Episode 14: Iron Brigade

[Noland Hardy]

During one of Allen's off days the week before things were really supposed to get started in the season, he was scouting other teams in the Complex on his own, mirroring that of Markus suggesting the idea the previous year. He came across a battle between one of his admirers, Lian Fennika, and Jamal, his fated nemesis ever since the last battle. Unsurprisingly, Jamal dispatched Lian without breaking a sweat. Noticing his presence, Jamal went over to greet him and wondered if Alana was nearby. Allen told him it was none of his business, fearing that him hitting on her could potentially cause more problems than he could attempt to solve. Jamal wondered if there was any hatred in the cold stare Allen was giving him. Allen challenged him to take a guess after him and his partner, Damian, pissed his best friend off to the point where he contemplated fighting her just like Damian had insinuated albeit on a much lesser scale than killing someone. Jamal admitted that the sarcasm he used was crude, but assures him that it was in both of their interests considering they could understand one another when it comes to disrespect, especially when it's against her. Allen didn't offer a response to that remark and was prepared to walk away from the confrontation per Gorem's request before he got too fired up. 

Lian then started asking him questions about whether they were doing okay. Surprised that this particular rival showed any care about his personal affairs, Allen answered that they were all doing fine. Suddenly, Alana ruins the entire thing by approaching them all after her pool workout, still showing some faint signs of Karen's activity remaining in her. Jamal was overcome with infatuation and flirted with her without delay. Bewildered by this sudden showing of "love," Alana told him that she appreciated the nice things he said about her, but silently asked Allen if they could get out of there as soon as possible since she was too scared to wonder what might happen if she outright rejects him. Lian told her that she might as well get used to it since he did that to most of the girls in the field house already. Shameless in the face of criticism, Jamal went further with his advances by telling her how much he admired her as a brawler and a hero, especially during her unfortunate capture in the Doom Dimension; he basically said everything that Alana wanted to hear Noland say to her. He then queried her thoughts about him asking Yita out in front of her even though he had to have been aware of her feelings. Allen shortened it to the fact that Jamal despised Noland enough to attempt to sway someone else's feelings his way despite not having any respect for other people himself. 

Jamal ironically thought that Allen talked too much, which made him suspect that he probably felt a similar feeling for Alana as well given that he started getting angry when her name was mentioned. Allen sarcastically called that a nice counter, irking the Spartan a little. Lian told the guys to fight if they were going to fight just to end the exchange. Believing it was uncouth of him to get in a fight with Allen when his main point of interest is Alana, Jamal proposed something else other than a battle: a skill test. The other brawlers in the field house were looking to practice their power output, so Jamal volunteered as target practice. Allen would have to join in on that venture. The first one to be put on the floor loses. Just to shut him up, Allen accepted the deal despite Alana telling him that he didn't have to prove anything to him since his actions in the past and even up until now have shown that he has the best defense in and out of the arena. Allen still went on with the battle anyway. Both Gorem and Vulcan set up on one end of the field ready to take a beating. 

[Jamal Armstrong]

(Mini-Boss Theme)

Jamal's game seemed to have gotten the attention of every brawler on the floor aside from the ones wandering aimlessly upstairs. Having a Bakugan willingly give them permission to hit him/her was an opportunity no one should have said no to due to the benefits of practicing on a living target. Aside from the apparent downside that Tec and Gorem were at each other's throats over who would stay up the longest, the brawlers launching the attacks may become competitive with each other when gauging their power and may end up leading to violent disputes over who did the better job. Who cares, right?

The attention was on him and Allen. Who has the better defense? Their last encounter placed them on equal footing. This arduous test of strength would finally answer that question.

"Just so we're absolutely clear with the rules here, I'll remind us both of what cannot happen one last time. If you are knocked down for any reason, you're done. Understand?" Jamal signaled for the brawlers to step forward. Ventus Bakugan were first in line. "Endurance is our warm up. I hope for your sake you can hold your own weight down, Allen. Tec, ready?"

"Always attentive," he responded. He slammed his fists together as the Ventus Bakugan summoned a torrential windstorm towards him.

"Ability activate! Heavy Metal!" Tec's body gleamed brightly in a pristine metal covering. The application increased his defenses to allow him to take the violent push of the storm without showing any signs of moving backwards. The material also served as good conductors as shown with the electrical power surging through the revving of his fists, which will likely increase his own power output later down the line.

"Simple enough?" Jamal shrugged at Allen.

[Allen Silva]

Gorem walked to line up with Vulcan, prepared for this challenge of strength and defensive power." I have a feeling that youre going to regret this challenge. They dont call Allen the iron juggernaut for nothing."

For once, Allen didnt want to talk to this opponent. He was judt trying to get a reaction out of him. So probably the.best way to anger him was to let his words do the talking. First up for thier game was Ventus bakugan. They whipped up powerful wind gusts, then shot them at Gorem and Vulcan." Ability activate, unshaken fort." Allen called out, holding the card out.

Gorem dropped down into the defensive stance, rooting himself in the very earth itself. This ability allowed him to easily survive the wind gusts that were shot him. Of course, Vulcan had to survive the attacks as well." Good to see that you werent taken out by that. At least now maybe we can show of what it means to be the Iron Juggernaut. "

[Jamal Armstrong]

Tec looked at Gorem's fortifications against the Ventus Bakugan. He was resilient in his approach just like he was. The determination in his eyes, the motivation to win, and the skill were all there, at least for now.

"So you can hang. I'm glad," Tec admitted, pounding his chest in excitement that he could have a challenger. "I guess if you're going to boast about this juggernaut nickname of yours, it's fitting that I do the same. Wanna know what they call me on Vestal?"

"The 'Flying Fortress,' the one and only," Jamal answered out of turn. The Ventus brawlers stepped out of line, and the next few came forward. Their attributes belonged to the sea. The creatures that appeared in front of them were a bunch of Juggernoid. "Tec is a living, breathing tank, the only Bakugan that could go through rows of a Hurranian armada and live to tell you all about it, the only Bakugan whose body can hold the talents, beliefs, and livelihoods of those of great importance in our hearts and shield them from all negative influences, and the one Bakugan that will continue to stand until all enemies fall."

"I am their castle, their safe haven, their refuge, and their barrier. No one falls unless I do."

"And that won't ever happen. Because..." There were three Juggernoid on the opposing side that retreated into their shells and started to spin rapidly, making them levitate. One slammed into the other to send the rotating shell towards Tec very quickly. Thanks to his earlier enhancement, he had faith in his grip as he placed his arms in front of him to catch it. A violent wave was seen being produced behind him, but Tec didn't move. He held it until it stopped spinning, and then tossed it aside. Then another was slammed into him, but this time, it was from the air. He detached his fists from his arms to catch the Juggernoid midair with enough force to stop its rotation entirely. The remaining turtle launched itself upon Tec who stopped it cold in his tracks with a charge from his head similar to that of a bulls.

"Whether it's on land or in the sky..."

"We sustain the worst, so no one else has to."

The Juggernoid crept their way back to their starting position to do the same against Allen and Gorem. "So Allen, what do you think it means to be this so-called 'Iron Juggernaut' you call yourself? Enlighten us."

[Allen Silva]

The ventus bakugan gave way for juggernoid. These turtle bakugan did more up close attacks than the ventus bakugan from earlier. This was good, because if Gorem can fortify his armor, surviving this would be a piece of cake. Almost as if they were trying to assist him, they spun rapidly, then charged right after Gorem." I think its time to test out another one of our abilities. What do you say partner?" Allen asked the golem.

"Lets try something more mettalic, since he wants to test us."

" i get what you're saying. I got just the thing." Allen pulled the next ability, holding it until it glew with the familiar brown." Now we put the iron in Iron Juggernaut. Ability activate, Panzer sheen."

Gorems armor extended to cover his entire body, excluding his eyes. Then it actually begun to thicken up, until it was about twice its original size. Finally, it transformed into a even stronger metal alloy. This reinforcement caused the juggernoid to simply bounce off of him, no matter where they came from." This metal armor isnt going to break. And just like this armor, i will not fall. Throw your best, but be prepared for embarrasment". Gorem assured his rival. His pride was at stake here, so he cant lose.

[Jamal Armstrong]

"Uh oh, Tec. Your Imperial Knuckle wasn't as flashy as Gorem not even moving a muscle in that exchange. He's showing you up," Jamal playfully teased.

Tec's fists returned back into their sockets, on his arms ready to go again whenever he made the call. "Alright, Gorem. I'll let you have that. I showed off a bit the last time, so I expected that to happen; however..." The Pyrus brawlers then stepped up to the line to test how they well they dealt with extreme firepower. "You only go up the ladder from here, so anything less than what you showed me just then won't cut it."

Jamal watched as the Pyrus brawlers sent out a row of Gargonoid. "The cousin to the Gargulion, huh?" Knowing what they were about to do, Jamal started to plan accordingly. "There's no way you'll survive this by standing still like Gorem, Tec. I guarantee it," he assured. "Ability activate! Sensory Fire!"

The rings that were surrounding his upper body lit in a bright red color when used. All that was left for Tec to do was wait until the Gargonoid were done charging whatever they were going to throw at him, and then it would be history.

The Gargonoid breathed ferocious flames and bombarded him with miniature blasts. Explosions began surfacing, which they thought they were causing. They weren't aware of Tec's rings constantly shooting beams out to cancel their attacks though. "Yeah. I may have lied about that before. Looks like he can," Jamal laughed. Their brawlers were a bit more hot-headed than the rest, so they continued attacking Tec out of frustration, but Tec's rings proactively shot their blasts down when it came within reach, all without moving a single time as was challenged by Gorem, at least in his head.

"Believe me, boys. You're very far from ever embarrassing me in a duel. You're good, but you're not that good," Jamal promised.

[Allen Silva]

Gorem emerged unscathed from the Juggernoids attacks. Of course, Jamal took it as a challenge. Against the gargonoids flames and blasts, he stood head on. Strangest thing is no blasts were hitting him. But Allen and Gorem couldnt observe for long, as he had a similar assault to deal with on his end.

" Ability activate, Mineral barrier." Allen, a grin growing across his face activated his next ability. This grin wasnt necessarily because he having fun. More because this was the chance to redeem himself from the previous defeat.

Gorem placed his hands directly in front of him.The difference between Mineral barrier and the other two abilities was that this card didnt buff Gorems natural defense. Instead, stones rose from the ground, forming a spinning circle. The stones were embued with Gorems energy, which lashed out to destroy anything coming close to the barrier.

" Cool, you can do that too." Gorem sarcastically congratulated his opponent while keeping up his barrier. "The one difference is... Im better at it."

Allen turned his gaze towards Jamal." If you want to give up, I wont hold it against you. At least you gave it your best." Allen knew that the opposition wasnt going to quit. He just wanted the opportunity to play some mind games with Jamal.

[Jamal Armstrong]

The remark suggesting that Jamal was using his best abilities to go through this survival battle made him chuckle, probably louder than he should have. "The best has yet to come, for both of us," he admitted, shrugging off his suggested compliment of Allen's power for being able to stay with him.

A Subterra brawler stepped forward after the Pyrus brawlers were shoved off to the side. This one was one of the brawlers that Lian had been fighting against on and off for her training. The girl's guardian Bakugan was very unusual in that it was a predator that any human would avoid encountering in fear of being burrowed into the belly of the beast. The Wormquake had been summoned on its lonesome. It dug into the ground to support itself for its attack.

"Ah. The Hynoid's worst enemy, Wormquake," Tec announced as he used his keen senses to sense the vibrations in the ground, which enabled him to dodge an incoming attack from below from Wormquake. "So that was all the commotion I felt from Earth's underground when I got here. You all should be concerned about that."

Jamal prepped his ability before the Wormquake had another opportunity to lunge at Tec in an attempt to grind his gears. "Ability activate! Primo Aegis!" Tec held his fists out in front of him in a boxer's stance. The rings around them revved rapidly until it produced staggering amounts of kinetic energy that, once he slammed it into Wormquake's jaw when it challenged Tec once more, sent one of the largest Bakugan in history flying towards the other side with slight to mid difficulty.

"Wormquakes aren't just feared for their gargantuan size or razor-sharp teeth. They're wrecking balls that weigh several tons, far more than most Bakugan are able to contend with; yet, in a power struggle, it will lose every time because their minds are solely focused on one thing while not having the ability to adapt to changing scenarios. They can't change their situations, so I do it for them." He then returned the same gaze Allen gave him before he made his move. "I heard Gorems possessed that quality and instilled it into their brawlers all while being below them."

[Allen Silva]

This time, the opponent wasnt multiple bakugan, but a single Wormquake. Instead of blocking the attacks launched at the same time, the current situation allowed for a more show off style.

The giant wormlike bakugan first charged after Vulcan. The first attack came from bellow, Wormquake rising up after Vulcan, who easily dodged the attack. At the next attack though, Vulcan used a ability to lainch the bakugan into the air. The giant landed, shaking the earth.

Now it was Gorem's turn. The giant worm begun to charge at him. In the moments before impact, Allen prepared another ability. He had a good feeling that this one would bring some shock and awe." Ability activate,Kinesis hammer." Allen calmy stated the abilities name.

With this card, Gorem pulled out a weapon similar to the one used by Hammer Gorem. The one difference is Titan Gorem's was made of the earth below him. Gorem held it like a baseball bat in anticipation of the next part. Once Wormquake got close enough, he swung it forward, catching the giant with the hammer end. This launched it back right next to its brawler.

" I hope you werent trying to beat Gorem in pure power." Allen mocked." Because if you did, dumb move."

[Jamal Armstrong]

Jamal decided not to give Allen's remark too much attention after the Wormquake was batted away like that, but even he couldn't help give a smile and fire back, something he shouldn't have to do at this point. "Of course it'd be a dumb move on my part unless I was actually required to do so," he joked, but not really.

Tec watched the Subterra brawler leave. She was replaced with at least a dozen brawlers affiliated with Haos. "Round five. You just broke Lian's record, Allen. Good for you," Jamal announced. They summoned their El Condor and immediately spread out across the field.

"They're mad," Tec realized when they took formation around him.

"It's natural when you come across an obstacle you can't overcome." The El Condor flashed a blinding light in unison to blind both Jamal and Tec temporarily. Although they both saw this coming based on what they were saying, they allowed that ploy to occur. The El Condor used this as a way of attempting to launch abilities that Tec could not see. Their thought process must have been that Jamal could not anticipate to defend against attacks he doesn't know are coming, especially when he cannot tell which direction to expect to be blown up. Lucky for him, he didn't have to.

"Seems Allen wasn't the only distracted one here. These hotheads seem to think cheating would give them a chance to actually damage me, but what would be the point in doing so if you couldn't do within normal constraints?" Jamal asked out loud while still blind from the attack. "Ability activate! Viblow!" Tec's hands glowed in a brown coloring after using the technique. He purposely waited until he heard the El Condor try to zap him with concussive streams of pure light. That's when he got them good.

"Yeah. After this, I'm done. I didn't cut any corners getting stronger. Why should you?" The blasts all fell short of reaching Tec for two reasons: his right and left fist, both endowed with the power to expel gravitational force to repulse opposing attacks in any direction he chooses. That's when the blindness wore off, and he could see the Bakugan who were about to be decimated by their own power. He manipulated this repulsive force to strike every El Condor on their teeth, sending each one of them into ball form.

"Seems Damian had a much more profound effect on them psychologically than your pal Noland, that's if you get my implication there rather than the one I made before about you and your Gorem," Jamal laughed. "On a more serious note, they weren't supposed to do that, so if you want a pass on this round, you can have it. You could let them do to you what they did to me if you so choose for bonus points, not like anyone's counting."

[Allen Silva]

Jamal was blinded by El Condor bakugan before they made thier move. It didnt help though, as one more ability from Vulcan sent their attacks right back at them. Either way, this obviously wasnt the idea.

Jamal telling Allen he could get the pass was the best joke he had heard today. He wasnt giving up, even if it was a technicallity." Why would i skip this round? It would mean nothing if i cant do the same as you." He questioned. He then motioned for the haos brawlers to bring it on." C'mon, dont hold anything back."

And that they did. The El condor returned to the battle, and resorted to the same tactic as they did with Jamal. Gorem, blinded but still holding onto the weapon from the last ability." Allen, lets use that ability now. That will really shake him up."

Allen nodded, reaching for the ability Gorem was musing at." I hope you werent to attatched to the stadium." He asked, not really expecting a answer. Either way, this ability was going to turn it a little messier." Fusion ability activate, Kinesis rejector."

Gorem once again lifted the hammer over his head. But this time, instead of slamming it to the ground, he spun the weapon. This created a twister like column of dust and debris. The debris blocked the El condors assault, allowing it to pick up even more. Once the attacks were over, Gorem swung the hammer down, sending the dust twister at the El Condor. This blow struck them, defeating them again.

"Next!" Allen and Gorem both emphatically shouted after thier blow.

[Jamal Armstrong]

"Nice. Very nice," Jamal commended as nearby bystanders who were aware of their little competition clapped with excitement that Allen and Jamal were putting on a very good show. "It's a shame that I want to humiliate you so Alana knows that I'm the one fit to protect her. You and Gorem are definitely strong, strong enough to make me want to train with you instead of Damian sometimes." After he said that, he turned to his left to look at Alana staring at the battle with a concerned look on her face. He winked at her, and then returned his attention to the person coming towards them. Only this time, everyone was very surprised at who it was, even gasping at her entrance.

"Is all the gasping supposed to mean this girl is some badass or something?" Tec wondered.

"Three-time qualifier for the Virginia state championships and two-time qualifier for nationals, finished within the top twenty in the country, lost to Markus Hederick this past tournament, and got demolished by Damian in one hit. So to all of them who are weaker than her, yes," Jamal answered. "I'm kinda surprised that I remembered all of that about someone this irrelevant. Oops. I'm not supposed to say that. Sorry, not sorry."

The girl was a Darkus brawler, and a very dangerous wielder of the attribute. Her guardian Bakugan of choice was a Darkus Manion. She chose to curse him and Tec for whatever reason, maybe for joyously watching her get tombstoned by Damian and laughing about it when she tried to challenge him over and over again.

"However, to me," Jamal started as he played his ability in unison with Manion launching a torrent of purple locusts towards them all, "she's nowhere close to being on that level. Ability activate! Wrecker Piercing!" Tec's hands retracted into his armor. They were replaced with drills. Once they revved up, they excreted brown static as a result of the vast amounts of kinetic energy they were creating. He simultaneously drilled the locusts that were coming at him from his right and left using his respective hands. Once the threat was easily dealt with, the girl angrily sent another attack at him.

"See? Told ya." When Jamal made this comment, the girl became even more angry than she was before. She hesitated to give Allen his turn since she wanted to beat Jamal down more than anything else.

[Allen Silva]

The next challenger obviously wanted Jamal to fail at her turn. She sent a swarm of bugs after Vulcan. He easily repelled them with his Wrecker piercing ability. After the failed attempt to stop Jamal, she hesitated.

After seeing the ability, Allen already prepped his counter. Now all he had to do was bide his time until she struck again.

A couple minutes pass by before the darkus battler shakes off the cobwebs and decides to direct her attack at Allen. Manion sent out the swarms of locust once again. Allen was prepared for it, as well as anything else this challenge brought." Ability activate, tremor lariat."

Gorem stuck his left arm out, ready to smash the bugs once they got close. He obviously couldnt run through the insects. Not only because of the limits of his ability, but because that would negate the point of the challenge. So he went with the obvious solution. Gorem spun around, using his outstretched arm like a fly swatter to smash the bugs as they got close. He kept this up until the swarm dissapeared.

[Jamal Armstrong]

After six rounds of defending against the attacks from esteemed brawlers, neither Jamal or Allen showed any signs of going down. Their competitive attitudes were keeping them afloat for a very long time, even in the midst of sheer impossibility that nothing the opposition did was working. Something about the girl they just humiliated was wrong though. She was angry. That was expected, but it was different this time. She was too angry, even for a normal human being. The Manion had the same reactions, and electricity was flowing through it steadily. The cocky look Jamal kept on his face disappeared in a flash.

"Here we go again." Tec retracted his drills and regained the use of his hands. He pounded them together fiercely. Unlike the previous encounters, he was extremely serious this time. "Come on."

Jamal played an ability without being attacked; he was going to be the one to attack this time, and it would be the girl's responsibility to defend, or, in Jamal's favor, not defend at all. "Ability activate! Gaia Collision!" Tec detached his fists and had them spread out from each other. They each built up to a speed that was perfect for one-hit knockouts.

Throughout the duration of this ability, Tec's HUD changes in his visor that allows him to lock-on to what he wants to hit so that his fists will know where to strike on the fly. All he has to do is follow it. While that's going on, he can convert the empty space leftover from his detached hands into cannons. The projectiles that he shoots from these are quick pulses of energy meant to stun his foes, mainly to make them that much easier to hit with his fists and to conserve power. This is exactly what he did.

When the pulses hit their mark, the Manion was left largely unaffected. The Bakugan had become so souped up that Vulcan's attack just wasn't going to cut it. Unfortunately for the Manion, his other attack would. The Manion was so fixated on Vulcan that when it roared in anticipation of retaliating, both of Vulcan's fists smashed into each other head-on with Manion caught right in the center, critically injuring the poor Bakugan.

[Allen Silva]

Jamal was attacking the Manion. Its part was over in the game, but Vulcan launched a whole nother ability at it. This enraged Allen. When the ablity was finished, Manion looked down good.

" What the hell was that for?!" Allen lashed out against the fellow subterra brawler. He couldnt believe Jamals actions." This was supposed to be a competition of defense. A battle of resolve between two brawlers. Yet you go and do this. You killed a bakugan. I dont know how you justify this action, but that doesnt matter." Allen continued his ranting.

Unbeknownst to Allen and Gorem, the Manion actually begun to get back up. Allen was to busy giving Jamal a piece of his mind. It was only once it unleashed a powerful roar that Allen shifted his attention over to the darkus bakugan.

"Whats going on?" Was all Allen could manage to get out. He reached for another ability card to get some sort of defense up. Before he could play the card though,it was blown back out of his hand. Without any sort of ability,Gorem was blown back, and defeated by the sheer strength. The roar continued until the bakugan completely faded away.