Here we go into chapter nine. I'd just like to thank all of you who read this for sticking with it and also your support. If you want to make this chapter seem particularly alive, you could listen to Immortals by Fallout Boy while you read it. Just a suggestion~
Enjoy!
"Alright, I'm ready!" Dan said. Everything was riding on what he was about to do. He had to win Drago back. If he didn't... No, don't think like that. He was going to get Drago back.
His mother came over to him and hugged him. "Be safe Dan."
"Aw mom." Dan said, embarrassed.
She stood back and gripped his shoulders. "I mean it." she said sternly, but she the smile on her face lightened it somewhat. She let him go and turned to Apollonir. "Take care of him."
"I will madam. You have my word." The ancient soldier vowed. "Everyone who's coming, gather around. It's time to go."
Apollonir floated up, and Dan, Mira, Runo, Julie, and Baron closed in around him. Dan's gut clenched. He felt someone slip their hand into his and give it a reassuring squeeze. He looked up and met Mira's eyes. She nodded. Dan took at deep breath and let it out.
"Here we go!" Apollonir said. There was a red flash of light. Dan closed his eyes against the brightness of it. When the light faded, Dan opened his eyes. They wee now standing in a warehouse, wooden crates stacked against the wall. Higher up dirty, cracked windows let in the light from the setting sun, painting everything orange.
Gus said "What the-?"
"You finally found me. Took you long enough" Spectra said, sitting on a crate with one leg crossed under him, the other dangling off the edge of the crate. He stood up as he spoke.
Dan realized he was still holding Mira's hand. He swallowed and gently let go before taking a step forward. "What's the matter? Afraid to give me another shot? Cuz after I shut you down I'm going to take back Drago.
"Nice try whiners. But you don't stand a chance against Master Spectra. No matter how many times you brawl." Gus said arrogantly.
"Then why don't you prove it!" Dan shouted.
Gus laughed. "You are not worthy of Master Spectra."
Spectra stepped forward. "I accept you challenge Dan Kuso."
Gus looked at him, shocked. "But...why Master?"
Spectra smirked "It's my chance to test out the Dragonoid's power."
Dan snarled. Spectra sneered at him. "And what will you brawl with? I'm pretty sure I took your only Bakugan."
Dan snapped out his hand, where Apollonir was "An ancient warrior Bakugan! Meet Apollonir!"
"That old thing? You really think you can beat Spectra with that hand-me-down Bakugan?" Gus sneered.
"Get ready to eat those words Gus!" Dan snarled.
Mira stepped forward. "Spectra, you know it doesn't have to be this way. Unless you recognize the Bakugan as living beings, we'll never stop fighting to free them!"
Spectra chuckled. "Have it your way."
"Ready Spectra?" Dan readied his gauntlet. "Gauntlet, power strike!" He felt four hands lain across his back and took strength from his friend's presence. Across from him, he saw Gus with his hand on Spectra shoulder. Time froze everywhere else as Spectra made the first move.
"Gate card set! Bakugan brawl! Bakugan stand!"
A huge red and black dragon rose up, smashing outward the warehouse roof. Dan's gauntlet flashed. "Pyrus Viper Helios recognized. 600 Gs."
"Hey, what gives! I came here for Drago, not this!" Dan said, outraged.
"You want to fight Drago, you'll have to go through me first!" Helios laughed evilly.
"It'll be fine Dan! Just put me in!" Apollonir said.
"Alright, here gores." Dan grabbed Apollonir and threw him. "Bakugan brawl! Bakugan stand!"
The Legendary soldier exploded outward, further destroying the roof of the warehouse. "Pyrus Apollonir recognized. 500 Gs."
Apollonir bent down and held out his hand. "All of you get on. You'll be crushed if you stay here." They all stood on his hand while he carefully deposited them on the roof of a neighboring warehouse Dan saw that Helios had done the same for Spectra and Gus. He turned and met Apollonir.
"So, you're one of the Six Ancient Warriors. You don't look so Legendary to me." Helios sneered.
"You have no Bakugan pride or manners. I'll have to teach you some." Apollonir countered.
The two dragons snarled and flew up, throwing themselves at each other.
-x-
Mira watched in awe as Apollonir and Helios battled. It seemed the old dragon still had a few tricks up his sleeves. Her gaze strayed to Dan. He battled well with Apollonir, his determination giving him and edge, and yet the two of them didn't have the same rhythm Dan had with Drago.
"Come Bakugan trap, Pyrus Metalfencer!" Mira's eyes snapped to Spectra as he sent his trap into the fight. The mechanical trap latched onto Helios like a suit of armor, combining their Gs.
"You let a machine do your fighting for you?" Apollonir said, disgusted. "How shameful!"
Mira couldn't take her eyes off him. Off Spectra. Off Keith. How could he do this? How could he stand there, so cold and emotionless?
I can't even recognize him anymore.
"Ability activate! Dan shouted. "Maximum Pyrus!"A swirling stream of flame issued from Apollonir's mouth and hit Helios and Metalfencer point-blank, sending them back to ball form.
"Enough playing around Spectra!We're ready for the main event!" Dan said.
Spectra smirked. "If you insist Dan."
"Gate card set! Bakugan brawl! Bakugan stand!" Apollonir rose up.
"okay, you want Drago? Bakugan, brawl! Stand, Pyrus Drago!" Spectra threw Drago, who spun open in a torrent of flames, and out came-
No. Oh, God, please, no.
-x-
Dan took a step back as Drago exploded out of as tornado of flames. He looked...wrong. Twisted. Where he would normally be red, black coated him, making his look like Helios. And his eyes...Oh, God, his eyes were empty, soulless, white, blank.
"Oh no, Drago. What did they do to you?" Dan whispered.
Drago seemed to notice Apollonir for the first time and threw himself at him with an evil roar. Apollonir fell back, grappling with Drago and trying to keep his teeth and away from his throat. Dan ran forward until he was standing right next to them. "Drago, stop it! It's me buddy!" he yelled.
Drago turned to look at Dan, and for a second hope flared brightly in him. Then Drago's eyes narrowed and he bellowed in annoyance and whipped his tail at Dan, who stumbled back quickly.
"Master Dan, watch out!" Baron called.
Dan just stared at Drago, horrified. "He attacked me. Drago attacked me." he said numbly, shocked. On the other side of the warehouse, Spectra laughed.
"Bakugan are no more than animals. Drago is under my complete control now."
-x-
Mira was watching the whole fight play out, horrified and yet unable to look away. Apollonir and Drago had completely destroyed the first warehouse and had severely damaged the surrounding ones. Dan's expression kept getting more and more desperate and the fight waged on. Spectra had layered the Forbidden Ability cards, boosting Drago's Gs to an unstable height, and forcing him to tap into the power of the Perfect Core. Right now, Drago and Apollonir stood on opposite sides on one of the few warehouses left. Apollonir was down on one knee, grimacing in pain. A purple aura surrounded Drago and arcs of rainbow colored lightning arcing off his body. Drago roared, a sound of pure agony, and tears streaked down his face.
"Apollonir, come on! We have to win this!" Mira heard Dan shout.
"The power of the Forbidden card is burning out his new body. He won't last much longer." the ancient warrior said.
"Wh-what?" Dan gasped.
"His new body wasn't meant to contain this much might. I'm afraid Drago could-" he stopped, unable to continue.
"Drago could die." Wilda said from Mira's shoulder.
"Oh no." they all gasped.
"What-what can I do?" Dan whispered, tears forming in his eyes. "Drago..."
Keith why? Why are you doing this? Mira felt tears sting her own eyes. Dan...Drago...You'll make it through this. I know it.
-x-
"Apollonir, we have to do something!" Dan shouted, fear and desperation in his voice.
"There may be a way." he said reluctantly. "But it's risky. If I transmit myself back into pure energy, I may be able to enter Drago's body and absorb the excess power."
"How do we make that happen?"
"We'd have to use Dragon Prowdia, but...Once Drago Prowdia is activated, I cannot attack. You will have to take me and through me into Drago's Perfect Core. But you'll only get once shot"
"You can count on me! The only thing that matters is saving Drago!"
"No, listen to me Dan! This is not a game! If you miss, you might end up killing Drago yourself!"
"I'm willing to try it! There's no other way."
"Very well, I'm ready when you are." The old Dragonoid stood up
"Ability activate! Drago Prowdia!"
Apollonir roared as his body became pure red energy and condensed into a elegantly decorated trident. Dan jumped up and ran toward Drago. Drago roared and slammed his tail down in front of Dan, who hooked one arm around it as it started to lift back up. Dan ran up the length of Drago's tail while he thrashed, trying to dislodge him. Dan jumped up and his eyes his eyes focused on the Core p[piece in the center of Drago's chest. The he did what he had done since when he started brawling: he threw with deadly precision and watched as the trident found it's mark.