Chapter 52 - Second Kill

The Neo Dragonoid advanced into the midst of all the chaos. His flame-colored scales glowed, his wings spread out against the wind, and every flutter in the sky reflected his power.

His emerald eyes darted from one bakugan to another in confusion, finally fixing on one thing. The blue diamond on his chest reflected the light of the flames used to imprison the dragon-like beast.

To its immediate left, Percival's cloak billowed in the air. The light similarly hit his light purple breastplate. He asked as if renewing Drago's question:

"What's going on here, what is this thing?"

His voice was strong. This strength was a common trait of dragon-type bakugan. There was genuine curiosity in his voice. Neither Ace nor Shun knew much about the current situation.

Behind them, like a wise king, Nemus, covered in gold pieces, could barely stand on his golden circular wings. In the palm of his hand was a man he had to carry carefully.

This man, who had almost died, was somehow still alive. This unconscious youth with bandaged arms was, of course, none other than Ryuu.

Everyone was worried about him, but things were far from calming down. No one expected them to face such a problem as a wild bakugan trying to attack, but when Marucho, Baron, Mira, and especially Dan took a closer look at the bakugan, they froze in shock.

Dan could not forget the attacker who had attacked him and suddenly fled. It was not the first time he had felt death on his neck. There had been a few times when he had rushed to his death without thinking, but he couldn't remember looking death in the eyes so clearly as he did now.

And now, even though the only thing emanating from this bakugan's eyes were raging silver flames, beyond all the protection, he could associate it with a specific person, if only intuitively.

Drago would have agreed, keeping a cautious distance. Along with Drago, the other bakugan unconsciously kept the same distance. At this moment, Ace's unsatisfied voice was heard:

"What's going on, guys? What's going on with everyone?"

They knew something was going on, otherwise, Ryuu wouldn't be in such a miserable state. But none of them had a clue. Shun nodded in agreement. They had definitely missed something they needed to know.

Dan couldn't find the right words to explain, so Mira spoke:

"That thing... That thing is not a bakugan... Not exactly... It looks a lot like him..."

Siren, who had been listening all this time, far from running away, unconsciously put her hand to her mouth. It officially confirmed her guesses. It was... James!

As Mira was explaining what had happened, Dan suddenly shouted:

"We have to get that thing out of here! It's a threat to the Vestals, to everyone."

Drago nodded in agreement. He looked at Wilda:

"Can you create a link we can use to transport it?"

Wilda had giant meteor-like rocks with three holes in each shoulder. Her arms, legs, and even her torso had rocks in the same shades. She looked like a golem. Strange horns grew out of its cheeks in an upward slope.

She struck her chest with confidence.

"Leave it to me, Drago!"

Wilda picked up rocks from the sidewalk, careful not to hurt any of the vestals, and just then, a voice was heard from behind.

"I guess we're not standing here for nothing either. Come on guys!"

It was Xayah, of course. Following her voice, the other bakugan quickly joined in. They all worked together in unison. The resistance and the freedmen worked together to drive this savage beast away. As for transportation, all the bakugan that could fly with Drago decided to help.

Until now, the dragon-like beast had been behaving senselessly. It was turning its head this way and that and opening and closing its mouth every now and then. What no one noticed was that the beast was now sucking particles like crazy. It was like it was in an oasis!

The number of particles it started to suck in, in yellow, purple, brown, red, and blue colors, was so many that it calmed down. But this was only temporary. Because the beast's goal and purpose had changed. Various colors appeared and disappeared in the demonic flames spewing from its eye sockets, but no one noticed.

The plan was fulfilled and the bakugans, as if carrying a prisoner, pushed the beast away with all their might. The Vestals watched with interest and fear. Many were of course relieved that such a danger had been averted.

But just as many were still afraid. Bakugans, which they had never seen as animals, or even as living beings, were a living and intelligent life form! This was not an easy thing to digest. Yet the restraint of the aggressive bakugan proved to them that they had no hostile intentions.

At least that was the case for those who saw the situation. The bakugans quickly smashed the glass and tried to get the cage-like thing as far away from the outside as possible. It looked like some kind of chain-link cage.

As the movements continued under Drago's leadership, there was no shortage of talk. Everyone was speaking their own thoughts and the tension was getting lower and lower.

Just then there was a roar and they realized that the point they were holding was burning their claws. Almost reflexively, they threw forward at the same time and the cage flew into the air and the cage hung in the air.

As it hung in the air, Dan told everyone to stand back as if he had realized something. Naturally, everyone, including Drago, obeyed and stepped back.

"What's wrong, Dan?"

As soon as Drago asked his question, Dan didn't even have to answer it. The demonic white flames... covered the entire cage in a constant distortion. When the flames were fully formed, they began to gather in a single point.

Dan shouted and instantly placed a skill card on the board:

"Guys, stay back! Ability active: Burst Shield!"

A blood-red shield surrounded Drago as he closed his wings. Immediately after this, many defensive abilities were used. No one showed even a moment's hesitation. No one knew what was coming and everyone was tense. Those with partners protected their partners, while the unclaimed bakugans prepared to protect themselves as much as possible.

Silver flames gathered in the right hand of the beast. As it spread along its right arm, it suddenly stopped and unleashed six separate wave attacks before anyone even realized what was happening!

Its arm didn't even seem to move. All that was visible was a pause and a glitch!

The silver flames struck everyone in a series of blows, but despite the fierce attacks, few had their barriers collapsed. Still, no one was damaged.

The beast roared into the sky. As it roared, it drew particles from the surroundings and grew stronger. Various colors swelled and disappeared in a circle on its chest. As its head turned towards them, its mouth opened, then closed. Nothing was heard or seen.

The silver flames disappeared completely for a moment. It burned only in his eyes. Its white scales shone ominously in the sun.

At this moment, Ace muttered as he looked up at the sky:

"What the... what is this?"

He was accompanied by the sound of several bakugas swallowing. It was... a meteor burning with huge silver flames!

Dan quickly recovered from his momentary surprise as Drago fearlessly stepped forward. After being lowered down by Drago, he stacked his skill cards.

"Burning Drago + Burning Tornado + Fusion Ability: Pyrus Slayer!"

Drago spun rapidly, advancing on the meteor like a tornado of flame. He was completely covered in swirling flames, looking like a fire of rebellion in stark contrast to the silver flames. He was accompanied by various abilities.

"Go, Percival! Darkus Driver!"

At the sound of Ace's voice, like a black tornado, he joined Drago. The black tornado seemed to carry the full destructiveness of Darkus. In a full spin of purple and black particles, it swiftly targeted a giant meteor filled with silver flames.

A variety of similar abilities were seen. Huge yellow rings, waves of flame, water attacks. All aimed at a single meteor. But at that moment, there was one thing that everyone missed.

The dragon-like beast had disappeared.

When all the attacks shattered the meteor with little effort, no one had a chance to rejoice in victory. Because a painful scream was heard.

"Aah!! Let me go!"

The owner of the painful cry was Darkus Goblinball. It was a flying eyeball with humanoid arms and bat wings. The dragon-like beast had pinned him to the ground and placed its hand firmly on his eyeball. The beast laughed maliciously and sneered at the others.

Then it roared once more. There was no trace of humanity in its voice as the purple particles were drawn towards it. It was the roar of an insatiable, bloodthirsty beast, the cry of a hunter catching its prey.

The Bakugans used their abilities in rapid succession. The Dragonlike Beast was surrounded by abilities, all of which would undoubtedly injure, if not kill, the moment they hit. However...

Like a rainbow, all the incoming attacks disappeared in an instant. All that was seen at that moment was a glitch. As the beast ruthlessly consumed the Goblinball, it raised its other hand for all to see. A colorful orb was gathered.

A distorted, grainy voice was heard:

"P, o, w, e, r!"

Immediately afterwards, it roared, and in front of their eyes, the thing shouted once more.

"Power!"

The beast's voice was heard again as silver flames spread around it! Goblinball let out a final cry of pain as the darkness shattered into shards. Another triangle appeared on its chest, this one glowing bright purple.

Another bakugan died quickly, but before anyone had a chance to react, the beast roared.

"I'm hungry!"