The Bakugan Battle Brawlers in, Warming Up the Benches!
Out in Bayview, Dan, Marucho and Shun were sitting in front of the cafe Julie works at.
"Okay guys, I'm not gonna lie, that moment in that battle with Ben, it really freaked me out." Dan stated as Titanium Drago, Minx Elfin, Preyas, Storm Skyress and Master Ingram rolled on to the table.
"I think our biggest question with this is when did this all start?" Marucho began.
"Yeah, things have been flowing smoothly for a year after the war with Gundalia, so why now is crazy stuff happening again?!" Elfin shouted as Ingram rolled up to her.
"Inside voice please, Elfin, the entire world doesn't need to know our business." Skyress berated as Elfin pouted as Marucho patted her head softly.
"She does bring up a good point though. I mean, we knew that since Drago evolved from Code Eve he got stronger, but Dan and Drago have been brawling since then and hasn't shown that lack of control." Shun theorized.
"I know battling's basically in your blood Dan, but I think the best option might be to take a breather from battling for a bit." Marucho explained as Dan crossed his arms.
"I think Marucho's right on this one, Dan. Until we get answers, I think that's the safest option for everyone involved." Drago explained as Dan eventually nodded.
"Yeah, you guys are right, I just hope we can get this crap sorted out soon. This along with Team Anubias are really tickin me off!" Dan said grinding his teeth before stopping himself. "Yeah, taking a break's a good idea, I really didn't like that feeling just now."
"Don't sweat it. You may be the big hero, but let us handle things for a bit." Shun finished with a smile. To this, Dan responded with his own.
"Sounds good to me. I've been kinda hogging the spotlight for too long anyway. So you all gotta show me what you've got! Let's get psyched guys!" Dan shouted as the three Brawlers all raised their fists to the sky chancing "Yeah!"
"Well, sounds like some crazy stuff's been going on since I stepped away for a bit!" Julie said plopping into an empty chair as Golem opened up on her shoulder.
"Tell me about it. Never a dull moment for us Brawlers!" Dan joked.
At night Dan and Drago both woke up with a cold sweat. Dan caught his breath for a few seconds, before he shifted to just sitting on his bed. "Did you feel that too, Drago?" He asked cautiously as Drago nodded. Dan clenched his teeth for a bit before going to his desk. He hesitates for a second before picking up his phone.
"Kazami residence, Shun speaking."
"Hey Shun? I, do you have a sec? I think I might've figured out where that shift in Drago's power started."
"It's nice having you two over in Wardington again!" Runo said as she, Dan and Alice sat on a grassy hill with a picnic. "I mean, chatting over video calls are nice, but I miss my two aces here!" She said as Dan and Alice blushed.
"I feel the same way. I love Moscow, but this city just has so much history to us." She said looking towards a nearby tree.
"You're telling me. If it was up to me, I wouldn't have ended up moving all the way to America, but thankfully things still work out!" Dan said stretching as on a farther tree, Drago, Blade Tigrerra and Alpha Hydranoid standing together.
"I've gotta say, I love a good fight, however my time with Alice has made me appreciate the quieter moments." Hydranoid mused as Tigrerra nodded.
"I must agree. How was Neathia again, Drago?" Tigrerra asked as Drago sighed.
"Being honest, it felt like a never ending ride, constantly rolling with the punches of what was happening." Drago mused. "I'm sure you can see, hence the new form and all, a lot has changed in the past year when we aren't chaperoning our brawlers' dates." Hydranoid chuckled at that.
"I thought you had grown a couple inches. What do you say we test out that new form of yours?" Hydranoid muttered as Drago turned away.
"Unfortunately I must decline that invitation. Something strange has been happening to my power lately. When under the negative energy influence, did you ever lose control of your powers before, Hydranoid?"
"Strange nightmares?" Alice questioned as Dan held his arms.
"Yeah, its like I'm stuck and I can't do anything, with this creep in gold armor keeps egging me and Drago on. That's part of why we're on a break from battling, but I don't know what else to do. I'm not exactly the brightest dude around so without brawling I just feel useless." Dan finished as Alice and Runo both hugged Dan.
"Alright listen here. Dan Kuso is not useless just because he can't battle. Who's the one who helped pick me back up when I was scared of losing Tigrerra to the Doom Dimension?" Runo began as Alice nodded.
"And who was the first one to stand up for me when Hal-G gaslit me into thinking I had ruined everything with my only friends?" Alice put her hand on Dan's left shoulder. "You're a great battler, Dan, genuinely the best one on Earth, but you don't need to battle to have a purpose."
"Thanks, Runo, Alice. Though could you two do a small favor for me soon?" Dan asked. "I already told Shun, Marucho and Julie about the nightmares might be connected to the power surge, and that rampaging giant that came from us." He explained as their Bakugan partners floated to them. "I don't think Drago and I can take this on, with just us. What do you two say to a Battle Brawlers reunion and tag team this creep all 12 of us?"