NOTE: Sorry, this took so long, we're back! We're now in the Tag-Team Tournament Arc. And we're kicking it off with Yuji vs Dan!
Review and Enjoy!
Chapter 10: Student vs The Master!
I know this is gonna sound weird.
But one day, my whole world changed…
A young man dressed in a short red jacket with a yellow shirt underneath, and red pants, stared up into the sky.
All around him were black cards that were falling from the sky. He opened up his hands, allowing a card to land in his palm.
You see cards started dropping from the sky. Coming down like rain.
At first we didn't know where they were all coming from or who sent them.
But all we knew is that they were more than just ordinary playing cards.
A young girl with milky white skin and blue hair, tied into pig-tails, stared out of her window, as the same black cards were dropping from the sky. She opened up her window, allowing one of them to land inside of her room.
And it was happening all around the world!
A young man with long black hair sat on a grassy hill. He watched as one of the cards landed right next to him.
In the North.
A girl with light brown hair stood in the snow, staring perplexed at the black card.
The South.
A small boy with blond hair and red glasses, wearing blue swim trunks, kneeled down on the sand. He stared down at the crab that held the same black card.
They landed everywhere!
Waking up from her slumber was a young girl with tanned skin and long gray hair. She rubbed her eyes, finding a black card laying on her pillow.
Together with my new online friends from around the world, we invented a wicked new game we called: Bakugan!
That's when the power of the cards was revealed! Each one held its own battling beast that came to life when you threw it down.
Two small kids were seen standing in a blank void. The cards in their hands opened up, revealing Bakugans. The creatures came to life and began to battle each other.
The battles were intense! And if you chose the wrong card, you lost it and the beast inside!
But that's only half the story…
Another even bigger battle was taking place in a parallel universe called: Vestroia!
The young man from the start was shown, standing behind him was a giant red dragon named Drago.
My name is Dan! And together with my friends:
Runo!
The girl with blue twin tails was shown, a giant black and white tiger named Tigrerra stood behind her. She dropped down right next to Dan.
Marucho!
The little boy stood on the other side of Dan. Behind him was a large blue amphibian Bakugan named Preyas was right behind him.
Julie!
The girl with tanned skin and gray hair was next. She dropped down right next to Marucho. Behind her was a brown titan of a Bakugan named Gorem.
Mr. Hotshot himself - Shun!
Shun dropped down next to Runo. His long black ponytail blew with the wind as he gave off a lone wolf air around him. Behind him was a large green bird-like Bakugan named Skyress.
And Alice!
The last member was a girl with light brown hair. She dropped down next to Shun, but unlike everyone else she didn't have a Bakugan behind her.
We are…
THE BAKUGAN BATTLE BRAWLERS!
….
….
However…this story isn't about us.
Standing across from the Battle Brawlers was a young man with tanned skin and black spiky hair. He wore a white hoodie with white and yellow pants. His light blue eyes stared at each one of the Brawlers with anticipated excitement.
Behind this boy was a large white and yellow dragon. His long white horn glistened from the light, his yellow beastly orbs were hungry for battle. The dragon's claws were dangerously sharp as if ready to tear something apart.
The boy lifted up a black card and the Brawlers responded the same. There was still quiet between them all, before the boy opened his mouth.
"BAKUGAN, BRAWL!"
Yuji stared out the open window of his bedroom, the light morning breeze lightly brushed against his black bangs. He stood dressed in his white hoodie and yellow pants, his Bakugan case and deck were tightly attached to his belt. On his shoulder sat his ever-trusty companion, Leonidas. The Haos Bakugan was as full of energy as always, prepared for the upcoming battle that awaited the two.
Sunlight broke through the clouds, illuminating his bedroom through the window. The light seemed to mimic their feelings entirely. Yuji couldn't stop the grin forming on his face. "I can't believe it, Leonidas. Today we'll be battling Dan and Drago!"
"I do not understand the admiration you hold for them, but it doesn't matter. They will fall to our power just like the rest." Leonidas declared.
The previous battles that had taken place during the Standard Tournament came to Yuji's mind. His battles with Runo and Marucho were difficult and had tested the bond between them, but in the end, they overcame the trials. Their power had increased, and they had won the championship. He turned to the Standard Tournament trophy that sat on his desk right in front of it was a picture of him and his family with the trophy in his hands.
"To think that I had only started playing Bakugan almost two weeks ago. It seems like just yesterday that I was just moving through life aimlessly. But then I met Dan, won my first ever battle, and formed a partnership with Leonidas. And before I knew it… I felt happy." Yuji reflected on his own past. "Have I become stronger as a person?"
SLAM!
"YUJI!"
The champion fell over in fright, Leonidas floated in the air as Yuji hit his face on the floorboards. Behind them Serena had entered the room as loud as ever, her blue hair tied in pigtails and dressed in a light blue sundress. The little sister was fuming, smoke puffing out of her nose. "What are you doing standing around like some kind of main character for!? You're not! You're just the side character with no personality!"
"You didn't have to add that last part!" Yuji yelled back at her.
Leonidas floated over to Serena. "Is something the matter, Serena? Did Yuji forget to replace the toilet paper?"
"Why are you assuming it was me!?"
Serena shook her head. "Not this time, but it does need to be replaced." Serena answered. She then grabbed the floating Bakugan, startling him. Next walked over to her brother and started dragging him by his hood. "Anyway, you two need to hurry up! If you don't hurry up and eat breakfast, then you'll be late for your battle with Dan!"
Yuji choked as his hoodie tightened around his neck, making it hard for him to breathe. "S-Serena… I-I still have a-a few hours before the meeting-Gah!" Yuji screamed as Serena pulled harder.
"There's no time!"
Leonidas also struggled to escape her. "Serena, unhand me! Someone like me can't be defeated this easily!"
"No way! You're all dirty and stuff! Doesn't Yuji give you a bath!?"
"Baths are nothing but a waste of time that I could be spending battling." Leonidas said simply.
"I'm throwing you into a cup of soap water."
Leonidas would've argued further, but he looked back at Yuji's still body. "Serena?"
"What?"
"Yuji isn't moving."
She looked back at him. "Oh…"
"Daniel, slow down!" Drago scolded his partner.
"Can't, Drago! I gotta make sure that I'm full and ready to go!" Dan continued to scarf down burgers and fries. Currently, he and Drago were inside of Runo's family restaurant 'preparing' for the upcoming battle against Yuji.
Marucho and Preyas watched from the other side of the table. "I still wonder why I'm still surprised by your appetite."
"I do hope you intend to pay for all that this time." Runo stopped by with Marucho's food, Tigrerra on her shoulder. She put the tray down on the table and handed her Aquos friend his meal.
Dan looked up at her, food still in his mouth. "Of coufes I doof!"
"Swallow before talking!" She yelled at him.
Preyas turned to Drago. "So, Drago, buddy. Any strategies, new cards, or some super mega trap planned out!?"
"It's Dan." Drago said simply.
Preyas paused for a moment before nodding his head. "Ah. That makes sense!"
Tigrerra agreed. "Yes, we shouldn't have expected anything else."
Dan swallowed his food. "Hey! Why does it sound like you're all insulting me!?"
"Because we are." Runo told him, much to his annoyance.
"You don't have the best track record with strategy, Dan." Marucho said.
The Pyrus Brawler huffed. "I can do strategy! In fact I know exactly how to handle Yuji. It'll be simple since I taught him everything he knows." Dan smirked arrogantly.
Runo rolled her eyes. "Still be careful, alright. I know there's not exactly anything on the line here, but he still beat the both of us. He and that dumb dragon managed to pull off two miracles in a row." Runo scowled, still miffed that her Gate Card got robbed.
Marucho nodded his head. "Their power is incredible. They overwrote Tigrerra's Character Card and created an Ability Card all in the midst of battle right when they needed it."
Dan shrugged. "Drago and I have done the same."
"I know, which is why it annoys me so much." Runo sighed. "You rubbed off on him in the worst way possible."
"Everything worked out, didn't it? He and Leonidas are still together." Dan argued.
"Unfortunately." Marucho said. "Leonidas' power is still too dangerous and uncontrollable. It's only a matter of time before he loses all control and causes too much damage."
Dan sighed, not wanting to get into this argument with his friends right now. The Pyrus Brawler still didn't understand why they were so scared of Leonidas' power. They treated the dragon as if he was the 2nd coming of Hydranoid. Dan decided to change the subject. "Anyway, are Julie and Mr. Hotshot gonna show up?"
Tigrerra turned to him. "You know he doesn't like that nickname."
"When have I ever cared? The ninja-head couldn't even be bothered to show up to the tournament." Dan said.
Runo pulled out her phone. "Julie said that she couldn't make it, she's on a trip with her family right now. But she and Gorem wish you luck."
"And Shun?" Drago asked.
"He still hasn't responded back yet. Though, I can assume he's probably busy too." Runo said.
"What about Alice?" Preyas asked.
"Do you even need to ask?" Runo groaned. "She was up all morning preparing to go meet with Yuji. I don't think I've ever seen Alice act so… girly."
"Why? It's just Yuji." Dan didn't understand.
"I wouldn't expect you to understand. You're too blockheaded to ever understand a girl's feelings."
"I understand girls just fine!"
"Really? Okay, compliment me right now." Runo challenged.
Dan paused, sweating a bit. He scanned Runo's appearance, noting that she was wearing her standard outfit that she always wore. He had to think of something or else risk proving Runo correct. "Uh… you have a big butt?"
BASH!
BASH!
BASH!
BASH!
Several people and Marucho were scrambling to hold Runo back as she was beating Dan senseless with her tray. The Haos Brawler was screaming profanities that no child should ever hear, her face red as a tomato.
Dan was on the floor, nursing his aching head and shouting back equal amounts of profanities at Runo.
Tigrerra and Drago just sighed while Preyas was laughing his butt off.
"Why are you here?"
"What? I'm not allowed at a public park?"
"No. I just don't want you here." Serena said rudely to Akira.
"You're mean, you know that?" Akira growled.
"You're a side character, who cares?"
Alice stood next to the two children as they argued back and forth. She had gotten to the park before everyone else and agreed to make sure these two don't go too far during the battle. Alice was wondering how exactly Serena got into the habit of referring to people as 'side' or 'main' characters. She looked over to see Yuji shuffling his feet as he stood next to her. Alice raised her hand and softly placed it on his shoulder. "You, okay?"
"Y-yeah. I guess I'm just a bit nervous now. I'm really about to battle Dan." Yuji said.
Alice couldn't say she understood what he was going through since she doesn't battle, but still she wanted to support him in the best way possible. "Just take a few deep breaths if you ever feel nervous. Remember, you're not alone out there, because you have Leonidas right there with you."
Yuji stared at her for a brief moment then smiled. "Right! I have my partner here fighting alongside me." Yuji looked down at Leonidas.
"And it's just Dan. He's not going to kill you or anything." Alice reassured him.
"Yo, Yuji!"
The group turned to see Dan, Runo, and Marucho finally arrive at the park. Though, they were confused at the white bandages wrapped around Dan's forehead. But seeing the irritated Runo pretty much explained everything.
The Haos and Aquos Brawlers joined the peanut gallery as Dan and Yuji stood face-to-face from each other. Their partners sitting on their shoulders, both young men were smiling at one another in anticipation.
"I guess you can call this the student vs the master, huh?" Dan said.
"I-I guess so, then in that case we can call this a graduation match!" Yuji declared. "I've gotten much better than when we first met and with Leonidas with me there's no way we'll lose!"
Dan blinked a few moments. "Graduation match, huh?" He then shook his head. "You've still got a lot to learn, Yuji. Drago and I are a lot stronger than you think."
"Overconfidence will be your downfall, Yuji, Leonidas." Drago added.
"As if! I'll never lose to another Bakugan! I've beaten two of your friends, Drago. Today you'll be the third!" Leonidas declared.
Drago sighed. "Then allow this battle to be a true lesson in skill."
Dan and Yuji raised their Gate Cards. "FIELD OPEN!"
Once the world had shifted to the pocket dimension both Brawlers tossed down their initial Gate Cards, initiating the battle. Everyone else stood to the side to spectate the battle. Serena turned to everyone. "So, who do you think will win-"
"Dan." (Runo)
"Dan." (Marucho)
"Dan." (Tigrerra)
"Dan." (Preyas)
"Dan." (Akira)
Serena happily ignored them and turned to Alice; a very sweet smile plastered on the little Shujin's face. Though a cartoonish tick mark could be seen pulsating violently on her face. "Alice? Your input?"
Alice laughed nervously, pushing the tips of her fingers together. "I… uh… am cheering for them both?"
Serena didn't say anything at first, just staring at Alice for a solid second. "You're too nice." She sighed, turning back to the battle. Alice stood there confused, not understanding what Serena meant.
Dan bounced on the soles of his shoes. "I'll give you the first turn, Yuji!"
Yuji smirked at him. "You're going to regret that, Dan!" Yuji took out his first Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl!" His Haos Falconeer rolled onto his Gate Card. "Bakugan, stand!"
Haos Falconeer: 210 Gs!
The white falcon-like Bakugan screeched loudly as it touched down onto the Gate Card. Dan returned the gesture with his own Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!" Saurus came to life on the same Gate Card as Falconeer, glaring dangerously at its bird-like opponent.
Pyrus Saurus: 380 Gs!
"380!?" Yuji exclaimed in shock. "I don't remember your Saurus' G-Power being that high the last time!"
Dan smirked, putting a hand on his hip. "A lot changed between then and now. Did you really think I was just sitting on my butt while you guys were having fun at the tournament?"
"You wouldn't have had to if you just woke up on time!" Runo shouted.
"Shut up!" Dan yelled back. He turned back to the battle. "Get him, Saurus!" The humanoid Styracosurus-like Bakugan roared and charged to shoulder tackle Yuji's Falconeer. Yuji realized that nothing in his arsenal was going to be enough to change the outcome of the battle and could only watch helplessly as Saurus bashed Falconeer into the ground.
The bird Bakugan cried out in pain as it rolled back to his feet in ball form. "Dammit…!" Yuji hissed in disappointment. The game just started, and he was already on the losing end.
"And that was pretty disappointing." Akira said.
"Shut up! Yuji's just getting started!" Serena had faith in her brother.
Dan caught his Saurus, then took out another Gate Card. "Gate Card, set!" He tossed it down next to his other one. Dan brought his Saurus right back out into the battle.
Pyrus Saurus: 380 Gs!
"You're going with Saurus again?" Drago questioned.
Dan nodded his head. "Yeah, I want to see if he can get over it. And if I was a betting man, I think I know who he's going to bring out next." Dan smiled knowingly. Drago had the same feeling as Yuji winded up for the next throw.
Yuji pulled back his arm. "You ready, partner!?"
"Let's battle!" Leonidas shouted.
"Bakugan, brawl!" Yuji shouted as he tossed Leonidas directly at Saurus. The Haos Dragon soared through the air like a comet, a blinding white light exploded around him before he even touched down on the Gate Card. Leonidas roared to life, landing a devastating strike against Saurus, knocking the opponent Bakugan back. "RAAAH!"
Haos Leonidas: 420 Gs!
"4-420!? That stupid dragon got stronger!?" Runo gaped at Leo's new G-Power.
Alice hummed in thought. "If I were to guess, it wouldn't be wrong to say that his battles with you two pushed him to new heights."
"Bakugan growing stronger isn't unheard of, but to gain such a level of strength from the limited number of battles he had…" Tigrerra said.
"Leonidas' potential is astoundingly high." Marucho said.
Serena was jumping for joy at Leonidas. "Go Leo! Go Leo!"
Dan reached into his deck. "Knew you'd bring him out to play! Ability Activate! Saurus Glow!" Dan tossed the ability onto the battlefield. The card sparked into flames, swirling around Saurus, and consuming the battlefield in a ring of fire. "This ability gives Saurus an extra 50 G-Power!"
Pyrus Saurus: 380 Gs to 430 Gs!
Saurus attempted to punch Leonidas, but the dragon caught his fist in his claws, he attempted again with his other fist but that was caught as well. The two Bakugan were caught in a stalemate. "You'll need more than this if you want to bring me down!" Leonidas roared.
Yuji couldn't agree more as he brought out his own ability. "Ability Activate! Lightning Shield! When I have a Haos Bakugan in battle, I can decrease your Bakugan's G-Power by 100!"
Pyrus Saurus: 430 Gs to 330 Gs!
Leonidas released a mighty roar as he crushed Saurus' hands, the Pyrus Bakugan cried out, backing away in pain. The Haos Dragon sent an earth-shattering punch into Saurus' sternum, launching it into the air, allowing it to turn back into ball form.
Yuji caught Leonidas in his hands. "Alright! That's my skills talking!"
"Bringing out Leonidas isn't a bad move…" Alice said.
"It's just predictable. Not saying we haven't done something like that in the past, but it's obvious that Yuji had nothing else to fall back on." Runo added.
"I'm assuming that his arsenal of cards hasn't really changed since the tournament, meaning that Dan has full knowledge of what Yuji can do." Marucho fixed his glasses. He turned to Alice. "I'm assuming that he hasn't come to the store for anything new?"
Alice sighed, scratching her arm. "I suggested it to him after Dan challenged him a few days ago and even yesterday, but both times he refused. Yuji looked really confident for once and…" Alice's face turned a bit red. "... I couldn't really find it to argue with him." Alice turned her face away from her friends as they sweat dropped at her.
Preyas turned to Tigrerra. "Has Alice been acting weird lately?"
Tigrerra gave him a dry stare. "You seriously haven't realized?"
Back to the battle, Yuji whipped out another Gate Card. "Gate Card, set!" Yuji looked down at his Baku-Watch to see the state of the battle. There were two Gate Cards on the field, one belonging to the other. "I just set down Grand Spirit. Which means I can gain extra G-Power with every Gate Card on the field. My last Gate Card is Leonidas' and I need to save that. Other than Drago, Dan shouldn't have anything else that's too strong."
Leonidas fidgeted in the air. "Yuji! Send me back out, we'll crush them with our power!"
"I know, pal. But we still need to play this a bit smart. I'll be going with Siege next." Yuji responded and took out his Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl! Bakugan, stand!" Haos Siege landed on Yuji's Gate Card.
Haos Siege: 270 Gs!
"What do you think, Drago? Want to head in there?" Dan asked.
"No. Send in Griffon next. I'm certain that he plans to save Leonidas for last and use Leonidas' Character Card as well." Drago said.
"And now?"
"I'm sure he plans to gain the lead by leaving you with just me, but that won't happen, will it?"
Dan smirked. "Not at all." Dan pulled out his last Gate Card. "Gate Card, set!" He added a third card to the field. "Bakugan, brawl!" Dan tossed out Griffon onto one of his cards instead of Yuji's. "Bakugan, stand!" The Pyrus chimera-like Bakugan stomped down on the card, roaring at Yuji.
Pyrus Griffon: 230 Gs!
"What the!? He didn't engage us in battle!?" Yuji gasped.
"Cowards!" Leonidas roared.
Dan clicked his tongue, wagging his finger. "Not exactly. Gate Card, open!" The card beneath his Griffon illuminated to reveal the Command Card. "Warp Gate!"
Akira gasped loudly. "He had a Warp Gate!?"
Serena raised a brow. "What does that do?"
"It teleports two Bakugan from one Gate Card to a different one!" He exclaimed.
Serena wasn't getting it. "And that's bad, because…?"
"Because it means whatever plan your brother may have had just got snubbed." Runo answered.
Dan pointed to the Gate Card he just put down. "Both Siege and Griffon are getting put over there, Yuji!" Dan shouted as both Haos and Pyrus Bakugan were transported to Dan's other Gate Card.
Yuji clicked his tongue. "Did he know that I planned to use Grand Spirit? Whatever, it doesn't change the fact that Siege is still stronger than your Griffon, Dan!" Yuji shouted at his opponent. "Get him, Siege!"
"Not so fast, Yuji! Gate Card, open! Hyper Merge!" Dan activated his other Gate Card. "Hyper Merge transfers 100 Gs from my opponent to my Bakugan for each one of my Bakugan on the field. But since I just have a Griffon, you're only losing 100 Gs!"
Several tendrils extended out of the Gate Card, wrapping around Siege and draining the power from the Bakugan.
Haos Siege: 270 Gs to 170 Gs!
"Ah, crud!" Yuji gasped.
"Go, Griffon!" Dan ordered. The Chimera-like Bakugan roared, flapping its wings, taking to the skies. It descended downwards and swiped its claws through Siege. The Haos Bakugan cried out before returning to ball form.
"And now Yuji's just down to Leonidas." Alice sighed. "At least Dan's doing a good job of using strategy."
"For once." Runo huffed.
Yuji felt his frustration grow as he tried to figure some way out of this situation. Dan had bested two of his Bakugan, leaving him with just Leonidas and his other strategy failed to pull through as well. He was struggling to come up with a plan out of this situation-
"Yuji!"
"Ah." He looked over at his partner, who was staring him in the eyes. The two stood there in silence as if whatever communication that was happening could be felt rather than spoken. Yuji shook his head, taking deep breaths, and nodded at his partner. "Right, sorry, Leo. I got a little too in my head there." Yuji said before looking back over the field.
"Dan has no Gate Cards left but has two Bakugans and abilities. I still have Grand Spirit on the field and your Character Card right here. Either way, we're still in this. Right, Leonidas?"
"Always, Yuji."
"Then let's give it all we got! Gate Card, set!" Yuji threw down his last Gate Card.
"There it is." Dan said mentally.
"Bakugan, brawl!" Yuji shouted, tossing out his partner. Leonidas skyrocketed towards the Gate Card, exploding in a brilliant show of light. "Leonidas, stand!" The dragon shot out of the light, touching down on the card, and roaring with all of his might.
Haos Leonidas: 420 Gs!
"Bring him out, Dan! The true battle starts now!" Leonidas demanded.
Drago floated up in front of his partner. "I'm right here, Leonidas. Your patients and thirst for battle truly is a problem."
"Enough of the dribble! I will beat you and prove my strength!" Leonidas yelled.
Drago sighed. "So be it. Daniel."
Dan grabbed his partner. "No need to say anything, buddy. We'll win this!" Dan pulled back his arm, a swirling inferno of flames surrounded his hand. "Bakugan, brawl!" As if he were a comet, Drago was blasted towards Leonidas. "Drago, stand!"
Leonidas' instincts warned him instantly, the Haos dragon jumped back as Drago erupted in a tornado of boiling hot fire. He could see two piercing red eyes staring at him through the flames, two massive red wings burst out of the tornado, dispersing the flames. Drago pulled back his head and unleashed a roar that rivaled Leonidas'.
"Drago!" The Battle Brawlers were happy to see their friend in action.
"Woah…" Serena was mesmerized by Drago's appearance. "He's so cool looking…"
Pyrus Dragonoid: 450 Gs!
"450…" Yuji muttered, shocked.
Leonidas did not share the same sentiments as his partner. The dragon could feel his blood pumping with excitement as a truly powerful opponent finally stood before him. Not that Tigrerra or Preyas weren't strong, but the two were previously equal to him in strength.
But Drago was different. Everything about him felt devastating, that this Dragon could bring down the world if he so wanted to, encasing the planet in flames that could rival the sun.
Drago was a predator just like himself and Leonidas wanted nothing more than to prove that he was the apex!
He had to win!
"YUJI! DO IT!" Leonidas roared.
"R-right!" Yuji snapped out of his stupor. His partner was waiting on him to commence the battle, there was no time to be impressed. "Gate Card, open!" The card beneath both dragons revealed itself to be Leonidas' Character Card. Leonidas' body illuminated with strength as the boosts soared into him.
"And then-"
"Ability Activate! Frame Fire!" Dan interrupted Yuji.
"W-what!?"
Dan smirked at Yuji, knowing exactly what he was about to do. "This ability negates the move you just made and gives my Bakugan 50 Gs if it's a Pyrus attribute!"
Leonidas gasped as the surge of power he was gaining from the Gate Card was nullified, bringing him back down to his base power. "M-my boost!?"
Pyrus Dragonoid: 450 Gs to 500 Gs!
Drago's power increased instead, putting him even further ahead of Leonidas. Drago stomped forward as his body was coated in steaming hot energy. "Leonidas! I'll show you my true power, right now!"
Leonidas growled harshly. "No! I'm not going to lose here! I'll never lose to another Bakugan! Not as long as I live!"
"Your hatred for other Bakugan is poisonous! I don't know what happened to you to make you so venomous towards your fellow Bakugan, but I'll be happy to help you recover! By giving you your first defeat!" Drago declared.
Leonidas' eyes turned red from fury, not accepting the situation. "YUJI! I WON'T LOSE!"
Yuji nodded his head; he could feel his partner's emotions coursing through him. He raised the card into the air. "Ability Activate! Alpha Blaster!"
Haos Leonidas: 420 Gs to 620 Gs!
"RAAAAH!" Leonidas soared into the air, ready to unleash his ultimate attack. A blue ball of ferocious energy was charging within his mouth.
Dan gazed up at the attack, feeling the raw power that Leonidas was emitting. "Whew! When you're the one facing it, that power sure is something. But…" Dan raised his final ability. "Drago's power is even more awesome! ABILITY ACTIVATE!"
"BOOSTED DRAGON!" Drago roared proudly; a devastatingly powerful ball of fire combusted to life within his mouth.
Pyrus Dragonoid: 500 Gs to 700 Gs!
The two attacks collided, shaking the dimension with their might, everyone else felt as if they were standing in the middle of a warzone with how much power was being pushed out by both Bakugan.
As much as Leonidas continued to push, he couldn't stop Drago's fire from coming any closer. The Haos Bakugan couldn't believe his eyes as his attack was entirely nullified by Drago's. All he could do was watch as the fireball engulfed him completely, burning his body with pain he never thought he'd ever experience. Leonidas felt his body's power give out and closed his eyes.
"I… I lost…?"
Yuji fell to his knees as Leonidas rolled across to him in ball form. The newbie couldn't believe that they had just lost.
Their very first defeat since joining together.
HIS very first defeat since starting Bakugan.
Yuji picked up Leonidas, holding his partner gently in his hands. "I'm sorry, buddy. I wasn't strong enough."
Over to the side Akira knew he should've felt good at seeing the uppity newbie finally get his butt kicked, but when he turned to Serena to finally gloat at her; he couldn't find it in him. She looked devastated to see her big brother lose and he could relate to that. Thinking that your big sibling was invincible and then watching them fail always hurts. So, the boy just kept his mouth shut.
Alice lowered her eyes, feeling happy that Dan won but also sad that Yuji had lost. After seeing how far he and Leonidas had managed to come it was genuinely shocking to see the two lose. But maybe, this defeat was what they needed.
Runo would be lying if she said that seeing Yuji and Leonidas lose didn't feel nice, but even she couldn't help but feel bad for them. As much as she was against Leonidas, she didn't have anything really against Yuji besides the fact that he stole her card.
Marucho found it strange that the weird phenomenon that Leonidas and Yuji underwent the last times they battled didn't happen again, but perhaps the circumstances are the reason.
Dan walked over to his defeated student, Drago resting on his shoulder. The Pyrus Brawler knew exactly how the two were feeling, he's gone through his own fair share of defeats in the past. But after every defeat a path would open up. As a teacher it was his job to help his student grow.
"So, good game, huh?" Dan asked.
Yuji didn't look back up, still staring at Leonidas.
Dan shook his head. "Yuji, look at me." His student did look up, tears swelling in his eyes. "I get it, you're upset that you lost. You and Leonidas hadn't been defeated at all up to this point. It wouldn't be wrong to assume that you were feeling confident, right?"
"...Y-yeah."
"I'm sure that you were pretty satisfied with where you guys were at after winning the tournament."
"...Y-yeah." Yuji admitted. "We won and beat two of the Battle Brawlers. I thought that we could handle whatever came our way, but we didn't stand a chance against you and Drago." Yuji felt the tears going down his cheeks. "We're not strong enough."
"Then get stronger."
"Huh?" Yuji blinked at him.
Dan gave Yuji a bright smile that reminded him of a lone star shining brightly in the sky. "You and Leonidas aren't strong enough? Big deal! Just get stronger than the 'you' of yesterday instead of feeling hopeless about it! Life is too short for you to be giving up so soon and no student of mine gives up!"
"Dan…" Yuji gasped.
"You know, this battle gave me a pretty great idea!" Dan exclaimed. "The next tournament coming up is a tag-team tournament! And the two of us are going to be forming a team!"
"A-A team!?" Yuji was flabbergasted.
"A TEAM!?" Dan's friends exclaimed.
Dan put his hands on his hips, feeling pretty proud of himself. "Yup! So, meet me back here at the park tomorrow, Yuji. Because, through this tournament Drago and I are gonna show you just what it means to grow stronger!"
Chapter End
NOTE: Our main characters' very first loss! Considering that the MC and Leo never lose in the game it's really impactful that they actually do lose for once. It's a big moment for them that will lead to their development in the future. A very humbling experience for them both.
Leonidas' reaction will be in the next chapter. He might be a little gloomy boy.
I love Drago and I love Dan.
When the tournament begins Yuji will have a different team of Bakugan to be fighting alongside Leonidas.
If you found this battle enjoyable, then look forward to the Pyrus Tournament. THAT battle will be where most of my ideas regarding Dan and Yuji will hit the climax.
I hope you all enjoyed and have a great day!