Disclaimer: I don't own Bakugan.


Chapter 5


?

Dan's POV

"Dan."

"Eurgh, give me five more minutes. I don't want to go to school…" I murmured, still groggy.

"Dan, wake up! You're going to be late for school, yet again!" Drago yelled.

"… Huh?"

I shot upright, my body protesting due to the sudden change from the comfortable position.

"S-school? No! My teacher will be so mad if I'm late again!"

"Just how many times have you been late?" He sweat-dropped.

"A-anyway," I purposefully avoided his inquisitive gaze, embarrassed, and looked to the clock. "I'll check the time, huh? It's Saturday! Why would you tell me I have school, Drago?" I cried.

He smirked. "You're going out with Shun today, aren't you? I didn't want you to be late picking him up"

"Oh yeah!" I beamed. "I get to spend some alone time with Shun today~"I exclaimed happily. "I'll go pick him up. Thanks for waking me up Drago; I appreciate it!"

Static. A burning feeling. Is this really how this happened? It must be, surely?

"Dan, let's race!" Shun smiled at me.

"Again?"

He chuckled. "I know you like racing me"

I groaned. "Fine, you're on!"

He seems to never realise I lag behind him whenever we race. Not that I'm complaining. His speed is at an insane level. I don't know who can keep up with him.

This feels familiar.

Shun? It's happening again… I feel like I'm burning, help me.

I felt my temperature rise.

"Are you kidding me? Wait, my contacts! Who to call…" I contemplated.

Don't do that. You don't know what will happen. When will I be able to give him the truth?

"Ah Runo!" I called her, and thankfully she picked up quickly.

"FINALLY, why haven't you been calling me Dan?" she yelled down the phone.

No.

"I… I love you, okay?"

Shun…

I could see his face now. Utter shock and distraught being his expression.

It's not what you think.

"Dan… Why?"

Don't cry. Please. Let me explain it. A desperate cry... Shun!

? POV

"He appears to be suffering quite a bit. I wonder, just what was going on when we took him? But then, who cares? As long as he's suffering… And I'm evil! I'm allowed to be like this. I swear I'll become more serious, you'll see, brother! Dammit, stop laughing at me!"


Earth

Shun's POV

"Alice, Julie, where do you think he's gone? Answer me! You don't think…?"

Noise. That's all they are. Mindless sounds, voices with no meaning. Everything was fine with … Alice? But then it hit me. …Dan. To say I'm in shock is an understatement. It's as if everything is lost. I'm in pain. So worried about Dan it hurts. I've been standing here, isolated from the others. As if they can understand how I feel. I was always concerned about Dan's condition but I never thought this would happen. There's no way.

"Shun."

A voice trying to break through my thoughts.

"Shun!"

I whipped my head round in anger and spoke harshly. "What?"

"I-I just wanted to see how you were doing" Alice spoke timidly.

Alice? I've already hurt her enough; did I really have to yell?

"O-oh, I'm sorry for yelling, Alice. I'm just worried about Dan."

"Don't worry about it." She smiled softly at me.

Just how can she be so strong? I wondered.

"Alice, where are you?" Runo called.

"Over here, with Shun." She replied.

I knew what was to come wouldn't be good.

Reaching us, Runo exclaimed, "Shun! Snap out of it! I appreciate that you're worried, but we all are. Consider my feelings!"

"Your feelings?" I sneered, feeling the bitterness rise within me. "I'm sure your feelings for Dan are so special"

"What do you mean by that-" Runo started to yell.

"Stop it!"

"Alice, what?" Runo questioned.

"Now is not the time to fight! We need to find Dan, okay? So call a truce!" Alice checked us over to see if we were going to follow her orders, before speaking directly to Runo. "Runo, come over with me. I want to talk to you about something."

Runo sent me an intimidating glare, before speaking innocently to Alice, as if she hadn't just done that. "Shun, you better behave, got that? Okay, let's go, Alice."

I watched as they walked away, until I was sure they were out of my sight.

"Jeez. Who does Runo think she is anyway?" I said under my breath.

"Don't you think you're acting childishly, Shun?"

"A-ack, Marucho? When did you get there?" I yelled, shocked.

"I was always here," he stated. "Anyway, I don't know what's going on with you and Dan but don't take it out on Runo, okay?"

"…Fine. Sorry, I'm just stressed"

"Don't worry, we all are." He smiled at me. "I'm going to do some investigating around the area, do you want to join?"

"I just need some time to cool down, but I'll join later."

I watched him leave, joining Julie as they walked around the area and talked, presumably about their investigation.

"Honestly. I need to calm. Panicking won't do Dan any good." I sighed.

Shun!

"Huh? Dan? Dan, is that you?" I looked around worriedly.

"Hey, everyone, something's happ–" I stopped myself. I didn't know if I could count on anyone here, and I especially didn't want to tell Runo something like this. I growled possessively, and muttered under my breath. "Dan's mine."

I shook my head, mentally sighing. "I'm just too bitter," I concluded. "Where are Runo and Alice anyway? After they left me I haven't seen them."

"I think they went to Runo's house," Marucho said, appearing beside me suddenly. "Julie just mentioned it"

"Really? Why?" I questioned boisterously.

"Shun, I don't know if you noticed but…" He began.

Runo's POV

"We're here!"

I got away from Shun as soon as I could. He may think we ditched him, but there's no way I can tell him anything. I don't trust him.

"Why did we come to your house exactly, Runo?" Julie enquired curiously.

"I… I uh just wanted to hang out?" I answered as innocently as I could.

"Don't pull that on us Runo. We're not stupid! You don't trust Shun, do you?" Alice yelled.

Damn. Alice hit it head-on. But what I think of her right now anyway? I didn't miss that sneaky look she gave Shun. … Am I really losing trust that rapidly? But Dan… Who can I trust? How do I know they don't have anything to do with it? I… I love him? I'm supposed to protect him!

"Runo, are you okay?" Julie asked nervously. "We know you're worried about Dan, but we can help you! We're here for you to lean upon!"

"... Thanks Julie." I gave her a genuine smile.

Julie always knows how to make a situation seem better. With her bright smile and cheerful personality, nothing ever seems to go wrong in her company.

"So you wanted to discuss what happened, I'm guessing?" Julie asked.

"You're exactly right. Let's. The first factor to question is–"

"The fire Dan was bathed in?" Alice interrupted.

"Yeah." I nodded. "Did you notice the shade of red it was? I know that the members of the Royal Family of Pyrus typically use their power over flames to transport themselves or others but didn't the colour of the fire seem a little… I don't know, dark to you?"

"Woah Runo, that's a lot to take in," Alice stated. "What do you think the darker colours in the fire meant?"

"Well I know it can't have been Apollonir summoning Dan, plus, he would have mentioned it to my mother who in turn would have mentioned it to me. Maybe it was–" I gasped in shock. "You don't think…?"

Shun's POV

"They don't trust us?" I exclaimed furiously. That's the part I heard at least. "Why not? What have we done?"

"Well it's not exactly us, but more like you. I've only heard rumours, but apparently you're not so popular where we came from" Marucho said.

"But I don't even remember anything about where we came from!" I replied indignantly.

I don't know why I'm complaining though… It's not like I trust her.

"Anyway," I started. "I don't know why we're still here, when we should be searching for Dan! The seconds are passing and I still don't know what's happened to him. I'm so worried"

"Shun…" Marucho gave a sympathetic smile. "It will be fine. Okay? How about, I'll call Julie and check what's going on?"

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

Runo's POV

"I'm going to Haos," I stated.

"What? Why?" Julie enquired.

"Well there's not much I can do here, and maybe Apollonir or the others know what's going on. ... Before you ask. No. I'm not taking Shun. Heck, I'm not even telling him!"

"We weren't going to ask that Runo. Are you sure you're not letting your personal feelings get in the way of your rationality?" Alice questioned.

"N-no! O-of course not. Jeez."

"You're acting weird Runo," Alice said. "Besides, I don't get what your problem is anyway."

That's right. After all, what happened with Shun…

"You're right. I'm sorry, Alice"

"Forgiven. Anyway, are you going alone?"

"Yeah. I don't want you or Julie to get into any danger. I don't know the state of Vestroia right now, but I have a bad feeling."

And I don't trust you Alice. You're acting really weird and I question your stability after what just happened. Surely you're feeling down? But it feels like something more I concluded in my mind.

"Runo, but–" Julie began to complain.

I shook my head. "That's my plan. I'm going to Haos to find Dan. Or at least find out some more information. I just received the okay from mother to go there, so I should be going there any second… Yeah. See you guys. Stay safe." I put up my hand in farewell as I felt myself being transported.

I will find you… Dan.

Julie's POV

"And she's gone," Alice stated.

I turned to her, slightly annoying at her calm, but seemingly almost bored state. Maybe she got like this after her rejection. I shot her a brief scowl. "…You could be slightly more worried about Runo, you know?"

"Nah. She'll be fine," Alice replied nonchalantly.

"Hmm." I growled. "Anyway. You're acting weird, Alice. Explain."

"Hm? Suspicious are we? And I thought you were the clueless one of the group! Ha, this is news!"

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" I asked, getting increasingly annoyed.

Alice was starting to get on my nerves. She could act a bit more concerned, especially after that lecture she gave Runo before we got to the park.

The lack of response from her didn't please me.

"Alice?–" I started.

"Hold it. I'm thinking," she said, holding up her hand to stop me from talking, and ignoring my bristling at her comment. "That's it. Okay, I'm going to… Haos."

"What? You're going to leave me too?" I questioned, starting to feel scared.

"I'm concerned, yeah? Besides, you have Marucho to help you, so there's no need to worry?"

But no mention of Shun?

"I'm off, okay? Stay safe… or whatever," she shrugged.

"Wait–!"

But it was too late. She'd already started the transferring process. But that light didn't look the same as the one that Runo was bathed in?

"No… Alice. Don't leave me too!"

I fell to the floor. Even though I'd never admit it, I felt vulnerable without Runo and Alice around. They made me feel safe.

"Alice!" I cried.


?

? POV

"It appears he's struggling. What do you think, brother? Have I done well. Soon my plans will be complete... I'm looking forward to that day."

Dan's POV

I opened my eyes slowly.

"Aha! It Looks like you're awake!"

"Huh? Who are you? ...Wait! You're the guy that kidnapped me!" I shouted, enraged.

"I summoned you. I didn't take you by force, so…" he stuck his tongue out at me goofily.

Eurgh this guy.

"Where are we anyway?"

"You. You don't need to know that. After all, soon your memories will be nothing but a speck of dust to be swept away and you will be in our control~"

"What exactly did you do to me while I was out?" I asked suspiciously.

"You don't need to know. Anyway, before your memory leaves, you've got a visitor. You may know her. Here she is now."

"Hello Dan."

"Is that… Alice, is that you?"

All I saw was a sinister smile and then everything started to fade.

"Have a nice dream Daniel Kuso..."


Author's notes: That's the chapter done; I hope you enjoyed!

I'd like to thank Kairi Skyes for following. I'd also like to thank ArnciaCielo27, silvern-cookie and Incineroar for following and adding this to your favourites. Thank you so much for your support! I appreciate it.

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