Episode 44: This is Sparta

[Jamal Armstrong]

Jamal was only doing what he believed was the right thing to do. He didn't know that the blast radius was too large for him to do that. He was going off of the 6,000 km radius that he knew about, and now Frosch was implying to him that his efforts were going to be in vain. He didn't know how to take that at the time.

"There's plenty of time to explain if you're stopping me from saving this planet," Jamal believed. "If you know something I don't, fill me in; otherwise, I'm not letting go of this apparatus."

Jamal was stubborn in his approach to this, but it made sense from a certain perspective. He wasn't about to be ordered around just because of their legendary status.

"Is this not the ideal way to stop this?" Tec asked with some curiosity in his voice.

[Vince Hardy]

Frosch had to get hostile while he explained what was going on, so that progress could be made even while he tries to erase the Spartans' ignorance of the current situation. He started to glow as the Spartan got to feel the true power of the Aquos Legendary Soldier. The weight of this was able to bring the lifting of the BT System to a halt, and make it more difficult for Tec to lift it with a low-level ability like Viblow.

"Acid Suppression!" Frosch whipped out his tongue and tagged both of Tec's fists. They were covered in a slimy and sticky substance that completely canceled out their power. Now the weight of Frosch's power was being used to bring the machine back down to a reachable level.

"The 6,000 km radius was written in your records as the machine's base level of power. It doesn't tell you about a being higher than a Vestal using it, like Apollonir, or...someone with the original Dragonoid's energy, because none of them were alive to tell you," Frosch told him. "Don't you think there's a reason why the pulsar went across your entire planet? Your planet is larger than 6,000 km. What do you think is going to happen if the original Dragonoid's energy is involved? Do the math, will ya?"

[Jamal Armstrong]

Now Jamal realized the fatal mistake he was about to make. As it stood right now, the only planets in this solar system that the BT System would cover at its base level are Mercury, the Moon, and Pluto. Earth and Vestal were too large for them to be covered in their entirety.

It wasn't like Jamal didn't know about the BT System's power being amplified like that, but he did not know that Diablo was on that level now. He just assumed that it activated the BT System through the minimal power it had of Drago's in comparison to the real deal.

"I'm sorry that we disturbed you," Jamal apologized. He was reasonable in that he didn't try to resist. He just wanted to know what was going on before things became irreversible.

"It won't happen again," Tec promised. His fists had to plummet into the lava due to Frosch's ability. He had to regenerate an entirely new pair of hands because of him, but he wasn't holding any hostility for it. He deserved that one.

[Dasia Turano]

Accepting Jamal's apology, Frosch decided not to take any further action against him. He did take interest in Tec's fists though. Their abilities will be very useful later.

"Excuse me for this," Frosch warned. "Aquos Assimilation!" Frosch used his tongue to reach for a fallen fist. He wrapped his tongue around it, pulled it back up, and swallowed it whole. Absorbing this mass will allow him to use its power in various ways. He couldn't find anyone better to use it on than Dasia.

She had returned...unfortunately.

"Get...your...hands...off...of...that...!" Diablo 2 rose from the lava, clearly battle-damaged from being tricked into doing what it did. It would seem like Dasia merged with it to avoid being burned by Damian's flagrant display of his strength. It was now on course to jetting straight back up towards Frosch and Tec.

"Ah...I pity the young. So arrogant, but so satisfying to put them in their place," Frosch commented without worrying too much about the threat Dasia posed to him. He looked towards Diablo 2 before he put Tec's power into great use. He regurgitated certain beings that were jetting towards Diablo 2 at a very fast speed, almost like Tec was shooting the figurative fist himself. In this case, the fists were actually...

[Tank Stryker]

...Tank was never going to live this down. Swallowed whole by a frog, and then spat out later, possibly being covered in all of those juices? What a waste of time...

"Get her, Gladion! Ability activate! Force of the Gods!" Gladion was still in his second form, the DNA Catalyst. He was covered in an aura of flames, as if he was reentering a planet's atmosphere. This was further enhanced by Frosch's assistance. He quickly clashed with Diablo 2 with a monumental punch to its chest. Diablo 2 was sent hurtling into the lava-filled ground below. Its impact was so great that the lava went away along with the pitiful existence that touched it.

Gladion touched down on the ground and knelt down on one knee. Tank got off of Gladion's shoulder to land safely. He looked up at Gladion after what he just experienced.

"Never again," Gladion said, keeping it short and to the point.

"Never again," Tank agreed.

[Noland Hardy]

Drago and Apollonir arrived to the scene of the battle side-by-side. Lars Lion and Clayf were in attendance with them, along with Yita and Yashu. A pillar of smoke descended from the dark skies to drop off Excedra, which spawned a couple of visitors: Allen, Alana, Lydia, and Alex, along with their respective guardians.

Noland looked to his right and saw Nero in the flesh. They apparently made eye contact. It looked like Noland was informed of his presence before he got there, because he didn't look like he was letting anguish for his past deeds overflow through his mind. It was more of a look that showed that he was a bit unbelieving at first, but can now see that the situation of him coming back was real.

"Excedra, bon appétit," Apollonir stated, turning Dasia and Diablo 2 over to him while he and Drago deal with the pressing matter at hand. "CLEAN your plate." There was a hint of savagery in his tone there. He wanted her GONE.

"Absolutely," Excedra accepted without question. He went to go take care of that.

"Drago, are you ready?" Apollonir asked in preparation of this disaster-ending technique.

"Ready," Drago accepted.

[Dasia Turano]

"No...I won't let you do that...I won't!!!!!!!" A stubborn Dasia was refusing to give up. Diablo 2 did not stand down. An invisible link was established between Diablo 2 and the BT System, almost as if the BT System was calling out for help that it was about to be ended by Drago and Apollonir.

The BT System shined yellow, showing that it was making use of the Haos attribute energy. The yellow ringed pulse that left the system spread out all across the nation's capital. All non-mechanical Bakugan were immediately sent back into ball form. Of course, this also meant that any transformed Bakugan had their forms canceled before going back into ball form.

This caused Maria to plot on a course all the way down to the ground, likely resulting in her death if this wasn't stopped. All of the brawlers in the immediate vicinity were also wide-open to be attacked.

Dasia did not want to immediately attack them, because she knew that one of them may reopen in time to stop her advance, and then Drago and Apollonir can get back up to resume their duty. That's why Diablo 2 immediately hopped back on top of the BT System, then chose to declare an attack.

Diablo 2 turned towards Frosch, Jamal, and Tec, who were still on top of the BT System."Die!" Diablo 2's power level started to rise as if it were going to turn the shield back on to disintegrate all three of them where they stood.

[Vince Hardy]

The Legendary Soldiers were reduced to their robed forms rather than their ball forms, but they may as well be in their ball forms against this kind of power. None of them could stop Dasia from turning the shield back on and killing Frosch, Jamal, and Tec instantly. There were two Bakugan who could though...

"Oberus and Ahio, you must hurry," Lars Lion informed them through telepathic communication. This was the primary reason why they were in the air. If anyone was fast enough to stop Diablo 2 from succeeding in its plan now, it would be Oberus and her "student," Ahio.

"Save the Admiral and her Hydranoid too. If they're going to die, it'll be by my hand!" Excedra declared.

"I need all Bakugan standing and ready to fight! This is it!" Apollonir announced. All of them needed to be ready to make this final stand. It was their final opportunity to stop Dasia before the BT System is fully charged and ready to fire.

(Countdown: Phase 4)

[Daniel Andersen]

Whatever happened back there with that damned machine caused all Bakugans to revert to their orb forms- including two revived royal Bakugans here and Admiral's Hydranoid. Since Admiral was fighting in an aerial battle and relied on Hydranoid to keep her up there this means she will be splattered all across the ground once she falls from such height. Even though Kyuki would be more than delighted to see her die once and for all considering how annoying she has been for the past several years he still urges to infiltrate Advent and he needs her alive for that. He could simply let her die and use her DNA to revive her, but the more times person is revived with this technology the more it becomes obvious that their body is not 'original'. Controlled Daniel knows that plan, so he proceeds to 'rescue' the Admiral. His body creates wings made of dark-red fire on his back and he flies down at high speed. He grabs the Admiral by her back and holds her tightly as if he was giving her a hug- so that her chest is pressed against him. Noland must be crying to be in a position like that.

"Remain silent, woman." Daniel orders to the Admiral. His attitude does not seem much different when mind-controlled.

He then flies towards where doctor is waiting in order to hand her over. She is not unconscious, so when she snaps out of the shock she will definitely attempt resisting. As for where her Hydranoid is- who knows? Only she needs to be alive for doctor's plans- not an overly annoying thirteen-headed lizard who shoots lasers from her mouth. Since Fina can now produce things far more powerful than Traqdrach, Deathcrown and some gods why bother keeping a Hydranoid around?

[Maria Zenovia]

"Huh...?" Maria mumbles. 

There is no Hydra around her, but she notices being carried by someone. And that someone happens to be no one else than Daniel. She knows he is not himself now, but it's still...Daniel. She gulps shyly as she feels her heartbeat go up and her whole face blush. "Umm... this is new." She thinks realizing that this is the first time her having such physical contact with Daniel. It is obvious that this could not be real Daniel in any possible way- he is too shy himself to give Maria a hug or have any physical contact with her whatsoever. That's why Maria finds this situation oddly awesome- not even thinking for a moment she might get hurt seconds later. "I'm so milking this situation for the next several months..." She thinks knowing she'll be able to play with Daniel's mind later when he is freed... Even though she is currently ignoring the situation of him being a monster and everything around going to absolute hell. After a few moments she snaps out of it when Kyuki comes into her line of sight.

"Let. Go!" She aggressively yells. Hydra's orb must have fallen on the ground since there is no sight of her anywhere. That is terrible news- she cannot fight these monsters alone.

"I swear by the gods- when I get my hands on you not a single limb will be spared!" She threatens to Kyuki who obviously does not give a damn considering it is unlikely anyone will save Maria with all this chaos going on already. While everyone is concentrated on the BT System and Triad he can just grab Maria and disappear with both her and Daniel in his control. This is not a good day...

[Markus Hederick]

Apollonir detected another energy signature coming from where Maria was. Based on what he felt, she should be in good hands.

"Oberus, forget about the Admiral," Apollonir requested. "Pour all resources into stopping Diablo."

"An old ally has returned," Lars Lion mentioned.

Indeed, he has. Daniel's shadow showed some irregularities, particularly in the form of a gargoyle Bakugan showing himself briefly before taking over. When he did, things started to change in Maria's favor. For the sake of keeping Daniel at bay, Gargulion emerged from Daniel's shadow and lightly struck him in his temple.

Markus rose from the ground underneath Maria. He stole Maria from him and then kneed him from underneath his chin.

"Ability activate! Petrify!" Gargulion had light beams leave his body and scatter. He only shot a total of three, which was all he needed. One struck Daniel in the back to turn him and everything on him into stone. This was necessary, as he remembers what Daniel was capable of when he went on his rampage. The other two targets were the Bakugan belonging to Kyuki's subjects. It struck their ball forms, meaning that they were immobilized for a long time, unless they have the power to free themselves while in ball form.

"Are you alright, ma'am?" Markus curiously wondered, considering what was just about to happen to her.

[Prof.Dr.Kyuki]

"...All these meatbags swarming in like bugs." Kyuki silently comments after seeing nearly an entire army of brawlers coming one after another and being annoying.

"You have devil's luck, princess." He says to Maria considering how many times he attempted to kidnap her and how many times he failed to do it. She always gets out of the harm's way somehow- several time she just appeared to be too powerful for some of his creations to handle, other times people like Alex Andersen got in the way before he could do anything or some third form of bullshit. She is like an rpg character with luck stat maxed out. Seeing how she got out of harm's way it will not be long before her Hydranoid is back into the fight and that is not good- because Misfortune 13 at full power is a nightmare that not even he, Traqdrach and all other things he made can handle. Also, that Hurranian wench and her mechanical toy have brought too much attention and visitors to the area- at any given moment one of them might decide to come here and take Daniel away- now this would be a shame after an effort he put into reawakening Virus. The best move would be to remove any of those important weapons from the field while it is not too late. He snaps his fingers and three streams of green light spawn and head towards targets previously turned to stone. Once these lights in thread forms reach Daniel and other two Bakugans the stone effect reverses allowing these to be rescued from their rock prison. Seconds after that Kyuki claps and three blue portals open- one below Daniel and one below each of those two Bakugans. All three fall into the portals and portals close seconds later. It is unknown where Kyuki sent them- perhaps back to his lab or to some other location where they can cause chaos. Mars and Caia are left unconscious on the ground- Kyuki assumes he will not need them so they might perish as well in this mess.

"Hand over the Admiral. Just another alien- a waste of oxygen, but I might find some use for her." Kyuki demands from Markus. Kyuki is not visibly armed and has no Bakugans around- he must either be very confident or crazy to threaten someone who has a Bakugan. "Hello, dear..." Kyuki hears a female voice via a tiny speaker put inside his left ear. He uses this tool for quick and efficient communication with his crucial allies. He then rises his left arm and there can be seen a tiny microphone on the sleeve. "What?" He rudely inquires. "Cult has been wiped out from the altars. Now the Izumo girl and Lost Generals are on it. We've got about 20 minutes left..." Scary female voice says. That must be Kyuki's wife. "Only 20 minutes...  If I am not there in 20 minutes you know what to do." Kyuki replies. His voice reveals he is a bit anxious about the unknown events happening on the other side of the voice line. "Aid the Knights in elimination of Triad. Got it." Woman replies and voice line shuts down. Kyuki then returns his attention to the Resistor and Admiral- he intends to kidnap the Admiral and if he does not succeed in 20 minutes it is time to withdraw and go towards Admiral Izumo.

"Will you spare the boy effort to save your meaningless life or will you come willingly? Choice is yours." Kyuki says to the Admiral.

[Maria Zenovia]

Unexpected turns of events happens. Just about as Maria thought she was going to get into trouble again Markus comes in to save her. Of all people, she did not expect him to appear here, but it does not matter how it is. As long as she is not within the reach of that psychopath over there. At Markus's question she lets out a sigh of relief. "Feeling like a million dollars. Thank you." She replies. Markus was absent for some time and with all this chaos that happened she did not really expect him to appear at all. She does not know that Eden wants him dead either- considering his 'noble' vengeance got a little out of the hand and involved several innocent assistants. And Maria was having a fun time being infected, nearly killing people, then nearly getting killed herself etc. 

"How about the third option of 'fuck you'?" Maria replies to Kyuki. 

There is no Hydra around so she will have to rely on Markus to aid her in battle against Kyuki. And since he teleported Daniel away from the scene things are going to get way too complicated later. This gives more time to Virus to regain his true physical form and exploit more of Deathcrown's power. "Damn it... if I had little Lydia here I could reverse that teleport..." She thinks in disappointment. Even if Markus is able to help he will not be able to do much alone against Kyuki- if that man is standing unarmed in front of them like that without fear he obviously has something up his sleeve. And when he does that should be taken very seriously. Since Maria has never seen Kyuki in real battle it is unknown of what he can do. "Listen. I don't know what he is capable of in person. Can you hold him off until I find Hydra? Neither of us can do much alone." Maria asks Markus. Hopefully, he is willing to cooperate on this one. And if he plays nice he might also get a hug- who knows? Who would deny a hug? 

[Markus Hederick]

"A waste of oxygen, huh? And you're not?" Markus grinned as Kyuki had the balls to challenge him to a fight. He calmly put Maria back on her feet, and got right down to business. This freakshow had no idea what he was about to deal with.

"Let's get this over with," Gargulion sighed, stepping up to the plate. He valiantly stood ready to fight Kyuki, but he didn't dare underestimate him. There was probably a reason why Kyuki was confident in fighting by himself.

"Ability activate! Nightmare Fleet!" Gargulion emitted a pulse from his hand. In a flash, Zero Hydranoid's ball form moved towards Gargulion in a shadowy-like state. Her ball form opened up next to him, forgoing the necessity to find her.

"We don't need to look for her if I can just summon her," Markus explained. "Now...are you ready?"

[Maria Zenovia]

Those are some good news for Maria.

It did not take much time to get Hydra back. "Thank gods, you are fine." Hydra says happy that Maria did not fall into Kyuki's hands. "Thank you, young man and Gargulion." Hydra thanks Maria's saviors as well. It would be a nightmare if Maria got captured by Kyuki again- first time was bad enough. Now she lands on the ground. Her orb flashes and then her monster form is fully revealed. However, this time she does not intend to transform to Misfortune 13 until the need calls for it- wasting so much energy on that form early on might prove fatal in the outcome. "I must be dreaming- you are not running away like usual. Good. This is where you die." Hydra says after seeing Kyuki stepping up to fight in person for the first time. He did fight in person on many other occasions in which none of the people around have participated (not even as spectators). 

"Of course. May the blessings be with you." Maria replies to Markus in sign she is ready for combat. That term she used is a lot in Advent culture as a way of 'wishing someone good luck' in the highest form of meaning possible. 

Maria reaches for her pockets and takes out a few cards. None of them are Forbidden. Yet. Knowing Kyuki- that might change in a few minutes. Hopefully, Kyuki will not manage to escape mid-battle since this is a good time for payback. He escaped every time she was about to kill him and this time it will, hopefully, not be the case.