It was a dark night in the Gundalian Citadel. Darker than usual, for a planet where the inhabitants lived underground. The forces of Emperor Barodius had launched an all out assault on the neighbouring planet Neahia, intent on capturing the Sacred Orb protected by that planet's people. But thanks to the efforts of the Bakugan Battle Brawlers from Earth, their forces had retreated, and were now quietly rebuilding for a final assault.

But things weren't entirely quiet. Within the Palace's long abandoned museum, a pair of sinister figures were about to implement a scheme. They were General Vladimir, a clean-shaven man of about 50 dressed in a black military uniform similar to those worn by royals on Earth, with the addition of a red cloak and brown bandolier, and Professor Galloway, a middle-aged man with a red beard and moustache, dressed in white robes with blue outlines and a green collar. Like most Gundalians, hey were grey skinned reptilian humanoids, with golden horns on their foreheads. "At last.", Vladimir stated. "After a whole year of searching, I've discovered the item I need to follow through on the search for the fourth Phantom Data strand."

The Professor on the other hand, was unimpressed. "So in order to enter a different universe, you require… a large chunk of rock?", he said, bewildered. "Why not simply have your Bakugan transport you there?"

"Because this world has no connection to Vestroia, Gundalia or Neathia.", was the General's answer. "I need a source of power that hails from that universe. And 1000 years ago, this rock came hurtling through the skies from another universe, if the old legends are true."

As Valadmir reached to open the cage, the lights turned back on. "So, this is what your mission has led you to, General?" Both men turned around to see the Emperor Barodius, dressed in his full regalia, stood there. And he looked very displeased. "Robbing from my ancestors' collection? Is this the best that Gill's followers can accomplish after a year?"

"Ah, Emperor.", Vladimir said, clearly taken aback, but still composing himself. "I thought you never came in here."

"I wouldn't on a good day. But somebody tripped the alarms that my grandfather placed here.", was Barodius's response. "And since I don't see anyone else in this room, I can only assume it was you two. And neither of you strike me as the sight-seeing type."

The Professor sighed. "It would've been good to have the element of surprise in our pocket, but now that you know the truth, we might as well eliminate you now."

"Excellent idea.", Vladimir sneered. "Yoube been fighting this war for far too long, with far too little success.", he took out a black coloured Bakugan. "It's time that Gundalia had a leader who can destroy the Neathians and claim the power of the Sacred Orb. Namely, me."

Barodius smirked at this. "So you say you want a revolution? Very well then, I'll spare you the impossible task of raising an army who aren't afraid of me and battle you myself." He took out a Gate Card and threw it to the floor. "Gate Card, set!" As the card dispersed into energy, he took out his Bakugan and threw it. "Bakugan Brawl! Bakugan, stand! Rise Darkus Dharak!"

Dharak emerged from his ball form, as a quadrupedal black dragon with purple horns facing backwards and green scales on his chest and wings. "Two more traitors who think they can defy the Emperor? You'll be easier to defeat than Ren and Linehalt were."

"That's what you think.", Vladimir said in response as he threw the Bakugan he had taken out. "Bakugan Brawl! Bakugan, stand! Darkus Wodenoid!" The Bakugan rose up as a demonic looking, horse-like Bakugan with eight legs. "Kazarina isn't the only one who's been experimenting to draw out a Bakugan's full potential. Though Galloway doesn't waste time creating a cheap trick like Exokor."

"You'll pay for that remark.", Barodius snarled.

"Big talk.", Wodenoid hissed. "Let's go for it."

Barodius took the first move. "Ability, activate! Exodus Waiver!" Dharak generated waves of electricity, which he then sent in Wodenoid's direction.

But Vladimir was quick to react. "Ability, activate!" Draining Shield!" Wodenoid glowed with a yellow aura as the attack still hit him, causing him to recoil in pain. "Draining Shield is a Command Card that lowers the opponent's power level, weakening the strength of their attacks." He then pulled out another card. "Ability, activate! Eraser Cannon!"

Wodenoid uprighted himself and generated energy that was channeled into his chest, firing a silver coloured beam at Dharak. "It'll take more than this puny attack to harm me.", Dharak growled as he took the full brunt.

"Double Ability, activate!", Barodius announced as he held up two Ability Cards. "Westwall Shield, plus Thunder Probe!" The attack was stopped, as Dharak launched one of his own.

"Nice try, my Emperor.", Vladimir smirked. "Ability, activate! Dragon Shadow!" The attack dispersed before it could make contact. "Not only does this card nullify your abilities, but you won't be able to activate any more for the rest of this round." As if to emphasise this, chains emerged from the ground, which dragged Dharak down.

Barodius growled at this. "Gate Card, open!"

"Not so fast. Ability, activate! Phantom Force!", Vladimir declared, causing the glow of the Gate Card to dim. "This Ability card prevents your Gate Card from opening."

"Now you're defenceless against our onslaught.", Wodenoid laughed. "Now, Master. Use our ultimate attack."

"As you wish." Vladimir took out a different looking card. "Fusion Ability, activate! Ultimate Destruction!" Wodenoid then proceeded to charge up the same energy used for the Eraser Cannon, only more unstable, and coloured gold. The resulting beam was launched as Dharak, knocking him back into ball form.

Barodius Life Force: 30% (600 Points)

As Dharak returned to his master, the Emperor growled. "You may have gained the upper hand, but you are merely an ant trying to claw your way out of your hill. And I'll crush you beneath my heel."

"Bold talk.", Vladimir commented. "Gate Card, set! Bakugan Brawl!" Wodenoid once more emerged in his Bakugan form.

"Perhaps I should go all out.", Barodius decided. "Come, Exokor!" The mobile carrier currently disguised as his throne teleported to him. "Bakugan Brawl!" Barodius threw out Dharak, who landed on Exokor as the smaller units Riptor and Smashtor combined onto it as legs, while the main body deployed a scorpion-like stinger tail. "Rise, Dharak Colossus!"

This time, when Dharak rose, he was now riding atop a two-legged robotic suit. "Now you'll see why I'm the strongest Bakugan in the universe.", he announced.

"Talk is cheap.", Vladimir announced as he played his cards. "Ability, activate! Doom Twilight!" Wodenoid then unleashed a wave of dark energy.

But Barodius was quick to counter. "Ability, activate! Westwall Shield!" The attack was stopped in its tracks, before Barodius counter-attacked. "Ability, activate! Evil Blow!" Dharak launched a beam of energy at Wodenoid, knocking him back. "You fancy yourself a better battler than me, General? We'll let me disburse you of that notion." He summoned his Battle Gear Airkor, throwing it at Dharak. "Battle Gear, Boost!"

As Dharak gained a pair of additional wings, Vladimir was unimpressed. "So this is your strategy, to make yourself a larger target. Well it won't help you." He took out a new pair of cards. "Double Ability, activate! Dragon Shadow, plus Fusion Ability Destruction Shadow!" Wodenoid's eyes glowed, as Dharak's neck began to slump. "Thanks to this combination, Dharak's energy will drop to nothing in no time, killing him rapidly."

Barodius wasn't worried, instead looking confident. "So you have to result to a dirty trick to win? We'll let me show you just how foolish you are." He took out a card. "Battle Gear Ability, activate! Airkor Zayin!" Airkor was charged with energy, which revitalised Dharak, before allowing him to fire a beam at Wodenoid, weakening it. "Now then, Ability, activate! Westwall Gazer!" A beam was fired from Dharak Colossus's tail, zapping Wodenoid.

"Impossible!", Vladimir said, aghast. "Dharak shouldn't be able to activate any abilities."

"Dharak, yes. But Exokor is a separate entity altogether. One that was missed by your pathetic combo.", Barodius pointed out. After a few seconds of being bathed in the beam, Wodenoid was knocked back into his ball form.

Vladimir Life Force: 0

But as Barodius sneered at his victory, he saw the Professor opening the case on the exhibit. "Thanks to your battle, I've succeeded in opening the case without tripping the alarms."

Barodius growled as Dharak realised the meaning of that statement. "This was all a distraction so they could steal the crystal from this place."

"But of course.", Galloway laughed. "You thought we were here for the armour of Mad Mel, the imprisoned pretender?" He gestured to a set of damaged armour, that was seemingly made of solid gold, with prominent horns and multiple eyes. "You'd let us get away with that piece of junk in a heartbeat. But this crystal, the only one of its kind ever discovered in this world, could be the key to a greater conquest."

"Enough. You're beginning to say too much.", Vladimir snarled. "We're done here. Let's rejoin the rest of our forces and move onto the next stage of our plan." The two then deployed their Bakugan partners, teleporting away.

As Barodius looked on in frustration, Gill and Kazarina entered the room. "Sire, what happened?", the former of the two asked.

"We heard the sounds of a battle and feared for your safety.", Kazarina said in response.

"I'll be alright.", Barodius said as he stood up, observing that the room had been completely destroyed by the prior battle. But like the temple with the picture of his father, that wasn't a massive loss. "Those traitors escaped with a crystal. I want them found."

And over on Neathia, in the planet's capital, the headquarters of the Castle Knights picked up an unusual signature. The Battle Brawlers were quick to respond to the alarms. "What's the situation, Elright?", Princess Fabia was the first to speak.

"We've detected a teleport signal from Gundalia, and their convoy is on the move.", Elright answered. "But the strange thing is, they're moving away from the city."

Everyone was shocked by this. "But that doesn't make sense, dudes.", Jake was the first to say. "Isn't this place like, their main target?"

"We're just as confused as you are.", said Elright's assistant Linus. "We tried to find a satellite image of their movements, and this is what we managed to pull up."

The satellite images appeared on screen, before zooming and enhancing to reveal the Professor and Vladimir, leading a group of Gundalian troops. "No.", Ren gasped. "It can't be him."

The others took notice of his reaction. "You know that creep, Ren?", Shun asked.

"Only be reputation.", Ren answered. "General Vladimir is a high ranking member of Gundalia's army. But he's been turned down for promotion to one of the 12 Orders due to his ruthless tactics that cost the lives of his own troops more than those of the enemy. I've lost a lot of good friends to that guy. I have to go and stop him."

But as Ren turned to leave, everyone moved to stop him, including his Bakugan Linehalt. "Ren, calm down.", Marucho urged.

"I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Marucho.", Linehalt nodded. "If you just run out to try and attack Vladimir while he's with an entourage, you'd be crushed in no time."

"Right.", Dan nodded. "You don't have to do this alone. Let us help you take him down."

"Hold on Dan.", Dan's own partner Drago said as he came out of his ball form. "We can't simply go off and leave the citadel unprotected in case Barodius launches another assault."

"The Queen wouldn't allow it.", Fabia's Bakugan Aranaut added. "All of us are too important."

Fabia had an idea. "Perhaps I could convince her to let half of us go, in exchange for the other half staying behind."

"That sounds like our best option.", Shun nodded. "But we'll need to be in agreement on who our best options to send out to combat this Vladimir are."

On another version of Earth to the one Dan and co originated from, in the Azabu-Jubaan District of Tokyo, a girl named Amy walked up to the apartment where she lived with her mother Saeko. She opened her front door, calling out "I'm home". This was more out of habit, since her mother always worked late at the hospital and she had no pets. Amy then went into her room, changing from her school uniform to her casual clothes, before sitting at a chair to inspect her computer. But this was no ordinary computer. Its technology, much like Amy's soul and secret double life as the super heroine Sailor Mercury, originated from the new destroyed Kingdom of Mercury, over 1000 years ago. She planned to input data on the attacks by their latest enemies, the Heart Snatchers, to try and triangulate their base of operations. But when she opened the computer, Amy found an unusual code on the computer. "How strange.", she commented upon seeing it. "I've never seen anything like this code on Earth." She then proceeded to try typing it into a regular computer. "Let's see what kind of programme this actually is."

Amy then saw the computer spark,,before text was read out on it. Bakugan recognised. Name: Akwimos. Attribute: Aquos. Power Level: 900Gs. Usable Abilities: Heal Blue, Ninja Eraser, Spiral Pressure, Shadow Pincer, Depth World, Shadow Pincer Double, Ocean Booster, Loop Defence and Elemental Blue! The computer then displayed he image of a DNA strand, before fragments of light emerged from the image and assembled into a blue marble, while several cards were printed from the computer.

Amy went to observe the marble, which burst open to transform into a monster, scaring her slightly. "I'd better share this with the rest of the girls.", she decided, grabbing her transformation stick and running out of the apartment.