Also felt like updating this fic too, especially since I've already got the next few chapters written, unlike with my other fics. So the last time we left off, Soren entered a tournament where he gets to fight Ren, who was forced into the commitment by his oh so caring friends. Thanks for all the reviews, alerts and favs! They mean a lot!
Review Replies:
Alana: Yup and hopefully, he can.
lilly: Thanks!
Stormfang: Thank you. You'll seeeee
sakura: He sure is. And thanks ^^
Sheridan: Thank you! Well, originally I was going to do some political stuff like Ren having to choose between his status and family. But there isn't much opportunity for that right now, since he's just a military commander. The greatest conflict will mostly be between Soren and Lillith. You can totally write about my characters, I would love to read it! Please send me a link when you do upload it ^^ Yeah, just credit me as the creators of my characters whenever you use them ;)
shadow: lol, no worries and thank you! Sorry that I wasn't able to get to get to you right away. I was swamped with finals until a couple days ago and have been catching up on my drawings and fics. You can message me anytime with any questions or concerns you have ;)
Rain: Thanks, I'm glad you are enjoying it!
I do not own Bakugan, only Soren, Sora, Lex, Next Gen Brawlers and other OCs. This fic is not associated with the Bakugan Battle Brawlers series.
Soren's POV
"Ok, don't be nervous. It's just the first round…it's ok," I said over and over to myself. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself.
"Soren, you need to relax. I've scanned the competition and I'm way stronger. I just need you to follow my lead and watch my back. It'll be all right, got it?" asked Lex, floating in front of my face.
I sighed. "I know. This is just my first time in a tournament battle, I mean, a real tournament. All my fights have been friendly matches with DJ, Shin and the others. I don't know how different it'll be! Maybe I'm just over thinking it, man I always do that. Let's go!" I shook off my uncertainty and I ran into the arena once my name was called and the platform lifted me up across from my opponent. "Ok, let's do it! Gate Card set! Aquos Leviathan stand!" I threw Lex onto the field and he roared, snapping his claws readily at my opponent.
It took a while, but I managed to win. It was actually pretty easy. I was a lot better than I thought. After a few more matches, I retired to one of the locker rooms. I heard a knock at the door and went to open it. "Guys, what are you all doing here?" I asked, Izzy, Zeke, Juliet, Bruce and Floria all standing in the doorway.
"We heard about you entering the tournament and thought we'd come cheer you on!" said Izzy.
"Dude, your battle was awesome!" cried Zeke.
"You were really great, Soren," said Floria bashfully in a manner that reminded me of Shizuka.
"Thanks," I said.
"So why did you enter a Bakugan tournament? I thought you were still looking for your dad?" asked Juliet.
"Well, that's why I entered! If I win, I get the chance to battle him and then I can meet him!"
"Wait, wait, wait…Ren Krawler is your dad?" asked Izzy.
"Yeah. Why?" I asked, seeing the sudden shocked looks on their faces.
"Um, nothing. Would you excuse us?" Izzy asked.
"Uh, sure…" I said as they filed out of the locker room quickly but not before giving me a "Good luck!"
Normal POV
'An Aquos Leviathan? Lex?' thought Ren. He jumped out of his seat, startling his friends, and placed his hands on the glass window once he saw Leviathan. He almost pressed his entire face against the glass to get a better look at it and make sure he wasn't seeing things. 'What is Lex doing here? Is Sora with him?'
"Ren, isn't that?" asked Linehalt, floating next to Ren.
"Ren, isn't that your old girlfriend's Bakugan?" asked Mason.
"Mason, you shouldn't bring up such an issue!" Lena scolded her husband.
"Leviathan…no, it couldn't be. It's probably just another Aquos Leviathan that found its way here. It couldn't be Lex…" Ren plopped back into his seat and put his chin on his hand, watching the battle. As if it wasn't bad enough already, seeing an Aquos Leviathan only made him think of Sora more and made a pain form in his chest.
Linehalt, however, was still locked on sight with the familiar Bakugan. He didn't know the rarity of Leviathans since he had been on Gundalia all his life, so it could very well be another Leviathan. Linehalt was about to turn away but something caught his eye. He saw the three glowing spheres hanging off Leviathan's right antenna. His eyes moved to his left antenna where he immediately noticed a missing jewel. And if memory served, Linehalt remembered exactly where that missing jewel resided.
There was a knock at the door and Lena went to answer it. "Kids, what are you all doing here?" she asked when she saw her children along with Juliet and Zeke.
"Mom, we've got something really important to tell you," said Izzy in a whisper, careful not to alert Ren. Mason, Jesse and Zenet crowd around them as Izzy revealed their news.
"What? Are you serious? Hey, Ren! You'll never guess what-" Lena swiftly clamped her hand over Zenet's mouth.
"What?" asked Ren.
"Um, she was just going to say how much that kid down there looks like you!" said Mason.
"Nice save," whispered Zeke.
"Oh, yeah, Linehalt already said that," said Ren in monotone, turning his attention back to the battle. The parents and their children exchanged nervous looks at each other before all looking at Ren and the Gundalian boy who looked just like him.
Soren's POV
"Don't worry! I've got your back! Blue Lightning!" Leviathan fired blue lightning from his claws at my opponent Bakugan, sending it back to my foe. Leviathan landed in my hand. "We did it, Lex! We won! I can't believe it!"
"You doubted me? I'm offended!" he joked.
"No, no. I just-just can't believe we actually made it this far! I was about to give up yesterday, but just look at how far we've come!" I could barely contain my joy. In less than hours, we entered a tournament where I could get my chance to meet my dad, and we were so close!
"Yes, let's not lose momentum now. The next match is with your father, are you ready for this?" asked Lex.
I nodded. "I was born ready, Lex."
"Glad to hear it. Now when we fight your father, I'm not going to say anything. Ren or Linehalt could recognize me and I think it's best if Ren finds out the truth from you."
"Right. Let's do this!"
"So, you're the battler I'm facing, huh?" I looked across the arena and saw a platform carry Ren Krawler up to the field. My father…I was going to have a Bakugan battle with my father! Words could not express what I feeling right now!
"Um, yes!" I answered quickly, trying to contain my joy and act natural.
"Hm, you don't look like you've been battling for very long. Your partner must be very strong. Where did you get him?" Ren asked with a suspicious glare.
I nearly flinched. My dad was scary, but not as scary as Mom. No…I had to be strong! I had to be brave! "Um…well, he's not really mine. I'm just borrowing him."
"Borrowing? You don't have a Guardian Bakugan?" he asked, cocking his eyebrow.
"No," I answered.
"Who are you borrowing him from?" he asked, suspicion still written across his face.
"My mom, but she doesn't battle anymore," I answered, careful to leave out her name. I didn't want to tell him until after out battle.
"Your mom, huh? She must be a great battler," he said, impressed.
"Oh, she is," I smirked. He had no idea.
"Well, let's see if it runs in the family. Gate Card set! Linehalt stand!" Darkus Linehalt stood on the field. So dad was a Darkus battler just like me! Or rather, I was a Darkus battler, just like him!
"Leviathan stand! Claw Hammer!" Leviathan was ready to smash Linehalt with his claws.
"Nice move, now it's my turn! Volting Vibra!" Linehalt fired purple lightning bolts at Lex before he could continue attacking.
"Blue Lightning!" Lex fired his blue lightning at Linehalt, creating a cloud of smoke. Once it cleared, Linehalt stood as if the attack had no effect on him. "He's still standing? Man, this guy's tough."
"You've got potential kid, but you're not at all in my league. Gate Card open! Freeze Enemy! Good luck trying to get out of this one, kid. Linehalt, finish him!"
"With pleasure!" Linehalt fired another bolt at Lex, sending him at my feet. The crowd erupted in applause.
I rushed over to Lex and picked him up. "Lex, you ok?"
"I'm fine. Linehalt's gotten stronger, much stronger." Lex was tired, I could tell from his panting. He had given his all in every battle before this. "Listen, Soren, I'm going to be honest here. I don't think I can win this fight."
I smiled. "That's fine, Lex. I didn't expect us to get this far, let alone beat my dad on the first try. I'm just glad that we got this far, together."
"Together…If we're going to go down, we'll go down fighting! Put me back in there!"
"You got it! Gate Card set! Leviathan stand! Let's go all out!"
"This kid's not backing down," said Linehalt. "He stubborn, just like you."
"Not funny, let's finish this. Linehalt stand! Razen Breaker!"
"Tsunami Tail!" Lex smashed his tail at Linehalt's attack. "Gate Card open! Aquos Reactor!
"Nice move, kid, but I can do better! Ice Crasher!" Purple icicles rained down from the sky and smashed my Gate Card to pieces. Dad was good, really good. "Dark Javelin!" Linehalt summoned a black and purple javelin and fired an energy bolt at Lex.
I fell to my knees as Lex landed in front of me. I picked him up and held him in my hands. "Sorry, kid. I just didn't have the energy left. Linehalt's just far too strong for me," said Lex.
"It's ok, Lex. You did your best and I never would've gotten this far if it weren't for you!" I looked up as the crowd applauded my dad's win. He was about to leave! No! I had come too far to lose him now.
"Wait!" Ren and Linehalt turned to me. I was about to walk over to him, but there was no connection from my platform to his. "Uh…um, excuse me, mister big, scary Bakugan, could you, uh…"
"Oh! Um, sure," Before I could even finish asking my question, Linehalt held his hand down. I jumped on and he carried me over to Ren's platform. Just as I jumped off his hand and thanked him, he turned back into ball form.
"What do you want now, kid? A rematch? A picture?" he asked, annoyed as he elegantly caught Linehalt in his hand. I felt slightly hurt by how quickly he was to turn me away…but he didn't know who I was, at least not yet.
"No, I already have a picture of you. Well, not in this form…" I trailed off.
"This form?" he asked, quizzical. "What do you mean?"
I opened my bag and pulled out the photograph mom had given me a couple nights ago of the two of them. I looked at the photo before handing it to him. Ren took the photo from my hands. I saw his eyes widen and heard him gasp.
"Wh-where did you get this picture?" he asked shakily.
"From Sora," I answered.
"Sora?" His eyes widened and he looked like he was about to faint. "Why would Sora give this to you?" he asked, looking at the picture again, longingly. His tone however, was threatening and intimidating. He wanted details…an answer.
"Because she thought I'd like to know what my father looked like."
"What?" he breathed.
"Did he just say what I think he said?" asked Linehalt.
"My name is Soren Minamoto, I'm Sora's son."
"It's been a while Ren, Linehalt," Lex flew up to them, causing them both to jump back.
"Lex? What are you doing here?" asked Ren. "What is going on? Who is this kid?"
"I'll explain everything, Ren. But first, I think this is a conversation that we should continue somewhere in private," said Lex.
Hope you enjoyed that! And I hope the battle was ok for you. Soren wouldn't have won because he's not the best Brawler and there's no way he could beat Ren on his first try right?
Next Chapter - Fourteen Years: Ren learns that he's had a son for the past fourteen years and isn't quite sure how to handle the sudden news.
Review! ~ZP
