A/N Finally i updated Mishap! *Ques bright light and heavenly chorus singing* And ugh, unfortunately. It's not as good as I'd hoped.

It's shorter for one. Buttt as I intend to update again soon, I think it'll be forgiven.

Also I would like to announce, that KD had retracted her writing assistance for this fic, her contributions will lie in her ideas and plot she came up with, whatever improvising or writing that lies in between is all mine!

So I give a big thanks to KD, and to us doing it back in my old neighborhood, which along with nostalgia helped me get them creative juices flowwing for this fic. Now, Kd for the last time, please do the disclaimer.

Kdandsheela: This is the last chapter that I will have written a portion of. So I will say this, Its been fun, and I nor Jetravenex own bakugan!

AN v.2 (10/31/2014)

kd: Annnd, if you've been following so far, you might know that it is no longer true that I'm quitting on this fanfiction. or is Jet. So...uh...yeah...LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!

Chapter 3

Rachel didn't want to…she really didn't. She had already done enough brawling for today. But on the other hand, at least Runo wasn't going to ask for her number.

Wait, no. Rachel wasn't going to take any more of this. She was already tired and didn't want to get involved with any of the brawlers. It would only cause trouble for her.

"I wouldn't want to see your bakugan end up in the doom dimension." Rachel said with slight honesty. Hydranoid perked up, thinking it was because of him.

"And why not? You seem fine with brawling the boys!" Runo hissed the last word as if she had just dissed Rachel, folding her arms across her chest.

"Yeah, but they at least understand that talk is cheap." Rachel turned her head in disinterest and started walking away, but was soon stopped by a certain ninja that had been watching from the trees. He dropping down in front of her. Rachel cleared her throat, "If you would excuse me." She tried to move to the side but he moved in her way again. Rachel clenched her fists.

"You're not going anywhere." The ninja said sternly.

"And why, exactly, not?" Rachel furrowed her eyebrows at the handsome boy.

"Because you have a little explaining to do…" a strange smile stretched across the boy's sly face.

Rachel's eyes widened, she was caught. There was nothing to do, no escape. And it had happened so quickly, too. It was all over now, unless she thought of something…quick.

"Hey, Shun, what cha' doin'?" Dan called cheerfully from behind Shun.

Shun turned around, "Dan, now's not the best time." But it was too late. Before either of them could say another word a black bakugan was thrown toward the back of Shun's head. Shun, sensing the sudden thrown object, ducked in the nick of time…only for the object to hit Dan square in the face. Shun looked behind him to see a fleeing blonde, he cursed under his breath.

Dan's eyes were wide, one black, "Who…was that?" He had never seen someone so beautiful. So spontaneous, so…free. Well, free now.

Shun sighed and turned back to Dan, "I don't…know…" Shun started to trail off as he saw what was in Dan's hand. "But I know who that is." Shun pointed at the suspicious black ball. "Hydranoid…" he mumbled.

"Yes?" he answered, popping open, as if they had called for him.

Dan nearly freaked out, "Whoa, Hydranoid!"

"What are you doing here?" Drago snarled glaring down from Dan's shoulder.

Hydranoid suddenly felt like he was surrounded by a hundred enemies…and he was, sort of. He visibly cowered, "Well…uh…I DON'T KNOW!" Hydranoid wailed as he cracked under pressure.

"So where's Masquerade?" Shun eyed and questioned the bakugan.

How was Hydranoid supposed to get out of this one? His master, or mistress, had suddenly used him as a projectile and now he was in enemy territory. Furthermore, he himself didn't understand the situation that was brought upon his master, how was he supposed to even explain it?

The girls met up with the guys and were quickly brought up to speed on the situation. Runo seemed to be fuming, "She must have stolen Masquerade's bakugan, along with his doom card!" She declared.

Alice's eyes widened with worry. "But why would she do that? And why would Masquerade let that happen? It seems rather unusual, doesn't it?"

Runo stomped her foot, "She stole from Masquerade because she must be an even bigger jerk than him!"

Julie sighed and kicked at the ground a sulky expression on her face. "I wanted to see a fight…" She mumbled.

They all ignored that comment. Alice continued to doubt Runo theory, "Do you think something bad happened to Masquerade that caused him to lower his guard?"

Runo didn't listen, she was on a roll, "Maybe she stole his heart, too!"

Dan and Shun exchanged disbelieving glances, "Stole his heart?" the two chorused, not having heard the rumors.

"If he had a heart…" Dan muttered under his breath.

"These are all good theories but perhaps we should consult Hydranoid." A short blonde said as he shifted his glasses back to the bridge of his nose. Everyone suddenly realized Marucho's presence among them.

Julie placed her hands on her hips, "Marucho, where have you been?"

The normally well-tempered 10-year-old looked extremely irritated, "I've been here the whole time! I arrived here with Dan but with the recent excitement, I was quickly forgotten." He sounded unusually agitated but none of the brawlers felt even a bit of pity. They assumed he was used to it by now.

"Hydranoid, were you stolen?" Shun asked.

"Yes," he answered in a monotone. Hydranoid decided that the best plan was to simply answer yes to anything they asked.

"Did that girl steal you?"

"Yes."

"Did she steal you from Masquerade?"

"Yes."

Suddenly Julie cut in with. "Did she steal his heart?" She asked excitedly.

"Yes." Hydranoid said, before turning to looking up at the girl in confusion.

"So she did steal his heart!" Julie gasped jumping up and down. "She is a heart stealer!"

For a moment everyone just stared blankly at Julie, except Runo. "I knew it!" she muttered under her breath.

"It is true!" Julie protested putting her hands on her hips, "I mean why else would that girl have Hydranoid if she didn't have Masquerade's heart?"

"That is a good question." Shun said, all focus returning to him, he smirked down at Hydranoid. "Now, Hydranoid, do you know that girl?"

"Uh… Yes?"

"Does Masquerade know her?"

"Yes."

"IS MASQUERADE DATING HER?" Julie gasped clasping her hands together her eyes shining. "Oh my gosh, they'd make such a cute couple!" She said with a squeal of delight bouncing up and down.

Runo and Alice shifted away from the crazy Australian. While Dan's expression seemed to fall.

"Man I sure hope not," Dan muttered.

Shun sighed. "Julie."

"Yes?"

Shun rested a hand on his forehead and let out a long sigh. "Please, can you let me handle the talking?"

Julie looked crestfallen for a second. "Oh… Okay!" Then just as soon as the sad expression came, it left and Julie was happily bouncing up and down again. "Now come on! We have to find out some of Masquerade's darkest secrets!"

Shun gave her a weary look as she continued to smile and bounce excitedly, like a kid waiting for ice cream or something. He turned back to consider Hydranoid who was visibly shaking, jerking left and right seemingly looking for a way out.

Smirking, Shun reached down and plucked the darkus bakugan off the ground. "Now, tell us, Hydranoid, who is this girl… And what is her connection to Masquerade?"

"She's-uh She's his…"

"His what, Hydranoid?" Shun urged, the other brawlers crowding in to look at the darkus bakugan.

"She's his-his- I DON'T KNOW! I WANT MY MASTER!" The darkus bakugan wailed before popping closed and shivering violently.

Silence fell on all the brawlers and they all exchanged looks. Suddenly Shun had an idea. "Well in that case, we should take you back to your master then. Right?"

Hydranoid slowly popped open, his head peeking out slightly. "Really?"

"Oh yes!" Alice added coming up beside Shun. "We'd gladly take you back to Masquerade."

Dan frowned as he scratched the back of his head. "Wait shouldn't we kno-" He trailed off as Shun shot him a glare and he quickly added. "Know where we're going?"

"Oh! I could lead you there!" Hydranoid offered as all the brawlers refocused on him. Self-consciously the bakugan scuttled back a little in Shun's hand. "Just as long as you don't-"

Shun smiled a little too broadly, "We won't utter a single question, not even a word." He assured him.

The darkus bakugan let out his non existent breath that he'd been holding. "Well, in that case… Follow me!" He said floating out of his hand and heading off in the same direction the girl had headed off in.

A/N

Not the greatest chapter ever but its done. Hopefully next chapter will flow better as it'll be less heavy on the dialogue.