Episode 42: Scorched Earth Policy

[Noland Hardy]

A bright flash emanated from where Gorem and Hydranoid resided. That display of force culminated in a wave pushing against the river. Against one force that is supposedly overpowered, there was only a few options that could stand against it. Oppose one overpowered force with another: Drago.

"Here's a hint for YOU. Slip Damage!" Drago retorted. Advanced Supremacy buffed this space-time ability to a ridiculous level. If someone with expert vision were to look in Drago's eyes, they could see a reflection of Frost Hydranoid. That was all Drago would have to deal with; however, there was another change. Gorem and Hydranoid would also have to contend with that form as well thanks to how strong this iteration was.

"You can't beat us, so you go after everyone else? And you're supposed to be the scariest I've ever seen?" Noland scoffed. He began laughing, but it was in a very evil-sounding tone. He was in the beginning stages of losing control of his mind by stressing his power like this. "Tricks like that do not work when your opponent doesn't care. It's only appropriate now that I show you how much I don't care about you or this disease-ridden place!"

Noland revealed an ability that had an attribute circle on it, reminiscent of certain abilities the Legendary Soldiers use. "Ability activate! Supremacy Big Bang!" This was the Switch Code counterpart to the Absolute Desolation X forbidden ability that would have killed so many people when Noland was on his rampage. While not as destructive as the Hex Code version, this one was arguably more dangerous. Due to the Switch Code's inherent properties of energy control, this ability would charge even faster.

A thin, circular outline hovered in place around Drago's body. Thin energy waves were sent from this outline into Drago's body at rapid intervals. It disappeared once enough energy was sent into him. Since it didn't take very long, it definitely implied that Noland was still keeping himself reserved. He didn't want to kill Gorem and Hydranoid with the ability, so it was necessary.

"Here!" Drago shouted at Zero Hydranoid. It produced a violent wave that tore through the building's walls just by them being near the ability. Other attributed energies were present along with this ability's destructive effects. The Haos energy produced a glare that made it nearly impossible for anyone to look through. Slabs of broken earth rose from the ground that would impale Zero Hydranoid if she wasn't careful. The force behind Drago's attack produced a blast of wind that could even uproot a being as clung to Earth as an Excedra would be.

[Maria Zenovia]

"Big words for such a tiny worm..." Hydra replies.

She surrounds herself with Aquos energy and activates a Special Ability- Subzero Prison. Massive iceberg forms around her body shielding her from attacks.

Iceberg is not really made of normal ice, but one that is enhanced with a curse. It effectively stops incoming attacks and neutralizes them before they can reach Hydra.

After that icy barrier shatters and Hydra is left undamaged. 

She then begins to do another trick that will have far more drastic consequences than any damaging ability she put to use so far.

"I am curious though... what, or perhaps who, you care about, little Gundalian." Hurranian Hydra smiles with her central head and then her body begins to produce some sort of liquid substance made of gold. Once it emerges from her skin it begins evaporating really quick and soon fumes take over the entire room and capture all three Resistors and their Bakugans.

Resistors and their Bakugans start feeling drowsy; like they are having a hangover after heavy drinking. "Cannot wait to see what desires you will share with me, little Resistors... Now, sweet dreams..." Mild sound of real Hydra's voice says. Is that the real Hydra? Or some sort of imitation? It was definitely her voice. 

"Heavenly Intoxication..." She whispers mildly.

Without using an offensive ability Hydra intoxicates her opponents with the sweet scent of evaporated Aurum Nectar; highly-addictive and sweet substance that puts her opponents into a daydreaming state where all their wishes and desires are presented to them right before their eyes. It is a drug that will make opponents unaware of the danger, unaware of the battle and will put them on a road of sweet dreams giving the caster enough time to accumulate power for one final strike.

"Just relax and all the pain will go away... all the suffering will disappear... right before your eyes..." Her voice gives one final sentence before Resistors are completely put into intoxication and unaware of anyone's presence; even one another's.

[Noland Hardy]

Zero Hydranoid would be disappointed in Noland's thoughts. His was distorted thanks to his power. What Noland didn't know was that a little bit of darkness can make a big difference in how you perceive the world.

"Right...go ahead and make me unconscious. It's the only hope you have of beating me, because we all know what is about to happen to you. Who's the coward now!?" Noland growled uncontrollably, even though no one could hear him except for himself. The fact that he is aware of his unconsciousness may prove to be dangerous for Maria later.

Noland could hear loud banging noises in the background, followed by painful screams. It peaked his interest.

"Hm? What's this?" he curiously wondered. He figuratively opened his eyes to a scene of destruction. He saw a ruined city being continuously besieged by Bakugan. One of them was Drago. He was like a monster to those people. He cut through people using his nails in graphic detail. Directly punching someone caused them to explode. He reveled in the pleasure that it brought him.

"Hm...okay...maybe I can stay for just a few more seconds..." Noland conceded as he chuckled about what he was seeing. He may change his mind and extend the time, because he saw Maria at his side, clung to his arm and gladly supporting him. Noland blushed when he saw this. He saw her point down towards the pavement. He followed her direction and saw a heavily injured Alana and Hydranoid at Drago's mercy.

This was when this dream would have detrimental consequences, and Noland didn't even realize it.

"What about her?" Noland scoffed. Maria moved her hand across her neck to signify that Alana had to die. Noland paused for a moment before smiling and commanding Drago to get it over with.

[Alana Cortese]

Alana opened her eyes to see that she was in an alternate reality. The scenery was a city completely relishing in the gaze of the night sky. The streets did not have any mobile diseases like the general public. That's how you know that something was terribly wrong. Alana knew this instinctively. She was looking around in a panic, knowing that whatever Maria just casted on them could get them killed.

"Come on, Alana. Think! How do you get out of here so you don't die to this woman!?" She started pacing back and forth while trying to come up with some ideas. One came in the form of a Darkus Bakugan making sound effects as it descended to the ground from out of nowhere. When it hit the ground, it made the sound effect for an explosion.

Alana looked at this Bakugan with a confused look. Who would make light of this situation?

"Mmmm. That Aurum Nectar is gooooooooood," it said.

"What? Hydranoid?"

"I haven't had this stuff since I was a little hydra. I can't believe it took me this long to have it again."

"Hydranoid, get us out of here! Maria put us here so she could kill us!"

"Relax, sweetheart. It's going to be fine." Hydranoid opened up into his monster form so he could lay on his back. "This substance is usually forbidden in our culture, because it gets us so freakin' high. But damn, it feels soooooo goood. I'd put this shit on everything."

"Oh my gosh...we're dead," Alana grieved.

"You're such a drama queen. I know what will make you feel better. Here, take this." Somehow, Hydranoid spawned a purple tether at Alana's feet. He then summoned a list of people: one Noland; one Tracy, one Seiki; one Yita; one Maria; one Chan; and one other girl that looked just like Alana, but with red hair. "Round 'em up."

"Wait...who's that?" Alana asked, pointing to the lookalike.

"Not important." Hydranoid grabbed Noland using his tails. He placed him on the sidewalk at a newly-spawned dinner table. "You see all of these women here? I've rounded up every single person who can be a love rival, regardless of whether they like Noland or not. What we do know is that there is some sort of connection going back and forth between him and each individual over there. I say we catch them all and make them watch a date between you and Noland to make them really mad. How does that sound?"

"Um..." Alana blushed a lot. "I...think we should just get out of here..."

"You know you want to. Besides, if this nectar doesn't wear off in time, you might as well do something you enjoy, right?"

"Well...yeah..."

"Alright! Now, hurry up. They look scared now." The girls started scattering all over the city. Alana picked up the tether. She contemplated over this before smiling in acceptance. She began her plotting.

With Hydranoid's help, she ran down every single one of them. She tied them up together and placed them on the opposite sidewalk across from her and Noland's table. Alana was laughing at their misery as they had to sit there with each other to watch, their jealousy filling with every moment. Alana snapped a photo of them all with her BrawlX.

"Hey...look," Hydranoid announced, pointing north. It was Allen minding his own business. He had a bunch of lady fans of his approaching him from all directions.

When they went to talk to him, a certain smell knocked them all unconscious. Allen was looking around him as people were dropping, causing him to think that it was him. It was really Hydranoid decapitating one of his own heads and continuously burning the decaying body part that caused the strange smell. Alana was laughing hysterically at Allen's annoyed look.

"I love them so much," Alana admitted, wiping away a tear from laughing so much.

[Allen Silva]

Allen's inner desire was a very simplistic one. He wasn't ever someone who wanted fame of fortune. His dreams were much more tame. I guess thats what you get with zero malicous intent and a protective personality.

Allen found himself back at the school's gym, doing what he always did after school, working out. He kept this routine up to make sure he never grew up to be a soft pudgy shadow of his young self. He had no problem with people who looked that way. It just didnt fit into his plans in life. As ussual, his weight lifting partner was his gaurdian bakugan Gorem. Sure in ball form, he couldn't lift too much, but it was more for the moral support.

He had just finished up doing some bicep curls, and was looking at heading over to the bench and seeing if his efforts had payed off. He stood momentarily, contemplating how much he should put on. After getting the weights set up, He got to the meat of his excercise." One, two, three, four..." he almost ritualistically chanted as he pushed the weight off of his chest repeatedly.

After getting to 25, he started to get tired. This is where having Gorem came in handy." C'mon man, you hit fourty last week. You gotta beat it."

Using Gorem's encouragement, he got to 50, before deciding to call it quits. He went over to the water fountain to quench the thirst he obviously had built up. After grabbing the rest of his things, he turned to Gorem.

" lets see what the others are up to."

[Maria Zenovia]

Against Hurranians’ expectations this trick worked perfectly. 

Hydra disabled Resistors with only one ability that is not even a real attack.

Aurum Nectar, produced by Hydra, put them in a deep and very realistic mirage.

They cannot see one another’s dream, but Hydra can see them all and to her disappointment there is nothing that particularly interests her among their desires. All that they are experiencing now might either be their intentional wishes or those hidden in sub-consciousness. 

Out of all their dreams Allen’s seems as ‘the most normal one’ while Noland and Alana are trapped in quite weird desires. Funny how normal Allen is compared to them- all he wants is to live a normal and active life. Even real Hydra can see it all and for some reason she develops quite a liking towards what Allen dreams. In all this chaos he does seek glory, money, fame… but a normal life. It does not seem like anything special, but it really touches real Hydra’s heart. 

While Resistors are distracted this is a perfect opportunity to attack. “Hazard Intoxication.” This special ability is a more dangerous version of Heavenly Intoxication. While the normal version produces Aurum Nectar and evaporates it to serve as a hallucinogenic substance, this other version produces both Aurum Nectar and Azure Nectar inside Hydra’s body using her, so-called, nectar glands. Azure Nectar is n acidic substance that melts down steel in contact and its fumes will destroy one’s lungs and kill them. On the other hand, if you brew it properly it becomes blue and thick substance of very sweet taste; syrup that gives strength and stamina to the one who consumes it. However, the catch is that this good effect only works on Hydranoids. Legend says that there are methods of brewing it so well that it will work on everyone, but… who knows.

Male Hydranoids that are trained well can produce Aurum Nectar, but not Azure Nectar. Latter can only be produced by females for variety of purposes- one would be to feed baby Hydranoids when born, other would be as support in fights and third would be melting enemies alive. 

With Hazard Intoxication highly-addictive Aurum Nectar combines with Azure Nectar that is not brewed and they produce a completely new substance- Jade Acid. This acid burrows through enemies’ bodies just by touching them. Open up your palm and let a drop fall on it; drop will just pass through the palm like through paper leaving a hole. 

Recalling Allen’s dream over and over real Hydra knows how many children just dream to have a normal everyday life in this chaos. It makes her very sad that neither Allen or other people will probably have lives like that. “I am sorry… I wanted you… all of you to have that life… but I failed you… I failed Maria too… I failed Sylvia…” Real Hydra grieves silently aside while her Hurranian controller starts preparing an attack.

Jade Acid emerges from Hydra’s mouth and she shoots it out.

“What are you mumbling…?” Hurranian Hydra asks the real one in annoyance.

“No… I cannot let this happen. Damn me to hell if I will ever let cowards like you take lives of innocent children before my eyes!!” Real Hydra shouts angrily that vibrations cause windows to shatter everywhere. She focuses on Resistors refusing to let them die like that."OPEN YOUR EYES!!" Real Hydra shouts through the main head with all might she’s got in her lungs. Windows break, walls crack and metal supports shatter as the shockwave reaches Resistors and their Bakugans in attempt to wake them up.

Shower of acid comes closer to raining down on Resistors. Only a few seconds are left. “There is no hope. Now shut your mouth…” Hurranian Hydra commands.

[Noland Hardy]

The Hurranian controlling Maria was in serious trouble now. Since Noland already had a hint of what was happening to him, it did not take much to get him back to his senses. He slowly opened his eyes, like he was never really in any danger.

"You mean there's no hope for you?" Noland curiously asked the Hurranian. Zero Hydranoid was suddenly subjected to a sharpened beam of light piercing her midsection. "I got you," Noland signaled. "Novia Blade. Cut her down."

The Supremacy-enhanced Novia Blade in the Switch Code form was undoubtedly lethal. The initial blade of light was projected from Drago's horn. Once it stabbed Zero Hydranoid, pillars of light started showing up across her body, including places like her necks, heads, legs, and tails. These pillars flashed, then a burst of energy shot straight out of each location on her body. The energy from these flashes extended all across the battlespace. Touching the various drops of acid caused them to disintegrate in Dextra-colored fire. This was how you cut someone open.

But it gets worse. The effects of Drago's space-time ability was extended thanks to the Advanced Supremacy enhancement. This means that Drago's strike was as effective as it would be against the Frost Hydranoid. Due to the sheer lethality of the Novia line of abilities normally, Zero Hydranoid's defeat was very likely. All Noland was waiting for was for her to drop.

[Maria Zenovia]

Hurranian Hydra has not expected Resistors to make a comeback from her Heavenly Intoxication and therefore she did not prepare herself properly to dodge or block Drago's attack.

"Ghhh!!" She painfully screams as Drago's attack butchers her like a pig. Being exhausted from the battle and stabbed so deeply she cannot balance her energy reserves and completely losses control over keeping real Hydra under mind control.

With this brief moment Hydra seizes the opportunity to make a crucial move. "Spiritual Embodiment!" She yells and her body gets surrounded by blue diamond dust. It whirls around Hydra and then moves away to the left of her massing and forming into normal Zero Hydranoid. She left Hurranian-infected Misfortune 13 and is completely clean of the infection now meaning that there is no reason not to destroy Misfortune 13. Since it is a transformation destroying it will not disable real Hydra from accessing it in the future.

Real Hydra quickly pushes Drago back with her right hand to get him out of harm's way of what is about to happen next. He might have crushed Misfortune 13, but being that close to it is still pretty dangerous and what real Hydra is about to would not be so comfortable for Drago if he was close. "Forbidden Ability... Ether-Expulsion!" Hydra shouts and surrounds her body in non-attributed energy- antimatter. It is one type of energy that few Bakugans have and it is used for destroying ether energy inside other Bakugans. Misfortune 13 is almost entirely made up of ether and in this state that ether energy is very unstable and it can be used for instantly killing Misfortune 13....

Hydra fires off three blasts that literally look like night's starry sky. They hit the target and Misfortune 13 begins to screech and within only few seconds it pops like a balloon and its ether energy explodes and disappears in thin air.

Due to this link between Maria and Hydra is disturbed causing Hurranians to be disturbed as well. "Poison Embodiment." Hydra continues. She activates a support ability which makes one target's body poisonous and whoever attacks it becomes poisoned.

Since Hurranians have invaded Maria's body and are not considered as part of it poison begins to kill them inside Maria. Soon enough her body is cleaned of every single little Hurranian. Hydra then deactivates the ability.

Maria just stands there half-conscious after everything that happened. She holds her left palm on her forehead as if she had a headache. That Hurranian took quite a lot of energy out of her body so she yet cannot concentrate on moving or talking until that 'hangover' passes.

[Noland Hardy]

It would have been really nice if Noland was able to differentiate between a Hurranian-infected Maria and a liberated one. She didn't look like she was in the state to defend herself anymore. That was bad news for her, because Noland did not discriminate between the two variations of Maria.

"How unfortunate. Your transformation has been defeated. You don't have an inch of a chance of walking away from me now. There's still plenty more destruction to be caused," Noland threatened.

Drago, who was seemingly taken over by this power just as Noland was, eyed Maria and Zero Hydranoid. He made a silent screech, which was a product of him trying to assume control of his senses before he takes it too far.

"Fusion ability activate! Dragonic Rampage!" Drago pointed his finger at Maria and Zero Hydranoid to signal that he was coming for them. A charging sound could be heard as Drago's fiery Switch Code shielding became darkened. It looked like lights were about to burst from it.

[Alana Cortese]

Hydranoid was not very surprised that Noland and Drago were about to kill an Admiral. He could tell that the power was starting to go their heads the moment they activated it. He was lucky that Drago hadn't gotten too deep in that level of power; otherwise, he would NEED to be attacked.

"They might take it as an act of aggression if Gorem and I do anything to try and stop him," Hydranoid notified them all. "Try to calm him down, Alana. If those scales turn black, I have to fight him. There's barely any going back once he hits that point."

Alana nodded. She slowly approached the agitated Noland from behind. He did turn to face her, something that Hydranoid was paying very close attention to. He had one of his tails lock on to him just in case. The way the tail was pointing suggested that Hydranoid was aiming to shoot Noland in the head if he made any sudden movements. It looked extreme, but he made it clear before that he was not going to stand there and watch Noland and Drago show out.

"She's not going to hurt you anymore... She's free... You saved her..." Alana communicated to Noland. She hugged him gently and didn't plan on letting go.

[Noland Hardy]

The touching put a halt to Noland's attention towards Drago killing people. He didn't have that much dark power built up in him to want to resist what just got thrown on him. He succumbed rather quickly to Alana's hug. His senses were restored, bringing Drago's senses up to speed by extension.

"Hm...so I CAN turn evil if I try to pressure the Switch Code..." Noland realized. He was ignoring the hug for the most part, because he wasn't really aware that he was being clung to since he hasn't recuperated that far yet. He eventually realized what was going on after a couple of seconds. The blushing commenced.

"Awwww," Drago teased.

"Seems there's still more training that needs to be done to control our power..." Noland looked at Maria and Zero Hydranoid. He was staring at them to check for any Hurranian activity. When he confirmed that there weren't any Hurranians left on them, Noland chose to lighten up the mood a little.

"How does it feel to walk normally again?" Noland asked.

[Maria Zenovia]

Maria, still half-conscious, is not fazed by what Noland nearly did.

She is barely aware of her surroundings and events that are ongoing. It is like a nasty hangover after all-night partying, but that is a rough comparison considering what happened in here was all but partying. 

It is not certain if she even hears what Resistors are saying among themselves and what Noland just asked Maria. She seems to mutter something to herself, but it is quite uncertain what it is since she is being very quiet. 

She opens her eyes and takes a very deep breath and exhales a few times. Then she looks forward and sees three Resistors in front of her. She begins to recall what happened in here, who was responsible for all this destruction and who stopped it.

Without saying a word she begins walking towards Resistors and stops before them.

"Idiots... You... you could have been killed..." She mutters with an annoyed tone, but loud enough so they can hear it. Without waiting much longer she quickly reaches out for Resistors and embraces them with her arms. Considering that Resistors are still kids, compared to Maria, she manages to fit all three of them in her embrace with a single move. 

And, considering the same thing, they are not exactly... as tall as Maria. With her embrace their faces are buried in her soft ample chest and there seems to plenty room for everyone. 

All three Resistors' faces go red, a bit from an (un)comfortable moment and a bit from suffocation. However, Noland and Allen do not seem to mind- quite the contrary.

Doubtful that Alana enjoys it, but she seems to be in a state of some 'unique shock' with that move Maria pulled. That does not even give her time to complain about Noland's face being where it is not supposed to. And now there is no need for Drago to tell stories since Alana is here. Beautiful, indeed.

Aside with this beautiful moment Maria decides to speak up and break the silence. "You were put through this because of my failure... Admiral should never succumb to weakness and I did it. I harmed you all..." Maria says with a sad and silent tone of voice.

She then lets go of Resistors and makes one step back.

"Kids like you should be free, go to school, experience joys of life... not fight wars. And if we were doing a better job none of you would have to do it..." She says and closes her eyes lowering her head a bit.

"And for hurting you... I beg your forgiveness. I will compensate you in any way you want me to." Maria humbly apologizes for what she did to them, despite the fact that she did not do it on purpose- she was manipulated. She respectfully offers Resistors to ask anything they want from her. And, in all honesty, she does not intend to hold back with that offer; if they want money, important positions, high-paid jobs, cheat abilities like the ones given to Noland by 'you know who'... Maria intends to fulfill it. 

After all, they saved her from Hurranians. She feels that a mere 'thank you' is not enough to reward such bravery. 

[Noland Hardy]

Noland was in a trance following the embracing touching. He was frozen, but felt very warm inside. No amount of water could wake him up from this exciting dream. It was all too good to be true.

"This is going to be good," Drago expected, waiting patiently for one of them to give an answer to this. Maria sounded like she was serious. He ended the Switch Code transformation right there, since he didn't deem Maria threatening anymore...at least not right now. A part of him still thinks that Maria was serious about wanting to kill Noland for falling on her involuntarily.

"Hm...any way I want you to...? What do I want...?" Noland pondered over Maria's exact words. A lightbulb flashed in his head as he got an idea. "Okay. I know what I want now."

"Please. Do tell," Drago cosigned.

"Can I have another hug?" Noland may be an idiot for shamelessly requesting that right in front of Alana. He may have regrets about it soon enough.

[Alana Cortese]

Hydranoid started laughing when Noland found the courage to do this. He expected Alana's reaction to be comical, hence his uncontrolled outburst. It was only when Alana gave him a cold stare that he started bringing that to a slow halt.

"Oh...right. You don't think that's funny..." Hydranoid realized, even though he already knew that. Alana's stare got a little more sinister when he made that comment. "...I regret nothing."

Alana went over to Noland and pinched him on the back of his left arm.

"That's quite alright. Noland will not be having anything," Alana clarified. "Anyway, I don't think you should be too hard on yourself. Everyone has that weak point that can be exploited. I guess this makes us even now, since you did so much for us already."

"Heh. Speak for yourself. I want something," Hydranoid spoke up. "I want all the hacks, cheats, and shenanigans that you have, and...give me all the Aurum Nectar that you can produce. Ten grams should last me for about a week, then I'm going to be back for a restock."

[Allen Silva]

Allen couldnt help but burst out into laughter at Nolands display. It was unlike the Master blaze to act so childish, especially against someone who nearly blew them off the face of existence. He thought about it for a second and, allthough technically Noland was a motherless kid who had never felt that feeling before, it was still as funny as ever.

" Hey Noland, youre pissing off Alana. Id be careful before she finishes what the admiral started." He joked with his friend. It hurt him to laugh, but still this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. He was going to take it." As far as what i want, im gonna have to rain on Nolands parrade. Can we forget all of this happened? Just kinda wipe the slate, and get on with stopping the genocidal threat that looms on the horizon. Cause that would be great."

" i second that. Ive seen a lot of stuff, but Nolands shennanigans were the most awkward thing ive ever seen in my life." Gorem put his backing behind Allens declaration of the situation. That and he also didnt want to see thier fearless leader act like a puppy."... ever" he said one more time for emphasis.