A/N I posted this chapter because I have a contest for you guys! So read and enjoy the chapter and then you can see the rules for my contest in the A/N below.

Jet Raynet: JetravenEx does not own Bakugan. Though she should since it's dead. *shakes fist* damned producers.

Chapter 53

Shun and Viki had taken shelter in a straw hut in the small village. After laying Shun down on a soft mat the former ninja had promptly conked out. Apparently having all your strengths and abilities yanked out of you exhausted you something awful. Though his breathing had begun to stabilize, and his skin regained a little bit of color. Though he was so pale naturally it was a bit hard to tell.

Viki sat on the floor beside him watching him with concern written all over her face. 'Stupid!' She berated herself. 'You could tell that something was off with that Victor yet you said nothing! Now, Shun's in really bad shape.' She sighed heavily and began to wring her hands. 'If you'd spoken up, backed him up on his distrust of Victor neither of you would be in this mess.'

She heard a bakugan pop and she raised her head to see Skyress floating in front of her.

"Is this power, something prevalent in your dimension?" She asked her voice laced with barely controlled anger. "Do you know the cure?"

Viki shook her head. "No, I've never heard of any sort of power that could enable someone to steal the power and abilities from another." Her gaze dropped. "Nor do I know how to help Shun." She glanced over at the boy who was twitching a bit in his sleep.

Skyress's head drooped and her wings closed slightly. "I see." She said.

Viki sighed again and shifted so that she was sitting cross legged and held out her hand for Skyress to perch on. The phoenix hesitated a moment, before she floated down and landed tentatively on her palm.

"I just wish." Skyress began, Viki glancing at her breaking her staring contest with the floor for a moment to eye the bird. "I had noticed there was something off about that Victor…" She lowered her head. "But I brushed it off, if I'd said something, if I'd even just mentioned it to Shun then-"

Viki's eyes raised to focus on Skyress and her heart went out for the phoenix. The pain she must be in seeing her partner suffering and being unable to help. Worse, to even share Viki's guilt in not acting on their misgivings of Victor; Viki frowned and brought Skyress up closer to her face.

"Skyress," She said getting the phoenix's attention. Skyress lifted her head and focused on Viki. "It's not your fault, Victor was a creep and who knows what he would've done if we'd left him be. He could've attacked us out in the forest where there'd be no shelter for me or Shun to recuperate in after the attack. So," She set her lip and tried to look stern. "Don't beat yourself up over what you couldn't prevent!"

Skyress sighed before spreading her wings and flapping her wings so she floated over Viki's head. "You're absolutely right Viki. But," She glanced towards Shun. "I hate being so helpless to help him."

Viki followed her gazed before she clenched her fists and looked to Skyress. "You will help him, Shun's going to be very distraught over losing his abilities, it's going to be up to you to help him not give up the will to fight." She said lifting her fist. "Stop guilt tripping yourself and instead focus on how you're going to make Victor pay!"

Skyress was silent for a moment before she nodded. "Yes, you're right Viki! I must stay strong and not give into my despair!" She raised her head high. "When we meet Victor again, he will regret incurring my wrath!"

Viki beamed. "That's the spirit!"

Suddenly the sound of chopper blades became audible overhead. Viki and Skyress looked outside and could see the hut flap being forced open in the harsh wind.

Viki went over to the flap and peered outside and brightened when she caught sight of the underside of Marucho's ship flying over the village.

"The other brawlers are here!" Viki said shielding her eyes as she peered up at the ship as it began to drop closer to the edge of the village to land.

Skyress floated out to peer outside as well and nodded. "Good, we can get Shun somewhere safe,"

Viki nodded then glanced uncertainly back at the long haired boy. "Should we… Wake him up?"

Skyress glanced back. "I'd rather not," She nodded as if affirming her own thoughts. "He needs as much rest as possible to prepare him for the hardship ahead."

Viki looked at Skyress. "Remember things will get better, we'll make them better." She assured her.

Skyress didn't answer and Viki didn't have a chance to press the issue when a familiar figure dressed in red ran up to them waving his hand wildly.

"Viki!" Dan called running up to her and Skyress. Marucho and Runo were trailing several meters behind the brunette looking a bit out of breath. He skidded to a halt nearly bumping into her. "Sorry we're late had to deal with some of Masquerade's creeps on the way."

Viki blinked. 'Oh? Who?" She asked. That was odd, creeps? Plural? But Shun hadn't yet fought Komba, nor Julie against Billy. It was too early for them to have fought-

Dan grinned as Runo and Marucho caught up to him and doubled over panting. "Me, Runo and Marucho," He jabbed a thumb at the duo behind him. "Beat Chan Lee, Klaus and Julio!" Viki's eyes widened and he chuckled at her shock.

Runo grunted but she had a smug look on her face. "Yup!" She managed sending a sneer Viki's way. "We beat a real opponent, unlike some people."

Viki frowned shooting a glare at Runo, it was obvious the blunette had a grudge against her and wasn't letting up on it one bit.

But before she could send a stinging retort Runo's way Marucho came in with, "Tell them the best part Dan!" He said breathlessly.

Viki's head snapped to Dan and her eyes widened. 'Already?' Dan straightened up a bit more and he pulled a bakugan out of his pocket and held him up for her to see.

"Look! Drago evolved!" Dan said beaming the bakugan ball popping open to reveal the evolved Delta Dragonoid.

"Yes," Drago said nodding his head. "I am now Pyrus Delta Dragonoid!"

Dan looked expectantly at Viki and Skyress but the two's response wasn't as enthusiastic as he had been hoping. He frowned, when Shun had called him and told him he and Viki needed assistance, his voice had sounded… Odd, like he was in pain but trying not to let it show.

"So, where's Shun?" He asked Drago floating onto his shoulder and Dan tilted his head at the two.

Viki bit her lip and looked at Skyress before stepping aside. "Shun and I were blindsided by this freak with crazy powers." Dan frowned and slowly stepped into the hut looking around before his eyes settled on Shun's limp form.

"Shun!" Dan said rushing over to the other boys side, Marucho and Runo following after him. Viki and Skyress remained by the entrance to the hut. Dan looked the unconscious boy up and down before whipping around to look at Viki.

"Who did this!" He snarled clenching his fists. "Did Masquerade-"

"No," Viki said. "It was some freaky kid who broke into my brawl with Shun."

"How, time stops when a battle is started! How could he break into it if he was paused?!" Marucho asked eyes wide as he looked fearfully down at Shun.

Viki sighed. "All I know is he was spying on the brawl Shun and I had been having and when we ended it Shun confronted him."

"What'd he say?" Runo asked leaving Marucho beside Shun's limp body to stand beside Dan.

Viki frowned. "At the time he convinced Shun and I he was just lost, that Masquerade had booted him there as well, and he wanted to accompany us to the village. But,"

"When we arrived," Skyress took over floating off Viki's shoulder drawing the two brawlers eyes to her. "Victor turned on us, saying he'd been looking for information on Masquerade, but he'd make do… Then he, allegedly stole Shun's 'strengths'.

"Strengths, what do you mean?" Runo asked eyebrows furrowing.

"He stole the strength Shun possessed at the time, he punched a hole through a tree. Aside from that… We're not sure what else he stole until Shun wakes up… But he also…" Viki gulped. "He swapped eye color with Shun."

"What?!" Runo said eyes wide before she glared at Viki, "Okay now I know you've got to be lying! I don't believe he could-"

"He did," Skyress said icily floating right up in Runo's face. "I saw it. He grabbed Shun's hand and I watched as Shun's amber eyes were switched to the deep green Victor had possessed, while Victor's eyes became the same amber color of Shun's. I assume it signifies the loss of strength or something like that."

Viki's heart lightened a little with Skyress's support before she sneered at Runo. "Yeah, when Shun wakes up, you'll see." She said.

Runo spluttered but stepped back glancing at Dan. But the brunette's face was shadowed by his bangs. Then he clenched his fists and lifted his head eyes narrowed.

"We need to find Masquerade." He said. "Everything bad that's happened has always led back to him, so we're going to find him and get some answers!" He punched his hand into his other hand, "Even if we have to beat it out of him."

Viki gulped, the pure blazing rage she could see in the depths of Dan's eyes made her shudder. Tentatively she spoke up. "But, we should get Shun to the ship first and then we can focus on finding Masquerade."

Dan frowned at her before he glanced back at Shun and his eyes softened slightly. "Your right, we should,"

Marucho's bakupod buzzed and the boy frowned raising it up for him to see. "Hello?" He asked.

Kato's face appeared on his bakupod. "Sir, we have a call from Miss Julie, she's requesting you return to Wardington at once!"

Marucho blinked and Runo peered over his shoulder at the bakupod. "Julie's okay?! How'd she escape?!" Runo said sounding incredulous.

"Does she know anything about Jet?" Viki asked.

"Or where Masquerade is?" Dan added the group crowding around Marucho, the poor boy grunting a bit as he was squished.

Kato frowned and closed his eyes. "Unfortunately that was all Miss Julie was able to convey before she was disconnected. I am sorry Marucho."

Marucho sighed. "Its fine Kato, but can you come into the village, we're going to need to get Shun on board."

"Oh wait just a moment." Kato said turning to look at something. "Hmm? There's another call, from your parents!" He moved away from the screen and the brawlers could hear the 'click' of a phone being picked up.

They waited fidgeting for several seconds before Kato appeared.

"So sorry Master Marucho, but it seems there's a visitor at your family's home." Kato said.

Marucho frowned glancing at the others. Dan shrugged, Runo doing likewise, while Viki pursed her lips trying to think of who it could be.

Perhaps Victor had been a friend of the one who had attacked Jenny at the pizza place. Thus maybe he and that Trent jerk had gone after Masquerade and now Masky was trying to seek shelter at the Marukura home. Or maybe it was Victor or Trent looking for clues on Masquerade. Maybe it was even the one who had sent Trent! She began to worry her lip as she tried to think of who it could be.

"Oh? Did they give a name?"

Kato nodded. "Yes he did, I thought it was a bit odd. Your father said he looked a lot like that Masquerade character, hair blond and all spiky. Your mother also said he must've killed a flock of birds to make the trim of his red coat!"

Viki stiffened eyes wide as dinner plates. No, how could he be here? This was Bakugan Battle Brawlers! Her pulse began to quicken. What was she going to do? Should she see him? What would he say if he saw her? Did she look good? She glanced down at herself fidgeting her clothes when Runo elbowed her.

"Move away if you're going to start having some seizure." She growled shooting Viki a venomous glare.

Viki blinked as her senses came back to her and she took a deep breath. Okay she was overreacting. IT was impossible, she was worrying over nothing. There was absolutely no way, Spectra Phantom could be here! She smiled slightly taking comfort in that thought-

"He said his name was Spectra Phantom."

Then she promptly destroyed it as her mind melted into a chorus of fan girl squeals and self conscious thoughts pummeled her brain.

Oh boy, where was Jet when she needed her?

A/N Wow That actually reached the 2000 word minimum. Anyways you're probably wondering about that Contest I was talking about right? Well here it is

So to all my fans of DD I have deicided I will have a contest (because I can), and I will do my best to make it worth your while.

So for this contest there will be two categories:

Fanfiction and Fanart (especially title images)

The prizes are as follows:

1st place in either category you may make a request for a one shot from me (this is your chance to ask me to write ANYTHING you'd like!) also you get a cameo in DD (or any other bakugan story of mine of your choosing) and say the disclaimer and for the first place fan art i will make it into the title (if I can) Fanfiction, you may see your ideas possibly implemented

2nd place in either category you recieve a cameo in DD (or any other story of mine) and i may implement the ideas you came up with in your work, and you say the disclaimer

Now onto the requirements:

For fanfiction: It has to have at LEAST one of the main OC's of DD (Jet, Viki, Mike, Aidan, Tyler, Alica) or the docorrians (Vanessa, Pierce, Victor, Trent) in the story. Aside from that go nuts. Want to have your character team up with Jet to screw around with stuff in the bakugan world? Want Aidan to help you outwit Marucho? Work with Mike to coach Shun back to health? Maybe Vanessa won and dragged Masky away and Jet asks you to go after her! In other words go nuts it can be about anything and everything as long as it features (and/or) mentions one of my OC's.

Fan Art: Anything Bakugan Dual Dimensions related. So it could be a scene from DD, characters from DD, something DD related. Could also be a scene of an even you'd want to have happen in DD!

Now here's the best part, for every submission I receive there will be a new chapter at least within one to two days of that submission. (Like if I get two on one day), and I will put up all the fanart and fanworks on my profile under DD's stuff.

So how to submit: Just shoot me an email at jetravenex yahoo .com (Take out the spaces) with the link of your work attached.

Also: If you guys have some other ideas for a prize leave your suggestion in a review.

The contest will end on April 7th midnight, the day after my birthday. I may be lenient on this absolute time, but any submissions beyond April 8th will not be accepted.

I will also post these rules on my profile so that way you guys don't have to come searching through chapters for these rules.

So in your reviews: tell me

Do you want to participate in the contest?

Do I need to clarify anything about the contest?

What you think about Spectra being in this time?

How are things going to change with Spectra in BBB?

Spectra vs. Masquerade, who would win?

Thanks for reading and I look forwards to seeing what you guys submit, and even if you choose not to, I'll be sad. (Cuz I really want to read your works T.T) but if you do choose to I will be super happy and extremely inspired to write more.

So review and please participate!