I don't own Bakugan it belongs to TMSEntertainment and Japan Vistec. I only own Ashley and Nightshade.

"Normal Speech"

"Thoughts"

CHAPTER 4: Dan and Drago

"You're kidding you threw Drago in the river." Marucho said.

"You did WHAT!?" I asked horrified.

"Hmmm." Dan looked away from teh screen and from me.

"That would explain why you're in such a grumpy mood today." Julie said.

"What are you talking about I'm not grouchy. I'm glad I got rid of that know it all."

"Really I'm supposedly a 'know it all' you gonna get rid of me to?" I asked.

"But seriously Dan don't you think you should go back and try to find Drago. He's probably feeling lost and afraid down there in the bottom of the river."

"He has the fish for company. It takes sleeping with the fishes to a whole new level." I say to try and lighten the mood. I swear my emotions can give people whip lash.

"Lost and afraid." Dan said.

"Maybe you don't realise what you have till it's gone. Personally speaking though my bakugan Tigrerra and me are as close as close can be. You know." Runo buts in rubbing her bakugan against her cheek. Dan looks like he's having a flashback. He places his hands on teh desks rasisng himself up and says,

"Who cares about him anyway I know I don't."

"Don't say that."

"Dan come back."

"Ashley talk some sense into your bull-headed brother."

"I have nothing left to say to him. Let him do whatever he wants he does it anyway." I say. I cross my arms and walk out of his room tears in my eyes. Poor Drago if dan doesn't go looking for him tomorrow I will just to make sure he is okay. The next day Dan and I head to school.

"Moring guys." Dan says as he places his bag on the table. I do teh same and walk over to one of my friends Ryu who is on his laptop talking to one of the other guys about tatics.

"Hey Ryu."

"Hey Ashley. Oh sorry guys.. You see what I mean." He turns his laptop so the other guys can see what he's done.

"Yeah now I do."

"Incredible."

"That is actually really cool Ryu although if you fix this…." I go to show him what I'm talking about when Dan interupts me.

"Hey Ryu. I didn't know you were into bakugan."

"Oh you know. Yeah but I've never been in a full on battle before. I'm not really ready." He looks at me and I roll my eyes smiling. He has such low confidence in his strategies. Why I don't know they're really good.

"Ha not ready. What are you chicken?"

"Well I like to collect data and come up with various possible battle strategies. Look." Ryu lets Dan see his laptop.

"First scenario."

"Battle strategies. I figure the best strategy is to increase the power level of your team don't you think. Sis come on you agree with me."

"I actually agree with Ryu Dan you need to have more than just strength to beat everybody. Sure it works for those just starting out but get higher up they battles get harder. You need a strategy that can work."

"Yeah like Ashley said. There's more to it than that. If you're counter ability is set then it's possible to defeat even the strongest enemy with less power than him."

"What are you serious?"

"Bakugan is more than just strength it's also an elaborate tactical game. One must engage in battle while trying to outsmart the opponent by outsmarting and anticipating his actions." Ryu said.

"Yeah it's all about playing your cards right." I tell him.

"I gotta say Ryu's ideas are pretty amazing. I bet even you have a hard time battling him."

"Of course he will he has a hard enough time battling me." I whisper in Ryu's ear. He chuckles softly.

"What did you say! Oh right smart guy I'll battle you any time any place. You got that." Dan said. Everybody but me looks shocked. I sooo saw that coming.

"What?" Ryu asks. "But I didn't say…"

"Well maybe all your big fancy strategies aren't worth spit!" I jump off the desk ready to push Dan back as he starts walking towards the group. "Well maybe you just put your money where your mouth is or keep it shut." Ryu goes to move backward but trips he falls to the ground and his laptop falls to the ground just out of my reach.

"Hnnn. Oh no my computer!" Ryu and I go to his computer to check on it."

"I didn't mean to. It wasn't my fault." Dan ran out of the classroom after that."

"Geez Ashley how can you stand to have him as a brother."

"He's been having a really rough week lately and he isn't thinking clearly." I put my hand on Ryu's shoulder. "I need to go make sure he's okay. Call me later when you need help okay." I stand up and rush out the door to find Dan. I find him back at home laying on his bed.

"I can't seem to do anything rigth and it's all because of Drago! Poor Drago." "What am I saying I'm glad he's gone." He says turning towards the wall.

"You know Ryu was pretty crushed about what you did Dan." I tell him from the doorway. He tries to say something before I cut him off. "I know it wasn't what you meant to do but you need to at least go and apologize." I tell him as I sit on teh edge of his bed. He stays facing th wall. I sigh and get up heading towards my room. I sit and wait for the call from Ryu about his computer but he never called. I went to bed thinking that I'll talk to him tomorrow.

Dan and I were walking to school when I see Ryu across the street. I wave to him but he doesn't wave back so I nudge Dan and point to where he is.

"Oh Ryu did you manage to fix your computer. Look about yesterday I just…"

"Look let's battle right now!"

"What?" Dan and I said in unison. I was actually just as sutprised as him.

"After all I'm a nobody unless I battle isn't that right." Dan and I notice what on his arm and I gasp in shock oh no Ryu what have you done.

"You know what this is I see. I made a deal with your old buddy Masquerade and I'm about to keep my side of the bargain."

"Don't you see Masquerade is the enemy!"

"Dan is right Ryu he isn't a good guy." I try to tell him.

"He's not the enemy you're the enemy."

"Then let's battle!"

"Sounds good." Oh I can't watch. My brother and one of my friends I can't watch so I didn't.

"Bakugan field open!"

(I know you guys probably want me to type the battle but if I were doing this I wouldn't want to watch people I love fighting so I'm not sorry.)

"I think." Dan falls to his knees. "I understand. That was counter ability which makes the gate cards attribute energy useless. Ryu set a trap for me cause he knew what I would do. NO noo no." HE said as he pounded the ground with his fist.

"It was no big deal."

"Yay Ryu you won. Happy for you, but at what cost because right now my friendship with you is deteroirating so I hope beating my brother was good enough for you because you have no idea what I can do." I turn away from him and return my gaze to Dan."

"I...I couldn't do anything. I was toatally helpless to save them. I lost terrorclaw, I lost juggernoid, and robotallion. No noooooo!" He says as it starts to rain. It's to the point where I can't tell what's rain or my own tears. I help Dan up and we head home.

"Ah I'm such a jerk I didn't learn anything. In the battle with Riki Maru I thought I could win teh attack with just brute force. I was wrong I shouldn't have put Drago on the line like that. I was just brawling like it was some sort of game I didn't really care about my bakugan. I just cared about myself. Uh Drago. Drago!" Dan starts to run across the bridge towards the stairs that will take us down to teh river. I'm right behind him. I'm glad he's finally realised what he has been doing and now he gets Drago back. We made it to the bank of the river.

"dan you check that side I'll check this one yell when you find him." I start looking everywhere for Drago. I feel my hands clench around something round. I pull it out and notice it's a Darkus bakugan. I hold it in my hands and wonder how it got there. It suddenly pops open.

"Hello I am Nighshade." The bakugan says in a female voice. She kinda looks like Drago. Where he is red she is blacks and where he is yellow she is purple.

"Nice to meet you I'm Ashley. How did you wind up here?" I ask her.

"I don't know I was in my homeworld of Vestroia when suddenly a portal opened up and I was here."

"Well would you like to battle with me until we find a way to get you home?" I ask her.

"I think I shall." I place her in my pocket and turn to Dan and I hear him yell. I let out a breath of relief. He found Drago.

"Well Nigthshade I guess you get to meet another one of your kind now."

"Really?" she asks hopefull.

"Yep." I answer her smiling. I start to head back towards teh bank of the river.

"Oh ho right." Dan starts doing a happy dance. "That's awesome thank you so much." He miss steps and fall sinto the river." I make it to the shore and start laughing so hard my stomach starts hurting and I'm crying.

"Ash I found him."

"I can see that thanks for the laugh bro. It was great."

"I agree." Drago tells us.

"Oh wait I almost forgot. I found a bakugan in the river." I tell them as I reach into my pocket to get Nightshade. "See."

"Hello."

"Hey. Wow sis your own bakugan." Drago seems to be in shock he hasn't said a word.

"Nightshade?"

"Drago?"
"You to know each other?" Dan asks.

"Yes she is my twin sister."

"Well that's ironic." I tell them.

"Yeah little bit." Dan answers.

"Well now you two get to see each other more often." I tell them

"Come on I have a rematch with RYu to get to."

"Yeah lets go."

**********************TIME SKIP*******************************

Dan and Ryu and a bunch of other kids from our school walking and talking about Ryu's battle with Dan.

"Ryu listen to me!" Dan yells

"Hey Dan. What's shakin?" One of the guys asks.

"The way you were battling is dangerous you shouldn't listen to Masquerade. He doesn't really care what happens to you." Dan warns him.

"Look Dan I.." Ryu is cut off by one of the other kids.

"What is with you dan you can't tell Ryu how to battle especially when he kicked your butt."

"That's not why I mean I was only trying to.."

"Ryu," I can hear reaper say from Ryu's shoulder, "you are the strongest."

"You're right. I am the strongest."

"Crush anyone who gets in your way."

"Yes I will crush anyone who thinks my strategies are anythng less than perfect."

"So he listens to an evil bakugan wanting to destroy all other bakugan but not his own friends. Geez i feel offended." I whisper to Nightshade.

"Agreed. Even though I barely know this new world I would feel the same way."

"We're watchin their battle aren't we?"

"Yes."

"And it sounds to me like that's exactly what you're tryin to tell me Danny boy."

"I am afraid there is no way we can avoid battling him." Drago says.

"Yeah. I'm gonna need you're help Drago we gotta try to bring Ryu back to his senses." I grab onto Dan's shoulder silently telling him I have his back. He looks at me and nods.

"Play time. Bakugan Field open."

"BAkugan Brawl. Bakugan Stand." Dan and Ryu say.

"Use caution!"

"Yeah I hear ya he's obviously setting up some kind of a trick up my sleeve as well." I smile Dan is finally learning.

"Waiting to see what happens good. Oh and while you're at it here. Gate card activate! (A.N. actually in teh show Ryu yells ability card activate so I was confused for a little bit.). Bakugan Brawl. Bakugan stand." His Mantris pops up. "ABility card activate MArionaett!" Mantris moves Dan's Garganoid to his Fear ripper. "Now gate card open."

"What!" What is Ryu's plan I think to myself.

"Fear ripper's power level increases to 400 Gs." Our Bakupods tell us.

"Oh no you don't ability card activate. Fire wall!"

"Fear ripper's power level decreases by 50 Gs." Dang it still not enough.

"OOh good one but not good enough." Fear ripper hits Garganoid sendinghim to th doom dimension.

"Ah."

"Daniel speak to me."

"Don't worry. I'm alright just trust me Drago alright."

"I trust you."

"Bakugan Brawl. Bakugan satnd."

"Mantris 290 Drago 340 Gs."

"Finally we get to meet your little pet Drago." I can hear Nightshade growl and I grind my teeth in anger. I'd like to introduce you to fear ripper. Bakugan Stand. Slash Zero activate.

"Fear ripper's power leve 400 Gs."

"Don't worry Drago gate card open. Intercept."

"Hang on what is he doing!?" Ryu asks. I smile to myself I can almost see Dan's plan forming in front of me.

"That otta keep those two from brawling."

"Daniel what is your strategy?" Drago asks."

"JUst watch." Dan and I say together.

"You have figured out his strategy?" Nightshade asks me. I nod.

"Bakugan battle. Bakugan stand. Ryu now it's your turn to be the puppet. Ability card activate MArionett! Fear ripper go to the same card as you're team mate Mantris."

"Huh wait that card is a mind ghost. Stop!" They both disappear with a boom.

"What happened?" Drago asks.

"I anticipated whar Ryu was going do. Instead of the Doom companion card he used last time he snuck in a mind ghost card ahead of time which takes out either any enemy or a friend."

"I see so he was going to sacrifice MAntris who he was finished with in order to to take one of his enemies with him and you used the card in reverse good thinking."

"He has those days." I say smiling.

"Well you see Bakugan is a strategic game you have to read the opponent and figure out his moves." I sit there open mouthed he just stole the words that I had been saying to him for years right out of my mouth. The cheeky little.

"I can't believe it he actually managed to double cross me. Bakugan Stand. Now go and use your strength to destroy Mantris. Well now that leaves us with one Bakugan each Dan. Let's battle."

"what now?"

"Now let's see his next move would probably be yes."
"Dimension 4." Dan and I said together.

"Gate card set. Bakugan Brawl Bakugan stand.

"This time I'm taking you down.

"YOu think so? Gate card open right now."

"BAttling with power is that all you know. I figured as much. ABility card activate Dimension 4."

"That's not going to work Ryu." I sing song.

"Looks like you were wrong about me buddy boy. Even if you counter the gate card you can't counter my character card."

"Character card. Dimension 4 can counteract the attribute power but can't counteract this character card which raises you bakugan's power look out."

"Drago's power level doubled to 680 Gs."

"This can't be. "

"I can't ever forgive you for what you've done."

"Ability card activate. Boosted Dragon." Ryu falls to his knees after the field disappears.

"Guess I win."

"Dan beat Ryu."

"I lost and what makes it worse is I lost because my strategies were out witted."

"Hey. Uh don't take it to hard.

"Huh?"

"I had a heck of a time figuring you out ya know. So if it's okay I'd like to battle you again sometime."

"Really?"
"It's an honor to go up against a battler like you. But next time let's have a fun battle without doom card okay?"

"Yeah sure. It'd be a total pleasure. Just for fun."

"Great." Ryu turns to me and gets a sas expression.

"Ash I.." I slap him in the shoulder that was for being such a jerk I say smiling.

"Friends again?" He asks.

I kneel down and hug him. "Yeah friends again." I look him straight in the eye, " DO that again and I will punch you."

"Agreed." Dan and I return home and he starts gushing on about how heh and Drago are partners again. I can't even tell them about Nightshade.

"I gotta tell ya Drago is the best."

We all say at once, "Yeah we get it already."

"Hey I'm serious I mean I'm ranked 160th now thanks to him. He's the best bakugan I could have." He starts kissing Drago.

"Uh stop it." Drago starts shaking his wings

"You should have seen him. It was awesome."

"Look we're all very happy to hear you and Drago are a team again but…" MArucho says.

"Dan when are you going to stop telling us about it." They all whine.

"Who's my best buddy. AH yeah."

"Daniel please stop this is not funny any longer. I do have a reputation to uphold and all your human friends are observing this along with my sister. I'm developing a rash."

Daniel!"

Nightshade and I look at the scene before us and burst out laughing. Oh today has ended great.

Sorry I haven't updated in so long My family and i went out west for a week to visit my great grandma who is in the hospital and my brother always has teh computer so I don't know when I'll be able to ubdate again. - ShadowPhoenix34