Masquerade Ball
Mark's POV
"Daniel! Marcus! Breakfast! Hurry or you'll be late for school!" Mom yelled from downstairs. I groaned and got up from my bed.
Downstairs there was Dan already eating is breakfast, and mom. Dad probably left for work already. I sat next to Dan and I saw Drago on the table next to him. Dan was already prepared for school while I looked like I got run over by a train.
"Marcus, why aren't you ready yet?" mom asked placing my breakfast in front of me. I yawned "The teacher is sick so I'm free today, and maybe tomorrow too. Sushi from gas station. I think you know the rest of the story" I said and I started to eat. She nod understanding.
"Since Mark stays home today, can I too?" Dan asked "No chance, young man" mom said and left the kitchen. Dan got up and followed her "But mom..." he whined and followed her. I didn't hear what he said but I saw that he accidentally bumped in the table.
Drago began to roll off and it seemed like he tried to stop himself. Keyword: tried. When he was near the edge, he became more vocal "No, no! Must...resist..." he muttered/groaned. I catched him fast.
"There ya go, Drago" I said and placed him back on the table. He didn't say a thing "Not even a 'thank you'?" I asked in fake sadness. Nothing, again. I looked to see if Dan returned, but nope. Still trying to convince mom to let him stay home. I looked at Drago again and I noticed that he turned away from me "Okay, rude" I crossed my arms.
"I can't believe you're so lucky..." Dan groaned and came back in the kitchen "Guilty as charged" I said with a smile. He rolled his eyes, finished his breakfast, grabbed Drago and left to school.
Okay, time to look through his stuff without his permission. I walked to his roon and opened the door. I looked through his bakugan first, but then I noticed something under the desk. Dan's math homework. He forgot it...again. Just a paper and he forgot it. Well, at least there's someone to deliver it to him this time.
After I changed, took my bakugan and cards, and told mom where I was going, I left to school. We're going to the same school, but I still had to ask someone from there where was his class, but that doesn't matter. The important thing is that I walked at the right time.
"Hey Dan, forget about Drago" one of his classmates said "Yeah, I'm more interested if you did your homework" another one said. I just leaned on the frame door waiting for him to freak out.
"Of course I made it. It's right...here?" Dan checked his backbag only to find that he didn't have his homework with him. He did freak out and asked everyone if he could copy theirs. It was funny, but as good as it was to watch, I still had to stop it. I cleared my throat and everyone looked at me.
"Mark what are you doing here?" Dan asked coming to me. I pulled out his homework "So you remember to bring a bakugan to school, but not your homework? What would mom say?" I joked, pointing to Drago who was on his desk.
He gave me a bone crushing hug thanking me all over again "I...can't...breath...I see the Light..." he let me go and I took a deep breath.
"Students! Did you not hear the bell?!" a voice said. I turned around and saw Dan's teacher . Everyone gasped and ran to their seats like some wild animals. One bumped into me hard and I collapsed. I saw someone else tripping over something and bumping into a desk, but there was a problem. It was Dan's desk.
Drago went flying and I watched scared as he was almost about to get crushed in that hazard. Dan tried to get him but he failed. I catched Drago before could see him and I got up.
"And just who are you?" she asked, not liking the idea of a 8 year old kid on her classroom "I'm Dan's brother, Mark. He forgot his homework and I had to bring it to him" I said and gave Dan his homework, but not Drago since it would've been too risky.
"Is that so? At least I know you have your homework for once Dan" she said. Dan laughed nervously and neod before he looked at me. I know what he meant by that look. He was indirectly asking for Drago.
My back was facing so I mouthed to him "Meet me in the boys bathroom". I don't know if he understood. "You shall leave now" she said "Yes ma'am!" I said and walked out the class fast. I closed the door and sighed.
I looked around then ran to the bathroom. Inside I leaned on a wall and sat down on the floor. I placed Drago next to me since it seemed like he liked it better when nobody touched him.
"If you wonder why we're here, it's just because I couldn't give you back to Dan earlier. He either understood to come here to get you back or we'll be stuck here for an hour" I said "...but you probably don't care, am I right?". Still silence.
After two minutes, I decided to break the silence "You're only making it harder for yourself, you know that right?". I think that made him a bit curious cause he turned very slightly to me "Just try and talk to Dan once at least" I said.
Drago sighed/groaned annoyed "I'm not his-" "Toy? I know, but I didn't ask you to entertain him" I said. No answer.
"Look, I know you're not obviously just a toy. If you try talking to him, he might understand that bakugan ain't just a silly game" I said. He made a 'hmmm' sound. I think he was thinking "I find surprising that a human like you is capable to understand at least slightly that" he said. I raised an eyebrow "Um thanks?" I asked. Was that a compliment? "You're welcome" he said. So it was a compliment after all.
"I mean, you can literally turn into a giant dragon, shot fire out of nowhere, and talk. You're a living being and I assume that the other bakugans are too" I said "Yes. We're not simple toys you humans use for amusement" he said annoyed by how we treat them, but also glad someone gets the idea.
To be honest, I was just trying to sound serious and make this moment important by saying obvious things. I can't believe that I actually said something right. But this made me think. He said 'slightly' so that means there was something more.
Drago was very silent. He was thinking about something. The first attempt to make a conversation worked well, so I hoped that the other would work too.
But nope, Dan had to walk in right when I wanted to speak with Drago.
"Took you long enough" I said "Yeah, yeah I'm sorry. Where's Drago?" he asked. I picked Drago up and handed him to Dan "Did he talk?" Dan asked.
"Um..." I looked at Drago "...no. Silence. Nothing. And I don't think he will talk to your classmates either" I said. Dan groaned "Oh man...Well, I gotta go. See ya at home" he said and left back to class.
I sighed and left the school. I didn't want to go home, so I walked to the park. It felt weird to be outside when knowing that other people had school. A good weird I mean.
As I was walking, I saw something in the grass. I went to see what that was "A bakugan card?" I muttered confused.
"So I see you like bakugan" I heard a voice behind me. There was this weird dude leaning on a tree. He wore a weird mask which covered almost all of his face except his mouth and nose and his blonde hair didn't know what gravity was. He looked like a Super Sayan.
"Yes, I do like bakugan" I said and took a step back. He pulled out a card "Are you challenging me? Dude, this will be an easy win for you" I said and pulled out a card as well.
"My name is Mark. What's yours?" I asked "Just call me Masquerade" he said.
"Field open!" we said. My card glowed red while his glowed purple.
(LATER)
3rd POV
"Thanks for wrecking my life Drago!" Dan said annoyed. He and Drago were back home after a detention Dan got 'because of Drago'.
If Drago had eyes in that form, he would roll them. He actually considered Dan's brother's words. Maybe Dan could actually help him save Vestroia since in that form he was barely able to move.
But it's not his fault that he raged because the human decided to clean him with that toothbrush or whatever it was called all of sudden.
"All you had to do is talk. Man, I wonder if all the other brawlers out there have such a stubborn bakugan" Dan said annoyed and opened his computer.
Drago decided to ignore him, until he heard a scream of anger and saw Dan falling on his back along with the chair. Drago wondered if he should be ashamed by the fact that he finds that funny. Nope, he's alright.
"I hope you realize it's your fault that I lost a battle today!" one of his Dan's friend said. A blue haired girl.
"How is it my fault?" Dan asked, getting up. "This creep Masquerade came along and totally clobbered me" the girl with blue hair said.
"He's been winning battles all over the world" another boy with glasses said "Not to mention that all the chat rooms I checked are full of kids talking about Masquerade" another redhead girl said.
"So what's his deal?" Dan asked "He's been winning every battle he's been in and kids all over are losing their bakugan" a girl with white hair said.
Drago was a bit curious now. Just a bit.
"So Runno, did he get yours?" Dan asked "Yes. My precious terrorclaw is lost for good" Runno said sadly.
They all agreed that something had to be done "Dan, I don't think you'll like what I'm about to say" the boy with glasses said "What do you mean, Marucho?" Dan asked.
"From what I checked, one of the most recent battles he had was with your brother" Marucho said "Mark?" Dan asked shocked.
"Hey, where is Mark actually? Wasn't he always in your room when we're video chatting?" Jullie asked "Come to think of it, I haven't seen him since this morning" Dan said a bit worried.
"Mark? Can you come here?" Dan shouted. He heard someone walking to his room. It stopped at the door "Yeah? What happened?" Mark asked from the other side.
"Can you come in?" Dan asked. Mark walked in and closed the door. His arms were closed and he looked away. Dan looked closer "Were you...crying earlier?" he asked "No...maybe..." Mark said and turned away.
"We heard about what happened to Masquerade" Runno said "Huh?" Mark turned to the screen "Don't worry, you're not the only one he's got" Dan said. Mark sighed "Yeah, but my bakugan are still lost for good" he said.
Dan swore to defeat Masquerade with all costs, even putting his bakugan on the line. The others looked worried.
"W-what if you lose too?" Mark asked worried. Dan looked at him confused and a bit scared "But I-I won't" Dan said "Do you know what he's ranked?" Mark asked. Dan shock his head.
"He's is ranked number 1!" Mark said. Dan was shocked "You have got to be kidding me! That's impossible! The best bakugan brawler in the world should be Shun! Something weird is going on and I've got to fix this!" Dan said and got up.
"No matter the danger, no matter the risk, no matter the enemy I'll march in the battle with my head held high and come victorious! This is my quest to follow-" "Um, Dan?" Alice interrupted him.
"Now what?" he asked "One question thought. How are you gonna challenge Masquerade if you don't even know where he is?" she said "Um...well, that IS a good question..." Dan said.
Mark POV
I just sat there and looked as Dan tried to record himself. Post a video online was his idea. He just looked like one of those angry kids online everyone ignores. At least he tried. I looked away bored waiting for it to end.
"You're kidding" Drago said unimpressed, opening up. I looked up. Well, that seemed more interresting "Quiet. Can't you see I'm just bluffing the creep, Drago? You gotta trick him to come out and play—Whoa! Did you just talk, Drago?" Dan realized Drago just talked to him. I walked next to him.
"Listan to me, human" Drago turned into a ball again and rolled to the screen I am not a toy! In your realm you see me only as a token trinket battling for your pleasure. I ask you is this all just a game to you?" he asked.
"Hello this is the greates game ever. I love everything about the bakugan. It makes me feel alive, in control, and the best part is I love winning!" Dan said in a 'duh!' tone. I looked at him with an exasperated, plus are you serious?!'look.
"What's wrong Drago you sayin you don't like to battle? I thoughts that's what you were programmed for." he asked confused.
Kill me please. Really Dan? There was no doubt that Drago had a bad impression of him. There was also no doubt that Drago had a bad impression of me now too because I guaranteed for Dan.
Drago turned to me and I looked at him. He couldn't show many emotions on that form, but I belive he was giving me the I told you this would be useless'.
'I'm sorry' I mouthed to him. I turned to Dan "I'll go back to my room. Tomorrow seems like an important day" I said. Before I left the room I heard Drago say "Bakugan is more than a game"
(THE NEXT DAY)
"Come on! Move it! Move it!" Dan said. He ran as fast as he could to fight Masquerade. I was trying to keep up with him.
Tried.
We finally made it there, with me one minute late "I...need...to exercise...mo-more...I think...I think my lungs are still somewhere behind us..." I said out of breath.
And guess what? Instead of Masquerade, there were Shuji and Akira. Shuji wanted a rematch. This is what I ran that much for?! "This is a complete waste of my time" Dan said "Just beat him already" I said annoyed. I sat down on the ground and leaned on Dan's leg. I was still tired from all that running.
The fight was pretty much boring. Dan managed to defeat Shuji's (ventus this time) Robotallion and Gargonoid.
"Finish him, Drago!" Dan said and threw Drago into the battle on an empty gate card. On the gate in front of it was Dan's Serpenoid.
Anyway, all I have to say is that Drago likes to enter a battle in big style. He looked awesome!
"A dragonoid?" Shuji asked shocked. Why thought? He was there when Drago appeared.
Drago looked at himself "Ah, so when he releases me I can move around freely in this world" he said. Dan used the Fire Wall ability much to Drago's confusion "But my Fire Wall won't be effective against a beast with wind attributes" he said and lowered himself to the groun-err, gate card.
"Drago, what are you doing?! We're right in the middle of a battle!" Dan said "I do NOT take orders, human!" he said, glaring at Dan-or maybe both of us. I don't know. He's gigantic so it's like he's looking at both of us at the same time.
Dan was shocked "What?! Get in there!" he said annoyed. Shuji smirked "This is the opening I've been waiting for! Bakugan brawl!" he threw Falconir on the same card with Serpenoid.
"Falconir's power increased to 300G"
Why? Serpenoid had 320G "I might be low on power, byt your Dragonoid is useless against my Falconir's wind attributes!" Shuji said and pulled out two ability cards "And just to be sure... Ability card activated! Jump Over and Correlation Between Ventus and Pyrus!"
A tornado appeared around Falconir and it threw him to Drago's card, right over the Fire Wall "He jumped over the Fire Wall!" Dan said shocked. I got up.
"The only way to fight fire is to use a little wind. You thought your Dragonoid had more power than my Falconir? Wrong! Fire is drunk by wind!" Shuji said.
"Falconir's power 400G"
"What do we do, Drago?" Dan asked worried. Falconir began to attack Drago "Falconir! Our fight is not with each other!" Drago said, groaning between some words because of Falconoir's attacks. Really? Drago was a pacifist? If he's gonna say that in every fight, I think I won't watch "I fight using my instincts Dragonoid!" Falconir said "Come to your senses! It's negative energy that drives you!" Drago said. Falconir sort of grabbed Drago by the neck, making sure to shove his talons through it. "Drago!" me and Dan exclaimed. That must've hurt.
"You leave me no choice" Drago sighed. He made the Fire Wall come closer and closer until he and Falconir were burned by it, Drago being left unharmed. Falconir was defeated "Fire Wall slaughtered the wind" Dan said. The fight ended.
"Huh, you lose" Dan said. Time started again "Why do you keep doing this to me!" Shuji yelled in the most high-pitched voice I've ever heard. He ran away crying, Akira folowing him "If ya wanna lose, why don't you guys just give me a call?" Dan asked "I don't think they have your number" I said.
Dan complimented Drago for winning, but nope. Sillent treatment again. Dan was about to tell him something, but we heard footsteps coming to us.
"I'm looking for Dan Kusso" that voice!
A figure appeared from the shadows "Masquerade!" I hide behind Dan, scared. That guy gives me the creeps!
"So you decided to show up and I get to put a face to the name. Well, 'Masquerade', I' heard you've been stealing all of my buddies' bakugans! How come?!" Dan said angry.
Masquerade just pulled out a card and chuckled "We put a lot of time into organizing this game, and there's no way I'm gonna let you or anyone mess it up! It stops here, Masquerade!" Dan said "Time to battle, Dan" Masquerade said, calm.
I grabbed Dan's arm "FIELD OPEN!" they said. Masquerade pulled that scary card again. He dropped it down like last time and a weird wave of energy was send through the field "Your turn" Masquerade said.
"What did he threw down?" Dan whispered to me "This is how he does it..." I said. Dan's eyes widdened a bit. He pulled out Serpenoid and threw it on his card.
Like last time, Masquerade didn't threw his bakugan. He used a shooter "Bakugan brawl! Reaper, stand!" he said. Not him again!
"Ah! Reaper! Not again!" I screamed and hide behind Dan. He still saw me.
"Reaper's power 370G. Serpenoid's power 320G"
"So we meet again" he said, looking at me. I gulped.
"Gate card open!" Dan said. A Pyrus Normal, as usual.
"Serpenoid's power increased to 620G"
"Okay Masquerade, time to put up or shut up. I wanna see how you drop that bad boy" Dan said with a smirk. Masquarade just smiled and pulled ut a card "Ability card activated. Dimension 4" he said.
"Serpenoid's power dropped to 320G"
The flames made by the gate card were blown by wind "What's that?!" Dan asked annoyed "It's just one of my many pets. It's an ability called Dimension 4. I believe your brother can explain to you what it does" Masquerade said. Dan turned to me "It nullifies the oponent's gate card" as I said that, Reaper sliced Serpenoid. I covered my eyes, knowing what was gonna happen next.
I heard the portal. I heard Serpenoid being send through it. I heard Dan shouting "Serpenoid!".
I uncovered my eyes to see Reaper returning to Masquerade "Oh, man! It took my beast right out the battle!" Dan said. "What incredible power!" Drago said.
This time, Dan send Saurus. Masquerade send Reaper again. Dan used Saurus' Glow. It was useless against Masquerade's Double Dimension card. It nullifies the oponent's ability card. The same thing with Serpenoid happened to Saururs.
"Not fair! I want my bakugans back!" Dan said "Sorry, but no can do. Once the Doom Card is played, the battle is over" Masquerade said "Doom Card?" Dan asked. So that's how it was called "Yes Dan, the Doom Card. Once you throw it down, it overpowers all cards, sending the defeated bakugan to another dimension for eternity" Masquerade explained.
"You're kidding!" Dan said "The Doom Dimension..." Drago said horrified "He's right, humans. A bakugan can never return from the Doom Dimension. There is where we meet our eternal demise" he said and floated to me "Why didn't you tell me he used a Doom Card!?" he said angry. I shrunk back "I didn't know what that is..." I said and looked away.
"Now I know how you're stealing everyone's bakugan, but the question is why are you wreacking our game, Masquerade!?" Dan asked angry "Dan, Dan, Dan...Who ever said this was just a game? Every single battle is real" Masquerade said.
Drago began to glow in anger "Drago?" Dan asked. He threw a gate card down "Come on, Drago! This is our last shot at this!" Dan said.
Both him and Masquerade threw their bakugans into the battle. Drago launched at Reaper in attempt to bite him, but Reaper used his scythe to block the attack.
"Why are you doing this? Do you realise what's happened in Vestroia?" Drago asked. Vestroia? "That doesn't bother me" Reaper said "Of course it does!" Drago said "I'm a solider in this dimension, and I'm free to team up with a human, then I can inhert infinite power!" Reaper said "You fool!" Drago shouted "I've had enough of you! It's time to send you to the Doom Dimension, Dragonoid!" Reaper said.
"C'mon Drago!" me and Dan said. "Have a pleasant journey! " Reaper was about to attack again, but Drago began to glow "What?!" Masquerade asked confused "Drago, gate card open! Fire Storm activated!" the field was swallowed by flames.
"Time for our last card! This is it!" Dan said. Drago screamed in pain. I checked my bakupod and I couldn't believe my eyes. Drago's power level was getting higher by the second. When it reached 2000G my bakupod went to static.
I covered my ears from the sound, but I still heard Drago yelling "ULTIMATE BOOST!"
Before anything could happen, the field vanished. Dan looked around desperately for Drago until we saw him at his feet. He dropped on his knees to pick him, but a voice interrupted him.
"I spared him for you" Masquerade said "What?" I asked confused "Why?" Dan asked, confused as well "You realize I could've easily captured your bakugan, but I decided against. It's been a slice, Dan. Later" he said about to leave.
"Wait I can beat you I know I can." Dan tried to tell him. "Bakugan is more than a mere game kiddos. There are other dimensions and powers involved. It's a battle that can lead to the destruction of the entire world." Masquerade said.
I knew it there was more! Drago really was hiding something. Does that 'Vestroia' had to do with this mess?
"And the only way for you to stop it is to defeat me" Masquerade said "This is crazy!" me and Dan said. Masquerade laughed and walked away.
"Man! Oh man, oh man this bites. I will beat you Masquerade!" Dan yells at him. I just place my hand on his shoulder. I wish I could fight along with him, but I'm just an amateur at bakugan...