Seityrn: I still don't own Bakugan or that Yellow Sponge (Spongebob reference later)

BTW, thanks to C.G. for beta reading this. ^.^

Chapter 13

I screamed as more blood gushed out of my savior's wound. I stared back at the crimson eyes that face mine. Masquerade and Shun then burst in the room and asked what happened.

"De-Dezyn just…saved me…"

"What!" They exclaimed

I pointed at Dezyn to prove what he had just done.

**********

I can't believe what I'm doing. I just risked my life for this girl…what foolishness has gotten into me now?

"How?! You should be dead by now!" Syphile exclaimed as she threw her hand sideways.

"Not until I get my…argh… immature sister to come with me" I answered back. Even as blood trickled down my wound, I paid little attention to it. "You forgot that your enemies' enemy is their friend."

She growled at me. Her plans are failed; atonement is at hand. The Nashida clan's experiments are no more after this. It's about time for this foolishness to come to an end anyway.

Pain stabbed my arm. I slowly removed the knife and grasped my wound. I faced Alice, and then her two supposed-to-be bodyguards.

"You two failed at your duty."

"Looks like you won, Mark" Masquerade agreed.

I glanced at the duo, and saw that their expressions betrayed what Masquerade had said. I saw them somewhat… disgruntled because they will be taking orders from me. Nonetheless, I can sense that they are relieved that Alice is still alive and well.

"Don't remind me!" I snarled. "I never entered the wager, but HE did. My words are never broken. Even as Mark entered this stupidity, I'm bound by my words, for I am him…and he is I."

"What now? You lost, Syphile," Shun said. "Such a shame that all those years of planning are gone in an instant."

Suddenly, I reached out my other hand and held my sister by her throat. My move surprised everyone in the room. I tried to slam her to a nearby wall with enough force to kill her. Alice grabbed my arm at the last moment before that can occur.

"Don't kill her! Please…she's just…" she said as tears flowed down her cheeks "I don't want to see anybody die! Life is just… is just…too precious to all."

"You humans can never understand what we 'experiments' feel!"

I loosened my grip and let my final victim fall on to the floor, gasping for air.

"What…are you… waiting…cough… for? Finish me … off!... cough, cough…" She cried out as she gasped for air.

"I believe we can finish this peacefully" I said. "Well, why doesn't Masquerade tell her why he chose Alice instead of her?"

"WH…WHAT! Why do I have to tell her?! Why?!" Masquerade exclaimed

"Because you two are the reason why all of this began"

Shun just remain calm, waiting to hear the whole story.

"Right… Fine" Masquerade started.

All was eager to listen to his story. Even Alice stopped sobbing.

Flashback

Ever since Alice and I became one, I managed to get nearly all of the information I need to defeat the Brawlers. But, something feels different. I felt that I needed to do something other than obey my superiors.

One day, I managed to find a bunch of thugs abducting a girl. I paid no attention to it and resumed my spying mission. Alice then said something about feeling lonely, and Shun said that they're the same. "Both of us are outcasts of this cruel world", to quote Shun's words. Suddenly, I thought that I also needed someone that can relate to what I feel. Not just Hydranoid, but more human-like. That's when I chose to rescue Syphile.

I saw potential in her to be my partner, so I trained her for incognito missions. Little did I know, her half-brother was following us to our hide out. I caught him one time and noticed that he knew many contacts, perfect for getting more information on other people. I offered him to join us, which he willingly accepted. Over the course of our team, Mark managed to change my views on many things.

This was the last chat we had before Dan defeated me.

I was resting in my room as I heard a knock, followed by Mark's asking permission to enter. I let him enter. Then, I noticed Hydranoid was not there.

"Mark, do you happen to know where Hydranoid is?"I inquired

"I think that he's with Syphile, watching TV. Something that has to do with the pineapple in the sea, I think?"

"Oh, that… Well, what were you suppose to ask a long time ago?"

"I there someone whom you knew, aside from us?" he asked.

"Yes, but I'm not telling you who it is" I calmly replied.

"Then, why don't you protect that someone important to you."

"I only said that I knew her. I never told you that I liked…did I just said 'her'?"

"So, it's a girl huh? Don't worry, I won't tell this secret to anyone. How's your love life?"

"Well, here goes…Well, first, there's Syphile…she seems to care for me, but…no feelings for her. Then, there's the brawler girl."

"The one they call Runo?"

"Yes, her. I don't know why… I'm just attracted to her in a way."

"Ah…darned infatuation. Blame it on your hormones."

"Then, there's…"

"Who?"

"Alice. She feels important to me. I can't just let her go. I can't afford to lose her."

"Then, why don't you protect her?"

"Tell me then, how am I going to protect her when…"

Syphile then interrupted our chat.

"Masquerade, it's time with your duel with Dan" She announced as she threw Hydranoid towards me.

I caught the Darkus Bakugan and replied "Right. Well, let's go."

*************

I was defeated. And I returned Alice's body to her. Mark then knew what my response was. During those times that I was gone, I managed to think about many things.

Mark's words then ran into my mind. 'Protect that someone important to you'.

Alice then wished for me to help her go to Vestroia and help the brawlers.

I made my mind. I will protect her from harm's way. Even at the cost of my own life. All I did in the past was bringing her pain. Now, I want her to be happy; because Alice and I are one.

End Flashback

*************

"Now you know," I said. "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, Syphile."

She remained silent and bowed her head.

"Now, let's end this foolishness of the Nashida clan once and for all," Dezyn said.

"Wait!" Shun interrupted. "What about…"

"Mark and the sweet Syphile you loved? Don't worry. We'll return them to you"

"So, I'm no match for Alice," Syphile finally managed to say. "Right. Let's finish this now"

"Death is the beginning of a new Life. Good bye, humans. Mark will explain all once he gets his body back," Dezyn finished as he vanished like before.

Like the wind blowing off dust, Dezyn and Syphile's aura slowly disintegrated until they were no more. Mark then collapsed and fell to the floor.

"So, is that the end?" Alice asked.

"Yes…hey Shun! Let's go to your house and get some rest."

"Good idea. Can you carry Mark?" he asked, gesturing to the near-still body.

"Of course I can. I'm leaving you to carry Syphile."

Alice, Shun, and I, went to the limousine and rode with the Brawlers and Dr. Micheal until we reached Shun's house. Their questions will have to wait to be answered until the next day. For now, we need to rest.

End Chapter 13: Reasons (Alice/ Dezyn/ Masquerade)

To: Person from la isla filepinas, yes, I'm Filipino