"You have got to be kidding me," Dan sighs. "I almost drowned."
"I thought you would have stopped saying that after 3 hours," Breezyfeather says.
"I almost drowned."
"Can we lock him up somewhere?" Runo asks.
"I almost drowned.
"No. Sorry. Anyway... uh... I forgot what I was gonna say," Breezyfeather mutters.
"I almost drowned."
"Do you like pie?" Barron asks Runo.
"I almost drowned."
"Why the randomness?" Ace asks.
"I almost drowned."
"SOMONE MAKE HIM SHUT UP!" Runo screams, getting out a bat.
"I almost—AH!"
On with the story before she bashes his head in!
"Wait WHAT? YOU'RE JUST GOING TO LEAVE ME—HEY, HEY! Not the face!"
Yeah I forgot that in the other story I left Lync and Volt there... Oh well. They got forcibly transported somehow! Oh well. Too bad for them. xD
On with the story!
"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU: NOT THE FACE!"
"DAN SHUT UP!"
"Spectra?" Runo gasped. She shook her head and crossed the distance that spanned her and Dan, throwing a towel over his shoulders. She knelt down next to him and threw her arms around him. "Dan I thought you were gonna die!"
"I'm sorry, Runo," Dan said, hugging her and resting his chin on her head. He smiled at Drago, who floating in front of his face.
"You had me worried there, Dan," Drago said. "That was close."
"Master Spectra!"
"Spectra! Why did you just go and run off like that?" someone shouted. Spectra turned his head in annoyance to look at Mylene and the others, who were running up.
"Didn't I tell you to call me Keith?" Spectra asked. Mylene and Gus stopped short, causing Lync to crash into Gus and Shadow into Mylene. Volt walked up behind then and nodded at Runo, who stared at him.
"You can think about this with your Bakugan friends," Volt said. "Listen closely, for this is the only time I'll tell it to you. If you ask me to repeat it tomorrow or even an hour later, I will deny ever telling it to you in the first place. Understand?"
"Uh, I guess," Runo said.
"Listen closely, then.
"Six Elementals
one of fire
one of wind
one of water
one of darkness
one of light
one of earth
each has a power
each has a weakness
united they stand
divided they fall
their power is limitless
a force to be challenged
each bears a symbol
each plays a part
none are aware
Ka
Kaze
Mizu
Yami
Hikari
Chikyū."
Volt fell silent, then turned and walked away. Runo stared after him in confusion before the door closed in front of her and she was forced to retreat into her room.
"Spectra, you saved me?" Dan asked. Spectra looked back at him, resting his elbow on his knee. "Why?"
"Don't be stupid. If he let you die we wouldn't know who the Ultimate Bakugan is now would we?" Helios asked. Dan blinked as Spectra got to his feet and Runo pulled away from him, sitting in the sand.
"Helios can we put that aside for now at least?" Spectra asked. Helios huffed and went to hover over Spectra's shoulder.
"What do you mean, "put it aside"?" Dan asked.
"I already told you," Mylene said. "We got transported here by accident. We can't get back to Vestal or New Vestroia unless we have help."
"What are you saying?" Runo asked, although she was pretty sure she knew what they were going to say.
"Wait a minute. Unless you have help...," Dan murmured. Lync and Shadow looked annoyed and Gus looked at Spectra. Dan blinked at them, staring in curiosity. Runo glanced at him, and then back at the Vexos. Lync groaned after a moment of silence.
"Yeah, we're asking you for help! Happy?" Dan and Runo exchanged startled glances, then stared at the Vexos.
"You're asking us... for help?" Runo blinked.
"I can't believe it," Drago whispered.
"Get over it already," Gus muttered. "We just need a Dimensional Transporter and then we can go to Vestal. And, if I'm correct, your friend's grandfather has a working transporter at their house in Russia."
"So what if she does? As far as you're concerned it's still broken," Dan said. "We got back last time by Apollonir helping." Runo blinked at him and then looked back at the Vexos. Spectra shrugged.
"I don't care what you do. Eventually they will come back for us anyway. However, while we are here I would appreciate it if you'd call me Keith. At least while I have my mask off. It's the least you can do after I just saved your life."
"Thanks, by the way," Dan mumbled, looking away.
"Hmph. Let's go, Keith," Mylene said, turning. They started to walk away and then Dan called after them.
"Uh... Well... since I'm in your debt, just give us a call if you need help," Dan said. The Vexos turned to stare at him, but not Spectra.
That was when Runo realized that they weren't wearing their normal clothes. Gus was wearing a brown tee shirt that had a picture of a palm tree on it. Mylene had a blue dress with no straps and Runo thought it safe to assume that it was a cover up for a bathing suit. Shadow had a purple shirt and black shorts while Volt wore a yellow tee and white swimming trunks. Lync had a green windbreaker tied around his waist and a green tee, as well as green and white swimming trunks.
"Like we'd ever need your help," Lync retorted.
"Whatever. The offers out there if you need it."
Keith smirked, then continued walking. The two of them continued to stare after the Vexos as they walked away, then Runo turned to Dan.
"I'm hungry," he said with a grin. "Can we get a pizza?"
"Uh Dan?" Runo asked.
"Mhm?"
"How much money do you have left?" She had an accusing glare on her face and Dan flinched.
"Uh..."
"Dan..." There was a warning in her voice. "If you tell me that I'm going to have to-"
"Geez Runo relax! I'll borrow some money from Marucho later. He'll probably send me a check or something," Dan said.
"Fine but if you do that, you have to pay him back. That's what borrow means after all. "Intending to pay back!" So in order to do that, you're going to work at my cafe until you earn back enough money." She was smirking.
"Ugh. Fine Runo," Dan muttered. He sighed.
"I think it's funny how you always listen to Runo," Drago laughed.
"Oh pipe down," Dan grumbled. "There is one thing that a brawler never does and that's disobey his girlfriend."
Dan sighed and turned, heading back toward where their towels were.
"I'm gonna get my phone and call for a pizza. With any luck they'll deliver it here," Dan said. "You want half pepperoni and half cheese?"
"That's good," Runo agreed. They were silent for a minute, going over the previous events in their minds.
"This is kinda weird, you know?" Runo said to Dan.
"Yeah. Why would Spectra save me?" he murmured.
"He said it's because of our fight with Helios but for some reason I don't think that's the real reason," Drago said.
"Perhaps they want you to be in their debt, Dan," Tigrerra suggested.
"He could demand for the Perfect Core energy," Drago agreed.
"But if that were the case wouldn't he have already done that? He would have taken the opportunity when I was weak and pinned me down or something," Dan said softly.
"That does sound like him. And he had all of the other Vexos with him. You didn't have your Gauntlet on you, Dan, and with the other Vexos he could have easily overpowered you," Drago said. "But the question is... why didn't he?" Runo sighed.
"Lets just forget it for now, Dan," she said. "We can think about it later. Lets just order pizza and you can try to appreciate your life before you risk it again. Which means that you are not swimming again until tomorrow because I will personally kick you butt into next week for scaring me like that!"
"Okay okay I get it! No swimming until tomorrow!" Dan repeated, holding up his hands in surrender. "It's not like I'm in a hurry to go back into the water after that!"
"How much money do you have left, Dan?" Runo asked. Dan blinked and thought for a minute.
"Uh... I think maybe a hundred or so. We have the tickets for the plane ride back prepaid, courtesy of Marucho," Dan said. "And the hotel provides free food. We'll be okay until we get back. How much do you have left?"
"I think around 200," Runo said. "The dress cost me 200 and that bracelet I bought you—I'm not telling you the cost of that." Dan's face fell and Runo glared at him. He grinned and Runo rolled her eyes. "And then I bought some other things and I think I'm around 200, maybe 180. I'm still fine in terms of money."
"Does that mean that we can go wind surfing tomorrow?" Dan asked.
"How about we do something with all of us for a change?" Drago asked. "Besides, its supposed to be rainy tomorrow. How about we just go swimming in the hotel pool? That way we Bakugan will actually get something to do."
"Okay. Who's buying?" Dan asked, in reference to the pizza.
" Well, since you offered, you're buying," Runo said. Dan began to protest and Runo glared at him, but he looked past her and didn't see. Runo quickly ducked in front of him and hit him in the head, causing him to fall backward with a yell.
"Listen mister! You offered. You're paying! Comprendes?"
"Yeah yeah," Dan muttered, rubbing his head.
By now they had reached the spot where they set up and Dan reached into his swim bag, pulling out his cell phone. The time read 4:30. It was the perfect time to get a pizza. He quickly dialed the number and held the phone to his ear. Runo sat down in the sand and wrapped her towel around her, shivering.
"Yeah, hi, can I have one large pizza half pepperoni and half cheese, and can you deliver them to the beach?" Dan paused. "No? Okay then. I'll come by and pick them up in 20 minutes. How much will that cost?" He paused again. "Okay, 30 minutes. Okay. Wait who is this? My name is Dan Kuso-AGH! Julie! Don't scream in my ear!"
"What the...?" Runo asked. "Did he just say Julie?"
"What would Julie be doing here?" Tigrerra asked.
"Oh. Sorry miss! I thought you sounded like a friend of mine, my apologies. Yeah I'll come pick it up in a half hour bye!" Dan shouted hurriedly, then quickly pressed the "End Call" button and chucked the phone onto the towel. He groaned. "How was I supposed to know that her name was Jessica?"
"What just happened?" Drago asked.
"I bet one of his fans happened to work at that pizza restaurant," Runo grumbled. Dan looked at her and took an involuntary step back. She blinked as his movement and he stared at her, then took another step back.
"DAN!" Runo shouted. She jumped toward him but he ran out of the way at the last second, prompting her to chase him down the beach. "Dan I am going to get you!"
"Good luck with that!" he called.
"They never change," Drago said to Tigrerra.
"For some reason I thought that Dan would be a bit more...mellow, after he nearly died," Tigrerra mused.
"Well he's been in those kind of situations lots of times before," Drago said. "Remember how we fought Centorior and Druman?"
"Or how about when Dan jumped on Naga's foot like that?" Tigrerra agreed.
"Yeah. He's risked his life a lot for the sake of what's right. This is the first time he's risked it by accident," Drago murmured. "He really should spend some time appreciating it."
"You're right," Tigerra said.
"Agh Runo I've had enough of the salt water!" Dan protested when she splashed him. "Speaking of I'd like to get a drink. Salt water does not taste good when it has gone up your nose."
"Ew," Runo made a face. He grinned and walked back up the beach, sitting down on a towel. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a water bottle, opened it and swallowed a few mouthfuls.
"Ahh... so much better than the salt water," Dan grinned. Runo rolled her eyes at Dan but smiles.
"I'm just glad that you're not lying dead on the ocean floor," Runo grinned.
"I think that you've been hanging around Shun to much," Drago said to Runo.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Runo asked. They all laughed and Dan stood up. Runo got up, too, and tucked the sunscreen and the towel on the ground into her bag after shaking out the sand. The two began to pack up, Runo leaving a towel draped over her shoulders and holding her duffel bag in her hand. Dan threw his shirt on and took another gulp of water from the water bottle, draping his towel over his shoulders.
"Let's go pick up that pizza," Dan said.
"Sounds good," Runo agreed. Tigrerra rested on Runo's shoulder, as Drago did with Dan's shoulder. The two began their trek across the sands, both of them loosing their balance form time to time. Soon they were panting, Dan more than Runo, which she noticed. "Dan do you want to rest?" she asked.
"Nah, don't worry, Runo, I'll be fine," he responded. Runo looked at him sadly. Gee it looks like almost drowning took more out of him than he wants to admit, she thought. But I guess I can't really blame him.
"What's wrong, Runo?" Tigrerra asked.
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing," she assured Tigrerra.
"If you say so." After a few more minutes they reached the sidewalk and they stumbled onto it, unused to the even terrain. Runo could feel her muscles aching and sighed, but Dan didn't seem to bothered. He was just panting really hard. We should go back to the hotel to eat the pizza, Runo decided.
"Hey Dan, we'll go back to the hotel to eat, okay?" she said.
"Why can't we eat on the beach?" Dan asked.
"You're too tired, for one thing. You should eat dinner, take a shower, and then go to sleep. You're gonna need it if the Vexos come calling, even though they said they wouldn't," Runo said.
"Huh? When did they say that?" Dan asked. Runo blinked.
"Well, seeing as they didn't attack you before, or when we first ran into them, I would assume that they aren't going to go looking for a fight now," Drago suggested.
"Hm. I guess you're right," Dan said. "But if that's the case why would I need sleep?"
"Ugh, you idiot. You nearly drowned! I just think it would be a good idea for you to get some sleep, that's all!" Runo snapped. "And if you don't I'll hit you with more than just my fists!"
"Your fists probably couldn't hurt me anyway..." Dan muttered.
"What was that?" Runo yelled.
"Nothing! Fine I'll get some sleep."
"Thank you!"
"Tsk. Its weird how he's so... tame around her," Lync muttered. "Normally he's yelling and not cooperating or blabbing on about friendship and all that junk." He was sitting in a tree and speaking into an earpiece. Spectra had assigned him to spying on Dan and Runo, and he had just climbed a tree near the end of the beach and watched them. He'd just follow them and listen in on their conversations and then he'd return to Spectra.
"Are they saying anything of an particular importance?" Spectra asked.
"No, oh great Spectra," Lync smirked. "They're just walking and arguing."
"Well stay on them in case something important comes up," Spectra said. "When they get back to their hotel you can come back, okay?"
"Sure," Lync said. Runo and Dan continued to walk and with a little "beep" Spectra had closed communication between the two of them. Lync's lip curled and he sighed, jumping out of the tree, startling some tourists in the process and catching the eye of a passing police officer.
"Hey kid," he called, walking over.
"Uh oh," Lync muttered, turning and running.
"Hey wait!"
"Dang it!" Lync grumbled, ducking through the crowd. He couldn't let the officer catch him, and he couldn't let Dan and Runo see him. Well this would be interesting.
Just as he caught sight of a blue line by his side, he felt his feet slip. With a yelp he went down, his hands skidding along the pavement. A sharp sting sliced through them and he grimaced, making his hands fists. He started to get to his feet when two voices cut through the air at the same time.
"Lync?" He grimaced again and groaned, bracing his foot against the ground and starting to run again.
"Hey kid, stop!" He gasped as the police officer's hand clamped down on his shoulder. He jumped and looked up, annoyed. Dan groaned.
"If he's not careful he's gonna get himself found out," Dan muttered.
"That won't do us very much good," Runo said softly.
"What did you do now Lync?" Dan asked with a sigh, walking over. Lync looked at him angrilly.
"I can handle this without you butting your nose in, Dan," Lync snapped.
"Didn't Mom tell you to stay away from trouble?" Dan continued as if he hadn't been interrupted. Lync stared at him.
"Huh?" Runo blinked. Lync looked just as confused. Drago and Tigrerra had enough sense to remain silent.
"You know this kid?" the officer asked, looking accusingly at Dan. Dan nodded.
"Yeah, he's my little brother."
"He sure doesn't look like you."
"My mom remarried. He's my step brother," Dan said.
"What is he doing?" Runo asked Tigrerra. She was silent.
"Well, maybe your mother would be interested in learning that he was climbing trees again," the police officer said. Dan blinked at Lync, who was staring at him. "I've already told him once that if I caught him again he'd be coming with me."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure he won't do it again. I'll take him home now," Dan said.
"I never said you could take him home, son," the officer said. "I let him off with a warning last time and he knew full well that if I caught him again he'd be coming with me down to the station." Lync shot a begging look at Dan, putting aside their differences. Dan looked at him and then back at the officer.
"Please sir, I'm sure that him having to tell our mother that he's got a criminal record will be punishment enough," Runo intervened. "Trust me, she's gonna be mad. Grounded for a month or two and having to do all the chores for two weeks. I think that he'll be fine."
"I already told you, he's not going home with you right now," the officer said.
"I didn't want to do this but I've got no choice," Runo muttered. She stared into his eyes and he looked at hers, then a daydreaming look came over his face. He let go of Lync's arm and appeared to be half asleep. Dan and Lync stared at Runo, who's eyes were glowing gold. "You're going to go back to whatever you were doing before you ran into Lync. You're going to forget all about us and not mention anything about us to anyone."
"Right," the officer said, turning and walking away. Runo's eyes stopped glowing and she blinked, then turned back to Dan and Lync, who were staring at her open-mouthed.
"How did you learn how to do that?" Drago asked.
"That was most impressive, my lady," Tigrerra said. Runo shrugged, then looked at Lync, who had crossed his arms and looked smug.
"I could have gotten out of that myself, you know," he said. "I didn't need your help."
"Oh come on," Dan groaned. "We all know that's not true. Just stop with the tough guy act and tell us what the heck you did?"
"I don't need to answer to you," Lync snapped.
"It would be nice after they just saved your skin," Tigrerra muttered.
"Who asked you?" Lync shouted.
"Whatever," Dan said. "We came here for a vacation and that isn't exactly what we're getting. What were you doing around here without the others anyway?"
"Careful Dan. He could be a spy," Drago warned. Dan nodded and continued to glare at Lync. Runo crossed her arms and sighed.
"Dan it's not worth it. Come on, let's get that pizza and go back to the hotel," she said. Dan was silent, still looking at Lync. Lync glared at him and then turned.
"Whatever. See you, loosers."
"Hey you can call us whatever name you want it won't bother us!" Dan called as Lync walked away. Lync made a face and continued to walk away.
"Well that was ineresting," Tigrerra commented.
"Ugh, why can't they leave us alone!" Runo demanded. "I just wanna relax. I don't wanna worry about them showing up and kidnapping me!"
"Don't worry Runo. They won't get you a second time," Dan said, glaring at the Lync's back. Once he made sure the pink haired boy was out of earshot, he turned to Runo. "Did you notice the earpiece he was wearing?"
"He was wearing an earpiece?" Drago asked. Runo stared at Dan.
"Yeah, he was wearing a white ear bud thing. I bet he was talking to Spectra or something and was sent to spy on us," Dan said hurriedly.
"That's not good," Runo murmured.
"You bet it's not," Tigrerra agreed.
"Anyway, I think that we should grab the pizza and then duck into an alley or something," Dan said. "Then we can fly back."
"In broad daylight? Dan, even you know that's not a good idea. I can transport us back," Runo decided. "But we should duck into an alley to do that."
"Yeah," Dan said. The two started walking again and were silent for a minute."Hey, Runo?"
"Yeah?" she asked.
"I need you to use your power over light to go invisible."
"Invisible?" Runo asked. "You mean make it so that my body refracts light in way-"
"Have you been hanging around Marucho again?" Dan asked.
"Yes why?"
"Please don't use words I can't understand."
"Fine. But why?"
"I need you to see if Lync is still following us," Dan murmured.
"Oh give it a rest, Dan," Runo smiled. "He probably isn't."
"Please?"
"Fine..." She looked around and then sighed, ducking around the side of a building. Dan kept walking while Runo allowed her wings to materialize, and a tingly sensation came over her body. She glanced at her back, satisfied that her wings were invisible. Tigrerra was clasped in her hand and she jumped into the air, floating above the street. She noticed Dan look up and she turned away from him, searching the street for a familiar pink haired figure. Sure enough, he was standing with his back to the edge of a building, his head searching the sky. He must have heard them talking.
Runo glared at him and opened her hand, looking at Tigrerra. "Should we go after him?" she asked.
"How about you ask Dan first?" Tigrerra suggested.
"Okay," Runo said after Tigrerra didn't acknowledge her nod. Runo dove down, shooting over to Dan and hovering so that her head was over his shoulder.
"Dan," she whispered.
"Yeah Runo?" he asked.
"The little rat is following us," she said. "You were right. What do you want me to do?"
"How about you give him a little scare?" Runo grinned.
"It would be my pleasure." She shot back up and arched her back, floating back toward Lync. She landed silently behind him as he ducked his head around the corner, undoubtedly searching for her and Dan.
"Looking for something?" Runo asked, becoming visible again. Her wings vanished and she was staring at Lync. He gasped, whirling around, accidentally whacking her in the face. She gasped, stumbling back.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Geez, apology not accepted," Runo grumbled. "Be thankful Dan didn't see that. Why are you following us?"
"That's none of your business," Lync snapped.
"Well since you're following us I think it kinda is!" Runo shouted.
"Back off!"
"Make me!"
"I can!"
"Wanna bet?" Lync stared at her and she grinned. "That's what I thought. You don't mess with the girl that has powers."
"Shut up," Lync muttered. Runo rolled her eyes.
"Go back to your teammates already. I just wanna enjoy my vacation here in paradise. Okay?" He sneered and she leaned in toward him. "If we catch you following us again I'm going to toss you in the ocean."
"Does it look like I care?" He glared at her and she rolled her eyes.
"Whatever. Just leave us alone." She ran around the corner and back to Dan, leaving Lync standing there, seething.
"He's annoying," Runo grumbled.
"What did he say?" Dan asked her. Runo sighed.
"He accidentally hit me in the face when he turned around and then we had a shouting match," Runo reported. "He didn't tell me anything, but when I asked why he was following us he said it was none of our business, so that tells me he was following us."
"That weasel," Dan muttered. Then he blinked and looked at the building next to them. "Oh wait, this is the pizza place."
"Good, then we can get back to the hotel," Runo said. The two of them headed up the steps of the restaurant and Dan pulled open the door for Runo, who grinned her thanks as the door closed.
"So they saw you," Spectra said.
"Yeah. They saw me. They intervened when some guy in uniform chased me and he walked away after 'Whiny Girl' did something to him," Lync grumbled. "And then she found out I was following them. Who knows how that happened."
"Whatever, it doesn't really matter anyway. I'll take a look around tonight. You can come back now, Lync," Spectra said, the connection closing with a beep. Lync made a face and angrily turned around, heading back for their hideout.
"Just you wait, Brawlers. Soon you'll regret resisting us on New Vestroia," Lync vowed. "And Prince Hydron, soon you'll have your victory."
"Oooh Lync's a traitor!" Breezyfeather sings. "Lync's a traitor Lync's a traitor Lync's a TRAItor..."
"Will someone shut her up?" Lync groans.
"Well why are you surprised? You always call him a mercenary," Shun says.
"Hey!"
"Sorry but it's true," Breezyfeather says. Lync crosses his arms and pouts.
"Hey, be thankful she doesn't chain you to the ceiling," Dan calls from where he is dangling upside down from the ceiling. "Which reminds me. ARE YOU GOING TO LET ME DOWN YET?"
"Sure." Dan drops from the ceiling and lands on his back.
"OW!"
"Sorry."
"No you're not!"
"True."
Whoa 9 pages!
While Dan is being mad, please hit the button below.
Come on, please?