Episode 48: Truth and Tribulation

[Vince Hardy]

Clayf deactivated his Advanced Fusion Ability to return to normal. Frosch followed suit by returning to his normal size as well. They were done here.

"You sore?" Clayf asked Frosch.

"Nope. You?" Frosch returned.

"Nope."

"Good."

"Tell me something. When you casted Thought Probe...how did you know it would work?"

"I didn't."

"You could've gotten the rest of them killed with that ability."

"Yes, but when you consider how we are as a whole, it wasn't all that bad of an idea." By this, Frosch was comparing the Legendary Soldiers to Tank, Tracy, and Markus. There might be conflict among them, but in a serious situation, they're smart enough to know there's no time for that, because Kyuki was a bigger distraction than any of their disagreements. That's how Thought Probe worked out in their favor.

"Hm...but is this forced though?" Clayf asked, because the secret art's power amplifies the feelings of reconciliation if they are great enough. Could that be what's going on here?

"I targeted their hatred for Kyuki, not their feelings for one another," Frosch clarified, because it wasn't exactly clear from the context he did it in unless he said it out loud.

"Good. Very good."

"Speaking of which, I thought about using this on Lars Lion just to see how annoyed she is of you."

"And here I thought we were getting along nicely."

"Ha!" Frosch whipped his tongue out to snag Hydra into his mouth. He swished her around for a few seconds, and then spat her out. She was looking nice and sparkly. "I'm also tempted to have a vote to replace Excedra with this one. She has a nice attitude."

Clayf made sure to address Alex, Lydia, and Maria, along with their respective guardians, when he made this next statement. It had to be said. What he saw there made it necessary.

"If anyone told me we'd be standing here together like this, I'd have laughed in your face. You all showed true grit here today," Clayf commended.

"I concur. We were definitely worried when we first saw you. That first interaction went quite well," Frosch added, knowing he was lying on the last part. "I think this battle went very well, aside from the obvious - well, I don't have to say what happened, but you know. I hope you don't still view us in the same light as when we first met."

"Even if you do, you guys rock, every last one of you."

[Jennifer Andersen]

The nightmare has finally been defeated.

Jennifer could not describe in her head on how long it has been; waiting all those years under the manipulation of a microchip inside her. Her son, having been killed in combat, was another nightmare she had to deal with- she'd rather it was her than him... when Kuzuha used his power to free her of manipulation Jennifer could hear Daniel's thoughts- he was so empty inside. All those years being in control of Virus... trauma from childhood, all people he had killed- it got better of him; he wanted to die. He wanted to give his parents an opportunity to live on, which disturbed Jennifer the most... However, she managed to make peace with that. Partially. One could see tears roll down her cheeks slowly as she was thinking about it. Without any warning she jumped for Alex and Lydia for a hug holding them both close and pouring her heart into words. "I'm so happy, so happy to see you again." Jennifer sobbed while saying it, but her words could not be any more honest than they were- in that moment she was the happiest woman in the world. 

She then hugged her husband as well and welcomed him with a warm kiss.

"... I thought we'd never talk to each other again..." She sobbed. "I love you all." Her voice was echoing through sobs and tears. 

[Andrew Andersen]

Andrew could not be any happier- he was finally free and there to see his children and wife again. What happened to Daniel was a misfortune he would never make peace with, but he could not just lie down and cry over it either- no matter how situation was he was not that type. He held Jennifer close to him and looked towards Alex and Lydia- those two grew very strong over the years, no doubt about it. "You held your own back there, son. I am proud." Andrew commended Alex seeing how he handled Dante's power and powers of Six Lost Generals- back in the day that was a horrifying power not even strong ones could entirely control, but he showed it would not bring him down. "You too, Lydia. I see you have made a friend." He said referring to Maste who, along Kuzuha, was the 'odd' one in their group since neither Falcon or Wolveride were present. It was amazing that Lydia made friends with such a rare kind of Bakugan- this kind who focuses on dimensional so much existed for long in Vestroia and disappeared from it without warning. To see there is a Maste among them was an honor, even for the highest-ranking Silver Knights and Six Lost Generals. Hell, Marshal should feel honored if he ever sees one- those Bakugans are amazing.

To lighten up their mood a little bit Andrew decided to comment something that would have exactly the opposite influence. He did not know that, which makes it so much better. "So, Jen..." He began and held his gaze on her... captivating outfit for a few seconds before saying what he intended. "Think you could... uh... save that outfit for later?" The moment he asked that he could see a flame in his wife's eyes before he found himself sent into a wall by Jennifer's super-strength. "It was... a compliment..." He muttered. "...worth it..." 

[Maria Zenovia]

Maria let out a sigh of relief- the nightmare was over. Partially.

She was very disappointed though; thinking of Daniel at that moment was slowly breaking her heart into tiny pieces. It hurt a lot thinking about him; they did so much together and he was so much like her and she, who fought the most to save him, could not save him from that fate. After hearing Daniel's thoughts through what Kuzuha did Maria was just more heartbroken; how could she not notice that Daniel was so empty inside that he wanted to die... He was quite dark and silent as a person but did not seem to have such urge. He also saved Sylvia who adored him so much because he could listen to her nonsense for hours... she was going to be very sad to hear Daniel was gone. Reviving him would be a disgrace at that point... he wanted that fate since he could not bear to feel any more pain- bringing him back would imply he would feel it again. The decision he made had to be respected. Maria took a deep breath and then slowly approached Alex.

"Look at you being all strong and honorable." She said with a light tone and Alex's face showed he obviously did not like what she said- it was implying he was never that way. She loved doing that to him; he is very easy to poke in the nerve.

"Little doctor, I would like to hire you." Maria said to Lydia. "And that beauty by your side." She was referring to Maste. Lydia would, naturally, decline since she is more of a type to go with Eden but it was more Maria trying to lighten up the mood.

Finally, she approached Andrew. Many people here do not know what he did for Silver Knights and the world back in the day. He was one of Twelve Heavenly Generals of Silver Knights and was supposed to become an Admiral and even was on the list of choices for a Marshal. His disappearance changed those events. However, stories of his bravery and valiant actions gave inspiration to many Silver Knights who were and are in service; Asuka Izumo is one of those people. She respected Andrew's image and stories of him turning him into a role-model for all Silver Knights. She then spread that mentality across the organization influencing Maria quite a bit. Stories of unrivaled Andrew Andersen and Elysian Dragonoid are some of the best ones recorded in Silver Knights' histories, but that's to be told some other time. "Sir..." Maria said and gave a salutation. "My name is Maria Zenovia, the Admiral of Ruin among Silver Knights." She introduced herself. "I am honored to meet you in person. Could have been a better occasion, but it did not work out. I ask of you- would you aid Silver Knights once more?" Maria humbly asked.

[Andrew Andersen]

"An Admiral...?" Andrew question with a surprised expression.

He gazed at Maria for a second and then he responded. "They make people Admirals this young now? Hahaha, strange times you, kids, live in." Andrew responded through mild laughter, but he certainly did take Maria seriously. She did not get that impression so she looked a bit uncomfortable, which Andrew intended to fix. He stood up straight and made a salutation towards Maria with a confident smile on his face. "No need to ask me twice, Admiral. I'm all for some action." He agreed to Maria's humble proposal. Since he does not need a Bakugan now in this form it will be perfect but when it comes to being a Silver Knight one needs a Bakugan and there must be no exceptions. He'll probably find Elysian Dragonoid again; at least he knows she is alive.

"I'll need my Elysian back tho. Hope she's doing fine." He said.

"Now, anyone up for beating the hell out of this Hurricanes or... whatever disgrace they're called as?" Andrew asked out loud.

[Noland Hardy]