Chapter 2: Encountering the Enemy

"What is your problem, Alex?" Cassie asked still in his grip. "I was just talking to a few students."

Alex looked back at her. "Yeah, Cassie, people I've never met," He kept on walking, taking his eyes off Cassie and looking up. His gaze fell upon a much taller boy, not remembering at first who he was, then suddenly it hit him. Skyler, the Junior who had been hanging out with Cassie earlier.

"Geez, big bro's protective," he snickered at them.

"Oh, no, he...he's not my broth-" Cassie tried to put in, but obviously wasn't going to be acknowledged in this conversation.

"Oh I see," Skyler said, walking over to Cassie, and leaning over, he whispered into her ear. "You involved in some kinda relationship with him?"

"Wha-NO!" Cassie replied in a harshly quiet tone, as her cheeks burned at the thought. Still holding Cassie's wrist, Alex was looking back at them and raised an eyebrow in suspicion, as Skyler continued to talk to her. Skyler stood again, and held his hands up in defense.

"Ok, ok...geez," He started. "I'm really surprised your attribute is Aquos."He said changing the subject.

"Why's that?" Cassie asked a little offended by that statement, and even though she was a mite annoyed with Skyler, she couldn't take her eyes off of him. She couldn't risk spacing in front of him if her eyes drifted and met Alex's.

"You've got one fiery attitude," He winked at her and she nearly exploded with embarrassment. Why was this guy being so immature?

"What are you two talking about?" Alex asked them as he tried to subtly pull Cassie closer to him, as if protecting her.

"Nothing," Skyler shrugged. "But seriously, you two should hook up," he said taking hold of her other wrist. "Come on I'll give you some tips about how to win a guy over."

"What?! NO!" Alex argued a little shocked at the Juniors words. He pulled Cassie a little harder. "She's coming home with me!"

"Who do you people think you are to boss me around?" Cassie shouted.

As the two boys pulled on Cassie's arms, and stubbornly fought about who was taking her where, the World History teacher Mr. Mills saw them, and briskly walked over, his glasses glimmering.

"What do you think you boys are doing?" He asked.

Not letting go the two hung their heads and Alex scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well ya see, um...Mr. Mills, we were just-"

"I don't care!" Mr. Mills shouted. Cassie slapped a hand to her forehead...or that's what she would have done, if she wasn't being squabbled over.

Suddenly Cassie felt two hands on her shoulders and a shout. "Field Open!"

Since the person who shouted was touching Cassie, she too, was taken into the familiar surrounding of the Battle Arena, along with her bickering friends. Mr. Mills stopped however, due to the fact that he was not touching any of the students, which was a relief, because she was sure they were going to get punished.

"What the-" she was stopped in the middle of her sentence by an unfamiliar male voice.

"What seems to be the problem, little missy?" He asked showing very little emotion on his face.

"Um, who are you?"

He avoided her question and asked another one. "And what's with the guys on your arms?"

"What do you mean?" Alex snapped, still refusing to let go of Cassie.

"It seems like we have a little disagreement," The boy-who looked about Alex's age-said, still very far away from the three. In the blink if an eye, however, he stood right in front of Cassie, and lifted her chin, their eyes meeting. "But, to make it simpler, I'll just take the little cutie for myself," He smirked down at Cassie as her cheeks went bright red.

"Let go of me you freak!" Cassie squirmed and kicked the guy in the shin. He grimaced and fought the urge to scream. "Why you little..." he teleported-somehow-to the other end of the arena and held a Gate Card tightly in his hands. "We'll settle this professionally then," he said sternly.

"Fine then," Cassie agreed. The boys, by this time, had let go, and were ready to battle when Cassie called them off.

"Guys, I think I can handle this jerk alone," She said, her eyes fixed on her opponent.

"But Cass," Alex started. "You couldn't even beat me, what makes you think you can-"

Cassie looked back and scowled at Alex. "I can take him, Ally," She smirked, looking at Skyler who nodded with approval, smiling mischievously.

"I say we let the girl fight," Skyler looked at Alex who didn't budge from Cassie's side, then added firmly: "Alone." Alex backed away reluctantly.

"Any day now," Cassie's opponent said sarcastically tapping his foot.

"Wanting to get beaten I see," Cassie smiled. "The pleasure is all mine."

"Gate Card set!" The cards flew gracefully onto the field and the game began.

"Allow me," Cassie bowed. "Bakugan, Brawl!" Her sphere tumbled onto the gate card closest to her opponent. "Stinglash, Stand!

"Ah," The boy said brushing his blonde hair out of his eyes. "I see you favor the Aquos attribute," He threw his bakugan in the air a couple times, catching it in the palm of his hand coolly. "Seems like your going to have a little bit of a challenge...Bakugan, Brawl!"

His bakugan entered the battle. "Bakugan, Stand! Rise, Pyrus Saurus!"

A thought quickly hit Cassie, and jammed itself into her mind through her ear. "Did he just say Pyrus?" A look of worry clouded her disposition. "Our attributes...they're..."

Her thought train had been derailed as her opponent smirked at her. As if he had read her mind, he finished her thought. "Completely different? I know, it couldn't be more perfect..." a devilish smile crossed his face.

A little gasp escaped Cassie's lips as she stood frozen. "What have I gotten myself into?" she thought distressed.