Chapter 18

Reo headed into the heart of Bayside City, aiming for the vibrant shopping district. The streets were alive with activity, aliens of all shapes and sizes bustling about. Neon lights flickered, casting colorful reflections on the puddles from a recent rain. Reo knew he needed a fresh outfit before heading south to catch Lira's game. "Hmm, there are so many shops here, I don't even know where to begin," he muttered to himself, sidestepping a particularly exuberant alien who appeared to be juggling fire.

As he passed by several stores, his eyes were drawn to a series of bizarre mannequins. One shop had a mannequin with four arms, dressed in bright neon colors and patterns that seemed to swirl and change. "Strange..." Reo said, shaking his head as he continued his search.

Finally, he stopped in front of a store that looked a bit more his speed. The mannequin in the window was wearing a graphic t-shirt, black jeans, and red and white sneakers. "Damn, that looks more like my style," Reo thought, relieved. "At least I won't have to look like a complete weirdo." The store's sign read "The Rex."

Reo stepped inside, immediately noticing the comforting Earth-like vibe. Posters of popular bands and sports teams adorned the walls. A tall, green-skinned alien with an oversized head, cat-like eyes, and pointy ears was behind the counter, looking at Reo with a mix of curiosity and disdain.

"Hello, are you lost or something?" the tall alien asked, his tone dripping with condescension.

"Ugh, I don't think so... I'm here to get some clothing," Reo replied, already feeling a bit defensive.

The alien raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Well, kid, you are in the right place. But where are your parents?" he asked, clearly suggesting that Reo didn't have any DC (Digital Credits) on him.

Reo felt a flush of irritation but kept his cool. "I'm here on my own, and I've got the credits to pay," he said firmly.

The alien shrugged, clearly unimpressed but willing to humor Reo. "Alright then, kid. If you say so. Let me know if you need any help finding something."

Reo nodded and began browsing the racks of clothing. The selection was diverse, from casual wear to more avant-garde pieces. He carefully picked out a few items: a black graphic t-shirt with a bold, abstract design, a pair of dark jeans that fit just right, and the red and white sneakers from the window.

As he made his way to the fitting rooms, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Glancing back, he noticed the alien clerk still eyeing him suspiciously. Reo rolled his eyes and stepped into the fitting room, quickly trying on the clothes. The fit was perfect, and he felt a surge of confidence as he looked at his reflection. "This will do," he thought, nodding to himself.

Emerging from the fitting room, Reo headed to the counter, his selected items in hand. The alien clerk scanned the clothes with a resigned look, clearly still skeptical about Reo's ability to pay. Reo tapped his wristband against the scanner, transferring the necessary credits with a satisfying beep.

The clerk's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he quickly masked it with his usual smug expression. "Alright, kid. Enjoy your new clothes," he said, handing Reo the bag.

"Thanks," Reo replied, taking the bag and heading for the exit. As he stepped back onto the busy streets of Bayside City, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. Dressed in his new outfit, he was ready to make his way to Lira's game. The journey had just begun, and he was determined to see it through.

"Don't spend all your credits in one place, kid," the clerk called after him with a smirk.

Reo turned around, walking backward with a grin. "Don't worry, I won't. And hey, maybe you should consider a new career in motivational speaking," he shot back, earning a laugh from a passerby.

Reo got back out to the crowded streets, feeling confident as he checked his location and where to head to get to the southern courts where Lira would be playing her game. "Shit, I better not be late," Reo muttered as he maneuvered through the throngs of aliens. Glancing at the time, he panicked, realizing he wouldn't make it there in time on foot. "Damn it, what am I going to do?" Reo thought, scanning his surroundings frantically.

As he reached the corner of the shopping district, a red and black hovercraft descended beside him, the windows rolling down. "Taxi?" The face of an old man appeared, calm and pleasant, with a warm, welcoming smile.

"Yes! Please! You're my savior!" Reo exclaimed, relief flooding his voice. The old man cocked his head, unlocking the back doors for Reo.

Inside, the taxi was lined with a soft, leather-like material, but as Reo sat down, it felt like a jelly or foam that absorbed his weight, cradling him comfortably. "Where you off to, kid?" the old man asked, turning on a holographic screen that displayed a detailed, 3D map of Bayside City, showing traffic and crowds.

"Southern Courts! Please!" Reo said, excitement in his tone.

"Alrighty, kid, that'll be 45 DC." The old man said as Reo scanned his wrist on the armrest in the hovercraft, paying for his fare.

"Thank you, young man. Going to see the game?" the old man asked. He wore a yellow sweater vest with an odd striped pattern shirt underneath, his hair completely gray, cut clean and short, and he sported big, round glasses.

"Yes, and I don't want to be late," Reo replied. The old man laughed, but that's when Reo noticed something strange.

"Excuse me, sir, but are you a human?" Reo asked nervously. The old man laughed with joy.

"Yes, I am. Not many folks around here like us, huh?" the old man said, grinning into the rearview mirror, his eyes glancing at Reo.

"No, not at all. I've only been here in this city a few weeks and have yet to see another human other than when I look in the mirror," Reo joked.

The old man chuckled warmly. "Well, it's a big universe, kid. You'll find all sorts around here."

The old man chuckled warmly, his eyes crinkling with genuine amusement. "Well, it's a big universe, kid. You'll find all sorts around here."

Reo felt a wave of relief wash over him, a sense of familiarity in the old man's presence. It was strange living in Bayside City, where humans were a rarity. This taxi ride felt like a fleeting connection to his distant home. "So, what planet are you from?" Reo asked curiously.

The old man's laughter was hearty. "Planet far, far away from here, boy. At my age, I might've forgotten the name by now."

"Oh, come on, just tell me," Reo pressed, grinning.

The old man chuckled again. "Well, if you must know, I'm from Tera 4. Heard of it?"

Reo shook his head, perplexed. "Can't say that I have."

"How long have you been in Bayside?" Reo continued, eager to prolong the conversation.

"You ask a lot of questions, don't ya, kid? But I've been here about 35 years now, if you must know," the old man replied, his tone teasing.

"Okay, my turn. What brings you to Bayside?" The old man asked.

Reo's eyes lit up. "Basketball. I'm trying out for the tournaments. I've got a pretty good team with two of my friends." He glanced out the window at the vibrant city below.

"Ahh, basketball…the greatest sport in all the cosmos," the old man mused, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia.

"Yes, it is! But right now, I'm heading to see Lira Lightguard play…" Reo admitted, a blush creeping up his cheeks.

The old man laughed, then paused as if lost in a memory. "Lightguard, you say? I haven't heard that name in a long time."

"Do you know her?" Reo asked, his interest piqued.

"Her? No, son. I knew him—the great Drevin Lightguard," the old man said, his voice tinged with a burning passion.

"Well, apparently everyone knew him," Reo replied, a bit bemused.

"I see. This Lira must be his daughter. Oh, how they grow up so fast," the old man muttered, almost to himself.

"Huh?" Reo leaned in, trying to catch the old man's words.

"Oh, nothing, you nosy kid," the old man joked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

As the hovercraft descended and pulled up across the street from the entrance of the southern courts, the old man glanced at Reo. "Well, take care of yourself, kid." He unlocked the doors.

"You too, sir. By the way, what's your name?" Reo asked, stepping out.

"Jon Carpander," the old man chuckled. "If I don't see you again, I wish you the best!"

"You'll be seeing me again, don't you worry. Probably sooner than later," the old man replied, a mysterious smile on his lips as the hovercraft ascended back into the sky.

Reo watched the taxi disappear, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and curiosity. "What did he mean by that?" he wondered aloud, before rushing to the gates of the southern courts, eager to catch Lira's game.

Reo approached the ticket booth, his heart racing with anticipation. "May I get a ticket as close to courtside as possible?" he asked.

A tall, amphibian-like alien stood behind the booth, his large black eyes blinking slowly. The alien's wet, purple and yellow-spotted skin reminded Reo of the frogs back on Earth, except this frog was human-sized and, well, talking.

"Hmmm, blue hair and a strange look…" the alien croaked.

"Umm, excuse me?" Reo replied, utterly confused by the ticket attendant's comment.

"You must be Reo, I presume?" the alien said, his voice dripping with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

"Yes?" Reo replied, eyebrows furrowing.

"There's a reserved seat for you," the alien continued, typing into his computer as the hologram screen flickered with colorful lights.

"Really? A reserved seat?" Reo asked in shock.

"Yes indeed. Wrist, please?" The alien gestured with a scanner gun, its tip glowing ominously.

Reo hesitantly lifted his wrist, feeling like he was in a sci-fi movie. The scanner emitted a clicking sound as it processed his information.

"Okay, kid. Just go left from here, through those gates and down the stairs. You're in seat 20, row 1," the alien explained in a monotone voice.

"T-thanks, I guess," Reo stammered.

"Yeah, yeah, enjoy the game. Next!" the alien croaked, already looking past Reo to the next customer.

As Reo made his way towards the gates, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Reserved seats? I wonder who reserved the seat for me." he muttered to himself, still marveling at the strange, frog-like ticket attendant.

The journey to his seat was a spectacle in itself. The southern courts were bustling with aliens of all shapes and sizes, each more peculiar than the last. Reo felt like he was walking through a living comic book, each panel filled with vibrant, bizarre characters.

Finally, he arrived at his seat. Row 1, seat 20, right next to the court. The view was incredible. He could almost reach out and touch the court from where he sat. Reo's excitement bubbled over as he settled in, eager for the game to start and to see Lira in action.

"Who knew a simple game of basketball could feel like such an adventure?" Reo thought, a grin spreading across his face. He couldn't wait to see what surprises the game would bring next.

Reo sat down with anticipation, his legs shaking up and down as he struggled to contain his excitement. The court lights dimmed low, casting a soft glow over the crowd. The spotlight focused on the center of the court, where the announcer stood. He wore a shiny turquoise tuxedo that shimmered under the lights, and his rock-like skin was the color of emerald. His eyes glistened with intensity as he raised his arms, his booming voice filling the stadium without the aid of a microphone.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, robots and cyborgs, are you ready?!" His voice rang out, reverberating through the arena, leaving Reo in awe of its power and clarity.

The crowd roared in response, their excitement palpable. "Introducing first, the visiting team, the BAYSIDE STARS!!!" the announcer proclaimed, his voice filled with energy and enthusiasm.

Reo's eyes were glued to the entrance as a lineup of girls stepped onto the court, their uniforms white with orange trimming. The emblem of a shooting star wrapped around a globe adorned the center of their jerseys, gleaming under the lights. The first four girls came out in a sequence, their movements synchronized and confident, but Reo paid them little attention.

His focus was on the last remaining starter. She stepped onto the court with an air of grace, her soft red skin glowing in the spotlight. The crowd's cheers seemed to fade into the background as Reo's heart pounded in his chest.

"And now, the captain of the team, number 11, LIRA LIGHTGUARD!!!" the announcer's voice reached a fever pitch, and the crowd erupted in a deafening roar.

Lira walked to the center of the court, her presence commanding and serene. Her red skin seemed to shimmer with an inner light, and her piercing eyes scanned the crowd with calm confidence. Reo's breath caught in his throat as he watched her, feeling a mix of admiration and nerves.

The announcer continued to hype up the crowd, his voice a constant stream of excitement. "The Bayside Stars are here to show us what they've got! Let's give them a warm welcome!"

The crowd responded with thunderous applause and cheers, the energy in the arena reaching new heights. Reo couldn't take his eyes off Lira, his anticipation growing with each passing second.