Disclaimer: I don't own Bakugan.


Chapter 4


I heard what sounded like fire and my phone cut.


Earth

Runo's POV

I stood there, stunned into silence. "Dan?"

"Dan answer me!" I started sobbing uncontrollably. Falling to the floor, my hands covered my face, in any attempt to disguise the now evident tear-tracks. "Dan, please answer…"

"Runo, what happened?" Julie asked, concerned, slowly walking up to me.

"Dan…" I murmured inaudibly, barely able to speak due to my misery.

"Runo. Get a hold of yourself!" Alice shouted suddenly.

Julie looked at Alice, shocked. "Alice–"

I stood up, shaking. "No Julie, she's right."

"Runo?" Julie questioned.

"Let me hear it Alice," I stated.

"Good. Call Shun and see if he knows anything," Alice said.

I glanced at her curiously. The waver in her voice is still present but she seems to have much more control over it than before. Maybe she realised I could hear it before? No matter. There are bigger things to worry about right now.

"... That's a good idea. If anyone knows what's happened to Dan, it's going to be Shun, his best friend," I said, albeit hesitantly. While I don't trust Shun, I know that right now I'm going to have to get over that, as he is currently the only clue I have as to what happened to Dan. I can only call him through Dan's phone though. I hope it still works after what happened.

Shun's POV

I stared at Dan's body, shocked. It looked like it was slowly being consumed by a something like a blood-red fire. When I touched it, to investigate, it wasn't hot though. Additionally, strangely enough, I couldn't hear any sounds coming from Dan.

"Is he dying?" I whispered, feeling the first tears form.

Buzz… Buzz…

"Huh? Dan's phone?"

I looked over to Dan's phone, still clutched in his palm after his earlier call. I checked the caller ID.

"…Runo"

I felt resentment build inside of me. I promptly shook my head to clear my mind of any negative thoughts. My personal feelings for Runo aside, I need to ask her if she knows anything in relation to Dan. There's that weird vibe I get from her after all.

"Hello?" I said, my voice slightly hoarse.

"Shun? Are you with Dan?"

"Yeah." I heard my tone become slightly bitter.

A moment's silence.

"Look. I need to talk about Dan. Is that okay with you? I'm concerned."

"Okay. Sorry. Anyway. HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM?" I said, my voice raising in volume. People started to turn and stare. I flinched away from their gazes.

"Shun. I'M NOT CALM!" Runo exclaimed. "But freaking out isn't going to help Dan! Now where are you?"

I hesitated, not wanting to reveal what I felt was the private area I spent most time with Dan in.

"Shun?"

"… At the park," I said quietly.

Runo's POV

"Alright, he's at the park" I stated, barely satisfied.

"Nice work Runo," Alice complimented, while Julie stared at me admiringly.

Dan… My thoughts wandered. What would I do without you? …You're like my… sibling? My best friend? I shook my head, clearing my mind. Let's not go there right now. That's way too complex and there are other things to be worrying about right now.

"Runo?"

I started. "Y-yes? Oh, right. Park. Okay, I'll head there now. If you want to come with me then go for it; I may need your support. Also, Marucho. He may be needed. Is anyone in contact with him?" I asked.

"Oh! Yeah, I have his number," Julie opted. "It was a sunny day, and it was fairly quiet out. He timidly approached me and–"

I stopped her. "Julie, while I'm sure your story is beautiful, I believe we have somewhere to be right now." I sweat-dropped. Julie really loves her romance fantasy stories.

Shun's POV

Buzz… Buzz…

I noticed Dan's phone going off again and assumed it to be Runo. I picked up the phone quickly, not wanting to draw any more attention to myself or the scene that lay before me.

"Shun, we're at the park entrance. Julie, Alice and Marucho are with me. Where exactly are you?" Runo asked.

"I'm near the fountain," I whispered, barely caring if I was heard.

It was Runo I was talking to after all. Despite my better judgement and desire to protect Dan, I still held resentment towards Runo because of what she had done.

"Good, we'll be there as soon as possible," she replied.

Of course she's calm. I don't know why she thinks she has the right to care about Dan like that anyway.

By God, I am bitter.

Runo's POV

"He's by the fountain, let's go guys!" I exclaimed. Just a few more minutes and I'll get to see Dan! I let out a sigh of relief.

We arrived at the fountain to see Shun on his knees, sobbing over Dan's torso. My gaze sharpened. It wasn't just that I saw. What is that fire covering Dan? I know members of the Pyrus royal family commonly use their flames to transport beings across dimensions, but this shade? I haven't received any notification of this either. No. It can't be? The–

"Runo?"

My thoughts were cut short by Julie's inquisitive voice.

Ah, right, I shook myself back to reality and subsequently stormed over to Shun.

"Shun?" I questioned furiously. "Shun!"

Shun's POV

I looked up after hearing Runo's voice, but before I got to speak, I felt extreme pain on my cheek. She had slapped me.

"Runo? What was that–"

"Shun, get a hold of yourself!" Runo exclaimed.

I noticed Alice behind Runo, smiling lightly, seemingly proud of her. I flinched. I was not prepared to see Alice now. Not after–

"Now. What happened to Dan?"

I gestured to where Dan had been, too exhausted and clueless to explain. ... Wait. Had been?

Runo's POV

"Shun, where's Dan?" I turned to him, tears in my eyes.

"He was here–"

"You did something, didn't you?" I shouted.

"No!" he yelled in response. "I would never do anything to harm Dan! Why would I harm the one I love?"

I was stunned. "Y-you l-love Dan?" I stuttered.

"Yes." He glared at me.

"B-but I thought you were going out with Alice?" I questioned, confused.

Is that why Alice was acting weirdly before? That would explain a lot. But what about the arranged marriage? Oh this would cause some major complications.

"We broke up," Alice interjected. "He told me that he had feelings for someone else and felt too guilty to lead me on like how he was."

"And you're okay with that?" I questioned, turning to face her with an incredulous expression.

"As long as Shun is happy, I'm happy. Besides, if he ever falls in love with me again, I'll be waiting." She blushed with tears in her eyes, smiling faintly.

Lies. As if she's going to wait. That "if" said it all - I think she meant "when". I know that Alice doesn't give up that easily. Especially not when I know she's that possessive over Shun. Something's going on. She's never been this easy to break up with.

In the past, Alice has had a few boyfriends, but there was this one that she was especially attached to. Scarily so. When he tried to break up with her, she cried and cried and held onto his arm and wouldn't let go. She begged him consistently to stay, to not leave her and lose all of their cherished memories, but he insisted it wasn't going to work out. This happened to be during a torrential season as well, which didn't make the scene any prettier.

He left her… He left her in a puddle of rain mixed with her own tears. After such a horrific experience, Alice thought she could never love again. Then she met Shun. He really didn't know what he signed up for by ever dating Alice. Alice seemingly letting him go that easily? I know there's something suspicious going on and I can't figure out Alice's thought process.

I glanced over to her.

I need a way to figure her out, I contemplated. Wait. Wasn't there – Oh yeah. That conversation.

I faced Shun and Alice.

"Alice…" Shun murmured, voice filled with appreciation.

"Shun," she replied, smiling.

"Aww," Julie cooed. "That's soooo cute~ But guys, don't you think you're forgetting something~?"

…Dan. I looked to where his body had been. "Where is he?" I asked, my voice shaking.


?

Dan's POV

"Where am I? … Drago? Anyone?"

I felt as if I was floating in a endless space. I tried to open my eyes but couldn't seem to get them to work. I couldn't move my body at all either.

I was scared. As much I hate to admit it. I always tried to keep up the tough-guy act after all. Shun is the only one who's ever seen my true, and sometimes vulnerable side. He's the only one I fully trust.

"…I wish he was with me now."

I gave myself a quick once-over. Despite just having one of my attacks, it seemed as if all traces of the burning feeling had gone. Alternatively, my body felt lighter than usual though. I tried to open my eyes once again, and found I could this time.

I was initially faced with a blinding light, though it eventually settled down. It took a few moments, but my eyes eventually re-processed the surroundings… Not that I could make out that much.

"Hello? Anyone here?"

I had stopped floating a moment ago, once I felt gravity kick in. My body still felt a bit sore, however.

"Oh~ He's here! Yay~" I heard a voice. "Ow, what did you hit me for? You're saying I'm not acting tough enough for a villain? I'm too carefree? Take that back! I have serious moments too, you know? Don't you talk down to me! Anyway, I'm heading there now, so don't interrupt me this time, got it? Sheesh."

All of a sudden, footsteps could be heard approaching, louder by the second, causing me to mentally prepared myself for what was to come.

"Oh hey! You're here! You um… You didn't hear that did you?"

I nodded to say I had heard.

"...Oh. Well if you could just forget that, that would be great." He released a toothy grin. "You're probably wondering who I am actually, especially after that message. You'll find out, at some time. In the meantime, there are things I want to do~"

I blanched.

What does he mean by that? Also, message? Is he–?

"So yeah, let's get started, Daniel Kuso" he said in a sinister tone.

"No–" I started.

"Yes," he denied me. "Now. Where were we? Brother, are you coming? ...Good. I have plans for this boy, so you'd better help me."

He approached me slowly, while I protested. "No. I swear–!"

He silenced me. I fell back, panicking.

How I wish Shun was here. Surely he would know what to do. Shun...


Author's notes: That's the chapter done; I hope you enjoyed! The next chapter will be entirely new content - so no content at all from The Chosen One"

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