I don't own Bakugan and have made no money from this.

New Surroundings

The blinding light that caused Alice to close her eyes during their travel through dimensions and space had passed and her eyes fluttered open. She gasped at the view around her and clung to Spectra for fear of this new land. Even if he had brought her here, she would trust him more than the others who were there, at least for the time being.

The buildings reminded her of Tokyo and what the future might hold for the bustling city where her friends resided. She missed them and she leaned into Spectra more as she felt a wave of loneliness hit her.

He grinned at her clinging so tightly to him and decided to let go of her hair since she obviously wasn't going anywhere.

"Why did you take me? What do you have to gain?" She demanded, her voice belying her terror.

Silence was the only answer she received.

They headed towards the castle where Spectra and the other Vexos stayed. Alice never heard an answer from him and watched as the people they passed greeted Spectra with such reverence. She stayed close to him and held the coat tighter. She could run, but where to? Everyone loved him and the Vexos. Her best bet to getting home was to sit and wait. Dan and the others would have to face the Vexos eventually.

'Stop worrying. You know you loved it when he was pulling your hair. Why would you want to run from him?' A dark voice in her head commented. She frowned at that voice, telling her other self to kindly shut his mouth. Masquerade was having none of it though. He continued to tell her how bad she supposedly wanted the golden haired Vexo next to her. 'Why can't you just shut up and leave me be for a bit? I need to think and you are not helping!' She angrily thought.

She was snapped out of her mental conversation when they stopped in front of a door. She looked up at Spectra and caught him smirking at her.

"I see you've finally snapped out of your thoughts. I would have thought you would try to run by now." He grinned.

Alice's cheeks turned pink and she stared back at the door in front of her. Spectra opened the door and the lights flicked on upon recognizing his DNA signature. He pushed Alice inside and she stumbled in before turning to look at him curiously.

"Shouldn't I be in a cell or interrogated? Shouldn't I be in front of your prince and begging for my life?" She asked.

Spectra sat down in a black leather chair. "Trust me. You will be begging soon enough. I can put you in a cell if you want, but really why sacrifice the comforts of a warm bed?" He grinned at her.

Alice shivered under his gaze and took in the room. His bed was large with clean red sheets that appeared to be satin or silk and appealed to the Pyrus brawler. Her eyes scanned over the various books on his tall shelves and various schematics posted on his bulletin board. She walked over to one and giggled.

He raised an eyebrow and walked over. "What is so funny?" He demanded.

Alice smiled up at him. "You're equation is wrong right here. This needs to be a p to the third power." She pointed at it and Spectra's eyes widened.

She was right. He yanked on her crimson tresses once more and growled in her ear. "Listen here, girl. I did not ask for your approval of my plans, and since you are so smart, you will help me with making Helios stronger and defeating your precious Dan Kuso." With that, he let go and shoved her to her knees, enjoying the vision of her greatly, though his mask would not show it.

Alice held her head where he had pulled and her knees reddened at the sudden burn of his white carpet. Her dress splayed out against the carpet and showed off her legs a little more. She looked up at him, her heart pounding, and Masquerades sexual comments surfaced once more.

Spectra wondered what had caused the girl to suddenly turn another shade and sat back in his chair. He opened a drawer and pulled out a black leather collar.

"Come here now, girl." He ordered.

She glared at him even though his tone said he would not take any disobedience. She stayed seated on the floor. Spectra growled once more, signaling his displeasure at her sudden boldness.

"I will not ask again." He warned.

Still she did not move. Spectra got up and was about to punish Alice when his communicator informed him he was to go meet with his father and the other Vexos. He walked over to the computer, pressing a few codes in before addressing the redhead.

"I have programmed the room to only let me in or out so you will be here until I return. We will finish this when I return." Making sure it sounded like a promise of something sinister, he turned and left.

Alice wondered exactly what she had gotten herself into and how stupid could she be to have fallen so easily into the enemy's hands.

I was really surprised at the positive responses I received. Thank you. I know this isn't that juicy, but next chapter should prove to be enlightening for Alice. I am trying to put a little more character into them as my start was so boring.

Quick question: Why is it that authors think by putting Japanese into their stories, it makes them sound better?

I started to read one story and 5 chapters in the author stuck Japanese in there and offered no translation. I actually stopped reading because it was so distracting. (I do understand Japanese.)

I understand the thought process, but let me make this comment: Japanese is great and all, but it should be used when the characters are trying to keep something hidden from someone who doesn't understand the language. If it's just there, it's going to confuse a reader who does not understand it.

Sorry. Just my thoughts on this matter, and trying to help a few other authors out.

~Rain