Author's Note: Feedback welcome!


Seven: Creators

"So what if we create a reactor gate card for each attribute?" asked Dan over the webcam. Shun leaned back in his chair and nodded, his eyes closed. Colours danced behind his eyelids, brought on by exhaustion. Today marked three days of running on less than two hours of sleep a night. It was starting to take a serious toll on his body.

"Shun?" Dan's voice came over the computer, slightly tinny. The rain beat down on the window of Shun's room. The wireless signal was weak from the thunderstorm. That'd be why Dan sounded so odd.

"Sounds good," said Shun. He straightened up and blinked hard a few times, trying not to look as exhausted as he felt. Judging by Alice's concerned look on the chat screen, he was failing.

"I was also thinking about a shadow ability for the Darkus attribute," said Shun. "Something that would allow Darkus Bakugan to escape a direct attack by moving to another gate card adjacent to it."

"Oh, that's a good one," said Julie.

Dan nodded, typing furiously on his computer. "How do you come up with this stuff, dude?"

"Dunno," said Shun. His gaze went back to Alice, who was frowning thoughtfully. "What do you think?" he asked.

Alice blinked. "What?"

"What do you think? Usually you're the one to discuss Darkus with us, because none of us use it. Is it a good idea? Balanced?" asked Shun.

"Oh!" said Alice, perking up. "Yes, it's very good. It should also take away the major advantage Aquos and Haos currently have over it, especially with the attribute change of several Bakugan."

"Good," said Shun, absently. He checked the clock on his computer, then the one on his wall, then looked out the window again. Frowned. Visiting hours weren't too much longer. If he wanted to visit his mom, he needed to catch the next bus. But did he want to, in this weather?

"Shun, you all right?" asked Dan.

"Yeah," said Shun, his voice a little tight. "Just not looking forward to being out in this weather."

"Then stay home," said Runo.

Shun shook his head. "Can't." He didn't offer any further explanation, but the looks the other Brawlers gave him told him they wanted him to elaborate. Dan simply frowned.

Then, "My dad's home," said Dan. "We could drive you."

Shun said, "It's just rain, Dan."

"Yeah, and you know Dad said he would any time you wanted," Dan threw back. "Come on, please?" And maybe it was the way Dan stared at him when he said it. Or maybe it was the way he said please. Or maybe it was just because Shun was so tired and so frustrated and so lonely despite these talks. But.

"Yeah, okay, how soon can you be here?" asked Shun.

"Twenty minutes," said Dan.

"See you then," said Shun. He signed off without another word, ignoring the protests of the others. And with his room silent, except for the rain, he closed his eyes for a moment.

He saw his mother lying on the floor, clinging to the counter, like she had the day he'd called the ambulance.

Shun opened his eyes. Decided he'd rather get ready than try and rest for a minute.

Someday he hoped he'd be able to sleep again.