SailorStar9: Chapter 7 goes up. This is Chapter 8.

Disclaimers: I do not own both the animes. However, I do own the pairing, I hope.

Chapter 8: Dan's Last Stand


"Man, that's so cool you moved into our neighborhood, Joe. And thanks for getting everyone together like this." Dan remarked after the group met up with Joe.

"Now, we can be a Battle Bakugan Brawler wide and in person, instead of over the Internet." Marucho added.

"Yeah, we can all battle together." Dan agreed. "Wicked."

"It will be so cool." Joe concurred.

"Hey guys, not to change the subject or anything, but where are Alice and Runo hiding?" Julie thought to ask.

"They're probably off doing girl stuff." Dan replied. "They'll be back soon."

"I was wondering, Joe." Marucho cut in. "Are you and your mom completely settled into your new apartment?"

"Yeah." Joe nodded. "Thanks for asking. And even Wavern seems to like our new place."

"Whoa!" Dan gushed over the white Bakugan. "Cool! The legendary Wavern. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Dan and this is my Bakugan, Drago."

"Is that you, Wavern?" Drago asked, unfurling himself.

"Nice to see you again, Dragoroony." Wavern teased.

"Dragoroony?" Dan echoed. "Who's Dragoroony?"

"It's me." Drago deathpanned.

"But, how come she called you Dragoroony?" Dan asked.

"I believe they know each other from Vestroia." Marucho surmised. "And I even ventured a guess; that these two are more than just old friends."

"Oh wow, is that for real?" Julie gushed. "Were you and Drago once an item?"

"Yes, guilty as charged." Wavern nodded. "Let's just say Drago and I have a history together. Isn't that right, Dragoroony?"

"Yes, but not in front of the kids." Drago protested.

"Oh Dragoroony, you still know how to ruffle my feathers, don't you?" Wavern flirted.

"Oh man, gross." Dan remarked.

"Oh, oh, oh." Diablo teased. "Seems old Drago here is quite a little lover boy. Eh, Angelo?"

"Your feeble attempt at humor is far from thoughtful." Angelo chided. "Now, hush up, will you?"

"I should have just stayed in bed." Drago growled a protest.

"You're the best, buddy." Dan chuckled.

"Enough!" Shun cut the laughter short. "What was so important that you called us all together, Joe? I can only guess it wasn't just to meet Wavern. So, what then?"

"WHAT?" Dan hollered after hoe told them what happened. "You battle Masquerade and won? Are you serious?"

"I can't believe it." Marucho concurred. "You took on Masquerade's Dual-Hyraniod and defeated it?"

"Well, Wavern is packing the positive energy from the Infinity Core." Joe replied.

"That is true." Wavern confirmed. "Simply put, the Core feeds off of the power of any opponent throws at it, and in turn, amasses that energy to use against its enemy."

"But the bad news is," Joe added. "I get the feeling that losing one battle won't make Masquerade back down. Somehow, he'll get his Hyraniod to evolve and when he does, I'll say he'll be back for more."

"We only want a battle and like Joe said, I'm sure he'll want his revenge." Wavern agreed.

"If we let his Hydranoid evolve, then we can kiss the Infinity Core goodbye." Shun noted.

"Not to mention, it would be Naga's." Skyress added.

"And with the Silent Core and the Infinity Core in his grasp, he could destroy both Vestroia and our world." Drago commented. "That would be the end of us all."

"Guys, we've got to stop him." Dan fumed. "We can't let this happen. We got to take down Masquerade in order to protect the Infinity Core."

"You're right." Julie nodded in agreement. "The Brawlers are the last line of defense protecting the entire universe."

"We can do this." Wavern encouraged.


Later...

"Okay, here's the way I see it, guys." Marucho started off. "Our mission entails producing an Ultimate Bakugan as quickly as we possibly can."

"Then, I guess the real trick is, we got to get it done before that creep Masquerade does." Dan added.

"Yeah, and we're already ahead of the game." Marucho agreed.

"You're right." Julie nodded. "Since we've all passed our tests back there in the Doom Dimension, all of our Bakugan all started the process of evolution. Especially my little Gorem. I'm sure one of them will evolve into the Ultimate Bakugan soon."

"An excellent observation, Julie." Marucho noted. "My Preyas and Shun's Skyress have started to evolve as well."

"Oh, and don't forget about Runo's Tigrerra." Julie added. "I am so excited. I mean we can only guess which one of our Bakugan will be the one to save the entire universe."

"Say Dan, is there something wrong?" she asked, noticing Dan's expression. "You seem so quiet. Don't be so glum, chump. A Brawler has to be a warrior, brave and strong. Got it? Now buck up mister. We can do this."

"Ah!" Dan winced when Julie slapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, could you just back off?"

"What was that?" Julie blinked.

"It's just, well ..." Dan started. "Okay, I didn't exactly pass my dumb test."

"You what?" Julie demanded.

"So, you didn't pass your test?" Marucho exclaimed.

"You can't be serious, Dan." Shun snapped.

"Just let me explain, guys!" Dan protested. "In the Doom Dimension, I was battling this clown wearing a mask. And when I tore it off, it was Runo. And Marucho, then Julie, and then Shun. And that's not the end of it. Next, that Eva girl tells me I failed and in order to pass the test, she says I've got to defeat all of you guys one by one in a battle."

"Does that mean we all have to lose for you to pass?" Julie blinked.

"And I guess that mean you haven't evolved yet either. Right Drago?" Preyas asked.

"Correct." Drago sighed.

"Not even a bit?" Preyas asked.

"Not at all." Drago replied.

"Not even a tinny einny winny winny bit?" Preyas pressed.

"I said no!" Drago barked.

"So, that's it." Shun realized. "You have to battle each one of us and in order for Drago to evolve to the next level, he has to beat each of our Bakugan."

"That's sounds simple to me." Preyas noted. "We each battle Drago and lose and presto, he evolves."

"What? Are you loopy, Preyas?" Diablo fumed. "I hate fake and I'm not taking a dive for no one! You got that?"

"I concur." Angelo agreed. "We must approach each battle with our pride and integrity intact."

"Did we just agree?" Diablo asked.

"Yes, I do believe we did." Angelo replied.

"Oh, this is so typical." Preyas sweatdropped. "Now I look like an idiot."

"Okay, what do you say we get this battle started?" Julie inquired.

"Huh? You serious?" Dan blinked.

"Dead serious." Julie replied. "I think it's high time I get a chance to put my evolved and adorable Gorem to the test and see what he can do in battle. I'll start out with my 'Hammer Gorem' ability. But better watch it, we're not taking prisoners!"

"Wait!" Dan barked. "Wait a minute!"

"Uh, uh, uh." Julie tsked. "Oh Dan, do not underestimate me, because according the to latest Bakugan rankings, I'm catching up to you. So you'd better knock off the smart routine, pal. Now we've cleared that little issue up, I think it's time we both got down to business. We'll use my rules: head-to-head, my Gorem against your Drago and no interference from anyone else. You got that?"

"Okay, let's do this." Dan agreed. "But one thing, don't come crying to me, when I beat you."

"Let the games begin." Marucho declared, a Gate Card in hand. Shun growled and followed suit.

"Field Open!" the four chorused.


A/N: I'm skipping the Bakugan battle because I know you guys know what happen.


After the battle...

"Dan, Julie." Marucho blinked as Dan landed on the ground with an unconscious Julie in his arms. "You made it. But are you okay?"

"Hey, snap out of it, Julie. You've got to wake up." Dan tried to wake Julie.

"Is that you, Dan?" Julie moaned. "What happened?"

"Julie!" Dan shouted when she fainted again.

"Bye much." Julie grinned, sticking out her tongue.

"Oh Dan, I couldn't be prouder of you." she hugged the stunned Dan. "I'm so sorry for giving you such a hard time. You're the best!"

"Oh man." Dan complained, putting her down.

"Geez, Julie. You really had us going for a minute there." Marucho scolded. "You're quite a little actor. But please, you mind never doing that to us ever again?"

"Seriously Julie." Dan added. "Thanks a lot for getting on my case back there. Hey, if it wasn't for you giving me all that grief, I don't think Drago and me could have done what we did and pulled out a win over Gorem."

"Okay, enough yapping." he got back to business. "Who wants to go next?"

"Hey tough guy." Diablo cut in. "Are you trying to scare us with your tough talk? It's not working, pal."

"Yeah, I say we go next." Preyas agreed. "How about it, Marucho old buddy?"

"I concur." Marucho agreed.

"Alright Dan." he looked at the older teen. "I and my Bakugan challenge you to the next battle!"

"Oh boy!" Diablo grinned. "This is going to be so much fun! Drago, you're going down, hard."

"I'm not one to boast, but between the two of us, you're toast, Drago." Angelo agreed.

"I can't believe it." Preyas added. "Me, little old Preyas, soon to be the Ultimate Bakugan."

"Field Open!" the four chorused, again.


A/N: I'm skipping the Bakugan battle because I know you guys know what happen.


After the battle...

"I concede." Marucho admitted. "You win."

"Hey, no fair!" Preyas complained. "I want a recount. I demand a recount."

"Two down, one to go." Dan panted, looking over to his best friend. "Ready, Shun?"

"Yeah, but not today." Shun replied.

"You're tired, Dan." he explained at Dan's blink. "And it'll be too easy. We'll wait. I'll meet you here tomorrow morning."

"Sure." Dan replied as Shun walked off.


In Runo's room...

"Alice?" Runo inquired as she walked into the dark room. "That's weird. I wonder where she could have gone?"


In the Doom Dimension...

So, this is the Doom Dimension. Masquerade mused as he walked through the barren land.


Flashback

"So Masquerade, why do you want the Infinity Core?" Joe asked.


"Sorry, but that's my business." Masquerade replied.

"Legendary Soldiers," he hollered into the sky. "If you can hear my voice, show yourself! I hereby challenge you to a battle!"

"So, you are the evil one he sent from the other dimension." Eva remarked, appearing with Exedra.

"Heh, I thank you for the red carpet welcome." Masquerade scoffed. "Whoever you are."

"Allow me to introduce your opponent." Eva smiled. "I believe you know her."

"Heh! Let's get this over with." Masquerade snorted as Alice manifested before the Messiah.


SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.