From Depths We Rise

by Insane Dominator

1 year has passed since Dan and the Battle Brawlers saved the universe, and when things were serene, a new group of Bakugan players are sent to New Vestroia when a dimensional interference forces them to meet each other. Caught in the crossfire with aliens seeking resources, Luke, Abis Omega, and new friends must fight using unlikely odds if they're to save all from extinction.

55. As tall as Pillars

Morning had soon risen to Neathia. It was another dawn. However, unlike the previous morning, this dawn's glow was much duller, Dreary clouds loomed over the sky like an overcast, but they retained darkness despite how scattered it was. It wasn't snowing like it did before, but the air had a foreboding chill to it.

Inside the Neathian castle, Fabia was staring out from the balcony. She sighed heavily before she took in a deep, refreshing air to cleanse herself of any self0doubt. 'This is it…good luck, Battle Brawlers.' She looked farther out. 'And to you guys, watch their backs.'

"C'mon you guys! It's time to go!"

Julie was outside the Neathian Castle. She was waiting with the cameraman, as well as Rafe and Paige. They've been outside for a couple minutes now, but already they were getting impatient, not to mention cold. The young reporter especially was getting goosebumps. Or frostbite.

"Where are they?!" The doors opened just as she finished. Two Castle Knights walked on either side to allow the Battle Brawlers passage through. "There you guys are! About time! Sheesh!"

"We're sorry Julie. But we had to be sure we were ready." Marucho confidently smiled.

"So, I take it then that you guys are all set?" Rafe said.

Dan smiled boldly. "Yup."

"Where's Linus? I figured he'd be with you guys as well." Drago pondered.

Wolfurio popped open and floated next to Rafe. "He and Rubanoid are looking after Captain Elright back in the infirmary. But we were told by them to give you guys their deepest regards. Likewise, we've been told to remain here in the Capital, just in case we need an evacuation plan, or if Hades Pillars comes out with their Bakugan while you were away."

"If you ask me, we should accompany you guys." Rafe despondently said. "But no matter what, we'll support you. You're the Brawlers, so we bet everything on you guys."

Paige sneered as she crossed her arms. "Yeah, teach those guys a thing or two how we Gundalians play while you're at it!"

"We will, I promise." Dan clutched his fist tight. He faced the sunrise in the distance. There was mostly patches of dark clouds in the sky, but the sun gleamed just along the horizon. "We're gonna bring everything back to normal around here. It's time we show everyone the peace we've fought for isn't gone. It's only just beginning. And it starts…" He raised his fist high. "With us taking down that creep Riaan once and for all!"

Gunz passively smirked. "There's that spunk we've needed."

"We should get going, Dan." Shun pointed out. "The longer we wait, the less time Neathia has."

"You're right. Let's go, guys!"

"Yeah!" They all cheered up to the dark sky, the bright light refracting off the chrome, cracked castle to signal their time to shine.

---

Elright was sitting up in his bed. He had long since gotten accustomed to the seated position he was in, but he had yet gotten used to the situation they were in. Every now and again, another tremor would wake him and his cohorts trying to regain their strength…the ones still alive at least. He had still yet to wrap his head around the realization that most of the Neathian men had been wiped out, and even more dead. He couldn't feel anymore of a failure than he was already. This never happened to him before, not ever. He was taken captive by Gundalians, sure, but even they weren't this brutal. Barodius looked like a saint compared to the full-scale monstrosity Riaan had brought. Bakugan were to be subjugated, that was his rule. But this man was going for full blown genocide. It was inhumane! And worst of all, he was a fool to have not seen it sooner. And because of that, he was bedridden, and he wasn't expected to get up and going for a little longer. He'd bleed out and make his wounds worse.

Within his mulling, the drapes beside him opened, revealing Linus with a small cup of soup. "Captain Elright, good morning, sir."

"Linus?" Elright blinked several times until reality sunk back in. "Oh, hey…how are things looking outside."

Linus handed Elright the small cup of soup. He smiled back. "The damage is very extreme, but I'm sure it'll pass over really soon."

Elright meekly smiled down at his soup. He snickered towards himself. "Yeah, I bet. Those Brawlers are out there again defending Neathia, while the Castle Knights are all down for the count." His grin turned to a frown. "Linus, listen."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Thank you for stepping up the way you did. You're a good soldier, one of the best. If anything happens to me, I'm leaving the rest to you. You're that important towards Neathia's dependence."

"C-Captain Elright…" Linus was at a loss for what to say, let alone how to speak back towards him. He looked at Elright with nothing but a perplexed state of widened eyes. In an effort to clear himself of doubt, he straightened his back and saluted. "Sir! I won't let you down!"

Rubanoid popped open in ball form. "And that goes for e as well. This is a fight we'll see through."

Elright nodded in their compliance. "Thanks. Both of you." He looked towards the window beside him, showing the sunrise and dark sky overlapping the atmosphere. "The sky's looking different than it usually is."

Linus looked out, frowning in seriousness. "Yes sir, it is."

"Let's hope that the Brawlers can change it…that's all we can do for now."

---

Luke watched from the large window of the Trailer in his room. He had just finished getting redressed for the day to come and glared ahead at the rising sun. Over it was a looming darkness, which they had to try and lift, even if it kills them, too.

A lot has happened over the past few days, so much in cat that it was nearly impossible to keep track at this point. Fighting enemies that intend to kill you, having one of your closest friends give their lives for you; and the greatest set of Bakugan battlers having told you to step back while try and take on an enemy that shows no mercy. To say this was a crazy experience would be the understatement of the century.

The doors to the bedroom opened up. Shawn walked in, having been stockpiled with breakfast. "Hey, Luke."

Luke turned around. "Oh, Shawn."

Shawn gave a familiar, but also serious, frown. "You about ready?"

Luke took a moment to look at Abis, who was on his shoulder and staring at him. The two shared a passive silence as they saw they could no longer wait. "…yeah, we're ready." He pivoted and walked closer. "Shawn, you'll watch our backs, won't you?"

Shawn crossed his arms and smirked. "What kind of a stupid question is that?" he snickered. "Guess some things never do change."

Luke grinned. "Thanks."

The two walked out of the room, with Shawn in tow. Once the doors shut, they stopped in the middle of the hallway and saw Maggie, Shuji, Jase, and Esther all present and patiently waiting. The looks on their faces showed they were absolutely serious about this.

"You guys set, too?" Luke questioned. He realized how silly it was, but he expected some kind of retort.

Shuji crossed his arms and snorted. "What kind of a question are you spatting now?"

Jase prodded his glasses. "What he means is that we're well aware of the consequences of these actions that will befall us. And Luke, we expect you do the same. I trust that you're up for the task at hand."

Luke nodded. "Don't worry, I am." He looked down at his right arm. Even now, Luka's blade was in a firm grip to support him.

Esther walked up, giving look a sympathetic smile. "Luke…whatever happens, we'll be here to watch over you. If you waver, we'll be here to set you straight."

Luke warmly smiled back. "Thanks Esther, I appreciate it."

Maggie raised both balled fists. "Alright! Enough talk, time to get at Riaan and Hades Pillars with everything we've got!"

"They'll probably be expecting us." Shawn noted. "We're gonna have to expect the worst right from the start. Especially after last time we've fought."

Shuji rammed a fist into his palm, cracking the knuckle. "Then what're we keeping them waiting for? Be rude to leave them hanging."

Luke nodded in agreement. "You're right. Guys…let's get to that Empyrean. We need to get to Eve without any delays."

With the mood in a full understanding affirmation, Luke lead the way as everyone walked behind.

---

Riaan was inside the Empyrean. He was up at the very top, where Hades Pillars was all standing at attention and awaiting his beckoning call. Others like Lucia and Zion were dutifully waiting for his command. While others like Amina ad Magnus were spacey, for a lack of better word.

"I can feel them coming." Riaan had his eyes shut, tapping into the Empyrean to use its powers to feel everything around them. "Seems that everyone is finally coming together at last. It's the moment of truth."

"Milord…" Lucia quipped.

He took a moment's pause and opened his eyes. He stood up from his throne and calmly stood. "It's time. We'll be going to see Eve's summon. Hades Pillars, you know what to do. We require you to buy us enough time so we can shed this new light."

Cyrus bowed his head. "As you wish, Milord." He darkly smirked. "We'll do our best to put on a show."

"Leave the ignorant to us. They are not worthy to trample amongst the same earth as us." Zion retorted. "We'll bathe this land with their blood…for their arrogance."

"We shall not fail you, oh great one." Lucia humbly remarked. "I believe they are on their way."

"Then, let us part for now. Hades Pillars, I'm leaving the rest to you. You know what must be done." With that, Riaan's body teleported with a magenta light. It vanished into thin air, which left the room a little warmer without his appearance.

A strong silence fell from the group afoot. Slowly, the silence was stopped by Magnus. "Yo, this the part where it gets really real, ain't that right?"

Galilea huffed. "It's been real from the start. You just now figured it out?"

"Hey, I was saying, that's all. Besides…" He thought for a moment how Shawn messed him up. "I'm really pissed after that. They're gonna be rolling on the ground."

"Well if we hurry along, maybe we'll have some spare time to wash up some more." Amina said casually, looking into her small mirror and applying powder to her cheeks. "Ah, who's the prettiest star of all?"

"Focus, Amina." Lucia scolded. "Our lord needs us to rely on right now."

"Yeah, yea. Almost done…"

"Lod Cyrus." Zion turned towards the main menace in the room, his disposition set with a serious frown. As usually seen with his grim-worthy smile his face was plastered with a foreboding dark aura.

The Interacian mastermind turned around, ready to enact the plan. "Hades Pillars, let us make our mark where the snow turns to ice…let's go."

---

Riaan teleported into a thin hallway. It had magenta chrome plastered all over the walls, which was absorbed from the Neathian world. He didn't mind though. He was used to the schematics at this point. He took a quick look around to see if anyone was around. It was bare.

"It seems that the soldiers understood the protocol, good. Galilea should've instructed them to keep this section of the Empyrean open as we have planned. Now then…" He walked down the hallway, taking his sweet time to admire the chrome and the smooth edges the Empyrean had to offer. He even looked down at is feet, which were on a black chrome pathway that lead towards the end of the hall. It went on for some time until came across what looked like a dead end. He stopped meters just before reaching it.

"Armagedoid, shall we see this through to the end?" he prompted.

"Yes, Master. We'll make everyone see Interacia's meaning to their lives." The black dragon responded. "Whatever it takes, we will succeed."

Riaan humbly smiled. "Couldn't have said it better myself." He looked forward and reached out. At his command, bright magenta outlined connected in a network, making something that looked like a passage that was being formed. They watched as the magenta lights flickered several times before a brighter flash blinded everything.

When the flash diminished, it revealed the wall had been completely dispersed. Instead, it revealed an arched opening that paved way into the darkness that was far below. Riaan walked closer towards it. Where it was shown to lead to a wide-open pathway of earth and tainted crystal. It was definitely to way towards the basin.

"Shall we?" Riaan asked, a serious tone in his voice. He went inside, fading into the darkness where his truths would lie.

---

Across the snowy wasteland, the Battle Brawlers and Julie were making their mark as they were hightailing towards Riaan's precious Empyrean. Julie was in the back with the cameraman trying to keep up with the pace as the stream was live for Earth to see.

"This is Julie Yamamoto here, live on the scenes of Neathia! Here we have Dan, Drago, and the Brawlers all making their way to stop Riaan and his evil henchmen known as Hades Pillars once and for all! As we speak, Neathia is slowly deteriorating. Luckily, the Brawlers have found reason to locate this menace and take him down for good! Go get'em guys!"

"thanks Julie." Dan smiled back, before facing forward as he ran in the snow. "This creep is after Code Eve. That's gotta be the one reason. Whatever happened, it doesn't matter at this point. What's important is that we try and save everyone by stopping this guy!"

"Dan's right! We're going to hit this guy with a coordinated attack so we can't lose!" Marucho replied.

"But I bet this guy ain't gonna be a pushover. Remember what he did to Shun before." Gunz foreboded.

"Yeah, but that was just me." Shun retorted. "But now, let's see how he handles the Brawlers at their full capacity. Keep your eyes open, everyone! We're within sight!"

They all continued running in complete, tough strides. They all had serious dispositions on them as they closed in on the Empyrean that towered above. The large chrome top was present that shined like a crystal ball in the morning light. Its shadow kept the Brawlers in the darkness, but they chose to persevere it through and stood against it.

"Alright…we're here. Now how are we gong to get in?" Dan questioned.

"If you set foot on it, it'll pick up on your signature in an instant." Shun informed.

"Once we get inside, we'll need to move as fast as we can to avoid any traps or soldiers." Marucho reminded. "Remember, each soldier is armed with their own weapon, not to mention Bakugan that can use Battlegear and Mobile Assault Vehicles. We need to quickly learn how this thing is laid out, find the schematics, and use them to help track down Riaan's targeted location."

"Then we should hurry." Reptak informed. "Huh?" He turned around at the sight of something.

"What is it, Reptak?" Gunz asked.

"There's something coming."

"Huh?" Drago and the other Bakugan turned around with the Brawlers towards the designated area Reptak meant. Coming closer, they saw the figments that were running hastily towards them, and from the looks on their faces, they were deathly serious.

Dan's eyes widened in the realization. "It's those guys again…"

"What do they want now?" Gunz questioned, irritation as well as surprise hinted in his tone.

Everyone watched Luke's group close in, their running pace starting to slack once they've gotten close enough. They quickly caught on, evident seriousness in their faces.

"Woah guys! Where did you come from!" Julie quipped, before turning around to face the camera. "Ladies and gentlemen, it looks like the Battle Brawlers' entourage has come to back them up in this serious hour of need!"

The others grouped together and came to a realization. The first to accommodate the voice of reason was none other than Dan himself. "Guys, what are you doing here?"

Shawn raised a brow. "Huh, guess we weren't the only ones who had the idea, didn't we?"

Shun furrowed his brow. "You guys…I thought we told you to stay back!"

"Zip it, ninja boy." Shuji scoffed. "That goes for your posse as well. You're not our supervisors, you got that?"

"C'mon, this is crazy!" Marucho chimed. He walked up between everyone, looking up at the others with an annoyed brow. "Look, I get it, you both make good points, but we can't just sit by and have an accident like what you went through happen again. It's just too risky. What are you trying to prove?"

"That's none of your business anymore." Jelldon whimsically chimed.

"What?!"

Luke stepped up. "Look, we've been trying to have your backs, but you can't everything yourselves. That's just wrong. Have you guys really seen what these guys can do in a serious fight?"

Esther stepped up. "He's right."

Dan balled his fist. "Yeah, we know that guys! That's why we're doing this! Look, even if this is another trap, there's been too much needless destruction. If Drago and I are the only hope we've got at stopping this guy, then we've gotta push past ourselves to defeat this joker!"

Jase prodded his glasses. "There's not much difference between 'defeat' and 'kill' in warfare. By 'defeat', if you mean by simply attacking Armagedoid, I'm afraid that won't solve much."

"Well it's not we wanna kill them either." Dan argued.

"Either way, if you don't, he will. I'm not entitled to judge you based on your past endeavors, but this one won't stop at anything until he gets to his ultimate goal. He'll kill if necessary, and he most certainly will this time."

"Stop saying things like that! We can't resort to that!" Marucho pleaded.

"Wake the hell up, you little pipsqueak." Shuji lowly roared. "How's about you tell his posse that, you think they'll listen to anything you have to say?"

"Look, we don't wanna do this as much as you guys either." Luke stated, looking down at his feet. "Honestly, it makes me sick just having to…but if he doesn't go down one way or another, then everyone will die. That's the reality."

"Yes…I couldn't agree more."

Shawn glanced off to the side. He noticed something that caught his attention. "Look out!"

Everyone turned to see several daggers flung in their direction. Shawn moved in front of Gunz, while Jase, Luke, and Esther stepped and deflected the daggers around the open Battle Brawlers. There was a pause before the daggers fell and pierced the snow around Julie and the cameraman.

"These daggers…" Jase dreaded. "Then that could only mean…"

They all turned towards the Empyrean. Stepping towards them a distance away, six prominent figures had an abnormal chill that could've been felt through the camera lens. Everyone back home who could be watching felt a complete chill crawl down their spines.

"Hades Pillars!" Shawn exclaimed.

"What?! Those guys again?!" Dan retorted, his fists balling. "Aw snap…"

Esther grabbed her weapon and gave Cyrus a grueling glare back. She was far from elated to see him again, and that was putting it mildly. Seeing that expression of cold depth gave the Hades Pillars leader a half-grin of his own. "Seems that there's a fate mending ourselves to meet like this, wouldn't you say?" The atmosphere around Cyrus was blackening, dimming the hue of the sun just a little like how a shadow overtakes a person. "It seems you have yet to learn your lesson on fear, young ones." He grinned menacingly. "What a crude fate this must be."

Shun stepped in front along with the Battle Brawlers. "Stay back everyone, these guys are far too dangerous!"

Zion stepped forward, holding out his blade. "You say that, and yet you have guts to stand there without being prepared yourselves. Hogwash."

"You're the one who's responsible for a lot of people that got hurt!" Marucho shouted. "Ren. Elright. And everyone who was friends with them all got hurt! How could you even do something like that?!"

Lucia closed her eyes to answer. "You misunderstand, Marakuda. What happened was a result of the fate that was foreseen. It was made into a reality that our gracious one willingly chose to enact upon. If you are implying that your actions provide fruit compared to our own, perhaps it's best that you take a long look in the mirror." She narrowed her glance at Amina. "Isn't that right, Amina?"

Amina huffed.

"These guys are completely psycho…" Gunz grunted.

Magnus raised a brow beneath his replacement visors. "Yo, you think we psycho? How's about you guys be left in the streets helpless, see what psycho really looks like."

"What he's saying is that you aren't understanding your position. You nether have any obligation nor an establishment with us." Galilea interpreted. "You fail to understand even the position you're in right now. Have you any idea whom we are?"

"Yeah, we know alright. You guys are Riaan's lackies, right?" Dan demanded. "You guys are gonna move, one way or the other. And we'll take you down if you don't!"

Zion held up the M240L that was hanging by its strap beside him, immediately putting Dan's words and actions on halt. And how do you intend to back your words, up, boy?"

Julie gasped at the actions played out here. "W-wait! Guys! This is getting out of hand! Maybe we should-?!"

The gun fired at Julie to shut her up. Just before the eye could blink, the bullet deflected off the metallic spear that Esther wielded, which saved Julie. Zion aimed at Dan and fired again to shut him up, but Luke's sword deflected the shot in time, giving Shawn the chance to jump over and attack with his rapier. An elated Zion smirked widely and withdrew his machine gun to bring out his dagger to parry Shawn's slash. The two were caught in a brief stalemate as they locked eyes, their writhe in defined pupils that were piercing to the look. It didn't take much for Shawn to inevitably fall back and get in front amongst his other peers.

"Hmph, that's more like an answer." Zion sneered.

"Unreal…" Dan's life flashed before his eyes. He could've been punctured by a bullet straight through the chest and that would've been it. He didn't know what to say, but he was breathless already. The foul atmosphere Cyrus emitted from his presence alone was hampering at best.

He felt something that shook uncontrollably. He looked down at his hand, realizing that it was shaking. Not just from the cold, but from the adrenaline. It was completely unreal, just as he said earlier.

"Guys, did you all see that?! The Battle Brawlers' entourage swooped in and saved us at the last second!" Julie chimed.

On Earth, everyone who was watching the broadcast, which was just about everyone, turned away from what they were doing and saw the camera angle where the Battle Brawlers were intercepted by the Hades Pillars. Those who were emotional flinched at the show of Zion's attack, and even more so from Luke's group's interception playing out.

"Who're those guys?"

"Beats me, but they just saved Dan and the others from that guy!"

"Why's the one guy have a gun? Doesn't he know that's unsafe, what is he even thinking?"

"Yeah, and why are they stopping the Brawlers? What are they trying to do, get hurt?"

"Mommy, I'm scared!"

"It's okay dear, I'm sure Dan and everyone will do their best to make sure this passes over."

Back at the manor, Cale was with Augustine and Claire in the living room as the broadcast was still being played out thanks to the Bakugan City broadcast station. They witnessed the scene, and they were just as stunned, but on a more understanding note as they saw Luke and everyone against Hades Pillars.

"Luke…Shawn…" Claire looked at the screen with deep worry. "Please boys, be safe…"

The group glared daggers at Hades Pillars as a howling wind passed between them. The atmosphere flashed with dark sparks to show unstable levels of negative energy on the rise. The Battle Brawlers were behind, feeling goosebumps and balling fists, but Luke and everyone were upfront and ready to act on the mark. No way were they going to go easy on them.

"Either way, if you don't, he will. I'm not entitled to judge you based on your past endeavors, but this one won't stop at anything until he gets to his ultimate goal. He'll kill if necessary, and he most certainly will this time."

Shun thought about what Jase said earlier, and it was proven firsthand at that. He still thought the way they did things was completely wrong, but he didn't have time to scold them not teach them how a real battle should be wagered. But even if he did, just from the tone Hades Pillars gave, they wouldn't have listened to begin with.

"This is crazy…" Gunz grunted, teeth gritting from the pressure swelling.

Zion glared daggers at everyone who dared opposed them. Half of them had weapons, and another half he remembered having beef with, specifically Luke and Shuji. "Lord Cyrus, I believe that we have a score to settle with these bottomdwellers, don't we?"

"Yes, Zion, I believe we do." The Hades Pillars leader stared at Esther and Luke, having beef with them as well. "This should be very interesting."

"Guess they're locked on now." Maggie retorted.

Jase prodded his glasses quickly. "Yes, I do believe that you're right." While keeping his attention on them, he glanced back. "Stay back!"

"Hey wait guys!" Dan interjected. "You guys insane, you can't just…!" He felt a hand on his shoulder, making him turn towards the hand's owner. "Shun?"

Shun gave Dan a serious glare. "Dan, listen. We have to go. We stay any longer, it'll only shorten Neathia's lifespan that much sooner."

Dan wanted to fret, but he knew what the priorities were. "Yeah, I know…" He gave the others a grim look. He wanted to help them. No. Rather, he needed to. He needed to help everyone as much as possible, and work hard to show everything battling is fair sportsmanship. But with the others impeding, he knew he had to save it for Riaan and Armagedoid. His fists balled in growing frustration.

"Dan, we need to hurry!" Drago insisted.

"Alright…" Dan started running around, but not without the others. "You guys better be careful, ya hear?! Just wait, Riaan and Armagedoid are going down before you even know it!"

Luke held his sword up in defense. "Got it…thanks." It was half-hearted, but he made sure to sound genuine and concerned as he could. 'Better hope they know what they're doing. No, better to think…it's best we watch our backs for these guys. We need to stop them here and now.'

The Brawlers, as well as Julie, started around them. They maneuvered quickly, and Zion attempted to get out his gun until Shawn and Jase impeded on either side.

"Where do you think you're aiming at?" Shawn threatened.

Zion growled at them, ready to fire past them to get at the Brawlers. His weapons was unsoundly touched and lowered by Cyrus, who insisted on him standing down. "Zion…I believe we'll have no say at the moment. Besides, our lord has a particular taste in the Brawlers."

Remembering the orders, Zion backed down and stepped back amongst his peers. They looked at Luke and the others and sneered back at them. "Hmph, very well then. Let our eminent one burn them himself. They'll understand where they lie along the ties of reality. For now…" He aimed a dagger at the enemies afoot. "Let's burn these pests alive."

"As crude in tone as you are, Zion, I share the sentiment." Lucia opened her eyes. "We'll deal with this problem ourselves."

Shawn braced his fencer. "Well, this is it. Guess there's no turning back now."

"Better we finish this fast. Who knows what trap Riaan may have for the others." Verias insisted.

"Then we shall fight, with the best of what our abilities can compensate." Atmos declared.

Jelldon moved his tiny arms. "Let's go get'em!"

"Atchibee."

Atchibee nodded at Esther's words. "Don't worry, Esther. I'm here. As long as we are amongst our peers, we'll never feel lonely again."

Luke stood beside his peers, sword up. "Guys, this time, we stand together! It's time we step up for everyone else!"

Abis nodded. "Undoubtedly. Luke…let's give them a fight worthy for them."

Luke understood the sentiment, nodding humbly. "…yeah."

Cyrus: 100% Luke: 100%

Zion: 100% Esther: 100%

Galilea: 100% Maggie: 100%

Lucia: 100% Shuji: 100%

Magnus: 100% Shawn: 100

Amina: 100% Jase: 100%

Zion scoffed, holding up a Gate Card. "Alright you fools…it's time that we end this and you, for the reality that our lord shall bring."

Here they come!" Shuji warned. "Look alive!"

Everyone braced themselves as Hades Pillars pulled back for their Bakugan to be launched.

"Bakugan, brawl!" Zion threw his first, making a red ball roll and pop out. "Bakugan, stand! Rise, Pyrus Snapzoid!" A dark flame brewed skywards, floating in front of everyone. They all covered up as the embers billowed past them. A dark silhouette with magenta accents arose, causing the flames to recede and burst, making magenta embers flutter around the roaring Snapzoid.

Amina threw her Bakugan next, doing a sideswipe without so much as looking where she was throwing. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Go, Aquos Nastix!" A blue aura arose from the earth as a slime-like amorphous arose. Nastix arose, his gurgles causing ripples to reverberate off his body and vibrate the lumps on his back.

Lucia closed her eyes to concentrate. She did her own sideswipe with much more elegance. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Arise, Haos Lumitroid!" In a broad light, a radiant sheen gleamed everywhere as a cyclopean eye blinked. Several pincers pierced the icy snow to make cracks in it as the scorpion arose with a shrieking hiss.

"Bakugan…brawl!" Magnus shot his Bakugan out, making it roll up and stand. "Bakugan, stand! Go, Subterra Glotronoid!" An orange-brown glow radiated across the snow, which subsequently made it that much harder. The minerals glistened and shattered as magenta accents gleamed brightly as Glotronoid's black armored frame arose. He raised his head high, emitting a bloodcurdling shriek of terror into the foul air.

"Bakugan, brawl!" Galilea threw her Bakugan into play next. "Bakugan, stand! Go, Ventus Buz Hornix!" A green whirlwind spewed a draft into the air, summoning a gale that everyone had to cover up from yet again. The gale's wind dissipated to reveal the black hornet with magenta accents, her wings buzzing immeasurably to keep her body above her peers.

Cyrus threateningly gazed ahead as he brought his arm back, taking a pose as his cape swirled in the darkness. "Bakugan…brawl!" He threw his Bakugan in, which sustained a pressure with each time the ball touched the snow. "Bakugan, stand! Arise, Darkus Raptorix!" A dark haze with a gravity field around exerted across the battlefield. The chill in the air instantly froze, making blast frost mix with the darkness surrounding everyone. A pair of huge shoulder wings extended and allowed a dark silhouette to level above every other Bakugan there. The darkness faded enough for Raptorix' dull eyes to gleam down, giving any weaklings a chill down their spine. His shriek was like that of terror itself.

"No holding back everyone." Esther declared. "Now, let's go!"

"Bakugan…BRAWL!" The six contenders balled their fists tight, throwing everyone in at the same time. Six attributed glows radiated across the battlefield. "Bakugan, stand!"

"Let's go, Haos Prime Verias!" In a bright Haos light, a staff twirled in midair before brass knuckles and sharp claws caught it, making its ends unsheathe long, sharp, golden axe blades. It twirled around several times before cleaving into the ground. Verias let loose an enraged, primal shout that literally shook the ground and air alike.

"Hit them hard, Subterra Stag Fly Beetle!" The earth cracked beneath as snow depressed when two stick legs hit them. A massive horn with an axe-like end arose into the air as red, bug eyes glistened in the morning sun. Fly Beetle flexed his arms and pincers with a chilling hiss.

"Go, Pyrus Glow Jelldon!" A red glow illuminated along the snow, making it heat up. A crater of softened snow burst with tentacles that were covered in plasma static. The crackling generated from the bright gel sacs all around Jelldon's body as even his eyes were gleaming menacingly. When he unleashed his own battle-ready roar, the static intensified along with hos glow.

"Arise, Ventus Gale Atmos!" A green typhoon shot high into the air, much higher than anyone else. It leveled itself across the atmosphere and dissipated, revealing four wings that broke through and flapped. The residual gales ruffled the feathers of Atmos as he let out a shriek, while his blades on his wing joints rotated like fans.

"Go! Aquos Frill Abis Omega!" A deep blue aquatic cyclone raged in place before the waves were exhaled by the extension of flexed frills. They punctured the water tornado and fanned out the water, making it drizzle around Abis as his coiled frame unleashed a loud shriek that exposed his sharp teeth.

"Dusk Atchibee…come forth!" A dark tornado surfaced atop the snow, glistening dark purple and pink in the arrays. Inside, beats were heard from wings as four bloody red eyes glare daggers through the darkness. It dispersed, revealing the glowing eye patterns of Atchibee as her long scythes were up. She expelled a chilling shriek that froze the darkness in place, like a voice that froze light and dark itself.

Frill Abis Omega: 700/Dusk Atchibee: 700/ Glow Jelldon/Stag Fly Beetle: 700/Prime Verias: 700/Gale Atmos: 700 = 4200

Raptorix: 800/ Snapzoid: 700/Buz Hornix: 800/Lumitroid: 700/Glotronoid: 700/ Nastix: 700 = 4400

The twelve Bakugan were sneering and eyeing each other, awaiting for what's to be done. The air was nearly trembling with the six Interacian Bakugan spouting negative energy just from being close to one another. They all emitted great pressure, enough to make anyone's heartbeat reverberate through the arteries and back into the bloodstream at double the speed. The adrenaline was leaving everyone speechless as each person had their own motives, and with them, a different agenda, but it all came down to how they will fight to ensure their ideology prevailed. They didn't want to resort to such violent measures – at least no one on Luke's side – but this was war. And in war, all is fair. If one side gave in so soon, they could possibly end up dead. Even if the battlefield was going to be a warzone, they had to get through and spill blood as needed. Because in the reality of such futures, another has to be sacrificed.

A dark, malicious smirk crossed over Cyrus' lips, his face darkening as he was shrouded within the back of his peers. "Now then…shall we unchained the beasts?"

Shuji's eyes narrowed. "Here they come. Get ready."

Fly Beetle spread his heels and curled his claws to dig into the icy snow. Atmos flapped and retained a high mobility level below Atchibee, who fluttered over Abis as his frills quivered to intimidate.

For a brief moment, a flash of Luka and Brontes came back to their minds. Abis and Luke's glares hardened. 'Guys…we're gonna pull through…whatever it takes to make our lives worth it!'

Another tension in the air brought along a brief pause. The chill in the air suspended for a moment.

Cyrus whipped his cape, swiping his arm. "Show us…your fears! Hades Pillars…crumble them to Hell!"

The first the act was Magnus. His visors blinked as he eyed Shawn angrily. "Time to school your ass for what you did before. Ability, activate! Nail Predator!" Glotronoid's claws glowed orange-brown and he eyed Verias. He zipped across the battlefield after the simian who braced himself.

"Look alive, Verias!" Shawn warned.

"Jelldon, back him up!" Maggie shouted.

Jelldon raised his tendrils in anticipation. "You got it, Maggie!"

Glotronoid closed the gap and slashed at Verias. Using a successful parry of his axe staff, he managed to deflect a sharp jab, followed by several consecutive swipes. The armored lizard was dragging his heels and slashing, unwilling to give Verias an opening, but was also too slow compared to the reflexes the ape had.

"Yo, nail that walking rug trash!" Magnus ordered. Glotronoid bent his knees and did a cross swipe, managing to make and advance onto Verias.

Just as he was about to slash the ape, a tentacle laced around Verias' staff, puling him back in a sling as the slash was directing into Jelldon.

"Ability, activate!" Maggie shouted. "Hot Flash!"

Jelldon anticipated him to draw near and his gel sacs glowed bright red. A superheated energy ripple emitted from his body, illuminating the atmosphere and Glotronoid's vision. With a hampered vision, his claws retraced to standard size as his power declined all the way down to 400.

"Nice work, guys!" Shawn smirked. "Ability, activate! Primera Pressure!"

Jelldon lashed his arm out like a whip, violently bringing Verias around, who had a glowing yellow aura and veins around his joints and fists. He whipped around and brought his fist back. "You're going down! HRAH!" With Glotronoid immobilized, he was open to be punched into the armored chest plate with an air ripple beaming through. He slid through the snow away past his comrades.

Frill Abis Omega: 700/Dusk Atchibee: 700/Glow Jelldon/Stag Fly Beetle: 700/Prime Verias: 700 (+400) = 1100/Gale Atmos: 700 = 4600

Raptorix: 800/Snapzoid: 700/Buz Hornix: 800/Lumitroid: 700/Glotronoid: 400/Nastix: 700 = 4100

With his comrade taking a blow, Zion found the opportunity to throw a knife at them. Jase was perceptive enough to deflect it using the elongated metal taser that he had stashed away. It was swung, deflecting it into the snow. "Ability, activate! Verity Fire!" Snapzoid opened wide, gathering a mass of swirling fire and unleashed it across the snow. As his power shot up to 1100, the snow beneath the fire funnel melted into a paved trail towards the enemies afoot.

"Ability, activate!" Jase countered. "Omni Storm!" Atmos brought his wings back and flew forward, unleashing an immensely powerful whirlwind that blasted into the fire. The power balanced out as the flames dispersed, while Atmos' power arose to 1100.

The whirlwinds dissipated, leaving another blank space that needed to be filled. Amina scoffed at her opportunity. "Hmph, this should wash up that diseased flier. Ability, activate! Morph Cluster!" Nastix brought his head back and lurched forward. His maw expelled globs of bright blue slime that went up like projectiles at Atmos as he was stationary.

"Ability, activate! Chrysalis Shield!"

At the last second, Atchibee moved in front of Atmos and generated a shield wall of pink crystal. The globs struck the shield, continuously barraging it to no avail.

Amina scoffed. "Cowards."

Frill Abis Omega: 700 (+300) = 1000/Dusk Atchibee: 700 (+300) = 1000/Glow Jelldon: 700 (+300) = 1000/Stag Fly Beetle: 700 (+300) = 1000/Prime Verias: 1100 (+300) = 1400/Gale Atmos: 1100 (+300) = 1400 = 6800

Raptorix: 800/Snapzoid: 1100/Buz Hornix: 800/Lumitroid: 700/Glotronoid: 400/Nastix: 700 = 4500

"Nice one." Shuji smirked.

Esther glared intensely forward. "Don't mention it."

"Shuji!" Fly Beetle tucked himself in, giving the signal that his partner needed.

"Yeah I know. Wait for it." He leered forward, looking beyond the crystal barrier.

On the other side of the barrier, Amina whipped a lock back as she huffed irritably. "Hmph, I can break that easily…" She went to activate another ability, but Lucia stepped in front. "Ugh, what could you possibly want now?"

"Please. Allow me to deflect this barricade. The others may have already anticipated we might break through." She slowly raised her Bakumeter, indicating an ability activating. "Therefore, we must act accordingly to what fate brings us. Now…ability activate, Irate Eye!"

Lumitroid raised his eye and gleamed in the general direction where Atchibee would be. The eye brightened until it unleashed a bright yellow blazing beam that went diagonally upwards. It struck the crystal barrier, causing a brief stalemate as Atchibee went back to 700, while Lumitroid went up to 1000.

The blazing yellow light was slowly working its way through the barrier. It cracked and shattered several pieces as Atchibee ascended higher with Atmos to ensure they had room. Soon enough the beam broke through, but with the timing it missed them both.

Lucia narrowed her eye. "Don't think it'll be that easy."

Lumitroid turned its iris about. Wherever it looked, the yellow beam followed. It closed in on Atchibee, but it suddenly did a perfect 90 Degree turn downwards into Jelldon. His body was a translucent bright red as the attack rippled into his frame. The conduction left Lucia mildly unamused.

Frill Abis Omega: 1000/Atchibee: 700 (+300) = 1000/Glow Jelldon: 1000 (+200) = 1200/Stag Fly Beetle: 1300/Prime Verias: 1400/Gale Atmos: 1400 = 6700

Raptorix: 800/Snapzoid: 1100/Buz Hornix: 800/Lumitroid:1000 (-300) = 700/Glotronoid: 400/Nastix: 700 = 4500

The beam kept blitzing, but Jelldon kept conducting it. Maggie was thankful that her Bakumeter showed the Soft Conductor ability active. 'This won't hold them for long. They'll strike back, I just know it! We have to strike back quick!' She glanced at Shuji. "Hurry, while Jelldon is containing the attack!"

Shuji nodded. "Right. Double ability, activate!"

Hades Pillars waited patiently as Lumitroid's attack ultimately was futile. The ground started shaking as the rest of the crystal barrier went down, shattering around them all like rain. The fragments were blown away as pressure built around Stag Fly Beetle's horn as he got down on all six legs with a brown-orange aura. "Giga Horn Buster-!"

"Plus, Correlation of Haos to Subterra!" Shuji finished. He swiped his arm, unleashing Fly Beetle's terrifying beam that went across the ground into Lumitroid. It drew closer, becoming brighter, until the energy beam caused a tremendous explosion in the middle of the snowy battlefield that made the chunky earth overturn beneath.

Frill Abis Omega: 1000/Dusk Atchibee: 1000/Glow Jelldon: 1200/Stag Fly Beetle: 1000 (+300 +300) = 1600/Prime Verias: 1400/Gale Atmos: 1400 = 7600

Raptorix: 800/Snapzoid: 1100/Buz Hornix: 800/Lumitroid: 700 (-300) = 400/Glotronoid: 400/Nastix: 700 = 4200

With the smoke surging around Hades Pillars, the others didn't get a chance to see what they were up to. In a split second, the smoke started spinning around, revealing Buz Hornix surrounded by a green maelstrom that she created.

"Clever." Galilea reached out her arm to direct the cyclone. "But futile! Ability activate, Barbarian Tornado!" Buz Hornix arose slightly higher and beat her wings harder. The green cyclone sped across the battlefield into Fly Beetle, who crossed his arms and dug his midsection pincers into the icy snow as an anchor. The tornado swallowed him, trying hard to move him around, but he was anchored good to the earth. His power declined to 1300, while Buz Hornix arose to 1100.

The tornado spun around freely, causing a stir that Atmos and Atchibee had to loom over. But they didn't act just yet. Everyone below stayed away as the tornado was wrecking their focus.

"There, that'll hold them for a short while…" Galilea paused. She noticed something vague about all this. "Hold on. Wasn't there six of them?"

Zion narrowed his eyes. He knew this trick and looked down. And judging from Lucia's reaction, she had the same emotionless anticipation too.

"Ability, activate! Dive Bomb!"

The shout came just before the snowy ground was shining bright blue. Beneath Hades Pillars' Bakugan, ripples distorted the snow before gushes spouted around Glotronoid and Nastix.

Magnus raised a brow. "What the-?!"

The spouts followed the direction of the bright blue serpentine hidden under. Everytime he passed under a Bakugan, they were swallowed in gushes of torrents that spouted spontaneously. It was a landmine of spouts that didn't let up and caused Hades Pillars to cover up as some gushes drizzled onto them.

Frill Abis Omega: 1000/Dusk Atchibee: 1000/Glow Jelldon: 1200/Stag Fly Beetle: 1300/Prime Verias: 1400/Gale Atmos: 1400 = 7300

Raptorix: 800 (-300) = 500/Snapzoid: 1100 (-300) = 800/Buz Hornix: 1100 (-300) = 800/Lumitroid: 400 (-300) = 100/Glotronoid: 400 (-300) = 100/Nastix: 700 (-300) = 400 = 2700

The ground continued erupting, unleashing spouts that closed off the others. In a brief flash in her head, Lucia foresaw something blitzing through the water. She looked intently at the geysers. "Zion, ahead of you. 4 seconds…3…2…1…"

On que, Zion braced himself with his axe as the wave of water receded. It revealed Luke diving at him with his blade in hand. Zion parried with great force of his own, quickly battering Luke away in a slide across the snow. Zion snarled as he whipped out his dagger inserted in his gauntlet and went racing ahead. Luke and Zion went into a vicious parry with each other, bordering along strength and agility.

Zion jabbed forward, but Luke flowed around and slashed. He cut the dagger clean off, making it pierce the snow while Zion slide back from the force. He looked ahead with slight shock on his face. "You…"

With Luke on the forefront, Abis was swerving through, gushing up waterspouts relentlessly. One got a little too high up towards Snapzoid, intending to blow him away.

"Ability, activate." Cyrus announced calmly. "Vengeful Ripper!"

The spout drew closer to Snapzoid, until a dark spritz sliced clean through the water, leaving petrified globs of water in the wake of Raptorix as it snarled down below. He emitted a foreboding howl as his claws were still glowing dark purple and lengthened. He looked down at the snow and slashed a wave through it.

The burst brought out Abis, who grunted at the opening left for the enemy. His power dropped to 700, whereas Raptorix surfaced towards 800. The Darkus Bakugan instantly closed the gap with claws bared ready to slash Abis through. 'He's too fast!'

Cyrus smirked.

The claws drew closer until a bare hand intercepted it. The knuckles were coated with a glowing light, one that was by a familiar white fur on a familiar ape-like ally.

"Verias!"

The ape was holding Raptorix' hand in his harsh clutches. He pushed back, managing to gain ground. "Don't worry. We're right behind you, Abis."

Zion looked towards his right and saw a swipe of a rapier in time. He deterred away from the shot, allowing Shawn room to cover Luke from the front. "You heard the man, Luke. Don't worry."

Luke immediately recovered from the backlash. "Thanks guys."

Shawn smirked, but it turned to a frown as he faced Zion and Cyrus. "Now…time to get back for everything! Ability, activate! Brass Sheria!" Verias clutched Raptorix tighter, nearly squeezing off his hands as the dark purple claws degenerated as the brass knuckles absorbed the energy and converted it to light that gathered within the armor around Verias.

Frill Abis Omega: 700 (+300) = 1000/Dusk Atchibee: 1000/Glow Jelldon: 1200/Stag Fly Beetle: 1300/Prime Verias: 1400 (+300 +200) = 1900/Gale Atmos: 1400 = 7800

Raptorix: 800 (-300 -200) = 300/Snapzoid: 800/Buz Hornix: 800/Lumitroid: 100/Glotronoid: 100/Nastix: 400

Raptorix attempted to break away, but Verias' iron grip was too strong. The brass knuckles shined in his free left hand and let out a primal roar.

"You're…" He pulled the fist forward, just as the thought of the lights Paradox Brontes gave off came to mind. His drive hardened his fist. "GOING DOWN!" The fist made impact with Raptorix' chest, nearly shattering the insides in a bright airwave. The impact sent him screeching and sailing across the battlefield towards Buz Hornix, who was unaware at the time and was blindsided with the black beast pushing her towards the ground. Both sundered harshly into the snow, causing an eruption of frost to arise.

For a moment, Shawn and Verias looked to be relieved they could take that. But said relief turned to a frown when they noticed Zion adjusting so his axe was attached to his arm. "Hmph, so celebrate yet, fool."

Luke and Shawn braced themselves.

"Ability activate!" Magnus gave a gping moment to throw them off. "Bright Cell!" Glotronoid fired an intense beam from his chest that aimed for Verias and Abis. Together they managed to advert the attack with Verias whirling around and slicing through it. But that didn't stop Glotronoid's power from shooting up to 800.

"Ability, activate! Gape Demon!" Snapzoid opened his maw as wide as he could, expelling a gaping large beam that spread across the battlefield. Abis and Verias were quick to duck and veer away. As Zion raced under the beam to cleave at the battlers, Abis snaked a coil and pulled them towards him. Zion cleave into the ground in silence. He looked up slowly as Abis and Verias retreated as the beam continued towards the others.

"Jase! Incoming!" Shawn warned.

Getting the hint, Jase allowed the attack to draw further and managed an ability. "Ability, activate! Vacuum Turmoil!" Atmos moved in front of his peers and craned his neck around. He let out a caw as the joint blade flexed and started spinning in the same direction. Whirlwinds gathered in an instant and sucked in the gaping attack in an instant. The swirling mesh was being funneled through and pulled around as Zion stared with a grim gaze. Atmos fanned out further and ascended, shrieking as he returned the attack with the boost from the winds. The gaping red beam expanded until it was to the point of swallowing Hades Pillars even.

Lucia grimly stopped in her tracks when Amina stepped up. "Pfft, don't flick what we throw at you. That's inappropriate. Ability, activate! Blind Shade!" The bumps on Nastix' back glowed bright blue. As the massive cyclone of red was about to swallow them, the blue light expanded, engulfing a blinding ray that dissipated the whirlwinds on the spot, allowing everyone to settle as Nastix' power returned to 700.

'They nullified the ability.' Jase deduced.

Amina shot Lucia a matter-of-fact look. "Hmph, does that 'act accordingly' enough for you to keep up with?"

Lucia gave no adequate response. Instead she chose to answer with a huff.

Buz Hornix and Raptorix soon arose. Thanks to Nastix' cover, both were back in the air at last, and now they were thirsty for some action. The other Bakugan braced themselves son the spot.

Galilea lifted her Bakumeter, readying an ability. 'Attack now while they're regrouping! Find their vulnerable points!' She reached out. "Ability activate, Durandel Cannon!" Buz Hornix' eyes glowed bright green as her wings hummed louder than before. The energy transcended into the several spikes along her abdomen, eventually compressing green energy into them and open fired at everyone. The beams blitzed into everyone, but they were smart enough to evade and lean off to various sides as the attacks exploded in the distance.

Frill Abis Omega: 1000 (-400) = 600/Dusk Atchibee: 1000 (-400) = 600/Glow Jelldon: 1200 (-400) = 800/Stag Fly Beetle: 1300 (-400) = 900/Prime Verias: 1900 (-400) = 1500/Gale Atmos: 1400 (-400) = 1000 = 5400

Raptorix: 300/Snapzoid: 800/Buz Hornix: 800 (+400) = 1200/Lumitroid: 100/Glotronoid: 500/Nastix: 700 = 3600

The beams relentlessly fired at everyone, even at the battlers. When one beam was heading towards Esther, she instinctively ducked to avoid getting vaporized. Another trailed after Luke, but he used his sword to bunt and deflect the beam, though it did make him slide back a few feet. The green rays were hampering their efforts to get them to stay still and effectively counter, something Jase picked up on.

'She's using her abilities to stop us manually.' He saw the intense, serious look in her eyes. 'Seems she's much more serious as opposed to last time.'

With everyone scrambling, Zion and Cyrus stepped up. They found a perfect opening to get at them. They didn't bother looking at each other to know what they wanted to do.

Atchibee was maneuvering around the beams, gracefully evading the assault. As she was watching out, something swiftly appeared behind, causing Esther to look up just as Atchibee noticed.

"Ability, activate! Violent Razor!"

Raptorix' wings and claws were defined and hardened. They lengthened and had steel-cutting points, as demonstrated when he raised a claw, he came down just as Atchibee used her scythes to block. Her power was instantly reduced to 200. The slash was so powerful it immediately grounded her, causing snow to erupt behind everyone.

"Atchibee?!" Verias looked up, seeing Raptorix high above with a dark gleam. "Where did he come from…?"

Zion went for the attack while the opening was still there. "Ability, activate! Snake Bind!"

Verias was just about to inquire before he turned around. He saw a massive red snake tongue head his way and battered it away. Only instead, its fangs on the mouth it had bit down on the staff, suppressing Verias' attempt. Snapzoid snarled as his snake tongue started pushing, coiling slowly around the staff to make it heavier so Verias was unable to use his weapon, even as his power declined to 1200.

Zion threw another knife at Shawn to ensure he was aware. Instinctively he used his rapier and deflected it. The killer glared daggers, ironically, at him. "Hmph, ironic. How could you leave yourself so open? I pegged you all to be better than that at this point."

Shawn narrowed his eyes in disgust. The beams kept firing from Durandel Cannon being active still, and with Verias immobilized, they started converging onto him. Snapzoid maintained the hold to blow him away next.

Staying low from cannon energy, Maggie looked up resolute. "Jelldon, Attribute Change!"

Having no time for a comment, Jelldon nodded and his gel sac on his front glowed multiple colors. They intensified, and the pattern across the body had become Ventus.

Another vivid beam converged onto him, along with Raptorix diving down to rip Atchibee apart. "Maggie managed to intercept in time with an ability counter. "Ability activate, Jetstream!" Jelldon's midsection cap expelled a massive draft that shot outwards. Whirlwinds blew around until they spiraled out of control. They pushed Raptorix away, while diffusing the green beams. The winds struck Snapzoid as well, causing him to loosen his grip enough for Verias to realize his chance. He swatted the tongue back and jumped away as he and Atchibee regrouped with everyone.

Frill Abis Omega: 600 (+400) = 1000/Dusk Atchibee: 200 (+400 +400) = 1000/Glow Jelldon: 800 (+400) = 1200/Stag Fly Beetle: 900 (+400) = 1300/Prime Verias: 1200 (+400 +300) = 1900/Gale Atmos: 1000 (+400) = 1400 = 7800

Raptorix: 300/Snapzoid: 800/Buz Hornix: 1200 (-400) = 800/Lumitroid: 100/Glotronoid: 500/Nastix: 700 = 3200

"Good save!" Verias commented.

Jelldon stared forward in resolution. "No problem!"

Atmos ascended with a large flap of his wings. With him above everybody else, Atchibee was down below, along with Fly Beetle, who took to the skies with his own wings to match their height. Jase, Esther, and Shuji respectively got an idea.

Jase pulled out an ability to activate the sequence. "Ability activate, Tailwind!" Atmos shrieked and flapped his four wings, generating a strong draft that pushed up against everyone behind. Atmos' power went up to 1700 as he continued flapping.

Esther pulled out two abilities as Shuji followed with two of his own. "Double ability, activate!" Both shouted.

"Glare Astral, plus Fusion Ability, Vermilion Raid" Atchibee hissed as her wing patterns' circular domains glowed brighter than before. They pulsated as the winds guided from Atmos above generated an immense dark gleam. Atchibee wasted no time unleashing dark beams that rained down along with a negative, searing blaze down onto Hades Pillars.

"Subterra Gravity, plus Fusion Ability, Grand Booster!" Fly Beetle stayed by Athcibee's side as the accents on his body glowed bright orange. He reached down towards Atchibee's attack as an orange-brown energy mass gave it all gravity. It caused it to spiral and surge into the enemy Bakugan with far more pressure than it did previously, making the atmosphere roar.

Frill Abis Omega: 1000/Dusk Atchibee: 1000 (+300 +100 +400 +100) = 1900/Glow Jelldon: 1200/Stag Fly Beetle: 1300 (+500 +100 +400 +100) = 2400/Prime Verias: 1900/Gale Atmos: 1700 = 10,100

Raptorix: 300 (-300 -100) = 0/Snapzoid: 800 (-300 -100) = 400/Buz Hornix: 800 (-300 -100) = 400/Lumitroid: 100 (-300 -100) = 0/Glotronoid: 500 (-300 -100) = 100/Nastix: 700 (-300 -100) = 300 = 1200

The attack homed in on the enemy Bakugan as everyone looked on with mixed feelings and hopeful shock. The gravity spiral of darkness blitzed at them with force packing pressure to vaporize the area. It was a moment's flash before an eruption of darkness exploded skywards. It shuddered the ground, creating shockwaves that overturned the ice and snow beneath. The atmosphere continued rampaging towards spontaneous magnitudes that refused to go down. The cloud bloomed heavily for the others to watch and anticipate.

"Damn…" Shawn whistled. His eyes widened at something. "Look!"

Luke caught the note and saw something that looked like a gun aimed at them. "Look out!" He moved his blade in front just as the gun fired. He was able to use his blade to bunt, thoughit did dent the flat end as it deflected away.

Inside the smoke surge, a snort was heard.

BA-DUMP!

A pulse ran through the air like a heartbeat. Everyone there was feeling an intense change in pressure as the smoke was starting to wane away. The smoke started crackling blue static, before a hideous gurgle shook everyone to their cores.

"You feel that…" Abis grunted.

Verias held up his staff in defense of the crackling air. "Yeah, I feel it…looks like they're just getting started."

The smoke suddenly dispersed by a plasmatic blast wave. It leveled the area, revealing Nastix, who was in front of his peers with a core and chord dissipating into his body. His entire frame's accents and bulbs were glowing an ominous magenta color as his slime-like frame was reverberating pressure. Amina stood proudly behind, smirking arrogantly with her Bakumeter showing an ability activated.

"Ability, activate…Neo Glowcer-X!"

Nastix snarled as he was shuddering from the wake of this pressure he was unleashing. He snarled menacingly as energy discharged rapidly across the snow, blowing after the others. The blast wave of chemical compounds and bright blue plasma was enough to make everyone get pushed back, whereas the humans had to ground themselves again to avoid being blown away by the roaring might.

Frill Abis Omega: 1000 (-500) = 500/Dusk Atchibee: 1900 (-950) = 950/Glow Jelldon: 1200 (-600) = 600/Stag Fly Beetle: 2400 (-1200) = 1200/Prime Verias: 1900 (-950) = 950/Gale Atmos: 1700 (-850) = 850 = 5050

Raptorix: 0/Snapzoid: 400/Buz Hornix: 400/Lumitroid: 0/Glotronoid: 100/Nastix: 400 (+5050 +500) = 5950 = 6850

Plasmatic pulses raced across the battlefield into everyone. They tried their best to hold their ground, but even Shuji was having a scuffle. Mostly because the traction with the overturning ice was liquifying because of the ice melting from the heated plasmatic charges.

"Now…to turn up the heat." Zion showed his card, which was a Forbidden Ability as well. "Burn them alive! Ability, activate! Spartan-X!" The bright core shined onto Snapzoid as the Bakugan snarled uncontrollably. The chords faded into the body as his body began generating heat. The temperature arose, reducing the snow to nothing around while giving off a heat surge that was – thankfully – warming everyone else up. Snapzoid's entire frame was encased in broad fire, which shaped around him like armor was he stood taller than before. He craned his head up, expelling a devastating roar outwards. His power shot drastically up towards 1300 in a flash. His heated bellows shriveled the air, making even more snow around the area melt to reveal the ground.

Plasmatic heat waves spiraled out of control as everyone was trying their best to hang on. For the time being, they had no choice but to try and get an opening as soon as they can.

Luke realized something. 'Wait a minute. That ability ignores all other current ability effects. Then…!'

Zion smirked at Luke's expression. He knew he figured it out. He swiped around. "Gate Card, open! Hate Gate!"

The Gate Card shined beneath Hades Pillars' Bakugan. They all emitted a strong cry as the power as energizing them. Their respective attributed auras flared as the land shuddered. The wake of their growing pressure was making the ground thunder as they all watched their power spontaneously erupt.

Frill Abis Omega: 500/Dusk Atchibee: 950/Glow Jelldon: 600/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 950/Gale Atmos: 850 = 5050

Raptorix: 0 (+3000) = 3000/Snapzoid: 1300 (+3000) = 4300/Buz Hornix: 400 (+3000) = 3400/Lumitroid: 0 (+3000) = 3000/Glotronoid: 100 (+3000) = 3100/Nastix: 5950 (+3000) = 8950 = 25,750

Esther's lips parted with a deafening shock to them. 'What power level is that even?'

The atmosphere rumbled with a hideous frenzy. The dark storm clouds above gradually began churning and twisting from the atmosphere. The ground was undergoing a seismic quake that was spontaneously arising from the pressure all their Bakugan gave off.

…

Far underground, walking silently through the chasm of dark crystal, Riaan could feel the immense pressure rampage. Several crystals behind him were chipping off from constant vibrations and pressure from the surface above. He stopped to look up at the roof of the chasm, a calm grin on his face.

"Seems that things are getting serious for everyone up there." He mused lightly. "I must give them credit, they certainly know how to even appease me even."

Inside the entrance to the Empyrean, the Battle Brawlers noticed the Empyrean having very bright magenta marking throughout its chrome insides. The entire thing was shuddering uncontrollably, much to the horror of everyone there.

"This is Julie here, and things are going crazy here! Everything's picking up as tremors are racing through this palace. You can even feel the craziness from here, folks!"

"What's all this shaking?!" Dan shouted, trying to keep balance.

Drago looked up. "Where's all this negative energy coming from?! I've never felt this much before!"

"Is it coming from outside?!" Gunz shouted.

"Hold on, let me see…" Marucho tapped open his Bakumeter to get a lock on the energy. Having the negative energy spike at a tremendous peak, his face went pale when he looked at the battle score happening outside. He was rendered completely speechless.

"What is it, Marucho?" Dan looked back at his pal, but saw he was frozen like a block of ice. Curious, he moved closer until he loomed over his Bakumeter. When he saw the reason, even his eyes shrunk from sheer shock. "No way!" He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Frill Abis Omega: 500/Dusk Atchibee: 950/Glow Jelldon: 600/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 950/Gale Atmos: 850 = 5050

Raptorix: 3000/Snapzoid: 4300/Buz Hornix: 3400/Lumitroid: 3000/Glotronoid: 3100/Nastix: 8950 = 25,750

"What kind of power level is that?!" Dan shouted. "Seriously?! That's killer!"

Shun balled his fists in growing frustration. That would explain why even his skin was getting so much goosebumps. He couldn't help but feel something about this was going wrong. He gnashed his teeth as a bitter cold wake was rising through his gear. 'Those guys…they really are facing monsters.' He closed his eyes in frustration. He wanted to turn back now, but he couldn't contradict what he pointed out. "…we need to keep going, while we still have the chance."

Dan frowned in angst. He knew Shun was right, but that didn't make it any less believable. "Yeah, guess you're right." The leader gave one more look back at the entrance. The concave plateau they had to slide down to get to the entrance was already sloping from this immense pressure billowing from Hades Pillars. He gnashed his teeth and ran ahead into the fortress with his peers.

…

Neathia's atmosphere thundered with a powerful flash of dark lightning over Hades Pillars. They stood as winds picked up, and their Bakugan stood there, maintaining their force and expelling negative energy. Still, Luke and everyone else stood up to the looming darkness, unyielding and tried suppressing their shock.

'Don't get caught up in the moment. Remember why you're here…' Luke subconsciously found himself holding onto something. He looked down, realizing he was gripping Luka's bequeathed blade. Even with his heart racing, he knew he couldn't waver now. He glared ahead, knowing they had to strike back against this threat.

Cyrus' eyes were wide with shrunken pupils. He whipped his cape up, directing the chaotic energy around him. "Now…for you to drown in Hell! There is no heaven for you!"

The dark storm drew closer, as if the sky was literally coming down onto them. The Bakugan didn't waver as they glared and braced for what had to be done.

Esther pulled out an ability, staring blankly at her foes through the negative storm rushing at them. "Ability, activate…Dusk Tornado!"

Atchibee brought her wings back as she moved in front of her peers. She glared up and emitted a shrieking cry. She flapped harshly, creating a tornado of pitch-black that expanded and took in the assault. It surged madly across the domain, expanding until the enemy Bakugan were engulfed in the surge. The quake was ruptured to a halt when the air instead shuddered as the whirlwinds of darkness engulfed everything. The plasmatic energy around Nastic was reduced to small static that receded into the body. His gurgles were clear amongst the other Bakugan inside.

Frill Abis Omega: 500/Dusk Atchibee: 950 (+200 +100) = 1250/Glow Jelldon: 600/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 950/Gale Atmos: 850 = 5350

Raptorix: 3000 (-2200) = 800/Snapzoid: 4300 (-3600) = 700/Buz Hornix: 3400 (-2600) = 800/Lumitroid: 3000 (-2300) = 700/Glotronoid: 3100 (-2400) = 700/Nastix: 8950 (-8250) = 700 = 4400

Galilea covered through the dark gale, but she knew what happened. "She completely leveled out all our power…in just one move!"

Esther gave a grim glare through the staggering tornado attack. It surged onwards as she and Atchibee were eyeing for any openings. They thus noticed that through the darkness, a beacon of light was starting to sheen through. "Everyone, incoming!"

The light through, spreading thinly through the tornado as it resonated from Lumitroid. "Ability, activate! Leech Glare!" Lumitroid hissed as he unleashed the broadening light in a farther area. The reach of the light permeated through the dark winds, blinding everyone and stinging them like bee stings. The attack's shine was so intense that nobody could advance.

Frill Abis Omega: 500 (-200) = 300/Dusk Atchibee: 1250 (-200) = 1050/Glow Jelldon: 600 (-200) = 400/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200 (-200) = 1000/Prime Verias: 950 (-200) = 750/Gale Atmos: 850 (-200) = 650 = 4150

Raptorix: 800/Snapzoid: 700/Bux Hornix: 800/Lumitroid: 700 (+1200) = 1900/Glotronoid: 700/Nastix: 700 = 5600

"Magnus, go." Lucia calmly said.

Getting the window opportunity, Magnus initiated an ability activating. Like all the others before it, it had a dark core with an ominous pressure coming off of it. "Ability, activate! Hazard Earth-X!"The chords and core from the ability infused into Glotronoid's body, emanating a pulse that caused the earth beneath to glow bright magenta. The pulse reverberated through the atmosphere outwards, fully burning through Atchibee's whirlwinds and blitzed after the others with a graviton fist pulled back. As he closed in, his power also spiked towards high levels of 1500, while his hazardous shockwaves were pulsing out to intend to hurt them.

His fist made impact with something, causing a break in the airwaves. He struck something hard, and it made a huge rupture that sped past everyone. Dust and smoke covered everything, but the explosion was sure to be a sign. Glotronoid retained his stature and attempted the pull away, but it noticed the light and the gravity within its fist was being drawn into the spot that he hit.

It all drew into something glowing bright blue, and getting brighter with every second. The dust dissipated, but Hades Pillars showed surprise when the light and gravity was drawn into Abis' frills, which was where Glotronoid struck. His maw glowed bright blue as he seemed to have taken in all that energy and filtered it through his body very well.

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

Abis opened his maw and let out a blistering screech into Glotronoid's abdomen. The Bakugan was blasted head-on and engulfed in the glossy blue beam that sent him careening back across the battlefield into Hades Pillars' Bakugan. The beam arched into them and created a violent rupture that overturned the ground.

Frill Abis Omega: 150 (+150 +200 +400 +100) = 1000/Dusk Atchibee: 500 (+550 +200) = 1250/Glow Jelldon: 200 (+200 +200) = 600/Stag Fly Beetle: 500 (+500 +200) = 1200/Prime Verias: 350 (+400 +200) = 950/Gale Atmos: 300 (+350 +200) = 850 = 5850

Raptorix: 800/Snapzoid: 700/Buz Hornix: 800/Lumitroid: 1900 (-1200) = 700/Glotronoid: 1500 (-800) = 700/Nastix: 700 = 4400

The shockwaves of the beam sailed throughout the area. The dust wave even went out past Hades Pillars down towards the collapsed hills that led to the Empyrean. And yet the chill in the air did little for comfort as everyone was on their toes and on guard through it all.

Two sets of knives went darting through the dust cloud, but using their weapons, Esther and Jase deflected the knives into the ground. They twirled until they punctured the earth. Their glares fixated into the depths of the dissipating cloud, specifically where it came from.

The wave dispersed, revealing Zion's heat-filled glare of bloodlust eying them. Behind him was Cyrus as a malevolent pressure spiraled haphazardly around him. It was giving Cyrus a very grueling visage to where his figment looked comparable to that of a devil.

'Have to strike!' Luke retorted. "Shuji!"

Shuji stepped up beside him. "Yeah, don't worry. Let's get this guy, fast!"

Cyrus calmly lifted his Bakumeter, the atmosphere blackening due to the dark force it carried with it. "Ability, activate! Alpha-X!" The atmosphere fell quiet through its pitch-black wake surrounding Raptorix. The Bakugan was stiff for a sound moment before it gave off a low growl. It started off staggering, but it grew as pressure distorted around him. The atmosphere crackled with dark energy as rocks and debris started defying gravity, and reduced to dust when it was too close to him. The Bakugan arose above his peers, snarling as power flowed to where his muscles grew abnormally large. They very veiny, as well as expanding. A dark gravity pulsated out, flooding the air as it surged above Hades Pillars.

Raptorix unleashed a loud, blistering cry that echoed through the swirling dark air. Cold goosebumps ran up everyone's skin as his power level drastically spiked big time.

Frill Abis Omega: 1000/Dusk Atchibee: 1250/Glow Jelldon: 600/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 950/Gale Atmos: 850 = 5850

Raptorix: 800 (+5850) = 6650/Snapzoid: 700/Buz Hornix: 800/Lumitroid: 700/Glotronoid: 700/Nastix: 700 = 10,250

The atmosphere crackled again as negative energy was visibly glowing around like a mist, but Shuji and Luke balled their fists, unwilling to waiver from this act. They glared forward, both gathering abilities to counter.

"Now…to Hell with you lot!" Cyrus directed his arm up to ready the fall of this power.

"Shuji! Let's go!" Luke declared.

"Right back at ya!" He raised his Bakumeter, readying an ability. "Fly Beetle, kick it up a notch!"

"You too, Abis!"

Both Bakugan braced themselves for the energy falling towards them.

"Ability, activate! Pincer Phalanx!" Stag Fly Beetle spread his legs and positioned himself to strike. His pincers gave off an ominous glow that was backed up by the disrupting flow around him. The Tailwind Atmos provided kept surging, allowing the mass to surge quicker than intended.

"Double ability, activate!" Luke shouted. "Daedalus Cyclone, plus Fusion Ability, Refractor Booster!" Abis extended his frills and flexed them out. The accents all over his body was surrounded in an immense deluge that gathered into a spiraling, pressurized cyclone with the head of a leviathan. It roared as it gathered its momentum to strike.

Cyrus grimly brought his hand down. "Now fall!"

Raptorix screeched as his muscular frame cried out. A grizzly shockwave pulsated downwards towards the other Bakugan. Abis opened his maw wide and careened back with Fly Beetle as their attacks flickered before reeling back forward. The pressurized water spiral shot up with a huge mass around it, whereas Fly Beetle's brown-orange energy blast shot right beside it. The two attacks fused and became a liquified brown cyclone with a leviathan head roaring upwards and ramming the oncoming shockwaves head-on. The impact caused the air to glisten and churn as the drizzle turned to sleet around. An energy storm spiraled around them as the attacks were mixing to create a dark maelstrom that pierced through the atmosphere.

Frill Abis Omega: 1000 (+1200) = 2200/Dusk Atchibee: 1250/Glow Jelldon: 600/Stag Fly Beetle; 1200 (+500 +100) = 1800/Prime Verias: 950/Gale Atmos: 850 = 7650

Raptorix: 6650 (-1200 -500 -100) = 4850/Snapzoid: 700/Buz Hornix: 800/Lumitroid: 700/Glotronoid: 700/Nastix: 700 = 8450

The maelstroms surged and spiraled uncontrollably. They were whipping in all directions and no one could get a grasp on them. The dark mass pulsed further, breaking through the wake of the attacking Bakugan's combined assault. Bit by bit, the elemental surge was starting to deteriorate, much to their dismay.

Cyrus narrowed his eyes in satisfaction. "They'll know fear. And they will drown in it."

"We know a lot about fear." Luke retorted. "And we aren't afraid of you!"

"So you say. If what you say is true, then what do you fear then?"

Maggie balled her fists. "Losing a future to someone else, that's what! Jelldon~!" The jellyfish readied himself and started spinning around. "Attribute Change!" Jelldon swirled around, returning to Pyrus. The draft from the Tailwind making a small helix of fire and plasma follow him. Once he gathered enough momentum, he readied a fireball. "Ability, activate! Bolting Sun!"

"Try this on for fear!" Jelldon pivoted and unleashed the blazing fireball up towards the maelstrom. It made Jelldon's power intensify towards 1200 as it zoomed faster than the speed of sound.

The fireball drifted into the darkness of the pulses. Anything inside would've cracked under the pressure it carried, and yet, the fireball continued running its course into the enemy Bakugan. As it drew closer, the fireball piqued Magnus.

"The hell, is that flame actually…?"

The fireball was dissipating from the water of Abis' attack, but it still shined brightly with a massive wake of light dragging behind it. The light had streams that whipped from far back at the base of the attack, carrying at the blade's huge staff by the soaring Verias, who cried out at the top of his lungs.

"Did they really just…?" Galilea trailed off.

"Yes, I believe so." Lucia finished. "They used Glow Jelldon's fireball to shoot their ally at us."

Amina waved it off. "Ew."

"This darkness you carry…" Verias brought back his staff blade, streaming with light that was so intense, even his own body was glowing a bright radiance from it. "Will never prevail!"

"Double ability, activate!" Shawn shouted. "Light Primus, plus Correlation of Darkus to Haos!" The light around Verias was deepening to extreme levels. The darkness trying to overpower him was futile as he sliced through it. The spiraling brown water cyclone Abis and Fly Beetle were making added to his skyward slash. He looked like a shooting star.

Frill Abis Omega: 2200/Dusk Atchibee: 1250/Glow Jelldon: 1200/Stag Fly Beetle: 1800/Prime Verias: 950 (+1800 +100 +300 +100) = 3250/Gale Atmos: 850 = 10,550

Raptorix: 4850/Snapzoid: 700/Buz Hornix: 800/Lumitroid: 700/Glotronoid: 700/Nastix: 700 = 8450

The lightning blade was moving too fast and cleaved into the darkness. It dragged itself through until it reached the other side, where all the other Bakugan were. Verias' brass knuckled tightened. 'We won't ever…' He thought about Luka and Brontes. "ALLOW THAT LIGHT TO DIE OUT~!"

The blade sped into the enemies, who were too slow to react. Verias blitzed past them, the gleam from his attack shimmering away to thin air. Seconds past before an explosion of light imploded everywhere, swallowing Hades Pillars' Bakugan as shockwaves from the hydro and earth vortex caused Amina to deter behind Zion so he would take the fall of his armor getting wet. Everyone covered up as the earth trembled from the force of the attack, so much that the land overturned and the dark energy mass around the atmosphere dispersed momentarily.

The light dispersed and all of Hades Pillars' Bakugan emitted cries of angst. They reverted to ball form as the ground settled back in and rolled up towards everyone.

Cyrus: 30%

Zion: 30%

Galilea: 30%

Lucia: 30%

Magnus: 30%

Amina: 30%

The energy was on hold as everyone's Bakugan returned to ball form. They returned to everyone's hands as they grabbed them.

Amina looked down at her Nastix, disgusted as she pulled out a glove and picked it up between the tips of her fingers. "Ew, so gross. Dust on it. And just after I gave it a good polish." She looked at everyone ahead, her anger afoot in her eyes. "Those little trash heaps…"

"They moved so that we didn't keep track." Galilea hypothesized. She thought back to Jase's Tailwind that gave everyone that jump they needed." She huffed irritably. "Seems we've been too easy yet again."

"No, on the contrary." Cyrus stepped up, his Raptorix being plucked like a flower. "Rather, they're adapting. Very well in fact."

"Man, talk about crap. Now I'm really pissed about these backalley wannabes messing up our crib." Magnus retorted. "Especially that dude with the stick sword. Now he's really pissing me off."

"At calm." Zion enforced, his blade out to his side. "We have our chance yet. I believe that we are finished warming up then. Now, time to burn them."

Lucia closed her eyes, keeping herself composed as she focused on her thoughts. When she saw something, her eyes opened wide again. "On your guards. They'll start off with an ability upon entry, Advise caution."

"As you say." Cyrus leered.

Jase held up a Gate Card between his fingers. He didn't bother to settle with commentary when everyone was in agreement. He swiped his arm, sending the card outwards. "Gate Card, set!" The card slid onto the ground, fading in a green shockwave beneath everyone's feet. "Now then, does everyone understand the plan?"

Maggie balled her fists. "Yeah, just leave it to me and Jelldon."

"Let us stop wasting time. They look ready by now." Atmos said in a serious tone.

"Right. Let's go, no holding back at all." Luke grabbed Abis and rolled his fist back, along with everyone else.

"Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!" Altogether, the six Bakugan arose onto the battlefield. They all let out their respective shrieks and cries for battle as they were ready to go at it again.

"Maggie, now!" Jelldon shouted.

"Right!" Maggie held up an ability. "Ability, activate! Wall Flame!" Jelldon released a small ember from his body that jolted upwards. It burst into flames, coming down in various arches in all directions. They connected with the ground, reminiscing that of a cage of fire bars. "There, that'll slow the down for a little while. Now we're set!"

Lucia stared at the fire wall with little interest. "As I have thought. I request that I have some room once we go in. I'll try and make the gap closer if possible."

Amina scoffed. "Since when do you make the rules?"

"Quiet." Zion snarled. He looked over at Amina with a heated glare. "Very well then. But don't get in our way."

Lucia nodded. "Very well. Now then…"

Everyone picked up their Bakugan and threw them in. "Bakugan, brawl!" All the Bakugan were tossed in, each one passing through the bars of fire. Each one had smoke on it, with the exception of Zion's Snapzoid. They all popped open, rising up with howls and cries of their own, like the earlier attack didn't faze them.

Frill Abis Omega: 700/Dusk Atchibee: 700/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 700/Prime Verias: 700/Gale Atmos: 700 = 4200

Raptorix: 800 (-200) = 600/Snapzoid: 700/Buz Hornix: 800 (-200) = 600/Lumitroid: 700 (-200) = 500/Glotronoid: 700 (-200) = 500/Nastix: 700 (-200) = 500 = 3400

"Alright, time to blow these guys away." Maggie sneered. "It's go time!"

Zion sneered at them all. He readied several daggers to keep everyone on their toes and had them speed out of the way. They all ducked and parried while Esther prepared her initial attack regardless.

"Atchibee, go!" Dusk Atchibee hollered as she went sailing above her allies. "Ability, activate! Phonic Liseran!" Atchibee hissed darkness swallowed the skies, clouding up even the sun's radiance. Hades Pillars remained on guard as they were witnessing Atchibee charge up her attack.

"She's starting off the initial front. I require that assistance." Lucia prompted, holding up her Bakumeter for an ability.

Zion held up an ability. "So be it."

Atchibee fired down several bright beams to blind everyone beneath her. She then unleashed several dark beams that pulsated pressure down towards them. Lucia retained calm as Zion took the front.

"Ability, activate! Lens-X!" A bright purple core appeared in front of Lumitroid and manifested chords that faded into the skin. The iris shrunk and dilated, exuding pulsing veins that throbbed energy. Lumitroid hissed madly as the darkness around him gradually expelled into broad photons and ions of yellow bright light that turned into a massive lens of light in front.

"Ability activate, Swallow Excel!" Snapzoid opened his maw wide and took in the several dark beams coming down on him. They surged into his mouth, as if drawn in by the power through hunger.

"Go!" Esther shouted.

"Got it." Fly Beetle stepped back and lowered his horn to charge. He opened his wing shields and went blistering across the battlefield. 'Bulldozing like a Subterra Bakugan would…stand your ground! Don't get pushed back!'

Snapzoid gurgled and unleashed the attack back at the recipients. The dark rays went beaming directly into Fly Beetle's direction to completely obliterate him. "Ability activate, Wormhole!" The dark beams went racing past Fly Beetle as he continued his boosted charge after everyone. The beams instead were absorbed into Atchibee's dark portal far behind, allowing a clear view for Fly Beetle to see.

Time slowed down as he and Shuji had a momentary vision of when they were first meeting just not even a few months ago. They weren't that tough at the start, something they can admittedly reflect on. It caused them to think of Gorem, then Coredem, then the people who stood by them. They needed to protect them, by being brave, strong…and don't ever back down!

"Ability, activate!" Shuji's fist balled tighter, as Stag Fly Beetle kept charging. His skin began hardening with sharp edges, giving his thorax, arms, even his eyes rugged, monstrous edging. "Carapace Riot!" Fly Beetle's wings beat so hard that he jettisoned closer than expected.

Frill Abis Omega: 700/Dusk Atchibee: 700 (+400) = 1100/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 700 (+500) = 1200/Prime Verias: 700/Gale Atmos: 700 = 5100

Raptorix: 600/Snapzoid: 700/Buz Hornix: 600/Lumitroid: 1000/Glotronoid: 500/Nastix: 500 = 3900

He charged full speed with no signs of slowing down. With his incoming wake, Zion got a lock on his target. "Go down, shield! Ability activate, Double Fang Buster!" Snapzoid opened his maw wide, allowing his snake tongue to slither out. His huge maw unleashed a broad red energy blast, where the smaller head released a more compressed beam that bolted through the middle.

"Ability activate, Queen Riot!" Galilea shouted. Buz Hornix followed up with a barrage of bright green energy missiles that went barreling along the attack. The needles and beam struck Fly Beetle, but his brisk carapace refused to slow down as he charged horn first.

Frill Abis Omega: 700 (-300) = 400/Dusk Atchibee: 1100 (-300) = 800/ Glow Jelldon: 700 (-300) = 400/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 700 (-300) = 400/Gale Atmos: 700 (-300) = 400 = 3600

Raptorix: 600/Snapzoid: 700 (+400) = 1100/Buz Hornix: 600/Lumitroid: 1000/Glotronoid: 500/Nastix: 500 = 4300

The blast waves and constant barrage of green projectiles left landmines exploding across the battlefield. It fanned out sporadically, yet it didn't reach the others. In fact, the green projections and beams were deflected around Fly Beetle's cast-iron body as he charged horn first through the immense force. He cried out with all his might as he blitzed into Snapzoid and Buz Hornix. They were tossed aside as he continued towards Lumitroid's mirror.

'Now!' Lucia swiped her arm, creating an ability. "Ability, activate! Irate Eye!" Lumitroid hissed as his eye glowed bright yellow. An immense beam was fired through it and into the lens, where it was magnified. Several blinks later, the ground roared as an immense, hot beam of raw light bolted into Fly Beetle.

The beam made impact, unleashing an immense, broad glow upon impact. Fly Beetle tucked his wings in and crossed his arms to take on the full brunt of the attack. It didn't hurt him, but the force it packed was spreading far out and making it hard to advance so quickly.

Frill Abis Omega: 400/Dusk Atchibee: 800/Glow Jelldon: 400/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 400/Gale Atmos: 400 = 3600

Raptorix: 600/Snapzoid: 1100/Buz Hornix: 600/Lumitroid: 1000 (+900) = 1900/Glotronoid: 500/Nastix: 500 = 5200

The insectoid adversary was holding his ground, which his heels dug deeper to keep traction. Lumitroid kept the beam blistering to thwart his advances. Light waves gleamed everywhere uncontrollably to the point where it was almost like a bright tidal wave being held back by him. 'This will hold him back long enough.' Lucia glanced up, seeing an incoming pair of blades ready to slash Fly Beetle.

"Ability activate, Jag Spartan!" Magnus shouted. Glotronoid beelined through the bright wake with blades on his arms extended. His power spiked towards 900 as he raced after Fly Beetle.

With his position, Fly Beetle himself glanced over, seeing the reflection of Glotronoid reeling back his blades.

"Ability, activate!" Maggie shouted. "Alien Flare!" Jelldon's gel sacs glowed brightly as the heat inside broadened into harsh light rays. They magnified into everyone's eyes, radiating steam and causing blindness, including Glotronoid.

Frill Abis Omega: 400/Dusk Atchibee: 800/Glow Jelldon: 400 (+300) = 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 400/Gale Atmos: 400 = 3900

Raptorix: 600 (-300) = 300/Snapzoid: 1100 (-300) = 800/Buz Hornix: 600 (-300) = 300/Lumitroid: 1900 (-300) = 1600/Glotronoid: 900 (-300) = 600/Nastix: 500 (-300) = 200 = 3800

The gleam from Jelldon made Glotronoid hiss in retort. With his eyes blared, Fly Beetle was able to see Lumitroid's attack let up and grabbed the lizard. He tossed him into his peers, causing Nastix, Buz Hornix, and Snapzoid to plunder with Glotronoid.

The texture on Fly Beetle's body started dissipating, reverting towards its normal, smooth but harsh shell. 'Just in time.'

Atmos sailed overhead until he was at a great spot to land a serious blow. He flapped and spread his wings. "Ability activate, Quad Vortex!" Atmos' blades evenly spread and quickly rotated at an alarming rate. They quickened and gathered whirlwinds and shot all four at the enemies below to swallow them up.

"Ability, activate…Vernier Macro!" Cyrus shouted.

The cyclones all converged on the Bakugan, but they failed to reach when Raptorix' sharp claws spun and grazed the winds physically. They dissipated as he rotated around, viciously ripping the air to shreds and nullifying said ability.

Fly Beetle spread his wing shields and took flight to get out of range of the opposing Bakugan. He grinded his heels against the earth and retained caution amongst his peers. With Raptorix' counter, Hades Pillars' Bakugan were up and snarling.

"Persistent, aren't they." Galilea huffed, only to be rebuffed by Amina.

"Persistent, yes. Filthy, oh most certainly." She held up an ability, readying herself. "I say we try something else now. Ability activate, Alien-X!" A bright purple core illuminated on Nastix, spreading chords that integrated into the body until they dispersed. A plasmatic, dark aura illuminated around Nastic, giving him a low, gurgling below that extended into the skies. A broad shockwave of darkness spread thin, causing everyone to brace as the air crackled with radioactive energy.

Frill Abis Omega: 400/Dusk Atchibee: 800/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 400/Gale Atmos: 400 = 3900

Raptorix: 300/Snapzoid: 800/Buz Hornix: 300/Lumitroid: 1600/Glotronoid: 600/Nastix: 200 (+3700 +500) = 4400 = 8000

Nastix expelled a boisterous gurgle that unleashed ectoplasmic shockwaves across the air. They caused another rupture, which in turn caused everyone to cover up. The ground ruptured to where it could barely be called solid earth. The icy snow that had since melted had left the soil soft; this in turn caused Maggie to almost lose footing until Shawn grabbed and picked her up.

"I got you!"

"Shawn!"

Trying to maintain balance as the air crackled, Hades Pillars found their opening to strike. Lucia used this opportunity to strike them down. "Ability activate, Scorpion Needle!" Lumitroid's stinger on the end of his tail carefully aimed on the other side of the light lens, namely, towards Fly Beetle. Lucia swiped forward. "Now strike!"

Lumitroid hissed and unleashed a thin sting ray through the lens. The lens magnified, albeit at the cost of shrinking a little more. The light beam shot at Fly Beetle, who braced for impact until Verias came stomping from above.

"Not so fast!"

"Ability, activate!" Shawn raised his Bakumeter high. "Territory Heart!"

The ectoplasmic shockwave raced after the enemies along with the piercing yellow light. They closed in, but Verias summoned a dome of light that barricaded the attacks heading their way. The intense dome radiated a glow that emitted green waves around everyone, enabling them to gather strength back their attributed auras shined brighter. The shockwaves and bright beam went around, completely blocked off from everyone else.

Frill Abis Omega: 400 (+300) = 700/Dusk Atchibee: 800 (+300) = 1100/Glow Jelldon: 700 (+300) = 1000/Stag Fly Beetle: 300 (+900 +300) = 1500/Prime Verias: 400 (+300) = 700/Gale Atmos: 400 (+300) = 700 = 5700

Raptorix: 300/Snapzoid: 800/Buz Hornix: 300/Lumitroid: 1600/Glotronoid: 600/Nastix: 4400 (-4200) = 200 = 3800

The attacking shockwaves continued to push, but with the gap they were doing little for progress. Cyrus retained his crude expression. "So, they choose to flee and attack at the same time." He thought about Fly Beetle's offense, which was quickly supported by everyone else. "They result well in each other. It's almost musing. But…"

Everyone behind the barrier had to prepare. They knew it wasn't going to last long either way.

"They're gonna find a way to push back. We need something quick." Shawn insisted, balling his fists. 'Think, what haven't we tried yet that they haven't seen before.'

Everyone was taking a moment of quick retrospection. That's when an idea came to aggie when she looked at Jelldon. She thought back to something that happened a long time ago.

The Pyrus Jelldon looked glee his attack worked out the way he wanted to, but his confidence was disrupted when he found the Haos Bakugan quickly recovered. And to make matters worse, another Aquos and Pyrus Jelldon surrounded it.

"Huh…?"

Slowly, the three Jelldon were enveloped in their respective attribute colors. They all scowled loudly as they could feel their power levels rise exponentially. The level of power was making them all have bright auras shroud them like beacons.

'Pyrus, Aquos, and Haos…' Maggie dawned upon a realization. "And there's Darkus, Ventus, and Subterra. That means…!" She whipped upwards. "Guys, listen! A Triple Node!"

Luke raised a brow. "A what?"

Esther's eyes widened. "You mean when there's three of positive and negative Bakugan respectively?" She looked ahead, realizing that Maggie brought up a valid point. "Yeah, that might work."

Shuji narrowed his eyes. "Then let's give it a whirl. Guys better keep up."

Jase prodded his glasses up. "I'll try my best not to, if that'll settle things quicker."

Luke looked up at the scene, knowing well what they had to do. "Then let's do it."

The six Bakugan grunted as they braced themselves. They all picked up abilities and began showing the same ones. "Ability, activate!"

"Pyrus, Aquos, Haos Triple Node!" Maggie, Luke, and Shawn shouted.

"Subterra, Ventus, Darkus Triple Node!" Shuji, Jase, and Esther yelled.

All six Bakugan had the triangular symbols correlating to their attributes. With everyone in position, they all started to shine in a bright light of their respective attributes. Abis and Verias let out primal shrieks, while Atchibee and Fly Beetle hissed and shrieked menacingly. Atmos ascended into the air just below the dome's end, and Jelldon cried out with determination at the power swelling.

Frill Abis Omega: 700 (+600) = 1300/Dusk Atchibee: 1100 (+600) = 1700/Glow Jelldon: 1000 (+600) = 1600/Stag Fly Beetle: 1500 (+600) = 2100/Prime Verias: 700 (+600) = 1300/Gale Atmos: 700 (+600) = 1300 = 9300

Raptorix: 300/Snapzoid: 800/Buz Hornix: 300/Lumitroid: 1600/Glotronoid: 600/Nastix: 200 = 3800

Seeing all their attributed glows behind the forcefield, Galilea was running up an analysis. "What's that? A Triple Node?" Her brow furrowed. "I've only heard about those. Those are nearly impossible to do."

"Suppose conditions were inadequate for those unfortunate." Lucia noted. "But be warned, it seems they're going to brace as we have. Amina…"

The heiress scoffed. "Whatever. If I bust it out, will you turn away? Your voice and mouth are gonna rot my eyes." She reached for her Bakumeter, typing in a sequence.

"Ready, Prozar." The Bakumeter's screen shine, emitting energy plates that materialized into the Battlegear. Once it had taken full form, it was grabbed by Amina herself.

Bringing her arm back, she threw it in. "Battlegear, boost!" The Battlegear went spinning up towards Nastic, where it created a blue shine along the back. The huge radioactive cannon took form slowly, causing Nastix to lightly gurgle as his power arose to 300. "Hmph! Battlegear ability, activate! Prozar Nuclear!"

"Here it comes! Ready!" Jelldon sneered, raising his tendrils.

Nastix growled as his shoulder bumps began pumping ectoplasm into the containers in the cannon. The lids popped open, expelling a broad, bright blue, radioactive shockwave of intense energy that shot at them. The attack rammed into Verias' shield, quickly chipping off fragments of the light until it ate fully through.

Frill Abis Omega: 1300 (-400) = 900/Dusk Atchibee: 1700 (-400) = 1300/Glow Jelldon: 1600 (-400) = 1200/Stag Fly Beetle: 2100 (-400) =1700/Prime Verias: 1300 (-400) = 900/Gale Atmos: 1300 (-400) = 900 = 6900

Raptorix: 300/Snapzoid: 800/Buz Hornix: 300/Lumitroid: 1600/Glotronoid: 600/Nastix: 300 (+400) = 700 = 4200

The blast wave gradually ate into the shield, and soon it would break through, but Atchibee was already prepared to make her attack. "Esther!"

Esther raised her arm, making the attack opening for everyone else. "Ability, activate! Wormhole!" Just as the barrier shattered, the radioactive shockwave permeated into them. Atchibee manifested a vortex of gravitational darkness that sucked in the entire attack. It was sucked right in, sparing everyone of their power, and in turn adding to her own to make 2100. With her used as a distraction, Jelldon lit up a crackling fireball between his tendrils and aimed at Lumitroid.

"Double ability, activate! Bolting Sun, plus Fusion Ability, Maximum Bolt!" Jelldon raised his tendrils high into the air, discharging plasmatic static into the fireball to make it gloss. He spun around and threw it through the dissipated radioactive shockwave, barreling a hole clean through to Lumitroid.

Lucia scoffed. "I won't fall for that a second time. Ability activate, Flash Fade!" Lumitroid released a powerful gleam from his eye, which brightened through the lens, which had dispersed through the light. The fireball began dimming some as it drew closer.

"Double ability, activate! Filter Cannon!"

The piercing light streamed past the fireball, unable to fully neutralize it. It was drawn into Abis where it was absorbed into his frills and magnified into glossy energy that flowed into the diamonds, but they started intensifying.

"Plus, Fusion Ability, Refractor Booster!"

Abis opened his maw and released an intense, glossy blue stream of energy that backed up the fireball. It went racing into Lumitroid, who now had no mirror lens to keep him from amplifying attack. The Bakugan covered up when the intense double-up attack struck it and the peers, creating a large wake.

Frill Abis Omega: 1300 (+800) = 2100/Dusk Atchibee: 1700 (+400) = 2100/Glow Jelldon: 1600 (+500 +300) = 2400/Stag Fly Beetle: 2100/Prime Verias: 1300/Gale Atmos: 1300 = 11,300

Raptorix: 300/Snapzoid: 800/Buz Hornix: 300/Lumitroid: 1600 (-300) = 1300/Glotronoid: 600/Nastix: 300 = 3600

The shockwaves of the attack erupted like wildfire throughout the domain. The land released another quake as the Bakugan regrouped and watched for any results.

"Did that do it…?" Shawn murmured.

The smoke and dust burned, but something tore through like a ghost, blitzing speedily past them. They all didn't get a chance to see when a dagger through toward Luke, who deflected it at the last second.

With the blindside, a dark figment evasively sped past everyone towards Atchibee. It clutched her neck, the nails as cold as ice. The air grew cold as the ghastly visage of Raptorix was peering into Atchibee.

"Atchibee!" Abis shouted.

Atmos went to sweep, but Raptorix dragged Atchibee higher, narrowly missing the falcon. The insect hissed and hollered as the monstrous avian creature held firm with a grim sneer as her power level declined by 500, putting her at 1600.

Esther looked from Atchibee towards the one responsible on the other side. Cyrus was shown frowning grimly as his Bakumeter showed the Dusk Plight ability active. "You've left yourself vulnerable." He noted.

Atchibee struggled to break away, but it was futile in her eyes. Raptorix wouldn't let go as Cyrus activated another ability. "Ability activate…Diablo-X!" The bright core enflamed around Raptorix, manifesting a dark, grizzly force that Atchibee couldn't get away from. Atchibee hissed and hollered, but Raptorix shrieked and let loose and intense, shrieking pillar of darkness that bloomed into the sky. The force of the attack's wake had caused the dark clouds above to stir around the pillar's draft. Everyone down below was hollered up by the wake of this immense force.

Everyone held on, but just barely. They all covered up as dark shockwaves were trying to push them off their feet.

"Zion, if you would…"

The warrior-killer held up an ability of his own as a looming dark visage bloomed on his face. "With pleasure. Ability, activate…" The drafts in the sky began turning. Literal embers flickered as Snapzoid snarled low. The ground began magnifying as heat was biding beneath. They all retained caution as the heat waves started seeping through the cracks, centering around Snapzoid as his body was starting to ignite. His snarls were low, until finally he couldn't contain it anymore. "Supernova-X!"

Snapzoid snarled and sneered. He wasn't able to fully hold in the fire and let loose an intense below into the skies. Another pillar exuded skywards, but this one being fire. The pressurized blaze instantly heated up the earth, causing a mildly long shockwave of heat to instantly melt all the snow around them.

Frill Abis Omega: 2100/Dusk Atchibee: 1600/Glow Jelldon: 2400/Stag Fly Beetle: 2100/Prime Verias: 1300/Gale Atmos: 1300 = 10,800

Raptorix: 300 (+1500) = 1800/Snapzoid: 800 (+6900) = 7700/Buz Hornix: 300/Lumitroid: 1300/Glotronoid: 600/Nastix: 300 = 12,000

"Seriously?!" Shuji shouted, before narrowly dodging a knife.

Zion growled ferally. "What's wrong, shield? I thought you would stand your ground?"

Shuji looked back with gritting teeth. "Gnnngh…!"

The solar flare repulsed airwaves that were getting too close. They were drawing away the others, grinding their undersides and feet across the ground as the magnitude was getting to be extreme again. High above, more storm clouds spiraled out of control around the two pillars.

"You never realize your own fears, until you look at yourself." Cyrus' words flowed like water as everyone was trying to refrain proximity. "When you see fear, what do you do? One cannot simply ignore said fear. That fear will continue to haunt you. In your sleep. In your dreams…until you, your own mentality, has become nothing but a black abyss. You once feared the power that was bestowed to you Esther, so to conquer us – to become fear – that is the most logical way for you to even breathe in the abyss where everyone shall drown."

Esther didn't respond. She knew Cyrus was playing mind games again with his words. But the way she didn't act immediately made it clear she was paying attention. "…yes. It's true. I did in fact fear this power at one point. But, that's why I'm here today."

Cyrus raised a brow. "Then how do you intend to take our powers for your own? You once used it, you embraced it…"

Luke and Jase had abilities drawn. Esther did as well.

"In order to best your fears, you must become fear itself. You must not feel. Immerse yourself into nothing. To be feared, one must learn to feel nothing, not even pain. There's no shortcuts to a victory if one cannot fathom the extent of what they can accomplish when nothing is everything at their fingertips. So I dare ask you, how was it you let go once, and yet you didn't?"

Esther closed her eyes, calmly answering Cyrus' question. "Because…"

"Jase, let's go!" Luke roared.

"Ability, activate…Tailwind!"

"Ability, activate! Tidal Flash!"

The stirring atmosphere reminisced that of a hurricane's eye surrounding the two pillars of fire and darkness. The air was rapidly heating when a strong windstorm picked up. Everyone stopped their laments as the sound of flowing water was swaying drastically. The water got Zion's attention when he saw a fast-moving wave of water generated and surging towards the eye of the firestorm. The windstorm whipped it around, creating a broad water cyclone that slowly steamed up the air. The humidity drastically reduced visual for everyone as the waves continued their course to overcome Snapzoid, submerging him in the cold, dark depths.

"What the hell?" Magnus looked up, seeing light drizzle pour down. "How the hell did it do that?"

Cyrus saw the one fire pillar gone as rain continued pouring lightly. He looked ahead to see Luke and Jase side-by-side with one another. Behind them was Esther, and she was giving them a grizzly blue stare that was refracted by the light water.

"I had others holding onto me." She lifted her Bakumeter. "Ability, activate…Mirthless Blade!"

The pillar of darkness loomed intensely, until a bright purple glint slash through diagonally. The negative beam's intensity was brought to a halt as though it was frozen. The darkness dissipated, revealing a hole in the sky beneath Atchibee, who was unfazed by Raptorix' advance. She glared eye-to-eye with the enemy, who had a gash of venom from one of her scythes. She fluttered back, allowing the paralyzed Raptorix to falter towards the ground.

"Perhaps we did plunder once to the abyss." The moth retorted. "But those weren't the shades of true Darkus."

Frill Abis Omega: 2100 (+400 +100) = 2500/Dusk Atchibee: 1600/Glow Jelldon: 2400/Stag Fly Beetle: 2100/Prime Verias: 1300/Gale Atmos: 1300 (+300) = 1600 =11,600

Raptorix: 1800 (-400 -100) = 1300/Snapzoid: 7700 (-7000) = 700/Buz Hornix: 300/Lumitroid: 1300/Glotronoid: 600/Nastix: 300 = 4500

Raptorix growled as he crashed into the ground. The impact was painful, but it still wasn't enough to revert him to ball form. But he was still unable to move with the toxins invading him. Atchibee flapped overhead, the earlier blast wave doing little to faze her domineering.

With the opening, Galilea prompted to attack. "Ability activate, Queen Needle!" Buz Hornix' stinger glowed bright green and flew up towards Atchibee. As her power level went up to 700, Atchibee remained stationary as her bottom-half's pinchers clutched the tip of said stinger. It kept Buz Hornix from advancing, while giving the others a chance to attack.

"Maggie, it's your move!" Esther declared.

"Right, just hand her over. We're ready." Maggie prompted.

Atchibee's pinchers lengthened, extending to a long tail that swiveled the stinger's trajectory down towards Jelldon. Buz Hornix fell straight down stinger first at Jelldon, who looked up ready to do his job.

"Double ability, activate! Petroleum Shield!"

Buz Hornix' stinger shot down into something, but it wasn't Jelldon. Instead, she wade impact with a gelatinous, absorbent red barrier that was impermeable. It made her go into freefall as her stinger's glow receded. Beneath the barrier, Jelldon's gel sac on his body shined brightly as whirlwinds from Atmos surged around all six of his glowing tendrils; one color for each tentacle.

"Plus, Element Kraken!"

Jelldon's power spiked towards 3100 as he pulled back all six tentacles and locked onto his foes. He cried out as he reeled forward, unleashing a vicious barrage of jabs and piercing blows into Buz Hornix. They extended past her into the other Hades Pillars, repeatedly bashing into them so fast smoke, dirt, and dust billowed with every lightning-fast jab.

Jelldon cried out as he didn't let up. He shot blows down to sunder so hard that the ground beneath him was slowly dispersing from the shockwaves if his attacks. Plasma discharged as it looked like rainbow meteors traveled into the enemy.

The attack eventually let up, leaving the battlefield battered with one side completely covered in dust. Jelldon receded as they all regrouped. It took a while for them to get a good look and see what happened.

The dust started fading, revealing something swiveling and metal in the air. It made Luke's teeth grit.

"You've gotta be kidding me."

Zion slowly opened his eyes, vastly glaring daggers. "You think you've won this fight? Fool…we're not dead yet."

In front of the still stunned Raptorix, he was barricaded by the other Bakugan, who were all in their Mobile Assault Vehicles. Phastrix, Cyberg, Vilance, Acceleton, and Snapzoid's enormous Torracrawler hovering above them all. The mechanical monsters' gears churned and roared mightily. The ground trembled yet again from the weight and pressure they gave off yet again, enough to cause the Bakugan to tense.

Frill Abis Omega: 2500/Dusk Atchibee: 1600/Glow Jelldon: 3100/Stag Fly Beetle: 2100/Prime Verias: 1300/Gale Atmos: 1600 = 12,200

Raptorix: 1300/Snapzoid: 700 (+200) = 900/Buz Hornix: 300 (+200) = 500/Lumitroid: 1300 (+200) = 1500/Glotronoid: 600 (+200) = 800/Nastix: 300 (+200) = 500 = 5500

Shawn gnashed his teeth together. "Should've known they'd be bringing those out."

Jase lowered his head. "As the saying goes, better late than never. Everyone, look out!" To his words, everyone braced themselves.

Zion maliciously smirked. "Now, we shall see…what reality really looks like!" He aimed his battle axe arm ahead. "Attack!"

At his command, Magnus and Lucia lifted their Bakumeters, with Magnus going first. "No probs on my end." He eyed Shawn and Verias intently. "Gotta level something with dem first. Ability, activate…Rim Sonic!"

"Ability activate, Gear Saber!" Lucia announced.

Vilance aimed its mechanized drill that separated into spear prongs. Static charged up between each prong until energy pulsated into a single point. An intense beam blazed across the battlefield, going across Verias as he ducked behind his battle axe. The beam grazed the ground, creating a wave of explosions that centered in front, obscuring everyone. Yellow glints flickered through the dirt explosions until holes tore through, revealing yellow projectile blasts from Acceleton as the machine continuously fired past everyone.

Frill Abis Omega: 2500/Dusk Atchibee: 1600/Glow Jelldon: 3100/Stag Fly Beetle: 2100/Prime Verias: 1300 (-400) = 900/Gale Atmos: 1600 = 11,800

Raptorix: 1300/Snapzoid: 900/Buz Hornix: 500/Lumitroid: 1500 (+600) = 2100/Glotronoid: 800 (+400) = 1200/Nastix: 500 = 6500

Acceleton glided across the battlefield, unleashing rapid fire projectiles at alarming speeds. The blazing projectiles were going around, even as far as aiming for Luke and everyone else. Having the most durable weapon, Luke bunted the projectiles the best he could, but even they were immense. At the speed they were going, it'd be short-lived to say they'd have long.

Jase readied an ability while Luke defended them with parries. "Ability, activate! Storm Valkyrie!"

Atmos let out a screech and rose to the air. He flapped harshly, summoning whirlwinds in a thick green cyclone that concealed him and his fellow Bakugan. The tailwinds gave the winds greater speed that made the barricade nearly impossible to impede around. The mechanical projectiles continued firing from Vilance and Acceleton, but they weren't getting through.

Frill Abis Omega: 2500/Dusk Atchibee: 1600/Glow Jelldon: 3100/Stag Fly Beetle: 2100/Prime Verias: 900 (+400) = 1300/Gale Atmos: 1300 (+300 +100) = 1700 = 12,600

Raptorix: 1300 (-300 -100) = 900/Snapzoid: 900 (-300 -100) = 500/Buz Hornix: 500 (-300 -100) = 100/Lumitroid: 2100 (-600 -300 -100) = 1100/Glotronoid: 1200 (-400 -300 -100) = 400/Nastix: 500 (-300 -100) = 100 = 3100

The windstorm brewed haphazardly around, whipping around dust and debris that spread thin over everyone's heads. With the cover gained, they all arose to their feet again and looked out at Hades Pillars recuperating beyond the cyclone's reaches.

"As long as this ability is active, their abilities cannot affect us." Jase informed. "Even so…"

"We got it." Luke said in a serious tone. "They're coming!"

Past the howling winds, the six enemies watched the howling attack blaze on with mild to low investment. Amina whipped a lock back, looking shuffled, for a lack of better word. "If this wind gets dirt on my dress I swear…" She held up her Bakumeter, showcasing an ability. "Ability, activate! Quash Photon!"

Nastix poured magenta ooze from the pool he soaked in, which fueled the huge conductors that crackled magenta and bright blue lightning up to their peaks. When it was all charged it discharged plasmatic shockwaves that leveled the ground towards the others. The wind wall stood no chance as the plasma corroded it away. Atmos shrieked as his body sustained light static from his attack being nullified on the spot.

Frill Abis Omega: 2500/Dusk Atchibee: 1600/Glow Jelldon: 3100/Stag Fly Beetle: 2100/Prime Verias: 1300 (-400) = 900/Gale Atmos: 1700 (-400 -200) = 1100 = 11,300

Raptorix: 900 (+400) = 1300/Snapzoid: 500 (+400) = 900/Buz Hornix: 100 (+400) = 500/Lumitroid: 1100 (+400 +600) = 2100/Glotronoid: 400 (+400 +400) = 1200/Nastix: 100 (+400) = 500 = 6500

Amina tossed a lock over her shoulder. "You're welcome~." She chimed. "Don't say that I didn't do anything."

"Very well then, Amina." Lucia said humbly.

The windstorm dissipated, the Vilance fired once more, along with Acceleton continuing the onslaught while being evasive. They relentlessly attacked the other Bakugan again, unyielding at best.

"Damnit…we can't survive this!" Shawn shouted, ducking as a projectile passed over.

Jase did the same, but he got up just as quickly as he reached out. "Gate Card, open! Wall Lock!" The Gate Card shined, enabling a translucent forcefield-like wall to put itself up in front of the Bakugan.

Another plasmatic shockwave erupted from Nastix as it bolted after the opponent Bakugan. Acceleton and Vilance fired harsh projectile attacks that streamed through the shockwaves, only to be blasted into the wall, completely sealing them off.

"So he nullified the abilities without an ability." Lucia deduced. "Well played, I admit."

Frill Abis Omega: 2500/Dusk Atchibee: 1600/Glow Jelldon: 3100/Stag Fly Beetle: 2100/Prime Verias: 900 (+400) = 1300/Gale Atmos: 1100 (+200) = 1300 = 11,900

Raptorix: 1300/Snapzoid: 900/Buz Hornix: 500/Lumitroid: 2100 (-600) = 1500/Glotronoid: 1200 (-400) = 800/Nastix: 500 = 5500

With the wall dissipating, another quick break got in before Zion stepped up. Instincts kicking in, he went on the attack.

"Ability activate, Siphon Lock!" The Torracrawler's tendril laced around the jagged, metal legs beneath before heat and static channeled from Snapzoid through them. The ends charged up until they were bright red. Every joint pierced the ground, expelling a plasmatic discharge that tore through the ground with a red lightning fissure beaming for them.

The shockwaves beamed closer, but they were ready.

"Ability activate, Bunker Axe!" Shawn shouted. Verias raised his staff and pointed the blade down towards the shockwaves heading their way. His grip tightened as he brought the blade down, releasing an intense cut beaming into the shockwave. It bisected around them, eradicating into thin air. Though it did leave the air crackling some.

Zion snorted.

"Go now, Fly Beetle!" Verias insisted.

Fly beetle lowered his horn and flew past Verias. "You got it!" He barreled after the enemy Bakugan, hurriedly racing over the same way he did before.

Amina looked blatantly at the incoming insectoid. "Ugh, keep that thing from touching me, I swear. Ability, activate! Hyper Gush!" Nastix opened his maw wide, unleashing a bright glossy stream of slime and ectoplasm like a tidal wave at them.

Shuji's glare narrowed. "Not this time. Ability activate-!"

Fly Beetle barreled through the glossy tsunami as his head lowered. It revealed his horn as it glowed bright orange. "Horn Blitzer!" His power spiked drastically towards 2600 as he flew in at dangerous speeds thanks to Atmos' whirlwinds still flowing. It made him close the gap fast. He was about to hit home, but something large with a Buz Hornix on top impeded the path.

"Ability activate-!" Galilea raised her Bakumeter, her gaze fixed on Fly Beetle and Shuji for a good reason. "Psyonic Bide!"

The metal in front of Cyberg turned to a reflective coating, reminiscent to a mirror. Fly Beetle bulldozed horn first into the appendage, making airwaves project around them. The beetle tried his damnest, even with Tailwind backing up his speed. But no matter how hard he tried, the machine refused to budge.

'This thing's got reflection powers. I figured using something simple would suffice.' The magenta accents shined on Cyberg. 'But still, this is gonna suck!'

The propulsion of the attack went reflecting right back Fly Beetle at point-blank. The shockwaves sent him flying skywards, doubling over with a soaring ache as his power reduced all the way down to 1600.

Hurriedly acting, Verias and Jelldon passed each other gazes before an idea came to mind. To Verias, it was time to return the favor. Using his broad muscular body, he grabbed hold of one of Jelldon's tentacles and tossed him skywards. Fly Beetle flew over his head, but the airborne jellyfish grabbed his claw with his Haos tentacle shimmering.

"Ability, activate!" Maggie shouted.

Jelldon vigorously snarled as he started turning in midair. He gathered momentum as all his tendrils summoned light to create a vertical light wheel that dragged Fly Beetle around. With Atmos behind, he flapped a faster jet of winds to give Jelldon greater momentum built up until he threw Fly Beetle. "SPIRAL LANTERN~!" The fling shot Fly Beetle surrounded by a jet of light and whirlwinds propelling him. His horn went straight past Buz Hornix into the heart of the enemies. The blitzing light streak dispersed as an enormous explosion of rock and dirt expelled around them.

Jelldon landed soundly as his power climbed towards 3600, whereas Fly Beetle propelled himself back out of the dust wave. Atmos descended down to their level.

The dust wave settled, revealing a leveled landscape with the five mechanical monsters and Raptorix still intact. Though that attack did leave scrapes and some dents to deter to bunch.

"Not bad." Cyrus said, intrigue in his tone.

Maggie balled her fists. "We're just getting started with you guys."

"Now we'll crush you!" Shuji snarled.

---

Feet pattered against black chrome. The sound echoed continuously with even more footsteps to follow.

"Hurry guys, they're onto us!" Julie's voice was quick with impatience. Judging by the way she was making haste, she was being rushed considerably.

"After them!" Several of Riaan's soldiers still stationed within the Empyrean followed behind in pursuit. They had not only spears but daggers, knives and other long-range weapons.

"We just had to make that wrong turn! We just had to!" Julie's sarcastic rant was stopped when a dagger nearly passed her head. She screamed in fright at how close it was that she flinched in fear.

"Julie, be careful!" Dan warned.

"Watch out, Dan!" Drago shouted.

"Huh?" Dan looked up, seeing a soldier with his arm raised high with his blade. Dan was too caught up in the moment to realize how fast the soldier was to quicken that gap. Just before impact, Shun blitzed from the side, tackling the soldier onto his side. He landed on a knee in front of Dan as he stammered back up. "Nice, Shun."

The Brawlers realized there was only one way they could go, and that was forward. They hurried down the corridor while soldiers charged after them. When they came up to a two-way section, the Brawlers insisted on taking a right, but they were blocked off by even more soldiers armed with polearms, arrows, and swords.

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Gunz shouted.

"Run guys!" Reptak insisted.

Those with arrows fired at the Brawlers' feet; some going past them. They took the hint and went the opposite direction to get away from the mass heading their way. The two lines congregated, where the soldiers turned towards each other.

"They went in the direction Milord instructed, right?" one of the soldiers asked.

"Yes. They went down corridor F." Another soldier replied.

"Very well. Then we've done our part. Make sure they don't go anywhere else. Understood?"

The other nodded in understanding. "Yes, understood." He turned towards the other men behind. "Take pursuit. Corner them in corridor F!" They all took to their hells and charged straight down the long hall. They all carried respective weapons as their boots pattered in symphony.

Marucho was nearly out of breath as he was poorly keeping up. "Why…are there so…many soldiers here…?" He labored. "Ugh…I gotta take a break…"

"Don't stop now, Marucho! I don't wanna be Bakuskewer for dinner neither!" Radizen insisted.

"Where are we going anyway?!" Gunz shouted.

"Whichever way is safest." Shun answered. "We need to find a way those directions, and fast. I was hoping splitting up in here would double our time, but I guess I was wrong."

"Even if we use ninja tricks, these guys are armed." Orbeum pointed out. "They'll get back up."

Dan gnashed his teeth in annoyance and determination. "This is really getting on my nerves…!" His eyes widened at something up again. "Uh…!"

"What is it?" Jaakor questioned. He looked ahead with equal surprise. "What's this?"

The Battle Brawlers all came to a stop when they saw the end of the corridor. Magenta chrome lined up the sides as always, as well as black chrome beneath. But there was no wall. Instead, it was an opening that went into a dark cavern that was nearly pitch-black. They came to a stalemate for a moment upon seeing it.

"Wait, where'd this come from?" Dan questioned. "Is this another one of Riaan's tricks on us?"

"But inside looks so natural." Drago pointed out. "Maybe it leads to somewhere."

Dan furrowed his brow. "Yeah, you're right. Besides…I have a funny feeling about all this."

"Does everyone feel that?" Jaakor fell silent.

There was an uneasy tension that flowed from the caverns that were before them. There was no wind, but a cold, brewing pressure made it impossible to stay still. Negative energy so cold that it made goosebumps return to their skins. The pressure was making all their hearts race.

"Guys…this might be a trap…" Dan furrowed his brow. "But I know what has to go in there."

"I feel it, too." Drago retorted. He could sense the familiar energy of a certain Bakugan from a short while ago. "Armagedoid…"

"Then if they're in there, then does this lead all the way too…!" Marucho trailed off, his eyes slowly widening at the realization. "Fabia was right! There must be a basin with Code Eve!"

"And he just left the door wide open? Talk about haste." Radizen noted.

The sounds of soldiers could be heard from afar, and they were closing in fast. Julie and the cameraman turned around to find the soldiers with weapons slowly advancing. Bows and arrows were at the ready, and it only made Julie that much more terrified.

"Eep! Guys, quick! We better book it, pronto!"

"Julie's right, we better go now. At this point we only have one way to go." Gunz pointed out.

"Dan." Shun gave his pal a dead serious look. The glare in his eyes told him everything that Dan hadn't already known before.

"I gotcha." Dan face the dark crevice, balling his fists. "Guys…let's go!" They all chased after Dan as he led them into the darkness of the caverns to come. Once they stepped in, the pressure around them magnified. It felt like running into a nightmare, but despite this chilling feeling, they had to keep going.

The soldiers all came to a stop just before they've reached the end of the corridor. They all paused before they settled down their weapons.

"It looks like they went in." the soldier said. "Good. As Lord Riaan had instructed. Then we've done our part." He turned around to face the other men. "Now then, Milord said he wants those guys for himself, but now for anyone else to kill on site. Do not hesitate!"

"Yes, sir!" The other guards reaffirmed.

---

"Ability, activate! Gear Saber!" Lumitroid fastened on the Acceleton's platform as it charged up again. The pincer cannons and hexagonal accents along the ridges shined bright yellow before projectile beams blitzed across the atmosphere towards them. They spread across the ground to keep everyone from advancing.

Magnus followed up with an ability of his own. "Ability, activate! Durance Wave!" The Vilance's prongs glowed bright orange and charged up rapidly once more. Instead of a beam, Glotronoid smashed his fist into the screen of his device, rippling the attack's force through the ground and spread thin. It extended towards everyone else, making another burst of dust and earth around them.

Frill Abis Omega: 2500 (-400) = 2100/Dusk Atchibee: 1600 (-400) = 1200/Glow Jelldon: 3600 (-100) = 3500/Stag Fly Beetle: 1600 (-400) = 1200/Prime Verias: 1300 (-400) = 900/Gale Atmos: 1300 (-400) = 900 = 9800

Raptorix: 1300/Snapzoid: 900/Buz Hornix: 500/Lumitroid: 1500 (+600) = 2100/Glotronoid: 800/Nastix: 500 = 6100

The shockwaves and gunfire failed to stop raining down. Abis was flexing his frills to deflect some of the shots, but they were doing little as the ground beneath trembled from this force. Fly Beetle ascended with Atchibee and Atmos to refrain from the blast waves.

"We've gotta shut down them down, now!" Shawn insisted.

The blast waves went another round, but in the corners of their eyes, Atmos and Verias shot glances at each other.

"Hey, can you give me a lift?" Verias asked.

"Just what I had in mind. Hang on!" Atmos reached his large, thick talons down and grabbed Verias's shoulder. Even with Verias' huge muscles, Atmos was able to propel himself up by using the fans on the joints at full blast. They jettisoned him high within the air in a short span of time, hovering over the raining gunfire. With a clear visual, both got the idea.

Verias clutched his staff tighter. "Ready!"

Atmos whirled around high above, gathering momentum to toss Verias into Lumitroid's versatile barrage.

"Ability, activate!" Shawn roared. "Mangekuyo Blade!"

Verias' blade glowed bright yellow as he sailed downwards, pushed by the tailwinds of Atmos flapping his wings and sending him flying at lightning speed. Lumitroud fired, but he swiftly cut through all the beams and swung his fast. He doubled forward, slicing long arches in every direction, hitting the mechanical creatures and slid to a halt. A thick coat of light swelled up from the gashes in the Mobile Assault vehicles, which swallowed the Bakugan inside as well. Even Raptorix, whom was already paralyzed from Atchibee's attack, had another gash that had him kneeling.

"Now you can't activate any abilities." Shawn informed.

Hades Pillars was quiet for a moment. Each one looked like they wanted to say something, but even they withdrew from comments. They just stood there, placated by the events that came.

Feeling an uneasy chill, Abis crouched low and hissed. Luke picked up on this and held his sword up.

Zion braced his gauntlet that held his blade, but even he didn't say anything. He instead stepped back, along with the others to leave Cyrus the only frontman to the show.

"What's he…?" Shuji trailed off.

Jase, feeling a shift in the tone, held up his elongated taser prongs with justice and resolution.

After a brief period of silence, the epiphany soon came as Cyrus lowered his head. He held up his Bakumeter and began pressing into the buttons. Each tap echoed, like a rock echoing down a bottomless well. Everyone remained on guard as the sequence pushing was finally done after only a few clicks. The screen started glowing on Cyrus' device.

"Hang on, don't tell me he's gonna…!" Luke snapped.

"Ready, Hellix."

Several dark materials joined up and gathered around one another. They materialized into a small device that Cyrus aimed at Raptorix. "I didn't intend for it to come to this. Personally I feel this may be much for you all…but, seeing your valor today, made me realize something…that perhaps you all have yet to experience the weapon of Hell itself." Purple tracks darted from his Bakumeter towards Raptorix' direction. "Bakugan, Mobile Assault Vehicle…launch!"

The projectile shot off the tracks and went flying towards Raptorix. Upon contact, a dark purple shockwave erupted as the device materialized. Everyone watched the dark hue around the skies blacken a little more as something large started rising between the Mobile Assault Vehicles. In fact, it looked bigger than all of them. The device looked more monstrous in figment than Torracrawler. Its shadow cascaded darkness over them as they glared up. Even without a spine, Jelldon could still feel that chill just looking at it.

Its design had Darkus colors, but streamlined with silver and magenta accents along the pitch-black coating. The monstrosity had Raptorix atop of a pedestal, which fastened his legs and arms. They were attached by chords that connected to far greater arms that had razor-sharp silver gauntlets and claws. The bottom was the platform atop of a gravitational disc, allowing Raptorix to float above with the lower-half secured inside. The edging had six thin tendrils with jagged spear-like spikes at the ends. His wings were also connected to chords, which connected to the massive devil wings with magenta accents and two huge silver turbines on each wing.

Raptorix craned his head up, emitting a shrieking caw that shuddered the air. The six tendrils beneath arose and shimmered with his cries. His power dumped up from 1300 to 1500 in an instant.

"That's…his Mobile Assault Vehicle?" Luke quipped. To him it didn't look anything like a vehicle. It looked like a mechanized demon suit. It left him completely speechless.

"Just what the hell is this supposed to be?" Shawn gnashed his teeth.

Cyrus half-grinned. "Perhaps it would be best to show you for an appropriate answer. Now…" He raised his arms, manifesting a Mobile Assault Ability. "Tremble before the might of Hellix itself! Ability, activate…Bedlam End!"

Raptorix moved the mechanical gauntlets of the vehicle to have the palms face each other. On each palm was an open hole where magenta lights were seen. They brightened, causing a gravitational mass to absorb dark matter around the area into a single point. The vacuum spiraled until the orb was nearly solid as steel, with a glossy shine around it to reminisce of a black hole.

Cyrus raised his arm up into the air, with Hellix doing the same. The device spread its gauntlets out and projected the orb into the sky, far up beyond everyone's reaches. It faded into the dark clouds above, becoming faded in the air.

"What the…?" Shuji looked straight up, seeing a magenta glint high above.

Jase's eyes widened. "Everyone, get back now!"

At the call, the dark clouds tore apart when the glint brightened. A monstrous blast wave of dark matter with magenta within it sped down like a meteor onto Abis and the others. The air roared as an immense, dark pillar beamed down, something that didn't go unnoticed by the others in Neathia's capital.

"Huh? What's that?" Rafe looked up at the sky, seeing an open hole with a black star beaming a flood of darkness down.

"Woah…" Paige was completely speechless.

Aranaut stared up at the sky with shock and chagrin. "My Queen…"

Fabia said nothing. Her lips were parted from shock alone as her green eyes were raptured in this frigid force. Even within the safety of the castle, the view of the darkness coming down was enough to make any warmth in her heart fade. She balled her fists at an unsettling thought.

Meanwhile, the attack continued down onto Abis an the other Bakugan. They were unable to escape due to the massive volume of the attack and were swallowed by its huge blast wave. They all screamed in agony as the darkness bolted through the soil, making the ground depress several times over around them and Hades Pillars.

Frill Abis Omega: 2100 (-500) = 1600/Dusk Atchibee: 1200 (-500) = 700/Glow Jelldon: 3500 (-100) = 3400/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200 (-500) = 700/Prime Verias: 900 (-500) = 400/Gale Atmos: 900 (-500) = 400 = 7200

Raptorix: 1500 (+500(x6)) = 4500/Snapzoid: 900/Buz Hornix: 500/Lumitroid: 2100/Glotronoid: 800/Nastix: 500 = 9300

Luke leaned forward and punctured the ground with his sword. He tried to hang on the best he could, but even he was unable to hold ground when it was literally ripping to sunder. Everyone found their footing misplaced the darkness was in freefall before it imploded. The Bakugan caught inside were swallowed in dark explosion that muted their screams. The explosive shockwave rampaged through the air, sending everyone screaming and flying through the air backwards along with debris

The Bakugan all screeched as they went careening through the dark matter. Each one was permeated and turned to ball form. One by one, they fell to the ground as the darkness settled. They all fumbled towards everyone's heads and sides as they were scattered around, daze and disoriented by that blast wave.

Luke: 30%

Esther: 30%

Maggie: 30%

Shuji: 30%

Shawn: 30%

Jase: 30%

The land was completely leveled, and that was saying something considering they were now all at a lower range to the slope where they would enter the Empyrean. So much ground was obliterated to smithereens that for miles on end, the landscape seemed more concave, leading to the darkened earth where the battle was.

Hades Pillars' Bakugan returned to ball form, flying back towards their masters.

"Gnnngh…" Luke felt the dirt beneath him and shakily got to his feet. His body was sore from that attack, but at least nothing was broken or shot…this time. He opened and eye as turned towards Hades Pillars. "Guys, everyone alright?" he weakly asked.

Shawn coughed frivolously as he came around. "Yeah, barely." He stood up and looked off to his side. "Maggie, you okay?!"

Maggie moaned as she started up as well. "I…think so." In truth, her knees had scrapes, and they ached quite a bit. When she stood, they burned.

"Maggie…" Jelldon murmured.

"Don't say it, Jelldon. Now's not the time to whimper on small things." She stood up with evenly spread legs. "This is like what happened on Earth. I'm a big girl now, and big girls don't cry when they get hurt. Only when others get hurt and they can't do anything about it." She balled her fists tightly as the thought of Luka's passing came to mind. "And I don't wanna go down bawling!"

Jelldon glared ahead, his eyes gleaming with the same calm rage Maggie possessed. He was angry that Maggie got hurt, but he was upset with how much and how many were hurt beyond them. They couldn't back down, not again. "You're right. Let's give them what for one more time!"

Jase staggered back up, his glasses having been blown off his face. He calmly placed them back on his face. His eyes opened, revealing his usual indecisive gleam. But he was frowning in dead seriousness. "While I'm not technically part of the military at this point, I'm still a soldier. We flee when ordered under the worst circumstances…but we have nowhere to run or hide."

A few rocks fell off of Shuji as he arose next. His face was covered in dirt, but he didn't care. He gritted his teeth angrily. "You think after all that we're just gonna bite the bullet that easily?"

"So many people have been hurt, worse than we are." Esther gradually stood on her two feet. Her right arm had a scrape where she landed on, but she chose to disregard it. "There's no greater pain than failure. And that pain only makes you stronger."

Luke stood fully up, holding onto his sword yet again. "Enough talk, we've got to show them what pain they've been putting us and everyone else."

Abis stirred, gathering his momentum for one more round. "I felt that one."

Cyrus humbly smirked.

"How many times does it take until we have to make them stay down?" Galilea huffed aggressively. "My patience is at its end."

"Girl, I ain't have no patience with dem to begin with." Magnus retorted.

Amina eyerolled with a scoff. "Can we hurry this along? It's starting to get dreary again, and the colors are going to clash with my outfit."

"Fret not. They may have gained experience, but they still have limited stamina. They cam only handle so much." Lucia informed, closing her eyes to concentrate. "We'll have to be tactful and wear them down, that's all we'll need."

"Lord Cyrus." Zion grunted.

Cyrus held up a Gate Card, initiating the call. "As they have said, they've taken much pain. If they say such things, it only means they have much more to learn. We will keep dealing with them, until anything and everything they know is pain. Gate Card, set!" He threw the Gate Card into play, manifesting a dark purple shockwave across the ground.

Everyone pulled back and threw in their Bakugan one more time. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!" In a bright flash, the ground thumped as all 12 animalistic titans arose for battle, unleashing enraged cries.

Hades Pillars punched into their Bakumeters at the same time. They all manifested materials for their devices and various elemental tracks were lined up with their Bakugan. "Mobile Assault Vehicles, launch!" They all fired the devices, attaching themselves along their Bakugan. They all popped open, summoning the huge robotic vehicles that towered above everyone.

Amina scoffed as she initiated one more sequence. The Bakumeter shined blue as more pieces came together. One they were together, she threw the Battlegear at Nastix, who was atop Phastrix. "Battlegear, boost!" She tossed the device onto Nastix, where it manifested into the large, broad tank-like ectoplasmic cannon.

Hades Pillars' Bakugan released estranged cries that caused the atmosphere to churn with vigorous energy. Shockwaves loomed across the ground that the others stood strongly against.

Frill Abis Omega: 700/Dusk Atchibee: 700/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 700/Prime Verias: 700/Gale Atmos: 700 = 4200

Raptorix: 1000/Snapzoid: 900/Buz Hornix: 1000/Lumitroid: 900/Glotronoid: 900/Nastix: 1000 = 5700

"We'll need to be on guard for this one. They won't give openings so easily this time." Jase deduced.

Lucia went ahead with the initial attack. "Ability activate, Gear Saber!" Once again, Lumitroid hissed as he charged up the pincer cannons. The unleashed rapid light beams straight ahead at everyone afoot.

Shawn raised his Bakumeter to make a counterattack. "Ability activate, Brass Sheria!"

Verias stepped in front and held out his fists. The beams made impact with the brass knuckles, where they were drawn into his body and caused the yellow embroidery to shine with vibrant light. The power gradually transferred, putting Lumitroid at 700, while Verias' power staggered up towards 1500.

With him gradually gaining power, Magnus made a move to strike back. "You got nothing on this! Ability, activate! Rim Sonic!" Glotronoid's Vilance opened its large, sharp drill prongs and aimed for Verias, who was still drawing in the firepower from Acceleton. He unleashed a broad beam that tore ahead after the vulnerable ape.

Jase cut in with an ability. "Ability activate, Aurai Shield!" Atmos swooped in front of Verias and extended the joints on his wings. They immersed into fans that generated a swirling green wind barrier that blocked the intense beam blazing at them. It dispersed through the winds, enabling Atmos' power to draft towards 900, while Glotronoid's reduced to 700.

"Ability, activate!" Maggie roared. "Bolting Sun!" Once again, Jelldon manifested a plasmatic fireball that he threw into the ground. The plasmatic flare erupted as a cover, which spread thinly towards the enemy Bakugan as his power climbed towards 1200.

With the enemy's vision blocked off, the fire wall was suspended for a second before a brimming light glinted from the other side. In speeds faster than sound, a hole tire through as Verias jettisoned towards them with his fist engulfed in the absorbed light. His trajectory was aimed specifically towards Phastrix.

Amina scoffed angrily. "Please, like that'll do anything! Ability, activate! Quash Photon!" Phastrix generated radioactive lightning that conducted from the plasma gunk he sat in. The more it bubbled, the faster the six towers charged. Once they were ready, a broad shockwave of radioactive energy fired into Verias' path.

"Not this time…" Shawn reaffirmed. "NOW!"

Abis and Jelldon had a tendril and coil around Fly Beetle's appendages and swung him ahead with all their might. At the rate he was pitched, he caught up to Verias and allowed the latter to support his back as he flew into the shockwave.

"Ability, activate! Carapace Riot!" Shuji declared.

Fly Beetle's body hardened as he flew in like a flying bulldozer. His horn stuck out as Verias stayed low and behind. The duo shit through the shockwave, but with Fly Beetle's indestructible carapace, it was unaffecting his power climb towards 1200. He was a hardened shield with a light trail beaming behind like a jetpack.

Zion narrowed his eyes with a malicious smirk. 'He really is a shield.'

Fly Beetle closed in through the impending blast wave and made it through the other end. He met Nastix on the other side. Time slowed down as Verias pulled his fist back as swirling light cackled as he brought it forward.

"Fusion Ability, activate!" Shawn pointed his rapier out as Verias punched forward. "Vibrant Kingdom Fist!"

Verias' power shot up towards 2000 as he cried aloud. His fist smashed into the Phastrix, past Fly Beetle's impermeable defenses. The fist created an explosive light that dented in Phastrix and caused the legs to lose balance. The entire thing smoke as the glass encasing the ectoplasm. The entire thing fell onto its side, causing multiple parts to dent in and snap.

Amina staggered in shock. "What have you done?!"

Fly Beetle was still surrounded in his armor when he and Verias landed. Touching the ground almost instantly, they could feel how hit it was. They looked up, realizing Snapzoid was inside his containment chamber above the Torracrawler gathering heat. "Verias, stay back!"

Understanding, Verias stayed behind Fly Beetle as the Bakugan braced himself.

"Burn away!" Zion roared. "Ability, activate! Supernova-X!"

Snapzoid's power increased dramatically as the supernova shockwave started stockpiling. It grew until the Torracrawler quivered in midair as a pillar of fire shot up, while flaring, hot shockwaves swallowed Fly Beetle up. It didn't blow him back, but the heat was extreme enough to leave even Verias behind him choking.

Zion narrowed his eyes in disgust. "Burn…" A scattering purple dust rained down onto him, making him look up. "What?"

They all saw Atchibee above, her scales releasing a powder into the flames going on. They helped simmer them some, but only enough to allow time for everyone to back away a reasonable distance. Esther's Bakumeter was brimming with an ability active. "Ability, Scale Down. Just in time."

Snapzoid snarled as his power level only rose up by 2200, bringing him up towards 3100. It was still a gradual number no less, but it wasn't doing anything still to push the foes back like the other attacks would.

"Get grounded! Ability activate, Subterra Gravity!"

"Ability, activate! Omni Storm!" Jase added

Fly Beetle's eyes glowed bright orange-brown, his creaking limbs raising to create a gravity around the Torracrawler. "You're a real…hassle to deal with…when you're so high and mighty up there…" His voice cracked as he fought through the pain. "Let's try…and knock you down a peg! HRAAAAH~!" He intensified the assault quicker than expected. The gravity domain around the Torracrawler became so massive that it started to simmer down, lowering into the earth.

Atmos shrieked as he unleashed a vicious whirlwind that pushed down on the Torracrawler. The added pressure was enough to fully send it downwards.

The mechanized machine's multiple legs had no choice but to lock into the Torracrawler's sides and help it anchor so it didn't collapse entirely like Phastrix did. The earth sundered from its fall though, which spread thinly as the flaming energy dispersed around Snapzoid as well. The Bakugan inside snarled as his power drastically reduced back down to 900, much to Zion's ire.

'His power returns to base after expelling all that energy. I'll be vulnerable to attack. But that's also why…' He reached back, pulling out a polearm. 'I fight, too!'

"Guys, look alive!" Shawn warned.

Zion threw the polearm as fast as he could across the battlefield. It closed in quick, but Jase was able to anticipate and moved his head a few inches to the side, narrowly evading the weapon's trajectory into the earth.

"Ability activate, Draft Cannon!" Atmos flapped his wings and shot higher. His wings stretched out as a cyclone-like draft swirled around him and converged into his mouth. It surged until it was compressed enough to be unleashed in an intense, pressurized green beam of energy surrounded by aerial streams swirling around it. Atmos' power shot up to 1700 as the attack went downwards onto the suppressed Torracrawler.

Amina narrowed her eyes. "Buz Hornix, move!" At her command, the Bakugan's huge underside hovered over until it was in front of the incoming attack's wake. "Ability, activate! Psyonic Bide!" The cannon-like beam struck the Cyberg, where its reflective surface shined brightly before giving off a magenta shine from the other accents around it. The attack emitted an airwave through the surroundings and blasted back in Atmos' direction, zooming to decelerate his power drastically.

"Atchibee!" Abis shouted.

"Right, I'm on it!" Atchibee fluttered behind Abis' back and swooped in to snatch him up in her upper-half's thick claws. The four ends held onto him as she raced in front of Atmos with Abis attached.

"Now!"

Luke nodded and created an ability. "Double ability, activate! Frill Rippler!" Abis flexed his huge frills, shielding Atchibee and Atmos behind. The green airwave blast struck his massive frills, refracting and deflecting the pressure around him and back. "Plus, Fusion Ability, Refractor Booster!" The attack went bouncing back, streaming with far greater speed and double the pressure from before. It projected green and blue inside as the shockwave were like distorted ripples that beamed down onto Buz Hornix.

"Hmph! Stupid fools." Amina huffed.

Galilea didn't take chances this time. She watched the Cyberg's surface get refracted upon, where, upon impact, it flashed brightly before the air roared. The rippling shockwaves were once again projected up at them once more, now at enormous speeds that were sure to punch a hole through Abis.

"Atchibee, let's go!" Esther shouted. "Ability activate, Wormhole!"

"What?" Galilea gasped.

The pulsing airwave streamed into Atchibee, who dropped Abis at the last second. She summoned a wormhole that sucked in the pressurized blast wave and fed her power. A Darkus aura enveloped her, while Abis was caught by Atmos' talons as he sailed past Atchibee's cover.

Frill Abis Omega: 700 (+400) = 1100/Atchibee: 700 (+1200) = 1900/Glow Jelldon: 1200/Stag Fly Beetle: 1700/Prime Verias: 2000/Gale Atmos: 1100 = 9000

Raptorix: 1000/Snapzoid: 900/Buz Hornix: 1000/Lumitroid: 700/Glotronoid: 700/Nastix: 1000 = 5300

With the reflective attack still pulsing, Buz Hornix was focused on the one attack when Verias was still within range. He looked back at Fly Beetle, who gave him a nod of approval and went racing after Buz Hornix' backside.

"Behind you!" Galilea shouted.

Shawn showed two abilities in the making. "Double ability, activate! Primera Pressure, plus Kingdom Gladiator!"

Verias' entire body was engulfed in broad light that was attached to him, much like muscle fibers. Broad light enveloped his staff as he went blazing after Buz Hornix. He swung around, furiously spiraling past and cleaving through an epic swipe. When he posed in front, his blade was covered in the sheen still as the reflective coating on the Cyberg proved ineffective to reflect the ability. It left an explosive gash that erupted, making Buz Hornix shriek in agony as her mechanical support sustained severe damage.

Frill Abis Omega: 1100/Atchibee: 1900/Glow Jelldon: 1200/Stag Fly Beetle: 1700/Prime Verias: 2000 (+400 +500) = 2900/Gale Atmos: 1100 = 9900

Raptorix: 1000/Snapzoid: 900/Buz Hornix: 1000 (-500) = 500/Lumitroid: 700/Glotronoid: 700/Nastix: 1000 = 4800

Same with Nastix' Phastrix, the one side dented inwards. The wake was too much and made the anti-gravity on the one end give in, ultimately pinning the insectoid queen to the ground. Magnus and Lucia moved in to cover for her.

"Ability activate, Rim Sonic!"

"Ability activate, Gear Saber!"

The attacks were launched at Verias yet again. He turned around, seeing they were closing in remarkably vast.

"Ability activate, Storm Valkyrie!" Suddenly a brisk, harsh whirlwind-like shield impeded within its direction. It flowed outwards, dissipating both attacks and buffering back the other Bakugan along Hades Pillars' side. The harsh hurricane lashed out with intense force, plummeting everyone there.

Frill Abis Omega: 1100/Dusk Atchibee: 1900/Glow Jelldon: 1200/Stag Fly Beetle: 1700/Prime Verias: 2900/Gale Atmos: 1100 (+300) = 1400 = 10,100

Raptorix: 1000 (-300) = 700/Snapzoid: 900 (-300) = 600/Buz Hornix: 500 (-300) = 200/Lumitroid: 700 (-300) = 400/Glotronoid: 700 (-300) = 400/Nastix: 1000 (-300) = 700 = 3000

"Luke! Finish them, quickly!" Jase shouted.

"Right, let's go Abis!" Luke roared.

"On it!" Abis slicked back up and looked into the eye of the whirlwind. The enemy Bakugan were buffered in their vehicles, meaning they had a clear shot at taking them down. His frills flexed as he hastily hissed.

Together, he and Luke had similar harsh glares as water gathered around his frills. "Double ability, activate!" Both roared. "Daedalus Cyclone, plus Fusion Ability, Refractor Booster!"

Abis shrieked out at the top of his lungs as an aquatic cyclone expelled in the same manner Atmos' cyclone wall did. The wind from the cyclone fused with the deathly pressurized water, making a whirlpool spontaneously erupt around Hades Pillars. Their Bkaugan were submerged and unable to react. Abis refused to let up. Hs eyes glowed bright blue as his body gave off a bright Aquos aura as he added power to it. The cyclone doubled in mass and force, creating a huge shockwave that expelled blue energy into the jet spirals. The cyclone combusted with blue air bubbles glistening throughout the domain. All around, aquatic bursts rained water that froze and became snow that sprinkled around everyone. They all stood motionless, watching the mist and smoke dissipated from the attack.

A dreaded silence fell through the atmosphere, but no one could be certain where this was falling. The Bakugan all grouped together to be sure of their security.

Luke and everyone held their weapons up in case something went wrong. They saw blue static crackling spontaneously, making Shuji's eyes widen.

"You've gotta be kidding-!"

A blistering shockwave of blue photons erupted out of the blue. They eradicated the snow, water, and wind in one swoop and pushed Atmos and Abis back amongst their peers. Had it not been for Atchibee and Jelldon catching them, they would've plummeted to the ground.

Frill Abis Omega: 2100 (-1000 -200) = 900/Dusk Atchibee: 1900/Glow Jelldon: 1200/Stag Fly Beetle: 1700/Prime Verias: 2900/Gale Atmos: 1400 (-300 -200) = 900 = 9500

Raptorix: 0 (+1000) = 1000/Snapzoid: 600 (+300) = 900/Buz Hornix: 200 (+300) = 500/Lumitroid: 400 (+300) = 700/Glotronoid: 400 (+300) = 700/Nastix: 700 (+300) = 1000 = 4800

The shockwaves dispersed, leaving everyone to pick themselves up and see through the energy dispersing. They saw the smoke clear, and yet through it, they could see several pair of hate-filled eyes of darkness staring at them.

The smoke soon cleared, revealing the damaged Phastrix in front of the other machines, despite everyone's disbelief. The machine, even Nastix, was staggering, but still functioning.

"That thing seriously still working?!" Shuji balled his fists, grunting in annoyance. "Gnnngh…!"

"These guys seriously just don't know when to call it quits, do they?" Maggie dryly snorted. "And they said we were gluttons for punishment."

"Damnit, and we're just so close…" Shawn grunted.

Cyrus maliciously grinned. He reached out towards the field with one hand. "Gate Card, open…Forcement Enemy!" The card shined brightly, engulfing their Bakugan in a bright, empowering glow that increased all their power. With six Bakugan against them, it was going to be a staggering number no less.

Frill Abis Omega: 900/Dusk Atchibee: 1900/Glow Jelldon: 1200/Stag Fly Beetle: 1700/Prime Verias: 2900/Gale Atmos: 900 = 9500

Raptorix: 1000 (+600) = 1600/Snapzoid: 900 (+600) = 1500/Buz Hornix: 500 (+600) = 1100/Lumitroid: 700 (+600) = 1300/Glotronoid: 700 (+600) = 1300/Nastix: 1000 (+600) = 1600 = 8400

"They just powered up big time!" Fly Beetle shouted.

Cyrus calmly raised his Bakumeter. "And now…ability, activate! Diablo-X!" A bright core with chords emulated across Raptorix. It faded into his body, where the pigment blackened to darkness before a heartbeat pulse erupted. The Bakugan unleashed a blistering cry as a broad dark pillar exploded around it, shooting skywards with force tearing up the low-level clouds. The rumbling earth caused the others to brace themselves as his power shot up towards 3100.

The pulse waves spread across everyone's heads, causing them to lose traction across the depressed dirt. This gave Galilea her own opening.

"Ability, activate…Cell Force-X!" A bright purple core arose from beneath and encased Buz Hornix. The energy transmitted into the cellular hexagons within her abdomen. They all gradually charged up and finally expelled the energy into a monstrous beam as her power skyrocketed towards 2700. It blazed across the battlefield, where it spread into everyone as fast as lightning.

Verias grunted and used his superb power to hold vastly. He bunted using his staff, suppressing the attack's wake. But even so, he gradually slid backwards at the overwhelming force. Fly Beetle tucked himself in and held onto Verias' back. With his hard body and toughness, he was doing well supporting his friend.

"Zion." Cyrus noted.

At his expense, the warrior stepped up to activate the attack. "Hmph…ability, activate! Siphon Lock!"

The Torracrawler was still stuck in the ground, but the legs were unlocked, allowing it to move nimbly much like a spider would. The front legs charged up red plasmatic energy, and then came crashing down into the ground. Static-like shockwaves rampaged everywhere, adding force to the Cell Force-X. Red pulses obliterated the earth and made so much effort that it was too much even for Fly Beetle to keep them up. They were all sent flying backwards, while Luke and everyone were forced to get down as everyone succumbed to the discharge.

Frill Abis Omega: 900 (-500) = 400/Dusk Atchibee: 1900 (-500) = 1400/Glow Jelldon: 1200 (-500) = 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 1700 (-500) = 1200/Prime Verias: 2900 (-500) = 2400/Gale Atmos: 900 (-500) = 400

Raptorix: 3100/Snapzoid: 1500 (+1600) = 3100/Buz Hornix: 2700/Lumitroid: 1300/Glotronoid: 1300/Nastix: 1600 = 13,100

All their Bakugan crashed into the ground harshly, the attack leaving them in shock for a moment while their partners were stammering back up from the relapse.

"Lucia, do it now." Cyrus ordered.

"Right away, Lord Cyrus." Lucia manifested an ability that had a dark core on it as well. "Blind them with your might, Lumitroid! Ability activate…Solar-X!"

Lumitroid hissed mightily as a bright core illuminated his front. The light strengthened into a magenta brazen ray that shined so bright, that nerly everything was sizzling from its radiance. The magenta rays struck everyone who was barely standing. They all shrieked in agony as the rays permeated through their skin, causing extreme agony.

"Graaah!" Verias covered up with a forearm, which sizzled from the force. "I…can't move!"

"I can't even see! I'm blind~!" Jelldon closed all six of his eyes. "It burns!"

Frill Abis Omega: 500/Dusk Atchibee: 1400 (-900) = 500/Glow Jelldon: 700 (-200) = 500/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200 (-700) = 500/Prime Verias: 2400 (-1900) = 500/Gale Atmos: 500

Raptorix: 3100/Snapzoid: 3100/Buz Hornix: 2700/Lumitroid: 1300/Glotronoid: 1300/Nastix: 1600 = 13,100

The piercing rays bypassed even the Bakugan, making it impossible for Luke and everyone else to see thoroughly towards the other side. They grunted at the cumbersome predicament they've gotten into.

"Damnit! They got us pinned down!" Shawn grunted. He looked over at Verias, whom was barely able to stand. 'Damnit. Even Verias' Primera Pressure was inactive for this. We can't nullify them!'

Abis grunted as his scales steamed from the violent light going against him. As crude and painful as it was, he attempted to open an eye to get an idea of where and what was gong on. But with how little he could, his vision was blurred by the visage of the daunting rays of a familiar black dragon. His sharp teeth gnashed together viciously at a recurring memory.

'Brontes…'

'Luka…' Luke thought.

With everyone petrified by the light, this was the golden opportunity to rid of them once and for all. "I believe now is the time we finish this." Lucia informed. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to compose for the moment.

"Indeed." Cyrus smirked. "Zion, you know what to do."

"With pleasure." The warrior brought up his heavy machine gun one more time, intending to get rid of the problem before them while they were still down. "I shall eradicate the humans…"

"As I shall for their pets." Cyrus held up an ability.

"Not like this…!" Shawn cursed.

"You bastards!" Shuji growled, balling his fists tightly in his anger.

Esther turned towards Jase. "We need to move, now!"

As everyone was on the verge of being overwhelmed by the shock of the situation, Lucia still had her eyes shut. She was tensely focusing when she felt something off in her psychic powers. A vision of something jumped out of nowhere inside, causing her eyes to flash open with an epiphany.

"What's up with you?" Magnus asked, seeing Lucia's momentary surprise.

Her surprise turned towards expectance when she turned towards the sky. Her glare fixated on this insatiable feeling she had inside.

"You may struggle as you please, it bears fruit to fear." Cyrus continued his belittling monologue as his Bakugan's dark matter caused the dark clouds above to swirl uncontrollably. Dark lightning flashed spontaneously to where it became a light show. Each flash brightened the sky, but it darkened Cyrus' expression until his grizzly stare was the only brimming part of his visage. It was enough to completely silence everyone. "You state that the greatest pain is failure itself. If that's the case, then it means that you have yet to feel the greatest pain that isn't failure…and that's the judgment of Hades Pillars itself. Not our lord, he's reasonable. But in order to receive blessing from Hades himself, one must travel through Hell, and suffer a most unspeakable demise. Over, and over again. And the pillars who border that gateway towards him will watch over that demise, so that the king of Hell himself does not have to tamper with such mercy from pure souls like you. That is just one of the factors that make up Hades Pillars."

They all said nothing. Rather, they had no choice but to prepare for the worst case. Shawn, Shawn, Jase, and Esther gathered their bravado and held up their weapons to hold their own for when Zion starts shooting them down.

"Lord Cyrus, that's enough talk." Zion looked through the lock-on screen on the gun's top. "Today, we stain this ground with their blood."

Cyrus lowered his head. "Supposed you're right." He raised his arm. "Very well! Now, eradicate them at once-!"

He didn't get to finish when the lightning in the sky crackled and separated. The ions distorted as rainbow lightning took over the atmosphere. Everyone's attention adverted towards the disruption in the atmosphere.

"Hm? What's this?"

The rainbow static surged above the battlefield, but it didn't falter. It swirled and continued climbing in energy until ions flashed uncontrollably. The sight didn't spark any confidence in anyone, but it did raise bars of uncertainty.

Lucia narrowed her eyes, recalling what she saw. "It's coming."

Luke gasped. "What's that…?"

The turbulence in the air stopped for a moment before the rainbow static converged to a single point. A dimensional portal opened up gradually over Luke's head, leaving him speechless as something shot down in front of them. Barely backing away in time, the lightning bolt crashed into the ground, obscuring everything in dust.

The visual Zion had was obscured, unable to get a clear shot. "What's that supposed to be?"

"A dimensional portal?" Galilea looked up in surprise at the portal, which started fading away. "But how? Master Riaan blocked off spatial transport."

Cyrus' eyelids dimmed some. "It seems that we have an uninvited visitor amongst us."

The dust cloud in front of everyone continued blocking out their vision. They all glared ahead at the thing inside that stirred and arose from a knee. Its silhouette was clearly masculine and human-like, but it wasn't until a majority of the smoke vanished that everyone picked up on who interrupted.

Shuji's eyes widened in shock. "What the…?"

The figure inside stood up on his two feet, looking ahead with a confident smirk. That same smirk brought everyone out of the epiphany they had when they recognized whom it was.

"It can't be…" Maggie quipped. "Are you serious…?!"

The smoke fully dispersed, revealing someone whom they haven't seen in a long time. He raised his head, putting one hand to his side. "So this is where you guys have gone off to and ran without me. About damn time I found ya. Do you have any idea what hell I went through because of you morons?"

Esther blinked. "That tone. Is that really you?"

A smirk crossed a familiar face, attached to a familiar face, attached to a familiar body that stood before everyone. With full visual, everyone got a good look at whom it was that arrived at the last second, and by no means did any of them hold back shock.

"No way…Keegan?!" Luke gasped.

Keegan flashed a coy smirk. His attire had been completely altered, giving him an orange shirt beneath a thin, dark blue mantle with laced sleeves along the bottom. Over him was a thick coat to shield him from the cold while his trousers were now borderline gray. He adorned blue and black shoes, with similar silver bottoms. He folded his arms and gave Hades Pillars a menacing smirk of confidence.

"Who is he?" Amina asked, her tone hinting curiosity for a change.

"I'm not sure." Galilea narrowed her eyes. "But it looks like he's an Interacian like us…so what is he doing here on their side? Moreover, how did someone bypass the spatial transport block code?"

Magnus raised a brow. "Seems like we've got ourselves a couple of scavengers out there."

Cyrus nor Zion said anything. They frowned at the revelation afoot.

"Keegan? Is that seriously you?" Maggie questioned.

He looked back over his shoulder. "In the flesh, pipsqueak. What's the matter, you look like you've just seen a ghost."

"Where the hell did you come from?" Shuji inquired.

Keegan snorted. "Hmph, you can have Spectra and Gus to thank for that. They've managed to get things rolling enough for a solid transport. They thought it'd be good for me to come help you guys out."

'Gus sent him?' Luke's eyes widened. He remembered what Gus said last night that sparked him to come visit them in this time. The memory caused him to meekly smile. 'Guess we owe him one for this.'

"You guys have no idea what Hell you left me in with those freaks. I swear, Vestals have to be the biggest pests that ever got under my skin and then some." His voice churned with engrossed venom in them. "They've really gone and pissed me off, first asking all these weird questions about how I lived, next thing you know you're in labs and under monitors tracking everything about you. It's so creepy that I just wanted to just…!"

Maggie frowned nervously. "Huh, looks like somebody hasn't changed all that much."

"Some things are nearly impossible to change, I suppose." Jase chimed, which turned to a serious frowned. "But if he's here, that must mean there's a reason in doing so. Perhaps they're aware that we're in trouble."

Esther looked over at Luke to see the small smirk on his face. It didn't take long for her to realize and pick up on the pieces. She lightly grinned as well.

"So what, you were brought here just to tell us what you've been up to?" Shuji questioned rudely. "Look pal, this isn't a good time in case you didn't catch the memo."

"Nice to see you too, chubs. You're looking well." He gave Shuji a sarcastic chime, before glancing back ahead towards Hades Pillars. "So these are the guys who're giving you a hard time? Man, just looking at them gives me the chills."

"Be careful, one of them has a gun!" Maggie warned.

At that, Zion snorted and raised his machine gun. "Fool." He started firing in rapid succession towards Keegan. "You're in the way!"

Keegan flinched at the oncoming bullets, but was surprised when Luke and Shawn moved in front to deflect the bullets. The gunfire didn't let up as Zion refused to have them gain the advantage.

Keegan retraced his steps as Luke and Shawn defended him, but a few bullets were zipping past them. He was lucky one was just a few inches from his face.

"No time! If you have something, use it!" Jase yelled.

"I got it, I got it!" Keegan pulled out a blue and silver Bakugan from his pocket. "You really think I came just to stand by? Spectra and Gus sent me here for another reason than just 'help'. Now's the time for a field test of what we've been working on." He looked back at everyone behind. "You guys just sit back and watch, I'll take over from here."

Nobody was in any position to say. They just watched Keegan as he readied his Bakugan. He raised his arm and pulled it back.

"Is that idiot really going to battle us?" Magnus wondered.

Lucia furrowed her brow. "Everyone, on your guard!"

Keegan's gleam shined. "Alright, time to one-up these suckers at their own game! Bakugan, brawl!" He threw the sphere past Luke and Shawn, rolling onto the ground and popping open. "Bakugan, stand!"

A blue light flash from the open ball form and released a vibrant rush of wind everywhere, buffering everything. The ground shook as the Bakugan was summoned out and rising with an odd air around it. It made Zion stop firing and retain guard.

Amina looked up, her eyes shrinking from the deplorable sight. "What the-?!"

"Rise, Aquos Andro Elico!"

The blue light shined, rising up to what many would've guessed to be Mystic Elico. But instead, he looked vastly different in a number of ways. His frilly crown headpiece was replaced by a dark blue headpiece that was ridges, with a blue gem on the center. The top fin was larger and had a small bright blue membrane. The four remaining ridges lead down to four mechanical dreadlocks with nails on the ends. As they whipped around, they drew attention towards the face, where silver mechanical outlines beneath the eyes went down to the pointed chin. He had broad, smooth metal shoulder plates with bright blue accents that shielded the actual metal shoulders. The biceps were left alone, but around the forearms were massive mechanical gauntlets that housed an even larger set of mechanical silver gauntlet claws that were attached to a dark blue rim hooked by a bright blue brace. The two gauntlets were able to rotate around the forearm and wrists to show its versatility. The upper body had mechanical plating with the bright orange core attaches to four prongs that bent into the chest. Bright blue glossy energy was seen through glass along where the collar bone would be. The lower abdomen had dark blue plating above the mechanical brace around the pelvis. They connected to bars that went down past the knees and into the shins, where bright orange cores were on the mechanically armored shin guards and knees. Dark blue plates were along the shins for extra defense. The heels were resting on mechanical soles, much like sandals one might say. The six huge blades he had on his back were all replaced by mechanical scythes that moved independently from each other.

Frill Abis Omega: 500/Dusk Atchibee: 500/Glow Jelldon: 500/Stag Fly Beetle: 500/Prime Verias: 500/Gale Atmos: 500/Andro Elico: 700

Raptorix: 3100/Snapzoid: 3100/Buz Hornix: 2700/Lumitroid: 1300/Glotronoid: 1300/Nastix: 1600 = 13,100

"Ugh, what is that?" Amina grossly pointed out.

Lucia squinted. What she saw didn't settle well, even with someone as composed as her. "I believe that's a Bakugan with mechanical parts added to it. A Cyborg Bakugan."

Shawn's eyes widened in shock at the mechanized Elico standing before them. "What the hell? Is that really…his Bakugan?"

"Your Bakugan aren't the only ones who changed, you know." Keegan beamed. "We've been doing some work back on Vestal with Spectra, and we've been experimenting with Vestal technology, as well as the DNA we Interacians possess. What you're looking at is Mystic Elico alright, but now, he's the blend of enhanced Vestal technology, and Interacian infusions: Andro Elico!"

Everyone was at a loss for words. They didn't know how to openly respond to all this, but Keegan stepped forward with a smirk. "Now, my friends, sit back, and watch a masterpiece at work."

Cyrus recovered and huffed. "Hmph. Even so, enlighten me if you will. Does such an infusion mean anything? I'm dying to know just what lengths you've gone, Interacian."

"You'll be surprised." Keegan challenged.

"Then your arrogance will lead you to your demise. Ability, activate! Bedlam End!" The Hellix around Raptorix began charging up energy between the palms. Dark matter expanded and created a hemisphere that was shot into the skies above. It faded into the clouds, before a second later, a hole tore open as a massive beam shot straight down everyone, roaring mightily as it gained momentum.

Frill Abis Omega: 500 (-500) = 0/Dusk Atchibee: 500 (-500) = 0/Glow Jelldon: 500 (-500) = 0/Stag Fly Beetle: 500 (-500) = 0/Prime Verias: 500 (-500) = 0/Gale Atmos: 500 (-500) = 0/Andro Elico: 700 (-500) = 200

Raptorix: 3100 (+500(x7)) = 6600/Snapzoid: 3100/Buz Hornix: 2700/Lumitroid: 1300/Glotronoid: 1300/Nastix: 1600 = 16,600

The blast wave came roaring down, but neither Keegan nor his evolved Elico were fazed by this. "Andro Elico!"

Andro Elico stood strong as braced at the new commands to be given.

Keegan readied an ability projecting from his Bakumeter. "Time for a test drive! Ability activate, Tidal Blow!"

Andro Elico's gauntlets began rotating at enormous speed around the forearms and wrists. They gathered momentum until bright blue whirlwinds engulfed his arms as the dark matter came crashing down. He raised both arms up and projected the blue cyclone into the sky. The dark matter was all churning and dispersed through the rotation speeds all the way through. Residual dark matter fanned out in every other direction over everyone's heads, much to their surprise.

"He stopped that attack? Seriously?!" Amina flabbergasted.

Andro Elico didn't stop there. He aimed the whirlwind cyclone away from the sky and brought it down in an arch into the enemy Bakugan. Lumitroid's broad light was futile as the whirling attack was making his Acceleton lose balance, He had to cease his bright glare and fall back, enabling the other Bakugan behind Andro Elico to feel free reign yet again.

Frill Abis Omega: 0 (+400) = 400/Dusk Atchibee: 0 (+500 +900) = 1400/Glow Jelldon: 0 (+500 +200) = 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 0 (+500 +700) = 1200/Prime Verias: 0 (+500 +1900) = 2400/Gale Atmos: 0 (+400) = 400/Andro Elico: 200 (+500) = 700

Raptorix: 6600 (-3500) = 3100/Snapzoid: 3100/Buz Hornix: 2700/Lumitroid: 1300/Glotronoid: 1300/Nastix: 1600 = 13,100

Galilea covered up, the residual blast wave managing to shift her hair about. 'He's managed to nullify those abilities in one blow. Now they have backup again.'

Keegan smirked. "And we're just getting started."

Lucia readied herself to attack. "Ability, activate! Gear Saber!" Lumitroid rebalanced himself and started gliding along the Acceleton. It moved hastily and fired projectile beams continuously, over and over in succession.

"Ability activate, Rim Sonic!" Magnus followed up. Glotronoid followed with the Vilance opening once more. It charged up an energy beam and sent it blazing after Elico.

As Lumitroid went up towards 1900 and Glotronoid went to 1700, Andro Elico dropped to 300 as the two versatile attacks repeatedly bombarded him. They fired constantly, engulfing him in explosions that shook the earth. The Acceleton glided along the earth as its fired in various angles. The sound of metal clanking and bending was enough to grate ears.

After several consecutive shots, Glotronoid and Lumitroid let up. The latter retained distance as the smoke cloud obscured everything.

"Okay, even I can't withstand that." Magnus admitted.

Lucia said nothing in response. Instead, she felt something off as the smoke dispersed slowly.

Keegan smirked through the smoke. "Okay…that hurt. But not after this. Ability, activate!" Another ability glimmered through the smoke, which Elico responded to. "FARBAS Delta!"

The cloud of smoke dispersed, revealing a glowing blue body inside. An equally ominous set of eyes glowed bright yellow as diagnostics were checked on Andro Elico, who was still standing. Slowly, the dented metal and the battered dreadlocks started to do self-repair themselves, much to everyone's surprise. "Damage dealt by Gear Saber Ability, 50%. Damage dealt by Rim Sonic Ability, 38%. Activating main sequence diagnostics and self-regeneration sequence.' A computerized voice announced the protocols as Elico's body gradually returned to being unhindered. "Returning to original power level, 700." At that, the repairs to even his power level returned to 700.

"He healed himself completely?" Fly Beetle awed.

"It's like not even a scratch got on him." Verias gasped.

Keegan smirked. "You haven't seen anything yet."

Andro Elico's eyes glowed brighter as the computerized irises were analyzing the forbidden power flowing through the Bakugan. A deep blue aura encased Andro Elico's body as he started accelerating. "System recovery damage, 100%. Defense neutralization output to 10%. Analyzation of opponents complete. Increasing power level by 13,400."

Frill Abis Omega: 400/Dusk Atchibee: 1400/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 2400/Gale Atmos: 400/Andro Elico: 700 (+13,400) = 14,100

Raptorix: 3100/Snapzoid: 3100/Buz Hornix: 2700/Lumitroid: 1900/Glotronoid: 1700/Nastix: 1600 = 14,100

"No way…" Shawn murmured.

"Is this for real?" Abis looked towards his side, feeling a colossal chill up his spine when Andro Elico had a prominent aura. His bodily power level was so massive, that the air around him was churning from compromising pressure. The ground thumped as the turbine sin his systems were fluctuating immense power.

Lucia's face showed something that wasn't an easy emotion to see from her. Shock. She was dumbfounded to say the very least much more so with an enemy ascertaining that much power in one sitting. "Inconceivable. How did he manage that much power by itself?"

"What kind of trick is this?" Zion snarled.

"It's no trick. It's Vestal technology." Keegan announced. "We've programmed Andro Elico's mechanical part to adjust to your guys' Forbidden Abilities. In their studies, Spectra and Gus did a lot of genome testing and were able to test Mystic Elico's DNA to realize he's stationary. Just like a Gundalian and Neathian Bakugan, but if we make a body to withhold power, we can make him a weapon that not even your head honcho can't beat."

"Spectra and Gus sis all that?" Esther was at a loss for what to say.

Galilea looked completely stupefied. "A Bakugan designed to counter immense power…?"

Lucia narrowed her eyes, her instincts of defense kicking in. "It won't matter. Even with all that power, it won't hold out for long. A true Bakugan would be able to contain that power indefinitely, and that is our Lord Riaan himself."

"Then let's test that theory, shall we?" Keegan showed another ability. "Anility, activate! Glide Gauntlet!" Andro Elico raised his forearms. Steam jetting from behind the huge gauntlet claws as they aimed at the enemies. They fired like rockets attached by hyper-enforced chords at them.

Frill Abis Omega: 400/Dusk Atchibee: 1400/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 2400/Gale Atmos: 400/Andro Elico: 14,100 (+400) = 14,500

Raptorix: 3100/Snapzoid: 3100/Buz Hornix: 2700/Lumitroid: 1900/Glotronoid: 1700/Nastix: 1600 = 14,100

The claws jettisoned into Lumitroid's Acceleton, piercing the rim and metal to clutch on tight. Elico dragged his arm around and pulled the Acceleton and Lumitroid around like ragdolls and bashed them into the fellow Bakugan. Metal clanked as the weights on them caused the earth to shake.

Andro Elico wasn't done. With his opponents grouped together, he launched the second gauntlet claw straight ahead. It bolted into the earth in front, creating a large cloud burst that made Hades Pillars cover up and deter away.

"What force!" Jase awed.

The gauntlets retraced to Andro Elico as Keegan refused to give momentum away. "Alright, time for some more firepower! Ability, activate! Droid Hydra!" The mechanical scythes on Andro Elico's sides all levered up and evenly spread out. The tips compressed blue energy and fired thin blue laserbeams into the dust cloud.

Frill Abis Omega: 400/Dusk Atchibee: 1400/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 2400/Gale Atmos: 400/Andro Elico: 14,500 (+400) = 14,900

Raptorix: 3100 (-400) = 2700/Snapzoid: 3100 (-400) = 2700/Buz Hornix: 2700 (-400) = 2300/Lumitroid: 1900 (-400) = 1500/Glotronoid: 1700 (-400) = 1300/Nastix: 1600 (-400) = 1200 = 11,700

The laserbeams barreled after Hades Pillars, yet Zion saw it incoming and hastily moved in front. "Ability, activate! Thunder Field!"

Though inside Torracrawler's grounded state, Snapzoid was able to emit an electric pulse wall that discharged in front of everyone. It neutralized all the laserbeams, preventing them from making impact. It nullified the ability entirely, while at the same time, increasing Snapzoid's power to 3300.

"You'll have to do better than that."

"Fine with me. We've got more tricks for you." Keegan instigated another ability. "Ability, activate! Seith Circle!" The laserbeams stopped firing from Andro Elico's scythes as they started churning. The ends kept the energy going as the scythes started rotating like a fan blade. The ends made an energy wheel that detached and shot into Snapzoid. It beelined cleaned through the static terrain, tearing into the Torracrawler's front to make it chip off metal and stagger backwards.

Frill Abis Omega: 400/Dusk Atchibee: 1400/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 2400/Gale Atmos: 400/Andro Elico: 14,500 (+300) = 14,800

Raptorix: 3100/Snapzoid: 3300 (-300) = 3000/Buz Hornix: 2700/Lumitroid: 1900/Glotronoid: 1700/Nastix: 1600 = 14,000

Zion growled angrily. Keegan was giving him a calm frown in return that really pissed him off. He reached for his machine gun to shoot him down. But beyond the mechanical beats in front, it was nothing he could aim for. "Tch, punk."

The mechanical vehicles slowly levered up once more to attack Andro Elico. He stood unaffected by the ominous force the opponents gave off.

"Ability, activate! Siphon Lock!" The Torracrawler raised its front legs, charging up plasma before unleashing it in a broad shockwave across the terrain.

"Alright then. Time for you to face our secret weapon." Keegan readied another ability. "Ability, activate! Element Core!" The orange chest core brightened to make a broad rainbow light. It flowed like a translucent ripple across Andro Elico's body. He stood in front of everyone, taking the attacks that were refracted and shielded upon impact and nullifying them on the spot.

Lucia furrowed her brow. "He nullified our abilities again I see."

Amina growled. "This is starting to get annoying."

"I'm starting to agree Amina. This is getting tedious to where I can't fathom my tolerance for you as well." Lucia sidenoted.

Magnus put in an ability for himself. "Well I ain't having this anymore. Ability, activate! Rim Sonic!" Glotronoid took aim on the Vilance once more and charged up prongs. They fired at Andro Elico once more, transferring 400 Gs yet again.

"How's about a little lesson someone taught me." Keegan chimed. "Using old tricks the same time over will only get you so far. So let's try a new trick." His Bakumeter showed a Fusion Ability. "Fusion Ability, activate! Aquos Core!"

The rainbow gleam on the core reverted to being orange, but as the energy blast drew closer, a helix of water manifested around Andro Elico. The blast wave struck him, but it failed to penetrate it. The beam let up, but drew to now solid landing.

"What?!"

"Aquos Core gives Andro Elico 200 Gs for each previous ability he's used so far. Oh yeah, and his power can't be lowered when active."

Frill Abis Omega: 400/Dusk Atchibee: 1400/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 2400/Gale Atmos: 400/Andro Elico: 14,400 (+1200) = 15,600

Raptorix: 3100/Snapzoid: 3000/Buz Hornix: 2700/Lumitroid: 1900/Glotronoid: 2100/Nastix: 1600 = 14,400

Zion scoffed angrily. "Hmph, so he intends to keep all that power he's gaining. What fool."

"If anyone here is the fool, it's you chrome dome." Zion raised his arm blade at offense to the testimony. "Struck a nerve? Well how's about we shed some light on you to prove my point." Keegan held up another Fusion Ability. "Fusion Ability, activate! Haos Core!"

The core on Andro Elico shine brightly. It gave his body a slick, rainbow gleam all around it before his colors changed. The metal stayed the same, but the core diamonds became blue, while the dark blue became yellow, and the rest of the body turned white. His eyes turned red.

"His attribute changed on command?" Shawn gasped in awe.

Maggie's eyes widened. "Just like Jelldon…"

Shuji looked at the scene with a realization. He remembered well of the time he battled Keegan back in their tournament fight, and he used Mystic Dice to constantly change attributes. 'He's not relying on that dice anymore for chance. He's actually using new ways to manually change the attributes with his abilities.' He couldn't help but feel impressed. 'Heh, he's not kidding when he's made new tricks.'

The water around his body transformed into a light stream that was manipulated by Andro Elico. It surged and swiveled through the air and spread thinly to blast them all at once. It swallowed all of them, but it still only buffered them in their machines.

Frill Abis Omega: 400/Dusk Atchibee: 1400/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 2400/Gale Atmos: 400/Andro Elico: 15,600 (+500) = 16,100

Raptorix: 3100/Snapzoid: 3000/Buz Hornix: 2700/Lumitroid: 1900/Glotronoid: 2100/Nastix: 1600 = 14,400

The light stream faded, allowing clearance for all of them to see Keegan with another ability.

"Fusion Ability, activate! Subterra Core!" The core glowed rainboe again, covering his body once again until it became Subterra colored. Dark brown covered the thick parts of the body, while a yellow skin pigment took over. Accents were lined with orange.

Andro Elico raised his right arm as the mechanical gauntlet rotated around like a drill. He punched into the earth, sending a seismic shockwave that dispersed into six smaller fissures with dust spewing from them at the enemies respectively.

Frill Abis Omega: 400/Dusk Atchibee: 1400/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 2400/Gale Atmos: 400/Andro Elico: 16,100 (+300) = 16.400

Raptorix: 3100 (-300) = 2800/Snapzoid: 3000 (-300) = 2700/Buz Hornix: 2700 (-300) = 2400/Lumitroid: 1900 (-300) = 1600/Glotronoid: 2100 (-300) = 1800/Nastix: 1600 (-300) = 1300 = 12,600

Galilea hurried and created an ability. "We'll need to close that gap, fast! Ability, activate! Turbine Wave!" Buz Hornix' eyes glowed bright green as the green sent out a distorted green frequency. It echoed outwards like a wall that barricaded the fissures. They exploded into a huge dust cloud on the spot, again leaving everything obscured. "We have to focus on that Interacian's Bakugan, he possess the biggest threat at the moment." She held up a Forbidden Ability. "Ability, activate! Cell Force-X!" Buz Hornix enveloped in the chords and core again, which caused her ower to spike again towards 4300. She hissed loudly as her exposed hexagonal abdomen finally charged up and unleashed a massive green beam that eradicated the dust cloud. It tore through the air, reducing sound to atoms as it closed in on Andro Elico.

"Not gonna happen!" Keegan declared, holding up another Fusion Ability. "Fusion Ability, activate! Pyrus Core!" Now this time, Andro Elico changed to Pyrus. The glow around his body made his skin orange, with the armor dark red and the accents on his body silver.

Andro Elico spread his arms as his scythes started rotating again. This time, the wheel looked like a huge magma disk that enveloped the entire circle. It detached from his back and went buzzing like a saw straight through the beam, splicing it as it drew closer to Buz Hornix without delay.

Frill Abis Omega: 400/Dusk Atchibee: 1400/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 2400/Gale Atmos: 400/Andro Elico: 16,100 (+500) = 16,600

Raptorix: 3100/Snapzoid: 3000/Buz Hornix: 4300 (-500) = 3800/Lumitroid: 1900/Glotronoid: 2100/Nastix: 1600 = 15,500

The fire saw carved a path through the beam, which left Galilea at a loss for words. She noticed the Cyberg was still grounded so she couldn't move. And with the damage it took it'd be unresponsive to using Psyonic Bide in time. "There's no choice…Buz Hornix, detach!"

The compartment surrounding Buz Hornix' abdomen unlocked, allowing the hornet to freely rise off from her perch in time as the fore saucer cut into the Cyberg. It took a moment as the flaring outline of the cut faded, but then the Cyberg crackled in static before it exploded into flames. It deducted Buz Hornix towards 3600, while the fire saucer returned to behind Andro Elico's back. It slowly stopped and the magma coloration faded to mechanical silver.

"That's incredible." Shawn muttered.

"He had enough power to even disengage the Mobile Assault Vehicle from her." Esther remarked. "Those have the toughest durability, and they broke through it. Whatever Keegan went through with Spectra, it's clear he's learned something."

Keegan gradually smirked.

"I can't believe you allowed that to happen." Amina exasperated.

Galilea shot her a look. "Shut it. I don't see you doing anything productive." She faced ahead once more. "Here he comes!"

Keegan held up another Fusion Ability. "Fusion Ability, activate! Darkus Core!" The core shined yet again, giving a vibrant shine that coated Andro Elico with a purple skin, with black armor and deep silver accents over the body. The core had changed coloration to being red.

A negative wave expelled from the mechanical dreadlocks around the headpiece. It surged down towards the tips and extended. They independently moved like serpents and stretched out, violently lashing at the air and releasing dark energy slashes into the opponents.

Frill Abis Omega: 400/Dusk Atchibee: 1400/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 2400/Gale Atmos: 400/Andro Elico: 16,600

Raptorix: 3100 (-500) = 2600/Snapzoid: 3000 (-500) = 2500/Buz Hornix: 3600 (-500) = 3100/Lumitroid: 1900 (-500) = 1400/Glotronoid: 2100 (-500) = 1600/Nastix: 1600 (-500) = 1100 = 12,300

The energy slashes drew closer, but Zion readied his own ability to counter. "You intruding scum! Begone! Ability, activate! Siphon Lock!" Snapzoid move the front legs of the Torracrawler up higher to make the plasma charge. Once it was all charged, they slammed into the ground, sending a plasmatic destruction wave across the earth towards Elico and the others behind.

Luke went to activate an ability, but Esther stopped him. "Wait." She paused, looking at Keegan. "See him do some more for us."

Keegan face the oncoming shockwave spreading like a huge wall of red voltage. He had to admit looking at it now was pretty scary, but he was prepared. "Fusion Ability, activate! Ventus Core!" The core shined one last time, illuminating a gleam around Andro Elico to make his armor dark green, his skin bright green, and silver accents over the body. The core was now purple to boot.

As the shockwaves drew closer, Andro Elico's scythes spun yet again, rotating like a fan blade that created a strong enough current to stop the entire shockwave from drawing near. It was fanned back towards Snapzoid and Hades Pillars, swallowing them in the shockwave in return.

Frill Abis Omega: 400/Dusk Atchibee: 1400/Glow Jelldon: 700/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200/Prime Verias: 2400/Gale Atmos: 400/Andro Elico: 16,600

Raptorix: 2600 (-500) = 2100/Snapzoid: 2500 (-500) = 2000/Buz Hornix: 3100 (-500) = 2600/Lumitroid: 1400 (-500) = 900/Glotronoid: 1600 (-500) = 1100/Nastix: 1100 (-500) = 600

The shockwaves permeated through the mechanical vehicles. They all crackled with static before they all started to either falter or have struggles moving about. The shockwaves were enough to make Hades Pillars deter for a while.

…

On a very projection screen back on Vestal, Spectra and Gus were standing and seeing the battle results and power level of Andro Elico himself. The charts and the graphs were going out of control on most of them.

"Well sir, it appears the trial run of the evolved Elico was a success." Gus chimed.

Spectra nodded. "Yes, you are right Gus. And it came out better than I had originally thought." He admired the cybernetic beauty with his scaly blue pupil mask. 'This is the fullest to what I had to work with. After much analysis on Riaan's Interacian DNA, and the battles the others had, we've managed to convert that data into a new power. A power that is surely-no, equal to Riaan's Armagedoid. Enhanced Vestal technology, integrated with Interacian fixed DNA with forbidden coding to sustain power beyond measure.' He couldn't help but smirk at his own success. 'Then it seems that with this data, we'll be on our way to fully ridding Riaan's little 'infection'. All it takes is a good vaccination for one patient. That, was Keegan.'

…

In a fit of annoyance, Amina looked back with a sneer. "Ability, activate! Toxic Blind!" Nastix expelled a harsh gunk from his mouth. It traveled towards Elico and made a hit directly on the core. It enveloped him in a poisonous coating that paralyzed him. His power dropped towards 16,400.

She huffed arrogantly. "Ha! Good luck trying to activate another ability now! Hahahaha!"

Keegan gnashed his teeth. "Damnit…"

"Ability activate, Territory Heart!"

Keegan's eyes widened at the sound. A staff slammed into the ground, creating a protective light wall that shielded everyone there. The dome gave everyone sanctuary as a green energy wave engrossed them all. All the health they've lost was coming back to normal. They all felt strength returning to them, even Elico, whose toxins were expelled by this healing light.

Frill Abis Omega: 400 (+300) = 700/Dusk Atchibee: 1400 (+300) = 1700/Glow Jelldon: 700 (+300) = 1000/Stag Fly Beetle: 1200 (+300) = 1500/Prime Verias: 2400 (+300) = 2700/Gale Atmos: 400 (+300) = 700/Andro Elico: 16,300 (+200 +300) = 16,900

Raptorix: 2100/Snapzoid: 2000/Buz Hornix: 2600/Lumitroid: 900/Glotronoid: 1100/Nastix: 600

Galilea's eyes widened. 'Oh no. We've forgotten about them!'

Keegan looked over at Shawn. "Hey, what're you-!"

Shawn stopped him with his leer. "Returning the favor…if that's alright with you."

Keegan was caught surprised, but he realized everyone was back on their feet. They looked even more confident than ever now that he was there. He humbly chuckled. "Okay, fine. You got me. We'll call it even for now."

"Alright…" Luke turned ahead with everyone. "Guys, we need to finish this for good!"

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Maggie agreed. "Let's hit them where it hurts good!"

Lucia narrowed her eyes, seeing what they were up to. 'We need to finish this battle quick! The Brawlers are nearing our lord's location. We understand the order, but even so…this has gone on long enough!' "Enough of this…ability, activate! Lens-X!" Lumitroid hissed as the chords and core faded into the body. Once they did, another lens of raw light illuminated the front of it. His power increased towards 1400. "We'll need to defeat them all in one blow to do this."

"I'm down with that!" Magnus raised his Bakumeter high. "Ability activate, Prominence-X!" Just like Lumitroid, another core extended chords and faded into his body. It faded deep, enabling a growing pressure to engulf the Bakugan that shook the earth again. He screeched mightily as his power radiated towards 3100.

"Let's hurry! Go!" Shuji shouted. Everyoen followed his lead when they all raised their Bakumeter at the same time behind the shield.

"Ability, activate-!"

"Pyrus, Aquos, Haos Triple Node!"

"Subterra, Ventus, Darkus Triple Node!"

Excluding Elico, all the Bakugan were enflamed in their attributed light. They all radiated power that returned to them, allowing them to feel energized with broiling passion.

Frill Abis Omega: 700 (+600) = 1300/Dusk Atchibee: 1700 (+600) = 2300/Glow Jelldon: 1000 (+600) = 1600/Stag Fly Beetle: 1500 (+600) = 2100/Prime Verias: 2700 (+600) = 3300/Gale Atmos: 700 (+600) = 1300/Andro Elico: 16,900

Raptorix: 2100/Snapzoid: 2000/Buz Hornix: 2600/Lumitroid: 1400/Glotronoid: 3100/Nastix: 600

Lucia's eyes gleamed as she raised her arm high. "Destroy them where they stand! Ability activate, Gear Saber!" Lumitroid screeched out as he unleashed a vicious ray of photons from the cannons. They hit the lens, amplifying it into a monstrous ray coming at them. His power increased to 3200 in a flash.

"Jase! Boost me!" Shuji shouted.

"As you wish." Jase raised him arm up. "Ability, activate! Tailwind!" Atmos ascended and whipped up another harsh whirlwind. It drafted behind his peers, while his power increased to 1600. With the extra edge, they were ready to kick it up a notch.

"Here we go, Fly Beetle!"

"I'm ready!" Fly Beetle tucked in and charged with all his might.

"Ability, activate! Carapace Riot!"

The beam of light extended towards the opponents, but the whirlwinds exploded with something lunging through the dirt straight ahead. The beam stood no chance as Fly Beetle revealed himself, his cast-iron body increasing his power to 2700. He cried out as he glided ahead with all his might at Lumitroid and Glotronoid, whom were side by side with each other.

"GRRAAAH~!" He and Shuji screamed mightily as the former bolted with all he had.

With the machines hampered and partially dysfunctional from the attacks earlier by Andro Elico, Fly Beetle bulldozed into them and violently ran his horn through the machines. They shattered into pieces, leaving the two Bakugan suspended in midair while the others were in a mix of shock and horror at what they bared witness to. Fly Beetle continued gliding across the battlefield.

With Lumitroid and Glotronoid suspended, both Bakugan hissed as they lost power, respectively reduced towards 3000 and 2900.

"LET 'EM HAVE IT!" Shuji yelled.

Maggie nodded. "Right! Jelldon, let's finished that bug-eyed freak of nature first! Double ability, activate! Kraken Combat, plus, Fusion Ability, Maximum Bolt!"

Glotronoid was so suspended in shock that he didn't realize the winds picking up around him. The air was heating up as something bright coiled around his abdomen. Jelldon's body crackled in plasmatic lightning as his glowing tentacles were all snaring Glotronoid, even from afar.

Glotronoid: 2900 (-300 -100) = 2500 Glow Jelldon: 1600 (+600 +100 +300 +100) = 2700

Jelldon screamed mightily as he whirled around in a full circle at top speed. Once at full momentum, the plasma raced up his arms after Glotronoid, who was still unable to take in what was going on. "You're…DONE!"

Just as the plasma reached the end of his arms, he spiraled downwards and smashed Glotronoid into the earth as hard as possible. The ground depressed before a pulsing blast of plasma shot skywards. The eruption left Magnus at a loss for words as the eruption and hammer-like impact was just too much. He watched the smoke clear, but Glotronoid reverted to ball form and rolled back to him in defeat.

Magnus: 0%

Magnus looked at the clearing dust, seeing Jelldon on the other end with his glowing tendrils laced with plasma still. He and Maggie glared at him with serious eyes, which irritated hi to no end. "You…have gotta be joking with me."

Atmos swooped in from behind Lumitroid, his eyes fixed on the cyclopean scorpion with knowing well what must be done.

"Double ability, activate!" Jase raised his Bakumeter high. "Boreas Arrow, plus Fusion Ability, Gale Meteor!"

Gale flapped his wings as whirlwinds and a green flame-like embroidery engulfed him. "This is for all the species and Bakugan that you've ended! Now…face retribution!"

Lumitroid didn't get a chance to counterattack when Atmos. At the speed of light, the flaming green beams engulfed the air and Lumitroid in green flames. They fanned out, erupting above Lucia and Jase's heads.

Lumitroid: 3000 (-400 -100 -300 -100) = 2100 Gale Atmos: 1600 (+400 +100 +300+100) = 2500

The shockwaves of the attack dispersed, revealing Atmos flapping overhead as Lumitroid hissed and smashed into the ground next. He was engulfed in bright yellow and reverted to ball form, rolling up to Lucia's feet.

Lucia: 0%

Lucia's eyes were wide with shock and dismay at what she witnessed. She's battled Jase multiple times now, but here, in full glory, she witnessed him finally taking her down, much to even her own dismay. Her eyes closed as she lowered her head. "Milord…forgive me."

Fly Beetle continued his glide towards Buz Hornix. He had his eyes set on her after everything that happened last time. Now nothing was going to break his focus.

Galilea gnashed her teeth. "No, not yet!" She raised her Bakumeter, readying another ability. "Ability, activate! Cell Force-X!" The core and chords faded into the body. Buz Hornix hissed mightily as she unleashed one more energy blast that made her power level skyrocket towards 4200. The attack swallowed up Fly Beetle, but he battled back against it with his iron hide managing to tough it out. He grunted heavily as he was gradually gliding his way through the gap evident.

"You won't…beat us so easily!"

"Double ability, activate!" Shuji shouted. "Pincer Phalanx, plus Fusion Ability, Grand Booster!"

Fly Beetle's eyes glowed bright orange-brown. He growled mightily as between his pincers; an enlarging mass of brown-orange energy manifested. It crackled and surged winds from all around, giving it space. On top of that, it added to a greater mass when the pulsing of Fly Beetle's energy poured further into it.

Buz Hornix: 4200 (-500 -100) = 3600 Stag Fly Beetle: 2700 (+500 +100 +400 +100) = 3800

"No! Don't you dare-!"

"Let 'em have it all!" Shuji punched forward. "Fly Beetle~!"

Fly Beetle's body gave off several flashes, hi form taking in great amount of pressure that he added into the phalanx. With one more mighty cry, Fly Beetle unleashed the mass that tore into the green energy blast. The pressure it contained gradually powered through until Buz Hornix was unable to escape. She screamed in agony as all she saw was bright orange before a tremendous explosion rippled through the air. The ground shook from the magnitude.

Galilea stammered back to get her composition right, but immediately lost it when Buz Hornix was seen falling downwards, reverting to ball form and plopping in front of her feet.

Galilea: 0%

The great and powerful Galilea was left gaping and stupefied. She looked back at Shuji and Fly Beetle as they both had dense, stronghold glares that left her without words to say.

Cyrus put a hand to his chin, raising a brow in curiosity. "Well, well…this is a problem?" By all means he didn't sound in the least bit amused, but neither was he invested in helping either.

As second-in-command, Zion glared at Amina as his axe arm was near her throat. "You. Do something. Now!" he hissed.

For once showing fear, Amina backed away. "Okay! Okay!" She groaned in annoyance. "I swear, you all ask too much from me." She looked ahead, readying an ability. She maliciously smirked. "This should suffice…ability, activate! Neo Glowcer-X!"

The air crackled and churned as ectoplasmic pulses gradually pinned towards Nastix. A magenta aura grew around as the Phastrix was stumbling around from both the lack of balance and the energy output. The Bakugan released a gurgled howl into the sky as his power harshly climbed on its own.

Frill Abis Omega: 1300 (-650) = 650/Dusk Atchibee: 2300 (-1150) = 1150/Glow Jelldon: 2700 (-1350) = 1350/Stag Fly Beetle: 3800 (-1900) = 1900/Prime Verias: 3300 (-1650) = 1650/Gale Atmos: 2500 (-1250) = 1250/Andro Elico: 16,900 (-8450) = 8450

Raptorix: 2100/Snapzoid: 2000/Nastix: 600 (+16,400 +500) = 17,500

The plasmatic storm surged uncontrollably. Everyone there was holding their ground as Nastix' body was dilating bright and dull from the excessive radioactive energy.

"We've gotta splice that thing down, now!" Shawn shouted. "Verias!"

Verias released a roar as he clutched his staff, ready to act. The violent storm was launched, and it extended out in full burst. Everything along the ground was borderline obliterated on the spot. Nothing stood in the way except for Verias and Atmos, who were ready.

"Ability, activate! Typhoon Splice!" Atmos shrieked as he flapped once, summoning a draft that carried green crescent tempests that raged madly across the terrain towards Verias.

"Double ability, activate! Bolt Cutter, plus Kingdom Gladiator!" Verias' golden embroidery shined as he brought his staff back, with the end shimmering gold and lengthened to extreme measures.

The three-ways attack came into one another, with Verias at the epicenter of it all. The ape released a bloody cry as he pivoted and slashed into both Atmos' splicing green blades and the plasmatic energy and spun around. He violently cleaved into the two, causing plasma, green blades, and even the Gate Card to tear up. It all fell to pieces before everything went into freefall. Seconds later, a typhoon with a shredding yellow ring around it gathered up the radioactive energy and green blades. They spun under one roof, where everyone watched in amazement as Verias spun like a top towards Nastix. The residual whirlwinds and plasma went out and buffered the Torracrawler and Hellix, keeping them from getting anywhere close for them to help. The plasmatic aerial blades spun around, violently ripping metal apart of the Phastrix inside until it was utterly scrap. Nastix shrieked as he was suspended in the middle of the tornado of radiation and slicing waves. Even Amina was stunned.

Frill Abis Omega: 650/Dusk Atchibee: 1150/Glow Jelldon: 1350/Stag Fly Beetle: 1900/Prime Verias: 1650 (+500 +100) = 2250/Gale Atmos: 1250/Andro Elico: 8450

Raptorix: 2100 (-600 -750 -400) = 350/Snapzoid: 2000 (-600 -700 -350) = 350/Nastix: 17,500 (-600 -8450 – 4250 -500 -100 -200) = 3400

Amina watched with a gaping maw as the tornado dissipate, but it left many of dirt stains and her hair a little frilly. She looked all around, seeing pieces of Phastrix bash into the ground. It was raining metal, yet she didn't have the words to make up for it. "You…HOW DARE YOU!"

Shawn bent his knees, holding his rapier out in extent. "Ready…Verias?"

At the pit of the ground, Verias slowed down in his rotation and looked up. His blade was no longer glowing, but his body was covered on blue sparks. The plasma prickled his fur, but he chose to fight it and skyrocketed towards the suspended Nastix.

Amina's eyes flashed with anger. "DON'T YOU COME CLOSER! BATTLEGEAR ABILITY, ACTIVATE! PROZAR NUCLEAR!"

Nastix gurgled as the cannon aimed down at Verias. The lid opened, unleashing a large-scale chemical blast wave that he raced into. The ape screamed with all his might as he reached out towards it.

"NOW! GO!" Shawn screamed. "Double ability, activate!"

"Brass Sheria!" Verias reached out ahead. The brass knuckles glowed bright yellow and started absorbing all the energy of the attack. It made Verias' fur crackle even more as it gathered around his fist. All the blue lightning surged and became bright yellow light that swirled around his fist. "Fusion Ability, Vibrant…KINGDOM FIST!"

With all the radioactive energy absorbed and converted, nothing stopped Verias and Shawn from screaming with all their might as the former drove his fist into Nastix's face. The moment he did, he unleashed all the radioactive power inside his body, pushing it outwards into a broad shockwave that spread out into the horizon. The entire airwave trembled from the sound barrier shattering to pieces from Verias' attack.

Nastix: 3400 (-200 -100) = 3100 Prime Verias: 2250 (+400 +200 +100 +500 +100) = 3550

The explosion of light was dazzling as it was deadly. The quaking an instability of the depressed earth left Amina to fall back and hit her own back. She coughed as Nastic reverted to ball form, hitting the ground right near her head.

Amina: 0%

The light faded, and Verias dropped back down in a brimming Haos light. His landing made a crater, where he slowly arose and balled both fists before expelling a primal, shrieking roar that distorted airwaves throughout the atmosphere.

After his primal roar came to an end, he started to lose balance, but Abis snaked over and supported him in time. "Don't fall on me yet, man."

Verias lazily looked at him, his smirk showing. "Thanks Abis, I appreciate it."

"Both of you, in front!" Atmos warned.

Abis and Verias looked in time to see two huge claw-like legs covered in blazing fire coming down on them. With drafts to help move in time, Atchibee extended her cocoon's pincer tail at the bottom to pull Abis by the tail to get him and Verias away from the crushing blow of the mechanical appendage.

They all regathered, looking up at the enormous creature that was the Torracrawler. With its body hampered it was still in the ground, but it was moving well enough. It was covered in the Spartan-X ability, and it looked ferocious for a lack of better word. The entire thing was on fire!

Zion overlooked it with a grizzly stare. "You…shall never crumble the pillars!" he declared coldly. "Ability, activate! Siphon Lock!" The Torracrawler arose on its hind legs and went down again, releasing yet another sparking red storm surge into everyone. They all got low to make sure a majority of the attack past over their heads, but it still buffered them and everyone else as they had to kneel or get down.

Frill Abis Omega: 650 (-500) = 150/Dusk Atchibee: 1150 (-500) = 650/Glow Jelldon: 1350 (-500) = 850/Stag Fly Beetle: 1900 (-500) = 1400/Prime Verias: 3550 (-500) = 3050/Gale Atmos: 1250 (-500) = 750/Andro Elico: 8450 (-400) = 8050

Raptorix: 350/Snapzoid: 1250 (+2050) = 3300

The pulse waves were giving off an extreme potency of heat that leveled out. Everything within the area flattened, and dry dust from earlier shockwaves were burnt up. Had they been up still then the plasmatic waves would've burnt them alive.

"He's…a tough one, that's for sure!" Maggie shouted. "You guys!"

Esther stood up, sternly facing Zion's attack with a glare of writhe. She stood against it with her fists clutching her weapon. "Atchibee."

At the command, Atchibee flapped her wings and saw Zion's attack unleash another wave.

"BURN~!" The warrior-killer jut his blade out as Snapzoid mechanically made the Torracrawler's legs rise up, only to puncture the earth again. Atchibee floated in place, ready to initiate the blow against the broiling flames.

Esther calmly held up an ability to pave way for the counter she needed. "Ability, activate! Silent Plexus!" Atchibee's eyes glimmered grimly as the burning shockwave drew closer. Her scythes glowed eerily as a helix of dark energy spun around her. It manifested into an absorbent wall of dark matter that shielded Atchibee and everyone else, much to Zion's shock.

"Now…Fusion Ability! Vermilion Raid!"

Everyone watched as the dark energy manifested and fed off the plasmatic fire. It obliterated everything else, leaving Atchibee with an ominous haze around her body.

Snapzoid: 3300 Dusk Atchibee: 650 (+2050 +400 +100 +400 +100) = 3700

Vermilion and negative flames spiraled around Atchibee as she glared daggers through the grim visage. Her glare was like that of the devil, having negative flames add emphasis to the patterns around her wings and eyes.

Esther pointed her staff out calmly. "…snuff them out."

"With pleasure." With one beat of her wings, Atchibee unleashed a shrilled battlecry as the helix of broad energy flames enveloped her scythes. As they glowed, the negative fire enveloped them, and she shot like a rocket through the shockwaves. The scythes bunted the brunt of the blast waves, where the rest was cut through.

Zion's eyes were wide and went to instigate an ability to counter, but Luke and Shawn appeared, causing his arm axe to intercept them.

With the distraction, Atchibee shrieked out as she bolted at high speeds into the Torracrawler and Snapzoid. She spiraled and barreled on in, her scythes carving through the air until she finally got close enough to bolt through. The armor having dented, the flames from the Spartan-X had dispersed due to earlier shockwave emitted, enabling Atchibee to bolt straight through to the other side and pose as the darkness around her dissipated. A second past, where nobody said anything. Just then, the gaping gash that went clean through the Torracrawler shined dark purple before it engulfed the entire monstrosity in darkness. Snapzoid screamed mightily as negative flamed with cutting power spliced his machine open and into him. The Bakugan could no longer handle the pressure and was consumed in the blast wave.

Zion backpedaled from Luke and Shawn's advances and looked up at the explosion that overtook the Torracrawler. He could only watch in a grim look as Snapzoid fell straight down, reverting to ball form and dropping to his feet.

Zion: 0%

"Finally." Shuji sneered.

Zion looked down at his defeated Snapzoid. After everything that happened, no way was it getting up anytime soon. He reached back instead for his machine gun, something that caught Jelldon's eye.

"Oh no you don't!" The jellyfish whipped one of his tentacles at Zion with lightning fast precision. It narrowly missed him, but the gun was jabbed clean off its straps and went spinning off into the ravines where the Empyrean was.

With his focus adverted, Luke and Shawn went to slash with their respective weapons. Zion turned around at the last second and used his gauntlet axe to intercept, but it didn't hold up with their speed and the blade shattered. He went careening onto his back, grunting with a gag.

Jelldon hastily reached for them and pulled the two behind him for safety. With distance, they now had only one foe left. They all turned to Cyrus, who stood by himself while the rest of his colleagues were either in great shock, or otherwise down for the count.

He sighed to himself. "How disappointing this is." He faced Luke and everybody else present. "Still, I do find this to be a grand opportunity at hand. I need to make it, as my own."

Luke balled his fists. He clutched his sword tightly.

Cyrus gingerly raised his Bakumeter, showcasing an ability activating. "One…is all it takes." He raised it high as a grueling dark pressure surrounded him. It fanned out, much like a heartbeat that repulsed everything. "Ability activate…Alpha-X!"

A bright purple core attached itself and enveloped Raptorix. The Bakugan sneered as he started gathering force to strengthen his muscle mass. A dreary pressure erupted around, causing the earth to tremble for the umpteenth time.

Everyone balled their fists as they braced themselves for Raptorix' rise in power. They watched darkness gather around him and his massive armor.

"Ability activate, Tidal Blow!"

Out of nowhere, a bright green cyclone raced and swallowed Raptorix. The darkness that was supposed to be swelling around him gradually dispersed into thin air.

Cyrus frowned and covered up. The cyclone's drafts buffered him as his cape swiveled madly. A visible grunt could be heard from his gnashing teeth.

Luke looked over with shock on his face. "Keegan!"

The battler looked confidently as his Andro Elico was supplying a counter before the move began. He was patiently seeing the buffering Raptorix inside snarl and screech as he tried fending off the inescapable winds. "If you guys have some crazy plan, better do it now!"

Getting the memo, he nodded. "Got it."

The typhoon gradually whirled about, but it didn't hold Raptorix forever. They could see the huge mechanical claw levers blocking the brunt of the energy cyclone.

"Jelldon!" Maggie's cry got Jelldon at full attention. "Let's mix things up! Ability, activate! Cyclone Barter!"

Jelldon's eyes glowed bright green as his glowing green tendril amongst his six whipped around. The lower tentacles along his body started spinning to summon a raging tempest. The attributed auras around everyone's bodies let the m as the cyclone fanned out into Raptorix. All their power levels were gradually changing as the energy they all had was pushed into another, though some were luckily in the way of their own power.

Frill Abis Omega: 3700/Dusk Atchibee: 350/Glow Jelldon: 1400/Stag Fly Beetle: 3050/Prime Verias: 150/Gale Atmos: 850/Andro Elico: 8050

Raptorix: 750

With power to spare, Abis stood in front of his peers and adjusted. He strongly opposed Raptorix and Hellix as the two monstrosities were still functional. "Luke…"

He nodded. "Yeah…we're ending this, here and now!"

Cyrus' eyes dilated with strife. "You fools cannot let go, can you? What a waste you are. Be swallowed in the darkness! Forever!" He raised his hand high. "Ability activate…Bedlam End!" Raptorix unleashed another dark matter bomb from Hellix' gauntlets that went shooting skywards. The hemisphere went higher than it did before, becoming a hole in the dark skies that glinted before it shot down one more expansive dark beam onto everybody.

Everyone below braced themselves as the ground shook from the wake of the oncoming attack.

Frill Abis Omega: 3700 (-500) = 3200/Dusk Atchibee: 350 (-500) = 0/Glow Jelldon: 1400 (-500) = 900/Stag Fly Beetle: 3050 (-500) = 2550/Prime Verias: 150 (-500) = 0/Gale Atmos: 850 (-500) = 350/Andro Elico: 8050 (-400) = 7650

Raptorix: 750 (+500(x7)) = 4250

The dark matter raced down, reflecting in Luke and Abis' eyes as they were set.

"ABIS!"

Abis heard him well and released a mighty cry up towards the sky.

"DROWN BEFORE THE DARK PILLAR!" Cyrus chanted.

"Ability…activate!" Luke and Abis shouted. Glossy water shrouded around Abis that gathered great momentum the further down the enemy's attack came. "DAEDALUS CYCLONE!"

Abis let out an ear-splitting shriek as his leviathan-shaped water cyclone barreled with speeds from Atmos. The whirlwinds made it veer deeper into the dark matter, creating an eruptive shockwave that spread out in a ripple overhead.

The two attacks fought each other for dominance, water against darkness with gruesome pressure on either end. The gleam in Abis' eyes rivaled that of Luke, both showing no fear, and sheer determination with the need to surmount this madman.

Raptorix: 4250 (-500 -100) = 3650 Frill Abis Omega: 3200 (+500 +100) = 3800

The barreling blast of dragon water started whipping like crazy, the atmosphere froze, and shattered repeatedly as whips of water froze and cracked repeatedly. It was facing the darkness all too well.

Cyrus reached out calmly, but his tone contradicted his demeanor. "PERISH~!"

"HRRAAAAAH~!" Abis and Luke yelled out with all their might. The water cyclone gradually drew closer, engulfing the dark matter and churning it within its pressure. The dragon-shaped beam pulsated closer towards Raptorix until at last, the attack had land its mark. The Bakugan battered away into the cyclone but he was no match as the wake was too much.

With a bloody shriek, Raptorix faded in the water, submerging into blue before a massive explosion of blue energy and water spouted spontaneously throughout the air. Everyone watched with mixed feelings of awe and shock as the shockwaves left a gaping hole in the clouds. With light from the sun on the horizon and from above peering at them, drizzle touched the snow around Abis as he stood confidently and readily. A blue aura encased him as he looked on at Raptorix in the Hellix gear, sundering into the ground.

With a mighty crash into the drenched earth, the earth trembled yet again as Hades Pillars covered up from the tremor. It settled, but laying down and out was Raptorix in the Hellix, which was crushed in various places from water pressure. It slowly reverted to ball form, plopping to Cyrus' feet as he looked down neutrally, though his eyes were shown to have grizzly displeasure in them.

Cyrus: 0%

No one said anything. It was nothing but a complete moment of realization for them to take in. Hades Pillars' eyes were wide in shock. Luke and everyone stood bravely as their Bakugan were glistening in the sunlight. They all glared with fear-inducing stares that could make even the mightiest of foes freeze in fear.

"I-Impossible…" Lucia murmured in horror.

"This has gotta be some freaking joke." Magnus furrowed his brow. "They seriously just…"

Galilea clenched her teeth as her lips curled tightly. Her fists were balled up so bad that they turned white. She couldn't believe that they've failed.

Shuji breathed heavily, wiping his mouth with his glove. "We told you…not to get in our way, punks."

Amina was in complete shock. Not just from the loss, but also from something else. And, to her, was more pressing. She looked down at her beautiful dress, seeing dirt, tears, and even drench marks on the elegant clothing. "…" She stared blankly, but her eyes slowly widened with horror. "My…my beautiful dress…it…IT'S RUINED!" Herface was gaping with stupidity. "AAAAHH! MY BEAUTIFUL STATURE! IT'S SULLIED! SULLIED! AAAAAHHH!"

Seeing her breakdown, Maggie leaned away with wide eyes. "Looks like we broke her…"

"Yes, it would seem so." Jase chimed.

Amina's panic attack caused her to turned her dress to and fro, seeing where all the blotches were. "I just got this done! The chrome is stained! It'll never come out! How…how…!" She realized something. She slowly turned towards the others. "You…!" She looked towards Zion. "Zion! Kill them! Chop off their heads! I don't care what you do! Make them pay for what they did!"

Lucia gave her a stern look. "You need to calm down, Amina-!"

"DON'T TELL ME HOW TO CALM DOWN YOU UGLY SCUM! MY STATURE IS DESTROYED! THIS WAS MY BEST DRESS, AND IT'S GONE! AAAHHHH!" She turned away angrily, gnashing her teeth so hard they could bend steel. "I can't deal with this, I need a new dress this instant!" She tapped into her Bakumeter, pushing a series of numbers until her body started disappearing. "I'm getting changed, and when I do, I'll come back for you all to pay!"

With a flash, she disappeared. Lucia lowered her head, sighing exasperatedly. "Honestly, what a fool she is…but still." She turned towards everyone. "We won't let them pass up, no matter what! Even if it means our lives!"

In a flash, Andro Elico jumped in front of them, with Keegan on his shoulder. "Are you sure about that, toots?"

"Gnngh…!"

Luke stepped up. "Keegan!"

Keegan scoffed with a cool smirk. "Gotta say this was a huge pain in the ass to deal with. I can see why these guys were giving ya a hard time now. But it's over now." He paused. "You guys go on ahead, I'll make sure these guys stay put!"

Knowing the priorities at hand, Esther nodded. "We're grateful to you."

"Hmph, yeah, sure. Don't mention it." He looked back at Hades Pillars, but his mind was still on something else. 'It would've been cool either way if I could show them myself. But I guess that can wait another time. I guess they saved my life…so I'll do them a solid, for my sake, too.' He swiped his arm. "Now get going!"

"Right! Fly Beetle!" Shuji shouted.

"Right behind you, Shuji!" Fly Beetle remained in full form as he opened his wing shields. They fluttered and he went around in full circle of the others as their Bakugan returned to them in ball form. Fly Beetle swooped in and snatched everyone up in his claws, as well as his horn. They were all carried past Andro Elico and barreled past Hades Pillars, causing the members to deter away.

"Stop at once!" Zion raged, but his path was impeded by Andro Elico's gauntlet claw. Snarling, he drew a polearm. "You ingrate. Do you value your life, then move!"

"Or what? What're you gonna do? Turn into a baton twirler with that oversized stick?" Keegan taunted.

The offense made a vein crawl out of Zion's head. "You…will die painfully."

"Fine by me." Keegan chimed. "You know, it's funny you say that. At first, I didn't think my life had any kind of value. I'm just some lost dude in a lost maze that never ends." He paused, thinking back to his talk with Klaus. "But looking back at it, it wasn't so bad helping out…even though it's a pain in the ass and I get zero from it. But hey, better than washing out like a slump…kind like you guys. My life is how I see it, so you can keep your crap to yourself you chrome dome psychopath. And that goes for Mr. Doom n'Gloom over there, too. You wanna change my value, well I'm right here!"

Lucia was slightly wide-eyed at this man's testimony. "He's lost his mind."

"No…far from it." Galilea said. "He knows exactly what he's doing."

Cyrus glared silent daggers at the man before him. He was far from amused, but he was also very disappointed. "Hmph, so you've chosen death freely…very well then."

Keegan smirked. "Give them hell guys."

With everyone else, they were traveling along Fly Beetle towards the entrance to the Empyrean. Maggie smiled neutrally. "For a few seconds, I thought we were goners."

"Hades Pillars was tough alright." Esther agreed. "They're for more than just formidable. They're domineering…and savage."

"It took all we had and then some." Luke noted. "But we got lucky this time."

"Yeah, we did." Shawn said, his note turning to a morbid frown. "But now comes the hard part."

"I can see where this is going…" Shuji grimaced, his brow furrowing. "Guys, it's all on us now."

Jase closed his eyes briefly as he adjusted his glasses. "We have no idea what awaits us once we enter. Brace yourselves."

Everyone nodded. Fly Beetle continued his course as they drew closer to the Empyrean, readying their charge to track down Riaan and stop him for good.

---

"Master, do you feel that?"

"Yes, Armagedoid. I sense it. We're closer than before." Riaan paused, but his trek through pitch-black did far from deter him. "Armagedoid."

"Yes, Master?"

"Listen, because I'm not sure that I have said this enough. I want you to know, that even though this path was chosen by you, I still hold myself responsible for letting you in on the cruel truth. I understand if what is happening is forced and it may be much still. But, in any event, I thank you for doing your best for following through beside me."

"Master…" Armagedoid was speechless with Riaan's words of praise. Proud. That was something new to Armagedoid. Now that he thought about it, he never really did feel all that jovial, aside from seeing Interacia for the first time. Above all else, the reality was that he's been doing something he shouldn't be proud of.

Riaan made it clear what they were doing was unprideful, but the dedication and loyalty to the bitter end, that's what Armagedoid understood. The black dragon's heart arose some in this dreadful time. "…thank you, Master."

Riaan softly smiled. "…we're here, at long last."

Walking towards the light, the tunnel finally reached its end. Coming into contact with blue rock, the deep blue water back the stalagmites a neon blue refraction. The small isle they stood on was on the very verge of the enormous basin, which was a smooth, dark blue that looked untouched by time. It stretched for a possible two miles all around, so it wasn't too big. But judging by the water it was extremely deep and dense.

Looking far out, there was a small isle that was in the middle of the lake. There was an enormous island with stalagmite that towered around various points. The island was connected to a land bridge that was off to the side.

Marveling at the view with a longing stare, Riaan humbly smiled. "Ah, yes. The place where Eve rested for eons. It's still untouched by man." He took a longing silence as he closed his eyes to concentrate. He sensed the water still tingling with small fibers of Eve's energy. He was so used to them himself that he picked up on it so easily. "No doubt about it, this is the spot, Armagedoid."

"It's…beautiful." Armagedoid stuttered.

Riaan chuckled. "Yes, I would expect as much of a reaction. Yes, I suppose this place does have its own quiet charm around it. A fine place for Eve to have laid low."

Despite the beauty of it all, Armagedoid remembered why they were here. "So…where shall we go from here?"

Riaan looked out towards the large basin's isle. It stretched out far, towards the island in the center of it all. He graciously composed himself and raised his head. "Over there. That will be our final designation point. It's a fine point to bring her up. Now, let us be on our way." He and Armagedoid started their trek towards the isle, which was a very narrow bridge of bedrock that was made by natural land formation. Even with hundreds of years behind, it was still in great shape. It remained stable as they made it across towards the large island.

The island itself was about as big as three football fields. Tall stalagmites the size of roller coasters were parted evenly, while smaller ones rivaled average Bakugan size. There were only so few of them, but it was still an even land mass that was a perfect circular shape.

He walked all the way towards the opposite end, looking down at his reflection in the water. It was crystal clear that he could see his reflection. He closed his eyes and sighed lightly through his nose.

After a moment of allowing the moment to sink in, he opened his eyes again. "…Armagedoid, do you remember when you and Eve spoke?"

"Yes, I remember that event. What are you saying?"

"When you first met Eve, you two shared a familiar energy bond. And, when you attempted to speak to her a second time, you used that bond in your power, am I wrong?"

"I believe you may be right. It only happened once, but I…wait." He raised his head. "Are you saying that…?"

"Yes. If you can use your power here, the link should be strong enough to at the very least draw out Eve's spiritual energy. With her energy signature here, it should be able to supply you with enough force to temporarily bring her here physically. Does that make sense?"

"So like a teleportation?" Armagedoid lowered his head. "Yes…yes, I think I understand now, Master." He jumped off Riaan's shoulder into his open palm. "Do not worry for me, Master. I am ready to meet Mother again for everyone to see for themselves."

"Very good. All the requirements should be here soon. For now, all we have to do is wait."

"HEY! RIAAN!"

The shout stopped Riaan and Armagedoid in place. They looked at each other before slowly turning around. Their synergistic stares fixed on those who had finally caught up to him. A smile crept onto his face.

"It seems this virtue has rewarded us too soon."

Standing meters apart from him, footsteps came to a halt that belonged to none other than Dan and the Battle Brawlers. Julie and the cameraman were close behind getting what they could on live feed for all of Earth to see for themselves. The writhe in Dan's eyes was so clear and so fierce that it resembled fire.

"Finally found you." Dan growled. "You're not getting away this time. This is where it all ends, here and now!"

The Battle Brawlers backed him up, and Julie was there to relay it all for everyone to see. Riaan opposed them, along with Armagedoid, who glared at Drago. The battle that many could say the universe depended on was upon them. And with the critical views of Riaan…one side may very well fall today.

---

It's been a grueling, long chapter, but I finally finished it! Finally! Nearly 40K, and I definitely went above and beyond for Luke and everyone's fight against Hades Pillars. I had to bust out everything I had to make this fight as intense as I knew how, so I hope you all enjoyed!

So next up we have the Battle Brawlers VS Riaan. I'm gonna be behind schedule because I'm gonna have to plan the last two chapters of the Neathia Arc. It's going to take everything I have to make these chapters as believable as I can! So as always, reviews are very much appreciated! XD