Before the Collision: The Cycle Repeats Itself

[Tracy White]

(Eden)

Tracy walked down the pristine walkway leading to a majestic building. She looked up at it and saw the shine of it emanate throughout the area, as if the sun was making it clear the building was the most beautiful piece of architecture the world has ever seen. Tracy smiled with a sense of pride, just like she did when she visited this place for the first time. 

"I can hardly believe we're here right now..." Tracy whispered in disbelief. "I know being here has little to do with our strength, but still... I can't keep thinking about how we got here..."

"We ARE blessed, of course," Skystar shared, walking alongside her in her robed form. "Are you sure this is what you want to do though? You are still relatively young in your college career. There are other opportunities."

"I'm sure," Tracy replied. "I think this is good. We'll just try it out and see what happens. If it's for me, then great. If not, that's okay. No harm done."

"Sounds good to me. It also helps that there are some very nice people here, not to mention powerful. We may be able to learn a thing or two from them."

"You'll have to hope our internship coordinator will let us do that," Tracy said, knowing who the said coordinator was. 

[Shabelle Carter]

While Resistors' Haos duo was having a conversation on Tracy's potential future with Eden a young woman dressed in blue uniform, that did not seem very much like fashion Eden's employees would sport, approached them with a faint smile. She looked fairly young to be assumed as Eden's employee or internship coordinator, but in this year and age nothing could be assumed at the first glance. "Hello." Young woman greeted the duo with a warm and pleasant tone in her voice. There appeared to be a Haos Bakugan orb resting on top of her blue cap not making any movements or greeting the pair of strangers. "Pleased to meet you- my name is Shabelle Carter. I believe you are Tracy. Thank you for patiently waiting for me." She warmly introduced herself to the Resistor. Both her tone and appearance were even suggesting she could be younger than Tracy herself- though there was no actual evidence to confirm such assumption. 

While it might be missed by a human a Bakugan would certainly notice magnificent energy emanating from the Bakugan accompanying the young lady. Energy felt like something a holy healer would have- its sole presence was giving off a pleasant and comfortable aura that can rarely be found in any Bakugan nowadays, even a healer. Almost as if the existence of this Bakugan itself was representing 'benevolence' and love.

[Tracy White]

"Hm?" Tracy was barely paying attention to her surroundings, so the lady's approach went unnoticed for the most part. When she made eye contact with Shabelle, Tracy gave her a nice smile.

"Oh, hi, Ms. Carter. Pleased to meet you as well," Tracy returned. "And to Beatrice as well...I'm a fan of yours."

"As am I," Skystar added, bowing in respect to Shabelle and Beatrice.

"We actually just got here. I thought I was going to meet you inside, but this is a nice surprise," Tracy remarked on Shabelle's promptness. She then looked around the campus to take all of it in. Everything was so shiny, just like a recently waxed car. She could see the glitter all around the building as the sunlight reflected off of it. It was so shiny that it made Tracy's eyes unable to recognize the water the sprinklers were churning out on the lawn.

"So, things have been going well here? Everything looks amazing from what I can see," Tracy expressed.

[Shabelle Carter]

"Hello dears." Beatrice now greeted in response out loud. She had an older voice than Shabelle- of a woman that would be assumed to be in her mid-twenties or so. Beatrice is the most-powerful main healer of Seven Angels right after Jiang-Shi who is considered a tank, a dps and a healer for some reason. The duo has been on the front lines of many conflicts aiding her teammates with ridiculous amounts of healing and providing salvation to innocent citizens at the same time. For what majority of the population does not know is that Beatrice used to be a human who was turned into a Bakugan with various methods and has, physically and mentally, become one. She is capable of evolution and has extended lifespan just like any Bakugan. 

"Oh yes, very well. We began we multiple projects and programs which are currently blooming." Shabelle responded. One of the programs was involving special training for brawlers and Bakugans which would allow both to exceed their, previously assumed, limited potential. That way Bakugans could attain power that was not within their grasp before. "If you want we could take a drink and I will show you around." Shabelle offered.


(10 minutes later...)


Shabelle decided to take Tracy for a trip through the Eden HQ and all of its facilities so she could get herself properly familiarized with the layout. Every member of Eden goes through this process as most of them will use at least 50% of these facilities. Shabelle, being a brawler, and somebody who rivals the intellect of Lydia Andersen uses majority of the facilities for her own purposes. Laboratory and Gym would be one of the most-used ones. Of course, Tracy would most-likely want to see the Gym considering she is a Resistor; it is a relatively big area where brawlers can try out their skills, but it is nothing to be compared to Silver Knights' virtual reality areas so members need to make an appointment for practice as it could get crowded. They are currently working on removing that problem as well.

Some of the areas Shabelle gave more highlight to were ARK classrooms- those were kept specially for ARK brawlers- a new generation of brawlers who are capable of using various outer sources to boost their Bakugans' powers instead of solely relying on what's on the inside and what could be limiting the Bakugan from growing. Asuka Izumo and Victoria Nelson are the primary instructors of that generation along with a mysterious brawler rumored to be tied with Chrono Elite, Sato Shizuka. Of course, none of such rumors were confirmed. Another area that Tracy was shown was Eden Paradise Anchor- a very special place cherished by the organization. It is separate by only one gate from the rest of the world- it is a whole different world behind. One could describe it as fields... fields that go into infinity- there was no apparent end to the scenery. Immediately upon entering this world Tracy could see a giant monument- several stone pillars surrounding a single blue crystal. Every pillar has a chain of its own and they all unite into a single chain that soars into the sky- almost as if it was attached to something in the sky, but no one can see that far to be able to notice what it could be attached to. According to Shabelle there is a forcefield that prevents anyone from following the chain.


Eden Paradise Anchor is rumored to have been created by the gods long time ago and that it is the first and ONLY creation of gods themselves humans have come in contact with. What does it mean? Nobody knows What does it do? Nobody knows. Only Maste, Lydia Andersen's Bakugan, and Ares of Silver Knights appear to know, but refuse to say. All that it is confirmed- time does not pass in this world; one could spend a very long time in there only to find out nothing has happened outside. Eden was built around this holy place and that is how it was named 'Eden'- belief that this holy place is 'The Eden', the Biblical garden. 


After giving Tracy a stroll and showing her some of the fanciest and most important locations. "So... uh... what do you think? I hope it was not too tiring." Shabelle said after finishing their trip and returning to the spot where they met up. 

[Tracy White]

Skystar was eating all of this up. This Eden Paradise Anchor was a very interesting place. She wanted to know EVERYTHING about it.

"This...is way cooler than the Silver Knights..." Tracy admitted in awe of everything. "I don't think I want to leave..."

"You said it," Skystar agreed. "This Eden Paradise Anchor...I have A LOT of questions about that... I doubt Maste or Ares would want to tell me though since they're so tight-lipped... Oh well. I was pleasantly surprised by this ARK program though."

"Speaking of which, I have a question. I don't mean to pry into your business or anything, but I was curious about what's going on between the Silver Knights and Eden. These are independent organizations, but...it's rare that you're all working together like this. Did something happen?"

[Shabelle Carter]

"Maste is capable of replicating Paradise Anchor into a 'smaller pocket'. Smaller worlds she uses for training, rehabilitation and various sessions. Perhaps if you ask her to practice with you, you could get some knowledge by being there." Shabelle suggested. She was just as curious as Tracy and Skystar- that place is indeed something to be described as 'godly'. There are rumors that 'gods' used to create many areas for various purposes or sometimes simply to let 'lower life forms' admire the beauty or use the areas. Earth could be one of those as well, but judging by how it is used gods would not be happy. Judging by the clues dropping off of Maste during conversations it was certainly not created by Genesis Dragonoid... and absolutely and definitely not by Dharaknoid- that would be a bad thing in every way possible.

"Ah, nothing major happened. Both organizations have always been working together... we do have different beliefs and ways of doing things and those who are of lower rank normally... emphasize it so you can hear things like 'Silver Knights and Eden have tensions between them, they will go to war...' aaand so on..." Shabelle admitted. It was mostly a stereotype. When people play games there are always people who are making a big deal out of tiny issues and overblowing them out of proportions. "Miss Izumo has been working very hard to unite us in any way possible- ARK program is one example. Miss Nelson is a part of both organizations and has been creating multiple programs for our unison. And war with Hurranians, too, in a way helped those of all ranks realize how we can work together- it is a shame such drastic event had to create a belief, but I won't complain." She explained.


"Humans will be humans after all." Beatrice spoke up. "We try our best to make the most of what we have."

[Sydney White]

While the two were talking another young lady was approaching.

She had long black hair and a serious air about her. For those who do not know her name is Sydney White and she is one of the famous Seven Angels along with Shabelle. On top of that, Sydney is the leader of Seven Angels and is presumed to be strongest (according to different sources second-strongest compared to Victoria Nelson). Even with Victoria's excellent leadership Sydney's combination of a leader and tactician proved to be far more appealing to the community. Her Bakugan, Vergilius, is also very popular and powerful Bakugan- rumors say that he used to be fully organic Bakugan who was turned into a cyborg by force by some ancient technology he stumbled upon in Vestroia. Rumors say that he had gone mad, but was saved by a dark goddess who implanted a Valiant Strive shard inside him for cleansing the darkness. None of the rumors were confirmed, but to think that such strong and important warrior was affiliated with a goddess of darkness it can make people very suspicious. Due to his infamous Hyper Chaos Takeover not a single member of Mighty 5 could win a 1v1 against him.

"I apologize for interruption." Sydney walked up to the two and interrupted. 


"Shabelle, we have a situation. Silver Knight and a Resistor. We may need to intervene." She said.

[Tracy White]

"A Silver Knight and...a Resistor...?" This information took Tracy completely by surprise. What business would a Silver Knight have with a Resistor right now anyway?

"Are you implying that they're fighting or are about to fight?" Skystar guessed, because there'd be little reason for any of the Angels to get involved in a Silver Knight's or Resistor's business unless there was something major about to go down.

"Um...Ms. White...?" Tracy called, almost terrified of what Resistor could be involved. She wouldn't be surprised if it was Noland, Markus, or Tank stirring up trouble... "Is there something I could do to help out, since there's a Resistor involved...?"

"And here I thought we'd go through this whole day without something happening... It was fun while it lasted," Skystar sighed, awaiting bad news from Sydney.

[Sydney White]

"There is a possibility you could..." Sydney muttered.

"Gargulion of Resistors; Dante of Silver Knights and their respective owners." Vergilius spoke with a distaste in his mouth and mind about it.

"...that was a mistake on my part..." Sydney muttered about something.

"Mistake? You say keeping the man in dark about the truth is any better? The woman was infected with that disgusting virus as well and is a hazardous threat because of the Resistor." Vergilius said with an upset tone at whatever was going on.

"I believe they have already begun..." Sydney said.

"We are wasting time- go!" Vergilius said. Sydney quickly rushed towards one of the doors leaving Shabelle and Tracy. Shabelle's Beatrice should be able to detect Vergilius and know where to head for intervention. There was no time to lose as there could be more damage done and more reputation on all sides ruined. One of the staff of Eden, Andrea Wolfang, was infected by a hazardous virus and has been roaming somewhere in the underground using her newly found abilities to cloak any sort of infection or abnormality she might have that could give her away. What she does there is unknown. Alex learned of that and Sydney, who is a big friend of Andrea just like Alex, could not bear to keep him in the dark about it- she revealed as to why Andrea disappeared from their lives and how her infection was more potent than average one can be. Trauma she was caused by Markus gave her massive amounts of power and turned her Bakugan into a deadly tool. After learning that Alex and Dante headed for the Resistor, furious at this information.

[Tracy White]

"...Uh oh..." Skystar muttered, knowing exactly what this was about based on what Sydney and Vergilius just said.

"Uh oh is right!" Tracy turned to Shabelle who was probably just as confused as she was, with Sydney coming in and out just like that. "I'm sorry, but I'll be right back. Sky!"

"Yeah!" Both Tracy and Skystar ran outside of the building so they could get ready for their departure. She exited her robed form and entered her monster form. She took her bident out and waved it around to dowse where Gargulion was. "Found him," she signaled.

Tracy stepped next to Skystar as the sorceress covered them both in light. They flew towards the location in a comet.

[Markus Hederick]

Markus had no clue that someone was coming for him nor did he know how this person would figure out where he is. For now, he was minding his own business, trying to figure out where a certain person was around North Carolina. The state's undergrounds have been complaining about a certain person with a murderous Ventus Bakugan causing trouble. Markus knew exactly who that was, and he wanted to stop him.

Markus was patrolling the Smoky Mountains, using it for a relaxing walk to get his mind off of certain things and to start looking for areas where unnatural deaths occurred.

"Alright...I know this is only fair since I got you in trouble with the whole Underground thing back there, but...are you kidding me right now?" Gargulion complained. "Fuck this guy. Until someone places a hit on him-"

"There's a hit on him," Markus interrupted.

"Until someone hires US specifically-"

"The Grim Reapers are paying me to find him."

"...When were you going to tell me about this?"

"Um...now?"

"...I deserve this..."

"You bet you do! She messed me up! It took me a week to get back on her good side!"

[Alex Andersen]

The Darkus duo of Resistors was not suspecting what they were about to receive. What they did was unforgivable and they were going to pay for it- they were going to experience pain they have never experienced before; pain that disgusting animals like them deserve before anything else. Whether they could feel it or not there was a sudden wave of chill wind in the area like an announcement of something ominous that was about to happen. An angelic figure began to descend near their location along with, what seemed like, a human on its left shoulder. Bakugan clad in bright crimson armor and angelic white wings emanating an unusual amount of holy energy around its body. Human standing on its shoulder had gray skin partially covered with what seemed to be symbols... perhaps glyphs of some sort; it was certainly not among any human language. Man's eyes were glowing in bright blue and he did not seem very pleased.

Bakugan descended in the vicinity without a sound produced by its movements- strangely not even by its wings. Human did not move through all this and he kept his eyes locked on the Resistor duo.

[Markus Hederick]

"Hm...?" Markus could feel the cold air, but it was nothing he wasn't already used to. He sometimes has to go to New York, which is absurdly cold during the winter time. He can handle brisk weather, but something about this seemed...unnecessary to him. "Well...that's not Makoto..."

"No...it's not..." Gargulion agreed, confused about the arrival of this being. "But they do look upset..."

In fact...there was a good chance Markus and Gargulion didn't recognize who this was at first. The wings threw them off, but the armor was a dead giveaway once they focused on it.

"Oh, Alex Andersen! It's you!" Markus suddenly recognized. "Sorry for not recognizing you at first. My mind was kinda blank. Say, is something wrong? You look pretty mad with the blue eyes...the symbols...the staring like you're about to kill me..."

[Alex Andersen]

Alex had more control over his First Key now- despite him rejecting the alien power within his body he embraced it in the final conflict against Kyuku upon which he kept craving for even more power than before. With additional control he received by fully accepting the power he had new things in arsenal that were far away from any human's grasp no matter what sort of enhancements they add to themselves. He was yet not in the form he used back there- Achron Order. He thought the necessity of using it was not within the reach yet. What internally angered him was this man standing before him and behaving like everything was in order. Of course it would be in order for him... what are his worries in life... recognized as a Legendary Soldier, as a hero who helped Master Blaze save the world from Hurranians... of course that would give him just another confidence boost for that disgusting rotten ego...

"How did you like it...?" Alex began speaking. His voice began to boom- Markus could hear it from quite far despite the physical distance. It also seemed like... 2 voices in one, but another one was a bit weaker for one to realize whose voice that might be. It was an ominous tone.

"...exerting punishment on an innocent soul..." He finished.


"...How do you enjoy careless and ignorant freedom of responsibility...? Does that come with the title of Legendary Soldier or a hero?" He asked.

[Markus Hederick]

"Oh...okay..." Markus prepped his BrawlX just in case, as it sounded like Alex was looking for a confrontation. He had no intentions of fighting, as he was currently tracking someone. From the looks of it, he had to be ready.

The same went for Gargulion. He stepped out of his robed form and assumed his monster form, not knowing about whether or not he'd have to cut loose. Dante looked bloodlusted as did Alex. This was NOT a sign of a peaceful encounter.

"I'm not going to pretend like I don't know why you're here. That part about 'exerting punishment' gave me a clear message," Markus stated, knowing that the incident at Eden over a year ago was the only major thing he was responsible for. "I know you're mad, but I'm going to tell you this one time and that's it. Don't be like me," Markus advised Alex. "You're no better than me if you attack me right now, and believe me. If you DO attack me, that'll make you and the Silver Knights look bad. There's no going back once you do it. I know."

"So...are you done, or do you really want to do this?" Gargulion asked Alex for clarification.