Okay, Chapter 4, the moment you've all been waiting for. Sorry for the late reply, with all the assessments that have been piled up I couldn't get any writing done. But now, those are finally over (for now that is) so I spent all my free time getting this chapter done for all you anxious reader who couldn't wait any second longer to read this. So, without further adieu:
Chapter 4: It's only the Beginning...
School was finally over at Bayview Academy, with many children rushing out of the school doors to get back to their original lives. Theodore and Chinatsu were somewhere in the middle of the crowd, trying to get through the school doors while also trying not to get trampled on by the many students behind them. They finally managed to break free and before long they were walking down the sidewalk towards their respective houses.
"That white-haired girl was really weird. Why did she want to take our bakugan anyways?" Chinatsu said.
"I'm not really sure, although this is the second time I've encountered her. We're just lucky that we didn't lose our bakugan's attribute energy, or else this would've been the end of our brawling days" Theodore said, sticking his hands in his pockets.
"What do you mean by our bakugan losing their attribute energy? Is that even possible? Have you heard about anything like that Lazuli-san?" Chinatsu said just as Lazuli jumped onto her shoulder.
"I've never heard of a card that could literally suck out the energy off a certain bakugan. It seems too mythical to be true" Lazuli spoke. "However, if this is true, then the energy could be used for two purposes: either the energy would be transferred to the bakugan that defeated its opponent, or the energy could be stored for a future purpose."
"Well, seeing as the girl hadn't gotten stronger since I last battled her, then it's probably the second option" Theodore said just as Sentinel had jumped onto his shoulder.
"OK, enough with the talk about that mysterious girl and all this mystic information. Let's get down to the real business, finding more opponents to battle!" Sentinel said cheerily flying around Theodore. "C'mon, I can't wait. Less talking, more brawling."
"Will you ever just take a break for one second? We've had two battles in less than 24 hours, and I could really use a nap right now. All that battling is making me tired" Theodore yawned, stretching his arms.
"How is it that you're tired when we've been doing all the fighting?" Lazuli said. "Nevermind, there would be no point in arguing with an inferior being like you. It would be best if we all have some time off brawling, it will give us more energy for upcoming battles."
"I agree with Lazuli's idea. If we rest now, we won't be psyched out when we battle more opponents... Wait a second, what do you mean by 'inferior being'? I'm like ten times taller than you!" Theodore yelled.
"That's only on Earth, you simpleton. If I were in my normal form, I would've squashed you like I bug" Lazuli said sternly. Theodore only sighed angrily in return, knowing he'd only be making a fool out of himself if he continued on with the argument.
"Rest? Resting is for the weak. I say we find the nearest brawler and show him who's bakugan is boss. So, who's with me?" Sentinel said triumphantly.
"No one" the rest responded.
"What, seriously? You guys really know how to cramp a bakugan's style" Sentinel whined.
"Don't worry dude, there'll be other chances. Maybe tomorrow... in two days... in a week... in a month... Either way, the less you whine, the more brawling you'll get to later" Theodore said. The rest of the journey was spent in silence, occasionally Sentinel would jump in about how he wanted to battle but everyone else would ignore him and move on. It wasn't long before they reached the park, where they both parted in different directions, Chinatsu heading straight down the sidewalk while Theodore took a right turn towards his house.
Theodore was only a few blocks away from his house. He walked down the street, which was surprisingly silent despite it being rush hour. The only noise being made was of a bird soaring over him. It was way too quiet, and he had this strange feeling that he was being watched. He heard footsteps behind him, but when he turned around there wasn't a person in sight. Thinking he was being paranoid, he turned around, only to find himself face to face with a strange girl. Startled by the strange appearance of the girl, he fell to the floor, landing with a loud thud as his body hit the ground.
"You know, it's not very polite to scare people who still have a few years to live" Theodore joked as he got to his feet. The girl had short green hair that was tied back to a ponytail and purple eyes. She wore a red t-shirt with blue shorts and orange and black sneakers. A fingerless glove was worn on her left arm, while a clash of bracelets were worn on the other. A brown gauntlet was equipped onto her arm.
"I didn't come here to pity you, I came here to battle you" the strange girl said. "I heard you beat Flare, which is quite surprising seeing as she's of a higher rank than you, but I came here to test you, to see how powerful you really are."
"Flare... You mean that white haired girl that almost tried to take my bakugan? If you know her, then you're probably working with her. I appreciate the offer, but my bakugan aren't for the taking" Theodore said, walking past her.
"Hey, you're just turning down a battle request like that? How do expect to become a stronger brawler if you always keep refusing to battle?" Sentinel groaned.
"It looks like your bakugan has a different approach to this than you. If I were you, I'd listen to your bakugan. You won't become stronger if you don't battle" the girl smiled. "So, what's it going to be? Are we going to have a lame conversation or are we going to get down to business?" The girl pulled out a brown bakugan with light brown accents.
'If I don't accept the challenge, this girl might keep challenging me until I die, and I might lose the only guardian bakugan I ever had. But if I battle this girl, she might end up taking Sentinel...' Theodore thought. Finally coming up with a final decision, he pulled out his gauntlet and turned to face her.
"Let's get this battle started" Theodore smiled.
"Gauntlet Power Strike!" they both yelled.
Chinatsu sprinted past a small flower shop as she continued on her journey home. She was worried her parents might shout at her if she arrived home late. Since her parents kept pushing her to become a doctor, she wasn't allowed any free time. Most of her time was either spent studying Biochemistry, or doing her homework. The only time she got to brawl was during school or when she was meant to be doing her extracurricular activities, but it was getting harder to keep her family and brawling life in one piece. She looked down at her watch, which read 12:05. Her parents wanted her home by 12:08, any second later would be dealt with a harsh argument followed by her grounding.
Chinatsu knew she wouldn't make it to her home in time. She had the same problem a few years back, but having a friend like Theodore did have some benefits. Because of him, she knew all the fastest shortcuts that could get her home in time. She cut into a small alleyway in the middle of a bank and a phone bureau, which led her to a long street where her house was located. She passed by a few houses before she reached hers. It wasn't that special. The house was painted white and purple and had two floors. A small garden could be seen to the left of the entrance. Chinatsu spotted a note left on the door and quickly pulled it off. It read: "Gone to see your Grandmother. Be back in a few hours."
"Great, I've rushed here for nothing. This was a total waste of time" Chinatsu sighed as she sat on the balcony.
"I agree, chasing you down for this long, and this is the only time I get to actually introduce myself" a strange voice said. Chinatsu looked forward to see a tall raven haired boy standing on the fence of her house. He wore a red checked shirt with green shorts and black vans. He had emerald green eyes that had a slight edge to them. A thin black iris could be spotted in the middle of his eyes.
"And who are you exactly?" Chinatsu asked.
"The name's Atticus Rosen, and I'm here to take your bakugan" Atticus said, flashing a mischievous smile.
"Seriously, what is up with brawlers today and taking other people's bakugan these days?" Chinatsu said.
"It's fun watching your opponent lose everything they ever dreamed of having right in front of your eyes" Atticus said, somersaulting off the wall and pulling out a blue and white gauntlet from his pockets. "So, are you ready to lose your bakugan to the 6th ranked brawler?"
Chinatsu pulled out her gauntlet and equipped it onto her arm. "I'm not battling you for my own personal gain, I want to see that look on your face when you lose to someone who is of a lower rank than you."
"You've got some real guts, kitten. Unfortunately for you, that's not going to help you in this case" Atticus said.
"Let's take this somewhere else. I don't want my parents finding their house half destroyed" Chinatsu said.
"So, what battlefield do you have in mind?" Atticus smiled as he folded his arms.
"Silent Card, set!" the girl said, throwing a purple card-similar to the white haired girl's-onto the ground.
"Hey, what's up with that card anyways?" Theodore asked.
"I said I'd battle you, I never said it would be fair. Gate card set!" the girl smiled as she threw down a Subterra gate card. "Bakugan brawl! Saberus, stand!" Saberus resembled a sabertooth tiger that stood on all fours. It had light brown fur and had sharp claws. Light brown spikes stuck out on it's back. It's canine teeth were metallic. It's tail was spiked on the end.
"Hmm, a wildcat eh? It shouldn't be too hard to handle. What do you think, Sentinel?"
"I say we show this cat who's the real king of the jungle" Sentinel said.
"Couldn't have said it any better myself. Bakugan brawl! Sentinel stand!"
Saberus: 950 Sentinel: 700
"First, let's even up the odds. Ability Activate! Undead Power!" Theodore shouted. Dark clouds appeared over the battlefield, the sound of the roaring thunder breaking the silence. A fury of purple lightning bolts shot down from the clouds onto Sentinel, increasing his G-Power by 300Gs.
"If you think that's going to stop Saberus, then I'm surprised you beat Flare in the first place. Ability Activate! Superior Subterra!" Saberus's body began to glow bright brown, before slowly dying out, but this time Saberus's claws and spikes were metallic and her eyes were now glowing brown.
Saberus: 1450 Sentinel: 1000
"And if you think that changing your bakugan's ability is going to stop me and Sentinel, then you're sorely mistaken. Ability Activate! Darkening Glow!" Sentinel generated a bolt of purple energy into his hands and aimed it at Saberus. Arrow-like tendrils shot out from the energy ball towards Saberus, who dodged them with ease.
"Ability Activate... Sandstorm Ferocity!" A harsh sandstorm formed on the battlefield, rendering Sentinel's ability to see. Saberus charged forward at lightning speed, attacking Sentinel from all sides. Sentinel's G-Power slowly decreased by 50Gs for every hit.
"Theodore, do something. I'm not sure how long I can take this" Sentinel shouted as he tried, and failed, to dodge Saberus's attacks.
"Hang in there, buddy. Double Ability Activate! Tornado Missile..." Large tornados appeared around Sentinel, clearing away the mist and exposing Saberus, who was now charging forward at Sentinel. "plus Angelic Storm!" Sentinel's body was concealed in a blinding white aura, which was then formed into a spiky oval disc into his hand. He shot it at Saberus, who tried to dodge the attack, but got hit in the chest before it could move away. Saberus fell to the ground, but slowly got back up to it's feet, covered in small cuts and bruises.
Saberus: 1350 Sentinel: 1400
"A fifty G difference... How do you expect to beat me if your bakugan is no where near the power of mine?" the girl said.
"Don't worry, that's all going to change soon..." Theodore said as he pulled out an ability card from his pile and slotted it into his gauntlet.
"A power plant, eh? You've really outdone yourself. Now I have some fireworks for when I beat you!" Atticus said cheerily.
"An abandoned power plant. I usually use this for practice, but I guess I could use it to defeat you" Chinatsu said as she pulled out her attribute card, Atticus following her lead.
"Gauntlet Power Strike!" they both yelled, time slowly slowing down around them.
"Gate card set!" Atticus said, throwing down a blue Aquos gate card onto the ground. "Let's make this fun, shall we? Bakugan brawl! Bakugan stand! Go Aquos Zerrilius!" Zerrilius was a serpent like bakugan with blue scales and had snakes for arms. It had a design of snake face on it's chest. It's green eyes stared venomously at Chinatsu, before letting out a loud hiss.
"It'sssss been a while ssssssince I've battled a bakugan before. Let'sssssss sssssssee how sssssstrong your bakugan isssssssss" Zerillius hissed.
"Bakugan brawl! Haos Lazuli, stand!" Chinatsu said as the threw Lazuli onto the gate card.
Zerrilius: 800 Lazuli: 750
"Ability Activate! Electro Slash!" Lazuli's claws slightly grow out, surrounding them were yellow electric sparks. She charged forward, slashing her claws at Zerillius.
"Ability Activate... Metal Fang" Atticus said, pretending to yawn as if he was bored. Zerrilius's scales became metallic, and Lazuli's attack didn't seem to inflict any damage as it bashed into Zerrilius's scales. The electric sparks on Lazuli's claws seeped into the metallic scales, and Lazuli's scaled reverted to their normal state.
Zerrilius: 1200 Lazuli: 450
"How is it that your bakugan's G-Power increased by mine decreased? After all, all your bakugan did was defend Lazuli-san's attack" Chinatsu said.
"Metal Fang not only defends Zerrilius from any physical attacks and adds 100Gs to him, but also absorbs the attack from any ability acting against it and does the reverse from the ability's intention. In short, your ability did the reverse of what you wanted it do" Atticus said.
"A sneaky trick, but that won't be enough to defeat me" Lazuli said.
"You sssssure about that?" Zerrilius asked.
"Now it's my turn to attack. Ability Activate! Venom Stream!" Zerrilius shot out a jet of acidic water from his three heads towards Lazuli. Lazuli jumped over the attack, but didn't have enough time to react as Zerrilius shot another jet of acidic water at her. Lazuli fell to the ground, covered in multiple cuts and burns.
Zerrilius: 1400 Lazuli: 250
"Chinatsu, do something. One more attack, and I'm toast" Lazuli growled.
"I'm on it, Lazuli-san. Looks like we need some help. Come Bakugan Trap, Fencer!" Fencer was a golden sword with thin arms which held a sword and a circular shield.
Zerrilius: 1400 Lazuli/Fencer: 600
"Now it's time to turn the tides... Double Ability Activate! Electroburst..." Lazuli shot out a blast of light blue electricity from her mouth, which Zerrilius easily evaded. "plus Sword Ravager!" While Zerrilius was distracted, Fencer charged forward, slashing his sword at Zerrilius who could do nothing but receive the pain being inflicted upon him.
Zerrilius: 1000 Lazuli/Fencer: 1050
"So, you finally managed to catch up, but now it's time to end this battle. Double Ability Activate! Viper's Cry..." Zerrilius spit out venom from it's mouth which landed on Fencer. Fencer returned to it's ball form before landing at Chinatsu feet. "plus Spitfire!" Zerrilius shot out a blast of green water towards Lazuli, which sent her spiraling to the ground. Lazuli glowed yellow before landing at Chinatsu's feet.
Zerrilius: 1300 Lazuli: 500(K.O)
Chinatsu life force, 20 percent.
"This was all too easy" Atticus said as he Zerrilius landed onto his palm. "With your current form and your life gauge pretty low, I doubt you would be able to fend off for yourself in the second round."
Chinatsu picked up Lazuli from the ground and turned to face Atticus. "You're the one who challenged me in the first place, so I want to battle you to the end, no matter if I win or lose."
"If you say so, but don't think I'll give you any mercy just because you have a low life gauge."
"Didn't think of it. Gate card set! Bakugan brawl... Bakugan stand! Let's win this Haos Lazuli!" Chinatsu said as threw Lazuli onto the gate card.
"Bakugan brawl! Bakugan stand! Let's finish this Aquos Zerrilius!" Atticus said as he threw Zerrilius onto the gate card.
"Ability Activate! Feline Beauty!"
"Ability Activate! Aerial Ace!"
Saberus's claws were covered in a brown aura and she slashed them at Sentinel, who used Aerial Ace to dodge all the attacks. Saberus was panting heavily as she tried to keep herself onto her feet, while Sentinel stood calmly a few feet in front of her, untouched by any of her attacks.
"Let's finish this Theodore" Sentinel said.
"Right, Ability Activate! Ventus Night!" The battlefield was concealed in darkness. Sentinel's fists were covered in a flaming green and purple aura, and he charged forward at miraculous speed, aiming rapid punches and kicks at Saberus. Saberus glowed bright orange before landing at the girl's feet. The girl's life force dropped to 10 percent.
Saberus: 1200(K.O) Sentinel: 2000
"You're not so tough, I'm surprised I was even scared of battling you" Theodore smiled.
"Don't get your hoes up high, there's still a chance I can beat you" the girl said.
"Yeah, right. Like that will ever happen. Your life gauge has dropped to 10 percent, and from the display of the previous battle, it's obvious who's going to come out victorious.''
''Heh, that's right keep talking. Maybe I can pysch him out so I have an advantage of winning this'' the girl whispered to herself.
"Let's get this over with already. Gate card set. Bakugan brawl! Bakugan stand! Let's end this battle once and for all Darktus Sentinel!"
"Bakugan brawl! Bakugan stand! Let me show you the true power of my Subterra Saberus."
Sentinel: 700 Saberus: 950
"Ability Activate! Pearl Mirror!" the girl shouted. Reflective barriers appeared around Sentinel like a cage.
"You think that's going to stop me? Ability Activate! Darkening Glow!" Sentinel shot out arrow like tendrils from his hands, but all they did was pass through the barrier and hit him from behind. Sentinel tried to use Darkening Glow again, but it ended up with the same results, this time reflecting off one of the mirrors in the corner.
Sentinel: 800 Saberus: 1050
"Pearl Mirror is an ability that not only traps your bakugan in a mirror-like barrier, but it also reflects any attack back at the opponent. How do you like that?" the girl smirked.
"If I can't use any of my abilities to get out, then I'll just do this. Gate card, open!" Theodore shouted, but the gate card still remained motionless. "What, how come my gate card won't open?"
"I forgot to mention. Pearl Mirror not only reflects your abilities but also stops you from activating your gate card. Now do you think I'm useless?" the girl said, but didn't give Theodore a chance to respond as she slotted a ability card into her gauntlet. "Ability Activate! Wild Burst Assault!" Saberus's claws were covered in a brown aura, and she charged forward, her body fazing through the barrier as she slashed her claws at Sentinel. Sentinel began to glow green before returning to his ball form before landing at Theodore's feet.
Sentinel: 800(K.O.) Saberus: 1550
Theodore life force, 25 percent.
"Looks like your bakugan isn't so tough after all" Saberus said just before she returned to her ball form and landed in the girl's hands.
"I guess I underestimated you. You're not as weak as I thought you were, but just because you beat me this time doesn't mean that I'm giving up!" Theodore said.
"Determination, I like that. It wouldn't be that fun beating you unless you actually tried. Gate card set!" the girl said, throwing down her gate card. "Bakugan brawl! Bakugan stand! It's time to finish this Saberus!"
"Bakugan brawl! Bakugan stand! We better not lose this one Sentinel!" Theodore said.
Saberus: 950 Sentinel: 700
"Ability Activate! Undead Power!" Theodore said, slotting the ability card into his gauntlet. Dark clouds covered the clear blue skies, thunder roaring over the battlefield. Purple lightning shot down from above, filling Sentinel with destructive energy, increasing his G-Power by 300.
"Ability Activate! Superior Subterra!" the girl shouted. Saberus's body began to glow bright orange before dying out. Saberus's claws became metallic and her eyes were glowing brown. Saberus's G-Power rose up to 1450Gs.
"Ability Activate! Angelic Storm!" Sentinel's body was concealed in a barrier of white aura, which was generated into his palm to form a spiky oval-like disc. Without wasting any time, Sentinel launched the disc at Saberus.
Saberus: 1250 Sentinel: 1350
"This is too easy. Ability Activate! Sandstorm Ferocity!" The battlefield slowly changed to a harsh desert scenery, and before long a sandstorm kicked in. Saberus charged forward, swinging its claws wildly at Sentinel as she hoped to disorient him.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm ready for it this time! Ability Activate, Tornado Missile!" Thick tornadoes spun around the battlefield, clearing away all the sand, cancelling out the ability. "Now, Ability Activate! Aerial Ace!" Sentinel leapt into the air at lightning speed, striking Saberus with rapid kicks which Saberus wasn't able to dodge. Saberus's Gs slowly dropped after every hit.
Saberus: 1150 Sentinel: 1450
"Time to finish this! Triple Ability Activate... Darkening Glow..." Sentinel's body began to glow a white bright light, blinding Saberus. "plus Ventus Night..." the battlefield was blanketed in darkness, the only light was the dim white light of Sentinel's glowing body. "and Fusion Ability: Shadow Assault!" Sentinel began to glow bright white, before returning to his ball form and being replaced by Ravenoid.
Saberus: 1050 Ravenoid: 1850
"What? How is it that your bakugan was replaced with another bakugan but still entered with the same amount of Gs?" the girl asked, surprised by the new ability.
"Fusion Ability: Shadow Assault allows me to switch Sentinel out with another bakugan, but it enters at the same amount of Gs Sentinel left with. Now for the final touch, Double Ability Activate! Wind Resistance plus Piercing Storm!" Ravenoid began to glow fiery green as large tornados filled the battlefield. Ravenoid grabbed Saberus from behind at blinding speed and flew off the ground, before soaring down to the ground while spinning in a vortex.
"A triple ability followed by a double ability?! What kind of power is this?" the girl asked, shocked. Ravenoid let go of Saberus at the last second before plummeting to the ground. Saberus began to glow bright brown before landing at the girl's feet. The girl's life meter fell down to 0 percent.
Saberus: 1050(K.O) Ravenoid: 2020
"Look's like you are quite powerful. You finished me off in a flash before I had a chance to counter" the girl smiled as she picked up her bakugan from the ground. "It was fun battling with you. By the way, the name's Elise. I hope I get to battle you again the next time we cross paths."
Elise, like the white-haired girl, then disappeared from Theodore's peripheral vision, and Theodore was left standing in the park. Sentinel opened up in his palm. Even though he won the battle, he had learned his lesson. He and Sentinel won't become stronger if they don't battle. "What do you say we go find some more brawlers to battle?" Theodore asked, smiling.
"I thought you'd never ask."
"Ability Activate! Venom Stream!" Zerrilius shot out a beam of acidic water towards Lazuli.
"Ability Activate! Jungle Spirit!" Lazuli dodged the beam of water with ease, before charging forward at unbelievable speed and attacking Zerrilius with numerous kicks and scratches.
Lazuli: 650 Zerrilius: 900
"Keep it up, Lazuli-san. Ability Activate, Diamond Fangs!" Lazuli's sabertooth fangs and claws turned into diamond, and she bit into Zerrilius's side before scratching him in the face. Zerrilius stumbled back as it cried out in pain.
"Huh, so you aren't as weak as I thought you'd be. But this battle ends here. Double Ability Activate! Spitfire plus Venom Stream!" Zerrilius shot out two beams of acidic water and green poisonous water, which merged into one just before they hit Lazuli, knocking her to the ground.
Lazuli: 150 Zerrilius: 1000
"That's it, I'm done for. There's no way I can win this match" Chinatsu said, hanging her head down low.
"D-don't give up, Chinatsu. If there's anything I've learnt from being your partner, is that you never give up, even when it seems that all hope is lost" Lazuli said as she slowly got up from her knees.
"You're right, Lazuli-san. There's no point in me giving up now if, it'll just increase his satisfaction" Chinatsu said, determined. "Now, let's show this guy the true power of the Haos Attribute. Bakugan Trap Fencer, come out!"
Lazuli/Fencer: 500 Zerrilius: 1000
"Now let's end this battle once and for all. Triple Ability Activate! Electro Burst..." Lazuli shot a ball of light blue electricity towards Zerrilius, who tried to dodge it but in his injured state from Lazuli's last attack it was nearly impossible. Zerrilius stood frozen from the blast, completely paralyzed. "plus Sword Ravager and Electro Slash!" Lazuli and Fencer attacked Zerrilius's paralyzed body, Lazuli attacking with her electric claws while Fencer swung its sword wildly at Zerrilius's head. Zerrilius glowed blue before landing in Chinatsu's hands.
Lazuli/Fencer: 1250 Zerrilius: 300(K.O)
Atticus Rosen life force, 0 percent. Winner, Chinatsu Tanaka.
"Yes, we did it, Lazuli-san. If you hadn't inspired me to get back up, I think I would've ended up losing you" Chinatsu said.
"Don't worry, you'll find that strength on your own someday" Lazuli said.
"What a great display of coordination and teamwork. Even though I lost, I always doubted that it would be that east defeating you" Atticus said as he held his hand up. Zerrilius glowed white before floating out of Chinatsu's hands and into his.
"What? Not again" Chinatsu whined.
"I'll be seeing you, our paths are destined to cross sometime" Atticus said, and like Elise, he too disappeared from Chinatsu's field of vision.
"Weird... Anyways, we should be getting back home. Mom and Dad are probably coming back so I don't want to get into any trouble" Chinatsu said worryingly as she broke into a run towards her house.
Wow, I finally got this chapter done. I was procrastinating for the past two weeks about finish this, but after all the PMs I got about updating this fanfic, I finally got to work. A big thanks to all those people who sent me their characters. If they have showed up, they've been a great help. If they haven't, they'll be used for a major plot scene. In the next chapter? Maybe, maybe not. It all depends on the reviews from now own. Until then, Skyrider is out! Deuces!