Episode 45: Plan To Eradicate the Bakugan

[Victoria Nelson]

There is nothing Victoria can say to make this Resistor feel better.

Not that she intended to do so in the first place. Situation is what it is- words bear nothing but emptiness in this. Just as that Bakugan said- no amount of money, or anything, could fix what has been taken away. Only people he cares about could patch up what has already been broken- even if by a little bit, but it would be something. Admiral is not one of those people- she might care about those around her, but she does not even know this Resistor very well. This Resistor has almost no one to turn to anymore; despite the fact he intends to act tough it does not say an expert to say he's a one-legged chair at the moment. It only takes to cut that one leg down and whole structure will crumble.

Victoria shrugs at what Markus said. "That's the 'beauty' of corruption. Hurranians are not a common cold- new disease required head scientist's aid. It was his job to check for blood type, give conclusion and prepare vaccines and whatever else... He made sure those who were not supposed to know did not know." She explains. Being the most-intelligent among them it was not even hard to deceive anyone- it took preparation, but it was easy for him. Kyuki was no different- he made fools out of everyone multiple times with this strategy.

"That includes HER as well... the girl that survived. Andrea Wolfang..." Victoria continues.

"Daughter of Thomas Wolfang, famous engineer... childhood friend of a woman who helped cure Resistors' loved ones when they were infected and girlfriend of that Knight...hmm what was his name again...? Alex Andersen, I believe?" She says bringing up the girl Markus and Gargulion failed to kill as they were interrupted by Clays and Lars Lion. She was lucky to survive that one, but she still blames herself for not being able to notice the corruption within high ranks of the department. That is why she did not resist to Markus's attack- she held herself to blame for this no matter that she did not even take part in it. "When Andersen kid came to the hospital do you know what everyone told him, including the girl you tried to kill?" Victoria rhetorically asks Markus before proceeding. "They said 'Hurranians'- that girl you tried to kill lied it was Hurranians so there would not be cohorts of people lining up to kill you. Even the Andersen girl did it." Then Victoria begins to laugh silently and sarcastically at what Andrea did. "Such drama...it would be hilarious if it was not so tragic."

Victoria finds all these things overly annoying to think about. However... "If someone gave me the list... I would have probably done the same thing without thinking..." She admits giving her personal opinion on the thing- that she would probably do what Markus did to those people. 

[Markus Hederick]

Even after the brutal manner of their deaths, Markus was actually...defended? That certainly caused some type of reaction from Markus and Gargulion. Was it shock? Was it remorse? He didn't say, and probably won't say it. Victoria's mentioning of who gave up the names got him thinking...

"...Skystar was my first victim... Destroying her caused Tracy to fly back and hit a lamppost... That was all before she gave me the names..." Markus revealed. "Of course, she's alright now, because Gladion reversed time to where I didn't do that, but...it doesn't change what I was going to do to her if she didn't tell me. You could say that she has assists in my body count, but..."

Markus was about to do something he has never done before, and would probably go unheard of based on the way he previously acted.

"...If she's going to get in trouble for that, then...I ask that they get sent my way instead. I'm not in any position to ask for favors nor do I want you to consider that I want Eden to do this for my sake. She has made it obvious that she wants to join and even become apart of the group you're in. If someone is going to get punished or hunted, let it be me and only me. I'm the assassin."

[Victoria Nelson]

In a way, Eden aimed to punish the girl for doing such hasty reveal.

Once Eden put suspicion on the scientists who did this Victoria and her colleague from Seven Angels, Xia Song, were sent to hunt down all the scientists who tried to escape and to arrest others until the case was closed. Result for the guilty ones would not be much different from what they got in the first place- even though Eden has no such thing as death sentence there is no rule by which someone could not 'accidentally' fire a few shots into their heads and Eden would ignore it. In a way, this Resistor and the one who told him the names helped Eden get rid of the scientists much quicker. It did cost the organization some good people and forced Andrea Wolfang to move back to her home. All scientists were revived though- even guilty ones, but there is a catch... Using secret arts like those Eden used this revival can be nullified at user's will- as soon all information are leaked punishment for those inside conspiracy will be obvious.

"Young woman quickened the process of getting rid of those fools. It is not a good thing to run around with scissors in your hands, but if it was not for what you did that man might have gotten away... and, as I said, we do not need another Kyuki roam freely." Victoria explains, indirectly defending to what Tracy and Markus did. "Since in this day and age we all can pull 'revival' moves like those bullshit cartoons where people collect rocks and summon dragons for revival death is not even taken seriously anymore... This is why Eden does not intend to make an enemy out of you. And especially because they know who you are- many would have acted the same when enraged by such loss." Victoria comments with a tiny bit of annoyance that life is not as valued today because everyone can pull 'revival' card and make everything great again. Those kinds of things make it look easy. Someone dies while fighting a strong enemy? Revive them. But, at least, it is good for some things.

"Eden wants to make sure it was a moment with intent to remove the murderers. That is why they will not attempt attacking, you but they have their eye on you. Just don't do anything stupid and in a few months they won't even care anymore." Victoria claims. That seems to be the situation. What Tracy did does not seem like something that will have major impact on her chances to become a member of Eden. But that also depends on Markus. If she is a teammate with someone who would do something stupid then her chances will definitely drop. "Perhaps you should see the girl." Victoria suggests. It would cause Resistors to rot inside if they hate each other among themselves.

[Markus Hederick]

"...Somehow, I'm still processing the idea that we did something good even when we're trying to do something bad," Gargulion said, puzzled as ever. "I wonder what's next..."

Markus hung his head down to think for a QUICK bit about conversing with the Resistors again. He had no issues with half of them. He had beef with the other half.

"I...I dunno about that," Markus replied. He sounded very unsure of getting near them, especially after all the attempted murder. "This sounds dirty, but in a way, I've gotten used to working alone after I did all of that and dodging the ones who were after me. It helped me grieve in a way, as I got used to being a lone wolf...without my family, of course. It's almost like...I've gotten content with being like this....I might need some help..."

"Still...I just don't think this is the right time for me to come back. I have some issues I need to work out first..."

[Victoria Nelson]

"Hmph... suit yourself. You life, your steering wheel. Take care." Victoria replies with a shrug. Her job, as ordered by a superior, to inform the Resistor of the situation seems to be done. Now she can return to her post and enjoy the scenery of every monster Kyuki created have their brains blown to pieces by Tracker. She turns around and proceeds to walk away silently as she came and every sight of her is soon lost in the darkness just like the whole feeling for her presence. Moments later she finds herself back at the roof with her Bakugan crouching over there with his sniper- calmly targeting and blowing off brains of every monster that gets in sight. After what happened with BT Systems these monsters seem to have gone more insane than they usually are- like if they regained their previous consciousness by a bit. Still, too dangerous to keep them alive. By her Bakugan sits a young woman in traditional Chinese outfit.

"How did it go?" Young woman asks.

"Better than expected. What's the situation?" Victoria replies.

"Killed the cultists. Miss Izumo took the altars." 

"Good."

And now with that their part in this business is done. They are left in this part of Washington to kill their boredom by killing their enemies. Such a disappointment that Kyuki escaped after a nearly-perfect lined-up shot. Could have been ended quickly, but that's not happening yet. They still have a large area to clear out before they can head back home.

[Maria Zenovia]

Maria stands there silently for a few moments.

She does not know what to say to Markus- so much has happened while she was not aware of anything and it is all tragedy, just as she expected it to be. And no matter what is said to him if he decides to walk alone it just might get worse- the pain could eat him up from the inside.  Maria has no hatred for him for what he did- as Victoria said, many would have done the same if something happened to their loved ones. Maria knows that- she broke the rules in order to avenge her sister's pain. "Markus..." She mumbles.

"Whatever issues you have to deal with... you do not have to do it alone." Maria tries to comfort him. She knows how isolation can be when your mind is in chaos- that is when devil comes for you... when there is no one to talk to and nothing to do... that is when he whispers into your ears. It happened to her and she does not want anyone else to have to deal with this. Ultimately, it is Markus's decision and she will respect it, but she will be damned if she does not try to help someone- especially after they helped her so much. "You're a boy and boys are dumb..." She says. "...but I fairly enjoyed your company so far. All you Resistors seem to have something about you... no matter what others say I always feel well around this little group." She admits. Perhaps it is their will to fight and survive, will to help others and improve themselves or their kindness in times of others' need.

"Thank you for being a friend." She silently, but happily gives her thanks. 

"Aww..." Hydra silently says. It is nice to see Maria in her 'true form' as a caring person.

[Markus Hederick]

That comment about boys being dumb made Markus laugh. "That's something Roxy would say..." It was probably a bad idea for him to mention that - for the sake of his mentality - but he didn't get riled up about remembering it. He had come to terms with what happened and accepted it, as much as he never wanted to.

Markus turned to look at Maria directly, no turning away, no peripheral vision, just an eye to eye contact. "Thank YOU for being the person that you are, Maria," he thanked. "More importantly...thank you for still believing in me, despite what you saw and heard... I know I was a handful after what took place on Vestal. I'm sorry about that.. I guess I never really knew how to deal with something so sudden happening to someone that close, especially back-to-back..."

For some reason, Markus and Gargulion's bodies started glowing green. He would explain why this is happening in a moment, but before then...

"I've said and done some egregious things... It sounds like I'm dodging the issue, but...I haven't healed completely yet. I just want to do whatever I can to help the way I've been doing. That's all I can really say at this point." Markus and Gargulion laid hands on Maria and Zero Hydranoid respectively.

"As you've heard, I've been dodging Eden for some time now, so...you're not actually speaking to the real 'us' right now," he revealed. "We're still watching, but...we'll be back. Count on it." With that said, both Markus and Gargulion dissolved into Maria and Zero Hydranoid's bodies, healing them and boosting their reserves after their ordeals via Fusion Gargoyle. Zero Hydranoid probably doesn't need Gargulion's powers, but...it would help to have whatever they could so they didn't get caught off-guard by anyone else.

[Maria Zenovia]

“There they go.” Maria says as Markus’s and Gargulion’s presence fades.

“Impressive. I have never seen you care so much about someone aside from Sylvia, Asuka and Andersen family.” Hydra says with a surprise towards how Maria handled the situation. Maria reacts with a silent smile before replying. “How could I not? We are all so much alike. Once we lose everyone who else do we have but one another?” What surprises Hydra here more than Maria’s current behavior is that she has been displaying it for quite a while- she usually strikes as an emotionless and cold-hearted woman from a distance intimidating most who tend to approach. Recently she has been showing more emotion towards more people- such as the Andersen family and Resistors as well. She has changed so much it seems unreal. “You are generally becoming that way.” Hydra says from what she noticed. 

“I guess…” Maria replies.

“I am not saying it is bad.” Hydra explains herself.

Maria nods rather than saying anything and then looks at the direction where BT System was fought. Her thoughts become flooded with worry as to what happened and if everyone is still alive. “Hey, let’s have a look.” She suggests and heads towards that direction. Hydra takes Maria and puts her on the left shoulder before taking off In that direction. She wonders why her and Hydra were not damaged like Kyuki; maybe it was not supposed to damage them? Markus was not physically present, so it does not matter to him. But everything just went silent since that moment and that troubles her. Since Hydra has quite a bit of energy to spare maybe she could aid.

[Dasia Turano]

The aftermath of Noland and Drago's action caused a great disturbance around the epicenter of the problem. Everyone who was encased was nowhere to be found. As for Vince and Dasia, they were still there. Both brawlers were suffering from massive shell shock. It took massive electrical surges to be pumped into Dasia for her to get up before her enemies.

She steadily rose to her feet, holding her head as she slowly walked over to where the BT System was. She placed her hand on the BT System to analyze the situation. It was quiet, almost as if it was shut down by Drago using a very strong Switch Code technique to counteract the energy the BT ystem had. This was likely, as Drago's attack must have made the BT System suffer power surge damage. There was a penalty to being that close to it while doing so...

"This isn't good..." Dasia lamented. Before she could decide on what to do next, a spark left her body and planted itself right next to her. It resulted in the head scientist rising up out of nowhere. "Um...did I call you here...?"

"No, I just came when I saw you laid out on the ground... Yes, I know what I said," the head scientist joked. "Actually, I'm here to help you carry valuable merchandise out of here." He pointed to Noland and Drago's bodies when he said the word "merchandise."

"Merchandise?" Dasia wondered. "Check their vitals for me."

The head scientist walked over to their bodies. Just by standing over them, she could tell what their current statuses were. "Clinically dead."

"Yes! We killed them!" Dasia celebrated, then covered her mouth after saying that out loud. "Pack them up and let's get out of here."

[Vince Hardy]

"You...did...what...!?" Vince was grimacing when he tried to keep his focus on the primary situation at hand, which was Noland and Drago's apparent clinical death, and the obvious problem of Dasia considering them her property to be handled in any way that she saw fit. Was this Kyuki or Dasia they were dealing with? With that word ever receiving consideration by Dasia, there might not be that much of a difference after all.

"A-Apollonir..." Vince called out, in a begging and pleading tone of voice. "Please...help them..."

Apollonir was DAZED, having been in the apex of that disaster when it happened. He took most of the damage. Enough punishment was dealt to him to completely strip him of his Duality empowerment, making it more likely that Apollonir's earlier prediction on his battle potential against Diablo 2 could come true. He couldn't match Diablo 2's power...

In fact, no one really could, and if they were able, then they'd have to use potentially life-risking tactics to do so against a being that could actually transfer their consciousness somewhere else...

What could they do now...?

"Okay..." Apollonir lightly acknowledged, as he was badly beaten. "Place the Doom Card..."

Vince complied without objection. He reached in his pocket, got his hand on the Doom Card, and set it on the field.

"Good..." Apollonir weakly stood up, and declared his attack, which didn't appear to have the same showing as his current physical condition. "Dispel...ROA!!!!!!!"

Apollonir's body gleamed in a blinding scarlet color. His magnificent strength blanketed the area, creating distortions and cracks within the fabric of their reality. This ability would easily strike Noland and Drago, which would open up a rift to the Doom Dimension where they can be retrieved safely. That was the primary goal. As for the secondary goal - if Apollonir cannot get Noland and Drago into the Doom Dimension - he would send Dasia and Diablo 2 there instead. How this would work is having Dasia get hit by the ability so that Diablo 2 would soon follow.

[Dasia Turano]

Diablo 2 wasn't working properly after the fallout either, so it and Apollonir were in similar positions, except that there was one fatal flaw with Apollonir that Diablo 2 never had to deal with: possessing the feelings of a mortal. This could be interpreted in the way that the two Dragonoids feel pain. Diablo 2 doesn't quite feel things the same way Apollonir does. For that reason, Apollonir will suffer greatly.

"Gallium Defense!" A pillar of light shot out of Diablo 2, resulting in a transparent barrier being erected around everyone of Dasia's interest, including the two kind gentlemen lying dead on the ground. While Apollonir's Dispel Roa is supposed to be a deadly reaction to send everyone to their knees, Diablo 2's Gallium Defense simply pushes everyone up, countering the effects completely. Had Apollonir used his ability afterwards, things might have been different. Too bad for him, Dasia has more power.

"Awwww. How unproductive, but it deserves the utmost respect for you trying it in such a terrible situation," Dasia acknowledges.

Diablo 2 eyed Vince and Apollonir as its barrier slowly extended outward, threatening to engulf everything in its wake if it wasn't stopped. Before that would happen, it would put Apollonir out of his misery by destroying him here and now.

"Say goodbye to the last hope you have of stopping me," Dasia announced. "Hellion Knockout!" Pillars of barely visible light reached out from Diablo 2's body. Each time one shone, a physical pillar would come into existence a split second later, dealing huge damage to anyone caught in its path and is used to destroy targets who are on the brink of falling out.

[Andrew Bullock]

A brief flash was seen coming from behind Apollonir, right before Dasia declared her next use of an ability. It was a rather simple Hydranoid-style blast that struck the legendary Dragonoid in the back. A portal had opened right in front of him. The positioning of the portal was very handy, as it would easily be able to suck in any form of attack from Diablo 2.

Of course, this was a calculated move by the person who did it, as the portal will open up in the opposite direction of the affected spot that caused the being to be defeated. Since Apollonir was shot in the back, it perfectly explains why the portal showed up where it did.

"That 'hope' is still alive, bitch!" Andrew strongly declared. He and Hades showed up behind Vince and Apollonir who both pushed them into the Doom Dimension portal. Andrew and Hades were going to join them in a second, but before then, he had to stay back to make sure that Dasia and Diablo 2 didn't hurt anyone else, that's if he was able. He knew he couldn't do what he did last time. That makes this some form of sacrifice, but it was a necessary gamble that he had to take.

[Dasia Turano]

Dasia fumed in utter disgust for Andrew's continued interference. It was like he was obsessed with her, always coming in to see her as he conveniently ruins her plans at the same time.

"You know what... It's fine. Really," Dasia insisted, even though she was lying. "You want to have the last act so bad? Sure. Go on and have it. I'll have the last laugh at the end."

The head scientist was digitized away from the scene. Immediately afterwards, Dasia and Diablo 2 lunged towards Noland and Drago and grabbed them by their necks.

"I'll quit while I'm ahead, seeing as how there's an Admiral coming over here. Perhaps she'll take care of you in my place," Dasia hoped. "I'll see you again, hopefully with Hurranian skin. Ta-ta."

Dasia and Diablo 2 were beginning to digitize away, along with the BT System that happened to link with Dasia from their last contact. Noland and Drago will follow them due to them having physical contact with each other. With that being done, the Pyrus Resistor was now in Hurranian hands.

[Andrew Bullock]

Andrew could do nothing to stop Dasia from escaping, as she was using a method of transportation that did not involve dimensional manipulation. Had it been that way, he could've stopped it, but it's too bad.

"Scan..." Andrew gave this command to Hades so it could analyze where Dasia and Diablo 2 would be going, but it was useless. Again, this was different from dimensional travel, so it would be a little different to detect where Dasia could have went to via the Hurranian network.

There was hope though. He noticed a presence in Noland and Drago's shadow. Somehow, the shadow started to move on its own. They gave a hand gesture where they put up two fingers, the "peace" sign if you will.

"...Good luck with that..." Andrew cautiously advised. He proceeded to hold his hand out over the ground, saying, "Doom Card, release." Vince's Doom Card emerged from the ground and ended up in Andrew's possession, hinting at the total number he has to be two now. He took the card and activated his forbidden power to forcibly open a portal to the Doom Dimension where he and Hades departed to, using the same coordinates that Vince and Apollonir were dropped off to.

[Dasia Turano]

The entire "gathering" Dasia had created ended up in a business-like setting. Some may confuse it for Echo City - Vestal's business capital and the equivalent of Earth's New York City - but it was actually in Beta City. It was the city where no one would expect her to be, but she was there in the nice and comfy overlooks of the pristine waters Beta City had to offer...until Dasia pollutes the water with Hurranians again.

The specific building they were in was a tall glass dome that stood high above the rest of the buildings. There was a comfy meeting room in there. That's where Dasia decided to settle down.

"Christopher?" Dasia called out. This triggered for him to spark out of Dasia's body and to appear right in front of her.

"Yes, babe?"

"Stop calling me that! We're not dating!" Dasia complained.

"Sure we aren't," he sarcastically responded.

"Do not make me kill you again. I'll make you choke on your-"

"Awwww. You're saying bad words."

"Why...oh why...are you the only reliable source of information that we infected?"

"Because...I'm the only one for you?"

"..." Dasia took a deep breath after hearing that ridiculous comment. She wanted to hurl. "...Just...tell me...why I'm here."

"That's a simple one. We'd like to have a word with you. There are a couple of things we need to go over, Noland and Drago being one of the subject lines I have in our schedule."

"So...where should we be putting them?"

"Just lay them off to the side. They'll be officially dead within a few minutes, and then we can reconstruct their genetic makeup to make him in our image. Then we can proceed with our plan."

"But...why not just destroy..."

"Yes, I know. Things would be much easier if we could just fire one measly blast and destroy them both...but we can't. We will not be able to learn how to recreate this 'Ultimate Warrior Gene' if he is vaporized in any way, shape, or form. If we can learn how to do that, Diablo would become unstoppable. If not, well...you know."

"Fine... Let's get this over with."