I'm back, you all! I know, it took me long enough. Sorry. But, I hope you won't be disappointed with the new arc.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bakugan or the characters.
XXX
Chapter One: Interspace Test Drive
Within a massive, well decorated hallway, with several corridors heading in many direction and a red staircase heading to a second floor, a portal opened right in the middle. Walking through it were three humans, a black haired teen wearing green, a blonde boy in blue, and an orange haired girl in purple and black.
"Well… it's so good to be home!", Marucho exhaled in relief. "The last time I was here…"
"When you left for Vestal, correct?", another voice asked. Walking down one of the halls was an aged man in a butler's uniform: Kato, the Marakura family butler. "Are you safe from those Vexos now, Master Marucho?", he asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine!", Marucho exclaimed. "Where are mom and dad?"
"They have left for work", Kato replied, noticing the people behind Marucho afterward. "Hello there, Master Shun and Mistress Alice. I assume you are here to assist in testing Bakugan Interspace?"
"That's right", Shun confirmed.
"I understand", Kato replied. "It will take a while for the Interspace to be prepared. If you wish, I could escort you to guest rooms, where you two can refresh."
"How long are we going to be waiting?", Alice inquired.
"At the very least, five hours", Kato answered.
"Very well", Hydranoid agreed. "Let us know once you're ready. I'm anxious for a challenge."
"We just got back from blowing up a planet killer", Alice deadpanned.
"And I barely broke a sweat", Hydranoid retorted. "I want a real battle."
"I'd be happy to accommodate you, old friend", Ingram volunteered with relish. "I'm anxious to test out my new powers as well. Ours will be the first Bakugan battle within this "Bakugan Interspace"."
"I look forward to it", Hydranoid agreed ferociously.
"Until then, why not get some rest?", Shun prompted. "We've all had a long day."
"You're right, Shun", Marucho agreed. "You and Alice go get some rest. I'll take some time to get reacquainted with the Interspace's software."
Kato started walking down the hallway he had come from, the three Battle Brawlers present following him. The four walked through many rooms, one being a fountain decorated with Roman statues, another being a habitat for pandas, and another being a giant aquarium with a killer whale inside. Shun and Alice had been inside this mansion before, yet the sights still marveled them.
Kato momentarily stopped in front of two adjacent rooms. "These will be yours", he informed Alice and Shun.
"Thank you for your hospitality", Alice said to the butler.
"It's no problem", Kato responded. "Any friend of Master Marucho's is welcome here." Humorously, he added afterward, "In any case, it's not like you wish me to fly you to your lab in Moscow."
"She has a transporter card for that", Hydranoid sniped.
The Darkus and Ventus battlers walked inside their rooms then, leaving Marucho and Kato to continue onward.
While on their way, Kato began conversation. "I notice that the area around you is quieter than usual", he stated. Normally, Preyas and Elfin would've started a migraine-inducing argument by now. "Are Elfin and Preyas away?"
Marucho abruptly stopped upon hearing that. Looking down so his eyes didn't meet Kato's, Marucho let down a few tears. "They're gone", he finally answered.
"Oh", Kato replied. "I apologize for the insensitive question."
"It's fine", Marucho assured with a forced smile. "You didn't know. Let's get going."
The two continued their journey, walking down the hallway for another 11 minutes until they finally reached their lab. Several computers were present, their monitors showing the condition of the virtual project.
Marucho checked them to see that not only did they, in fact, finish the digital world, they also had completed several digitizing tests, which were all successful. "It's done!", he exclaimed.
"Almost, sir", an assistant agreed, walking toward him. "While our digitizing tests have gone well, there are two complications. The first is that, since none of us own Bakugan, we couldn't test how the system would work while housing a battle."
"That's a valid point", Elico agreed. "I don't believe your Interspace is ready just yet."
"The second problem is that we had no way of supplying our battlers with Bakugan", the assistant finished.
"That is a major complication", Marucho agreed, sulking in thought before realizing something. "Wait, had? As in you have a solution?"
"We might", the assistant cautioned, pressing several buttons on the computer, pulling a screen up. "A few days ago, we received this data from an anonymous source." The screen showed days in the shape of a DNA double helix, going along with high pitched music.
Marucho gasped in surprise. "No way!", he awed.
"I'm far from an expert, Marucho", Elico noted, looking intently at the screen. "But it looks too similar to our data to be a coincidence."
"It's not too similar", Marucho corrected. "It's completely identical!"
"Sir?", the assistant questioned, confused.
"How much of this data have you decrypted yet?", Marucho asked the assistant.
"Not much", the assistant replied. "We know it's something related to Bakugan, but not much else."
Marucho inserted a data card into the computer, causing a different tab to show on the screen. "I think this copy is slightly more decrypted", he stated. "We'll work on this one."
"What's more is that it automatically uploaded data into the Interspace", the assistant remarked. "We checked the software; it's undamaged. But there are four strange entities in Battle Arena 2. They seem to be biological in nature. Beyond that, we don't know much."
"We'll worry about that once we decrypt the data and get the Interspace ready", Marucho instructed. "Can you get the team together?"
"Yes sir."
XXX
Shun was laying down on his bed, eyes closed. But his mind was beyond awake, displaying images of the recent battles: the most notable one was Skyress obliterated by a red laser beam, leaving nothing left to see. Suddenly, he sat up.
"Shun", Ingram regarded. "Humans need their rest."
"I've had enough rest", Shun stated. "I think I'm gonna find Marucho."
"If you wish", Ingram agreed, his ball form closing and jumping into Shun's hand.
Shun excited his guest room and, remembering he had come from the left end of the corridor, turned right and started running. After almost a minute, he found himself in a gray laboratory with a high ceiling and several computers. On those computers were Marucho and five of his assistants.
"Marucho, how's Interspace going?", Shun called the question, startling the Aquos battler.
"Oh!", Marucho called, surprised. "Hey, Shun. It's going fine. Could you come here? I want to show you something."
"Ok", Shun agreed, walking up to where Marucho was. What he saw on Marucho's computer surprised him.
"Wow", he muttered.
What he saw was schematics for a Bakugan related weapon.
"Yeah. Battle Gear", Marucho announced. "An attachment to Bakugan that is made from their own DNA. It's like an extension of their power."
"It's… amazing", Shun agreed. "This was within the data?"
"I can barely believe it, either!", Marucho acknowledged. "We've already run simulations. It seems Elico, Ingram and Hydranoid are all compatible. If you want, you could get your own."
"I'd rather not", Ingram protested. "I have just evolved in battle, earned my power. I'd rather fight with my power, not rely on machinery."
"I agree with you, Ingram", Shun stated. "But we need to consider where this data came from. It's beyond likely they have this Battle Gear. If they're hostile, I'd rather fight on an even playing field."
"Perhaps", Ingram conceded. "What of Elico?"
"I'm here", Elico stated, his ball form in a Bakugan scanning device.
"We need to examine their DNA to build Battle Gear for them", Marucho explained. "They won't be able to battle for a while, but my assistants are still working on activating the Interspace."
"Ok", Shun said. "Guess we'll have to wait."
XXX
Alice woke up on a rather fancy and comfortable white bed. Wait, where am i?!, she thought in a momentary panic. "Oh, right. Marucho's house."
"You alright, Alice?", Hydranoid asked. "Any nightmares?"
"No nightmares. Just a bit jumpy", Alice said. "We just came back from fighting a war, if you're not aware."
"I'm aware", Hydranoid replied. "I wonder… what would Leonidas think of what we've accomplished?"
"He'd probably be jealous", Alice said thoughtfully. "But… he'd then congratulate you on your evolution."
"Probably", Hydranoid agreed wistfully. "I wonder how long we've been here."
Alice looked at an electric clock that now read 7:46 am. When she forest got into the room, it was 12:20 pm. "Almost seven and a half hours", Alice told Hydranoid. "Marucho should be finished by now."
With that resolve, Alice grabbed Hydranoid and her transporter card, using the latter to transport herself to Marucho.
A moment later, Alice found herself in a laboratory overlooking a circular platform. Shun and Marucho were each leaning against a wall, on a bench and dozed off.
"You ok?", she asked them.
"They've had a long night", Kato said behind Alice. "Perhaps it's better to let them rest."
"Fair enough", Alice conceded. "What were they doing?"
"Several things", Kato replied, tossing a device to Alice, who caught it instantly. "By the way, they wanted me to give this to you."
Alice examined the device, the purple band to go around her wrist, the small touchscreen. "Ah, yes. The 'Baku Pod' found within the data", Alice identified the object. "Thank you. How's the Interspace going?"
"It's ready for your usage", Kato answered. "And, if you wish, there is an opponent for you."
"What are you taking about?", Hydranoid questioned.
"The mysterious data that you and your friends received", Kato explained. "We received it, as well. The data proceeded to upload four digital Bakugan into one of our arena. If you wish, we could program a digital battler to be your opponent."
"Wait, wait", Alice stopped the butler. "Time out. Back from the top: You also received the data."
"Correct."
"It uploaded four Bakugan into the Interspace."
"Correct."
"And you can program a digital opponent for me to battle?"
"Yes."
"Ok", Alice said. "Ok. This'll work. Thank you."
"It's no problem, Mistress Alice", Kato responded, going to a widow and pointing out of it. "If you wish, that platform over there is where you'll be digitized."
"Good to know", Alice replied, using her transporter card to instantly get to the platform Kato described.
"I… see", Kato muttered, taken aback by the transporter card. He then went back to reality and began typing buttons on the computer. Soon enough, Alice disappeared from the platform, digitized into Bakugan Interspace.
XXX
Alice suddenly appeared in a completely new environment. There were several buildings, beige in color, but that's not what grabbed Alice's attention. What drew Alice's eyes was the sky, blue and adorned with green squares.
"So, this is Marucho's 'Bakugan Interspace' ", Alice thought out loud.
"Indeed it is", Kato's voice echoed throughout the virtual world. A holo screen appeared showing his face. "I see the journey went swimmingly."
"Yeah, it did", Alice reassured him. "Where are those Bakugan of yours?"
"Just a moment", Kato replied. A few seconds later, Alice was transported to another area of the Interspace. This area had a circular beige platform, surrounded by platforms with empty seats.
On the central platform were four Bakugan: one was green, mostly humanoid, and supported green wings. Another was blue and sported sunglasses, water guns at the waist and fins. Another was light brown and resembled a titan and had a circular plate in it's chest. The last was white, with red shades, and seemed to be a cross of a human and a machine.
"What kind of Bakugan are those?", Alice wondered.
"I have no idea", Hydranoid admitted. "I've been on New Vestroia for a long time. I've seen everything it had to offer. But these are rather alien to me."
"That's… concerning", Alice admitted.
Right then, before Hydranoid and Alice's eyes, the four Bakugan glowed their attribute colors and reverted to ball form. The Haos and Subterra Bakugan raced in front of Alice, ahead of the other ones.
"I suppose we have our opponents", Hydranoid said. "Two against one. I was worried this wouldn't be a fair fight."
"Don't get cocky", Alice cautioned. "Normally, I'd agree, but we have no idea what these Bakugan are capable of."
"And now, to get your opponent", Kato's voice echoed. A multicolored light engulfed Alice for the briefest moment, before the light receded and went to the other side of the field. When the light receded, it revealed…
"Why are there two of you?", Hydranoid questioned.
The figure, in fact, shared many features with Alice, but there were differences. The hair was honey blonde instead of orange. She wore an orange skirt and white shirt. Otherwise, they were identical in appearance.
"You made a digital avatar of me from my statistics", Alice guessed, regarding Kato.
"Correct", Kato confirmed.
For a moment, Alice had a flashback to one of Masquerade's memories, how Exedra attempted to unsettle Masquerade by making an illusory Alice to battle him. Now, it seemed she would have a similar opportunity.
The two Bakugan that had wordlessly challenged Alice raced to the avatar, who caught them mechanically.
"Let's put this arena to the test", Alice said.
"And my new powers", Hydranoid added.
"Bring it on!", the avatar countered, her emotionless voice echoing throughout the area.
Both battlers raised their Baku Pods, which shone multicolored light for a moment. The area surrounding them glowed in the same multicolored light, which died down. The battle was on.
"Gate Card, set!", the avatar called, throwing a Gate Card onto the ground.
"She doesn't miss a beat", Alice remarked, surprised by how quickly the avatar had began the battle.
"Bakugan, brawl!", the avatar continued, throwing the Haos Bakugan onto the field. "Bakugan, stand! Rise, Haos Aranaut!" From a flash of yellow light, the Haos Bakugan backflipped into the arena.
"We've got ourselves an acrobat", Hydranoid murmured.
"You ready?", Alice asked her Bakugan.
"I'm done with caution", Hydranoid growled. "Throw. Me. IN!"
"Bakugan, brawl!", Alice yelled, throwing Hydranoid into the fray. "Bakugan, stand! Darkus Blackout Hydranoid!" Upon her announcement, the five headed Bakugan appeared on the field, his body alone emitting a massive amount of negative power, even in the virtual arena.
Blackout Hydranoid: 900
Aranaut: 800
"That's a powerful Bakugan", Alice remarked.
"We're more powerful", Hydranoid argued.
Suddenly, the Bakugan raced forward and landed a punch on Hydranoid, who took a step back from the velocity. Hydranoid's two side heads lashed out, gabbing the humanoid Bakugan from its arms.
"No cheap shots!", Hydranoid reprimanded fiercely.
The avatar raised her Baku Pod, displaying a holographic ability. "Ability Activate! Mirage Up!", she announced.
The Haos Bakugan's body began to glow yellow, gaining power. Eventually, it's feet jumped off the ground and lurched its body into the air, freeing itself from Hydranoid's grip.
Blackout Hydranoid: 900
Aranaut: 800+300=1100
"Fancy jumping tricks won't win you this battle!", Hydranoid roared in challenge.
The avatar showed no irritation as she raised her arm, displaying another holographic ability. "Ability Activate! Spiral Glowdown!"
From within the air, the Haos Bakugan snapped its legs together and spun, descending toward Hydranoid.
Blackout Hydranoid: 900
Aranaut: 1100+300=1400
"Alice!", Hydranoid goaded. "What are you waiting for?!"
"If you insist", Alice replied, raising her own arm. Her Baku Pod displayed an ability of its own. "Ability Activate! Havoc Trident!"
Each of Hydranoid's heads readied an orb of purple and black Darkus energy, waiting as Aranaut descended closer.
"Wait… wait… now!", Alice exclaimed.
"You're mine!", Hydranoid shouted, his central head retiring its orb. The energy ball collided with Aranaut, and the resulting explosion knocked Aranaut off course.
Blackout Hydranoid: 900
Aranaut: 1400-500=900
"Nice try", Hydranoid mocked. "But you're no match!" Hydranoid's other for heads released their attacks, sailing right for Aranaut.
"Bakugan, brawl!", the avatar countered, tossing the Subterra Bakugan into the battle. "Bakugan, stand! Rise, Subterra Coredem!" The Subterra titan-like Bakugan appeared in between of Aranaut and Hydranoid. The orbs struck his body, to little effect.
Blackout Hydranoid: 900
(Aranaut: 900, Coredem: 800)=1700
"Two at once", Hydranoid muttered. "A challenge."
Immediately, the avatar raised her Baku Pod, displaying two abilities: one on top of the other. "Double Ability Activate! Phantom Blow and Vector Fist!"
Coredem's two hands became coated in orange energy. With little warning, Coredem slammed its fists forward, sending the energy at Hydranoid, who growled as the energy hit him.
Aranaut, after Coredem made its move, created white poles with sideways handles for each hand, charging with deadly velocity to confront the hydra.
Blackout Hydranoid: 900
(Aranaut: 900+400=1300, Coredem: 800+400=1200)=2500
"Ready, Hydranoid?", Alice asked, raising her hand once again. Her Baku Pod displayed another ability.
"Let's go!", Hydranoid prompted.
"Ability Activate! Chaos Armageddon!", Alice yelled.
Hydranoid opened all five of his mouths, firing a stream of dark purple energy from each. The five energy streams combined into one monumental blast right before it hit the approaching Aranaut. Said Bakugan was completely overwhelmed, being swept off its feet and into Coredem. As the blast ceased, a dark purple explosion resulted. When the explosion ceased, Aranaut and Coredem were already in ball form.
Blackout Hydranoid: 900+600=1500
(Aranaut: 1300-600=700, Coredem: 1200-600=600)=1300
Avatar Alice: 60%
"Nice job, Hydranoid", Alice congratulated as she caught his ball form.
"That was too easy", Hydranoid complained.
As they spoke, multicolored energy shot from the ball forms of the defeated Bakugan and into the sky, disappearing from view.
"That's odd", Alice admitted.
The two Bakugan then jumped into the avatar's waiting hand. After that, the avatar went unresponsive, waiting for battle.
"It's our turn, Alice!", Hydranoid reminded Alice.
"I know", Alice replied, throwing her own Gate Card onto the ground. Afterward, she threw in her Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Blackout Hydranoid!" The Darkus hydra once again rose on the arena.
"Bakugan, brawl!", the avatar called, throwing both her Bakugan in at once. "Bakugan, stand! Rise, Subterra Coredem and Haos Aranaut!" Upon the avatar's command, Coredem and Aranaut made their appearances.
Blackout Hydranoid: 900
(Aranaut: 800, Coredem: 800)=1600
Hydranoid has the power to take both those Bakugan at once, Alice thought. But, there is strength in numbers. I'll have to stay alert. With no time to waste, Alice positioned her Baku Pod, displaying another holographic ability. "Ability Activate! Hyper Lash Impact!"
From each of Hydranoid's eight wings, a mini head stretched to an elastic rope extended. The mini heads opened their mouths, pointing at the other two Bakugan, and charging purple energy.
Blackout Hydranoid: 900+400=1300
(Aranaut: 800-300=500, Coredem: 800-300=500)=1000
The digital avatar, however, caused two holographic abilities to appear over her Baku Pod. "Double Ability Activate! Mirage Fist and Crush Arrow!"
Aranaut created white poles with sideways handles for each hand, charging with deadly velocity to confront the hydra. As Hydranoid let loose his lasers from his mini heads, Aranaut deflected them, nullifying the ability.
Blackout Hydranoid: 1300-400-200=700
(Aranaut: 500+300+200=1000, Coredem: 500+300=800)=1800
Coredem, meanwhile, aimed its chest directly at Hydranoid, it's circular plate firing a massive orange energy beam at the Darkus Bakugan. Aranaut quickly evaded and got out of firing range, but Hydranoid didn't have that kind of agility.
Blackout Hydranoid: 700-400=300
(Aranaut: 1000, Coredem: 800+400=1200)=2200
To protect Hydranoid, Alice quickly put another two abilities into use. "Double Ability Activate! Havoc Trident and Fusion Ability Terminal Impact!"
Each of Hydranoid's heads readied an orb of purple and black Darkus energy, then enlarging as the Fusion Ability took in effect. As Hydranoid released the power, one orb collided with Coredem's attack, canceling it out. The rest sailed to connect with Aranaut and Coredem.
Blackout Hydranoid: 300+400=700
(Aranaut: 1000-500=500, Coredem: 1200-500-400=300)=800
As the orbs hot their targets, Coredem and Aranaut were sent back a few feet, but the regained their footing just as quickly.
"Had enough?", Hydranoid taunted.
In response, the avatar got another two abilities ready. "Double Ability Activate! Fist Alley and Phantom Blow!"
Aranaut stopped moving and pointed its poles at Hydranoid, letting loose several blasts of yellow energy at the hydra.
Coredem, at the same time, coated its fists in orange energy. As Coredem punched with both fists, the energy went flying toward Hydranoid.
Blackout Hydranoid: 700
(Aranaut: 500+400=900, Coredem: 300+400=700)=1600
In her own response, Alice loaded another ability. "Ability Activate! Gazer Barrage!"
All five of Hydranoid's heads readied an orb of purple energy, crackling with power, before launching them at the adversary. Within a quarter of a second, the process repeated. Over the course of two seconds, 40 orbs were sent, and Hydranoid want anywhere near done. The light energy and orange blasts collided with two orbs apiece, but the rest assaulted Coredem and Aranaut. As the orbs struck the two relentlessly, a series of purple explosions left them at Hydranoid's mercy.
Blackout Hydranoid: 700+400=1100
(Aranaut: 900-400=500, Coredem: 700-400=300)=800
"And now, to finish them off", Alice muttered. "Gate Card Open! Active Ghost!"
As the relentless assault finally ended, the Gate Card glowed white, threatening to overcome the Bakugan.
The avatar quickly loaded an ability to respond. "Ability Activate! Valkyrie Fist!"
Aranaut put its hands together, raising them above its head and coating them in light energy. Aranaut then slammed its fist into the ground, shattering the Gate Card, making it useless.
"Why won't they go down!?", Hydranoid angrily demanded.
Suddenly, the avatar raised her left hand to her face, using her right hand to press several buttons on it. Two devices appeared, one constructed of yellow electrons, and another constructed of orange electrons.
"Ready: Battle Crusher. Ready: Rock Hammer", the Baku Pod reported.
"Battle Gear… Boost!", the avatar called, throwing the devices at her Bakugan. The two Bakugan were engulfed in flashed of light with colors corresponding to their attributes.
When the glow died down, both Bakugan had new weapons on them. Aranaut had several metallic plates surrounding it, all connected by yellow energy. A cannon was arching from his back, to the right of Aranaut's head.
Coredem, as well, developed a weapon. A metallic machine was on its back, with a spiked wrecking ball on one side, a bladed jackhammer on the other, and two cannons in the center, extending above Coredem's head.
Blackout Hydranoid: 1100
(Aranaut: 600, Coredem: 400)=1000
"What's going on?!", Alice asked, alarmed.
"They seem to be a new kind of weapon", Hydranoid observed. "Do. Your. WORST!"
The avatar obliged, her Baku Pod displaying a holographic ability. "Battle Gear Ability Activate! Battle Crusher Duke!"
Aranaut's cannon auto locked in Hydranoid, firing an extensive yellow blast. The blast hit Hydranoid with no time for Alice to counter, but Hydranoid withstood the attack.
Blackout Hydranoid: 1100
(Aranaut: 600+500=1100, Coredem: 400)=1500
"Impressive power", Alice admitted, displaying another holographic ability from her Baku Pod. "But we can top that! Ability Activate! Chaos Armageddon!"
Each of Hydranoid's heads launched a substantial blast of dark purple energy, heading straight for Aranaut. The Haos Bakugan wafted no time in positioning its plates defensively. Once the attack hit, the plates deflected it in every other direction, leaving Aranaut and Coredem undamaged.
"Impossible!", Hydranoid growled.
Blackout Hydranoid: 1100+300=1400
(Aranaut: 1100-300=800, Coredem: 400-300=100)=900
"They halved the ability effect!", Alice realised.
The avatar continued her attack, displaying another holographic ability from her Baku Pod. "Battle Gear Ability Activate! Rock Hammer Beo Blaster!"
Coredem's cannons trained onto Hydranoid, charging up orange energy in each. When the two cannons released, Hydranoid countered by firing another blast of Darkus energy from each mouth. The two attacks were locked in a stalemate for a moment before the orange energy pushed back the dark purple energy, striking Hydranoid true.
Blackout Hydranoid: 1400-400=1000
(Aranaut: 800, Coredem: 100+400=500)=1300
Unable to take any more, Hydranoid collapsed, going to ball form afterward. Aranaut and Coredem, along with their equipment, left the field afterward.
Alice: 40%
"Battle Gear…", Alice's voice trailed off.
"I guess you were right about not knowing what to expect", Hydranoid admitted. "That equipment of theirs got me. But I'll get them back."
"I'm sure we will", Alice agreed.
"Gate Card, set!", the avatar yelled, throwing in a new Gate Card. She then threw in her two Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Rise, Haos Aranaut! Rise, Subterra Coredem!" As announced, Aranaut and Coredem took the field once again, glaring at Alice's direction.
"Well, let's go!", Alice said, throwing in her Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand! Darkus Blackout Hydranoid!" Hydranoid appeared on three field again, giving Aranaut and Coredem glares from all five heads.
"Battle Gear… Boost!", the avatar followed, throwing the equipment onto the Bakugan again.
Blackout Hydranoid: 900
(Aranaut: 900, Coredem: 900)=1800
Immediately, Alice raised her left hand, her Baku Pod displaying a holographic ability. "Ability Activate! Blackout Trident!"
Each of Hydranoid's five heads prepared an orb of pure black Darkus energy, the size of the head that had created it crackling with purple electricity. When Hydranoid released them all, they went soaring toward Aranaut and Coredem.
Blackout Hydranoid: 900+=1400
(Aranaut: 900-500=400, Coredem: 900-500=400)=800
Just as quickly, the avatar displayed two abilities on her Baku Pod. "Double Ability Activate! Light Wave and Hammer Blow!"
Right before the five orbs could connect with Aranaut and Coredem, the former traced in front of the latter, creating a screen of light energy, which canceled out and nullified the ability.
Blackout Hydranoid: 1400-500=900
(Aranaut: 400+500=900, Coredem: 400+500=900)=1800
Once the screen disappeared, Coredem raised its right fist, choosing it in orange energy. As the energy level reached critical, Coredem punched forward, forcing the energy in Hydranoid's direction.
Blackout Hydranoid: 900-300=600
(Aranaut: 900, Coredem: 900+300=1200)=2100
"We won't be taken down!", Hydranoid proclaimed. "You'll be destroyed!"
"Right!", Alice agreed, making one more holographic ability appear over her Baku Pod. "Let's take them! Ability Activate! Deathly Enforcement!"
Right before the orange energy could hit Hydranoid, the five headed Bakugan's body was coated in negative energy, protecting him from the attack.
"That almost tickled", Hydranoid mocked.
Blackout Hydranoid: 600+300+500=1400
(Aranaut: 900, Coredem: 1200)=2100
"We've just returned to our base power level. plus 500", Alice told Hydranoid. "We're back in this battle."
"Battle Gear Ability Activate!", the avatar called, her next ability ready. "Battle Crusher Duke!"
For another time, Aranaut's cannon auto locked in Hydranoid, firing an extensive yellow blast. Hydranoid took the attack and, thanks to the earlier ability absorbing most of the blast, felt little worse for wear.
Blackout Hydranoid: 1400
(Aranaut: 900+500=1400, Coredem: 1200)=2600
"I won't be taken down so easily!", Hydranoid promised.
"Gate Card Open!", the avatar continued, opening the command card. "Gaia Enforcement!"
As the Gate Card glowed white, Hydranoid suddenly collapsed on the ground, immobile.
Alice was about to ready another ability, only to find it wasn't working. "They blocked our abilities!", she realized.
Before their eyes, orange energy seeped from the Gate Card and into Coredem's equipment, boosting its capacity.
"They've powered up using that Gate Card!", Alice stated with dread. "Hydranoid, get out of there!"
"I won't back down!", Hydranoid growled.
"Battle Gear Ability Activate!", the avatar finished her attack. "Rock Hammer Battle Element!"
The equipment detached its weaponry into Coredem's hands, a spiked wrecking ball and a bladed jackhammer. Coredem the those weapons at Hydranoid with impossible strength. The weapons slammed into Hydranoid, forcing him into the ground.
Blackout Hydranoid: 1400-500=900
(Aranaut: 1400, Coredem: 1200+500=1700)=3100
"No! Hydranoid!", Alice exclaimed.
Just then, the Gate Card's light died down. Alice checked her Baku Pod to see her ability prepared.
"That Gate Card must've only stayed in effect till that Battle Gear Ability was used", Alice reasoned. "It's time to battle seriously. This battle is ours, Hydranoid! Ability Activate! Singularity!"
Hydranoid began to rise again, his body becoming the center of a dark whirlwind, protecting him from further attack. Yellow energy seeped out of Aranaut and into the whirlwind, and orange energy was sucked out of Coredem and joined the whirlwind. When the storm dissipated, Hydranoid was still there, as battle ready as ever.
Blackout Hydranoid: 900+500+800=2200
(Aranaut: 1400-500=900, Coredem: 1700-800=900)=1800
The avatar was unresponsive, the A.I. evidently having trouble processing the data. She didn't use another ability.
"If they're not doing anything…", Alice reasoned. "Go! Take them out!"
"With pleasure!" With the opening, Hydranoid slammed into Aranaut and Coredem with tremendous force, knocking them both to fall onto the ground. But they didn't get back up. The pain caused both to revert, ending the battle.
Avatar Alice: 0%
Once the battle ended, the digital avatar disappeared, fading into data.
"Great job, Hydranoid", Alice congratulated her partner as she caught his ball form.
As they spoke, the defeated Bakugan once again shot a multicolored beam into the sky.
"It was tough", Hydranoid admitted. "They were formidable opponents, especially with that 'Battle Gear'."
"Come on, let's get back to the real world", Alice suggested. "Kato?"
"Right away, miss", Kato replied.
A couple seconds later, Alice disappeared from the virtual world, going back to reality.
XXX
As Alice returned to the digitizing room, she immediately used her transporter card to get to the lab within moments. When she got there, she saw Kato, Marucho and Shun all awake.
"We saw that battle of yours", Shun stated. "Impressive."
"To think Hydranoid could take two Battle Gear at once and win", Marucho muttered, in awe.
"You know about that?", Alice asked.
"Battle Gear schematics were found within the data", Shun explained. "It was just a matter of decrypting it enough. Marucho and I were integrating our Bakugan to Battle Gear. Guess we dozed off."
"So Ingram and Elico can use this Battle Gear?", Hydranoid questioned.
"You as well, Hydranoid", Elico sniped. "You could also gain that power."
"I already have the power", Hydranoid countered. "I don't need Battle Gear. I didn't need it for Zenoheld, I didn't need it fort those Bakugan that were using it. I don't need it."
"If that's your choice, Hydranoid, I'll respect it", Alice told her partner.
"As you wish", Kato replied.
"Well, I guess it's our turn, Shun", Marucho said. "We'll take on those other two."
"Sounds fair enough", Shun agreed.
XXX
In the top of a massive crystalline spire, surrounded by smaller crystalline buildings and under a dome, several beings of the same species were at work on computers. They shared similar features: pale blue skin, green eyes without irises, and white clothing. Two females, evidently sisters by appearance, were overseeing them, the older wearing diamond-shaped earrings.
"Any luck?", the younger sister asked the technicians.
"I don't think so", the head technician said. "We can only do so much while under siege against Gundalia. Even if we could track down the source, even getting there without being intercepted would be a miracle."
"Then I suppose we'll have to gift this war without help", the older sister said.
"They might have received our distress call", the younger argued. "Or… the digital Bakugan we programmed into the data could find a Bakugan powerful enough."
"Then all we can do is hope they did."
XXX
In a rocky spire on a desolate, dark planet, with punctures through the ceiling providing the only natural light to the settlements and palace, several technicians of that species were at work. Receiving their report, a large humanoid with gray, cracked skin, yellow bands on his head, a well kept brown mustache and beard and two claw-toes on each foot, and adorned with an orange cloak, went to a throne room. Inside the throne room, he knelt before the only other occupant: white hair dyed purple at its ends, a dark purple cloak, and similar features to the rest of his species.
"We've found the source of the disturbance, Emperor", the orange cloaked one stated. "Per your command, a team will be dispatched to investigate."
"Give the order at once, Nurzak", the purple cloaked one commanded. "I want the source of that disturbance found and captured."
"By your command."
XXX
It's time to play a new game I've thought of. It's called "Yes, I Know."
The Neathian guardians should have a base of 900, not 800? Yes, I Know. It's a creative liberty.
Gaia Enforcement, according to the wiki page, is supposed to completely block abilities? Yes, I Know. I've read it. But I also remember the Jake vs. Kazarina battle, where Kazarina uses an ability after its activated. So, I made that change.
Hydranoid is pretty overpowered now? Yes, I Know.
Now that that's out of the way, I hope you enjoyed! If you did, be sure to follow or favorite the story. If you want to say anything, feel free to leave a review or PM me. Until next time, goodbye!