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.

59. Return to Interacia

A bright flare faded outside, allowing everyone to uncover. When Luke opened his eyes, he started realizing the transport must've worked.

"Did it…work?" he muttered lowly.

Shawn looked at his screen, showing the updated icon of them across a radar system. He could see they were just on the verge of some line. "Systems still work. Scanners are still at full capacity."

Maggie sighed. "Phew, well that sure went smoother than before."

"You can say that again." Shuji groaned.

"Everyone, focus. We've just touched base on Interacia, I'm sure of it." Esther argued, while unbuckling her seatbelt. "We should go out, and be cautious while we're at it."

"Let's go." Atchibee insisted.

Everyone went over towards the backdoors behind the main control seat that Jase sat in. They all made way and undid the top hatch, where Luke was the first to go out. Almost instantly, a nice, cool breeze and the smell of ocean air flared his nostrils. It felt so relaxing compared to the chills he's had on earth for several days.

"Luke, look!"

The sound of Abis' cry got Luke's attention, but upon realizing it, his eyes widened at the sight to behold. "This…this is…"

The ocean waves swayed to and fro, from the seas to the white sands of the beach. Every so often there were some chrome jewels jutting from the ground, but much of it was soft grain deposits from the waters. As seashells were buried and piled beneath the muck of the wet sands, everyone looked around in sheer awe at the sight to behold.

Luke was completely speechless. This wasn't anything like he remembered it. The others were thinking the exact same thing as they gazed at the lustrous, clear seabed and sandy coast.

"I'll be damned, talk about a sight for sore eyes." Shawn awed.

"It's…the ocean." Maggie blinked at her realization. "Look how clear and blue the water is. Are those clamshells?"

Despite the breathtaking view, Esther remained on task. "The news reports state that oceans are contaminated. And yet it's clear here. No doubt about it…we must have made the successful jump to Interacia."

Jase studied the area graciously. "It appears that there's a coast now. We must be on the verge of the freshwater oceans brought in from New Vestroia."

"Man, you'd think you'd hardly recognize a place after being gone so long." Shuji chimed.

Jase prodded his glasses, making the sunlight beam off the lenses. "One can put it that way, yes." He looked towards the sky with a straight face. The ocean breeze was nice, but the sunlight was just as glorious. It beamed ever so extravagantly. "And it looks like the land mass has undergone the most drastic change of them all. The terraforming must've shifted the unstable land pieces to now reveal the underlayers of the new world."

Luke glanced at him. "So then it's like the opposite of Gundalia, huh?"

Jase nodded. "Yes, I remember that well. Interacia was a world with two surfaces, The upper layer, and the lower layers. The upper layers I recollect was prospering vegetation, but the land was so unstable that it made its instability that much more desperate. The lower world where we were in was all rock with the Devil Miasma spewing toxins, and the populace was at risk all the time."

"But now look." Shawn faced the vast seas. "Blue waters, unpolluted air…Shuji was right, you think you'd know a place you've been too."

"Much can change with time." Esther noted matter-of-factly. "People, as well as places. Everything does."

Luke felt that statement personally. "Yeah. It sure can…"

There was a short silence as everyone took in a momentary solace of what was happening. The beauty of the land, the wide jungles with tropical trees, green moss that glowed, and the glistening gemstones that would twinkle beneath the shallow tides; it all felt truly wholesome. But at the same time, it left them bittersweet at what the cost of it all was.

"Um, I hate to derail the subject but…shouldn't we get moving?" Jelldon quipped. "I don't think standing around in one place is a very good idea."

"He's right. We're on a deadline everyone. Time is wasting." Atmos declared.

"Then I guess we better get to moving now." Fly Beetle prompted.

Verias turned towards him. "I'm with you, but do we even know where we are on Interacia?"

Jase raised his Bakumeter and began changing the codes. He pushed a series of buttons before a green, holographic projection of a globe appeared before everyone's eyes. All of them looked up and noticed the multiple dots scattered across the 3D globe. Their pinpoint was right along the coast of a large continental mass that took up a fair sum of the scope.

"I believe that we're right here." He pointed to said dot. "If Troposphere is still reliant on the sea for a source of power for its populace and energy fuel, then it must be along the isle." He tapped another screen, which was the pre-recorded geographical map of Interacia back when they went. "Look closely, the continental shapes haven't changed too drastically along the edges. This is an advantage to us. From what we've experienced, Troposphere is the furthest away from Solaris. Now observe…" He motioned the charts atop one another, making an overlaying map that showed the zoomed-in familiar points between the two.

Maggie's eyes widened at the realization. "They…they look almost the exact same."

"So then if we use our current point, that means Troposphere has gotta be south of us." Shawn realized.

"Then I guess we better take the high road there." Shuji said, turning towards the ceiling. "With the lands still shaping, who knows what'll pop out of the ground next."

Esther nodded. "Yes. If we travel by sea, it should also limit the number of Interacian Bakugan to ambush us. We'll also get a better surprise point if they're expecting us from just land."

"Guess that settles it then." Luke prompted. "We better move it. Jase, is this version of the Trailer still able to float?"

Jase smiled as he withdrew his 3D imagery. "Of course, One should be prepared for any case of a scenario. Everyone, back down we go."

"It's been a while since we've traveled by sea to get anywhere." Maggie brightly smiled. "This'll be good times for sure!"

Esther glanced away sheepishly, the sea breeze brushing her long, bright brown hair over her shoulder. "Yes. It most certainly will."

Everyone went down under and prepared for the transport. They took no time in getting themselves strapped in and ready for their locomotive transport ready to go. Jase and Shawn looked at each other and gave knowing looks.

"Alright, going full throttle! Everyone hang on!" Shawn warned, before the Trailer started vibrating. The wheels of the convertible started for the sea. "Jase!"

"Yes, activating rudder conversions! Sea Travel Mode, initiate" Jase reached over and pressed a few buttons. Once again, the Trailer shuddered.

Everyone grew serious as they felt the Trailer undergoing its seaworthy change.

Once the Trailer drove itself into the water, the entire convertible's underside shut everything. The multiple wheels folded inwards, where on the undersides were many rudders to keep afloat. The started churning, allowing the machine to bob up slightly. The rudders moved fast, projecting them all forward like a moderate-moving boat away from the mainland.

'Here we go.' Luke looked ahead passionately. 'Next stop…Troposphere.'

"Full speed ahead!" Maggie pointed out.

Jase moved a lever, giving the Trailer an extra jettison across the seawater. Clear waves separated as it took off for their ultimatum designation.

---

"So, this is Interacia…" To say Dan was amazed would be putting it extremely lightly.

All across the large plateau the Brawlers were on, there were lavish flowers and large expanses of forests along the horizon. Even from here, one could see the dew shimmering underneath the sun. Large mountain ranges were neatly formed with lush greenery everywhere.

"Check out the view, Drago. Not too shabby, huh?"

Drago popped out of ball form and floated next to Dan. "Yeah, I can definitely feel it, too. The air and sky, it's so…lustrous. It's like…like…"

"Like New Vestroia." Jaakor floated beside him in response. "Yes, I feel that same presence as well."

Radizen popped up next. "I feel it, too. Only, it feels strange somehow. Like…like it's changed somehow. It's filling me with this weird strength inside." He turned towards Roxtor, who was speaking gibberish towards him. "No, not like that kind of feeling, Roxtor. I mean it in a good way! It's like Drago said, it's vibrant, but also…"

Dan and the others knew what he meant. They knew this wasn't New Vestroia, it wouldn't have been so lustrous as Drago eloquently out it before. It was a tough debate more or less what to feel about it, but the priorities took measures first.

"So…this is the planet Luke and everyone's been too…" Alice looked around, surprised by the looks of it all. "What a surprise…"

"Mira…" Dan looked over his shoulder at the orangette. "How are we looking?"

Mira was on her Bakumeter, tapping away until a holographic chart arose from it. The energy wavelengths on it were beyond her common measures; it almost left her flustered, but she kept it together. "These reading are almost off the charts. This is Riaan's energy signature alright. Just look at all this…it's like we're standing on raw energy by itself. Just…how can one planet be centered around such energy?"

"We need to study what we know along the way. It'll help us get to Riaan and even more, possibly give us an opportunity to beat him on his own turf." Marucho insisted.

"I'm in agreement Marucho, but don't forget…" Shun paused coolly. "We're dealing with someone who is the planet. It's not going to be that simple."

"Shun's right." Dan held a straightforward and serious expression. "The Brawlers may have been bested once by this guy, but this time, we're definitely going to fight back…just like those guys did. Only this time, we'll be the ones to succeed!"

"I'm with you 100% of the way." Drago agreed.

"Same here." Gunz agreed. It wasn't long before he felt a light movement beneath his feet. "Huh?"

"What is it?" Reptak asked.

"I thought I…nothing, just my imagination I guess. But anyways, we need to figure out where this Troposphere or Solaris place is. Which one's closer again?"

"Let's see…" Mira started altering the functions and maps on her Bakumeter, until finally she had what looked like a map. "Alright, we should be heading in this direction here. According to the pinpoints we all have, Luke and the others are getting to Troposohere. It shouldn't be long before…"

Before she could finish, the air started shifting again. An uneasy chill went up everyone's spines.

"Huh?" Drago lifted up.

"Drago, what's wrong?" Dan pondered. It wasn't long until the same uneasy tension filled him. "This feeling…"

The ground gradually started shaking beneath them. They all started to lose momentum enough to where the ground was getting to be too loose for solid standing. They could feel something come up from below.

Gunz recognized this feeling, his eyes widened in shock. "Crud! Get back guys!"

They all managed to dull away just as the ground burst with a Subterra Scaboid. It emitted a shrilling cry as its head craned up to announce its upcoming. Like the other Interacian Bakugan these days, it had black skin on the light brown shades of the body. It also had magenta accents, especially the eyes.

Dan jerked back in shock. "GAH! Where the heck did that thing come from?!"

"It came up right beneath us!" Marucho warned. "But the that would mean…"

The ground started vibrating again, an omen that Shun didn't take lightly. "Looks like he's not the only one. Look alive!"

The ground vibrated harshly until it finally broke apart around them. Several fissures opened up, revealing a number of Luxtor, Jetro, Damakor, even Splight sprouted from out of the earth. All of them being Subterra based as per fitting. Each one gave out shrilled cries as they emerged from the depths to strike.

"Snap! It's an ambush!" Dan shouted.

"How did they know we were here already?!" Radizen panicked.

Roxtor yelled out gibberish.

"What?! They anticipated this?!" Radizen gasped. "Oh yeah, they have a psychic! Uh oh!"

The Bakugan snarled as they glowered down at their prey. Their instincts were driving them to defend their territory by whatever means. In the far distance within the valley forest, other Interacian Bakugan were picking up on the rise of positive energy and started their own tail towards the spot.

Shun looked towards the canopy, seeing the large trees rustle as a Darkus Ramdol and Aquos Fangoid emerge slowly. "There's more coming!"

…

Overlooking on a higher elevation of the plateau, Magnus was glowering down on them all. He seemed far from bored, especially seeing the others like this. "Alright…let's see what they do now." He started tapping into his Bakumeter, activating a sequence of codes.

…

The Ramdol, Fangoid, and the other Bakugan – able to – started gathering energy masses around their bodies, which gradually formed to recreate Battlegear. Twin Destructor and Zukanator mounted their backs. They all aimed for them, much to their shock.

"Battlegear?! Are you for real?!" Julie panicked. She immediately turned towards the cameraman with the camera. "This is Julie Yamamoto coming to you from Interacia! Not even a minute after setting foot, it looks like the Brawlers are in for an epic fight! Interacian Bakugan are all around us!"

"Guys, get back!" Dan slid in front with Drago in his hold. "Let's go guys! Bakugan…"

"Brawl!" All the Brawlers launched their Bakugan. In bright elemental flashes, Reptak, Jaakor, Drago, Skytruss, and Orbeum burst from out of the blue and kneed and socked Bakugan across the faces. Radizen and Roxtor were right behind them.

Some of the Bakugan fell over in an instant, but didn't go down so easily. Some of their charged fire misfired and exploded across the skies or along the plateau. With the distraction needed, Dan turned towards Alice, Mira, and Julie.

"You guys, follow Mira's coordinates! Make sure you get to Troposphere by any means, do you hear me?!"

Slice nodded. "Right! Let's go, Mira."

"I'm right beside you, Alice." Mira held up a Subterra Bakugan of her own.

"Mira, wait! Is that-?" Julie started.

"Yup. I asked Keith to send him over just last night. Now we've got just a little more muscle of our own for now." Mira held up her Bakugan. "Alright, let's move now! Bakugan…brawl!"

Alice shot her Bakugan, along with Mira. They popped open at the same time, turning into Alpha Hydranoid and Subterra Magma Wilda. The familiar Subterra Bakugan flexed as he appeared on the earth. "HAHA~! It's great to be back, everybody!" He boldly cheered.

"Long time no see, big guy." Mira chimed. "Ready?"

"Ready!" Wilda kneeled to allow Mira and Julie and the cameraman on his palms. Hydranoid allowed Alice to mount his palms in return. Wilda jettisoned into the air, with the hydra in tow flying just as fast.

"Be careful!" Alice shouted back.

"Same here!" Dan shouted back. He faced the other Bakugan and glared. "Drago! Guys! Let's go! Ability, activate! Dragon Astral!"

"Here we go! Attack!" Drago opened his maw wide and charged up flammable energy in the mouth. Lurching forward, he expelled a streaming flame that separated into several fireworks that exploded upon impact with Bakugan trying to get up. Some immediately vaporized into their respective attributed energy and vanished away.

Many more were still coming, however. And the ones that weren't caught in the blast were channeling respective attacks at Drago and the others. Reptak took the initiative almost instantly.

"Ability, activate!" Gunz shouted. "Shining Shield!" Reptak instinctively reached out as his hand glowed a vibrant orange. A translucent yellow energy shield appeared and blocked the incoming attacks. Though some were managing to find weak spots within the shield, Reptak remained firmly in place.

"Now guys, attack!"

"Right! Let's go, guys!" Shun shouted. "Jaakor! Skytruss! Orbeum! Ability, activate! Ultimate Kazami Style – Rapid Fury!"

"Come everyone! We must show these evildoers that we don't go down without a fight!" Jaakor cloaked himself in his green ventus aura and shot into the air.

"We're right behind you, sensei!" Orbeum jumped with him.

"Let's do it, bro!" Skytruss declared.

All three ninja Bakugan became dark and bright green darts that twinkled in the atmosphere before blitzing everywhere. The Bakugan within the area were unaware as they were bypassed several times by nonexistent blurs. It took mere moments before the three came to everyone's vision before the multiple Bakugan and their Battlegear were covered in outlines before exploding to smithereens. Their cries vanished along with their attributed energies.

"Radizen! Roxtor!" Marucho held up his Bakumeter while on Radizen's shoulder. "Let's get in there! Consecutive abilities, activate! Slash Boomerang!"

Radizen grabbed his head crest as it faded bright blue energy. He threw it with all his might as it went around the many Bakugan, before looping around and slashing them.

"And now, Under Explosion!"

The distraction waring away any of their eyes, they realized there was a Bakugan missing. There was a quick and violent rupture before fissures broke beneath everyone's feet. The enemy Bakugan shrieked as they plunged into the depression of the earth.

"Keep it up, guys!" Dan declared, stepping forward with a passion in his eyes. "If these guys aren't giving us mercy…then we better do the same."

Everyone nodded in full agreement. They faced the Bakugan around and charged at them with their partners for their clear path towards victory.

…

Hydranoid and Wilda sailed away, but the explosions and the sounds of Drago's roars breached the sound barrier that it was nay impossible to not hear. Nevertheless, they remained vast on their goals dead set ahead.

"You think the others will be okay?" Mira pondered aloud. "I know they're our teammates, but still…"

Alice understood the plight. "Yeah, I know. Believe me, I know what it's like thinking like that…" She thought briefly of the time Shun and the others insisted she'd stay behind for her own good. It was selfish, but she understood the position. "But…we can't loosen our ties with them. Like you said, they're our friends. They'll catch up, I'm sure. They know better too, after what's happened."

Mira smiled at her words. "Yeah…you're absolutely right."

"Guys! Look!" Julie's shouting alarmed the two airborne girls. They realized what alarmed the armored golem.

Up ahead, multiple aerial Bakugan that included Longfly with Zukanator already holding up open fire. As they readied charges, Hydranoid and Wilda were in their flight path. The cannons all charged for them with volleys of lasers. They skillfully maneuvered around each blast, gliding in closer to counterattack.

"Mira, we need cover now!" Alice insisted.

"Right, here we go!" Mira held up her brown Bakumeter. "Ability, activate! Volcanic Smoke!" Wilda sailed in and erupted spouts of thick, white smoke that bloomed through the sky. They fanned out everywhere, covering the range the Longfly all did.

The Longfly were unable to pick up anything. They looked around, but couldn't pinpoint their enemies' movements. One Longfly hissed as it readied a lone charge.

"Ability, activate! Hellion Pulse!"

Six red eyes gleamed before maws charged glistening hemispheres of dark energy. Once they were all charged, Hydranoid careened all his heads in separate directions and fired into the smoke. The dark, white, and bright pink beams shot straight into the Longfly and glided across their charging Battlegear. As Hydranoid and Wilda passed through the smoke, they left a hole in it to reveal the machines exploding, along with the Longfly in suspense. The volcanic smoke combusted to ignite the sky in a broad, negative fire as the hydra's demonic cries echoed far and wide.

Mira looked back at the surprising explosion engulfing the skies. "Woah, that really packs a punch."

"We're back in business, Mira." Wilda boasted. "Now, let's get going!"

Hydranoid scoffed. "Couldn't have said sooner."

Both picked up speed and bolted across the skies towards their destination.

Magnus looked off in the distance to see them getting away. He meekly whistled with a hint of impression. "H'oh geez, well, that's something to be damned about." He looked back at the Battle Brawlers taking the battle b7 storm around them. "Better hope the others be slamming these suckers down…"

---

Overlooking on a large precipice with a flat top of grass, Lucia was completely still while the air swarmed with Bakugan. The gentle winds gave her a sense of calm as she gradually opened her eyes and retained focus. "Now…commence."

"Attack!" On the ground, soldiers were lined up across the battlefield that commanded Bakugan. Luke the Brawlers, some mounted their Bakugan with weapons having machete blades brimming with the same saber energy as the Gundalians would use. Bakugan used their Mobile Assault Vehicles and Battlegear combos to open fire onto Aranaut, who was using a rippling yellow aura shield to hold off the attacks, but it was doing little to help.

"Keep pushing, Aranaut! They're about to break through!" Fabia warned.

A soldier with a Darkus Interacian Glotronoid riding an Impalaton raised his Bakumeter. "Ability, activate! Chaos Vibro!" The Impalaton unleashed shrilling shockwave that barreled across the ground, tearing apart the chrome rocks and lush wildlife growing on the surface. It shot into Aranaut, nullifying his small barrier shield. It was enough to even send him and Fabia flying.

"My queen!" Rafe shrieked.

"I've got them!" Wolfurio jumped in time to speedily get them out of range of the attack. He lunged into the skies with Aranaut grappled just as the shockwaves trampled the ground beneath them.

Regaining his consciousness, Aranaut looked sjywards towards his savior. "Thanks for the help, Wolfurio."

"It's my duty as well as my pleasure as a Castle Knight, Aranaut."

"Guys, more incoming!" Paige warned. "Boulderon, go now!"

"You don't have to tell me twice, Paige!" The Subterra Bakugan raised his upper body with heavy leverage. His Sling Pike swung and in a wrecking ball fashion to gain momentum before swung forward. It smashed into the Impalaton, causing it to smash its front and fall over. It crashed onto its back, before engulfing itself and its surroundings in a small-scale explosion.

Soldiers line up with armed rifles and took aim for the Neathians that were their foes. One soldier saw them and pointed his machine gun at them. "Engage!" They started blasting at them, lead bullets going in dozens to puncture them.

"Ability, activate!" Linus shouted. "Crimson Defense!" Rubanoid got in front as a ruby-like coat enveloped him from the ground up. He stood firm as a statue as bullets reflected off his ruby-like armor. His guard gave Aranaut and the others time to regroup behind.

"Queen Fabia, we're under heavy fire! They'll advance onto us if we don't do something!" Elright warned on his Haos Raptorix.

"We have to keep fighting! That's precisely why we're all here!" Rafe declared. "We need to fight back as hard as we can! That's one of our duties as Castle Knights!"

Wolfurio aimed his Lanzato ahead and unleashed a dense bright beam from the tip. It grazed across the ground like a perimeter before exploding in a great wall of light. The flaring yellow had several holes puncture through them as glistening red projectiles barreled onwards. They bombarded Mobile Assault vehicles and knocked into many Bakugan unguarded. Soldiers screamed as either they fell, or they were blown away by the wake of the attack.

A soldier in the far back readied an ability. "Ability, activate-!"

"Not so fast!" Boulderon slung his massive wrecking ball through the ongoing wake as fast as he could. It slung into several Mobile Assault Vehicles at once, toppling them over into an explosion that caused the soldiers – even the one in the back – to either panic or escape before the blaze could reach him.

Aranaut glared forward with determination. "What do we do now, my Queen?"

"If we let up here, they'll just keep pushing! Our main objective is the rendezvous point!" Fabia had to think about the situation critically. In her head, she knew she had to do whatever it would take to save her home. She was here because of not just Riaan's ambition, but something else. It was obligations to not just Neathia at this point. A lot more was at stake than just her home. If this all was about them, it'd be selfish after getting to know everyone else.

'The Brawlers risked a lot to come here…no, not just them. Luke and the others, they've sacrificed even more to get to where they are right no. We can't afford to hold back what we desire most if that's what will bring us closer to our goals.'

She brought up her Bakumeter and typed into it gradually. "Ready, Battle Crusher!" The system exposed the handheld and Fabia grabbed it.

"Battlegear, boost!" She threw the device onto Aranaut, which manifested into the metal belt tethered by yellow static. He aimed the cannon on his shoulder towards the Interacians with integrity. "Battlegear ability, activate! Battle Crusher Duke!"

"HRAH! Lights out, evil Interactian scum!" He fired a glistening yellow projectile beam from his shoulder cannon into the fray. It shallowed across the atmosphere and bombarded everyone nonstop.

"Back them, up Raptorix! Ability, activate! Hyat Spinner!" Elright's Raptorix began rotating like a drill until enough momentum gathered into a bright yellow tornado. It surged like a snaking whirlwind that beamed cleaned through the aerial bakugan, including a few Interacian Farakspin and armed Longfly.

"Bring them down!" A soldier shouted.

Another soldier flung out a Gate Card, making it fade into an orange-brown shockwave into the earth. "Gate Card, open! Silent Land!" The Gate Card shined brightly below everyone, causing all their movements to recede to a complete standstill.

"Crap! Our abilities are blocked!" Rafe grunted. "Wolfurio, try to move if you still can!"

"I'm…trying…" The Haos spartan was trying his best to get around, but unfortunately, he could barely move a finger. "No good…I can't…"

"We have to keep pushing! Otherwise we won't get anywhere!" Fabia shouted. "Keep fighting everyone! The future of our worlds depend on it!"

Watching the scuffling from her vantage point, Lucia was showing anything but a good heart. Her face was completely stone cold as she gazed at the Neathians that she dared to have squashed by their forces. "It was on your planet, that our lord has suffered grievously…" She was doing her best to hold back her subtle anger. "And now here…you will lose more than just your arm. You shall lose everything."

---

An Interacian Merlix was shot down onto his back in a split second by a purple beam. He crashed hard, before a barrage of green slash waves rained down and hammered at Bakugan, as well as soldiers that were unable to fight back.

"That's right Linehalt, keep the pressure on them!" Ren shouted. "Create a distraction so we can get going!"

"You don't have to tell me twice! Let's go, Plitheon!" Linehalt raised his Boomix and charged it.

"You didn't have to tell me twice, you know!" Plitheon hollered before slashing at the air again. Green slash waves spread further with Linehalt's purple glistening beam barreling through the middle.

A soldier was resolute to make counter as he shot a Gate Card down into the middle of the attack. "Gate Card, open! Wall Lock!" An invisible barricade appeared at the last second before the attack could hit. The beam and slashes gradually deteriorated into the defense.

Mason held up an ability of his own. "Avior, time for some fun of our own! Ability, activate! Luft Howling!" Avior, who was already in his large wyvern form above, flapped his large wings to create a gust. He opened his maw wide and challenged bright brown energy into a single point. He fired a streamlined beam into the Gate Card below, tracing it up into a shattered road into the forcefield before it shattered like glass.

"An opening!" Linehalt and Plitheon continued their onslaught nonstop, hammering away at their enemies with zero relent. Dark and green explosions ruptured across the ground beneath.

As they cleared away, it showed Sabator with Phosphos and Contestir by his sides. The minotaur snorted out his nostrils as Nurzak remained on his shoulder overlooking the steady progress of their advance. In the corner of his eye, he caught onto something.

"On your right, everyone! Ability, activate! Force Chaser!"

Sabator caught onto the act and turned in the direction. He generated a forcefield of translucent orange-brown energy that blocked and reversed a Zukanator fire. The attack was sent back beaming into the Bakugan with a large-scale eruption, enveloping it and those around.

With fires everywhere, Nurzak and Sabator had straight faces. The former looked so stoic that it was almost frightening. "Do they truly believe…that we haven't learned from our mistakes that much?"

He looked up and noticed an Interacian-themed Hurrix heading their way. It fired an intense beam, but a swirling green tornado slung across to block it off from hitting Nurzak or Sabator.

"Our act isn't just for show, you know?" Jesse mockingly grinned. He slammed his book shut and straightened his posture. "Our performance before may have gotten a terrible reception by our audience, but I believe…that the show must go on!"

"Zenet, back me up!" Lena insisted.

"Sure thing!" Zenet smirked as she showed an ability. "Ability, activate! Hyper Sky Bolt!" Contestir's shoulder cannons charged up bright yellow energy before launching them at the Bakugan that were the closest. The Mobile Assault Vehicles, Battlegear, Bakugan, even the Interacians attached to them, were all enveloped in the light and turned to stiff stone.

"That'll give us some space." Contestir mocked.

"Hurry before they shoot another Gate Card!" Phosphos insisted. "I'm itching to rip them apart!"

"As you wish." Lena showed an ability. "Ability, activate! Gorgon Viper!"

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

Phosphos hissed as his seven heads gradually uncovered at once. They all unleashed blue and indigo toxic blasts that sprayed everywhere. Sabator made room as his horns crackled with electricity and sent it into all the petrified Bakugan. The two attacks went wide, petrifying even those nearby before eruptive wakes exploded everywhere.

With a coast clear, Nurzak jumped off Sabator's shoulder with his bisento. The energy blade was long and sharp as he went down and kneeled upon slashing a standalone soldier out in the open. He gagged as he fell over, dead.

Nurzak had to take a pause at what he had just done. He knew that this action was wrong, but as a veteran warrior of Gundalia, this was something he was used to. "If your actions have lead to violence, then the natural way to respond, would be by retaliation, wouldn't it? We've heard your voices once, and we didn't learn from that mistake until it was too late." He paused with a serious look in his eyes. "Now…we have come with an answer o our own! Your voice of reason shall be rectified with what you want! So be it! Sabator!"

"I'm with you all the way, Nurzak!" The minotaur unleashed a ground shaking eruption from his shout. His hooves grazed inti the earth and lowered his head for a steady charge. "You're all gonna pay for what you did!"

"That goes double for me!" Linehalt declared.

"We feel the same way, guys! No holding back this time! Hurry!" Ren pointed into the fray. "Treat them like they treat us, until they learn how their Gundalian side plays!"

Overlooking the Gundalians and the progress of the ambush along the highlands, Galilea was standing alone. Her gaze was observatory at the scene. If one paid close attention, her composition was stoic and deeply serious; she was taking this job all too well.

Using her Bakumeter, she was using a two-camera function. One was making do with capturing the Gundalians and their Bakugan onscreen. Each one was releasing a substantial amount of battle energy that was being exerted into the earth. She paid just as much attention to that as she did with the other screen, which showed the pinpoints and targets that Lucia acquitted earlier with her psychic powers. Now, all that was to be done was the execution.

She continued her observation when she noticed the icons moving around the sea and closer to the Troposphere perimeter were catching her attention. "Looks like Magnus is keeping the Brawlers at bay for the time being, and as expected, Lucia is cooperating with occupying the Neathians. Now, if only Amina can comply with being less distant in her location standings…" She had to suppress her upmost frustrations about her coworker. She wanted to overlook it, but she couldn't help herself. 'No, you cannot overlook anything. The staff will take care of Rogue Zero. I have my own problems to deal with right now.' She closed her eyes to focus on something bothering. "However, our lord does have a point. For the Vestal wave…it would be wise to have a heavier artillery."

---

Along the lowlands, the grass was a rich green with a texture that made it look lively and healthy. The underbrush was shallow, but rich as well. This is where the leaves rustled enough to where something emerged and brought itself out to the open.

Percival, in ball form, jumped out and looked around for anything suspicious. He looked left and right and looked back. "All clear, guys. I don't see anything."

Rolling out and popping open, Nemus followed as well. "Yeah, same here. We're clear."

The leaves rustled until several larger figures walked out. The Vestal party came out cautiously, with Keegan pushed in front, much to his dismay. "Gnngh, hey, what's the big idea?!"

Ace shrugged. "Sorry, just figured is all. You never know if you Interactians set up booby traps for us out here."

Keegan gave Ace a cold glare. "Right, and how in the hell would I know that? Last I checked, I'm on your side…scratch that, your side's a pain in the ass."

Ace snorted. "Spoken like a real backstabber."

"You keep that up I'll be sure to push you in front of the next Bakugan we stumble across."

"Easy guys, easy." Baron pleaded. "No need to argue here."

"We need to focus. The coordinates say that Troposphere is somewhere up ahead, right?" Nemus asked, dragging everyone back on topic.

Gus scoffed at them arrogantly. "Well look at you guys, all full of energy now are you? Well, it's to be expected. We're in enemy territory after all. No sense in not being cautious. We make a misstep and we may invoke a trap indeed."

"Yes…and we know how crafty Riaan is considered." Spectra reminded them so coolly that it didn't even faze himself. He frowned seriously, however. "But, Gus does have a point. Caution is a value point we can't overlook. This won't be like when they invaded Vestal. They know we're coming for them."

Ace raised a brow. "Okay~? So then what? We've made it this far, so then what?"

Spectra pulled up his Bakumeter. "First, we need to figure out where we are." He pressed several buttons that lead to the screen showing a holographic panel of the landscape. "Hmm…it looks like we're closer to Troposphere than we've anticipated. Seems we'll be fortunate enough to get there if we keep this way."

"Really? That's awesome!" Baron chimed, sparkles twinkling in his bright eyes. "That means we'll be the first ones there!"

"But…" Spectra cut off Baron's excitement. "That's just the one part. We'll require to secure a lab if we'll be successful in our part. More than likely, we'll be entering a high-level security field where waterways will have to be crossed. They've explained Troposphere is more or less a hydro-fueled resource, but must have other areas as well to enter that will be of top security."

"But how did those guys get through last time?" Ace wondered. He turned towards Keegan, but he shrugged impishly.

Spectra put a hand to his chin. "Let's see. They've said they had to override the controls similar to what happened all those years ago back in Alpha City, or rather something familiar. Our first priority will be to use the city and enter its control systems. That way, we'll be able to undergo procedures without being unguarded."

"With the city possibly under lockdown, that sounds like it's gonna be hard to accomplish." Percival mulled.

Gus smirked. "Quite so…so it's a good thing we're attacking on all sides then."

"Right you are. Now then, we better move it. I'm sure that if we stand out in the open for too long, we'll most likely be caught."

"Hmph, well if those Interacians wanna throw down, guess we'll have to smoke'em ourselves." Ace chimed. "And if that doesn't work, we've got Keegan as a last resort."

Keegan's irritation reached an all-time high. "I swear to you, I'm going to kill you if these guys don't do it first. I've had it up to here with you." He sounded so grueling and tired that he sighed loudly. 'Geez, I can't believe that I was a hotshot this huge. Was I always this insistent on others' nerves?'

The Vestals went their way into the next underbrush, with Keegan going first, again, much to his bitter chagrin.

---

What anyone would guess would be a waterway paradise was now a condemned prison.

Troposphere's waterways which were now much larger and expanded, were all sealed off by large gates that blocked water from connecting. The docks were crawling with armed Bakugan and Interacian soldiers packing weapons. They were all set to strike at anything coming their way.

Overlooking the city from atop a chrome tower top, two figures were seen being patient. "Lord…"

The other figure remained silent, but he seemed rather anxious for a lack of better word. He smirked maliciously, like a deathly hollow waiting to loom.

---

The oceanic seas cast aside as the Trailer continued moving across the horizon. It stayed far from shore, miles away, yet still inland enough to at least be out of possible radar. Meanwhile, their radar was picking up clear waves.

"Nothing so far." Shuji reported. "All clear for now."

Maggie slumped in her seat, groaning to herself, sighing aloud. "Well, at least this means we're probably right about our thoughts. They can't reach us out here!"

"Yes, supposed that's one way of looking at it." Jase prodded. "But, do keep in mind we're still within Interacia. The Bakugan here may he stationary in genetics, but they're no less sensible about natural instincts."

"In other words, we're still possible for attacks." Esther pointed out.

Shawn looked down at his screen, which was an underwater camera showing deep blue depths. "Well, nothing on screen from below us."

"Still feels like something's not right about this…" Luke grumbled. "They know we're here. Maybe they're trying to use tricks or something."

"That might very well be the case." Verias insisted. "Now that I've thought about it, it's been some time since we've been spotted by anything."

"More like, nothing at all." Jelldon prodded. "This just feels too weird…"

…

A Bakumeter beeped constantly, but no one seemed to answer it for a short while. It was getting on Amina's nerves.

On a small yacht, Amina was wearing a sundress while slouching along a seat. The umbrella shaded the sun from her sunglasses as she sipped from a wine glass that had a nice daiquiri in it. She was savoring the fruity adult beverage, but the nonstop ringing for her duties was ruining any of the fun she could be having.

"Hngh…! Who's calling me now?" She aggressively huffed before using her index finger to bring up the line. "Who is it? This better be important."

"Amina, can you hear me? It's Galilea." The familiar voice didn't do Galilea any favors.

"What is it? I'm a little busy right now. Can't this wait?"

"You better not be slacking off. Our lord specifically said that when they're within range, you have to stall them."

Amina sat down her daiquiri on the stand beside her and sighed. "Good grief. You sound like that nag of a hag, Lucia. I swear, if I didn't know better I say you're just playing coy to be up there with her."

"Just do your job. It's close to your time. I called to make sure that you understood that. I have to go, the Gundalians are on the front."

"Yeah, yeah." She tapped the Bakumeter and cut off the communications. She sat up from her chair with a despondent glare. "Honestly, what does it take for a woman to relax? We've done all that work; shouldn't we get like a vacation or something? Well, if it'll get those stupid hags off my backs…" She tapped her Bakumeter again, making a blue light with several conjoined images show on it. "There. Now…let's see what kind of show there's on right now?"

…

The Trailer's ongoing sounds of waves were brought to a halt by the upbringing of alarms.

"Huh? What the-?!" Shawn's eyes widened at the cameras he looked through. "Crap! Numbers just spouted from out of the blue!"

"What the heck's up now?" Shuji grimaced. He couldn't believe the radar was showing so many dots from down below. It looked like a huge red sea coming for them.

"So it would appear…that they've made their move on us at long last." Jase affirmed.

Esther looked over at Shawn. "Shawn, put it up on visual, what's coming?"

"I'll bring it up." Shane typed away as fast as possible. The screen image revealed itself on the lower deck's holographic projector for everyone to see. It showed the dark blue waters, with images of dozens, if not even more so, of fish-like creatures that swam around with Zukanator and Twin Destructor gears on their backs.

"Luke. Are those…?" Abis trailed off.

Luke's eyes widened at the sight of them. He recognized them all as a familiar Bakugan species that once gave him and Abis the fight of their lives. The cold, dark waters of Interacia came back to haunt them as one by one, swimming fishes with sharp noses were coming to view.

"…Megarus."

"Look out! They're coming right for us!" Maggie shouted.

The Megarus down under hissed and squealed as their narrow magenta eyes were fixed on the moving vehicle treading at the surface. They fired constant magenta beams and projectile blasts skywards to shoot them down. They beamed out of the water and into the atmosphere, causing a traffic jam for them.

"CRAP!" Shuji shouted. They were getting too close to one beam in front.

"Everyone, hold on!" Jase operated the Trailer using swift mobility. The harsh jerking nearly pushed everyone out of their seats had it not been for their seat belts.

The magenta beams fired nonstop, but the Trailer maneuvered about through harsh turns and hydroplaning. The Megarus down below were getting closer as their shots were starting to get accurate. Projectiles from the Twin Destructor gears were gradually denting the metal below. The huge tire rudders were getting slower with every couple or so attacks.

Alarms were going off in front of Shawn's seat. "Crap, there's too many of them! They're gonna bust a hole and sink us if we don't get out fast!"

In a hurry, Luke rushed out of his seat and started for the elevator doorway. Esther looked back with upmost surprise. "Luke, where are you going?!"

Luke looked over his shoulder to show his resolution. "We have to stop them before the Trailer sinks! Abis and I can create a distraction, you guys focus on keeping the haul out of fire!" He finished rather quickly before rushing for the hatch topside.

Esther understood and turned around. "…be careful."

"Maggie, we need to help, too!" Jelldon encouraged.

"You're right, Jelldon. You can change attributes, so let's give them a helping hand!" Maggie grabbed her Bakugan and rushed out of her seat. The Trailer buffered so harshly that again, Maggie almost lost footing and nearly fell up the small flight of stairs towards the elevator. She quickly got up and shook her head before heading out as well.

"Are you serious?" Shuji grunted.

"It can't be helped now." Jase chimed. "We need to make it to Troposphere under minimal damage. Now, everyone, if you don't have the ability to breathe underwater like your Bakugan, stay inside. We'll have to adjust the course until Luke and Maggie can get their job done."

---

The hatch door flipped wide open for Luke and Maggie to crawl out. The older teenager got up and managed to make it over towards the ledge. Magenta beams were barreling all about, but they knew they had to be proactive.

Luke looked at Abis in his hand. "Okay, ready to go Abis?"

"Yeah. Just say the word Luke." The evolved serpent declared.

Maggie looked down at Jelldon. "Jelldon, let's give them backup."

"You got it, Maggie."

Together, both clutched their Bakugan and glanced at each other.

"Hey Luke, better not try to be too slow for us. Esther wouldn't like that."

"I was about to say that to you."

Maggie smirked. "No promises. Just don't show off because you evolved. Now let's hit it!"

Together, both threw their Bakugan out at the exact same time. "Bakugan, brawl!" They were unleashed as they were thrown over the sea of projectiles. They miraculously arched out a large spread of them before plopping into the water, where their forms glowed brightly. "Bakugan, stand!"

"Go, Glow Jelldon!"

"Go, Daedalus Abis Omega!"

A red and blue light emerged from the sea. Twi large splashes emerged as the jellyfish screeched, and a much longer, faster serpent arose from the seas. The newly evolved Abis unleashed a bloodcurdling roar that caused giant waves.

Both battlers mounted their Bakugan's heads. Jelldon glowed brightly as he shifted his attribute towards Aquos upon drifting underwater. Air bubbles generated from their mouths quickly eroded to surround Maggie and Luke with enough oxygen to help them get through the descent into the crossfire.

Megarus from all around shrieked as they saw the incoming Bakugan. They had so much positive energy as well as the power of negative energy that it completely drew them in like moths to a flame. They swarmed up towards them in a hurry.

"Here they come!" Luke warned. "Ability, activate! Flood Quasar!"

As they all drew themselves in at once, Abis opened his maw wide and readied a dense, deep blue blast. He unleashed a broad beam that swallowed a large sum if the Bakugan. The water pressure altered as many were crushed with their Battlegear in one go. A massive blue glint flickered before water and bubbles rushed past him and Jelldon.

Maggie clung on, using her arm to cover her oxygen bubble. Her eye was still open though. 'These guys…they got seriously powerful!'

Through the bubble waves dissipating, magenta cannon fire blazed through and tore holes. As they were thinking of dodging, they realized the Trailer was right up where they were. 'If we move, we'll have the Trailer exposed. We have to keep them drawn on us!'

"We got this!" Maggie shouted. "Ability, activate! Soft Conductor!" The magenta rays blazed after Abis and the Trailer ahead, but they all suddenly took sharp turns and redirected into Jelldon. His front drew up all the attacks and enflamed his body with an attributed aura. He gained more power the more he drew in their nullified abilities.

Abis didn't waste a moment getting the opportunity window to swim past his opening. "Thanks guys!" Luke shouted.

They swam a little deeper, while the Bakugan's fire was all drawn towards Jelldon, they were open for Abis as his diamonds around his upper body shined.

"Ability, activate…Depth Fire!"

"Chew on this!" Abis roared out as he unleashed bombastic streamlines of blue missiles that ranged all across the sea. Each one had a pinpointed target that exploded upon contact with the Megarus. The entire ocean was engulfed in bright blue hemispheres that were eruptions.

"Nice one!" Maggie cheered.

At the surface, ruptures were felt through the water. A lightshow was going on that everyone could see clearly as signs of the battle. The cover fire was working as none of the beams were penetrating through the surface.

"Damn, talk about a lightshow." Shawn awed. "Looks like those guys are really letting them have it."

"Then I suppose it's a good thing Abis is on our side then." Verias noted.

"We have to move, right now!" Atchibee warned.

Esther turned towards Jase. "Jase!"

Nodding, Jase got to the controls once more. "Activating the turbos! Everyone braced for immediate acceleration!"

The Trailer gradually picked up even more speed as the rudders spun faster. It treaded water graciously, yet swiftly until it was enough for Jase to see themselves out of radar's range of the attackers. However, by the red dots still, that would take a while.

Back underwater, a Megarus with a Zukanator took fire and beamed a magenta attack at them. Abis arched down and swam after it as the beam shot upwards. Jelldon swam in front with a Petroleum Shield active to nullify the ability. Abis released another bloodcurdling shriek before he sunk his razor-sharp teeth into the Megarus' nose.

His extremely long body began to work around the Megarus and the Zukanator. Having exhausted fire, Abis' harsh scales constricted around and crushed the charging mechanisms. He squeezed tighter, and tighter, until the Megarus was on the verge of feeling insides crack like chips every second. The metal dented along the Zukanator, until it was so much static flared. Abis retreated and swatted the fish away with his tails, sending it careening through the water into the depths, where a large magenta explosion was seen fogging up the abyssal darkness. From the fading silhouettes coming it looked like more were still lurking around.

Abis narrowed his eyes. Luke held firmly on the head with the oxygen filling his lungs.

''It's hard to believe now…that these are Bakugan that we've fought so hard before.' It was short, but he remembered the battle against the wild Megarus back on the older Interacia. 'We hardly survived that time. But now…' Several Megarus fired Twin Destructor beams. 'This…is nothing!'

"Ability, activate! Emperor Abyss!"

Abis' eyes glowed bright blue as his body released a shrilling light. There was a long pause just before the ocean currents started to churn. An explosion of bubbles and pressurized water streams spread out in several directions that swallowed up nearly all the Megarus within the area.

Jelldon and Maggie covered up, but the wake of the water churning made them feel pulled in an out.

As the Trailer was moving away, everyone could see through the back cameras where the battle was happening, a sunken draft in the water made a huge hole where water poured deep down before an eruption of it skyrocketed into a broad, deep pillar. They all went wide-eyed; even Maggie and Jelldon as they resurfaced to behold what was happening. They all noticed the oceanic currents were being drawn into them, save for the current spared to keep them going the one way. But that didn't stop the water from continuing to surge into streams up into the sky.

Esther's eyes were wide as nothing came to mind.

"You've gotta be joking…" Shuji mumbled.

Shawn, Jase, and Maggie were all staring at a glorious – and deadly – omen.

From even some miles away, the sun was blanketed by something that made Amina lift her sunglasses. "Ugh, seriously? An overcast?" She opened her eyes, but her displeasure turned to shock when she saw the real issue. "…what…the hell…?"

Large water cyclones and streams surrounded Abis as he snarled with a fury. He and Luke were in the middle of a large area of lower ocean levels caused by the Aquos Bakugan alone. The tides from several miles inland was all depleted several sea levels. A large blanket of water from the sea had tornadoes rampaging and drafting in more sweater that couldn't escape its wrath. Its range was massive, blanketing even the sun. A literal ocean rippled over Abis' head, and even within the ocean above and below, the Megarus were all surprisingly misted and dry within air bubbles to keep them from using Aquos abilities.

"KROOOAAAHHHH!" Abis' unceremonious bellow in midair caused large ripples that turned to waves fanning out everywhere.

As the wavy water fanned out into the ocean, it acted as a jumpstart for the Trailer to get everyone moving. Though it was seriously bumpy that even Shuji was getting a little sick.

Holding in a gag, he grimaced heavily. "That guy's going overboard again…did anybody know that he could do that anyway?"

Esther looked out the window, her blue eyes still fixed on the scene outside far away. Abis' valiant roars echoed far enough for her to pick up on. 'This…is the power of Daedalus Abis Omega. They've really…'

Luke faced forward with his new sword raised. He held a dead serious look that Abis' glowing blue eyes mimicked. The sounds of waves and water made anything inaudible. Screams, shouts, even explosions. A lot of noises that were impossible to ignore. And yet, those were all a drive. The cries and aches of the people that were in danger; those who couldn't be saved…the ones who risked their lives for such people. What they went through; what he went through; it's just as Riaan pointed out back on Neathia.

"You see…reality is very cruel. When you lose everything, that's when you start realizing the questions that people ask themselves? 'What am I? What did I do wrong? What can I do now?'. You never stopped to ask yourself those questions, but instead you kept on believing everything would be okay. But let me tell you…beneath the surface, that beautiful paradise that you always desired…it has a whole world beneath its surface, and its crawling with monsters like me."

'What Riaan meant…he said that because we are monsters, too. I don't blame him. But…' Luke vividly screamed as he downcast his sword into a violent swipe downwards. 'What I can do now…is save as many as I can, from the wrong brought upon all of us!'

As if understanding his feelings, Abis' gems and the gills on his abdomen shined luminescent blue. He released a violent shriek as ripples appeared in the water before pressurized beams of them shot down onto all the Megarus grouped below. Sea pressure crushed them that rained down from above. The tidal spouts didn't recede, in fact they grew until the large ocean above was coming down entirely. It bent down and unleashed swirling tornados that returned to the ocean. The added liquid on waterfalls gave the Trailer an even greater distance that carried it afar from the sea level returning. But the voluminous pressure made a monstrous wake that not even the Megarus were at the mercy of. Every single one of them hissed and shrieked before they all were wiped away from existence.

Bobbing up and down the waves, Maggie and Jelldon looked up in sheer awe. Rain poured down as if it was a summer rainfall, but they didn't care about being wet. They were just amazed at how powerful and deep that attack was.

"Those guys…" Maggie blinked. "…well, talk about a washout, huh Jelldon?"

"Yeah…" The jellyfish mumbled. 'I think I should stay on his good side till the end of my days…'

As seawater rained down, it made Abis' scales glisten. Adding in his attributed aura, he truly looked like a force of nature to everyone. And on top, Luke looked ahead with eyes full of resolution.

"…we're just getting started! This world, and everyone else's-!"

"Won't suffer like this from you anymore!" Abis craned his head upwards, expelling another roar of declaration that fanned across the seacoast.

…

The sonar on Amina's yacht went completely blank. Every dot on her side all went as dark as the screen.

"Seriously?! What a serious waste!" Amina complained angrily. "And someone…stop making this damn yacht rock so much! I swear if this tips over…!"

A rumble got her to trail off. When she turned around, a large torrent of seawater was rushing at her. The backlash of all that water Abis unleashed was finally reaching the shorelines…and she was right in its path.

"No! Not my dress again!" She typed into her Bakumeter hastily, teleporting just in time before the large wave finally swallowed up the yacht. The entire thing capsized under the swirling wake of the currents that led to shore.

On a higher point, at a flat rock just where the crashing waves were barely able to reach, Amina reappeared and overlooked the raging seas. She noticed her yacht was completely torn apart in the shallows as the waves returned to normal. But the entire isle where she was posted was all wet, and the soothe, white sand had fresh minerals stirred up. She looked back at the small image that was Abis and Jelldon retreating back towards the Trailer.

"Those ingrates…my yacht…" Her face contorted with such growing rage. "I swear…those pests…they are so going to pay for this." She mockingly scoffed as she flicked another lock. "Well…it's a good thing there's more going around then. They won't hold up very long…after all…" She menacingly smirked. "The closer to the jewel…the more provoked the beast gets."

---

Thanks to the walls of Troposphere, the waves created from Abis' attack did little towards the pier and docks. However, everything rocked back and forth vividly to where it was nearly toppled. Even some soldiers were staggered by this act.

"GAH!" one nearly fell in.

"We didn't get a forecast of rough weather. What happened to the sea just now? The water levels just dropped and now they're rocky?!" He turned towards his Bakumeter. "This is outer patrol, do you copy?! How's the power supply in the main chamber, over!"

Inside the Troposphere's core room, there were a large set of men who were operating the system now. The liquid flowing through all the baubles were all flowing up and down, circulating the filtered seawater through the generator with strong impulses. The power measures made gauges go up and down, but nowhere particularly drastic.

Another soldier held up his Bakumeter. "This is the main core chamber, over. Control systems are stabilizing. The surge hasn't damaged the systems too drastically."

---

"Well that…was sure something." Gus smirked with genuine interest. He and everyone were on the very verge of Troposphere. The situation regarding the tides made it almost impossible to not notice. The guards around them were all caught surprised at the water levels.

"What the heck was that just now?" Ace questioned.

"Beats me, but I think this is as good as time as any to get moving." Percival insisted.

"Then I say the sooner the better. Hurry." Keegan urged.

Everyone wormed their way through the stowaway areas of the city. They moved through the alleys, narrowly evading the scopes and the cameras that were posted for increased security. It was tough to do, but thanks to the map that Jase provided, following it through its routes made it easy to navigate.

"Looks like the routes may have changed quite a bit around since those guys have been here last." Spectra noted. He compared the map on his Bakumeter to the sidewalk. It had been replaced by a small garden with vibrant flowers.

"Well, it's no Vestal, but it still seems a little small around here if you ask me." Ace pointed out. "Then again, we can't go to a lot of the areas with all this stuff going on…you think the others are here, too?"

"Hard to say, really?" Baron frowned. "Something's up around here, I can feel it."

"Maybe we should call and tell them we're inside?" Nemus suggested.

"Yeah, good idea." Ace chimed, before turning towards Spectra. "You good?"

Spectra scoffed lightly. "Let's not get hasty…but I suppose scoping would do good." He pushed a button onto his Bakumeter, but the screen showed static instead. "Hm? What's this?" He tapped another part of the screen, but nothing showed.

"What is it?" Keegan questioned.

Spectra kept trying functions, but nothing seemed to be working. "Seems we're being jammed by something…!" Suddenly, he started to vanish from below. "Huh?!"

"Master Spectra!" Gus panicked, but his body started to vanish as well. "Huh?! What's going on?!"

"Guys! Wait-!" Ace went to reach out for them, but they were already gone. They vanished just as he phased through their energy bodies. He stumbled outwards with a shocked look. "Gngh…crud."

"What the heck? Where did they go?!" Baron worried.

"I don't know…" Ace stood straight up, his face contorting with a dread. "But I have a really bad feeling about this." He glanced away to speculate. "Looks like whoever did this is around somewhere…which means, we're not alone."

"Thank you, Captain Obvious." Keegan grimaced. He frowned heavily as he tried to think of something. "But…you may have a point. Those head honchos I creamed back on Neathia, they're obviously behind all this. Which means they must know us as well."

"Should we do something?" Nemus wondered.

"There they are, I see them!" The sound of soldiers footsteps grabbed their attention.

"Looks like that'll have to wait!" Percival warned.

"We've been spotted! This is bad!" Baron fretted.

Ace furrowed his brow. "We need to get moving, now." He faced Keegan. "Listen, Keegan."

"I am not going to be your damn meat shield!" He protested.

Ace sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose angrily. "Well that's up to you, but listen. We need their help, so we'll go find them. If we can track their whereabouts, we should be able to get back on track as soon as we rendezvous with the others. You focus on finding the lab and overriding security for us. Got it?"

Keegan was taken back by this. He half-expected Ace to just outright use him as a shield or create some kind of diversion. But the fact that this was meant to be used for convenience and for all of their sakes made him a little unsure. But, he knew priorities took placement amongst those thoughts. Reluctantly, he scoffed.

"Tch, fine. But if you get shot, that's on you. Watch yourselves."

Ace smirked. "Yeah, same here." He looked back to see the soldiers drawing in too close. "Snap we gotta go!"

"After them!" The soldiers chased them all down, but Keegan branched off in time into an interjecting alleyway on the side. Ace and Baron went another way for the guards to split their forces.

As he ran away into hiding, Keegan lowly tisked to himself. 'Those stupid bastards…they better know what they're doing.'

---

Two energy bodies slowly manifested in a single spot side-by-side. Gradually, they solidified until they faded into Spectra and Gus. Their feet were in midair, so they touched the ground to rock them around a little; they didn't fall over though.

"What…was that?" Gus recovered from that sudden transport, only for his lungs to enflame with some foul air. It made him cringe.

Spectra recovered as well, but like his cohort, something got underneath his skin too. An uneasy chill and low temperature could nearly make him see his own breath. What he almost instantly noticed was the darkness lurking around them. His blue eye dilated inwards as the sensation only grew with his ingenuity at what was around.

All around, it looked like a flat, circular battlefield, with dark waters bordering where the battlefield would stop. With the lights off, no one could tell there was a massive expanse of a dome-like composition, but thanks to the light outside, it brought just enough hue for them to see the vividly gruesome hue they were stuck in.

Taking a moment back, Spectra looked back at his protégé. "Are you alright, Gus?"

Gus took a moment to get used to this burning sensation in his lungs. "Yes, sir…I think so."

Spectra frowned at the uneasiness coming from him. 'This must be raw, negative energy we're in. But…to have so much of it centered around a single point…' He looked up at the dark battlefield's sea of negative energy. 'It's like a cage for grooming hate-filled animals.'

"Huh?" On Spectra's shoulder, Helios popped open. "Spectra, do you see that?"

"See what, Helios?" He ceased his inquiry and realized what his Bakugan meant. He looked ahead, showing a serious glare when two distinct shadows were seen on the far end of the battlefield. They stood there, looming…like phantoms. It only made the uneasy tension around them grow.

The two figures said nothing. They waited for a response instead.

Spectra frowned in seriousness. "So, I take it that you're the ones behind this apprehension? I believe we haven't properly met before."

"You're right…we haven't." A small mass of the hue faded, revealing the perpetrators. It was none other than Cyrus and Zion, side-by-side. Their expressions showed a serious disposition, at least with what available light was showing such crude features.

Cyrus continued his formal greeting uninterrupted. "Greeting to you, Spectra Phantom. I see that you've indulged yourself with our planet I see. Homely to some, I'm sure."

"You must be the supreme leader of Hades Pillars I've heard so much about."

Cyrus grinned. "Guilty is charged. Then you must know enough about me that doesn't require an introduction. Our reputation perceives us well enough if you've seen what our lord has done."

Spectra didn't sway. "Yes, I believe I'm well aware of your little pickpocket of genetics across our worlds. What I would like to know is why precisely you've taken the time to drag us all the way out here?"

Zion held up his battle axe with readily might. "Because, our lord has taken a particular taste in what you have done before."

"I see. Explain it though I were incompetent."

Cyrus smirked. "Very well then. Confirm this then: Do you recollect your little 'agent' to assist your acquaintances? His Bakugan, surely it was Interacian, and yet you've modified him in doing much more efficiently than anticipated. A part of me is rather impressed. But even so…" he paused. "You're responsible in doing the genetic alternatives, which means that you have deemed yourself as an increased threat to Interacia."

Spectra knew where this was leading up to. He was almost in the mood for relishing, but he knew better than to go above his pay grade without reconciliation. "Hmph. That's a compliment coming from you. I've heard much about how Riaan's been handling himself quite well against the Brawlers. And yet, even they held no such candle. Now why do you think that is? I'm dying to know myself."

Helios floated next to Spectra. "Enough talk. Let's get this over with."

"I agree with your little friend over there." Zion snarled. "You've indirectly have caused a nuisance to run loose amongst us. Once your blood stains these floors, his shall be the down penalty."

Gus stepped forward to Spectra's side. "Don't believe we'll be going down without a fight now. Vulcan and I are anxious to show you Interacians what we Vestals are capable of than just alterations."

Cyrus: 100% Spectra: 100%

Zion: 100% Gus: 100%

There was a small tension as they all sat in the darkness. The battlefield had become so stale at that moment that not even the waters were able to move. It's like even they froze out of fear.

Spectra did a quick analysis as their opponents prepared for battle. 'If I remember right, our opponents are the leader and the co-leader as well. They specialize in intimidation and forefront assault attacks. The one especially uses physical combat in conjunction with his Bakugan's abilities, constantly keeping up on our feet. If we stay still, we run the risk of being stabbed…or worse.'

"Gus, stay alert. We know who we're dealing with thanks to Keegan's analysis."

"Yes, Master Spectra."

Cyrus narrowed his eyes. "Try not to disappoint me. Zion."

"With pleasure. Gate Card…set!" He threw the card out towards the center of the battlefield, where it faded into a vague red light across the area. He held up Snapzoid without much of a single blink. "Now…let's see what guts you Vestals have to offer. Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Rise…Pyrus Snapzoid!"

In a whirling dark fire, the black and magenta Snapzoid lurched skywards. He unleashed a bloodcurdling shriek that caused the dark flames to disperse around the ground. It snarled menacingly at his foes.

Spectra and Gus remained completely still in the face of their mighty adversary. The huge eel lowered himself to ready to strike as Zion stood behind, grabbing knives and daggers to prepare.

"Here we go, Helios." Spectra grabbed his Bakugan's closed ball form and threw him in. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Rise, Darkus Infinity Helios!"

A broad purple light exploded, showing a silver spiked tail that lead up to a jet-like projector on the back of a humanoid black dragon. Helios' red eyes had a ferocious look in them as he violently exerted a roar upon ready for battle.

"Don't think you'll both have all the fun now." Gus threw Vulcan in. "Let's go, Vulcan! Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Rise, Subterra Rex Vulcan!"

In a dark brown light, Rex Vulcan arose with his Viking horns above and red lenses glaring at his opponents.

Facing two distinct Bakugan at once, Cyrus momentarily closed his eyes. "Very well then, but know this…your pain…" His eyes widened with a vile determination. "Will know no bounds. Bakugan…brawl!" He threw in his Raptorix next. "Bakugan, stand! Arise, Darkus Raptorix!"

In a broad, dark shockwave, a black silhouette shot from the ground pluming into the atmosphere. Raptorix's wings extended and it gave a loud, shrilling scowl that shrilled through the dome.

Raptorix: 800 Infinity Helios: 1200

Snapzoid: 700 Rex Vulcan: 700

Raptorix and Snapzoid released more shrilling screeches that made the chills in the air intensify. Without missing a beat, Zion went for the offensive by throwing a small dagger. Spectra and Gus narrowly leaned to opposite sides to evade.

"Ability, activate! Verity Fire!" Snapzoid hissed as swirling, broad flames spiraled in the large maw before shot at Helios and Vulcan.

Raptorix: 800 Infinity Helios: 1200

Snapzoid: 700 (+400) = 1100 Rex Vulcan: 700

The spiraling fire engulfed both Bakugan in a viscous blaze. Vulcan put up his arms to defend, but the flames were still gravely intense. Helios didn't show any signs of being fazed even when his spikes were being charred.

"Ha! You think a little fire will stop me?!" Helios challenged.

"Careful, Helios! Incoming!" Spectra warned.

Catching the hint, a swift, dark blur sped through the flames. It was Raptorix, with claws spread out with dark purple grazing from the sides.

"Ability activate, Vengeful Ripper!" Cyrus' shout was accompanied with darkness covering for Raptorix slashing past Helios and posing with the purple trails around the claws disappearing. Slash marks instead erupted around Helios to make him grunt.

Raptorix: 800 (+300) = 1100 Infinity Helios: 1200 (-300) = 900

Snapzoid: 1100 Rex Vulcan: 700

'Impressive speed to boot.' Spectra narrowly evaded another knife thrown at him. Time slowed down as it gradually went past his cheek…it made only a little graze, but it definitely sliced a small lock of his messy hair.

Zion glared ahead without a sense of remorse for his actions. "Burn." Snapzoid expelled more fire, while Raptorix pounced for Helios' backside.

"Helios! Time for the counterattack! Ability, activate! Destroy Quasar!" Helios' red eyes kept track of Raptorix incoming and used his thrusters to propel himself above at the last second. His ascent left him above Raptorix, who was exposed for him to open his maw and release a voluminous black and purple blaze with crackling purple static. It fanned down onto Raptorix, who sped around the assault.

Raptorix: 1100 Infinity Helios: 900 (+500) = 1400

Snapzoid: 1100 Rex Vulcan: 700

With Raptorix preoccupied, Snapzoid was releasing voluminous rays of flames that fanned out around Vulcan, who was still blocking with his broad armor.

"Vulcan, time to fight back!" Gus enforced an ability. "Ability, activate! Hammer Knuckle!" Vulcan raised his broad arm and made it shoot off like a rocket. The fist was clutched tightly as it went barreling through the fire into Snapzoid.

Raptorix: 1100 Infinity Helios: 1400

Snapzoid: 1100 (-300) = 800 Rex Vulcan: 700 (+300) = 1000

The fists drew closer, breaking through the other side to punch Snapzoid across the face. The eel recoiled just as the fist was coming back around to boomerang back towards him.

"Fusion Ability, activate!" Gus followed up. "Drill Booster!" The gauntlet's fist transformed into a drill, which spun even faster after the eel. All while Vulcan's power increased towards 1400. The drew closer, but it looked like Zion and Cyrus were ready to fight back.

The two attacks were close enough, but each one provided a counter.

"Ability, activate! Barbaric Claw!" Raptorix jutted his claws out, elongating the nails with dark purple energy. They reached out and slashed into the middle of the dark flames, bisecting them around the dinosaurian avian.

"Ability, activate! Vex Crunch!" Snapzoid opened wide, allowing for the jaws on his snake-like tongue to unleash an intense beam that intercepted Vulcan's drill. The drill instead was redirected and flew around to return to Vulcan.

Raptorix: 1100 (+300) = 1400 Infinity Helios: 1400

Snapzoid: 800 (+300) = 1100 Rex Vulcan: 1400 (-300) = 1100

The field cleared out, leaving Helios to get back on the ground. However, Raptorix was on the offensive with repetitive slashes. The Bakugan scowled as it slashed against his forearms nonstop. It took Helios a moment to recoil before he was able to grab hold of the claws with his own, bringing them at a stalemate.

"Ha! Just because you're feisty doesn't make you better than the real Bakugan species. You fake copy!" Helios growled.

"We'll admit, you Interacians certainly know how to derive from your victims' ingenuity." Spectra noted. "But really now, where's the originality?" He narrowly evaded another one of Zion's daggers.

Cyrus menacingly smirked. "Perhaps you should…save your breath for your lives."

"My sentiments exactly, sire." Zion mocked. "Ability, activate! Gape Demon!" Snapzoid opened his maw wide, unleashing a gaping, wide red beam that went towards Helios and Vulcan.

Raptorix: 1400 Infinity Helios: 1400 (-300) = 1100

Snapzoid: 1100 Rex Vulcan: 1100 (-300) = 800

Raptorix pounced out of the way as the red beam struck Helios, engulfing his upper body in a small explosion. The beam continued into Vulcan, who was putting up an equal show of defense.

Zion snarled and glared at them. "Do not let up. Let them burn!" He got a polearm ready with a sharp metal spear end to puncture them.

"Not so fast!" Gus interjected. "Ability, activate! Mega Viblow!"

Zion threw the spear, just as Vulcan put his gauntlets up and created distorted rifts. His gauntlet rings spun drastically without stopping to generate a larger wave to protect him and Helios from Snapzoid's attack in the process. The beams, as well as Zion's spear, were deflected across the battlefield, zipping into the empty stands and destroying landmarks.

Raptorix: 1400 Infinity Helios: 1100 (+300) = 1400

Snapzoid: 1100 Rex Vulcan: 800 (+300) = 1100

"This is your chance! Go now, guys!" Vulcan insisted.

"Well done, both of you. "Spectra honored their cooperation with what they asked for. "Helios, ability, activate!"

Helios opened his maw wide as glistening purple energy articulated into the center. It swirled into a single before launched into the skies. "Warfire!" Helios expelled the attack skywards, until it reached a high point within the dome. It flashed into a broad eruption of light before firing off glistening purple comets everywhere. They poured down onto Raptorix and Snapzoid, who braced for the attack that barraged the battlefield.

Raptorix: 1400 (-500) = 900 Infinity Helios: 1400

Snapzoid: 1100 (-500) = 600 Rex Vulcan: 1100

The barrage of comets streamed down, barraging the enemy Bakugan to no end. The ground was constantly erupting to make a disruptive wake that not even Zion could get through. He stood on guard as Helios' attack failed to let up. Cyrus in particular seemed rather indifferent as he looked at the bright purple flashed in the sky.

'…so, this is the might of Vestal's strongest Bakugan. I can see…but…' He looked at their Bakugan, seeing their frames covering, yet showed no signs of wavering. 'This level of strength…is too little for effort.'

"Don't let up, Helios!" Spectra roared.

"I never do!"

Zion snarled menacingly. He lifted his Bakumeter for a counter. "Ability, activate! Thunder Field!" Snapzoid's pelted body had brief red static, which grew into a larger mass and into a broad red static shield that saved him and Raptorix. It crackled each time the thin comets connected with it, but did promptly so little to get through.

Raptorix: 900 (+500) = 1400 Infinity Helios: 1400

Snapzoid: 600 (+500 +200) = 1300 Rex Vulcan: 1100

Helios grunted annoyingly.

Vulcan slid in front with his fists up. "Gus! Let's keep the momentum on!"

"You read my mind, Vulcan." Gus stayed low and instigated another ability. "Ability, activate! Hyper Impact!" Vulcan balled both fists and ignited the rockets on them. The gears on them started spinning again as they jettisoned through the atmosphere into the shield.

Raptorix: 1400 Infinity Helios: 1400

Snapzoid: 1300 (-500) = 700 Rex Vulcan: 1100 (+500) = 1600

The spiraling gauntlets closed in and made impact with the electrical shield. Gradually, the discharge was beginning to crackle away to nothing. The fist was pushing through, until it finally shot through to the other side.

Gus smirked victoriously. 'At this rate, they can't defend against that atta-!'

In a split second, a graze slashed clean through Vulcan's gauntlet. It was brief, but it was just as deadly. Vulcan and Gus were left stunned at the sight, unable to make any lick of what they just saw.

Cyrus smirked. "…ability activate…Violent Razor!"

"Vulcan, watch out!"

Gus' warning came vividly towards Vulcan, only he couldn't see what came until it was too late. The gruesome blur that was Raptorix shrieked as he came slashing down from out of nowhere, his wings and claws aligned in refined, tips that sliced into Vulcan's metal. The Viking Bakugan felt an immediate backlash as he was unprepared for that assault. He screamed in agony as metal pieces of his body fell apart.

Raptorix: 1400 Infinity Helios: 1400

Snapzoid: 700 Rex Vulcan: 1600 (-400) = 1200

"Vulcan!" Gus shouted.

Spectra was just as shocked. 'Such speed.'

Vulcan crashed onto his back, making the battlefield quiver at the sound of his epic crash. He glowed and reverted to his ball form, where he bounced and rolled to Gus as he kneeled in regret of his life gauge depleting to 60%.

"I'm sorry…Master Spectra. Vulcan and I let our guards down for a second."

Spectra frowned forwardly. "It's fine, Gus. Helios and I can handle this. Just watch out from behind, understood?"

Cyrus half-heartedly scoffed. "How belittling, even for someone like me. Very well then. Just try not to disappoint us…our lord appreciates an honest fight."

Above them, nobody noticed the crackling static that was leading up to the top of the dome. There was something that looked very familiar that had a magenta glow within its circumference. That in turn filtered down under, where it processed into magenta outlines that faded into the ground.

---

In the middle of Troposphere, men were all over the place. They ran about crazily while looking for the intruders. From even a few short blocks away, one could hear the sounds of potential gunfire. Other soldiers ran towards it, while much more kept their patrols and watchful eyes out.

Hidden within an alleyway, Keegan prodded his head out and looked around warily. He had to be very careful already not to get caught, but as the saying goes, easier said than done.

'Great. First we get separated, now this.' He frowned incredulously as he pulled his head into the alley before soldiers could turn towards his direction. They stared longingly, but more patrols blocked them off and they wet right back to tracking. It was only after they all got out of said direction that he poked his head out once more. 'There's no way I'm gonna get around like this. There's gotta be some other back route to wherever this so-called lab might be. Those dunces didn't even point out a map for me to use. I'm essentially blind right now. Great.'

In his mulling, he thought he heard sounds of metal behind him. He whipped around in shock. 'What was that?' He looked left and right, but didn't find anyone. Just a dark alley that loomed back at him. 'Did I just imagine that?'

The sounds of shifting metal caught him once more. This time he stepped forward in preparations.

"Alright, who's there? Show yourself." He waited for an answer, but didn't get anything in response. He was starting to get irritated because of these shortcomings. "I swear if this is some kind of joke it's not-!"

Suddenly the manhole cover right behind him lifted. Hands reached up and grabbed his ankles. "What the-?!" He was pulled into the sewers, screaming just as the manhole cover slammed shut.

"Hey! I heard something over here!" A soldier shouted. Moments later, a number of soldiers came running up to the alley to see what the commotion was. When they turned the corner, however, they were only met with a blank space. Like nothing happened.

"There's no one here." Another soldier pointed out. "Looks like they must've hidden away."

"It better not be another kid on the loose. That'll be the fifth one this week." Another complained. "Doesn't anyone listen to lockdown?"

"They must've went further inside. C'mon." the first soldier led his fellow associates down the alley in search of their castaways.

---

Down underneath, the paddling of their feet gradually faded away. In the darkness of the sewers, Keegan was muffling and trying to move his head, but a hand covered his mouth. "Hmmmpf! Hmmmmpf!" He miffed.

"Hey! Keep it down already! They'll hear us!" A voice harshly whispered.

"Keep him quiet! Do something!" A higher-pitched tone shrieked.

Keegan struggled to break free, until he got enough room to move. "What the hell?! You guys so much as…what?" He blinked several times before seeing what was right in front of him. He couldn't believe what he saw.

Grouped altogether, Mira, Alice, and Julie were all present as they smiled at Keegan. They looked fairly content, if not mildly bemused seeing him in person.

"Looks like it was one of our own. That's a relief." Mira sighed. "For a moment there I thought it was another Interacian."

Julie sighed in gratitude. "Nope. This is the guy alright."

"You…you guys…" He paused, taking a moment to realize they were his allies. Once it caught up to him, the realization made him borderline furious. "What the hell is wrong with all of you?! Literally dragging me off my feet like that! You girls are just crazy!"

"Hey, keep it down. They might hear you." Mira hushed.

Alice frowned in apology. "We're sorry. We didn't have time to warn you. Hope it wasn't too inconvenient."

"…" Keegan furrowed his brow un aggravation. He mumbled as low as possible to keep whatever words discrete, but rest assured they weren't mildly appropriate.

"Are you okay? You don't seem very hurt." Mira prompted.

Keegan reaffirmed himself. "No, I'm just pissed is all. But I'm fine…so thanks, I guess."

Julie raised a brow as she tilted her own head. "Huh? Wait, hold on a second, didn't you come here with Ace and the others or something? Where are they?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. Unfortunately we all got separated a little while ago. Spectra and Gus were hijacked probably, and those other two nitwits went to look for them. I'm just trying to find the lab so we can get some kind of idea of what we can do…hold on." He turned towards them. "You're all from Earth, aren't you? I figured those whiny Brawlers and Luke's friends were with you."

"No. Luke's side was transported away from us. But we went ahead of Dan and the others." Alice explained. "When we got here, we've taken cover, but, as you can see…"

Julie had to hold in a gag. "Blegh…sewers, really? Just ew…"

"Well, on the bright side, we can move around a little more freely this way. And it looks like there aren't any soldiers lurking around either." Mira pointed out.

Keegan sighed to himself. He took a moment to read into the sewers they were in. With the ladder right behind them, lamps connected along the sides to illuminate the concrete walls. The tunnels fanned out and neatly diverged to long, narrow passages that left quite the impression on him.

'Huh…a little smaller than Vestal, but it's definitely cleaner, that's for sure.' He shook his head and faced the ladies again. "We should get moving then. I've got a bad feeling if we stay here in one spot for too long."

Mira nodded. "I agree. Let's map out as we go along."

"Yeah, whatever…"

---

Raptorix shrieked as he closed in on Helios. The humanoid cyborg dragon braced himself for the incoming threat.

"Helios! Ability activate, Battle Warrior!" At the moment Raptorix was about to slash him, Helios' body glowed bright purple. The claws raked with the sounds of metal clanging loudly. Helios was covered in silver armor all along his body. He faced Raptorix with a snarl.

Raptorix: 1400 Infinity Helios: 1400 (+600) = 2000

Snapzoid: 700

"Defense, I see." Cyrus rebuffed.

"The Battle Warrior ability is unique to Helios. Your abilities won't have any effect on him whatsoever, so long as that armor is one him. Helios?"

Raptorix went barreling after Helios, who charged back. The two went into a breakneck parry of slashes and fists trying to break into the other's defense. With Raptorix being more nimble, Helios was barely getting shots in, yet when slashed at, his armor completely shrugged it off. Helios eventually anticipated a slash and seized Raptorix' claws just before coming into contact with his face.

"I'll show you…what true power really is!" Helios balled a fist and socked Raptorix with all his might. He screamed mightily as he plunged it so deep that it would knock the wind out of any Bakugan. He followed through, driving Raptorix across the landscape into Snapzoid's direction. The two Bakugan smashed into the battlefield ferociously, making dust and wind flail everywhere.

Cyrus and Zion said nothing in compliance to these events. They knew Spectra would put up a fight at some point. Much more so than what Gus has. Spectra didn't show any relent either. He could tell the opponents had some juice in them still.

As the dust settled around Helios, his huge, long tail swayed around. "If that's your best, no wonder you were crushed before by Abis Omega on Neathia." He growled.

Spectra looked on with a straight face at the other side. Despite that comeback it didn't feel any letup coming along. He watched the dust fade away, only for a voice to creep through.

"You have no idea who you are messing with."

The sound of cocking alarmed Spectra. He looked ahead and saw a trigger pulled. He went to move, but Gus was just a little quicker in pushing him off to the side. In doing so, the bullet went into his forearm, causing the blue-haired Vestal agony as he writhed onto a knee.

"Gus, no!" Spectra shouted.

"You swine!" Helios moved his heel in front of the bullets coming his way to shield Spectra. They deflected off his metallic armor, puncturing gravely holes into the battlefield. The rapid fire didn't let up enough for Helios to allow himself to move so freely for Spectra.

The masked man gritted his teeth and kneeled down to check on Gus. "Gus, are you okay?"

Gus clutched his left arm, trying to subdue the pain. "I…think so." He didn't get up from his knee, but he had to stay strong.

"Thank you, Gus…I mean it." Spectra glared ahead, his teeth showing a malicious spike in his anger. "Now I'm mad. Nobody…will get away with this!"

Cyrus smirked. "So you say." He held up an ability with Zion.

"Ability, activate…"

BA-DUMP!

The air grew considerably chill around the battlefield. The glass along the upper reaches of the dome was starting to fog up from an uprise in heat. Helios could feel a disturbing heat radiate from Snapzoid as the Bakugan encased itself in an armor of unadulterated flames. He looked over and saw the negative swell boiling around Raptorix. The ground started shaking at a magnitude that could topple Spectra have it not been for him already spreading his legs.

"Spartan-X!" Snapzoid unleashed a shrilled cry as the fiery armor around him exerted more flares. He made a leap into Helios, who covered up with hos metallic armor as the flames of the attack erupted upon impact. They fanned upwards while he found his entire body on fire and riling in agony. Even his battle armor wasn't enough to barricade the attack completely.

Spectra looked on with a cool yet resolute stare. 'Even Helios' Battle Warrior isn't enough it seems.' He noticed a sudden drop in air pressure. His attention went towards Raptorix as the Bakugan's eyes glowed a dull, bloody hue.

"Diablo-X!" Raptorix's body lurched violently before unleashing a broad shriek into the ceiling. The ground diced beneath as a dark ripple nearly pushed Helios over. The pillar of darkness was so intense that it continued erupting skywards, shattering the glass and smashing through the ceiling higher into the sky.

Raptorix: 1400 (+1500) = 2900 Infinity Helios: 2000

Snapzoid: 700 (+900) = 1600

Spectra had to hold his ground as the air violently roared. Debris shot over his head as Helios was covered in fire that was reducing his armor to char. The dark shockwaves added into the haze refused to even let up, which was something Cyrus and Zion relished in.

"Burn…"

"Drown in fear…"

…

The shattering of glass and a broad dark pillar breaking into the sky alerted many of the soldiers that were around. While running through the streets, Ace and Baron caught wind of what seemed to be negative energy.

"What…what is that?!" Ace exclaimed. "A pillar of black?"

"It must be Spectra and those other guys we were told about." Percival insisted.

All their skins crawled at the uneasy feeling boiling inside. Their eyes widened as a change in pressure caused Baron to develop goosebumps, much to even his own shock. Ace looked down and realized he was starting to feel his heartrate soar.

'What's this crazy feeling in my chest? It's like…everything just ran cold all of a sudden.' He looked down at his hand. It was trembling. 'Even my hand is acting up. I can't keep it steady. Gngh!'

"This is negative energy. A lot of it." Nemus noted.

Baron nervously looked in the direction of the towering dark beacon. "And I can tell where it's coming from." Swallowing a lump, he gathered his macho and put on a brave face. "C'mon! This way!"

Ace followed Baron's lead with an uncertain expression. His heart couldn't stop beating. As they drew closer in the direction, it got that much colder inside.

…

Helios dropped to a knee on the shaking ground. The flames continued billowing on him with the intent to burn completely through his skin.

"Stay strong Helios. We're not through yet." Spectra ordered.

"Hmph. As if we allow levity." Cyrus reached out his arm, commanding Raptorix to expand his violent attack. His eyes flashed dully as the chaotic pillar's epicenter expanded. The ground diced into pieces, engulfing Helios in its wake. The blast wave seared through the air into the stands behind Spectra and the downed Gus. The metal within the area bent over, and some of the weaker parts tore apart.

Outside, if one looked closely, the haze was spewing around the battle arena, where the energy was making a bright beacon of magenta shimmer at the very top. It crackled and churned as energy reserves were spiraling out of control.

"Hmph, isn't this rather a bore. I was hoping for more of a fuss after what the hassle's been about this Vestal." Zion scoffed. "Is he even worthy of a blade, I wonder?"

Cyrus patiently grinned. "Who's to say?" He narrowed his eyes. He was thinking back to the grueling battle that Esther gave him back on Neathia. "If this is your ideal of Darkus, I'm sorry for you. Truly. That bloodcurdling chill inside your spines…that is the result of your very weakness. Your inability to extinguish your own fears. Because if that, you cannot move forward as you are. Your heart will rot to black before you suffocate."

Spectra didn't offer a rebuttal, but if one looked closely, they could see that he was…smirking.

"What are you so bemused of?" Zion inquired.

Spectra chuckled. "As the saying goes, things aren't always as they appear to be. Helios, enough slacking! Time to pick this battle up where it left off!"

Helios gradually lifted himself off his knee, while still engulfed in flames. He held firm against the goosebumps-inducing attack and balled his fists tight. His maw opened wide as he exerted a volatile roar that quaked the air again. Zion and Cyrus showed genuine interest at Helios' ability to stand, especially after all that damage.

"HA! You wanna get serious? Let's see you take this! Now, Spectra!" Helios announced.

"Very well then! Let's turn the tides, shall we?" Spectra raised his Bakumeter. "Ability, activate! FARBAS Infinity!"

Helios' body glowed dark purple as his systems were starting to recover. Slowly, the dents and the char across his scales and spikes were beginning to repair. "15% damage from Vengeful Ripper ability repaired. 60% damage from the Spartan-X ability, repaired. Additional damage induced by Diablo-X repaired. All systems rebooted. Increasing defense systems by 120%. Increasing power level by 300 Gs."

Raptorix: 2900 Infinity Helios: 2000 (+300) = 2300

Snapzoid: 1600

Helios balled his fists with all his energy back where it should be.

"I see, so he has self-repair systems included." Cyrus evaluated, a frown showing his seriousness. "I can see where that Interacian's Bakugan got his modules from. Zion…?"

"I understand. Let's." He reached up his Bakumeter and started typing into it. Cyrus did the same.

"Go, Helios! Blow them away now!" Spectra ordered. "Ability, activate! Ragnarok Buster!" Helios' abdominal area glimmered bright outlines before unfolding in three different directions. Inside was a blue core where dark matter and Darkus energy charged at an alarming rate. So fast that the air shook around the dark matter.

"Say goodnight!" He flexed inwards before releasing one more violent roar. The cannon discharged a pressurized purple beam that tore through Cyrus' attack and negative energy and darted clean for Raptorix and Snapzoid.

Raptorix: 2900 (-600) = 2300 Infinity Helios: 2300 (+600) = 2900

Snapzoid: 1600

All the dark matter tore open a hole as the purple beam closed in too soon on the Bakugan. The air rumbled gradually until several bright purple flares flickered. Seconds later, everything erupted in front of Zion and Cyrus as the battlefield exploded into shambles. The metal on the floor shot past them…though one piece of debris nicked Zion's armor. Thankfully for him it was greatly durable.

The dust and debris began settling down for Helios, but as he looked on, he seemed far from convinced by everything he's seen and felt. "Hm?"

Spectra noticed the smoke clearing as well, frowning. "Seems we have more yet to come. These guys…certainly live up to their names, don't they?"

The dust settled, revealing Cyrus and Zion still standing. Their Bakugan on the other hand, they were both levitating in midair on their Mobile Assault vehicles. Torracrawler and Hellix were out, and not a moment too soon. Both Bakugan unleashed powerful cries that made the air shudder with distorted darkness.

Raptorix: 2300 (+200) = 2500 Infinity Helios: 2900

Snapzoid: 1600 (+200) = 1800

"Master, those are…!" Gus trailed off in shock and pain.

"Yes, I know Gus." Spectra frowned. "So, they've decided to show their little toys after all. How interesting. And here I thought you'd find me so low I wouldn't be worth the effort."

"We aren't like Galilea. We don't underestimate and ignore the details so easily." Zion scoffed. He brought up his artillery rifle and aimed for Spectra's head. "We do not make such mistakes as easily as well."

BANG!

He fired a round at Spectra's face to kill him on the spot. Helios' silver spiked tail managed to create a border to where the bullets deflected off them. He stood between him and Spectra while the enemy Bakugan readied their mechanical weapons.

Helios looked on as the Torracrawler loomed over him with all eight of its gargantuan claws seeping with plasma on the ends. It hovered over and shot a claw down, which he managed to evade. He watched it return to the top, but he couldn't help but notice the huge puncture in the battlefield.

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

Snapzoid's body produced red-hot electricity that went down to his tendrils, which filtered into the large chords and then the tips of the huge claws. All eight rose above Helios and came down with a plundering strike that released plasmatic shockwaves that spliced apart air. The pulse wave was too strong and caused Spectra to stutter backwards, until eventually it became too much and he slid to a halt until his back hit a piece of debris hard.

The pulsing plasma rage in the center of the area, where Helios convulsed and riled aloud in agony. Even with the FARBAS system working at its 120% capacity in defense, he could still feel a gracious amount of pain.

Raptorix: 2500 Infinity Helios: 2900 (-400) = 2500

Snapzoid: 1800

Spectra recovered from the backlash of the shove and grimaced loudly. He saw the destruction of the battlefield afoot. Debris was continuously flying as Helios slid back on a knee. He came to a grinding halt and looked up with an annoyed snarl.

"Now I'm really angry!"

Zion's face remained stoic as he jabbed his polearm into the battlefield. "Gate Card, open! Apoptosis!"

The Gate Card shined beneath Helios, where he looked down and immediately noticed that his legs were starting to cover with an oozing toxin that kept him from moving. He gritted his teeth as the paralyzing toxins sapped all of his power, bringing it down towards 100 in a single step.

Cyrus narrowed his eyes again. "How quaint. Now then…"

Spectra knew this was getting dangerous, but he kept a cool head, even as Helios was gradually getting up from a knee once more. It was painful to say the least, but he could take much more than all of that. From what he saw in Keegan's battle, he had a good idea of what was coming next. "Helios!"

Glancing back, his red eyes said it all. "Do it!"

Cyrus closed his eyes to ascertain focus for his attack. It took several seconds before the pressure changed again with his next ability. "Ability, activate! Bedlam End!"

The gargantuan claws of the Hellix moved to the front, where raw dark matter manifested with a gravitational wave that caused debris nearby to be drawn in and disintegrate. The hands threw the hemisphere skywards into the open hole within the battle drome. Once it faded, the entire ceiling reduced to nothing in a split second when dark matter rippled out and crashed down in a raw beam of voluminous energy that came for Helios.

Raptorix: 2500 (+500) = 3000 Infinity Helios: 100 (-400) = 0

Snapzoid: 1800

The beam drew closer onto Helios, but Spectra managed to get in one more shot before it could hit. '…now!'

"All out! Ability, activate! Mauser Impact!"

Helios' abdominal cannon flipped open and aimed for his overhead opponents. The second it did, the charge commenced, but the dark matter impact struck him hard. The domain rippled shockwaves that spread horizontally and depressed the earth. Debris disintegrated within the ray and made Gus and Spectra get down to the ground. They were both blown away thankfully by the shockwaves towards the edge of the battlefield, where they fumbled and slid into the wall. Spectra was first, then Gus. The former was thankful his body cushioned Gus since he was already shot.

The blast waves swallowed everything in sight as the battle dome – in all its glory – was destroyed. The stands were nothing short of slopes of metal and concrete that led to the dented support to a nonexistent top. Dark shockwaves couldn't stop, no matter what. Even from outside, the pathway of destruction was all too clear for anyone to ignore without a chill. The temperature from all around could've gone as far down as 20 Degrees Fahrenheit with how chilling this foul air was.

Cyrus and Zion remained resolute through this air. They could see Helios' silhouette in the center as his screams were muffled. And yet, the purple charge in his cannon was still going. His red, angry eyes flashed.

"Booster charge, complete. All systems power transferred complete. Fire when ready."

"Damn fools!" Zion scowled.

Barely getting up, Spectra reached forward with his right arm. "Helios…FIRE!"

There was a brief glint in the dark matter before everything flickered. Helios' heels dug deep as he leaned forward and unleashed a voluminous, roaring blast of dark purple and white energy that gradually backed off the other attack. Helios screamed with all his might as he released every drop of power that caused a dense trail in the already destroyed battlefield. The crater served to increase in its berth. The beam expanded until it could get close enough to make a break through the dark matter.

Raptorix: 3000 (-2000 -600) = 400 Infinity Helios: 0 (+600) = 600

Snapzoid: 1800 (-900 -600) = 300

The pulsing beam increased in volume further until it got to where neither Mobile Assault Vehicle could escape. Everything moved too fast for anyone too see. A large explosion of dark purple engulfed the atmosphere and extended its destructive reaches towards the ground. Everyone covered up so as to not get blown away again.

Helios looked up as he watched the smoke from his attack clear away. It revealed the Torracrawler and Hellix reverting to their smaller forms with their Bakugan, which rolled to Cyrus and Zion's feet.

Cyrus: 60%

Zion: 40%

Helios reverted back to ball form, where Spectra caught him. He got up from the wall and looked over at Gus. "Gus, are you okay?"

"Yes, sire. I…think so." Gus grunted, but his arm was still bleeding. Thankfully with his tight underarmor being black it made the wound not so noticeable, but it didn't deter him. "Sire we…have to keep going. We can!"

Spectra glared back at his foes as they silently picked up their Bakugan. "Don't worry Gus, they'll pay for this. This is far from over."

Cyrus looked at Spectra with interest. "Seems that attack took everything the almighty Spectra Phantom has to offer…or so it would perceive to be." He leered towards his right. "Zion, how is our progress?"

Zion glanced down at his Bakumeter to see the screen shining. He seemed invested in what it said. "A little more, milord."

"I see." He maliciously smirked. "Then this should be worth it then. But please, at the very least…keep them alive long enough so we can get what we desire."

Zion cocked his rifle. "Of course."

---

In the edge of Troposphere, a manhole cover was sitting at the end of a sidewalk. The large cover was shuffling about, followed by many grunts from beneath. The whole thing rotated and jerked about, until finally it was starting to budge.

The hood lifted, revealing a figment underneath who was red in the face with pressure. The manhole cover was so heavy. He mustered whatever he could to force it off to his side and gradually crawled out.

Keegan squirmed out with exasperated short breaths. "Dear god…nobody told me how heavy these things are." He took a moment to catch his breath and looked around. For what it seemed there was nothing but clear water running over where the sewer water would normally run into its filter. He looked back down the manhole. "All clear this time!"

His echo ran deep enough for it to reach the bottom. He reached down to assist one hand being pulled up. It was Julie. "Ugh! Thank goodness! I thought I was gonna puke if I stayed down too long!"

Next was Mira as she was pulled up. "Thanks Keegan, we owe ya."

Next was Alice, then the cameraman, whose camera was strapped in his back. Once all of them were pulled up, Keegan and the cameraman went to move the manhole cover back in place so as to avoid suspicions.

He hunched over, trying to catch his breath again. "Geez, just what do you guys eat that makes you so hard to push up?"

Julie grew visibly angry. "Hey! What are you saying, bub?! Don't make me say what you were thinking!"

"Please Julie, enough. We're all vividly exhausted already." Mira groaned. "Now, that lab should be around here somewhere…" Mira went to turn the corner, but immediately she ducked back with a shocked look on her face.

"What is it?" Alice worried.

Mira composed herself. "Guys…I think that's it over there."

Keegan and the others moved closer to the wall to take notice of what Mira pointed out. They almost immediately made out the rose-like design the roof had endowed upon it. Compared to the other chrome houses along Troposphere, this one had a lot more accents on it. It was taken into account that with the guards in front there was something important inside.

"That's gotta be it. That has to be the lab." Alice mumbled.

Hydranoid peeked from her shoulder. "Good. Then it seems we're still ahead of the game. Now all that we need is to get inside."

"I'm with that plan, but what's there to do?" Mira questioned.

"Ugh! Well, since I've done everything else…" Keegan held up something between his two fingers. The girls and cameraman turned to see a blue and silver ball in between them. "How's about I show you what we came here to do. Better stand back."

The humans and Vestal looked at each other before they got what he was saying. They all nodded in agreement and held up their respective Bakugan.

---

Inside the lobby of the lab, it was primarily the same structure as what it was the last time Rogue Zero used it on New Vestroia, only this time, there were a few more screens and much more people inside. Most of them were actually scientists and soldiers that were part of Riaan's order. They were looking at the energy readings through the monitors that showed the spikes of negative pressure from Hades Pillars' battles across Interacia. It covered a gracious sum of the planet.

The sounds of roars and the ground quaking brought up an alarm. The entire lobby shuddered at the vague trembling from outside.

"What…what's going on?!" a soldier panicked.

"There's a rise in Bakugan energy!" another reported. "And it's…directly outside!"

The front burst open all of a sudden with large, mechanical gauntlets that tore apart the chrome front. Everyone who was farther back was safe from harm, but those close were blown over by something looming over them. They all turned towards the front with exasperated looks on their faces.

"Wha…what's going on?!"

Standing in front was Andro Elico with his metallic dreadlocks flailing everywhere. He stood in front of Magma Wilda and Alpha Hydranoid, who took up the rear. Alice and Mira stood behind Keegan, who had his arms crossed and leading the way.

"Alright, I'm only gonna say this once, so pay attention…" Keegan paused.

A fellow soldier looked at him cautiously. "Who are you?!"

"That's not important. You have two options. Either comply…" He snapped his fingers, making Andro Elico raise his claws. "Or we can do this the hard way."

---

Gunfire shot across the crater. It pelted along a rock that bunkered Spectra and Gus from being hit. If they were to get up, they'd be under serious fire.

"Looks like they've got up pinned down back here." Spectra noted/ A stray bullet went through the very top of his hair. Some of the locks fluttered off when they zoomed along. He grunted annoyingly. "How utterly persistent these two are…"

Their Bakumeters started beeping, bringing their attention down to the inconvenient call.

"A message? Now?" With his left forearm still shot, Gus had to support it with a knee and get as close to it without harming the forearm. "Who's there?"

"Hey, guys! Alright, communications are a go around here!"

Gus recognized the familiar tone. "What the…Keegan?! What do you want?!"

"Hey guys, looks like we finally reached you. That's swell…but maybe watch the tone."

"Keegan, where are you?" Spectra questioned. "We're a little held up right now."

"I'm at a lab at the edge of town. I'm here with some of the people from Earth. Mira just the signal jamming functions offline so we can be within full range." He paused at the sounds of Zion's bullets blitzing. "Wait…is that gunfire? Where are you guys?"

"We're in a battle arena and forced into engagement with the enemy." Spectra noted. "Where are Ace and Baron, are they with you?"

"Nope. We separated to find you. We're still getting things under control here in the lab, but we've got it most under…crap, reinforcements are coming! Andro Elico, on the double!"

Gus turned towards Spectra. "Master, what do we do?"

Spectra out his index finger and thumb to his chin. He knew they could keep going, or at the very east Helios could. With their defenses it should be simple. But the problem was that it was more destructive than he pegged it to be. He wouldn't admit it, but a few impacts alone was painful enough to his body. He knew now what it meant to be truly engaged in battle for life and death. Gus' wound was proof.

An idea soon sprouted in his head. He realized something that could lead them to a backdoor out of this.

"Master Spectra?"

Spectra held his tongue. He looked back at Zion and Cyrus before facing the Bakumeter. "Keegan, are you still there? Listen carefully…"

Cyrus and Zion didn't see their opponents move from behind the boulder. However, the latter refused to provide levity as he continued his onslaught. The hue around them seemed to be getting thicker as the battle dragged itself out.

"Milord's desires shall come true. These fools who do not comprehend the meaning of fighting…shall learn what they must do. Or die trying!"

Bullets flew, but suddenly a Gate Card went flinging out for over the head of the debris. The flipped onto the ground with a dark purple shockwave running outwards, fading into the crater. Both adversaries stopped to look down at the Gate Card revealed.

'Now!'

Spectra and Gus slid out from both sides of the debris, both Bakugan in their hand. "Helios. Let's go! Bakugan, brawl!"

"Vulcan, help Helios! Bakugan, brawl!"

"Bakugan, stand!" A dark purple and orange-brown glow shot skywards. Helios arose first, then Vulcan. Both Bakugan balled their fists and roared out to declare battle.

Spectra smirked. "So then, shall we pick up from where we left off? It's time to initiate the plan. Stay sharp!"

"Don't worry, Vulcan and I are prepared to do so." Gus chimed. "Even with one arm…we'll still make sure they won't get anywhere near us."

Cyrus squinted. "This should be most enlightening." He held up Raptorix and threw him in. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!"

"Bakugan, brawl!" Zion threw in Snapzoid next. "Bakugan, stand!"

A dark purple and red light ignited the battlefield, followed by negative energy and flames that spiraled in unison. Emerging from the earth, Raptorix and Snapzoid released bowling growls with dull eyes glowing like those of Cyrus.

Raptorix: 800 Infinity Helios: 1200

Snapzoid: 700 Rex Vulcan: 700

"Show us exactly…just what you are capable of!" Zion aimed his assault rifle on Gus and fired away. Instantly, Vulcan used himself as a shield and kept the assaults at bay. Zion didn't let up, not even for another second.

"Thanks Vulcan." Gus said on a knee. "We may have gone easy before, that's our mistake. This time will be different."

Vulcan stepped forward with balled fists. "That is a guarantee!"

Cyrus expressed little for the retort. "Then show us. Ability, activate." He reached out to direct Raptorix, whose body was turning translucent, almost wispy like a phantom. "Dusk Plight!"

Raptorix drifted around Helios and Vulcan as they watched him very carefully. Their heads moved with his drifting, but that only served to be a distraction that caught Vulcan's eye. He saw electricity broiling around Snapzoid's tendrils that aimed for him.

"Ability, activate!" Zion paused to shift due to low ammo. He swung his polearm, which was armed with his left arm's blade he installed. "Eel Shockdown!" Snapzoid lurched back and unleashed his tendrils laced in the electricity at Vulcan. Raptorix sailed down towards Helios in a steep angle.

Raptorix: 800 Infinity Helios: 1200 (-500) = 700

Snapzoid: 700 Rex Vulcan: 700 (-400) = 300

Both attacks drew in at alarming rates. Before Helios could act, Vulcan provided himself as a shield.

"Ability activate, Hyper Aegis!" Vulcan's wrists started rotating at an alarming rate until they had begun gaining velocity at an enormous range. He reached out one arm and seized Snapzoid's incoming tendrils in the spinning drill. The more he spun, the more it gradually tangled into the gauntlet. In the other gauntlet, he reached out and caught Raptorix by the neck, like the wisping energy he was cloaked in didn't matter.

Raptorix: 800 Infinity Helios: 700 (+500) = 1200

Snapzoid: 700 (-500) = 200 Rex Vulcan: 300 (+400 +500) = 1200

Cyrus raised a brow. 'Blocking two abilities from two different opponents. He seems to be learning fast.'

Vulcan pivoted and threw Raptorix as hard as he could at Snapzoid. At the same time, he pulled on his own gauntlet and reeled the eel in. Despite the resistance, Snapzoid was pulled into his foe, where Raptorix met him in the middle and collapsed into the ground. The porcelain chipped apart and sundered away.

"Well done. Now it's our turn." Spectra held up his Bakumeter, showing off another ability. "Ability, activate! Deep Fire – Block A!" Helios spread his feet and hunched over for his thrusters to release smoke and steam from underneath. Hatches opened up on the top ports and unleashed a continuous eruption of dark purple projectiles that soared across the atmosphere and came down onto Snapzoid and Raptorix. In endless numbers they littered the skies to no end and rained down at high speed.

Raptorix: 800 (-500) = 300 Infinity Helios: 1200 (+500) = 1700

Snapzoid: 200 (-500) = 0 Rex Vulcan: 1200

"Do not…leave them standing!" Spectra reached his arm out to direct his order. The bombastic dark flares condensed downwards.

Cyrus was far from amused. "Not quite."

Getting the cue, Zion reached down and pulled up his Bakumeter. "Ability, activate! Swallow Excel!"

Snapzoid opened wide for all the flares to be drawn into his maw. The huge, gaping mouth filled with Darkus energy in hundreds of small comets that expanded his belly. Once they were all in, he closed his mouth and compressed all that mass into a single point. Spectra and Gus showed genuine surprise just before the maw gaped wide open, expelling the voluminous rays back in a straight path towards them.

Raptorix: 300 (+500) = 800 Infinity Helios: 1700 (-500 -500) = 700

Snapzoid: 0 (+200 +500) = 700 Rex Vulcan: 1200 (-500) = 700

The dark flares continued in their direction, exploding across the horizon, but they weren't going down so easily. "Ability activate, Destroy Quasar!" Helios opened his maw and unleashed a monstrous dark flame with crackling static. His power bolted back to 1200 in a single leap.

The two attacks met in the center, where a drastic surge of pressure built up. The multitude of comets were deflected around, destroying everything that they hit. Domes of bright purple exploded, engulfing the atmosphere and battlefield – or what was left of it. The shambles were obliterated in Helios' wake, yet shockwaves pushed back both sides.

They all stayed low to not be blown away. Zion though, he used his axe blade to cleave into the shambled earth and anchor himself. The blast waves settled to where a huge haze was caught between the four Bakugan. In the midst of all that, what looked like a projectile caught Zion's eye.

"Incoming, milord!"

To his warning, a hole opened up, revealing a screwing fist heading for Raptorix. "Ability, activate! Hammer Knuckle!" It closed in fast with its thrusters and fist closing in on their opponent.

Raptorix: 800 (-300) = 500 Infinity Helios: 1200

Snapzoid: 700 Rex Vulcan: 700 (+300) = 1000

Cyrus seemed to be amused by this act. He activated an ability so as to counter. "Ability, activate…Accel Tornado!" Raptorix gradually rotated in place. He allowed the fist to come into contact, but in turn a dark mass was swirling around him.

"Huh?" Vulcan perked up.

"Look alive, Vulcan!" Gus warned.

Raptorix shrieked as it sailed around and lunged after Vulcan at Mach speed. The dark tornado spun into his chest, tearing into his metal armor and tempting to drove him away. Air force gradually spun and messed up the atmosphere around everyone as the attack pushed deeper.

Raptorix: 500 (+400) = 900 Infinity Helios: 1200

Snapzoid: 700 Rex Vulcan: 1000 (-400) = 600

"Snap! Vulcan can't survive this!" Gus gritted his teeth. "Ability, activate! Mega Vi-!" Before he could finish, a small dagger cut him off. He narrowly missed it and snarled. "Mega Viblow!"

Vulcan grunted and got his hands to work again. The rings on the wrists rotated immensely and distorted the airwaves, finally pushing off Raptorix and shoving him across the air. The Bakugan lifted its wings and gained aerial momentum from his opponent's attack.

"Hmph!" Zion prepared his polearm. He brought his arm back and readied the tip. Once he got a good shot at Spectra, he stepped forward and threw with all his might. It closed in, yet it was thrown off course and deflected off Helios' battle armor. "You'll have to do better than that to throw us off!"

Zion scoffed. "Very well then…" He held up his next ability, which appeared to be another Forbidden Ability. "Ability, activate…Spartan-X!" A bright purple core enflamed chords around Snapzoid's front. As soon as it faded, Snapzoid gradually snarled. He lifted his head as the temperature around him fumed with intense heat.

"Ability, activate! Diablo-X!" Cyrus raised his arm high as a bright purple core covered Raptorix. It made chords flare and integrated into the body until a dark chill ran through the area. Raptorix erupted a dark pillar of energy, engulfing hi in broad energy that shrilled another pillar into the skies above.

"KRRRAAAHHH!" Both Bakugan unleashed bloodily cries into the atmosphere, causing the ground to tremble fir what may be the umpteenth time.

Raptorix: 500 (+1500) = 2000 Infinity Helios: 1200

Snapzoid: 700 (+900) = 1600 Rex Vulcan: 600

The two Bakugan scowled as they closed in on Helios and Vulcan. They braced themselves for their foes without a hint of reluctance. Spectra and Gus were right behind him.

"Now…destroy them." Zion ordered.

"Ability activate, Geor Gunner!"

"Ability activate, Sparkly Arrow!"

Two glints in the sky projected a yellow hemisphere and a bright purple helix beam straight down into the center of the ground. It faded before an eruption of energy blasted everything away. The explosion was the cover needed to refrain Snapzoid and Raptorix' advances.

Cyrus' cape flailed, yet he remained affirm to his foothold. "Well, well…it seems we have run into interlopers."

The explosion faded away, revealing Saint Nemus and Knight Percival. They stood side-by-side with their battling partners on their shoulders. They were seen smirking with confidence.

Infinity Helios: 1200/Rex Vulcan: 600/Saint Nemus: 1000/Knight Percival: 1100 = 3900

Raptorix: 2000

Snapzoid: 1200

Gus looked up in shock. "Huh? You guys…!"

"Heh, we knew something was up with all this energy we picked up on." Ace said coolly. "So this is what's been happening, huh? The big honchos themselves are making this much of a fuss for you guys?"

"Cool it, Ace. This is gonna be tough." Percival pointed out.

"He's right. Let's back them up however we can, Baron!" Nemus insisted.

Baron held up a tightened fist. "You got it, Nemus!"

With the four battlers standing against the dark haze and flaming mass before them, the latter side seemed all too bemused by this bold act of valor. Cyrus' eyes gleamed brightly, while Zion clenched his fists with daggers ready.

"Well now…seems matters have gotten pretty interesting, wouldn't you say Zion?"

"Yes…quite so, Lord Cyrus. But…" He held up his blade. "It matters not, if they cannot wield themselves."

Cyrus snickered. "Seems so."

As the four Bakugan prepared themselves, Spectra was getting dwelled into his thoughts briefly. 'Let's hope Keegan does his part as well.'

---

An Aquos Spidaro sped across the water of the Troposphere street towards the smaller street, where in front of the lab that many of the Interacians were evacuated out of, there was Keegan and Alice standing side-by-side with Andro Elico and Alpha Hydranoid guarding the front.

The Interacian Spidaro closed in, hissing as it unleashed a bright blue beam that separated into several smaller streams midway.

"Ability, activate!" Alice shouted. "Death Trident!" Hydranoid opened his three maws and charged up bright white, indigo, and purple crackling orbs and fired them at the beams incoming. The two attacks met in the middle, resulting in an explosion of smoke that gave cover.

Alice glanced over. "Okay Keegan, do it now!"

"Yeah, yeah, don't push me around like the others do sweetheart!" He held up his Bakumeter. "Ability, activate! Glide Gauntlet!" Andro Elico aimed one of his mechanical claws and ignited the thrusters. They propelled the huge claw forward through the smoke and pierced the Spidaro clean through the other side. It continued into the Ziperator behind, piercing its gut harshly.

Elico raised his arm to whip up his prey, then slammed them down into the water like ragdolls dragged about. They reverted back to ball forms and vanished away. However, more like an Interacian Glotronoid and another Spidaro came rushing around the corner with many other soldiers.

"I didn't realize Troposphere had these many reinforcements." Keegan grunted. He shook his head to get himself reaffirmed. "Forget about that. We need room so we can give Mira the time she needs to decide all the data. Elico!"

At the response, Elico aimed his other claw at the incoming Glotronoid. He fired it in a straight path across the water into it, but it generated a shield to protect it. The claw returned back to Elico as Keegan grunted.

The Bakugan from the alley closed in on them, and their numbers were becoming rapid.

"Hold it!" Alice held up a Gate Card and flung it out. It faded into a dark ripple before reaching out. "Gate Card, open! Silent Land!"

The Gate Card erupted a bright glow. Instantly, all the Bakugan that were too close were unable to move. They couldn't even twitch their fingers if they could.

"Keegan, go! We'll handle them from here!" Alice insisted. "We've fought Hades Pillars before, and they're dangerous. So please, do what you gotta do!"

"Got it. Just give me a minute, alright?" Keegan looked up at Elico. "Elico!" Elico reverted to a blue light, returning to his hand just as he turned around. He darted into the building entrance to get to the second level below.

Hydranoid stepped in front of the lab, glaring down all the Bakugan and soldiers that came his way. The soldiers released firearms onto him and Alice, but the latter remained atop the middle head away from range.

"Two can play at that game, Interacian scum!" Hydranoid challenged. "Now, Alice!"

"Right! Ability, activate! Extreme Chaos Leap Sting!" Six extendable metal tendrils with demonic heads shot out from beneath Hydranoid's wings. They opened wide and channeled dark energy until a full charge was met.

In a matter of seconds, bombastic purple projectiles and laserbeams erupted across the waterways and cement. The Bakugan that were unable to move nor activate abilities were caught in the wake, along with soldiers that were too close to the fight. Some fell in the water, but others were even worse in luck.

Alice looked at the pathway of destruction they created. Thankfully the range didn't disrupt the houses around them, but the results were still tough to swallow. Even so, she knew this is what had to be done. It was either them or her.

'We can do this…we just need to push a lot deeper than we have now. Luke and the others gave up so much just to show us all what we can do if we try and put faith in ourselves.' The thoughts of Luke pressed harder onto her, making her fists clutch. 'We need to keep fighting, for our lives! And for ourselves!' She swiped out. "Go, Hydranoid!"

Hydranoid's three heads exerted echoing cries that spread for miles throughout Troposphere's limits.

…

In the first-floor lab, Mira was hard at work with the sequences and the details left behind by the workers. She was currently decoding everything possible and the data perceived about Troposphere. "As expected, a lot of it is renewed Vestal software. Maybe I can rewire it to make it remote instead of auto…"

Hydranoid's cries echoed loudly enough for Mira to get distracted for a moment. She looked back at the entrance, seeing Keegan race through the corridor. "Huh? Hey, Keegan. Where're you going?"

"Doing important business, that's what." He said, his voice having a rude sensibility within it. "Look, can you open the second level lab?"

Mira blinked in confusion, but nonetheless complied. "I can try. Hold on." She turned around and activated the panels that wired into the lab. It took some concentration due to the destructive ruptures outside, but enough focus was made to press a button to unlock the second level.

The door to the other end opened, allowing Keegan access. "Sweet. Thanks!" Without another second, he bolted through, in which it went shut right after.

"What was that about, Mira?" Wilda questioned.

"I don't know…" She shook her head. "But, we have to gain control. We need as much ground as we can get around here for the others when they arrive."

---

Snapzoid bellowed menacingly as his snake-like tongue was engulfed in flames. He shot it towards Nemus, who was quick enough to use his staff to defend against the attack. However, it wasn't enough due to it cracking up quickly.

"Hold tight, Nemus!" Baron insisted.

"Vulcan, give them a hand!" Gus shouted. "Time to bring out our secret weapon! Ability, activate! Heatblast Cannon!"

Vulcan's fists clutched and rotated inwards into the gauntlet, becoming cannons that he aimed at Snapzoid. He made careful aim to not hit Nemus before the inside lit up bright orange and unleashed two orange-brown heat rays that jettisoned through the air into Snapzoid. The attack was strong enough to sent him flying with a bloody scowl.

Infinity Helios: 1200/Rex Vulcan: 600 (+600) = 1200/Saint Nemus: 1000/Knight Percival: 1100 = 4500

Raptorix: 2000

Snapzoid: 1200 (-600) = 600

Snapzoid's flames around his body simmered away to broad embers. He regained his ground thanks to his tendrils, but the flames were all but seared away by Vulcan's attack.

"Thanks to that, you can't use your Spartan-X anymore for the rest of the round." Gus explained. "Now then, shall we?"

"Let's." Vulcan glided across the ground with the thrusters beneath his feet. He went over and balled his fists tight to sock Snapzoid across the face, socking so hard that it nearly floored the eel.

Zion glared daggers at the attack and brought up his firearm again. His time he aimed for Ace and Baron through his lock-on screen.

"You two, down now!" Spectra warned.

"Huh? Why?" Baron was confused, but Ace dragged him down anyway.

Gunfire went on that pelted the debris along the wall. They all got down as it fanned about haphazardly. The Bakugan made sure to get in front again to shield their friends from the grueling blows.

"What the-?! You serious?! Firearms?!" Ace growled. "Since when is this allowed?!"

Percival backed away. "Focus guys! We need to get out of this alive."

"You're right. Then let's get creative, shall we?" Ace showed two abilities at the ready. "Double ability, activate! Blind Shield, plus Dain Slief!" Percival generated a knight-like shield in front to stop the blows coming for them, where in another arm, his trademark sword appeared. He clutched it hard and went for a leap at Raptorix above, crying out with all his might. Raptorix plummeted towards 1700, where Percival met at the same level.

"You're going down, you swine!"

Cyrus mildly scoffed as he brought up his Bakumeter. "Ability, activate…Vernier Macro!"

Percival drew closer towards Raptorix and slashed his mighty blade diagonally. He followed through, yet he met with only thin air. "What?" He felt a brisk wind behind and felt his blood run cold. His red eyes widened before an overwhelming dread caught on. It was too late. The spinning Raptorix aimed like a barreling missile and shattered clean through his shield and sword, breaking them and nullifying Percival's ability. The grazes he suffered shot him downwards in riling cries, much to Ace's horror.

"Percival, no!"

"Helios, let's mow down the competition around here! Ability, activate! Bolting Breaker!" Helios aimed his tail at Raptorix and charged a dark purple mass at the tip. The mass grew and fired a condensed dark beam that zeroed in on him. With Raptorix distracted, he was consumed in the attack and swallowed in an eruption of dark energy.

Infinity Helios: 1200 (+400) = 1600/Rex Vulcan: 1200/Saint Nemus: 1000/Knight Percival: 1100 = 4900

Raptorix: 2000 (-400) = 1600

Snapzoid: 600

With Raptorix still in freefall, Percival was thankfully caught by Nemus as he glided up to support him. The target was enough for Snapzoid to know what he can get at next. He snarled lowly.

"Ability, activate!" Zion roared. "Double Fang Buster!" Snapzoid opened wide with his snake tongue and unleashed a roaring, bright red energy with a deeper colored beam within its center. It shot across the air up towards Nemus.

Infinity Helios: 1600/Rex Vulcan: 1200/Saint Nemus: 1000 (-400) = 600/Knight Percival: 1100 = 4500

Raptorix: 1600

Snapzoid: 600 (+400) = 1000

The deep beam was gaining too much momentum, and Nemus barely saw it coming his way. He was running out of time to react. "Baron! A little help here!"

"You got it! Let's try this then!" Baron held up his next ability. "Ability, activate! Pyramid Shield!" Nemus generated a translucent yellow barrier that came down on four sides, much like a pyramid. The shield stopped the attack in its tracks, but it was gradually gaining up to where the force was making it shatter away. The shield shattered in an instant, but the wake of the attack diminished enough to allow a shockwave to push Nemus and Percival away instead of full-on damage.

Snapzoid hissed as his power dropped to 800, where Nemus' went up to 800. And yet the latter ended up taking much of the fall until he landed on a knee.

"Stay strong, buddy! We can do this!" Baron encouraged.

Raptorix and Snapzoid released bloodily cries as the battle energy made a large wake stir about. The pulsation of the attacks was making any dust shrivel away, while much of the water, which had diffused through the cracks mostly, was turning black. The hue was getting darker as the crude sensation around Cyrus intensified. All of a sudden it got that much harder to breathe.

Already on their knees, Ace was gaping for air. His skin was as pale as a ghost. "What…? My body…I-I can't…"

Baron started coughing. The infectious energy was getting through his systems too quickly to allow him the strength to stand.

Spectra clutched his fists at the chill he felt. Nevertheless, he remained firmly in place. 'This is dragging on far enough. The longer we battle, the more negative energy these Interacians produce, which in turn makes us weaker since we're not used to it like the others. Very well then…; He held up an ability that shined. "We'll have to settle this now! Ability, activate! FARBAS Infinity!"

Helios' body glimmered dark purple as his damaged parts were beginning to repair in detail. "Damage levels yellow, rebooting towards full capacity. All systems recharged and functioning at 100%. Increasing power level by 1000 Gs."

Infinity Helios: 1600 (+1000) = 2600/Rex Vulcan: 1200/Saint Nemus: 800/Knight Percival: 1100 = 5700

Raptorix: 1600

Snapzoid: 800

Spectra swiped his arm hastily. "Now then, everyone! Concentrate all your fire into one shot! We have to end this before it's too late!"

"Okay…!" Baron's voice was surprisingly quivering. Nevertheless, he managed to initiate an ability. "Here, let's give everyone a boost! Ability, activate! Saint High Sky!"

Nemus lifted what was left of his staff as high as he could. It shined a bright light and sent out sparkling lights across the battlefield. It sprinkled across his teammates, in which they all glowed their respective attributes elements. Each one felt an increase in power.

Infinity Helios: 2600 (+300) = 2900/Rex Vulcan: 1200 (+300) = 1500/Saint Nemus: 800 (+300) = 1100/Knight Percival: 1100 (+300) = 1400 = 6900

Raptorix: 1600

Snapzoid: 800

"I can feel the power…it's returning to me!" Percival balled his fists tight with vengeance.

Vulcan stepped forward. "Then let's hurry and finish these guys."

"Ha! Get in line you guys, I'll mow them down!" Helios rebuffed. "Now…time to disappear!"

"Ability, activate!" Gus shouted. "Hyper Impact!" With his attributed aura still flaring, Vulcan aimed both fists and fired the gauntlets at Snapzoid. They jettisoned with the thrusters until they drew close enough to again sock him across the face, causing a distressing cry to rage.

"Stray Thunder!" Percival raised his index finger into the skies, summoning a thin purple jolt of lightning that he directed towards Raptorix.

"Haos Force!" Nemus raised his staff and pointed it ahead. It beamed in a broad yellow beam after Snapzoid.

The abdominal cannon on Helios' stomach opened up once more, channeling energy for another attack. "Ragnarok Buster!" He dug his sharp heels inwards and unleashed a broad, dark beam that sailed across the ground after the opposing Bakugan.

Infinity Helios: 2900 (+600) = 3500/Rex Vulcan: 1500 (+500) = 2000/Saint Nemus: 1100 (+300) = 1400/Knight Percival: 1400 (+300) = 1700 = 8600

Raptorix: 1600 (-600) = 1000

Snapzoid: 800 (-500) = 300

The three remaining attacks gradually fused as they sailed across the atmosphere into Raptorix and Snapzoid. Dark lightning swirled around the mixing yellow and glistening purple beams until they made a synergized tornado of raw energy that drilled away. The closer it got, the more momentum it built up.

"It's over for you!" Helios declared.

Cyrus remained completely calm in the face if this abnormal anomaly. In fact, he seemed a lot more amused than what he normally would be. His eyelids were halfway shut as the attack drew closer until it was timed just right.

Gradually, with time having slowed down, he lifted his arm to show one more ability. "You…have overstepped your boundaries into the abyss. Now you will know what fear really is…ability, activate." His eyes widened. "Alpha-X!"

It all happened so fast that the speed of light couldn't measure it. The moment the attacks met Raptorix, a pitch-black, purple, and magenta explosion tore it all apart. It expanded in all directions, leveling away the atmosphere and battlefield in an instant. Helios and the other Bakugan were forced to slide away while the battlers were brought to their backs and knees. Ace and Baron doubled over onto their stomachs as the air thickened t=with raw, unadulterated dark matter. The attacks didn't stand a chance.

The atmosphere for miles on end was so chilling that even the Interacians being in their homes in bunkers in the basement were feeling this vague chill. So far yet it felt so near. It was like something loomed over them, haunting them…like a ghost. Like death.

In the midst of this chaotic maelstrom, Spectra was on a knee staying as low as possible. Negative energy was physical and swelled and stirred like an actual tempest. He looked up in containing his shock as the atmosphere flashed lightning around Raptorix. In the core at the midair base, the Bakugan had a hyper-compressed atmosphere around his exerted muscle mass. Veins protruded energy as his eyes glowed brightly with envious raw power.

Cyrus smirked. He could feel all their chills running deep. The silhouette of him demonic face anything but laughable mercy towards this chaos.

Infinity Helios: 3500/Rex Vulcan: 2000/Saint Nemus: 1400/Knight Percival: 1700 = 8600

Raptorix: 1000 (+8600) = 9600

Snapzoid: 300

Ace's pupils were as small as salt grains. His blood was running cold from this disastrous fear. "You're…you're kidding me. What kind of a crazy power level is that even?!"

Baron didn't have the words to describe what he felt. He was beginning to choke like a fish out of water. "Hold on…Baron…" But Nemus on the other hand was starting to wear away. He was already driven to a knee.

Percival lost all feeling inside his body. This chilling power was too great for him to continue standing. Vulcan was exhaling and inhaling as much as he could without falling over. Helios was holding up the best he could; even though his scales were getting rugged with goosebumps, he refused to sway.

"Zion, shall we?" Cyrus insisted.

"Yes, my thoughts precisely." Zion mimicked Cyrus' intentions and typed into their Bakumeters.

"Ready, Hellix."

"Ready, Torracrawler."

Both combatants snatched their Mobile Assault Vehicles and threw them in. They seemed to have vanished into the dark matter maelstrom before two lights exploded from within. Gradually, they revealed the mechanical monsters that shadowed over the Bakugan beneath. Two huge, towering masses were domineering over the battlefield while the others had shown shock and stupefied horror.

"You've gotta be kidding me! Now they have Mobile Assault Vehicles?!" Ace fret.

"We…have to do something! Hurry!" Nemus panicked. "Baron!"

"Too late!" Zion stepped in front, directing forward with his polearm battle axe. "Ability, activate! Siphon Lock!"

"Get down!" Gus shouted.

The eight huge claws on the sides of the UFO drone crackled with electrical plasma that diffused towards the tips. The masses gathered exponentially until they were at full power and discharged them all into the ground. Each one plunged with explosive shockwaves that fanned outwards, spreading throughout the remnants of the drome battlefield and stands. Metal bent apart until it was all just a scrap heap.

Infinity Helios: 3500 (-400) = 3100/Rex Vulcan: 2000 (-500) = 1500/Saint Nemus: 1400 (-500) = 900/Knight Percival: 1700 (-500) = 1200

Raptorix: 9800

Snapzoid: 500 (+1100) = 1600

The pulses ran deep across the battlefield. The Bakugan were barely holding on to where the earth was supposed to be. In fact, they couldn't feel anything. The plasma was invading their nervous systems to where they were feeling borderline numb.

"NO!" Ace screamed, but he was buffered too much and fell over.

Gus gritted his teeth and kneeled. He was trying hard to not feel his nerves go numb, but the pulsing energy was too great to resist. "Master Spectra…!"

Spectra gave no critical response. He had to wait it out just a bit longer.

"We shall we finish them off?" Zion insisted.

Cyrus nodded. "Yes, quite so. Let's give them our…proper thanks to their cintributions. Now…"

Once again, the air started changing around them. The atmosphere was starting to alter yet again, but rather than get cold, it was growing much hotter. The ground was beginning to catch on fire beneath Snapzoid as the Torracrawler was channeling the forbidden energy surging through the Bakugan. The UFO's container was so bright it was like a beacon that enflamed the darkness. In the center of the palms of the Hellix, dark matter compressed into a hemisphere and gradually disrupted air flow.

"Supernova-X!"

"Bedlam End!"

The entire domain within the sound of the attack shuddered drastically. Unstable metal was melting while air particles sparked and was sucked into the black matter. The two forces were mixing into one, where it was like a magenta sun was beaming so brightly that it was too bright and burning to feel almost anything.

Infinity Helios: 3100 (-400) = 2700/Rex Vulcan: 1500 (-500) = 1000/Saint Nemus: 900 (-500) = 400/Knight Percival: 1200 (-500) = 700

Raptorix: 9800 (+2000) = 11,800

Snapzoid: 1600 (+8100) = 9700

The mass was growing too huge to sustain in one place. The Hellix raised its arms high to give the mass the room needed to combust.

"Now…do you know what this feeling is, Spectra?" Cyrus chimed, his voice echoing through the roaring magenta flames at everyone's feet. Even his eyes shined that same ominous shade. "This...is what dread truly is. This…is just a mere gateway to what Hell is for you and your allies."

With his face out of sight, one couldn't see clearly, but Spectra was facing the ground. At the corner of his lips he was…smirking?

"Supposed you're right. This is incredible power we're dealing with here. I think we'll have to take this into reevaluation." His Bakumeter beeped. "Get ready everyone!"

"DIE~!" Zion roared in the thunderous atmosphere.

Raptorix shot the dark matter across the atmosphere high into the skies above. Snapzoid's brewing flares within the Torracrawler continued ti grow until it was nothing but a broiling mass ready to be unleashed. Ace and Baron shut their eyes as the heat and matter made goosebumps and burns at the same time they couldn't get away from.

"You ready, Gus?"

"Yes! We're out of here!"

Spectra scoffed. "Very well then! Gate Card, open! Warp Gate!" The Gate Card flashed brightly, enveloping everyone in its wake.

The dark matter beamed down in a broad blast, where the supernova finally combusted.

A ripple spread across the horizon. Houses nearby all leveled to nothing as pressure collapsed everything. An omnidirectional wake of the nova and dark matter fused into a vermilion pulse that fanned for miles across the entire sector of Troposphere. Waterways instantly dried up until nothing was left but disintegrated cement ashes. The pillar of destruction spread so far that it could've been seen from miles as a roaring beacon that shot waves of monstrous energy across the sky.

"What…is that?" Out at sea, Luke and the gang were atop the Trailer as they saw the ring of heated energy spread apart any clouds over their heads. Instantly it felt like the ocean air had went up by 10 degrees.

"Did anyone else feel that?" Shuji quipped.

Esther frowned. "Yes, I did as well. There's no mistaking it…"

"I've got a bad feeling of where that came from." Maggie grimaced. "Let's just hope that whoever's out there…they know what's going on."

---

In a larger lab-like area with a rectangular frame, it had a Gate Card in its center and shined brightly. In a matter of seconds, Helios and the others transported there in the same positions as before.

As the card's light faded away, Ace was still on his stomach a quivering mess. Suddenly feeling less of a chill than usual, he opened an eye weakly. "Gngh…wait…we're not dead, are we?"

Baron grunted as loud as possible before he caught onto this eased feeling. The temperature around them seemed to have returned to normal. "Huh…? Wait, where are we?"

"I don't know." Nemus said, before he finally dropped to a knee. He reverted to ball form and rolled up to Baron's side.

"Nemus!"

Percival was no different. He completely fell over with a grunt and reverted to ball form. He rolled up to Ace, who was in just as much shock to process what was happening.

Spectra took a moment to look at his surroundings before smirking, which evolved to a light chuckle. "Well now, that was certainly a close call. Good work."

"Huh? Hold on a second! You mean to tell me we're not dead yet?" Ace quipped. "What the heck is going on?!"

Gus turned his head towards the front. "Heh…you can say we had a helping hand to this mess."

Everyone looked forward in confusion. They all immediately took notice of the scenery around them being much different, now in a confined, large lab. But that was only the beginning of it, because several yards away, Keegan stood with crossed arms with impatience.

"About time you guys showed up. I was actually starting to get a little bored of waiting." The Interacian mocked.

Spectra scoffed. "Sorry for the holdup."

"Wait, I'm not buying this! What's going on, really?!" Ace panicked.

Gus smirked, despite clutching his damaged arm. "You would know, Ace. Suppose we should fill you both in then."

"Allow me, Gus." Spectra stepped forward to interject. He thought back to when they were still back against the wall from Zion's attack. "You see, Keegan managed to commandeer the lab in Troposphere at the time. He mentioned that you both were heading this way. I had a good feeling that our little friends were going to allow us out so easily. So, we asked Keegan to set us up for an escape route in case things got dicey. Warp Gate requires two of the same card. We had one end, but Keegan was the other. All that it took was the right time."

Keegan lightly scoffed. "You're welcome, by the way."

Baron shakily stood once again. "…a-awesome…"

Ace coolly snorted. "Tch, and you didn't tell us this before?" He meekly grinned and turned away. "Well…guess it did save our bacon back there, so thanks anyways."

"Keegan! Guys, you down here?!"

Everybody turned around and saw Alice, Mira, and Julie walk up towards them. The camera guy was with them but he stayed behind to get shots of the others.

Alice looked at the welcomed party with a mix of surprise and relief. "You guys managed to get here. That's great!"

"You're just in time. I've managed to unjam most of the passcodes to the system." Mira explained. "So right now, our communications with everyone should be on a selective channel that won't get caught on by the other soldiers."

"Good work, Mira." Spectra greeted his sibling. He turned towards the others with expectations. "So then I take it that the perimeter is secured at this point?"

Alice nodded. "Yes. Hydranoid and I were given enough time to draw them back. We should be safe for now."

Julie winked with a gleeful smile. "Yup, and we got it all on camera! Dan and the others are gonna be so jealous when they get here!"

"Speaking of which, we should probably send out a signal to them." Mira insisted. "I'll take care of that so we can all be sure of our locations."

"Good idea, Mira. After being through something like that, I'd be crazy to try it like we are now." Ace admitted. He got up shakily and walked towards Mira as she walked back towards the elevator.

Keegan let out a long sigh of exasperation. "Thank god. I was beginning to think this whole thing would blow out of proportions." He frowned. "Okay, we have the lab. So now what?"

"Now…" Spectra held up his Bakumeter, projecting a holographic screen of immense wavelengths. "We put what we have together, and come up with a solution."

The screen on Spectra's device revealed battle footage that was recorded from the last battle. Alongside it was a massive web of DNA and negative energy levels that were almost off the charts. The charts themselves were all nearly maxed out. Just seeing the replay over their struggle was enough to make Baron feel uneased.

"So, what's that?"

"This…is a big piece to our very own vaccine. You see, I've already got a gracious sample of the negative energy that so-called Rogue Zero had used back on Vestal. Especially with Luke's little endeavor. Then, using that data, we were about to acquire fusions of DNA between Interacia and Vestal technology into Bakugan, hence Andro Elico's evolution. And now…" He zoomed in on the final Forbidden Abilities unleashed. "Now, we have a stronger version of these powers. With this, we can turn this negative energy…into a reliable source that shall eradicate this corruptive power."

"So the lab you wanted was also to…" Keegan looked around left and right. He got a very good idea of where this was going, but by no means did he look pleased by it. "…ugh. Something tells me I better get to the scanners again."

"It seems we have work ahead of us to do, Gus." Spectra chimed. He looked over at Gus' arm, frowning heavily. "But…let's hold off for a short while. We have to get attended to."

Gus nodded. "Right."

Spectra looked away as he walked off towards the elevator to meet with the others for medical needs. Even he needed some patches along the scrapes he's gained. 'Those Hades Pillars, they are most certainly a troublesome foe. Mixing Bakugan battling, and bringing in their own attributes such as warfare. How disgusting. But, it seems to have bared results. But, once we get started, Hades Pillars will be the only threat between us, and Riaan.'

---

In the center of a huge crater of literal nothing, a cold, brewing breeze from the ocean had returned to Troposphere. Houses within a large circular diameter were annihilated. Not buried, not totaled. Annihilated. It was all destroyed. The breeze was drawn into the hue that Cyrus gave off as he and Zion stood still after that grueling confrontation.

Zion cleaved into the ground in fury. "Hmph! They got away."

"Yes, it would appear so." Cyrus agreed. Even in the face of this, he didn't feel any form of backlash. "But, they put up a more effective fight than we've anticipated. I actually felt relieved to know that."

Zion didn't seem to care. "So you say…"

"At any rate, it matters not. We have our results we've acquired." Cyrus reached down towards the ground. He hovered his hand over one spot as his energy channeled into the singular point. Once summoned, magenta energy in the form of networks surged to a single point. From miles around, the thing waves flashed and dimmed until a hemisphere of magenta gradually faded out of the ground. It had an incredulous dark mass around it that looked identical to what he used on Gundalia.

"With this energy, our lord will be quite pleased. Spectra Phantom and his cohorts certainly have our upmost regards." His Bakumeter beeped, making him look down. "Yes, Milord?"

"Cyrus. Zion…I believe that you have both done well. Return at once…the Empyrean Alpha is waiting."

A malicious smirk crossed Cyrus' face. "As you wish, Milord." He cut off the communication and put the hemisphere away. "Come, Zion. There is much work ahead of us to prepare for."

The two vanished from sight, leaving the battle dome and lighthouse that was Troposphere's highlight in a devastated wake.

---

Here's a good update for everyone Hope that you all enjoy! I've thought about it, and I think having Spectra and the Vestals shine just once more wouldn't hurt too bad. I've managed to pour as much as I could for everyone here while I was at it! Reviews are very much appreciated! XD