Chapter 19: Only One Can Advance
Unknown Location…
Dan covered his eyes with his arms as the bright light blinded him. He only removed his arms when the light disappeared, replaced with a searing heat. When his eyes adjusted, he saw that he had been placed right in front of a flowing river of lava.
"Whoa!" Dan cried as he took a big step back to avoid the flowing river of lava before him to avoid injury.
"What kind of location is this?!" Dan questioned, looking around at the active volcano around him.
"It seems like Masquerade chose a very dangerous place for a battle," Drago commented, floating over the lava.
"Tell me about it. Maybe he just wants to get rid of us without a battle." Dan theorized as he scratched his head.
"If he did, he would have dropped us in the lava, not on solid ground." A Voice pointed out, surprising both Dan and Drago as they turned to see Chan Lee.
"So I guess that means we're opponents then." Dan determined as Chan Lee nodded.
"That's what it seems like. I can't imagine why else Masquerade would send only us here." Chan Lee replied as some lava spat out from a second river near her, causing her to take a few steps away.
"Either way, I don't want to be next to hot lava for too long, so let's move somewhere else!" Chan Lee insisted as she covered her mouth.
"I don't want to keep breathing this smoke too." Chan Lee murmured as Dan nodded.
"Good point, that doesn't sound like a fun way to die." Dan agreed as the two walked down the volcano.
But as they made the trek, the smoke and ash got thicker, making it hard for them to see and make their way safely down the mountain. The heat also became harder to bear as the rivers of lava grew in number as they convereged into one another. Before long the two Brawlers were met with an impass where the river of lava blocked their path further down.
"Oh great!" Chan Lee cried as Dan looked around for another path.
"There doesn't seem to be another way down." Dan pointed out as Drago flew up.
"None that you can get to in time," Drago added as Chan Lee sighed before walking back up a few steps.
"Then we have no choice but to get this battle started!" Chan Lee insisted, shocking Dan.
"Start the battle?! We can't start the battle now!" Dan replied as Chan Lee crossed her arms.
"Sure we can because it'll be safer there and out here!" Chan Lee pointed out as Dan hummed.
"She makes a good point, Dan." Drago pointed out as Dan reluctantly nodded.
"Guess we don't have any choice." Dan sighed as he took out his field card.
"Not if we want to be cooked alive." Chan Lee replied while she took out her own field card.
"FIELD OPEN!" The two shouted as time slowed to a crawl before bringing them into an unfamiliar battlefield.
Instead of the blank space they were used to, instead, they found themselves in a plane that seemed no different than the active volcano they were just in. The two were placed on pedestals above a cracked surface of rock and lava with a sky of darkness above them.
"Uh, this isn't much better!" Dan commented as he and Chan Lee both took a step back from the firey cracked field before them.
"What is this?!" Chan Lee questioned, unable to understand why the battlefield had changed.
Though the field was much like the volcano they were hoping to escape, there was no ash or smoke in the air poisoning their lungs, nor was there any scorching heat burning their skin. So, if anything, this was still a fair trade.
"This…This is Pyrus Space!" Drago exclaimed, shocking Dan.
"Wait, are you serious, Drago?!" Dan asked, surprised at Drago's declaration.
"There's no doubt this is Vestroia, more specifically, my home of Pyrus Space. But something's wrong. The terrain and the sky, it's all wrong!" Drago gasped, confusing Dan.
"What do you mean? Are you saying that this isn't Vestroia?" Dan questioned as Drago flew around.
"No I…I don't know…" Drago muttered unable to discern what was happening to his home.
"Vestroia or not, we're still here for a battle! So, let's get it started. I'm not particularly happy about trading one burning wasteland for another!" Chun Lee shouted, regaining Dan's attention.
"She's got a point. We came here to battle and that's what we're going to do!" Dan declared as he grabbed onto a gate card.
"Gate Card Set!" The Two Brawlers yelled as they threw the cards onto the field.
"I'll be going first!" Dan insisted as he loaded a Bakugan into his launcher.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Dan shouted as he launched his Bakugan toward his gate card.
"Pyrus Ce…WHA?!" Dan cried as a large pillar of fire blasted beneath his Bakugan, pushing it into the air causing it to instead land on Chun Lee's gate card.
"Pyrus Centipoid G power 545 Gs. Pyrus Centipoid G power increase by 50 Gs due to Pyrus Volcano. Pyrus Centipoid G power 595 Gs." The bakupod announced, shocking both brawlers.
"Wait I get a power boost?!" Dan gasped, looking down at his Bakupod.
"It almost makes up for not landing on my own gate card," Dan murmured as Chan Lee inspected the field as more pillars of fire shot out.
"Just need to adapt then." Chan Lee commented as she unclipped one of her Bakugan.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Chan Lee roared as he threw her Bakugan toward her gate card, narrowly avoiding a pillar of fire.
"Pyrus Fear Ripper Stand!" Chan Lee added as her Bakugan landed on her gate card.
"Pyrus Fear Ripper G power 530 Gs. Pyrus Fear Ripper G power increase by 50 Gs due to Pyrus Volcano. Pyrus Fear Ripper G power 580 Gs." The bakupod announced.
The moment Fear Ripper appeared on the field, Dan's Centipoid attacked, snapping at Fear Ripper with its large pincers. Sinking its pincers into Fear Ripper's sides, Centipoid lifted its fellow Pyrus Bakugan into the air.
"Gate Card Open! Wall Lock!" Chan Lee declared as the gate card glowed beneath the Bakugan creating a wall of light blocking Dan from interfering.
"Just great!" Dan complained, helplessly watching as Chan Lee took out an ability card.
"Ability Card Activate! Firewall!" Chan Lee shouted as she threw the ability card onto the field, creating a large wall of fire that slammed into Centipoid, causing it to drop Fear Ripper.
"Pyrus Centipoid G power decrease by 50 Gs. Pyrus Centipoid G power 545 Gs." The bakupod announced.
When Fear Ripper landed on the ground, it rushed toward Dan's disorientated Centipoid, extending each of its razor-sharp fingers before digging them into its fellow Pyrus Bakugan. With no way to fight back Centipoid was easily thrown off the gate card defeated.
"Ah, great," Dan complained as his Centipoid fell at his feet.
"Guess I'm going to have to do better on the next one, right Drago?" Dan chuckled only to get no response from his partner.
"Drago?" Dan questioned as he turned to see Drago staring off into the distance.
"It's all wrong! Vestroia is in great danger!" Drago cried in clear panic.
"Uh, Earth to Drago! We're currently in a battle, remember?" Dan called, only for his words to fall on deaf ears as the Pyrus Bakugan continued to look at the world around them.
"Guess you still need to adjust," Dan commented before reluctantly returning his gaze toward the field.
"All right. Let's put this launcher to full use." Dan sighed as he loaded his next Bakugan into his launcher.
But instead of launching the Bakugan immediately like he would normally, Dan waited and watched as the pillars of flame burst over and over in random patterns. Lifting up his arm, he aimed toward his gate card and waited until a pillar of flame shot into the air.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Dan shouted as he launched his Bakugan toward the field just as the pillar of fire dissipated. The Bakugan flew over the field, weaving through several pillars of fire before landing on Dan's gate card.
"Pyrus Hynoid Stand!" Dan declared as his Bakugan materialized onto his gate card.
"Pyrus Hynoid G power 530 Gs. Pyrus Hynoid G power increase by 50 Gs due to Pyrus Volcano. Pyrus Hynoid G power 580 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"Hmm." Chan Lee hummed as she stared at Hynoid.
"In that case." Chan Lee muttered as she grabbed onto another Bakugan.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Chan Lee shouted as he threw her Bakugan toward the field.
Her Bakugan narrowly avoided one pillar of fire before being grazed by another. This sent her Bakugan off course, veering toward the edge of Dan's gate card, just barely managing to land and avoid a ring out.
"Pyrus Stinglash Stand…" Chan Lee sighed, glad her Bakugan managed to get onto the gate card safely.
"Pyrus Stinglash G power 540 Gs. Pyrus Stinglash G power increase by 50 Gs due to Pyrus Volcano. Pyrus Stinglash G power 590 Gs." The bakupod announced.
As Stinglash rose from the ground, Hynoid leaped into action, taking the initiative as it jumped up and kicked Stinglash's head into the ground. But the scorpion Bakugan was unfazed as it smacked Hynoid away with its tail.
Lifting up its head, Stinglash turned to face Hynoid before using its pincers to grab onto the Bakugan and lift it off the ground. Hynoid struggled in Stinglash's grip as its fellow Pyrus Bakugan's tail rose up, aiming the stinger at Hynoid's chest.
"Gate Card Open! Pyrus Booster!" Dan declared, causing his gate card to glow open.
"Pyrus Hynoid G power increase by 40 Gs. Pyrus Hynoid G power 620 Gs." The bakupod announced.
With the boost in power, Hynoid broke free of Stinglash's grip, allowing the Pyrus Bakugan to avoid the stinger as it pierced into the ground. Moving quickly, Hynoid then grabbed onto Stinglash's tail, ripping it from the ground and using it to throw Stinglash over the edge of the gate card.
"Ability Card Activate! Fire Storm!" Chan Lee countered as she tossed her ability card into Stinglash.
"Pyrus Stinglash G power increase by 100 Gs. Pyrus G power 690 Gs." The bakupod announced.
Before Stinglash could land outside the gate card, a storm of fire propelled it back onto the gate card. With its feet back on the ground and fire surrounding it, Stinglash rushed toward Hynoid, who attempted to jump out over Stinglash only to be hit by Stinglash's tail.
Helpless on the ground, Hynoid watched as Stinglash loomed over it, pressing its sharp legs onto Hynoid's chest. With Hynoid pinned to the ground and the storm of fire surrounding both Bakugan Stinglash went to finish Hynoid once more.
"Ability Card Activate! Fire Tornado!" Dan retaliated as he threw his ability card into the firestorm.
This caused the fire to spin around the two Pyrus Bakugan with such force it pushed Stinglash into the air, freeing Hynoid. Soon, the fire sapped the heat from Stinglash's body and covered Hynoid in flames, increasing its power.
"Pyrus Stinglash G power decrease by 100 Gs. Pyrus Stinglash G power 590 Gs. Pyrus Hynoid G power increase by 100 Gs. Pyrus Hynoid G power 720 Gs." The bakupod announced.
Now covered in fire, Hynoid propelled itself into Stinglash, creating a large explosion of fire that sent Stinglash flying off the gate card before returning to ball form and landing at Chan Lee's feet defeated.
"Now that's more like it!" Dan exclaimed as he caught his Hynoid.
"Wasn't that great, Drago?...Drago?" Dan questioned as he turned to see Drago missing.
"Drago? Where'd you go?!" Dan called before seeing Drago fall from the sky.
"What happened to you?" Dan asked as he picked up Drago.
"I tried to get a better view of Pyrus Space from above, but…I couldn't get high enough in my current form." Drago explained as he reorientated himself on Dan's hand.
"Drago, now's not really the time for that," Dan replied as Drago floated up.
"Dan, you don't understand. If the same is happening with all of Vestroia, then things are far worse than we realize!" Drago explained as Dan sighed.
"Look, Drago, I know this is all unexpected and strange. But we need to focus on the task at hand, stopping Masquerade and retrieving the Silent Orb." Dan pointed out as Drago hummed.
"I…I suppose you're right…" Drago murmured, looking down.
"Not to spoil your moment, but we're still battling, remember?" Chan Lee reminded, gaining both Dan's and Drago's attention.
"Sorry, we're ready! Right, Drago?" Dan smirked, turning toward his partner.
"Right…" Drago nodded reluctantly.
"Good. It's no fun watching you guys talk…especially…let's just continue this battle." Chan Lee insisted as she took out her next gate card.
"Sure thing," Dan replied as he brought out his own gate card.
"Gate Card Set!" The Two Shouted as they threw their cards onto the field.
"Ready to go, Drago?" Dan inquired as Drago remained silent.
"Ready," Drago stated as Dan loaded him into his launcher and took aim.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Dan yelled as he launched Drago toward his gate card, managing to avoid the pillars of fire and land Drago square center on the card.
"Pyrus Delta Dragonoid Stand!" Dan proclaimed as Drago appeared onto the field.
"Pyrus Delta Dragonoid G power 700 Gs. Pyrus Delta Dragonoid G power increase by 50 Gs due to Pyrus Volcano. Pyrus Delta Dragonoid G power 750 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"He's changed since the last time I've seen him." Chan Lee commented as she looked down.
"Having your partner around still…it won't change the ending of this battle!" Chan Lee declared as she unclipped her next Bakugan.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Chan Lee cried as she threw her Bakugan toward her own gate card.
However, her Bakugan was brushed by a pillar of fire that knocked her out, of course, before being hit by another pillar that sent her Bakugan up into the air before, causing it to land on Dan's gate card, much to Chan Lee's annoyance.
"Pyrus Tuskor Stand." Chan Lee sighed, accepting the outcome of the situation.
"Pyrus Tuskor G power 550 Gs. Pyrus Tuskor G power increase by 50 Gs due to Pyrus Volcano. Pyrus Tuskor G power 600 Gs." The bakupod announced.
As soon as Tuskor appeared on the field, it charged fearlessly at Drago, who remained still as Tuskor slammed into his stomach. While this attack pushed Drago back a little, the Pyrus Dragonoid didn't flinch as he swept Tuskor away with his tail.
"Let's sweep that elephant, Drago! Gate Card Open! Delta Dragon!" Dan proclaimed, opening Drago's character card.
"Pyrus Delta Dragonoid G power increase by 400 Gs. Pyrus Delta Dragonoid G power 1,150 Gs." The bakupod announced.
Drago roared out as flames burst out of his body, increasing his already immense power. This pushed Tuskor further toward the edge of the gate card. The Dragonoid Bakugan flew up and watched as Tuskor grew closer to the edge before turning his gaze to the dark sky above.
"Ability Card Acitvate! Rapid Fire!" Chan Lee countered, causing her Fear Ripper to glow in her belt.
"Bakugan Brawl! Pyrus Fear Ripper Stand!" Chan Lee Shouted as she landed her Bakugan behind Tuskor.
"Pyrus Fear Ripper G power 530 Gs. Pyrus Fear Ripper G power increase by 50 Gs. Pyrus Fear Ripper G power 580 Gs. Combined G power of Pyrus Fear Ripper and Pyrus Tuskor 1,180 Gs." The bakupod announced.
Once Fear Ripper appeared on the field, it caught Tuskor before it could fly off the gate card. The two Pyrus Bakugan charged toward Drago, who kept to the skies to avoid their attacks before shooting out waves of fire at them with his wings.
"Guess we need an even greater boost!" Dan smirked pulling out an ability card as Drago's eyes shifted back toward the sky.
"Ability Card Acti…huh?!" Dan gasped as Drago shot toward the sky.
"Drago, what are you doing?!" Dan questioned as he watched his partner fly higher and higher.
"I'm sorry, Dan, but I need to see. I need to know what is happening to Vestroia!" Drago apologized as he flew into the dark sky.
As he flew, he began to make out more of what lay in the dark sky. He could see floating landmasses and dark thunderstorms. But what surprised him was that he could make out what seemed to be the figures of two people in a battle.
"Wait, is that…?" Drago wondered as she saw a speck of blue hair before clawed hands grabbed him from behind.
"No!" Drago cried as he turned to see Fear Ripper grabbing onto him.
It seemed that Tuskor had thrown Fear Ripper up to grab onto Drago and pull him back toward the ground. The two Pyrus Bakugan fell from the sky as Tuskor waited for them below, ready to attack Drago.
"Drago!" Dan wailed as Drago was thrown into Tuskor.
When Drago drew near, Tuskor used all of its strength to slam into the Dragonoid Bakugan, sending him careening over the edge of the gate card before returning to ball form at Dan's feet, much to his shock.
"Drago, what were you doing?!" Dan questioned as he picked up his fallen partner.
"I'm…I'm sorry, Dan. But seeing my home like this…I couldn't stop." Drago responded as Dan looked up at the dark sky.
"I'm just afraid of what is happening," Drago added, unable to look Dan in the eyes.
"I guess I underestimated your feelings, Drago. I wouldn't know what it's like to see my home in such a state." Dan replied, bringing Drago up to eye level.
"I promise we'll find out what's happening here. I don't know how, but I know we'll be able to fix it!" Dan promised as Drago looked up.
"But I do know that we can work toward fixing this situation…we just need to find out how to win this battle." Dan laughed as Drago nodded.
"Right." Drago agreed as Chan Lee cleared her throat.
"Hate to interrupt, but you do realize you're down to one Bakugan, right?" Chan Lee reminded as Dan and Drago sweatdropped.
"Oh right…" Dan murmured as Drago flew into his pocket to hide.
"I really should have thought more about that…" Drago muttered, not peeking out of Dan's pocket.
"Besides, you're not the only one who needs to continue! I still need to get payback on Masquerade for what he did!" Chan Lee declared as Dan tensed up.
"Fourtress was my partner, and losing him to Masquerade, especially after what he did to us…it nearly made me lose all my love for brawling." Chan Lee stated as she looked at her open palm.
"Sometimes I think Klaus was stronger than the rest of us when he gave up his spot. But I can't rest without getting payback! So I will win this!" Chan Lee vowed as Dan looked down at Drago who peeked out from his pocket.
"I understand after all, this is a tournament, so only one of us can advance forward. But I can't lose this either!" Dan replied before picking up a gate card.
"Starting with this! Gate Card Set!" Dan shouted as he threw a new gate card onto the field.
"Now then…" Dan continued as he loaded his Hynoid into his launcher.
"Bakugan Brawl! Pyrus Hynoid Stand!" Dan finished as he launched his Bakugan onto his gate card.
"Pyrus Hynoid G power 530 Gs. Pyrus Hynoid G power increase by 50 Gs due to Pyrus Volcano. Pyrus Hynoid G power 580 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"On your card again? Fine, let's do this!" Chan Lee replied as she grabbed onto her Fear Ripper.
"Bakugan Brawl! Pyrus Fear Ripper Stand!" Chan Lee shouted as she threw her Bakugan at Dan's gate card managing to avoid the pillars of fire to land on target.
"Pyrus Fear Ripper G power 530 Gs. Pyrus Fear Ripper G power increase by 50 Gs due to Pyrus Volcano. Pyrus Fear Ripper G power 580 Gs." The bakupod announced.
The two Pyrus Bakugan stood across from one another for a moment before charging full speed at each other before clashing at the center of the gate card. With both at equal power, neither gave an inch as they both attempted to push the other off.
"Dan. Please tell me you've got a plan." Drago prayed as Dan smirked.
"Of course I do," Dan assured as Chan Lee crossed her arms.
"Can't wait to see that." Chan Lee noted as Dan smirked.
"Good then, I'll show you this! Gate Card Open Revive!" Dan declared as his gate card opened.
"Now, if I win this battle, all my fallen Bakugan return!" Dan exclaimed as Chan Lee raised a brow.
"Yeah, IF being the keyword." Chan Lee pointed out as she pulled out two ability cards.
"Double Ability Activate! Firewall and Fire Storm!" Chan Lee shouted as she threw the ability cards into her Bakugan.
"Pyrus Fear Ripper G power increase by 100 Gs. Pyrus Fear Ripper G power 680 Gs. Pyrus Hynoid G power decrease by 50 Gs. Pyrus Hynoid G power 530 Gs." The bakupod announced.
With the sudden and dramatic increase in G power, Fear Ripper picked up Hynoid and slammed the Bakugan into the ground. Once Hynoid was on the ground, Fear Ripper raised its hands into the sky before diving down and digging its claws into Hynoid. Hynoid was left helpless as Fear Ripper continued to dig its claws deeper into the Pyrus Bakugan.
"Not so fast! Double Ability Ability Card Activate! Flame Bolt and Fire Tornado!" Dan countered, holding up two ability cards.
"Pyrus Hynoid G power increase by 100 Gs. Pyrus Hynoid G power 630 Gs. Pyrus Fear Ripper and Pyrus Hynoid G power exchange of 100 Gs. Pyrus Fear Ripper G power 580 Gs. Pyrus Hynoid G power 780 Gs." The bakupod announced.
Hynoid let out a resounding roar as it grabbed onto Fear Ripper's hands, sucking out the power out from its fellow Pyrus Bakugan. No sooner did Hynoid rip the claws out of its body and hurl Fear Ripper into the sky. The Pyrus Bakugan quickly followed, jumped toward Fear Ripper, and grabbed onto its body before throwing it back to the ground, defeating the Bakugan.
"Wasn't expecting that second ability." Chan Lee sighed as she picked up her fallen Bakugan.
"And now he has the rest of his Bakugan back…not good." Chan Lee murmured as she turned her gaze toward Dan, who was chatting it up with Drago.
"I'm not going down without a fight!" Chan Lee declared, clenching her fists.
"Guess she's not done yet," Dan commented as Drago flew up next to him.
"Neither were you just a moment ago with your reckless idea," Drago noted as Dan laughed nervously.
"Can't argue there, but was it really that reckless?" Dan questioned as Drago nodded.
"Indeed, what would you have done if she had another ability card that could put her Fear Ripper back on top?" Drago inquired as Dan sheepishly scratched his head.
"Well, uh…yeah, I've got nothing," Dan admitted, knowing that his final ability card was meant for Drago.
"Hmm…figures," Drago replied before returning his attention to the field.
"Shall we finish this battle then?" Drago suggested as Dan nodded.
"Yeah, I just wish I could bring it to one of my gate cards." Dan sighed, knowing that his last move left him with no gate cards to use until Chan Lee used up hers.
"Let's go, Drago!" Dan insisted, holding out his open palm.
"Right!" Drago nodded, landing on Dan's palm as the boy quickly loaded him into the launcher.
"Now then, Bakugan Brawl!" Dan shouted as he fired Drago onto the field.
"Pyrus Delta Dragonoid Stand!" Dan added landing Drago onto Chan Lee's gate card.
"Pyrus Delta Dragonoid G power 700 Gs. Pyrus Delta Dragonoid G power increase by 50 Gs due to Pyrus Volcano. Pyrus Delta Dragonoid G power 750 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"I can still do this…" Chan Lee murmured as she stared at the Pyrus Dragonoid before unclipping her Tuskor.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Chan Lee bellowed as she threw her Bakugan onto the field.
"Pyrus Tuskor Stand!" Chan Lee finished as she landed Tuskor onto her gate card.
"Pyrus Tuskor G power 550 Gs. Pyrus Tuskor G power increase by 50 Gs due to Pyrus Volcano. Pyrus Tuskor G power 600 Gs." The bakupod announced.
The moment Tuskor appeared onto the field, Drago flew over and attacked his fellow Pyrus Bakugan. With the G power gap being too big, Tuskor could only flee as Drago continuously attacked it.
"Gate Card Open! Positive Delta!" Chan Lee declared as her gate card glowed open.
"Pyrus Delta Dragonoid G power decrease by 200 Gs. Pyrus Delta Dragonoid G power 550 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"I'm not done yet! Ability Card Activate! Fire Judge!" Chan Lee added before throwing her ability card into Tuskor.
"Pyrus Tuskor G power increase by 100 Gs. Pyrus Tuskor G power 700 Gs." The bakupod announced.
As Chan Lee's gate card drained him of his power, Drago fell from the sky and crashed down onto the ground. There, he was met by Tuskor, who charged at him at full speed. Drago attempted to hold back his fell Pyrus Bakugan but was only knocked backward as a result.
The Pyrus Bakugan fell near the edge of the gate card as Tuskor ran in for a second attack. But this time, Drago was ready as he unfurled his wings and took to the sky once more, avoiding Tuskor's attack.
"Drago!" Dan called, catching his partner's attention.
"What is it, Dan? Do you have a plan?" Drago inquired as Dan nodded.
"Of course, the only question is if you're ready to play?" Dan replied as he held up an ability card.
"I was born ready, partner!" Drago responded, making Dan smile.
"Good then, let's use this! Ability Activate! Delta Dragonoid!" Dan shouted as he threw the ability into Drago, who roared as his power surged back.
"Pyrus Delta Dragonoid G power increase by 200 Gs. Pyrus Delta Dragonoid G power 750 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"No!" Chan Lee gasped as Drago dove down, covered in flames.
"It's over!" Drago roared as he slammed into Tuskor, creating a large explosion that rocked the field.
When the shaking ceased, and the dust settled, a defeated Tuskor landed at Chan Lee's feet as Dan caught Drago before the two were brought back to the real world with the smoke of the flowing lava hitting their nostrils.
"Well, I should have expected much." Chan Lee sighed as she picked up her fallen Bakugan.
"I figured I'd have trouble without Fourtress, but at least I can say I gave it my all!" Chan Lee noted as Dan approached her.
"You definitely did. I had a little trouble no thanks to a certain someone." Dan chuckled while poking Drago.
"I'm not going to live this down for a while." Drago sighed as he flew into Dan's pocket.
"Well, even if I couldn't advance, I'm glad the person who beat me is aiming to bring Masquerade down. So beat him for me and the rest of us!" Chan Lee insisted as Dan nodded.
"You bet!" Dan agreed as the two were covered by a bright light.
"Guess it's time for the next match. Thank goodness, cause I don't want to keep breathing this smoke." Dan smirked before he and Chan Lee were transported away from the area.
Elsewhere…
"Whoa!" Julie cried as she grabbed onto a nearby railing to catch her balance.
"What the heck!?" Marucho gasped as he fell down.
"Whoa, careful not to go overboard!" Preyas cried out as he clung to Marucho's clothing.
The two brawlers were surprised to see themselves transported to another location, but even more so when they saw that they had been brought to a small boat in the middle of a vast ocean with no land in sight anywhere.
"Uh, why did Masquerade bring us here?" Julie questioned, confused.
"Perhaps this location has some sort of significance?" Gorem suggested as he sat on Julie's shoulder.
"I don't know. It doesn't make much sense to bring us to such a random location." Marucho responded as he moved over to the boat's controls, only to get no response from them.
"Looks like we're stuck here," Marucho noted, leaving the controls.
"Does that mean we're opponents then?" Julie wondered as the two looked at one another.
"It would look that way. Though I am disappointed that it has to happen so early since only one of us can advance." Marucho replied as Julie hung her head.
"Hmmm…It's not fair!" Julie cried out as she threw herself against the boat's railing.
"Why do we have to go through each other just to take down the bad guys," Julie murmured as Marucho patted her back.
"We don't have a choice. It is a tournament, after all." Marucho reminded as Julie slowly nodded.
"Let's just try to do our best even if we have to defeat one another," Marucho suggested as Julie stood back up.
"Yeah, I guess that's all we can do. Let's do our best!" Julie agreed, glancing at the vast ocean that surrounded them.
"And may the best of us move forward!" Julie declared, taking her field card.
"Agreed!" Marucho replied as he did the same.
"Field Open!" The Two shouted as time slowed to a stop, and they were transferred to an unfamiliar battlefield.
"Uh…what's up with this field?!" Julie gasped as she looked around at the strange field around her.
"This is…unexpected…" Marucho commented as he inspected the strange field around them.
Instead of ending up in the standard battle field, they had been sent to a platform surrounded by water with floating islands dotting around them that had waterfalls spilling over the edges. Additionally, around them was a ruin-like temple, almost like they had been placed in the center of the lost city of Atlantis with a green vortex wind sky above.
"Whoa, whoa, wait! This is…" Preyas gasped as he looked around the field.
"This is Aquos Space! I mean, it looks a little different. I don't recall a green sky, but this is undoubtedly Aquos Space!" Preyas announced, shocking both Brawlers.
"Is that true?" Julie questioned, looking toward Gorem.
"I wouldn't know, as I haven't been to Aquos Space before," Gorem answered as he inspected the field around them.
"But it certainly feels like Vestroia," Gorem noted as he landed on Julie's shoulder.
"Could this be why Masquerade sent us to the middle of the ocean?" Marucho murmured, rubbing his chin.
"Should we try to look around?" Julie inquired as Marucho looked over their platform.
"I don't know if that's possible with our current position," Marucho pointed out as he saw no way back up to the platform.
"Which means there's not much else for us to do besides battle," Marucho added as he turned back around to face Julie.
"I guess you're right." Julie nodded, looking down as she didn't want to advance at the cost of disqualifying her friend.
"Let's not waste time then." Marucho insisted as Julie nodded.
"Gate Card Set!" The two shouted as they threw their gate cards onto the field.
"Bakugan Brawl! Subterra Garganoid Stand!" Julie yelled as she loaded up her Bakugan and launched onto the field.
"Subterra Garganoid G power 565 Gs." The bakupod announced as her Bakugan landed onto her gate card.
"Not a surprising move," Marucho commented as he pressed his glasses up.
"I'll answer in kind!" Marucho exclaimed as he loaded a Bakugan of his own into his launcher.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Marucho shouted as he launched his Bakugan toward the field.
"Aquos Serp…WAIT?!" Marucho gasped as his Bakugan bounced into a stream of water being sweapt away by the current.
His Bakugan was sent around the field before being fired off into the air and landing on an island, where it continued to roll. Marucho and Julie watched as the Bakugan bounced back and forth around the field before falling down to the ground, landing nowhere near any gate card returning to Marucho.
"Uhhh…." Marucho hummed as he stared at his fallen Bakugan.
"I guess I need to be more careful with the environment here," Marucho commented as he picked up his Bakugan.
"You can go again if you want!" Julie offered as Marucho shook his head.
"No. Rules are rules. Since I missed my shot, it's your turn now." Marucho insisted, much to Julie's surprise.
"Well, if you insist," Julie replied as she took out her next Bakugan.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Julie shouted as she launched her Bakugan onto the field.
However, just like Marucho, her Bakugan bounced into a nearby stream and was swept around the field, much to Julie's horror. She watched as her Bakugan was sent around the field through several streams until, finally, it was shot out and landed safely on Marucho's gate card.
"Thank goodness." Julie sighed as her Bakugan opened up.
"Subterra Manion Stand!" Julie declared as her Bakugan rose onto the field.
"Subterra Manion G power 580 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"Wow, that's a lot of power," Marucho noted as he looked at his bakupod.
"Yeah, I hope you've got a plan for that," Preyas commented as Marucho grabbed onto him.
"I do," Marucho replied as Preyas began to panic.
"W-Wait me?!" Preyas gasped as Marucho loaded his partner into his launcher.
"Yep!" Marucho smirked as he raised his arm.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Marucho yelled as he launched Preyas toward the field.
Unlike before, Marucho purposely aimed for the flowing water, allowing it to carry Preyas across the field for him, much to Preyas's chagrin as the Aquos Bakugan screamed his head off from the fast tides before being launched out and landing on Julie's gate card.
"Aquos Preyas Stand!" Marucho finished as Preyas appeared on the field.
"Aquos Preyas G power 600 Gs. Aquos Preyas G power increase by 50 Gs due to Aquos Island. Aquos Preyas G power 650 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"Huh?! That's not fair!" Julie complained as she looked down at her bakupod.
"This is unexpected," Marucho commented, surprised at the power boost granted to them by the field.
"Hey, I'm not complaining! Especially after going through that water slide! It feels like I'm back at home!" Preyas laughed as he threw out several poses.
"It's a shame this isn't Subterra Space," Gorem noted as he sat on Julie's shoulder.
"You can say that again," Julie murmured as she watched her Garganoid move in to attack.
Though the Subterra Bakugan's G power was significantly lower than Preyas's, it used Preyas's showboating to its advantage to land an attack. It flew up and slammed into Preyas's back, causing him to lose balance and nearly fall off the gate card.
"Preyas! Pay attention!" Marucho warned as Preyas picked himself up.
"Right, right!" Preyas nodded as he dodged Garganoid's next attack.
Jumping up, Preyas spun around and kicked the attacking Garganoid across the gate card with ease. The Aquos Bakugan then ran after Garganoid with a pep in his step, something odd for Preyas, but his joyfulness wouldn't last long when the ground below him began to glow.
"Gate Card Open! Energy Merge!" Julie countered, causing Preyas to lose his footing as energy drained from his body.
"I'm suddenly not feeling as good as before," Preyas commented as he turned over on the ground.
"Aquos Preyas G power decrease by 100 Gs. Aquos Preyas G power 550 Gs. Subterra Garganoid G power increase by 100 Gs. Subterra Garganoid G power 665 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"That's not good!" Preyas gasped as Garganoid flew above him before diving down toward Preyas.
"Ah! Marucho, please tell me you have a plan!" Preyas begged as Marucho pulled out an ability card.
"Ability Card Activate! Blue Stealth!" Marucho shouted as he threw the card into Julie's gate card.
"Energy Merge Negated by the effects of Blue Stealth. Aquos Preyas G power returns to 650 Gs. Subterra Garganoid G power returns to 565 Gs." The bakupod began.
"G power exchange of 50 Gs between Aquos Preyas and Subterra Garganoid. Aquos Preyas G power 700 Gs. Subterra Garganoid G power 515 Gs." The bakupod finished.
"That's better!" Preyas exclaimed as he hopped back to his feet and launched into the air to meet Garganoid halfway, slamming his fist into the Subterra Bakugan's face, defeating it.
"Oh no!" Julie gasped as her Bakugan fell at her feet.
"We can't win them all, Julie." Gorem reminded as Julie picked up Garganoid.
"I know, but it would have been nice," Julie commented as Marucho caught Preyas.
"Whew, not bad! That was like I was back home!" Preyas laughed in Marucho's hand.
"Hey, maybe you guys can leave me here and do the rest yourselves," Preyas suggested as Marucho sweatdropped.
"Really Preyas?" Marucho questioned as Preyas avoided eye contact.
"N-No…" Preyas replied, his voice trailing off.
"Well, we may have won the first battle..but there's something that's concerning to me…" Marucho murmured as he looked toward Julie.
"She didn't use any ability cards to counter my move. Meaning either she didn't have any she could use for that scenario. Or she's saving it for a more important battle." Marucho theorized as Preyas floated next to him.
"Well, at least we know what her next move will be," Preyas noted as Julie took out a gate card.
"I won't be losing this next battle, Marucho!" Julie stated as Marucho nodded.
"Gate Card Set!" Julie shouted as she threw the gate card next to Marucho's.
"Now's the time, Gorem!" Julie stated as she turned to her partner.
"Understood." Gorem nodded as he landed in Julie's palm, allowing her to load him into her launcher.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Julie yelled as she launched Gorem onto the field, avoiding all hazards before landing onto her gate card.
"Subterra Gorem Stand!" Julie finished as Gorem took to the field.
"Subterra Gorem G power 600 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"Gorem's finally out. Hmm, I'd rather avoid battling him at the moment." Marucho noted as she looked at the two Bakugan on the field.
"So I should use the advantage of my own turf." Marucho determined as he loaded his launcher.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Marucho howled as he launched his Bakugan toward his gate card.
"Aquos Limulus Stand!" Marucho added as his Bakugan landed on his gate card.
"Aquos Limulus G power 535 Gs. Aquos Limulus G power increase by 50 Gs due to Aquos Island. Aquos Limulus G power 585 Gs." The bakupod announced.
As Limulus appeared on the field, it was attacked by Manion, who was nearly equal in strength. The Subterra Bakugan crashed down on Limulus, attempting to crack through its hard carapace while flying back up to avoid Limulus's claws. But no matter how much it attacked, it couldn't break through.
"Gate Card Open! Level Down!" Marucho declared as his gate card opened.
"Subterra Manion G power decrease by 100 Gs. Subterra Manion G power 480 Gs. Aquos Limulus G power increase by 100 Gs. Aquos Limulus G power 685 Gs." The bakupod announced.
As the gate card opened, Manion was helpless as it fell down toward Limulus who grabbed the Subterra Bakugan with its claws. With Manion firmly in its grasp, Limulus threw the Subterra Bakugan into the ground with a resonating thud.
The Aquos Bakugan wasted no time in a follow-up as it slammed its claws against Manion's prone body over and over again. Manion was helpless in the face of Limulus's power, but Julie wasn't going to let this continue for long.
"Ability Card Activate! Landslide!" Julie countered as a giant mass of rocks came barrelling down against Manion and Limulus.
"By using this ability, I'm forcing our Bakugan onto the gate card Gorem occupies!" Julie explained as the two Bakugan were pushed over to the adjacent gate card.
"No way!" Marucho gasped as he watched the Bakugan move.
"Effects of Level Down removed. Aquos Limulus and Subterra Manion G power return to normal parameters. Combined G power of Subterra Manion and Subterra Gorem 1,180 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"This isn't good?!" Preyas commented as Marucho nodded.
"It's good for us! Right, Gorem!" Julie laughed as Gorem gave her a thumbs up.
"That's right, Julie!" Gorem replied as he helped his fellow Subterra Bakugan up.
"Let us beat this opponent together." Gorem insisted as Manion nodded.
The two Subterra Bakugan charged toward Limulus, knocking the Aquos Bakugan across the gate card helplessly. With such a large gap in G power between the Aquos and Subterra Bakugan, there was no way for Limulus to win.
"Not so fast! Ability Card Activate! Rapid River!" Marucho combatted as he loaded up his next Bakugan.
"Bakugan Brawl! Aquos Serpenoid Stand!" Marucho added as he launched his Bakugan onto the field.
"Aquos Serpenoid G power 575 Gs. Aquos Serpenoid G power increase by 50 Gs due to Aquos Island. Aquos Serpenoid G power 655 Gs. Combined G power of Aquos Serpenoid and Aquos Limulus 1,240 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"No!" Julie gasped as she watched the G power on the bakupod increase.
"But I'm not done yet! Ability Activate! Aquos Riptide!" Marucho continued as he threw the card at his Bakugan's feet.
"Time to move our Bakugan back to MY gate card!" Marucho declared as a large tidel wave crashed into the four Bakugan on the field.
"WHAT?! No fair!" Julie complained as the four Bakugan moved back to Marucho's active gate card.
"Subterra Manion G power decrease by 100 Gs. Subterra Manion G power 480 Gs. Combined G power of Subterra Manion and Subterra Gorem 1,080 Gs." The bakupod announced.
Now that the G power imbalance was in Marucho's favor, the two Aquos Bakugan made a mad dash toward Gorem and Manion. The two Subterra Bakugan held their ground as the Aquos Bakugan slammed into them. They just managed to hold them back to prevent themselves from being pushed off the gate card.
"Grr…I can't let you win so easily!" Julie stated as she pulled out an ability card.
"Ability Card Activate! Mega Impact!" Julie shouted as she threw her card into Gorem.
"Subterra Gorem G power increase by 200 Gs. Subterra Gorem G power 800 Gs. Combined G power of Subterra Manion and Subterra Gorem 1,280 Gs." The bakupod announced.
Gorem erupted with power, knocking the two Aquos Bakugan away from him and Manion. Taking this opportunity, both Gorem and Manion ran and flew forward to attack the Aquos Bakugan slamming down on their prone forms to keep them from getting back up.
Serpenoid attempted to circumvent their attacks by wrapping itself around Gorem's arm and traveling up his body. But the Aquos Bakugan was stopped when it was grabbed by Manion who pulled it off of Gorem.
That momentary distraction was enough for Limulus to recover and attack at Gorem's feet, attempting to knock over the Subterra Bakugan. However, it wasn't strong enough to do so as Gorem knocked the Aquos Bakugan onto its back.
"Uh, Marucho, they're not going to hang on for much longer!" Preyas pointed out as Marucho began to sweat.
"Should I keep going? I could beat her here and now…but if I lose. I won't have much abilities left for the next round." Marucho noted as he watched the battle.
"But If I lose now, then I'll only have Preyas…should I even risk it?" Marucho wondered as he began to sweat.
"Julie," Marucho called, getting his fellow Battle Brawlers' attention.
"No matter which of us gets through to the next round. We'll put our best foot forward!" Marucho insisted, causing Julie to pause for a moment before nodding.
"Right then. Ability Card Activate! Abyss Ruler!" Marucho declared as water surged out from the rivers, converging on the gate card rising above Gorem's knees.
"Combined G power of Aquos Serpenoid and Aquos Limulus increase by 100 Gs. Combined G power 1,340 Gs." The bakupod announced.
Once more, the G powers have turned around, allowing the Aquos Bakugan to fight back. Serpenoid wrapped around Manion's body, causing it to fall out of the sky as Limulus sprung out of the water, striking Gorem's head.
"AH!" Gorem cried as he slowly stepped back, only for Limulus to attack again.
"Gorem! Are you okay?" Julie inquired as she ran closer to her partner.
"I'm fine for now. But the water is bogging me down." Gorem responded as he held up his arms to block Limulus's next attack.
"Then we'll just have to up the ante!" Julie replied as she pulled out another ability card.
"Ability Activate! Subterra Smash!" Julie declared as she threw the card onto the field.
"Combined G power of Subterra Gorem and Subterra Manion increase by 120 Gs. Combined G power 1,400 Gs." The bakupod announced.
Now further empowered, Gorem raised his arms before slamming them down, pushing the water away and freeing him from its resistance. He soon rose up and freed Manion from Serpenoid's grasp before throwing the Aquos Bakugan away.
Working together, the two Subterra Bakugan began their counterassault on their Aquos adversaries, with Gorem holding down Serpenoid while Manion took on Limulus. But the Aquos Bakugan were not going down without a fight as they resisted and countered each attack.
Marucho watched the battle anxiously, knowing that this next move could make or break this match. He has already used most of his abilities, and the one he has left could win him the match, but it was a gamble, which is something Marucho never likes doing.
He preferred using strategy over relying on luck, and it seems this battle was a miscalculation. Or if he used this ability, it could work in his favor. But the ability worked on a chance value, and if he didn't get the right one, he'd lose this bout.
"But if I'm going to go all out, then…I'll go all out!" Marucho declared as he pulled out his final ability card.
"Ability Card Activate! Whirpool!" Marucho shouted while throwing the card into the water, causing it to crash back in on Gorem and Manion.
"This card is a gamble because it can only take a random number of G power from Julie's Bakugan. So let's see if it's in my favor." Marucho thought as the whirlpool pulled in Gorem and Manion.
"Subterra Gorem and Subterra Manion Combined G power decrease initiated." The bakupod announced.
"Oh no, you don't! Ability Activate! Whirlwind!" Julie countered, causing Marucho's Bakugan to glow.
"Aquos Serpenoid and Aquos Limulus combined G power decrease by 100 Gs. Combined G power 1,240 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"Not good!" Marucho gasped, knowing that his ability now had even less of a chance to work if he didn't land on the right number.
Watching as the G power ticked down, both Julie and Marucho were on the edge as the Gs went down and down. Further and further, it went as the four Bakugan fought in the chaos of the whirlpool to topple the other until the numbers settled.
"Subterra Gorem and Subterra Manion combined G power decrease by 225 Gs. Combined G power 1,175 Gs." The bakupod announced.
"Just enough!" Marucho exclaimed as Julie gawked.
"No!" Julie cried as both Serpenoid and Limulus sprouted from the whirlpool and slammed into Gorem and Manion, defeating the two once and for all, ending the match, and returning the brawlers to the real world.
"Awww!" Julie whined as she fell to her knees.
"There, there, Julie, we did our best," Gorem assured as Julie lifted him up.
"I know, but…it's still disappointing," Julie replied as Marucho walked over.
"It was a well-fought match, Julie. Honestly, it was mostly due to luck that I managed to win that last bit." Marucho admitted as he helped Julie up.
"Yeah, but if one of us had to win, I am glad it's one of us." Julie nodded as she stood.
"So make sure to kick but in the next round!" Julie insisted as she was engulfed in a white light before disappearing from the boat, leaving Marucho alone.
"Hey, why weren't we moved?!" Preyas wondered as Marucho looked around.
"I don't know. Maybe Masquerade is waiting for someone else to win." Marucho theorized before a white light appeared before them.
"Huh! Where are we now?!" Dan questioned as he and Drago appeared before Marucho.
"Marucho? What are you doing here?" Dan asked as he noticed his fellow Battle Brawler in front of him.
"I was sent here with Julie to battle. But once I won, she disappeared, and then…you showed up." Marucho explained as Dan placed his hand on his chin.
"So Masquerade's matched us up then for the second round. I just got out from beating Chan Lee myself." Dan determined as Drago flew up.
"By any chance, was the battle field different for you as well?" Drago inquired as Marucho nodded.
"It was. Very different, in fact." Marucho answered as Preyas chimed in.
"Yeah, it was like we were in Aquos Space! I felt right at home…if only I could have stayed longer…oh wait!" Preyas explained as he realized they were about to battle again.
"The same happened with us. We were in Pyrus Space." Dan pointed out, shocking Marucho.
"Incredible, but how and why is this happening?" Marucho wondered as Drago hummed.
"I don't know, but my biggest concern is the state of Vestroia…Preyas, was there anything different about Aquos Space?" Drago asked as Preyas sat on Marucho's head.
"Well…besides all the weird architecture, not much…except for the green and stormy sky." Preyas described as Drago gasped.
"Just as the dark sky in Pyrus Space!" Drago exclaimed as Dan tilted his head.
"That's great in all, but that doesn't explain what it means." Dan pointed out as Drago turned to him.
"It means the walls between the elemental worlds of Vestroia are combining. During our battle with Chan, I could have sworn I saw something or perhaps someone." Drago stated, shocking everyone.
"If what's happening to both our battles is happening with the others, it could be that I saw someone in a battle." Drago determined as Marucho stepped toward Drago.
"What did you see?" Marucho inquired as Drago took a second to think.
"I believe it was…blue hair," Drago answered, causing Dan to gasp.
"RUNO!" Dan shouted as Marucho rubbed his chin.
"Perhaps. But we don't know for sure. I was too busy with my battle with Julie to notice before, but if we take some time in our battle, we can try to see if we can peer into the sky of the Aquos field." Marucho suggested as Dan crossed his arms.
"I'm still not thrilled about having to battle each other, but…we need answers, too, so let's go with your plan, Marucho." Dan agreed as he pulled out his field card.
"Agreed, we need to know everything we can!" Drago nodded as Marucho took out his field card.
"Indeed. Let's not waste any time then." Marucho replied as both his and Dan's field cards began to glow.
"Field Open!" They declared as they were transported into the battle field.
Next Time, things get windy when Shun and Komba are battle in the windy fields of Ventus Space. It's a battle of the Ventus brawlers to show who's on top. Meanwhile, in the darkness of Darkus Space, Runo is faced with her opponent, none other than Marduk!
Can she beat the sadistic Darkus Brawler, or will he and Vladitor stand on top? Next Time on Bakugan Doom World: I Must Win!
Author's Note:
Oh my god, I am so sorry for how long it took me to get this chapter out! Not going to lie this was mostly due to burnout as I barely had any motivation to write for any of my stories, and while I could try to push through it, I knew that it would only make the content of the story worse for it.
Hell, I almost finished the Dan v Chan fight way earlier when Drago botched that fight. Originally, I had him bouncing back with a pep talk from Dan, but ultimately decided to go against that and instead opt to what the battle eventually ended up being. Funny enough, when writing the battle between Julie and Marucho, it was supposed to be more than two matches.
But then, when I kept writing the back and forth with their 2v2, it just felt so good that I couldn't not make it more and more exciting before ending it off there XD. Honestly, I think it worked well. Hopefully, I can get the next chapter out faster than this one, but I'm not going to make a promise for fear of breaking it.
Still, I plan on trying to get it out before another year passes, lol. Writing the battles can be a pain at times but I'm going to give it my best shot! Now, on to the reviews:
Darklordcommeth2367 – Thanks. I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and hopefully you're still reading after waiting so long lol (Sorry). I'm happy to hear you like the relationship I've made between Leonidas and Ryder, as I think their bond is most important for this story, especially since it wasn't touched upon much in the game. Same goes with Ryder's bond with Alice, which will continue to grow ;).
Of course, that will be turned on its head once everyone finds out that Alice and Masquerade are one and the same, but that bit is something I'm very excited to get to. What I'm more excited about writing, though, is something you talked about in the review being the Doom Dimension Trials.
More specifically, I am excited to write Ryder's as it's something I've slowly been building on since the beginning cause there's going to be a lot of reveals in it. Like you said, the trials are about learning more about yourself and resolving issues that plague you, and Ryder's will be no exception!
As for New Vestroia, you have nothing to worry about, as I will be having the other characters (especially Alice) do a lot more in that story. It is such a shame how most of the original Battle Brawlers (mostly the girls) got shoved to the side, especially in later seasons, and I want to mend that, at least for New Vestroia.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
SomeLukerDude – Here it is! Sorry for the long wait XD. Hope you liked it!
Guest – Maybe if they get together, lol.
Mr. Haziq – Yep and I'm not done yet!
HunterHQ – True, it is odd only the kids know about the Bakugan if you think about it, especially in Season one lol. I don't know about later seasons, but I do know everyone goes to school. Though it is odd that they don't mid-season (Which is why I placed this in summer, lol). I'm surprised that it took long for people to use Bakugan for crime XD.
If Masquerade's mask cracks or is destroyed, my headcannon is that he loses control of Alice's body as that is the main appearance of his control. As for the Silent Orb, it will come into play soon, so you'll have to see what happens and if Vladitor gets it :).
Yeah, that was what I was going for with the battle fields being the same in the game, and eventually, I'll explain as to why they are like this (Once the tournament is over). As for the 6 warriors, they'll definitely have to face them to free the others, as only they have the power to do so (At least, I'm pretty sure).
If Leonidas were to absorb the negative energy from the Silent Orb or the core, it will be very interesting, to say the least. I won't say what, as you'll have to find out later. As for his interaction with Naga and the 6 warriors those will come with time (Hopefully not too too long XD). Hope you enjoyed.
Dan Kuso999 – Prob going to have to if he wants to avoid being caught, lol.
Denisegalante1009 – I plan to go to the end of season two, but no further, as it's the last season I'm familiar with, and I don't want to get all confused with the newer systems that come in afterward (I have difficulty writing battles as is XD).
LEGOBRICK13 – Yeah, they really just kept introducing more and more new characters until the original cast, besides the three main boys, were forgotten (From what I've seen, at least). Hope you liked the chapter!
DarkFangs3 – Thanks hope you enjoyed this chapter, even if the wait was long.
Johannvanguard – Yeah, it's fun writing for the battle fields, and Julio definitely would have made out a little better if he still had his partner. Yeah, Masquerade is mostly focused on empowering Hydranoid, but that is part of the plan, along with the hopes of the Infinity Core appearing during the tournament (Obviously failed, but they don't know that yet, lol).
Garrus Skywalker – Thanks hope I can get the next chapter out faster.
Martin ng649 – Thanks. I liked that moment with Ryder and Alice, too. Sorry, I made you wait, lol. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
