It was 11:50 Hayley needed help from Shun and Dan if he was here also.

Her problem Masquerade. How to stop it Shun and Dan whom Masquerade feared.

She had a proposition for them she won they'd help her, she lost she'd tell them all she knew about the Infinity Core, though she would do it anyway, no need for them to know that though.

Hayley looked down at her watch again 11:59 time to move.

She did a flip out of the tree and landed in front of a little blond haired boy who screamed like a little girl.

"Marucho? Oh are you here for Shun and Dan?" a blue haired girl walked over.

Hayley didn't dare say anything but nodded. "Then come on their right over-" "Here." two voices ended for her.

She looked over there two boys a long black haired boy and a short brown haired boy. She recognized them instantly as Dan and Shun.

"Let's get on with this see I need some help. Here's where you come in we brawl I win you help me. I lose I'll tell you what I know of the Infinity Core two against me got it."

They nodded and pulled out field cards she did the same and they yelled "Field open!"

Time stopped except them. They yelled "Gate card set!" that's when she pulled out her first Bakugan and said "Robotailonus stand." Dan then pulled out his "Pyrus Siege."

Pyrus Siege recognized 10 g's higher. Hayley smiled, then said "Gate card open … character."

Robotailonus raised to 370 g's. Dan's Siege went out of the battle and her Robotailonus came back to her.

Shun sighed and then said "Gate card set." then "Monerus stand" she smiled again and sent back in her Robotailonus. And before he could react she attacked his Monerus defeated and her Robotailonus came back.

She smiled again and then pulled out her Robotailonus taunting "Oh come on if I knew it would be this easy I wouldn't have bothered." laughing.

Shun then pulled out his ability card "Double battle. Each side brings out two Bakugan."

She said "Bakugan brawl ………… Darkus Rattleoid stand."

Dan said "Griffith stand." Shun said "Falconer stand."

Griffith and Falconer lead 660 g's. She had to think fast hahaha. They were standing on her card so she said "Gate card open … character."

Darkus Rattleiod and Robotailonus lead by 740 g's. they attacked and she got her two back their two where defeated.

She said "Gate Card set." then pulled out her Robotailonus and then said ""Gate card open … Double Bakugan."

She then set out Darkus Rattleoid. Dan set out Drago and Shun Skyress.

It was her turn again and she said "Bakugan brawl ………… Tige stand."

Then she did her ability card. "Premature Battle." her Robotailonus and Darkus Rattleiod went out of battle and her Tige went from 590 g's to 2460 g's.

She then brought out her ability card "Dark Claw" that's when Drago and Skyress where defeated in one attack.

She won thank god now to see if they'll help her. Please let them help her.

***

Shun couldn't believe he and Dan lost oh well. "Dan we lost we need to help her." "True but we really needed to win for the Infinity Core info.." "Yeah but she still might need help." "True." Dan turned to her and asked "What do you need help with might I ask?" "Masquerade." Shun looked at Dan shocked.

"Follow us we'll help you." he said to the girl. "Thank you." she bowed her head. Then followed them to the others.

Shun and Dan lead the way to the others wondering if they did the right thing.

"You lost didn't you?" Runo said Shun nodded.

"What is your name?" he asked to the girl following them. "Hayley." "I'm Julie and this is Runo and Alice and that is Marucho." Shun expected the girl to faint when Julie bore done on her but she didn't all she did was smile and point to the people and correctly get their names.

"Now what's your problem with Masquerade?" Dan asked, then everyone looked at her.

***

Dan looked at her wondering if she'll tell them what was her problem with Masquerade. She just shook her head and said to them "It doesn't matter right now." "Like hell it does." he said to her.

"No it doesn't because you have bigger and better things to deal with right now namely the Infinity Core. See I lied I was going to tell you either way."

They stared at her, Dan shook his head and met Runo's gaze.

She started shaking her head. And mouthed No way at him he nodded.

He then asked "What do you know of the Infinity Core?" "I know it's in the Bakugan Valley even where it might be. Masquerade was looking for it in a remote place in Bakugan Valley. I think he came close then he saw me and made me leave." "You worked for him." he said a little to harshly. "No I was a prisoner of him." "Oh." they all looked at her weird.

***

Runo couldn't believe it she a prisoner she was to tough for that. No way that couldn't be true.

That's when Dan said, "We have to leave here now we have to get to Kir City and find Joe." "Joe? You mean the Bakugan website manager?" "Yeah you know him." "Sorta. I mean he's my brother." "Do you think you could get us in?" "Yes I can."

"Good we need to see if he is working for Masquerade."

After a while everybody went to bed Julie insisted that Hayley stay with her. It was just her and Dan left downstairs. Uh-oh she shouldn't be here. Last night didn't go well after the kiss.

"Umm I'm going to bed night Dan." she stood up but before she could move he grabbed her wrist.

"Listen Runo I know I was out of line last night kissing you like that. I understand if you hate me." "Dan I don't hate you. It caught me off guard. Now can I go to sleep?"

"No I didn't tell you what I wanted last night so can spare me one minute?" "One minute Dan that's it one minute."

He sighed then went on saying "Well Runo you know when I said that I wanted us to just be friends. I said that because well I was afraid of telling you I like you a lot. Well not just a lot more then I can say. I don't want to- well I mean. Uhh listen I don't want to date you then if we break up it might create tension between the group."

She looked at him and almost bopped him over the head. But he was also looking after the team first that showed he was growing up right, right?

"Dan that sweet of you." "I just don't want anymore tension. Though when Masquerade goes down I would love to go out with you on a date I mean." "Really Dan." "Really Runo."

They stood up and Runo said to Dan "Are you really sorry for kissing me last night?" "Never in my life would I be sorry for that Runo."

She smiled then jumped at him giving him a hug then kissed him briefly before running upstairs but before she disappeared she looked back and saw Dan smiling and staring at her.