Episode 40: Meltdown of the Resistors

[Tank Stryker]

It looked like Tank's face snapped right back in Markus' direction when he made those comments. The one about the feelings for the enemy got him peeved, but what he implied in the last statement was taking it way too far.

"How...dare...you...!" Gladion joined in. Although he was being pushed back by a blade that appeared to have more weight to it, Gladion's sword had more than enough power to overcome it. This was because the sword itself was embodied with Apollo's Flame, a flame that burns hot enough to eat its way through anything it touches. The appearance of this flame was whitish in color, and it started to surround Gargulion's blade and was aggravated the longer he had contact with Gladion's sword.

This led to Gladion surprising his rival by breaking the Calamity Blade into pieces.

"Death before dishonor," Gladion stated before slashing Gladion with multiple slashes in quick succession. One could argue that Markus was already dishonorable for what he did to Tracy, but the key difference here was that Seiki said nothing to hurt anyone nor did she take any aggressive actions against him.

After performing a diagonal slash across Gargulion's chest, Gladion knocked him away with a fierce right elbow to the face, laying him out across from him.

"I lost what little respect I had left for you the moment you said that," Tank reluctantly accepted. "If you think you're going to avoid losing AGAIN by stooping that low, then you'll be sorely disappointed."

[Markus Hederick]

Gargulion switched his Aquos power out for Subterra. What he was going for next would require both Pyrus and Subterra to be used in tandem. Not only would it counter Apollo's Flame, but it would set Markus up for success.

"Good to hear it, but you didn't answer my question," Markus replied. That's when Gargulion returned to his feet, albeit slower than usual. The accumulated damage was starting to show. One more hit like that, and Gargulion may be hard-pressed for a victory. Something needed to happen now.

"Ability activate! Frame Creation!" Gargulion created two lights beams in his palms and joined them together. This resulted in a Gargulion emerging from this energy that combined the powers of Pyrus and Subterra into one body: the Molten Frame, one that had dominion over the creation of volcanic materials.

"As you know, many of my attacks don't really discriminate. I'll show you what I mean..." The Molten Frame emitted volcanic gases across the field from its mouth, smothering Tank, Gladion, Seiki, and Ahio. They couldn't see through it nor could they tolerate the unbearable temperatures for long; however, this wasn't the main reason why Gargulion did this.

The Molten Frame started shooting a volley of grayish chemical compounds known as calcium oxide, or - as Markus likes to call it - quicklime.

[Tank Stryker]

Gladion gasped when he noticed what Gargulion was shooting. This could kill Tank and Seiki. Inhaling the quicklime was dangerous itself, but another thing to consider was that Gargulion was attempting to make their skin moist with the volcanic cloud, which would produce a potent chemical reaction. Of course, him and Ahio were under the same stipulations, but the humans would drop sooner than they would.

Looks like Markus applied his major to brawling as well...

"Let's just hope they don't learn how to make Greek Fire before we do..." Gladion whispered to Tank.

"That's if we're alive to stop it..." Tank grunted, doing his best not to inhale what Gargulion was dishing out. It was a futile attempt to protect himself, because there was virtually nothing he could do to counter the effects of this chemical weapon. "Ability activate...Remnants of the Titans - Sickle of Saturn!"

Except for manipulating time so that it doesn't happen...

Gladion had his hands up high, hoping for a miracle to drop. Behold, the legendary sickle of the god of time, Saturn. It was a black scythe that had an ominous flow of energy surrounding it from the tip, effectively extending its range. Gladion swiped through the air that was in front of him to release a curved wave at the Molten Frame. It cut the body in half, and then it disappeared into purple particles. Not long after that, the various things that the Molten Frame released onto the field disappeared, and everyone's condition returned to what it was before Gargulion made it, like it never happened.

That was because the Saturn's scythe was overwhelming compared to Kronos' scythe. This one could effectively erase something out of time itself, but that function only seemed to be useful against minor things, such as a material body that Gargulion created. It is likely that this same capability does not apply to actual Bakugan, unless they are drastically weaker than Gladion himself...

"Now what..." Gladion commented as he saw a shadow enlarge on the ground below him. The sickle had served its purpose and disappeared. When Gladion looked up to see what was going on, something else may have went away along with that weapon: his survivability.

"What...?" Tank remarked. That was all he could get out when he saw what was above their heads.

[Markus Hederick]

Markus genuinely clapped - albeit very slowly - at Tank's thwarting of his strategy once again. It was truly remarkable, but as they can all see, that was only a distraction for what the real devastation was.

"You truly are amazing, Tank. One of the strongest ever," Markus commended. "But...I no longer care about that, because I'm going to become stronger than that, and it starts here. Take a good look at this...Shrouded Tormentor!"

Gargulion was in the sky, holding a massive ball of concentrated dark energy in his palms like a spirit bomb. Judging by the name of this ability, this shaped up to be a highly upgraded version of the Shrouded Obscurity ability, one that allows Gargulion to shape reality within the localized area. This didn't seem like it was going to buff anyone though. It looked like it was ready to bring the hammer down on someone.

"I bet you'll never guess where this blob of energy is going," Markus jokingly assured as he pointed down, prompting Gargulion to throw the ball down towards Gladion. Its composition hinted at high-level umbrakinetic ability. The ball itself was not a physical object, but it appeared to be one. Even more odd was how it got smaller during its descent. Purple trails were seen leaving it to revolve around the remaining energy, and then surged its way into Tank and Gladion's body.

[Tank Stryker]

"Um...Gladion..." Tank called out. "You can stop that...right...?"

Gladion balled his fists as he tried to keep himself together. He looked over his shoulder and shook his head. "We missed the timing..." he regretted. As soon as he said that, they were deluged by this dark substance.

Tank and Gladion did not feel anything at first, but the attack quickly got to their heads, from a literal sense. Tank noticed a tingling sensation in his muscles that was surging all the way up to his brain, and it was very uncomfortable. It got more uncomfortable as the effects became more apparent. He was robbed of his sight completely. All he could see - or at least imagine himself seeing - was an expansive canvas of pitch-black darkness.

This change was reflected in Tank's actual iris'. They turned black. Gladion experienced the same symptoms.

With their eyes open, both Tank and Gladion dropped to the ground and were laid on their backs. Gladion reverted back to his base form. They lied motionless next to each other. Tank's life gauge was unaffected, but there was no question that him and Gladion were incapacitated upon being hit by whatever dark magic Markus had concocted this time.

"You...motherfucker..." Tank mumbled. "You...did...not..."

[Markus Hederick]

"Yes, I did!" Markus exclaimed. "I. Beat. You!" He took a deep breath before walking over to Tank and Gladion's bodies. Gladion descended back down to the ground to do the same.

"Doesn't feel too good, does it? That's what you call an upset. You'll get used to it," Markus promised. "This is more than just some personal attack from our rivalry. You've realized during our fight that the only chance you had at getting me to turn back was to defeat me. You couldn't quite do that this time."

Gargulion materialized a one-handed Calamity Blade in his right arm and held it over Gladion's neck. Markus stared in anticipation of this happening, because Tank could rise up to try this again. He would be an annoyance at that point. Evading the Silver Knights was much easier than staying away from Tank. Markus knew that Tank's ability to track people down with his new powers was second to none.

"Let this be the last time. I have a clear goal, and I will not waver from it!" Gargulion decreed.

[Seiki Maki]

It certainly was unpleasant this fire and heat, it reminded her of that one pack attack where she and Ahio has barely escaped. Seiki had woken back up in a hospital after that experience. Those two definitely didn't see that kind of thing happening.

This time Ahio was prepared for this sort of thing to happen. She knew the effects of this new terrain wouldn't affect her, but it would affect Seiki a lot if inhaled. So the bird-dragon crated a small barrier around her human, preventing her from getting any of the nasty stuff in her system. This prevented Seiki from being killed (again) and Ahio stood guard beside her.

"You're really gotta stop flirting with death, he's just not your type." Ahio huffs as she keeps the barrier up. Seiki only rolls her eyes at this statement and keeps quiet, waiting.

At least they weren't being chased and could stick around to see what happens. Of course, they weren't able to see anything due to how think the stuff was over here, so when the smog cleared, they were in for a surprise.

Though her physical strength is weak, her will stands firm and strong.

Seeing Markus have Tank cornered like that, as if he was going to kill him.

"I don't know what the hell you guys are fighting about," Seiki growls as she makes her way to Markus. When she was only a few feet away, she does a small sprint before launching herself up into the air to do what is described to be a tornado kick. It definitely wasn't the best one, but it did its job and sent Markus to the ground. "I am so glad I took those self defense classes way back when." The girl mumbles to herself as she keeps herself steady.

Ahio did something similar, when Seiki broke off into that sprint, Ahio launches herself into the air and makes a dive for Gargulion, smashing him away from Gladion and shattering the Calamity Blade in the process.

Both had taken the darkus duo by surprise.

"I know this isn't really in my place to say..." Seiki says as she walks over to Markus's side. "But is it really worth to take away a life? Like the terrorists did? Or the pack? Even the Hurranians. Markus, at this rate you're just stooping down to their level."

[Markus Hederick]

Markus stared at the sky from the ground for a brief moment before addressing what Seiki and Ahio just did to him and Gargulion. It took a while for him to process it, because it was clear that she just did not listen.

"Ending someone's life is a difficult decision, Seiki. The offense remains the same, but the context of which it is performed under can make it permissible," Markus calmly replied. "I don't view myself as being like our past and current enemies. I could be like them...if I decided to kill you as well for not leaving when I gave you the chance; however...I don't care enough about you to decide whether you should live or die. You're just...here out of nowhere, like always."

Markus returned to his feet and dusted himself off. He turned to look at the downed Tank. If he wanted to, he could elude Seiki and finish the job, but is it really worth fighting her over something she has no business being involved in? He didn't think so.

"You tell him how you saved his life, because I'm not going to send him off knowing that I have to fight you. You've done nothing to wrong me, so I'm not going to take it there," Markus conceded.

Gargulion exhaled a dense smoke over all of them. This was an obvious masking attempt. They didn't envision Seiki just letting him walk away. He was probably going to be made to be Tank's primary caretaker.

"Watch yourselves..." Gargulion warned Seiki and Ahio.

[Seiki Maki]

She scoffs, "You might see it as acceptable, so might other, but remember that words tend to differ from person to person." Seiki says, keeping a steady gaze on Markus as Ahio kept track of the darkus bakugan's presence. "Ohhh, scary~ The darkus resistor just might kill me!" She says in a rather taunting voice before regaining her composure. "Yeah, whatever strokes your ego." The female huffs with a small roll of her eyes. "Think whatever you wish of me. I frankly don't care all too much." She says with a wave of her hand, "I suppose it works in my favor." Then turns to face Tank.

"Now per request of Markus here, I'll tell you how I 'saved your life.' We were shot out of the sky and charged in when those two were about to impale you. End of story." She states promptly, crossing her arms as she finishes. She didn't wish to bask in the glory of saving a singular person, if they were saved, then good. There really wasn't anything else to meddle with there.

[Tank Stryker]

Tank was desperately trying to regain complete consciousness rather than this semi-conscious state Markus put him under. It was a feeling comparable to not being able to wake up from your sleep. It was dreadful, but what could be worse than that? Lying out in the open where anyone could creep up on him now.

"I heard...what he said," Tank snarled. "Now please...get me out of here before someone of Damian's calibre comes here to fondle my lifeless body..."

"Tsk...you pounce on a man who has his back turned, and you want to taunt him like you're strong. Give us a break. He'd snap you like I did to your psyche. Heh...see what I did there?"

Speak of the devil...

"Oh...oh no..." Tank groaned. He knew whose voice that was. It was the same sickening voice that got him caught up in all of this mess...

"Oh yes!" the individual responded with glee. The scenery was made more open from a top-down view so the Belphenoid that was kindly cleaning himself near the battle location could be seen. From a closeup view, one could see that the Belphenoid was struggling not to laugh.

"You knew that we roam this location often from our last encounter out here, remember? I wanted to stop by to be entertained, and that I was! He ACTUALLY beat you? Ha!"

"Just kill us already," Gladion begged. "I don't need anyone rubbing it in, especially the likes of you!"

"But I don't want to kill you. That's not why I'm here," Belphenoid responded with a straight expression before giving in. "Ah, who am I kidding? Of course I'm here to kill you. Why not? I may as well include you with my original target since your 'compadre' has done such a good job of weakening you. You're fresh for the taking."

Belphenoid let out a loud howl once as a call. This resulted in the summoning of various people, many of which Seiki would instantly recognized to be her long-lost family. In addition to them, there were two special Bakugan that have been waiting to come back into the action following their earlier defeat at the hands of Hades.

"Aw shit..." Gladion sighed. He knew they were in for it now.

"Join me in welcoming two of my pristine hostages that have such high willpower, that they've even evolved while trying to resist the power of the Hurranians: Bishamon Krakix and Arbiter Siege."

The most immediate change in appearance would be seen from Siege. He was an Aquos Bakugan before, but not anymore. He had a distinct look in his armor that was devoid of any type of attribute coloration. The armor was colored silver with hints of gold scattered along its design. He can be considered a Clear Bakugan now. He had a large, black board-like object pressed down on the ground in the palms of his hands.

Krakix was the more stalwart-looking one. You could easily guess that he was Noland's Bakugan based on the way he stood. He stood with a sense of authority, showing zero weaknesses. He had his arms to his side, rather relaxed for a fiery personality. He no longer had those pointy shoulder blades; they were fitted perfectly into his form, giving him more flexibility with them. His throwing star had long pointed edges pointing north, south, east, and west, followed by smaller blades in between each of them. He was breathing like Darth Vader as he stared down Seiki and Ahio with this upgraded body.

[Seiki Maki]

Ahio's feathers and scales has bristled up, a growl coming from the bird-dragon as they were stuck in the shadow of this bakugan. One that Ahio obviously didn't like. She knew that Seiki would take a moment to realize this as the people who had materialized were some familiar faces.

Seiki stared blankly at those who had just manifested, the ones who were form the family she lost long ago- No. They were some kind of beings who wore the faces of those she had cherished. "How insulting." She growls, narrowing her eyes at these things before realizing the change in the amount of darkness. She looks up to see a bakugan that towered over them, breathing heavily.

Sure this was frightening, but Ahio was there and ruined that moment. "Ew, dude." She stops growling for a bit to sniff the air, making a gagging noise when she inhaled. "Have you ever considered taking breath mints? Or eating a snickers? You seem very sour right now and you're breath stinks!" The bird groans as she turns around, picking up Seiki and walking away a few steps. She sets Seiki down once the two of them were at a safer distance from the breath and Ahio turns back around and hops back onto alert.

"Was... That really necessary?" The girl grumbles with a small huff before glaring at the unwanted presence that stood before, and all around them. "I guess this means we're gonna have to fight, knowing these baboons."

[Tank Stryker]

Belphenoid gasped when Seiki referred to them as baboons. He had a more egregious comment to respond to that with.

"Baboons? I'm not Noland," Belphenoid replied.

"Racist bastard..." Tank slipped in somehow.

"And YOU!" Belphenoid raised his voice when turning to address Ahio's apparent showing of disrespect. "I've had enough of your carefree attitude and your silly antics! Who cares about a breath of air!? You should be worried about what I'm going to kill you with! At least act like a fucking Bakugan! Got damn it!"

Krakix had charged a miniature fireball on a fingertip of his right hand. He pointed it east of their position. His finger lined up perfectly with a newfound presence. When Belphenoid turned to see this, he started staring at this individual with a keen sense of hunger.

"...Tank...this isn't good..." Gladion burbled.

"What...? What's going on...?" Tank asked in a panicky voice. It was unlike him to sound like this, but Gladion wouldn't just say that out of the blue when they already know the position they're in. Gladion sensed something, and what it was did not please him.

"You..." a woman menacingly said, revealing herself to be none other than a very recognizable one to Tank. She was riding on a Pyrus Cerberoid, the one that belonged to the late John. It was a three-headed dog that didn't need much of an introduction. Compared to Gladion, he was no real threat, but he still carried this sense of poise about him that told anyone who saw him that he was someone to watch out for. It was like John was there standing by him, but it wasn't. It was Katherine... "You did this?"

Tank was horrified by hearing her voice. She was not supposed to be there, but he knew why she was. He grunted as he remembered a hidden promise that he was more-or-less forced to make with her. With Raven Atlas' help, Tank was able to set his BrawlX up to where Katherine could monitor his health. With all of the dangers he has been facing and going to and from Eden and the Silver Knights, her concern was natural, but he never anticipated that she would come HERE in the event that his vitals were less than adequate.

"Oh...this just became SO MUCH MORE INTERESTING," Belphenoid curiously commented.

"No...don't you dare... Katherine, what the hell! Get out of here now!" Tank yelled, somehow forcing himself to come close to becoming "conscious" again.

"So what if I did?" Belphenoid crept closer to Katherine and Cerberoid. "What are YOU going to do about it? You're not even good enough to clean up after my shit."

"And you were never good enough to intimidate anyone after getting your ass beat so many times," Cerberoid countered for Katherine.

"I'm guessing you were apart of the GROUP that formed to take me down?" Belphenoid rebounded. He put a paw up to his ear, waiting for Cerberoid to give an answer to that. "That's what I thought."

The Hurranians modified his genetic makeup to remove the Hynoid code from him. This gave him his original Dharaknoid appearance he had at the time of his death. 

When that happened, Tank and Gladion were finally able to open their eyes to see what was going on, but their bodies were still recovering. They attempted to move, but their struggle saw zero returns. When someone wants to give their bodies the "okay" to get back into working shape, Tank would love for that to happen ASAP.

"Katherine, I'm not messing around. You can't be here," Tank reiterated, worried beyond his conceivable mind. "This is too dangerous."

"Too late. This Dharak isn't a slouch when it comes to speed. You taught me that," Katherine reminded him. "Besides...you're in need of some help. If you thought I was going to walk away knowing that you're on your deathbed, then you asked the wrong woman out."

"But..." Tank muttered.

"'But' nothing, William," Katherine quickly shut down. She activated a red gauntlet that was attached to her left arm. "WE can cause some trouble long enough for you to get back on your feet."

Dharak laughed out loud at her when he heard this. This was getting better by the minute. "Is that really so?"

"Yes, bitch." Katherine didn't make that comment. Neither did Tank. A dark flash blurred the quality of the atmosphere. Krakix and Siege found themselves getting smashed by a strong force that had them both skidding on their high heels. Dharak turned his head and noticed a Darkus Ziperator out of the corner of his eye. 

"S-Steve!?" Tank bellowed in bewilderment.

"In the flesh," Steve responded. He was sitting in his wheelchair on top of Ziperator's head. He was somehow able to stay planted on the Bakugan's head; although, if one could look closer, there was a dark aura emanating from where the wheels were fastened, implying some sort of technique that allowed this to be done. 

"I see...so this is what being patient brings me. I should do this more often," Dharak laughed. "Good move. Now I'll kill you all at once!"

"Steve, here he comes!" Katherine signaled.

"Just like we practiced. Go get 'em!" Steve cheered as he prepared to enter the battle as well. 

(Boss Theme: Division 3)

[Tank Stryker]

Dharak snarled at his upcoming opponents. Even though he was about to face these two poor souls, he didn't forget about Tank and Seiki. He had them covered.

"Krakix! Get the girl! Leave the ashes behind," Dharak commanded to Krakix. The samurai gave Dharak a thumbs up. "Siege! Clean up this mess!" Dharak exclaimed, using his tail to point down to Tank and Gladion. "I'll deal with these vermin myself!"

Siege balled his right fist. A blue flash emanated from it. Opening it, he revealed a set of caltrops. He threw them down at Tank. Many of them merged into the ground and would inherently spread throughout the field at a set interval. As for the ones that made contact with Tank and Gladion, they went off like a bomb. Icy particles scattered in all directions of each individual caltrop, giving both of them a painful frozen treat that wouldn't stop until the caltrop reaches the ground. Hearing them groan was pleasing to Dharak's ears.

"Tank!" Steve and Katherine yelled simultaneously. They needed to do something fast.

"Ability activate! Metal Destruction!" Steve took charge. Ziperator engulfed himself in darkness and charged straight for Siege. Anything the darkness comes into contact with would be suppressed immediately. He was hoping this would counter Siege, but he was sorely wrong. An ice blade protruded from the ground, impaling Ziperator. He crashed onto the ground and continued to bounce off of it as ice particles started going off where he landed. "What the fuck was that!?"

"Ha! You're out of your league, boy!" Dharak spat.

"Tsk...ability activate! Tri Blast!" Katherine knew she didn't want to go into close quarters with those caltrops on the ground, so she preferred long-range. Cerberus charged up three different colored flames in each mouth. The left was blue, the middle was white, and the right was red. This culminated into a giant beam that combined all three of these flames. Unfortunately, an ice blade shot up to strike the beam, cancelling it altogether.

"I really love this," Dharak enjoyed. "Neither of you are experienced enough to even counter this. What makes you think you can stand up to me?"

Tank was suffering through the sub-zero temperatures he was struck with. Anymore of those, and he'll be begging for Markus to come back to finish the job.

"Steve! Katherine! Focus!" Tank commanded them, even while hurt. By now, he was beginning to accept that they weren't going to get out of this by going away. They had to fight, so until Tank is able, he's going to lead them in the right direction. "Take out the traps indirectly, then stick with each other! If you separate yourselves, you're in trouble!"

"Aren't they?" Dharak chuckled. "Siege, please don't waste any more time. Shut him up." Dharak looked up into the sky before activating an ability. "High-Skewed Waver!"

Dharak manifested a dark, plasma orb in his mouth. He shot numerous dark balls upwards. They scattered randomly to rain down on Tank's party.

[Seiki Maki]

A pair of amber eyes watches from off towards the aside, her guardian bakugan protecting her from any strange objects that may fly her way with a small barrier. "How are those two..." She trails off in her thought, continuing to watch the small party essentially charge straight in.

Ahio was internally scoffing at that comment of her needed to 'bakugan up.' When what there ever a set thing of rules to follow for a bakugan? As for as Ahio knew, there had to be no such thing. Such thoughts didn't keep her from listening to the small mumbles of her partner though. "Hm? Those two what?" She asks quizzically, titling her head to the side slightly. Her attention may be on Seiki, but at the same time, she was alert and ready to defend if needed.

"How are they able to charge straight in, knowing that they are outmatched?" Her voice was quiet, wavering slightly as she spoke. Ahio doesn't say anything, knowing that this was one thing that Seiki was going to have to figure out for herself. After pondering over this for a bit, she came to see a part of herself in that kind of scenario. All this time she's been fighting, despite knowing that she is the weakest link from the resistors. Perhaps... Was this the thing that Oberus was trying to get through to her about?

A small huff same from the female, one that could be mistaken for a sigh. She climbs up onto Ahio's back. The bird knew what Seiki was thinking, and was glad that she had finally found some sense of resolve. Ahio disperses the barrier and flies forward, charging forth. The wind created from this dash cased an uprising of dangerous winds that push the orbs away from any harm, and Ahio does a hard headbutt to Dharak with the massive horns from this form of hers. Sure there was some other bakugan who was suppose to be coming after her, but this one was more of a concern at the moment.

[Noland Hardy]

Krakix looked at Ahio attack Dharak like that. A portion of that behavior was on purpose, because the actual Krakix was doing his best to fight for whatever control he had left. He balled his left fist so he could punch himself with it, but the arm was steadily lowered before anything could be done.

The only one who was going to get hit by Krakix was Ahio...

Two thin beams were shot from the horns on Krakix's helmet. They were aimed directly for Ahio's wings. They scored a direct hit on them, inflicting some damage on Ahio. A low-powered flame was left burning on each individual wing that - when the specific body part is moved from its current position for any reason - will deliver a painful burn that seizes the body and ignites his/her interior. That is the ability: Purgatory Fire.

Dharak smacked this bird away from him with his tail. Krakix then kneed Ahio in the stomach when she was turned around mid-flight. She collapsed at his feet. Krakix let out a moderate battle cry as he basked in the glory of Ahio's pain. He used his right foot to stomp on Ahio's throat and planned to press it until she stopped living.