Here it is, everyone! My second Bakugan story! This time, it's Bakugan: New Vestroia. The stars of our performance are Mira Firmin and Dan Kuso. I'm a big fan of this pairing. If Teletoon ever brings back the old series, I'd want Dan to end up with either Mira or Fabia.

Before we dive in, here are a few things to note:

Interspace will be a part of this fic.

Fabia and the Gundalian agents might make appearances.

Power levels will be at Gundalian Invaders standards.

Enjoy the story!

"Field open! The battle between Interspace's top brawler, the Pyrus Slayer himself, Dan Kuso, and his longtime rival and 'jealous' friend, the Ventus Guardian, Shun Kazami!"

The arena erupted into a storm of applause and cheers. Fans crowded the stands, eager to watch their idol face off against one of the few brawlers who could challenge him. Shun had his supporters, too, but their cheers were drowned out by the overwhelming love for Dan.

"Jealous friend? Seriously?" Shun called from across the arena, clearly unimpressed.

"Hey, you're the one who let me near the narration program's console. This is on you, pal," Dan shot back, grinning.

"Whatever. Get ready to go from gold to silver. Gate card set!" Shun launched a card into the battlefield, a green hue radiating as it landed. "Bakugan brawl! Bakugan stand! Rise, Ventus Ingram!"

A green tornado, 20 meters in diameter, swirled into the arena, revealing a humanoid bird with a single, piercing right eye.

On the battlers' bakupods, Ingram's power level displayed an impressive 860.

"Big guns first, huh? I see you. Bakugan brawl! Bakugan stand! Rise, Pyrus Neo Dragonoid!" Dan shouted.

A blazing tornado erupted, transforming into a massive humanoid dragon with a blue diamond embedded in his chest.

Drago's power level: 1000.

"My turn. Gate card open, Ventus Reactor!"

Ingram's power surged to 910 Gs.

"I'm not through yet. Ability activate, Continuous Dance: Phoenix Position!"

Ingram launched himself at Drago with precision, causing the dragon to stumble.

"Drago! You okay, buddy?" Dan called.

"I'm fine. Lucky shot," Drago replied, shaking it off.

"Gotcha. Double ability activate: Pyrus Slayer and Strike Dragon!"

Drago spun into a fiery tornado, burning through Shun's attack and knocking Ingram back, subtracting 60 Gs from his power level.

"Not bad, huh?" Dan taunted.

"Don't count your chickens, Dan. Bakugan Trap: Hylash!"

Shun released an oval-shaped Bakugan trap into the arena. As it transformed, its power level of 350 combined with Ingram's 850, totaling 1200.

"Combination ability activate: Glimmering Slash and Soaring Strike Shot!"

The combined assault pushed Drago to the limit, but Scorpio's intervention tipped the scales.

"Ability activate: Burning Dragon and Satellite Boost!"

Drago's fiery attack overwhelmed Shun's team, turning both Ingram and Hylash back into ball form. The Ventus brawler's life gauge hit zero.

"Battle over! The winners are Dan and Drago!"

Back at Brawler Headquarters

"Phew. Shun's getting stronger. I was nervous there for a second," Dan admitted, sprawling in a chair.

"Agreed," Drago said, perched on his shoulder. "Oh, by the way, you do know what today is, don't you?"

"Thursday?" Dan replied, clueless.

"Seriously?"

"Alright, I know. It's the day I have to sign those papers with Runo," Dan sighed.

"Nervous?"

"For crossing a few t's and dotting a few i's? No. But honestly, I'm more sad than anything else."

"I see why. You and Runo loved each other for years. I can't believe you two are getting divorced."

"I can," Ace said, strolling into the room.

"Oh yeah? How do you figure, Ace?" Dan asked.

"You two were always fighting. At your wedding, after Bella's birth—everywhere. Shun and I had a bet on how long you'd last."

"Thanks for the encouragement," Dan replied dryly.

Drago chimed in. "Ace isn't wrong. As partners, you two were too incompatible."

"I know someone who'd agree with that," Ace smirked.

"Oh? Who?" Dan asked.

"Mira. She was crazy about you back in the day. Everyone saw it except you."

Dan went silent. He'd had feelings for Mira too, but back then, he'd been unsure if they were mutual. Now, those old emotions resurfaced.

"Yeah, well…" Dan mumbled. "Come on, Drago. Let's go."

At Runo's Parents' Café

"Well, it's about time!" Runo snapped as Dan arrived.

"Sorry. Lost track of time. How's Bella?" Dan asked, sitting across from her.

"She's fine. She's with my parents. They spoil her, of course."

"Yeah, yours and mine both. Remember her third birthday? My folks bought her that bear three times her size."

Runo laughed. "Biggy. She still takes him everywhere."

Their lawyer, Ron, interrupted. "Alright, you two. Here are the papers."

Dan and Runo signed the forms, both feeling a wave of sadness.

"It's official," Ron said. "You're no longer husband and wife."

Dan turned to Runo. "So… what now? We've got joint custody. Let's not be the kind of exes who hate each other."

"We won't. We've always been better as friends anyway," Runo agreed. "How do we tell Bella?"

Later, at Runo's Apartment

"Mommy? Daddy?" Bella asked, sitting on the floor of her room.

"Hey, sweetie," Runo said gently. "We need to talk."

Dan knelt beside her. "You know we love you, right?"

Bella nodded.

"Well… Mommy and I aren't together anymore," Dan said.

Tears welled up in Bella's eyes. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, sweetheart," Runo said, hugging her. "This isn't your fault. We'll both always love you."

"Who will I live with?"

"Both of us. A week with Mommy, then a week with Daddy. And you'll get two birthdays and two Christmases," Runo explained.

Bella sniffled but managed a small smile. "Okay."

Dan and Runo exchanged a look. It wouldn't be easy, but they would figure it out—for Bella's sake.

A few days later, Dan sat on the couch in his apartment, staring at his phone. Mira's name was highlighted on his contact list. He had debated calling her ever since Ace's comment, and finally, he couldn't resist anymore. Taking a deep breath, he pressed the call button.

"Dan?" Mira's voice was warm and surprised. "Wow, it's been a while."

"Yeah, too long," Dan said, scratching the back of his neck. "How've you been?"

"Busy. Running the Resistance isn't exactly a nine-to-five job. What about you? Still the Pyrus Slayer?"

Dan chuckled. "You know it. Listen, Mira, I was wondering… do you have time to catch up? Maybe over coffee or something?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Are you asking me out, Dan Kuso?"

"What? No! I mean… maybe?" Dan stammered, his face turning red even though she couldn't see it.

Mira laughed. "Relax, Dan. I'd love to catch up. How about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow's perfect. See you then," Dan said, relief flooding his voice.

As he hung up, Drago glanced up from his spot on the coffee table. "Smooth."

"Oh, shut up," Dan muttered, but he couldn't hide his grin.

The next day, Dan and Mira met at a small café near Interspace. Mira's fiery orange hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, and her green eyes sparkled as she smiled at him.

"You look good," Dan said, feeling a little nervous.

"So do you," Mira replied. "So, what's new? I heard about you and Runo. I'm sorry, Dan."

"Thanks. It's been hard, but we're trying to stay on good terms for Bella's sake."

Mira nodded. "That's the right thing to do. How's Bella handling it?"

"She's doing okay. It'll take time, but she's a tough kid," Dan said, his tone softening as he thought of his daughter.

They talked for hours, reminiscing about their adventures in New Vestroia and catching up on each other's lives. For the first time in a long time, Dan felt genuinely happy.

As they left the café, Mira turned to him. "You know, Dan, I've missed this. Us talking like this. I've missed you."

Dan stopped in his tracks, her words hitting him like a tidal wave. "I've missed you too, Mira. More than I realized."

For a moment, they just stood there, the bustling city fading into the background. Then, with a smile, Mira reached out and took his hand. "Maybe it's time we stop missing each other and do something about it."

Dan squeezed her hand, his heart racing. "Yeah. Maybe it is."

Thanks for reading, everyone! Stay safe, and stay awesome!