Disclaimer: I do not own Bakugan
So it's been a while hasn't it. 2 years. Well I got inspired to write this after recently, well I kind of revisited my childhood by playing the Bakugan DS game. And it kind of reignited the drive to write something about Bakugan once again. In fact some may have noticed that I have a single chapter 6 year old story in my profile known as Darkus Brawler Alice. Well recently I finally wrote the 2nd chapter for that and I plan on starting to write on fully that. But then I realized I have this story here. And I do not like loose ends. So that kind of got me to writing this again. Part of the reason why I originally stopped uploading Split Second was, because well I had about a 6 month hiatus on the story from 2019-2020. And once I came back with Chapter 4 back in early 2020, it originally didn't get any reception at all. While an another story that had a similar thing happen expect the hiatus was almost 2 years, got quite a lot of fanfare even after that. So I kind of just focused on that. And just didn't focus on this so I guess sorry for that. Anyway I always knew what this chapter was going to be about. But I was kind of lost what would happen after. But now I finally have planned the whole thing out. After this chapter there will be 5 more chapters. And this story will be 11 chapters long. So let's try to get those chapters out as fast as possible shall we?
I woke up and let out a yawn. If it wasn't for the fact, that I woke up in Dan's room, I would have probably thought that the past two days were some really bad dream. But no. It looks like everything was real. But at least it looks like things are finally seeming to be better. We might be able to get all the Bakugan out of doom dimension. At least I hope we can, that might be the only thing that can make me truly accept what I did as Masquerade.
Finally I got up from the mattress. I looked around and Dan wasn't in his room, so he probably had woken up earlier. I streched out and left the room. I needed a nice long bath, after not having bathed since I was revealed as Masquerade.
It didn't take a long to figure out which of the rooms was the bathroom. It was the one with a lock on the door. Only when I found the bathroom, it was occupied. As I could hear Dan talking to Drago on the other side. Looks like someone got there first. So I waited.
And waited
And waited
And after 20 minutes of waiting I finally was starting to have enough. Just how long can this one boy take in the bathroom? So I started knocking on the door. "Just how long do you plan taking on there?" I asked with a raised voice, finally having enough of waiting.
"Just relax. I'm almost done." I heard Dan's voice from the other side, and I couldn't help but chuckle. Teenage boys taking way too long in the bathroom, to think that now, that is the most of my worries. At least compared to yesterday, that is nothing.
True to his word in five minutes, Dan finally left the bathroom, allowing me to take my bath. It felt so good to be in the warm water after sleeping on the bench and being in the doom dimension. It honestly felt like I was in heaven. And probably for the next 20 minutes I just laid there, not wanting this bath to ever end. So much so, that I'm a bit of a hypocrite aren't I? Forcing Dan to get out of his bath, while staying myself here for as long as I possibly could.
Eventually though I realized I had spent a bit too much here. So I finally started cleaning myself in the bath. After probably ten more minutes I was out of the bath, and then went on to brush my teeth. Then I got dressed and went downstairs where, Dan was waiting for me. Though he seemed to be in a little argument with his mom.
"Dan you promised to tell me why you were away?" His mom argued with him.
"And I will but first I gotta go to Marucho's." Dan argued back.
"What's going on?" I asked in the middle of the argument.
Dan turned to look at me. "Oh there you are Alice. Come on let's go to Marucho's." He said and basically dragged me out of the house, as I heard his mom yell, that she wasn't finished with him. Though Dan didn't seem to care about that, but I'm quite sure he won't like it, when he comes back home.
Eventually we reached Marucho's giant house and Runo was there already waiting for us. When we saw each other, the mood around us quickly became akward.
"Hi." Runo said looking at her feet, quite akwardly.
"Hi." I responded as well and luckily Dan saved us from the akwardness, by pointing out that we needed to see the other brawlers. So in silence we headed inside the building and then found an elevator there, that would take us to where we usually were, when we were with Marucho. When we finally reached the floor we bumped into Kato, Marucho's butler.
"Oh you must be here to see master Marucho. He is currently eating breakfast with his friends in that room." He said and pointed at a room down the hallway. "Though he nor his friends didn't seem to enjoy it that much. Perhaps I made some mistakes while cooking." He said oblivious to the real reason why they were so down. It also seems that Marucho hasn't told him, about what I did. Because if he did, I'm pretty sure I would be kicked out of the building by security.
"Thank you." I said to him, and all three of us headed to where they were eating. We stopped in front of the door. Unsure who should go in first or should we go in at the same time.
"Runo you should go first." I told her and at first she seemed a bit confused, but it seemed like she figured out why she would need to be first to go there.
So she went in and I could hear Runo say a quiet "Hello", when she entered. It seemed that others brawlers greeted her though their voices were very sad, and I could barely hear it.
"Where were you? You kind of disappeared yesterday." I heard Julie ask on the other side.
"Well I was kind of away. It was about Dan and... I think she is able to explain better." Runo said and then opened the door. I felt nervous as I walked in. Especially as I could feel the athmosfere of the room turn hostile as soon as they saw me.
"What is she doing here?" Shun asked with anger in his voice.
"Yeah what are you doing here?" Julie asked as well with venom.
I gulped a bit taken back by the hostile reception, even though I should have expected it. But I hoped that this time they would listen. "Me and Runo went on a trip to the doom dimension." I said and before they could ask why we were in doom dimension I continued. "And we brought someone back from there." I said nervously and opened the door and then Dan walked in.
The hostile athmosfere immediately turned to a joyful one, as he walked in. All of the three brawlers went to him and started hugging him, even Shun who would normally never do such a thing.
Dan was taken a bit back by all that. "You were really worried about me huh?" He asked as all three of them continued to hug him. "Alright alright, you can let go before I choke." He said and only then did all three of them let go of him.
"How did you come back?" Marucho asked him.
Dan then turned to look at me and Runo. "Those two came to the Doom Dimension to try to help me. And then we kind of made a deal with these six legendary Bakugan to get us out of here." He said.
"Wait Alice helped you to get out of doom dimension? How do I know this isn't some kind of trick?" Shun asked and it hurt me a bit, that he still doubted me at least a little bit.
"Relax Shun. Do you think she could fake both me and Runo?" Dan answered and it seemed, that this was enough for Shun who gave another quick hug to him.
"Don't ever do that again." He simply said and Dan nodded in return.
Then silence fell and then I realized I would need to tell them about the difficult part. The deal we made with those 6 legendary soldiers. I gulped because I knew, this was going to be a tough ask. "There's more to that deal we made with the legendary soldiers." I said and all three of them began to pay attention to me.
"In exchange for our freedom, each one of us completed tests from these warriors. And if we passed, we would be able to escape doom dimension." I told them and all three of them nodded understanding what I was talking about. "However we tried to get them to free every single Bakugan from the Doom Dimension. However they refused saying 3 people is too little for such request."
"So what are you getting at?" Marucho asked.
"I was able to make a deal with them. If three of us completed those tests, we would be freed from the doom dimension. And if three more people complete them, then all Bakugan from the doom dimension will be freed." And it was at that moment, that they understood what I was asking them.
"So if we complete those tests, then all Bakugan that have been sent to the Doom Dimension will be freed?" Shun asked and I nodded.
"I'll do it." Marucho was the first one to say.
"Yeah me too. If it means all Bakugan will be freed." Julie said as well.
"But there is a catch. You must go to the Doom Dimension to be able to do it. And if you fail those tests, I'm not sure if you will be able to get out." I said them, giving them the choice to do this. "And those tests are not easy. Trust me." I warned them. I was very close to failing my test and while I haven't talked with Dan and Runo about their tests, I doubt it was easy for them as well.
"I'll do it." Shun said, even though he had every right to think, this was just going to be a Masquerade trap. And both Marucho and Julie also said that they would do it, even after my warnings. Even all their Bakugans said that they were in.
"Alright then are you really sure?" I asked them again just in case. And all three of them nodded. "Well there's only one way to go to the Doom Dimension." I said and held my Bakugan card and all three of them held their as well.
"Field open!" We all exclaimed as time slowed down and we were transported to the battle arena. "Gate card set!" We all exclaimed as we threw our gate cards.
"Alright. Marucho. Throw Preyas to your card. Julie and Shun throw your Bakugan to my card." I Instructed them and they nodded.
Marucho was the first as he threw Preyas to his own card. Julie then threw Gorem to my card and Shun threw Skyress to my card as well.
"Alright now all of you need to hold onto your Bakugan." I instructed and Julie allowed Gorem to put her on his Shoulder. Shun jumped to Skyress' back and held onto her. And Marucho also allowed preyas to carry him.
I then looked at the Doom Card that I was about to use. "Alright if any one of you has second thoughts, this is it." I told them and all of them shook their heads. They were determined to pass these tests. "Alright then. Doom Card set!" I exclaimed and threw the cursed card hopefully for the last time.
"Gate card open!" I then exclaimed and my card where Skyress and Gorem were on opened. Revealing the third judgement card. "Bakugan brawl! Hydranoid stand!" I said as Hydranoid landed on the card and the dual headed Hydra transformed to it's full form.
"Ability card activate! Dual Gazer!" I exclaimed and used the ability card. And then Hydranoid charged up the two shots. First one hitting Gorem and sending Julie with it to the Doom Dimension. Second one hitting Preyas and Sending Marucho with it to the Doom Dimension. Hydranoid then turned to look Skyress and Shun. "I better... see you again." The first head started and second head finished as he hit them with his tail, sending those two to the Doom Dimension as well.
And then battle was over and I was transported to the room. This time missing the three of them. I was worried to be honest. I mean what if they won't return? What if just one of them fails their tests? What would I tell their parents?
"Relax Alice they'll be fine." Dan said. He probably noticed how worried I was getting.
"I'm just worried." I said to him.
"Me too." Runo said. "That test I went through, wasn't exactly easy." She continued.
"You know them. If anyone can pass them, it's them." Dan simply said. "Anyway I gotta bail. I kinda promised my mom, that I would tell her why I was missing. In fact I think it's time to tell about Bakugan to all of our parents." He said before he left the room.
After he left an akward silence engulfed the room as me and Runo had no idea, what we should do or say now. Especially because of what happened between us recently. The only thing that broke the silence was when my stomach started to growl. And it was then, that I realized I haven't eaten since I was revealed to be Masquerade. And that was almost two days ago. And the half eaten breakfasts of the other brawlers wasn't helping the situation.
It was somewhat embarrassing. Even more embarrassing, when Runo started looking at me, and I realized that she hard my stomach.
"Are you... hungry?" Runo asked very akwardly, not even looking at me when she asked that.
"Y-yeah." I responded akwardly.
"I can take you to somewhere to eat, if you want to that is. I'm pretty hungry myself as well." And I realized then, that she wasn't really offering a meal. But in reality she was offering an olive branch. Trying to make up for what she has done.
In the end I ended up taking her up on the offer. Because I didn't want to spend rest of my life hating her. So I decided to give her the chance to try to at least somewhat move on. And I was really hungry, which made it really hard to say no.
Since Dan was going to be gathering all of the parents including Runo's, we didn't go the Misaki cafe. Rather we went to a cafe that was quite close to the megabuilding Marucho lived in. I'm sure Runo's parents wouldn't like it, if they knew their daughter was spending money with a competitor.
I ordered a lot, which wasn't that good for Runo's wallet. But after not having eaten for almost 2 days, I needed to order a lot. Runo on the other hand had a much more reasonable meal. For most of the meal we ate in silence. Runo trying to start small talk every now and then, but it would go nowhere.
Then midway Runo took out Tigrerra and showed her to me. "My Tigrerra evolved during the test. Isn't that cool?" She asked and this time unlike her previous small talk attempts I was intrigued. Tigerra opened and sure enough, she looked different. For one when she opened she became wider, and now there were two pieces on top of her rather than two.
"Wow that's amazing." I said to her.
"I do admit, I'm still getting used to my new form." Tigrerra said.
"What about you Alice? Did Hydranoid evolve during the test?" Runo asked me and I shook my head and even took him out and showed it to her. And he opened revealing that he still was the same Dual Hydranoid, as he was before going to the doom dimension.
"His G-Power went up by 20g's to 500. But as you can see he didn't evolve." I told Runo.
"Did Drago evolve?" Runo then pondered, as she had other things to think about from yesterday, than seeing if our Bakugan had evolved. And I hadn't noticed yesterday either that Tigrerra had evolved.
"I don't think so." I said rather unsurely. Dragonoid still looked like the same Delta Dragonoid as he looked before. But I was too busy thinking other things so it may be that my memory is just bad. But knowing Dan he would have bragged about it by now, most likely.
"Hmmm. Weird that Tigrerra evolved but your Bakugan didn't. Maybe it's because they both had already evolved?" Runo pondered and I just shrugged. I thought whether I should tell about, the other test Exedra told me about, at the end of the test. That I would need to face Runo and the other brawlers. And eventually Dan as well. But I decided against it.
We continued eating the rest of the meal in silence. And eventually we finished. Just as I was about to leave Runo stopped me.
"Alice. I know I already said this. But I'm really sorry for what I did to you." She said and there was again a huge part of me, that wanted to give her a hug and tell her, that I forgive her. Yet I couldn't get those words out. The memory was still fresh. So I just stared at her without saying anything.
And then she started to tear up. "Look Alice I know I messed up. I know I hurt you, when I did that. Please forgive me, I'll never do that again." And then she started crying and it was getting harder and harder to not give her that hug. "I'm sorry Alice. I'm so sorry." she said as she continued crying.
And then I couldn't hold it back any longer. I gave Runo that hug as she continued to cry on my shoulder. "I'll forgive you. But promise to never do this again." I said as I could feel tears forming as well.
"I won't. I won't." Runo managed to say in between her sobs.
Eventually Runo stopped crying and pulled out from the hug and wiped the tears off the face. I did the same with the few tears I had formed as well. "Promise to not tell anyone I cried?" Runo then asked and I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
"Off course." I simply said.
Then we walked out of the cafe. And to be honest we had no idea where we would go. Since Dan was gathering everyones parents to tell them about Bakugan, we had no idea whether we should go to the Misaki cafe or not. So we just walked to the park.
"Sooo. You living with Dan. Is this permanent or what?" Runo asked while we were in the park.
"It's temporary." I told her. At best 1 or 2 more days and I would need to find another place to stay.
"Well Misaki cafe could use a new waitress. And one of the perks is, that you get to live there."
I decided to play along a bit. "Sounds tempting. But I don't know. Marucho probably has a pretty good offer as well." I said to her little playfully.
"Yeah but I doubt that the room in his house, has as comfortable of a bed as mine one does." She stated and it's probably true. Her bed is very comfortable.
"Well with perks like that, it's impossible to say no." I said to her with a smile as I agreed to move back with her.
"Thanks Alice. It means a lot." Runo answered.
"Hey I can't hold a grudge against you for too long." I simply said as we continued our walk across the park.
And that's it for chapter 6. It's complete. Hopefully I get to make chapter 7 by the time this releases. I'll publish this chapter next weekend, because I just today started to crosspost this. And the other versions hasn't yet completely caught up yet, since I'm going to post there 1 chapter per day, until we reach chapter 5. Anyway this story is back from the dead. And probably one of the biggest motivations to get this finished, is that I decided that I would not update Darkus Brawler Alice, until this fic is finished. Anyway I also ended up editing last chapter a bit. In the original version Alice deletes her Masquerade bakugan website profile. In the new version she edits the Masquerade profile into the Alice profile. Revealing to everybody that she is Masquerade as it's a step towards accepting that she is Masquerade and that Masquerade will always be in her at least a little bit. Anyway not much more to say. 5 more chapters to go.