I figured since it was over a month that I might as well update for you guys. Plus I've got a lot of the next chapters written anyway. A sad amount of reviews this time...
Review Replies:
drake: thanks, glad you like it!
sakura: Thanks, and don't worry. He'll get his chance to meet Ren soon enough.
lilly:here you are!
I do not own Bakugan, only all my OCs. This fic is not associated with the official Bakugan series.
Please remember to review and check out my other fics. Since I'm back at school, I'll be updating on a minimum of a monthly basis. Please remember to check out some of my others fics if you're interested and my dA for pics of my OCs.
Normal POV
Soren woke up one morning later than usual. He did go to bed pretty late but thankfully it was a Saturday and he was out for school, so he could sleep all day if he wanted to. He came down the stairs and into the kitchen yawning and wiping his eyes.
"Finally woke up?" asked his mom. She stood by the stove, cooking something that smelled sweet and delicious. Since it was Saturday, Sora would be opening the store a couple hours later.
"Yeah…" he yawned again. He sat down at their dinner table as Sora placed a plate of pancakes in front of him. "Thanks," he said reaching for the butter and syrup.
"So what's the plan for today? You gonna head on over to Bakugan Interspace with your friends?" she asked, pouring syrup over her pancakes.
"Yeah, I guess…" he groaned.
Sora sighed. She put her fork and knife to the sides of her dish before cupping her hands together. "Listen, sweetie, I've been thinking about what you said."
"You have?" he asked, looking up surprised, a huge smile plastered over his face.
"Yes," she smiled back, assuring him she was telling the truth. "It's wrong of me to keep him from you for my own selfish reasons and you have every right to know who he is. So…" She reached behind her and pulled out the same photo album Soren had seen her with that night. She opened the album and pulled out a photo before handing it to Soren. "This is your father. His name is Ren Krawler."
Soren took the photo in his hands and examined it. In the picture next to his mother was a man with darker skin and spiky white hair. Soren was at a loss for words. He was a spitting image of his father! At least in human form.
"I don't have one of him in his Gundalian form. I've never seen it, but I imagine it's not too different from yours. You look so much like him," she said as if he had just read her mind.
"Yeah, what happened?" he asked, hesitant.
"I met your father 14 years ago," she slowly began, "He was new in town and living with your Uncle Marucho. It was a couple years after the Brawlers defeated King Zenoheld You remember that story right?" she asked. Soren nodded. How could he not? It was another great adventure story about the Brawlers, not to mention how Shun and Ayden met. "Well, he showed up just as Dan, Shun and Marucho were getting ready to test out Bakugan Interspace and helped Marucho set up the entire system. Ren and I started spending more time together and he eventually told the Brawlers that he was a Gundalian and that his planet was being invaded by Neathians."
"But I thought it was the Gundalians that were invading Neathia…" he asked, with a confused look.
"That's right. Ren was undercover and lied to get the Brawlers on his side. It wasn't until Princess Fabia from Neathia showed up when we realized everything he said and did was based on a lie," she said, her voice breaking as her eyes began watering.
"Mom, you don't have to keep going-"
"Yes, I do. You deserve to hear the whole story, especially since I made the others keep it from you. After the Brawlers went to help Fabia fight the war on Neathia, Ren eventually defected and rejoined them."
"So why haven't I ever met him before?" he asked, interrupting her again.
"BECAUSE HE NEVER CAME BACK!" she yelled, slamming her fists on the table, shaking all the dishes and cutlery.
Soren nearly jumped out of his seat at her sudden display of anger and sadness. But he instantly relaxed, knowing that none of it was directed at him. "Mom…" he sighed. He got out of his seat and went over to his mom and hugged her, rubbing her back in comfort.
"It's ok, I'm fine. Sorry, I needed to get that off my chest." She wiped her eyes and smiled at Soren. "Why don't you go and play with your friends?"
"So that's your dad?" asked Shin, looking at the photograph from Sora.
"Yeah, at least that's what he looks like in his human form. It's probably changed by now; the picture is from 14 years ago," replied Soren.
"So what are you going to do now, dude?" asked DJ, snatching the photo from Shin to take a look.
"Yeah, now that you know who he is, you must want to find him!" cried Shiori.
"You should go find him, Soren," agreed Shizuka. "Our dad grew up not knowing his dad until he was 18! And by then dad wanted nothing to do with him when he suddenly showed up!" she beamed as she spoke. Soren was no stranger to Shizuka's crush on him, but she was four years younger than him and she was Shin's little sister.
"I have no idea what to do," groaned Soren. He finally got what he had been asking for for years, but he was still no closer to actually meeting his father. Finding him would be difficult!
"Girls, it's not that easy," said Bailey, leaning down to the twin in explanation. "Gundalia is another planet. It's not like Soren could just take a cab there to find his dad."
"I just wish I knew a little bit more about him…" Soren trailed off and stared at the photo of his parents again, which had eventually circulated through the entire group. Going to find him did sound like a good idea…but Bailey had a good point. He was on another planet!
"I could get you there…" said Azreal, flying up from his spot on Shizuka's shoulder.
"Azreal, you're seriously not suggesting what I think you're suggesting!" cried Lex.
"What? I think Soren should get the chance to meet his father," said Azreal.
"But what about my mom? She'll never let me go!" cried Soren.
"Then don't tell her. What's the worst that could happen?" asked DJ, with a cheeky wink and grin.
"DJ, you haven't seen what my mom is like when she's angry! She's almost like your mom when she's angry," he said, causing DJ to flinch, remembering instances of his mother, Runo's rage. "And I know for a fact that she wouldn't be ok with this. She practically hates him!"
"Look Soren, you can live your whole life only knowing his face and name…or you could take a chance and meet your father face to face," said Azreal.
"I agree with Azreal," said Drago, popping open onto DJ's shoulder.
"Drago?" asked DJ.
"One of the great things I've seen here on Earth is the bond between father and son. I never got the privilege of meeting my own father as Bakugan have different customs about family, but I know that it is one of my greatest regrets…Believe me, Soren, you don't want to live with that kind of regret," said Drago, sadly.
"Thanks, Drago." Soren thought for a moment before a smile suddenly grew wide on his face. "You're right…you're right! I'll go to Gundalia and find my father!"
I hope you liked this chapter. So Soren finally learns about his dad and Azreal decides to give Soren a hand!
Next Chapter: Soren prepares to leave for Gundalia, but Lex won't let him go alone, that's for sure!
Please review otherwise I won't update as often!
~ZP
