Alice in New Vestroia: Remastered

by ariace613

This is my first story, "Alice in New Vestroia" as a deluxe version. Better battles. Denser story. An alternate version that still works with my other stories.

11. Chapter 11

Thanks for waiting for this new chapter. It's here now, and I really, really hope you enjoy it. Let's get it started!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bakugan or the characters.

XXX

Chapter 11: Infiltration

It was the eve of the day of the scouting mission. The six members of the Brawler Resistance had finally all gotten back to their mobile base, back from the scouting mission. While they hadn't planned on battling the Vexos that day, they still did.

And they lost. They failed.

The air of defeat hung in the area, and it affected all of them differently. Mira was sitting at the driver's seat, cradling her locket on her hand. Shun stood silently near the entrance, eyes closed and gave focused. Marucho was at the holograph table, working feverishly with the data. And Baron was pacing in his own dorm room, breathing so rapidly he almost fainted by hyperventilation.

The only ones who didn't react so negatively to the day's events were Alice and Dan, and that was due to personal experience. Dan, in fact, was exuberant over the earlier events. Though Dan had enough tact to hold it in.

Alice, however, was troubled. The events of her last battle left a lot of questions unanswered.

How did Spectra obtain a Bakugan as strong as Helios? The Bakugan was on the same level as Hydranoid. That shouldn't have been possible, especially considering how much Hydranoid had evolved.

What exactly was Drago? Was he still a Bakugan, some kind of Perfect Core avatar, or a hybrid of the two?

Most importantly of them all: How were they actually going to free the Bakugan? Spectra's criticism of their Dimension Controller plan haunted her active thoughts like a wraith…

' "Do you understand the ramifications of such a plan? There are hundreds of Bakugan inside each city, and they'd be released from ball form. Inside the populated cities. Think about what would happen if hundreds of creatures larger than most buildings would just appear, out of nowhere, in a bustling metropolis."

Alice did think about it, and it was a rather terrifying thought. "There'd be a panic. Maybe even some casualties." Truthfully, that was a pathetically proportioned understatement. Casualties would be a best case scenario. Worst case scenario was a legitimate massacre.'

Spectra was most definitely trying to manipulate Alice into joining him, but that didn't mean he was wrong in that assessment. In fact, he was absolutely correct. Unleashing the Bakugan so haphazardly within the city would lead to panicking citizens. Even if the Bakugan would just try to escape Alpha City, they'd still cause massive collateral damage, even casualties. It'd be catastrophic.

There was no doubt about it. They needed a new strategy.

But before that, there was a more pressing issue. Her team was hurting, telling from the shock of the day. She needed to support them, as one of the most stable of the group.

Alice chose to walk over to where Mira had situated herself. "Hey. Mira."

Mira jolted; she was so in her own world, she hadn't noticed Alice's approach. "Oh, sorry. I didn't see you there." She snapped the picture in the locket shut.

Alice offered the friendly grin she'd mastered years ago. "I like the design of your locket."

Mira smiled. "It's a keepsake, more than anything else." She pressed the button, revealing the picture contained within. "Keith gave it to me a couple weeks before he disappeared. Now, it's my best reminder of him."

"That's your brother?", Alice asked, glancing at the pink haired boy in the picture. There was something about Keith's face that Alice found familiar. His skin tone… his jawline… it looked so familiar to Alice… "What happened to him?"

"I don't know", Mira said. "He just disappeared. Vanished off the face of New Vestroia." Mira left out one key detail - that Keith was fighting the same fight that they were. So they'd inevitably run into each other. But Alice didn't need to know that.

Alice nodded, choosing not to continue the topic. There were more important things to discuss. "Mira, I know we've had a bit of an ordeal today. Do you want to talk about it?"

Mira let out a shuddered breath. "Why is my family such a disaster?", she asked. "My brother's practically a ghost that no one can find after months. But my father… he's insane. Utterly insane."

Alice didn't bother asking for clarification. She just let Mira speak.

"He created a working mechanical Bakugan. Did you know that?", Mira said.

Hydranoid humphed. "It shouldn't be possible. But if he did…"

"It's the worst revelation we've had today", Alice said. Machinery could be improved and upgraded indefinitely. If the Vestals could iron out the bugs, they could create Bakugan with power and stamina that left any living Bakugan in the dust. That was bad.

"I just… I don't understand. Why would he go that far?", Mira asked desperately. Tears began to fall. "Creating mechanical Bakugan, breaking the laws of nature for power? Letting both of his children walk away to resist that kind of monstrosity, and choosing to oppose them? All to serve the royal family? Why would he do that?"

Alice had an inkling of an idea. Mira's despair reminded him of a time long ago: the weeks leading up to her grandfather's first disappearance, where humanity's contact with the Bakugan began. Michael Gehabich was never emotionally neglectful of Alice, but his excitement over completing the device outweighed his own self care. Alice had to bring him his meals for him to eat. It even got so bad, he forgot his own safety precautions, which opened the portal to Vestroia in the first place. Alice could easily empathize with Mira's feelings of abandonment.

But Mira didn't need to hear that. She just needed to be acknowledged, accepted. So Alice just smiled at her. "It's okay, Mira. We're not going to disregard you. We're all with you."

Mira closed up her locket again. Die gave the other girl a weak smile. "I know. I'm with you, too."

They may have stayed there for a few more moments, but then the intercom came alive with Marucho's voice. "Could everyone please come to the meeting room? I've finally got all our new info organized."

XXX

The six members of the Resistance met up, ringing the hologram projecting table. The images projected were still photos of the Vexos's Bakugan, with several listed statistics at their side. Everyone was focused on the images; they just needed someone to spell it out.

Alice and Shun nodded over to Marucho, wordlessly giving him the word to begin. "We all know why we're here, so let's review everything we've learned today."

One of the images enlarged in size, detailing the bulky, bipedal blue amphibian. "Mylene's newest Bakugan. Aquos Elico." The still image became a video, depicting Elico in his battle against Shun and Baron.

Shun bowed his head. Shame ripped through him as he watched Elico tear apart his best efforts. But he didn't interrupt Marucho's presentation.

"Elico's capabilities are extraordinary. No lesser way to say it", Marucho detailed. "Like Preyas and Elfin, he can change his own Attribute, and each Attribute seems to have a different specialization for battle. Aquos provides Elico with power, Haos seems to halt the enemy in their tracks, and Subterra gives Elico some support options."

Baron raised an eyebrow. "I didn't notice any of that."

Marucho gave his Haos counterpart a smile. "Just analyze the information a bit, and you could do it, too. Anyway, to beat Elico is straightforward, if not easy." He chuckled in slight self-deprecation. "Elico's weakness is the same as any Attribute changer. The shift takes time. If you can keep up an attack, not give Elico any time to react, let alone change Attribute, Elico's options will be cut to a solid third."

"Like that'd work on me", Elfin scoffed.

"Actually, I believe it would", Marucho disagreed. "It might be trickier, considering how quickly you can shift Attributes. But it would still work."

"Anyway", Marucho shifted back to topic. With Elico being done and discussed, the screen shrank down. It was replaced by the enlargement of the image of a thin bodied white clown Bakugan. "Volt's partner: Haos Brontes."

Like it did with Elico, Brontes's picture turned into a video of the battle. "Brontes is a unique Bakugan. He's capable of using both Haos and Darkus abilities without Attribute change, although Haos is by far the dominant Attribute."

"That could be troublesome", Shun remarked. "How does he fight?"

"Brontes battles mostly with energy and illusion based attacks. He can neutralize enemy abilities and Gate Cards without much issue, quickly slash down power levels and bring the enemy to a standstill." Marucho's eyes turned glassy. "One other thing. In our battle, Brontes spoke. He seemed eager to fight us. He's fighting with his own free will."

Dan gasped. "No way. Why would any Bakugan willingly help the Vexos?"

"It's probably a case by case basis", Alice said. "How did Brontes act?"

"Sadistic", Marucho answered. "He was eager to fight and hurt our Bakugan, and laughed all throughout it."

"Got a plan to beat him?", Shun asked.

"In terms of raw power, Brontes doesn't have many options. Most of his abilities fall within the 200 effect range", Marucho summarized. "If you can withstand Brontes's illusions, it shouldn't be too difficult to overpower him."

"Not a bad assessment", Shun praised Marucho's work. "Go on. There's one more enemy to brief us on, right?"

"Yeah…." At that, Marucho was visibly troubled. Brontes's video disappeared, replaced by the video of a silver and green mech. "In some ways, it's the most worrisome thing we've seen today. Ventus Altair."

"How's it the worst?", Baron asked. "I'd say Spectra and Helios are the most powerful."

"It's more due to the implications", Alice said. "Machines aren't like flesh and blood creatures. Theoretically, mechanical combatants can have their software upgraded and improved indefinitely, eliminating weaknesses and improving strengths. And once a mechanical body's reached its limit, it can easily be replaced with better hardware."

"Any Bakugan can evolve, improving themselves in a similar fashion", Marucho said. "Our own escapades on Earth have proven that. But they always have a limit. There's always a threshold that they're not just incapable of reaching, but would actively destroy themselves trying."

Hydranoid growled low. Given that his body was slowly evolving towards that threshold, it was a sore point for him.

Marucho shot Hydranoid an apologetic glance before continuing. "Mechanical Bakugan don't have that threshold. They can be updated to heights that are otherwise impossible to reach. I assume that they're the future of the Vexos."

Baron shuddered. Helios was already a terrifying opponent to face. If it wasn't just possible, but inevitable, for the Vexos to acquire Bakugan of even greater strength… "How long before we're completely overwhelmed by the mechanical Bakugan?"

"There's no way for us to know", Shun said. "Our best guess would be calculated by how good Professor Clay is at what he does."

"He's very good", Mira said. "The best there is. So we might not have long."

Marucho frowned. "In the spirit of those revelations, detailing Altair's weaknesses will only help us in the short term. So I won't bother explaining them. Suffice it to say Altair has high energy output and high speed aerial mobility."

"Nice presentation, buddy", Dan praised, warming a grin from Marucho. "Now that that's done, let's get back to the important part: getting into the city and breaking down the Dimension Controller!"

"That is a matter worth discussing." Alice took a step forward. "Whether destroying the Controllers is a viable plan at all."

It was like a pin dropped. Except for Dan, the others reacted harshly. Baron, Mira and Marucho all displayed shock. But Shun was openly unsettled by it.

"Why would we discuss that?", Shun asked. "It's the most straightforward part of the job."

"But it's not straightforward at all. We miscalculated", Alice rebutted.

Dan groaned. He knew exactly what Alice was talking about. He'd heard exactly what Alice had heard. "Are you actually taking him seriously?"

"What are you talking about?", Ingram asked.

"In the middle of our battle with Spectra and his team, there was an unofficial, but brief ceasefire", Alice explained. "Spectra deduced our plan rather easily, and he pointed out a glaring flaw in our strategy."

"He's helping us?", Shun asked warily. "Why?"

"He wasn't really helping us", Alice said. "It's more like he was trying to manipulate us. Still, the point is valid."

"What's the flaw?", Nemus asked.

"Let's say we get past security. Let's say everything works out like how we planned it", Alice said. "Let's say we successfully destroy the Dimension Controllers. What would happen then?"

"The Bakugan would be freed. Released from ball form", Mira replied. "How is that a problem? That's our objective."

"Think about where the Bakugan would be when they're released", Alice said somberly. "Most of them would be inside the city. And when they're released, they'd still be in the city."

Understanding dawned in Shun, then the others. "That would precede total pandemonium. The Bakugan would scramble to leave the city, and the civilians would panic…. Oh, no", Shun said, voice hollowed. "Mira, would the Controllers work like that?"

"That's exactly how it would work", Mira answered.

Baron's eyes widened. Not too long ago, he'd been living in Alpha City. In one of the lower income areas, too. There were Bakugan galore there. If he hadn't been taken in by the Brawlers… he'd have been in ground zero for the panic. "We can't do this. The Vestals… they don't know the Bakugan are intelligent. They wouldn't knowingly enslave the Bakugan. We can't condemn them to something like that!"

"No one's saying we should, or will", Nemus said, trying to calm his partner.

"Dammit. We should've thought of this. How didn't we think of this?" Shun's fist tightened in shame. It slammed against the table, making a metallic clanging sound.

"It was just an oversight", Ingram said. "In a way, we owe Spectra for catching this before we made a terrible mistake."

"He's not cashing in that debt", Hydranoid growled. "Spectra's already in our debt for what he's doing for the Vestals. Several times over."

"Fair enough", Ingram amended.

"We're getting off topic." Alice held her hand up, reasserting control of the conversation. "From this moment, this is an emergency meeting. The plan is flawed beyond the point of using it as it is. So we need to change it. Radically."

XXX

In contrast to the Brawlers' somber attitude, in response to the day's battles, the Vexos were uniformly jovial at how the combat ended. The entire official team, barring Spectra and his lackeys, had congregated to Professor Clays primary laboratory in Alpha City.

Of the four, Shadow was the most agitated of them. Of course, where everyone else had won and made a good showing, he'd lost his Bakugan. Again. To the same team as before. It was infuriating.

Even Professor Clay wasn't paying Shadow much mind. He focused most of his attention on the other three.

"Wonderful! A simply incredible showing, today", he said. "And you've brought back a wealth of data for me to review and analyze. I thank you all tremendously!" He inclined his head to show his gratitude.

"So, what's your first impression?", Lync said. "Take a look. What's your first thought?"

"Well, my first deduction is Altair's deficiencies", Clay admitted, a slightly sheepish grin on his face. "Altair's power is considerable, but he doesn't yet know how to react to the heat of battle. And it's not too hard to drain Altair's energy reserves. Both of those are deficiencies in Altair's programming, and I'd take responsibility for it."

"So, what are you going to do about it?", Lync demanded.

"Not to worry", Clay replied. "I'm already in the process of fully analyzing the battle data. Next, I'll update Altair's programming to accommodate these weaknesses. I assure you, by the time you go out to battle again, Altair will be like a whole new Bakugan, with none of the weaknesses that hampered you today."

Lync shot a smile. "I like the sound of that." He could picture it, crushing the ones who humiliated him with a supercharged Altair. It would be… exhilarating.

"What of the rest of us?", Mylene asked. "Do you have any… feedback, Professor?"

"Nothing more than the obvious, Mylene", Clay replied, slightly less enthusiastic than he was with Lync. "Both you and Volt harnessed the power of your Bakugan quite well, leading to a total domination of your respective battles. Well done indeed."

He looked over at Mylene. "You've managed Elico's power and multiple Attributes expertly. You were brutal and efficient in combat." Mylene nodded in acknowledgement.

Next, Mylene addressed Volt. "And you, Volt. You brought out Brontes's considerable power very well. Your encouragement was very effective."

"Considerable power? Oh, you flatter me!", Brontes cheered.

"Silence", Mylene barked. "We weren't speaking to you. Keep your remarks to those who care."

Volt shot a harsh glare at Mylene. "Don't try controlling my Bakugan. It's not your business."

Mylene smirked. "Of course. Apologies. I didn't mean to infringe on your property." Her gaze turned cold. "As long as you keep control of that property, that is."

"That's not your problem", Volt snapped. "I don't criticize how you manage Elico, so don't micromanage me. I got the same results you did in the field, that's all you should care about."

"Fair enough", Mylene conceded. Personally, she despised the nagging of her teammates. To have an allied Bakugan nagging her, and his teammate refusing to shut him up? Mylene loathed it, especially because she had no stance to stop it.

"I suspect that, if you conditioned Brontes like we do every other Bakugan, you would've had even less trouble than you did", Mylene snapped.

"And I suspect that, if you bothered to connect with your Bakugan like every top battler on both Vestal and Earth has, you'd have a much higher long term success", Volt fired back. "Besides, I didn't ask you."

The two Vestals locked glared, each one hardened and neither one willing to back down. At this point, the discussion had been broached several times, and it was getting more and more intense. A philosophical disagreement of how to utilize a Bakugan was steadily becoming more and more a personal affront to both Vexos. It was a slowly rising pool of lava, just waiting for the opportune moment to erupt into open conflict.

But that day wasn't this day. The two broke off the glance in unison. The ire between them wasn't gone, but muted for the moment.

Brontes huffed. "I don't like her", he whispered to Volt. "She's crazy. And it's me saying that."

Volt made a whispered grunt of agreement. "Brontes, I do care about what you say. You know that, right?"

"Of course", Brontes whispered back. "You're cool!"

An exaggerated exhale drew the group's attention to Shadow. "Hey! What about me?!", Shadow demanded, unable to contain himself any longer.

"What about you?", Mylene countered. "I don't know if you remember, so let me remind you. You. Lost. Your. Bakugan! Giving feedback on how you managed your Bakugan is not only useless, but a complete waste of time. So shut up."

Clay gave Shadow an apologetic glance. "Hopefully, once codename: Hades is complete, you'll have a better track record against our enemies."

"Well, I hope so", Shadow said. "For your sake, four eyes."

Clay just stood there, unfazed by the less than subtle threat. "Well, I believe our business is concluded, for now. Lync, if I could have Altair, I'll begin its program modifications."

"Oh! Sure", Lync conceded, handing the silver and green ball over to the scientist. With that, the four Vexos all vacated the room, leaving Clay to his work.

Clay chuckled softly. "Good. I was able to keep their gift a secret."

In the chamber behind Clay, five large tubes, Bakugan containment chambers, were active. Within them was a Bakugan, representing every Attribute except Subterra.

"The battle data of today's battles will prove invaluable in this project", Clay said to himself. "The only reason the Brawlers were able to keep up against the Vexos was because of their advantage of numbers. From this point on, that advantage is moot. Victory is nigh, for the Vexos, and for the royal family."

XXX

In another laboratory in Alpha City, purchased and belonging to one Spectra Phantom, the Pyrus battler stood in front of a large terminal screen. At each flank was Gus and Ace.

The three Vestals watched with gusto as the screen displayed a video of their battle with Alice, Dan and their Bakugan. It was exhilarating for all of the observers.

"Take a look, friends." Spectra specifically pointed out when Alice and Hydranoid activated their Merge Shield, achieving power levels beyond the limit.

Alpha Hydranoid: 2500

"It's amazing", Spectra said. "Even Helios has never breached a power level of 2000 as of yet. But Hydranoid exceeded those limits so quickly."

"And look at the power output Hydranoid is giving off", Ace remarked, gesturing to the scans of the fight. "It's totally off the charts."

"Equaled only by what happened later in the battle, courtesy of Drago", Spectra added, skipping to when Drago's Strike Dragon was activated. Waves of multicolored power that were so immense, it pushed back Helios despite a 500 point advantage between them.

"I've analyzed the energy pattern of that attack, Master", Gus said. "Your initial guess seems to be correct. The signature was identical to that of the Perfect Core of New Vestroia."

"So Drago has become a living conduit for the Perfect Core's energy, a nearly infinite supply", Spectra said, awed. "And Hydranoid has a natural power that is technically unmatched by any other Bakugan. What incredible potential our enemies possess."

"Which is why we aim to make them our allies", Gus said. "If only they would have seen your reason and joined us earlier today. It would've meant much less hassle for us."

"Unfortunately, it's an innately human trait when one is wrong. They deny reality, and fight with emotions to keep their perspective", Spectra said. "No matter. They'll see reason soon enough. And if they don't…"

"We can easily make them understand", Gus finished. "Only your power can bring them in, Master."

"Drago… Hydranoid…", Helios growled ferally. The eyes of his ball form shone red. "Those two are worthy opponents. Worthy to defeat! I shall crush them, and prove myself the supreme Bakugan of this planet! I must! It is my destiny!"

"Patience, my friend", Spectra cautioned. "Destroying them may not be the most profitable option as of right now. There's so much we have to gain, just through casual observation."

"Master Spectra… I don't understand", Ace admitted. "Yeah, they're powerful… but how do we gain from it other than enlisting them?"

"Drago can access the Perfect Core, likely at will", Spectra explained. "Such a connection must be linked to how Drago has a battling form himself, nowadays. Most likely, the Perfect Core created the new body." Spectra's face made a half grin. "But of course, that means that Drago's connection to the Perfect Core is biological in nature. Which means that, if one can isolate and replicate the appropriate genes, it can be drafted onto another Bakugan."

Helios paused to understand the implications, then chucked madly. "The power of the Perfect Core… yes! Drago and Hydranoid won't mean anything compared to me!"

Ace frowned. "One problem. In order to replicate that kinda thing, we'd need easy access to Drago, to scan his DNA and isolate the connection in his genetics."

"Yes, that is an issue", Spectra said. "But it is not impossible to overcome. Remember: I am the only invincible being on this planet. Drago shouldn't be much of a problem in comparison."

"Of course, Master Spectra", Gus and Ace chanted.

Ace made the next question. "We've talked a bit about Dan. What about Alice? What do we do with her?"

"The plan we'd discussed already. Use it on Alice, and we'll gain an invaluable new ally." Spectra's glee was restrained, but still apparent. "With our combined power, the Vexos and Royal family will be irrelevant. The ultimate power will be ours for the taking. And we will take it!"

"And Spectra Phantom will not just be praised as Vestal's champion", Gus said.

"He'll be praised as Vestal's emperor!", Ace finished.

Spectra nodded. "That will be all. Dismissed."

Gus and Ace nodded back, walking away from their master. As soon as Ace and Gus left the room and entered the hallways, they split up and went down each side.

Ace strode purposefully, his confidence replacing the arrogance he had before. He was made a stronger battler by what Spectra'd done to him. And he knew that if the same would happen to Alice, it would end up in her benefit.

"Wake up!"

Ace heard a desperate voice, coming from somewhere. Despite the metal hallway, there was no echo.

But Ace's greater concern was what was happening in his head. As soon as he began to hear the words, he began to suffer a splitting headache.

"Wake up, Ace! Now!"

Ace's eyes widened as he realized where the voice was coming from. His own mind. In his own voice.

The headache doubled in intensity. It was all Ace could do was keep his composure.

"Spectra's lying to you, and you're lying to yourself! You're not any stronger than you were before! It's all a trick; a power fantasy and a fantasy of power! Open your eyes and fight back!", Ace's inner voice pleaded.

Ace shut his eyes, trying to block out the voice, but it echoed through his head regardless. The headache made it nearly impossible to concentrate. "Shut up", he hissed.

"Think of Mira! She's waiting for you to go back to her! Don't let Spectra drive you away from her! FIGHT BACK!"

And Ace's composure broke under the headache. His hands shot to clutch his head. His mouth contorted into an enraged sneer. "Be quiet", he snapped. "You know nothing. Absolutely nothing. I'm already leagues beyond where I was. Spectra's given me power, and I wouldn't trade it away for anything. Now, be silent!"

The inner voice went silent, crushed back to the depths of Ace's mind. And the headache disappeared, too. Ace sighed in relief before continuing on his way.

Inside his jacket pocket, the closed ball of Percival shuddered and vibrated slightly. Percival gasped quietly.

Normally, the conditioning would've made such resistance impossible. But Percival had lost a battle before, and the shock of such a defeat was profound. His mind was very hazy, and it wouldn't clear up any more, any time soon. But Percival was, at the very least, marginally awake. Awake enough to manage just a few syllables. "Ace…"

XXX

It was late in the night, directly outside the mechanical dome of Alpha City. The night sky was cloudless, with the beautiful array of purple nebulae and stars in full view to those on the surface of New Vestroia.

On the roof of the Brawlers' base, Shun was alone, gazing up into the oblivion above with a faraway mist in his eyes. Then, he lowered his head and raised a leaf in his hand to his mouth. As he exhaled, a high pitched whining rang out, almost like a whistle, but even higher pitched.

The sound was melodic, like some kind of music, but it still seemed somber. Like a bird hatchling that lost its mother, and could sing its sorrow. And the metaphor was more appropriate to Shun than it initially seemed to be. His own mother bird had been stolen away.

"Shun?"

The ninja's auburn eyes became more focused as he turned around. Alice was standing there, a concerned look on her face.

"You should be asleep", Shun said. "It's a big day tomorrow." Immediately, he winced at the irony.

"I was asleep", Alice admitted. "I just woke up. Had a funny feeling that you were awake."

It wasn't that Shun woke up Alice. They both knew he was way too silent for that. It was like Alice instinctively knew when something was wrong with Shun.

"What was the song?", Alice asked. "It sounded nice."

"It was a melody I made up myself", Shun answered. "I meant it to commemorate our allies. The ones not currently with us."

Alice had a sneaking suspicion who Shun was referring to. "Skyress?"

"Skyress." Shun closed his eyes, remembering how he lost her, on the day it all began.

"Don't blame yourself, Shun", Alice said, realizing that Shun was doing so. "You did everything you could."

"You don't get it, Alice. Skyress wasn't just in my sight. She saw me. She called out my name, and then she was gone." Shun bowed his head. "Do you know how it feels? Being so close at saving your family, and then… just failing? Seeing them dragged away from you, and you know that you can't do anything to help anymore?"

"I can't say I know that", Alice admitted. "But Shun, you can do something to save Skyress. We're working to free her. She's going to be fine."

"Time is on the enemy's side", Shun remarked. "After we changed the plan to such a degree, anything could go wrong with it. It's almost as if we're going in without a plan. That means we have a higher chance of failure."

"Not that I'm blaming you", Shun added after seeing Alice's soured expression. "We did the right thing in changing the plan. It just made my part in it a lot more difficult. And that means our chances of saving Skyress are lower than ever."

"I'm sorry", Alice replied.

"Well, at least your part is the same", Shun said. "Honestly, now it's even more important that it succeeds. It's imperative if we're going to reach the new primary objective."

Alice nodded, accepting the logic that lead to that conclusion. She'd been thinking the same.

"It's up to you, Alice." Shun gave Alice a confident grin. "I know you won't let us down."

"We'll win", Alice promised. "We'll save everyone, one step at a time."

XXX

The morning after, the six battlers had left their fortified trailer, taking with them their Bakugan, money and essentials with them. Since none of them could detect any kinds of traps within the access tunnels, they simply chose to enter through the closest entrance for convenience. Alice didn't even need to transport them.

The door was closed, but it was hardly a trifle for Baron to unlock. The codes hadn't even changed from what they were yesterday. The door opened without a fuss.

"I'd say this is too easy," Dan said, "but we all know the real trap is inside the city."

"Last chance to back out", Shun told everyone. "We're going into the belly of the beast. If you want to stay behind, speak up, because once we're in, the only way out is through."

No one spoke. Seconds passed, and no one showed any signs of hesitation.

Recognizing that no one would back out, Shun smiled. "Thank you. A plan is only as good as the team that's executing it, and now I know. You're the best team in New Vestroia. Now let's show this world what we can do."

Baron's face brightened in pride, and the others nodded seriously. The six then walked inside the tunnel, which ominously closed behind them.

That doesn't matter. No one even looked back as they trudged through the tunnel, into the city.

It was only five minutes, but it seemed much longer than that due to the nearly total darkness. The only hint of light came from the entrance on the other side of the passage. The literal light at the end of the tunnel.

"It's pretty dark in here", Marucho complained. "I can't even see my own hand."

"I don't mind it much", Hydranoid said.

"The dark is our natural element", Leonidas agreed.

"No need to be so melodramatic", Drago said.

"Can anyone else see in here?", Baron asked.

"I can", Shun said. He had trained countless nights in near total darkness. It was darker than he was used to, but he could still manage.

"Ninjas and their training", Dan muttered.

"Please be quiet", Alice said. "We don't know if there's surveillance on us right now." And in the dark, it would be easy to conceal. Even an eye accustomed to darkness would find a hidden camera or voice recorder hard to detect.

That notion got the group properly silenced. They just kept up the pace, going through the passage as the light became larger and brighter. Before they knew it, they reached the end.

And they came to a sight that all but astounded all of them.

The humans of the group didn't know what to expect. But they never would have thought that Alpha City would look so… ordinary. The streets, the buildings, the shops… it was eerily similar to Earth cities. There were restaurants, high speed vehicles moving down roads, and even the same kinds of large buildings that would be on Earth.

And the people were there, in abundance. Some were walking down sidewalks. Others were lounging and dining at the restaurants. They all looked normal.

The only real difference was the technology level. The vehicles on the streets were actually hovering over the ground, and moving far quicker than what Earth cars could safely attain. The signs on the restaurants were holographic, and written in the Vestals' own written language.

The six began to move, in order to avoid standing out. "I thought it'd be more… alien", Marucho said, as they passed a young duo of Vestal teenagers who weren't even looking at them. "No offense, Mira and Baron. But… take away the level of technology, and it's practically the same as Earth."

"It's our normal, too", Mira said. "Alice, Shun, why are you surprised by this? You've spent time in Alpha City."

"We spent that time searching for Tigrerra", Alice explained. "We were too focused on that to notice anything else."

"It's strange, thinking how alike Vestals seem to be compared to humans", Shun remarked.

"Really, Vestals and humans aren't so different at all", Mira said.

"Let's hope that translates to empathy for the Bakugan", Shun said. "It'll make our mission actually possible."

"Don't worry, it'll work", Baron assured the Ventus battler.

"Let's hope so", Alice said. "Alright. Mira, Baron. Do either of you have some kind of private residence in the city? We'll need somewhere to reside."

Mira shook her head. "Sorry. I lived with my father, and I doubt he'd just let us stay."

"I do", Baron said. "It might be a bit cramped, but I think we could rest up there."

"We can work with that", Alice assured Baron. "What about your family?"

"Oh, they're back on Vestal", Baron said. "I came alone. No problem there."

"No problem?", Shun asked. "... alright. We'll take your word for it."

Baron gently pushed to the front of the group. "Follow me. It's not too far from here!"

The group shrugged, following Baron through the city. The Haos battler moved with a skip in his step, like a fish in a pond. He was truly in his element.

In no time at all, the group reached Baron's residence.

Mira looked around at the buildings, not reaching the excellence of her own childhood. The buildings were still stable, even comfortable, but not particularly luxurious. "We're in Alpha City's lower class neighborhood", she deduced.

"My family isn't really very rich", Baron said sheepishly. "But it's enough that I'm on New Vestroia."

"Let's get to his home first. Then we can talk", Elfin suggested.

And so, Baron led the group into his apartment building, heading to his very own apartment. The door opened automatically for him, admitting the whole group inside.

"And here we are." Baron confidently presented his apartment to the Brawlers. "Home, sweet home!"

"It's… quaint", said Marucho.

The apartment consisted of just two rooms: a living room that doubled as a kitchen, and Baron's own bedroom. The two rooms shared the same aesthetic: light gray walls with white ceiling and a dark blue floor. The lighting came from light bars imbedded within where the walls met the ceiling.

Both rooms were rather large, and all six humanoids could fit inside it, but that wasn't the problem. The problem was where everyone would sleep.

Marucho had described the living quarters as quaint. Truthfully, he was kind of queasy at how little room there was. Ever since the day he was born, Marucho had been surrounded by luxury and space. More than he knew what to do with. Even recently, at least Marucho had his own room. But now… he'd be compressed with the rest of the team in an apartment meant for one person. Two, at the most.

"How are we all going to fit in here?" Dan voiced Marucho's main concern. "There's only one bed! Where will we sleep?"

Baron smiled sheepishly. "Uh… I didn't think of that. Man."

"We can work around that problem", Alice said. "Baron's place is our best option right now, so we'll make due with what we have."

The group nodded. Marucho was the most reluctant, but he knew that Alice was right. They didn't have many options, and complaining about it wouldn't help anyone.

"Baron, you mind having Dan in your room?", Alice asked. "Don't freak out", she added to caution him. Baron just shook his head to say that no, he didn't mind. "Alright then…" a look at the living room let Alice know there were two couches. "Mira and Marucho. Take the couches. Shun and I will manage on the floor."

Shun nodded. He could take a few days in those conditions.

"We should probably get some more food", Baron said. "I don't have have enough for all of us on hand."

"That's all well and good", Elfin said. "But I don't think we could get food for free."

"I could pay for it", Mira volunteered.

"Mira… you've given enough for us", Alice said.

"Not until the mission is a success", Mira said. "Let me help now I can."

"It's Mira's money. It's her choice", Ingram said.

"I can help with the shopping", Baron volunteered.

"Actually," Shun began, "Baron, I'd like to have a word with you."

Baron raised an eye, but nodded. "Alright, Master Shun", he agreed.

"Alice, can you take the others on this shopping trip?", Shun requested.

"I can do that", Alice replied. "Alright. We're going", she told the others.

Excepting Shun and Baron, all of them left the apartment.

With most of the people gone, Shun and Baron each sat down at a couch. "You wanted to talk, Master Shun?"

"I was just curious about something", Shun remarked. "When you were talking about this place, you said your family was back on Vestal. Why separate the family?"

"Oh, okay." Baron's enthusiasm went down a degree. "It's got to do with how the colonists were encouraged to sign up."

Nemus, having been there, picked up the story. "The royal family offered a financial incentive to the willing volunteers."

"Your family is having money problems?", Shun asked, concerned.

"Oh, it's fine", Baron said. "We've always managed to make ends meet, but… I've got a lot of siblings. My folks are probably having an easier time with one less mouth to feed."

"That's why you're here", Ingram said. "To help your family."

"Well, part of it", Baron looked out a window, gazing outside the dome to New Vestroia proper. "The rest of it, though? I heard the stories of the Battle Brawlers. The royal family passed it off as fiction, but I wanted to know. I needed to. You guys were my heroes."

"You wanted to learn the truth", Shun said. "Do you miss your family?"

"Of course I do", Baron said. "But I know, once I see them again, they'll know I did the right thing."

"I feel the same way." Shun gave a small grin. 'I didn't think anyone else understood what the Brawlers were going through, being away from our homes and families. Even Mira and Baron. But Baron's in the same boat as us.'

"You're a good person, Baron", Ingram said. "It's an honor to call you a comrade."

"It's an honor to be your comrade", Baron replied.

XXX

Alice had let Mira lead herself, Dan and Marucho to the stores they needed, since she was the only one among them that actually knew where they were going. As Mira led the group, the present humans and Bakugan had opportunity to look around, gathering in the details they missed at first.

Dan found his eye locked on a giant holographic screen of the Vexos, each taking a dramatic pose, with a label of Vestal's language over it. There was a massive number of people crowded around it. "Hey, Mira. What did that label say?"

Mira took a glance, deciphering out instantly. " 'Bakugan Battle Tournament. Test your mettle against the Vexos.' Why?"

"Vexos", Dan muttered. "They're so popular around here. It's like they're celebrities."

"They are celebrities, Dan", Mira said. "As soon as the Bakugan came to our world, the royal family set up the tournaments, and propped up the champions of each Attribute."

"So they're like sports stars", Dan said.

"Government sponsored sports stars", Alice supplanted.

"The Vexos were formed at the very start? Their ranks haven't changed since the team formed?", asked Marucho.

Mira pursed her lips. "Well, Gus replaced the original Subterra expert on the team. That caused a bit of an upset. Otherwise, they're the same people that they've always been."

'I wonder how Gus supplanted his predecessor', Alice wondered. She wasn't participating in the conversation, but she was listening to it. 'He probably won a battle against his predecessor. So when did he become affiliated with Spectra? Before, or after joining the Vexos?' She sighed internally. 'I guess it doesn't matter.'

"We should keep moving", Alice said aloud.

"Yeah. Vexos don't matter anyway", Dan said as they continued their pace.

"I happen to agree completely."

The group halted their pace and sharply turned away from the large Vexos hologram, seeing a lone Vestal staring their way with sharp red Vestal eyes. He wore a brown jacket over an orange shirt, with dark brown pants. He was around Shun's height and build. His black hair was in a tamed and short cut.

Mira stared at the Vestal. "It's rude to listen in on private conversations, you know."

The Vestal grinned. "Sorry about that." His tone was unapologetic, if not blatantly sarcastic. "It's just not everyday people around here don't go crazy as soon as they hear 'Vexos'. Can you blame me for looking for some validation?"

"Validation?", Alice asked. "You don't like the Vexos? Why?"

"You don't either", the Vestal stated. "Let's agree to keep our reasons secret, okay?"

"Deal", Alice replied. As she did, she quickly sized up the Vestal, noting the orange gauntlet strapped onto his arm, and how his eyes seemed to be examining them all critically, too. "Who are you?"

"I'm just a man with a message", the Vestal said. "You'll hear it with everyone else in the city, once I win the Bakugan Tournament."

Dan stepped ahead. "You're battling in the tournament?"

"I aim to win", the man confirmed. "And once I win, you'll find out just how right you are to dislike the Vexos."

"What do you mean by that?", Mira asked.

"Ah, ah. That's my message, miss. You'll find out at the tournament", the man said, chuckling. He was clearly enjoying himself. "Nice chat. See you around." He waved his hand and strolled away.

"That was weird", Marucho remarked. "Who was that guy?"

"Highly opinionated, but reserved about personal history", Alice said. "Obviously, he's an experienced battler. Judging by the color of his gauntlet, he's a Subterra user But he seemed more intense than most of the other Vestals we've seen. Mira?"

"I don't know him", Mira said. "But… he looks familiar. I could swear I'd seen him before."

"Maybe while you were living in the city?", Dan suggested.

"Maybe", Mira conceded. "He seems like the kind of guy Ace would've hung out with. I don't know." But she frowned. 'That doesn't sound right…. Where do I know him from?'

"One thing's for sure", Alice said. "If he's entering the tournament, he's in the way of our plan."

"And what's with that message he wants to give?", Elfin asked. "Sounds kinda suspicious to me."

"It may be", Wilda said. "He didn't seem willing to give any information about himself."

"I guess we'll hear that message of his once we beat him in battle", Hydranoid said, chuckling. "That'll be fun."

"I'd like to know what that message is", Drago said. "He certainly carried himself like he knew something of great importance."

"You can't read too much into it, Drago", Dan said. "Probably just wants to say some kind of gossip once he wins a tournament and gets five seconds of fame."

"True enough, Daniel", Drago conceded. "The sentiment is rather similar to our own plan, in some ways."

"It doesn't matter", Leonidas said. "Can you start walking now? I don't like being out here."

With that, the group continued their walk toward the shops. Luckily, the shops were in the opposite direction that the strange Vestal had gone. They never considered that was because the Vestal had decided to intentionally avoid them.

XXX

Lync and Volt stood at the top of a large tower inside Alpha City. Each one sat on regal black chairs as they stared at a holographic communication link with Spectra.

"Why do I have to watch the lame tournament?", Lync complained.

"It's simple, Lync", Spectra said through the communication. "Mylene and Shadow have gone over to Beta City. Gus and I are currently detained, and we will be for the next coming days. So that leaves you and Volt to oversee the tournament."

"I don't get why we have to", Volt said. "Usually, the Vexos just show up to battle the winners. Why should we pay attention to the other battles?"

"Because this tournament has rather… volatile participants", Spectra explained amicably. "Or did you forget that the Battle Brawlers and their Vestal allies have likely entered the city by now? They are most likely planning on entering the tournament themselves."

"Let 'em come!", Lync declared. "We beat them before, and we'll do it again!"

"I most certainly hope so", Spectra said. "At the worst, our stranglehold over New Vestroia may be at stake." The screen blinked off, shrunk down and disappeared.

" 'I most certainly hope so' ", Lync repeated mockingly. "Please! And why isn't he doing this? What's his super important business?!"

"Who cares?", Volt replied. "Just do what you're told."

Lync shrugged. "But I don't want to watch the plebs battle. Seriously, watching Clay work on Altair would be more entertaining! And I hate watching Clay work!"

"If the Battle Brawlers really will make their move by joining the tournament, they'll bulldoze past the masses", Volt said. "They'll make it to the semifinals, at the very least. We'll look for them there."

Lync slumped in relief. "Thank you", he breathed.

Brontes revealed himself from his hiding place in Volt's spiky hair. "Is he gone?", he asked.

"Yes, Brontes", Volt said. "Why are you so afraid of Spectra?"

Brontes scoffed on Volt's shoulder, scoffing all the while. "I'm not afraid of Spectra. I just don't like him. He's creepy."

"Sounds like you're afraid of him", Lync chimed with a grin.

"Shut up", Brontes snapped. "You're afraid of a pretty girl."

Lync flushed. "Hey, if Alice looked at you like that after beating you twice, you'd be scared, too!"

"Doubt it", Brontes cheered, back in control of the conversation.

Volt sighed. Lync and Brontes had very similar personalities, jeering and moving at the smallest things. And whenever they interacted, they either became more animated in cohesion, or argued with each other into oblivion over the most trivial things. And Volt honestly couldn't tell which was more annoying.

"At least I'm scared of an enemy! You're scared of our fiercest ally!"

"I'm NOT scared of Spectra!"

"Oh, I get it. His creepy mask, cold attitude? Lots of people are scared of him!"

"W-well, I'm not!"

"You stuttered! I heard you stutter!"

"NO YOU DIDN'T!"

"Be QUIET!" Volt's roar shut up both of his allies. "I can't take you two together anymore. Brontes, we're taking a walk."

"Ah, c'mon! Wait!", Brontes wailed as Volt, taking Brontes with him, walked away from Lync. "I was having fun~!"

"See ya!", Lync chimed.

Volt left the room, not acknowledging Lync's words. The Ventus battler remained in the room, reclining in his chair.

"How ya doing, Volty?", Brontes asked as he was ferried off.

"I'm better now", Volt replied. He heaved out a large breath. "I just need a moment of silence."

"Okay", Brontes said. "So, those Brawler guys are going to be in the tournament?"

"Probably", Volt confirmed.

Brontes laughed aloud, though he restrained himself somewhat for Volt's sake. "Great! Thrashing them was fun! Can I thrash them again?"

"Lync and I will battle whoever wins the tag team division of the tournament", Volt answered Brontes's question. "If it's the Brawlers, then yes."

"Great!", Brontes cheered. "I can't wait! I just can't wait!"

"Glad you're looking forward to it", Volt said dryly. "I am, too. And we'll finish what we started with them."

XXX

And that's the chapter! I hope you enjoyed! If you did, be sure to follow or favorite the story. If you want to say anything, feel free to leave a review or PM me. Before I go, responses:

StarMaidenWarrior: Been a while since I'd heard from you. I hope this time, I can keep your interest.

Alice Gehabich: Your opinion has been noted.

21: Glad you b liked the battling so much. And no, I'm not planning on pairing Hydranoid and Tigrerra; that was more Hydranoid's vicious nature being expressed in a desire for vengeance. Although I can see where you were coming from. Nice observational skills.

Until next time, goodbye!