Bakugan City was on high alert, with the images of the three Rugenga on every screen that could be seen.

Everyone saw it and knew to be careful around them. To contact the Battle Brawlers, should anyone see them. And at the Bakugan Battle Brawler's Headquarters, Joe, Mira, Spectra, Gus and Kato were talking with others on multiple holo-screens.

"Are you sure?" A dark skinned Gundalian asked on one screen.

"I'm sure," Mira told him. "The one called Thalia was Runo. There's no doubt about it." A holographic screen of the six Rugenga and four of their Bakugan appeared, everyone staring at the images of Drakenoid, Tigress, Skyreign and Hydread.

"Those are definitely what their Bakugan used to look like," a guy with an Australian accent stated. "All that's missing is Gorem and Preyas."

"So what's going on?" A Neathian woman asked. "Are Dan and his friends being controlled by something?"

"I don't think so," Joe shook his head. "Unless it also made Marucho double in height. I think there's something more going on here. And the only way we're gonna get any answers is by capturing at least one of them."

"But we can't make that a priority right now," Spectra told them. "At the moment, finding our way to Vestroia is what's important. Three of them might be stuck here, but there are still three over there causing problems. Not to mention, this other world that they're attacking."

"But what if they are being controlled?" A woman wearing a red Chinese dress asked. "If that's so, shouldn't we try and help break them out of it?"

"Keith is right," Mira sighed. "We can't split our focus. If we try and do too many things at once, we'll never get anything done. If Dan and the others were here, you know what they'd tell us."

"Focus on helping others before helping them," a silver haired man in a blue suit agreed. "Alright. So what's the plan?"

"We're working on locating Vestroia and Equestria," Spectra told him. "It's a slow process, but we'll find it eventually. Until then, we need to keep the Rugenga who are here from causing any more problems. They've already caused some serious issues before. The last thing we need is for them to cause even more problems."

They all agreed, as a bulky guy with orange dreads spoke up. "What should we tell Dan the Man's parents? And all the other Brawlers' families?"

Mira frowned. "I don't think we should tell them, yet. At least until we figure what the Rugenga are." Everyone frowned, but they didn't argue and nodded.

Outside the room, Flash, Twilight, Moondancer and Sunset were waiting. "What do you think's going on in there?" Flash asked, staring at the door. "Doesn't feel right, us not being part of the conversation."

Twilight frowned. "You can understand why they wanted to discuss this on their own. We don't know these friends of theirs. Us being part of the conversation would just complicate things."

"Maybe," Sunset sighed. "But I'd still like to hear what they're thinking. I was the one who found out who Thalia was under that mask." They kept waiting and nothing happened, the four and their Bakugan feeling stir crazy.

"That's it!" Flash standing up and heading away from them.

"Where are you going?" Twilight asked, fearing Flash was gonna do something stupid.

"I'm not just gonna sit around doing nothing. Until we decide to do something, I'm gonna spend my time in the gym. Making sure I'm ready for anything that happens." Leonidas went with him, as the girls watched them leave.

"Well at least he isn't going out to find the Rugenga himself." Twilight sat back in her chair, as Sorcerell spoke up with a chuckle.

"Are you sure you don't want to go with him? Seeing him working up a sweat, maybe taking his shirt off. Sounds like something you would enjoy." Twilight's face suddenly went red, as the Equestrians and Bakugan laughed.

"OF COURSE NOT!" But as she imagined Flash in such a way, her face went even redder and they all laughed.

In the warehouse, the Rugenga were sitting around waiting.

Thalia was keeping an eye on the laptop, that was tapped into the Battle Brawler's security system. Hayate was simply leaning against the wall, whilst Cursor sat on a crate whilst tapping his fingers on one next to him impatiently. And eventually, he couldn't take any more.

"I'm done with just sitting around," he stood up and Draken spun open to turn to him. "I'm heading out."

"Where?" Hayate asked, as Draken leapt onto Cursor's shoulder.

"I'm going to use this chance I have, to finally take that Bakugan away from the little boy. Leonidas' powers are impressive. Too impressive to allow him to keep them."

"Then we'll all go," Thalia told him. "If we can find a way to get Sentry alone, he won't stand a chance against the three of us at once." Cursor turned to glare at her.

"Are you saying I need help defeating one brawler?"

"N...no. But...last time you fought-"

"The last time we fought, Leonidas only won by tapping into the power of Vestroia." Draken jumped off Cursor's shoulder and flew around. "If he hadn't have had that, he never would have defeated me. And since we're not in Vestroia right now, it's the perfect chance to defeat him whilst he can't access that power."

"He has a point," Skyreign stated. "But even so. It would be smart to not go alone. There's no telling what other surprises he might have."

"He's not the only one with surprises." Cursor reached into his card holder and took out a particular card. When the others saw that, their eyes widened.

"You can't be serious!" Thalia told him. "You're going to use those cards. There's a reason we haven't used them before. No Bakugan can handle them. And with our partner's current states, using even one could burn them up from the inside out."

"He's right," Hayate nodded. "Don't risk it. There's no telling what damage it could cause."

"Fine," Cursor put the card away. "I won't need it anyway. If Leonidas can't access his full power, Sentry won't stand a chance against me." He made his way towards the door, Draken landing on his shoulder. "And I'm going alone." Thalia stopped herself from getting up. "I don't need help defeating him. Having you all there, will just give Sentry an excuse to mock me. I will face him, one on one. As a true Brawler."

The four shared a look, but knew not to argue. So, Cursor and Draken left to finally settle the score against Flash and Leo once and for all.

Flash was in the Battle Brawler's Gym, currently on an exercise bike.

As Sorcerell had joked, he was working up a sweat. He had changed into some workout clothing and currently, he had taken his shirt off as he pedalled with everything he had. At the same time, Leonidas was on one of the treadmills.

It had been set to a gentle pace, which would be considered walking to most. But at his size, he needed to do a lot of jumping in order to keep himself from being thrown off the end.

The two groaned, as they glanced up at the digital timer on the wall. And when it eventually hit zero, the pair began to slowly come to a stop. Leonidas curled up and rolled on the treadmill, as Flash eventually slowed the pedals to a halt before getting off.

He groaned, his muscles aching in a good way. And as he moved over to the treadmill, he hit the button and it also slowed to a stop. "Ahhh," Leonidas jumped up and landed on the railing. "Tiring, but refreshing."

Flash nodded and grabbed a nearby water bottle, taking a large drink from it as he wiped his face with a towel. "My legs feel like they're on fire."

"That just means it's working," he told him. "Now you'll be able to jump higher and manoeuvre around on any battlefield. That'll come in handy." Flash nodded, finishing off the last of his drink and sighing.

"I must have burned off a thousand calories, at least!" Leo laughed at this before flying over to his bike and hitting one of the buttons.

"More like three hundred." Flash pouted, as his Baku-Bracer suddenly started beeping besides him.

He picked it up and realised he was getting a message from an unknown sender, Flash frowning as he opened it up and his eyes went wide. "Hello, Sentry. Don't bother trying to trace this message. You won't find me." Flash glared at Cursor. "But if you want to find me, come to the coordinates I sent with this message. Alone. It's time you and I settled the score once and for all." The message ended and Flash just stared at it, as Leo flew over to him.

"What are you gonna do?" The Bakugan asked, with Flash remaining quiet as he thought about it.

"What do you wanna do?" He turned to him. "You think you can handle Draken again?" Leonidas didn't answer for a moment, clearly remembering their last match and how it had gone. He then nodded.

"Let's do this. We'll take them down and bring them back, to find out what the heck is going on with them." Flash nodded and the pair got up, deciding to shower and get ready for this match. They were going to deal with Cursor once and for all.

Having sent the message to Flash, Cursor was making his way to the location of their fight.

He had to be careful not to be seen, by either the cameras or general populace. As such, this meant his trip to the location of his battle was going to take longer. He might even get there after Sentry, which could work in his favour since Sentry might bring his friends with him.

"No," he stated, "a true Brawler does not hide behind others. He knows I'm coming alone, so he will not insult himself by doing anything less." He stepped under a bridge and as he did, he noticed a woman sitting on the ground behind a folding table.

"Would you like to see your future?" She asked, shuffling a bunch of cards. "I can tell you are someone with a great weight on their shoulders. Lost in the shadow of another, wanting desperately to become your own person."

Cursor said nothing, but didn't leave. He was interested in what this old woman had to say.

She split the deck into three and flipped the top card of one pile. "You came into this world, not of your own volition. Placed on this path by another, who intends to use you for their own good." Cursor seemed interested in this, whilst she flipped the second pile's card. "Currently, you stand at the crossroads of a decision. You can give in to your base desires and remain the tool you were designed as, or you can rise above it and evolve into something all your own."

"And what does the future hold for me if I do that?"

The woman smiled and flipped the entire third deck over, letting them spread across the table. "That future is constantly changing, shaped by the decisions of now. But currently, I see two futures that are very likely. One, where you rise above and become the hero you could be. You will fight and protect many, but fall quickly and fade into nothing at a young age. In doing so, you will be remembered for all time as a great hero."

Cursor glared at her, "and the other future?"

"You stay on this path," she replied. "Hurting many and creating a hatred towards you that will never be forgiven. And in doing so, you will find yourself in a battle that will decide your fate. I cannot see what that fate is, but it will not be a happy one." She looked back at the Rugenga. "Now...what will you choose?"

"So I either die a hero, or become a villain that could still die." He chuckled. "Sounds to me like being a villain will give me a better chance of survival." He began to leave. "I make my own future. And I will stand above all as the mightiest Brawler. Mightier than even the one I spawned from."

Back at the Brawler's HQ, Spectra, Joe and Mira stepped out of the room after their meeting.

They arrived at the building's common area and found Twilight reading a book that didn't exist in her world, whilst Sunset and Moondancer were busy giving their Bakugan a cleaning. Both had a small brush and were using them to scrub their Trap Bakugan, whilst Flarenix and Sorcerell were relaxing on the table.

Mira than looked around. "Where's Flash?"

"He's in the gym," Twilight explained. "He wanted to be ready for the next time he faced one of the Rugenga."

"That sounds just like Dan," Mira sat down. "He didn't know how to sit down either. If he wasn't Brawling, he was training for a Brawl." Spectra and Joe nodded, whilst the girls smirked.

Kato then stepped into the room, "I'll have lunch done for everyone soon. I would suggest being in the dining room in about ten or fifteen minutes, unless you would rather it be cold." They nodded and Twilight got up.

"I'll go get Flash." The others nodded and once Sunset and Moondancer finished their Bakugan cleaning, they headed to the dining room. But on the way there, Twilight returned looking confused. "Flash wasn't in the gym."

"He probably finished his workout," Sunset replied. "Did you check his room?" Twilight nodded, as Mira took out a tablet.

"No problem. I'll find him." She started typing, "locate Flash Sentry." The tablet beeped and eventually, she frowned. "He not in the building." This worried everyone, Twilight heading towards the exit. As they stepped outside, she looked around wondering if Flash was just getting some air. But he was nowhere.

"Where is he? He wouldn't just wander off. And even if he did, Leo would tell him not to go too far."

"I'm sure he'll be fine," Spectra told her. "He's an adult and he's clearly able to look after himself. He'll be back when he wants to come back."

"Maybe," Twilight then noticed a bunch of dark clouds in the sky. "I just hope he's back before it starts raining."

Flash had followed the directions to one of the city's stadiums.

The place had been deserted, the area apparently closed for maintenance. But it appeared that Cursor had other ideas and Flash managed to find a way inside, following the directions on the walls until he reached the battle arena. And there, standing in the centre of the battlefield, Cursor was waiting.

"Be ready for anything," Leo told him. Flash nodded and the pair stepped forward, glaring their opponent down.

Though he couldn't see anything under Cursor's mask, Flash could tell he was smiling. "So...you came. Alone, I assume."

Flash smirked, "I don't need a cheering section to beat you." He pointed at him, "you're going down. And I'm gonna drag you back to the others and figure out what the heck you are!"

Cursor chuckled. "What I am is the greatest Brawler of all time. And I won't allow you to get in my way." Now he pointed at them. "Leonidas. Your power will be mine."

"Not happening!" Leo cried. "You and Draken don't stand a chance against us."

"Really?" Draken asked. "Are you going to use that same cheap shot you used last time? You both know that the only reason you won, was because you tapped into Vestroia's power. But we're not on Vestroia anymore. The only power you can rely on is your own."

"It's all I'll need," Leo stated.

"Then let's not wait any longer." Cursor began to mess with his Baku-Bracer and suddenly, the entire arena began to change.

"What the?" Flash watched as the ground split into a bunch of squares before some of them rose up, creating towering structures of different heights that kept changing. The blocks all went up and down, none going higher than a Bakugan's shoulder. Flash quickly realised how this match was supposed to play out.

"Are you ready for this!?" Cursor asked, activating his Baku-Bracer's battle system. Flash did the same, the two connecting as the power-ups formed around them.

"Let's go. Let's do this!" Their life gauges filled and the pair prepared for battle. "LET'S BRAWL!"

Flash: 100%
Cursor: 100%

Flash quickly took out a card and as he leapt up onto a large block, which began to rise as Cursor leapt up onto another. "Gate Card...SET!" He threw it and when it hit the ground, it exploded and Flash was quick to throw his partner in. "Bakugan...BRAWL!" Leonidas shot through the air, Flash's aim perfect as he hit a trio of power-up before landing. "Bakugan...STAND!" The ball started spinning and a tornado form. "Let's do this, Haos Novus Leonidas!"

"RAAAAAAAAAAH!" Leo roared, as he broke out of the tornado and stared Cursor down.

"Leonidas!" Cursor yelled. "You will soon be mine!" He flicked Draken up and caught him, "It's time. Show no mercy, Drakenoid."

"Mercy if for the weak," the Bakugan stated. "There is nothing in my heart but power." Cursor nodded, as the block he was on rose to full height.

"Bakugan...BRAWL!" His aim was also dead on, the Bakugan hitting a bunch of power-ups before bouncing on the ground. "Stand...Pyrus Drakenoid!" The Bakugan spun open and a fire tornado exploded out of him, Draken appearing out of it and roaring as well.

Leo and Draken stared one another down, as their power-ups kicked in and increased the two's G Power.

Drakenoid: 800Gs
Leonidas: 650Gs

Leo quickly charged forward, throwing a punch at Draken only for the fire dragon to dodge before spinning and slamming his tail into Leo's face. "Augh!" He staggered back, as Flash swiped a card.

"Ability, Activate!" Leo regained his footing, as his mouth filled with light. "Neo Phaser!"

Drakenoid: 800Gs
Leonidas: 950Gs

With a roar, Leo unleashed a blast of light that shot towards Draken. It slammed into him and the wyvern roared, as he was blown backwards and slammed into one of the pillars. Leo smirked and charged up another attack, but Cursor swiped a card.

"Ability, Activate!" Draken pushed himself up, as his wings ignited. "Flame Protector!" As Leo fired, Draken's wings crossed in front of him and the flames blocked the laser. He then leapt forward and slammed his burning wings into Leonidas, making the Haos dragon flinch.

Drakenoid: 800Gs
Leonidas: 750Gs

Leo leapt back, as Draken's wings went out and he leapt into the air. He took off, as Flash swiped a pair of cards. "Double Ability, Activate!" Leonidas started running around, picking up speed before leaping into the air. "Speed Burst, plus Power Brawl!"

Drakenoid: 800Gs
Leonidas: 1150Gs

Leonidas flew towards Draken and reached him in seconds, the Haos Bakugan unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks at the dragon. This made him roar, as he took a lot of damage. But he eventually managed to dodge an attack and Cursor swiped another card.

"Double Ability, Activate!" As Leonidas tried to attack again, Draken spun as a ball of fire exploded around him. "Burst Shield, plus Blazing Tornado!" Leo's fist hit the flames and he flinched, as the sphere suddenly shot upwards and began to spiral into a drill.

"Get out of there!" Flash cried, but Leo couldn't react in time and the tornado smashed into him.

"RAAAAAH!" He cried, feeling his energy being burned away whilst Draken grew stronger.

Drakenoid: 1000Gs
Leonidas: 750Gs

Draken's fire tornado continues to fly around, curving around with intentions of attacking again. But before he could reach Leo, Flash swiped a card. "Ability, Activate!" the sphere of hexagons appeared around him. "Particle Barrier!" The fire tornado slammed into it and the flames vanished, Draken flinching as he was knocked back.

Drakenoid: 800Gs
Leonidas: 950Gs

Leo tried to use this opening to take Draken down, but the wyvern pulled itself out of the way at the last moment. "Ability, Activate!" Draken's mouth filled with flames. "Blazing Dragon!"

Drakenoid: 1100Gs
Leonidas: 950Gs

"RAAAAAAAAAAH!" Draken launched the fireball and it flew towards Leonidas, exploding as it slammed into him.

"Gyah!" Leonidas fell towards the ground, but managed to spread his wings and stop himself before he crashed into one of the pillars. And as he pulled himself back up, Flash pointed towards the ground.

"Gate Card...OPEN!" The ground glowed a bright yellow light, which flew up into Leonidas. "Haos Reactor!"

Drakenoid: 1100Gs
Leonidas: 1150Gs

Leo flew up and slammed a fist into Draken's chest, the slightly higher power causing him to flinch. And before he or Cursor could react, Flash swiped a card. "Ability, Activate!" Leo created a sphere of energy. "Photon Force!"

Drakenoid: 1100Gs
Leonidas: 1350Gs

"Take this!" Leo threw the him sized sphere forward and it crashed into Draken, making him flinch but he managed to fight through the explosion. And as he did, Cursor swiped a card.

"Fusion Ability, Activate!" Suddenly, Draken's entire body burst into flames. "Pyrus Revenger!"

Drakenoid: 1600Gs
Leonidas: 1350Gs

Draken's blazing body exploded out of the Photon Force's blast and shot towards Leonidas, slamming into him before Flash could swipe a card. "GYAH!" He cried, falling down towards the ground and smashing into one of the pillars.

Said pillar had been the one Flash had been standing on, the teen having leapt off it seconds before Leo smashed through it. Flash hit the ground, his partner reverting back to ball form as they both groaned.

Flash: 50%
Cursor: 100%

"Hahaa," Cursor laughed as Draken returned to him, "is that the best you've got? I had heard such good things about you. Maybe it was just luck that allowed you to win last time."

Flash picked himself up and smirked, "don't count your chickens before they hatch." He moved over to pick Leonidas up.

"I want to see everything you have," Draken told him. "Show me what makes you the greatest Brawler on your world. I won't accept anything else."

"Bring it!" Flash cried, Leonidas nodding as Cursor pulled out a card. "No holding back. Right, Leo?"

"You know it," Leonidas agreed as Cursor threw the card.

"Gate Card...SET!" As soon as the card hit the ground, Flash and Cursor began to claim the pillars before leaping into the air. "Bakugan...BRAWL!" They both threw their partners and after hitting some power-ups, they both landed and started spinning. "Bakugan...STAND!"

The tornados of light and fire exploded upwards, both of them slamming into one another before the Bakugan broke free and roared.

Drakenoid: 750Gs
Leonidas: 750Gs

"Ability, Activate!" Leo flew up, as his mouth sparked. "Neo Phaser!"

Drakenoid: 750Gs
Leonidas: 1050Gs

He roared and let the attack loose, the flames shooting down towards Draken. But the dragon managed to dodge it and kept flying, as Cursor swiped two cards.

"Double Ability, Activate!" Draken roared as he started spinning, fire spewing from his mouth and swirling around him. "Blazing Dragon, plus Blazing Tornado!" The flaming drill slammed into Leonidas before he could react, the dragon flinching as he was knocked down towards the ground.

Drakenoid: 1250Gs
Leonidas: 850Gs

Leo managed to once again save himself from crashing into the pillars, as Draken flew around and attempted another tornado attack.

"Ability, Activate!" Leonidas summoned the energy hexagons once again. "Particle Barrier!" The sphere formed and Draken slammed into it, his Blazing Tornado vanishing as Leonidas launched another Neo Phaser.

Drakenoid: 1050Gs
Leonidas: 1050Gs

The laser slammed into him, making Draken groan as he was blasted back. Leonidas then dove down, preparing to strike at Draken with his tail. But before he could, Cursor acted.

"Ability, Activate!" Draken's wings ignited again, "Flame Protector!" He crossed his wings, seconds before Leo's tail slammed into it.

"Gyah!"

Drakenoid: 1050Gs
Leonidas: 850Gs

As Leo pulled back, Draken unleashed his Blazing Dragon attack and it slammed into Leo. The Haos Bakugan flinched, as Draken flew down and prepared to attack again. But Flash was ready.

"Come, Bakugan Trap!" He threw the wheel-shaped Bakugan into the air and as it spun, it flipped open and began to glow. "Haos Lindwhirl!" The light enveloped the Bakugan and shot towards Draken, slamming into him before he could reach Leo.

"RAH!" He was knocked back, as the curled up Trap Bakugan ground its body against him.

Drakenoid: 1050Gs
Leonidas+Lindwhirl: 1200Gs

Lindwhirl flicked his tail and knocked Draken away, making him crash into a pillar as Lindwhirl landed and Flash swiped a card. "Ability, Activate!" Lindwhirl curled up and started spinning, his spikes glowing as he shot forward. "Radiant Stampede!"

Drakenoid: 1050Gs
Leonidas+Lindwhirl: 1350Gs

But as he approached Draken, the Pyrus Bakugan picked himself up and Cursor swiped another card. "Ability, Activate!" Drake unleashed a flamethrower, as he spun on the spot. "Whirlwind Barrier!" The flames swirled around him and formed a fire tornado, which Lindwhirl slammed into.

This made him flinch as he was knocked back, his power getting burned away as his ability was negated.

Drakenoid: 1050Gs
Leonidas+Lindwhirl: 1100Gs

Leonidas picked himself up, but Cursor acted before he could. "Gate Card, Open!" The ground suddenly burst into flames, making the Haos Bakugan flinch. "Pyrus Reactor!"

Drakenoid: 1250Gs
Leonidas+Lindwhirl: 1100Gs

Draken took off again and unleashed a burst of fire, slamming into both Leonidas and Lindwhirl. The pair flinched at the intense heat, but refused to give up and turned to one another. They nodded before Lindwhirl leapt at Leo, Flash swiping a pair of cards as he did. "Double Ability, Activate!"

Leo caught the curled up Trap Bakugan, as energy began to swirl around Lindwhirl. "Photon Force!"

"RAAAAAAAAAAH!" He lifted Lindwhirl up, as a sphere of energy formed around him. And with all his strength, he leapt up before throwing Lindwhirl and the energy sphere forward.

Drakenoid: 1250Gs
Leonidas+Lindwhirl: 1300Gs

"Plus Raging Slash!" Draken unleashed a flamethrower, which struck the sphere. But despite destroying the Photon Force, Lindwhirl continued to spin forward and cut through fire. He then uncurled himself and in the blink of an eye, he slashed at Draken and was behind him whilst the dragon roared in pain.

Drakenoid: 1150Gs
Leonidas+Lindwhirl: 1300Gs

Draken staggered around and tried to regain his composure, but Leo flew in before he could and dealt a powerful punch right to his face. "AUGH!" He was thrown backwards and reverted backwards, falling to the ground as Cursor just stared at him.

Flash: 50%
Cursor: 70%

Flash smirked, as Leo and Lindwhirl returned to him. "Now you see how we roll. Still want some more?" He watched as Cursor picked Draken up.

"You needed two Bakugan to defeat mine and couldn't even bring the scores up to even." He turned to glare at Flash. "I said I wanted to see your best. The full power of you and your Bakugan."

"What?" Flash frowned. "What are you talking about?" Leonidas leapt out of his hand and spun open.

"Enough of this farce . Stop messing around. We're not some fun kind of lap dog, ready to do a trick just for your amusement. We're here to take you down, once and for all. To stop you from hurting anyone else."

"Is that so?" Cursor smirked. "Then maybe that's what I've got to do." Flash frowned, as Cursor pointed at him. "When I'm done with you, I'll go find your little girlfriend. Without a Bakugan, she'll be an easy target." Hearing that made Flash's blood begin to boil. "Or perhaps I'll deal with those other two Defender friends of yours. I'm sure their Bakugan will be quick useful, once I've added them to my collection."

"Stop messing around!" Flash cried, taking out a card. "I won't let you hurt anyone else!"

"Then show me your true power!" Cursor yelled, as Flash growled. The sound of approaching thunder masked it, the pair glaring as the dark clouds swirled around them.

"Oh, I'll show it to you. Let's do this, LEO!" Leonidas nodded, Flash quickly throwing the card and grabbing him. "Gate Card...SET!" As soon as the card hit the ground, both of them leapt up to the highest pillar they could find. "Bakugan," they threw their partners, "BRAWL!" The Bakugan shot through the air and slammed into a bunch of power-ups before landing. "Bakugan...STAND!" They spun open and the tornados of fire and light formed before exploding, revealing the two dragons.

Both roared, as they flew around and their power-ups kicked in.

Drakenoid: 800Gs
Leonidas: 750Gs

Before either Bakugan could attack, Flash pointed towards the ground. "Gate Card...OPEN!" The ground glowed and the light flew up into Leonidas. "Glow Burst! This Gate Card grants any Haos Bakugan an extra hundred Gs, whenever he uses an ability." Flash then took out a card and swiped it. "Ability, Activate!" Leo's mouth filled with light, as he glowed as well. "Neo Phaser!"

Drakenoid: 800Gs
Leonidas: 1150Gs

"RAAAAAAAAAAH!" He roared and the laser exploded out of his mouth, but Cursor swiped his own card.

"Ability, Activate!" Draken spun and a sphere of flames appeared around him, "Burst Shield!" The laser struck the shield and seemed to be weakened by it, Leonidas' power dropping.

Drakenoid: 800Gs
Leonidas: 850Gs

However, before the laser disappeared, it managed to break through the shield and blew Draken back. "Gaaah!" He crashed into a pillar, as Leonidas flew down.

"Ability, Activate!" Leo suddenly started moving much faster, as he glowed again. "Speed Burst!"

Drakenoid: 800Gs
Leonidas: 1150Gs

Draken pushed himself up, only for Leonidas to reach him and slam his foot into the dragon's chest. This made Draken flinch, as he was thrown backwards again. And as Leo landed, he looked ready to deal another strike to him.

"Ability, Activate!" Draken leapt up and spun, fire appearing around him. "Blazing Tornado!" He flew down and slammed into Leonidas, making him flinch as he was knocked staggering back.

Drakenoid: 1000Gs
Leonidas: 950Gs

But as Draken prepared to attack again, Flash swiped a card and Leo stood tall. "Ability, Activate!" A shield formed around him. "Particle Barrier!" For the third time, the flaming drill slammed into the shield and was cancelled out.

Drakenoid: 800Gs
Leonidas: 1250Gs

"Raaah!" Leo leapt out of the shield as soon as the fire drill faded, swinging his tail around and smashing it into Draken's face.

"Gyah!" He was sent flying backwards and crashed into another pillar, as Leo prepared for another attack. But as he did, Cursor took something out.

"I don't think so. Come, Bakugan Trap!" He threw it into the air and revealed it to be a red cylinder on its side, "Pyrus Surturan!" The Bakugan flew up before unfolding, the cylinder splitting in two along the middle with the top flipping up. Doing so caused sections of the sides to fold out to reveal arms and some kind of legs, whilst a head folded out the top.

The Bakugan flew higher and suddenly burst into flames, which shot down like a fireball before slamming into the ground in front of Drakenoid. The flames swirled around and slowly faded away, revealing the Bakugan.

It appeared to be an almost demonic Bakugan. Its body was bright red with yellow triangles running down its chest, arms and all four of its legs. Said legs were almost tentacle-like, being short but long enough to lift its body off the ground as they stuck on in an X shape. Its head looked almost bat-like, being red with a yellow triangle nose and large yellow ears. its shoulders appeared to be on fire and its hands were covered in clawed gauntlets made of what appeared to be gold.

Drakenoid+Surturan: 1050Gs
Leonidas: 1250Gs

The Trap Bakugan stared Leo down, as he chuckled. "Is that the best you've got?" He flew forward, "not gonna be enough!" But as he tried to slash at him, Surturan leapt into the air and Cursor swiped a card.

"Ability, Activate!" The Trap's four legs moved downwards until they pointed straight down, "Flame Drill!" Surturan suddenly started spinning and fell towards the ground, the tips of his legs bursting into flames and turning it into a spinning inferno.

"WOW!" Leo leapt back, as Surturan flew past him and hit the ground. "Ha, missed." But then, he realised Surturan's attack was still going, drilling into the ground. And eventually, the Gate Card began to crack apart and the flames filled those cracks. "Don't tell me."

The Gate Card finally exploded, its effects being destroyed as well. Leo quickly felt his energy levels beginning to drop, as Draken picked himself up.

Drakenoid+Surturan: 1150Gs
Leonidas: 950Gs

"RAAAAAAAAAAH!" Draken flew forward and slammed into Leonidas, making him roar in pain as he was thrown backwards. He hit the ground rolling and used his claws to keep himself from sliding too far.

Draken flew up and Surturan scuttled forward, its claws ready to do some real damage as it reached Leo.

"Ability, Activate!" As Surturan slashed at him, Leo spun around and kicked his claws away. "Power Brawl!"

Drakenoid+Surturan: 1150Gs
Leonidas: 1150Gs

Leo practically break-danced until he was back on his feet, standing tall as he started dealing several punches and kicks towards Surturan. But the Trap Bakugan managed to block and evade several of the attacks, as Draken flew down.

He roared and as Surturan pushed Leo back the dragon slammed into him and he was knocked away. Then, as Leonidas regained his balance, Surturan leapt up and spun back into his flaming drill form. But Flash was ready.

"Come, Bakugan Trap!" He threw it into the air and the wheel spun towards the fire drill. "Haos Lindwhirl!" The Bakugan opened and glowed, the light flying forward as it took its true form.

Before Surturan's attack could collide with Leonidas, the curled up lindworm slammed into it and knocked the drill away. Both Surturan and Lindwhirl landed, glaring at one another as Leo took to the air.

Drakenoid+Surturan: 1150Gs
Leonidas+Lindwhirl: 1500Gs

Leonidas flew towards Draken, ready to do some real damage. But before he or Lindwhirl could land an attack, Cursor swiped his cards. "Double Ability, Activate!" Draken's wings ignited, whilst Surturan's arms did the same. "Flame Protector, plus Hellfire Rage!"

Draken crossed his wings and Leo's fist slammed into it, making him flinch. At the same time, Surturan swung his arms around and unleashed a wave of fire in a ring around him.

Drakenoid+Surturan: 1350Gs
Leonidas+Lindwhirl: 1300Gs

The fire wave slammed into Lindwhirl, making him flinch as Draken pushed Leo away before swinging his tail around and smashing it into his face. "Gaaah!" Leo fell back, whilst Lindwhirl forced his way through the flame wave. As he did, Flash swiped a card

"Ability, Activate!" Lindwhirl leapt forward and spun around, morphing into a swirling buzzsaw of light. "Radiant Stampede!"

Drakenoid+Surturan: 1350Gs
Leonidas+Lindwhirl: 1450Gs

The saw slammed into Surturan and knocked it backwards, causing it to crash into a pillar. But as Lindwhirl rolled around to attack again, Draken flew down as Cursor swiped a card.

"Ability, Activate!" A tornado of fire appeared around him and Surturan, "Whirlwind Barrier!" The wheel slammed into it and was knocked Lindwhirl back, making it roar in pain as he was slammed into the ground.

Drakenoid+Surturan: 1350Gs
Leonidas+Lindwhirl: 1200Gs

Draken and Surturan jumped out of their tornado and Surturan leapt into the air, preparing to take Lindwhirl down. But Leo flew down before he could get close.

"Ability, Activate!" Leonidas formed the energy sphere in his hands. "Photon Force!"

Drakenoid+Surturan: 1350Gs
Leonidas+Lindwhirl: 1400Gs

"Raaaaah!" He thrust the sphere into Surturan and blasted him backwards, the Trap Bakugan flinching as it crashed into another pillar.

Leo prepared to attack again, but Draken tackled him. "Your fight is with me!" He growled, pushing him away from Surturan. And as he did, Lindwhirl picked itself up and charged forward again. However, as he began to pick up speed, Surturan opened its eyes and Cursor swiped a card.

"Ability, Activate!" Surturan pushed himself up and leapt into the air, Lindwhirl missing him and Surturan suddenly started spinning. "Pyro Whirlwind!" His legs burst into flames and as he spun, the fire flew downwards and formed a tornado.

Drakenoid+Surturan: 1550Gs
Leonidas+Lindwhirl: 1400Gs

The flaming vortex slammed into Lindwhirl and he suddenly found himself being overwhelmed by the heat and slicing wind. And eventually, he couldn't take anymore and was forced back to his ball form. "Lindwhirl!" Flash and Leo cried, as Cursor smirked.

Flash: 20%
Cursor: 70%

As Flash leapt down to get his Bakugan, Draken flew towards Leonidas. "Time to take you down!" He roared, whilst Leo felt the loss of Lindwhirl's power.

Drakenoid+Surturan: 1550Gs
Leonidas: 1050Gs

He barely managed to avoid Draken and fly down, only to get struck by Surturan's Hellfire Rage. "Gaaah!" He was thrown back and the heat was so intense, he barely managed to endure it.

Flash finally picked up Lindwhirl and as he did, he saw Draken flying down to attack once again. But he was ready and swiped a card. "Fusion Ability, Activate!" Leo stood tall, his body glowing as he took a deep breath. "Neo Photon Blast!"

The light flew off Leonidas and formed a sphere in front of him, which he unleashed a laser into with a powerful roar. As it struck the orb, the sphere exploded into an even stronger beam of light.

Drakenoid+Surturan: 1550Gs
Leonidas: 1550Gs

Draken saw this and his eyes widened, the Pyrus Bakugan spinning and forming another Burst Shield. The Fusion Ability struck him and he flinched, but managed to maintain the power. "You think that's enough to stop us? Don't make me laugh. Cursor!"

"I hear you," Cursor took out two cards and swiped them. "Double Ability, Activate!" Draken broke out of his shield and dove down, as flames exploded out of his mouth. "Blazing Dragon, plus Fusion Ability! Pyrus Revenger!"

"RAAAAAAAAAAH!" He roared, as the flames enveloped his entire body. And as Flash checked his Baku-Bracer, his eyes widened in shock.

Drakenoid+Surturan: 2350Gs
Leonidas: 1550Gs

Leonidas gasped and barely managed to dodge the attack, Draken missing him and smashing through a pillar. Leo then tried to get away, but Surturan rushed towards him and he was forced into the air to avoid it. Draken kept flying around, unleashing multiple Blazing Dragon attacks in an attempt to hit Leo as he kept dodging.

"Just give up!" Cursor told him. "Don't you get it? Nothing you do will change this. You will lose, here and now. Just surrender and accept your fate."

"NEVER!" Flash and Leo cried, both yelling at the top of their faces as Leo avoided another attack. "I don't care how powerful you think you are. You're not going to win this battle. Not so long as we draw breath."

"He's right," Leo agreed. "No matter how impossible this battle might seem, we'll keep fighting until the end." A glow appeared around him. "For Vestroia. For Equestria. For all those you have wronged. We'll keep fighting until we win or we fall."

"Then you will fall!" Draken charged at him, his still blazing body smashing into Leo.

He roared in pain, but endured it. "No. Not now...not ever. I've beaten stronger opponents than you. And I'll beat strong opponents after you. Because you're nothing. Not even a real Bakugan. Just a shadow of what Pyrus Dragonoid was." Draken glared at him, as the light around Leo glowed brighter. "I don't know where you came from, but I won't let you hurt anyone else. Your reign of terror...ENDS NOW!" Suddenly, the light exploded off of him and pushed Draken away.

"What?" The flames around him vanished, as the light shot upwards and hit the sky.

Everyone watched, as some kind of portal suddenly appeared within the sky. One that the light flew into and began to shoot through the dimensional void, eventually hitting another dimension. One that Leo was strongly connected to.

Equestria.

The Guardians had been on the run for a while, doing their best to keep hidden. And so that, it was working.

However, as they hid inside a cave, Dragonia's body suddenly began to glow. "What?" She looked up, as she felt something. "Leonidas." The others turned to her, wondering what she was talking about. "I can feel him. He's tapping into the power of Vestroia."

"Seriously?" Trojan asked. "How? If he's in another world..."

"His connection to Vestroia is powerful," Dragonia stated. "If his will is strong enough, he must be able to summon the power even without being there." She smiled. "This might be just what we need. So long as he keeps using Vestroia's power, I should be able to follow it." She looked out of the cave, up to the sky. "Keep fighting, whatever's going on."

Back in the battle, the light that had flowed into the portal returned.

It struck Leonidas and he felt the power of Vestroia flowing through him, as Flash's card holder glowed. He took a card out and saw it was the one from last time. "This is just what we need." He smirked, as he swiped the card. "Neo Ability, Activate!" The light spiralled around Leonidas, increasing his power to match Draken and Surturan. "SHINING VESTROIA!"

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Leo roared, as his power pulsed once again.

Drakenoid+Surturan: 2350Gs
Leonidas: 2650Gs

The light exploded out of him, his roar making the entire stadium shake and the attack blasted towards Draken. The dragon Bakugan's eyes widened, as he tried to get away. But the light was too fast. And no doubt, the impact would do some serious damage.

However, before it could strike, Surturan suddenly leapt up and got between Draken and the laser.

The Trap Bakugan was struck by it and blasted backwards, right into Draken. Surturan wailed in pain, as it and Draken were slammed into the ground. Draken used his feet and tail to keep himself from crashing into the pillars, as Cursor watched in horror. And eventually, Surturan couldn't handle anymore and was forced back into its ball form.

But this allowed Draken to leap into the air, the laser missing him before it finally faded.

Flash: 20%
Cursor: 10%

Draken spread his wings and glided back to the ground, as Leonidas flew down and landed. The two stared at one another, as the Brawlers checked their bracers.

Drakenoid: 2100Gs
Leonidas: 2650Gs

Cursor couldn't believe it. If he didn't do something, Draken would be defeated and taken. "It's over," Flash told him. "You're going down!" Leonidas charged at Draken, who barely managed to avoid the punch thrown at him.

It instead struck one of the pillars, the impact causing it to explode as Draken was struck by the flying debris. "Raaaaah!" He staggered back, feeling himself getting close to being knocked back to ball form. He glared at Leo, as he slowly turned to him. "You dare? I will not allow this! I am the most powerful Bakugan in existence. I will not be defeated by a worm like you! Cursor...do it!"

Cursor stared at him, as he took out a card. "Are you sure? There's no telling what'll happen."

"I don't care about the risk. DO IT!" Cursor looked down at the card, then nodded as Leonidas charged forward.

"Very well. Prepare yourself!" He swiped the card, causing his Baku-Bracer to spark. "Ability, Activate!" Cursor's body suddenly started steaming, as an intense heat began to come out of him. "Pyrus Flux!"

"RAAAAAAAAAAH!" Draken roared, as his entire body exploded into flames. Flames that flew off his body and began to wrap around Leonidas.

"Gyah!" Leo cried, feeling his body being burned. "What is this?" Flash checked his Baku-Bracer and his eyes went wide, seeing Leo's power level dropping whilst Draken's rose.

"What's happening?" Flash asked, as Leonidas continued to cry out in pain. He couldn't believe what he was seeing and eventually, their points stopped.

"Power exchange, complete."

Drakenoid: 2650Gs
Leonidas: 2100Gs

The flames extinguished and Leo stood there, swaying as the heat made him feel weak. And as Draken stared at him, flames filled his mouth. "No," Flash cried in horror, "DON'T!" And then, Draken launched the fireball and it exploded into Leonidas' chest, the blast blowing Leonidas backwards until he smashed into one of the tallest pillars.

"GYAAAAAAAH!" He roared, his eyes going wide as Flash just stood there in shock.

"No," Flash whispered, "this...can't be." Leo's eyes slowly moved down towards him.

"I'm...sorry, partner." Flash's eyes widened, as Leonidas began to glow. "Goodbye." With that, he reverted back to ball form and flew over to Cursor, Draken doing the same as Flash felt his heart stop.

Flash: 0%
Cursor: 10% (Winner)

The stadium began to return to normal, as Flash just stood there in absolute shock. He watched, as Leonidas landed in Cursor's hand. "This...this can't be happening."

Cursor looked down at the Bakugan and chuckled, as he moved over to Flash. "Thanks for the match. It was fun." He stepped past him, Flash still frozen on the spot. "We should do it again, sometime. If you manage to get another impressive Bakugan like this one."

"Stop!" Flash finally moved, turning to glare at him. "I won't let you take him!"

Cursor stopped and turned back to him. "Would you have given Draken back, if you had won him?" Flash couldn't reply to that. "I didn't think so." He held Leo up. "You are a Brawler. You knew this was a risk when you activated your Baku-Bracer. Have some respect and take this loss with dignity."

Flash's body shook, "you..."

"If you really want him back, you know what you have to do. Defeat me in battle." Flash just stood there, as Cursor once again turned to leave. And Flash could do nothing but watch, as his best friend was taken from him. And as the rumble of thunder raged above his head, rain began to fall upon him just in time to mask his tears.

And eventually, his legs gave out as he fell to his knees and the frustrations of what had happened exploded out of him. "LEONIDAAAAAAAAAAS!"

Author's Note

Well that sucked. Flash and Leo have been defeated and Leonidas as been taken. Many probably expected that, but I hope you still enjoyed reading. So, how will Flash deal with this? Find out next time.