Me: …hey there guys, um…yea sorry about the very late update…
I had a few reasons. I had a few writers block about this chapter and…at the start of summer, I got really sick with a high infection. I stayed at the hospital for about a week or two and when I was discharged, the antibiotics has to be giving through IV so yea…I had an IV at home…even during my birthday…
Afterwards I had to regain strength back to my arms cause of the multiply IV's being stuck into my arms and all. I couldn't eat myself, my mother had to help me so had nurses to come over to do some therapy on my arms.
So yea…update chapter, yay!
I thank to those that reviewed: the four random guest, rawdah03, coolchick87 and Crazy-chan; I thank you.
I'm sorry for the not updating much sooner but here is your long waited chapter and yes, this chapter will have Dark Dan…well semi-Dark Dan. I don't know much about Naga's attacks so I guessed what they do but if anyone knows please tell me.
And no, if there are no cliff hangers then there is no suspense in the story, right? Besides, I'm quite known for my dramatic cliff hangers.
Well, that's enough chit-chat – onward to the story! Enjoy!
-Mountain, East side-
Shun looked down at his Bakupad to see it was close to getting late. He looked over at the early sunset before sighing, "Come on let's get going Alice. We'll come back tomorrow."
Alice nodded, sadly but just as they were about to leave, a sudden purple attack hit a tree. Hydra protected Alice from the unexpected attack while Shun looked up to find the same girl he met not too long ago.
"You again!" snapped Shun. "Tell me where is Dan?!"
Sarafina smirked, "And what is the fun of that? Why don't we play…a little game first?"
"Oh please, we just want our friend back," begged Alice. "Can't you understand? His parents are really worried about him. We are worried about him. Can you just tell us where you've seen him?"
Sarafina stared down at them before chuckling, darkly at them. She played with her purple hair, "Like I care about if his parents are worried about him. They are not my problem! Now get out of here or…we'll make you leave!"
Shun was about to argue back when he stopped. The teen girl said 'we' so does that mean there was someone with her?
"Something…we feel a familiar dark energy Alice," warned Hydra, softly.
Alice looked at her partner with worry before turning around her head. She looked around before feeling something familiar as well. Alice closed her eyes as she felt a familiar dark energy…the same dark energy when she was Masquerade and was near…She gasped, "Naga!"
Sarafina smirked, "So little Miss Sunshine can sense her former Master. Well looks like it's a perfect time for a reunion, don't you think! Come on out Naga!"
Drago went in front of Shun and Alice while having Skyress and Hydra by side him. They protected Shun and Alice as the winds started to blow hard and the sky turned dark.
Shun hold onto Alice as they watched their former enemy appeared at them.
"Greetings…Brawlers," said Naga, darkly. He chuckled, "Drago…it's so pleasant to see you once again. Did you miss me?"
"As if Naga," replied Drago. He growls, "I swear if you harmed Dan…"
Naga laughed, "Me? Harm your…former partner? Why would I do that…if he's right here?"
Shun and Alice widen their eyes to see a familiar brunette coming out behind of Naga's neck. But was strange was the new clothes he is wearing. Dan has a small gray vest with small pockets on each side, a white shirt with black trimmings, and his pants were dark crimson. On each side of his leg were black bandages on his thigh and above the ankle. He had dark blue sneakers with dark crimson on the sides. He had gray gloves with white trimmings and on top of his head were gray goggles.
"D-Dan?" said Alice, softly.
"No Alice," said Hydra. They looked towards Dan and could see a faint dark aura around the brunette. The Darkus dragonoid narrowed his eyes, "He's being controlled like your grandfather."
Alice gasped while Shun grits his teeth.
"Dan, you have to snap out of it!" shouted Drago. "Break free from Naga's control!"
The brunette stared at them with emotionless eyes. He looked over towards Sarafina, "Who are they, Sara? And how do they know my name?"
"They are nothing important, little brother," replied Sarafina, coldly. "In matter of fact, they are just leaving. As for knowing your name…I frankly have no idea."
"That's a lie!" shouted Shun. "Dan, we're your friends! That girl is not your sister!"
"Shut up!" snapped Sarafina. She grits her teeth and was about to shout at them when Dan stopped her. Sarafina frowns, "Danny?"
"If…they don't want to leave willingly, then we have to force them out," said Dan. He looked over towards Naga, "Get ready to brawl."
Naga smirked, "With pleasure."
Sarafina nodded before the two jumped down at the ground and activate their Bakupads.
Shun widened his eyes, "I'm not going to fight with you, Dan!"
Alice bit her lip, "Maybe…Maybe we do. This might help Dan break free."
Shun looked away as he grits his teeth. He slightly looked over towards his best friend's eyes to see that they lost their innocent look. It pains Shun to see Dan like that but if this brawl helps his best friend, he will fight for Dan's freedom.
"Skyress, I'm going to use Drago," decided Shun.
"I understand but do be careful," warned Skyress before turning into her ball form. She went and settled onto Shun's right shoulder.
"Come on Drago, let's get Dan back," said Shun.
Drago nodded before he and Hydra stood in front of Alice and Shun. Dan and Sarafina took out their gate cards while Shun and Alice did the same.
"Gate card set! Bakugan brawl!"
"Stand and destroy, Cruentus/Naga!"
"Let's go Hydra/Drago!"
Naga: 410G, 100% and Cruentus: 500G, 100%
Drago: 400G, 100% and Hydra: 550G, 100%
"I'm going to crush your hopeless hope," said Sarafina. "Double ability activate, Hellfire and Dark Shield."
Cruentus was surrounded by some purple glow while Hydra was surrounded by purple flames.
Cruentus: 500G + 200 = 700G
Hydra: 550G – 200 = 350G
"Ability card activate, Bottom Zero," said Dan. The attack headed towards Drago which hit him straight at the chest.
Drago: 400G – 300 = 100G
Naga laughed, "How Drago? How does it feel to be attack by our former partner?"
Drago gritted his teeth, "I will set him free from your hold, Naga. Mark my words. This will not end like it did with your sister – Shun!"
Shun nodded, "Ability card activate, Tornado Barrier!"
Naga narrowed his eyes as he watched Drago being surrounded by some crimson glow. Suddenly, he felt some of his strength was taken away.
Drago: 100G to 400G
Naga: 410G – 100 = 310G
"Don't forget about me," said Alice. "Double ability activate, Indigo Nightmare and Death Trident!"
Hydra: 350G + 300 = 650G
Cruentus: 800G – 300 = 500G
Dan and Sarafina covered their eyes a bit as Naga and Cruentus got hit.
Naga: 90% and Cruentus: 85%
Drago and Hydra: 100%
"They didn't lose that much percentage," said Shun. He grits his teeth as he looked over towards Dan, "We need to damage Naga a lot more if we want to loosen his hold on Dan."
"Agreed, Hydra?" said Drago.
"I'm not holding back," said Hydra, angrily.
"Right – Ability card activate, Strike Dragon!" said Shun.
Naga: 410G – 400 = 10G
Drago: 400G + 400 = 800G
Dan narrowed his eyes, "Ability card activate, Darkus Riot!"
Naga: 10G to 410 + 500 = 910G
Drago: 800G to 400G
"Damn it – Double ability activate, Burst Shield and Burning Dragon!" said Shun.
Naga: 910G to 410G
Drago: 400G + 200 = 600G
"And we wouldn't leave you behind – Ability card activate, Destroy Vanish," said Alice.
Cruentus: 500G to 0G
Sarafina stomped her foot, "You brat, how dare you lower my bakugan's G-level that low?! Ability card activate, Hell's Gate!"
Suddenly the ground started to shake and purple lava was coming out of the cracks. Cruentus roared, loudly as he started to glow dark purple.
Cruentus: 0G + 700 = 700G
Hydra: 550G – 300 = 250G
"…ability card activate, Silent Doom," said Dan.
Naga: 410G + 300 = 710G
Drago: 600G – 200 = 400G
Shun and Alice covered their eyes as Drago and Hydra were surrounded by dark orbs and purple flames. The two bakugans were sent flying and hit the wall of the mountain.
Naga: 90% and Cruentus: 85%
Drago: 70% and Hydra: 65%
Drago let out a scream of pain as he dropped onto the ground. That caused Dan to flinch before grabbing hold onto his head.
Shun looked over to see on his Bakupad that their percentage went down much more. That would mean their attacks were much powerful. He looked over to see that Drago and Hydra were scratched up a bit.
"Shun, look," said Alice. She grabs hold onto Shun's shoulder, "I think it's…working. Look over at Dan!"
The raven hair teen turned his head to see Dan was holding onto his head as if he was in pain. Shun widen his eyes, "Dan! Come on man, snap out of it! It's us!"
"Dan, please come back to us!" encouraged Alice.
Drago slowly lifts his head to see Dan's eyes. The Pyrus dragonoid could see his dear friend was regaining a bit control. He could see the brightness returning back in those crimson-brown eyes.
"D…Drago," said Dan, weakly before getting a wave of pain. He holds onto his head with both hands and fell onto his knees. "M-Make it stop!"
Sarafina gritted her teeth before grabbing hold onto Dan. She placed his arm around her neck and whispered to his ear, "Calm down brother. You're not well still."
Not able to withstand the pain, Dan fell unconscious on Sarafina's arms.
Sarafina sighed before looking over towards Shun and Alice. She glared at them, "This time you win but the next time we face, it wouldn't end the same. So enjoy your small victory Brawlers."
"Wait!" shouted Shun. He ran towards them but just as he was about to get close, purple flames blocked his path. Shun stopped and step back before watching the purple hair teen took away his best friend, again. "No!"
Alice fell onto her knees, "We…We were so close. Oh Dan…" She looked over towards her partner, "Are you alright, Hydra?"
"We're fine, Alice but do not be sad. At least we know that Daniel is not fully controlled…yet," replied Hydra.
"He's right," wince Drago. He slowly got up, "I get a feeling that Dan is fighting."
Shun gritted his teeth, "But…for how long? How long can he continue to fight? He looked so much in pain…"
"Believe Shun," said Skyress. "Dan had so much faith in you and your friends. Now it's time you believe in Dan that he will continue to fight until we set him free."
Shun looked over at his partner before nodding. He got up and sighs, "Let's go…we need to tell the others about this."
Alice nodded before settling onto Hydra's shoulder while Shun flew on Skyress. Drago was flying close to Skyress.
The five of them returned at the aircraft and waited for the others to return. It didn't take long for the rest to come back where Shun and Alice told them what happen.
"What…What are going to do?" asked Julie, sadly. She started to sob, "I can't fight against Dan! I just can't! I wouldn't!"
"But…if we don't, Dan wouldn't be free from Naga's hold," said Runo, sadly.
Kai crossed his arms, "This is…a tough predicament. Dan being the strongest brawler, he would be a tough opponent to fight against…definitely if he is going to use Naga."
"Shun?" said Marucho.
"…there is no other way guys, we have to fight him," said Shun. He bit his lip, "It's the only way to free Dan."
The others looked at each other with an uncertain look before nodding. That's when Marucho remembered something, "Hey, did you guys notice that the sky is turning a bit darker?"
Alice frowned, "Now that you mention, it is. And not only that but I feel the air is a bit dense."
"That's strange indeed," murmured Kai. "I need to have Leo investigate."
Shun nodded, "You think is might have to do with Naga being around here?"
"Could be but we will never know until I have more details," said Kai. "Come on, let's get something to eat. I'm starving!"
Alice nodded, "Runo, if you please help me."
"Sure, Julie can you help out as well," said Runo.
Julie simply nodded before following the other two girls to the kitchen. Shun simply sighs before heading out without saying a word.
"I'm going to ask Preyas to look around at the waters while you can send Leo to the skies," suggested Marucho. "With some luck, they can find some clues."
Kai nodded before the two of them headed over to the control room.
Outside, Drago was lying on a high mountain top where Skyress flew over to him. The Pyrus dragonoid looked up, "Please Skyress…I want to be alone for a bit."
Skyress chuckled, "I find it could amusing how much you and Dan are so much alike…he will be saved Drago. We will break Naga's hold from him."
Drago closed his eyes, "You didn't hear his plea like I did…Skyress, somehow I was able to hear his thoughts…I can hear him, screaming in pain…"
"That…is odd," said Skyress. She landed next to Drago, "How is it possible of you to hear him?"
"…I'm not sure but this…strange feeling, I can sense Dan and read his thoughts, his pleas, his screams...as if I am inside of his mind," replied Drago.
"We could ask Apollonir about this…strange connection," suggested Skyress.
Drago thought about it before nodding, "He might know something…"
"I'll let you be, get some rest Drago," said Skyress before flying away.
Drago sighed before trying to sleep but just he was about to, there was a bright glow appearing before him. The Pyrus widens his eyes, "What in the world?"
Slowly, a transparent white bakugan formed in front of Drago. She smiled, "Hello…it's been quite some time, Drago."
"W-Wavern?! But-But how?" said Drago in shock.
"There…is little time for me to explain, Drago…You must hear me out…Dan is in danger…You and the rest of the Brawlers must get him away from my brother…if you don't…not only Dan will lose himself but New Vestroia and Earth will be doomed," warned Wavern.
"Wha – What do you mean?" asked Drago.
"…The reason why you can hear Dan's thoughts, the reason why you can see him in your dreams…is that Dan has part of the Perfect Core, inside him," informed Wavern, seriously.
-Naga's New Base-
"That was so close," said Sarafina, angrily. "I thought you had erased everything!"
"Be quiet, girl," hissed Naga. He looked over at Dan's unconscious form, "His memories of his former friends have been gone…but the connection with Drago still lay strong inside him. Hearing his pain, it gave the boy some control a bit but nothing more."
Sarafina gritted her teeth, "And what if it happens again? It may be little but what about the next time we brawl against that Dragonoid? I am not losing my brother to the likes of them!"
"And you wouldn't!" snapped Naga. "Nor will I lose him as a partner. I had a thrill seeing Drago struggling to fight back against his former partner."
"Glad you're having fun," murmured Sarafina. She sighs, "He's going to be okay, right?"
Naga nodded, "Leave. I need to conceal his connection to that blasted Dragonoid. Why don't you and the others crush the hopes to the Brawlers?"
Sarafina smirked, "I believe I will. It's quite funny taunting those losers. See yea later!"
-Break Line-
Well trouble is a brewing for the Brawlers. Can they fight against the person they were trying to save? And how is it possible that Dan has the Perfect Core inside him?
Find out next chapter! Ciao guys!