Episode 28: What I've Lived For

[Noland Hardy]

As Vince and Apollonir promised, Noland and Drago were to be tested following the conclusion of everyone's battles. He watched Tracy unify everything she learned to disrupt Lars Lion, Seiki overcome her weakness and repulse Oberus, Tank regaining his drive to battle against odds that predict his every move that cemented Frosch's tactical defeat, Allen never allowing the enemy to put him down by getting back up over and over again to summon the strength needed to overtake Clayf, and Markus and Alana showing that the power of the situation at hand cannot change them as long as they don't give it permission to and showed Excedra that they can be just as powerful as he is with a little bit of dedication and promise. He compared the experience to actually living through them, almost as if he was battling in their place. 

Now his job was to take all of those experiences that were required to make him stronger and use it to awaken his own power against the strongest opponent he'll ever face so far - Vince and Apollonir. The power of the Legendary Soldiers was definitely at the highest he's ever seen, and with one of them being a Dragonoid with identical capabilities to Drago, there was something to fear.

The rest of the soldiers congregated to the Pyrus Dimension to watch this battle. They brought the Resistors along with them. Their observance was the same as how Noland watched theirs: out of the way. All they could see was Noland in his Gundalian form and Drago together with Vince - much to the surprise of Allen and Alana - and Apollonir. Each side knew what was about to happen, so they paid each other their final respects before separating to the opposite sides to see just how far Noland had come or if he is doomed to remain weaker than the threat he's destined to stop.

(Boss Theme)

[Vince Hardy]

Vince was very giddy inside that he was facing his son in battle. They were long overdue for another match. There was a hint of a weird feeling in that Drago was on the opposing side this time around, but that was of no concern to Vince in the long-term. That just meant he got to see Drago's growth as an added bonus. It couldn't get any better than this for him. The feeling was just that great.

"Alright, champ. This is the second half of your test - well, it's the culmination of everything you and the others have done here since what you do will determine where all of you are going. You have the tools necessary to awaken your power. Do that, and you're golden," Vince explained. It sounded easier than it looked, but this was undoubtedly more difficult than everyone else's tests.

"I'll move when you do, Drago," Apollonir revealed. He stood in battle ready position on Vince's side of the field. Vince activated his BrawlX for combat. He patiently watched to see how things were going to begin.

[Noland Hardy]

Drago was determined not to allow the psychological factor of facing his father determine the outcome of the battle. There were some strong opponents in Dharak, Gorem, and Gladion to name a few, but this situation was different. He knew Apollonir; he knew that he was weaker than the leader of the Legendary Soldiers. That didn't stop Hydranoid from facing Excedra when he knew who the elder was, so the differences in power wasn't going to stop Drago from accomplishing his objective. He had to do it, not just for himself, but for everyone else. This was his time - their time also.

Drago pumped himself up for the upcoming fight, fully aware of Apollonir's skill set and how best to avoid getting trapped. "We're going to have to fight the best battle we've ever fought to make it out of here," Drago realized.

"After what we've just witnessed," Noland said as he activated his own BrawlX. "How could we do anything less?" Drago nodded in agreement and stood to face his father for the first time. He prepped himself for a fierce battle. Anything less than that would be a failure. "Ability activate! Hyperstrike!" Noland went with this to potentially catch Apollonir off guard. Drago didn't have to make physical contact, so it was a good opener in his eyes. Drago took flight to charge towards Apollonir. The moment his feet left the ground, he released an unstable energy pulse towards Apollonir using his horn.

[Vince Hardy]

"It seems his aggressiveness hasn't changed at all...I see a bit of Krakix left in him." Vince noticed that Noland was prepping the field so Drago could get in Apollonir's face as soon as possible. That's how he fought with Krakix, and it looks like Drago adapted Krakix's fighting style into his.

"Your old man was always the passive aggressive type. I'll still get close, only when I need to." Vince swiped a card on his BrawlX to respond to Noland's brave attempt. "Ability activate! Ignited Hammer!" Apollonir powered up in a minor cloak reminiscent of lava in a volcano. It was see-through, so Apollonir was clearly visible. This pumped his body temperate up to give a boost in his movement, which meant extra speed and power. There was also the fact that opponents can be burned within a couple of meters from Apollonir while this is active, but it wouldn't matter to Drago; he can do similar things, so he must know how to resist those effects as well.

"Think fast," Vince suggested. Apollonir expertly dodged the attack by sidestepping it, then he quickly looped around to target Drago's back.

[Noland Hardy]

"He's still as calm and level-headed as usual." Just like Vince thought of how Noland fights, Noland thought of how Vince fights. Apollonir was more experienced in combat than Drago, so it wasn't a big surprise that Vince would continue to fight like this. Could that mean a difference between a win or a loss though?

"Drago, ninety degrees! Ability activate! Havoc Ignition!" Just to show how improved his and Drago's trust in each other was, Noland gave Drago a specific command so he didn't have to turn all the way around and get hit for no reason. Drago listened to what Noland said, so he used a fingertip on his left hand to point in Apollonir's direction and hit him with a laser shot before Apollonir was able to get within a foot from him. This detonated Apollonir's ability, making him explode as well.

"Nice callout," Drago appreciated. The explosion caused a slight delay in Apollonir's attack pattern, allowing Drago to dodge the initial attack entirely. Drago exploited this vulnerability by flicking his tail to smack Apollonir in the head before turning completely around and stopping to face the elder Dragonoid once again.

"Okay. Ability activate! Grand Destructor!" Drago looked up to shoot a giant fireball into the molten sky. Once it reached a certain height, it dispersed into several meteor-grade fireballs that were specially designed to obliterate Apollonir if he chooses not to move.

[Vince Hardy]

That was definitely not what Vince or Apollonir expected. It was assumed Noland would only use that ability to detonate one of his own abilities or wait for Apollonir to charge one of his to do it, and he still may do that too. To use it against Apollonir's own power up meant that all expectations had to be thrown out.

"That was an excellent counter, Noland. Great job," Vince congratulated, but not for long. He had another ability waiting. "Ability activate! Crimson Steelers!" Noland and Drago would more than likely compare this ability's capabilities to their Novia line of abilities. This performed an identical role, most of the time.

"You know I can't let you get me like that again, even though it was a good trick," Apollonir warned. The armor-like scales on his wrists were affected by a very brief power expulsion, turning them crimson in the process. The exact effect wasn't shown until the meteors began to pound on Apollonir, which he simply swatted away with his bare hands; a red barrier materialized in his palms every time he touched a foreign attack. Without warning, Apollonir pointed his left wrist at Drago and extended a blade that impaled him in the chest. This was done because the nail that extended near his wrist projected an energy blade that Apollonir could use.

"How's that? Did I get you that time?" Vince wondered.

[Noland Hardy]

Drago not only felt a stab, but the blade's properties made the insides of his body burn. This was never a good feeling, definitely a technique designed to end battles very quickly. It would end this one too if Drago didn't have any tolerance to pain and couldn't heal.

"Not yet..." Noland swiped an ability with haste before Drago's incinerated from the inside-out. "Ability activate! Molten Ire!" Drago thought it was time for him to don his own personal cloak, so that he did. This one was dark red as a result of him pumping his raw strength into the ability as well. Doing this gave him a high level of resilience, enough to split the blade in half and free himself without any signs of faltering.

"Let's go!" Drago roared as he charged for Apollonir, intending to overpower him through a ferocious combo.

"Here's another! Novia Charge!" The same colored aura surrounded Drago starting from the tip of his horn. He was hoping to ram Apollonir with a lot of might as well as having the cloak to tank any damage in case there's something that comes up.

[Vince Hardy]

Vince craftily smiled as Drago approached Apollonir again. Normally, he'd be concerned about that much power coming towards him, but he wasn't. He had the tools to shut that all down, and he intended on using that to its fullest potential.

"This is starting to get a bit much. I haven't even warmed up yet," Apollonir complained and complimented at the same time.

"Ability activate! Saiam Low! Bring him down!" Apollonir quickly seized Drago's energy by excreting a scarlet-red energy out of his body. It merged with him, draining nearly all of Drago's energy. This removed the coating Drago had on his body. The sudden power drop also stopped him in his tracks. Apollonir used that opportunity to launch another ability towards him.

"Scarlet Dragonia!" Apollonir made use of his wings to blow a gust of wind in unison with the stream of fire he'd unleash from his mouth to create a staggering force that is said to be able to win any power struggle.

[Noland Hardy]

"Dammit. Not that again." Drago knew about that ability from before, so Apollonir using it now to catch him off guard should've been on his mind. Now he was paying for that by having to face an ability like Scarlet Dragonia which he knows cannot be clashed with by anyone because of Apollonir's wingspan giving him all the power he needed; it really was that powerful. Drago responded to this by shifting modes: changing his wingspan from a full set of four to a large set of two.

"Ability activate! Absolute Defense!" He covered his body with his giant wings to shield against Apollonir's overpowering ability. Knowing that it wasn't going to hold against it, Noland and Drago placed a bet that the increased weight from the mode change would allow them to not only form some resistance, but it will also save them from being blown sky high.

"I...haven't...warmed up...either...!" Drago exclaimed as he struggled. He was trying to compete with his dad, but so far, it may or may not be working depending on how it's looked at...He's probably losing right now. Drago borrowed the enhancement from Apollonir's earlier ability, Ignited Hammer, to give his body enough steam to push himself out of the way.

"Double ability activate! Hyper Igniter plus Pyre Might!" Drago rebounded into the sky to look down on Apollonir. He breathed a fiery stream downward. It had the appearance of a ravaging twister tearing through the area. Pyre Might was there to make it worse by making the flames uncontrollable, more sporadic and unpredictable in nature. This increased their lethality over all.

This resulted in Apollonir being smothered in flames that grew even bigger in an endless loop and became more powerful the longer they were on the ground.

"This had to have done something..." Noland wished to himself.

[Vince Hardy]

"Ha! I'm getting prouder every time I see an attack from you two. You haven't slacked in your training at all," Vince admired. That didn't mean their attack worked. "Ability activate! Neo Valute!"

Apollonir knelt on the molten ground while covering himself with his wings. A red light emanated from them, signaling some form of protection being bestowed on him. He expanded them outwards to erase every inch of flames from the field.

"I have to agree with Vince here. Your strength is befitting of your legend," Apollonir concurred. "The only thing that remains for me to do now is guide you into realizing the start of your full power, and to do so, I must show you a glimpse of mine."

Vince unveiled an ability. This one had the same art as the other Legendary Soldier's ability. All six attributes were contained inside a sun. This was where the most powerful Pyrus ability will be used.

"Let's turn this up! Ability activate! Maximum Pyrus!" Apollonir's charging of the attack could be felt through the rise in temperature around the Pyrus dimension and the rumblings throughout the ground. Once he fired that fire breath, that was all anyone needed to see to know that whatever it touches just had its life force burned.

[Noland Hardy]

Of all the things Drago understood about his attribute powers, he knew that what Apollonir just shot could not be guarded against; it was impossible. It was the strongest Pyrus ability for a reason. Defensive options will not matter. Maximum Pyrus will just burn through it anyway. To try and defend against this attack would be like fighting for second to last place.

Neither him or Noland were stupid enough to try and contest it either. Apollonir was evolutions beyond them. He couldn't break through even if he tried.

"Drago?" Noland was suggesting that they upgrade their bodies in order to take the heat. Drago definitely agreed.

"Yeah," he responded. Noland and Drago put their right fists up simultaneously and activated their special power. At first, it started out as a rainbow coloring, which was a good sign; however, it progressively turned darker, resulting in the Hex Code transformation.

"What...? But...how...why...?" Noland still couldn't understand why they couldn't use the Switch Code. While the Hex Code was more than enough to quell the flames that were striking Drago, it was still a massive disappointment, and could end up costing them the test altogether if it isn't fixed. "What is this going to take?" Noland's frustration easily transitioned into his darker emotions, so the Dharaknoid-like voice came back as well.

"Stay focused," Drago reminded Noland. "That's how this form wants you to feel. We can't fear it. If you allow this to control you, we will lose. I guarantee it."

[Vince Hardy]

Vince was very tempted to say something to Noland when he saw what happened, but Apollonir put his left hand towards him to get him to stop. "We've said all we could say earlier. Everything else is on them," Apollonir declared.

"Tough love? Okay then..." Vince eventually accepted. "Haven't they been on their own enough?" Vince said that in his mind because he realizes that the duo must have been hard-pressed to find their own way by themselves without him being there. To see them having to go through it again while he was standing there was a difficult pill to swallow, but if Apollonir says that there was nothing he could do, then maybe there wasn't.

"The power Drago and I have is not something that can be told; it has to be felt," Apollonir said in his mind. "The Hex Code awakens when there's a desire to destroy while the Switch Code manifests when there's a desire to protect. There's a key difference between the two aside from one being light and the other being dark. Destruction carries a lot of power, but it lacks the power to protect your friends as destroying someone else doesn't necessarily mean that you are shielding anything. Protecting may not be as bent on power as destruction is, but it embodies all of the qualities that come with stopping any major threat from harming anyone close. That's the distinction that Noland and Drago will have to realize themselves."

Vince put his left hand out as a circular diagram appeared on his forehand. It had all six attribute symbols on it. A similar marking appeared on Apollonir's own left hand. Both of them were engulfed in attribute energies - depicting a rainbow coloration - that progressively changed his color scheme to match that of the Dextra combination.

"Noland...let me ask you this question here..." Vince started. As he was saying something, Apollonir charged straight for Drago, delivering many punishing blows through multiple melees whose power shook the fabric of the entire dimension. "Your wish to destroy all of those who threatened you and Kendrick was powerful enough to awaken the Hex Code. It's clear that power was needed to act on that wish. In an identical way of thinking, what do you want to use the Switch Code to do? That is, why do you want to master it?"

[Noland Hardy]

Drago responded to Apollonir's attacks with equal force, cancelling them out. He went blow for blow with the Legendary Soldier, forming cracks along the dimension due to their power output. It was truly a sight to see. As for Vince's question, it wasn't very thought provoking when he considered why he was using the incomplete version of the Switch Code many times before.

"There are things worse than humans out there, Dad. Hurranians, certain Vestals, and...Dharak," he expressed. "I'd like to think of myself as the strongest brawler alive as Alana, Allen, and I always use to do, but I've realized that it may not be as true as I want it to be. More specifically, being the strongest isn't really enough nowadays if I'm not able to exercise my full power. There's no sense in me having it if I can't use it correctly."

Noland swiped an ability on his BrawlX to repulse Apollonir's assault immediately. "Ability activate! Rage Flash!" Charging purple electricity in his wings, Drago swiped it to send a destructive purple wave of energy down range. It collided with Apollonir and did it what it did best, maximum damage with maximum velocity.

"As for how I'm going to use that power, it'll be very simple. Those who are a threat to me and anyone I consider important will be defeated. That's why we're here: to become powerful enough to end them!"

[Vince Hardy]

Apollonir put his guard up to intercept Drago's ability. It grinded against him while it was pushing him back, but he was able to push the attack away from him and have it show its deadly destructive power off in the distance. It burned a small part of his Switch Code shielding off, but it was gradually restored.

"What does 'ending them' imply that you'd do to them? Would you kill them?" Vince wondered. "The reason why I'm asking these questions is based on what I know about you and the Resistors as people. You don't realize that you're doing this, but by placing the protection of your loved ones as a priority, you're instinctively wishing for the death of the perpetrator. You may think you're protecting something based on that ideology, but what you're really doing is becoming as evil as they are, hence the power of darkness that you have right now. That's all war is: a battle to determine whose darkness is greater. What happened at Nagasaki and Hiroshima should be proof of that already."

Apollonir listened to where Vince was heading with his words. He found them interesting, so he didn't stop him from continuing. It may offer the breakthrough Noland needed.

"I wouldn't expect you to fully understand this since I haven't spoken to you about this extensively, but people like me who have been in the position of some of these officers feel terrible. It really sucks when the good officers have to feel the wrath of the people for something the bad ones are doing. I've already told you I had a career as a member of SWAT along with Andrew. Being that it's a highly militarized organization than your average officer, we've encountered numerous foes that we had every right to kill in a number of ways. You might expect that we'd kill at least one person because of all of the power being used against us, but...you'd be wrong. This worldwide hero you all know about has killed a whopping total of zero people; the same goes for Andrew."

Apollonir was truly shocked to hear that. Vince must have had expert self-control if he didn't have a single kill on his record. He could at least understand that since he felt the same way when his friends were taken over by Hurranians centuries ago and how a Helios betrayed him.

"No one from our squad was ever injured or killed in action. What we've learned along the way was that any one of us were capable of destroying everyone we've encountered by ourselves, but if that was a priority, then we couldn't ever have each other's backs. Sure, there will come a time where death is necessary to inflict, and that's okay. What you need to decide for yourself when that time comes is whether you're killing that person or the darkness that controls them. I think you know that already. That's why Alana is still alive right now, am I right?"

[Noland Hardy]

They wish for the deaths of every villain they encounter...by instinct? Vince...was right. Noland knew the difference between those two feelings already. He, Allen, and Alana held that belief when they became Resistors, but when it came to enemies like Barodius and Dharak, there was no debating it; they wanted him dead above anything else. They more than likely weren't even concerned about what kind of evil was manipulating them either. All they were focused on was the person, so they became just as evil. The same went for these police officers. He didn't care how or why they came to their conclusion; Noland just burned everything they cared about to the ground. There goes another example of what Vince was talking about.

"...It all makes sense..." Noland silently realized. "But...how do you apply that...?

"It's more simple than we've realized, Noland," Drago responded. "Having this power made me more aware of how everyone has both light and dark in them, some worse than others. Sometimes, we forget that people aren't always evil, and that they have light in them somewhere. One may be higher than the other for different people, but just because we know someone to be good doesn't mean they can't be evil, and vice versa. We are the examples of that. So is..."

"Daniel..." Noland's Gundalian form started fading a little bit. Drago's Hex Code transition followed suit.

"You see...all darkness does not have to be destroyed... And while we're on about darkness... how about you then? There must be a sort of darkness inside you as well...darkness that can be saved."

Noland remembered hearing that from Alex once. At one point he thought that it was about something else, Alana to name it specifically. Maybe it was much bigger than her. Could he have known that Noland had this in him from the start? He couldn't have, but it was interesting to note how much influence it has, even now.

Noland was now back in his human form along with Drago in his imperfect rainbow coloration. "Those who were villains were just like us. The only difference was what side we chose. So in order to protect everyone who chose to do good and to prevent the good of those people from being tainted by the evil they choose to do..."

A circular symbol emerged from Noland's hand, which matched up perfectly on Drago's. A burst of energy clouded the both of them until Drago went through the complete transformation into the Switch Code form, sporting him with the same rainbow color scheme as Apollonir, without the sporadic aura from before of course. "...I have to do what I can to target what I know is wrong and unjust and prevent it from controlling us again..."