Chapter 11 - Beta City

I have to admit that I'm excited about this stage and the next, as I've been waiting to get to this point since the first volume. But I'm going to the University in another ten or twenty days. I'll let you know when I'm fully settled.

Thank you and happy reading. Btw, off-topic, I'll ask you since I'm not sure, should I put the chapter with Fox's latest situation a chapter or two later, or should I put it further ahead?

***

"Wow! The desert looks so tiny from here!"

Siren was watching from the window of the landing ship. Her pink hair was spread out, and the visor's strip-like lines moved from side to side. An excited smile was plastered on her lips.

James, balanced on her shoulder, sighed softly. It really did look mesmerizing, but his mind was elsewhere. He was trying to make sense of the system becoming increasingly corrupted.

According to what Fox said, the system was integrated with him and designed to operate accordingly. However, right now, almost the entire system seemed faulty except for minimal support! He couldn't even see his stats.

Only the module screen with glitches would open. The sudden malfunction was troubling him.

While Siren was having fun, and James was lost in his thoughts, Volt's eyebrows were furrowed. As they headed towards the headquarters, or rather Beta City, he was contemplating the decision he had made.

***

After taking Brontes from Siren, Volt crossed his arms over his chest and wore a thoughtful expression. He tapped his fingers on his arm, squinted his eyes, and looked at James and then at Siren.

"So, in conclusion, you want to join the Vexos, right?"

Siren nodded several times and hopped forward like a rabbit.

"Of course! The dark side has never been this intriguing."

Volt stared blankly at her.

"...What?"

Siren spun gracefully and pointed at Volt with her index finger. Though her usual cheerful demeanor remained, her words were like sharp blades reminding of reality.

"Is it a lie? You are the ones hiding that Bakugan are intelligent life forms. Yet, you're still trying to stop the Bakugan Resistance."

Volt, frowning, replied, "I only follow orders." He added, "If that's the case, then why do you want to join?"

Siren sighed lightly and jumped back.

"Because my mom works on your side. Even if our ideas don't match, family ties and all, you know?"

Volt was caught off guard by the answer. "Your mom?" he asked. Brontes mocked, "So you're breaking your principles for family ties~?" James, with a sharp tone, responded:

"Shut up, clown. This is between them." James' voice was sharp. Everyone had their own reasons, and he didn't like this clown meddling in his affairs.

"Just because you beat me by luck, don't think you're something special, lizard," Brontes retorted, while Volt ignored their bickering and looked at Siren's visor covering her eyes.

"It's clear that not just anyone can join the Vexos at will. Especially someone as unreliable as you," he paused. Before he could continue, James interrupted:

"But you can help us join. Didn't Spectra Phantom provide a reference for his own mole?" he asked.

James couldn't deny that Gus was a good fighter. However, he was sure there were many other fighters shining in tournaments with their own experience. Even if there were factors unknown to James, this reference must have sped things up several times. He was sure of it.

Volt didn't respond. He looked at James for a moment, feeling a sense of familiarity from his way of speaking, then turned his gaze to Siren. "So, you want me to be your reference?" he asked.

Siren didn't even know such a scheme was in play but quickly masked her surprise and nodded in her usual manner.

"Yep! Since I could beat a Vexos, I should at least be accepted, right?"

***

"We're almost there, behave!" Volt grumbled. In response, Siren stuck out her tongue but sat down as he said.

She and James watched the city they arrived at from the window. The scene before their eyes had long changed to a vast ocean. Some fish(?) were jumping around, creating a pleasant sight.

James had thought New Vestroia was simply a place inhabited by Bakugan. However, it was clear that wasn't entirely the case. Considering the forests, it was normal. He thought it was one of the side effects of Drago's efforts to create an ecosystem, even if he didn't intentionally create it as the perfect core.

Strange as it was, it made sense.

The city was as modern as Alpha City. He could see the buildings of the city through the window, but it was clearly less populated than Alpha City. The excitement and joy were less in Beta City. From what Siren had told him, Beta City was a place the Vexos preferred to reside in.

So, in simple logic, there was a hierarchical city system.

Alpha City was more of a populous city with the common folk. Beta City was more populated by the wealthy. Gamma was entirely dedicated to the royal family and Vexos.

These facts aligned with James' conclusions. Even the Vexos assigned to the cities felt like proof of this.

Meanwhile, the ship slowly descended, and soldiers surrounded the area for security. Volt carried Marucho on his back and, as the ship's door opened, gave Siren a sidelong glance.

Siren, with a stark contrast to Volt's stern demeanor, cheerfully followed Volt out. Soldiers surrounded them, but Volt looked at them and said sternly:

"Move aside. The girl is with me."

The soldiers respectfully stepped back. Meanwhile, James, after a brief look at Volt, whispered a warning to Siren:

"Be careful of Mylene. She seemed cold."

Hearing what was said about Mylene, Siren nodded slightly. The light lines on her mask dimmed as she followed Volt in a cheerful rhythm. Her pink hair bounced lightly like a dancer's steps.

Volt, on the other hand, sighed as he carried Marucho like a sack over his shoulder. His steps were strong and steady, a stark contrast to Siren. Passing by the soldiers, they advanced inside a large building.

Despite appearing carefree, Siren was carefully observing her surroundings. 'I wonder where my mother is,' she thought as she turned towards the approaching footsteps.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

A pale figure was approaching step by step. The sound of high heels striking the ground was accompanied by the insane babble of the man beside her. The figure's sea-blue hair reached her shoulders, and the broad guards on her shoulders, decorated with black and gold details, were striking.

Her cloak, in shades of blue and white, draped elegantly from her shoulders and swayed behind her with each step. Ignoring the man beside her completely, her cold gaze focused on the duo ahead.

The four stood facing each other. The woman's blue eyes first turned to Volt and the Marucho on his shoulder, gleaming with satisfaction. But then she saw Siren beside him, and her gaze narrowed.

Turning her questioning gaze back to Volt, she asked in a commanding voice, "Volt, who is this?"

Volt took a deep breath. Without averting his gaze and without hesitation, he replied, "Mylene, her name is Siren. At least that's what she calls herself."

At that moment, Siren introduced herself. Bowing forward, she made a 'V' sign with her fingers and announced in an amused tone, "I'm Siren, here to join you!" Her mocking smile and words created an inevitable short silence.

Mylene's eye twitched. In the brief silence, only the man beside her was laughing madly.

Mylene, feeling like her patience was being tested, looked at Volt, expecting an explanation. Impatiently, she asked, "What does this mean, Volt?" Volt shrugged.

"You heard right. She's strong."

Even though Volt said this seriously, Mylene retorted in dissatisfaction, "You can't decide that. Do you think you can bring anyone into our ranks as you please?" The man beside her mocked:

"Idiot, idiot, idioooot~! Hahaha!"

As Volt narrowed his eyes, he responded with obvious anger, "I will discuss this with Prince Hydron. Got it? Now, move aside. I have a kid to put down."

Without waiting for a response, Volt started moving forward. Mylene, surprised and angry at Volt's uncharacteristically defiant behavior, said nothing.

'This girl... Siren?'

Mylene's questioning gaze narrowed as she looked at Siren. She remembered coincidentally witnessing their duel. She could indeed be considered a good fighter, but back then... she wasn't that sufficient.

Siren, not caring much about the increasing tension, was about to follow Volt when she noticed Mylene's cold eyes on her. She paused for a moment.

Mylene's blue eyes clashed with the red glow of Siren's mask. In the brief stare-down, Siren stuck out her tongue and continued on her way.