A Feud Between Friends and Brothers (PART 2)
More notes at the end of the chapter. Fun fact: Part 2 is longer than part 2
Mark's POV
Remember that weird training Dan does? The one that Drago interrupted that time with his sarcastic remark?
Yeah, Dan had to babysit me again (it happens pretty often), so he decided to do BOTH the babysitting and the training!
What so bad about this? Well, last time he just did his training while I just watched. Now he believes that if I train with him, I'll be able to get better too.
Hehe...oh, boy...
So here I was, trying to keep up with him at full speed, while he was running at 'low speed' for me.
"Battle Brawlers number one! Masquerade better run!"
I'm not sure if he actually said that or not since I was trying very hard to not faint. Maybe I'm just exaggerating, but one thing is for sure: PHYSICAL ACTIVITES ARE NOT FOR ME! I'd rather sit inside doing ANYTHING ELSE than what I am doing at the moment.
Maybe I'm just exaggerating, but one thing is for sure: PHYSICAL ACTIVITES ARE NOT FOR ME! I'd rather sit inside doing ANYTHING ELSE than what I am doing at the moment.
Maybe I should've paid attention to what's around me since the last thing I heard before bumping into Dan was "Something's not right"
I fell on my butt and looked up at Dan "W-why...did you stop?" I panted.
Instead of waiting for him to answer, I got up and looked at was in front of him that made him stop. A few steps ahead was this weird redheaded guy (probably the same age as Dan), and he didn't seem so happy.
"You there! Are you Dan Kusso!" he asked - more like interrogated Dan.
Dan waved at me to get behind him. He didn't seem scared, just skeptical to answer with "Yeah, that's me...Who are you?"
"My name is Rikimaru! And I've come to battle with you, Dan!" the guy - Rikimaru, apparently- said while pointing a finger at Dan.
Dan's awareness vanished in an instant. He just smirked "No problem! You say the word and we'll start, but pay attention. You might learn something" he said, his voice lacking any bit of worry.
Drago, on the other hand, felt like there was something sketchy with this guy. "Please Dan, be careful! There's something I don't like about this" he said, worried.
I glanced at Rikimaru only to see him smirking. He chuckled "You won't talk so tough when you'll see the cards I have" he said and held up two cards between his fingers.
We managed to figure out what card was behind the first one. Unfortunately, it was a card we knew too well.
Dan gasped "The Doom Card!" "Not again!" I said while looking around, hoping that the creep Masquerade wasn't around here.
"Oh no..." Dan said worried then shook his head "Hey! Where did someone like you get a Doom Card from?" he asked trying to show he wasn't scared.
Rikimaru laughed "I have my connections" he said while attaching something on his wrist. We realized soon what that was as well.
It was a shooter like the one Masquerade had, only his was blue. He is an Aquos brawler.
"Oh, you gotta be kidding me! You're working for Masquerade?!" Dan shouted, pulling out his Bakugan card.
Rikimaru smirked "That's none of your business. Believe me, you have bigger things to worry about" he said.
"I'm opening the field" his card glowed blue, confirming that he was an Aquos brawler. Dan groaned, his card glowing red.
I grabbed onto Dan's arm, worried. No one of the people Dan and Drago battled with were send by Masquerade. This guy must be tough.
Rikimaru set the Doom Card and a Gate Card. He didn't throw any bakugans tho. Dan glanced at the Gate Card he was about to throw. It was a Character's Card I think. Drago's Character's Card "Let's do this Pyrus...this Character Card will double your power level!" he said before he threw the card.
"What are you waiting for?!" Dan shouted. Rikimaru smirked (that's the only thing this guy seems to be doing) "Hey, I like your style" he said before throwing another Gate Card next to his.
"Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!" he shot Robotallion on Dan's card "Robotallion, battle!" he said.
"Dan! His attribute is water!" Drago said, worried "It doesn't matter what attribute he has! I have you Drago and we can beat him!" Dan ignored him "I'm worried" I said, scared.
"Both of you, stay calm! Let's see what his first move is going to be" Drago said, floating next to Dan. Dan ignored him once again "There's no time for that!" he said before throwing, what I assumed to be another Character's Card.
He threw Falconeer on the card "Okay, now we're in the game" Dan said, ready to battle.
Rikimaru only smirked, threw another Gate Card next to his, and threw Juggernoid on it.
"Shouldn't he start the fight by now?" I asked, still worried, but also confused. Usually, from what I saw, people used their ability cards right away. Why isn't Rikimaru fighting?
"I think he lost it. Why did he put all his bakugans on the field so early in the battle?" Dan said, confused as well.
"He has two Aquos bakugans lined up. Chose your next card carefully" Drago gave him an advice.
Dan nod and threw another gate card (a Character's Card) "Bakugan, brawl-" "NO! NOT THAT ONE!" but it was too late I guess.
Dan threw Griffon on the card he just placed. For some reason, it was apparently a bad move. The tone of Drago's voice only made me even worried.
Rikimaru smirked, but this time it looked somehow...darker? "Ha! Now you're mine!" he said before he shot his last Bakugan.
It is a...Aquos Siege? I only heard bits about him, but I know one thing: He for sure knows how to make an amazing entrance! But still, Drago did a better job back then.
Back to the story! We checked our bakupods.
"Aquos Siege identified. Power level 350G. A strong opponent"
I looked back at Rikimaru and saw him pulling an ability card "Here's the ability card! Activate!" he said.
Siege's eyes glowed and he started spinning his weapon above his head. In the next second, a tsunami send all the Bakugan - even his Bakugan! - to the Doom Dimension!
"Wha...w-what just happened?" I asked confused and shocked "No...they...all washed away..." Dan didn't know what to say either. In just a second...poof...
We just stood there, staring at the place where the portal was for a few moments before Drago broke the silence.
"They've been sent to the Doom Dimension! It was a chain reaction attack!" Drago explained, sounding angry. This didn't help our confusion "But why? The only Bakugan he has now is Siege" I said.
"Smooth move, Rikimaru! You think by pulling the plug on your Bakugan you can win?" Dan asked him, trying to focus on the fight. Rikimaru laughed "The only thing that counts is the win! It doesn't matter how you win!" he said.
Dan was visibly angered by his statement. So was I. "What! No way! All right! If that's the way you wanna play it-" he pointed a finger at Rikimaru "-so be it!"
"This is why I told you to wait, Dan!" Drago said, anger in his voice. Dan looked at him from the corner of his eye "You were too hasty! You should've known he was up to something when he called up the two Aquos Bakugan!" he was too mad to even turn to look at Dan.
I don't like where this is going.
"If you kept your calm and defeated the first Bakugan at the beginning of the battle, you wouldn't be in the mess you are now!" I could tell he was trying to NOT lose his temper, but the scene that occurred a few moments ago before his eyes was just too much for him.
Dan raised an eyebrow at him "Hold on, wasn't you who told me to wait and see what his first move will be?" he asked, a bit mad that Drago blamed him for what happened.
That didn't help "Your impatience send four of my kind to the Doom Dimension!" he shouted.
"Calm down! The battle isn't over yet" I got between them, trying to stop THEIR fight so they could focus on the ACTUAL fight.
I just hope I didn't make things worse "Mark is right. Chill out would ya? We still have a trick up our sleeves" Dan said with a smirk.
I glanced at us "I'm the only one with sleeves" I said, grabbing the sleeve of my hoodie. Maybe not the best time for jokes...
Drago ignored me "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice lacking any of the earlier anger.
"It's time. Now, it's your turn on deck. I think you know what I'm talking about" he winked at Drago "I want you to do that special thing you" he whispered.
He wants Drago to unleash that huge power again? That would, most likely, make the field unstable and cause a draw again!
Drago wasn't so sure about Dan's idea "It's too dangerous" he told him. Dan just rolled his eyes with a smile "Ah, just do it. Win" he said and grabbed Drago "That's all that matters right now".
"Dan! Wait!" me and Drago said. Something was so gonna go wrong. If it's not the fight, then...
I took a deep breath, hoping for the best to happen. He threw Drago on the same card as Siege.
"This is not a game anymore!" Drago said before he took his real Dragonoid form. "Ability card, activated! Boosted Dragon!"
I let go of the breath I didn't know I was holding and checked my bakupod.
"Drago's power level: 440G"
Dan was happy to see that "Great! With a power level THAT high, we're definitely good to go!" Dan said, ready to win for sure. I wasn't sure though "Are you sure?" I asked, the sound of worry very audible in my voice.
He looked at me and ruffled my hair with a smile "Don't worry. This one is ours! Drago should have no problem defeating that Aquos Siege" he said.
I looked at Drago. The ability card generated flames fly around Drago, which would've been an awesome thing to watch if it wasn't for the situation we were into.
Instead of attacking like Dan, and probably Rikimaru as well, expected, Drago stayed still for a few moments before he wrapped his wings around himself. The flames wrapped around him as well, turning into a red crystal shell. He then broke the shell, glowing red for a few moments.
"What was that?" I asked confused "Wow! He really can break free from the force of the ability card!" Dan said. I wasn't sure if he was talking to himself, or me.
Rikimaru wasn't expecting Drago to do that "What?! No way!" he shouted, the smirk replaced by a look of shock and utter worry. Does that mean...
I checked my bakupod: "Drago's power lever dropped to 340G"
Drago launched at Siege with a battle cry. The impact sent Siege back, but for our shock, he turned into water and rushed behind Drago.
Drago tried to hit him with his tail, but Siege turned to water again and rushed in another direction.
Neither of us had any idea where did he go until Drago looked up, and saw Siege falling towards him, his lance pointed at Drago's heart.
Drago caught the tip between his hands - paws? - but it didn't matter. Siege turned into water again and rushed behind Drago. This time he managed to stab him in the back.
Drago fell on his knees, screaming in pain. "Drago, what are you waiting for? Without the ability card, you'll be history! Your power level is lower than his!" Dan shouted worried, and maybe a bit annoyed.
Rikimaru seemed very worried all of a sudden "Yes, finish him! Do it now!" he said frantically. Siege hit Drago again, sending him on his back.
He jumped on top of him and raised his weapon to finish Drago "I can't look!" I said, covering my eyes.
"Come on! End it! There's not much time left!" Rikimaru shouted at Siege. That took my attention. I looked at him between my fingers, worry replaced shortly with curiosity "The gate card will open soon!" he said.
A blinding light turned my attention from him, back to Drago and Siege. My worry returned, but it was followed by confusion and curiosity.
At the sight of Siege glowing red and Drago glowing blue, I checked my bakupod, and so did Dan.
"Adjusting power levels. Siege: 340G. Drago 350G"
"No way. They just changed the power levels! Is that possible?" I asked Dan, who seemed to be in utter shock "I-I..."
Siege attempted to attack Drago, who caught his lance in his mouth, breaking it. Siege jumped back, only to give Drago a clear shot.
He shot fire at Siege, turning him into a ball.
"Drago!" Dan said worried, as Drago began to glow red.
The field vanished again? Did Drago win? I looked around, only to find ourselves back at the bridge. Everything was fine. I sighed in relief.
I was next to Dan, and Rikimaru was at the same he was before the battle "That Aquos Siege got owned. Drago won the battle" Dan said, not sounding as happy as I expected.
Drago! I looked around, not knowing if he was in Dan's hand, or somewhere on the ground. Or worse, in the water.
"It was the Pyrus!" Rikimaru shouted. I turned my attention back to him "I tried to set a trap with my second card, but your Bakugan knew the Pyrus card would cause their power level to switch!" he said. So that's why it took a few moments for Drago to cancel the effect of the ability card. He was considering the idea.
"And that's how he was able to gain control and win the battle at the last moment!" he finished and looked away. Dan wasn't done yet "Yeah, but how did he do it?" he asked, as I keep looking around and keeping an ear on them.
"The ability card you threw down gave your Bakugan increased power! If my plan worked, the power level would've been transferred to my Aquos Siege. Your Bakugan released himself from the ability card and his power decreased"
"So that means, even if Drago had a lower chance to win without the ability card, he knew that once he would switch power levels with Siege, he would win the battle" I said in realization.
"So Drago waited till the last moment to use the Pyrus maneuver, just as the gate card was about to open. It was risky since the battle could've ended in a draw" Dan said "Or worse..." I added, still looking for Drago.
"I just wanted to be the best brawler. That masked guy said that all I had to was to beat you and I could keep Aquos Siege!...but it's all over now..." Rikimaru said, annoyed. He got up and ran away without a word.
Dan narrowed his eyes "So Masquerade did it again. He took advantage of him and made Rikimaru fight his battle for him" he said.
"I dunno what he's trying to prove, but I'm gonna find out! Together, Drago and I will take him down!" he added. I groaned "If I could only find him!" I said annoyed and worried.
Dan finally realized Drago wasn't with him. "Hey!" he said and looked around. He spotted him behind us near the edge.
We ran to him and Dan picked him up. I sighed in relief, glad that this mess was finally over.
"Drago!" Dan said, very happy "The battle was close, but you won! And you worked some choice moves too!" he said with a smile.
His happiness was only met by silence. My sudden relief was gone.
"You thought the battle was close...?!" he said, his tone lacking any sort of anger, but hate and disbelief. I flinched at that. I know it wasn't meant for me, but I hate when people argue with this sort of tone because it's actually serious. I was worried.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous the Pyrus maneuver is?!" the tone of his voice slowly build up with anger.
Dan was confused and maybe just a bit scared "What's with you? We won! And all because of you buddy!" he said with a smile "Okay sure, I was a little gone at the start, but I've learned my lesson. This is no time to argue, let's celebrate!" Dan said.
I think that only made it worse. Before Drago could say anything, I tried to calm down the waters "Y-yeah...! L-let's not get all angry about it, please!" I said, not wanting to get caught in another argument. Especially after all the tension from the battle.
"YOU JUST WANT ME TO IGNORE EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED?! WHAT ABOUT THE FRIENDS I LOST TODAY?!" Drago shouted, sounding mad, and also at the edge of crying. I flinched again, knowing that this time was directed to me as well.
"H-hey, if could bring them back, I would!" Dan said, trying to calm him down, shocked by Drago's outburst as well "Isn't there a way to do it...?" I asked softly, afraid of him yelling at us again.
Drago made a sound similar to a sigh "You don't understand boys. All the bakugans are alive, but the ones send to the Doom Dimension are gone forever" he said sounding very tired. "That might not mean much to you two, but for me, it's hard to take!" he added.
I wanted to interrupt him. I wanted to tell him that he was wrong...I wanted to tell him that we care!...I couldn't...I was too scared...
"Perhaps you're so intent on defeating this 'Masquerade' that you don't realize how reckless your actions are!" I just grabbed on my left shoulder, hoping this would end soon.
"It's just obvious to me that Bakugans are just a game to you and nothing more. I even did what Mark told me and acted nice to you, hoping you were different. Hoping you would understand...I was wrong...I can't trust you!"
I let out an inaudible gasp, letting go of the breath I didn't know I was holding. Dan looked at me. The happiness in his eyes replaced with obvious anger, but the thing that made it worse was what came along with the anger: Betrayal, disappointment...
His arm shook a bit "You...no...that's not...only because...he told you to...?...I can be trusted..." he didn't know what to say. I looked away.
I looked away. My breath hitched. He wasn't supposed to know that! Or at least in this way!
"...Remeber the day we made that deal? I don't know what you're getting so wound up about! I've been straight with you all along! Sure there are things I don't understand about the Bakugan, but that's no reason to give up on me!"
He kept on talking. He sounded so...betrayed. I didn't want this to go like that. I only wanted all of us to be friends...
I only caught the ending of what he said before he actually became mad "...If you want more say on what goes down you got it! But you better make sure you're right! If your little trick on the battlefield hadn't worked today, where would you be now? You'd be toasted! Done for!"
I turned my head just a bit to them, still scared "This is twisted! I thought we were friends! I've been honest with you from the beginning! And you? You only acted nice around me just because Marcus told you to!" he glared at me. He used my whole name...he never does that.
"I thought you and I made a wicked combo, but it seems to me you wanna go solo!" he held Drago tighter in his hand "Well, I won't stay in your way!"
"W-wait! Wh-what are y-you doing?" I asked, finally saying something after what felt like an eternity.
Dan only ignored me "If that's what you want, then I guess our deal is done!" he said, looking at Drago in his hand before preparing to throw him in the water.
"Dan! No!" I tried to grab onto his arm to stop him...it was too late...
I just watched as Drago landed in the water, never to be seen again. I let out another inaudible gasp, tears began to roll down my face.
"Goodbye forever!" Dan said, his voice full of hatred. He stood there a few moments before he began to walk away to home probably.
I just stood there...I couldn't move, I couldn't speak...I was...frozen...
Dan came back and grabbed my arm "...Let's go home! It's dangerous to stay so close to the edge..."
And with that, we just walked home. No talking, not even looking at each other...
What have I done...?
AN: Phew, the end of another chapter. I knew it would take way too long to write everything in a chapter, so that's why I split it into two parts. I think it was a good idea. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
One thing about me, I LOVE REVIEWS! So, feel free to leave your thoughts on this chapters and upcoming chapters in a review. I'll probably answer them at the beginning of the next chapter.
Have a nice day!