Parallel World Fusion

An LLS Production

Le début : E – Appel de Détresse

Eight years ago (N.C. 1970)

"Uncle, please hand me the ladle."

"Huh?" Wild Tiger tilted his head at the childish sound. The celebrations of another season's end of Hero TV Live usually involved businessmen and arm candies in their best, probably with all the jewels of Sternbild trotted out in the meantime. After all, where was the safest place for valuables than amongst a horde of heroes? With that said, though, usually children didn't attend them...

"What?" Kotetsu knelt down to her eye level, the dark-haired girl in the fluffy blue dress still with one hand stretched towards the fruit cocktail bowl. His breath fogged up in the surprising cold. "What's a little missy like you doing here~?"

"Papa and Maman," she pointed towards the tall blond man and his shapely wife. "Maman is gathering support for the Arcadia Movement. She wants to set up a small group in Sternbild."

"That's nice," Kotetsu agreed absently. "You're not bored? Looking at all of these old uncles and aunties talking about things you don't understand..."

"They're celebrating heroes," she said. "Uncle dropped to fourth place."

"-.-' That's painful..." Kotetsu laughed. "Do you have a name?"

"Yes."

"...will you tell me your name?"

"No."

"...why?"

"Uncle isn't telling me his name," she replied, face expressionless. "Papa always said that it's polite to introduce yourself when you want someone's name."

"I'm Wild Tiger!" A thumb smashed against his chest. "Isn't that obvious?"

"Not at all."

"Maybe it's the mask..." Kotetsu sighed, scooping some of the cocktail out before taking a sniff. "Hold on, this is alcoholic. Follow me."

"Why?"

"Minors shouldn't drink," Kotetsu reproached, moving to another bowl. "It's for your safety. Alright, here you go."

"Thank you very much," the girl bowed, accepting the drink carefully without making skin contact. The drink touched her lips, and then the crunch of chewing ice resounded.

"I didn't put any ice..." Steam wafted again from his breath. "You're a NEXT?"

"I don't know," she replied. "Maman says that I am a Psychic Duelist."

"Well, whatever that is... can you control your power?" Kotetsu shook his head. "What am I saying, if you could then it won't be this cold. Are you cold?"

"The cold doesn't affect me," a lock of dark hair was brushed out of her face, highlighting her blue eyes which was probably due to her NEXT power. "I think."

"Don't worry!" A smile forced itself onto his face. "You'll find something only you can do. With these incredible powers, you can be a Hero!"

"I don't want to."

"Eh?" Kotetsu paused.

"I don't want to be... a Hero."

"...That's okay, too," Kotetsu reached out to pat her head. "I... have a daughter around your age. A cute little girl like you shouldn't have to put yourself in danger. If you just protect those things precious to you, that's alright."

"...I will keep those words in mind," the dark-haired girl replied. "Thank you. If you ever come to Neo Domino City, you can rely on the help of Shimotsuki Setsuka."

"Setsuka?" Kotetsu repeated. "That's a pretty name..."

"It's time to go," the severe-faced blond man was there, glaring at the Hero like he would take on the NEXT if Kotetsu was even slightly threatening.

"Oui, papa." A short bow. "Bonne soirée, Oncle Héro."

Present day (N.C. 1979)

"Neo Domino City," Agnes read off the holographic display of Apollon Media's internal server. "We've been trying to branch into Neo Domino City, but there's a lot of opposition to Hero TV. Is that all, Mr Seymour?"

"Of course not, Agnes~" Nathan teased, crossing the legs that stretched in hot pink and ended in heels.

"Why would you suddenly think about a city in Japan?" Agnes questioned. "Is Helios Energy moving house?"

"I wouldn't bear to leave Hero TV and so many handsome and cute people behind," Nathan purred, but his expression soured. "Neo Domino City is the home of the Momentum reactor. That reactor and its guardians, the Momentum Investigation and Development Section, is owned by Kaiba Corporation."

"The ultimate energy generation system... you're going to buy it?" Agnes leant forward.

"No, no~" Nathan still looked sour at his revelation. "I wish, then that happy news would be the talk of Sternbild by evening~ But, I was not only rejected, the reactor is going to be nationalised. There are plans to link it with every major city in the world. That's why I'm looking for some dark secret to it, Ms Joubert."

"Even though you're the owner, there's quite a downside risk..." Agnes commented. "But, you do know that this might hit the evening rush?"

"Oh, I'm sure it will," Nathan agreed. "That's why I'll propose a deal. In exchange for this information, I'll personally go to Neo Domino City to drum up support for a new Hero TV show. That stone-faced bastard that sounds like me isn't going to get his way!"

"It sounds like you have a grudge against someone in Neo Domino..." Agnes commented as the flamboyant Hero was metaphorically and literally stewing. "...but I like that idea."

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