Yes I am horribly late. Yes I apologize. No I didn't die. Life swept me away. I'm thinking about taking a temporary retirement from fanfiction as a writer. Any way... thanks a ton for sticking with me during this journey. I enjoyed writing this story. I love you all! Thanks for staying by!
Replies to GUEST reviewers at the bottom.
Bakugan Baby Brawlers.
Chapter 12: Beginning of a New End.
One Week Later...
"So...what's the plan now?"
Keith and Shun were sitting on the couch in the living room. The other brawlers were present in the same room since none of the teens wanted to let them out of their sight. Runo, Julie and Alice were having a tea party, Marucho was examining what appeared to be the scattered parts of a toy robot. Dan was playing with lego.
"The plan?" Shun pressed his lips in a thin line at Keith's question, "We take them back. They can't stay like this forever. It's already been too long. Bakugan fans have started questioning Dan's mysterious absence."
Keith smirked, "Just Dan's? Or are they missing a certain handsome ninja too? After all...it's rude to keep all the lovely girls waiting."
"Shut it..." Shun grumbled.
"But seriously...Shun..." Keith straightened up, "Should we really do it? I mean...we've all become...kinda attached to them."
Shun was staring at the wall in front of him, deep in thought, "We have to."
However, Keith didn't miss the shadow that had passed into the Ventus brawler's eyes for a moment when he had spoken up.
"Shun! Shun! Look!" Dan had stumbled over to the two, "Look! I make it for you!"
"That's...um...cool, Dan." Shun blinked at the haphazard red and yellow shape built with blocks. Two protruding foreign objects were present on the figure's backside, "But...what is that?"
Dan crossed his arms, pouting as he glared at the two teens, "It be the 'wed dwagon'!"
"The red dragon?" Keith tried not to laugh as he looked at the brunette, "Why yes...it's obviously the red dragon! How could we not know?!"
Dan scowled, "Don't look me! I not your T.V!"
"Dan! That not nice!" Runo whacked Dan on the head. The said boy in turn began pulling at Runo's hair.
"Hey, hey!" Keith got up quickly, Shun following his lead, "Stop it, guys!"
Stumbling back as the two children wrestled, they accidentally stepped on the lego figurine of Drago. As a result, the weak frame gave way and broke, the blocks spreading all over the coral colored rug.
Eyes widening, Dan fell to his knees beside the destruction wordlessly.
"D-Dan..." Runo stepped back, "I...I didn't mean to..."
"It's okay Runo. We know it's not your fault." Keith gave the girl's hand a gentle squeeze, "Why don't you go play with Julie while we fix it up?"
Runo shook her head, "Can I have juice please?"
"Okay. Come on." Keith led the girl outside the room.
"Dan?" Shun knelt beside the silent boy, "Hey..."
"Shun..." The young boy looked up at the teen with tearful eyes, "I...I...my dwagon..."
"It's alright. We'll build it again." Shun patted his shoulder.
To his utter surprise, a sob escaped the small brunette's lips as he threw himself at the teen, crying somewhat loudly.
"Dan...hey...it's okay..." Being at a loss of what to do in order to console the boy, Shun hugged him closer, wrapping his arms protectively around the small, shaking form who was bawling his eyes out.
The other children had stopped their activities and were gathering around the duo.
Shun glanced at the rest of the brawlers, "Hey guys...why don't you go to the kitchen and get yourselves something to eat?"
"Dan not okay..." Alice mumbled sadly.
Shun gave the girl a small smile, "Don't worry. He'll be back to his normal self soon."
Nodding, the orange haired girl tugged at Julie's hand to make her walk. Julie grabbed Marucho's arm and left in tow with her other playmates, leaving the Ventus brawler alone with the still crying brunette.
"I...I make it..." Dan hiccuped, "For you. You be...my...big brother..."
"I know."
"And...and...now it be hurt."
"Blocks aren't hurt Dan..."
"But...but it got...it got boo-boo...!"
Topaz eyes blinked at the situation, "Well Dan...we'll make it again. A better one."
Dan looked up with tear stained face, "You help me?"
"Of course."
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After settling the kids on the table and pouring them juice, Keith decided to pour some for Dan too. Maybe that could help cheer up the boy. Filling a glass, the blond teen left the kitchen to go deliver it in the living room. However, standing at the entrance, he saw yet another one of the impossible moments that he never thought he'd witness about...Shun...of all people.
Sitting cross-legged on the coral rug beside Dan, the Ventus brawler was helping the young brunette build a Drago figurine out of the blocks.
"No! It go there!"
Keith couldn't hide his smile as Dan corrected Shun, instructing the teen to put the block in another place instead of where he was unsuccessfully trying to fit it.
Within a few minutes, they were done. The figure stood tall and proud, staring at it's builders with square black blocks Dan had used for eyes. It's red and yellow zig-zag shaped wings gave it the appearance of being ready for take off, with slightly hunched back and out-stretched claws.
"Look Keet!" The young boy chirped happily, "We make it again!"
"It's marvelous, Dan!" Keith smirked.
Shun nearly jumped up, "You knew he was there?!" He glared at the brunette.
"Course I knew!" Dan bobbed his head viciously, "Him see us all time!"
"The whole time?!" Shun was even more horrified. How was it that Dan always knew how to get him into embarrassing situations that totally ruined his image of a stoic ninja?!
Keith broke into a full-blown fit of laughter, "You should've seen your face, Shun!"
"Very funny." Shun got up as Keith handed Dan his glass of juice.
All of a sudden, Keith's watch buzzed. Excusing himself, the teen went to a corner to answer it.
Shun was sitting on the couch when Keith returned. Seeing the troubled expression on the teen's face, he questioned, "What's wrong?"
"Uh...you see..."
"..."
"Um...well...you know...
"No, I don't know...care to enlighten me?"
Keith ran a hand through his hair, "Well...it was Mira."
"Oh?" The Ventus brawler raised a brow.
"She said...she...and Ace...and Baron...are coming over...the day after tomorrow."
Shun stared...and stared...and stared. Keith fidgeted. A few moments of silence passed.
The raven haired teen exhaled deeply, "You can't be serious."
"I am." Keith held his head, shaking it negatively, "She said they were missing the brawlers."
"You should've tried to make her postpone it."
"She hung up without listening to me!"
Shun tried to think of a solution. Taking care of the baby brawlers while attending the get-together was impossible. They'd never be able to cover it up any more. The more people knew, the more risky it was. And this was when his decision-making abilities kicked in.
Regrettably, the teen didn't like his snap-decision but...it was necessary, "We'll leave tomorrow. Return the brawlers to their time. Bring the original brawlers back. And attend the party."
Keith jerked his head up, "Tomorrow?! But Shun...-"
"We have to do it Keith...sooner or later...we have to send them back. They don't belong here. This isn't their time."
"So you've made up your mind...?" Keith glanced at the raven haired teen.
Shun looked up with grim eyes, "Yes."
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"Hey Shun...maybe we should talk to them." Keith's voice was low, "They need to be mentally prepared for what's coming."
Shun glanced up from the blueprints he was studying. Or...giving the impression that he was studying. Seeing as topaz eyes had been staring off into space blankly, fixed at an unseeing spot instead of moving through the lines.
Without waiting for his response, the blond teen called out, "Hey Dan! Runo? Julie? Marucho? Alice? Come in the living room guys!"
A few moments passed in stoic silence. There was no sign of any brawler. Keith sighed, running a hand through his hair as he got up to get them.
A couple of minutes later, the baby brawlers were all gathered in the living room, with Keith coaxing them out of their activities by saying that Shun was going to tell them a very interesting story.
"Well? We waiting." Runo placed her hands on her hips.
"Yes!" Julie bounced, "Me and Choo-Choo want story!"
"Choo-Choo?" Keith raised a brow at Marucho's nickname but refrained from commenting any further.
Alice was staring at Shun intently, "You sad, Shun."
Slightly startled by the young girl's observation, Shun tried his best to give her a smile. A smile...that didn't reach his eyes.
Dan was watching the scene quietly. His young mind somehow telling him that something was wrong, "Shun sad because of us."
Raising his head to meet the baby brawlers' questioning gaze, Shun took a deep breath. He had to do it. Keith lightly nudged his foot with his own, a silent reminder that he was there for support.
"Well you guys..." Shun searched for the appropriate words, "Do you know how you got here? Or how we already knew you?"
"'Cause you smart?" Alice tilted her head, listening intently.
"And you know everything." Dan added.
Shun gave the two a small smile, "It's because something happened. Do you know Wiseman?"
"The guy who kill you?" Dan's eyes widened.
"Yeah, that. And the person who kidnapped Alice but we beat him." Keith threw in to pacify the brawlers.
"Yes." Shun nodded, "You guys were much older when you lived with us. But he kidnapped you. And sent you back into your past. However, Drago and I managed to stop the process and this led to that machine malfunctioning...and thus..." He stopped to take a breath, "Somehow it ended up bringing the you from the past to your future despite the fact that you don't belong in this time period so we're gonna send you back to your own time and bring back the older brawlers."
A few minutes passed in silence. A heavy awkwardness ensued.
"Uh...what?" Runo scratched her head.
"Never mind." Shun sighed, "Just know that we're gonna take you home."
"But this be home!" Dan piped up, "My friends here! This my home!"
"Yes Dan...this will be your home. But for now...you have to go to your real home." Shun patted the brunette's head.
"Me too?" Alice raised her voice a bit.
"Yes Alice. All of you." The teen's face was expressionless as he pronounced the words. However, his eyes swarmed with emotions.
"Me and Choo-Choo?" Julie's tone was hopeful.
Shun just gave her a silent nod as Keith answered, "Each and every one of you."
"But then you..." Dan struggled for words as he grabbed Shun's arm, "You come with us."
"I'm sorry Dan." It took all his self-control not to show his inner conflict, "I can't."
Alice hugged Shun's leg, seeing as her height was just up to the ninja's knees, "We go...we go anywhere with you, Shun."
"Then..." Shun closed his eyes for a brief moment before gazing at the occupants of the room, "Let's go."
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The flight was shorter than last time since there was no storm to accompany them on the journey. And despite that, getting out of the plane was much, much harder for Shun. Never before in his life had he thought he could become so attached with kids. Toddlers. Children. Mini-people with mini-minds. Yet...their young antics were what had made him smile. And were about to make him almost cry as well.
Dan followed Shun out silently. Alice and Runo were next, Julie and Marucho on their heels as Keith proceeded to usher them all out.
"Shun?"
Shun was trying to figure out his next step when a small hand tugged at his wrist. Looking down, the teen found Dan staring up at him with wide brown eyes, "Yeah?"
"Will you..." Dan suddenly found the ground very interesting as he spoke up in a small voice, "Tell me...'bout...me? And you? When I be big?"
"Oh." Shun regarded the brunette thoughtfully, "Well...when you were older...or get older in your case...you become my best friend. We brawl together a lot. Drago...he's gonna be your partner. You guys would be inseparable. And you'd like food very much. Just as you do now. You're going to be a very brave brawler."
"I..." Dan paused before whispering, "I don't wanna go."
Shun blinked as he knelt before the boy to meet his eyes, "Why not?"
"I scared. I don't wanna forget you."
"Dan..." Shun was a loss of words.
"It be like I won't know you no more." Dan continued, "Like...like...there be no you in me life."
Finally understanding what he was trying to say, Shun placed his hands on the brunette's shoulders, "You know what? Let me tell you something. You're three now, right? When you'll be four, you're gonna meet me."
"Really?" Reddish-brown eyes widened.
"Yes. And from that point on, we'll be best friends till the end."
Dan smiled through tearful eyes. A true smile.
Keith was approaching the duo, "Hey Shun, I've found out the route we're taking. He's not too far from here."
Nodding, the teen stood up, offering a hand to Dan, "Ready?"
And moving his head vigorously in affirmative, Dan grabbed his hand, "Ready."
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Wiseman scowled at the screen projected in front of him that showed a group of young kids and two teens.
"Master? Should we get rid of 'em?" A scratchy voice spoke up from somewhere deep within the stone chamber.
The man contemplated the option before a smirk crept across his face, "Not yet. Let them live in their dream just a bit longer."
"But sire...-"
A dark chuckle tore it's way through the man's throat, "Time to lead the lambs to their slaughter..."
And pocketing two revolvers safely, he exited the cavern.
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Shun blinked. Something was off. He could sense it. The place was calm. Too calm. He didn't like this feeling. An eerie silence stretched across the barren land as the group trudged through the enemy's territory.
"Shun?"
Topaz eyes met the sapphire ones as the person in question glanced at his companion.
"Is it just me or something really is wrong?"
"It is." Shun agreed in a low voice, not wanting to worry the young children they were traveling with, "Don't let your guard down."
"We're almost there anyway." Keith slowed down his pace to carry a stumbling Marucho, "Let's just hope it's our imagination."
"Or let's just wish that you hadn't come here."
The blond teen's head whipped up at the menacing tone. Shun halted in his path, stepping in front of the young brawlers protectively as he looked around for the source of the voice.
"Aw, come now. Don't look as if you're gonna cry." Wiseman jumped down from a rocky ledge, "After all...the fun has just begun."
Shun gave the man a calculating stare. There was something he was hiding.
"What are you up to this time?" Keith came to stand beside Shun, "Haven't you had enough already?"
Wiseman raised a brow mockingly, "What am I up to? Well I'm sure you don't want to know. So I'll spare you all the gory details. But you know, I've wasted a lot for this...idea of mine. Did you honestly think I was gonna let the brawlers go so easily? You see...my original plan...-"
Dan gulped, glaring at the man from behind Shun. He had to be brave. He had to prove himself to Shun. He had to...-
"We don't give a damn about your plans." The raven haired teen hissed, glaring at the man.
"But I just want to propose a deal." The ironic smirk spread some more.
"What deal?" Keith placed Marucho down, clenching his fists.
"If you return me these brats...I'll let you fix them. However..." The tone became malicious, "You'll have to go with them as well. Forever."
"Like hell we'll...-"
In a flash, Julie let out a shriek as Wiseman grabbed her, whipping out a gun, resting it at her head.
"Sh-Shoon..." The silver haired girl whimpered quietly.
"Well Shun? What's it gonna be?" The smirk was venomous.
"Okay." Shun's face was expressionless, "We accept the deal."
"What?! But Shun...-" Keith couldn't believe it. Was the ninja giving in so easily?
The teen pronounced each word clearly, "We. Accept. The. Deal."
"Good." Wiseman nodded and waved his gun, motioning the group, "Start walking. One wrong move and you'll regret it."
"Shun..." Keith glared at the teen, "Are you out of your mind? What are you trying to do?"
Topaz eyes met the blond teen's gaze, "Just trust me."
"Right...that explains a lot." Keith rolled his eyes but fell silent as he saw the determined look on raven haired teen's face.
Within a few minutes, the group found themselves in a stone chamber containing a strange machine with a cellular glass pod and some complicated control systems present in the center of the room.
"This...is the brawlers' key to their own time." Wiseman was bragging now as he pushed Julie away as though she were feather-light and Keith caught the girl, "I've taken extra care this time so no one would be messing with me again. Not anymore."
The two teens stared at the machine, trying to figure it out in vain as the children watched in awe.
Keeping the group at gun-point, the man moved and pressed a button. Within a second, the entrance to the room had been sealed shut and the machine had started producing a strange humming sound as a timer appeared on the screen above the controls, displaying thirty minutes.
"So..." Wiseman took a step forward, "Who's going first?"
No one moved. Runo whimpered, holding Keith's jacket tightly.
"I suggest you get lost first..." Wiseman moved to grab the blue haired girl's arm but found himself catching Dan instead as the small brunette moved in front of the girl, protecting her. An intense fire burned in reddish-brown eyes as they glared up at the man.
"Oh...someone is playing hero..." The man smirked menacingly as he dragged Dan forward, pressing the gun to his back, "Oh well...I don't mind. As long as you're not getting in my way."
Dan's eyes widened as he realized what was happening, "No!"
"Dan...-" Shun took a step forward but Keith restrained him, "No..."
"Wait..." Keith grabbed the teen's arm, "He's got a gun."
"No!" Dan was resisting now, "Let me go! I don't wanna...-"
Wiseman raised the gun he was holding, his fingers poised on the trigger as he aimed for the boy's leg, "Let me make this easier for you."
"SHUN!"
That was when all hell broke lose as Shun pushed Keith back, sprinting towards Wiseman. The man fumbled with his gun, attempting to shoot as the teen maneuvered deliberately, throwing out a kick and catching the man in jaw. Stumbling back from the impact, Dan was thrown to a side as Wiseman regained his balance.
Crouching down, the raven haired teen tried to move out of the way but earned a kick to his ribs that sent him flying back and hitting what appeared to be a wall, the impact leaving him dazed.
"Damn you!" Wiseman growled as Keith pounced at him from other side, driving the man away from the young brawlers. Marucho was wailing, the girls were huddled together and Dan was close to tears as they tried to protect themselves in vain.
'BANG!'
The blonde teen watched in horror as a spark flew from Wiseman's gun, ricocheting off the wall just above his head. In the heated moment, Keith decided to try and stop the machine, leaving his opponent to Shun. Who knew if Wiseman had set it to explode or something? He ran over to the control system, trying to figure out the numerous levers and buttons. He was veguely aware of Shun throwing himself over their foe in order to drive him away from the blonde teen.
Shun was panting. He was tiring out by now and Wiseman wasn't letting go of the gun even as the two fell to the ground. However, he had to stall for time in order to let Keith stop the timer somehow. All of a sudden, the man managed to pin him down as he delivered a solid blow to his already bruised ribs. An audible crack was heard and the teen paled.
"You're not so smart as they label you to be, are you, boy?" Wiseman smirked as he placed the gun on the teen's chest, increasing pressure with every word he spilled, "You think you're so high and mighty. Acting like you own the whole Goddamn world...showing off what you...-"
"No! Shun!" Keith's eyes widened as he realized his friend was in serious trouble. The kids were staring at the scene unfolding before them with terrified expressions...frozen...unable to move. He had to do something...anything! But the stupid machine wasn't working!
The raven haired teen coughed as the pressure on his chest increased, making it difficult to breathe. He tried to move his arms, his legs, desperately attempting to regain his footing. But the man above him simply gave him a twisted smirk and bent low. Low enough to whisper in the teen's sensitive ear, "I'll put you out of your misery, dear Shun... when you're in hell, say hello to your mother for me who is there only because of the sin she committed by bringing you...-"
"SHUT UP!"
Topaz eyes snapped open in blind rage and Wiseman was thrown back by the force of his opponent's swift movement. A deep fire of hatred was burning in the gaze that was now fixed on him as he backed against the wall, the teen's face inches away from his own.
Wiseman watched in shock as he saw the teen's hand. Clutched in the bleeding hand was a sleek, black revolver. His revolver. Present against his abdomen. The man hurriedly pulled out his other gun and the two guns trained themselves on each other as the raven haired teen spoke up three angrily promising words,
"I'll. Kill. You."
And with that, both guns went off.
A collective shriek came from the terrified young children and Keith bit back a scream as he turned towards the gun-holders. A body was present on the ground. The other was standing beside it, tilted to a side, a crimson puddle forming around his left leg as the liquid ran down his jeans-clad leg in thin, small rivulets.
"Shun!" The blonde teen never knew he could run so fast as he approached the motionless figure. Grabbing onto his shoulders, he spun the teen around to inspect his face. To his utter shock, a bitter smile was present on his friend's pale face, "Shun? Are you alright?"
He got an affirmative nod in response as Shun pulled out of his hold and limped towards the baby brawlers.
"Sh-Shun?" Dan gulped.
"Hey..." The teen rasped, kneeling before the boy, "Thought I'd let you go like that?"
"N-no..." Dan suddenly threw himself at the older teen, holding onto him for dear life.
"Dan...-"
"I thought...I thought you die!"
"Well...I'm still here and...-"
"I knew you live! You fight!"
"I...-"
"And...and that man...you made him sleep! Him dead?"
Shun let out a sigh, "Not yet. But we need to get you guys back to your time before he wakes up."
"Shun...it be so scary!" Alice was hugging the teen's arm now.
"Yeah...me and Choo-Choo scared too!" Julie piped in, hugging the teen's other arm.
"I know... I'm sorr-"
The raven haired teen was cut off as his sharp ears picked up a whisper, "Go...to...hell..." Turning his head sharply, his eyes widened in sudden revelation as his foe stretched out his arm while lying on the ground and pointed the revolver held in his hand towards Dan.
"Dan! Move!" Keith moved swiftly to push the young boy out of harm's way as the finger lethally bent over the trigger.
A gunshot went off.
A shadow danced in front of the group, stumbled and collapsed. But not before another shot went off and Wiseman's breathed his last as his body went lifeless, a crimson spot on his neck growing bigger and bigger.
"Shun! Damnit!" Keith swore under his breath as he supported the semi-conscious teen into a sitting position. There was another crimson hole on his left shoulder, dangerously close to his heart but missing it's mark, "Stay with me!"
"Shun! No!" Dan snapped out of his trance and wailed. The rest of the children gathered around him as they saw Wiseman still pointing the gun at the teen.
"Don't hurt him!" Alice yelled, glaring at the man with tearful yet angry eyes.
"Shun won't die!" Dan was shielding the teen's head from Wiseman, "I won't let you!"
In a sheer moment of raw adrenaline rush, Keith grabbed the revolver from Shun's limp hand and without hestitation, shot two rounds. Wiseman tried to crawl away but not before another shot went off and the man breathed his last as his body went lifeless, a crimson spot on his neck growing bigger and bigger.
"It's over... it's really over..." The blonde teen stared in disbelief before snapping back to attention and moving the children aside, he took off his jacket, putting pressure on the bleeding wound on the teen's shoulder. He absently glanced at the machine and realized only seven minutes were left.
"Shun? Come on! Wake up!" Keith tapped the teen's cheek gently but persuasively. The raven haired teen coughed weakly in response, "Wake up... the brawlers need you. You're scaring them."
"Wha..." Topaz eyes opened a crack at the mention of brawlers. They were unfocused but open.
Keith heaved a sigh of relief, "There's just a few minutes left, man. You need to...-"
He was cut off as Shun suddenly moved and coughed a fair amount of crimson liquid on the rocky ground, "S-sorry..."
"Shun?" Dan licked his dry lips before sitting beside Keith and taking Shun's hand, "You live?"
"I...live." Shun confirmed with an ashen smile.
Three minutes were left.
"Okay kids. We don't have much time. I'll leave you all with Shun while I... do something with him." Keith jerked his head in the direction of their lifeless foe.
"Keet... I..." Dan stared at his shoes, "I like you..." And with that, he threw his arms around the teen's waist in an embrace.
"Hey now..." Keith patted the boy's head gently, "It'll be okay. You'll grow up in an awesome person, you know that? Crazy... but awesome."
Following the lead, the rest of the kids hugged the blonde teen as well and he stepped back, allowing them to bid farewell to Shun.
One minute, thirty three seconds were left.
"So..." Shun regarded the brawlers calmly, albeit struggling to sit up properly as he leaned heavily against the wall behind him.
"Shun... we scared..." Runo admitted, Julie nodding.
"I know... but... you all turn out to be such... great people." The teen coughed lightly and blinked to clear his vision before continuing, "You guys won't remember it. You'll meet me soon though."
"We gonna miss you..." Alice broke down into tears.
"Hey..." The teen reached out with a cut up hand and brushed away the girl's tears, "You're a trooper. Be strong."
The girl threw herself over the teen though, hugging him tight as he winced in pain the impact had caused. She was followed by Runo, Julie and Marucho who all hugged him as hard as they could muster.
Forty two seconds were left.
Once they all let go, Shun fixed his gaze at Dan who was shaking, "Dan... come here..."
"Sh-Shun..." The boy turned his head to avert the teen's eyes but was forced to shift back and look at him as he was pulled into an embrace.
"It's all a dream. Just close your eyes and it'll all be over."
The boy sank into the embrace, letting a few tears slip past his tightly closed eyes, "I...I love you... gonna miss you... you my brother... I... I..."
"I know... I'll miss you too. But soon enough, we'll see each other again." Topaz eyes blinked back tears.
"P-promise?" Dan pulled back slightly to look at the teen.
"I promise." Shun tightened his grip, "I promise."
Fifteen seconds were left.
Seeing the other children, the teen stretched his arms slightly, and they all toppled over in his lap as he hugged them all tight. Shun wasn't a huggy person. Not at all. But just this once, he'll make an exception. Just this once.
Five seconds were left.
And just like that, the baby brawlers began to disappear. First they were translucent... then shadows... and then nothing.
"Well..." Shun shivered and coughed, "It's over."
"It really is." Keith agreed, kneeling beside the teen, "Can you walk if I support...-"
He was once again cut off... but this time... by a loud groan. Startled, the two turned towards the machine where five figures were getting off the ground, mumbling and groaning. What was noticeable was the fact that their sizes were that of an average teenager.
"Dan! Runo! Alice! Julie! Marucho!" Keith nearly jumped, "You guys are alright!"
"Of course we are!" Julie winked at the teen.
"What happened?" Marucho rubbed his head.
"I think a freaking truck ran over us." Runo ran a hand across her eyes.
"Shun...?" Dan's eyes widened, "Dude... what happened to you?!" Rushing towards his best friend, the brunette dropped to his knees beside him, "What the hell... who did this?!"
"Well... it's a long story..." Shun sighed before his eyes began to close on their own accord due to sheer exhaustion. Dan barely managed to catch the teen as he fell unconscious, finally losing all self control.
"Okay guys... let's just go home." Keith got up, "I'll fill you in."
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The brawlers were astounded when they discovered what had transpired.
"Dude...!" Dan punched the air, "That's the craziest thing I've ever heard! Don't tell me I embarressed myself while I was here! Well I'm sure it must have been awesome but anyway..."
Keith groaned, "It was... petrifying to deal with you..." He shook his head as Dan's face fell.
"And can you talk louder? I think they didn't hear you quite well in Alaska..."
"Shun!" All heads turned towards the bed as the teen struggled to sit upright.
Dan moved to support the teen helpfully, "Take that back, man! You're losing your touch!"
"Shun..." Alice stepped forward, "How are you feeling?"
"Like... daisies." The teen's sarcasm was something they were all so accustomed to that it was expected.
As Julie persued Keith, asking him if he had snapped any photographs of them as kids -which he told her a million times that he hadn't... "Are you sure?! Like absolutely 'sure' sure?! You're not forgetting about it, are you...?!"- Marucho tried to figure out Wiseman's machine, Dan begged for food with Runo whacking him and Alice prepared some smoothie for all of them, Shun realized one thing.
He was with his friends, his family. He was the luckiest person. And he was truly happy.
It's over. Wow. I have no words to express my gratitude towards readers and reviewers... yes you...! Virtual cookies and nuggets for you all! And hugs!
GUEST reviews:
To: a – hole... No dude/dudette... I did not die, apparently. Life just changed.
To Kain: Aww man! Thanks! I hope you enjoyed this story.
To Hi: I'm from Pakistan.
To Guest: Thanks a lot! That means a lot! I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
To rudoulfh: Hi, and thanks! But I'm sorry. Romance in this story would kinda damage the original plot. I'll try to write something about that if I get enough demands.
To carl: Here's the chapter!
To starinthedark13: Hey! No, my mother language is Urdu. My second language is English. I do speak some other languages... but most are just words I've picked up off of various resources. And you're just awesome, dude/dudette! You have my big thanks and hugs!
To guest: I'm so sorry! My life just swept me away! Hope you like this chapter! Thanks a lot!
To bluelizard: Thanks! Enjoy this chapter! P.S: I hate romance too.
To terrah111: Haha, thanks! Hope you like this chapter!
To guest: Thanks! Here's the chap!
To Smile: Yes I'm okay. Thanks a ton for your kind compliments. And no, I haven't yet accomplished the feat of getting a book published... but I might someday...in near future... soon. Supernatural or sci-fi? To leak out the news... I am working on a sci-fi story... but not a bakugan one. And thanks a lot for your review. Don't be scared. Just be yourself. If you get negative responses, turn them into your strength and return in a whole new awesome glory! Don't forget how awesome you are!
To Hi: Thanks thanks thanks! And I'm back lol!
…
Phew... that took a while! And it was awesome! Epic! Truly! I'm working on a couple of new stories. Let's see when I decide to put them up. (Possibly after exams which are in a month.)
Gosh... it's midnight...! Love you all!
Hope out!
Until next time! :)
