Notes:

The previous episode involving the two Julies NEVER happened, the girls are still in the dark about Dan.

There are going to be some changes with this episode in order to fit in with the story: For example - the Gundalians haven't attacked yet that's later on

Disclaimer: I do not own Bakugan Battle Brawlers, but I do own my future OC

Please Enjoy!

"Welcome to Neathia" announced Fabia as she turned to Jake, Marucho and Shun as gazed in amazement of Fabia and Linus' world

"Isn't it beautiful" she exclaimed, her face beaming with pride

Marucho was the first to answer her, awe in his voice as he spoke

"Fabia this is incredible"

Linus watched as the princess' face lit up in joy, the corners of his mouth turning up

"It appears you were right after all, she had nothing to worry about" he hummed to the brunet standing next to him

Dan let out a small scoff as he helped support the still injured castle knight, letting Linus put his arm on his shoulder to help steady the older male. The human let out a groan in mock exasperation "So I stayed up all night, calming her down for nothing. Man, I could have gotten more sleep"

Linus gave him a hard look, only by the slight softness in his eyes could you see that he was playing along

"Calming her? Dan, you threw a pillow in her face and told her to stop panicking"

The pyrus brawler just winked at him and stuck his tongue out slightly

"Details, it worked didn't it" he said

Linus just put his forehead down on the human shoulder, covering his face as he tried to control the slight shaking of his shoulders, chuckling slightly as he groaned out

"Children! I babysit children"

After the brawlers got their bearings Fabia led them inside the castle walls, upon reaching a fork in the hallway Dan stopped her

"Fabs I'm going to take Linus to the infirmary, he still needs to get checked out"

Linus shook his head in objection, the same time as Fabia nodded her approval

"What! No, there's no need for that, I am perfec—" "Don't you dare finish that sentence! You're still injured"

At the bluenette's glare his mouth snapped shout, protests vanishing as he hung his head in defeat. Knowing there was no point in arguing with the tenacious girl, he learned that lesson years ago

Marucho and Shun watched as Dan and Linus walked away from the group. Sensing their unease Fabia turned to them and smiled assuring

"We'll catch up with him later, so don't worry" she watched as the tension left Marucho's shoulders and Shun grimacing slightly. "But first we need to speak to my sister Serena"

The group then continues their path until reaching a large door with two Neathian guards standing in front of it

Fabia stopped and turned to one of them "Please let the queen know that we are here to see her" she told him

The guard gave the princess a small bow "Of course princess" he acknowledged before leading them through

The throne room was large and bright, but what caught the brawler's attention was the throne, more importantly who was sitting on it

"Woah, she's really beautiful" whispered Jake, Marucho subtly nodded in agreement

Before them was a tall slender woman with short dark blue hair, lighter than Fabia's own, turquoise eyes and light pink skin. The queen was wearing a stunning white gown with a gold coloured robe. She looked ethereal, like someone from a fairy-tale.

Upon seeing them she smiled, her voice clear as day as she greeted them

"Welcome brawlers, I am Queen Serena. I would like to thank you for joining the fight, to save our homeland. I have heard great things about you, my little sister speaks very highly of you as well. You are all obviously very brave to come here without hesitation. All Neathians are indebted to you, brave battle brawlers"

"You don't owe us anything" Jake told her "The Gundalians are a threat to the entire universe, we've got as much at stake as you do"

"We need to take back control of Bakugan Interspace" said Marucho

"We also need to free all of the children that they've kidnapped from earth. And to stop them from using the bakugan as weapons" stated Shun

Queen Serena's expression remained calm and stoic as listened to them, before giving them a wary glance, choosing her words carefully she spoke with slight caution in her tone

"Your reasons for joining this fight are admirable. However, I cannot help but find these circumstances…ironic"

The brawlers stared at her, bewildered by her words, Marucho spoke out for them "Ah? What do you mean by that your majesty?"

"Well Marucho, you will be engaging in battle, which means that you too will be using your bakugan as weapons like our enemies. So, how does that make you different from them?" questioned the queen

"They're not weapons to us" declared Shun "They're our partners in battle, they are also our best friends" he and others straightened their backs as he spoke, their bakugan hopping onto their shoulders. Their actions agreeing with their sentiments

Queen Serena watched them carefully, seeing that they spoke the truth, she relaxed her posture and smiled. Vaguely recalling another young human saying the very same words when she spoke to him so long ago

"I am very happy to hear you say that, we feel the same as you do" she beamed before turning to her sister, instructing her "Fabia, take them to the sacred shrine, they can be trusted. But before you do that, I would like a word in private with you for a moment please"

"Of course," nodded Fabia, giving her sister a curious glance, wondering what she wanted to speak about

(With Dan and Linus)

"Honestly I am fine, there is no need to bother the medics"

"You always drag us to them when one of us is injured. Why should you be any different"

"…You're not giving me a choice are you"

Drago chuckled onto Dan's shoulder "What do you expect, it's Dan. Once his mind is made up there's no stopping him"

Linus laughed at the pout on Dan's face "Yes that is very true"

The three of them had reached the medical wing of the palace, just as Linus moved forwards to open the med bay door he was lurched back when Dan did a sudden stop

"What? Daniel why did you —!" Linus stopped short as soon as he saw the downcast expression on the boy. The Neathian's brow knitted in worry "What's wrong?" He asked as he moved away from his friend to stand in front of him

Dan shifted his weight from on foot to the other, opening his mouth to speak he hesitated not able to find the words, closing it back up again

Linus was growing more concerned by the second, he leaned closer and put his hand on the brunet's forehead "You're not ill are you? It doesn't feel like a fever" he murmured

Dan quickly pulled away, finally lifting up his face and shaking his head "N-no it's not that" he claimed, nervously rubbing his upper arm

Drago nudged against Dan's neck, understanding what his partner was trying to do. "It's alright Dan, just say it"

Inclining his head a bit, Linus waited patiently for the young brawler to gather his courage

Dan took a deep breath

"I'M REALLY SORRY LINUS"

Startled by the sudden apology, Linus stepped back as Dan suddenly bowed, Drago hovering above him

"Sorry? Sorry for what?" Questioned Linus

Dan gulped before continuing, still in his low bow

"It's all our fight, we should have tried harder. If we did you never would have lost Neo, if only I had gotten here sooner, fought harder against Sid. If I had just—!"

Dan's voice was brought to a halt when he felt a hand on top of his head. His shoulders were trembling and his eyes wet

The hand on his head started to slowly move. Dan had to suppress the urge to flinch at the action, automatically expecting pain to follow

….Huh?

It took the boy a few seconds to realise that Linus was…. ruffling his hair?

Dan blinked; confusion etched on his face. Eyes still glossy, he straightened from the bow he was in to look at the castle knight, whose hand never left his head

Linus was smiling at him, expression soft. Gently, the older male continued to ruffle his friend's hair

"There's nothing to apologise for" he soothed

Dan blinked; his voice quiet as he spoke "You're…not mad?"

"Why would I, you and Drago did everything you could to get him back when I could not. I thank you for that. The ones I am mad at are the Gundalians, if it were not for them none of us would have been in this position"

Linus brought his hand away from Dan's head and lowered it onto his shoulder instead "I'm proud of you Dan, and I know that Neo would be too. He couldn't have chosen a better bakugan other than Drago to be the next holder of the element"

His words seem to have gotten through to Dan as the brawler sniffed and rubbed his eyes

"Hey Linus…Thank you" he whispered

Linus looked at Dan fondly "Anytime little brother" he said, his words causing the boy to laugh softly

They gave themselves a few minutes to recollect themselves

"We should probably head in, we don't want the doctor finding us hanging around outside his ward" warned Drago, reminding the two what they came to do. Dan cringed

"Oh snap, you're right Drago. Pretty sure the doc is still mad at me for running off the last time too, if he catches me, I won't get out until tomorrow"

Linus shook his head in exasperation "What are you like Dan, at this point you practically live in the medical ward"

Dan scratched his cheek, embarrassed "Hehe it's not like I want to be"

Linus closed his eyes at the response once gain shaking his head "And yet your there at least once a week"

…

Expecting a reply but not receiving one, Linus opened his eyes again to see why his friend was so quiet

Dan and Drago had both gone white, standing stock still. A strained look on Dan's face as he was looking at Linus, or rather behind him

Only then did Linus feel a slight chill, and his blood ran cold as he sensed a presence behind him

A sweat drop ran down his forehead as he uttered out to the two

"He's…right behind me, isn't he"

Dan and Drago's stiff nods confirmed his suspicions

Cautiously Linus turned around to, bravely, face the source

Mulberry eyes glared coldly at the trio; one eyebrow quirked up at them

"H-Hello D-Doctor Galen"

Hope you have enjoyed, and please leave a review :)

I'm thinking about starting another bakugan fanfic, starting off as connecting one-shots then leading into a story. But the idea needs some planning out first :)