Episode 40: Meltdown of the Resistors

[Tank Stryker]

"My blood is too powerful to be used like that...They can't do that, or... Oh shit..." It suddenly dawned on Tank. By using his blood as a vaccine, Eden had effectively created a biological weapon capable of destroying a person from the inside-out in a matter of seconds. Those poor souls probably have carcasses as remnants of their bodies by having Tank's blood course through them. This was a terrible tragedy.

"No...that blood test was only supposed to be for confirmation of my immunity to the Hurranians. It was NEVER supposed to be used..." It was a tragedy that made Tank extremely pissed. He could not accept his blood being used to destroy those people. It played out horribly in Tank's mind. He couldn't bear to keep it replaying in his head. This was a disgusting act that needed to be addressed in a very extreme way. Tank, in a way, agreed with Markus' sentiment. He had to get a grip on reality though. Encouraging this behavior did not seem to be a very smart move.

"Listen, Markus...I get it. I fucking get it. I want the bastards responsible to be hung upside down for this..." Tank grieved. "I don't have anything you're looking for, but...before you do anything else, think about what you just did. Only you and I know what ultimately happened to Tracy and Skystar. Did that feel good to you? Did it help you get the names you're after?"

[Markus Hederick]

Markus couldn't deny that Tank made a good point. Skystar's death literally meant nothing to Markus. It didn't reverse the incident with his family. It didn't lead him to the people responsible. He finally slowed down to think about what he was doing. He nodded in acknowledgment of this not being the correct path.

"Alright...I see your point. I'll suppress my killer instinct for right now..." Markus responded. He deactivated the DNA Stimulus so Gargulion could return back to his base frame. The Magnet Frame was deconstructed and added back into Gargulion's body.

"However..." There were some strings attached. "Your friend here would rather keep me away from them. That was the primary motive behind me facing her in mortal combat. In fact...she would stand in your way too. She'd rather allow Eden to escape with their tails in between their legs."

[Tracy White]

By now, Tracy realized that someone had been killed prior to Gladion's interference. That was the least of her problems. Markus wanted to paint her as an enemy now. It looked like Tank could follow along with him at any moment IF things were to take the wrong turn. Now was the perfect time for an explanation, not five minutes ago.

"You know what... I'm done with you, Markus. If you want to do something stupid and get yourself killed, be my guest. I'm going to let you die," Tracy stated. "I don't care what kind of powers we all have. We're still civilians compared to these people. None of you are above the law; yet, you want to creep around like you're some assassin trying to kill everybody you come across just because you're so angry over your girlfriend dying right in front of you."

Tracy began uploading the faces of the people she saw administering the procedure, even though it was very illegal to do so and could put her in prison for a very long time. "So go ahead. Find those people. Torture them. Kill them. Do whatever satisfies your sick and twisted mind. When the upper echelon of Eden and the Silver Knights come crawling down your back for interfering with their decision-making, don't come to me expecting to get revived. I was never in the business of helping terrorists, and I never will be!"

[Markus Hederick]

Markus did not look at his BrawlX for the information. His first reaction was turning around to give a menacing look at Tracy for what she just called him. He turned around slowly, like he was holding himself back from putting her out of her misery.

"There goes the buzzword us millennials like to throw around," Markus noticed. "Aren't you supposed to be some advocate for change or something like that, or whatever you refer to yourself as? The best you can do right now is lie there and sulk while the stench of the failed transfusions rises into the air. Some advocate you are, and to think that I actually stood up for you when Damian degraded you. He was right. You're a worthless sack of shit. Love her or hate her, Roxy tried to change, and she did. You just remained the same. It should have been you."

Gargulion paused for a moment after Markus said all of that. There was nothing in there that he couldn't pick out that wasn't messed up in the slightest degree. Before anything else could be said, Gargulion got straight to the matter at hand so he could excuse himself. He didn't want to be here anymore.

"What are the names?" Gargulion interrupted.

Markus looked down at his BrawlX to see a list of names along with their photos. "Okay...I got them." Not wanting to publicly announce their names - even though he should expose them for this atrocity - Markus started to address Tank personally.

"I bet you're pissed about your blood being used to destroy my family, but...don't be. You didn't do this. They did it...and they harmed me. I'm going to take my time with them...so don't get involved."

Gargulion grabbed Markus and phased through the ground. Their next destination was presumably going to be Eden's base of operations. With Gargulion moving like a shadow, they should be there very quickly.

[Tank Stryker]

Gladion could sense where Gargulion was moving to. There was no question about it. He was moving towards Eden. If anything him and Markus were saying were to be judged, they weren't going to waste any time getting themselves up in there and causing some trouble. This planet was about to turn upside-down.

"Tank...Gargulion's not messing around. He'll kill someone," Gladion notified Tank.

Tank slightly shook his head. He wasn't saying no to Gladion. He was doing it as if he couldn't believe that this was actually happening. He put his left hand on his head and hung it down.

"I'm still stuck on the fact that he actually KILLED Skystar and hurt Tracy like that. It's like...I don't even recognize him anymore," Tank reflected on. "I feel like I understand what he's going through, but what he's gone through...is on a whole different level. I know killing Eden officials isn't the brightest thing to do, but...it's so hard for me to feel any sympathy for them after what I just witnessed..."

[Tracy White]

Skystar helped herself back to a standing position. She cancelled her Seraph Mode to go back to normal. She looked off into the direction of Eden from where they were, specifically the northwest direction.

"Are you really that surprised? You tried that against Noland and Drago, remember?" Skystar reminded Tank. "We each handle loss in a different way from each other, some more emotional than others. Those emotions are our enemy. They make us into monsters even worse than the ones who caused us pain."

An extremely livid Tracy walked closer to Tank. She forced his head back up to make sure he listened very carefully to what she had to say. She made sure not to be violent about it. Judging by what just happened, it wouldn't be a surprise if she wanted to seriously maim someone.

"Awww. Aren't you cute? You made nice with your rival and you feel so sorry for him," Tracy noted in a mocking tone. "I know a part of you agrees with this...and it's disgusting."

[Tank Stryker]

Skystar was correct. This was reminiscent of what happened when John was killed. He could now see apart of him alongside Markus.

"First of all," Tank started out as he swatted Tracy's hand away, "you're welcome for saving you and Skystar. Second, so what if I do agree with him? They didn't just kill his family. They killed a large part of him too."

"Tank," Gladion called.

"What?" Tank turned to face him.

"Don't be a hypocrite now."

"What are you babbling about?"

"It's not babble. It is exactly what you said to Markus when he tried to kill Tracy. It isn't fair to single Tracy out just because she's a friend. The people Markus is about to kill may have friends too, maybe even some in high places. We don't really know who we're going to piss off if he is allowed to do this. There's that, and Tracy's right. It's not up to us to decide who dies in there, except for very special circumstances like Hurranian infection. Drago has made that mistake once. The least we can do is prevent it from happening again."

[Tracy White]

"The problem with all of us is that we think we're more than what we are just because we're known as the Resistors," Skystar mentioned. "We're not assassins, Tank. We just look after one another when there's no one else who will. You can even say that what Noland and Allen did helping Alana is the original intentions behind the group..."

"And what you and Noland did for me..." Tracy added on. "In a way, you know this instinctively...because I saw you in a different light after John passed away. Markus loved Roxy, his sister, and his parents...but he's a lot different from you. Their losses changed him for the worst, and now, he's willing to point a blade at us while he does what HE wants, not what his loved ones would want him to do. It's selfish. It only goes to show you that we were never allies in the first place. What good is a team who can't even make it through the valley together?"

Tracy sighed after venting her frustration over being shot as the messenger. "I shouldn't be preaching to you about this. I'm sorry for coming at you like that. I guess what I'm really trying to say is...we all need help, even if you think you're strong. You wouldn't allow any of your friends to make a dangerous decision like this. Markus is your friend...right?"

[Tank Stryker]

"Markus? My friend?" Tank said this as if the thought of saying so would be absolutely ridiculous. They butted heads so many times. Markus was ALWAYS someone to be thought of as an enemy; however, Tank had to differentiate that, because that view of him as of late only applied to the battlefield. Everything outside of that seemed...friendly.

Gladion tapped his foot on the ground to get Tank to spit it out. He knew what Tank wanted to say. Getting him to say it was a brawl all by itself.

Tank looked off into the direction Markus took. He was struggling to figure out what to do. He would normally have a plan to go by when these type of situations occur, but this time, he had nothing. No amount of preparation could prepare someone to deal with this. Markus was proof of that. He previously told Tank to do what he can during the time he had. It's obvious how that turned out.

"I don't know how you do it, Tracy, but...everything you say...just makes sense," Tank surrendered. He looked up at Gladion to give a nod. Without having to say anything, Gladion stepped near him and extended an open hand.

"Gargulion's not as slow as he used to be, so we need to hurry," Gladion reminded him.

"Right..." Tank boarded Gladion to prepare for takeoff. He was placed on Gladion's shoulder. Looking back at Tracy, he gave clear instructions. "Have my back, Tracy. If we fall down, pick us up. Markus won't be the only one we need to watch out for. Eden has some nasty brawlers with them as well."

[Tracy White]

Tank must have expected some Eden forces to crack down on Markus in the event that he gets discovered. If that happens, Tank would be hard-pressed to try and help him then. That scenario would bring up an important question though. Should Tracy care that much when Markus made it perfectly clear that he wanted to kill her?

"Hmph...fine. Only because YOU are asking me to," Tracy accepted. If it was Markus by himself, she'd let him rot, just as she said she would. It was only fair that she does this for Tank. He has been such a big help to her, after all that has happened.

"I trust Lars Lion will be aware of this soon. I hope she takes our side, so that it can alleviate the stress I'll have," Skystar hoped.

"Clayf as well..." Tracy remembered. "I have to wonder what they're doing right about now..."

[Andrea Wolfang]

Headquarters of Eden have been quiet and peaceful for quite a long time now.  

Terrorists and Kyuki have not attacked them in 2 years already. Unlike Silver Knights, Eden does not enter the battlefield that often; they do not have so many brawlers as Silver Knights and majority of those they have is not closely powerful as Mighty 5. 

Because of their prime in research and development Eden came to rivaling Kyuki in speed of gaining knowledge and development, but Kyuki never really cared for rivalry. 

Because of their focus on science, ecosystem preservation and discrimination they really cannot focus on recruiting brawlers. 

However, those brawlers that are called ‘strong’ among them are called that way for a good reason. Example would be Seven Angels, counterpart of Mighty 5. 

Their strength alone is enough to maintain peace and rival strongest terrorists in a wide radius of Washington. Their leader, Sophia White, is rumored to be stronger than Alex, but they have always been in a tie during friendly competitions. 

She is also a sister of Seth White, one other member of Mighty 5. 

Angels have become role models for children nowadays; they promote justice over emotions and strict discipline.  

Most children dream to become as strong and cool as the Angels. 

Not only the children. Andrea Wolfang, faithful member of Eden and a talented biologist, also daydreams about being one of these magnificent people. Her dream was drowned once Vespair, her faithful Guardian, got an injury that sealed his path to that career. He now lives in Wolfang Mansion and Andrea was given another Guardian, Snow. 

Snow is a support Bakugan, but is tough as a tank; she can endure damage like Gorem kind and support her allies. With Andrea’s recent hard work she was notified that she is one step closer to joining Angels. 

However, recently, life has not been good for her. She was ordered by her superior, Leon Klein, to inject a ‘cure’ into several people infected by Hurranians.  

Leon said it was a ‘secret serum’ and Andrea, being on a lower rank was not supposed to know what it was.  

She was given the vaccines and she injected them, as ordered. She went out to get some other vaccines for a cancer patient and when she came back into the room all she could do was scream.  

Sight was too much for words- it was absolutely horrifying.  

It has been troubling her for quite a while now- if she only had known what was in those vaccines she would not have given them to the patients. Even though she could not know in any way she feels terrible every time it crosses her mind. 

After a long daily work she walks out to the roof of the Headquarters. It is quite calm there away from all those scientists talking and machines producing annoying sounds.  

From time to time, Andrea likes to come here and take a breath of fresh air. 

She comes to the edge and watches the cars on the road. She does not even notice Clayf who is standing aside, behind one of the ventilation systems. He probably came to catch a breath as well and he noticed Andrea right away but chose not to speak. Probably because she is just a stranger, like the most people here. 

Soon, Andrea’s relaxation is broken by sudden steps behind her. It was one of her colleagues, Zack, who works at the chemical laboratory as an assistant.  

“Andrea…” He calls out quietly. 

“Hey, what’s up?” She responds. Grim expression on Zack’s face troubles Andrea a little. “Is…everything alright?”  

Zack hesitates a while, thinking the information might be a little uncomfortable for Andrea since she already had enough horror to witness with failed vaccines for patients. “It’s the Department B2…” He quietly responds. “We can’t… uhh… come in contact with them. Any of them.” He continues quietly hoping that if he is calm about it Andrea would not panic. 

But that does not turn out as well as he planned it. “My department…” She mumbles with a sad expression on her face. 

Department B2 consists of doctors, scientists and assistants responsible for researching and analyzing all sorts of viruses and potentially creating solutions for virus infections. Their current project on the list is researching Hurranians, as the newest virus, and potentially creating a cure that would work. 

However, only certain scientists and doctors allowed of having full knowledge on what testing exactly do and what substances are used in the treatment. Assistants help in common preparations, but that is where their role stops as they are not allowed to see anything. Even some doctors are required to leave.  

After that point they have only one role- to give patients their treatment and all that without knowing what they really give them.  

Is government hunting them all down and silencing them because of this? 

At least 20% of them did not even know anything- why would they be hunted down?  

Does that mean…  

“…they’re coming for me, too?” Andrea silently says recalling what happened in there.  

“We’ll protect you!” Zack confidently says. 

“If I only knew…what was in there…I could have stopped it…” Andrea begins to grieve almost on the verge of tears.  

“…” Zack looks down at the ground knowing there is no way to comfort Andrea now. 

[Markus Hederick]

This scene was about to get really dark. Little did these scientists know, someone was hitching a ride at the colleague's expense. Gargulion was in his spirit form at the time. One could see this as he stuck his head out of Zack's back until his eyes were visible. He wanted to get a good look of the area before he did anything.

As for Markus himself, he was placed into the shadows by Gargulion, presumably by the same strategy he used on Vestal where Gargulion attached part of his body to him so he could use abilities. If these Eden officials knew that Markus was in there, they would be freaked out, because he wasn't in there to take a tour of the facility. He was in there to add a 'paint' of red to their interior design.

Zack's shadow was cast as Markus' for under a second before Gargulion did the dirty work. The scientist found himself conjuring a purple blade on his right arm, courtesy of Gargulion manipulating his movement. Gargulion would then force him to gently push the blade into his chest and constantly move it across his upper body, ignoring the pain cues that would naturally come out.

[Andrea Wolfang]

Andrea could not even bring herself to scream.
Scene was too sudden and horrifying. Too painful for any words.
Zack did not deserve that fate, but it was happening anyway.
It seems the cruel fate has some for them as well.
Was this why contact was lost with others? Murder…?
It is not the government…

“No…” She weakly gasps in agony.
Sight of her friend being brutally tortured right in front of her was too much. She cannot even scream… she just weakly squeals and sobs at the ugly scenery.

Andrea attempts to step back.
She stumbles and collapses on her back.
She realizes she cannot stand up; her legs just refuse to move.
Is this the cruel fate she is supposed to experience for crime she never wanted to commit? Those are all questions inside her head right now

[Markus Hederick]

Only using this as a torturing device, Gargulion did not slice any of Zack's vital organs. The scene was enough to bring this woman to a low point. Gargulion completely possessed the man to halt the spilling of blood...for now.

"No...? Hm...I wonder if that's what those poor souls would have said if they knew what you were giving to them..." Gargulion then gave Zack his consciousness back. He covered the wounds in stone to make the pain even more excruciating. His screams must have been extremely pleasing to hear, if you were a psychopath.

"Isn't it a doctor's responsibility to know what he or she is pumping into their patients?" Markus inquired, still hiding from plain sight. "Perhaps I should try something on your co-worker here. I don't know what it's going to do. I haven't really tried to cover wounds with stone before, but fuck trying to figure things out before I do it. Let's just hope for the best."

Gargulion conjured a blade on the left hand and slowly moved to have Zack completely amputate some...private parts.

[Andrea Wolfang]

"..." Andrea does not know what to say to that.
In a way, it is her fault. She is not a doctor and did not know anything about the process, but she injected the patients with the vaccine. She never asked what was in there, but would any assistant ask anyway- all of them believe in the judgement of doctors they work with and these kinds of mistakes are to blame doctors for.
However, this was taken way out of the context.
Other assistants, like Andrea, did not have info on the vaccine's content and if they were killed that means... they were killed innocent along with those who planned this. What kind of sick game is that... what kind of retard logic is this...?


"Let him go! He didn't do anything! It's me who you want!" Andrea yells desperately, but even she knows it is not going to be that easy.

"Those people... they were... someone you knew, right?" Andrea assumed through her tears knowing that no government's dog would go around and assassinate people for this reason; especially because it would start a war between government and Eden.
Desperate over knowing what happened in there and how it must have hurt someone related to those people she does not feel she needs to hide from it anymore. "Let...him go, alright...? I won't resist... you can do whatever you want with me... just don't hurt anyone else..." Andrea mumbles with a sob here and there.

Just as she says that blue light flashes and a giant Bakugan rises by Andrea's side. It is her Guardian, Snow 'The Spiritualist'. Her abilities are similar as of Kuzuha in terms of 'exorcism'; dealing with Darkus Bakugans for her is much easier than any other.
No matter how Andrea sees herself or the situation Snow will not let her throw her life to the hands of a psychopath who is hunting for blood.
Snow slams her giant staff against the ground and sounds of church bells fill the area. Blue flames surround Snow in her raw expression of aggression. "Is it another Kyuki's dog...?" Snow says after detecting Markus' and Gargulion's aura.