Well, another chapter, another continuation of the remaster. Basically a transition chapter, ending the Alpha City arc while getting the next one started. I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Bakugan or the characters.
XXX
Chapter 15: Alpha's Aftermath
At the very edge of Alpha City's borders, a crowd of Vestals was assembling. Most of them were older children or teenagers, though a fair share of the lot were adults. Hair color, eye color, size, even clothing all varied. The only thing they all had in common was that they all carried at least one Bakugan.
It was only a couple of hours after Alice had made her announcement to Alpha City, her words having the optimal effect. With so many people there to hear Hydranoid's words in person, denying it was less than a pipe dream for any naysayers. Already, the masses were flocking to the city entrance, moving to set their Bakugan free.
Yet, even as the crowd continued to grow, nobody had actually released their hold on their Bakugan yet. At first, it had just been a hesitancy to leaping past the precipice. But as the crowd swelled, peer pressure began to set in. No one seemed willing to take the initiative, to take the plunge into the dark waters.
"She told us to throw our Bakugan away from the city, right?", asked a younger Vestal girl in a purple tank top, white pants and dark blue hair done in a ponytail.
"That's right", confirmed an adult male in a brown bodysuit and yellow hair. "I don't get it. Inside or outside the city, it's not like the Bakugan can live in their battling forms. They're balls unless in battle, right?"
"Don't you know the Battle Brawler stories?", came another voice, from a teenage Vestal male with short crimson hair, a blue jacket over a white shirt and dark blue pants. "New Vestroia is capable of keeping the Bakugan out of ball form. It's some kind of energy field, or something."
"Hey, I've been outside the city. And the Bakugan outside were all in ball form. So those stories are obviously wrong."
The teenager who was just rebuffed looked down. "Yeah, that's true."
"It's not like the Bakugan have any better options if we let them go. They just won't be forced to battle anymore."
"We can just promise not to force them into battle, and it'll have the same effect."
"Yeah, that makes sense!"
The teenager in blue still seemed unsure and conflicted. "But Alice and Hydranoid said that the Vestals enslaved the Bakugan… maybe the royal family has some way to keep the Bakugan in ball form."
"Oh, that just makes no sense. You're going into conspiracy theories now."
The debate escalated to an argument, which further escalated into a full on shouting match. More and more people seemed all too willing to let known exactly what their feelings on the matter were: some said it was their duty to let the Bakugan go (although they hadn't actually done it yet), others wanted to keep them for their own protection, and still others were conflicted about those two options. There was even a small minority that either didn't see a moral dilemma of enslaving Bakugan, or just didn't care to rationalize it. As the talking picked up, more and more time was swept away by the procrastinating populace. No one was actually moving to release their Bakugan.
It wasn't that they were cruel. It was that they were too indecisive. Going along with Alice and Hydranoid's "advice" would mean accepting their views and opinions of the royal family. And that was essentially treason. It would take an incredibly brave individual to take that first step.
Or someone who had nothing to lose.
"You're all cowards! ALL OF YOU!"
The people flinched as an enraged roar, louder than any of their voices, drowned out their arguments. The crowd parted, just enough to let the speaker to their front. As he passed them, whispers started up about him.
"Hey, I know that guy."
"Didn't he face Alice before her fight with Spectra?"
"Yeah, that's him. Kyle!"
"What's he doing here?"
Once he reached the front of the crowd, Kyle looked back at them, watching as they stayed still. Not one of them seemed to be holding your Bakugan.
"You're all utter cowards", he accused them. "We've all come here for one reason only. Alice and Hydranoid have made clear what the Bakugan are, and that they deserve freedom. You've all come to give them that freedom, and you refuse to follow through." He opened his right hand, showing four different Bakugan in his hand: two Subterra, one Darkus and one Pyrus. "And if you've got it in your head that the Bakugan will stay in ball form outside the city, let's test that!"
Even as Kyle readied himself to throw the Bakugan, he felt nothing but absolute certainty. For one thing, as a former Vexos member, he knew about the Dimension Controllers and their functions. He knew it was possible for their effect and range to be reduced. For another, and more important, matter, Alice and Hydranoid said their words with absolute conviction. He knew better than anyone to doubt them.
"Bakugan, brawl!" Shouting the words primarily for dramatic effect, Kyle threw the four Bakugan outside the entrance at once without any semblance of hesitation. "Stand! Show these morons their mistakes!"
Each Bakugan glowed a bright neon color, be it orange, purple or red, depending on Attribute. Two of the Bakugan that showed up were unsurprising to be seen in Kyle's possession: the Fear Ripper he used in the first round, and the Goblinball he captured in that battle.
The third Bakugan was also in Kyle's possession, but last he'd been seen, Alice captured him in their battle. Cycloid rose up, still looking worn out from his battle. "That's better", he said aloud, further verifying the fact that Bakugan were intelligent beings that could speak.
The fourth was the most surprising of all. He had a mostly humanoid form, rearing a sleeveless red breastplate and baggy yelps greaves. He also had four arms, his skin light maroon in color. Four different swords were sheathed behind his back. Most bizarrely, his head was a square, each side presenting a similar face of different expressions.
"Pyrus Fourtress! Where'd he come from?!"
"And how did he get Cycloid back?"
"I won Fourtress in battle", Kyle answered. "And… Alice returned Cycloid to me after our battle." The disbelief of his audience was apparent, yet Cycloid's presence gave all the evidence his claim needed. "You want the truth? If you didn't hear the truth about the Bakugan from Alice, you'd have heard it from me. That's why I entered the tournament in the first place."
"Alice and I aren't officially allies, but we were on the same page. She knew she could trust me with Cycloid's fate. She knew I'd do what was right. So, here I am."
Kyle concluded his speech right after turning back to the crowd, an expectant look on his face. "We both trusted you all to do that same right thing. Were we wrong?"
Not even a heartbeat later, and the red haired teenager who'd been especially vocal before threw a blue orb through the entrance. After a flash of blue light, the serpentine form of an Aquos Abis Omega materialized. "Freedom!", he hissed.
If there was any doubt left in the crowd, that last second obliterated it, leaving only surefire knowledge of what to do. Scores of Vestals threw every Bakugan in their possession through the entrance, and the Bakugan began to appear with such speed, they had to rush away from the city just to make room.
Dozens, then hundreds, of Bakugan began retreating from the city at a rapid pace. They were all eager to escape the city that had been their prison and gladiatorial arena. It was a legitimate exodus of Bakugan.
Kyle relaxed, seeing that every Vestal in the crowd, even those who'd opposed getting the Bakugan on principle, had thrown their Bakugan to freedom. Peer pressure was a truly influential thing, and he'd just turned it to his side. Within moments, Alpha City was nearly devoid of Bakugan.
Kyle walked out of the city himself, moving away from the crowd of Bakugan. Cycloid and Fourtress readily followed him, something he took great pride in.
He had one last person to talk with. And as he had no idea when they'd leave, it was time-sensitive.
XXX
Prince Hydron was mad. Madder than he could ever remember being. More furious than he was at the Vexos's continued failure to bring Hydranoid and Drago to him.
And it was appropriate, at least it was to him. The Brawlers and their Vestal allies infiltrated the Alpha City colony, despite a humiliating defeat at his Vexos's hands at the outskirts. That should've at least delayed their entrance a few days, but they refused to be deterred. He'd been irked, but he already knew his enemies were determined to get in his way. It wasn't that surprising.
Then, Alice herself had entered herself in a royally sponsored tournament. Although he had a good laugh at the sheer audacity of her disguise, imitating Spectra to such a degree, he was all too aware of the amount of damage she could do between her matches. The re-emergence of the old Subterra Vexos was barely worth a passing mention in comparison.
Even worse was how Alice had called out Spectra, revealed Hydranoid in that confrontation… and actually beat him. His premier champion, the hurdle that was not meant to be overcome, the epitome of Vestal might. And he was beaten by one of his greatest enemies. Such a victory gave Alice a lot of influence with his people, and that was a travesty.
But the unequivocally worst part of this whole situation? When Alice told the people to set their Bakugan free, outside the city, they'd listened. And the Bakugan returned to battling form after they'd left the city.
There was only one explanation: the Dimension Controller had been hardwired into the emergency reduced range. A brief check with his engineers not only confirmed that, but told him that he and his people had been locked out of the system. So it couldn't be undone.
It was clear: he'd lost control of Alpha City, and the area around it. That wasn't just a travesty, it was a full blown disaster.
"SPECTRA!"
The entire team was kneeling in front of him, with their leader in front, Gus and Mylene at his sides behind him. At Mylene's other side was Shadow, and Lync and Volt were at Gus's other side.
Spectra's myth wasn't curved in either grin or frown as he answered. "Is something wrong, my Prince?"
" 'Is something wrong'?", the royal said, anger mixing in with his sarcasm. "How about the events with Alpha City's Dimension Controller? The field has been reduced to only encompass the city, and the people have taken nearly every Bakugan in there and let them go outside! The only Bakugan we have left are the ones owned by the Vexos and scientists! How could this happen?! How did the Brawlers even know to reduce the field?!"
Spectra was silent, not offering an answer. In truth, he was certain that he was at least partially to blame for what had happened. He'd openly pointed out to them that destroying the Controllers would have severe consequences that no one wanted, forcing them to think up an alternative. He'd meant that as a deterrent, to force them to back off from doing things their way and tempt Alice over to his side. He'd never dreamed they'd find such an ingenious workaround to the problem. The Bakugan were free, the people were safe, and they'd been disillusioned with the royal family's corruption all at the same time.
Not that Hydron needed to know his unwitting role in their plan, of course. It didn't help them in the least, and Spectra wasn't sure Hydron would let him stay in the Vexos if he knew that tidbit of information; Spectra was on thin enough ice as it was.
"I couldn't say, my liege", Spectra finally said. "I can only assume that our adversaries are far more resourceful than either of us had anticipated."
"Resourceful, indeed. And now they have more resources than ever." Hydron's tone was calmer, but his face still betrayed enough rage to make a rabid animal seem insufficient in comparison. "The people haven't just released their own Bakugan, Spectra. They've heard Alice's message, and are spreading it as far and wide as they can. Already, word has spread to Beta and Gamma, and it's only a matter of time before it reaches Vestal. And squashing the message is impossible because of how publicly it was given; thousands of Vestals were in the arena to hear Hydranoid firsthand. And if the people's initial reaction in Alpha City is any indication, we could be looking at a full blown civil revolt."
"The people would never revolt against the royal family", Mylene argued, astonished at the concept. "You are our rulers!"
"I thought that too", Hydron said. "But after seeing how eagerly the Bakugan were released, effectively spitting in my face, I wonder how well we truly know the people." Hydron stood up, his rage clear to see. "Enough! Who among the Vexos were stationed in Alpha City?"
Mylene raised her head ever so slightly. "I went back to Beta City to oversee their tournament. Shadow came with me. As far as I know, the rest stayed in Alpha City."
"Truly?", Hydron asked. "Anyone else care to correct Mylene, or is she correct?"
None of the Vexos said a word, though Shadow did gain a wide smirk and manic chuckle.
"I see." Hydron gained a maliciously gleeful grin. "Then it seems the command structure of the Vexos requires a total overhaul." His stare locked onto Spectra. "You may be the strongest of your team, Spectra, but Alpha City's disaster, not to mention your loss to Alice, has just proven that leadership takes more than strength. It takes cunning, precision, charisma. Not just raw power." He unlocked his gaze, focusing on the team as a whole. "Vexos, from here on, you will report to Mylene Farrow as team leader. Mylene, you may rise."
Mylene stood up, a prideful expression on her face. "I won't fail you, my Prince." She bent her body in a respectful bow.
Spectra made his mouth down in disapproval, but inside, he was cackling. 'Hydron thinks I lack cunning? He's just pushed me and my interests further out of his view. Without having to manage the Vexos, my personal work can accelerate fivefold. He's the one who lacks cunning!' His disapproval was part of the act, of course.
"One last matter to discuss", Hydron said. "Mylene, as leader, you need a vice to help manage the team. Spectra had Gus, but I suspect you have someone else in mind?"
"Do you have a preference?", Mylene asked.
Hydron shrugged, his hand twirling around his light green locks. "Shadow failed repeatedly in key battles, more than the rest of you, and the others failed at Alpha City. I'll leave picking out the best of the worst at your discretion."
Mylene needed only a moment to think up her best option. "Volt", she decided. Although she and Volt had a continued disagreement about whether a Bakugan was stronger conditioned or not, she'd be foolish to disregard his discipline. He was a loyal Vexos with good street smarts and impressive instincts. He was a fine pick.
"Very well", Hydron acquiesced. "Congratulations, Volt."
The Haos battler nodded in acknowledgement. Personally, he didn't want any more authority. But he would accept it.
"Now that the leadership problem has been solved, I expect your performance to improve." Hydron sat back down on the throne. "Let me make this clear: under absolutely no circumstances will you allow Beta City to fall like Alpha City has. Is that clear?"
"Crystal, your Highness", Mylene agreed. "Those upstart kids won't gain any more ground. I vow it."
Spectra, in the meantime, barely even processed Volt's promotion. He was already going over the events in Alpha City himself. Yet the lenses he reviewed them with weren't Hydron's, but his own perspective. The failures that he cared about.
'I underestimated Alice in our battle', he forced himself to admit. 'Significantly.' He'd already conceded to himself before that battle that Alice and Hydranoid had a definite power advantage over him and Helios. That, in a pure power contest, he'd lose. He tried to circumvent that by outthinking his enemy, and then by deploying his Bakugan Trap, but neither endeavor was successful. Alice was the one to outthink him, and her Bakugan Trap closed the gap that his Trap had provided. His defeat was absolute.
But it was far more than that. Alice hadn't just proven her superiority in battle, but also in her mental prowess. 'I still don't understand how she could have escaped my influence. It shouldn't be possible, and that only makes her a greater threat.'
Alice couldn't be defeated by standard methods, and even Spectra's more roundabout methods had only proven themselves an extremely temporary solution at best. There was only one solution: he, Spectra Phantom, would have to amass even greater power.
Fortunately, he knew exactly where to get it: the Perfect Core connection that Drago possessed. After examining Drago's battle data, he and his team had realized the connection could be exploited. All he had to do was acquire the Dragonoid for scanning. And that was doable.
'Alice may be an unassailable enemy, for now, but Dan Kuso isn't', Spectra thought with an internal chuckle. 'If I can force Dan into a confrontation - no, when I force him into a confrontation - I'll take Drago from him. And I'll have that access to the Perfect Core energy, even if I have to physically rip it out of that Dragonoid. Once I have that, Alice and Hydranoid won't even be relevant anymore. Then, I can proceed as planned.'
It was only a matter of time, and Spectra was willing to be patient.
XXX
After finally managing to get out of the city without being seen, using the same emergency escape route they used to enter the city, the Battle Brawlers finally allowed themselves to relax.
As soon as they exited the escape tunnel, they found all of the Bakugan on them glowing brightly, emerging to their true forms within seconds. Something they all found unsurprising, but absolutely delightful.
"Finally. To be free, outside of a battle", Hydranoid said, craning his three heads. "I've missed this."
"So have I", Leonidas agreed. He let out a small growl of contentment.
"This is what I came back for", Drago agreed. "To see all of New Vestroia returned to this state. And we're finally making progress."
"So it really worked", Mira said in wonder, seeing all the Bakugan freed from the Dimension Controller. A brief look around let her see a few other Bakugan - the ones daring enough to approach the Vestal city - in their true forms as well. "We've really secured the area around Alpha City for the Bakugan."
"I'm glad that my efforts worked", Marucho said. "I was worried I left them a loophole they could still exploit to reset the Controller. But if they haven't reset the Controller already, then I think our efforts were a success."
As the Bakugan, and even the Traps, marveled at their newly regained independence, a distinct three among them knelt down to the battlers.
It was the Atmos, Hyper Dragonoid and Clawcer won during the Bakugan tournament.
"May we have a word?", Atmos asked in a feminine voice. Hyper Dragonoid and Clawcer nodded in agreement.
"Of course", Alice agreed, speaking for the team. "I think I know what this is about, anyway?"
"That so?" It was Hyper Dragonoid that replied in a gruff voice. "Well, we'll say it anyway."
"We're grateful for your actions in saving us from our battlers", Clawcer said. "And we'd like to pay you back-"
"But we're not going to fight in your war", Hyper Dragonoid finished. "We just escaped this conflict, and none of us want to get dragged back into it."
"We'd rather return to our peaceful life in the liberated parts of New Vestroia", Atmos finished.
Leonidas scoffed. "And you think running away from the fight will save the rest of New Vestroia? You're weak."
Clawcer hissed. "We have full confidence in your abilities. I know you will succeed, with or without us. But we're not like you. We're not warrior Bakugan."
Nemus chuckled. "I don't know. I found you rather difficult to defeat." Nemus remembered having to nearly exhaust himself to gain an indisputable upper hand.
Hyper Dragonoid chuckle. "We're not warriors by choice. Our power and abilities are irrelevant; we'd rather avoid battling in general."
Elfin jumped up to them. "Come on. We need all the help we can get-"
"Leave them be", Ingram told Elfin. "We're fighting for our kind, the Bakugan, to be able to make their own choices. We should respect those choices."
"Agreed", Shun stated.
Atmos sighed. "Still, you returned to us our freedom. It feels like you are owed something from us."
"You don't have to worry about owing us anything", Dan told the three. "We're not looking for that kinda thing. Just stay out of trouble, and we're good."
Atmos nodded her head. "I thank you all for the freedom you've given us. Farwell!" She and Hyper Dragonoid spread their wings and took off, and Clawcer began scuttling away from the group.
"Farewell, my friends", Drago called. "Enjoy your freedom!"
Dan sighed. "I guess we can't expect everyone to be willing to fight with us."
"Of course, Dan", Drago confirmed. "The Bakugan are a peaceful race. Conflict goes against our nature."
Hydranoid glared lightheartedly at Drago. "For most of us."
"Yes, for most of us."
"We should be on our way back to base now", Shun said. "We need to move on."
The others, Bakugan and battler, all nodded agreement. The ones who could fly spread their wings to take to the air, and those that couldn't began to stride towards their trailer base. They only paused when a voice spoke to them.
"Can you hold on for a moment?"
Alice smirked, turning to face Kyle. "I thought you'd be here", she admitted.
Kyle took a brief look around Alice, seeing the people around her. "Shun, Dan and Marucho, I presume?" The Brawlers called out nodded in confirmation. "And the Vestals that won the tag team. I guess Runo and Julie couldn't make it."
"Unfortunately not", Alice agreed. "You can go ahead, guys. This won't take long." She gestured in the general direction of their mobile base, making her message clear.
Shun nodded, him and Intan leading the others way. Everyone followed him, except for a specific three headed Darkus Bakugan.
"I'll stay with you, Alice. Now and always", Hydranoid pledged, drawing an appreciative smile from the ginger.
Taking a brief look behind him, Alice saw the returned Cycloid and… "Is that Fourtress? Where'd you find him?"
True enough, Chan Lee's former partner stood at Cycloid's side, his neutral face being presented.
"I won Fourtress off a random battler who got a lucky acquisition", Kyle answered Alice's inquiry. "I thought recapturing him was my first real step to freeing the Bakugan. The beginning of the crusade. Shows what I know."
"Is something wrong?", Alice asked. An analysis of Kyle's disposition told her that something serious was on his mind.
Kyle smiled, but his eyes were downcast. "When I set out to free the Bakugan, I never expected to have backup. It was me and my Bakugan against the world. If I couldn't save the Bakugan, they wouldn't be saved by anyone." He took in a ragged breath. "And my plan? Win the tournament, beat Gus in a battle, and tell everyone about the Bakugan. I never even considered the Dimension Controllers as a factor. You showed me up at every opportunity."
"You could come with us", Alice offered. "You're a skilled battler, and we're not opposed to Vestal recruits."
"Even those with ties to the Vexos?" Kyle remark was emblematic of a serious psychological issue; it was obvious that he hated that past association.
Alice shook her head. "Mira's father is Professor Clay, and we took her in." Plus, her brother was Spectra, but Alice and her Bakugan were the only ones who knew that.
"The Professor's daughter? Really?" Kyle looked astonished for a moment, but regained control in a moment. "Still, I wouldn't be a good fit."
"Why not?", Alice asked.
"Didn't you hear me before? I'm no good with long term planning, or planning in general. Just look at my 'plan'; if you weren't here to pick up my slack, the Dimension Controller would still be fully operational, and, honestly, I might have lost my battle against Gus anyway." His eyes began to glisten, with tears starting to tail down his face. "I'm just glad… I'm glad the Brawlers are here, to succeed where I failed."
"You haven't failed yet", Alice argued. "You're strong, and you made the hard choice in leaving the Vexos to go against you. We really could use your help."
"I won't go with you", Kyle said with finality. "But that is why I'm here - to help you." He held out his hand, which Alice finally realized was holding a data chip. He offered the chip to Alice.
"What's on this chip?", Alice inquired.
"Information on the Vexos", Kyle answered. "I was on that team for a good, long while. There's lots of information on there that's not publicly known. Their backgrounds and personal histories before they joined the Vexos, for one. Their attitudes, psychological weaknesses, complete battling tactics. I don't have Gus on here, but I have the others."
Alice gasped, realizing the advantage it gave them. Even if the Vexos had updated their tactics since Kyle's time, that's still be able to glean their general battling styles. That would go a long way to predicting their moves before they made them. If need be, they could use their backgrounds to distract them, maybe even cause dissent in their ranks. "This is a huge help", Alice said. "Thank you."
"I'm not finished yet." With a wave of his hand, Cycloid and Fourtress stepped forward. "I won't join your fight, but they will."
Alice shook her head. "They chose to battle with you-"
"That's before I learned who you were", Cycloid spoke up. "Kyle's a nice gig, but he's always been temporary. If you can help me see Billy again, I'd choose you any day."
Fourtress didn't say anything, but he nodded his head, agreeing with the underlying sentiment.
Alice got the message. "I understand", she said. A sudden thought went by her. "Kyle, can I ask you something?"
"Ask away. What's it about?"
"Spectra." Specifically, the man behind the mask. "Have you ever seen him with his mask off? Has any of the Vexos?"
Kyle frowned, and shook his head. "No, not to my knowledge." He shrugged. "Gus was Spectra's stooge long before taking my spot, so I'd bet he knows. But that's it. I'm pretty sure even Hydron hasn't seen him without the mask. I'm sorry I can't tell you anything more."
"It's fine." Alice gave Kyle a thankful grin. "You gave me exactly what I asked for, and exactly what I needed. Thank you." It gave Alice an inclination of just how much he compartmentalized information, which would go a long way in aiding their attempts to assess his threat.
Kyle seemed confused, but he accepted Alice's response. "Glad I could help. Any reason you asked that?"
Alice felt an inclination to tell him the truth, that she'd stumbled upon Spectra's true face. It wasn't like he would spill the secret. But she chose not to. It wasn't her right to tell the secret to a near-total stranger.
"No reason."
"I doubt that", Kyle said. "But hey, I won't press the topic. It's your show now." He held up a hand and extended it toward Alice. "Good luck, Alice."
Alice held up her own hand, shaking Kyle's readily. "Good luck yourself."
Kyle gave Alice one last smirk, reminiscent of when they first met, and then he turned around, walking back to the city. As he paused Cycloid and Fourtress, he paused. "Take care, guys", he said gently.
"Take care, Kyle", Cycloid replied. "It's been grand, battling with you."
"I will not forget your kindness", Fourtress told the Vestal in a neutral tone.
Kyle flashed the two a genuine smile, before continuing his path. He didn't say another word.
Hydranoid fixed two of his three heads in the newly regained allies, the third continually looked around the general area. "Ready to get back to the others?"
"Oh yeah!" Cycloid hefted his club over his shoulder. "Let's get going!"
Using her transporter card, Alice got herself atop Hydranoid's central head within an instant. "Alright, follow us. Hydranoid?"
Hydranoid flexed all six wings, using them to propel himself into the air. He began flying in their base's direction, slowly enough to avoid losing Cycloid and Fourtress. The two bipedal Bakugan picked up a quick jog in order to keep up.
XXX
Far away from the battlegrounds of New Vestroia, in a completely different dimension, Runo and Julie were in their beds atop the Misaki Cafe. They were both in their nightgowns, hair down for bed and lying down, but their eyes were open. Neither felt any kind of inclination to sleep.
Runo, especially, was in a disturbed mindset. Now that her work for the day was over, and Julie's own tiredness had stopped the idle conversations, Runo was alone with her thoughts. And those thoughts inevitably went back to Dan.
' Runo was smiling as she and Julie sent Dan and Marucho off. "Don't think I'm not coming. I'll just wait for the next portal."
"Me too!", Julie cheered.
Dan nodded. "Didn't think you'd do anything else", he said. "See you on the other side, then." '
Runo sighed as her mind bid her to remember her last interaction with Dan. And now, weeks later, she missed him more than ever.
Runo was unendingly grateful that she and Dan weren't in the middle of a petty argument when he left, and that he departed on a good note with her. All too often, Dan and Runo found their similar natures clashing with each other over the stupidest things. With Dan gone, it really put things into perspective for her.
"Dan, please hold on. I'll get over to you, as soon as the Transporter is ready", she swore, not meaning to be heard. "I promise, I won't take you for granted anymore."
"You've got it bad, girl", Julie teased, her voice weary with the long day she'd experienced.
Runo jumped slightly, realizing she'd said that out loud. "Sorry", she apologized, turning her head to hide her small blush.
"You know the saying", Julie said. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?"
Runo nodded. "Right." The blush grew on her face, and became a shade darker.
Julie chuckled good-naturedly, satisfied at the success of her antics.
The pair's late night chat was interrupted when the sound of crackling bolts sounded through the room, like a lightning bolt.
The harsh sound alarmed both of them out of bed, and Julie shrieked fearfully. "What's happening?! A lightning storm?!"
Runo was also startled, but she quickly realized a possible explanation. A hopeful smile heaved her lips. "I don't know. It just might be…." Her voice trailed off.
Near the entrance to Runo's bedroom, a sound of thunder rang once again, at a lower volume. A human sized portal opened up, ripping a vortex through space.
Michael Gehabich walked through the portal, grinning widely as he saw Runo and Julie. "It's finally worked. It's good to see you two."
"Michael!", Julie cheered. "Does that mean the D.T. system is up and running again?"
"This was the test run", Michael said. "I just need to work out the final kinks. I'm ready for you."
Runo nodded. "We'll be ready to go in a few minutes. 'Alice… Tigrerra… Dan. We're finally coming. We're on our way.'
XXX
Night had fallen back on New Vestroia. The eve of the Vexos's first major loss, of the Bakugan's first major step towards freedom.
Once the six battlers had driven their trailer inside the range of Beta City's Dimension Controller, they retrieved their Bakugan and reconvened at their meeting center, for a final debrief of the Alpha City mission.
For the largest part of the debriefing, each of them detailed their own side of the plan, and how successful they were. Since almost everyone followed their rules to the letter, it amounted to Alice explaining just what had happened on her end.
First off, she decided to let the others know her revelations about Kyle's identity.
"Are you kidding?", Dan exclaimed. "He's a former Vexos?!"
"He also just exploited that connection to the greatest advantage he could ever give is", Alice added, choosing that moment to plug the data chip into the hologram projector.
Almost instantly, projections of the Vexos, barring Gus, appeared. Images of their old battling partners, lists of battling strategies, backgrounds, group cohesion, psych evaluations. Everything Kyle promised was there.
Marucho's mouth dropped; he was too amazed at all their new data to speak.
Shun nodded approvingly. "This'll help us a lot. Kyle's certainly proven that he's not like the other Vexos."
"Agreed", Mira stated.
After getting past that, Alice detailed exactly why she'd challenged Spectra to battle, instead of having put like the 'plan' detailed.
It was only really news to Mira and Baron. "So your little speech wasn't just a spur of the moment choice", said the former. "It was part of the plan. So was your challenge against Spectra."
"I don't really like that you kept it from us", Baron said. "The battle was amazing, don't get me wrong. But you couldn't have let us know?"
"Join the club", Dan grumbled.
Alice shot the two an apologetic glance before explaining herself. "Shun and I were worried you might try pulling me out yourselves, thinking we were too reckless. But it had to work."
"Just don't do it again", Dan said.
"But what was up during that battle, those first two rounds?", Baron asked. "It's like you were a totally different person!"
"In a way, I was", Alice said, barely louder than a whisper.
So Alice explained Spectra's attempt to brainwash her, turn her into a being with his mindset. And even how it worked, to a point.
Mira's eyes widened. "That must be what he did to Ace", she said. Alice nodded in agreement. "Then if you broke free, so can Ace. We can still get him back!"
"And rush into a trap, like last time?" Shun's rhetorical question curbed Mira's excitement. "I won't deny its possible. Just don't rush in and expect an easy job."
Mira nodded silently.
"Anything else?", Marucho asked.
Alice shook her head no, but she knew she was holding something back from the others: her final confrontation with Spectra. Her glimpse at the man behind the mask: Keith Clay.
But it wasn't time yet. She had to let Shun know first, then discuss exactly what else to tell Mira and the others. A wrong move could demonize their efforts significantly.
Accepting the end of the meeting, Mira immediately ruined Alice's still-developing plans. "Okay then. One last thing."
"What?", Shun asked.
Mira turned to Dan, throwing a red coin shaped Bakugan at Dan, who caught it with expert reflexes.
Dan examined the object, before his eyes dawned in understanding. "Is this what I think it is?"
"Everyone else here got a Bakugan Trap, so I figured I should give you one, too", Mira rationalized. "It's called Pyrus Scorpion. It's main strengths are in deflecting and magnifying the power of energy attacks, ally or enemy. I think he'd fit in well with your battling style."
"Wicked", Dan said.
"You should probably go a couple of practice rounds with Drago and Scorpion, just to make sure you know how best to use it when it really counts."
Dan nodded at Mira's reasoning. "Good call." His eyes flitted from teammate to teammate until settling on his choice. "Shun, wanna go a couple of training rounds?"
Shun nodded. "Let's go. No time to waste."
Alice internally cringed. If Shun would be battling Dan,it may take a while. And her plans would be heavily delayed at best. 'Should I tell someone else?" But there was no clear choice. Shun was her closest confidant - aside from her Bakugan, of course.
She'd have to hold off letting the others know entirely.
XXX
Minutes later, the six had vacated the trailer for the last time that day. Dan and Shun were standing opposite each other, with a wide enough gap between them to allow a battle. Their gauntlets were locked and loaded on their respective left arms.
"Ready to go?", Shun asked.
"You bet!", Dan replied. "Nothing like a good battle to work off some steam, and I've got lots of built up steam to work off."
"Indeed", Drago agreed.
"Go, Gauntlet Power Strike!" Dan and Shun's gauntlets shone red and green, respectively, starting their practice battle.
"Gate Card, set!" Dan threw down his card, barely containing his excitement for the coming battle. "Bakugan, brawl! Drago, stand!"
Within seconds, Drago was thrown on the card, and erupted into the majestic avatar of the Perfect Core. He reared back his head and roared loudly.
Shun smirked at Dan's eagerness, before throwing in his own Bakugan. "Bakugan, brawl! Ventus Ingram, stand!"
Accompanied by a mildly powerful fist of wind, Ingram's ball transformed into an avian humanoid with six wings, more than ready to take Drago on.
"Do your best, Masters Dan and Shun!", Baron cheered. Marucho grinned beside him.
"Let's brawl!", Dan and Shun shouted in unison.
In the distance, far enough to barely be seen by the others, Mira stood alone. She took deep breaths, staring at the rising moon, before looking down at her locket. A click, and Keith's likeliness stared back at her through the picture.
"Keith… what in the world happened to you?
She'd spent so long in Alpha City and all of the surrounding area with her new friends, and she still wasn't able to find Keith. No sightings, no whispers, not even any outlandish rumors that fit. It was like Keith really was wiped off the map of New Vestroia.
"He set out to free the Bakugan, just like me", Mira said. "So why didn't he show up during the Alpha City deployment? It's not like we were low profile; why wouldn't he set out to join up with us? Where could he have gone?
Mira wasn't just worried about her brother. She was distraught. She couldn't help but ponder her father's exact last words on the subject:
"He learned the truth, too. While we were still planning our colonization. It's why he left. I don't know what he was thinking."
'None of that means Keith chose to rebel', a traitorous part of Mira's suggested.
"Shut up", she told herself. "I don't need this."
"Mira, are you okay?"
Mira inhaled deeply, surprised that Alice approached her so very silently. But she was getting used to it. "I'm fine", Mira assured Alice.
Alice hardened her gaze, and shook her head. "No, something's big on your mind." A brief look at the locket told her all she needed to know. "You still miss your brother, don't you?"
"How couldn't I?", Mira replied. "He taught me everything I know about Bakugan battling, all the way down to coming up with a new combat style to play to my strengths. He's always been my rock, the more confident and dependable one" she bowed her head in shame, with tears rolling down her cheeks. "And then he ran away; he didn't even leave me a goodbye note. I thought he was trying to fight the New Vestroia occupation, but that just doesn't make sense anymore. And I can't find him no matter what I try to do to locate him."
Alice took in a ragged breath. It wasn't just Mira's tears or words that affected her; it was mostly her tone. Mira wasn't just upset. She seemed broken by her lack of knowledge. 'I don't know if she can keep going with this guilt.'
"Alice", Hydranoid said. It was only a single word, but the insistence behind it gave Alice the hidden message: Hydranoid was suggesting telling Mira the full truth, but he wouldn't go against Alice if she disagreed.
Fortunately for them both, Alice didn't disagree. Hearing Mira sound so broken, and seeing her tearing herself up, made the right choice clear. 'She needs closure on her brother.'
"Mira, I need a word with you."
Unconsciously desperate for anything to distract her from her self loathing, Mira was eager to meet Alice's gaze. "What is it?"
"There's one thing I left out in my report. I wasn't sure whether I should mention it, but you need to know."
"I'm listening", Mira promised. "What is it?"
"After my victory against Spectra, he confronted me in person." Alice fixed herself to match Mira's gaze. "It was a last ditch effort to bring me under his control. It resulted in me accidentally taking his mask off."
Mira was instantly alert. "Are you serious? You saw his face? Why didn't you tell everyone about it…." Mira's questions were stopped when she put the revelation into context: a talk about Keith. There was only one possible connection between Spectra's face and Keith that she could think up. "No… it can't be. Tell me it's not that…"
"It is", Alice confirmed, compassionate and sympathetic to Mira's plight. "Spectra Phantom is Keith Clay."
Even though she had started nursing the suspicion, Mira's face hardened to block out the shock. "No. It's not possible", she insisted. "I know Keith. He'd never do that. He's not a monster."
"I saw his face. I took off the mask myself", Alice said, fully expecting the denial. "I know what I saw."
"No, you don't!", Mira yelled. "You don't know anything!"
Alice pulled Mira into a hug. "I'm sorry", she whispered. "But I know who I saw. I wouldn't be telling you at all if I wasn't sure."
Mira's body shuddered with a sob, she leaned against Alice for comfort. Tears rained down, soaking both of their shirts.
Mira couldn't help the reaction; this was so much worse than Ace. At least with Ace, Mira could console herself on the basis that it wasn't Ace's choice. Ace was being controlled against his will, but Keith wasn't. Keith made the choice himself. Keith - no, Spectra - was pulling Ace's strings in the first place.
And the worst part? It fit entirely with what Mira knew of his disappearance. Keith disappeared after learning about the Bakugan's sentience, and that the Battle Brawler stories were true. A week later, Spectra Phantom had emerged in the Vexos's ranks. They both used Pyrus Bakugan. Their body shapes matched. Mira, in hindsight, could even detect similarities in how they threw their Bakugan. It fit perfectly.
In time, Mira calmed down as the shock eventually passed. She took a sharp inhale, and she stood back up. "Thanks for telling me", she said quietly. "I don't know how I didn't figure it out."
"No one wants to think ill of their friends and family", Alice said softly. "I'd know that much." It was partly how Masquerade could avoid suspicion within the Brawlers' ranks for so long. Even when Alice fell under the others' suspicion - and it did happen - they never seriously thought she was betraying them.
Mira figured out what Alice meant, and nodded in understanding. "I don't blame you. You've been nothing but honest here. Thank you."
"Do you want to let the others know?", Alice asked.
Mira thought about it for a moment, then shook her head. "Not yet", she requested. "I want to come to peace with this first. I don't want others' pity until then."
Alice nodded with the decision, deciding herself that she wouldn't be letting Shun know, either. At this point, it would mean betraying Mira's trust. "You're the one most affected by this. I'll trust your judgment." Alice took a few moments before making a request. "Now that you know that, I need to know if you have anything that could give us an advantage over Spectra. Is there anything you can think of?"
Mira shook her head. "I obviously didn't know my brother anywhere near as well as I thought."
Alice chose to accept that. It was obvious that Mira still had to fully process what Alice told her. She needed time.
And Alice would give her that time. Mira deserved that much.
XXX
The dense forests of Moscow, Russia have entered their long and prevailing winter. Although the sky was momentarily clear, with a bright yellow sun shining down, the countless pine trees were still snowcapped. Snow also covered the ground in a five centimeter layer.
In one of the few clearings of the forest, Dr. Michael Gehabich's private lab and cabin resided. Within the lab, the newly completed Dimension Transporter system sustained a portal large enough for three people to fit. Runo, Julie and the professor himself walked through the portal, reentering the laboratory.
Runo looked around the lab, surprised to see two other people. Each was wearing a dark blue suit with a distinct symbol on the coat pocket. "That's Klaus's family symbol. Who are these people?" As she spike, the portal that got the three to the lab steadily shrunk and closed behind them.
"Assistants", Michael answered. "Klaus invested heavily on my project, and he sent these two to aid me with the final stages of the reconstruction."
Julie nodded energetically, eager to move on. "How long until we can go to New Vestroia?"
"Just a few minutes", Michael said. "I thought it best to bring you here while conducting our intradimensional transport test."
Julie gained a confused look. "Uh… what?"
Michael sighed, equally disconcerted and pleased to have a guest that, for once, wasn't already aware of the intricacies of instant transportation. "The D.T. system isn't rocket science, Julie; it's significantly more complicated. While my device is designed to open a portal between two dimensions, it can also open transport things within this dimension as well. And the latter is both simpler and less energy-efficient. I had to ensure the device could open a stable portal within this dimension, before trying to open a portal to a different dimension."
Runo nodded slowly, trying to process Michael's words. "I think I get it. And you just need a few minutes to make sure you can get us to New Vestroia."
"That's right." Michael turned to his assistants. "Go ahead."
"Yes, professor." The two assistants immediately began working the controls, following their boss's instructions in finishing the device.
Runo smiled at her best friend's grandfather and guardian. "Thank you for doing this for us, Michael."
"I should be thanking you." Michael turned to his rebuilt creation. "My granddaughter is in another dimension, and I'm not fit to follow or aid her. You're willing to go, without any hesitation. I owe you both far more than I could ever repay for that alone."
"No problem!" Julie struck a cheery grin. "Anything for a Bakugan Battle Brawler, and anything for the Bakugan."
"We should probably go over what we know of New Vestroia's current state. I don't want you walking in blindly", Michael said. His skin went somewhat pale, just enough that Runo dismissed it as a trick of the light. "The planet itself is still intact, but the Bakugan have been restrained and enslaved by a technologically advanced alien humanoid species. The rest of the Brawlers are on the other side, possibly fighting them alone." He took in a sudden, and alarmingly sharp, breath. Runo averted her stare to look at Michael in reaction. "While New Vestroia's unique energy field has been dampened, I assume by Vestal technology, in the past hours, the dampening has diminished in-"
Michael was fully interrupted by himself, as he let out a series of loud and borderline violent coughs. He bright hos have to his mouth, and doubled over in a sudden reaction to… something. He brought his hand slightly down, and the girls could see the unmistakable crimson droplets of blood.
Runo and Julie were instantly alarmed. Within a minute, Dr. Gehabich had went from seemingly normal to reacting to some kind of horrible disease. It was enough to give them both whiplash, but their immediate concern was the doctor.
"Professor!" One of the assistants rushed over, helping Michael over to a nearby passed chair. "Are you alright?"
Michael reclined in his seat and forced himself to look at his two guests. All around his neck, blood vessels had gained a purplish hue. "I thought I'd have more time before this happened", he said in a half whisper.
"Michael… what happened to you?", Runo asked. "Are you sick?"
Michael nodded. "Sick…." His voice was weak and hoarse. "I think a better word would be 'poisoned'." Already, the purple hue in his blood vessels began to die down and recede, but Runo had no doubt that they'd return.
"The first time it happened was nearly a month after the Bakugan left." Michael kept talking, insisting on telling Runo and Julie. "It was barely a cough, except for a few drops of blood. I didn't know what it was, or if it would happen again."
"When did it return?", Julie asked.
"Four weeks to the day. And it was more painful", Michael said. "I got myself examined after that." He looked helplessly at the assistant who aided him.
The assistant sighed, then spoke. "On a biological level, we couldn't find any kind of ailment or malady that could've caused those symptoms. But… on a closer examination, we found his cells decaying at a rapid rate, as if he'd been heavily mutated on the cellular level. Closest match is exposure to highly radioactive materials."
"Radiation?", Julie asked. "How? Your device doesn't have that kind of stuff!"
Michael shook his head. "It's not radiation. It's negative energy." He bowed his head. "Naga and Hal-G left their mark. I was exposed to far more negative energy than is safe for humans. My body is slowly dying."
Runo took in the words, then her eyes widened in alarm. "Wait. You weren't the only one exposed to that negative energy. What about Alice-?"
"No. She's not suffering from this", Michael assured adamantly. "She would have told me if she was exhibiting those symptoms. I don't know if it was her younger body adapting to it better, or her being exposed to less negative energy, or a combination of the two. Regardless, the only aftereffects she was experiencing were psychological scars."
Runo sighed in relief. "At least there's that. How long do you have left?"
"Not long." Michael was morbid. "The last episode was four days ago, and this was the most violent one yet." His face betrayed a miserable regret. "I had hoped to be able to see Alice one last time. Now, it seems rebuilding my D.T. system will be one of the last things I do."
"Does Alice know?", Julie asked.
"No." His eyes glistened with barely restrained tears. "I wasn't expecting her trip to New Vestroia. I thought I'd have more time to explain it all to her…." He laughed mirthlessly. "I guess I ran out of time."
"Michael…"
"Professor?" The other assistant, who remained working on the system, pulled back from the controls. "It's ready."
The scientist turned to Runo and Julie. "And now, I've run out of time again." He slumped. "Please… tell Alice that I love her. That I'll always wish the best for her. In case I don't…." He made a choking sound. At first, Runo and Julie were alarmed, but they realized he was merely choking back a sob. "In case I don't see her again."
Runo solemnly nodded. "We'll tell her. I swear it."
Michael sighed, contentment joining the emotions on his face. "Good. Good." He waved his hand, signaling his assistants. "Send them through, please."
"Yes, Professor." Inputting a few more commands into the console, and the D.T. system sparked to life, opening a portal to New Vestroia.
Runo and Julie stepped forward, side by side, so they'd only need a short leap to enter the wormhole. "Ready, girl?", Julie asked.
"Let's go", Runo said.
The two Brawlers made a short leap, and disappeared from the face of the earth. The portal quickly ferried them to New Vestroia.
XXX
Back at the Brawlers' campsite on New Vestroia, the sun had fully set. Although the night was still young, the starlit sky made clear that it was undoubtedly nighttime.
The six battlers had congregated in the area right in front of their trailer. Dan and Shun were still going with their "training" battle, and the rest were watching on.
In the battle itself, four different Bakugan were engaged at once. Drago and Ingram were already in the air, hovering slowly and ready to begin a real aerial battle. On Ingram's side, Hylash was present at a lower elevation. And on Drago's side was a Pyrus Bakugan with six arachnid legs, two claws, a scorpion tail and a back that folded back to reveal satellite enhancers.
"Kick it, Drago and Scorpion!", Dan called, shouting out a combination attack. "Double Ability Activate! Burning Dragon plus Satellite Impact!"
The lines on Drago's new wings started to light up bright orange, the most common color of fire. He opened his mouth, forming an orange fireball within it. He aimed the fireball directly downward, right at his new ally, and let the fireball fly.
Within an instant, the fireball struck Scorpion's back. Instead of exploding into a firestorm or even causing any damage, it stuck itself to the satellites attached to Scorpion. Unbelievably enough, the fireball swelled in size and increased its heart and intensity, as the satellites enhanced Drago's attack to its very limits.
Ready to unleash the enhanced fireball, Scorpion sent out bursts of flames at Ingram and Hylash simultaneously. Flame meteors shot out of the larger fireball, slowly reducing its size with forming it into a barrage of smaller fireballs.
"Evasive action!", Shun called out.
Ingram and Hylash immediately moved, flying in random and sporadic paths to avoid the fireballs. Flames streaked past them, leaving the Ventus Bakugan with vague impressions of the overall heat.
The only exceptions to those were two firebombs that actually got their marks, leaving Ingram and Hylash slightly scorched, but nowhere near done. After that, Scorpion's borrowed flames sputtered out, and the stalemate resumed.
"Nice work, you two!", Dan praised. "I can definitely work with this, Scorpion."
"Then are you ready to call it here?", Shun asked.
Dan nodded in agreement. "As much as I'd like to finish this, it's been a long day. Drago?"
"Well done, Ingram", Drago congratulated his sparring partner. Both they and their aids shrunk down and reworked to their battlers.
Marucho smiled approvingly. "That was very impressive indeed. I'd say that Dan, Drago and Scorpion make a pretty great team."
At his side, Baron waved enthusiastically. "Great job, all of you!"
"Okay, everyone calm down", Alice said. And they all listened. "We've all had a long day. While it's good to work ourselves out before turning in, working ourselves up is completely different. And we could all use some rest."
"Yeah, I guess you're right", Dan acceded. "No point getting too excited now. We can train a bit more tomorrow, right?" At everyone's questioning looks, he really explained himself. "Hey, I just had one battle with Scorpion, and it was interrupted. Shouldn't we practice more?"
"That makes sense", Mira agreed. "No such thing as too prepared."
"Tomorrow." Shun repeated Alice's claim, with an insistent edge to it. The others quickly agreed, entering the trailer base one by one.
Shun didn't enter the trailer, and when Mira passed him, he held an arm out to halt Alice.
The orangette got a questioning look. "What is it, Shun?"
"I saw you talking with Mira during my battle." Shun's amber eyes gazed at Alice's auburn irises. "Why does she go off on her own so much?"
Alice collected her thoughts, before giving an answer that was both accurate, and not giving away her and Mira's newly shared secret. "Mira sometimes gets distraught over her missing brother. I try to help by talking with her, and just being there. It's a bit of a sore topic with her."
Shun nodded his understanding. "Anything I should know about?"
"No, nothing." 'Except that Mira and I know who Spectra really is, and we're keeping it from you on purpose.' Alice immediately stamped down the thought before it could register on her face, and her expression didn't change an iota.
Shun shrugged. "Alright, then. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
The two unofficial leaders walked into the trailer and made their way to Theriot separate dorms. As Shun entered his room, Alice crashed on her bed, feeling just a bit worse in hiding information from Shun.
But nobody in that base had any idea just how much they didn't know. Runo and Julie were on their way to New Vestroia, and they'd light the beacon for yet another explosive confrontation with the Vexos.
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:
Enigmus-288: A few of the hyper loyalists would be hesitant, but the Vestals aren't a malicious people. Besides, peer pressure is a powerful incentive.
Alice Gehabich: I actually wrote the Prince Hydron scene after reading your comment. And I agreed, a temper tantrum is both hilarious and appropriate.
Mike: I sincerely hope that I can keep your interest.
Until next time, goodbye!