Chapter 9: Into the doom dimension pt 1

"Dammit!" A door was forcefully slammed shut, obviously in anger.

"I can't believe I lost!"

It's been about three days since Masquerade had sent Katsu and the others into the doom dimension. Soon after that a guy name Joe had challenged Masquerade wanting to know where they were. Apparently he was a friend of theirs.

Finally after about five minutes of hearing doors slam, and objects being thrown against the wall, I finally decided to close my book and roll off of my bed. I stretched getting the kinks from my back, a result from lying still for so long, and attempted to remove a few wrinkles from my shirt.

"It seems like Masquerade is back." I looked over my right shoulder, at the green ventus bakugan on my black wooden night stand.

I smiled, "What gave it away? The yelling or the pounding?"

"I assume his brawl with Joe didn't turn out in his favor." I nodded silently agreeing with my darkus attributed bakugan. "I will be back in a few minutes," I said walking towards the door. Half way out I turned back, "And this time stay out of my diary." I smiled gently at the three bakugan's that tried to feign innocence. I closed the door already knowing that as soon as I left that the hunt for my diary would begin.

Once I got to the door I heard what sounded like a muffled thud, followed by an angry curse courtesy of Masquerade.

"Masquerade..." I whispered slowly opening his room door. When I did Masquerade was retrieving his right arm from a fist sized whole in the wall. I gasped noticing the blood coming from his arm. "I'll get a rag!" I rushed to his bathroom, grabbed the first rag I saw, and ran some water over it.

"Oh!" I recoiled in surprise when I turned only to see Masquerade standing at the door. Once my heart slowed, I reached for his hand, gently taking off his fingerless gloves. After that was done I ran his hand under some cold water and use the rag to clean off his arm. Once all the blood was gone it wasn't as bad as it seemed. Just a bunch of minor cuts on his hand and along his arm. The most noticeable thing were his knuckles which seemed to have some slight bruising and swelling. Through this whole process Masquerade said not one thing, only watched me work diligently.

"I guess it would be kind if pointless to ask how the brawl went." I tried to joke but Masquerade apparently hadn't found that funny because his scowl never left his face. So I opted to remain quiet while I led him over to the bed to wrap his hand.

"So..." I tried again to break the silence.

"It appears that I was right in my assumption. Naga's sister, Wayvern, is in possession of the Infinity core." Masquerade said obviously still peeved about his lost.

"Then what does that mean for you?"

"It means, we can't allow Naga to know this little bit of information-"

"But-"

"-I can't be the best if I don't have the strongest bakugan, and I can't have the absolute strongest if Naga has both the Silent core and Infinity core."

That's when it finally seemed to dawn on me. Masquerade never had any intention of handing over the Infinity core to Naga....He planned on keeping it for himself, "How long have you been sitting on this plan?"

"Ever since I found out the entire story about the two cores." He then turn and looked at me straight in the eye. "Need I ask who's side are you on?"

Instantly I shook my head "no". Of course he wouldn't have to ask me that. I would always be by his side no matter what he may do....I thought that was made clear already. "I have an idea!" I suddenly shouted completely missing Masquerade's wince since I was in his ear.

"Darkgrera was once telling me about the Legendary Warrior Bakugans in their realm. There's one for each attribute," I smiled seeing that Masquerade had not a clue what I was getting at, "Well, you've already defeated Dan, and evolved your Hydranoid to Duel Hydranoid, but if you were to defeat a Legendary Warrior and evolve Duel Hydranoid, then defeating Wayvern may....be...easier...."

I began trailing off once noticing the smirk that was growing on Masquerade's face. "And here I was thinking I liked you for your looks only." I blushed completely taken off guard at his statement. "We can use the transportation cards Hal-G created. Go get your bakugan; we're leaving in five minutes."

"O-ok." I stuttered still surprised he said he "Liked me". Sure it wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear him say, but maybe that means that this isn't just a one-sided thing. Once back in my room I walked over to my bed which had three bakugans on it in conversation.

"What's the debate about?" I asked as their hushed whispers fell silent.

"Nothing!"

I raised an eyebrow at them. They answered that question way to quickly. However, for the sake of time I pushed it aside for now. "Do believe that I am curious as to what you are talking about, but we have to go."

"Where too, mistress?" Fokuya asked.

I grinned, "The doom dimension."

"You ready?" I gave Masquerade a look. Hell no I wasn't ready. Sure I was all up for it earlier but that was before I was told that the transportation card may not bring us back. Now...I'm not all that sure about it.

"This was your idea." He reminded me.

I pouted, "I know that but, now that I think about it, it's a-Mph!"

Anything I was about to say was effectively cut off by Masquerade's lips. I stood frozen with a beat red face as he pulled my pouting lip into his mouth. His wet muscle found its way into his self claimed domain, and I could do nothing but sigh softly enjoying this rare attention. After I had stopped him in his bedroom he hadn't made any move to kiss me or anything. So I was going to milk this for all it's worth.

However, Masquerade had other plans. Just as I was going to finally react to the kiss he pulled away, wearing a devilish little smirk, telling me he knew what I was thinking. It took a few seconds but once I realized what had happened I crossed my arms over my chest, and scowled at him. "You're mean."

"Who ever said I was nice." I frowned while Masquerade smirked.

He grabbed my hand, activated the card and soon we were both bathed in a bright light. When the light dissipated we were standing in a barren wasteland. There were tall rock formations, and mountains as far as the eye could see. The sky was so dark it gave me the feeling that no light would ever shin on this desolated place. There didn't seem to be any sort of life forms and even the ground had a grayish-black color, giving the impression that it was dead. As I looked around I couldn't help the overwhelming guilt at all of the bakugans that were sent here. Not only that but my best friend, her potential boyfriend, and her friends were trapped in here some where. My shoulders sagged at the thought of that.

"Misuri?" I looked at Masquerade.

"What?"

"You're...Disappearing..." I blinked confused before looking down at my self. There was a bunch of sparkly stuff floating from my body and the more I saw the less tangible my body became. "Wh-what's going on?"

That was the last sentence Masquerade heard before he was staring at an empty spot.

Slowly I materialized and I sighed once I couldn't see through my body anymore. "Man...that was weird.."

"Don't you think Masque-Masquerade?" Wasn't he just right next to me?

"Masquerade where are you?" He wasn't any where to be seen. I put on hand on my hip and put a finger under my chin, "What on earth is going on?"

"We have called you Misuri Hibikane."

I whirled around in surprised at the new voice. My eyes widened at what I saw. There were three huge bakugan looking...um people? There were two huge ones and a smaller one that I could tell was a female. Going from left to right there was a very tall one that was adorned with the colors red and a bit of golden brown. In the center of his chest was a red crest with the symbol for the pyrus attribute. He wore a very long red...Well skirt, with golden designs on it. Behind him I noticed a....dragon tail? It almost seemed like there was a crown on his head. There were two golden spikes that were behind him (A/N: I know I just butchered the description but hopefully you know how he, along with the other two I'm most likely going to mess up as well -_-)

In the middle was another one bathed in all green. Her face looked almost like a proclaim doll with short green hair that looked hard like metal. She wore a long green kimono and her hands were covered by the sleeves. On the dark green part of her kimono, which almost resembled a v-neck just colored in (A/N: Please cut me some slack! TT_TT) was a green crest that adorned the ventus symbol on it.

The last one was just as tall as the first one but had on a black and purple kimono. Obviously the darkus attribute. The mask he wore sort of reminded me of the face of the bishop piece on the chess board, and had four red horns on the top of his head. Like the other two he also had a crest with his attribute on his chest, only his was a black color and in between two huge metal shoulder pads that protruded way past his shoulders (A/N: Need I say anything?). All three of them seem to be wearing some sort of armor with different designs on them.

"Oh dear..."

~Masquerade's POV~

I could hardly believe it she disappeared right in front of me. After everything I've seen something like this shouldn't have surprised me but it had."Misuri?"

"Do not worry Misuri is safe and is undergoing her own trial."

I frowned, my mask hiding the deep scowl on my face. "Hn, I am far from worried." There standing on top of a large rock was the Legendary Darkus Soldier.

"I assume you know the reason for my presence." I smirked, "So come down here so I may defeat you and absorb your powers."

The Darkus soldier chuckled deeply, "I am Exedra, Masquerade, and do not think that I will be such an easy opponent to defeat."

"I have no patience with your stalling!"

"Very well Masquerade."

Suddenly there was a flash a bright light and there in front of me was the last person I expected. My frown deepened in dislike. I did not like the game Exedra was playing. "I thought you said Misuri was somewhere else."

Exedra chuckled, "Does this bother you?" He didn't give me time to respond and only kept talking, "The figure you see before you is nothing more than a figment of your imagination." The fake Misuri smiled, and clasped her hands behind her back, "And now you must prove yourself by passing this test."

"She is to be my opponent? You're really under estimating me." Defeating Misuri, real or not, is as easy as taking candy from a baby. Exedra must've thought having to brawl her would have some effect on me.

'Hn, as if. Nothing and no one, even if it is Misuri, will stand in my way to power.'

"Are you sure you know yourself so well?" Exedra chuckled seemingly amused by this conversation, "If you underestimate her then you will surly lose this battle and everything you hope to gain."

"Hey Masquerade!" My teeth grinded together in an attempt to control my rising anger. It even sounded like her, "I hope you're ready to lose! And take responsibility for all of the things you've done!"

We both drew our first card, "Field card set!"

"Bakugan brawl! Darkus Sentiploid stand!" The Misuri look a-like threw onto the card right in front of me.

"Bakugan brawl, Seige stand!"

Misuri frowned once my bakugan had emerged, towering over her, "Aren't you afraid of me!?"

"No," I laughed just thinking of that fact, "How could I when I know everything about you?"

"Good, then there's no reason why we shouldn't have a battle right?!" She yelled before tossing out another field card right next to the one my Seige was on, "Gate card set, Darkus Wormquake stand!"

"Field card set, Mantris stand!" I'll show Exedra that it doesn't matter who my enemy is, "Ability card activate, Marienette!" I smirked, "Send Sentiploid to Seige's area." Misuri's look a-like gasped. "No way, he can't! It's not fair..."

"It's not so surprising considering he sends bakugan to the doom dimension with-out a second thought." Exedra put in his two cents.

"Field card open, "I continued, "Mind Ghost!"

"Not so fast Masquerade, Grand down!" Misuri's look a-like yelled throwing out her own ability card cancelling my gate card. I growled under my breath as I stared at that Misuri wears only when she knows she surprised you. God I hated that stupid copy. How dare they even think to copy someone like Misuri, it's impossible to imitate her. Her eyes don't even shine.

'And they always shine when she brawls....'

"It may be true that you know me Masquerade," I glared at the fake from behind my mask, "But that's a two way street. There isn't a thing I don't know about you! And you best believe I'm not going to lose. I'm going to make you pay for everything that you've done to the bakugan! And what you've done to me!"

~Misuri's POV~

"Oh dear..." I whispered both in slight fear and shocked awe.

"We are three of the six legendary soldiers that protected the two cores that kept the world of Vestroia in balance." The green one in the middle said, her voice caressing my ears like a gentle summer's breeze. My eye's widened. No way! I'm in the presence of three of the legendary warriors!?

"If I may, what are your names? And why have you separated me from my companion?"

"I am Oberus, the Ventus Soldier."

"I am Apollonier, the Pyrus Soldier."

"And I am Exedra, the Darkus soldier."

This time Apollponier spoke, "You are here to undergo a trial like those before you. For your strength will be needed in the final battle."

Now I was confused. "How could that be? I'm on the side of Naga, and Masquerade, who is trying to capture the cores of them selves. I will be of no help to you in the final battle." The darkus solider Exedra answered my question. "You would be surprised at how the hands of fate work. In time you will see that both you and Masquerade have a part in the grander scheme."

I shook my head just not able to grasp that fact. As far as it looks Masquerade has no intentions of becoming good and helping the brawlers, and I won't help them if it means betraying Masquerade....Right? But, if the world falls into chaos because of Masquerade and Naga would I still stick true to that? Would I then join the brawlers in taking down Masquerade? I sighed already knowing that answer....Boy, Masquerade would be pretty angry with me if he knew.

"Wait a minute! You said "Like those before me", does that mean that you have met the brawlers? Did they make it out of here? Are they ok? What about Katsu-" I abruptly stopped when Apollonier raised his hand.

"The trials given to them have been passed."

I waited for him or any of the others to say something more but that wish was in vain. I sighed sadly. Well at least I know they all passed whatever test they were given. Maybe once they did that they all were able to go home. I could only hope that I was right. I looked up at the three Legendary Soldiers gauging my reactions, "So what is my challenge?"

"I hope you are ready. Because weather you like it or not you will have to face everything you try so hard to avoid."

I gulped at Oberus' warning. I don't think I would like my test.

"So uh..."

"These are your opponents." Exedra said, and as he did three familiar kids appeared in front of each of them. In front of Apollonier was a boy with short light blue hair, and wearing a light blue vest with matching shorts. In the middle, if front of Oberus, was a young girl with midnight blue hair in a high pony tail wearing a bright yellow sundress. Lastly, there was a little boy with blond hair wearing a white t-shirt and brown shorts.

My eyes widened in surprise, "Y-you've got to be kidding!?"

"This is the test that you must pass." I looked up at Exedra and sighed.

"Fine...Klaus...Misuri...Masquerade," I took out a field card and look at them with determination, "I except you challenge."

Well there you have it. I thought I'd make this part into a two part thing. I still need more time to figure out how I'm going to have Misrui's battle go. I know what you're thinking MORE TIME!?!

I'm sorry it took forever to get this chapter out.

So if any of you have any ideas about how Misuri's battle should go then I'm all ears. I'm really trying to work faster but I don't know how fast it'll be.....So yeah....Hope you enjoyed it!! ^^