Whew. Longest chapter to date! Let's see who predicted their abilities and how they respond to each other. Who guessed right? Who guessed at all? Read and find out, good readers. And take your pick at the end! Enjoy!
Two complete, but now the rest. New powers are aligning, and they will link up with those who have Omega genes. All we can do now is wait, wait while everything continues on.
Powers locked away inside
Step up to give the gift of divine
There is no knowing what we face
But we know it to be unsafe
The time now to find
Our guiding light
And save everything that is known
To protect our home
Spectra walked into a room, pushing open the secret door. "According to Bill, there should be an Infinity Die somewhere in here." Spectra looked around. "I can't see anything." Viper Helios began to glow. "That's somewhat better, I think. Still can barely see anything." Spectra walked into the room. "Where is it?" He shuffled around a few things, then noticed a faint glowing. He went over to it and slid open the cabinet to find an Infinity Die inside. "I guess that makes my mission that much easier." The door opened.
"Halt!" Said the person in the door. Spectra looked at him. "What are you doing in here? It's off limits to everybody!" Sheriff Blubs was in the doorway.
"And what are you doing here, Sheriff Blubs?" Asked Spectra.
"I was following you! You seemed to be up to no good, and my suspicion was correct! Hands in the air!" Spectra smiled.
"How about I summon Bill instead?"
"B-Bill?" Stammered Blubs. He regained his composure. "Is accordance to the Never Mind All That act, you are hereby under arrest!" He readied his Taser.
"Sorry, but you can't arrest me." Said Spectra. "Unless, of course, you plan on capturing me." He placed his Gauntlet on his arm discreetly.
"I don't care who you are." Said Blubs. "You're under arrest!" Spectra swung his arm forward, nearly slicing Blubs's nose.
"I beg to differ." Smirked Spectra. He thought of something. "Do you know Cassie?"
"Cassie?" Asked Blubs. "Why, she's one of the town heroes! Right alongside the Pines family!"
"I am the same kind of being as her. Don't trifle with me." Spectra ejected the blade card from his Gauntlet. "I'll spare your life this time, but this Reality is doomed!" Spectra vanished, with the die.
"I better go tell Mayor Cutebiker about this!" Blubs ran off, but not before closing the door and locking it.
"Has anybody had any readings on the other five Shifters?" Asked the Commander.
"No, sir." Said Syark. "I'm afraid they just don't exist anymore."
"But how can that be?" Asked the Commander.
"I have a theory." Said Claip. "But, it's very ambiguous."
"Well, spill it." Said the Commander. "If we can't find them, everything is doomed!"
"Well, I was reading more into the ancient text. Minor note, it talks about everything the first five did to stop the Destruction. Anyways, it said something about five trials, and after each trial they gained more power. It also said that they were unfindable during their trials."
"Unfindable?" Asked the Commander. "What were these trials?"
"For the fifth Shifter, she had to figure out how to use her own knowledge above others. For the fourth, he had to use moves against the user, and repurpose them. The third faced a very difficult trial, having to defeat an unbeatable enemy and remove the darkness that tainted his heart. The second had to escape the inescapable, and then survive falling somewhere along the lines of two hundred feet. The first shifter had the most difficult of all. He had to help someone in another Reality learn of their Shifter abilities, then recruit him to help fight the Destruction." Something pinged.
"We've got a definite reading on Atom!" Said Syark.
"Maybe your theory isn't too far out there." Said the Commander. "Syark, where is he?"
"He is in the Invasion Core Reality, one of the major Bakugan offshoots."
"Who is he communicating with?" Asked Claip.
"One Garfield Quinn." Said someone. "Running a scan now." The screen pulled up an image of the Reality, then placed an image of Garfield over it. "It appears that he does possess a Realital Gene, but it is an uncatalogued one."
"A Negative Gene?" Asked Claip.
"No, it's not a Negative Gene." Said Syark. "It shares many of the traits to an Alpha Gene, but less complex."
"For now, let's call it the Beta Gene." Said the Commander. "At least, until we know more about it." An alarm went off.
"Sir, we're detecting something approaching Invasion Core!" Another image appeared on screen, showing a large mass approaching the Reality.
"Time to intercept?" Asked the Commander.
"According to these readings, it is about a week out." Said Syark.
"Let's hope things don't go south, then." Said the Commander.
Rika's group appeared back at the fountain. "Whoa!" Said Dan. "What just happened?"
"I don't know." Said Ford. He pulled out a notebook. "Something to investigate later."
"So, what's the plan now?" Asked Takato.
"I'm not sure." Said Rika.
"I'll look around a little." Said Renamon. She jumped away.
"I'll head out too." Said Shun. He jumped away.
"So, does anybody have any idea what Andrew here has to do with all of this?" Asked Runo. Everybody looked at him and Magnatron.
"Hey! Don't look at us! We're just as confused as you are!" Said Andrew.
"And I know even less than he does!" Said Magnatron. "Don't be looking at us for info!" Ryo sighed.
"Jeez, all we did was ask a question." Renamon came back.
"I wasn't able to detect anything." She said. Shun jumped down next to her.
"All clear."
"Man, this is quite the mystery." Said Dipper.
"Nothing we can't solve!" Said Mabel.
"I'm not sure if I want to argue, but I'm wondering why were back here." Said Robbie. Everybody took notice of the fountain.
"Aw man!" Said Kazu. "Back where we started?"
"It could be worse." Said Guardromon.
"Yes, it definitely could be." Said Drago. The area began glowing again.
"What's going on?" Asked Pyreon.
"All this glowing is making me blind!" Said Janthide. Henry's group appeared.
"What's going on?" Asked Henry. He saw the rest of the group. "Huh?"
"We're back together?" Asked Marucho. "Strange."
"It sure is!" Said McGucket. Andrew noticed someone in Henry's group.
"Cindy." He said. "Where have you been?"
"Andrew?" Asked Cindy. She looked at him. "You of all people should know that I disappeared two years ago. But did you ever try to find me? No! You're one who encouraged me to pick up the rock in the first place!"
"Hey! I'm not a rock!" Complained Magnaliger.
"Magnaliger?" Asked Magnatron. "Is that really you?"
"Magnatron?" Asked Magnaliger. "Hmph. About time you appeared. Were you waiting for enough energy to build up to create your little vortex?"
"Hey! It's not like you were any better! You were frozen in time until words of truth could unfreeze you!" Everybody began looking back and forth between the two pairs.
"Am I missing something here?" Asked Takato.
"Was that Takato Matsuki I heard?" Asked Cindy. She looked at him. "I'm surprised at meeting you." She held out her hand. "Pleasure to meet you."
"Uh, what?" Asked Takato. "Uh, sure, I guess." He shook her hand.
"Okay, so what's the beef between you two?" Asked Wendy, mentioning the elephant in the room.
"I'd rather not talk about it." Said Andrew.
"It's all in the past." Said Cindy. "Nothing can be done about it."
"Not buying." Said Wendy. "Tell us what it is that you're hiding!"
"Even without telepathic powers, I can tell that there's a lot of anger between you two." Said Gideon.
"Either you two start talking, or I'll let my fists do the talking. I did not go through Mabeland just for you to break up the group!" Said Wendy.
"You guys faced Mabeland?" Asked Mabel.
"Horrid place." Said Dipper. "You guys okay? You're not still corrupted by it or anything?"
"I miss the puppy." Said Suzie. Henry gave a small chuckle.
"We were tricked, but we pulled through, thanks to those two." He pointed to Wendy and Marucho. "If it wasn't for them, we'd still be under Mabeland's control."
"Impressive." Said Soos.
"More like amazing!" Said Mabel. "The only other person I know capable of withstanding Mabeland is Dipper! Even Cassie wasn't fully immune!"
"Nice one buddy!" Said Dan. Marucho laughed.
"No big deal!" He said.
"Uh, yes it was." Said Preyas. "Mabeland even had Renas and Slight wrapped up in it!"
"At one point, we even forgot who you were." Said Renas. "Now that I say it, I realize how foolish we were."
"Don't feel bad." Said Wendy. "My first time through broke me too." Andrew and Cindy were walking away from each other.
"Fine! You want to be like that, then leave!" Said Andrew.
"No, that's how you're acting! You leave!" Said Cindy. They had been arguing while everybody caught up.
"Come on guys! Don't be like that!" Said Magnatron.
"Come on! Can't we get along?" Asked Magnaliger.
"No!" Said Andrew and Cindy. Dan got in front of Andrew and Takato in front of Cindy.
"What is your problem?" Asked Dan.
"You two need to sort this out now!" Said Takato.
"It's not my fault my only friend doesn't want to make up." Said Cindy. "He's the hard head!"
"No, you are! You were always trying to make me watch Digimon even though I told you about my love for Bakugan!"
"It's not my fault you can't see which one is the superior show."
"No, you can't!"
"I said it first, you can't say it back."
"Yes I can!"
"No, you can't."
"Can!"
"Can't!"
"Can!"
"Can't!"
"Will you two please be quiet!?" Yelled Runo. Both of them looked at her. "Either you two sort this out now, or go away!" They two looked at each other, then turned away.
"If she won't respect my interests, then I don't want anything to do with her."
"As if!" Said Cindy. "You're the one who said that I was delusional for thinking Digimon was great! And also, another thing, you were the one who encouraged me to pick up the rock!"
"Again, not a rock!" Said Magnaliger.
"You're the one who wouldn't accept the fact that I didn't like Digimon!"
"And you're the one who always pushed for me to watch Bakugan. I don't even know what it is!"
"You're the one who left me two years ago!" That silenced Cindy. "My only friend, gone. And now that I see you again, all you do is stir up more arguments!"
"Yet it was still you who had me pick up the rock, it was still your idea. As far as I'm concerned, it was your fault!"
"That's it, I'm leaving!" Said Andrew. "I don't want to hear any more of your nonsense!"
"Oh no! You're not getting the last word!" Andrew walked past Dan. "That's it! I'm going away too, now!" She walked past Takato. They were stopped by Shun and Rika respectively.
"You're not going anywhere." Said Rika.
"Neither of you." Said Shun.
"Just leave me alone!" Said Andrew. He tried to get past Shun, who grabbed him. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm out of here!" Said Cindy. She tried to get past Rika, only to be grabbed by Renamon. "Let go of me!"
"No." Said Renamon. "Like it or not, you two are with us now."
"Accept each other for who you are, or don't. I don't care." Said Shun. "But, you will remain nice to each other. No more running away from this!"
"I said" started Andrew. His eyes started glowing golden.
"Leave me" continued Cindy. Her eyes glowed crimson.
"Alone!" They finished. Shun, Renamon and Rika were blown back by their sudden outburst. Energy flowed out of them, creating a wind that battered everybody. Dan tried to step forward.
"Calm down! Please!"
"I'm leaving!" Said Andrew. "I don't want to be with her! Not after this!" His eyes dimmed.
"I'm out!" Said Cindy. Her eyes dimmed as well. The energy suddenly stopped, and Dan fell forward. Andrew and Cindy began to walk away again.
"I didn't want to do this, but you guys leave us no choice." Said Dan. "You guys ready?"
"Let's do it." Said Julie.
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said the Brawlers. "Bakugan, Stand!" Drago, Preyas, Tigrerra, Gorem, Skyress, Hydranoid, Renas and Slight stood.
"Takato, throw me in! Please!" Said Pyreon.
"We need to help them!" Said Vladitor.
"We can't let them get away!" Said Janthide.
"Uh, okay." Said Takato. "How do I do this?"
"I'm not even sure where to begin." Said Ryo.
"Any clues?" Asked Dipper. "I got nothing." The eight Bakugan already out surrounded Andrew and Cindy.
"I'm trying to get away from her!" Said Andrew. "Leave us alone!"
"No." Said Drago, flatly. "You're staying here."
"What are these beings?" Asked Cindy. "They're huge!"
"We're Bakugan." Said Slight. "But, I'm guessing you didn't know that, considering what has been said."
"Whatever. I'm out of here." Said Cindy.
"Not so fast!" Said Skyress. She descended to her and grabbed her.
"Let me go!" Drago grabbed Andrew.
"Let go of me, Drago! Don't make me hit a weak spot on you!"
"Your hands are trapped, how could you even OW!" Andrew kicked one of Drago's fingers, hitting a weak spot. "Okay, a lot more resourceful than I thought. But, you still aren't going anywhere."
"Let go of me! I don't want to be within 500 miles of her!"
"Andrew, you think that's enough for me to get away from you? I'd need about 750 miles!"
"Enough of this!" Said Skyress. "You two need to figure out how to get along!"
"Quite right." Said a voice. Everybody began looking around. "Andrew and Cindy, you two seem to have a bit of a problem between the two of you. I believe it's time for you guys to understand your past for what it really is." The area flashed, blinding everybody. When it dimmed, everybody could see an image. It was Andrew and Cindy, playing.
"What is this?" Asked Dan.
"This is the past, where Andrew and Cindy were together all the time. Not even their parents could separate them." Their parents tried to take them home, but they wiggled out and went back to each other's side.
"Sounds like us when we were younger." Said Shun.
"Yeah, it does." Said Dan.
"However, as they got older, their interests diverged. Andrew went towards Bakugan, but kept it secret from all he talked to. Cindy went to Digimon, unsilenced by all. When they converged on their interests, they clashed. Andrew was always quiet about his love for Bakugan, never being forceful about it. Cindy, having lived her life expressing it, drove into him forcefully about it, trying to force him to watch it. As such, Andrew began to push back, going against his nature. It reached its peak during one of their biggest arguments." The image changed. "What you see now is their final argument. Just as it reached its peak, something happened." The image moved, like a movie, with no sound. Then, something fell between them. They both jumped back.
"Was that me?" Asked Magnaliger.
"Indeed. You fell between them during their biggest argument. Andrew encouraged Cindy to pick you up, and she eventually relented. When she did, her spirit, true to the bone, began to unfreeze Magnaliger from his prison. Unfortunately, this sucked her into a Realital Gate due to his power. Andrew tried to reach her, grab her, but failed. Afterwards, Cindy was gone. Missing, without a trace. Nobody, except Andrew, knew what happened to her. As she was his only friend, Andrew was alone. He retreated inside himself, and began to doubt himself. He hid his Bakugan side from everybody, but always kept the memories." The image changed again. "But while Andrew faced his problems, Cindy faced more. She was deposited in the memory of Mabeland. Alone and confused, she began to wander its endless plains. When she came across the main part of Mabeland, she was bombarded by things she desired. Only by steeling herself could she resist. Her interests became minute to give Mabeland as little as possible to work with, eventually shutting it out completely. It was then that this motion of events began. When all of you got your Realital Genes, it was decided to have you save them. And because each of you were selected for one person, you were split up."
"Are you saying that we were influenced to split up like that?" Asked Marucho.
"Yes. We had to ensure the right people went to the right place. But, we didn't influence any other decisions. And when you saved them from their darkness, something unexpected occurred. The first Shifters, those of Bakugan and Digimon, gave half of their power to you. Andrew, the first Shifter gave you half of his power, and Cindy, the second Shifter gave you half of hers. The energy is still uncontrolled, so we need to refine it. The only way to do that is to face those with the same abilities as the firsts. Now that you are once again together, you must work together to succeed!"
"No way am I working with her!" Said Andrew. "She never respected my opinion!"
"The feeling is mutual." Said Cindy.
"Like it or not, this is your task." Andrew and Cindy began to glow. "Whether you succeed or fail is determined by how well you can realign your friendship." Crocolomon, Magnatron and Magnaliger began to glow. "You must work with your partners to prevail!" All five of them vanished.
"Where are you taking them?" Asked Runo.
"To their own test. They will be back shortly." The area returned to normal. "The fountain will show their Trial."
Cindy and Andrew were falling. They landed on their feet, and the area opened. They were on an endless expanse, surrounded by six colors. "A battle field." Said Andrew. "Never thought I'd see one!"
"A what?" Asked Cindy.
"This is where Bakugan Battles used to take place." Said Andrew.
"Again, what?"
"Never mind. Just know that you're going to learn Bakugan, one way or another."
"Greetings." Said a voice. "I trust the transition went smoothly."
"Who are you?" Asked Cindy. "And why, of all people, did you pair me with him?"
"For your first question, I cannot say. As for the second, you are paired with him the same way you are paired with Magnaliger, or Crocolomon. You two must work together in order to succeed."
"Yeah right. How can we work together when we're at such ends with each other?" Asked Andrew.
"The same way these two did." An image flashed into their minds of Atom and Azion, battling each other. "By realizing what one did, these two were able to come together yet again and save everything." An image flashed into their mind of when Spectra had Drago and Leonidas. "Even though they were on opposite sides, they were still able to come together in a time of need. That is what you two must learn." The images left, revealing to them two people facing them. "Atom is solely of Bakugan while Azion is of both Bakugan and Digimon, similar to you two. Now, you must face them!" The two people facing them came into focus, appearing to be Atom and Azion. "These two are copies of the real ones, but no less powerful. It is time for you two to learn to work together again. This will be based on Vestroian rules." Andrew looked at his Bakumeter to see the gauges filling up.
"Vestroian rules?" Asked Cindy.
"I'll explain as we go." Said Andrew. "I don't know why I'm telling you this, but it seems that we need to work together. I'll start." Andrew grabbed a card. "Gate Card, Set!" He threw the card.
"What is that supposed to do?" Asked Cindy. The card glowed purple and expanded. "Gah! What's happening?"
"Relax." Said Andrew. "I just set the Gate Card. Bakugan cannot typically battle without one. Now then, follow my lead." He looked at Magnatron. "You ready?"
"You bet!" Andrew grabbed him.
"Bakugan, Brawl! Bakugan Stand! Rise Darkus Magnatron!" A beam was sent straight into the air, and a vortex opened up from it. Magnatron descended.
"Time for us to show our power!"
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said Copy Atom. "Bakugan, Stand! Light them up Haos Mythical Leonidas!"
"Uh, how do I do this?" Asked Cindy.
"I will guide you." Said Magnaliger.
"First, grab your Bakugan." Said Andrew. Cindy grabbed Magnaliger tentatively. "Then, throw it onto the gate card."
"Why would I throw something? "Asked Cindy.
"Just do it!" Said Andrew.
"Uh, okay. Let's try this, I guess." She threw Magnaliger onto the field.
"You have to call Bakugan Stand." Said Andrew.
"Uh, okay. Bakugan, Stand!" Magnaliger glowed in a red light, then transformed. He was a lion Bakugan. Despite being a Pyrus Bakugan, he had black leg armor on his back legs and a black face mask. His eyes shone with an unnatural red light.
"It's been so long since I could stretch my legs!"
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said Copy Azion. "Bakugan, Stand! Burn them to the ground Pyrus Pyrokinetic Pyreon!"
"Okay, so I know of Leonidas, but not that form." Said Andrew. "Pyreon is a new one, though. If I can figure out which Bakugan they are similar to, I should be able to make an effective strategy."
"What are you mumbling about?" Asked Cindy. "Don't tell me it's more Bakugan Mumbo Jumbo!"
"It is." Said Andrew. "And, unfortunately, I need to explain it to you." He sighed. "Okay, listen. I'm assuming you know what I mean by power levels, right?"
"Yeah."
"In Bakugan, it's measured in Gs. The more Gs you have, the more powerful you are. A life gauge has 500 Gs. When you lose, you lose Gs in your gauge equal to the difference between the your total power and the opponent's." Cindy stared at him blankly. "Subtract your power from your opponent's. A negative number takes away from you while a positive number takes away from them."
"I get it now." Said Cindy. She looked at her Bakumeter. "What is this thing."
"That shows you the current power levels and the current life gauges."
"Ability Activate!" Said Copy Azion. "Fire Welder!" Pyreon dashed in and attempted to slice Magnatron.
"Ability Activate!" Said Andrew. "Vortex Screen!" Magnatron created a strange looking barrier in front of him, blocking Pyreon.
"Ability Activate!" Said Copy Atom. "Blinding Haos Speed!" Leonidas went in towards Magnaliger.
"Be careful." Said Andrew. "Leonidas is at 1500 Gs while Magnaliger is at 1000. If you lose by 500 or more, you lose your Bakugan."
"What?" Asked Cindy. Leonidas hit Magnaliger again and again.
"Hurry, please!" Said Magnaliger. "I need help!"
"What do I do?" Asked Cindy. A voice within her spoke.
"Activate an Ability." Cindy looked at her Bakumeter to see it glowing.
"Uh, Ability Activate!" Magnaliger began to glow. "Power Pounce!" Magnaliger jumped away from Leonidas, then jumped at him.
"Time for me to return the favor!" Magnaliger transferred 300 Gs from Leonidas, putting himself in the lead.
"Good going, now for us to win this thing! Ability Activate! Star Buster!"
"Time to unleash our power!" Said Magnatron.
"Ability Activate!" Countered Copy Atom. "Ancient Shield!" Leonidas generated a stone shield covered in moss. Pyreon ducked behind it as well.
"Not enough to save you!" Said Magnatron. He fired. The blast went around the shield and hit them from behind. Magnatron went up to 1600 Gs, gaining 600. However, Leonidas and Pyreon did not fall.
"What?" Asked Andrew. Copy Atom began laughing.
"Gets them every time. The Ancient Shield generates a shield, yes, but the stone one in front is a diversion. But by creating it, it gives the illusion of being the protection. The Ancient Shield actually appears behind Leonidas!" Magnatron's attack waned.
"And now that you've used your attack, I can do this!" Said Copy Azion. "Ability Activate! Plasma Inferno!" Pyreon charged up a massive attack.
"Ability Activate!" Said Andrew, hastily. "Anti-Matter!" Magnatron's wings changed to look like outer space, and he folded them in front of himself.
"Not going to save you!" Said Pyreon.
"Indeed." Said Copy Azion. "This attack took down a Mechtogan Titan!"
"A Titan?!" Asked Andrew. Pyreon blasted his attack and it rocketed into Magnatron.
"What's a titan?" Asked Cindy. Magnatron glowed, defeated. Andrew's gauge fell by 300 Gs, putting him at 200.
"Now then, as for you." Said Copy Atom. "Ability Activate! Infinity Strike!" Leonidas's hand was surrounded in six colors of light, and he ran towards Magnaliger. He gained 300 Gs, putting himself 200 Gs ahead. He struck Magnaliger, defeating him. Cindy's gauge fell to 300 Gs. Leonidas and Pyreon returned to their partners.
"This is bad." Said Andrew.
"What's a titan?" Asked Cindy.
"A Mechtogan Titan is one of the strongest things in all of Bakugan." Said Andrew. "They have a shield capable of stopping damage from anything less than Mechtogan Strength."
"And a Mechtogan is?"
"Powerful." Said Andrew. "I'll just leave it at that."
"I don't quite follow." Said Crocolomon. "Where I come from, there's Rookies, Champions, Ultimates and Megas. What's the difference here?"
"There really isn't." Said someone. Andrew and Cindy looked at Copy Atom. "I know I'm supposed to be against you, but I'm a copy of the real one. I have knowledge of both. With Bakugan, the lineage is Brawler, Bakugan, Mechtogan, Mechtogan Titan. It corresponds with Digimon's Rookie, Champion, Ultimate and Mega. Does that clear it up?"
"You know what, it actually does." Said Cindy. "Thanks!"
"No problem. But, back to the battle." Copy Atom grabbed a card. "Gate Card, Set! Bakugan, Brawl! Finish the fight Haos Mythical Leonidas!"
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said Andrew. "Bakugan, Stand! Descend Magnatron!" Magnatron descended from his vortex.
"Bakugan, Brawl!" Said Copy Azion. "Bring the fire, Pyrus Pyrokinetic Pyreon!" Cindy began thinking.
"Okay, I just need to convert Bakugan to Digimon." She looked at the field. "Bakugan can beat Bakugan, Mechtogan can beat Mechtogan and Bakugan. The Ability Cards are the same as a Digimon's abilities. I think I'm starting to get it now!" She grabbed Magnaliger. "Bakugan, Brawl! Bakugan, Stand! Rise Magnaliger!" Magnaliger rose.
"We won't let you get the jump on us this time!" Said Andrew. "Ability Activate! Arcane Supernova!" Magnatron began generating a large, purple orb of energy in his mouth. "Sayonara!"
"As if!" Said Copy Azion. "Ability Activate! Infernium Shield!" Pyreon created a massive, flaming shield. Magnatron fired, but not at the shield. He fired behind it.
"What the?" Asked Copy Atom. The orb exploded, knocking Pyreon forward.
"I think I'm starting to get it!" Said Cindy. She analyzed the battle. "The more powerful a Bakugan, the more likely it is to win. The more powerful the attack, the more powerful the Bakugan. I think I'm getting the hang of this!"
"Well you better hurry!" Said Andrew. "I may not like you, but we're in this together!"
"Ability Activate!" Said Cindy. "Power Pounce!" Magnatron and Magnaliger were both at 1300 Gs. Pyreon had lowered to 800 Gs. Leonidas was still at 1200 Gs.
"It's not that easy!" Said Copy Atom. "Gate Card, Open! Enemy Resetter!" Magnatron and Magnaliger returned to 1000 Gs each while Pyreon went back to 1100 Gs. "Ability Activate! Impact Booster!" Leonidas glowed with a pure, white light, then charged in at Magnatron.
"Not happening." Said Andrew. "Ability Activate! Cosmic Barrier!" Magnatron began to glow, then dodged Leonidas. His ability faltered.
"Lights out!" Said Copy Azion. "Form Change! Darkus!" He and Pyreon glowed.
"What the?" Asked Cindy. The glow faded, showing them as Darkus.
"No way!" Yelled Andrew.
"Yes way." Said Copy Azion. "Ability Activate! Dark Fire!" Pyreon charged up a purple ball of flames in his hand, gaining 500 Gs. He blasted it at Magnatron.
"Bad move!" Said Magnatron. Pyreon lost 250 Gs, but Magnatron was still pushed back.
"Wait, how did he lose 250 Gs?" Asked Copy Azion.
"With Cosmic Barrier, it nullifies the active ability my opponent is using. And then, it halves the power of the next ability used against Magnatron! Ability Activate! Star Buster!" Magnatron gained 600 Gs, then fired at Pyreon. He glowed, defeated. Copy Azion's gauge fell to half.
"Time for me to step it up." Said Copy Atom. "Ability Activate! Light Split!" Leonidas glowed yellow, red and blue. When the glow died, there was three of him, one of each of the light attributes.
"What just happened?" Asked Cindy.
"The Light Split ability allows Leonidas to split into three of his attribute forms." Said Copy Atom. "Pyrus, Aquos and Haos. I figured I'd level the playing field a little."
"This guy is good." Said Andrew. "But I know that we're better!"
"We?" Asked Cindy.
"Yes, we. We may not be the friends we were before, but that doesn't change the fact that we're stronger together!" Andrew stuck his hand out to Cindy. "Will you join me in taking him out?" Cindy smiled.
"For now, we'll forget about the past and focus on the future. Otherwise, we'll get nowhere!"
"That's the spirit!" Said Andrew. "Now, we need to attack him in a coordinated manner. Any ideas?" Cindy looked at her ability cards, only to notice something on her hand.
"What's this?" She asked. She showed it to Andrew.
"An Attribute Wheel?" He asked. "Where did that come from?"
"If you guys are done talking, you still have this battle to finish!" Said Copy Atom. "Ability Activate! Triad of Elements!" All three Leonidases began charging up attacks in their respective attributes. Andrew looked to Copy Azion, and noticed that Copy Azion had an Attribute Wheel on his hand as well. He drew the connection.
"Try using Form Change." He said.
"What? Why?"
"Just trust me!" Said Andrew. The Leonidases attacked, sending their attacks at Magnaliger.
"If you're going to do something, do it now!" He said.
"Uh, okay!" Said Cindy.
"Call it out!" Said Andrew. "Go Ventus!"
"Form Change!" Said Cindy. "Ventus!" Magnaliger changed into Ventus just as the attacks hit. A smoke cloud erupted. "Magnaliger!" She heard a laughing.
"I'm okay." Said Magnaliger. "It's going to take more than that to take me down!" Andrew looked at the Gs to see that the Leonidases had fell to a total of 1500 Gs.
"Bravo." Clapped Copy Atom. "You figured out the weakness to the Triad of Elements. If it is directed at a Bakugan of the light attributes, Leonidas gains 500 Gs for each Leonidas on the field. If it targets any other attribute,"
"It reduces the power of all Leonidases to 500!" Said Andrew. "This is it! Ability Activate! Nebula Blazer!"
"You won't take me out of the battle yet!" Said Copy Atom as the total power fell to 1100. "Ability Activate! Savior!" The total power rose to 1200 just as Magnatron attacked.
"Bye bye!" He said. The three Leonidases recombined into one, then returned to Copy Atom. His gauge fell to 100 Gs.
"Now we've got them!" Said Andrew.
"That was quite the play." Said Copy Azion. "But now, it's come to this. The final part of the battle. Be ready, we won't hold anything back." Something appeared next to Copy Azion. It was a Dragonomon. He handed Pyreon to Copy Atom. "I'm not going to be much use with him during this part. I'm going Digital!"
"Finally!" Said Cindy. "Something I can understand!"
"Let's get started!" Said Andrew. "Gate Card, Set! Bakugan, Brawl! Descend Magnatron!"
"Bakugan, Brawl! Light them up Haos Mythical Leonidas! Burn them to the ground Pyrus Pyrokinetic Pyreon!"
"Bakugan, Brawl! Bakugan, Stand! Rise Magnaliger!" Copy Azion grabbed his D-Power.
"Time to go to the max!" He brought it to his chest. "Or is it Mega? Biomerge, Activate!" A bubble formed around him.
"Oh crud!" Said Cindy. Copy Azion combined with Dragonomon, turning into Fusion Dragonomon.
"He looks a lot like Drago." Said Andrew.
"Stay on your toes, Andrew!" Said Magnatron. "Don't let him distract you!" Crocolomon looked at Fusion Dragonomon.
"Time for me to reveal the final surprise." Said Copy Atom. He held his hand up and all six attributes glowed. "Attributic Split!" He said. Leonidas glowed, then split into each of his six Attribute forms. They all got ready. Andrew was stunned.
"That, that can't be! It can't be possible!"
"It sure can." Said Copy Atom. "Because it just happened."
"What are we going to do now?" Asked Cindy. "We can't overpower them!"
"I think I have an idea." Said Crocolomon. He grabbed Cindy's D-Power and Pyrus card.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
"Just swipe this card through. I think it'll give us a chance!"
"Good luck with that!" Said Copy Azion, through Fusion Dragonomon. "Fusion Spear!" Fusion Dragonomon readied a spear.
"Digimodify!" Said Cindy. Crocolomon began glowing.
"I can feel the power!" He said. He grew to Bakugan size.
"Not enough!" Said Copy Azion. "Remember, a Mega is the equivalent of a Mechtogan Titan!" He threw the spear at Crocolomon. Cidny's Bakumeter glowed, and a slash point appeared on its side.
"Time to utilize our powers!" She said. "DigiAbility Activate! Redirect!" Crocolomon began spinning as the Spear grew closer. Then, it spun around him and went right at Fusion Dragonomon.
"What?" Asked Copy Azion. He was hit and launched backwards. Copy Atom looked at him, then back to the battle.
"DigiBakugan don't seem to follow the regular rules. Interesting." Said Copy Atom. "But that will not change the outcome of this battle. Ability Activate! Dextronic!" All six Leonidases began charging up an attack. Cindy figured out who they were aiming for.
"No!" Yelled Cindy. They fired at Magnaliger. "Ability Activate! Digital Shield!" She yelled. Crocolomon turned into a shield and landed in front of Magnaliger. All six attacks were deflected. Crocolomon returned to his Bakugan form.
Okay, that was new." Said Crocolomon.
"Again, another rule break." Said Copy Atom. "Ability Activate! Fire Welder!" Pyreon dashed in to try and attack Magnatron.
"Not so fast! Gate Card Open! Black Out!" Pyreon's ability faltered and he, along with the Pyrus, Ventus and Subterra Leonidases, fell to their knees. Pyreon's power fell by half while the Leonidases total power fell by a quarter. "Black Out is a Gate Card unique to Magnatron. Any opponent he faces that is of Pyrus, Subterra or Ventus immediately loses half their Gs. As an additional bonus, it halves the effectiveness of all future abilities you play!" Copy Atom blinked in surprise.
"Well then, that's quite the card. Ability Activate! Ground Breaker!" The Subterra Leonidas smashed the ground with his fist, destroying the Gate Card.
"I think I know how to counter that!" Said Cindy. "Ability Activate!" Crocolomon and Magnaliger got ready. "Digital Reincarnation!" Crocolomon's hands glowed, and his power spread across the shattered card. Then, Magnaliger's eyes glowed brighter, and two beams of light came out of them, sealing the cracks. When the glow died, the card was reformed.
"What the?" Asked Copy Azion. "How did you recreate the card?"
"Digital Reincarnation is an ability that can, and I quote, only be used when there is a DigiBakugan on the field. It recreates the Gate Card and prevents it from being shut down by anything not Digital." Copy Atom smirked.
"Fine. We shall play by your rules. Azion!"
"On it!" Said Copy Azion. He and Dragonomon split. "Atom here has the ability to split himself into all six attributes, but I have the ability to utilize any Digivice." Copy Azion pressed a button on his D-Power and it changed into a Burst Data Link. "As a Reality Shifter, I can use this the same I would a D-Power. D.N.A. Charge! Overdrive!" Dragonomon digivolved into Fusion Dragonomon. "And now, for the coup de gras!" He turned it to its side.
"No way! You couldn't!" Said Cindy.
"I have before, and I must do it now. The fate of all Realities depends on it! Charge! D.N.A. Burst Mode!" Fusion Dragonomon glowed and turned into his Burst Mode. Cindy fell to her knees.
"It's hopeless now!" She said.
"Come on, get up!" Said Andrew. "We don't have time for this!"
"There's nothing we can do! Burst Mode is too powerful!" She was hugging herself and shaking.
"Snap out of it!" Yelled Andrew. She looked at him.
"You don't understand! Burst Mode is above Mega! We can't compete!"
"Where was the can-do attitude you showed just last round, huh?" Cindy looked at him. "Just because the odds seem unbeatable doesn't mean they are! Figure out a solution!" Andrew turned back to the battle. "Think of Crocolomon and Magnaliger. They need you now, more than ever! Are you willing to just let your partners down like that?" Cindy looked back at the battle, then back to Andrew.
"No. I won't just leave them hang like that." She said.
"Then get up! Fight for them, fight with me! Fight for your friends!"
"Wait, does this mean"
"Yes. We're going to forget the past." Said Andrew. "Everything that drove us apart is back there. We can't let that stop us!" Andrew reached out his hand. "Will you help me, friend?"
Cindy nodded. "Yes, you can count on me!" She grabbed his hand.
"That's what I like to hear!" He said. He pulled her up. "Now, are we going to win this or what?"
"Let's do it!" Said Cindy. Andrew's Bakumeter began glowing, then Cindy's D-Power began to glow. They looked at their respective devices, accidentally bringing them together. Cindy's D-Power connected to Andrew's Bakumeter as their powers combined. Something generated in the middle. It looked like two bracelets.
"What are these?" Asked Andrew. He grabbed one.
"I don't know." Said Cindy. She grabbed the other one. "But they look neat." The bracelets glowed, then strapped themselves onto their arms. They stretched out across their entire forearms. One of them showed the six attributes of Bakugan, along with the Infinity and Silent Core. The other one showed a Fusion Loader and the Perfect Core.
"Good job." Said Copy Atom. The two looked at him. "You've refined the powers you have gotten from the firsts. Let's see if you can use them. Ability Activate! Infinity Strike!" All six Leonidases prepared their attack.
"No matter the odds," started Andrew.
"No matter what happens" continued Cindy.
"We are forever friends!" They finished. The symbols glowed. Then, their partners did. Crocolomon and Magnaliger combined while Magnatron split. When the glow faded, Magnaliger was standing on two legs, and had the face of a crocodile. He still had the piercing, unnatural Red eyes. Magnatron revealed himself to have split into eight, one of each Attribute and two that seemed different.
"I am Magnalomon." Said the Magnaliger and Crocolomon hybrid. "Digimon Bakugan hybrid with the powers of the Perfect Core.
"We are the total power held within Magnatron. The powers of all six Attributes and the powers of the Infinity and Silent Cores!" Said all eight Magnatrons.
"Go for it!" Said Copy Atom. The six Leonidases attacked.
"Not going to happen!" Said Andrew. He grabbed a strange card. "Ability Activate! Octant Attribution!" All eight Magnatrons glowed and aimed at the Leonidases. They generated massive amounts of power in their hands. As the Leonidases got close, they began to merge together again. "Octant Attribution is an ability unique to Magnatron. As long as he is split into his eight forms, this Ability will cancel any other split in effect. That makes your Attributic Split useless!" All six Leonidases became one again.
"DigiAbility Activate!" Said Cindy. "Dual Recession!" Fusion Dragonomon Burst Mode reverted back to Dragonomon while Pyreon returned to his first form. "This ability temporarily reverts two opponents back to their base forms! Now Andrew!"
"Gladly! Ability Activate!"
"Magnotic Cores!" Yelled the Magnatrons. All eight of them charged up attacks.
"I think we're done for." Said Copy Atom.
"It was at least fun." Said Copy Azion. The Magnatrons attacked. Despite them not bearing any Digital DNA, their attack still struck Dragonomon first, defeating him. Then, it rocketed to Pyreon, then Leonidas, defeating them. All five of them vanished. Andrew and Cindy looked at each other.
"Should I go first, or you?" Asked Andrew.
"I have a better idea." Said Cindy. The two caught their Bakugan as Crocolomon returned to normal. "Instead of apologising for the past, let's make a promise for the future."
"Okay." Said Andrew. "What do you have in mind?"
"How about we just promise to understand one another's opinions? That's drove us apart before."
"I can agree to that!" Said Andrew. The two shook hands, Crocolomon put his hand on top. Then Magnaliger and Magnatron jumped on top.
"This is a remarkable step forward." Everybody began looking around. "You two didn't just complete your trial, you crushed it. I would say everything is back to normal between you. And just in time." An image flashed into each of their minds. "You don't know this yet, but The Destruction, a ceaseless force unyielding in its quest, is edging closer and closer to victory. The only way to stop it is to unite the powers of Old and New. You two were the first, of Bakugan and Digimon. As such, your Realital Genes have mutated into Alpha Genes. Andrew, you are capable of a Primal Split. It is the same as an Attributic Split, but allows for the Bakugan to tap into the past, allowing for use of both the Infinity and Silent Cores. Cindy, you have the power of BakuDigitize. You can combine Bakugan and Digimon if you so command it. That power was only gifted to the Second Shifter. In unlocking these power, you two have shown true friendship in the face of danger, and a will capable of anything. It is time for you to return." The entire area glowed.
"Amazing." Said Alice.
"I'll say!" Said Dan. "I thought only Atom could do that! Incredible!"
"I must concur." Said Marucho. "But let's not forget the other part."
"He's right. Cindy is able to combine Digimon and Bakugan." Said Rika. "That opens lots of options for us."
"I'm more impressed by the fact that they won." Said Pyreon. "I mean, I know my power pales in comparison to Leo's, but that just took that copy down like an old poster!"
"And now, the next step is open." Said Shun. The area glowed, and Andrew and Cindy reappeared. Everybody looked at them.
"Hey guys! What's going on?" Asked Andrew.
"That was an amazing battle!" Said Takato. "I had no idea either of you could do those things when we first met you!"
"The world is full of surprises." Said Keith. "I doubt even the Forbidden Cards could match your power."
"Let's hope so." Said Runo. "After all, Spectra's still out there. And we know that the Destruction won't stop its endless rampage."
"And that means the next trial is upon us." Everybody looked around for the voice again.
"Okay, this is starting to get annoying." Said Ryo. "Just show yourself already!"
"If I did, then I would be forced to release you. And there's still three more to save."
"Three more?" Asked Dipper.
"Unreal!" Said Stan. "We've already fought through several trials! Let us leave already!"
"No." Was the answer. "But, you'll be interested in these next three." Three rings appeared in front of them. "The first, Hanabi Vénome." Her image filled in. "A Reality Shifter from Yu-Gi-Oh, an offshoot of Magic the Gathering. The Second, Daniel." His image filled in. "Daniel was an outcast, and has no idea of what he truly is. All he knows is that he can go into his favorite things. He often favors the counterpart to Digimon. And that brings us to Cameron Rusher." Her image filled in. "Unlike most Shifters, she has chosen a last name. She is capable of many things, often outshining those she is friends with. But her heart is riddled with mysteries and puzzles. These three have faced similar problems to both Andrew and Cindy, and each share a bond with the firsts. Unless they are saved, you will fail. So, I leave the question to you. Which one will you tackle first?"
Faced with a choice, we need to make a decision. Each one has their own pros and cons, and each is equally dangerous. And the worst part, we don't even know which one is which! This is going to be a tough choice.
By the time you are done reading this, there will be a poll posted for who they save next. The next chapter of Destruction goes up next year. Please vote, as your opinions affect the outcome. So, who will go next? Hanabi of Yu-Gi-Oh, created by Daniel Kazami on this site? Daniel, created by another friend of mine? Or perhaps Cameron, who in real life is a girl, so I don't know why she chose that as a Shifter name. Time will tell.