Disclaimer: I do not own Bakugan Battle Brawlers or the characters affiliated with the franchise. And of course I do not own any historical figures mentioned in the story.

Note: Hello again everybody! I'm so sorry I haven't been able to post as quickly as I promised. I have been in Greece for the past few weeks! It was my first trip to Europe and it was so exciting. And while Greece was beautiful and it's historical monuments were incredible to say the least their Wi - fi was not the greatest. So I really regret not being able to write over this period. However I am back now and ready to start writing chapters quicker again. So once again, really sorry for the sudden hiatus but everyone should go back to normal now. So without further ado I present chapter four of Loyal to the End: Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer

Chapter Four: The Gathering Storm

'March 12th1938: Breaking news in Europe today as German Chancellor Adolf Hitler announces a union or Anschluss as he calls it with neighbouring Austria. This union will unite the two German speaking nations into one greater Reich Hitler proclaims. As of today Austria has ceased to be an independent nation and has now been incorporated in Germany. Germans troops march into Vienna and Austrian troops likewise march into Berlin. London and Paris have not as yet commented on this startling new development. This momentous event is surely set to cause shockwaves all across Europe and only time will tell what will become of it. In other news, President Roosevelt continues his efforts to halt the ongoing war between China and the Empire of Jap-

'Dan stop listening to the radio and come with me for a walk!' yelled a shrill voice from outside the house.

The young man listening to the radio leapt off his bed in surprise crashing to the floor. 'Geez that girl is going to be the death of me I swear' he mumbled as he rubbed his aching head.

He quickly got up and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked a little untidy with his wild hair but he was sure Runo would look past it. He grinned as he admired himself in the mirror.

'Yeah that's what the ladies like' he said to himself striking his signature pose.

'Dan are you coming or not?!' yelled the voice from outside. The boy named Dan quickly ran over to the window to assure the girl he would be out soon… and to stop her from yelling again.

'Sorry Runo, I'll be out in a sec' he yelled towards the ground. Quickly putting on a pair of sneakers he raced downstairs past his mother who was reading the latest issue of the Cosmopolitan magazine, probably paying special attention to the parental advice section.

'Daniel Kuso come back here this instant, your lunch is getting cold!' yelled Mrs Kuso from the table.

'Sorry mom, places to go, people to meet see ya!' he yelled grabbing his jacket and bolting out the door.

Mrs Kuso just sighed. 'Boys will be boys I suppose' she muttered before continuing on with her reading about dealing with hyperactive sons.

Runo was waiting outside dressed in a lovely white skirt laced with pink, a beret sitting atop her head. Her blue hair framed her beautiful face complimenting her aqua marine eyes.

She looked radiant.

'You look beautiful Runo' said Dan looking at her affectionately. Runo's face became red with embarrassment but she was still very appreciative of the compliment.

'Thanks Dan, you look good too' she replied softly. Dan scratched the back of his head and grinned.

'So where are we going for a walk?' Dan asked offering her his arm. Runo giggled as she gladly accepted his offer.

'I was thinking about going to Central Park?' she asked him tentatively.

'Central Park it is then' said Dan smiling causing Runo to tighten her grip on his arm a little.

The pair walked down the many avenues of New York City that led to Central Park drinking in the atmosphere of the busy city filled with people looking to find another opportunity for success after the disaster that was the Great Depression. Everywhere around them important men dressed in fancy suits raced around calling upon one of the numerous yellow taxis that dotted the city.

'That's a nice hat Runo' Dan commented as they turned into Central Park.

Runo smiled. She adored the way how Dan was so culturally and fashionably oblivious.

'It's not a hat silly, it's called a beret'. Dan was tempted to asked how it was spelled but he figured that he had already made himself look foolish enough already.

'That's cool, where did you get it?' he asked trying to cover up his mistake.

'My mom got it for me when she was in Paris last month, berets are very popular over there' she replied as they sat down on a bench in front of a small pond where the ducks swam.

'Paris huh? Well you know those Frenchies, they have good taste when it comes to fashion' Dan said knowledgeably before taking some time to casually observe the ducks.

'They sure do, say, have you ever been to Europe Dan?' Runo asked blinking her eyes rapidly at him. Dan closed his eyes for a moment before answering.

'I used to live in Europe you know' he said softly. Runo's eyes widened in surprise. She had been Dan's girlfriend for over two years and she had never known that he had even left New York let alone another live another life in Europe.

'You did! Where did you live?' she asked genuinely interested to learn more about his European experience.

'Oh you know here and there' he said non – chalantly.

'Come on you can tell me' Runo pleaded poking his arm.

'Please' she asked sweetly showing off her cute face.

Seeing he was not going to last anyway Dan gave in. 'Alright, well I lived in Brussels for a few months, sometimes I would spend a few weeks in Paris for a holiday but for many years I lived in Germany in the beautiful city of Dresden' he finished reminiscently.

Runo allowed him to continue to remain in his nostalgic stupor a bit longer while she processed all this new information. Dan had lived in Germany. It almost seemed unbelievable but she knew that Dan was not one to lie.

'Dan' she called trying to grab his attention but there was no response. He was took caught up thinking about his time in Europe. 'Dan!' she yelled this time snapping her fingers. At once Dan was brought back to reality.

'Sorry, sorry' he said hurriedly grinning sheepishly. 'So what was life like in Germany?' asked Runo.

Dan remained silent for a moment considering how he should answer her. 'Well it was great of course, Dresden was beautiful, it had the most spectacular architecture I have seen anywhere in Europe and I have been to Italy so I know what I am talking about, the people were great also, I learnt a little bit of German from them and they were never too busy to help me translate the signs on my way to school, he chuckled before continuing. Even though we were there because of my father's work I still feel like my home is in that city, so I guess you could say everything was great… for a while anyway….' He finished darkly.

'What do you mean?' asked Runo a curious expression on her face.

'Well after the war things went downhill for the Germans, businesses everywhere closed down and money counted for little more than toilet paper. It was obvious that the economy could no longer support my family so my father relocated us here to New York'. Dan sighed after finishing his story.

'I still miss that city though and all of my friends' he added looking up at the clear blue sky.

Runo considered his last statement with interest.

'You had friends?' she asked jokingly. Dan turned to her and grinned, his eyes full of mischief.

'More than you will ever have' he answered back, a smug expression plastered on his face.

'Ha, very funny Daniel Kuso, so tell me then how many friends did you have?' she retorted coolly waiting for the moment where he would slip up.

Dan however was not going to let that happen.

'Oh I had lots of friends Runo, but you probably wouldn't remember their names being foreign and all so I won't bore you with the details'. Dan laughed nervously hoping his façade would hold but as Runo narrowed her eyes he found it increasingly more difficult to keep a straight face. Thankfully, this time at least, Dan was able to hold out.

'Alright then' said Runo smiling.

Dan breathed a sigh in relief.

'But at least tell me who your best friend was'. Dan's thoughts immediately travelled to the young raven haired man he had met all those years ago at the local school.

'His name was Shun, I still send letters to him now and again and he usually never fails to respond but lately…. He's been a bit busy…' he finished rather softly.

Runo crossed her arms and pouted.

'What do you mean he's been busy, if he was really your friend he would make time for you' she said crossly. Dan looked at her with admiration in his eyes, he really was a lucky man to have such a loving girlfriend. Runo noticed the look on his face and went silent, a tint of pink on her cheeks.

'What's wrong' she asked nervously.

Dan suddenly enveloped her into a tight hug, but not so tight that it hurt. Runo was shocked, Dan was not normally so openly affectionate. 'Dan, what's gotten into you' she asked happily reciprocating his action.

'Nothing Runo… I'm just happy you're in my life' he whispered into her ear.

Runo let a tear of joy slide down her face. 'And I'm happy I'm in your life Dan' she cried. Dan released from the hug and wiped the tears from her face before taking her hand and gently helping her off the bench.

'Let's go home Runo' Runo nodded and took Dan's arm again.

'You know what, Dan began with a determined look on his face, I think I will send another letter to Shun and I will keep sending letters to him until he writes back' he stated confidently. Runo smiled.

'That's my Dan the man' she said softly before kissing him on the cheek. Now it was Dan's turn to blush wildly. Runo giggled before taking his hand again.

'Come on Dan, we don't want to be late' she said before pulling him away into a light jog. Dan continued to stare of into the distance rubbing the place where he had been kissed until he realized that Runo had begun to run without him.

'Hey wait up!' he called after her.

'You snooze you lose Dan!' Runo laughed.

Dan sighed again.

'That girl really is going to be the death of me' he muttered. 'And I wouldn't have it any other way' he said to himself before running after her. 'If you think you can beat me you're wrong Runo Misaki!' he called as he began to catch up to her determined to win.

'We'll see about that Daniel Kuso!' she called back equally determined to win. The two continued to laugh as they ran back home, the setting sun on their heels.

Meanwhile in Bavaria

'Sir are you sure this is a wise decision?' asked a tall, sturdy man nervously twiddling his thumbs. His master, hidden in the shadows clenched his fists in rage.

This fool did not have the brain capacity to even begin to comprehend my infallible plan. Are you sure this is a wise decision, I have never heard a more ridiculous question in my life! Thought the hidden figure angrily.

The slender form of Klaus Von Hertzon spun around, his face twisted with rage, a deadly look crossing over his already cold eyes. 'You dare to doubt me?!' he yelled causing his servant to flinch.

'No sir, I was just wondering… I mean if the Fuhrer finds out, you will be… executed for treason' he stated carefully but the look on his master's face was enough to tell him he had made a mistake.

'The Fuhrer will never know what I am doing not unless he is informed… but I know where you're loyalty lies don't I Julio?' he asked in a low dangerous voice.

Julio gulped and began sweating. 'Y – Yes sir, I am with you all the way' he said hastily trying to maintain his composure. Klaus took a seat at the end of the table parting his hair to make himself look presentable. Satisfied with Julio's answer he immediately calmed down.

'Good, then you are dismissed' he responded coolly.

Julio bowed before walking out of the room as fast as he could. Klaus remained at the table calmly going over his plan again and again stamping out any imperfections, reassuring himself that nothing could go wrong. He then smiled maliciously.

'Soon Alice I will be one the common people will worship and you will stand by me as my queen. And Shun well… he won't be a problem for much longer' he whispered grinning madly. His maniacal laughter echoed around the room as lightning lit up the night sky and the wind began to howl.

A storm was coming.

And there is chapter four. I wonder what plans Klaus has for our heroes, and yes this time I wrote from the perspective of Dan and Runo but Alice and Shun should be in the next chapter. As always comments or flames are welcome and once again sorry for being tardy! Until next time!