere around them, the heat index rising to intense levels. The raging water around Abis was starting to heat drastically and broil to where it was starting to turn to an evaporating jacuzzi slide. Abis' scaled were starting to itch from this pulsing heat building up.

"Abis! We've gotta nullify that, and fast!" Luke shouted, but Luka stretched his arm out. "Luka?!"

"No…Brontes and I will stop him. We'll take in his power. When he's open, you strike him, understand?"

It was a risky move, but Luke didn't have much choice. He raised a brow. "You know…you're sounding even more reckless as I am at times."

Luka scoffed. "Waste your breath on someone else." He glared daggers at Brontes. "Brontes…get ready!"

"I'm…on fire…" The jester was feeling a burning sensation as he was holding on. All four of his arms were steaming and smoking. They felt like they were going to burn at any second.

Zion squinted a brow through the embers growing on Snapzoid. 'What are they up to?'

Luka held up his next ability. 'Okay. So I'm part of this dreck's team now. If they're gonna play risk hands, then so will I!' The ability shined brightly. 'We'll take that power, and make us stronger as well! These guys may gain power from others…but let's see what they do when we steal it away!'

Snapzoid released a bloody howl. His body ignited into a solar flare-like coating that was ready to burst to a broiling nova to wash up the battlefield and everyone else.

"Ability activate, Spirit Dominion!"

The sun-like flare erupted at point-blank, summoning a bright flicker in the distance that drew everyone for a brief moment. From above, Julie and the cameraman were looking down with curiosity t the hot light being drawn into a single point. "Hm? What's that?! UGH! Can't this thing get any closer?!"

The burning rays turned to spirits of negative energy that howled and hissed as they transferred into Brontes' clinging body. The instant the ghouls were transferring to his glowing bright core, Brontes could feel his entire world go blank. He sneered, but in an aching way. It looked painful to say the least, and that was saying something. The way his body was lurching about was evidence enough that he was struggling. His arms had burn marks, as well as the horns around his head and face.

"Gyaaaaaaaahhh!" Brontes' screams of anguish were aching to the human ear. He hollered like a madman, but he dared not let go for he would lose his opening.

"Keep it going, Brontes." Luka insisted. "You're almost there!"

Zion snarled at the act, his movements unimpressed. "Hmph, fool's making his Bakugan commit suicide. Perhaps he's not as bright as I'd thought."

Brontes spread his legs weakly.

"Hm?"

"Don't…" Brontes' eyes glowed grimly, a dark aura encompassing his body. "Think I'm just kidding~! KYAHAHAHAHAAAH!" He gripped Snapzoid tighter, so tight in act that hos hands were almost thoroughly burnt. The hot flamed were turning to dark ghosts a lot quicker as he was sucking them in, and in turn causing the heinous look in his eyes to twist and turn. It looked painful, but he wasn't stopping.

Snapzoid: 3000 (-2000) = 1000 Frill Abis Omega: 1400

Alto Brontes: 1000 (+2000) = 3000

Brontes suppressed that negative energy into his shaking body, his low, brunt sneers cracking every second. He looked sick to the head as the dark ghouls were swelling around him, but he did his best and took in the power to make Snapzoid's light burn out.

Zion started seeing the results, raising a brow. "What…?"

Soon, the flames were all converted into ghosts, and Brontes was still standing. But his body was smoking and burnt in a lot of places. He stumbled away with dazed movements, his core flickering dully. He slouched over with dangling arms.

Luka furrowed his brow. He shook his head and shot Luke a look. "Now!"

"Right! Abis!" Luke swung his sword.

With his opponent in an immobile position, the sea serpent slithered across the ground towards him pass the dazed a steaming Brontes. He let out a loud hiss as he swung his blue finned tail into and uppercut that would've shattered a jaw. The blow was enough to hurdle Snapzoid onto his back, causing the ground to tremble and steam. He reverted to ball form, dropping to Zion's feet as he snarled in annoyance.

Zion: 20%

Luka panted heavily, the freshwater waves Abis creating were allowing his sweat to get carried away. He stood still with Abis, whose body was still under severe burn marks.

With his opening lost, Zion's senses picked up a deliberation on his left. Twirling his combined weapon, he managed to stop Luke's sword slash and rebuff him back towards Luka's side. Yet he remained standing. All three contenders were breathing heavily, sweat glands pouring from the heat as well as their bodies having been moved so quick for a short time. Their eyes were steadily reading the other, anticipating what could come next.

"That was a close call." Abis noted. "Brontes, are you okay? Brontes?"

Luka looked briefly at his partner; his disposition was completely shut down.

Brontes stood there like a statue, yet his body still had smoke rising from the arms from the extreme burns inflicted. The lingering ghouls that carried Snapzoid's power to him dissipated into thin air, but a grizzly shadow was over his eyes.

Luke and Abis could feel it; their skin and scales tingling with the unsubtle air around them. They didn't make any subtle movements, not if they didn't want to cause anymore trouble. But for good measure they held a steadfast position as Brontes was responding.

He slowly arose and stood upright. The jester creepily smiled as he looked forward blankly.

Luka raised a brow suspiciously. "Brontes…"

The Bakugan let a low chuckle out, then it turned to a sinister cackle. As he smiled wide, his eyes blinked bright red, which made his shadowy face all the more ominous.

Feeling his spine shudder from his sickening laughter, Abis gazed warily at Brontes. His tone sounded less carefree than normal. "Luke, Brontes-!"

"I know, pal." He thought back to what happened back with Atchibee in Empyrean. The way they seemed so dull was like back when. 'Luka managed to stop Snapzoid's power level from getting out of hand…but it looks like he consumed a lot of negative energy in the process.' He shot a wary look at Luka. 'Now that I think about it, did I ever see Brontes' power rise that high before? Luka always deflected things between myself and the opponent.'

'Brontes.' Luka frowned.

Abis slithered closer towards his ally, whom was a grim statue. "Brontes, are you okay? Brontes?" He flicked his tongue in his face, expecting some kind of reaction…but the jester didn't even break position. He just stood there in silence before reverting to ball form. "Brontes!"

Luka caught Brontes' ball form. He looked down at him, feeling his form's usually jumpy self completely sealed off. He gave it a dull look.

"Luka, is he hurt?" Luke asked concerningly. Abis reverted to ball form, returning to Luke. He caught him.

"…it looks like we bit off more than we could chew." Luka scoffed, clutching Brontes' ball from tight. "He was exposed to so much negative energy that he's in some lapse."

"A lapse?"

"Luke!"

Abis' warning reached Luke in time when a dagger end to a weapon came down. Bunting it away, Zion regained ground and eyed them with a pissed look. "Don't forget your surroundings, boy."

Luke slid across the ground to a halt. With his sword used to grind and tether himself to the earth, he used it as a balance and jumped over Zion's horizontal blade. Time slowed down as Luke doubled over, getting to his knees behind the warrior's back. Zion looked over his shoulder, but Luke was a step away.

With a beeline straight between the knees, the toppled Zion's balance and caused him to lose momentum. He seized his sword and pulled it into a full swipe, meeting Zion's polearm and chipping off firm metal skin. Both sides stepped back to get an eye on each other.

"This won't work. Not like this." Abis dismayed.

"I know. We've gotta pull together, and fast." Luke slid his left heel near Luka. "Luka, how's Brontes looking?!"

As Luke rushed in to buy time, Luka was overlooking his Bakugan. He was completely silent with a less than feasible atmosphere around him. His brow furrowed as he glanced back, seeing metal sparks rain between Luke and Zion.

Once more, Luke backpedaled to regroup. "Abis and I will hold him off as long as we can! We'll buy you guys time to snap out of it!"

Luka sneered at Luke's proposal. "Don't be so hasty. We don't have a luxury for you to play hero."

"I'm not!" Luke dodged an axe swing, using his sword's flat end to avoid Zion's dagger jab. Though his force scooted him back. "We're…looking out for our friends to make sure they can fight, too!"

"Brontes, if you're there. Snap out of it." Abis insisted.

Brontes said nothing. He was still immobile. Luka looked away with a grunt. With Brontes' state from that move, he mentally cursed himself for that maneuver. 'Damnit.'

"Gate Card, set!" Luke shot a card out to the battlefield, creating a blue shockwave across the area. "Abis!"

"I'm ready!" He closed his ball form for Luke to grab.

"Hmph…come at me with all you've got!" Zion threatened.

"That's exactly what we're planning on!" Luke yelled. He threw Abis in. With a blue oceanic light, Abis arose for battle once more at 700.

"Bakugan, brawl!" Zion through Snapzoid in next, rising in broiling red flares with a sneer. "Snapzoid, stand!" Once more, it hissed with a power of 700.

Luka hated what was happening. He couldn't believe what his luck turned out to be. His partner Bakugan was strangely quiet and had an eerie energy around his ball form enough to penetrate his glove. The negative energy was in an abundance around his Bakugan.

He looked back at Abis Omega, another random Bakugan that had no potential and wasn't anything special. Brontes was a Guardian Bakugan and was strong enough to handle this long. Yet Abis was able to take all that negative energy and gained power, yet Brontes ended up like…this. Just what happened or what did he do wrong?

'Damnit. Damnit! What did I just do?' Luka gritted his teeth angrily. He didn't fully grasp the situation he was in, but grasping Brontes was the only consolation. He remained out of sight as he trued snapping his Bakugan out of it. "Hey, Brontes! Wake up!"

Brontes didn't respond. His ball form still had the vague negative energy around it to make it seem dead.

"Brontes…" Luka hissed low. "This negative energy…ae you seriously that dull to let it take over you again?"

"V…Vo…" a weak murmur came from the ball.

Luka furrowed his brow. "What?"

"Vo…Volt…save me…"

That one line nearly made Luka jawdrop. His eyes shrunk to the size of grains. With the surrounding explosions he could've easily misheard Brontes. He leaned in just to make sure he wasn't that crazy. He heard Brontes' whispers fairly well.

"Save me. Volt…save me…"

Another explosion rattled the ground far behind Luka. He slowly pulled away and looked down at his Bakugan. He knew it. Something was definitely wrong here, and that just confirmed it.

'It can't be. The negative energy's relapsing him to…that point?' His mind flashed to something from a while ago. He remembered seeing the plains of a beaming sun that were hot and glistening tightly against his skin. Literal beads of sweat formed when he remembered that day and seeing Brontes.

"Volt…save me…save me…"

'His head…He's shutting down to that point.' Luka shot a look at Luke's back to see him square solo. He couldn't believe it's come to this, but he started thinking to the conversation he and Brontes had back on the Trailer. Why was he starting to feel down about what he said back then? 'This isn't the time to bring up the past. Brontes, snap out of it! I need you now!'

An enemy Jetro looked up and fired more energy beams at Atmos, but when he summoned a large whirlwind-like funnel, the spiraling beam made a complete U-turn and funneled back into it, causing an explosion.

Jase held up an ability. "Now! Double Ability, activate! Tailwind, plus Float World!"

All across the battlefield, a wind storm was picking up that caused many of the ally Bakugan to feel themselves get blown forward. The winds raged about, causing Drago to get faster as he climbed the draft to get out of range of one of the long cannons in the back.

Along the ground, a hazy green cloud-like mist covered many of the Bakugan's feet. The soldiers inside the fog had a hard time looking around or seeing the enemy with the green fog in the way.

"Now everyone, counterattack while the chance is nigh!" Atmos shouted.

"Ability, activate!" everyone shouted.

"Dragon Astral!" Drago opened his maw to charge up a compressed flare. He shot it forward, sending the beam downwards towards the enemies. The beam diffused into several comets that shot at extreme speeds and exploded across the ground, defeating a large number of Bakugan beneath.

"Kingdom Gladiator!" All the gems on Verias' body were igniting in broad Haos light. The blade had a dense shine that whirled in the green winds. It twirled about, causing strays of light to cleave the whirlwinds and have him bolt in a straight line clean through three Fangoid with Zukanator behind their backs. They all were bisected completely and exploded behind his wake.

"Fierce Demon – Thunder Clap!" Jaakor took advantage and fired green beams from his knuckles. With the added whirlwind speeds, they soared across the battlefield into the aerial Mobile Assault vehicles, destroying them with ease.

"Slam League!" Radizen pointed his fingers like pistols and fired a barrage of blue energy projectiles at the Bakugan before him. The Twin Destructor Bakugan and those on Mobile Assaults didn't hold up well as they reverted to ball form fast.

"Alien Flare!" Jelldon's body expelled a bright, stinging light that shot heat compressed into the Bakugan around him. They all howled and shrieked as their power was being sapped away. Unable to withstand, many reverted to ball form.

"Grapple Buster!" Reptak's arm gauntlets unfolded, showing prong ends that reached out at the enemies. With winds picking speed up, the yellow projectiles swiped across, gunning down Bakugan just as hard as anyone else.

"Shuji! Fly Beetle!" Atchibee shouted. "Lend me your strength for this one!"

Fly Beetle stepped up. "Sure thing."

Together, Esther and Shuji raised their Bakumeters, showing Subterra and Darkus abilities active. "Ability, activate!"

"Silver Twister!"

"Subterra Gravity!"

Atchibee scowled as she summoned a large twister made from her scales. They expanded outwards, transforming into a large cyclone that raged about through the area. Fly Beetle added to that by adding a brown-orange aura around it. The silver cyclone started to create a gravity field, drawing in more Bakugan from the air and on Mobile Assault Vehicles. With the gravity and winds being too much, machinery and cannonfire was blown into each other, combusting vehicles and Bakugan until the tornado was nothing more than a spinning gravity wall that ravaged the atmosphere.

"Thank you, Shuji." Esther praised.

Shuji beamed with a smirk. "Heh, no sweat." He shot her a glance. "Make sure you guys keep up."

"Don't worry." Esther flew in with Atchibee. "We have no intention of doing such a thing!"

Fly Beetle roared as he faced the residual enemy Bakugan along the ground. Him and Shuji glared daggers at the challenge.

Abis and Snapzoid were in a frenzy. That's all it can be said. Both serpents clashed head-first into each other, as did Luke and Zion between them. The ground shuddered upon their collision and separation. When Luke swung around, it was Zion who diverged the blow with a twirl of his jointed weapon. He jabbed at Luke with the dagger end, but he was smart enough to sidestep and deflect the blow back. He swiped horizontally, but Zion backpedaled to a halt.

With an opening, Zion used an ability. "Ability, activate! Vex Crunch!"

Snapzoid veered away from Abis and opened his maw wide. A red energy beam charged up inside and unleashed a powerful red charge that Abis coiled up to brace for.

"Ability, activate! Frill Rippler!" Luke countered. Abis flexed his frills and sneered as the attack had soon met him, blasting red charges through him. Yet, they all reverberated off the frills like a trampoline, making extended discharges that shot themselves back at Snapzoid with shockwaves following.

Snapzoid: 1000 (-300 -300 -200) = 200 Frill Abis Omega: 400 (+300 +300 +200) = 1200

The attack sailed with a vicious amount of intensity added to it. It had an extended volume that was sure to knock Zion and Snapzoid out if this hit. But he knew better than to let it hit so easily.

"Ability, activate! Double Fang Buster!" Snapzoid opened wide for his snake tongue to come out. The two maws charged up a large red blast with double the pressure inside. Once it was all set, Snapzoid's large mouth glinted before a dynamically large beam tore up the earth and traveled into the middle.

Snapzoid: 200 (+400) = 600 Frill Abis Omega: 1200 (-400) = 800

The charged red beams expanded and contracted as they sailed straight into each other at high speeds. The impact was so strong that a red hemisphere imploded before a broad explosion shot everywhere, causing a smoke surge and red sparks to fly everywhere. The ground sundered everywhere as Luke and Zion had to defend against the shockwaves' wake.

Luka was far behind, but he ducked for good measure as the shockwaves blasted over his head, destroying larger rock formations.

Luke brushed his own arms aside and glared through the smoke. He had to be alert to see if anything was coming up. A crackling silhouette was seen on the other side, which he and Abis braced for.

"Ability, activate! Snake Bind!" Zion roared.

Out of the blue, several static tendrils exploded out of the smoke cloud and rushed for Abis. Too fast to dodge, Abis flexed his frills and folded his sides over in front. The tendrils snaked around and constricted his sides, inducing a harsh jolt of electricity that the frills barely absorbed. His power level dropped to 500 fast.

The smoke cleared, allowing a good view of Snapzoid and Zion narrowly glaring at their prey as they were being pulled in. Abis did what he could to resist, but at the end he found it hard with the tendrils inducing stunning shock through the body.

"Ability, activate! Taser Fang!" Snapzoid opened his maw and readied his tongue. His power charged up to 800 as he shot the tongue dead ahead towards Abis, beelining right for the frills covering his face.

Luke's eyes dilated upon an opening. 'Trick them!' "Ability, activate! Dive Bomb!"

The tongue was about to reach impact, but Abis unexpectedly unfolded his frills, allowing a small window of space for the tendrils to not clutch him. He slipped clean below, diving into a blue mass that faded into the ground, whereas the tendrils snared thin air and Snapzoid's tongue bit the ends, inducing a shock onto himself that made him holler madly.

Snapzoid: 800 (-300) = 500 Frill Abis Omega: 500

Zion looked down, glaring daggers at the earth. From the faintest glint in the earth, a blue speck was seen. 'Hmph.' He glared daggers at Luke as he whipped up his Bakumeter. "Ability, activate! Thunder Field!"

Snapzoid let out a below as his body unleashed a strong discharge of red lightning into a barrier-like atmosphere. The ground beneath him was drenched, which conducted the lightning and exploded into mist. The misted wake spread beneath everyone, including around Zion and Luke for the umpteenth time.

Snapzoid: 500 (+300 +200) = 1000 Frill Abis Omega: 500

The mist field simmered through the area, creating a vast humid area. Due to the concentration of dense air, the electricity discharging through and around Snapzoid had greatly reduced. This left Zion to glare through with zero patience.

"Hmph." Snorting, he swiped his blade around, creating a surprisingly strong shockwave that dissipated the steam around him. It revealed the ground, but not Luke nor Abis. He eyed everywhere, looking left and right to see only lingering mist waves. 'They must've used the cover to escape. Clever, but where would they hide in this warzone-!'

Suddenly the mist began drawing around Snapzoid. It spiraled in a helix as the ground was gathering moisture. The eel was starting to lose his balance when the mist was becoming too quick and liquidated itself. Zion barely realized before it was too late.

'Wait! Did they really-?!'

"Ability, activate! Sea Ruler!"

The mist cloud beneath Snapzoid suddenly erupted, but skywards. The eel was buffered to an extreme and lost all balance. As he was falling over, time was drastically slowing down as a liquid comet was streaming up from below. Snapzoid was hammered with tremendous force in the form of a comet of compressed water around Abis Omega with glowing liquid rings shooting into the sky.

Zion gnashed his teeth and covered from the sprays. The ground quaking from the pressure was enough to keep him from advancing.

Snapzoid: 1000 (-400) = 600 Frill Abis Omega: 500 (+400) = 900

The water pillar gushed into the skies above, sailing with Abis at its core. With all his strength, he shoved Snapzoid as far up as possible. Luka looked on from below, a look of shock on his face at the crafty maneuver made.

'Such force behind a sneak attack…'

…

In the midst of fighting, Shawn slayed another soldier with sharp swing. He heard the sound of a geyser rushing and turned around with Maggie close by. "What's that?!" he yelled.

Maggie looked around, her eyes widening at seeing a blue rush skyrocketing. "Look!"

Shawn shot a look at the sky, seeing the eel at its end being shot skywards. He had a good idea of what caused that. 'Geez, that moron. Just after we told him to not make us worry about him.'

"Dan, look!" Drago saw the attack from the distant battlefield, his interests caught.

"Huh? That the heck is that?!" he yelled.

Everyone else looked towards the skies to see the pillar in the distance. Shun, Marucho, even Gunz showed some surprise. Aside from Jase and Atmos watching nonchalantly with Fly Beetle and Shuji, Esther was on Atchibee as they observed rather expectantly.

"Abis…" Atchibee murmured.

Esther latched on and observed in silence. She had a meek grin before turning back towards the fray, swinging her spear and slaying a foe. "Let's not lose momentum! Come, everyone!"

The gush was so intense and high up that it's what caught Julie's eye. "Hey! What's that thing?!" She pointed at the water geyser, with the cameraman turning the lens so everyone on Earth can watch what was happening.

…

With the Trailer at a higher angle, the Snapzoid was finally in freefall. The sprays of the geyser had fully dispersed with large droplets in midair. With the beast completely stunned, Abis revealed himself amongst the droplets, his skin's camouflage in the water revealed by the sunlight.

Zion's vision saw something. Looking around one more time, he caught onto an epiphany. 'Wait a second. That mist cloud…' He looked up, confirming what he believed.

On Abis' head, there was someone riding the forehead crystal horn. Holding on tight with his right hand, Luke held his blade in his left still. With the droplets around, they've given his green eyes a more crystalline emerald gaze.

'I see. He used the mist as cover to get as close to Snapzoid. So when his Bakugan shot up, the water would take him out of my range.' Zion snorted. 'Aquos can be so tricky.' He eased his grip. "Not bad…but you're not the only one with slick tricks, Earthling! Ability, activate! Swallow Excel!"

Snapzoid regained his composure in midair. The eel released a gurgle and opened his maw wide to take in the droplets of water. They all turned to streams that were swallowed and stuck in the gullet. Once he was ready, Luke and Abis braced themselves as the attack was coming back in a forceful jet of water with water ring-helixes.

Snapzoid: 600 (+400 +400) = 1400 Frill Abis Omega: 900 (-400 -400) = 100

"Luke!" Abis confidently declared.

Nodding, Luke showed a lightning fast reaction. "Ability, activate! Mirror Shock!" Abis flexed his frills wide open. The jet of backwater that was swallowed returned and struck him. But he didn't budge as the jets were being absorbed into the frills and condensing with blue aura similar to crystal.

Luka's eyes widened in admirable surprise. 'He's reflecting a reflected attack?!'

"Not gonna happen! Abis!" Luke roared out.

"This one's for Ren and Linehalt!" Abis flexed a little more, sending the jet pf regurgitated water back with high pressure. The impact was almost like a blue laser beam that Snapzoid was unable to avoid and screamed. His roared were muted through the misted eruption that engulfed the skies above.

Snapzoid: 1400 (-400 -400) = 600 Frill Abis Omega: 100 (+400 +400 +300) = 1200

The misted shockwaves flew right over everyone's heads. Nearby aerial Bakugan were blown away and down towards the fray, where the others would blast them to smithereens. Zion observed from below, growling.

From above, the mist cloud spat out a falling Snapzoid. Not far behind, Abis ascended and fell towards him, hissing with a fury. Luke rode his head down towards battle.

"Tch, far from perfect! Fool!" Zion integrated an ability again. It was a Forbidden Ability. "Ability, activate! Spartan-X!"

A bright core resonated on Snapzoid as he began is descent. As he fell, the temperature in the air drastically increased, sending heated pulses towards Abis to slow him down. Flexing his frills briefly to act as a parachute, Abis was able to use this to ride the heat a little higher, giving him distance as flaming armor enveloped Snapzoid.

Snapzoid: 600 (+900) = 1500 Frill Abis Omega: 1200

The heat generated surprised Luke and Abis, presumably due to being so close. 'He used this knowing we were coming right for him!'

"BURN!" Zion's uproar was responded with Snapzoid's maw opening wide. His mouth was on fire and broiling flames surrounded the tongue as it shot up towards them. The fangs and axe blades on the ends had magma-like coatings that could sear through skin easily.

Abis' irises sharpened as the flaming tongue reached up for him. He was more than ready.

"Let's go, Abis!"

"Right, Luke!"

In unison, their eyes narrowed intensely as they shouted at the top of their lungs. "ABILITY, ACTIVATE! DAEDALUS CYCLONE!" Suddenly Abis' entire body had his chained diamond accents around his body surge with a fury. The cyclone of water manifested from particles and liquefied into a spiraling shield first that blocked the flaming tongue. The steam exuded from the core of the cyclone, where the pressure was building up around Abis and expanding into a large mass in the shape of a leviathan. With a violent roar, Abis shot the cyclone with all his might, swirling it down with high pressure down the tongue and smashing into Snapzoid. The Bakugan had his maw wide open and was shot into the ground. Flood sprays ran everywhere that Zion was unable to get anywhere.

Snapzoid: 1500 (-500) = 1000 Frill Abis Omega: 1200 (+500) = 1700

As the cyclone was spiraling a mess in the air, Zion held firm as his Bakugan was being crushed by the pressure. He snarled, but ten his eyes shot wide open when he saw a silhouette shooting down with the water. 'What's that?'

As the cyclone dissipated, the remnant waves carried a familiar figure with a highlighted sword glistened in water. Luke brought his drenched sword back, his body drenched from the attack.

'He followed the streams of his Bakugan's attack just as he was finishing up so his body wouldn't get crushed by the pressure. Shit!'

"HRRAAAAH!" With all his might, Luke slammed the blade down against Zion as he bunted. Even so, with the added waterslide bonus of the cyclone's last wake, the impact had far too much momentum for Zion to handle and slide backwards, almost tumbling over. But he ended up doubling over, relying on his axe end to cleave a foothold for him.

Panting heavily, Zion snarled at Luke. He had a deep, seething glare that spelled murder for him. One could say it was a bloody fire. "You…"

Luke held up his blade. He managed to block in time of Zion rushing at him with the axe end. The blow shot him the same distance back, but he wasn't as toppled compared to what Zion felt before. 'He's still so strong!'

Another ability arose on Zion's Bakumeter. As it was starting to glow, Zion's glare rivaled that of Hell's flame. "You've forced me to use this ability twice. Not once…" The air started smoking around him. "But twice…" The air started combusting flares around himself and Snapzoid. "Now…it is you who shall feel our full wrath! The flames shall burn away your blood!"

"Here he comes!" Luke tightened his hold on his sword. Already the droplets were rapidly evaporating. Steam sizzled on the blade and his clothing. It was like they were dried in an instant.

"Ability…activate! Supernova-X!"

BA-DUMP!

An uneasy pulse raged through the air and skies. An unseen wave of dread and negative energy rapidly exploded across the area, yet, Luke and Abis Omega only shivered ever so slightly. They knew what was coming next.

The heat index around Snapzoid had started rising. The smoke coming off the ground had turned to flames that rapidly spread around everyone. The ground flashed before fissures opened up, expelling rings of fire that resonated at its epicenter. Snapzoid lurched as his body was spiraling a pressurized flare of flames that exuded skywards. His bloodcurdling howls shrilled the skies, the flames expanding outwards in lava rings.

Snapzoid: 1000 (+3600) = 4600 Frill Abis Omega: 1700

Heated shockwaves ran through the atmosphere with such extreme pressure. The Trailer automatically adjusted its altitude and ascended higher just above the shockwaves. But even from the height, the temperature around Julie and the cameraman inside was becoming very warm to where sweat bullets immediately appeared on their faces.

"What the heck is that?! I've never seen a dangerous power unleashed from a Bakugan before! Ladies and gentlemen! Hold on! It's about to get heated around here!"

Further below, Shun was a ways away, but even he was feeling the heat of this attack. Jaakor and the others had to veer away and observe the force unleashed in a sun-like pillar. 'What's going on?! How is that Bakugan unleashing this much power at once?!'

'So this is the full power of a Forbidden Ability.' Dan observed. He looked at his own skin, noticing the goosebumps that seemed rather hot. 'It's hot.'

"Dan, this is very dangerous. We have to stop them now!" Drago insisted.

Dan snapped out of his shock. "Right, Drago. Let's hurry-!" He rushed with Drago, but Jaakor and Shun interceded the path. "Shun?!"

"Don't Dan. It's too risky."

Dan gritted his teeth. "But if we don't do something, those guys over there…!"

"I know, I know that same feeling. But…" He thought back to what happened on New Vestroia. That grizzly display of power by Lucia and Magnus was enough to make him suppress the urge to ball a fist. "If we go head-first into that kind of force, we'll be put into a bad situation!"

Dan gnashed his teeth. Deep down, he knew what Shun said was right. This power was enough to make even Drago grunt in displeasure. If they didn't do something, however, then what would happen. He looked at the pillar of super-heated energy expelling over their heads. He couldn't imagine who was at the epicenter of all that. 'Gunz. Marucho. Better not be you guys…' His brow furrowed to dread. 'Or those other guys.'

At the center ring of all this, Luka glared daggers as he was a ways back, but he steered clear as the ground was a heated mess around him. Small flames threatened to burn away his body if he made a wrong step. 'Shit! He's using his strongest ability a second time! I didn't think his Bakugan could handle that again!' he looked down at Brontes in his ball form. 'Brontes…of all the times to…!'

Surrounded by broiling flames, Zion shot Luke the most grueling glare he could possibly give anyone. "Your little friend expended himself because of you. Your reckless endeavors has softened him. And that just eaves you now. But out my flames, it still won't be anywhere near enough to quench the bloodthirst that you've given me." His grip hardened immensely on his weapon. "For Milord, victory is nigh!"

The flames were so hot that it was getting uncomfortable. "Luke…" Abis grunted.

Luke nodded. "Yeah…this is getting out of hand." He balled his fists. "Zion! This is far from over!"

Zion narrowed his eyes. "Oh? Then just try!" he reached his blade out. "Burn them to smithereens!"

Snapzoid unleashed another violent roar, one so loud that it echoed through the broiling skies. Hypersonic soundwaves of heat and the radiant flames rushed at Abis Omega, threatening to deep fry him on the spot. Luke and Abis withstood their ground as Abis flexed his frills. They started glowing bright blue, something that Zion barely caught onto at the last second.

"Hm?"

"Ability, activate! Tidal Flash!"

Just as the flames were about to engulf Abis, the serpent's body expelled a bright blue light from around his body. He let out a strong shriek as the frills on his body suddenly expelled a torrential shockwave, followed by a massive water cyclone that shot waves ahead. The waves rushed at the fire, causing it to steam before swamping over it. As powerful as the broiling flames were, the vortex severed itself and swallowed the fire to its source.

"What?!" Zion backpedaled just as the waves crashed into him. He was completely befuddled as the new ability swamped and surrounded Snapzoid. The Bakugan's immeasurable heat was causing the water to boil, but more kept coming. Waves upon waves on either side was slowly steaming him back to normal.

Luke and Abis remained still, fixated glares of seriousness on their trapped opponents inside the pushing waves.

Snapzoid: 4600 (-3900) = 700 Frill Abis Omega: 1700 (+400) = 2100

'He stopped his opponent from using his abilities cold.' Luka looked on, slightly stunned by this action Luke took. 'And he's used up his best cards, too. Looks like the dreck wasn't so half-bad in the end…'

Zion snarled. Inside the waves, he was being pushed around. He raised his Bakumeter to activate an ability, but nothing was working. He was blocked completely. 'My abilities…don't tell me that he shut them off!' He shot a hostile look through a break in the waves. He looked up, seeing Luke ride the waves and crashed down onto Zion with a harsh sword swipe.

KLINK!

The wave crash combined with the sword was so intense that Zion's axe end he used to counter had ended up chipping off into the water. His eyes widened in shock and he faced Luke. Luke continued pushing, screaming as he pierced through the tough armor into Zion's shoulder. Instantly Zion felt pain and screamed as he was washed out of the zone. The waves made him crash onto the ground, gagging with shock.

Luke stood tall and poised his sword on the opposite side. Little was he aware, Luka was watching him and Abis with spectated shock.

"That one was for Linehalt's sake." Abis threatened.

Luke spread his legs again. He knew better than to get overconfident and say something stupid. His grip tightened further as he seethed at Zion. Actions were louder than words. He rushed at Zion as the warrior was getting up, but was unable to foresee Luke's piercing attack close in…

Hades Pillars and Riaan watched the battle through the center module inside the Empyrean's ovular top. Its center showed the battle if one didn't bother looking outside. Even so, many were at their own loss for words.

"Is this for real? Are our enemies becoming that much stronger?" Galilea sincerely worried.

Magnus whistled. "Man, I knew sending Zion alone was pretty crazy…but this? The fool's got himself into a mess."

Amina was doing her nails. As she was applying her fingernail polish to allow a nice, chrome gleam to match her soon-to-be accessories, she just now paid attention. "Hm? Oh, sorry, were you all staring at me?"

Magnus shot Cyrus a bold look. "Fool, I thought you said these guys weren't nearly as strong as last time? How's Zion getting manhandled like this?"

"Pardon me, Magnus." Lucia voluntarily intervened. "I believe that you are mistaken. It's clear that our enemies have gained a copious of knowledge from us, and their overall abilities of adapting have prevailed…but there are still reasons as to why Zion was chosen for this."

"For what?" The Subterra man fell silent as he came to an epiphany. "Hold up, was this all planned?"

Cyrus maliciously smirked.

"Originally, Magnus, I intended for it to be Zion and Cyrus alike to manhandle the frontlines." Riaan admitted. "That was the initial plan. However, there was a factor that we've almost unaccounted that I believe is what Zion has been meaning to use against such adversaries." He looked down at the screen, showing the harsh waves crashing into Snapzoid. "I believe that the real test has just begun."

"Milord…I believe you've took the words right out of my mouth." Cyrus chimed.

The aquatic cyclone rampaged to no end. Luke and Zion were off to the side as Luka watched in awe as Zion was gathering his bearings after taking that lethal pierce. 'Is it really over…?'

Luke panted heavily. He was running out of steam after all those attacks he had to land on his foe. Couple with the fact that he just barely recovered from his injuries, he wasn't at the top shape he was intended to yet.

Zion was just as conditioned, though his labored breath came from the piercing on his right shoulder. With it being red armor, he couldn't tell he was bleeding, which gave him a moment to process what happened before steadying himself. "Hmph." Gradually regaining himself, he lifted to his feet and boldly stood over Luke. "Okay, boy, I'll be a good sport just for you and admit. You've gotten much stronger than I had anticipated. You've successfully cornered me this time."

Luke didn't have words to talk obligations to his success. He felt something off about his opponent.

"For all your trouble you've caused this warrior, I see you as indeed truly worthy. I had no choice but to hold this back…but for you, there can be an exception."

'Wait, does he actually have a secret weapon he hasn't used yet?' Luke started thinking of the possibilities offhand. 'It can't be another Forbidden Ability. I've prevented him from activating abilities. Maybe it's a Battlegear?'

Zion stood firmly as he tapped onto his Bakumeter. The device was clocking with the code he was pushing in. "I advise that you take a step back."

Luka furrowed his brow. 'Wait, Snapzoid aren't able to use Battlegear. They're not designed for that…' His eyes widened at a realization. 'No, don't tell me-!'

Zion finished punching in the coordinates and held his Bakumeter out. A red glow showed through the screen. "Ready, Torracrawler." The device emitted glowing red energy tracks that helped Zion align with Snapzoid inside the swaying waves. He made sure to aim low, but he was certain the device would be in a successful range.

"Guys, I think we need to get back." Abis grunted.

Luka grunted in disdain. He looked down at his Brontes and started getting annoyed. "Brontes! Wake up already! Now's not the time to be dozing!"

"Luka! Stop that! Yelling like that isn't gonna bring Brontes out of it!" Luke berated.

Luka gnashed his teeth together. "Eyes forward then! He's about to unleash his Mobile Assault Vehicle!"

Zion's fist balled tight as he took close aim. Once he was all set, he saw his opening. "Bakugan Mobile Assault Vehicle, launch!" Using the tracks created, the small device shot like a bullet into the water swaying around Snapzoid. The vague device similar to Battlegear tumbled and rolled into the water beneath the hidden Snapzoid. Waves washed around to obscure the Bakugan as his strength and flames have bene depleted. He started submerging, his force all used up.

A moment of silence fell as Zion turned his attention towards everyone. He and Luke had a prolong stare until a red glint brightened from inside the waves. This caused a break in the waves to reveal something larger eroding upwards.

Abis slithered back a few paces and hissed threateningly. He could feel something up, and it was proven when his eyes widened. He jerked back in time as his swaying waves completely dispersed, producing a shockwaves strong enough that nearly toppled himself and Luke over. They both barely held ground as the harsh waves.

Luke's eyes slowly widened at something large inside the break. He could feel some weird vibration and a broad magenta shine coming from Snapzoid's growl. "Wha…what is that…? A Mobile Assault Vehicle?"

Zion darkly smirked. "Luke, was it not? Allow me to introduce you to the unveiling of Milord's greatest weapon gifted to me…the Torracrawler. Snapzoid!"

The waves dissipated, allowing a grim view of something crackling with water immediately steaming off a large object hovering above. The shape of it was relatively much like a UFO to Earthlings, though it was pitch black with sliver edging along the rings. Snapzoid was inside a glass container where his curled tendrils were connected to magenta chords that extended beneath the UFO. Down under, there were eight protrusions, with the circle in the center being a ninth circle. This was where Snapzoid's tendrils were connected to; there were eight thick silver tendrils with rigged scaling on them that severed into eight ligaments. Each one connected to a protrusion and hooked through loops as support. This caused the protrusions to unfold to look like Impalaton legs, but were much sleeker and slenderer, but far sharper with magenta stingers that housed a lot of electricity and heated conduction.

The eight legs all spread out, allowing the Torracrawler to levitate slowly and insert into the ground. Upon touchdown, the eight ends started melting the ground, causing smoke to arise.

Snapzoid: 700 (+200) = 900 Frill Abis Omega: 2100

"So…that's a Mobile Assault Vehicle?" Luke stared in equal awe and horror at the machinery. It was a cross of an alien UFO and a spider…a very hot, fiery spider.

Luka gritted his teeth. He couldn't believe their luck. 'Of all the times. He's finally using it now?'

Zion sneered as he saw Luke and Abis looking defensive. The earlier spread of water was completely gone, but it was clear abilities by Snapzoid wouldn't be active. "You seem so surprised. Don't be. Lucia and Galilea accommodated this factor you may have upper hands every now and again. That's why I prefer to savor my assets until they are at their limits. Now that I have used them up, it's time for the full field test of Torracrawler." He held up his Bakumeter, showing a Mobile Assault Ability beginning to activate. "Ability, activate! Siphon Lock!"

Snapzoid hissed inside the vehicle as red electricity traveled down from the tendrils and into the spider-like appendages. The magenta and silver accents on the thick legs started to turn magma in color and the pointed, hot ends started to glow brighter. The eight legs arose as the Torracrawler lifted itself using levitation.

Abis was in shock, literally. The eight legs came down, unleashing an omnidirectional plasmatic shockwave across the ground. The blast wave was so powerful with heated volt charges that Abis' entire body shrieked in agony and was flung across the ground.

"Abis-!" Luke ducked from the thunderous shockwaves produced. He could feel the impact driving home. Luka stayed low as the discharge left his own body tingling extremely.

Snapzoid: 900 (+3700) = 4600 Frill Abis Omega: 2100 (-500) = 1600

Luke gritted his teeth as he used his sword to bunt the brunt if the shockwaves, but they were still so extreme that it was hard to stop the heated numbness piercing through his knuckles.

"Siphon Lock…the Torracrawler's unique ability." Zion's voice was barely audible through the shockwaves discharged by the attack. "Not only does it subtracts and divides my opponents' power, but the machine sends a structural recoil back through its chords linked to Snapzoid. It allows him to return his power level to its highest point earlier in the battle."

"So that means, no matter how much we decrease his power…" Luke trailed.

"He'll just bring it back up, and we'll lose it instead." Abis realized.

Zion reached his broken blade out. "Now…taste the burning metal that befalls you!" The Torracrawler's eight pointed legs plunged into the earth a second time, sending a much stronger shockwave into Abis and Luke. Both were blown away with harsh grunts. They slammed into the ground harshly, creating a dust cloud that nearly blew Luka off his own feet.

The Haos Vestal yelped as he was blown off his heels and doubled over. Using his energy sword as leverage, he slid on his heels and managed to find a nearby rock to duck behind. Another shockwave bypassed him and he had to get low so debris and dust would fly right over him.

'You've gotta be kidding me. We can't get close to that, not in this condition.' Luka ducked again as dust blew once more overhead.

Luke slid on his heels off to Luka's side. He used his sword to keep leverage and panted heavily. His eyes barely catching Luka's glance, he hunched over. "Hey…I could use…a little help over here." He panted crudely.

"Tch, you think I don't know that?"

Luke faced forward. "Well sorry, but we don't have a lot of time on our hands."

"Yeah, obviously."

Another harsh shockwaves rushed through the area, causing Abis to shriek as he was pushed into the ground. The Torracrawler's hit legs raised one by one onto Abis. The serpent had no choice but to slither around as fast as possible, otherwise he'd be pierced and fried from the inside.

"Hmph, pretentious." Zion scoffed.

Abis slithered beneath the Torracrawler, but he was shocked to see the UFO with spider legs rise above him. He looked up in wonder, but he saw the eight ends aim at him. They started discharging energy in a concentrated blast that Abis had to get away from. He slipped quickly, but the shockwave beam discharged along the ground, sending him flying through the air smashing into the ground by Luke.

"ABIS!" Luke roared. Sneering his teeth, he stared at Luka in worry. "Luka, listen! I don't know what's going on between you and Brontes, but you've gotta snap him out of it!"

"What do you think I've been doing?" Luka glared down at his Bakugan, but wasn't budging still. "Hey! Speak already!"

"Volt…save me…" the same line repeated for Brontes.

Luka snarled. "Damnit…!"

"Stop trying to force him like that, that isn't helping him at all!" Luke ducked from a knife thrown at him. With caution, he veered farther back.

Luka snarled in annoyance. "Then how am I supposed to reach him then?"

"I don't know. Listen, I don't know what exactly you've both been through to get to now, but it's gotta mean something." Zion approached him, his broken blade still as sharp as could get. His glare was fixed on destroying him for what he's done. "Luka, I know moving on isn't easy. Believe me, I know…" He thought back for a moment to when he was on Interacia. The experience he felt back then still lingered to this point. "But you've gotta put yourself past that!"

"I did do that!"

"But what about Brontes! Did he?!"

The question was what made Luka's eyes widen. A moral epiphany came to his mind. What Luke just brought up was superb and profound that he couldn't help but flinch.

Luke waited for a response, but was shorthanded when Zion's blade came between them. His glare fastened on the former. Luke had no choice but to continue his parry at close-range and fend him off.

Luka watched in shock as Luke charged back towards the fray with Abis close behind. They evaded the blades and the prodding legs that threatened them, yet they weren't held back by anything. So why was he being held back? He's finally resolved to working with them to live, not to survive. That's when it hit home. He looked down at Brontes one more time, his stare of deep fixation.

"But what about Brontes! Did he?!"

Luka heavily frowned with a pity frown. 'That dreck, he's pushing everyone around, including me.' His fingers loosened around Brontes. 'But then again, what pushed the Bakugan towards them? Were they actually chosen?'

"Volt…save me…save me…"

Luka started thinking back to something. Something that made his world go blank for a moment. 'That day…'

It was the brink of morning for New Vestroia, many months ago. In the thickness of it all, there was a wasteland where anything could go for miles on end. It was all rock and formations that were so large they were almost like mountains. A broad, bright blue glinted high in the starry daybreak that shot down like a lightning bolt. It crashed down so hard it caused the ground to tremble. Nearby Bakugan in their ball form rolled away from the sudden burst and took cover behind formations.

The dust dissipated, revealing something – or rather someone – whom was clad in a rather regal battle cloth. With it still being dark out it wasn't easy to make out whom it could be, but he had long red hair and sharp green eyes that looked all around. He observed the surroundings thoroughly, looking up and around. When he looked at the sky, it almost felt like a foreign ceiling that left him almost speechless.

'This must be it. New Vestroia.' He churned the ground beneath his heel. Immediately he felt the soil and how thick it was. 'The soil's still damp. They must've arrived here a short while ago. Where exactly did I end up here on this planet?

He looked around. Rock. Rock. And oh, more rock. Just his luck, but he didn't expect anything less given the environment that was bound to change for the worst.

"Taking that gate from Cesar's lab and making that jump was risky. It must've been off course from the two cities. I'll have to find a way to get around, and fast. By now, their minions must've acquired Bakugan already."

He looked around, starting for a random direction. He didn't have any idea how he should navigate New Vestroia, but he knew from experience that it had to have been a relatively small planet with these big organisms. Judging by the fact that he wasn't seeing any had to have meant that he was indeed late. He mentally cursed himself for letting this happen.

'Damnit. I knew they were scheduled to launch this operation soon. I should've cut their security down sooner when I had the chance. But that's not important now. I need to face them when ready, and to do that, I need a Bakugan of my own.'

He started looking around. He could see a lot of Bakugan in ball forms hiding away behind rock formations. Judging from their sizes and shapes, he was seeing a lot of Aquos Wontu, which weren't warrior Bakugan if he remembered correctly from the data he took from Cesar's lab and barely got out with his life. There were Darkus Hammersaur and Anchorsaur around. There were Jelldon and Freezer rummaging elsewhere, too. There were even a few Bakugan that appeared to be Verias of Subterra and Pyrus variants.

He furrowed his brow in annoyance. 'Tch, this isn't gonna work. I need a Bakugan strong enough to stop them fast. I should've tried experimenting with going to that so-called Earth and recruiting something strong so they'll not get the upper hand so easily…'

"Volt…save me…save me…"

Luka blinked. He could've sworn he heard some weak mumble from nearby. "Who's there?!" He braced for his sword, but no one was there. He glared daggers at something in particular that caught his eye. 'What's that Bakugan?'

The sphere was sitting in plain sight, just a few meters ahead of him. It looked to be in a catatonic state and standing firmly, facing Luka. On their sides, the daybreak's first rays were about to hit their faces at the same time. But right now, the stars twinkled out of existence above.

Furrowing his brow, Luka walked up and kneeled towards the Bakugan. "Did you call just now?"

"Volt…save me…"

His expression didn't change. Maybe he didn't hear him. "Volt? What's a 'Volt'?"

"Volt…save…me…"

Luka stared down the Bakugan's open ball form. 'Is he in some kind of limbo? This has to be because of Rogue Zero…no, I would've felt negative energy coming off of this one then if that were the case. This is different. It's like he's in shock of something.' Deciding to get forward, he spoke out towards the Bakugan. "Hey, you're a Bakugan, aren't you? Have you seen any strange figures roaming around here?"

"…" The Bakugan did nothing to speak his mind.

Luka sighed. "Listen, can you even understand me?" He was given silence. "Look, I don't know a Volt, and I'm sorry, but I have somewhere I need to be. So unless you have a good mind on ya, just sit tight." He stood back up, walking past the Bakugan. "I'll have to save you all myself if I must."

"Save me…save…?" The Bakugan's tone was starting to trail off. Something that Luka said just now was taking its time processing through his system. It eventually clicked. The Bakugan jerked upright, swiveling around, seeing red hair. "Volt…that you…?"

Luka stopped in place. His heels turned on him and glanced back at the Bakugan. He could see it turned towards him to indicate the attention. But he had to be alert.

"So, you can speak other words after all? Good." He turned around and leered at the Bakugan's smaller form. "Tell me, what was the last thing you remembered?"

"Volt…" he nudged an arm. "He…tried to save me…save…me…" He looked more intently at Luka. "You…Volt?"

Luka squinted. "I'm Volt?"

"Are you…Volt?" The Bakugan's arms twitched. "I'm…so sorry…for hurting you…I was only…that card…it…"

'That card?' What was picked up by Luka was that one line specifically. 'Wait, is he talking about…!' He got closer to his face. "Tell me, did this card or Volt do this to do?"

The Bakugan didn't have a good answer. It shuddered as it tried to respond. "Volt…tried saving me…from card…he failed…I'm so sorry…" He lifted his head to look at Luka more closely. "You…act like Volt. But you…not…Volt…I…!" Suddenly the Bakugan lurched, grunting in harsh agony. "Gnnngh! Gyaaaahahahahah!" He started cackling meekly, which was something that caught Luka by surprise. "Pain! I've felt so much pain! KAHAHAHAHA~!"

'He must be mentally unstable because of whatever side effects the card did…' Luka gnashed his teeth, 'Guess it can't be helped.' He went and pocked up the Bakugan in his palm. "Listen. I'm no Volt, but if what you said was true, then I'll make this as clear as I can. I'm on a mission to save everyone from the power of these forbidden cards that are able to harm real Bakugan. I can tell you were hurt by these abilities…" he paused. "But listen, I may not be a Volt, and you have hurt him…but you can have a second chance. Lend me your strength. Use what pain was inflicted on you, and we can avenge what befell yourself and this person…will you allow for that to happen?"

His insipid laughter was dying down to a dull mumble. He took a moment to process what was happening. "You…want to…save me…?"

"Not just you. There's a grand force out there that's threatening all Bakugan. I'll save everyone on my own. Let's stop this evil."

The Bakugan slowly processed everything. The dull but very sharp gaze Luka had was very similar to that of Volt that it was almost uncanny. There were significant differences between them, but it was clear the personalities were dead serious on the goals.

A bright ray beamed onto them both. The first rays of the new day had dawned upon them. The radiant sun of New Vestroia casted onto the lands. Where far away, not even the likes of a sleeping Luke nor Esther would be up yet. Yet here, the Bakugan could feel something with this man. A second chance.

"What is your name?" Luka asked calmly.

With the sun getting brighter, everything seemed to have faded around them. "Brontes…pleasure working with you."

"Volt…save me…"

Luka's grip on Brontes' loosened some. The anxiety he was getting earlier was completely awashed with empathy. He suddenly felt more of an idiot than ever for not seeing it sooner. Another shockwave ran over him, but he was smart enough to stay ducked.

Up along the field, Abis was barely hanging on. "Brontes…Luka…we know you're back there. We need you guys…!" He slithered away from two piercing blows of the attached claws.

"Luka! Are you okay back there?!" Luke fret. He barely evaded the blow of a dagger by Zion.

"Focus, boy! We're just getting started!" Zion continued the assault, with Luke initiating parries.

As the sounds of metal clanged fiercely through the air, Luka knew he was needed by his new allies. He closed his eyes and calmly turned towards Brontes, his gaze slightly softer, but still retaining a seriousness.

"Save me…save me…"

"Brontes…it's me." Luka's voice was surprisingly calm. "Listen, I know you can hear me, but I'll make this comprehensible."

"Volt…save me…save me…!"

Luka closed his eyes, lowering his head. By now, even he was aware of what could've befallen the person. He remembered doing his research while he was back on Vestal. What Spectra and Gus explained about the Vexos rung inside of his head. He took a calming breath.

"Brontes, I'm sorry…but Volt isn't coming back…he's not here anymore." He paused. "I know this is too much to ask right now because of the shock you're in…but as your…er, partner, I have this obligation to see you help me through this. Try to understand."

"…" The ball form didn't openly respond. The news seemed to have fully silenced it.

"I'm no Volt, and I can't replace the man that you've hurt…but do you remember the promise we've made that day? That we'd save everyone from this monster of a force. Try to remember."

"Save…save…" Brontes' ball form twitched. He swayed side to side, barely comprehending what was being told. "Volt. He…he is…"

"Yes. This is now. I know that I…haven't been all that of a partner. But Brontes, I…want to say…I appreciate your dedication to the cause. So thank you."

"Volt…Luka…" Brontes' ball form was starting to bubble negative colors. He was seemingly having this mental struggle as he was fending for his own life. He seemed to be in pain for some reason.

"On the Trailer, you sked me why we weren't like the others. That we're just partners in battle and nothing more. I misjudged that. I've misjudged you. You are a clown, a very crude one…but you get the job done, and you've stuck with me till this point." He ducked wen a shockwave rushed over him. The rock he used as cover chipped harshly. "Gngh! But…that promise we've made, remember it! Remember it, damnit!"

Brontes fell silent. Inside his psyche, he was getting these vague flashes of something eerily familiar. Surrounded by negativity, what he saw was a small light. That one light, the jester knew he had to reach for it. It was calling to him. He picked himself up and raced for that one way out.

"We've strove to make everyone survive, that was the deal we've made. You've suffered as I did at failure. We couldn't save others that called to us…but now, we have one last chance to do so. Luke. His Abis Omega…our…comrades. Brontes…"

In a small show of honor, Luka bowed his head, his forehead connecting to the small head of Brontes. Both their heads felt warm to the touch. The flashes of the battles and the traveling was popping up like fireworks that they two shared. Yet they were both spontaneously seeing various flashes of the others' psyche. Luka saw flashes of Brontes' history, the pain of the forbidden ability used to make him evolve, to turn on Volt when al he wanted was for him to come back…but couldn't. Brontes, on the other hand, was in a deeper shock as he was seeing the quarrels he's shared with Luka for everyone's sake, and what an interesting one it was.

Luka's eyes widened. Brontes' magic that he felt with the sharing of minds made him realize the big picture. "I see…" he mumbled. He softly grinned. "Not just for your partner anymore, but also the ones who depend on us…will you beside me again, partner?"

The response he got was the negative aura around Brontes starting to dissipate. He said nothing, but the response was his ball form opening. Luka smiled.

…

Luke parried blow after blow. Zion's swings were just as merciless as his fiery look in his eyes. He was starting to draw Luke back with every accurate blow. When he shifted right, his opposite sharp end would intercept his course and make him spin out.

"It's no use, boy. You're finished." He looked over, seeing Abis in a slithering tandem. He dodged molten jabs of the legs until he was backed into a nearby boulder. He hissed defensively as legs arose to attack him once more. "Hmph, so be it!"

Luke gnashed his teeth. He had no choice. 'I wanted to wait, but it can't any longer. Time to open the Gate Card-!'

Zion let loose one brutal swing to cleave Luke in half, just as four legs came down on Abis. But the impacts never came. Instead a bright yellow flash flickered and shove Zion across the ground, while the legs were halted by a creaking, sizzling sound.

Luke and Abis stared wide-eyed in shock at what they saw. Before them, Luka was standing with Alto Brontes, the latter whom was using his four burnt arms to stop the four appendages. They were both spared in just the nick of time.

"Luka!"

"Brontes!"

Zion furrowed his brow. He seemed displeased, but intrigued by the warrior's return to battle.

"Luka…" Luke mumbled. "Are you and Brontes…"

Luka faced forward, facing Zion with a serious expression. "Don't worry about it." In a blue moon's shine, he half-smirked. "We've worked out our differences. Isn't that right, Brontes?"

The legs kept pushing, but the clown didn't falter. He held on firmly, daring to not let go. The psycho clown started sneering grimly, his eyes full of Haos bright light. A bright Haos aura flared around his body as he attempted to push a little harder, in turn made the Torracrawler's remaining ligaments point at him.

"Brontes!" Abis warned.

The ligaments fired at Brontes, but he wasn't afraid. He used his long legs to up and jump, watching as the ground steamed and melted into a carter. "I'm wide awake now!" he chimed. He landed besides Abis, who had finally regained room to readjust himself. "Sorry for the little dirtnap, Abis. Nothing personal."

Abis refrained from any snark mouth. "Thank you, Brontes."

The clown nodded. "My pleasure. Now, Luka, I mean it…" He hunched with a battle-ready position. "NO MORE FOOLING AROUND~!"

Luka sneered. "You took the words right out of my mouth!" He slashed harshly at Zion, enough force to make him slide back another few paces. The warrior's chipped blade that was used to block had suffered extensive damage from that one attack. "Brontes, now we have a new promise…let's make sure we keep it."

"You got it. Volt, you may not be here, but I know what we both want, right?"

Luka and Brontes both had snarky sneers, the two seemingly in sync with each other as they spoke. "To live for the good of those who've honored us!"

Zion glared petrifying daggers at his prey. "None shall be living after you two die by my blade! Attack!" The Torracrawler raised all its ligaments to attack on command. They all shot at Abis and Brontes with lightning-fast precision.

"Don't weigh me back now, dreck!" Luka reprimanded.

"I won't!" Luka replied.

"Ability, activate!" both cried out in unison.

"Atmosphere!"

"Daedalus Cyclone!"

Abis and Brontes gathered collective energies for their strongest attacks. As water channeled into a compressed point, metal spherical blades appeared in Brontes' four limbs. The two cried out with all their might as they fired their respective attacks at Snapzoid.

The combined assault of a torrential cyclone with a draconic head and the four hemispheres climbing started to add a lot of momentum. The spheres sliced into the water to make it channel around the leviathan head. It looked like a slicing typhoon shield of condensed, sharp water that fizzled out the heated ends of the spikes, enough to where the cyclone had the chance to blast the whole underside with a harsh jet of water.

Snapzoid: 4600 (-400 -500) = 3700 Frill Abis Omega: 1600 (+500) = 2100

Alto Brontes: 600 (+400) = 1000

The mist cleared up, but the UFO spider was still kicking. It levitated a little higher to get an edge over Abis and Brontes, who braced themselves for what's to come.

"Ability, activate!" Zion roared. "Siphon Lock!"

The eight ends of the spider legs expanded and were channeled crackling energy from Snapzoid inside the container. The machine let out a hiss of its own just as its ends came together high above. They spread out, creating an electric net that was launched and pulsed into a shockwaves. The threads became broiling hot as they spread towards the ground, swallowing everything. Its generation was so extreme that Abis recoiled while Brontes was forced to kneel

Snapzoid: 3700 (+900) = 4600 Frill Abis Omega: 2100 (-500) = 1600

Alto Brontes: 1000 (-500) = 500

The pulse waves threatened the likes of Luke and Luka as well. They had a hard time getting around, but were holding their ground the best they could.

Zion watched them with a cold complexion. "Kneel before milord's divine will. Do that…and your deaths shall be swift indeed."

Luka staggered up to a full stand. "Sorry, but that doesn't apply to us."

Brontes started getting back up, powering his way through the vicious voltage he was being pelted with. The broad light around had served to fluctuate some, much to Zion's inquiry.

"Hmph? What's your little scheme here?"

"Heh, no scheme…we're just sick of living in the past you can say." He smirked maliciously. "Maybe now, it's time that you see our reason why we're here now! Brontes!"

"Oh Luka, so~ poetic you've become. It's creepy…and it's wonderful!" He powered through the stinging sensation in his body, feeling an incredible swell of power. "We really are two peas in a pod! Yes! Let's make a mess not just yesterday, but tomorrow as well!"

On everyone's Bakumeters, they were all getting a notice on Brontes' power level. It was slowly increasing, the power seemingly staggering from 500, to 600.

"What's this?" Zion quipped.

On Luka's Bakumeter, what looked like an ability shined brightly, bright enough to capture Luke's attention. "Luka! That ability card…!"

Luka sneered. The smile he had was something Luke hadn't pegged he' get to see often. He was left without words as Luka spread his heels apart and glared daggers at his foe.

"So this is what it's like to really connect with your Bakugan, I think I'm starting to see it now…" He trailed off, his eyes closing briefly before they flashed open. "Then…let's see just how far this goes for us! Brontes! Ability, activate!" He raised his Bakumeter high, the Haos light shining as bright as a star itself. "Deadly Mimicry!"

Brontes' eyes flashed a bright Haos light for a moment before he lifted all four of his arms high into the air. He giggled menacingly as something that looked like an illusionary screen revealed itself. Inside were a number of scenes that could be seen similar to that of a TV.

"A new ability." Zion hissed angrily. He had no idea what it would do, but for safety he backpedaled just to be on the safe side.

The projection showed Abis and Snapzoid's earlier quarrel in fast forward motion. The clip slowed down until it picked the point where Abis unleashed his Daedalus Cyclone attack to push Snapzoid back down towards the ground. The projection shined brightly before turning into a light energy that swirled to Brontes' center. It became a large mirror that the clown reached out for.

"This battle is getting hot, let's cool it down…and brighten things up around here~!" His cynical notion was slurred as he dug in his heels and pushed the mirror forward. The projection shot a massive golden cyclone of water that rushed with the leviathan head up towards the shockwaves. They ploughed clean through, striking the bottom of the UFO with a high pressurized explosion of golden mist that shook the airspace.

Snapzoid: 4600 (-1500) = 3100 Frill Abis Omega: 1600

Alto Brontes: 600 (+1500) = 2100

Luke was stunned for a lack of better words. He turned towards Luka with shock. 'That ability, it looked like Daedalus Cyclone…did he copy it?'

"Deadly Mimicry not only copies a previous ability that was used earlier." Luka explained. "It also increases its power by triple its original amount." He held his blade out with angst. "Zion~!"

Zion sneered at his foes afoot. He wasn't going to allow them to gain the upper hand, not again. "Fall! Ability, activate! Siphon Lock!"

The mist cloud soon dissipated, revealing the Torracrawler floating closer towards the ground than what it was before. With a snarl, Snapzoid projected more of his electricity into the tendrils and legs. They hummed with vibrant energy before they all expanded their reaches, conjuring a network of hot lightning. It pierced the ground, sending the pulse waves in all direction that trembled the earth.

Snapzoid: 3100 (+1500) = 4600 Frill Abis Omega: 1600 (-500) = 1100

Alto Brontes: 2100 (-500) = 1600

The shockwaves drew closer to Abis and Brontes, but they didn't deter.

"Hey, dreck." Luka glanced at Luke. "Better tell me that you have a plan."

"We do. Looks like it's up to this now." Luke reached down with his sword. "Gate Card, open! Capacity Overdrive!"

The Gate Card opened beneath Abis and Brontes. The shine casted a glossy sheen of their respective attribute colors around their bodies, filling them with a charge.

'That Gate Card again?' Zion thought back to when he battled Luke the last time. The results were catastrophic at best.

"Now all Bakugan on my side have their next ability effect double! We're not out just yet! Let's go, Abis!"

In front, Abis let out a hiss as he slithered in front of Brontes. "Brontes, I'm counting on you! Don't let up after we give you an opening, got it?"

Brontes braced for the attack. "You're too kind, my slippery friend."

The pulse wave ran towards them, splitting the ground and turning debris to crisp char. Just as it was about to hit home, Luke went for the shot.

"Abis, now! Double Ability, activate! Filter Cannon, plus Fusion Ability, Refractor Booster!"

The red-hot lightning waves crashed into the serpent first as he was the shield. Anyone would've been blown away by that attack, but Abis withstood whatever ground was left and the glossy shine all over his body was being transferred into his frills. The serpent let out a proud and mighty cry as he started drawing in the attack, an Aquos aura flaring around his body.

"You won't…stop us this time!" Abis shrieked out as high as he could, the burning lightning leaving sears on his frills as he was conducting the entire shockwave into his body like a lightning rod. He could feel the heat burning up his body, but he wasn't backing down. The power level he was extracting was going to extremes.

Zion sneered. He had to use this chance to fight back. With his attack on hold, Luke and Luka were wide open. He charged into the fray with his weapon pulled back.

"Luka, it's all you! We're giving you the cover you need! Now let him have it!" Luke shouted.

Luka nodded. "Got it."

Zion charged with a mad bulldozer. "FOR MILORD! DIE!" He pivoted and threw the weapon with all his might. It twirled through midair as it blazed like a boomerang that sliced up anything in its path.

As it closed in, Luka raised his Bakumeter as high as he could. "Double Ability, activate! Shining Nightmare, plus Magic Dice!" Brontes' glossy Haos aura traveled down to his right arms, which created the ace blades with golden edging. When the gloss finally reached the blades, they held the same shine and expanded to almost double the length. The golden ends were shining brightly. Meanwhile in the two left hands, a magical dice spun, hitting a "3". The die dissipated, turning to a scythe made of pure light. With the two weapons in hand, Brontes braced himself for the finishing blow.

'Brontes, I know it's a little late…but now I see how these Bakugan became so strong. Now it's our turn to move forward, away from that loneliness we've had!' Clutching his weapon, Luka raised his head and yelled at the top of his lungs. "GO~!"

Cackling maniacally, Brontes shot himself into the air over the shockwave wall Abis was taking in. He was a gliding giant who brought his blades back to bring the giant monster down.

Abis finally drew in the remainder of the energy and channeled it into the blue diamonds on his chest. A massive surge of energy charged inside his mouth, flickering spontaneously before a monstrous beam of blue energy tore through the air, expanding to almost three times Abis' size. Shockwaves generated by the attack blew everything around as it traveled behind Brontes.

Zion was at a loss for words. His glare was fixed with shock as he saw Brontes spinning clockwise, gathering the energy trailing behind. The beam swallowed him, but he used it as a generator and a boost that jettisoned him up towards Snapzoid's eight legs. Intense, beaming blue trails followed him and his blades as the appendages and the Mobile Assault Vehicles were so close.

"HRAAAAH!"

At the same time Luke and Luka drew their blades back, Brontes did the same. All three cried out as high and mighty as possible and passed their intended targets. The two boys passed Zion's swinging weapon, while Brontes spiraled his way skywards past the Torracrawler. Time gradually slowed down as Brontes' weapons diffused to thin air and he smiled menacingly. Moments later, bright blue and yellow outlines of what looked like slash marks carved a clean path through the Torracrawler's legs and main frame. The entire structure ruptured in a bright yellow explosion that sent ripples horizontally around, passing through the surroundings and stunning everyone else. The weapon Zion unleashed onto Luke and Luka was cleaved into pieces, the fragments reducing to shrapnel behind them.

Snapzoid: 4600 (-1500) = 3100 Frill Abis Omega: 1100 (+500 +800 (x2)) = 3200

Alto Brontes: 1600 (+500 +800 +300) = 3200

The shock on everyone afar was as slow as time, from the perplexed shock of Shun and Dan, to the dumbfounded Zion who stood and watched as Brontes dropped to a knee elegantly, while Snapzoid screeched as he fell to the ground in a smoldering smokestack. The Bakugan reverted to ball form, and rolled back to Zion's feet.

Zion: 0%

With a victorious shriek, Abis was flaring in a blue aura, whereas Brontes cackled maniacally for his job well done. Luke and Luka readjusted their positions in case their adversary was ready to attack again, but from the way he looked, he was still taken back by the sudden defeat.

"So tell us…" Luka's voice had the trademark bitter-cold breath to it. "Has the reality sunk in with you yet?"

"Because we sunk it ourselves." Brontes mocked.

Zion's fists balled tight. He was far from finished, not by a longshot. He reached behind his right belt to pull up something that was hanging. It was a machine gun, an M240L to be precise, though it was a little smaller than the actual size.

Luke and Luka braced themselves as Abis and Brontes' aura-glowing forms stepped in front to defend whatever was to come their way.

"Zion, can you read me from where you are?" Zion's Bakumeter spoke to him, projecting a familiar tone that was all too clear for him to ignore.

There was a moment of hesitation, but Zion inevitable pulled his Bakumeter closer to his mouth. "…yes, Lord Cyrus. What is it?"

"Our lord has seen enough. We've eradicated the entire Neathian forces around. The Battle Brawlers and are special friends will have to wait till later. Understand?"

A nerve had exploded in Zion, but he did his damnest to suppress it. He was graciously mortified that he lost, but to have been puled back just after was something he was going to have to weigh down for now. He understood the means. "…very well, we'll return with the body counts."

The communication log ended. Luke and Luka held steadfast positions as they watched Zion relax for one moment.

"You have bested me at this one time, so I give you my honorary blessing…but I assure you, this reality is far from forgiveness. Milord's reality will take over, and I will have my blades as his shields until that time comes. Farewell." He started vanishing again, his body slowly teleporting.

"No you don't!" Luka lunged for Zion's spot, with Luke in pursuit. They both jumped and slashed, but the warrior had already teleported away. Both slid through to a halt, looking back to find Zion having already retreated. "Damnit, just missed him."

All across the battlefield, Bakugan that weren't defeated yet had reverted to ball form and returned to their soldier partners. They were snatched up, and the soldiers started vanishing along with the many bodies that were sprawled.

"Wait, where are they going?" Dan gasped.

Jase prodded his glasses overhead on Atmos. "It appears that, Riaan's stabilized his own grounds for now."

The soldiers and the dead slain by the group were all teleported from the battlegrounds to the Empyrean far off in the distance. All that remained was blood stains that littered the battlefield, craters, and Neathian dead bodies. The landscape was dry, with fissures having already cracked open in several areas. It was completely unrecognizable from the beautiful sunrise field just a mere few hours ago.

Luka and Luke both eased themselves, but they were still out of breath from that battle they've endured. For the time being, Luka used his sword to support himself by using it as a cane.

"Luka." Luke gasped, working his way over.

Luka shot him a look back, stopping his aid. "Don't worry…that was just a little adrenaline failure." He took a short pause to breathe through the nose, and out through the mouth. "But it looks like for the time being, we've managed to gain some ground."

Atchibee and Atmos descended with Esther and Jase. Shawn, Shuji, and Maggie gathered with the others as they overlooked everything with Luke and Luka.

"Hey, you both alright? You look pretty burnt up." Shawn exasperated.

Maggie gave him a deadpan look. "Wow, Shawn, smooth on the jokes much?"

"Hey, you know what I mean." He looked around the battlefield, specifically the lingering embers in the charred earth. "Besides, this isn't the time to fool around…"

"My sentiments exactly." Jase noted. "But still, you both as well as your Bakugan partners, are you sure that you're in condition still?"

Luke managed to stand firmly to face Jase. "Yeah, we're okay."

"We've been through worse." Abis noted. "But what about you guys, are you alright?"

Shawn put his hands to his hips. "Just a few scratches here and there." He looked up, seeing Drago descend down with the Battle Brawlers. "And speak of the devil."

The Battle Brawlers all ran up to the gang, regrouping with serious and worried expressions on their faces. One of the first to show was Gunz. "Dudes, is everyone seriously okay over here?!"

Maggie waved back at them. "Yeah, we're good!"

"That was seriously intense. What did you just do to do all that just a minute ago?" Shun asked in a hurried and serious tone.

Luke meekly looked away. "It's…kinda hard to explain." He shook his head. "Look, that isn't the point right now. There's people injured around here. We have to get them help as soon as possible!"

Esther put a hand to her chest. "I agree. We'll each have to divide up the search and regrouping efforts. There's Neathians scattered everywhere, so we'll have to move quick."

"Fly Beetle and I can get as many wounded back to the city if we're quick enough." Shuji volunteered. Beside him, Fly Beetle stepped up in agreement.

As the group was strategizing, they heard a sound from above. Their attention drew towards the Trailer, which had finally touched down onto the ground and wheeled to a standstill. They all stepped back as the hatches above revealed Julie with her cameraman, and she looked completely ecstatic.

"Oh my gosh, you guys!" She worked her way down towards them. "That was completely epic! That was insane!"

"Julie?" Luke questioned.

Shawn raised a brow. "Oh yeah, almost forgot about her."

The reporter and her cameraman worked up towards Luke and Dan, the two in the face of the people as Julie smiled wide. "You guys, that was absolutely insane, did you hear?! You guys just up and took down that army like it was nothing! How's it feel to have helped out like this?!" She held the mic towards Luke. "The people deserve to know who you are."

Esther humbly lowered her head. "This…really isn't the time right now."

"Tch." Luka walked away, leaving the others be. "If you guys are done chatterboxing, we've got aid needed here."

"That's right." Luke turned towards Julie. "Sorry Julie, but this isn't the time to talk. We've got a job to do right now. Abis!" The serpent Bakugan lowered his head to allow Luke on top. They lifted back up, leaving Julie to whine.

"Hey guys, c'mon! Don't be like that! Just a few words, geez!"

"I'm sure you can exchange greetings with the Battle Brawlers if you're not too busy at the moment." Jase implied a rather severe tone. Atmos allowed him to mount his neck as was taking off back into the air. "Those who talk the most are said to have a calling card to less action."

Esther nodded. "Shawn, there might be debris around. Can Verias help remove that so Atchibee can carry everyone to safety?"

Shawn gave an affirmative nod of his own. "Yeah, we can do that. Verias?"

"Let's hurry then." He allowed Shawn to mount his shoulder and turned towards the ravaged battlefield.

"We're right behind ya." Maggie turned towards Jelldon. "Jelldon, let's go and help Jase and Atmos. We'll handle the grounded ones gently."

"Right-O!" Jelldon boasted a sense of dutiful confidence as he hoisted Maggie onto his top. He started bobbing and squirming in the direction the falcon had taken off to.

Esther turned towards Luke and Abis Omega. "Luke, there's first-aid treatment in the Trailer."

"Understood. Abis and I will round up the wounded and get them back into the Trailer. It'll be easier to transport them from there."

As they were all doing their part of the job, the Battle Brawlers were looking at each other. They found it surprising how they were doing things around here, but they didn't argue with the logic they were using. Shun turned towards Dan with his own suggestions in mind.

"Dan, we should probably look for Fabia. She's probably worried about us right now." He said.

Dan nodded. "Yeah, probably. Let's book it back to the Royal Palace and see if she's okay." He turned towards the others. "You guys got all this?"

Luka snobbishly turned away. "Do what you want. It's not our concern if you decide to up and leave the scene. You're better off informing the queen instead."

"Hey pal, what's with the smart mouth?" Dan shouted defensively. "We were just making sure you guys were alright!"

Shun put a hand to his shoulder. "Forget it, Dan. We have work to do."

Dan sighed. "Yeah, guess you're right."

Radizen rubbed the back of his head. "Oof, man…those were a few close calls there. I swear where do those guys get off just up and intercepting everything! I mean we know they have a psychic on their side, but c'mon, where did they get the nerve to neutralize us on the spot like that?!"

"We need to run a complete analysis later on what we've just witnessed." Marucho advised.

"We should get moving then." Gunz stated.

Julie popped in between all of them. "Wait, hold on! I'm coming with you! We've gotta get in words about what the people say about this, too!"

The Battle Brawlers all went their separate ways to check on the capital of Neathia and Fabia. As they went their ways, Luka looked over his shoulder as he too went off in a direction towards the nearest body.

Brontes popped on his shoulder, his smile bright and sneery. "Those Battle Brawlers don't seem to change, do they? I still can't believe what a hassle they were before, now look. Suppose time doesn't side in favor of others' ignorance after all."

"Perhaps not." Luka went over to the nearest body and kneeled. He put two fingers on the arm and checked for a pulse. Fortunately for him this one was very weak, but alive. "He's alive still. Brontes, gently."

"Since you asked nicely." Brontes' eyes shined brightly. The fallen Neathian was teleported on the spot all the way back to Neathia's main city. He was sure they should have some medics around there. It'd be a pain if there wasn't. With one down, many more were to come. He paused. "Brontes…"

"Yes?"

"It's…nothing." He looked over, seeing Luke support a fallen body and walked it over to Abis' long body. The serpent was careful with the load he was putting on with three other bloodied soldiers still intact. Abis looked over at another body, which Luke ran to support. "Thanks…I guess."

Brontes inhaled a gasp. "My stars. Luka, why…are you growing soft on me?!" he teasingly chuckled. "Oh I never thought I'd live to see this day!"

"Shut up before I kill you."

Brontes turned away. "Whoops, seems that I spoke too soon. Now then, where were we?"

Luka huffed and moved towards the net victim. He took one more look around, finding Verias and Fly Beetle using their muscles to lift dirt mounds for Maggie's tiny frame and Jelldon's long arms to reach through. Atchibee and Atmos were sailing above, carrying the wounded and being extra careful as Jase and Esther were set on the Trailer to help bring them inside.

A meek smile crossed his face. 'Guess these guys aren't so bad after all.'

The Empyrean palace was all but quiet. Zion teleported to the top room, where he was met with all his peers. Nobody said anything as he came in with a dead serious look. If Amina wanted to say something mocking, she would've found the perfect time. But she chose to see to it that she kept her head on her shoulders.

Zion walked between everyone and presented himself to Riaan and Armagedoid. The Pyrus battler lowered his head in silence at his imperial majesty.

"Well done, Zion. You've done exactly as what we've agreed on." Riaan said with high praise,

Zion humbly scoffed. "Milord, forgive me for not doing better than I have should."

"Hmph, obviously." Amina chimed from the sides, but Cyrus raised an arm, intervening her sentence structure.

Riaan paused and looked down at his warrior underling. "You give yourself too much credit, my friend. Remember, the main goal of this was to annihilate the Neathian Army. That's precisely what's been done. It took us a few rounds to completely dismantle Gundalia's forces, but we've seen through the Mobile Assault Vehicle enhancements, we're able to minimize the time on the battlefield. You've cleared the path for Hades Pillars alone."

"You're far too humble, sire." Zion bowed his head.

"Still, I'm surprised. I never imagined that Bakugan might alone would be enough to defeat a customized Mobile Assault Vehicle." Galilea pondered. She looked down at the center area, where Zion's battle showed with Brontes slashing clean through the entire thing. "What's worse, their power levels only rose that much higher because of it. How is any of this possible?"

Magnus turned towards Lucia. "You think this is gonna be a problem?"

Lucia glanced away snobbishly. "Hmph, I can see the merit in you worry…but worry not. Milord's plan hasn't failed. You'd all be wise to silence your thoughts."

"How very interesting." Cyrus chimed. He looked at the screen, specifically how Luke was handling the solo fight with Zion. "So, that one human has caused that much trouble for Zion. And with an Abis Omega no less."

"Yes, quite so." Riaan humbly raised his head. "And even more so, the Battle Brawlers and the one known as Drago is here as well. But I suppose…they aren't as enlightened as our little friends of how we've played until this show we've put one." He showed a smirk, one that made Hades Pillars stand at attention. "I suppose this means…that I'll have to start getting a little more proactive in my endeavors if I want to snuff out the Brawlers and their friends."

The room's networks shined brightly, the crystal-like walls and floor shimmering from the dull red to a crystal chrome. The sunlight overhead beamed through, illuminating Riaan with his resolve.

Tada! Here's a new chapter! Hopefully you guys didn't have to wait that long for this one to unfold! So this one establishes more of Luka and Brontes' bond and how it all started. I figured with how far we're into the story, we might as well get some development in while we still can for Brontes since he was first showcased in Chapter 11.

Let me know what you guys thought of this chapter and how I handled it. Reviews are very much appreciated! XD