The invasion of the Gundalians has been thwarted as the enemy were forced to retreat to their home planet. Ash and his Bakugans managed to drive away their forces with the power of the Unity. Both he and Drago combined and unleashed an enormous blazing power that took them all out.

Now, after the invasion was thwarted and a day had come and passed. Our attention is upon the Kingdom of Neathia where we find Ash currently recuperating in a medical room within the castle.

Ash lies on the bed as he is sound asleep before he groans and wakes up after resting his drained strength which is the result of the battle.

"Where?" Ash groaned as he slowly sits up on the bed. He held a hand to his head and rubbed it a few times. "What happened?"

As Ash wonders what was going on, he sees his Bakugan partners hopping onto his bed from the side.

"Take it easy, Ash." Drago told the young man. "you still need some rest."

"What happened?" Ash asks as he looks at his partner Bakugans who came jumping onto his lap.

"You overused your strength when you United with Drago." Linehalt spoke out. "You managed to push away the Gundalians and forced them to retreat, but in result, you went down and slept for nearly three days."

"I guess I can feel that from my drowsed up head." Ash said while rubbing his forehead a few times. "How are things going when I was sleeping?"

"peaceful…for now." Phos replied.

"there ain't no sign of the Gundalians coming around, so we can call this a temporary moment of peace." Prision added in. "well, they might be planning something while their ships get fixed from all the damage we've done on them."

"for now, we must strategize for their coming while also trying our best to ensure further protection for the people of Neathia." Asgard stated as he turns and hops to a nearby opened window near Ash's bed. "The previous battle still has left fear in the hearts of the people after all."

The young Dragonar went and sees how that his room is in the castle but he also gets a view of the entire Neathia Kingdom that is currently getting its citizens building being rebuilt with the help of the kingdom's knights and their Bakugans.

"this feels like we're still back at Lautreamont, but minus the whole idea of there being Bakugans here then no Dragons." Ash said while Drago and the others came riding onto his shoulders.

"that's just one of the many major differences in a way." Drago stated before looking at Ash. "along with the fact that you're not always hunted by your lustful women."

"don't remind me." Ash said while looking a bit blue when he remembered his life after defeating Dharak. The days of him getting dragged to his room by his fiancees just came haunting his mind. "This is just one of the only few things that I can come and appreciate when coming here."

As Ash is chatting with his Bakugans, the door to the room was opened and Fabia along with Elright came walking in.

"Ash! You're awake!" Fabia said with a smile as she and Elright came walking to Ash's bed. The young man turning to greet them. "are you feeling alright?"

"yeah, now that I have rested." Ash replied while nodding. "how are things after that battle?"

"The Gundalians have retreated, and we have been making some progress over the time of the temporary peace." Elright stated with a nod. "as of now, we're just waiting while anticipating for when the enemy will come and attack."

"that's not something I would like to hear." Ash said with a slight frown. "have you guys made any reformation with the kingdom's military forces?"

"We have, but we're barely enough for an entire defense force." Elright replied. "the past invasion attacks have dwindled our numbers by a large number."

"but we can finally have a counterattack against the Gundalians." Fabia spoke out while sounding optimistic. "We were barely able to hold them off in the past but with Ash joining us in the fight we're now able to make a counterattack against them! I'm sure of it!"

"wouldn't count the chicks before they hatch, princess." Prision spoke out. "sure we can hold them back, but it's not like those guys are anything to be sneezed at."

"agreed. The Gundalians aren't to be underestimated." Asgard added in. "we were barely able to hold them off when we were facing their forces and their generals."

"Speaking of their generals, we were really pushed back by them." Ash said as he remembers the Gundalians Generals he fought against. "they had strong Bakugans with them and that Gate card thing.." he remembers how Gill threw a card to the field and used some unknown power that pinned down Drago and the others from moving or defending against Krakix's attack. The young man then looks at Fabia. "what was that Gate card thing? You used them before too, right? Fabia?"

"yes." The princess of Neathia replied while nodding. "I'm certain that you don't have such thing with you in your world, Ash." She then reaches to her back and takes out a whiteish gold gate card with the symbol of light that she handed to Ash to take. "Gate Card are known as Field Ability Cards that have various effects considering how they are used. Some are supportive to the Bakugan's while some are unsupportive."

"having some of these might've helped our fight against Dharak." Ash said while checking the gate card before returning it to Fabia and then looks at his partner Bakugans. "why don't we have gate cards?"

"we do, but we have never used them ever since we first manifested into your world." Drago replied before he hops onto a table nearby which has Ash's Gauntlet Shooter and Caser placed by. The red Bakugan hops onto the caser and then jumps on it once which made a hidden compartment to open up and several cards came flying out and floats in front of the young Dragonar's face. "but since you're asking, let's use them against the Gundalians."

"if you had them, then tell me." Ash said as he takes all the cards which were Gate Cards. "The Gundalians used just one of these and gave me such trouble when fighting them."

"then start learning how to use them." Phos told Ash. "along with learning who we are fighting against them."

"and don't think you can skip out on this!" Bulltican exclaimed. "you passed out after using Unity with Drago! You're getting weak after not training!"

"I got it." Ash replied before he looks at Fabia and Elright. "well…I guess I should start learning about the enemy."

"I guess so." Elright said with a smile after seeing the happy yet awkward conversation between Ash and his Bakugans. "are you well enough to walk?"

"I think so." Ash said as he slowly scooted to the bed's edge and laid his legs down to the floor then gets off the bed. The young man notices that he is only wearing a plain white shirt and white short. "just let me get changed first."

"Very well." Elright nodded as he and Fabia then leaves the room to give Ash some privacy.

"now where is my…" Ash looks around before he finds his uniform hanged on a coat nearby. "there they are."

While Ash is getting dressed, his partner Bakugans are on the bed discussing something.

"With this battle, it will come with many hardships." Linehalt spoke out. "and with it comes many sacrifices."

"you implying that we should tell him about our past?" Phos asks. "the boy will accept it with honesty and all, but let's tell him on a later and more private time."

"And when we're not with the likes of the Princess and all." Prision stated. "it'll be a pain if things go south on him and us at the same time."

"you don't need to tell him about your past if it is unnecessary." Drago spoke as he look at his brethren side to side. "sure I want him to truly understand our position and us, but we're still the Guardian Bakugans of Avalon, we're not who we are in the past."

"That is true." Linehalt nodded.

"But they say that the past is a burdening chain to oneself and that it always anchors that which is filled with guilt." Asgard said before looking at Ash who is stretching up his pants and then his top's sleeves. "there will come the time when Ash should learn about our respective pasts and our true self." He then looks at Bulltican. "especially yours, Bulltican."

"I know." Bulltican replied. "when the time comes and when I faced that man again. I'll put out the damn truth before it wrecks things up between him and the Princess."

"What are you guys talking about?" Ash came asking by as he went to the table and picks up his Gauntlet Shooter that he equips onto his left arm and then his caser which he attached to the side of his waist. "thinking of how to fight the Gundalian forces?"

"something like that." Drago replied as he and the other Bakugans hops and flew to ride on Ash's shoulders. "let's discuss some more as we go with the Princess and the Captain."

"Right." Ash nodded, oblivious to what his Bakugan partners were talking about.

With his attire changed and his equipment put on, Ash and his Bakugans leaves the room as they went outside to meet up with Fabia and Elright who were waiting on him. they chatted for a moment before they walked away.

In what looks to be a command center in the castle, many Castle knights were working on something with the help of hi-tech digital computers. The people checking on the Kingdom's borders, weapons, Bakugans, and also what appears to be a barrier that surrounds the very city.

Jake and Coredem are present in the room as they were talking to some staff members while watching a 3D map about the Kingdom's very borders.

As they conversed, the door to the room slides open for Elright to enter in and was followed by Ash and Fabia.

"Jake, how are things going?" Elright spoke out as the three went straight for Jake who turns and did a salute to them.

"yes! We have continuously monitored the Neathia airspace for any sudden interdimensional jump from the Gundalians!" Jake said before he turn and a screen appeared to show an image of the Neathia's planet scale along with several layers of its atmosphere. "currently, there's no signs of any movement from the Gundalian forces whatsoever."

"so they're still recuperating after the last battle?" Fabia said while checking the screen. "or perhaps they are planning something in the shadows?"

"Both are possible outcomes considering the circumstances." Coredem stated as the Subterra Bakugan is riding on Jake's shoulders. "but we are choosing the first considering how much damage was laid upon their war ships during the previous battle."

"We did went and did an all-out offensive on the attack." Ash noted and his Bakugans nodded in agreement.

"so with the enemy still recuperating after their failed attack, we should try and focus on getting things together in Neathia." Elright noted while crossing his arms. "for now, let's rebuilt the citizens' homes while putting up a guard for the kingdom itself."

"Roger!" Jake nodded before relaying the command to the staff who relayed them to every knight in Neathia.

"now then.." Elright went and started to do some tinkering with the screen by opening up a new image that showed several faces of the Gundalian Generals. "to another main subject of importance."

"what's this?" Jake asks while looking at Fabia.

"Although we have brought Ash here to help us in the battle, we have yet to inform him about the enemies' top fighters and such." Fabia replied as she and Jake looks at the screen which enlarged the images of all the Gundalian Generals along with the ruler of Gundalia; Emperor Barodius. "Therefore we must educate him on who they are and what they are capable of."

"I see.." Jake nodded in understanding.

"let's first start with the Gundalian's generals." Elright said as the screen shows an enlarged image of Gill and his Bakugan, Krakix. "his name is Gill, he is the general second in command to all of Gundalia's military forces. His Bakugan partner is Pyrus Krakix; a powerful warrior Bakugan who has dealt many damaging blows to our military forces." The screen shrinks Gill's image and then showed Stoica and his Bakugan's image. "next is a captain of the Gundalia forces; Stoica, he is a rank below Gill and have a somewhat free spirited nature, but he can be very brutal in the war. His Bakugan partner is Aquos Lythirus; a very powerful Bakugan who could domain in the water and the land." The next image is Airzel and his Bakugan Chimera. "another Captain rank like Stoica, his name is Airzel. He's a very strategic individual who was once a subordinate to Gill. His Bakugan partner is Ventus Chimera; a very renown yet reclusive Bakugan that had once devasted a large number of our military forces single handedly."

"Me and Coredem were there when it happened." Jake said as he looks down while gripping his fists tight. "that guy just decimated our forces with such ease." He grits his teeth. "it was so damn frustrating when I lost to him!"

"calm down, Jake." Coredem told his partner.

"yeah, Airzel is someone we should be wary along with the other Gundalian Generals." Elright said before he looks at the screen which shows the next Gundalian General to be Nurzak who isn't shown to have a Bakugan partner. "afterwards is Nurzak; he is Gundalia's Minister of Defense and was once an advisor to the previous Emperor of Gundalia. He was a very strong warrior but yet has not been into the battlefield for sometime, but we are considering the possibility that he is no longer fit for direct battle. His Bakugan partner is unknown."

"Unknown? You mean he isn't a fighter like the rest?" Ash asks Elright who nodded.

"he was a Bakugan Fighter in the past, but I believe that he has retired and only taken the position as a strategic commander in the battle." Elright replied. "We don't have much record of his battle history, so we can only assume that he is the only Gundalia General without a Bakugan."

"Even though he doesn't have a partner now, that old man might sure prove to be a problem if we come and face him head on." Bulltican said with a snort as everyone looks at the Subterra Bakugan. "believe me when I say that you can't judge a book by its cover."

"indeed." Elright nodded before looking at the screen that shrinks Nurzak's image and then showed the last Gundalia General; Kazarina. "and last but not least, we have the Gundalia's Director of the Bakugan Biological Research Center; Kazarina. She is known to be responsible for upgrading the Gundalian's military forces with crude and immoral research of increasing Bakugan's power through DNA manipulation and such. her Bakugan partner is Haos Wolfang; a very powerful and loyal Bakugan who had once defeated an entire squadron of Neathia Bakugans during the war."

"even though her Bakugans is a warrior with a code of honors, that woman is evil beyond words." Fabia spoke while looking very angry which was noticed by Ash and the others.

"now that you know the Generals, it's time for you to learn about Emperor Barodius." Elright said as the screen dismiss the images of the Gundalian Generals and now showed an image of the ruler of Gundalia itself. "Emperor Barodius, he is the youngest and the vilest ruler of Gundalia to ever be recorded in history. He started this war when it was a time of peace in the past, he plundered our land. All to take hold of the Sacred Orb and obtain his power for himself."

"like Dharak…" Ash whispers, remembering the evil Bakugan who had planned to take the power of Avalon for himself.

"This is what makes the Gundalian forces to be feared." Elright said as the screen showed Barodius along with the Generals at his side. "all six of them are what caused Neathia to nearly fall into ruins." He looks at the screen for a moment before he turns and smiles at Ash. "But with you here with us, Ash. The time to retake the battlefield into our hands has finally come."

"yeah! With Ash-san and his amazing Bakugan partners! We can finally push back the Gundalian and protect the kingdom!" Jake said with an upbeat voice. "with him around, we can get the other shields to be reactivate and we can finally safeguard our people and kingdom!"

"shields?" Ash asks.

"yes." Fabia nodded before everyone looks at the screen as Elright presses a button which shows a 3D map of the castle that is covered by three layers of a barrier, but the two outer layers disappears. "in the past and in order for proper security, the Kingdom of Neathia developed three energy shields that prevent any outside attacks from coming into the very kingdom itself."

"in the war, we've lost the position of the first and second shield and we are down to only the third shield that is being overworked." Elright stated as he presses a button which shows photo images of a building that is guarded by Gundalian Soldiers. "for weeks, we've been trying to find a way to regain the Barrier Towers and reactivate the shields."

"if we get the shields back on, the Gundalian will have lots of trouble trying to come to Neathia." Jake stated while raising his fists. "and that way, we can calm the people's hearts!"

"So there are three shields that protect Neathia…" Ash said as he checks the photos one by one before he came forward and looks at the screen closer before he glances at Elright. "can you project a layout of where the Barrier towers are at?"

"just a second." Elright nodded as he begins to press some buttons on the monitor screen as everything swapped out and gets replaced with a 3D layout map of the first shield and second shield's Barrier tower. "here we go."

"What are you thinking?" Drago asks as Ash is looking at the 3D map a bit closer.

"Hey Phos. I wanna ask you something." Ash spoke as he glanced at his water Bakugan. "Can I use your ability to breathe in water when we Unite?"

"You can" Phos replied while nodding. "Why you ask?"

"I got an idea for something." Ash said with a smile before he looks at Elright and then at Fabia and Jake. "Can Neathians swim?"

"eh?" Fabia made a confused noise as she along with Jake and Elright were confused while glancing at each other before they look back at Ash. "We've learned and trained to swim to some extent. Why do you ask?"

"I believe I know a way we can reactivate the barrier." Ash said as he pointed to a large stream of water that is about a few miles from the second shield's Barrier Tower. "or at least the second shield that is."

At Gundalia and in the castle of Emperor Barodius.

The Emperor is currently meeting with his Generals who kneeled before him.

"report." Barodius spoke out while leaning against his throne. "how is it with the repairs of the Gundalian Ships and how long will it take for our forces to go back and invade Neathia once again?"

"Yes. We have succeeded in repairing my and Stoica's warship, but the rest are still being repaired." Gill spoke out in reply. "they have sustained heavy damage by the Enemy in the previous battle and are still being overhauled in the repairs."

"Our forces are at ready, we just don't have the proper means of transporting them all." Airzel added in.

Barodius keened his eyes for a moment before he looks at Kazarina.

"How is our esteemed guest doing in your lab, Kazarina?" Barodius spoke.

"Our plan to progress Project Draconis is currently underway in rapid fashion, Emperor." Kazarina said while looking down. "the Professor has given us sufficient or rather an enormous amount of data that is helping in the project's completion. It shall only be in mere weeks before its completion."

"Hasten it." Barodius stated with a steering glare. "that Project will help me obtain the Sacred Orb and achieve its powers."

"Emperor, if I may intrude." Nurzak spoke out while lifting his head up to look at Barodius. "Can we really trust that man? I fear that he may bring a threat to not only you but to the entire Gundalia Empire. I plead you to consider putting that man under strict guard in case he is an enemy in disguise."

"I'll consider that, but for now that man is still of great use so I won't do it now." Barodius stated before he looks at the rest of the Generals. "Gill, you along with Airzel and Stoica will go to Neathia on your ship. There is the need to continuously secure the Neathia Barrier Towers." He squinted his eyes. "There is a possibility that they may be planning to retake those positions in this small time of peace."

"yes, at once!" Gill replied as he along with Airzel and Stoica bowed their heads.

"Nurzak and Kazarina. Focus on strengthening and gathering more power for our military forces." Barodius ordered the two. "make sure that once we invade Neathia again, we will absolutely destroy their forces. Understood?"

"Yes!" Kazarina replied in an instant while Nurzak was silent for a moment before he nodded.

"do not let them rest for even a moment!" Barodius commanded.

Sometime later, at the location of the second shield's Barrier Tower.

The stationed Gundalian soldiers went around in securing the building as they were tasked to prevent the Neathia from reactivating the shield at all costs.

One Gundalian soldiers leans against the main gate as he seems to be nodding off before another soldier came and woke him up.

"hey! Don't nod off!" the soldier scolded the drowsy ones. "what do you do if General Gill comes and see you doing this!?"

"s-sorry!" the drowsy soldier got up as he shakes his head to wake up his senses.

"for goodness sake.." the soldier sighs as he went off to patrol the area.

As the Gundalian keeps a tight security around the building, a scout was watching the skies before he made a noise and quickly rang an alarm.

"enemy forces are coming!" he shouted as this got all the Gundalian soldiers to look and see a large forces of Neathia Bakugans coming their way. This force were being lead by Elright who is riding on his Bakugan Partner; Haos Raptorix. "Enemy forces are coming!"

"all hands! To battle! Raise the guard! And deploy your Bakugans!" the commander of the guards commanded as all his subordinates instantly threw out their Bakugans into the air and create an army of Gundalian Bakugans that began to march straight for the Neathia Bakugans.

As the forces were about to collide in battle, the soldiers marched and got ready to face the Neathia forces on land, but they didn't realize that this was all a diversion for another force to come invading in.

By the river area that is a few miles from the Barrier Tower, shadows appears from the nearby forest as Ash along with Fabia and Jake came emerging out.

"seems like they have gone to face Captain Elright and our forces." Jake said, hearing the sounds of explosions from battles.

"good." Ash nodded before he looks at Fabia. "This River has a pathway that leads from the Barrier Tower's insides, right?"

"yes, we need to dive in and follow straight for the exit tunnel." Fabia nodded while pointing at the river. "it'll be a deep dive but if we make it inside, we'll be able to go right in."

"alright." Ash nodded again before he looks to the back as another person came into the scene. This person is another Neathia like Captain Elright. "you ready for this, Linus?"

"yes" Linus replied with a nod.

flashback

a few hours before the battle, Ash made a meeting call with the queen discussing a plan to retake the second shield's barrier tower through an attack that is falsely made for a diversion.

"you wish to divert our forces to get the Gundalians to focus on them while you along with Fabia and the others plan to sneak into the Barrier Tower and reactivate the Second Shield?" Queen Serena asks Ash who nodded before the group looks at the 3D map that shows the layout of the structure's entire location and environment.

"Captain Elright and a squadron of Neathia's military forces will come forth and make an attack to make the forces believe that they have come to retake the Barrier Tower." Ash explained as the 3D model shows a simulation of the plan. "as they keep the main forces busy, I along with Fabia and Jake will sneak in to retake the Barrier Tower by going down the river stream."

"The Barrier Tower has an underground water tunnel to divert power and cool its systems during its overheat." Elright spoke out as a 3D blueprint shows the structure of the Barrier Tower from up close. "it's connected to the river stream and therefore serves as a perfect means to enter straight under the Barrier Tower."

"I see." Serena said with a nod. "That could work, but the Barrier Tower requires the Element to restart it."

"Element?" Ash asks confused before he looks at Fabia. "is that some sort of power source?"

"in a way, it is." Fabia replied. "the Element is a piece of the Sacred Orb's power that has been bestowed to a Guardian Bakugan that is tasked with protecting the Kingdom."

"And right now, the Guardian Bakugan holding the Element is currently on duty to only guard the Sacred Orb." Jake added in. "we can't just ask him to move away from his duties."

"Who is this person you're all talking about?" Ash asks confused.

"They are talking about Linus Claude and Pyrus Neo Ziperator." Elright explained as the screen shows an image of a Neathia man and a Pyrus Bakugan who looks to be a humanoid dragon that is identical in appearance with Drago himself. "they are currently the guardians of the Sacred Orb and holder of the Elements."

"with how the Sacred Orb and the Element are vital for Neathia, we cannot deploy Linus and his Bakugan onto battle." Serena stated while closing her eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry, but the chances for this plan to succeeds are nearly zero."

"not necessarily, Your Highness." Coredem spoke out. "in times of need, he is allowed to leave his post if it is to do a task concerning the safety of Neathia and the Sacred Orb."

"indeed." Aranut added in. "and since the Barrier Tower was created to protect Neathia. It falls onto their jurisdiction as well."

"in normal terms, we can ask him to join us for this mission." Drago stated as he and the other Bakugans floated up and faced Serena. "Queen Serena, we need his help for this mission to succeed."

"and we shall do our best to protect him and ensure that he along with the Element are safe." Asgard added in. "that's why please allow us to complete this mission. for the sake of Neathia and the kingdom itself."

"we will do our best to keep him and the element safe!" "let us do this!" "come on! This is a pain to be asking!" Phos and the others added in as Serena looks at them for a moment before she sighs with a smile and nodded.

"very well." Serena spoke as she faces Ash and the others. "I shall inform Linus and Neo about the mission and get them to be prepared for it."

"Thank you, your highness." Ash nodded with a smile.

Flashback

Back to the present time, Ash watches as Fabia along with Jake and Linus equip on a full face cover diving mask while putting on webbed gloves.

"are you all ready?" Ash asks and Fabia and the others responded by nodding their heads. "alright." He nodded back before he held up his right hand that holds Phos' Bakugan ball that pops out. "let's do this, Phos."

"got it" Phos nodded before the Blue Bakugan glows and flashes a blue light that envelops Ash.

"Unite!" the two chanted in unison before the blue light died down to reveal Ash wearing an armor in the form of Phos. The Dragonar has shoulder pads and several pieces in the form of Phos' other heads on standby.

"alright." Ash nodded before he was handed a rope by Jake, the young man began to tie the rope around his waist while extending it out for Fabia and the others to take. "hold on tight and make sure that you keep your breathing steady, alright?"

"Roger." Fabia and the others responded before they all dived straight into the river.

The group submerged into the water as Ash leads them all forward.

Having United with Phos, Ash gained the Water Bakugan's aquatic strength and skills that makes very mobile underwater.

Ash swims forward while Fabia and the others holds on the rope to hang on as the Dragonar swims down and follows the water's flow.

That's a wrap!

Bye bye