All three girls stared at disbelief seeing Dan's body. "Oh no! If Dan is here, Drago must be outside!" Julie shouted worried for Drago's well-being as Runo got a lantern out going back out looking for the Pyrus Bakugan. It took a few minutes, but she saw Drago's popped out form in the midst of the Bakugan bringing him back. "Ok, put them in my bed, I need to go back out one more time." Runo told them as she rushed back out to the streets once again. While outside much to her shock she had found exactly what she looked for, the popped forms of Tigrerra, Gorem, and Hydranoid. With the three found, she was ready to return inside as she made it back in for the last time tonight.
"I GOT THEM!" Runo shouted getting Julie and Alice's attention as both girls smiled seeing the forms of their own Bakugan taking them quickly. "Their all out cold, though but they should probably be back up to their normal states tomorrow." Alice estimated optimistically. Julie nodded her head yawning feeling exhaustion wash over her. "Yeah, sleep sounds great right now honestly…" Julie said yawning again as she headed upstairs followed by Alice and Runo dragging Dan's body up to her room as they got him in her bed tucking him under the sheets.
Runo frowned looking at him as she set up her own bed next to him placing Tigrerra on her nightstand. Julie and Alice left for the guest room leaving Runo and Dan in silence save for the clanging of falling Bakugan against Runo's home. ".Just please be ok Dan, please." Runo said to herself quietly as she closed her eyes drifting off to sleep. Julie and Alice, on the other hand, couldn't immediately get to sleep. Both girls checked on Gorem and Hydranoid seeing both were still out cold. Julie out of frustration started jogging in place trying to wear herself down so she could fall asleep easier.
"This is so strange." Alice mutter to herself. "Are things bad enough on New Vestroia that this is possible?" Alice began quietly asking herself. "Aw come on Alice cheer up! Look at it like this, in the morning we'll get to see our Bakugan again!" Julie told Alice trying to cheer her up. Alice just smiled at the thought of getting to talk with Hydranoid again. Julie felt less energized as she laid back down passing out. Alice looked outside seeing the raining Bakugan and cards one last time. "Just please be safe, Marucho. And everyone else." Alice said in prayer before she finally passed out for the night.
Runo woke up slowly the next morning groggily rubbing her eyes as she got up from her sleep. "Was it all just…?" Runo looked at her nightstand seeing Tigrerra as still as she was last night before she sighed in relief seeing Dan and Drago as well. "Ok good, it wasn't just a dream," Runo said to herself in relief seeing two of the most important living beings in her life were back. She stood up heading to the cafe kitchen as she decided to make everyone a treat for Dan's return. "I'm gonna need to talk this out at the least. He's not getting off the hook too easy." Runo told herself as she started making vanilla cupcakes for everyone.
Runo put the cupcakes in the oven as she opened the door seeing most of the Bakugan still around. Runo sighed as she got a hold of several Pyrus, Haos, Subterra and Darkus Bakugan while getting the ability cards for each of them. "That should give us some breathing room," Runo said sorting through the Bakugan for the four of them. She snuck into her room and the guest room placing seven Bakugan of each element they had with each of their main Bakugan along with their respective ability cards. "This should be a pleasant surprise for everyone," Runo said smiling to herself as she went back downstairs to check on the cupcakes.
Runo heard noises coming from the stairs as she saw Alice groggily come down to the cafe. "Good morning Alice," Runo said greeting her for the day. "Morning Runo." Alice greeted in return. "So is Hydranoid ok yet or still nothing?" Runo asked her as Alice sighed shaking her head. "Nothing yet. I just hope he's ok. What about Dan?" Alice asked answering the question as Runo sighed. "He's still out just as much as Tigrerra," Runo told her. Alice got a whiff of the air sniffing it. "Are you making something?" Alice asked trying to identify the scent. "Well yeah, I'm making something for all of us. Well, I should be a bit more specific. Something for all of us if Dan can make up for just ditching me like he did!" Runo said starting to get angry as Alice winced before she snapped back. "STOP!" Alice shouted much to her surprise as both girls stared at each other stunned.
"Runo, just give Dan a chance to explain himself. He's back, and he doesn't even know it yet. I know it must be infuriating but give him a chance to get HIS side of the story." Alice said trying to give Dan support in this as Runo thought some things over sighing. "I-I needed that. Thanks, Alice. I've been too focused on this rage it just… alright, when he wakes up I'll talk it out with him." Runo said as her anger vanished before Alice smiled. "Thank you." Alice said gratefully as the oven went off and Runo took the cupcakes out. "Cupcakes? You made cupcakes?" Alice asked curiously. "Yeah, why does it matter?" Runo asked feeling confused by Alice's questioning.
"Sorry, I guess it doesn't, but it's… why sweets of all things?" Alice continued asking trying to be less offensive. "Well, I've been thinking… when it's time to move out on my own, I need to be able to do something. So I've been thinking about it and well I'm using to food, so I've… been thinking about getting my own bakery." Runo answered shyly as Alice smiled. "Really? That sounds so cool. I think it's a good choice." Alice told Runo to comfort her nervousness. "You're being serious?" Runo asked still nervous as Alice nodded reaffirming it to her as Runo sighed in relief.
"Alright cool. Say while you're down here you want to help me decorate them?" Runo asked as Alice nodded as both girls started decorating the cupcakes seeing each one decorated in frosting making up the symbols of each Bakugan Attribute they had. "Let's just hope Julie and Dan like it. Actually, I need a taste tester. Alice, can you taste one?" Runo asked as Alice smiled nodding taking one of the Darkus coated cupcakes taking a bite out of it swallowing. "Well, it's not bad. But, it's also nothing special either." Alice said trying to be critical and fair. "Sorry, I need to work on my cooking I know," Runo said accepting the criticism. She just hoped they would be alright for Dan.
Meanwhile, upstairs Julie had woken up staring at the horde of Subterra Bakugan surrounding Gorem. "Whoa! So many more Bakugan, I wonder how did…?" Julie trailed off looking out the window seeing remaining Bakugan from last night. Julie shrugged it off before her eyes widened hearing Gorem stir looking at him. "Ugh... huh? Where am I?" Gorem said weakly unable to recognize his surroundings as he heard a familiar giggle. "Hey silly, that's not how you say "Julie! Oh my gosh, I missed you so much!" Julie said playfully teasing her closest Bakugan as he hopped closer to her. "Julie, I'm so sorry the last thing I remember was..." Gorem tried to explain as Julie smiled cutting him off picking him up. "Don't worry about it Gorem! I'm only playing around; I 'm just so happy to see you again!" Julie said nuzzling him against herself.
"Julie something serious has been happening!" Gorem told her as she stopped laying him back on the dresser as she looked at him. "Oh, well sorry. What were you saying?" Julie asked as she listened in horror to Gorem telling her how the Vexos and Vestals invaded New Vestroia and caused havoc going as far as to trap him and the other main Bakugan used by the Battle Brawlers in their last adventure with them. "What assholes! So the resistance is the only thing removing their grip of New Vestroia!?" Julie asked feeling rage build up as Gorem nodded solemnly. "Yes… unfortunately, I don't think we can go back anytime soon either… getting to New Vestroia without direct help might be an issue since things are unstable it's a miracle we landed on Earth safe and sound as it is. I can't imagine trying to force a way back; that could be disastrous..." Gorem said fearing the worst of the current situation.
"Well, Dan is here now, how about we get more information from him? We just need to wake him up is all!" Julie said as she heard stirring seeing Hydranoid finally get up. "Ugh… what happened?" All three of Hydranoid's heads asked in unison as Julie walked over to him. "Don't worry Hydranoid! You're safe now. Were at Runo's family cafe." Julie told him to calm him down as Hydranoid nodded in relief. "Good.. ...but is Alice here?" We'd like to talk with her. If she's here, that is." All three heads spoke as Julie smiled nodding. "Hold on I'll take you to her," Julie said rushing out of the room down to the cafe with both Bakugan. "Good morning Julie!" Runo said getting herself a coffee to wake fully herself and Alice up. "Gorem and Hydranoid are awake! Look!" Julie shouted holding both out to Runo and Alice's surprise. "Hydranoid!?" Alice asked shocked rushing to him as she smiled warmly towards him embracing him tightly against her body tightly.
"Alice, we missed you so much." All three heads said in unison as Alice smiled. "I'm just happy you're ok," Alice said blissful to be reunited with Hydranoid. "...What about Tigrerra?" Runo asked feeling neglected on her main Bakugan. "She's in you're room. We didn't want to bother her if she wasn't up yet." Julie said as Runo rushed up to her room to check on the two Bakugan and the person she cared for the most. Runo stepped into her room seeing not a stir from Tigrerra, Drago or even Dan for that matter. Runo sighed sitting back in a chair as she started waiting for either to wake up. Runo had waited in pure silence before her eyes widened seeing Dan start to stir first.
Dan sat up in a cold sweat as he realized he was in a bed and a familiar room not catching a glimpse of Runo. "...This isn't right. The last thing I remember was that... ...oh yeah that tornado caught me… and because of exhaustion I passed out. ...am I still alive!?" Dan said recounting events not realizing Runo was in the room as her eyes widened hearing what happened to him confirming her fears for him were at least somewhat justified.
"Oh well… whatever happened I-" Dan started saying to himself as Runo spoke up catching him off guard. "Tornado caught you…? Passed out from exhaustion…? Still ALIVE!? DAN KUSO, WHAT were you talking about!?" Runo screamed out startling him. "Wh-What! Runo?! What are you doing...wait this is your room!?" Dan said shocked finally realizing his surroundings. "Yes! This is my room! Tell me what else is new! Seriously Dan, WHAT were you talking about!?" Runo asked strictly demanding an answer from him.
"Well uh… it's… Runo, if it's ok, I need to get back to New Vestroia like right now, ok? The Bakugan are in serious trouble!" Dan told her trying to dodge the question as Runo tensed up pointing out the window. "...You mean THOSE Bakugan!?" Runo said showing Dn the countless Bakugan in the streets below. "...W-WHOA! How did…!? How did all these Bakugan get here again!?" Dan asked as Runo glared feeling ignored. "...DAN!" Runo shouted at him forcing his attention.
"Runo I KNOW you're here! I didn't forget you!" Dan said trying to get ahold of everything as both heard knocking on the door. "Runo, Dan? We're coming in!" Runo's eyes widen hearing Alice speak as she and Julie came in. "Whoa, what? Hydranoid? Gorem? How'd you get freed?!" Dan asked as Runo's eyebrows twitched again before Dan noticing it. "Actually on second thought that can wait. Runo, I-I know you're furious right now. Can we just talk this out?" Dan asked as Runo's eyes widened feeling a fair amount of her anger fade. ".That yes, Dan that'd be nice. ...Alone, though!" Runo said trying to hint Julie and Alice to leave as they nodded leaving quietly. "...It worked!" Julie said quietly as Alice giggled under her breath. "That was so close… if we didn't interrupt them, that could have been MUCH worse than it was...oh well, Runo has it together now hopefully." Alice said as they stood outside the room worried as both continued listening in on the two of them.
"So… ok Runo what do you want to talk about?" Dan asked trying to calm her down. "There's SO much but… ..right now let's focus on just everything about New Vestroia." Runo said as Dan got a bit worried. "Sure, I guess that's ok. So what do you want to know?" Dan asked her waiting for her response. "...Did you risk your life?" Runo asked going back to what he had said before. "Well yeah, I'm sorry I've had to, yes," Dan told her trying to be reasonable. "I… Dan that scares me. That scares me you've put your life on the line already in New Vestroia." Runo told him being honest. "Runo, it's...honestly, I WISH you could have come now just to see what has been going on!" Dan said trying to get through to Runo how serious matters in New Vestroia had been getting. "Damnit Dan! You wanted me to come then? Ok just one question then, WHY DID YOU JUST LET DRAGO GET HIS WAY AND LEAVE ME BEHIND!?" Runo asked shouting at him leaving him in silence. Dan had to admit while he still felt he was right to try and get it through her head how bad things were she would know IF she was there prior. He was close to Drago, but he was just as close to Runo, but he chose Drago without a second thought.
"Runo that's. I'm sorry, I think I get it now." Dan told her remorsefully as Runo picked up on it. "Dan, it's just that I fought on your side, I went to the Doom Dimension to save your life, and together we ALL helped Drago stop Naga!" Runo told him trying to remind him she wasn't weak enough not to go. Dan just stared as Runo stared back before both embraced each other in a tight hug. "Runo, this is so stupid we shouldn't be fighting like this. Let's settle this argument now; I admit that was REALLY low of me just to leave you behind without a second thought, and I'm so, SO sorry I did it. But please stop worrying, I have to do what I do in New Vestroia to save it." Dan reasoned with Runo as she slowly nodded.
"Ok, this.., I-I feel so much..." Runo tried to spit out unsure of how to say what she wanted to say. "Listen, next chance to get back to New Vestroia, I'm gonna make sure you're by my side. Does that make you feel better?" Dan asked her as Runo nodded smiling. "Sure, and, of course, I'm gonna make sure we save New Vestroia!" Runo told him winking confidently as Dan smiled back as they both heard groaning hearing Drago and Tigrerra finally start to wake. "Tigrerra!" Runo blurted out as she embraced Tigrerra tightly. "Oh Runo, goodness it's so great to see you too, but could you please lighten up?" TIgrerra asked as Runo laughed embarrassed letting go of her putting her down.
"Wait this is...Runo!?" Drago asked shocked seeing her as she huffed focusing solely on Tigrerra. "Drago she's kind of mad at you, I know I had to go but WAS it really necessary to leave Runo and Julie as well as try to leave Marucho behind?" Dan explained to him as Drago sighed. "Dan, the danger in New Vestroia was great in power, I didn't want to risk their lives," Drago told him looking at Runo. "She felt betrayed Drago; I feel horrible that I hurt her that bad," Dan said looking down. "Then don't blame yourself, Dan, I admit I know you would handle it, but I underestimated everyone else," Drago said regretting asking only Dan to go. "Runo, I believe I owe you an apology," Drago said hopping towards Runo as she looked down at him. "Can you forgive my rash judgment?" Drago asked for forgiveness.
"On two conditions," Runo said confusing both of them. "First of all, next time a chance to go back opens, I AM coming too, got it?" Runo demanded as Dan smirked nodding in agreement. "And the other condition?" Dan asked worriedly as he watched Runo put on a confident grin. "...I want an awesome welcome back battle; you got that?" Runo said as Dan's eyes widened. "You want to brawl now?" Dan asked. "Yup! Outside, now." Runo told them both.
"Well, it's uh…" Dan was worried because he had gotten used to a very different way of brawling before he realized he didn't have his gauntlet with him, so he could act like it wasn't an option. "It's…?" Runo asked goading him on. "It's just I don't have many Bakugan on me, Drago's all I got," Dan said changing what he was originally going to say. "Not anymore you don't. Take a look." Runo said pointing to the small mound of Pyrus Bakugan she had gathered for him from outside. "Oh, you got those for me?" Dan asked as Runo nodded. "Yup! Now are we going to brawl or not?" Runo asked getting impatient as Dan smirked nodding. "Sure, come on let's go. Also thank you for doing that for me" Dan said as Runo smiled a bit nervously. "Well you'd have done the same thing for me if we were in the opposite positions," Runo said as they opened the door seeing Julie and Alice stare back.
"...Would you believe us if I said Julie stubbed her toe?" Alice asked clearly lying badly as Runo put on a stern face slowly shaking her head sighing. "Come on; you heard everything so are you gonna watch the battle or not?" Runo asked as both her friend nodded. All four of them walked out onto the side of the street as Alice and Julie stood close while Dan and Runo took out two special cards before Dan's eyes widened. "Field, Open!" Both shouted as a small space around the four of them opened up as everything started blurring and slowing time down to a crawl then stop leaving them the only moving life forms in a large radius. "Gate Card Set!" Both of them shouted throwing down two Gate Cards as they quickly expanded on the field covering large chunks of it as both grinned determined to win the brawl as Julie and Alice smiled watching on the sidelines.