Chapter 11: Alice out of the Dark and into the Heart
"...Dan, who is this?" Runo asked looking at Dan nearly paralyzed seeing Shadow Prove in front of her eyes with the rest of them. "Awww Dan I'm hurt! Did you not tell your little buddies here about the Vexos!?" Shadow Prove asked pressuring Dan as he approached Dan trying to scare him. "...HOW did you get here!?" Dan asked firming his grip glaring refusing to be intimidated. "Why should I tell you!? That's boring and I wanna beat you here and now!" Shadow Prove said about to reach out at him as Dan's eyes widened seeing Alice step between them glaring fiercely at Shadow Prove. Dan got nervous noticing how hate filled Alice's glare was, he knew Alice was normally a kind soul that would only fight is she wanted to or when necessary so to see her in an intense state of rage was unnerving. "You're one of the monsters who turned Hydranoid into a statute, aren't you?" Alice asked in a calm voice with a bitter tone underlining it. "Huh? Why would you li- OH! Wait a minute, are YOU his brawler!? A fragile little girl!? HA HA HA HA!!!" Shadow prove said cackling out loud before Alice's eyes narrowed smacking him across the face as the sound of the impact reverberated before a smack mark appeared on his cheek.
"...How… ...HOW DARE YOU!" Shadow Prove screamed shaking violently before he lunged at Alice who dodged back. "Catch me if you really want to get me!" Alice shouted at him taking off as he sneered dashing after her. "ALICE!!!" Everyone shouted scarred running after them as Alice led Shadow Prove back to the arena before turning and stopping glaring him down. "...You hurt a close friend, and now I'm gonna make sure you pay for the crimes you've committed!" Alice said getting serious as Shadow Prove glared at her before breaking out in a loud laugh while the others caught up in the rows of seats hovering over the bleachers. "Alice, be careful! The Vexos won't hold anything back in a brawl!" Dan shouted out warning Alice as she looked back nodding. "Got it, Dan!" Alice shouted back to let him know she understood. "Grrr…!!! Honestly I think you deserve more than just that but you know what? A battle sounds fun because I get to torment you all the more after I win!" Shadow Prove told her trying to mess with her as Alice refused to show signs of being frightened. "We shall decimate him for desecrating the name of Darkus Bakugan everywhere!!!" each of Hydranoid's head shouted out ready to fight. "Brawlers detected, will you be brawling by Set Victories or Life Gauges?" a voice asked both of them as Shadow Prove laughed hugging his sides. "That's a joke right!? Life Gauge is how we do it in New Vestroia!" Shadow Prove said confidently selecting Life Gauges as Alice sighed choosing it as well.
"Thank you, the field is now opened." the Voice said as both Alice and Shadow Prove glared at each other. "Be careful, Alice! Were rooting for you!" Julie shouted out as Alice glared him down as Shadow Prove gave a psychotic smirk back. "Let me show you how to TRULY be afraid! Gate Card Set!" Shadow Prove shouted as he threw out a Darkus Bakugan popping out. "Bakugan Stand! Mechanical Alpha Hydranoid!" Shadow Prove shouted as to Alice's eyes widened in horror seeing another Alpha Hydranoid rise up to loom over her. "...Imposter… Alice!!! Let us fight this imposter and destroy everything he stands for!" Each head of Hydranoid demanded as she gripped him tightly. "...Give him pain and nothing but it… Bakugan Brawl!" Alice called out throwing Hydranoid before he popped out in front of the opponent. "Bakugan Stand! Alpha Hydranoid!" Alice shouted out as each one of Alpha Hydranoid's heads roared ferociously at Shadow Prove's while he rose up. "This is gonna be easy! Abil-" Shadow Prove started speaking as Alice cut him off. "DOUBLE ABILITY ACTIVATE! Death Trident and Indigo Nightmare!" Alice shouted out as Alpha Hydranoid's mouths glowed in an intense glow of Darkus energy before emitting a massive barrage of energy balls and beams from his mouths all impacting his opponents creating a massive dust cloud covering the arena as Alice and Shadow Prove braced to protect themselves from the dust.
Alice waited as the dust cloud finally died down seeing her opponent, now from the intense blast revealed not the opposing Alpha Hydranoid, but a chrome plated armored Mechanical Bakugan designed like him. "Drat! Oh well so much for that!!! Killjoys, I WAS gonna introduce you to my mechanical Hydranoid… but I GUESS I'll have to introduce you to my Hades instead!" Shadow Prove shouted as Alice stepped back looking at the horror in front of her. "New opponent detected, Darkus Hades, 600G." the Voice said as Alice slightly flinched. "...Alice. Just because we're not as strong by raw power doesn't mean we'll lose!" Alpha Hydranoid's left head said turning to her as her eyes widened. "That's right! As long as you have us we won't let our pride be destroyed!" Alpha Hydranoid's right head commented as Alice smiled nearly choking up at his devotion to her. "Alice please let us fight him off, whether you hate or like Masquerade he left us to you because he decided you were the only one worthy of using our power. So let me ask you this, do you think his sacrifice would have been made if he didn't think you were worthy?" Alpha Hydranoid's middle head rationed as Alice choked up feeling immense pride for him having come far from being a minion of Naga. "...Let's do this!" Alice said as she got herself under control glaring down Shadow Prove. "GEEZ are you done already!? This is why Mechanical Bakugan are better, they don't bore you! Ability Activate! Photon Tail!" Shadow Prove called out as Hades' tails lit up in a purple glow before shooting off lasers at Alpha Hydranoid exploding on contact.
"Alpha Hydranoid power change detected, power decrease 300G." the voice announced as Alpha Hydranoid got weakened to 250G. "...We're not gonna lose. Get ready because it's time for a counter attack! Ability Activate! Blinding Spice!" Alice shouted as Hydranoid sneered opening his mouths before dark mist seeped out blinding Hades in a thick mist. "Hades power change detected, power decrease 250G. Alpha Hydranoid power increase 250G." the voice announced as Hades weakened to 350G while Alpha Hydranoid strengthened to 500G. "NO! I'm not gonna lose now! Ability Activate! Phaser Trident! AND! Gate Card Open! Enemy Merge!" Shadow Prove called out as Alpha Hydranoid staggered feeling Hades steal his power before Hades' targeting system activated locking onto Alpha Hydranoid before it mimicked Death Trident shooting off three balls at Alpha Hydranoid hitting him as he recoiled. "Hades power change detected, power increase 100G. Alpha Hydranoid power decrease detected, power decrease 400G." the voice announced as Hades strengthened to 500G while Alpha Hydranoid weakened to 100G before Alpha Hydranoid roared glowing before both returned from the field as Alice's Life Gauge dropped to 100. "PITIFUL! Is THAT ALL Hydranoid has to offer?! What a let down I wanted something more intense from the Bakugan Hades was based on!" Shadow Prove said mocking both him and Alice as she bent over picking him up. "I'm sorry Hydranoid… let's try that again." Alice said trying to cheer him up.
"Since this is where it ends let's make this fast!" Shadow Prove said tapping his foot before Alice glared throwing out a new Gate Card. "Fine by me! Bakugan Brawl!" Alice called out throwing Hydranoid out as he popped again. "Bakugan Stand! Alpha Hydranoid!" Alice shouted as Alpha Hydranoid roared returning out. "Heh heh heh! Your loss! Once I win this Prince Hydron will be happy to see Hydranoid return to him! Bakugan Brawl!" Shadow Prove shouted throwing Hades out as it popped out "Bakugan Stand! Hades!" Shadow Prove said laughing as Hades returned to confront Alpha Hydranoid. "THIS time will be different! Ability Activate! Indigo Nightmare!" Alice shouted out as each of Hydranoid's heads shot out a triple beam of Darkus energy at Hades as it staggered back. "Alpha Hydranoid power change detected, power increase 300G." the voice announced as Alpha Hydranoid strengthened to 850G. "No way this can't happen… ...Ok no! I CAN'T let this happen! You know what!? I think I'm gonna take YOU at this rate while I'm at it! Ability Activate! Saurer Cannon!" Shadow Prove yelled out as he laughed watching three huge cannons slide out and charge on Hades before firing three massive beams at Alpha Hydranoid as he roared in intensive pain getting launched into the wall nearly knocking the rest of the group into the arena as Katie and Caesar fall on their butts.
"Hades power change detected, power increase 900G." the voice announced as Hades skyrocketed up to 1,500G before Alice yelped looking back at debris covering Alpha Hydranoid. "...You've gotta get up Hydranoid… please." Alice begged as Shadow Prove laughed smacking his knee. "It may take Hades a lot of time and energy to recharge but screw it! I wi-" Shadow Prove started saying before her got cut off. "...We… will NOT surrender if Alice doesn't want us to!" Alice's eyes widen hearing the voice of Alpha Hydranoid's middle head as the debris cleared revealing him to be barely standing. "...WHAT!? HE'S STILL NOT DOWN!?" Shadow Prove screamed shocked that Alpha Hydranoid still stood. "We… REFUSE to be defeated by scum like you!" Alpha Hydranoid's right head commented as Alice nearly teared up smiling. "...Whatever! Hades is WAY too strong for you now anyways, even WHEN it's charging so you STILL lose!" Shadow Prove said determined to win. "...Well I've got four words that will absolutely shatter that hope of victory. ...GATE! CARD! OPEN! ...DEVOUR!!!" Alice shouted at the top of her lungs as her Gate Card opened to his horror. Alpha Hydranoid's eyes widened as he opened each of his mouth inhaling hard as Hades started quickly losing power. "What?! N-NO! You can't do this to me!" Shadow Prove cried watching in horror as Alpha Hydranoid quickly strengthened. "Hades power change detected, power decrease 900G. Alpha Hydranoid power increase detected, power increase 900G." the voice announced as Hades quickly plummeted back to it's base 600G while Alpha Hydranoid roared quickly skyrocketing up to 1,750G. "...Now let's end this! Fusion Ability Activate! Final Destruction!" Alice shouted holding up the special card as Alpha Hydranoid glowed in an intense dark aura. "Alpha Hydranoid power change detected, power increase 100G." the voice announced as Alpha Hydranoid further strengthened to 1,850G before shooting off a unified gigantic beam annihilating Hades in the battle before Alice's eyes widen seeing both Hades and Hydranoid return to her while Shadow Prove's Life Gauge dropped down to 0.
"You stole my Hades!" Shadow Prove complained as Alice got confused. "Hey lay off Shadow! Alice won your Bakugan fair and square!" Dan shouted over the railing as she looked back at the others. "W-Won? What do you mean won Hades?" Alice asked confused as Dan quickly explained the rule as Alice's eyes widened horrified. "I… I could… I was THAT close to losing Hydranoid…?"Alice asked scarred at the thought he would have stolen hm from her in the first round if she had played less carefully than she did. "No fair! I want a rematch!!!" Shadow Prove shouted stomping mad as Alice gave him a sharp glare. "...You're not getting this Bakugan back! Now… you're telling us how you got here!" Alice demanded as she marched towards him."...Grrr… fine ok, stop staring at me like that!" Shadow Prove said coinciding as Alice complied removing her glare but remaining serious in her tone. "New Vestroia is in such a weird state! Holes have been opening all over the place! You wouldn't believe how many times I wanted to check what was on the other side! So that's what I did!" Shadow Prove explained as Drago shook against Dan. "...Alright then. Now go back and leave this place!" Alice said before he complied wanting to get away from her as soon as possible. "...Heh heh. Good job Alice, hope that helped out, and keep taking care of Hydranoid." Alice's eyes widened looking around hearing a voice in her head. "...Masquerade?" Alice asked herself quietly feeling nervous before noticing the others rush over to her.
"Alice! Thank god you're ok!" Julie said approaching Alice. "Were gonna go after him and make sure he stays true to his word!" Caesar announced as he darted off with Katie along with their Bakugan to follow Shadow Prove and make sure he left. "Thank god for that so now we don't have worry about him." Dan said as Runo sighed. "Hey Alice what happened out there? It was like you were two people fighting as one." Runo asked bringing light to Alice switching between her normal cheery self and the uncharastically aggressive Alice they saw. "N-Nothing happened! I was just myself, why wouldn't I be?" Alice asked trying to throw off the possibility of Masquerade returning. "Well just in case Alice, maybe you should clear your mind? How about we get out of here now?" Dan suggested as Alice nodded in agreement hoping to get out immediately. Dan complied leading the girls and their Bakugan back to the exit as they all walking through it into a blinding flash of light. Once the light died down everyone saw they were back on the base of the teleporter seeing Kato to greet them. "Welcome back young master and mistresses." Kato said greeting them as they stepped off. "Hey Kato, things are working well inside!" Dan told him as he smiled in relief. "When master Marucho returns he should be happy. Also I'm sorry about that ruffian who got in, we tried to stop him but he overwhelmed us unfortunately." Kato explained alluding to Shadow Prove getting in.
"Hey don't worry. Alice completely kicked him to the curb! And now Katie and Caesar are tracking him down!" Runo said excited as Kato nodded understanding the situation. "Now then would you like to stick around or will you be going home?" Kato asked curiously about what they planned to do. "Were gonna go if that's ok, Kato." Dan said politely. "Very well thank. Thank you for doing all you've done here." Kato said praising them as they laughed leaving. "Alright guys, I'll see you later! I got sloppy on my route this morning so I'm gonna do an extra lap now." Julie said as Gorem shuttered. "Just take it easy, looks like Gorem might not handle it." Tigrerra said as Gorem shivered feeling mocked. "Aww… don't worry Gorem I'll be careful! Now let's go!" Julie said loudly dashing off on her track. "Julie might have the right idea. I'm gonna go study up on some medical stuff so I can learn more for becoming a nurse, see ya back home, Runo!" Alice said as she walked off leaving Dan and Runo to themselves with only their Bakugan. "So then… he heh, Runo how would you like that date now?" Dan asked as Runo smiled. "...I think I'd like that very much right now. Thanks Dan." Runo said grabbing his hand walking off with him together.
Alice returned back at the cafe as she sighed walking in. "Oh there you are, Alice!" Alice shirked looking up seeing Tatsuo sweep the floors. "Yeah, we finished what we needed to up at Marucho's, Julie is out on another walking route and Dan and Runo should be together." Alice told him explaining as he shivered hearing Runo was alone with a boy, even though he knew she'd be ok with him. "...Mr Saki?" Alice asked trying to bring him down to reality before he shook his head looking at her. "Sorry um… don't worry about today Alice, you three have been doing a good job lately, you can have tomorrow off, right now go take a short break, dinner." Tatsuo said lost from the conversation as Alice's eyes widened nodding running upstairs.
Alice stopped in front of a mirror as Hydranoid hopped out dragging Hades with him. "...Alice, must we keep this mockery that doesn't deserve to live?" Hydranoid's heads asked as they noticed Alice tremble looking at herself in the mirror. "Alice?" Hydranoid's heads asked feeling nervous seeing her so scarred. "Hydranoid, can I ask you a question?" Alice asked turning to him. Of course Alice, what's wrong?" Hydranoid's heads asked. "...Did you hear Masquerade?" Alice asked as Hydranoid turned dead silent. "You heard Masquerade?" Hydranoid's heads asked as she hung her head nodding. "...He spoke to me. I thought he was supposed to be gone." Alice said looking at Hydranoid. "We… didn't hear him. We're sorry." Hydranoid's heads said apologetically before Alice shook her head. "Hey don't worry about it Hydranoid. I was just checking." Alice said turning towards Hades. "So, what do we do with this thing exactly?" Hydranoid's heads asked as Alice thought it over seeing Hades pop out on it's own unsure of the current circumstances. "...It looks so lost without that Vexos brawler." Alice said taking pity on Hades.
"Wait Alice, you're not seriously considering taking up using this thing are you?!" Hydranoid asked as she nodded picking Hades up examining it close to her eye. "Well we did win Hades, apparently, so we may as well show it kindness that he wouldn't. Who knows maybe it'll become friendlier if I do. Remember you weren't exactly the kindest Bakugan either, Hydranoid." Alice said as Hydranoid shivered remembering the terrible things he did under Masquerade. "Fair point, but anyway didn't you come back to start studying more for your job or something?" Hydranoid's heads asked as Alice sighed falling back on her bed. "I know but honestly I think I used that as an excuse to get away from the others. I got scared when I heard his voice again." Alice admitted feeling unhappy for lying. "I suppose I can understand, but why not focus on doing something now? You're here so doing it would make what you said true. And right now the last thing we need to worry about is if Masqurade comes back." Hydranoid's heads suggested. "Ok, right I'll do just that then." Alice said grabbing a medical book focused on the respiratory system flipping to where she was in it.
Meanwhile Dan and Runo had left together on their own bar Drago and Tigrerra and their other Bakugan. Drago poked out looking up at Runo while Tigrerra looked up at Dan before they looked at each other. "So Runo, what… are we gonna do exactly?" Dan asked unsure of Runo's plans for them for the night. "Well… just hang out really. I wanna spend time together really. "Runo said walking aimlessly as Dan nearly groaned out loud. "I… thought you would know what you wanted to do." Dan remarked as Runo shrugged it off. "This IS what I wanna do. I just wanna take things slow right now." Runo answered as Dan backed off before he noticed where they were. "...Hey this is where Drago contacted us." Dan noted seeing where they were. Runo shivered noticing the hole he made still where it was left intact. "Honestly Drago, was that necessary?" Tigrerra asked unamused at the property damage. "I was in a dire rush to save New Vestroia! Excuse me for being concerned about my home!" Drago said defending himself as Dan looked at him. "Come on now guys, Runo and I said we'd leave this in the past so that's what we're gonna do, ok?" Dan asked politely as Drago and Tigrerra stopped themselves.
"So Runo, what is this thing you call a date anyway? From what I'm seeing this isn't anything out of the ordinary." Tigrerra replied towards Runo as she got in a huff. "Well it's just… how do I say this? A date is kind of like when you spend special time with someone you deeply care about, it doesn't matter what you do as long as you're both happy about it. Does that explain it?" Dan said explaining it to both Drago and and Tigrerra before both of them bobbed understanding it. While Dan and Runo continued their date they were unaware of Julie spying on them. "Are you sure we should be doing this, Julie?" Gorrem asked looking at Julie confused why she was spying on them. "Come on Gorrem, I just wanna be sure Runo doesn't get hurt again! Last time it happened she got… hurt badly. I… just wanna.. ...you know." Julie explained before her eyes widened hearing another voice. "You just wanna intrude?" Julie yelped looking at Runo and Dan looking at her in the bushes before she got out. "...I'm sorry!" Julie bows quickly as Dan sighs under his breath. "Julie, come on. I know you mean well but we want to be alone together. Please respect that." Runo said narrowing her eyes as Julie nodded nervously.
"I'll just get back to my workout. Carry on!" Julie said as she started dashing off. "So, anyone else here?!" Dan asked shouting out expecting others to be there before silence met the back. "Guess it was just Julie with Gorem." Runo remarked before shrugging it off. "Maybe we should get out of here while we have the chance. Dan noted feeling like they would be interrupted again as Runo agreed leaving the park with him. Runo and Dan wandered aimlessly before they stumbled upon a flier for a carnival that arrived in town. "Hey! That sounds perfect, why don't we go, Runo?" Dan asked as she smiled happy at the idea. "Sounds like it'll be fun. Ok so it's around the base of Wardington Tower huh? Good to know, now come on Dan!" Runo exclaimed happy as she made a dash for it as Dan yelped nervous caught off by Runo's speed before he caught up with her racing with her over to Wardington Tower.
Meanwhile Julie panted hard stopping in front of the Cafe. "Julie… I think you're pushing yourself too hard." Gorem said concerned as Julie caught her breath. "Do… Don't worry about it Gorrem! I'm fine." Julie said trying to get Gorem to stop worrying as she walked inside. "Welcome back, Julie." Tatsuo said noticing Julie step in as she waved back. "Hey, Mr. Misaki." Julie said sitting at a table resting herself. "Alright just don't slack too hard then, we may need you to work for Dinner." Tatsuo noted as Julie nodded understanding him. "Julie, is something on your mind? You look distracted." Gorrem said popping out looking up at Julie as she laughed nervously. "Me worried? Why what do you think I would be worried about?" Julie asked as she yelped getting caught off guard feeling a tap on her shoulder seeing it was Alice dressed for her shift. "Hey there Julie. Need anything?" Alice teased her as Julie felt a faint flutter in her heart but unsure of why. "J-Just a cold drink really." Julie said as Alice laughed. "Alright, I'll just be a second." Alice noted as she left Julie's presence before Julie sighed slumping back. "Are you sure? You looked a bit dazed." Gorem noted observing Julie as she sighed getting up. "Wait here a moment please." Julie said as Gorem watched on confused as Julie walked behind the counter.
Julie found Saki cooking up several orders quickly. "Mrs. Misaki, did… I get anything in the mail?" Julie asked half heartedly already expecting the same answer she got for a while now. "...I'm sorry Julie, still nothing from Billy." Saki said somberly as Julie clutched her chest feeling heartache. "If it means anything then I'll just let you know I'm furious he hasn't said anything back to you for a while honey. You've been like family for a while now while your parents are letting you stay here so to see someone I almost consider a second daughter neglected while her boyfriend travels the world like it's nothing hurts me too." Saki explained trying to cheer Julie up as she felt a squeeze against herself before seeing Julie hugging her closely. "...Thank you for everything Mrs. Misaki." Julie said trying to hide any despair in her voice as Saki returned the hug. Don't worry about it. How about I let you take the night off. You sound like you really need it honestly." Saki suggested as Julie weakly smiled walking back out as Saki sighed under her breath getting back to the orders needing to be cooked.
Julie walked back out to the table seeing Gorem rolling around the table as she sat down alerting him to her as he cleared his throat stopping. "There you are Julie. What happened?" Gorem asked as Julie pouted looking away. "It's… Billy. He hasn't gotten back to me in ANY way that he could… I thought he cared about me." Julie said almost ready to cry as Gorem popped out. "Julie, I can't stand to see you cry. You don't deserve such pain like that!" Gorem declared trying to reach Julie. "He's right you know, don't hold it all in Julie!" Julie looked up seeing Alice speak to her, now holding a few glasses of water before sitting down as Hydranoid landed on the table. "It's… Alice I don't want to bog you down with it honestly…" Julie said feeling unable to speak to Alice as Alice put on a stern face. "Julie, I'm your friend. If I didn't want to hear it I wouldn't have stopped you." Alice replied wanting to heard Julie's response. "Well… It's just, it's something I don't feel comfortable talking about right now." Julie said nervous as Alice slid over her water before she took it drinking. "It's alright, we can talk about it later. That sound good?" Alice asked as Julie nodded collecting herself.
"In that case I've got a few minutes to spare, mind if I just talk with you to pass the time?" Alice asked as Julie smiled. "Sure, I'd love to just talk about something smaller after everything big going on lately." Julie said as Alice laughed lightly while Hydranoid rolled up to Gorem. "Hydranoid? What's up?" Gorem asked seeing him roll over. "Can we talk to you upstairs?" Hydranoid's heads asked as Gorem nearly tilted confused. "No problem for me. Besides, it looks like Julie and Alice would appreciate just talking amongst themselves right now." Gorem replied as he and Hydranoid went off leaving the girls on their own. Hydranoid took him upstairs to the guest room as Gorem looked over seeing Hades walking on it's own without aim or purpose. "...Is Alice keeping that Bakugan she won off Shadow Prove?" Gorem asked confused as each head groaned. "Unfortunately, while we don't often question Alice's decisions, were worried this thing will try to betray her." Hydranoid's heads said in concern for Alice while Gorem watched Hades walk into a wall refusing to turn around. "...I suppose it's not exactly thrilling, but for now I'd advise to keep an eye on Hades so Alice is safe. You are her best Bakugan for a reason." Gorem contemplated as Hydranoid's heads groaned.
Both Bakugan looked on solemnly seeing Hades continue walking into the wall like it wasn't even aware of it. "...I pity that… thing. I doubt it has any consciousness if it's just doing that." Hydranoid's heads said looking at Hades in pity for it. "Perhaps… this is why we need to teach it. It's Alice's Bakugan now, so perhaps we can breach through to it." Gorem retorted as Hydranoid's heads sighed looking at Hades again. "...Hades stop!" Hydranoid's heads shouted out to Hades as it stopped before looking at him. "There you go, that was simple wasn't it?" Gorem asked as Hades approached them confused. "I guess it was but it's still a mechanical Bakugan." Hydranoid's heads retorted as Gorem sighed. "Well it's a start, for now let's go check on Julie and Alice." Gorem suggested as both of them started rolling away, confusing Hades. Both of the Bakugan made their way back down to the ground floor of the Cafe rolling back towards the table seeing Julie and Alice laughing. "Did they notice us leaving?" Gorem wondered confused as Julie looked down spotting them.
"THERE you guys are!" Julie said swiping them up putting them back on the table. "We were wondering where you went off to!" Alice said taking Hydranoid back. "...We're sorry for worrying you, Alice." Hydranoid's heads apologized as Alice smiled patting his heads with her finger. Each of them then heard the door as Julie and Alice turned to see it as Julie's eyes widened seeing a familiar looking young woman before she got up and walked over to her much to Alice's nervousness. "...Nekane!?" Julie nearly shouted out as she reached out covering her mouth as Julie laughed recognizing her before hugging her tightly as she grunted. "Julie? Who is this?" Alice asked getting up as Julie got her hand off. "Alice! This is Nekane!" Julie blurted out excited for Alice to meet her as Alice smiled nervously and waved while Julie sat herself and Nekane down. "It's… nice to meet one of Julie's friends." Nekane said looking at Alice trying break the ice. "Yeah, it's nice to meet new people even if what Julie said was true. I'm Alice, nice to meet you." Alice said introducing herself to Nekane as she waved her hand nervously. "Hey you don't have to introduce yourself, it's fine, really." Nekane said trying to remain calm and modest as Julie cleared her throat getting all of their attention. "So Nekane, you look.. ...human now!" Julie said looking at Nekane noticing the navy blue skinned woman she had met that night was now sporting a much differently colored peach skin.
"It's simple honestly, I have this." Nekane said showing them both what appeared to be a wristwatch. "So it lets you look like us?!" Julie asked failing to watch her tone as Nekane got nervous as Alice calmed them both down. "Why don't we take this upstairs? Runo's parents will let friends of ours up there and this seems better in private." Alice suggested as both of them nodded going upstairs with Nekane. Alice noticed a very excited look on Julie's face as they headed up stairs leading Nekane to the guest room before they sat back while Hydranoid and Gorem popped out on the bed. "Come on! You gotta show us!" Julie said excited to see it as Alice laughed nervously before Nekane sighed under her breath giving in as she fiddled with the device on her wrist as her body started fluctuating turning back to the form Julie saw that night as Alice gasped. "Does this clear it up?" Nekane asked as she readjusted the device returning to the previous human form she had assumed as Julie and Alice both nodded. "...Still, speaking about Runo, I hope she's happy tonight." Alice thought to herself.
Meanwhile Runo and Dan both wandered into the carnival smiling brightly seeing the atmosphere around them. Runo's eyes widen noticing a jousting field seeing teams of two working together against opponents. "Dan! Dan, can we try that out?" Runo asked bringing it to his attention. "Whoa! That looks like fun, yeah let's do it!" Dan said in response as they ran over to scope it out. Dan and Runo got on the line with each other looking over seeing two teams clash with each other before the winning team mows over the opposition. "This is gonna be intense!" Runo said excited to joust against their opponents. Both Dan and Runo watched the line dwindle in front of them before they finally made it to the front. "Next?" An attendant of the attraction asked as both of them stepped up to him. "Names please?" The attendant asked. "I'm Dan, and this is my girlfriend, Runo." Dan told him as he noted their names down nodding. "Thank you. The rules are simple, two teams of two joust to top each other, the victors remain as our champions until they are defeated, the victors taking their place. Your lances are right there, and have been made safe to joust against without the need for armor, please enjoy your stay." The attendant explained as both Dan and Runo smiled grabbing their lances approaching the field.
As they walked into the arena they heard cheering seeing a small crowd watching over them as intercom over them. "Ladies and gentlemen please welcome our new challengers to the stage! Sir Dan and Madam Runo!" The intercom echoed as the small crowd let out cheers and Dan soaked in the attention while Runo modestly waved to the crowd. "But CAN they topple our current champions?! Please welcome in our current defenders of the throne! The brother kings! Kenta and Kenji!!!" Both Dan and Runo's eyes widened seeing both familiar faces step up as they both noticed them in return. "You two!? What are you doing here?!" Dan asked shocked as they gripped their lances. "Dan! Runo! It's been ages since we last met, but all the same on the battlefield I see!" Kenta spoke out as Kenji glared. "No matter the situation, we shall come out on top this time however! Grab your weapons and have at it!" Kenji shouted as Runo smirked gripping her lance. "Don't forget, we beat you in brawling, and we will beat you here too!" Runo declared triumphantly as a horn blew over the intercom to declare it was time for clashing.
With that, all four of them screamed wielding their lances charging down their opposition steady before they made it close to one another plowing through the brothers as both of them skid to a stop adjacent to them. "We have our winners and new champions! Sir Dan, and Madam Runo!" The voice over the intercom echoed as the crowd cheered wildly for them both as both of them smiled waving to the crowd while Kenji and Kenta bowed to them. "Congratulations both of you, you've bested us again." Kenta admitted begrudgingly as they both bowed to Dan and Runo respectively before leaving them. "Hey Dan, let's keep this going. Let's see how long we can keep a streak going!" Runo mentioned excited to see how long they could go for as Dan smiled. "Ok yeah, sounds like it could be intense and fun!" Dan retorted as both of them appealed to the small crowd. Following on their word, both of them continued to participate as they racked up three victories in a row as Dan smiled seeing Runo having the time of her life feeling at ease with himself knowing he could make her feel so happy. Then came the preparation for the fourth match.
"King Dan and Queen Runo are obviously raring to go folks, what's say we cheer them on to the absolute top! Please welcome their next challengers! Lady Katie and Lord Caesar!" Runo and Dan stopped waving immediately as the intercom announced as both of them watched Katie and Caesar walk in stunned themselves over hearing Runo and Dan's names announced before entering the arena themselves. "...Holy shit! What are you guys doing here?!" Katie asked shocked as Runo and Dan laughed nervously before Runo stopped laughing. "Wait a minute! What about you two?! What happened to Shadow!?" Runo asked staring them down as Katie sweated nervously while Shinstui snickered under his breath. "Told you this would get them so ire when we spotted them! So what was that about just taking it easy again, Kyudine?!" Shinstui smugly spoke to Kyudine as she groaned before Caesar cleared his throat. "Why are holding the match up? Come on, we best be doing the match before we hold up lines!" Caesar declared before Katie nearly had to hold herself back from laughing nodding. "Ok! Dan! Runo! Prepare to get Lanced!" Katie shouted confidently wielding her lance up as Dan grinning holding his own up. "Runo, you go for Caesar, I got Katie!" Dan told her planning out as Runo nodded aiming her lance as Katie and Caesar raised their own as both pairs heard the intercom buzz before charging the other shouting.
The crowd gasped watching Runo trip over Caesar nearly taking her down before she quickly swept his leg bringing him with her while Dan barely tangled and clashed with Katie as he managed to take her down with him. "...Ladies and Gentlemen we appear to have a tie, in this case we have to let both parties go off on their own accord." the intercom announced as the Crowd starting clapping to mixed result as Runo groaned sitting up. "Well, it was fun while it lasted." Runo said sighing they had to leave before she walked to Dan. "Hey now, we still have an entire night to ourselves. We can do other things." Dan said patting her lightly as she smiled walking with him. "Hey hold on!" Both of them stopped hearing Katie walking towards them with Caesar. "Sorry to spring this up but mind… if we hung out for a bit? You wanted to know what we were doing right?" Katie asked as Dan groaned. "Were... kind of in the mid-" Dan started explaining before he stopped mid sentence hearing his stomach gurgle before Runo laughed. "Sounds like someone's hungry! Alright, let's get some food and then we'll get out of your hair." Katie suggested before Dan reluctantly nodded in agreement while Cesar and Runo laugh behind them.
The four of them headed off finding a couple different food stands for different foods lined up in a small circle with dedicated tables to eat at. "Ok I'll go get our food, who wants what?" Runo asked as each of the three sat down. "I want a cheeseburger, with meat, cheese and wasabi sauce dashed in it!" "Black Bean Salsa, please." "I want a full steak, medium rare!" Katie, Caesar and Dan respectively requested as Runo nodded gathering their respective yen walking off. "Sure are lucky you ended up with her, huh?" Katie teased Dan as he groaned. "Come on… is it that big a deal?" Dan asked as Drago, Shinstui and Kyudine each rolled onto the table. "It really isn't, Dan. We SHOULD be in New Vestroia right now, I can only imagine what the others are going through right now over there!" Drago said grumbling as Caesar and Kyudine looked away unsure of what to say while the rest of them looked at him sternly. "So, you're going back to the Bakugan homeworld?" Katie asked as Dan nodded. "It's… not in the best state right now, we NEED to go back… but the portals to here and back have been too unstable to get back, IF we find one it's too late and it closes… ugh it's driving me crazy!" Dan explained grabbing his hair as they got started sitting up right and normally hearing Runo clearing her throat arriving back holding several plates.
Runo returned to them placing a plate down for each one of them with what the requested, with a plate for herself before noticed it getting concerned seeing it consisting mainly of dangos and rice coated in Caramel. "Runo, that's a lot of sugar. Are you sure that's ok to eat that?" Dan asked looking up at Runo as she looked at him confused. " Of course I'm sure, why wouldn't I be? This is what I wanted after all." Runo said she stuck a dango into her mouth eating it quickly as Dan looked to Tigrerra noticing Tigrerra sharing the same concern with himself before Runo swallowed. "Ok, now that everyone's got their food, let's get some answers, SO what happened?" Runo asked before Caesar got ready to speak, only to be interrupted hearing loud chewing seeing Katie stuffing her burger into her face devouring it as everyone glanced at her making her self conscious enough to stop eating and start talking. "Ok, so we had just left as you saw us." Katie said explaining the situation remembering the chase as Runo narrowed her eyes a bit before she noticed faint markings on both of them resembling scars.
Katie and Caesar both ran through the streets of Wardington catching up to Shadow Prove. "I thought I got away from them!..." Shadow grumbled to himself as Caesar and katie continued chasing him right on his tail. Shadow Prove glared back at them as they glared back trying to dash into the park as they charge him into it the park. "I can't WAIT to take him down! Sweet justice!" Shinstui spoke to himself laughing in an unnerving tone as far as Katie was concerned. Shadow! You're getting not anywhere!" Caesar shouted as Shadow smirked turning back to them stopping as they did. "Maybe you would, but you don't have a way back to New Vestroia do you?!" Shadow Prove shouted as he laughed loudly dashing at them to their shock swiping at them both taking them out by surprise. Eventually, the noise of crows stirred Katie as she groaned sitting up seeing that dusk was setting in sitting up in a bed as she looked around noticing she was in a room now. "Good timing!" Katie turned hearing Caesar as she walked to her.
"Caesar? What… ...WAIT! Where is he?! I'm gonna!..." Katie shouted getting mad as he shushed her calming her back down. "...He is gone." Caesar said as Kyudine popped out in front of Katie. "Calm down Katie. We hate him too, but for now we have to admit defeat, he got away and he's probably found a way back to New Vestroia." Kyudine said resting on her knee as she sighed looking out a window seeing the dusk consuming the sky, lighting it up in a bright shade of orange and pinks as she sighed. "I feel horrible, he slipped through our fingers and just… we let the others down." Katie said disappointed in herself before Caesar comforted her as she got out of bed. "Anyway, you and I are home now, welcome." Caesar said to her as she got confused. "Huh? How did we get to your house unconscious?" Katie asked as her thoughts trailed off before Kyudine spoke up. "That would be my doing. Shinstui and I went to seek aid from Caesar's mother." Kyudine explained as Katie smiled. "Heh, that's kind of funny. I bet if it weren't for the whole battle against that Naga Bakugan, no parent would conceive the Bakugan are actual creatures." Katie said admitting a funny thought to herself.
"Regardless, she came here to take both of you back here to heal up. Luckily, she had a lot of medical supplies on standby for some reason." Kyudine explained unable to connect the dots. "It… not for reasonless. My mother… she failed to secure license to work." Caesar explained as Katie sighed before looking at herself in a mirror seeing the wounds he had left them were tended too. "Hey, verified or not, she did a good job fixing us up." Katie remarked as she smiled feeling relieved. "So, maybe we should go out?" Caesar asked unaware of the way he did before Katie's eyes widened glaring as she looked away as Shinstui laughed to himself while Kyudine groaned. "Katie, he didn't mean it THAT way, He meant WOULD you like to go do something and just relax after what happened." Kyudine explained properly conveying Caesar's words. "Oh, well I guess I got nothing to do. Maybe we can catch a few bugs together." Katie responded feeling a little awkward about the situation as both their explanations ended.
"Whoa! Are you guys sure your ok?!" Dan asked concerned only now just noticing the marks on their faces from his scaring. "Dan, we got it. If we can find a way, we will beat them back to whenever they came from!" Runo told him putting him to ease. "Speaking of which, funny that you haven't even attempted to catch anything though, huh?" Shinstui said mocking them as Katie glared whacking him across the table as he rolled back groaning from the attack on him light as it was. "Anyway, we're just glad you're just ok right now." Runo said as Tigrerra rolled over to the other Bakugan. "Drago, may I pull you away for a moment? I wish to talk to one on one." Tigrerra, asked as Drago looked to her. "I suppose so, come on." Drago said as both of them hopped down under the table to the ground as the others respectfully drowned them out. "Drago, I must ask this because it's been bothering me, you remember those aliens blending into Earth correct?" Tigrerra asked turning to him. "The Xenoshians? Of course, what's the matter?" Dragon asked as Tigrerra looked down. "Drago, what I am about to ask is something bothering me, do the Xenoshians sound off putting?" Tigrerra asked him as he stared in silence for a moment.
"What... what makes you ask that?"Drago asked in return starting to get lost in her intentions. "Well I ask because… You've fought against them, correct? What was it like? Did it seem sincere that they have good intention for Earth?" Tigrerra asked as Drago nearly fell back before catching himself thinking about his battle with Dan fighting against Phoenix and Flaremander. "In hindsight, I can see the concern. When Dan and I fought one, not only did she fight with only one Bakugan in a format that doesn't favor it, she fought with malicious intent." Drago explained as he heard Tigrerra in return to his answer sigh. "Then Drago I ask something very important. ...I ask we not go back to New Vestroia at this time!" Tigrerra request as Drago nearly shook himself."WHAT?! Tigrerra, what are you saying?!" Drago asked feeling infuriated. "Think of it like this Drago. In New Vestroia, the Resistance is still going, even if they lack Dan. On Earth though, it's only really the girls, their own Bakugan and myself. Maybe Caesar, Katie, Kyudine and Shinstui, but were not 100% with them yet. The Xenoshians if they ARE two faced seem just as strong as the Vexos if not stronger!" Tigrerra explained to justify herself as Drago looked her down before looking at the ground.
"Tigrerra, you ask for a lot. I admit you're not wrong if these worries are correct. But at the same time you ask I turn a blind eye to our homeworld. Do you really see the situation so dire in possibility?" Drago asked to clarify Tigrerra's sincerity. "I am positive. I have faith in our friends over there, and we need help over here." Tigrerra pleaded as Drago thought it over in his mind before shaking his head. "...Alright, I'll trust your judgement. I am putting ALL of my trust in this. So for both our sakes, I hope you're right." Drago said accepting Tigrerra's proposal. "Drago, this means a lot for us. This means Runo doesn't have to be sad either in case of a worst case scenario." Tigrerra said happy for her brawlers sake as Drago worried to himself what he had just agreed to. He contemplated on one hand that he couldn't leave New Vestroia to fend for themselves against the Vexos threat, however he realized that his other friends in the Resistance were fighting hard to keep New Vestroia safe, which put him at ease finally letting him let go of rushing back to New Vestroia. "Alright, that's all I wanted to talk about, let's get back up there so Dan and Runo don't worry about us." Tigrerra suggested as Drago nodded before he carried her back up to the table.
"Oh, there you two are! What took you so long?" Dan asked smiling as Drago noticed their plates had been completely wiped. "It was… well, I'll tell you later, Dan. For now I believe our friends Drago said as he turned to the other four. "Oh right. Besides we um.. Should be going anyway. Dusk is when the coolest bugs come out anyway! Come on Caesar, let's go." Katie said getting up grabbing Shinstui as Kyudine sighed. "Thank you for having us." Kyudine said thanking them as aesar grabbed her walking off with Katie. "It's just us again huh? Then again I feel happier now that we're alone again." Runo said leaning on Dan. "Hey now, we gotta play some games now, don't crash on me now!" Dan told her as they got up grabbing Drago and Tigrerra dumping the disposable plates wandering elsewhere in the carnival. "Now then, no experience at a carnival is complete without something to win! Now let's see." Dan said looking around the game section of the carnival. Runo gasped as her eyes widened turning Dan's attention to one game, a test of accuracy seeing a small hole in a wall and then at the prizes, one of them being a cupcake like creature predominantly pink and white with darker and lighter shades of pink covered around it decorating it's body. "Dan, I want that large plush cupcake animal!" Runo exclaimed excited as Dan nodded stepping up.
"You want to play? Alright kid, you've got five shots to get three in, you get better prizes for getting more balls in than not, think you can do it?" The Attendant explained before asking as Dan nodded putting down the money he needed to for the game seeing the attendant come back with five balls. Dan smirked lining up his view of the target before throwing his first ball throwing it in as Runo started getting excited. "That's one!" Dan said getting overconfident as his eyes widened as his second shot missed and bounced off the wall. "Don't get too confident now." The attendant snarked as Dan rolled his eyes calming himself down. Remembering his skill, he threw one ball than another in winning the challenge. "Well I'll be… alright you won somehow, so pick any prize you'd like." the attendant said as Dan immediately pointed to the large plush Runo wanted before the attendant nodded fetching it for them giving it to Dan. "Take care kids." The attendant said as they both walked of, Runo smiling as she hugged the plush animal poking the cherry like orb on it's head before she looked at Dan hearing him yawning.
"Hey Dan, are you alright?? You sound tired." Runo asked a Dan tried to hide it. "Huh OH no! No I just um…" Dan tried to explain hiding it as Runo laughed putting a hand on his shoulder. "Hey now, it's been a long day. And really you've done enough for me lately, go get some rest, you deserve it. Runo said putting his mind to rest. "Thanks Runo, Ok then see ya later." Dan said as he nearly started to run of before his eyes widened feeling Runo hold his arm back getting confused why she would as he turned around getting a huge surprise, as Runo kissed him directly on the lips before they both stood in silence ignoring the world around the just for a moment before letting go of each other. "...Don't forget, I love you Dan!" Runo said smiling as he nodded slowly getting himself together after Runo stole a kiss from him as he started heading home as did she. Tigrerra looked up and out to Runo. "Goodness Runo, you look beaming right now, It's rare to see you so happy." Tigrerra said as Runo sighed nodding. "Today was just a really great day, that's all." Runo explained on her way home. "Runo perhaps… not to rain on your parade but when we make it back to your home I wish to talk about something when we get there." Tigrerra made note of as Runo nodded. "Sure, we can talk back there." Runo said putting Tigrerra to ease as they walked off into the night.
