Bakugan: Precious Memories

Chapter 31: Bakugan Valley

"Bakugan Valley?" Aubrey asked. "Yeah! It's a large valley where loads of Bakugan were found! Me and my friend Billy would battle there a lot! If a lot of Bakugan were found there, maybe we can find something about the Infinity Core there!" Julie suggested. "It's a good of a place to start as any I suppose." Jamie nodded. "I agree with Jamie. That place could, at least, give us some kind of clue." Shun stated. "Then it's settled! We're headed to Bakugan Valley!" Marucho told his butler. As they took off, they all discussed several things. However, there was a person missing. Aya. Aya sat in his room, staring at the ceiling. "Do not let it trouble you, Aya. Everything will be ok." Dragonoid told his partner. "I don't know Dragonoid. We can't be 100% certain about...anything really." Aya sighed. "All right then. What are your main concerns right now? If I can, I'd like to help you through your worries with you." Dragonoid rolled over next to Aya's head. "Well...that nightmare I had. What if I lose control of Black Conviction and hurt someone I care about?" Aya thought. "You won't. Your heart for those you care about is one of your defining features in my eyes. That and the dark circles under your eyes!" Dragonoid chuckled. "Oi." Aya said in mock anger. "All jokes aside, what else?" Dragonoid asked. "Will everyone be ok? I'm worried about everyone and their partner Bakugan. Aubrey and Cendrillion, Jamie and Gaianoid, Wokko and Inferneon, Sally and Abyssion, Tasha and Archangelo, Dan and Drago, Runo and Tigrera, Julie and Gorem, Marucho and Preyas, Shun and Skyress, I'm worried for all of them. They're strong, but what if something goes wrong? What if-" Aya was interrupted by a knock at his door. A voice called from the other end. "Hello? Aya, right? May I come in?" It was Alice. "Uh...yeah. Come in." Aya said. The door opened, Alice smiled at Aya. "Hi." Alice greeted, shutting the door behind her. "Oh shit! Did Alice just go in Aya's room!? Might wanna do something before it gets far, Aubs! Hahaha- ACK!" Sally's muffled voice and laughter was cut off by Aubrey punching her in the face. "Sally sure is an...interesting girl!" Alice slightly giggled. "Oh trust me you have barely scratched the surface of the Sally iceberg." Aya joked. The two laughed a bit at this. "Anyway, what's up?" Aya asked. "Oh, right. There's a few things I wanted to talk to you about. I'm not going to lie to you, they touch on some...touchy subjects. If you don't want to answer you don't have to." Alice explained. "...It's about my sister isn't it?" Aya asked. "Yes." Alice answered. "Alright. I basically threatened your Grandfather's life right in front of you so I feel like I owe you something." Aya said. "Well, I wouldn't put it like that. But that's beside the point. All of what you said at the lab...is...is that true?" Alice asked. Aya paused, pondering the question. Alice suddenly jolted. "I-I'm sorry! That came out wrong! I wasn't trying to call you a liar or anything! I-" Alice stammered. Aya chuckled. "Nah It's fine. I know you weren't trying to be rude. I think I understand what you meant, though. To answer your question, yeah. It happened." Aya replied. "Oh. I see. I'm sorry about all of that. That sounds so horrible." Alice said. "Don't be. It isn't your fault. Unless you happen to be Masquerade that is!" Aya laughed. "Ah! Well I can assure you I'm not!" Alice joked. "I figured. I'm just yanking your chain. Anyway, if you don't mind, I got a question of my own." Aya brought up. "Sure! Go ahead!" Alice nodded. "How come you don't brawl? From what I'm told, you're an exceptional strategist. How come you don't put em to use?" Aya questioned. "Ah, it's quite simple actually. I just...don't really like battling. I love coming up with strategies and helping other people become better at the game with those strategies. Even sometimes modifying those strategies themselves. But personally, I don't like actually battling. I know that might sound kind of counter productive." Alice explained. "No I get it. Bakugan battles when you're actually part of it can be intense. The stress of wanting to execute a strategy perfectly but not knowing what an opponent's move could be can be overwhelming. It's just not for you. I understand." Aya smiled. "I'm glad you understand!" Alice beamed. "Ah, speaking of. I gotta assemble a deck. Just in case Antivirus tries to ambush us." Aya said, reaching for his supplies. "Um, Aya?" Alice spoke. "What's up?" Aya answered. "May I?" Alice asked, holding out her hand. Aya paused, a little confused on what she was referring to, until it hit him. "Oh! Uh sure! As long as Dragonoid is included, you're more than welcome to assemble a deck for me!" Aya nodded, handing the box of Bakugan and cards to Alice. "Thank you! I'll do my best!" Alice smiled, sitting on the bed. The impact caused Dragonoid to bounce up and hit the floor. "Augh!" Dragonoid grunted. "Oh gosh! I'm so sorry Dragonoid!" Alice panicked, gently picking up Dragonoid. "Ah it's alright. I've been through worse." Dragonoid uttered. "That doesn't make it ok." Alice replied, brushing Dragonoid gently. Aya slightly chuckled. "It's kinda funny. You remind me a lot of Mary." Aya brought up. "Oh, um, thanks!" Alice jolted, not really knowing how to take that. She shrugged it off, and began working on Aya's new deck. After a few minutes, she was finished. "And done!" Alice exclaimed. "That was fast." Aya commented. "Darkus always was pretty easy for me to work with!" Alice replied, handing Aya his deck. Before he could take a look at it however, the intercom chimed. "We are approaching Bakugan Valley, please prepare for landing." Marucho's butler instructed. "Let's move. Thanks for your help." Aya thanked. "No problem! Thank you for talking with me, Aya." Alice smiled. "Of course. Now come on, let's go." Aya went ahead, Alice following. "You two ok?" Wokko asked. "Yeah, just fine." Aya replied. "Cool." Aubrey stated. "Don't worry Aubrey, I'm not stealing your boyfriend!" Alice giggled. "I-I wasn't thinking you were!" Aubrey stammered. The group laughed at this. Soon, the jet landed, opening the doors. The group stepped out, looking at the massive caverns and cliffs. "Woah...it's beautiful." Sally muttered. Tasha looked at her cousin, unable to resist smiling at seeing the twinkle in her eyes. "Hey Tasha, we should-" Sally started, before seeing Tasha's smile. "Yes, Sally?" Tasha asked. "Let's get photos for Uncle Pat! He loves this kinda stuff!" Sally exclaimed before running off. "Wait up!" Tasha said following her. "Wow. That's probably the best I've seen them get along." Aya smirked. "Bakugan Valley tends to have that affect on people! Especially new comers!" Julie explained. "Yeah, I gotta admit. It's a pretty sight." Aya commented, wiping his head of sweat. "But damn it's hot!" Aya took off his jacket, tying it around his waist. Hey, Aya! You been working out? You're putting on some muscle!" Wokko notcied. "Yeah! Nothing too crazy, mainly a more watered down version of your routine. Hope you don't mind me borrowing it!" Aya chuckled. "Not at all my man! Keep up the good work! We should work out together some time!" Wokko cheered, putting his arm around his friend. "Those two are like dorky brothers. Am I right Aub-" Runo teased, looking at Aubrey. "A-AUBREY!? YOUR NOSE IS BLEEDING!" Runo panicked. "I-Im fine." Aubrey groaned, covering her nose. "Could your arousal be any more obvious?" Cendrillion asked. "Shut it, Cendrillion." Aubrey replied. "I understand you're all excited, but we should focus on the main task at hand." Drago voiced. "Right. Let's go." Aya affirmed. "Julie, you should lead since you've been here before." Jamie proposed. Julie nodded, and started to lead the group down the canyon. It took a while, but eventually they reached a cave. "Hey! I can sense remnants of Vestroia's energy!" Drago exclaimed. "Same here!" Dragonoid added. This was followed by the other Bakugan confirming the other. "Well what are we waiting for! Let's go!" Dan shouted, running into the cave with the rest following. As the group explored the cave, a strange feeling came over them. As if something unnatural were nearby. "Heya Danny, after this is over why don't you and I get some alone time?" Julie swooned. Dan rolled his eyes at this while Sally grinned. "You say something you get hit." Aubrey threatened. "WILL YOU TWO STOP BEING SO GROSS!?" Runo screeched. Before anyone could respond, a slight screech was heard above them. Suddenly, the group was being swarmed by bats. "Shit!" Aya cussed. They all ducked only to find they were surrounded by scorpions. "The fuck!?" Aubrey exclaimed. "EEEEEEEE GET EM AWAY GET EM AWAY!" Julie shrieked. The group was stuck, unsure of what to do. "Wokko!" Sally called. "Yeah?" Wokko asked. "Gimme your spray deodorant!" Sally asked. "Huh? Uh ok!" Wokko answered, reaching into his bag and giving it to her. "Thanks! Alright guys get behind me!" Sally instructed. Everyone did so. "Deodorant isn't gonna get these things off our back!" Shun yelled. "Oh I know! But this will!" Sally said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a lighter. She lit it, holding it in front of the spray. She then activated her makeshift flamethrower, burning any scorpions around them and scaring the rest of the pests away. "Here." Sally tossed the can back to Wokko, who caught it and put it back in his bag. "YOU MANIAC! COULDN'T YOU HAVE PICKED SOMETHING LESS DANGEROUS!?" Runo yelled. "Well that's the weirdest way I've heard someone say thank you." Sally grumbled. "Let's keep moving." Aya stated. "Yeah." Dan agreed. After a few more minutes of searching, Shun noticed something. "Hey over there! In that wall!" Shun pointed out. On one of the walls, the outline of a large curve jutted out. "So...what is it?" Sally asked. "A door." Shun replied. "I don't see no knob." Sally notcied. "Well, what do you do with doors that don't have knobs?" Aubrey asked rhetorically. "Push em!" Wokko answered, moving toward the door. He began to push with all his strength, but it wouldn't budge. "Sorry, I can't push it." Wokko said, defeated. "Then we all push it. Aubrey, Jamie, Sally, Tasha, with me and Wokko on 3." Aya instructed. All of the Kara lined up against the door, their hands planted firmly on it. "1, 2, 3!" Aya counted. On 3, they all pushed with all of their might. "It's...not...worki-" Sally grunted before it gave way, falling inward, causing the Kara to fall. "You guys ok!?" Dan asked. "Yeah we're....fine...holy shit..." Jamie said, amazement was in his voice. The brawlers rushed in. Inside, was a strange rainbow light. It looked like a wormhole. Aya started walking to it. "It's...beautiful." Aya mumbled. For once, in a long time, his clouded eyes twinkled. "This, is Vestroia." Drago said. Suddenly all of the Bakugan in the group lit up in their respective colors, and flew into the hole. Suddenly a bright flash enveloped everyone.