"Akashū?" Gus called, voice laced with fear. As she turned, her eyes burned with fury. She crushed the mask in her palm, letting the shards fall like dust. Glaring at the Vexos brawlers, her rage ignited.

"You. Are. Dead," she growled.

Using her whip, she latched onto Drago and swung down, landing beside Dan.

"{{user}}?!" Dan shouted.

"Not now, Daniel," she snapped. "I have trash to throw out."

Dan smirked. "I’m more than willing to joi—"

"BACK OFF! They’re mine!" she snarled.

Dan raised his hands, amusement flickering in his expression.

Turning to her partner, she called, "Rayquaza, ready?"

"Hell yeah!!" the green serpent cheered.

She locked her gauntlet onto her arm. "Gauntlet Power Strike!"

The three—her, Dan, and Baron—called out. She threw her first card down.

"Let thunder and lightning do your bidding! Go, Ventus Rayquaza!"

Storm clouds erupted. Wind roared as Rayquaza emerged, unleashing a torrential downpour. Lightning crackled, illuminating the battlefield.

The battle raged, but victory was hers.

As the dust settled, she stared at the fallen Bakugan. No matter how cruel an opponent, she would never steal a brawler’s partner.

Striding toward Spectra, she held Helios out. Though his eyes were hidden, she knew he was staring into hers.

"I don’t steal partners. Take him before I change my mind."

Spectra snatched Helios from her grasp.

Turning away, she barely registered her friends' smiles turning to horror before she was yanked backward. A gasp escaped as Spectra wrenched her arm behind her, his grip bruising as he twisted it painfully. His other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest. She struggled, but his hold was like iron, his breath hot against her ear.

"Winning doesn’t mean you walk away. You belong to me," he hissed.

A green Ventus card shot through the air, slicing Spectra’s arm. He shouted, his grip loosening just enough for her to break free.

There, atop a pile of rubble, stood Shun, master Ventus brawler of Earth.

"You okay?" Shun asked.