Dai: Let's see... Anything here?

Verity: I told you, writing about a game you barely play, and a show you've only seen five episodes of, is a bad idea.

BlackGatomon: I think this proves they don't own anything.

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On the day Dan had met Drago, Mark had been home sick. At the end of the day, he determined that he was well enough to go to school. Either way, when he turned on the computer and went to the chatroom, Dan was not there yet.

"Hey, Mark, where's Dan?"

"Probably at the park. I had a cold, so I couldn't go."

"Oh, are you feeling better?"

"Yeah."

This was about the time that Dan logged on.

"Hey, Dan. You sure took your time."

"Sorry, but the most amazing thing happened today!"

Runo rolled her eyes. "What, Bakugan talking or something like that?"

"Um... actually, yeah." For once, Dan was speechless.

Meanwhile, behind his own screen, Mark was trying to keep a straight face. Trying, and just barely succeeding. "Really? Well, make sure to bring him to school tomorrow. I want to meet him."

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That night, for the first time in over a year, Mark wondered what had happened in the old timeline.

'If you wish, we can show you.'

It was that voice, the voice that allowed them to travel back through time.

"Yeah, you can show us."

Suddenly, he and Leo found themselves over what appeared to be the city. Of course, it was hard to tell since it had been totaled. In what appeared to be the ruins of Dan's house, sat their old friends.

'After you two vanished, Marduk and Vladitor lost control of themselves. Assuming they had any control in the first place. Either way, they unleashed powerful forces that should not have been released, and this is the result. Specifically, this is what happened to Earth. Pretty much every other world got similar treatment. Most got worse.'

Everyone was starving, that was obvious. They seemed frightened, and no wonder. It just brought up one question. If that had happened to Earth, what about all the other worlds?

'To be honest, your friends will probably be okay. Those with Bakugan generally live longer. Keep in mind that this happened over six months.'

"Just six months?"

'Yes. However, the news isn't all bad.'

"How could it not be all bad?"

'You may choose one friend and their Guardian Bakugan, if any, to transport to this timeline. We didn't have the energy before, but now we do.'

Mark had to think about this. The prospect of saving a friend from that fate was tempting, but the problem was choosing the right one. At one point he would have said Dan, but they seemed in need of his skills. Shun was out for that same reason, not that Mark really counted him as a friend. Marucho and Preyas would be just asking for trouble.

However, there was one that kept popping out. One that would not be able to survive as well as the others. One without a Bakugan, as far as he knew.

"Alice."

'Oh, that one?' The voice seemed amused. 'Very well, then.'

With that, Alice disappeared, causing a reaction in the remaining Brawlers, and in one other nearby spot. Mark and Leo, however, never saw it. They were already gone.

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The next morning, Mark was at school. Sometimes he felt embarrassed for being associated with Dan. This was one of those times. Why, one might ask? Well, it was because he was trying to convince everyone that Drago could talk. Of course, being Dan, he was failing at it.

Eventually, he got fed up of it.

"Hey, Mark, give him back!"

"Not until I think you can be mature about it. Leave Drago be." Of course, Dan hadn't introduced Drago. Despite this, no one seemed to notice. The crowd dispersed to other parts of the room, and Dan didn't immediately challenge him to give back Drago, which was a good sign.

"Sorry about Dan. I promise, he isn't a total idiot, at least, not all the time. My partner thinks he has no brain, though."

"Partner?" Mark was surprised that Drago was willing to talk to him, but it probably had to do with him being smarter than Dan, and more mature. Or maybe he was just curious.

"Yeah. Subterra Leonidas, but I call him Leo. Not the nicest guy around, but trustworthy, which is surprising, given his background. I didn't bring him today, but I could introduce you later. Needless to say, Dan doesn't know about him yet. I think you know why."

Of course, Drago didn't respond, which was probably good, as the teacher had just come in, leaving Dan, five seats down, upset about how he didn't do his homework. Of course, this surprised nobody.

Mark quickly shoved Drago in his pocket, with a hushed apology. It would do no good if he got a detention.

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At recess, Mark pulled Drago out of his pocket.

"So, do you think Dan listened to me earlier?" There was no reply. "I swear, you're worse than Leo."

"Hey, who are you talking to?" Mark turned around to see Runo.

A month ago, Runo had transferred into the other class. They didn't tell Dan, who had no clue that Runo even lived in town. They wanted to see how long it took him to figure out. So far, he hadn't.

They sort of felt bad about it, but figured it didn't matter. After all, people did that kind of thing all the time.

"Hey, Runo. Say, why do you look upset?" From her face, it was obvious she'd been crying.

"Well, on my way to school, this guy challenged me. He played this card, and when I lost, my Bakugan disappeared."

"I see... when the game started, did the guy say anything? Play an odd card?"

"Yeah, I think so. How did you know?"

"Meet me at my house after school. I'll get Dan over as well, and I'll tell you what you need to know."

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That evening, Mark and Runo were waiting for Dan when he finally arrived.

"Alright, Mark, why'd you call me here... Runo? What are you doing here?"

"For one thing, Mark invited me. For another, I transferred to your school last month."

"You did?"

"Yes, she did. Now, to business. Runo, tell Dan what you told me."

After Runo told Dan what happened, he acted very predictably.

"Alright, tell me that jerks name so I can pound him into next week."

"That won't work, Dan."

Dan turned to Mark. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that it won't get those Bakugan back. In fact, I doubt there is a way to get those Bakugan back. Not a surefire one, anyway."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I have reason to believe that Runo's Bakugan were sent to the Doom Dimension."

"The what?"

Mark sighed. "Give me a moment."

He ran to his room and grabbed Drago and Leo.

"What is it?"

"Well, for one thing, I need to give Drago back to Dan. For another, you need to tell him about the Doom Dimension so he doesn't do anything too stupid."

When he came back, he sat down and laid the two Bakugan on the floor. "Okay, you can talk to him now." The balls popped open, much to Runo's surprise.

"They opened on their own?"

"Yeah. This is Drago, who you can have back, Dan, I don't need him, and Leonidas, or Leo."

"Wait, isn't that...?"

"The Bakugan I always beat you with? Yeah. Anyway, tell him about the Doom Dimension."

"Alright," Drago started, "The Doom Dimension is a place out of Bakugan's nightmares. Once you get sent in, it is impossible to get out."

"Well, not impossible," Leo chipped in. "But pretty hard. I've only known two Bakugan to escape."

Drago turned to Leo. "Two Bakugan escaped the Doom Dimension? Is that really possible? How do you know this?"

Mark sighed. "In order, his answers are yes, yes, and it's a long story."

"I can speak for myself."

"I know. I just need to keep you from saying the wrong thing."

"Mark, how long have you known your Bakugan to talk?"

"Since we met."

"And you never told me?"

"Do I really need to explain it? Anyway, if anyone uses something called a Doom Card, stay away from them."

Of course, Dan didn't listen, and as soon as Runo told him who used the Doom Card, he took Drago and ran out.

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Meanwhile, a boy in a mask was walking along a street. "So, are you going to explain things to him anytime soon?"

"Not unless she agrees. Either way, I don't see how it matters, Hydranoid."

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Dai: Needless to say, things are gonna be different. Now, the question is just how different things will be.