Episode 19: Am I My Brother's Keeper?

[Karen Valentine]

"Useless lives? Fun? What is fun about killing people for no reason? What kind of stuff are you people on!?" Karen asked. "I was thinking they had a motive for doing what they're doing just like Nero does, but they're just acting this way for the fun of it. That's ridiculous. They ought to be ashamed of themselves," she said in her head. Elico was currently in his Subterra form, so his defense was on high level, which was enough to provide a safe haven from the bombardment, but ultimately paled in comparison to Gorem's defense. He endured enough of the punishment to use some of the zombified Bakugan as shields against Ahrangi's attack, minimizing the amount of damage he could have received from the attack. He then forcefully grabbed a handful of them with some of his tentacles and his arms to place in front of him as Torahu rammed him, forcefully pushing him backwards.

"This is getting tiresome..." Elico remarked as he had taken a considerable amount of damage compared to the amount of damage he has caused to his opponents, which wasn't as significant, but still effective nonetheless. "Almighty Smash!" Elico clenched his fist tightly as he charged a large amount of energy, and then released it in the form of a swift punch. The force released was so great that it completely knocked all three of the Terrorist's Bakugan and the zombies into a vacant building that was far behind them, causing it to collapse on top of them. "I don't know if I can knock them all out at once with this attack I'm thinking of, but this should definitely stun them," Karen said to herself as she inputted a code on her BrawlX to force Elico to attribute change to Pyrus. "They definitely won't see this one coming."

[Daniel Andersen]

Sakura caused an explosion that cut the path through the debris. 
Daniel smirked and responded to her comment: "How stupid you can be, Karen? Maybe Akane and Makoto kill for their own fun, but I wouldn't give such a ridiculous reason to kill."
Then he uploaded an ability that he pulled out earlier and rose his hand ordering zombie Bakugans to rise and set in the combat mode. Before activating the ability Daniel continued: "Do you think you have a reason to judge anyone, Karen? Think about who you're working for. I bet that he expects you do same things as he does; to slay for his selfish reasons. If you are capable of working for such person then you have no right to judge anyone."
Zombie Bakugans surrounded Elico and Drago-clone again as Sakura used her wand to create zero gravity and help Ahrangi and Torahu to get out of the debris. When all Daniel's Bakugans were in position to attack he continued: "Humanity is a virus...You spread like a plaque and slay your own friends and allies when you have a petty excuse like money and power. And then you dare to use Bakugan race for fun and make them act as toys for your own pleasure. I hope you're proud of yourselves. Let me show you what I think about it."

Daniel ended his speech as he activated the card he uploaded and his gauntlet started glowing.
Sakura and zombie Bakugans started glowing in dark-purple as Darkus emblems covered their bodies. Daniel then rose his arm and yelled: "Fusion Ability activate! Horde Raid!"
Sakura hit the ground with her wand to create a huge ceremonial circle with symbols of necromancy. That circle became a portal and in no time a new horde of zombie Bakugans emerged from the circle. There were tons and tons of them. More than in a previous summon.
Their power levels were abnormally high. At Sakura's command the whole horde hurled at Elico and Drago-clone and started attacking them.

[Makoto Nakashima]

It was about time to end the battle and Makoto prepared another ability. He was listening to Karen and Daniel arguing and got a headache of all those words knowing that there would be no difference if they were or weren't talking that much. He was irritated by their talk and just wanted them to stop. When they finally ended their talk and Daniel sent another horde at Elico, Makoto pulled out an ability card and activated it. "Ability activate! Magna Shuriken!"
Ahrangi needed another perfect angle to hit Elico, but hordes of zombies and Drago-clone were preventing him to do so. He jumped on a great height and clapped his hands to summon a powerful flash of light. After that a huge shuriken was summoned and Ahrangi grabbed it.
Shuriken's size and shape were quite terrifying. Ahrangi made a few spins and then threw the shuriken at Drago-clone. In only a few seconds shuriken made a mortal wound on the clone, but it did not stop; it continued to spin and go directly to Elico's back.

[Akane Huomoto]

"You guys are stupid because you assume I kill for fun. I have my reasons like others, just not willing to share them because it's something for me to know, and me alone~" Akane hums drawing another card from her deck to play against Karen, and join in with Daniel and Makoto. "Let's see... Ability Activate, Blue Ignition."

"Got it!" Torahu roars in response, letting her partner know that she got the message and was going in for the said attack. She leaps up from the debris that she landed in due to Elico's attack without too much of a problem as the mysterious blue flames on the tiger's back starts to grow and quickly fly over to the now aquos-now-pyrus bakugan. "I don't care if you're now the same attribute as I am, (You little copy cat) I'll still beat you down like nothing ever happened." Torahu growls as the blue flames now engulf Elico in a cage of scorching blue flames. After all, blue and white flames are the hottest in temperature, if you examine a flame on a candle closely. So this fire prison did work out to the pyrus duo's liking in the brawl.

[Karen Valentine]

"You're a tool, Daniel," Karen stated. "Do you really think the reason you just gave wasn't ridiculous? How could you say that Nero has selfish reasons for doing what he's doing when all you're doing is killing people because of something that has absolutely nothing to do with you? How could you accuse anyone else of using Bakugan for selfish pleasures when you're doing the same with Sakura? Your only reason for genocide is that you don't appreciate what people are doing to each other. Since you speak as if you're not just as human as we are, what you should have done was stay out of our way. Karen then became increasingly frustrated at their persistence in the battle, which caused her to elevate her tone a little at the sight of Elico and Drago being pushed to the brink. "And if you actually are a human, then you are the pinnacle of everything that is wrong with today's society.

Elico was bombarded with attacks from the horde Sakura sent towards him. He fended them off as best as he could using the variety of fiery blades that were on the tip of his multiple tails due to his Pyrus conversion. As he continued swinging them in all directions alongside Drago, who was mounting a strong offensive using his increased physical abilities, a shuriken suddenly slashed through the dragonoid's chest, causing a critical wound that severely weakened him. It continued until it found a comfortable landing zone in Elico's back, causing him to be caught off guard from the sudden pain and was left vulnerable to the horde's attacks. The bad news did not end there since Akane also activated an ability that suddenly engulfed Elico in a blue flame. "Guess I'll have to use this... Karen said as she threw down a gate card onto the field, which expanded across the entire area. "Gate card, open! Change Link Force!"

A light began surrounding both Elico and Drago as they were suffering from the continuous onslaught by their opponents. Every attack that they launched was now being bounced back into their direction at double the power. This included the multiple attacks from the horde as well as sending back the blue blaze that was activated prior to the gate card with twice the strength, which started to incinerate the Terrorist's Bakugan with a seemingly never-ending fire. "Likewise, Torahu, I don't care what attribute either of you are. You just better make sure you follow through with your threats next time," Elico retorted as he started pulling the shuriken out of his back, leaving a noticeable wound upon removal; however, Elico seemed to be able to endure the pain quite well. He walked over to the perishing Dragonoid clone and picked him up, signalling he was ready to perform the attack Karen had in mind. "Guess there's no better way for the clone to go out with a bang than a kamikaze-like attack.

With that said, Karen uploaded another ability onto her BrawlX while saying whatever she had left to say to them. "As long as you've known me, Daniel, you have not seen nor have you heard me take a life from anyone. In fact, I'm doing plenty of things that I already know he wouldn't approve of just because I have my own way of doing what he really wants to do. That's besides the point though. You seem to have something against Nero if you're so bold to speak of him in that manner. It's not like you know too much about him to come to that conclusion, but if you insist on your constant disrespect of authority, why don't you confront him yourself? When that happens, we will see who was the correct one all along. I'll see you then, but for now, I'm done with you three." She activated the ability on her gauntlet as she said, "Ability activate! Infernus Rocket!"

Elico charged a giant energy pulse between his hands, which directly transferred the energy he was going to use as an attack into the Drago clone's body, enhancing its already destructive properties and high temperature. Elico reeled back a little while working up a sweat with the heavy dragon in his arms, and swiftly launched the clone into the Terrorist's direction. The clone enhanced his speed when he became airborne and dove straight into their general area and detonated, creating a massive explosion that not only tore that area apart, but caused the buildings on each side to crumble down on top of their location. While not confirming if the attack finished the battle, Karen withdrew from the battle. Elico changed his attribute to Ventus, placed Karen on his shoulders, and sprinted away from the area in search of the actual Drago and Hydranoid, clocking in at a very fast speed. Along the way, they noticed results of the power struggle along the damaged buildings and collapsed structures. "Noland...where are you...? Karen asked herself in a worried state.

[Noland Hardy]

Drago and Hydranoid engaged in a long, fierce battle where they continued to lash at each other in close quarters. Hydranoid was able to land a few slices with his claws and hits with his tail while Drago responded with ferocious punches and kicks. Both Bakugan were visibly battered by each other's attacks, but continued to relentlessly assault each other with multiple physical attacks and various energy-based abilities. With the battle being this competitive, Noland became even more frustrated with Hydranoid's persistence, which grew into hatred due to his animosity towards Darkus Bakugan already. "This Bakugan is strong..." Noland said to himself in his mind. "I haven't seen a Darkus Bakugan this powerful since 9/11... This is leagues above Sakura, who is already annoying with her seemingly infinite arsenal. I never expected the first opponent I face after Drago evolved would equal him in power." Drago was recovering while contemplating the best form of attack on his new rival.

"You're strong...I'll give you props for that, but nothing more," Drago remarked as he glared at Hydranoid. Still wondering what was going to bring Hydranoid down, Noland uploaded an ability onto his BrawlX. "Ability activate! Rage Fire!" Drago covered himself in a fierce flame and punched the ground with his right hand. This caused the ground to crack as energy began traveling from the point of impact to Hydranoid's location. A massive fire pillar erupted from the ground and covered Hydranoid completely. "I don't get it. If you're this strong, then why did you even have those Terrorists by your side? You must have had something to do with them before since you saved Daniel. It seems to me like all they've been doing was holding you back. Is that right?" Noland questioned.

[Nero Bullock]

"Rage Fire...that attack happens too fast, and it deals too much damage. That Dragonoid..." Nero hastily activated an ability on his BrawlX when Hydranoid was not quick enough to evade the incinerating pillar that was engulfing him. "Ability activate! Darkus Down! Hydranoid's eyes flashed as he became covered in a dark aura upon activation. He then released a loud roar that eliminated the fierce flames that were intending to incinerate him until nothing was left. Hydranoid received some marks from taking that attack, showing that the attack did do significant damage to him before he was able to nullify the ability. "Right back at you, Drago!" Hydranoid commended.

After dealing with the immediate threat, Nero prepared to answer the question that even Daniel asked him at one point. He decided to answer it willingly while not wanting to give away too many details about his plan. "In a way, you're correct. They have been detrimental to my success in some aspects of my intended goal. They have only continued to exist in this world just because they are able to do what I cannot do myself. I am not a Terrorist like they are, Noland. The correct term to describe me as would be an extremist." Nero then began uploading another ability card with the intent to end the brawl in one move. "You might be wondering why those three were even allowed to carry out their objectives if I'm not advocating their actions, and the simple answer that I have for you is something that is true for anything that carries a grand result. Sacrifices must be made whether they are Bakugan or human if we are to see necessary changes on this planet.

Nero then held up his arm as he played a powerful ability on his BrawlX. "Ability activate! Demolition Impact!" Hydranoid's body started producing purple electricity that traveled along his back and met at the center of his open mouth. He then charged a massive energy ball in the center that became infused with this current. As the process was starting to near its completion, Nero warned Noland of what he told him earlier as it was now coming to fruition as he said before. "It wasn't just a compliment when I talked about that special power of yours that day, Noland. I was serious when I said it was too powerful to be left unopposed. This is why your brother will be necessary. Once that research is completed, we can move on to step two. Do you remember what that is?" Hydranoid fully charged the attack and unleashed it from his mouth as the ground became torn from the path that it traveled. "It is when things will no longer be as they seem right now...the necessary changes."

[Noland Hardy]

"Changes? What changes do you plan to make by ordering people to commit murder? The only change that should be made is you being locked up in jail for the remainder of your terrible life," Noland declared. "Your extreme goal obviously must not be for the good of the people if you're slaughtering them to achieve it! What is so important about it that you're willing to send people to their graves and abduct innocent children? If it's my power that you're interested in, go for me; leave my family and friends out of it! Ability activate! Nova Dragon!" Noland played an ability on his BrawlX that was a more threatening variation of Drago's ability from his pre-evolution that was named Aegis Crusher. This ability enabled Drago to unleash a snake-like dragon avatar from his body. It took on Hydranoid's ability head-on as it allowed the attack to be caught in its mouth. Once captured, the energy ball began to shrink as the attack was absorbed into the dragon, and by extension, it was absorbed into Drago as well, which was definitely needed after the stress placed on his body by clashing with the attack.

"Remind me...to think about dodging the attack next time," Drago grunted. Drago could also use the ability in an offensive method just like Aegis Crusher could. The avatar rushed at Hydranoid, caught him in between his teeth, and then carried him into the air where it used some of Drago's power and the power he absorbed to detonate, causing a powerful explosion to occur. "I don't normally see one-shot abilities used to that degree. Are you sure I'm the only problem in terms of power?" Drago responded. Noland activated another ability to attack with. "You're not going to get any breathing room from me, Hydranoid. Ability activate! Infernal Bind!" As a more powerful variation of Chained Severing, this ability involved Drago firing multiple lightning bolts from the many diamonds scattered across his body at an impressive speed. Upon impact, the bolts will render the opponent immobile, continuously being afflicted by the paralysis and multiple burns that will spread throughout their body in seconds.

"Your malicious plan will end here!" Noland declared. His hand began shining in the signature rainbow-colored aura that shows whenever he plans to draw out Drago's inner power. Drago followed suit and changes his color scheme to match the coloring. "Eternal Gazer!" Drago activated an ability on his own that intensified the special energy he already contained, which was visible through the intense light he was emitting. This allowed him to not only triple his power, but he can also manipulate his attacks through his diamond whether it's powering them up or changing their shape. He affected his Infernal Bind ability by tripling the effect, which caused the lightning bolts to increase in size and fuse together to form one powerful attack.

[Nero Bullock]

"The important reason behind it is to save us," Nero vaguely said. "I will accomplish my goal whether or not you agree to the methods necessary to achieve it. In reality, you and I should be on the same side. I have lost things just as you have, and you know the common factor behind each of those losses as well. Think to yourself what the ultimate problem is when you remind yourself of the many battles you've had involving the life and death of either yourself or others. You know the answer just as much as I do." Nero became utterly shocked that Drago was able to render Hydranoid's attack useless when Destruction Impact was one of his most powerful abilities to use. Once he saw Drago absorb the ability, he was about to activate another ability in response to it, but his opponent attacked too quickly for it to happen as Hydranoid was carried into the air and hit by a massive explosion, which sent him flying backwards and having smoke come from various parts of his body. "Damn it...this boy is actually about to beat me," Nero cursed.

Hydranoid hit the ground hard after being hit by that attack and stated, "I can't remember the last time where I was pushed this far... He got up slowly and realized that Drago activated a double ability. He saw a lightning-based attack being sent in his direction, but became concerned when the duo activated their special power and powered up even more. "I'm embarrassed that you've actually survived this long, Drago. Regardless of how much power you have, I will not be defeated by the likes of you." Nero uploaded two abilities onto his BrawlX to avert Hydranoid's impending defeat. "Ability activate! Merge Shield! Upon activation, a dark spiral surrounded Drago and began stealing the power he has gained throughout the battle, causing purple energy to siphon from Drago and into Hydranoid's mouth. "Thanks for the energy. Now I'll finish you!" Hydranoid declared.

Using this new power, Hydranoid used the horn on his head to intercept the Infernal Bind ability and cancel it out upon connecting with it. "You fought a good fight, but your efforts are futile. You can't stop me," Nero stated. "Ability activate! Gravity Chamber!" Hydranoid became surrounded in a dark sphere that began to spin with him in the center. The objects in the area, trees being a prominent example, were struggling to stay attached to the ground once the ability's gravitational force was applied. Drago became helpless as the ability began drawing him in. "Be consumed, Dragonoid!" Hydranoid roared.

[Noland Hardy]

"The only two things that come to mind when I think of those battles are the corrupted brawlers who stage the assault and the vile Bakugan who serve them. I don't see your point in endangering people to deal with them. So no, we should not be on the same side as there is a right way and a wrong way to go about dealing with those people, and you took a wrong turn." Thinking the attack was going to connect, Noland was confident that his attack would finish off the damaged Hydranoid, but was met with very unexpected results when Hydranoid activated Merge Shield. "Impossible..." Noland grieved in disbelief when his ability was nullified so easily, which is something he doesn't do at all. "There's just no way..."

Hydranoid then activated an ability that caused him to become the center of a sphere that had gravitational pull, and it was pulling Drago into it with its power. "I can't lose, especially when I have things to protect," Drago declared. "Incinerator Bash!" Drago became surrounded in a fierce flame that was as fierce as his will to win, and used every ounce of his remaining power to charge Hydranoid with this attack. He collided with him, and both attacks caused an explosion that sent both Bakugan backwards; however, a very loud thud was heard when Drago was slammed into the ground, and was returned to ball form as a result of the impact. "..." Noland couldn't find any words to say about what just happened. He was so disappointed and shocked by his defeat that there was nothing he could think of to say.

[Nero Bullock]

Hydranoid was blown backwards by the collision, but landed nicely on the ground behind him unlike his opponent, who was sent back into ball form. This gave Hydranoid the victory in a very close battle. Without saying a word, Hydranoid locked his eyes onto Noland. He charged some of his remaining energy into his tail, reeled it back, and swung it at the young man as a token of his appreciation for his failure to destroy Hydranoid as he originally intended. "Here's your prize for last place!" Hydranoid vilely spoke as he slammed his tail into Noland's body and sent him backwards a couple of inches. While unable to move or speak, Kendrick made every attempt to scream about what just happened to his older brother much to Nero's delight. He approached Noland's critically injured body and knelt down to him to say a few things.

"It's as your Dragonoid has said. I can't lose when I have things to protect, and you and your friends are getting in the way of that. I will eliminate anyone who proves to be a detrimental obstacle to what needs to be done even if it is children like you and Allen who must be dealt with. Let this be a warning to you, 'hero'. Those who have the courage to raise a fist against me will be met with a swift and painful death just as those Terrorists will receive once I get my hands on them." Nero looked down on his BrawlX and noticed a red dot approaching his location. "The lady's here... Not wanting to be confronted in battle with Hydranoid weakened from his battle with Drago, Nero was more than prepared to get away from there as soon as possible before Karen sees what took place. "There's also another thing that I want you to do so I don't have to kill you, Noland. I really don't want to," Nero said as he activated an ability for Hydranoid that began transporting him and Kendrick out of the area by means of dimensional teleportation. "You'd better not allow those fools to lay hands on my daughter, or I will actually kill Kendrick; if Karen dies, so does he." With that said, Hydranoid transported them out of the area, leaving Noland on the ground for dead.

[Noland Hardy]

Without warning, Noland was struck by Hydranoid's tail, causing him to be sent flying and had a deep wound in his chest. "Noland! No!!!!" Drago shouted while in ball form. Unable to muster the strength to rise in monster form again, Drago watched helplessly as his partner was severely injured. "You both will pay with your lives for this...I swear it!" Drago rolled out of the way of Nero in order to prevent capture, and hid himself among the various trees that were in the area to attempt to recover enough strength to stand again. Barely conscious, Noland looked at the approaching Nero who began talking with him.

He could do nothing but listen to the warning he was given if he should ever attempt to stop Nero again, which was something he completely disregarded despite his current condition. "Go...fuck...yourself..." Noland muttered as Nero finished his statements. Upon noticing that Nero was tracking Karen's location due to him announcing her approach, Noland began smiling knowing that someone was coming that could finish what he started. Unfortunately, that thought was short lived as Hydranoid had enough power remaining to get him out of there with his brother still in captivity. Since there was nothing he could do, he watched his little brother depart from him, but their disappearance did not end without Noland hearing a very disturbing piece of information. Nero just stated that Karen was his daughter, which not only means that he was dating a possible 'mole', but Nero's identity just got uncovered. "You...Andrew, the director of the CIA? But...why all of this...?" Noland whispered to himself. "Karen...how could you even..." Noland then lost consciousness before finishing his statement.

[Karen Valentine]

"They both really destroyed this place..." Karen commented when she saw the environmental damage the area sustained due to all the fighting. Elico was following the trail of damage to a park area that seemed to have taken most of it. All they could see that was left of the peaceful setting were craters and trees that were annihilated into pieces. "Please be okay, please be okay, please be okay," Karen panicked when observing the destruction Noland and Nero caused. Elico continued looking around until he noticed something red on the ground. What he saw appeared to look like blood, which was something he wasn't intending to see at all especially knowing who was involved in the battle. It did not take long for him to notice a body laying on the ground not too far from where he saw it. Looking down, he could tell that Nero had actually defeated Noland in battle. "Well..." Elico paused, not knowing what to actually say about what he's seeing.

Horrified, Karen slid down Elico's armor and knelt down to check on him. After a thorough checking of his vitals, she noticed that Noland was still alive. She couldn't stop herself from shedding tears as a result of this ordeal with the knowledge that someone she really loves could end up dead by the next day. "Why did it have to come to this...? Elico turned to his left and got in battle ready condition when a red orb revealed itself from the forest of trees and stood in its monster form, revealing himself to be Drago. "Out of my way, traitor!" The dragonoid quickly struck Elico in the chest with his fist, which had enough power to send him a considerable distance backwards and back into ball form, defeating him rather easily despite being severely weakened. Drago placed Noland in his hands and flew away from the area, presumably in the direction of the nearest hospital when he finds it. Surprised by his sudden entrance, Karen was frozen in place for a moment before she really started to break down crying. With Noland in critical condition and Drago aware of their affiliation, it was most likely not going to end well in terms of her relationship with Noland, and the Resistors might oppose her as well. For all she knew, she was finished.

[Daniel Andersen]

Karen narrowly escaped the community center, or at least what was left of it, to search for Noland.
Smoke has already cleared only to reveal Terrorists, their Bakugans and remaining zombie Bakugans.
"Well, well. It seems that Golden Wall did its job, but Nero's little princess had escaped" said Daniel with an obvious irritation in his voice that Karen picked escape instead of battle.
He rose his hand to signalize the horde to start destroying what was left of the community center.
Horde started blasting the community center as Sakura asked: "Are we going to follow her? She couldn't have gone too far."
Daniel was not much paying attention to what Sakura was saying, but then he answered: "I am not willing to waste my time and resources on cowards. We have other problems"
Then he turned to other two Terrorists and started talking about his plans: "Currently, Nero represents much bigger problem to us than Noland or any Resistor. He may come at any time; from any direction to attack us....I am aware how you two feel since I was the one to betray and you were ones to follow."
He then started walking outside of the center with Sakura following him.
" My current goal is to eliminate Nero out of the picture. It will be hard to come up with a plan or even to accomplish it. You two can come along if you are willing to, but I will not force you into that. It's your option."
Daniel deactivated his gauntlet bringing back all zombies that were summoned and slowly walked away in the dark alley followed by Sakura. His determination to eliminate Nero was now even higher than to eliminate Noland.

[Noland Hardy]