Author pow:
Hello again everybody. as I said (wrote?) in the last chapter, I was looking for reviews from you. And as a proper writer, I wilk respond to them here:
Guest - Thank you for appricieation! Hope you'll stay and perhabs even check other stories if you found something worth your time.
P.S. Impressive reading speed!
StrategicChamp: Thanks for words of encouragement! I took your words about treatment of the sidecast and put them into decent use. But as for questions you posted, I'll handle them in a diffrent form:
1 - Adam... Yeah, I mismanaged him. And the worst part is that it's situation with Shun all over again (Put in random stuff without thinking just to move story forward.) for which I apologise. As for his bakugan, my plan is to not give him any, since my way of writing has a rule that "Giving an 'X' to everybody because I can isn't a good idea and is also unoriginal.". I mean, look at this that way: Adam has more of agressive meele fighting style and giving him what essentialy gives him option to have a 'pupeteer/summoner/strategist' fighting style isn't quite in-character. Blake? A fighter heavly focused on sneak factor and dodging, bakugans allow her to fight from safe range. Emerald? Same, but with ilusions partially replace dodging. But Adam? A 'Act first' type of fighter who wouldn't dare to spend five second to something first outside of utilising suprise factor? My logic might be wrong but I just don't see how this would work in the story.
P.S. - On my defence, I just had to do something with Adam because leaving him in prison for the rest of the story, where he does absolutely nothing, would be just a troublesome plothole. So giving him a 3-grade of importance in the last minute is absolutely better, I promise.
2 - Salem's Grimm army? No thanks. As much as there is the story-confirmed posibility of having bakugans be 'fused' with Grimm (Thursly becoming such but in disguise.), making an actual army of them wouldn't work since there isn't that many bakugans just laying around to take and do some freaky mystical stuff with. Besides, I doubt Runo, Shadow and others would even concider to accept such offer. Salem might be very strong and influencial, but she isn't infinite in her ability to pressur her minions. If she went for a thing so many of them have in high regard as their bakugans, they would just rebel and leave her. (Side note - Salem isn't stupid and knows this.) So I have to pass on this one.
3 - Idea of Blake being protective over Ravenoid would fit her... If I haven't solved this issue earlier with Maken jumping all over her because he also needs to cope with it. (Remember why he doesn't have Manion with himself.) I mean, she does fear this loss (Like all bakugan brawlers with mental connection to them.), but it isn't that paralyzing fear that could make her say stuff like - I quit! I'm not going there! - or simply. - I won't risk that much. - But the idea is good and I'll try to employ it in a reasonable way if it fits the moment, thanks for that.
And now, for the 'Second season'... Sort of.
Narrator pow:
- So, is everything with you and Volt alright? - Blake asked Maken as he came out of the conference room at the CCTV tower and met with her at the corridor before it.
- We had a... Talk. Talk like grown adults do. - Maken responded with careful voice, walking up to her into the breathing distance. - In the end, we both had the same goals but diffrent approaches. - He smiled, putting his hands together at his front.
- Great to hear it. - Blake smiled likewise, taking her hands on her back and blinking her eyes. - Having all things go off the rails just before the critical step would be...
-... Fatal. - Maken ended the phrase, giving her a loose hug. - But since you mentioned it, we might aswell already go to Arena One and take our places. The ceremony is beginning quite soon. - He added, turning her around and leaving with her at his side towards the stairs.
Velvet pow:
- What can I say... This was suprisingly calm if you ask me. - I said, taking a deep breath as I closed the door after Maken to have a private talk with Volt.
- Suprisingly? I'll say big no on this one. - Volt said in response without enthusiasm as he took a sip of icy water.
- I guess... You're right on this one. Maken isn't a person to make unproportional responses. At least not when third party is involved. - I noded, allowing myself to pet Tigrera in my hands.
- I guess so... - Volt responded with serious glare. - At least now we can focus on actually important goals and put some trust into eachother. Lync is the next one at this line, but I'm sure he learned his lesson by now. - He added, making a hopeful smile as he stood up from his chair and walked to the doors, me following shortly after.
Emerald pow:
- Have you learned a thing or two lately? - I asked Lync, keeping him within my arm's lenght during our walk to the Arena One since that's what I was supposed to do.
- I hope so, I don't know if what I learned is the one that thing that I had to- - He responded with troubled face before I put my finger near his mouth to make him stop talking.
- And that's where you're wrong. - I calmly retored, taking my hand back to myself. - It's not that you don't know, it's that you never tested it in practise. I mean, did you even tried? - I asked him, making his Eyed go up and wide.
- Maaaayyy... - Lync initialy responded, but was seemingly stopped by some inner realisation. - ...Ehh, I didn't. And I need your help to pass it. - He said, his voice showcasing his defeat.
- In that case changing necessity to change from defeat to opportunity is a first step boy. - Fly Beetle joined the conversation, helping me with his ways of mental training. - Now let's go meet with the others. Being on time to the ceremony would be a step number two in this case. - He added before the group went towards said place with full understanding.
Chan Lee pow:
- Any thoughts so far? - I asked Sebastian as we walked down the street to the ceremonial proclamation of our new kingdom. - I mean, a lot of things happened since we arrived here...
- Actually, I have a few. But I'll rather save them for myself. - Seb responded, keeping his usual calmness.
- Oh come on! You could share with me at least one, right? - I asked him in a persistant way, leaning on his shoulder and squeezing it to myself.
- Do I? - He asked in return, his face taking a turn to unsure.
- Yes. I mean, we are so close to eachother and would never turn on the other's back, right? - I asked again, now moving my head forward to make his keep his eye contact.
- Alright, alright. I have one. - Seb finally gave up, lightly pushing me away so I wouldn't make his arm suffer. - I'm quite glad to be here. - He said, making me suprused.
- That's it?! You're- - I shouted at him, baffled by his words.
- Nonono, let me end. - He cut me soon enough to avoid my rant, taking a deep breath afterwards. - I'm glad to be here. With you, Hydranoid, others... And I feel the same about this place. Menagerie, Kuo Kuana, Bakugan City... I'm just glad to be in such good place at good time and with good people. - He smiled, making me shed a tear out of greatfulness.
- Heheh... Thank you! - I shouted at him before jumping on his shoulders, almost making him fell on the ground.
- Hydranoid... Help... - I heard him whisper as I hugged him tightly.
- Nothing I can do Seb. Having a girlfriend isn't a half-time job. - His guardian responded, making all four of us (Fourtress also was here.) laugh.
Narrator pow:
- Is everyone here? - Volt asked, checking whenever or not the group arrived to the initial meeting place in the entry hall that led to specifically added for this day stand from which the public speeches were to be delivered.
- I'm here! - Lync shouted in hurry, dragging Emerald behind him like a pillow.
- Right on time pal. Now... - Volt said to him before checking how the attention looked with the others. -... Now that everyone's here, let us present the plan. As Ghira, Kali, Maken and Blake go to the rostrum, we take places on sides. - He said, giving the nod to Adam so he could continue.
- From left to right in perspective of crowd we will stand like this: Me, Velvet, Volt, Lync in the doorframes, Emerald, Sebastian, Chan. We walk in with the speaking comitte and leave after them for security measures. - He said, seeing the ruling pair of Chieftains approaching them. - No need to say more, let's do what must be done. - He ended his part as the whole group went outside as soon as the four people coming to actually say something came to the room.
- Ready? - Maken asked Blake, holding her hand like a gentleman.
- I am, I am. Thanks for asking. - She responded, slightly blushing as they came out of the room and into the inner stadium where everything was prepared for the speech.
- Alright, Ghira begins. After him I have my turn to talk.- Maken thought as he and Blake took their place behind Blake parents who were agreed earlier to be first to speak.
- Hmph, hmph. - Solid sounds from Ghira's throat sounded across the arena, silencing the noisy crowd and earning their attention. - May I speak now? - He asked them with reyhoritac question.
- Yes! Speak to us our King! - The crowd replied in unision, making everyone on the rostrum smile.
- Then I'll speak, since that's the people's will. - Ghira said, cleanin his throat before beginning his speech. - As many of you know, this island was granted to us after the Great War to have all of us who wanted to be alone grant this wish. - He said, lustrating the crowd for any spontanic reaction. - But the world went on, Grimm keeps pushing, Four Kindgoms are either failing at doing their job of protecting their people or just don't want to do it, pushing problem of whole Remnant onto other's shoulders. But is it right? - He asked at the end of this part, recieving a loud 'NO!' from the crowd. - Exacly! It is not, just as you say! And therefore I, as your ruler choosen by blood and respect your ancestors gave mine ancestors, I will do your wish and make Menagerie a savior of whole Remnant against wishes of old intrest groups and people who want to keep us under with violence. We will fight back, but we won't be doing it for racial supremacy or world domination as our enemies want others to see us as, but in civilized ways that our enemies decided to forget and deform for their own amusement and intrest. - Ghira keeped speaking, making eyes of the crowd go wide and their mouths open in astonishment.
- Damn, am I a populist now? - Maken asked himself at the back of his head, observing his King go too accordingly to the script.
- And therefore I announce to Remnant and it's people, because divide between humas and faunus if a farse: One Remnant for one kind in one kingdom, our humankind in Kingdom of Remnant! - He ended his speech with effective but indecisive fist dropped against the table, earning enthusiastic shouts and cheers from the listeners. - Now however I will not stay with empty words, because I present to you a new princely couple: Maken Pedington and Blake Belladonna. - He added after the crowd went back to listening him and Kali granting the pair behind them grey bands with red stripe to their left wrists. - And now, the speech from our Prince, come here, Maken! - He then added with a near party-like attitude, him and his wife allowing the pair of their daughter and publically proclaimed husband to enter the stage with thunderous applause.
- Thank you, thank you! Please don't make your princess embarrassed. - Maken said at the beginning of his part, silencing the crowd and letting Blake to squeeze him from his left side. - As you may already know, we have a goal to unite whole Remnant and obliterate Grimm from this world once and for all. In fact, I'm sure you all saw many steps we did on the way to prepare for it. - He said, beginning his actual speech. - Therefore I need you all to stay united with eachother and us, because the history knows endless examples of small obstacles ruining great projects that could change the world. - He added, patting Blake's head with his left hand. - We will move forward, we will do great things and we will made Remnant a better place! But we will do it together. Not alone by side by side, just like me and Blake, a human... And a faunus. Because in the eyes of greater evil we were, we are and we will be always the same, and what we are in it's eyes? I'm sure all of you know the answer already. - He continued, making the crowd grant him his full support and overall endorsment of his position. - And now that the goal is both clear and simple, I have one more question: Who, do you want, to hear? - He ended, asking the crowd to see if they have more people to tell them things.
- We heard everything! Long live Remnant! - The crowd shouted back, making him sigh with relief as he went away from the microphone, Blake following after him.
-That went faster than I expected. - Blake commented, suprides by the turn of events.
- I know my dear, but this ceremony was meant to only finish the formalities and it did just that. - Maken smiled in response, giving her a one-armed hug as they went back to the outer corridors of the arena. - I do wonder what others think...
Narrator pow:
- It would still be wiser if the lamp went to Atlas. We have no idea about how Maken and his group can provide necessary security for the relic. - Ozpin said, defending his decision from the rest of the group during the sudden split up after Menagerie proclaimed itself as an actual kingdom.
- What about Blake then? Shouldn't we... - Ruby tried to counter his statement, but was abruptly interrupted by Weiss.
- I hate to remind you this, but Blake has just become a heiress of a country that wants to conquer whole Remnant. And, as Ozpin just said, we have no idea what her fiance plans to do with it. - Weiss said towards her with unrelenting voice making Ruby take a step back.
- Sorry sis, but Weiss is right. - Yang added, crossing her arms on her back and making sorry face. - In case we haven't told you earlier, last time Maken was publicly in Vale he beated up me and Weiss for no reason other that his paranoia.
- Then how about we vote over this issue? One vote, one person. - Shun said, taking his turn to speak and acting accordingly to Skyress's advices. - People who prefer Atlas stay near Oscar, those in favor of Menagerie stay with Ruby. - He added, then moving towards Oscar as other group members also took their sides.
- And? - Nora asked after everyone took their sides, ending in a fact that Ruby and Jaune were the only people favouring the Menagerian option, the rest staying with Ozpin.
- It is settled then, majority voting doesn't lie. - Ren said with judgemental tone, making two opposing group members lower their heads as they unverbally admitted to follow their plan of operation.
Runo pow:
- Komba? Are you there? - I asked throu my scroll as I had a talk with my acolyte due to emergency situation.
- Yes I did. And I don't like it in the slightest! We need to act faster to accumulate more power and crush their puny hopes! - Short Ventus brawler shouted, making his concerns hearable.
- Don't worry, Mistral is too much of a failed state to let some culturally alien group to just be their new overlords. - I comforted him with the obvious answer, meanwhile looking at the pictures of the relic we had to steal. - But sooner than later it will all be done...
