NOTE: Here we go! The finale to this second arc!

I tried my best with this one, but I honestly ran out of steam. This arc in general started out pretty strong but I just couldn't really figure out where to take it. This entire tournament didn't really have a battle to build up to unlike the previous one. Arc 2 is mostly for set up for all the things to come next.

I apologize for not being on my best for this one. Hopefully, you guys can enjoy the future battles that I put out.

Enjoy and Review!

Chapter 17: The Ultimate Team

"In this world there are individuals of unparalleled power. Their ability to overcome any obstacle that comes their way is unprecedented. Many have tried and many have failed to triumph over their overwhelming strength. This game is no cake walk, to take this path means to subject yourself to the most perilous, treacherous, and destructive things this world has ever created. So, I ask you this one last time…"

"If you were to go through with this decision…, would you lose?"

…

…

…

"Nah, I'd win."

Serena gave the dragon a dead stare as she drew the 'X' on the bottom center of the board. Then she took her turn and put the 'O' on the bottom right of the board and drew a diagonal line through three of the 'O'. "I win."

"WHAT?! HOW?!" Leonidas shouted.

"You're supposed to get three in a row, Leo! That's how you win tic-tac-toe!"

"I did!"

"Two 'X' on the left and right and one on the bottom center doesn't count as a row!"

Leonidas stared back down at the board, utterly confused by his defeat. "To think humans would be able to create such a complex game…"

Serena smirked, crossing her arms with a haughty laugh. "You still have much catching up to do if you wish to stand on the same intellectual level as us humans, Leo!"

"Suffering such monumental defeats like this…! I must become stronger!" Leonidas declared.

"Yes, become stronger, Leo! Train yourself to become the strongest in tic-tac-toe, return to face me once more, and if you defeat me, I'll finally reveal the true secrets of your past!" Serena declared like some cartoon villain.

"My past? I already know my past! I'm from Vestro-" Leonidas stopped himself. Surfing through his memories to remember his home. But he could only remember bits and pieces, fragmented visions of every single realm of Vestroia. "I'm the Haos attribute, right? Then how come I can remember parts of all the other realms…? W-where am I from…?"

"Leo? Hey, Leo?" Serena stopped playing around, noticing the dragon's weird behavior. No matter how much she called out his name he just wouldn't respond.

"Yo, Serena!" She turned to see her brother, Dan, and Alice walking over with the food they had ordered from the stadium's kitchen staff. The Pyrus Brawler was already stuffing half of a cheeseburger into his mouth.

"Seriously, you couldn't at least wait until you sat down to eat?" Serena raised a brow.

Dan swallowed his food before answering. "Hey! We're gonna need all the fuel we'll need for today's final! Marucho and Runo aren't gonna be pushovers."

"It would've been more ideal to add something more healthy into that junk pile of yours to avoid stomach problems." Drago sighed.

Alice giggled. "Oh, Drago, you know Dan doesn't know what healthy foods are."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Dan exclaimed, causing them to laugh.

As Dan attempted to defend his food choices, Yuji walked up to his sister and placed her plate of fries on the table for her. He looked at his partner, wondering why he was so quiet. "Serena, what's wrong with Leonidas?"

His little sister munched on a handful of fries before answering. "I don't know. We were playing some games but then he started acting weird." Alice walked over to her with a napkin and started wiping the younger girl's face.

"Don't eat so many fries at once, Serena. You could choke." Alice warns.

"Dan does it all the time!"

"And that's why we don't follow his example when it comes to eating."

"Don't say it like I'm some kind of bad influence!" Dan barked at her again.

Yuji ignored them, picking up his partner. "Leonidas? Are you okay?"

Hearing his partner's voice finally snapped him out of his funk. "Huh? Yuji, when did you get here?"

"I just got back with the food, buddy. But I'm more worried about you. Serena said that you were acting weird." Yuji explained.

"...I'm fine, Yuji. Just thinking about Vestroia."

"Do you miss your home?"

"I'm not sure if it even is home." He didn't say this thought out loud. "...I don't know."

"Okay, but if you ever feel like talking about it, then let me know. I'm more than willing to listen to you."

The Haos Bakugan appreciated his partner's kindness, but he didn't know how to explain the thoughts swirling through his head. But he pushed them away for now, because there was something else he needed to focus on. "Thanks. Now let's get ready for battle!"

"Yeah! We're totally bagging our 2nd trophy today!"

Standing in front of the entrance to the arena were Dan and Yuji. The Pyrus Brawler turned to him with a raised fist. "You ready for this?"

Yuji smirked back and pushed his fist against Dan's. "Oh yeah, we're winning this."

"I like that confidence of yours, Yuji! A far cry from the guy I was teaming up with back at the start."

"It's all thanks to Leonidas, really." Yuji knew that he would be a nervous wreck otherwise. "Whenever I'm with him I can't help but feel that I can take on the world." If Leonidas could blush he would be right now.

"Honestly…you just might." Dan thought back to each of their battles. The insane growth and power they demonstrated was incredible and their renewed bond might just make them even stronger. The next time he and Drago face them…it won't be such an easy battle. "Let's go!"

"Yeah!"

Awaiting the two inside of the room was none other than their opponents. Runo stood up, brushing off her skirt as Marucho moved to stand next to her. "About time you two showed up, I was thinking that you might've chickened out." She scoffed.

"You wish, Runo! After we win this you'll have to treat me to some of your mom's double cheeseburgers!" Dan whipped out a Gate Card.

"You say that as if I don't do that anyway!" She pulled her Gate Card as well.

Marucho held out his Gate Card. "Yuji, don't take this the wrong way, but I still don't trust Leonidas."

Yuji frowned, whipping out his Gate Card. "It's fine, Marucho, because we're not losing this!"

"LET'S BATTLE!" Leonidas roared.

"FIELD OPEN!"

"GATE CARD, SET!" Four Gate Cards descended onto the Aquos field, enlarging to completely take up the center.

"We're up first, guys! Give 'em hell, Yuji!" Dan encouraged.

"Yeah! Bakugan, brawl!" Yuji took the first turn and tossed his Bakugan onto his card. "Leonidas, stand!"

Haos Leonidas: 420 Gs!

"ROAAAAAAAA!" Leonidas roared. The Haos dragon glared down at his opponents. "C'mon and fight, unless you're too scared to do so!"

"My lady…do not give into his-"

"WHAT WAS THAT, YOU STUPID DRAGON?!" Runo, who already had a strong dislike for Leonidas, was not going to waste her chance of getting some payback. "That's it, Tigrerra! We're gonna teach them a lesson!"

Marucho sighed. "I should've seen this coming."

"Bakugan, brawl!" Runo tossed her guardian Bakugan onto her own Gate Card. "Tigrerra, stand!"

Haos Tigrerra: 340 Gs!

Tigrerra growled at her fellow Haos Bakugan on the opposite Gate Card. "I see you're still as aggressive as ever, Leonidas."

"And I can see that you truly are too scared to face me in battle-"

"Gate Card, open! Gate Close!"

"Eh?" Leonidas blinked as he forcibly returned back to Yuji's hand and the same happened with Tigrerra. "HUH?!"

"I fail to see what doing that accomplished." Serena huffed. She was excited to see Leonidas get tossed out immediately, only for Runo to ruin the fun.

"Probably to get either Leonidas or Drago off the field immediately in case they were stuck in a bad situation. But knowing Runo…" Alice winced.

"She probably wanted the dragon to shut up." Nene, who was joined with Akira, added.

"Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!" Standing on Marucho's Gate Card was Dan's Griffon. The chimera Bakugan roared loudly into the air.

Pyrus Griffon: 230 Gs to 210 Gs!

Marucho hummed. "Why would he aim towards my Gate Card? Unless he wants to lead me into a trap by boosting himself. Fine, I'll take the bait. Bakugan, brawl!" Marucho tossed his Bakugan towards Dan's. "Bakugan, stand!"

Aquos Falconeer: 290 Gs!

"Gate Card, open!

Aquos Falconeer: 290 Gs to 310 Gs!

Falconeer screeched loudly as its power rose dramatically, the falcon-like Bakugan descended towards the chimera with vicious intent.

"Nice one, Marucho, but it ain't gonna be that easy! Ability activate! Fire Tornado!" Dan tossed the flaming card into the battle, a tornado of flames surrounded Falconeer, weakening it.

Aquos Falconeer: 310 Gs to 210 Gs!

Pyrus Griffon: 210 Gs to 310 Gs!

"Thanks to Fire Tornado, my Griffon gets to steal 100 Gs from you! Get 'em, Griffon!" The Pyrus Bakugan flapped its wings, taking to the skies and slashing its claws against Falconeer's chest. With one final cry, the Aqous Bakugan returned to its own in defeat.

Dan & Yuji: 1

Marucho & Runo: 0

"And thanks to Dan they take the lead!" Serena cheered, pumping her fist. "They got this in the bag!"

"Still too early to tell." Akira tells her.

"Can you tell that you're short?"

"Why are you always going after my height?!"

"Ability activate! Ability Counter!"

"Guh…!" Yuji grunted as his Terrowclaw was decimated by Runo's Fear Ripper. He picked his Bakugan up off the floor, putting it back into his holster.

Dan & Yuji: 1

Marucho & Runo: 1

"Sorry about that one, guys." Yuji apologized.

"No problem, Yuji. I got this next one in the bag." He looked at his guardian Bakugan. "Ready to go, Drago?"

"Always!"

"Then, let's go! Bakugan, brawl!" He tossed Drago out onto the field. "Drago, stand!"

Pyrus Dragonoid: 450 Gs to 430 Gs!

Regardless of the limits put on him by the field, Drago still seemed very imposing to the opponents.

"I'm sending you out next, Preyas." Marucho looked at his guardian.

"Really?! It's my time to shine!" Preyas exclaimed.

"Yup! Gate Card, set!" Marucho tossed down at Gate Card. "Bakugan, brawl!" He tossed Preyas onto the newly set card. "Preyas, stand!"

Aquos Preyas: 300 Gs!

"TA-DA! THE STAR HAS ARRIVED!" Preyas shouted, doing several stupid poses. He turned to the dragonoid with a wave. "Hello, Drago, are you ready to play?"

"Hmph, I'm ready when you are, Preyas." Drago responded.

Runo looked down at her teammate. "What's your plan exactly, Marucho?"

"You'll see." He gave her a reassuring nod.

Dan had an idea of what Marucho was planning. "He's baiting you to go for Preyas, specifically Leonidas."

"So, what?! I'll beat that annoying one easily!" Leonidas yelled.

"Not unless Marucho has a plan to deal with you. He wouldn't throw out Preyas and risk losing him so easily." Yuji calmed down his partner. "In that case, I guess I should take the bait. Bakugan, brawl!" He tossed one out towards Preyas. "Bakugan, stand!"

Haos Centipoid: 240 Gs!

"Ability Activate! Dive Mirage!" Marucho suddenly yelled. The card beneath the Bakugan shifted into water, Preyas sinking beneath to pop back up on the opposite card behind Drago. Everyone was confused by Marucho's move until Marucho yelled again. "Gate Card, open! Triple Battle!"

"Triple Battle?!" Yuji gasped as the card beneath his Centipoid glowed.

"Runo!" Marucho yelled.

"Oh yeah! Bakugan, brawl!" She and Marucho both tossed out their Bakugan at Yuji's Centipoid. "Bakugan, stand!"

Haos Tigrerra & Aquos Gargonoid: 560 Gs!

"BEGONE!" Tigrerra roared as she and Gargonoid tore into Centipoid without mercy. The Haos Bakugan stood no chance by itself and was swiftly defeated.

Dan & Yuji: 1

Marucho & Runo: 2

Alice nodded her head, understanding the strategy. "I see, he wanted to use Preyas as bait to lure them into thinking he wanted them to use Leonidas."

"Eh?" Serena tilted her head.

"She's saying that the plan was to leave Yuji with just Leonidas." Nene explained.

"Oh!"

"But Dan still has three Bakugan left. Their plan doesn't really seem to make much sense." Serena said.

"Well, they don't have to battle Dan to get that last point, do they?" Nene helped Serena realize what their true objective is.

After Drago took out one of Runo's Bakugan, the score was now completely even. Dan prepared for his turn and smirked at the Gate Card Preyas was standing on. "Seems like my plan is gonna work out in the end."

"Huh?" Yuji and Leonidas looked at him.

"Just leave everything to your teacher, because we're about to kick some tail. Let's go, Drago! Bakugan, brawl!" He tossed Drago out towards Preyas. "Drago, stand!"

Pyrus Dragonoid: 450 Gs!

Drago emerged from the fiery tornado, glaring at his fellow Bakugan. "This is where the battle ends, Preyas!"

Preyas waved his finger, clicking his tongue. "I don't think so, Drago!"

Marucho smirked, raising his ability card. "Did you really think I wouldn't see your plan coming, Dan? Whatever that Gate Card is won't work! Ability activate! Blue Stealth!"

"And I knew you'd do that, Marucho!" Dan responded with his own ability card. "Ability activate! Negative!" Thanks to his card, Marucho's Blue Stealth was negated, thus preventing its effect from working. "Time for my next step! Gate Card, open! Quartet Battle!"

"Quartet Battle?" Yuji questioned.

"It puts the battle on hold until there are four Bakugan on the field or forces each player to add in another Bakugan. So, you know what to do, Yuji!" Dan grinned. He held up his fist to which Yuji pushed his fist against Dan's.

"You're really cool, you know that?" Yuji smiled.

"I think you can mention it a bit more."

"C'MON, YUJI! PUT ME IN THERE!" Leonidas was ready to go.

"You got it, buddy!" Yuji gripped his partner hard before tossing him with all of his might. Leonidas descended onto the Gate Card like a bright white comet, exploding next to Drago with ferocious might.

"Let's beat them down for good, Tigrerra!"

"Yes, my lady!" Tigrerra was thrown into the battle at the same time as Leonidas, the two Haos Bakugan clashing almost instantly.

Pyrus Dragonoid & Haos Leonidas: 850 Gs!

Aquos Preyas & Haos Tigrerra: 640 Gs!

Leonidas' horn clashed against Tigrerra's claws. "We shall not fall to you again, Leonidas! This time defeat is all that awaits you at the end!"

The Haos dragon roared ferociously, pushing the sabertooth back. "I've tasted defeat before and I refuse to ever feel that same despair again! Especially not at the hands of you!"

Preyas attempted to assist his teammate, but Drago swooped down and stomped down on his back, keeping the Aquos Bakugan down.

Runo started to panic, reaching for an ability card. "We have to hurry, Marucho! Our power is too low!"

Marucho grimaced at the situation, he had completely miscalculated the situation. He hadn't expected Dan to see through his moves, but that was his mistake. Just like how he knew Dan, Dan also knew him. Pulling out a card, Marucho prepared to use it. "Right! Ability-"

"IT IS TOO LATE!" Leonidas' voice boomed, shaking the entire field. He ascended into the air, white energy bursting with ferocious might around his body. Following him was Drago, whose body was burning as hot as the sun itself.

"LET'S DO THIS, LEONIDAS!"

"JUST THIS ONCE, I'LL LET YOU HELP ME, DRAGO!"

Dan and Yuji were just as in tandem as their guardian Bakugan. Both Brawlers holding a white and red card respectively, energy surging between them wildly. Sticking their arms to the sky, their limbs crossed one another. "ABILITY ACTIVATE!"

"ALPHA…!"

"BOOSTED…!

Runo and Marucho fell to their rears from the sheer power coming from the two dragons. The field could barely stop shaking as they continued to build up power for their final attack. Preyas and Tigrerra were in the same boat, knowing there was nothing they could do against that amount of power.

"BLASTER!"

"DRAGON!"

Alice, the kids, and everyone else turned away from the screens as they exploded from the sheer might of heat generated. The non-Brawler didn't know why, but she could feel something tingling in the back of her head as if responding to the outcome of the battle.

Hidden from the audience, a certain someone watched the battle, refusing to turn away from the screen. He scoffed at the power shown and stood up from his spot. "Tch…pathetic…" He left the arena through the white door and vanished.

DAN KUSO & YUJI SHUJIN - TAG-TEAM TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!

"ALRIGHT!" Dan and Yuji shared a high-five, celebrating their victory. They stood in the middle of the arena, their Bakugan floating next to them. Their defeated opponents had already left, Runo declaring that she wouldn't lose the next time and Marucho congratulating them.

"And with this victory we're one step closer to the Ultimate Battle Tournament! But the next tournament's gonna be even harder than this one!" Dan informed them.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Yuji asked.

"It's gonna be a battle royale."

"What does that mean?" Leonidas asked.

"Nothing to really worry about, because it's pretty simple to understand. Just meet me at the park tomorrow and I'll teach you everything once again."

"Another tutorial…?" Yuji kinda groaned.

"What? You don't like my tutorials?" Dan crossed his arms, pouting.

"N-no…it's just that it's always against the same people. Couldn't you just…change them up?"

"You don't like Shuji?"

"N-no…I just know that he and Akira aren't in the best spirits with each other, so I doubt they'd be willing to go for it."

"I see your point." Dan relented.

"Isn't there anyone else you could get in contact with?"

"Not that I can think of-ugh!" Dan suddenly folded over, holding his chest. His partner and the other two grew concerned.

"Dan?! What's wrong?!" Yuji asked, kneeling down next to him.

The Pyrus Brawler was sweating profusely, his hands trembling in fear as something inexplicable seemed to have overtaken him. "I-I feel like something terrible is coming…and I think I know who it is…"

Stretching her arms as she stepped out of the private jet. The young girl adored the scenery of the city before her. She has long pinkish-white hair that's tied into a side ponytail with bangs swept to the left side and blue eyes. She's dressed in a pink midriff-baring outfit with white fingerless gloves that covers her forearms. She wears headphones and a portable music player attached to her right shoulder. She has white high heeled boots that match her glows, and has large white heart shaped earrings on.

Taking a deep breath, she shouted into the beautiful sky with all of her might. "I HOPE I DIDN'T KEEP YOU ALL WAITING! ESPECIALLY, YOU DAN KUSO! I'M BAAAAACK!"

Arc 2 End

NOTE: That's the end of the 2nd arc.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm not happy with how this arc turned out. But I'm not gonna dwell on it for too long. I'm just going to do better for the next arc and forward!

You guys are NOT ready for the absolute mayhem that Julie and Serena are going to cause the moment they meet. Please, pray for Runo's sanity.

Have a great day!