-Boy, their little girl's got weird taste…-

-Since when has she been able to do that?-

-Shhhhhhh, don't ask.-

Master Roshi, Puar and Yamcha watched little Marron clap her hands and laugh heartily, while her parents played with her.

All three, as well as Turtle, knew nothing about children, yet they thought that Krillin's daughter was peculiar: she liked to watch her father and mother give each other a beating on the beach. She liked it even more when Eighteen trained to transform parts of her body into blades and spikes: mum glistened in the sun, she looked spectacular.

It had happened that Marron and Krillin had accidentally seen her when transformed.

Like the other day, when Eighteen had been warned by Sixteen that one of the reborn androids would pass by there: she had intercepted him up in the sky, flying towards him and slicing him in two before it even realised that Super 18 was hurling full speed toward it. No one had recognised which android that was, when a piece of it had fallen not far from Roshi's beach. Krillin had had the satisfaction of incinerating the carcass, and Eighteen had set foot on the ground under the shocked eyes of all the Kame House inhabitants. Only Marron had seemed amused by her blade-arm.

And now she was laughing again, before the same astonished gaze of everyone, while her mother reached out a finger and slowly, the finger became a long sharp rod.

-Don't get too close to her little face, babe. You never know…- Krillin worried, pinching Marron's cheek.

Eighteen felt vaguely offended by those words: her daughter was perfectly safe with her, indeed; Marron risked to hurt herself in her explorations, if anything. From what Sara and Kate had told her, a baby exactly four months old rolling around in an attempt to crawl was definitely unheard of. But Marron wanted so much to crawl, at that rate she would be able to do it before her next month-versary.

Marron was a regular human-type Earthling. Eighteen thought that she might have inherited from Krillin the predisposition to develop some serious strength, the changes she herself had undergone hadn't touched her DNA. Eighteen wasn't sure, but she refused to think about having her baby girl tested.

Marron had to grow up happy and normal, teaching her to fight would have been something that would help her stay healthy and defend herself. Marron was just a child, and as such she would grow up: dressed as a child, loving childish things, behaving like a child.

Krillin was relieved to have the same vision as his wife: he wouldn't want to live a situation like that of his best friend and Chi-Chi. The fights over how to raise children were a problem his Eighteen hadn't even created for him.

Sara had warned Eighteen on a delicate subject, couple time.

"We all go through it, because it's human: with a baby it will be more difficult to take care of your marriage, but you have to, always."

Sara was a true friend, even if she didn't know Eighteen was the ultimate mother: she never tired, she could take care of both Marron and the marriage without having a nervous breakdown. And given what Eighteen read on the internet and heard from other mothers she met at the paediatrician's and at playgroups, that was bliss.

Although Marron sometimes unnerved her with her tantrums, how lucky Eighteen was to make it to the end of the day still fresh, after making the baby play, nursing her, taking care of her: as soon as she could she pounced on Krillin, because she missed him.

Whenever they managed to make love undisturbed, Eighteen thought back to the fears she had had: how could he still find her sexy after seeing her give birth?

And Krillin, for his part, did not even think about that. Whenever he was with her he didn't see a body twisted by extreme physical conditions, he saw his beautiful wife: he still happened to be moved when she undressed and waited for him, naked and dainty.

Perhaps things between them were too rosy: he too had expected to have to push their couple time aside, but it hadn't happened.

How many could enjoy such a great privilege?

-And so today is New Year's Eve ... what do you want to do, Kril?-

Marron had fallen asleep in the baby carrier, tied to her mother's chest, and Eighteen was free to flutter with Krillin on the surface of the ocean.

-On Amenbo Island, not far away, they have some serious fireworks every year, you can see them in the distance even from here,- he uttered, searching the Net.

-If you like fireworks but want to get out of the South, then you get some good ones in North City. With concerts too.-

-I'd say 'that far?'- Eighteen laughed, thinking that no place in the world was really out of reach for them.

-Have you ever been to North City? I've only seen it from afar,- Krillin recalled, thinking of that day when he and the other Z Warriors had searched for Gero in those mountains.

-Just passed by.-

Eighteen suddenly remembered her last moments before meeting Krillin, when Seventeen had stolen that pink van. Had it really happened in North City?

Krillin was browsing the image gallery of the search engine after searching for "North City fireworks".

Both of them, in a moment, decided that spending the New Year among snow-capped peaks would be quite exciting.

With a wink, they set to pack their bags: the fireworks and the concerts would start at 8 pm, Northern time, they didn't have much time to waste.

/

While Eighteen and Krillin packed their bags for New Year's Eve, on Amenbo Island Elliott had just printed out his boarding pass. It was time to go home, Brent had even bought him tickets to go see the fireworks.

-I can't take you any further, but thank you for coming down here,- Defiance was with him near the automatic gates that separated the transit areas of the Sienna Bay airport from the security area.

Elliott didn't feel like zipping open his hand luggage, taking off his shoes and jacket, and going through the metal detector. But there was something else that displeased him even more, he didn't even have the guts to think about it.

-Thanks to you for the interview,- the paleontologist smiled at the head MIR, holding to his trusty go-pro. -I'd like to stay and see more dinosaurs, more Monster Island, but my visa expires today.-

A visa, a tourist one in his case, was required to enter Monster Island right now, but Defiance hoped that it wouldn't always be the case.

She looked with her smiling eyes at Elliott's melancholic face; they stood looking at each other without speaking for a couple of minutes before the speaker announced that he had to hurry.

-Go, don't miss the plane on New Year's Eve. You celebrate with your friends, right?-

-And you?-

-I don't know... pretty good pyrotechnics are happening here.-

Would she have been alone?

Like a kid about to board his first flight, parting ways with his parents, Elliott didn't take his eyes off Defiance as he entered the security area, until she disappeared behind a wall.

/

Defiance had driven him there early. It was better this way, December 31st could accumulate lots of delays, she had warned him. Elliott spent a lot of time sitting not far from the gate, waiting for the airport staff to open the boarding. He felt bitter; he couldn't pinpoint why, he had spent two days of pure adventure: he had seen real dinosaurs, he had been swept off by a pteranodrax, he had dove in a crystalline lagoon, in the pocket of his trousers there were still a few pebbles. He had met the MIR, he had shook hands with the legendary Malina Klintsov and had stayed up late with the daughter of Major De Villiers, who had told him so many anecdotes.

Elliott would return to the North richer. It had been a priceless experience, he would never forget it. Now he was ready for a little relaxation, it had been two intense, exhausting days. Still, he was sorry to leave. He didn't feel ready to leave yet: he wanted to take another trip inside the island, he wanted to spend more time at the bar with Defiance.

Defiance...

Elliott listened absently to the notice of the intercontinental flight that would bring him directly home, safe, among his friends who were already waiting for him. The sense of bitterness fermented in anxiety: Elliott stamped his feet and sweated, queuing under the monitor that announced

"NORTH CITY, 18:00"

He wished he could touch her olive skin once again, perhaps he also wished he could hug her, kiss her.

His heart was beating hard, so hard that it covered the confusion of the airport and the voice of the stewardess at the gate.

-Passport, sir?-

Through the large windows of the terminal the paleontologist looked at planes taking off, landing or taxiing; he handed the document to the stewardess.

-Have a nice trip, sir.-

The woman smiled at the big guy in front of her, handing him back his passport.

Elliott was dazed: the crescent-shaped terminal let him see everything, the runways, the arcades of the airport, the people who parked in the fast parking area, a policeman who came to give them a fine, tall coaches, people coming and going.

-Sir, please board the plane.-

A black car. An SUV. A tall girl, leaning against the SANP insignia, looked at the sea. Elliott felt his heart drop down to his feet.

-Sir, are you alright?-

The stewardess had seen that passenger suddenly turn white and try to get out of the line.

-Be careful where you go!- protested a man Elliott stepped on, as he ran out of the gate, through all the areas of the airport he had just passed through.

-Sorry! Oops... I'm sorry!-

Every now and then he bumped into someone while everyone looked at him. Elliott stumbled out of breath, his shirt sweaty, hoping with his whole being it had happened what he thought had happened, and that she hadn't driven away in the meantime.

/

Defiance had to return to Monster Island. Maybe she could even go to South City to spend New Year's Eve with her family. Her mother had sent out invitations for her usual big party back in October, Defiance knew it would be fun. New Year's parties at home were never boring, Mrs. De Villiers spent half a year organizing everything down to the smallest detail, from costumes to handcrafted glass balls to attach to various Christmas trees.

Defiance should have warned her that she would be home in a couple of hours.

-Defiance,-

The MIR girl didn't eventually have time to make the call; she reacted to her name and smiled spontaneously.

The panting paleontologist felt reborn in seeing her smile; there was nothing more beautiful in the world than the white of her smile against the caramel of her skin, of her nose curled up into that smile.

-Elliott! You stayed…-

/

As Defiance was doing thousands of miles away Carly too grinned, as Robbie's toothless ruddy face appeared as she clicked on the Skype app icon.

-Happy New Year's Eve, Miss!- chirped the boy.

-Happy New Year to you, my little Robbie.-

-Look, my tooth fell out…-

That smile made Carly's heart melt; every time she saw Robbie she realised yet again her undying love for children.

Educator Anna, to whom Robbie left only a nook in the webcam's field of view, looked embarrassed, -Sorry, Carly; he wanted to call you again. Robbie, you already called her on Christmas Eve…-

-It doesn't matter. You can call me as many times as you want.-

Carly apologized if she couldn't be on the phone much longer, that night. Hair and make-up done since 6 pm, she was waiting for Lapis to finish getting ready and then go to see New Year's Eve fireworks.

Seventeen had stayed at the studio flat to get ready with her; neatly hidden in the bathroom, he endlessly combed that hair that barely needed brushing, to avoid interacting with Anna and Robbie, wishing that Carly would soon hang up.

Anna was that girl who had seen Carly and Seventeen together the previous summer, that time Mr. Lenteney had brought walnuts to the children. Carly had inspired her and she had started talking to her. Whenever Robbie wanted to call Carly, Anna took the opportunity to say hello and chat with her.

-So will you come up to Viey next summer?- The vet looked tenderly into little Robbie's sweet eyes.

-We're already planning…-

Carly would be happy to see Anna too.

As soon as Carly hung up, Seventeen rematerialized in the main room with a satisfied expression and perfect timing, -He's the one who adopted you…-

Carly laughed, -You're such a savage.-

/

The banks of the rushing Dorée torrent were packed. Like every year people gathered there, in the heart of North City, to watch the famous fireworks and New Year's concerts.

There was music, street food trucksand some remnants of the Christmas markets.

Carly and Seventeen caught up with Lillian and Brent, standing in a disorganized queue around a truck selling roast potatoes and melted cheese.

As soon as she arrived, Carly's eye immediately fell on Lillian and her slender, kilometric legs, skilfully wrapped in black leather leggings (faux leather, of course). A padded bomber jacket, black with sequin details, covered her narrow hips, ending just above her perfect little butt.

"Yeah. She's got the legs I want."

Lillian didn't need heels, trendy boots protected her feet from the icy slush that covered the sidewalk.

Brent could see a little farther past the crowd, -What a queue, folks. We've been here for fifteen minutes already…-

The Viking was beginning to shiver in his layers of linen and wool.

Lillian winked at Carly, -Are you thinking what I'm thinking?-

Carly stood on the tip of her toes, -I'll take care of this.-

-What?-

Carly smiled to see that Lapis no longer recalled, -Do you remember when we'd go to the market and thanks to me we got attended first?-

Seventeen had forgotten; and the memories did not return even when Carly stepped forward and, heedless of the snow, undid her pretty pink coat and let the rest of the crowd admire her low-cut, full-skirted red dress.

She raised her hand, with a smile, to be seen by the clerk taking the orders, -Let's go.-

Watching Carly walk with Seventeen jealously encircling her shoulders, her bosom bouncing up and down with each step, on the verge of popping out, Lillian shoved her hands in her pockets.

"Yeah. She's got the boobs I want."

She poked Brent as she realised that his gaze had fallen on Carly's chest.

/

Soon all four took their places in the stands of the open-air theatre where the concert would soon begin.

-Guys, Elliott? What happened to him?- Lillian inquired.

-He should land soon,- Brent checked the time on his cell phone. -In any case, he knows where to find us.-

The group got comfortable as the band began to play.

/

In the interlude between the concert and the fireworks, Lillian and Brent had lost sight of Carly and Sev and she had gone to get some mulled wine from the Geirsson stall.

-Ready for the fires, Lillian?- Ulf, Brent's father asked jovially. They already knew each other, Brent had introduced her to his parents at the last Verny fair.

-And two full cups for you. Enjoy, dear!- Mrs. Geirsson smiled, passing her the wine.

As she turned to exit the queue, to her enormous embarrassment Lillian slipped on the ice and fell to the ground, sprinkling mulled wine on the snow, and on the legs of a girl passing by in high open sandals.

Her face, surprisingly not foreign, was torn between the desire to give Lillian a murderous look and the will to remain courteous anyway.

Lillian felt in awe, the same awe of when she stood in the face of a grim Seventeen, -...I stained your pants, I'm sorry.-

-It's nothing,- the passer-by retorted concisely, but not contemptuously.

Lillian caught a glimpse of her fitted trousers, light white cotton, ripped at the knees; the short faux fur coat and bustier top she wore left her stomach and chest at the elements' mercy, "Aren't you cold?"

-She got hurt…- said a peaceful male voice, -Are you hurt?-

A man in a duffle coat with a baby tied to his chest held out his hand and helped Lillian up.

-I'm fine, thank you! Happy New Year…- Lillian had made a fool of herself with strangers, but she wanted to keep her cool.

-Happy New Year!- The man wished her, while the girl made a quick gesture.

/

-What happened Lilli?- Brent asked gently, seeing her come back in wet leggings without mulled wine.

-I slipped and spilled the wine on some girl, go figure.-

At least with all that chaos, Lillian wouldn't have had to cross paths with that couple again...

Brent pretended to smoke, huffing and puffing in the freezing air, keeping an eye on the big screen showing a clock counting down, -There's still twenty minutes to midnight, I'm freezing! Shall we go somewhere warmer and have a drink?-

Good idea; the pub Lillian and Brent had aimed had, for a change, a long queue outside.

-Too bad I don't have tits like Carly's, right?- Lillian was curious to see how far Brent could go and deny the evidence, in his mission to win her over, -We have to wait here.-

-Or let's go to another bar. Come on.-

-Brent, haven't you really looked at her boobs? Doesn't it bother you that I'm flat?-

Why did she care so much?

-Yes, I looked at them but first, I only have eyes for you; second, it's not that if you can't nurse the whole of North City then you're flat.-

Brent only had eyes for her, it was nothing new...Lillian laughed at the Viking's involuntary joke, but soon came to his senses and gave him a pretend punch, -Hey, it's my best friend you're talking about!-

They were about to walk away looking for a place, when through the pub window Lillian saw Seventeen sitting at the counter with a girl. He looked comfortable and she kept touching her hair.

Lillian could only see a quarter of her face, but what she saw were chiseled outlines and neatly combed hair, tied in a top knot. If the colour of her hair and the light blue fur coat that left her belly uncovered weren't enough to make her recognisable to Lillian, the wine-spotted white pants completed the picture.

Brent saw Lillian furrow her brow and bang on the glass, -Lilli, let's go.-

-Sev!-

Lillian banged her fist against the glass, calling loudly.

The Viking peeked and saw Seventeen and his unforgettable sister (if he remembered correctly, the blonde Valkyrie who looked like him was his sister), -Calm down! He can't hear you.-

-Oh, he can hear pretty well. Sev! Goddammit!-

Lillian was right, between double glazing and confusion Seventeen had heard her indeed. When both he and the girl turned around, Lillian saw herself being stared at by two sets of identical eyes.

"Oh my God, do I see double?"

Lillian couldn't hear them, but she saw Seventeen burst into a big laugh, while the blonde needed both hands over her mouth to keep from doing the same. They sure were laughing at her, thinking "Look, it's the wine ditz!"

Lillian motioned to Seventeen, if he hadn't got rid of that skank she would have slit his throat. When the pair came out of the bar, Lillian greeted them with a nervous smile, -Seventeen, you idiot, where's YOUR GIRLFRIEND?-

Brent tried, -Er, Lillian, this is-

-The wine ditz! I mean, that wine chick.-

The wine chick looked at Lillian with compassion, like one looks at a stubborn child, Seventeen clucked: both had already figured out what Lillian was thinking.

-Carly's cuddling herlittle girl, in the company of her husband.-

Lillian looked still perplexed, as he nodded to the girl.

-She's my twin sister, Eighteen.-

Did he have a twin sister? And why hadn't he ever told her?

"Wow...two out of two, congratulations to Mum."

Lillian remembered that he had told her indeed, en passant, when he had confessed to her he was a cyborg, -Ahhh right, your sister.-

Brent and Eighteen had already met and exchanged a brief nod of understanding. Eighteen did the same with Lillian.

Carly reappeared shortly after holding a baby girl as blonde as Seventeen's sister; the man in the duffle coat was holding her by the elbow.

-It's unbelievable, I didn't know we'd meet you here,- she smiled at him. Carly took her place back at Seventeen's side; the new uncle bent down immediately to greet his young niece, whose prehensile hand instantly grabbed a long lock of black hair.

-Ah, you're here too! Are you all right?- Krillin was surprised to see the girl who had fallen down in the company of her in-laws.

All introductions were made, and Krillin joyfully explained that this was the best coincidence that could happen.

Lilllian felt out of place, while Brent had immediately connected with Krillin. Eighteen noticed the unconsciously troubled look with which Lillian couldn't help but stare at both her and Marron, -You know, don't you?-

Lillian just nodded discreetly; she hadn't meant to stare, but Eighteen was surely the first cyborg she'd ever known who had given birth.

After all, if she was like Sev there was nothing to be surprised about; but with that word, cyborg, always bothering her, Lillian had ended up feeling surprised anyway. Inevitably her mind had raced to that place she didn't have to talk about, "Yikes. I really got away with no protection, that time."

While everyone was talking, walking toward the banks of the Dorée waiting for the fireworks, Eighteen walked with Seventeen pointing to the girl who had stained her pants, -The former top ranger; you shagged her.-

-Mm, question or statement?- he tried to elude her.

-Statement, absolutely. Otherwise how would she know?-

/

The group of six plus Marron had moved near the Dorée and the large stage from which music still played, on which the giant screen with the countdown stood.

By now the New Year was in the air, the excitement grew more and more. It was going to be a good year for everyone, even if no one knew what to expect. Seventeen held Carly close to him as the air began to fill with whistles and chants. He was glad that they had once again made up, it was magical to watch time go by and hold her close. But a part of the twins kept them from completely relaxing, thinking that while North City was having a good time, those androids were always lurking around the world. Eighteen especially felt this threat stronger than ever; she had killed one just before getting there.

The collective clamour grew even more intense as the entire city began to echo with the countdown.

Lillian was feeling tired, scared after seeing Seventeen with Eighteen before she knew her name and identity.

She wanted to sit down for a moment and regain some strength, but a big red arm held her up around her waist, -So Lillian, good resolutions for the coming year?-

-Teaching you to keep your hands in their place.-

Brent smiled at her and squeezed her waist with his other arm as well. They both looked up.

5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 .. !

A multitude of colourful explosions filled the sky. Colours, joy, music, noise, life.

-Happy New Year!- Carly screamed as Seventeen hoisted her over his shoulder and she pointed to the coloured lapilli that seemed to touch distant Great Eden.

Krillin, one hand on sleeping Marron and the other on Eighteen's neck, started the year with a sweet kiss; Eighteen leaned over him and kissed him passionately, far away from the crowd around them. Soon Seventeen and Carly also went away to kiss undisturbed near the guard rail that stubbornly prevented the revellers from falling into the Dorée.

Lillian was still leaning against Brent, nose up, enraptured by the colors. A tear of joy showed up in the corner of her eye, and when Brent's beard stung her neck as he kissed it, Lillian didn't turn away.

Each member of that little group was starting the year with someone they loved; who knew what the future would hold for them?

The music rang and rang as Lillian stroked the Viking's face and, hugging his chest, joyfully gave him the kiss he'd been waiting for since the moment he'd first laid eyes on her.

Carly saw them and smiled without interrupting, perhaps happier for her than for him.

She saw Lazuli come to meet her and take her aside.

-You know that Krillin and I will have a renewal of our vows in July, right? If you want …-

She handed her a sealed letter; Carly opened it hastily and saw it was a request. An invitation to be a bridesmaid for Lazuli.

-Wow...I don't know what to say.-

-Say yes,- Eighteen gave her a shy smile and left her alone.

Carly was no longer the slutty fairy, she was now part of the family; she was not yet married to Seventeen, but it was as if she were his wife. Carly had known both of them before they were cyborgs, she had been in their yesterday and would be in their tomorrow.

Carly deserved it.

/

Lillian was still kissing Brent when a flash thought stopped her, -So, Elliott?-

Brent took her back, hugging her tightly and laughing, -While we're here he'll still be stuck on a plane. Fat, short-sighted, and luckless.-

/

Elliott watched the fireworks lying on the rowboat, covered with a blanket. It felt so different, stargazing from that corner of the world, he wondered if his friends at home were looking at the same sky.

In the Sienna Bay the fireworks were launched from boats like his, the light rose to the sky directly from the sea instead of from land. But the other boats, whose passengers had perhaps had the same idea as he, were almost invisible in the dark. The paleontologist benefited from absolute peace, the fireworks looked like lights in the distance, and the noise was small bursts, like that of kernels popping in the pan …

-What if we rowed back and grabbed a bite?-

Defiance emerged to his side and rested her cheek on his chest.

-And happy New Year to you too. Let's stay here a little longer…-

New Year's Eve was cold on her naked torso, dotted with goosebumps; Elliott covered her with the blanket and hugged her to keep her warm.

-Unless I'm bothering you.-

Elliott wasn't sure he believed his ears, -Are you kidding? I'm grateful, indeed.-

-Grateful ... as if I had done you a favor. You silly.-

Elliott watched Defiance's eyes widen, her lips purse slightly. No no no, she didn't have to be offended! He kissed her forehead. His ears weren't the only part of himself he couldn't believe.

Elliott did not believe any part of his poor body, skin to skin with the magnificent Defiance De Villiers's.

-It's just that ... It's unreal.-

Defiance dressed quickly, before other rowboat passengers saw her stark naked, -Well, we're here, together. See?- She squeezed his hand, leaning on

him.

-Eh ... I'm ugly.-

-Mmm mmm,- she rolled her finger through his fizzy curls.

-I'm poor.-

-Mmm mmm.-

-In short, what is a Valkyrie like you doing with a tubby boy like me?-

Defiance laughed at the word.

Tubby boy was not even a term that was used in the North, no, it was a polite way Elliott called himself.

The Valkyrie affectionately kissed his chubby cheek and invited him to lean his head against her neckline.

-Oh, come here, my tubby boy.-

/

Thoughts of the author:

I had a lot of fun writing these last two playful chapters. Great things await our protagonists in this new year (especially one of them) between ups and downs, hold on tight!