Episode 1: A Long Way From Earth

[Kendrick Hardy]

Kendrick started to regain consciousness after being captured by the Gundalians. When he opened his eyes, he saw himself lying on a comfy bed. While that was nice, the fact that Krakix and Siege didn't wake him up earlier had him scared. He hastily checked himself to see if they were still with him, but they weren't. They must have been confiscated.

"Dammit..." he sighed. "I don't know where I am, and I've been captured... What a day..." 

He started exploring his surroundings a bit since there was nothing better to do. He found out that the room he was in was very luxurious. It had a bathroom that wasn't out in the open. That's already an improvement from Earth's jails and prisons. There was also a sink, shower, towels and wash cloths, and a mirror. Kendrick briefly checked himself in the mirror to make sure nothing was done to him. 

Once he looked all over his body to make sure everything was good, Kendrick went out of his room and into the open area. He looked to his right and saw that there was a closed door that trapped him in that area. That confirmed that he was in a cell of some sort. 

There was a room across from Kendrick's. Somewhere in there, someone was moving around. Kendrick could hear this movement. Whoever it was started to move towards the door to come out in the open. Kendrick had his guard up, not knowing what to expect. 

[Sir Rafe]

The person making the movement propped the door open. He poked his head out slowly so he could get a good look at whoever was stuck in there with him.

"Wow...they're really rounding up everybody if they got a human here too," the person said with a short laugh. "I'll just ease my way out of here slowly..."

The man did as he said to make sure Kendrick was at ease before continuing any further. He didn't try to approach at all. He just stayed at the door as he waited for Kendrick to calm down.

"I'm guessing you were the latest one the Gundalians bagged for 'trespassing'," he guessed. "They got dozens of us here for the same reason. I overheard some of the others through the walls talking about how they were doing one thing, then there was all this shaking, and next thing they know, we all end up on Gundalia waiting in line to go to prison. I tell ya. These guys need to learn some less violent ways to enforce their laws instead of zapping everyone all the dang time. Sheesh."

"I'm Sir Rafe by the way, of the one and only Castle Knights on Neathia."

[Kendrick Hardy]

"Castle Knights...? Neathia...?" Kendrick repeated, puzzled beyond belief. "Oh, I'm sorry! I just never heard those before..."

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Kendrick, and as you've probably guessed, I'm from Earth. I'm sorry if I seemed confrontational at first. I got shot in the back, so... Who knows what else is gonna happen to me."

Now knowing that he was on Gundalia, Kendrick started fearing for the worst. He can only base his view of the Gundalians from what happened all of those years ago.

"You sound like you know what's going on here more than I do. Are the Gundalians still evil? Last time, they killed a lot of people on Earth and caused A LOT of problems that we're still affected by today."

[Sir Rafe]

"Yeah...we know about what Barodius did with Earth. I'm sorry to hear you're all still reeling from that. We should've done more..." Rafe regretted. "We were at war with them around the time that happened. There's this common legend going around about some red-haired fighter killing Barodius that caused Gundalia to surrender to us immediately afterwards. We call him 'the Redeemer'. A lot of people were saved on both sides thanks to him."

"Ever since then - minus an unmentionable story about the throne being in contention - the Gundalians have been pretty chill since then. You can really feel the change once you've been around them enough. You already see the change too just by being in this cell. Us prisoners are actually being treated with decency for once. Imagine that."

"I think we're gonna be granted audience with the current Emperor soon, so you can see for yourself if they changed or not." Rafe started hearing a couple of footsteps coming towards them, which was very different from the odd silence that rang through his ears for hours on end. "Speaking of which..."

[Rashad]

One of the people coming towards the housing unit these 'prisoners' were in was the Emperor himself. As he promised from an earlier call, he was going to speak with these people personally. He had a lot of questions...

"Good evening, everyone. Emperor Barodius here," he announced and greeted. "I apologize for the way we rounded you all up, but, as you can probably tell, a lot of things happened at once, and we're just making sure no one's here that's going to bring any unwanted things. I'm going to ask you a few questions, and if I like what I hear, we'll let you go. Lie to us or say anything that we don't like, and we're going to have a problem. Got it? Good. Let's start with this one."

Emperor Barodius walked up to one cell. There was a woman right beside him who was just as interested in what was going on as the Emperor was. Her role in this would be revealed soon...if it comes to such things.

"We'll keep this simple. What are your names, where are you from, are you good or evil, and what will you do when you get out of here? Go ahead."

"...My name is Inferno. I'm from Equilibria. I'm neutral, and I'd like to go back home please."

"Hm...are you from a different universe?"

"...What...?"

"You were speaking of events that have never happened here, such as someone with a third original Bakugan doing all sorts of crazy stuff. That's why I ask."

"Well, I guess so?"

"Hm...okay. And you, sir?"

"Skull Shinigami, and I'm going to make you pay dearly."

"You and your Drayper seem like the villainous type... Should've been smart like your pal Inferno and defused the situation nicely. I'll deal with you myself in a little bit." The Emperor moved to another cell to inquire about their dilemmas. "And you two?"

"Kenta Tatsuya of Olympia. I'm good, and I agree with Inferno. I just want to know what got us all here in the first place and leave on good terms if that's okay with you."

"Keith Fermin of Vestal. Nothing to worry about from me. I just want to return home and pretend like none of this ever happened. Back where I come from, we don't like you guys very much after...certain events."

"Hm...this is very strange. You both must not be from this universe either based on what was reported to me... We will document this. I'm not really sure how we're going to get you back home though..." Emperor Barodius then moved to Kendrick and Rafe's cell. After taking a good look at them, he decided to do something different.

He opened the cell door and had them both come out of it. "You two, walk with me. We need to talk."

[Rashad]

The Emperor sat both Kendrick and Rafe down in an office-like room that was in the housing unit. The woman from earlier came inside with him. Her eyes became green as she started staring at Kendrick with a lot of curiosity. Her curiosity wasn't as high as the Emperor's though. In fact, he was so curious, he held his palm over his head and charged up a super-powerful ball of bio-electricity.

"Castle Knight, we will talk in a second since I know who you are, but you..." He looked straight into Kendrick's eyes as he started to address him. "You're not entirely human. You're also a Gundalian. Where did you come from, and how are you a Gundalian?"

There was a community on Gundalia that preferred the human appearance, but he wasn't going to tell Kendrick that. He wanted Kendrick to answer without hearing anything about what is happening on Gundalia.

[Kendrick Hardy]

Kendrick was stunned... He started to sweat from the sheer power in the Emperor's bio-electricity. "This...is much stronger than Noland's..." he thought. Whatever the Emperor wanted...he better give it to him fast... "But...how did he know...?"

Kendrick gulped, because if the answer he gives isn't satisfactory, it's goodbye and good luck for him...

"I'm from Earth... the one in this universe..." Kendrick started to answer. "My mom was a Gundalian. According to my dad, she had ties to Emperor Barodius - the one that's not you - and that whatever happened between them caused my dad to do something to her. I don't know all the specifics, but that's why I'm Gundalian. A human mated with a Gundalian. That's that. I swear."

[Sir Rafe]

"Oh...really...? Hm... I would've never guessed that..." Rafe commented on Kendrick's revelation as a Gundalian.

"You know, Emperor, you really need to tone it down with this confrontational crap. I get that you're powerful and all, but this is getting ridiculous. You don't have to point your zapitty bullshit at every single being you come across. This whole situation could've been taken care of a while ago if you weren't so gung-ho on subduing everyone you can find. The only exception was the Skull guy. He was obviously asking for it. Everyone else, including me? No! And you know who I am for fucks sake! Good grief man!"

[Rashad]

"You don't encounter any enemies of a high caliber on your planet, Castle Knight. The Gundalians aren't as naive as the Neathians. Maybe you all will learn how to be assertive once one of your own robs you of the love of your life and your throne on the same day," the Emperor clapped back.

He got rid of the attack he threatened to use on Kendrick since the explanation was satisfactory. He believed everything he heard, because...

"I've heard this exact story before... And the details are surprisingly accurate too... You are the son of the man my late mother and father wished death upon. This also means you are the brother of the one who ended my father's reign of terror, the 'Redeemer'," he realized.

"Hm...there is something I'd like to share with you about what really happened with that situation, but it will have to wait until this is sorted out. In the meantime, please remain with the Castle Knight and Kianna here while I get these people where they need to be."

With that said, the Emperor left the office and resumed his business with the other entities that were from other universes.

[Sir Rafe]

"Hmph..." Rafe sighed. He didn't bother trying to argue with the emperor. Whatever made sense to him was what he was going to get. Forget every other viewpoint. It's either his way, or hell's way. Everyone should take their pick and let him self-destruct by himself...

"That Emperor man... He's something else," Rafe commented. "The only redeeming factor is that he's responsible. Love him or hate him, the Gundalians are better off with him at the throne. Glad he's there honestly."

"While he finishes up there, either of you want to spar? We'll go like 50-60 percent. Just getting some of the prison jitters out...when someone wants to give Wolfurio back?"

[Kianna]

Kianna tossed a Haos orb at Rafe the moment he requested his guardian back. She also gave Krakix and Siege back to Kendrick.

"Alright. I'll entertain your little game," Kianna accepted. "We could do a battle royale to see who wins. That should give Rashad enough time to sort out whatever he's thinking about."

"Kendrick, do you mind? I was wondering how skilled you were considering you're the brother of the famous 'Redeemer'. Plus, your two Bakugan are very popular among us all for what they did."

It sounded like she wanted to use this to gauge where Kendrick was at power-wise, but she really just wanted to ensure that she was where she needed to be. If she isn't able to compete, then that'll be horrible. She might as well find out what Earth has to offer now.

[Kendrick Hardy]

"Aw yeah! That's what I'm talking about," Siege celebrated. "Thank you, Ms. Lady! Those Earthlings don't be giving us the respect we deserve. We get sent to the Doom Dimension for a while and we get forgotten about."

"Good, so you can fight these two in my place then," Krakix suggested.

"Yeah, I should... Wait, what?"

"It only makes sense. I went last time, so why not you?"

"Oh...well, I had no idea you could be so nice-"

"I want to see you get your ass kicked."

"Oh... Thanks a lot, pal."

Kendrick smirked at the thought of being able to battle. He has been practicing a lot with Noland, and both Krakix and Siege have evolved once again. Now was the time to see how things are going against opponents they've never faced before.

"Alright. I'm game," Kendrick accepted. "I'm not at my brother's level, but I'll still give it my best shot."

[Rashad]

While those three were going off to have their own fun, the Emperor was getting ready to embark on a whole new quest of anger management. There was something that Kendrick's presence sparked in his mind that he was going to deal with immediately...

"Someone get me in contact with our Secretary, please," he said out loud.

"Yes, sire," a man complied.

"Alright. Let's wrap this up. Someone get Killian in here to deal with Skull. I'll work on getting everyone else out of here."

"Yes, sire, and we have established contact with the secretary."

"Coming." The Emperor went to the main desk to pick up a phone. "Good evening, Tonya. How are you doing? ... I'm great. Thank you. Now, I am going to require you to take a DNA test as soon as possible. In other words, I mean right now. ... Don't worry about why just yet. Just get it done and meet me at the castle, please. ... Okay. Thank you. Bye."

When the Emperor hung up, he sighed loudly as this upcoming episode with this woman was about to unfold. "If you did what I think you did...then shame on you..." The Emperor remarked.

[Markus Hederick]

Back on Earth...

Markus and Noland were walking through the hallways of the CIA's hidden base to talk about their current situation. The circumstances of their meeting was obvious. Three of the Resistors have disappeared along with Kendrick and Nero, so they had to find out where everyone went.

"Hm...I see..." Markus started off. "Well, at least we know where Kendrick is. I wouldn't worry about Tracy or Allen, but Tank... He's gonna get himself killed."

"You'd think that he'd be back by now with all of those godly powehs he always talks about. What a waste," Gargulion slammed.

"So...how did it go? Was she strong?"

[Noland Hardy]

"Honestly...I was disappointed..." Noland admitted of the run-in he had with Asuka. "She had a souped-up Cyber fighting me instead, and we all know how the fight went when I fought the real deal. Pretty boring...but I took some nice notes. It was a shame too, because her Ares seems interesting, but I probably won't know for a while now that all of this is happening."

"It wasn't all bad. I thought the way Ares created the copy of Earth was pretty cool," Drago expressed.

"True, true. And she has similar abilities to our own as well. So, the fight wasn't all that, but her arsenal seems very nice. I think Tank should be worried of someone being on his level in the weapons department. She might be past it for all we know."

Noland and Markus arrived in a conference room with Montai waiting on them. Alana and Seiki were already there, but there was another guest that none of them recognized...

"Um, hi... So who's that?" Noland wondered.