Chapter 1

It was a special day for the brawlers. They'd been able to plan a get together that everyone could make it to and enjoy. The original battle brawlers, some close friends, the resistance, and Fabia and Ren were all in the Misaki restaurant which was closed for the day due to the event.

The group pulled three tables together and sat down to reminisce about everything. Alice and Runo were in the back preparing to bring out refreshments. While Runo was finishing grabbing food, Alice began to walk out with the drinks. She had her hand on the doorknob when she heard someone speak.

"Masquerade did all that?" Someone said. "Where is he? I'm gonna make him regret it!"

"Well actually," Marucho began. "We forgave Masquerade and he did help save earth when Naga tried to destroy it."

"But why?" Alice's heart stopped when she heard Fabia's voice. It was cold and harsh. "You all lost your bakugan to the doom dimension. You almost lost Dan there. You were all manipulated by Masquerade like pieces on a chess board. Why forgive someone who inflicted all that pain on you? No matter who it is, those kinds of actions should never be forgiven."

"Masquerade was Alice's alternate identity. She didn't know what was going on." Shun's voice sounded neutral, but carried a warning tone to it.

"But if they shared memories then that might have been how Masquerade always knew what was happening." Fabia responded. Her tone was less hostile now. "And if it wasn't for Masquerade's actions, Naga wouldn't have gotten as far as he did."

"We know that."

Before she lost her ability to put on a fake smile, Alice opened the door and walked through with the drinks.

"Sorry for the wait everyone." Alice said cheerily. "Here are the drinks."

"Yeah!" Dam cheered. "Thanks Alice."

Alice smiled and pretended not to notice Fabia's staring. "I'll see if Runo needs any help carrying the food out."

She headed into the back as Dan cheered about finally being able to eat. It was still quiet as she went into the back, though she could feel the eyes burning into the back of her head. Her smile dropped.

"Oh Alice!" Runo said. "I need some help carrying-" Runo stopped when she noticed the hurt expression on Alice's face. "What happened? Did someone say something?"

"Was it hard to forgive me for what Masquerade did?" Alice blurted out. Her eyes widened as she realized what she said.

Runo's expression changed from worry to shock then finally anger. "Is that what they're talking about out there?" The Haos brawler asked. "How dare they!" Runo began to make her way towards the door.

"No, it's fine Runo!" Alice moved to grab her friend's arm. "None of the brawlers said anything. The conversation was just starting as I brought the drinks out. They all stopped."

"Alice..."

"What did you need help carrying?" Alice asked. It was a weak attempt to change the subject, but Runo didn't push the issue and simply walked over to grab two of ten platters of food.

"How much of this is for Dan?" Alice asked jokingly.

Runo smiled. "Some of it is for Baron and Jake. And there's some new recipes I wanted the others to try. No better time to try than the brawler meet up right?"

"Right."

The rest of the get together was fine. Nobody really went out of their way to talk to her, but those that she was close to did stay close. She also noticed some people sneaking looks at her. Fabia gave her unreadable expressions before realizing she was staring and looking away. Klaus and Marucho also looked at her, but looked away at the slightest sign of movement. The look that hurt the most was Shun.

Alice never tried to hide her feelings towards Shun, but never made the fact that she loved him clear. Sometimes her own insecurities got in the way, sometimes it was a Masquerade situation. After everyone had gone to the Doom Dimension, Alice had finally gathered up her courage and planned to confess after Masquerade and Dan's brawl. But then the reveal of her involvement in Masquerade's plan happened. Shun never hid his hatred for Masquerade and knowing that we probably still the strongest reason for never confessing.

She and Shun never had a conversation alone after defeating Naga. Then Shun had gone to New Vestroia, then they met Fabia and Ren, and now Shun had probably moved on and started dating someone.

Why would he even like me in the first place? Alice thought. She didn't miss Hydranoid moving closer to her. He wouldn't ask what was wrong now in front of everybody, but she would definitely have to tell him later.

"Hey Alice!" Dan's voice brought her out of her thoughts. "You need to try this new stuff Runo cooked up! It's amazing!" He thrust a plate with at least three different kinds of food towards her.

"Thanks." Alice took the plate and had a bite.

Dan didn't stick around to hear her reaction, he was already rushing back to the table to grab something else. Alice heard someone yell at him to leave some for the rest.

"How is it Alice?" Hydranoid asked.

"It's good. Runo is an amazing cook now." Alice replied. "Would you like to try some?"

"I cannot eat in this form." Hydranoid said.

"Maybe I should brawl so you can eat." Alice suggested. It was a joke of course. Hydranoid would never agree to a fake brawl just for food. That might be Preyas' thing. Marucho's aquos partner had always said he wanted to try human food.

"Perhaps we should." Hydranoid replied.

Alice stared at him in surprise before the bakugan laughed.

"I was joking."

"Oh." Alice took a moment to process Hydranoid's statement. "You've never joked like that before Hydranoid."

If the darkus bakugan could smile right now, Alice was sure he would be.

Alice stayed the night at Runo's again. She tried to refuse Runo's offer, but her friend wouldn't let her.

After everyone had cleaned up and left, Alice found herself lying in bed in complete darkness. Hydranoid never asked her what happened, which Alice now realized was because he had been out there when Fabia spoke. He already knew why she looked upset. Was that why Klaus, Marucho and Shun looked at her too? Was she that easy to read?

Alice shook her head. I'm better than this. She thought. I am just as strong as Masquerade.

With those thoughts, Alice finally began to fall asleep. Tomorrow she would talk to everyone.

A/N: Hello everyone! I know I've been gone for a long time, and I'm sorry. I was watching Bakugan and rediscovered my love for the old series (season one mostly). Rediscovering Bakugan led to me rereading one of the old Bakugan fics that got me into fan fiction years ago. It's called "When She's Back" by NadiaMiki. If anyone wants to read it, I have to warn that is unfinished. This story isn't going to be a rehash (I hope. I don't know what NadiaMiki is planning for her story). I know the continuity of this story is nonexistent. There was no physical way I could make this fit in canon timeline. I hope you all still like it anyway! Also I'm posting this at two in the morning on a really slow phone. If someone could tell me if I make a mistake I would appreciate it.

Thank you for Reading!

-Mirai