Episode 30: Rampart Blaster

[Noland Hardy]

With the West Wing being taken care of by Markus, Tracy, and Akane, the North Wing needed to be occupied by friendly contacts. The group that headed there consisted of Tank, Allen, and Makoto. Allen and Tank shared the same bitterness towards Makoto as Markus would have, but they were at least glad that Noland took one for the team when taking Daniel out of the fray. They both were trying their best to stay calm during their walk through the hallways with Makoto. They eventually came across another room that had multiple paths, but this time, it was only two. The path on the right was the one they tried first. It wasn't until they reached the entrance to a long walkway where things started to become complicated. Makoto was the first one to walk through. Once he did, a gate appeared out of nowhere and locked him in the room with a lot of employees training with each other. They were not happy about the Terrorist's sudden intrusion, so they stopped what they were doing and assaulted him altogether. Makoto quickly summoned Ahrangi and dispatched all of his attackers very easily, killing them all in a very gruesome fashion that could only be interpreted by the sword slashes that Allen and Tank heard. Once he was finished, Makoto found the console that triggered the trap and deactivated it, raising the gate that prevented Allen and Tank from coming in. When they did, they were horrified at the scene. Allen was very upset about what he had done, even telling him that knocking them out would have been a better thing to do than to massacre them that way. Makoto did not care whether it was the right or wrong thing to do as they had attempted to spill blood first. Tank then asked if he was non-emotional to death as he was to everyday life, not holding back anything with how he said it. Makoto dismissed his comments as nothing but a trivial misunderstanding to how he looks at life in opposition to their own views, essentially meaning that him choosing not to say much at certain times does not show the full outlook of what or who he is. 

After addressing the Resistor's comments, Makoto approached one of the workers who was barely clinging on to life, grabbed his foot, and began dragging him on the floor back to where they came from since they reached a dead end in the training grounds. Allen and Tank were really disturbed watching it happen. Tank was really close to snapping when the victim's head kept banging against the stairs as they were going down, and hints of blood were left on each step. When they came back into the room they came across the first time, they took the left path. Before walking through, Makoto stopped both Tank and Allen from going through. He sensed something wasn't right as they had already been tricked on the first path, so Makoto gradually stuck his victim's foot out into the open. The victim kept telling him not to do that and pleaded with him to just turn back and forget about going through. This sparked Makoto's interest that there was something through there that he didn't want any of them to see. The victim was forced out there anyway despite his pleas, and a trap sprung where a laser turret appeared from the ceiling that shot reflective lasers at the intruders. Makoto used the victim as a human shield, effectively preventing himself from being shot, but mortally injuring the employee even further. To finish the job, Makoto deactivated the turret when he found the console and left the man on the far wall. When Allen and Tank approached him, Makoto found it appropriate to remind them that Noland was a very capable leader that knew what he was doing when choosing not to allow everyone to go the same place since everyone could have very well went to the deathtrap they unfortunately ended up in. The two Resistors ignored him and began exploring the dungeon they were in. Tank stumbled upon an unlocked computer that had a lot of files on it. Although plenty were encrypted, he managed to find a very disturbing article that was able to be read.

It showed information regarding the increase in protection for the President after an attack that was nearly successful in demolishing the White House in its entirety. While the building did receive substantial structural damage and numerous members of the U.S. Secret Service lost their lives, they were able to successfully defeat and arrest the assailant. The article included a picture of the murderer, Makoto Nakashima. To his surprise, it was someone that was only seven years old able to do something that brawlers like Noland and Allen probably wouldn't have been able to do at that age despite their talents. He called Allen over to him quickly in a panic to make sure Makoto didn't do anything. Fortunately, he was safe as he appeared in front of them rather quickly. Tank showed him the article in its entirety. Allen was speechless that they were working with an assassin easily considered to be a national threat; he also saw that Makoto was extradited to New Jersey for a series of charges from his days as a serial killer, illegal handling of a Bakugan, and unlawful ownership of a Bakugan. Looking around, Tank asked Allen where Makoto was, who Allen assumed was there with Tank. Before they could become uneasy about losing track of a killer, Tank received a message from Markus telling him that Akane had acquired a bomb that she threatened to use against the Pack that would kill everyone else as well, so him and Tracy were fighting her to take it away from her. Angered that the Terrorists were still up to no good again, Allen and Tank stuck together to find Makoto. Before they did, Allen called Noland to inform him of Akane's actions and warned him that they'll probably have to fight Makoto as well; he strongly urged him to pay attention to Daniel's every move and strike if necessary since they have done the unforgivable.

Hearing every word that was said since he followed Allen and stayed close by, Makoto silently said she could be considered more of a psychopath than him for even being apart of the construction since he was already aware of its existence when him, Akane, and Daniel told each other what brought them together; however, he did not agree that it was the appropriate time for an explosive like that to be used. Allen and Tank came out of the room angry as they can be and questioned him about what the Terrorists were planning. Makoto calmly stated that he had no idea Akane was attempting to blow them all up, so he had no part in it. He revealed that they don't even have any relationship with each other other than mutual gain, so if either her or Daniel were plotting something, he didn't know about it and would most likely not support it. Tank started to provoke him into giving up information about his own motives, specifically asking if he was just going to be like Nero and hide behind walls while he enacts his plan on the fly. Allen was especially unconvinced of Makoto's statement after watching him murder countless people that did not deserve death. He even made it clear that someone who was a known serial killer and assassin and continued to kill after nearly being killed from his death sentence shows that he did not learn anything from having nearly everything taken away from him. Makoto became offended and warned them to keep his past out of their mouths. He stated for the final time that he wasn't doing anything wrong and was just helping them beat Nero. Knowing that many people that were working there did not deserve to be killed, Allen and Tank both agreed that they could not allow the killing spree to continue. They prepped for battle, and the security system sealed all of the exits.


(Boss Theme)

[Makoto Nakashima]

Allen and Tank decided that Makoto's actions were way too extreme and then reported it to Noland and others. Makoto didn't care about them being suspicious since he was a Terrorist after all, but had intentions of his own that weren't to be ignored. Still, he knew that he couldn't ignore hostility from Tank and Allen, so he simply accepted the situation and turned his gauntlet on.
He was considering his measures completely right in the current situation and that interference of two Resistors was completely unnecessary. Also, he never felt like he needed his two 'teammates by accident', so it didn't matter to him whether those two would agree or disagree of his actions.
"I never planned on any of this, but if you are so eager to perish as these workers then be my guest..." Makoto said silently and the pulled out a card that flashed in green light and then threw it on the ground. Card caused a green wave to spread over the ground and release green energy as Makoto tossed Ahrangi's sphere that quickly transformed into the monster form.
Ahrangi pointed his four swords towards Allen and Tank and then yelled: "You asked for this." Makoto and Ahrangi were not going to hold back and they were ready to kill both Resistors.

[Tank Stryker]

The smell of blood rose throught the air and drifted near Tank's nose, making Tank gag immediately and want to vomit. The only thing keeping Tank from doing that, though, was the challenge right in front of him. Powering up his BrawlX, Tank grabbed Gladion and gripped him in his hand hard before turning his head towards Allen.

"Watch my back, and I'll watch yours," Tank said to him in a low voice to where Makoto couldn't hear, laying out a plan, "He's not very tough, trust me. I'll be a bit too fast for him, so he's going to come after you more often than not. Defend yourself. I'll try to push him back as much as possible from you. Make no mistake; he will kill you if he gets the chance."

Tank pulled his arm back, and launched Gladion into the battle. "Bakugan brawl! Aquos Praetor Gladion, stand!" Tank yelled.

Gladion opened in midair, delivering a swift, powerful kick to Ahrangi's head, sending him flying back into the locked door. Landing in a kneeling position, Gladion stared down Ahrangi while rising up slowly. Tank grabbed a couple abilities from his pocket and swiped them through the BrawlX. "Double ability activate! Arena Trap - Bear Trap plus Weapons Cache - Handaxes!"

Upon activation of the ability, a bear trap opened under Ahrangi's right foot, clamping down hard on him, immobilizing him and drawing blood. Two handaxes fell through purple portals into Gladion's hands, arming him fairly well to deal with Ahrangi's swords.

Charging at Ahrangi, Gladion began to deflect sword strikes with relative ease, catching a couple swords in the bottom hook of his axe and using the leverage to disarm two of Ahrangi's arms before swinging in himself, landing a few well aimed strikes. After getting his hits in, Gladion jumped back a few feet.

"Come on, Ahrangi!" Gladion goaded in between strikes, "I thought you said you were going to kill us!"

"Seriously," Tank continued, "This guy tried to kill the fucking President when he was seven, but can't even hold his swords tight enough? He's all hat and no cattle!"

[Allen Silva]

Allen never trusted the terrorists to begin with, so Makoto's going back didnt surprise him at all. What did is the fact they have a eradication device primed and ready to go. Then more was revealed about thier past, most specifically the fact Makoto tried to kill the president...when he was seven." That's messed up. You tried to kill the leader of the greatest nation on earth." Allen stated his disgust at the man standing across from him. Makoto then tossed down the gate and started the brawl.

Allen proceeded to toss out Force Gorem. Gorem rose in monster form, pounding his fists together. He was totally pumped to finally knock him down a peg." Hey Allen. Now we get to finally put a end to this charade. Too bad for you Ahrangi."

Allen activated his first ability, adhering to Tanks plan. He was a much better offensive brawler than Allen. So his first card up was going to make it much easier for Tank." Ability activate. Alloy transmutation." Allen called out, as Gorem clad himself in the metallic armor of the ability. This would make it much harder for his opponent to break through and cause damage." Now go wild Gladion. Tank, crush him."

[Makoto Nakashima]

Makoto was entertained by two Resistors' talk since for him all they talked was a big backfire on them to him. When he heard Tank talking about him as a weakling he started laughing a bit.
"I can't hold my swords tight enough, huh? Say someone who couldn't handle Daniel and let one of his best friends die right before his eyes. Such a strong talk from you." Makoto replied to Tank's comment of Makoto's strength and then looked at Allen who already activated his abilities. "Greatest nation on Earth? That is how you define yourself? You have more of a crisis than a twelve-year old on pills and marijuana and your political slogan is 'Either we are right or you are wrong'. By killing a leader of this damp piece of crap I would not just do a favor to his crap you call USA, but I would do a favor to the whole world...Nah, why am I even talking to you? You're just an American. Definition of arrogance. Go fuck yourself and die!" said Makoto rudely upon listening to Allen's comment about USA being the best nation in the whole world. Makoto always strictly disagreed with that and for him USA represented he biggest damp and threat to everything that has ever existed. That was his reference to all crap that USA did in the past and he was not going to stop mentioning it even now. "Ability activate! Ability Disintegrate!" 
Ahrangi started emitting some sort of green energy from his body and rushed at both Gladion and Gorem at once. As he passed by them at high speed their abilities were nullified and their power sapped into an unknown direction. Ahrangi suddenly appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Gladion by his left foot tossing him into Gorem. Gorem was sturdy, so he didn't even flinch, but in the whole process Ahrangi closed in to him and tackled his feet making him collapse onto Gladion.
"You two are powerful and there is no doubt I might fall, but you should remember what you are. You are nothing bigger than me. Tank Stryker, a famous brawler for his big mouth and humiliating others in battle while he failed to save life of just one person in front of him. And Allen Silva, the Iron Juggernaut who is lying hidden in shadows of Noland Hardy and obeys to whatever he has to say. I pity you. You define yourself as justice. Go crawl back to your diapers where you belong."

[Tank Stryker]

Gladion rose slowly from on top of Gorem and stared down Ahrangi, his armor barely scuffed. Anger boiled in both him and Tank's chests from Makoto's words. "You think that hurts me, you worthless piece of trash?" Gladion taunted, "You needed help to defeat me alone, last time I checked!"

Gladion took another battle stance as Tank reached into his back pocket for more cards.

"Don't you FUCKING DARE say anything about John, you emotionless, cocksucking robot!" Tank said, swiping two cards through his BrawlX, "Double ability activate! Weapons Cache - Aegis plus Weapons Cache - Gladius!"

Two portals opened above Gladion, equipping him with his signature Gladius and the legendary Aegis shield, which he immediately raised at Ahrangi. The sight of the shield caused Ahrangi to become paralyzed in place, which gave Gladion an opportunity to charge. Running full speed, Gladion performed a combat roll to get behind Ahrangi, slashing at the back of his knees, sending the Ventus bakugan to the his knees. Taking the shield, Gladion, swung hard, nailing Ahrangi in the side of the head. The force of the hit sent Ahrangi rolling across the floor into the wall.

"John, Steve, and I were best friends! We worked hard and did everything together!" Tank said, his eyes burning a brilliant blue while screaming at Makoto, "They helped me achieve the fame I had! I'll admit that it got to my head, but they were always by my side and never let me fall like you did!"

Tank took a shaky breath, his anger continuing to well up, "Not that you'd ever understand," Tank continued, "The concept of friendship is so foreign to you that it'd need a passport just to get inside your thick, goddamn skull! I'll never forgive you, Akane, or Daniel for what you did to them!"

With that, Tank's Trident pendant began to glow bright like his eyes, turning a brilliant gold from its normally blue color. "If you think I'm only famous because I'm obnoxious, then you haven't really paid attention to what really makes me known. Take him out, Gladion!" Tank commanded, "Make sure he feels every ounce of pain John and Steve have felt!"

Gladion took that as an invitation to do whatever he wanted to Ahrangi. Running back at him, Gladion pinned the Ventus bakugan down by his neck with the Aegis shield, starting to suffocate him, and slashed repeatedly into his chest. Blood began to spill as the sword cut deeper and deeper into Ahrangi's body. Gladion was showing no mercy with each slash, his anger powering his attacks.

[Allen Silva]

Gorem slowly rose to his feet, a little dazed at what just happened." Wow, I caught absolutely none of that. Anyone mind telling me what freaking went down?"

" Ahrangi just sent you and Gladion tumbling. Now its time for our comeback." Allen filled his partner in on the current situation. His Alloy Transmutation had been broken, and he didnt want to resort to his signature ability. He knew just what to do." Ability activate, Bound Barrier. This shield won't be as easy to break." He then decided to address his opponents dislike of confidence." Do you want to know why its the greatest? Because its people are free to love, free to feel whatever. And I'll be damned if I let a two bit jackass like yourself ruin it.

Gorem put up the barrier that went with the ability. He placed it around only himself because it would probably just get in the way of Gladion and his vengeful tyrade." Just like Allen said. This place is full of innovation, of change. Here its possible to change the world without resorting to destruction. But I guess five star psychopaths like yourself don't understand that. Hey, I got Gladion to teach you that. Ain't that right big guy?"

[Makoto Nakashima]

"We've hit the nerve" Ahrangi said to Makoto.
"Stryker, your problem is that you only give your allies enough credit. Do you think that being emotionless is bad? That is a blessing on the battlefield. Emotions won't push you away from the task. Also, you seem to be way too stubborn of your power, Stryker. The fact that I needed help to beat you doesn't prove that I cannot now. You see, president's guardians were not weaker than me. No, no...they were stronger, but there is catch with stronger opponent.....I don't aim for the Bakugan when I attack. I aim for the brawler. No brawler, less abilities and cards to activate. Nice concept, don't you agree?" said Makoto and made an evil smile. He was obviously not worried for showing how psychotic he was when it came to brawling; he was okay to bypass Bakugans and kill brawlers in order to prevent Bakugans from doing their best. Those were keys of his continuous beating stronger opponents. Then he suddenly turned to Allen and started a little rant over him. "Free to love? Make changes without destruction? Honestly, Juggernaut, you're making it sound like no other nation is capable of doing that, but yours. Are you that arrogant? Typical American. Before you open your mouth about your nation being all pure and clean just remember of your precious atomic bombs you enjoyed throwing. And then act like nothing has happened, but when you get 9/11 you Americans won't stop ranting about for years."
Once he was finished Makoto placed an ability card inside his gauntlet and yelled: "Let me teach you Stryker of what I have been talking about. Quad Blades!"
Ahrangi's blades were charged up and he increased his speed avoiding multiple attacks coming at him. As Makoto previously stated; he was ready to kill a brawler in order to weaken the Bakugan and that was exactly what he planned. He used his blades first to move Gladion and Gorem away by slashing them and then jumped right in front of Tank.
In that moment he looked at him with an evil smile and rose all his four swords in the air in attempt to slash Tank.

[Tank Stryker]

Tank stared his opponent down cold. Did Makoto think that Tank was really that stupid to let his four armed freak get anywhere near him? Grabbing an ability card from his back pocket, Tank ran it through his BrawlX.

"Do you think I didn't know that, basket case?" Tank remarked angrily, "I study every opponent, including you. It's was odd at first to see you did it, but patterns exist for a reason. Ability activate! Weapon of the Gods - Claymore of Zeus!"

Upon activation of the ability a storm cloud formed quickly in the top of the room, sending a lightning bolt down onto Ahrangi, causing the bakugan to seize up and freeze in place. The clouds parted, allowing a magnificent platinum, two-handed sword with an intricate wooden hilt to descend before Gladion. Taking the sword, Gladion charged at Ahrangi, raising the sword above his head and roaring as he approached.

Swinging the sword down, there was a loud, sickening thud as the blade cut deep into Ahrangi's shoulder, nearly severing one of his right arms. The blade stuck in the shoulder, Gladion gave a swift front kick to Ahrangi's chest to send him back into the wall, causing blood to splatter.

"Cold and calculating only goes so far on the battlefield," Tank continued, his demeanor cold, yet intense, "But when it comes down to it, the soldier who thrives in battle is the one with passion and drive."

[Allen Silva]

Allen was confused on what his next move should be. With his two shields broken, he couldn't do his usual fortress style of battle. His distress actually gave him a idea. He held up a single ability, activating it." Sometimes the best defense is a great offense. Ability activate! Gigant Fortess. Now crush em Gorem."

While Ahrangi was under assault from Tank's claymore ability, Gorem let his energy flow into the ground. The enhanced ground begun to rise. Once reaching optimal size, it took Force Gorem's shape." Me and my enormous body double here would love to introduce you to my friend the hammer fist!" Gorem slammed his hand into the ground, so that his spawn would crush Ahrangi should the attack go uninhibited.

" Sorry bout this Tank. The only other defensive shields I have are my ace in the hole." Allen apologized to his teammate, wishing that this wouldn't hinder thier progress. He returned to his foe." I'm not going to justify myself to a psychotic traitorous scumbag like yourself. I don't know what goes on with freakshows like you, but if you think you're winning this battle, you got another thing coming. Here's where your part in this nightmare ends!"

[Makoto Nakashima]

"Ability activate! Revenge!" said Makoto and activated an ability card. Ahrangi used his enormous speed and accumulated all energy in his four swords by copying the power Gladion and Gorem emitted with their attacks. He used his swift movements to approach Gladion who was still a weaker target than Gorem. Since Gorem was not that fast Makoto never cared about it.
"Enjoy!" Ahrangi said while slashing all four swords together at extreme speed launching Gladion on the ground and then he launched himself towards Gladion with extreme speed hitting Gladion in the chest with his knee creating cracks in the ground as a result of the impact.
"Abiliy activate! Ki Blaster!" Another ability was activated as Ahrangi's swords vanished and he started charging four energy blasts in each of his four hands. Before releasing it he connected all four energy spheres creating one big sphere and then launching it an extreme blast towards Gladion and Gorem catching them both in the blast and making them hit the nearby wall.
Ahrangi's swords reappeared in his hands again and he took his battle stance knowing the counterattack was coming.

[Tank Stryker]

Gladion pulled himself out of the wall, cracking his neck as he stepped forward. Picking his sword up from off the ground, Gladion flicked it a bit to get some of the dust off. "You just don't get when to stay down!" Tank yelled as he grabbed two abilities out of his pocket, "Double ability activate, Weapon of the Gods - Hermes' Sandals plus Weapon of the Gods - Bow of Artemis!"

Bright light flashed from the sky as the clouds parted revealing a full moon behind them. From the moonlight fell a beautiful, intricate bow made of a sturdy, powerful wood. The bowstring itself glittered silver, as if it were made of the metal itself. From below, Gladion's feet became equipped with leather sandals with small white wings. Strapping the glistening sword to his back, Gladion took to the skies, moving faster than Ahrangi had moments before.

Moving in a wide arcing circle, Gladion released a flurry of arrows at Ahrangi, each striking as if Artemis were holding the arrow as it flew. The barrage proved to be too much for Ahrangi who was forced into a defensive stance to protect his vital organs. The arrows that hit stuck in Ahrangi, drawing blood where they hit. A small puddle formed under where Ahrangi was standing, the wounds proving to be much more grievous than they looked.

"It's obvious you think Gladion is weaker than your freak of a bakugan," Tank said confidently, "Your underestimation of our ability will be your downfall!"

[Allen Silva]

Gorem slammed into the wall thanks to the Ki Blaster ability. He stumbled a little bit before recovering his footing." That's gonna leave a mark. Now how about we kick this brawl up into the next gear?" He asked, cracking his knuckles and neck before returning to a combat stance.

Allen prepared the next ability as Gorem made his assessment." Way ahead of you buddy. Ability activate, Rave Wrecker." Allen activated the physical offensive card. Gorem's boosters begun to react, building up energy. Same thing goes for his hands, the focal point of the attack. " Tank, if you have anything to at least slow him down, now would be a good time to use it." Allen told the aquos brawler, stalling while the energy wasnt at optimal level.Once the energy was built up, he launched himself at Ahrangi at high speeds, unleashing a flurry of punches during the rush.

[Makoto Nakashima]

"Have a bath, dirt pile." said Ahrangi to Gorem who was rushing against him with a furious attack. "Ability activate! Blade of Atlantis!" said Makoto and activated an ability that instantly changed Ahrangi's attribute into Aquos and changed his four swords' shapes into a more violent and sharper forms that somehow reminded of shark fins. As he did this Ahrangi swung his blades and triggered a huge tidal wave against Gorem pushing him back into the wall. Ahrangi then started rapidly slashing both Gorem and Gladion not leaving them a single second to defend themselves. "Ability activate! Blade of Pyro!" Makoto activated another ability changing Ahrangi's attribute into Pyrus. Ahrangi jumped high and swung all his four swords releasing infinite stream of blazes against two of his opponents. "Here comes the barbecue!" said Ahrangi and caused multiple explosions against the wall where Gorem and Gladion were making walls crumble on both his opponents. Flames also did collateral damage to the area leaving it severely damaged and burned as flames spread across the area causing more and more damage on it.

[Allen Silva]

Makoto blocked Shatter Gorem's attack easily. He then launched a counter attack with a wave that blasted the subterra bakugan back into the wall. But this time Allen already had loaded up a ability to soften the landing." Ability activate, Avalanche Vulcan."

His ability was too late to block the collision. However when his opponent used another ability to cause the wall to collapse, Gorem was ready. He first turned his hand to the fast approaching debris, then begun launching out energized rock balls to destroy them. After that was out if the way, he aimed to Ahrangi, who was currently armed to the teeth and causing a real heat issue. Rapid fire volleys of the rocks shot at the Ventus bakugan, aiming to hit every spot possible at the same time." A ambitious plan, but that should give us a good chance of sucsess."