SailorStar9: Four chapters up and no review. You guys don't love me anymore. (Pouts). Anyway, this is Chapter 23. Read and review.
Disclaimers: See previous chapter.
Chapter 23: For Us There Is No Tomorrow
"Get ready, here they come!" Tigrerra warned and Centorrior and Druman appeared.
"So, we meet again boy." Druman looked at Dan.
"I thought I got rid of you two for good a long time ago." Dan snapped.
"Sorry, we've come back for a rematch." Centorrior laughed.
"I get it, you don't know when to give up." Dan remarked and looked at Runo. "Ready, Runo?"
"You bet." Runo replied and the two looked at their respective partners.
"Bakugan, roll!" the two tossed their Bakugan out.
"Tigrerra and Drago." Centorrior noted. "I see you're still as stubborn as ever. You'll make things a lot easier if you would just join us."
"How come they know you, Dan?" Runo asked. "Are they the same Bakugan you battled in Vestroia?"
"Yeah." Dan nodded. "That was the battle where Noble Lion was defeated. Drago nearly brought it too. Luckily for both of us, Masquerade showed up and used Alpha Hydranoid to pushed back Centorrior. I'd never thought I'd say this, but we might not have made it if it won't for Masquerade. Once Centorrior was out of the way, Drago was able to unleash a full attack against Druman. I thought we've seen the last of them, but I guess I was wrong. We were tricked! They scammed us so that they could return and battle us again."
"You mean, even the combined power of Drago and Alpha Hydranoid couldn't beat Centorrior and Druman?" Runo asked.
"That doesn't matter now." Dan replied. "We have to battle them."
"Well, what are you waiting for, Drago?" Centorrior inquired. "The last time we met in Vestroia, you seemed a lot braver."
"Tigrerra, watch yourself." Drago warned. "These two are powerful."
"Right." Tigrerra replied. "Drago, let me take Centorrior this time."
"Alright, then Druman is mine." Drago agreed.
"It's on, Runo." Dan pulled out an Ability Card.
"Right, okay." Runo nodded, revealing an Ability Card as well.
"Ability Card, activate! Fire Tornado!" the pair called out.
"You have to do better than that, Drago." Druman mocked as Drago took the fight to the skies.
"Oh no!" Runo exclaimed after Centorrior parried Tigrerra off. "Look out!"
"If I move, that house will be destroyed." Tigrerra looked over her shoulder.
"Tigrerra!" Drago shouted as Centorrior's attack hit head-on.
"Get down!" Runo exclaimed.
"Poor Tig." she remarked. "She won't be able to take much more of that."
"Runo." Dan turned to the Haos Battler. "We've got to figure out how to get the advantage on those two. We need to face them on a battleground we're familiar with."
"We've fought all over this city." Runo pointed out. "Where do you think we should go?"
"The park!" Dan replied.
"Huh?" Runo blinked. "The park?"
"Yeah sure." Dan nodded. "That's the place where we first met, remember?"
In Wellington Tower...
"That's it, Drago." Julie cheered as Drago and Druman went head-on. "You got him. To the left, your right. Yeah, that's the way. Go, go, go!"
"Oh no! I'm out of money!" she panicked when the binoculars turned off. "Hey, can somebody lend me a quarter?"
"Sorry Julie. I have got is this wooden nickel here." Billy replied.
"I only carry plastic with me." Marucho flashed his credit card.
"And I already spent my own allowance." Joe added.
"Here." Klaus tossed the pony-tailed girl a coin.
"What are you doing here?" Julie asked the German.
"Well, I'm just looking for Alice." Klaus replied. "Have you seen her around anywhere?"
Meanwhile...
"Grandfather!" Alice hollered as she ran through the street. "Grandfather?"
"Where could he have gone to?" she wondered. "I only took my eyes off him for a second. I hope he wasn't changed into Hal-G again."
Elsewhere...
"This is going to be just like old times." Dan noted as he took off to the park. "Yeah, Gate Card, set!"
"Okay, you're on, Runo." he informed her.
"Okay." Runo replied. "Gate Card, open!" "Warp Gate!"
"Sweet." Dan remarked as Tigrerra and Centorrior were teleported to where he was. "We got the home field advantage."
"Where are you going, Drago?" Druman asked as Drago lured him over.
"Right here." Drago answered, stopping beside Tigrerra and slammed Druman into the ground.
"Gate Card, open!" came Dan's next instruction. "Energy Merge!"
"Prepare yourself, Tigrerra." Drago told the Haos tiger. "Dan and Runo are about to try something."
"Can you hear me, Runo?" Dan shouted over the Baku-pod.
"Yeah, I hear you Dan." Runo hollered. "But it's not like I can just zap myself over there in an instant, can I?"
"Take your time, Runo." Tigrerra assured. "These blades will keep our old friend busy until you get here."
"Velocity Fang!" she charged at Druman.
"That's what you think." Druman smirked. "Dark Eyes Superior!"
"Vortex Dark Nova!" Centorrior fired his blast into the sky after Druman's Darkus energy dispelled Tigrerra's blades. Drago managed to dodge the rain of energy beams.
In Wellington Tower...
"We haven't seen Alice for at least two days." Marucho replied. "After her battle with Rabeeder, she just disappeared, but that's Alice for you. She's here one minute and gone the next."
"I went to her grandfather's mansion but she wasn't there either." Klaus remarked. "I hope she's alright. Maybe we should split up into groups and go look for her."
"You're pretty worried about her, aren't you?" Joe teased. "What's up, Klaus?"
"Well, if you must know." Klaus replied. "Unlike you Joe, I am a gentleman. See, I just want to make sure she made it home alright, okay?"
"Marucho, this is Kato." Marucho's Baku-pod rang. "Come in."
"Oh yes, Kato?" Marucho blinked.
"Kato?" Julie echoed. "How come we can hear you but we can't see you?"
"It's probably just a momentarily transmission disturbance." Kato replied. "It will pass."
"What do you want to tell us, Kato?" Marucho asked.
"Well, I'm afraid Dan and Runo are in serious trouble." Kato reported. "I can't explain now, but you must help them before it's too late. There's no time to waste."
"Dan's in trouble!" Julie panicked.
"What are we all waiting around here for?" Angelo pressed. "Help is on the way! Come on, who's with me?"
"I am." Marucho replied. "But we can't all go in. Someone's to stay behind to look after Eva and Wavern. We have to protect them. They have the Infinity Core and the Purity Gem."
"Don't worry, Marucho." Kato assured. "Shun, Komba and Julio have just finished their battle and they're right outside Wellington Tower as we speak. I'll call them and tell them to go to Dan and Runo's aid right away."
"Let's move it!" Shun instructed, the three heading for Wellington Tower. "I'm worried about Eva and Wavern."
"Shun, come in." Kato came over his Baku-pod. "This is Kato. Dan and Runo are in a tough spot. Can you go to the city park immediately and help them? Please hurry, they're in great danger."
"But what about Eva and Wavern?" Shun asked.
"Not to worry, Eva and Wavern are in good hands. Marucho and the others have made sure they're well-protected. They're at the top of Wellington Tower." Kato replied.
"I understand." Shun frowned. "Tell Dan and Runo I'll be there in a minute."
Elsewhere in a phone booth...
Hal-G chuckled after he had sent the fake message.
"Thank you very much, Shun." he laughed. "You don't know how much I appreciate this. Time to play."
"Grandfather!" Alice shouted. "Grandfather! Grandfather!"
In a dark alley, Hal-G chuckled and stumbled out in Micheal's body.
"Grandfather!" Alice hurried to his side. "Grandfather, wake up!"
"Alice." Micheal looked at her. "What happened? Where am I?"
"I don't know." Alice replied. "I just turned away for a second and you were gone."
"I don't remember." Micheal remarked. "I don't remember anything!"
He really seems lost and confused. Alice mused. He must have been overpowered by Hal-G, just like the way Masquerade took me over.
"You'll be alright, grandfather." she assured. "You'll see. If we get Eva to expose you to her healing aura, I'm sure that'll make you feel better."
"Come on, let's go to Wellington Tower." she helped him to his feet, unaware that Hal-G had only given Micheal temporal control.
In Wellington Tower...
"I have something to tell you, Joe." Eva started. "It's very important."
"What is it, Eva?" Joe asked.
"My species of Bakugan are very rare." Wavern continued where Eva left off. "We only have s short life-span."
"Sure, I know that." Joe replied. "And Naga knows it as well. That's why he really needs you. He wants the Infinity Core."
"Yes, he wants its power all for himself." Eva sighed. "But Wavern doesn't have much time left."
"I fear I"m growing weaker and weaker with every passing day." Wavern added. "And I know Naga is getting closer."
"Don't talk like that!" Joe scolded. "Why don't you use the Infinity Core's positive energy to make yourself stronger? Do it now, and you'll feel better, Wavern."
"I can't do that." Wavern objected. "The positive energy's light gives life to everything around it. It will be wasteful to use it on myself. No Joe, I can't do that."
"But, Wavern..." Joe protested. "You have to take care of yourself."
"Alice, you've decided to come back." Joe turned to see Alice enter the observation deck.
"Doctor Micheal?" he frowned.
In the park...
"Now go, Drago!" Dan instructed.
"Boosted Dragon!" Drago released his attack.
"Not so fast." Druman replied. "Pyrus Reflector!"
"Tigrerra!" Runo urged her partner on as Tigrerra fought Centorrior on the ground. "Watch out!"
"Infernal Shield!" Centorrior used his cape to block Tigrerra's assault, sending the Haos tiger flying backwards.
"Oh no!" Runo gasped.
"They seem to be more powerful than before." Drago noted.
"But how can that be?" Tigrerra inquired.
"Vortex Dark Flame!" Druman released his attack.
"Boosted Ultima!" Drago countered with his own attack.
"You need backup?" Marucho asked as the group hurried to the battlefield.
"Yeah, sure." Dan replied. "Thanks a lot."
"Come on guys!" Marucho told the rest of the group. "We're on!"
"Bakugan, roll!" the group chorused.
"So, this is what it feels like to be in the winner circle." Sirenoid noted.
"Give up!" Drago advised. "You're outnumbered. You can't win."
"I say we've got this one all wrapped up." Dan agreed.
"A battle between us Bakugan now will be meaningless." Drago reasoned. "Snap out of Naga's spell and go back to Vestroia where you belong."
"We don't take orders from you, Drago." Druman growled.
"Come on, get real! These Bakugan will shred you if you go up against them!" Dan exclaimed.
"I think you're forgetting something, my young friend." Druman chuckled.
"What's that?" Dan demanded.
"This could be another trap." Marucho noted.
In Wellington Tower...
"I'm very worried about my grandfather." Alice told Eva. "He can turn into Hal-G again at any moment. Please, help him. I'm sure your healing aura will keep him under control, just like you helped me keep Masquerade under control before. It's the only chance he has."
"Wait!" Wavern exclaimed. "Something's wrong!"
"What is it, Wavern?" Joe asked.
"I feel the Infinity Core inside of me being pulled towards the power of the Silent Core." Wavern replied.
"That could only mean Naga is nearby." Eva winced, feeling the tug at the Purity Gem.
"Naga!" Joe retorted.
"Grandfather!" Alice looked at her chuckling grandfather as she and Joe stood before the two females.
"Oh no!" she gasped, realizing what had happened. "He's becoming Hal-G again!"
"Please Eva." she turned to the girl. "My grandfather needs your help."
"No!" Wavern gaped. "Naga is too close!"
In the park...
"Hold on." Julio looked at Billy. "Weren't you supposed to be protecting the Infinity Core and the Purity Gem over at Wellington Tower?"
"Sorry, I think that was your job." Billy replied.
"Say that?" Julio exclaimed.
"Hey, Kato said that..." Marucho trailed off and called Kato on his Baku-pod. "Kato, come in. can you hear me?"
"I'm here, sir." Kato popped out onscreen. "What seems to be the problem, Master Marucho?"
"I'm not sure, but tell me. Did you contact me earlier this afternoon, Kato?" Marucho asked.
"No sir." Kato replied. "I've been in the bath all day."
"Oh no! Eva! Wavern!" Marucho exclaimed, realizing their error.
In Wellington Tower...
"Grandfather, hold on!" Alice urged. "Don't let Hal-G take you over."
"Doctor Micheal's not in right now." Hal-G droned. "Please leave a message."
"My dear!" he laughed. "You helped me more than you'll ever know."
"Hal-G!" he declared, switching back to Hal-G.
"Everything has led to this moment." he opened his palm to reveal Naga's ball.
"Naga!" Eva exclaimed in horror.
"Bakugan, roll!" Hal-G tossed the ball.
In the park...
"What's that?" Julie asked as Naga burst out of the Tower in his full form.
"Something's happening at the Tower." Dan replied. "Oh great! Is that who I think it is?"
"Naga!" Marucho exclaimed.
Above Wellington Tower...
"Eva, Wavern, I'm so sorry." Alice apologized.
In the park...
"Look, Drago!" Tigrerra shouted.
"I see." Drago noted in realization.
Above Wellington Tower...
"It's so good to see you again, Wavern, Princess." Naga greeted. "It's been such a long time."
In the park...
"Naga..." Dan muttered.
"That's him." Runo remarked. "We're done for."
Above Wellington Tower...
"I should have known you'd try something like this, Naga." Eva growled.
"Things couldn't have worked out better." Hal-G added. "Alice, you brought Master Naga right to Princess Eva and Wavern without even knowing it. And the whole time you thought I was your kindly old grandfather."
"You tricked me!" Alice exclaimed at the laughing Hal-G.
"So what?" Hal-G mocked. "Once Master Naga merges the Silent Core with the Infinity Core and the Purity Gem, nothing else will matter! He will become the Ultimate Bakugan! All will bow down before him, or feel his wrath!"
"Give me the Infinity Core and the Purity Gem, Wavern, Princess!" Naga demanded.
"Never!" the two females snapped.
In the park...
"We're too late!" Billy exclaimed.
"Drago, did you remember when you said there was no way we can win this battle?" Centorrior mocked. "Looks like you were wrong."
"Our mission was never to beat you anyway." Druman added. "We were playing with you all along, just long enough for Master Naga to get his claws on the Infinity Core and the Purity Gem. And I'd say we succeeded."
"No!" Drago remarked. "I won't let that happen!"
"Vortex Energy Drain!" Centorrior summoned a forcefield that kept the group in. "No one leaves this battle area until Master Naga gets what he came for. Face it, Drago, you've lost. The universe will change and Bakugan like you, will become nothing more than distant memories."
Above Wellington Tower...
"Don't make this harder than it has to be." Naga faced the two females as Wavern placed Joe and Alice onto the ground. "Give me the Infinity Core and the Purity Gem, Wavern, Princess!"
"I said no!" Eva hissed as Wavern took to the skies.
"I was always the stronger one." Naga looked at the two. "I deserve this power. Let me have it or I'll take it from you!"
"Not so fast, Naga!" Shun barked.
"Whirlwind Lightning Sword!" Skyress released her attack, only to have Naga block it with his wing.
"Shun!" Hal-G looked over at the ninja. "What are you doing here?"
"I thought you were impersonating Kato." Shun replied. "Yeah, nice try. Once I realized that, I pretended to be tricked like all the others. But I wasn't about to let you get away with it."
"How did you know?" Hal-G growled.
"Kato has good manners." Shun replied. "And calls Marucho, Master Marucho. That's where you went wrong!"
"You little brat!" Hal-G fumed.
"Give me then Infinity Core and the Purity Gem!" Naga demanded.
"Wavern, Princess." Skyress flew in between them. "Let me battle him. You're too weak right now."
"Thank you Skyress." Wavern replied. "I could use a rest."
"Eva, leave this to us." Shun told the girl on Wavern.
"Are you sure?" Eva blinked, uncertainly.
"Trust me." Shun winked, causing Eva to blush.
"Naga, you're not welcome in this world." Skyress growled. "Now, go away!"
"Don't you know that if you get in my way, I will have to destroy you!" Naga hollered.
"Right, let's go!" Shun called.
"Destruction Meteor Storm!" Skyress released her attack.
"Cycuria Shield!" Naga nullified the attack.
"Oh no, he got them!" Joe gasped.
"No!" Alice exclaimed.
"Hang on, Shun!" Skyress caught her partner.
"We failed." Shun remarked. "I don't understand it. Storm Skyress, you had no effect on him at all."
"Naga is too powerful." Skyress admitted.
"But what now?" Alice muttered.
"It's bad." Joe agreed. "We'll lose this. If no one can stop Naga from getting to Eva and Wavern, then it's all over."
"I caused all this." Alice remarked. "So I'm the only one who can put an end to it now."
"Hey!" Joe struggled against Hal-G's grip.
"No, grandfather!" Alice protested. "No!"
"Get back!" Hal-G blasted her off.
"Alice!" Joe gasped.
"Hold still!" Hal-G warned. "I'm going to make a little trade, boy. You for the Infinity Core and the Purity Gem. So Eva, Wavern, what do you say? Is it a deal or not?"
"Joe!" Wavern gaped.
"Let him go, Hal-G!" Shun demanded.
"Darkus Riot!" Naga released his attack.
"There's nothing in my way now, sister, Princess." he told the two after blowing Skyress and Shun off. "Why don't you two make it easy on yourself and give me what I want?"
"You are still my charge, Naga." Eva snapped. "But I will battle you to the bitter end if I have to!"
"Hey Chan!" Joe beamed after Chan Lee knocked Hal-G off him. "You're just in time."
"Well, I didn't want to miss out on all the fun." Chan Lee returned his smile.
"Bakugan, roll!" she released her Fourtress. "Fourtress, show him what you've got!"
In the park...
"Ability Card activate!" Billy pulled out an Ability Card. "Right Giganty!"
"Let me at them!" Cycloid growled.
"You must be joking." Druman scoffed, dodging the hammer attack.
"Ability activate!" Julio pulled out an Ability Card. "Mega Flare Blinder!"
"Is that it?" Centorrior mocked, blocking the attack with his cape. "Or do you humans let the Bakugan fight all your battles for you?"
"This bites!" Dan fumed. "Eva and Wavern are in trouble and we're stuck here! If we lose to Naga now, and it's all over. We'll lose everything!"
SailorStar9: This chapter is down! And the in next two chapters, the final battle. Now that's done, read and review.