Brawl 7
Walking through Wardington airport Merucho and Runo were looking everywhere for Alice who had surprised them when she said that she'll be visiting for the summer.
"Oh man I can't wait to see her." Merucho admitted excitedly as he and Runo combed through the hallways.
"I know but I can't help but feel so sorry for Naruto." Runo agreed as she walked next to the shorter blonde with a sad look on her face. "He looked like a kicked puppy when Mrs. Kuso forbidden him too even step outside."
"Yeah." Merucho said somberly internally blaming himself.
Seeing his gloomy look Runo gave Merucho a friendly one arm hug. "Hey don't blame yourself." She said as if reading his thoughts.
"Even he didn't know he was allergic to paprika." Runo tried to cheer her friend up as she remembered the incident that befell her crush.
~Flashback~
After the startling news that Drago had dropped on them the group decided to grab one last meal before heading back home.
"Mmmmmm." Naruto moaned as he bit into another piece of spicy chicken while Runo was eating some dumplings as Dan and Merucho were devouring a plate of pork buns.
"Hey Merucho." Naruto said after swallowing another bite gaining the rich blonde's attention. "What's in this chicken its simply delicious!" Naruto asked as the flavor danced on his tongue.
"Well there's ghost peppers, Carolina reapers, paprik-" Merucho started to list off all the spices to give the chicken some kick when both he and Dan were blown back into the dumplings by a strong gust of wind created from Naruto's sneezing.
"Achooooo!"
*CRASH* Naruto sneezed again this time sending the blonde ninga through Merucho's room door and into a walk in freezer.
"Naruto!" Everyone shouted racing towards the freezer. "Phew." They released sighs of relief when Naruto walked out uninjured.
Running up to Naruto, Runo nearly tackled him threatening to send both into the freezer as she hugged him.
"Naruto! Are you ok?" Merucho asked confused as he and Dan were worried.
Shivering in place Naruto had an easy smile on his face trying to hide his discomfort. "Yeah I'm f-f-fin-choo!" Unfortunately for the blonde his body decided to answer for him.
"Geez you're freezing let's get you home." Runo said letting her crush go as she grabbed his right arm and began leading Naruto away.
"Seriously Runo I'm-" Naruto tried to argue. Despite not being close to the three brawlers Naruto still didn't want to ruin their fun because he got in a accident.
"Just trust me man. You're never gonna get Runo to change her mind." Dan said grabbing Naruto's other arm. "Sorry about the door Merucho but we gotta split." Dan said as he and Runo dragged the struggling blonde through the door and back to his house.
"Don't worry about it guys. I'll just tell them that one of the latches failed." Merucho called out to them.
After arriving at Dan's house Runo and Dan escorted the blonde up the stairs, slightly grateful that he gave up struggling twenty-five minutes ago. Opening the door to Naruto's room Runo shoved the blonde onto his bed as Dan left to grab a thermometer from the bathroom leaving the two alone.
Sitting on the chair while Naruto laid on his bed unable to muster the energy to attempt an escape, Runo looked around the room when she spotted some photos on the desk.
The first photo contained a picture of Naruto and Alice wearing party hats celebrating the girl's birthday as her grandfather carried out a cake.
Smiling softly to herself Runo picked up the second photo which had Naruto running away scared from Alice with Monarus on her shoulder as they chased him with an angry look on her face. 'This must be after the backfired prank.' Runo thought to herself chuckling.
However it was the third photo that grabbed her attention. In it was a tall woman with crimson red hair dressed in a white shirt and pants with a green apron. She had lavender eyes that shone with absolute happiness as one hand cradled her stomach, which was jutting out making the woman nine months pregnant.
Even though she felt no attraction towards her Runo could freely admit that the woman was beautiful.
Holding onto the woman was a man that looked like an older version of Naruto without his whiskers. He had the same sunny blonde hair and deep blue eyes Naruto did. He was wearing a forest green flak jacket and pants with a blue undershirt.
The haos user was soon brought out of her thoughts as Dan re-entered the room with the thermometer.
~Flashback Ends~
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Meanwhile on the roof a young girl around twelve years old, with sandy blonde hair and dressed in a pink dress was watching planes go by with a sad expression on her face.
Nearby two boy's around the same age were discussing whether combo ability cards or ability negating cards were better.
"What do you think Miu?" Kosuke, a twelve year old with dark brown hair wearing goggles, asked hoping their friend would help settle the debate with his brother.
"Hmmm? Sorry did you say something?" Miu asked distracted from her thoughts on her little brother Makoto as she turned away from the chain fence to look at her friends.
Sensing where her thoughts had been Takashi, Kosuke's twin brother without the goggles, gave Miu a kind smile as he tried to cheer her up. "Don't worry Miu. You and Makoto will be together again soon."
Knowing her friends were trying to make her happy Miu gave a nod when Masquerade appeared before the three kids. "If you want something then don't wait to take it for yourself."
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"Achoo! Sniff, stupid cold." Naruto grumbled under his breath as he laid in his bed trying to get some sleep.
'Oh Naru. Please stop trying to deny your anger.' Monarus thought as she watched her partner from the desk. Looking to the picture of Naruto's parents she thought back to the day the two of them met.
~Flashback~
It had been a month since Monarus found herself in the human world and she was no closer to finding either of the cores as the moon shined in the night sky. When she felt a mysterious wave of negative energy coming from the house she was currently resting ontop of.
Slowly making her way inside through an open window Monarus followed the wave to its source which shockingly was a lone human with sunny yellow hair that looked like he was in a struggle with an invisible opponent.
Getting closer to the blonde Monarus felt a mysterious energy wrap around her very being before everything went dark.
Opening her eyes Monarus found herself not only in her released form but had somehow been transported to a dingy sewer.
Hovering above the water Monarus explored her new surroundings as doors came into being all around her on the walls. "Hello is anyone there?" She asked but received no answer.
Opening one of the doors the ventus bakugan found herself in a dense forest as a giant raccoon made entirely out of sand crushed a pink haired girl with one hand against a tree while a smaller version of the blonde was running up its arms before headbutting what appeared to be a red haired kid in the middle of the monster's forehead.
"What in the world?" Monarus found herself asking when a hand suddenly grabbed onto her shoulder and threw her harshly on her back.
Before Monarus could even blink she found herself wrapped up in crystal adamantine chains. "What's going on?!" Monarus shrieked as she struggled to even move her foot.
"What's going on is I caught the trespasser responsible for the Kyuubi's escape." A female voice growled icilly as a woman around seven feet tall came into view. She had burning violet eyes that promised unspeakable pain and misery and crimson red hair floating in the air. The woman was dressed in a green kimono with a red swirl on the back.
"I do not know what you mean!" Monarus squeaked out fighting back a wince as the woman made the chains grow tighter.
"I'm sure you-" The mystery woman began before a hand smacked her in the back of her head.
"Enough Kushina she's not the one responsible." Another woman said as she walked forward from behind her. "My name's Tenten Higarashi." Tenten said as she helped Monarus up as Kushina's chains disappeared. Tenten was a teenage girl around seventeen years old with brown hair done in panda ears. She was wearing a light pink shirt and black pants.
"What's going on? And where are we?" Monarus asked as she observed her surroundings as it transformed into a village surrounded by nature.
"All in good time miss. And I like to apologize dabattne." Kushina apologized with a slight bow. "Currently you're inside my son's mindscape that's connected to the seal on his stomach." Kushina explained as she told Monarus everything that happened to Naruto with Tenten's help.
"Right now despite no longer being inside its prison both the fox and Naruto are still connected and we fear that the blast of pure evil energy when we passed through your home will ultimately unleash the Kyuubi before the right time, dabattne." Kushina told the ventus bakugan.
"You see there is a sociopath from our world that wants nothing but absolute destruction to the entire universe and he'll stop at nothing to make it true. And unfortunately Naruto is the last remaining remnant of our world." Tenten explained. "And once he finds out Naruto is here alive he'll seek anyway to destroy this world just to kill him even if it means using your world's energy to do it no matter the cost." Tenten told her.
"So how do we stop this sociopath from ending the two worlds?" Monarus asked worried about her home.
"Not us dabattne." Kushina said as she looked down in sadness. "Naruto is the only one who'll be able to defeat him but not without the fox's power. And as long as Naruto suppresses his darker emotions he cannot truly gain the fox's power in time to save anyone."
"Listen I know we didn't get off on the right foot but I must ask you to help Naruto conquer his inner darkness and once more open up to those around them." Kushina pleaded.
Taking everything in about the boy's life and what has happened into consideration Monarus nodded her head in acceptance. 'If this human is as dangerous as they say then Naruto will need all the help he can get.' She thought to herself.
Escorting Monarus back to the entrance Tenten gave the ventus bakugan one final apology as well as a message for Naruto.
~Flashback ends~
"Tell the little knucklehead to keep following his heart." Monarus repeated the words Tenten told her after their first meeting as she looked towards her partner sleeping peacefully in the bed.
Since that fateful night the ventus bakugan kept her word and tried her very best to help Naruto overcome his darkness and made daily reports to either Lady Kushina or Lady Tenten if one wasn't available, as well as weekly reports to the remaining toads of Mount. Miyaboku.
"That reminds me, it's nearly time for a progress report." Monarus quietly muttered. Focusing her energy on to the seal like Lady Kushina taught her, she summoned a wrinkled old toad in a jacket onto the desk with her.
"Any changes lady Monarus?" The old toad croaked out as he looked at Naruto's sleeping form in sadness.
"I'm afraid nothing significant master Kichi. Naruto still refuses adamantly to truly open his heart to others." Monarus informed him looking towards Naruto as well. "What's worse is he let his anger take over yesterday." She admitted in a pained tone.
"Sigh. Don't blame yourself lass, that's just how the idiot is sometimes. Once something or someone pushes his buttons he'll respond in kind one way or another." Kichi said grinning at a fond memory from a long time ago. However he soon lost the grin as the old toad let out a depressed sigh.
"Monarus I have some bad news for you and Naruto." Kichi said in a somber voice gaining the butterfly's attention.
"Master Kichi?" Monarus asked worried as Kichi only used her name when the situation was extremely dire.
"I'm dying Monarus." Kichi confessed shocking the bakugan as he pulled out a scroll from his jacket. "Once I'm gone so too will the last bond Naruto has with our old world."
"Inside is the key to the seal that still connects Naruto to the fox. I'm afraid we no longer have the luxury of time Monarus. Give boss lady my regards will you?" Kichi said right before he vanished with a poof of smoke returning to his family's home one last time.
"I will master Kichi."
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Walking through the airport as her suitcase rolled behind her Alice took in the sights as she tried to locate her friends. 'I hope Naruto hasn't pranked anyone too badly.'
"Hey Alice!" A voice called out to her making her stop. "Over here." Turning around she gained a huge smile as Runo and Merucho started running towards her.
Sitting down on a nearby bench Alice soon became confused when Dan and Naruto didn't show.
"Wow. You're so pretty." Preyus complimented hopping onto the bench from Merucho's pocket as Tigrerra rolled next to him.
"Indeed milady, you really are a beautiful sight." She added.
Smiling at the compliments Alice pulled out a thumb-drive out of her pocket. "That reminds me I have a present for the both of you. It's a list of combinations tailored to each of your attributes." She told them.
"You see despite never being in a battle before Alice is considered the brains of the Brawlers." Merucho explained seeing Preyus and Tigrerra's confused looks.
Runo nodded her head at this. "If you want to know anything about the game or new combos she's the one to ask." She added before her eyes sparkled in remembrance. "After all she taught Naruto everything he knows."
"Speaking of which where is he and Dan didn't they come with you?" Alice asked wondering where they were all the while hoping to surprise Naruto with a special present.
"Well you see Naruto couldn't come cause he caught a cold and Dan's mom wouldn't even let him put a single toe outside the house." Runo told her with a downcast expression.
"As for Dan..."
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Dan was walking around a different hallway looking for Runo and Merucho.
"This bites. Did they get lost?" He asked trying to find his way back.
"You would know. Didn't you realize we've been walking around in circles or that we passed through here before?" Drago asked sarcastically as he hid in Dan's shirt pocket.
"Hey all I did was forget which direction we were supposed to go after visiting the restroom." Dan said trying to ignore the barb as his right eye twitches.
"That sounds like the definition of lost to me Dan."
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Shaking her head in amusement at Dan's antic's, Alice thanked Runo for allowing her to stay over at her place.
Looking to her friends laughing gently at their banter Alice's mind wondered back to Drago's warning.
"For the sake of both your world and mine we must find the two humans responsible for corrupting Naga. I never saw the second one but i heard the first one's was Michael."
Narrowing her eyes slightly Alice tried to figure out how her grandfather got involved in the destruction of Vestroia, especially the dreams of a man with an odd hairstyle with glowing red and purple eyes.
Before she could say anything however three kids approached them. In the front was a kid with deep dark brown hair wearing a fuzzy dark red jacket and yellow shorts. Next to him was who appeared to be his twin in a purple shirt and green shorts.
Behind them was a girl in a pink dress looking down and ashamed.
"Hey are you Dan and Naruto's friends?" Kosuke asked as he flashed them the doom card.
As the six of them made their way back to the roof up the stairs, Dan had finally arrived at the waiting area where they agreed to meet Alice only to find no one there.
"Geez maybe I am lost. I just hope we don't end up like the guy that got lost in a airport for half a year." Dan said as he took a seat on the bench.
"Well if we do I entirely blame you Dan!" Drago snapped at him.
"Whoa did your bakugan just talk?" A child's voice stopped Dan's and Drago's argument before it could begin. In front of Dan was a eight year old boy in a green shirt with brown cargo pants as his black eyes sparkled.
"That's so cool!"
Rubbing the back of his head trying to act humble Dan confirmed that Drago could talk. "So who are you big guy?" He asked.
"My name's Makoto and I'm here to see my sister Miu." Makoto answered.
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Arriving ontop of the roof the the six of them got ready.
"Field open!" Runo, Merucho and the brothers shouted as they released their first gatecards which glowed in four colors. "Doom card set!"
"I wonder what strategies they'll use in..." Alice started to plan.
"Don't worry Alice we got this." Runo said as Merucho went first sending out an aquos Robotallion onto his gatecard.
"An aquos one huh? Let's see how you handle this." Kosuke challenged as he sent out a darkus version.
"Aquos and darkus Robotallion's at 310 Gs."
"I could say the same to you." Merucho countered. "Gatecard open!"
As the gatecard opened it showed a picture of Robotallion causing both of said bakugan ,who were flexing their mechanical muscles, to double their strength.
"Robotallion strength doubled to 620 Gs."
Without warning the two started boxing each other looking for a hole in the others defence.
"Why don't we increase the stakes. Ability card activate Aquos to darkus alignment!" Kosuke said using an ability card.
"Because of character card darkus Robotallion power increase by 200 Gs instead of 100."
Sapping its enemy's strength from the ability card the dark version sucker punched its water counterpart winning the fight. As aquos Robotallion fell into the doom dimension Miu covered her mouth in shock at what the doom card was capable of. "That poor bakugan."
"You're gonna pay!" Runo shouted in rage. "Go Saurus!"
Landing on Runo's gatecard Saurus got into a battle stance ready for his opponent.
"Haos Saurus 310 Gs."
Smirking at managing to get under Runo's skin Takashi played his second gatecard. "Heh. I believe this will end them." He said as Kosuke grinned. "Go Serponoid!"
"Pyrus Serponoid at 320 Gs"
As Serponoid uncoiled it roared at Sauros in challenge.
"So he's using a pyrus attribute huh? I have just the plan." Merucho pumped himself up about to make his move.
"Merucho stop!" Alice said getting both her friends attention. "You can't rush into battle like that."
Tilting her head in confusion Runo looked over the field trying to see what Alice was seeing. "What do you mean?"
"I mean don't just worry about their gatecards but ability ones too. They already took you down with a darkus to aquos alignment. You both need to play smarter." Alice explained as looks of understanding bloomed on her friends faces. "Get it now? Then show them how a Brawler fights."
"Wow brains and beauty." Preyus said in awe as he and Tigrerra floated near Alice.
"A very deadly combination." Tigrerra agreed. "Now I understand where young Naruto gained his strategies."
On the twins side they were confused on what was taking so long when Merucho sent out Terrorclaw onto his second gatecard.
Landing up on the gatecard a giant blue mutated crab raised its head as it began clicking its claws.
"Aquos Terrorclaw at 290 Gs."
"A Terrorclaw huh?" Kosuke asked with a worried expression before it fell into a smirk. "Let's see how it handles this!"
Throwing his second bakugan it soon landed in front of Sauros to reveal a darkus Fear Ripper.
"Darkus Fear Ripper calculated at 350 Gs."
Roaring in a challenge Fear Ripper charged at Sauros ready for a brutal fight as Saurus stood there tensing its muscles to try and tank the initial charge.
"Gatecard open Holy light!" Runo activated her gatecard as it released a glow of shinning light.
"Saurus power level raised to 410 Gs."
Despite its opponent gaining a power boost Fear Ripper continued its charge.
"Ability card activate darkus to pyrus alignment." Kosuke said as Fear Ripper glowed in a purplish light as its strength increased thanks to Serponoid.
"Fear Ripper now at 450 Gs."
As Fear Ripper closed the distance it jumped into the air bringing forth both of its huge hands as it clawed Saurus vertically. Unfortunately the attack proved to much for the gladiator like dinosaur who fell backwards into the doom dimension unconscious as Miu covered her ears trying desperately to block out the sound as she looked away.
"Grrrrrr. Gatecard set!" Steaming in anger Runo set her second gatecard before she sent out her Griffon who roared pissed that another friend was forever lost.
"Haos Griffon 290 Gs."
"She's still raring to go? Hate to break it to you but even playing on your own card guarantees nothing." Kosuke said confused as he raised an eyebrow.
"What do you say we make some fried crab out of him?" Takashi joked as he sent out his second bakugan. "Ability card activate Rapid Strike!"
Twirling in the air was a pyrus Gargonoid. However it wasn't the only one as a darkus Juggernoid soon joined in the fun.
"Pyrus Gargonoid 320 Gs and darkus Juggernoid 290 Gs. Together at 610 Gs."
"How do you like that?" Kosuke smirked as he and Takashi posed together.
"A combination attack."
"Ehhh. No way!" Merucho cried in fear before he adjusted his glasses with a grin. "Gatecard open Trade-off! It immediately defeats any bakugan above 400 Gs." He yelled pumping his arm up as both Gargonoid and Juggernoid were sent back to the twins.
"He played us." Kosuke growled.
"Well done Merucho." Tigrerra complimented.
"That's using your noggin." Preyus joked as Merucho sent Terrorclaw back out along with his last gatecard.
"Again? Then I'll use this." Takashi held up a card only for it starting to glow blue. "What the?"
"Ability card activate Water Refrain!" Merucho called out stopping Takashi in his tracks.
"Don't think we're out of tricks yet!" Kosuke said narrowing his eyes as he sent out his Robotallion next to Serponoid.
As Robotallion stood up the robot shocked the Brawlers when it started strangling Serponoid in a headlock who in turn wrapped around Robotallion in exchange.
"What's going on? I thought they were partners?" Runo asked confused as she and Merucho tried to make sense of the sudden betrayal but Alice gained a worried look before fear took over.
"It's a Battle Sham!" Alice cried out but the warning came to late as Robotallion glowed when it shot a laser bullet at Terrorclaw.
Not expecting such a tatic the crab bakugan couldn't muster a defense in time causing it to be sent to the doom dimension.
"Battle Sham is a gatecard that tricks any opponent to lower their guard as two bakugan on the same side start fighting each other instead. However it's true power lies in where normally the loser of the fight is disqualified the user can target any bakugan on the field and they suffer the price instead." Alice explained with a dark look as she narrowed her eyes. "It's both a risky and dangerous card to use."
"Don't blame us were doing this for Miu and Makoto!" Kosuke shouted with his twin nodding his head as Miu looked down in sadness.
"Years ago they were separated cause of their parents but since Makoto loves bakugan we figured by climbing the ranks we can help them find each other." Takashi reveled.
"Oh boo freaking hoo. Just because you're trying to help the girl find her brother doesn't make it right to join Masquerade!" Runo snarled angry that Masquerade would stoop so low. "Gatecard set! Take them down Tigrerra!"
Standing ontop of Runo's final gatecard Tigrerra snarled. "If you want to fight look no further!"
"Good to know cause I'm gonna take it up a notch." Takashi replied as he sent out Falconeer against Griffon.
"Pyrus Falconeer 340 Gs vs Griffon 290 Gs."
"Hope your ready to lose." Takashi grinned believing the round was his.
Raising an eyebrow with a smirk on her face Runo activated her gatecard. "You think so? Quadruple battle!" She countered as Preyus and Fear Ripper were summoned to the fight.
"Oh yeah I've been waiting for this." Preyus said rubbing his shoulder.
"Fear Ripper and Falconeer at 690 Gs. Preyus and Griffon at 590 Gs."
"Ability card activate Cut in Saber!" Runo said as Tigrerra ninga vanished and appeared next to Griffon.
"Hey there Tig, come to join the party?" Preyus jokingly asked.
Tigrerra' s power added. New power at 930 Gs.
"Let's end this!" Jumping as one the three defeated both Fear Ripper and Falconeer simultaneously.
"Don't think you-" Kosuke started but was interrupted by Miu's cry of pain and sadness.
"Stop it please." Miu choked out as tears ran down her face. "I know I haven't seen my baby brother in a long time but I refuse to see him like this. At the cost of the poor bakugan. Mako loved this game when it was innocent and looked up to you and Takashi both when you played for fun."
Remembering happier times between the four of them Kosuke and Takashi's heart grew heavy with pain and guilt.
Unwilling to hurt his friend anymore than he already has Kosuke summoned his doom card back as Takashi copied his actions. "Miu we're sorry." Kosuke uttered.
"Hey!" Alice called out to them getting their attention. "How about one day after you find your brother we have a rematch. For fun this time!" She smiled.
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Walking back to the waiting area the group found Makoto talking to Dan and Drago. Happy at the siblings reunion the Brawlers left the airport as they filled Dan and Drago in on what happened.
As the three were talking about Masquerade's dark deals, Alice was wondering if she should mention her mysterious dreams to them but ultimately decided to talk to Naruto first.
Heading towards Runo's family restaurant for lunch they were interrupted by a call from Naruto.
"Naruto? What are you doing you need your rest!" Alice chided him as they heard laughter in the background.
"Yeah yeah yuck it up tiny." Naruto glowered at someone as he sneezed into his mask before refocusing on Alice and the others. "Anyway it's Julie who said she had some incredible news for us and refused to tell unless we got a connection to you."
As the screen split in two Julie appeared nuzzling a brown bakugan to her cheek. "Hey guys you're not the only ones with a talking bakugan partner! Meet Gorem!"
End of chapter 7
Author's note; 1 month in the Brawlers world equals 5 years in Naruto's