Fifth story!

Oh man!

I can't find the inspiration to finish my first two stories…

Not many people read it though…

Anyway, I'd like to thank Warboss and his story Darkus revolution for giving me the idea of this story…

And to JetravenEx, I hope you like this story… Since this is for you… =D

Anyway…

I do not own Bakugan…

On with the story!

Chapter 1

The search for the apprentice

"I see you have found your apprentice, Apollonir." Exedra, the Darkus power guardian said as he referred to the Pyrus power guardian.

"Yes." Apollonir nodded "Dan was quite an unpredictable child. He seemed unreliable at first, but he proved to me that he was worthy to become my apprentice."

Exedra sighed. He was jealous. He hasn't been able to see a worthy apprentice to the Darkus power.

An apprentice is needed by the power guardians to protect the power for the next generations to come. The current power guardian must choose an apprentice who he deems worthy to guard the element's power.

"What about you?" inquired Apollonir "I see no one has caught your eye yet?"

"It is a difficult decision Apollonir…" Exedra said "An apprentice must be pure-hearted, a quality which most of the Darkus brawlers lack."

"But you are the only one who lacks an apprentice…" Apollonir said "You are getting weaker Exedra… And without an appropriate apprentice, the Darkus power will fall into the wrong hands."

"I can still live long enough to choose an apprentice." Exedra said "I will only teach him a few more things and I will be ready to fuse with the Perfect core once more…"

"I sincerely hope you know what you are doing, Exedra…" Apollonir said as he disappeared into ripples of red light.

Exedra left in a flash of purple light and he returned to his abode.

He was greeted by the faithful Darkus knight, Spectra Phantom.

"Welcome back, Master Exedra…" Spectra greeted

Exedra sighed and said "Yes… But it is not something I am happy about."

"It's about the choosing of the apprentice is it not?" Spectra asked as his mask gleamed in the dim light.

"Yes…" replied Exedra "I'm afraid, I am the last one of the guardians who doesn't have an apprentice yet."

"Then why not choose one already?" Spectra inquired

"I cannot do that, Spectra…" Exedra said "Choosing an apprentice is a very delicate choice. If I do not choose carefully, the Darkus power will fall into the wrong hands and it may become the fall of Vestroia."

A thought dawned on Exedra. He felt pleased with that plan of his and he decided to make it happen immediately.

"Spectra, I now know how I can find the appropriate apprentice." Exedra announced

Spectra didn't rise from his bowing position as he asked "What is that Master?"

"You shall soon see…" Exedra said as he stood from his throne and went out of the throne room.

Meanwhile, on a grassy meadow inside a colossal tower, two youths could be found sitting side by side. One was a boy and another was a girl.

The girl had long orange hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a long purple cape and inside it was a pale yellow dress. She was making a garland out of the flowers she found beside her.

The boy had blonde hair that was raised above his head. He wore a mask to conceal his face and the scars of the past. He wore a white coat over his navy black pants and a navy blue coat. He was watching the clouds dance lazily on the sky.

"What are you thinking brother?" the orange haired girl asked curiously.

"I was thinking of how lazy the clouds are as they drift across the sky…" the boy plainly replied

The girl giggled "You haven't changed a bit since I left…"

"Well what do you expect me to become Alice?" the boy asked the orange haired girl who was his younger twin sister.

The orange haired girl he called Alice placed the garland on his head and said "There, a crown befitting a king." She said proudly "King Masquerade…" she added as she referred to the blonde boy beside her who was her older twin brother.

The boy Alice referred to as Masquerade chuckled as he sat up and put the garland off of his head. He playfully ruffled his younger sister's hair.

"I heard you made quite a name for yourself while I was gone, brother." Alice said

"Really now?" Masquerade smirked "Maybe it's because I have a mage for a younger sister…"

Alice blushed "I'm not a real mage…"

"But you're as real as any mage…" Masquerade said

Alice smiled and blushed at the same time. Her brother loved to compliment her. They were the only ones left of one another. Their parents passed away when they were little and since then Masquerade cherished his little sister, Alice.

"So how did it feel to be outside?" Masquerade asked

"It was fun!" Alice replied with much excitement "The other worlds' people were very hospitable. I never thought that being a mage was so much fun. But I wish that you were there with me brother…"

"Well, that's the downside." Masquerade said "I'm not a mage like you so I can't travel freely…"

Alice became a mage because of their mother from whom she inherited most of her traits. Masquerade became an ordinary boy since their father was a simple Darkus citizen.

Mages are very rare citizens of Vestroia. They have the power to control all six elements, and travel freely through worlds and dimensions. Alice was one of those rarities.

"If that's the case then I'd rather not travel again." Alice said "It was lonely anyway."

"I heard that Oberus's apprentice was quite handsome…" Masquerade teased

Alice placed her hands on her hips. She knew that her brother was referring to the famous Shun "He wasn't the least bit as handsome as you, brother…"

"But still he is handsome?" Masquerade asked

Alice shook her head strongly "He's too arrogant…"

Masquerade chuckled.

The door of the tower opened. There stood a Darkus guard.

"May I help you?" Masquerade asked

"Master Exedra wants both of you to come to his palace." The Darkus guard replied "He wants you to come immediately…"

"Both of us?" Masquerade was surprised. He would understand if Exedra called for his sister, but why would Exedra call for him as well.

The Darkus guard nodded.

Masquerade and Alice followed the Darkus guard to Exedra's palace. They were summoned along with three more youths like them. One had mint green hair and gray eyes. The other had white hair, dark skin and gleaming golden eyes. The other had pale blonde hair and wore a mask just like Masquerade.

Masquerade and Alice knelt in front of Exedra's throne side by side. Alice was the last one in the line.

"I see that these are the ones that the Darkus Bakugans have blessed with their powers." Exedra said. He turned to Spectra and said "It does not surprise me to see you here Spectra…"

Spectra bowed his head.

"Spectra Phantom, the Darkus Knight," Exedra started "I can feel Helios's power within you…"

"Helios?" Spectra echoed in awe.

"Yes, Helios." Exedra nodded "He was the legendary Bakugan who evolved out of his natural element. He was once a Pyrus Bakugan, but he became a Darkus Bakugan. It seems that you have inherited that formidable strength."

Spectra bowed his head once more.

Exedra turned to the mint green haired boy who knelt beside Spectra and said "Ace Grit, the Darkus Mercenary," he started "I can feel Percival, the legendary soldier's power coming from within you…"

Ace's head snapped up. He didn't expect to inherit Percival's power.

"Percival is the strongest mercenary who ever came to be." Exedra said "His power suits you well."

Ace bowed his head and said "Thank you, Master Exedra…"

Exedra turned to the white haired boy who knelt beside Ace "Ren Krawler, the Darkus Hermit," he started "I can feel Linehalt's power coming from you."

Ren's head snapped up "Linehalt?"

"Yes." Exedra nodded "Linehalt is the hermit who got strong from his numerous travels in our land. I think it is fitting for someone like you…"

Ren nodded and said "Thank you, Master Exedra…"

Exedra turned to Masquerade next "Masquerade, the Darkus Stargazer…" he started "Ah yes, Reaper's intimidating presence is prominent within you…

"He was the mighty Bakugan who vanquished his foes with a single smite of his scythe." Exedra explained "Yet, there is doubt in your heart… A doubt that concerns your own abilities…"

He finished speaking and Masquerade said "Thank you, Master Exedra…"

Exedra turned to Alice who was last and he laughed out loud.

"Ah yes…" Exedra sighed "I can feel a tremendous coming from you. Alice, the Darkus Mage…"

Spectra, Ace and Ren flinched at the sound of the word 'mage'.

"Alpha Hydranoid's power rests within you, my child." Exedra explained "He came from my own race; he was my own kind. It is only fitting for you to carry his ominous curse…"

Curse?

Masquerade's head snapped towards Exedra and Alice.

What curse is Master Exedra talking about?

"Many difficulties and sadness await you my dear…" Exedra said "Especially since you come from my kind…"

Alice was troubled, but she managed to say "Thank you, Master Exedra…"

Exedra turned away from Alice and sat back on his throne.

"You must all be wondering why I called all of you here." Exedra said "I called you for good reason I assure you.

"I getting weaker and weaker and the Perfect Core needs my presence once again. And like all power guardians, I need an apprentice. The five of you are the strongest Darkus brawlers in our world. I have decided to choose one among you. But I will do it through a series of tests. So you better be prepared for tomorrow…" He waved his hand "You are all dismissed. You can choose whatever room you want to sleep in."

Masquerade and Alice chose a room with two beds. They'd rather be together in this foreign home of theirs.

"Alice, tell me, did you know of the curse?" Masquerade asked as he and Alice were on the veranda. He watched the stars like he always did when night falls.

Alice nodded "Yes…"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because it didn't seem important when I learned of it…" replied Alice.

"Alice, you know that you're the only one I have left. I don't know what that curse will do to you…" Masquerade explained

Alice sighed "The Mage's curse… It is said that a mage will have to be consumed by the power bestowed upon him or her…"

"What?" Masquerade exclaimed "You mean you'll die?"

Alice didn't reply. Obviously, it was a fact.

"Alice, why didn't you tell me sooner?" Masquerade asked "You know I can't afford to lose you…"

"Don't worry, brother." Alice smiled an assuring smile "I won't die… Yet anyway…"

"But still your power will end up consuming you won't it?" Masquerade clarified.

Alice nodded.

"But there is a way out of it?" he asked

Alice shrugged "I don't really know…" she wrapped her arms around herself "But to tell you the truth, I'm afraid, brother…"

Masquerade walked towards Alice "Afraid?"

"I'm afraid of being a mage…" Alice replied "I'm afraid of having to leave you…"

Masquerade wrapped his arms around Alice's shivering body "We'll find a way out of this, I promise you that…"

Alice embraced her brother back and said "I'm sorry brother…"

Masquerade shushed her as he ruffled her hair "Stop crying Alice… It'll be alright…"

I have to save Alice…

I have to release her from this curse…

Perhaps Master Exedra knows something…

Spectra sat on his chair inside his room as he held four card pieces with the images of the other competitors on his hand.

"Ace Grit…" He said as he put Ace's card down "Ren Krawler…" he put down another card "Masquerade…" He studied the picture more "I can see nothing threatening about this one…" He put it down.

Only one card remained on his hand. It had Alice's picture on it. He studied it and finally said her name "Alice… The Darkus Mage… She is the one who may become Master Exedra's apprentice…"

He threw her picture into the fire and said "I have to get rid of her… A mage like her will be the greatest hindrance I will have… It seems that Master Exedra has his eyes on her… I shall show her kindness and end her sufferings…"

End!

I know that Masquerade isn't really like the Masquerade in this fanfic…

I used the first Guardian Bakugan of the Darkus characters in this story, so Masquerade's hidden power is based on Reaper while Alice's hidden power is based on Hydranoid... =D

And I apologize in advance for I will disappear for a little while because of exams and no internet connection…

But don't worry, I'll do my best and create the updates and just upload them when I get the chance

Plus Christmas vacation is coming soon! =D

Please don't hesitate to click the REVIEW button and do some damage as it is greatly appreciated! =D

chquine_harvinellisse