Chapter 10: The Heart of Interspace
Dan and Alice ate together enjoying Miyoko's cooking as the dusk was ending bringing in the night. "Thank you so much Mrs. Kuso!" Alice said complimenting her as she laughed. "Don't worry about it, Alice. I'm just glad Dan could have friends that he can have over." Miyoko told her as she laughed. As they ate Alice's question rang in Dan's head as he slowed in his eating. He started trembling reversing the imagery seeing Julie and Runo leaving him and Marucho behind ditching them with Tigrerra for New Vestroia as he stopped eating altogether as it played over and over in his head. "...Dan? You seemed starved a second ago so what happened?" Miyoko asked confused why he stopped. "I'm just not hungry anymore." Dan said getting up walking with Drago to his room. "...This is troubling, usually Dan clears his plate." Miyoko noted looking at a plate less than half emptied.
"...I'll talk with him Mrs Kuso." Alice said getting up following Dan with Hydranoid. Alice rushed catching up nearing his room as her eyes widen hearing sniffling. She shushed Hydranoid before peeking in seeing Drago look over Dan trying to keep his emotions hidden. "Dan! You're tearing up, this isn't like you. Was it something you ate?" Drago asked concerned for him before he just started sobbing as Alice gasped silently. "It… Drago remember what Alice asked today while we were out?" Dan asked. "Yes, she asked you how would you feel if-" Drago hopped back getting cut off shocked as Dan cried louder momentarily. "It hit me! While I was… was…" Dan tried to get out between sobbing as Drago started to process the damage. "Dan calm down please! I want to hear what hit you." Drago said shaking in fear as Dan got it together to speak. "...It hit me all at once thinking about the question. I thought how Alice asked, I put myself in Runo's place imagining her going. I felt sad, scared, mad, betrayed… I just…" Dan started sobbing unable to control himself as Drago stared at Dan realizing the damage he had dealt to Runo by asking Dan to do it.
"...God above. Is… is THAT what I put her through?" Drago asked somberly as Alice sighed walking in taking both of them off guard. "...It more than looks like it." Alice said walking over to Dan. Alice smiled warmly patting Dan trying to help him soothe his pains. "Dan, now that you fully realize what Runo felt do you think that next time you see her in person you can tell her about it? That way you and Drago can finally get some closure on this and it can ALL be put behind us?" Alice asked as he nodded to her sitting up. "And I'd also like to say I'm sorry for making you feel that, Dan." Alice said remorseful as her eyes widened seeing him hug herself before returning the hug back to him. "Don't be Alice, you finally helped me realize why Runo felt like she did." Dan said as his cryin started slowing down before Alice took relief in his acceptance and comfort. "Come on, let's finish eating and get some sleep." Alice suggest as Dan agreed following her back down. "Dan you're face looks drenched! What happened?!" Miyoko asked worrying for her son.
"Don't worry mom, let's just say I had a moment of clarity that I needed." Dan said as Alice smiled back at him. "Alice come on, is my boy ok?" Miyoko asked her. "Yeah Mrs. Kuso, you only need to know Dan is gonna be ok." Alice told her befor Miyoko sighed in relief. Both Alice and Dan continued eating as Miyoko worried something may have happened to Dan that they weren't telling her. Either way she didn't want to bother Dan if something wasn't wrong and decided to give him breathing room. They finished up as Alice patted her stomach stuffed. "Alright mom, I think I'm gonna go to bed early, night!" Dan said getting up going to his room as Alice decided to follow him as she set up her bed. "Alice, can I ask something?" Dan asked as Alice looked up at her. "Now that I know what they felt… if I had abandoned you with them, how would you have felt?" Dan asked as Alice stared at the ceiling for a bit. "...I admit, I probably would have been mad, but you did what you thought you had to, I would have understood with time." Alice said hoping to ease Dan up.
"Thanks for being honest Alice, I feel a bit better." Dan said turning on his side trying to sleep. "...Please Dan, don't take it to heart, you've been supporting us since you got back so let us support you." Alice said trying to help him understand as she saw him nod against his pillow. "Like you said Dan, what are friends for." Alice said comforting him. "Alright, sleep tight Alice." Dan said as both of them drifted to sleep. Drago watched Hydranoid roll to him. "Drago, did you feel something off about that woman that assaulted the boy today?" Hydranoid's heads asked curious about this feeling he got from her. "Well honestly yeah, what are you getting at anyway?" Dragon answered before asking his own. "She didn't understand having more than one Bakugan in battle, perhaps there something more to this." Hydranoid suggested as Drago sighed.
"A lot of weird things are going on. I shudder to think what could be going on here if there were malicious ulterior motives involved." Drago said thinking it all over. Both failed to reach a conclusion before returning to their respective brawler as the night passed before the morning when Alice and Dan woke up to a phone ringing as Alice groaned feeling around for her phone picking it up. "H-Hello?" Alice said groggily rubbing her eyes. "Alice thank god It's Julie! What happened I thought you were gonna come back last night!?" Julie spoke worried on the other end as Alice pouted. "Julie trust me I… Dan needed a friend's help last night so Hydranoid and I had to stay with him when it got too dark." Alice spoke explaining what happened.
"Well why didn't he console Runo about it?!" Julie asked confused as Alice sighed. "To be honest I don't think he knew how to do it with Runo before now." Alice responded unsure if he could have without her push. "Well… anyway we need you back here. We got told today is gonna be busy, so we're gonna need you back here to take care of the shifts today!" Julie said feeling stressed out as Alice started getting up. "Ok, ok I'll get ready as soon as possible!" Alice noted preparing to get ready. "Oh, wait Alice before I go, Runo wants to talk to you." Julie said as Alice stopped. "Oh ok, put her on then please." Alice said trying to be polite as she heard minor static hearing the phone being passed off between Julie to Runo. "Hello?" Alice smiled hearing Runo's voice from the other end. "Runo! What's going on?" Alice asked curious about what Runo wanted."I wanted to ask if you could ask Dan that I'd like to go out with him soon, I don't know how soon or how far in the future, but at least within the month." Runo said hoping if it was alright. "Ok Runo, I'll ask him to make sure he's ok with it." Alice said as she heard Runo sigh in relief from the other side. "Thank you Alice, and see you in a little while" Runo said as Alice smiled hearing her understand. "Take care and see you soon." Alice said hanging up before she groaned. "Let me guess, Julie didn't think to call did she?" Dan asked as Alice shook her head. "No, and I gotta go back soon to cover for a big shift today." Alice responded as Dan groaned. "Man I wish it was still a few years ago when you didn't NEED to work so much…" Dan said disgruntled.
"Sorry Dan but work is work, you should be looking for a job too." Alice said as Dan sighed. "Well I WOULD but right now the Bakugan incident is more important and I can't be held down and stopped from fighting to save them." Dan said fighting for his freedom as Alice nodded. "Well you have a good point, for now anyway, but alright for now you don't need to get a job until things quiet down… but I'd start thinking now." Alice told him before finishing up. "Alright but… wait you're ready now?" Dan asked confused as she nodded. "Yeah, I'll just take my shower back over there. Anyway thanks for everything Dan, see you soon." Alice said about to leave before she stopped remembering Runo's request. "Hey Dan would… the next time Runo asks to go on a date do you think you can do it for her?" Alice asked looking at him as he smiled. "Are you kidding!? I'd love to go out with her if it made her happy!" Dan said answering confidently as Alice laughed. "I thought you'd say that. Ok Dan, see you later." Alice said before she started leaving with Hydranoid as Dan waved her off. "I just seriously hope Runo is ok." Dan wondered out loud sitting back. At this moment Dan started to relax for the period of a few more weeks as he still heard nothing back from Kato or Marucho's parents.
Katie meanwhile woke up scratching herself as Shinstui looked over to her. "...Pretty sure you should check yourself out, you look like a bed head, that's what it's called right?" Shinstui asked as Katie looked at herself in a mirror. "...Yeah, I need a shower immediately." Katie noted dragging herself to the bathroom as she closed it before Shinstui went in. "Hey! Were supposed to be partners so why keep me out?!" Shinstui asked annoyed. "Because it's rude for a guy to see a girl naked got it?" Katie answered as Shinstui groaned hearing the shower run. Shinstui groaned rolling back into Katie's room "What can I do without here…" Shinstui grumbled before he looked seeing a bug net rolling over to it. "What the heck is THIS supposed to be?" Shinstui asked himself confused. "...That's big sis' butterfly net." Shinstui curled up panicked before he popped back out seeing Isabelle standing in the doorway. "...Don't scare me like that!" Shinstui demanded as Isabelle laughed. "Did I scare a Bakugan?!" Isabelle asked ecstatic before Shinstui growled lowly making her shut up. "Anyway, that's Katie's butterfly net, she uses it to catch bugs." Isabelle explained as she looked around quickly grabbing a book from Katie's shelf. "Catch? Does she keep the in that book?" Shinstui asked as Isabelle laughed hard.
"Not really, in ONE sense she does, she keeps the information of them intact." Isabelle said showing Shinstui the encyclopedia like book. "So.. she records insects?" Shinstui asked confused. "Yeah, big sis has always liked insects, to the point she scares dad with them." Isabelle said as Shinstui laughed hard. "I thought her dad was tough! He's scared of a little bug?!" Shinstui asked mockingly. "...Well if you wanna get technical, YOU'RE a bug Bakugan." Isabelle said smugly as Shinstui stopped laughing. "...How long is that shower gonna take?!" Shinstui asked annoyed as he stared blankly hearing the water stop. "...Now." Isabelle said cheekily as Shinstui sighed waiting a while before Katie finally came out fully dressed. "Shinstui I'm done!" Katie declared walking into her room before her eyes widened seeing Isabelle showing Shinstui the journal. "W-Why did you show him that!?" Katie asked getting annoyed before Isabelle got nervous. "I-I'm sorry!" Isabelle said leaving.
"...I hate when she sneaks in my room like that! Ugh, did she touch anything else, Shinstui?" Katie asked inspecting her room making sure it was fine otherwise. "You have an interest in bugs, don't you?" Shinstui asked as Katie sat on her bed looking at him. "Well yeah I… it's kind of like my hobby I want to turn into a job. Bugs fascinate me and I wanna one day become an entomologist." Katie explained smiling as Shinstui stared confused. "...It means a bug scientist, like someone who learns more about bugs like which species are still undiscovered, what bugs are venomous and which are safe to interact with, so on and so on like that." Katie explained. "Alright I get it. Anyway honestly I think we should start looking for brawls so you can hone your skills." Shinstui said as Katie nodded grabbing him. "Yeah, alright it's been about a month since we started waiting for Interspace. I wanna get some good brawls in!" Katie said pocketing her book and grabbing her net as well. "...Think you're biting off more than you can chew?" Shinstui asked as Katie shook her head. "It's called multitasking! Maybe I'll find and rec-" Katie started saying as she got cut off by her mother from another room. "If you go looking out for that huge hornet you're gonna be in trouble!" Katie's mother shouted as Katie groaned.
"Huge hornet…?" Shinstui asked confused."The Japanese Giant Hornet! It's supposed to be one of the deadliest hornets on the planet and the thought of recording information about it EXCITES me so much!" Katie said containing herself. "That sounds incredibly stupid to go after such a deadly species of hornet, let's just find a battle or two!" Shinstui demanded as Katie groaned nodding leaving with him, and her net with a jar and her journal. Katie left the house walking out "Humans are so strange…" Shinstui mumbled to himself as Katie nudged him getting him to shut up.
She left to head into the city to find either a brawl or a bug to study. "By the way Shinstui, I thought you didn't want to brawl? Why are you so eager to now?" Katie asked as Shinstui remained silent. "...Well you see…" Shinstui stammered as Katie laughed. "You wanna start getting into serious brawling don't you?" Katie asked teasing him before she grunted bumping into someone as she gets up. "I'm sorry I wasn't looking where I was going!" Katie said getting up nervously seeing who she bumped into. "Hey, not worry about it ok? I'm Caesar." Caesar said getting up."I'm… Katie?" Kate said confused how that came out. "Hey, you've got that Bakugan yes? Wanna brawl?" Caesar asked as Katie smiled nodding. "Sure, I was looking for a battle anyway!" Katie said grabbing her card before he grabbed his own. "Field, open!" Both of them shouted out as time slowed to a crawl around them before stopping entirely opening up the battlefield to them. "Gate Card Set!" Both called out setting a Gate Card onto the field "I'll let you go first, go on." Katie said as Caesar nodded setting a second Gate Card. "Bakugan Brawl!" Caesar called out as he threw out a Bakugan before it popped out on Katie's Gate Card.
"Bakugan Stand! Reaper!" Caesar called out as his Reaper stood up. "New Opponent detected. Aquos Reaper, 370G." Katie's Bakupod announced as she glared at Reaper throwing down a new Gate Card. "Bakugan Brawl!" Katie shouted throwing her Monarus onto one of his Gate Cards as it popped out. "Bakugan Stand! Monarus!" Katie called out as Monarus flew up into the air above Reaper. "This can be easy!" Caesar said staring down Katie as she glared back. Ability Activate! Sky Assault!" Katie shouted as Monarus flapped it's wings flying into the sky. "Monarus power change detected, power increase 80G." Caesar's Bakupod announced as he watched Monarus' 330G rise to 410G. "Double Ability Activate! Double Dimension and Grave Impalement!" Caesar called out as Reaper unleashed a powerful shockwave dragging back Monarus to the ground level before impaling through it. "Monarus power change detected, power decrease 50G. Reaper power change detected, power increase 50G." Katie's Bakupod announced as she glared watching her Monarus drop from 410G to 360G while Reaper increased from 370G up to 420G. "Not so fast! Gate Card Open! Ventus Reactor!" Katie shouted as she watched winds rush out of it quickly surrounding Monarus giving it power. "Monarus power change detected, power increase 150G." Caesar's Bakupod announced as he watched Monarus go from 360G to 510G before flying at Reaper assaulting it in a direct dive bomb taking it out as both left the field being caught. "You're not bad." Katie said as Caesar nodded smiling a bit before laying down a new Gate Card down.
"Bakugan Brawl!" Caesar shouted out throwing in a new bakugan as it popped out. "Bakugan Brawl Stinglash!" Caesar said as Stinglash rose up. "New opponent detected. Aquos Stinglash, 330G." Katie's Bakupod announced as she nodded getting serious throwing another Gate Card down. "Bakugan Brawl!" Katie cried out throwing out her own Bakugan onto the Gate Card holding Caesar's Stinglash. "Bakugan Stand! Manion!" Katie shouted as a strong whirling wind bursted out as Manion stood up tall. "New opponent detected. Ventus Manion, 350G." Caesar's Bakupod announced as Katie smirked. "Well then, Let's go, Ability Activate! Amon Re!" Katie shouted before Manion's eyes lit up shooting beams at Stinglash. "Gate Card open! Chain Link Force!" Caesar called out as Katie's eyes widened watching the Gate Card shine before Amon Re redirected itself getting turned around colliding with Manion making it stagger back. "Manion power change detected, power decrease 100G." Katie's Bakupod announced while Manion's G power decreased to 250G. "Ability Activate! Abyss Ruler!" Caesar shouted before Stinglash covered the Gte Card in water concealing Stinglash. "Stinglash power change detected, power increase 100G." Katie's Bakupod announced as she glared watching Stinglash get boosted up to 430G.
"Sorry but I'm just getting back into my groove! Ability Activate! Wind Beneath!" Katie shouted as Manion's wings flapped hard stirring up a gust of winds flying around exposing Stinglash in the water. "Manion power change detected, power increase 70G. Stinglash power change detected, power decrease 70G." Caesar's Bakupod announced as Manion got boosted to 320G while Stinglash got weakened to 340G before Katie's eyes widen as Stinglash leaps out at Manion slicing through it taking it out as both return from the field. "...Ok! I gotta admit your a pretty skilled brawler!" Katie admitted returning her face to normal as Caesar bows respectfully. "I try." Caesar said quickly worried he might say the wrong thing. " But now I'm down to one bakugan, Ready Shinstui!?" Katie asked grinning as he popped out. "I've been waiting this whole time!" Shinstui said confidently as Katie smirked grabbing him. setting a new Gate Card. "Bakugan Brawl!" Katie shouted throwing out Shinstui onto it as he pops out on it.
"Bakugan Stand! Shinstui!" Katie yelled as Shinstui flew up into the air looping around her as she smirked before Kyudine hopped onto Caesar's shoulder. "It's time, Cesar. Send me in, please!".Kyudine demanded as Caesar nodded grabbing her. "...Guardian Vs. Guardian...! ...Bakugan Brawl!" Caesar shouted as Kyudine dropped onto the Gate Card popping out. "Bakugan Stand! Kyudine!" Caesar shouted as Katie's eyes widened seeing large pillars of water circle around hearing an impish giggle seeing a pixie like creature pop out of the pillars before they shrink surrounding her from head to toe, partially merging with her as twin sets of wings sprouted from her back while spiraling waters surrounded her. "New opponent detected, Kyudine, 500G." Katie's Bakupod announced as Shinstui glared Kyudine down. "You seem very kind… unfortunately Katie wants to win so I can't let you win!" Shinstui said glaring at her as she giggled again. "Sorry, but this is the first time Caesar and I have fought together, so I can't let you win!" Kyudine declared smirking while waving her hand at him as Shinstui got aggravated. "Let's do it Shinstui! Ability Activate! Tornado Snare!" Katie shouted as Shinstui quickly trapped her in a tornado force storm. "Kyudine power change detected, power decrease 150G." Caesar's Bakupod announced as Kyudine floated in patience as she got weakened to 350G. "...Let's go, Ability Activate! Water Spout!" Caesar shouted as Kyudine smirked raising her hands as a waterspout burst through the Gate Card mixing with the tornado and dispersing it as Katie's eyes widen seeing it send Shinstui reeling back. "MY WINGS!" Shinstui yelled getting angry flapping his wings quickly dripping wet. "Shinstui power change detected, power decrease 100G. Kyudine power change detected, power increase 250G." Katie's Bakupod announced as Shinstui got weakened to 400G while Kyudine was strengthened to 600G.
"I told you, I do not intend to let Caesar down in this battle!" Kyudine said smiling as Shinstui glared back. "We'll bounce back! Gate Card o-" Katie started to shout as Caesar interrupted ehr. "Ability Activate! Washout!" Caesar shouted as Kyundine flew down toward the Gate Card throwing out massive orbs as it splashing large amounts of water flooding it out. "NO!" Katie shouted as her Gate Card was nullified. "...She's getting on my nerves!" Shinstui said getting mad as Kyudine started giggling before Katie started glaring before she stopped. "...No, Shinstui calm down. It's JUST a friendly game." Katie told him as he sighed glaring at Kyudine. "Alright, ability Activate! Moth Powder!" Katie shouted smirking as Shinstui flew overhead loosening spores from his wings as Kyudine starts feeling weakened. "Kyudine power change detected, power decrease 100G. Shinstui power change detected, power increase 180G" Caesar's Bakupod announced as his eyes widened watching Shinstui power up to 580G while Kyudine got weakened to 500G.
"It's not done over for us! Ability Active! Wave Dash!" Cesar shouted as Kyudine smirks waving her hand around as a small wave rose up while she rode it slamming into Shinstui trapping him in it. "Shinstui power change detected, power decrease 120G. Kyudine power change detected, power increase 120G." Katie's Bakupod announced as she glanced at it seeing Shinstui get weakened to 460G while Kyudine strengthened to 620G. It is time to end this battle! Ability Activate! Storm Surge!" Caesar shouted as Kyudine laughed loudly creating a massive surge of water as it started covering over Shinstui pulling him under the tide against his will. "Shinstui power change detected, power decrease 250G." Katie's Bakupod announced as she watched Shinstui further weaken to 210G while a green glow started shining in the water while Kyudine started glowing blue before Shinstui shot out of the water in ball form while Kyudine returned to Caesar. "...Shinstui…" Katie lamented as the field vanished and time started moving again.
"...H-Hey sorry I'm about that…" Caesar said worried about her as he got confused hearing Katie starting to chuckle before blooming into a full blown laugh. "...Your HAPPY you lost!?" Shinstui scoffed confused as Katie settled down. "I'm sorry. I'm not… happy completely that I lost. But I'm happy I got such a cool brawl in!" Katie said looking over at Caesar. "You thought it cool?" Caesar asked as Katie nodded walking towards him. "...What happened?" Kyudine asked as she hopped up looking around. "...I swear she has another face on the battlefield." Shinstui said grumbling as Kyudine got confused looking at Caesar. "Did we win? What happened?" Kyudine asked confused as Caesar laughed. "I'll tell you later." Caesar told him as Katie sighed calming down. "...There they are! Get Katie!" Katie's eyes widened as she heard Drago's voice before she turned around seeing Dan and Drago rush toward them. "Dan?! What's going on!?" Katie asked confused as he approached the four of them with Drago. "There you are, Katie! Marucho's parents told us to head over there, didn't they tell you too?" Dan asked as Katie sweated nervously. "...I… MAY have been brawling…" Katie said unaware of what happened as Dan noticed Caesar. "Oh! You brawled with Katie?! That's awesome to hear you got to brawling now, did you recover ok enough dude?" Dan asked as he shirked hearing Drago clear his throat. "We don't have time for this, Dan! Now then, would the four of you come with us so Dan and I can see what happened?" Drago asked irritably as Shinstui groaned.
"I suppose so, it shouldn't be a problem, would it Caesar?" Kyudine asked looking up at him as he smiled nodding. "Count us in too! I hate to carry around my net for no reason but it sounds important!" Katie said getting excited imagining what it was as they followed Dan and Drago. Dan led them to Marucho's home where they saw Alice, Julie and Runo along with their Bakugan waiting for them. "Finally! There you guys are what happened?!" Julie shouted out annoyed they had to bring Katie along. "Hey come on… we can't leave a Brawler behind right?" Dan asked trying to be polite as Julie looked away bitterly before Runo picked up on it. "...ANYway! I think it's about time to get some answers now that everyone is here!" Tigrerra said breaking up the tension as everyone else sighed in relief under their breath before Runo went to knock on the door. "Were here!" Runo stated loudly as she waited with the others before Kato answered the door. "Ah! Everyone is here yes? ...Along with some unexpected guests?" Kato asked noticing Caesar before Dan answered him. "Hey don't worry about him, Caesar's with us." Dan told him explaining things as Kato bowed to them. "Please follow me inside." Kato instructed as the group nodded following him in.
Kato led the group inside towards an unfamiliar section of the mansion. "Hey Kato, where are we going?" Alice spoke up getting nervous before he smiled. "...Were going to show you the fruits of several weeks of hard work!" Kato said leading them to a dim lit room while a large base in the center of the room. "...So what is that?" Tigrerra asked noticing the base in the middle of the room. "This, my dear Tigrerra is the stage that shall be the basis… of Bakugan interspace!" Kato triumphantly declared as everyone's eyes lit up. "You mean it's online!?" Dan asked getting excited. "Almost sir Daniel, it's in it's final testing grounds… for now we need brawlers to test it out to see if our systems can handle brawls." Kato made note of as everyone in the group put on a wide grin. "Well come on, let us in!" Everyone shouted at once startling the Bakugan much to their dismay while Kato stepped aside. "As you wish, your free to go on in." Kato said as the brawlers rushed onto it. Kato smiled as the base lit up shining around everyone else before creating a blinding light. As the light vanished they were nowhere to be seen. "...Master Marucho, I hope you knew what you were doing with this…" Kato remarked to himself as he let the light die down revealing no one else remaining in the room.
Dan opened his eyes as he looked around seeing a small town in a cybernetic void. "...So THIS is Bakugan Interspace?" Drago asked as he looked around just as curious as Dan about it. "Dan!" Dan's eyes widened as he turned around seeing only Runo and Tigrerra walk up to them. "There you are Runo, did you see the others?" Dan asked confused not seeing anyone else around as Runo sighed shaking her head. "When we came around, we were alone and wandered around before finding the both of you." Tigrerra said speaking up. "...Hey it's a good thing actually because I… wanted to say something to you Runo." Dan said as he got nervous while Runo looked at im. "What is it, Dan?" Runo asked confused waiting for his response. "Runo I um… a while back I had a nightmare… about being in YOUR shoes about… well getting left behind like I did to you." Dan started explaining as Runo's eyes widened listening to him. "...When… you left me behind in the dream I think it became clear how bad you felt… I felt so many things in that dream I just didn't know what to do with myself…" Dan continued explaining hanging his head as his eyes widen feeling Runo embrace him tightly nearly tearing up. "...That's… ...That's all I wanted you to know for a while!" Runo responded feeling immense joy he finally understood.
"So… what do you say Runo? Do… you think we can finally put it all behind us now?" Dan asked as Runo wiped her eyes. "...Slowly. Slowly I think we can." Runo told him happily as Tigrerra and Drago sighed under their breaths feeling massive tension off their shoulders with the both of them finally starting to move on from the past events. "Come on, the others must have grouped up by now. Let's go find them." Runo said suggesting they start moving. "Yeah, let's go!" Dan said in response as the both of them started moving with their Bakugan. They started looking around the town around them not finding much to it. "The town is pretty baron, maybe it's still being worked on." Runo commented on the unfinished work around them as Dan got a nervous feeling in his gut thinking about New Vestroia at the mention of Baron. " I hope their ok…" Dan muttered to himself as Runo picked up on him. "Huh? What's up Dan, you look worried." Runo asked trying to ease him up. "Don't worry about it Runo, when we go back to New Vestroia you'll see." Dan said as he walked ahead as Runo stared at him for a moment before shrugging it off.
"...Hey! I think I see a stadium!" Dan said noticing a large round building as both he and Runo smiled getting the idea to check it out, both of them dashing over to it. "Let's hope the others are in here!" Dan said hoping to meet up inside. As they walked in they noticed a large arena with many seats around it to allow tons of people to watch before the both of them started looking at the edge of the seats before they saw Julie and Gorem in the arena on their own. "JULIE!" Both Runo and Dan shouted trying to get her attention as Julie looked up at them smiling running to the wall blocking her from them. "Dan! Runo! There you two are! I've been looking EVERYwhere with Gorem for the others. Well, most of them others anyway. But anyway look at this place! It's so BIG!" Julie blurted out as she gushed laughing admiring the stadium. "Yeah, I'm so excited I wanna brawl right now!" Dan said getting fired up. "Well then?! What's the wait for, Dan? We're here to make sure brawling is sustainable here so let's test it out!" Runo said smirking as Dan grinned rushing around the building exiting into the arana meeting Julie down in it while Runo sat in the front row. "You're not going to brawl with them, Runo?" Tigrerra asked as Runo shook her head. "Not yet, Someone needs to play audience, and I'll get my turn later anyway." Runo rationalized as Tigrerra understood. Dan and Julie both took opposite sides of the field as their eyes widened getting two prompts. "Please select format. Will you be fighting by Set Victories or by Life Gauge?" a mechanical voice asked both of them.
"Let's keep it short and sweet, so I think keeping it between Gorem and I would be best for now. Besides Dan you're best off not forgetting the New Vestroia ruleset on top of that!" Drago told Dan as he nodded while Julie's eyes widened. "Wait New Vestroia's ruleset?! Wha!?" Julie asked nearly ready to freak out. "E-Easy, Julie! Let's go with that battle style so we can show you the ropes of it!" Dan told her as she nodded calming down before both of them nodded selecting to brawl with those rules. "Thank you for your selection, please enjoy the battle, the field is now open!" The voice said as Runo looked up seeing several screenshots showing off the arena appear as the seats around the arena slid back giving them room to fight. "Whoa…!" Runo muttered excited. "Now then! First of all only one Gate Card is allowed in this format, so I'll let you have it, Julie." Dan explained as Julie smiled. "Thanks Dan. ok, Gate Card Set!" Julie shouted throwing down a Gate Card as it blended into the arena to her shock. "Heh heh, don't worry about it Julie, it's still there. Now then THIS is where it begins!" Dan said getting seriously as Drago curled up getting ready to brawl. "Bakugan Brawl!" Dan shouted throwing Drago in as he popped out in the middle of the arena. "Bakugan Stand! Neo Dragonoid!" Dan shouted as Neo Drago stood up taking his rightful form. "Alright let's do this then! Bakugan Brawl!" Julie yelled out grabbing Gorem as she threw him in before he popped out in front of Neo Drago. "Bakugan Stand! Hammer Gorem!" Julie called out as Hammer Gorem rose up over Neo Drago. "It's been awhile since we last fought, Drago." Hammer Gorem noted as Neo Drago nodded staring him down. "Don't expect me to hold back either because of it!" Neo Drago said in response. "We'd be insulted if the both of you did. Now let's fight!" Hammer Gorem said readying his hammer as Neo Drago roared before Runo watched the screen seeing an icon of both Julie and Dan appear on one along with their Bakugan and two meters on them.
"Are THOSE the Life Meters?" Julie asked confused as Dan nodded. "Yup! The goal in this style of brawl is to knock the opponent's Life Meter down from 500 to 0. You do this by defeating the opponent's Bakugan and whatever the difference in their G power is, it comes out of the losing sides Life Gauge." Dan explained as Julie nodded understanding as Runo looked around seeing nothing stop and being able to continue watching the match. "...YEAH! Guys it's working! I can see the battle!" Runo yelled out loudly as both Julie and Dan gave her a thumbs up. "Ok then let's start this brawl! Ability Activate! Gorem Punch!" Julie shouted as Hammer Gorem threw his hammer into the air before winding his fist back and punching Neo Drago, who let out a pained roar. "Hammer Gorem power change detected, power increase 150G." the voice spoke as Gorem strengthened to 650G. "Grr, let's do this Drago! Ability Activate! Tornado Barrier!" Dan shouted as a flaming tornado broke the distance between them as Hammer Gorem went to punch him again before he shouted getting scorched by the tornado reeling back. "Gorem!" Julie cried out as he staggered back. "Hammer Gorem power change detected, power decrease 250G." the Voice announced as Hammer Gorem was weakened to 400G.
"Let- ...WAIT! HEY Dan you said that thing about only one Gate Card right? Well… what about Abilities centered around Gate CardS that don't destroy them?" Julie asked worried as Dan nearly double taked realized the issue. "...Well go on, try using it and see what it does. Maybe it'll change?" Dan theorized as Julie nodded holding her card up. "Ability Activate! Grand Slide!" Julie shouted as Hammer Gorem swung his hammer around sliding it against the ground as it shook the ground violently against Neo Drago making him trip over the altered land. "Hammer Gorem power change detected, power increase 150G. Neo Dragonoid power change detected, power decrease 100G." the voice announced as Hammer Gorem got strengthened to 550G while Neo Drago got weakened to 350G. "Hey! It actually worked!" Julie said hopping happy over the discovery. "Alright now I can keep going! Ability Activate! Burning Dragon!" Dan shouted as Neo Drago glared while his mouth flared up before his entire body flared up impacting into Hammer Gorem barely withstanding the blow. "Neo Dragonoid power change detected, power increase 200G." the voice announced as Neo Drago matched Hammer Gorem at 550G. "They're completely tied now… who do you think is gonna make it out of this victorious?" Tigrerra asked Runo as she smiled. "Well Julie and I are VERY close friends, but who do you think?" Runo said winking at her before looking at Dan and Drago. "Hmm… of course, I'm sorry for asking such a silly question." Tigrerra said embarrassed as Runo chuckled looking back. "Alright Dan, sorry but we CAN'T let you beat us! WE are gonna in this match! Double Ability Activate! Taros Hammer and Grand Impact!" Julie shouted holding both cards up before Gorem's hammer started glowing in an intense brown glow before he swung it down as a powerful pillar struck through hit Neo Drago in his stomach before he yelled out in pain reeling backward as Hammer Gorem swung his hammer throwing it impacting Neo Drago in the same spot.
"Neo Dragonoid power change detected, power decrease 200G. Hammer Gorem power change detected, power increase 400G." the voice announced as Neo Drago returned to 350G while Hammer Gorem rocketed up to 950G. "It won't end here! Ability Activate! Burning Tornado!" Dan shouted as Neo Drago roared viciously creating a massive tornado of flames surrounding him and Hammer Gorem as he slowly wore out Hammer Gorem. "Neo Dragonoid power change detected, power increase 200G. Hammer Gorem power change detected, ower decrease 200G." the voice announced as Hammer Gorem weakened to 750G while Neo Drago strengthened to 550G before Gorem decided to end it smashing his hammer into Neo Drago taking him off guard before knocking him into the air as both Bakugan glowed returning to their brawlers "Way to go Gorem!" Julie cheered catching Gorem while Dan sighed catching Drago. "We'll get them next round!" Dan said reassuring Drago as he nodded. Runo pouted briefly before clapping them on looking up as she saw Dan's Life Gauge drop from 500 to 300 while the stage reverted to it's previously intact state. "You can still turn it around Dan!" Runo called out motivating Dan as Julie got annoyed over the one sided cheering.
"Alright, ready when you are." Drago said more triumphantly as he got ready. "Gate Card Set!" Dan shouted throwing a Gate Card out before his eyes widened seeing it bounce back. "Error. Gate Card already in place." the Voice made note of as Julie's eyes widened. "...Did it save my Gate Card?" Julie wondered out loud. "Huh, I guess it did." Dan said shrugging it off. "Oh well, Bakugan Brawl!" Dan shouted throwing Drago out popping out on the field. "Bakugan Stand! Neo Dragonoid!" Dan shouted as Neo Drago roared reappearing. "I'm ready to win it, Julie!" Gorem said determined to win. "Alright! Bakugan brawl!" Julie shouted throwing out Gorem as he popped out in front of Neo Drago. "Bakugan Stand! Hammer Gorem!" Julie shouted as Hammer Gorem appeared once again. "...Alright. I'm out of Ability Cards now… so there's ONLY one thing left to do! Gate Card Open! No Man's Land!" Julie cried out as the field quickly became an arid wasteland before Hammer Grom shouted gaining a massive boost. "Hammer Gorem power change detected, power increase 600G." the voice announced as Julie clapped watching Hammer Gorem rocketed up to 1,100G.
"Oh MAN! How did you get such a massive boost like that!?" Dan asked getting nervous. "Oh Dan it's so simple! Since I don't have anymore ability cards to work with I used my Gate Card, No Man's Land! I lose the ability to use my Ability Cards, BUT in exchange it can't be neutralized, it ends this round in two turns, AND Gorem get's a giant boost of 600G! You won't beat me now!" Julie said laughing feeling victorious as Dan stared confused. "...Uh Julie I hate to burst your bubble but you handicapped yourself." Dan said unimpressed as Julie started losing her feeling of superiority. "W-What do you mean?" Julie asked confused. "Well with these rules the issue is that... well Ability Cards can be reused between rounds. In other words… you just locked yourself out of using anymore abilities in this round." Dan noted breaking it to Julie as it dawned on her how bad she just screwed up.
"Double Ability Activate! Burning Tornado and Burning Dragon!" Dan shouted as Neo Drago roared catching on fire as he charged down Hammer Gorem before his flames spread out creating a massive tornado as he continuously pounded into him wearing Hammer Gorem out. "Neo Dragonoid power change detected, power increase 200G. Hammer Gorem power change detected, power decrease 400G." the voice announced as Neo Drago strengthened to 650G while Hammer Gorem weakened to 700G before a sandstorm started whirling up in the field "...Better make the next move count, Dan!" Julie said trying to show no fear. "Fine then! Double Ability Activate! Fire Shield and Fire Tornado!" Dan shouted as Neo Drago roared creating a barrier of fire around himself while the flames expanded taking the form of a tornado further wearing down Hammer Gorem. "Hammer Gorem power changed detected, power decrease 300G." the voice announced as Hammer Gorem further weakened to 400G as the flames started completely engulfing Hammer Gorem, overwhelming him taking him down for the round as both of them returned to Dan and Julie. "Gorem… were down yet!" Julie said pumping up Gorem who nodded as Runo watched the screen seeing Julie's Life Gauge drop from 500 to 200.
"We've got this in the bag, Drago! Just one more round and we'll win!" Dan said encouraging Drago before Julie glared throwing down a new Gate Card covering the field as the card vanished into it. "Bakugan Brawl! Julie cried out throwing Gorem in as he popped out. "Bakugan Stand! Hammer Gorem!" Julie shouted as Hammer Gorem once again returned to the field. "Let's do this! Bakugan Brawl!" Dan shouted out throwing Drago as he popped out on the field. "Bakugan Stand! Neo Dragonoid!" Dan shouted as Neo Drago flew out circling over Hammer Gorem. "This time you won't get the better of us Dan! Ability Activate! Taros Hammer!" Julie shouted as Hammer Gorem whirled his hammer around impacting Neo Drago before forcing him to land. "Neo Dragonoid power change detected, power decrease 200G. Hammer Gorem power change detected, power increase 200G." The voice announced as Neo Drago weakened to 250G while Hammer Gorem strengthened to 700G. "Not this time! Ability Activate! Burst Shield!" Dan shouted as Drago roared ferociously taking Gorem off guard as a blazing wind like shield tears through him.
"Neo Dragonoid power change detected, power increase 200G. Hammer Gorem power change detected, power decrease 200G." The voice announced as both of them returned to their previous G powers. "Let's turn this around! Hey Drago, are you ready to try something serious?" Dan asked as Drago took his attention off Hammer Gorem. "I… suppose. What did you have in mind?" Neo Drago asked as Dan smirked holding up a Special Ability Card. "Ability Activate! Strike Dragon!" Dan shouted as Neo Drago's eyes widened roaring as the gem connecting him to the Perfect Core shone brightly shooting an intense beam of energy as Hammer Gorem quickly draining him despite Julie remaining serious. "Hammer Gorem power decrease 400G. Neo Dragonoid power change detected, power increase 400G." the voice announced as Hammer Gorem quickly weakened to 100G while Neo Drago rocketed up to 850G. At that moment Julie smirked. "...Just what I wanted! ...Gate Card Open! Change Link Force!" Julie shouted as Dan's eyes widened seeing the beam stop before reversing and steal power from Neo Drago giving it to Hammer Gorem as both yelled out. "Neo Dragonoid power change detected, power decease 800G. Hammer Gorem power change detected, power increase 800G." The Voice announced before Hammer Gorem rocketed up to 900G while Neo Drago plummeted to 50G. "N-No… she turned it against us!?" Dan asked shocked Julie was using different tactics. "Now let's end this! Ability Activate! Grand Impact!" Julie shouted as Hammer Gorem swung out his hammer throwing it hard before impacting Drago sharply as both returned from the field before Julie's eyes widened seeing Drago return to her as well.
Runo gasped watching Dan's Life Gauge drop to 0 leaving Julie the victor as she caught Gorem looking at Drago confused. "Wha… hu-huh? Dan why didn't Drago return to you?" Julie asked confused as Dan sighed. "Well… long story short there's one last rule to New Vestroia's rules… if your opponent beats you by over 500Gs then well… you lose your Bakugan…" Dan explained s Julie's eyes widened "..Hey! Dan don't act all mopey, here you go!" Julie said throwing Drago back at Dan. "But you won him?!" Dan asked confused why she did that. "Well… Pyrus isn't my specialty anyway, give me Subterra anyday!" Julie said making an excuse to give him back Drago as Dan shrugged it off accepting him back.
"Gorem you bet DRAGO! That was GREAT!" Julie cheered before kissing Gorm as he turned completely red. "I-I wouldn't have been able if it wasn't for you…" Gorem said trying to stay modest as Julie giggled looking back to Dan. "So… what was that anyway, Julie? You normally tend to try and overwhelm opponents so why'd you go for a strategy this time?" Dan asked curious as Runo ran down to meet with them. "Well… that's kind of the problem, after using No Man's Land and watching Drago STILL overpower us I knew I had to outwit you, so I pressured you to use a strong ability and reverse it on you." Julie explained smiling as Dan's jaw dropped while Runo laughed. "I must admit, that was rather smart of Julie." Drago admitted to Dan's dismay. "Well...good job Julie, you beat me fair and square. "Alright you two that's enough. We still need to find the others so come on!" Runo said as they all nodded in agreement leaving the arena. "We just need to find the others is all right now." Tigrerra made note of as the small group of them started searching around.
Eventually after a while of searching around they found a second stadium. "You think they're in there?" Dan asked thinking back to them finding Julie in the arena they brawled in as Julie shrugged. "Best not to leave things unchecked. Let's go look it over." Runo said as they headed in. "...decrease 300G." a voice echoed as the three got nervous rushing inside the arena seeing the arena as they saw Katie sitting on the sidelines before looking in the arena spotting Alice and Caesar in the arena with Alpha Hydranoid and Kyudine out on the field standing over a single visible Gate Card. "What's going on!? What's with the fight!?" Dan asked startling Katie. "T-Their just brawling to test the system." Katie said recovering from the startle pointing up to the screens. Dan noticed the status seeing the were using the standard earth rules seeing it was down to Alpha Hydranoid and Kyudine, Kyudine standing at 220G while Alpha Hydranoid stood at an imposing 950G. "Let's end this! Ability Activate! Chaos Leap Sting!" Alice shouted out as Alpha Hydranoid shot a barrage of ropes and strings dragging her down tightly making Kyudine land hard. "Kyudine power change detected, power decrease 200G. Alpha Hydranoid power change detected, power increase 100G." the voice announced as Kyudine weakened to 10G while Alpha Hydranoid strengthened to 1,050G before Kyudine got defeated ending the match as they both caught the Bakugan. "That was an intense match, thank you for the great battle!" Alice said shaking Caesar's hand. Before her eyes widened seeing Kyudine fly at her much to Caesar's dismay.
"...Huh? That… was odd." Alice commented confused why she flew through the air towards her before handing her back over as Caesar who smiled getting Kyudine back. "Guys! They found us!" Katie shouted down getting their attention as the others waved to them. Alice's eyes widened as she started running up through to the seats. "There you guys are! We got so worried about you!" Alice said happy to see her friends as they walked up to her. "Sorry. Dan and I were having our own battle. A battle he lost!" Julie said teasing Dan as he shuttered annoyed. "That's awesome Julie! It's good that we're getting closer to Dan's skill level!" Alice said as Runo smirked. "Ok well either way, we tested out two battles at the same time it looks like, so it looks like we've tested what we needed to!" Dan made note of as everyone agreed their work was done. "Let's find a way out of here and call it a day!" Julie said as the group agreed leaving the arena. "I think it was over this way, follow me." Dan said as they followed him leading them to the lobby area he started in seeing an exit building. "I knew it! Come on let's get out of here!" Dan said rushing toward the exit as his eyes widened hearing a familiar psychotic laugh as he saw a familiar person he wish he didn't. "...HA HA HA! Never thought you'd see me here huh!? Too bad Dan!" He said laughing himself silly as Dan glared. "Shadow Prove… how did he get here!?" Dan said trying to guard the others. Unsure and confused about what was going on, Dan was ready to fight him off to keep his friends safe.
