Okay, so here is the next chapter you guys… I am sure that you have figured out that I do not own bakugan by now. I mean isn't it obvious?

Literally Out Of This World

crystal-mist

Chapter 7

Captured

Shun was finally out of the hospital and they changed locations to Canada. He couldn't help but feel that Alice was trying to distance herself from him. Although she did not show it, he could sense the uneasiness she felt whenever they were together.

One day, when Shun and Alice were on one of their sight-seeing trips.

"Shun, you have no idea what you are getting yourself into…" she stated, completely out of the blue.

"Alice…."

"Things are serious…This is not child's play and now you are involved in this mess...How could I have allowed this to happen?" she said as tears of helplessness rolled down her cheeks.

"Alice…I am so sorry that I am causing you so much pain…" he said, taking her into his arms.

Masquerade was watching everything from the Earth's stratosphere… "Hm...Looks like our little target has fallen in love….How touching. These feeble sentiments shall lead to her downfall.

He typed in some orders, sneering all the while.

Alice walked aimlessly with Shun by her side… He was concerned…this girl, she was going through so much…How much more pain would she be made to endure?

That night Shun went out to get some groceries, but never returned. Alice was not aware of this until the morning when she went knocking at his door. There was no answer.

She went up to the reception. The assistant said "The young man in the room left last night. He packed up and gave his share of the money before leaving as well."

Alice's eyes widened, she went for a walk in the park. "Maybe, he deserted me…Well then, he will be safe in the least." She thought to herself as she welcomed the coolness of the breeze that grazed her skin.

"Alice, I love you."

"Let your heart do the talking even if just for this once."

"I love you more than words can tell."

These words rang in her mind. "Just forget about him darn it. He has left and that is for his own good."

But then her eyes shot open as sudden realization dawned upon her.

"Shun would never desert me. He would never betray me, not after everything he said. If he felt uneasy then he would tell me and not just vanish like that…No...It can't be." Her eyes widened. She ran as fast as her legs would take her. The fringe from her wig kept getting in her eyes but she did not care.

She reached the reception in no time.

"Ah young miss." The receptionist greeted. "Here is something for you…A blonde came here asking me to give it to you….I hope this is not a bomb though." He said in an effort to joke.

Alice snatched the silver orb from the hand of the receptionist and raced into her room.

She turned it around in her hand until it popped open.

"Alice Gehabich.." a hologram came out. "This is Masquerade of the Apocalypse Knights speaking... I wish to make some negotiations with you instead of all these meaningless fights." Her hands were trembling as she braced herself for what was coming. "You see this Earthling here? We were able to… 'Obtain' him" The hologram then showed the image of a topless black-haired figure kneeling on the ground. His hands were tied up and his hair hid his face But Alice didn't have to see the face to know who that was…

"Poor thing, he seems to be in pain, can you see?" to emphasize what he just said Masquerade walked over to him and landed a kick right in the middle of Shun's stomach. Shun's body lurched at the impact and a grunt of pain escaped his lips.

Alice's eyes were wide in horror.

"Poor thing, went through a rough night." said Masquerade, smirking all the more as he pulled Shun's face up by his hair. Alice was devastated by the amount of bruises that covered the body of the one she loved. "No…" she whispered as her eyes were fixed on Shun's half-unconscious figure. His body was smeared with his own blood.

Shun opened his eyes, his face still scrunched in pain, but his expression softened as his eyes fell on Alice's hologram. "Alice…" he whispered. Tears rolled down her cheek as she heard the weak voice of the one she treasured. "Don't worry about me….just save yourself." He muttered, half a smile appearing on his face.

"AH now…That wasn't what I wanted you to say." Masquerade sniggered as he kicked Shun time and time again. Shun's body screwed form left to right at each impact, groaning in utter pain.

Alice could take no more. "Please STOP!" she shrieked.

Masquerade obliged and looked at Alice smugly…"So?" he asked her.

"If you think that this pain you are causing me will make Alice surrender then you are sadly mistaken." said Shun with a small and dry chuckle. "Listen to me… I do not care how much pain I have to go through…Because, if it is for Alice's sake then I will gladly take it… If it means that she can live happily for a second longer then I do not mind making the sacrifice. For Alice I will gladly endure even the flames of hell." He shouted.

Tears flowed down Alice's eyes like a stream of salty water as she listened to what Shun spoke.

"It is fascinating …The desperation that floods you when you are nearing your end is truly something else." said Masquerade delivering one last strong kick to Shun. Alice could have sworn that she heard a bone or two crack.

"Aw…look at that. The poor love-struck insect has passed out." The blonde then turned to Alice. "And your answer is?" he asked.

Alice's face was now bowed. She could see nothing because tears of vulnerability flooded her eyes. "Where do you wish for me to come?" she asked the blonde.

"Good girl… So you understand the circumstance…Come to Cuba."

"I need two days time." She answered, her face still not facing him. "I need to get the plane tickets and such."

Masquerade looked annoyed. "No can do. I will send you a helicopter in two hours…Board it…And just for reassurance." He delivered one more kick to Shun unconscious body.

The hologram disappeared. "You monster." shouted Alice, her fists were clenched. Her nails dug into her own skin until red blood pattered on the floor of her room.

"I am so sorry Shun…" she whispered as her knees gave away and she fell onto the floor. "So sorry…But don't worry, I will save you. I swear upon my own life."

She stood up shakily and went to her side drawer. She then took out a little micro-chip from within it. She looked at it, and then placed her hand on the Eutonia crystal on her neck.

"Brother…If I am to go down then I will take you with me…You dreadful traitor Masquerade Gehabich."

Me- Oh who would have guessed that Masquerade was Alice's older brother…

Joe- Not me…great twist… Well in the original series they were the same person, so being siblings brings it real close. Great thinking.

Me- Thanks Joe. You seem to be the only one who appreciates me.

Dan- *eating cake* Yeah. Well, you can't blame me. What is there to appreciate?

Me- *looks hurt* See what I mean.

Runo- Don't worry Arisu. I will beat him up for you…

Me- Runo dear. I so totally love you for that offer…*hugs*. Anyways readers. Please do REVIEW.

*watches Runo chase the scared Dan all over the room and smiles*