Year: 774 / end of October
A very strange welcome
"Finding the loophole."
All of 17's thoughts were focused on this single objective. To analyze in detail the state of their respective forces, to take the time, and to deliver the fatal blow to the opponent without allowing her to retaliate. He was getting ready to lead the ultimate charge, the one that would decide the result of this fight.
- And now, human, what do you say about this one ? he exclaimed as he ejected Ruri's white queen with his last knight.
He was very proud of the chain of events he had just led and of the trap he had set for the young woman to corner her centerpiece. Deprived of her strongest weapon, she was now at his mercy.
On the other side of the bed on which they were both sitting face to face, separated only by the tablet where they had downloaded a chess game, Ruri did not seem as destabilized as he had hoped.
On the contrary. A wide smile appeared on her face.
- I say: checkmate, she answered, triumphantly placing her finger on the screen.
- What ?
17 took hold of the tablet and observed it attentively. He turned it over and over, incredulous. But he soon realized that his king was surrounded and had no way to move.
- Honestly, you played well this time, said Ruri to encourage him.
- I don't understand how... I had thought of a strategy!
- Yes, I saw, and it was well thought out. You forced me to use a rather twisted trick.
- What trick ?
- I call it greed. As soon as you saw that you could take the queen from me, you focused on her and forgot to look at where I placed the other pieces. It was too tempting for you and you thought that without the strongest piece, I couldn't win.
- You mean you let me take it on purpose?
- Sometimes you have to lose to win.
- Pfffff I can't believe it... sighed 17 who fell backwards on the bed and lay with his head in his hands.
- But it's great, really, you did so well that I had to trick my way through it.
- Brilliant or mediocre, a loss is still a loss.
- You know, you should try to see the glass as half full once in a while. I assure you.
- Yeah.
- With those optimistic words, how about some breakfast?
- Do I really need to eat again? groaned 17, suddenly nauseous at the mere mention of last night's dinner.
- Think of it as pain resistance training.
- Very, very funny. Well, I guess I have no choice?
- Absolutely.
- Ok. Oh, I forgot, I wanted to change my clothes before I left and...
- Don't worry, I already took care of that.
- What do you mean?
- Last night while you were showering I looked in the closet and found you an outfit that will look great on you. Here, I put everything on the chair.
- I can pick out my own clothes, you know.
- I doubt that very much, Ruri replied, looking at 17's outfit with a suspicious expression. Just focus on what you're good at : fighting, and let me take care of the rest, okay?
- And I guess I don't have a say in this either, right?
- ABSOLUTELY!
Knowing that the discussion could be very long and above all dead end, 17 preferred not to insist. He nodded and picked up the pile of clothes that Ruri had pointed out to him.
Both went to the bathroom to get ready, and if he was a little apprehensive, 17 had to admit that his fears were unfounded. Ruri hadn't chosen anything extravagant for him: a black turtleneck sweater, dark brown lattice pants with a belt and a pair of matching black leather boots. It was an ideal and comfortable outfit to evolve in the rough landscapes of the park, and with very dark colors, which was going to help him to remain discrete. He was even finally quite satisfied, and while he observed his reflection in the mirror, he addressed to her a complicit smile that the young woman did not fail to note.
- You really believed that I was going to make you wear a pink shirt with flowers ? she asked him by laughing whereas she finished to comb her hair.
- I have to admit, the idea did cross my mind...
- Pffff this is so stupid. Like I'm trying to make you look ridiculous, that's not my goal at all, silly!
- And what exactly is your goal ?
Ruri finished braiding her long hair in silence. Then she turned around and moved forward a few steps so she could stand right behind him. Looking at the mirror in front of her, she answered with a smile:
- Find clothes that reflect who you are now.
- What does it mean?
- That you have kept the same clothes for years, while they do not fit you at all! In fact, your usual outfit is very childish. It looks like the clothes of a teenager. Maybe this outfit suited the "you" of before, but not the one I know. You are calm, composed, reassuring...
- Really?
- Haha! Yes, it seems so surprising?
- I don't know...
Ruri laughed, not surprised by this answer. She just smiled at him, letting him study his reflection in the mirror with perplexity.
« Who I was... and who I am...»
17 wasn't sure how old he was, but he knew he had been captured when he was young. It was one of the few pieces of information he had been able to wring out of Gero during their exchanges. And from his first awakening to his meeting with Cell, 17 had indeed the memory to have kept a pronounced taste for fun. His carelessness of then was undoubtedly a relic of his teenage immaturity. Seeing himself dressed like that gave him a strange feeling. On second thought, Ruri was not wrong. If he had difficulty recognizing himself in this image that the mirror reflected back to him, he actually felt more « himself » in this new outfit with neutral colors and a tight fit that undoubtedly gave him a much more serious appearance than those he usually wore.
- Yes, I think I understand a bit better... he finally murmured.
- So you validate your look?
- Yes.
- Is that a yes that implies I can expect to take you shopping one day?
- Let's say it's a maybe. I don't want to go too late. If you're ready, can we go?
Ruri nodded and they returned briefly to their room to retrieve the wolfdog that had spent the night with them. Although it had been very shy at first, the gentleness of their voices and the patience they had both shown had finally reassured the young animal, who now accepted their caresses without flinching. On the other hand, and despite all their efforts, neither Ruri nor 17 had yet succeeded in making it drink the bottle of sweet milk they had prepared. Having experienced this kind of problem before, they knew they shouldn't waste too much time or they would let the baby weaken. So they agreed to try again this morning, before they were forced to force feed it.
- Come on Volt, let's go find everyone! Ruri whispered softly as she picked up this little ball of shiny hair that began to lick her face.
- Volt ?
- Yes, I thought of that for its name.
- Why « Volt »?
- He's gray.
- ... and?
- Gray equals electricity, and electricity well... it made me think of Volt.
- Ah.
- It was either that or « cyborg ». Because gray also sounds like metal and so...
- Volt sounds perfect.
And without another word, they started to walk down the stairs to the room where Hazel was waiting for them. The table was already set, beautifully decorated and overflowing with food. As soon as they set foot on the dining room floor, she motioned for them to sit down and apologized for not having time to prepare a "real" breakfast. Delighted, Ruri hurried to the table, with Volt sitting on her lap, while 17 was worried about how he would survive this new challenge. Pancakes, crepes, jam, fruit... it was absolutely everywhere, and he felt his stomach twist with anticipation at the thought of swallowing a single bite.
But Hazel came immediately to meet him. Suddenly, and to his surprise, she raised the left side of his collar slightly.
- There, it is now perfectly straight, she said to him while patting his shoulders to finish readjusting the fabric.
17 flinched slightly, giving her a look of disbelief.
Since his resurrection, Ruri was the only person whose physical contact he had accepted, something he hadn't been used to for years. The contact of her skin had allowed him to reappropriate his bruised body and to rediscover all the positive sensations which he could get from it. The young woman's caresses were marks of affection, the way for her to express herself to him and to transmit to him the feelings which she felt for him.
But Hazel's touch was something else that he could not describe with precision.
Care. Tenderness. But without any connotation of love. It was something simpler and more natural. Warmer too. Unable to interpret this attitude, he only managed to stammer out a slightly embarrassed « thank you », to which she replied gently:
- You're welcome. These clothes fit you perfectly, excellent choice.
Then, before he had time to react, she leaned over to him and whispered a few words:
- I made a little bowl just for you. It's a chocolate banana cream. I noticed last night that you like sweet things, so eat this. It's very good, and very light, so you won't feel sick. But I can't let you leave on an empty stomach. You have to eat, even a little, because you have a long day ahead of you!
- Yes, ma'am, said 17, immediately corrected by his host.
- Hazel, I am not old enough to be called ma'am!
- Yes, Hazel.
- Great! Well, I'll finish getting the kids ready. I'll only be five minutes, so go ahead and eat, Oak is out getting the car.
Nodding, 17 joined Ruri, who had started eating her breakfast without missing a beat. Amused by the situation, she preferred not to make any comment in order not to aggravate the trouble she could see in his eyes. Drinking silently her coffee, the young woman was very amused by 17's pensive face. He seemed to be analyzing what had just happened to him, as if it was an extraordinary event that his internal computer could not assimilate well.
But after a few moments of reflection, he finally grabbed the bowl in front of him and began to eat, still looking towards the horizon. But as soon as he put his spoon in his mouth, he froze again.
Of all the food Ruri had introduced him to, 17 had never tasted anything like what Hazel had prepared for him. It was a dish with a creamy texture, whose roundness invaded his palate in an instant. Still warm, the cream was so light that it almost evaporated on his tongue, and its deliciously sweet flavor never ceased to delight him. He didn't know what it tasted like, but the sensation he was experiencing was terribly familiar. It clearly reminded him of something.
A flash, brief and confused. That of two silhouettes in what seemed to be a kitchen.
A dark head, a blonde head.
Laughter.
A fragment of vanished memory that he had the fleeting sensation of touching with his fingertips, for a second, before it disappeared and returned to the nothingness of his memory, leaving him immobile and silent, staring straight ahead.
- Babe ? Is everything okay?
- Mmm? What? stammered 17, brought back to reality by Ruri's question.
- You have a strange look, you don't feel well?
- No, no, not at all. I'm fine. This stuff is... really good. You should have some.
Thus, 17 handed a spoon to the young woman who tasted it with delight.
- Mmmmmm Ha'chel i'ch really a great cook ! she marveled.
- Yes, this dish is... surprising.
17 finished the bowl with a pleasure that surprised him. He could not explain to Ruri what he had just experienced, and he remained pensive for long minutes. But whatever the name of this sensation was, it was anything but unpleasant. He actually felt very happy in this place. Familiar vibrations emanated from it, and he finally smiled, silently and almost mechanically, as Hazel's footsteps were heard on the stairs.
- Sorry I took so long, but I had a little waking accident to deal with! she told them as she came in, carrying two small shapes with big, sleepy eyes emerging from them in her arms.
- OH MY GOD THEY ARE SO CUUUUTE ! exclaimed Ruri who got up to join her. ARE THEY YOUR CHILDREN ?
- Yes, they are my little wonders. Come, I will introduce them to you!
17 took in his arms Volt that Ruri had just given him, and installed it on his knees. Finishing his coffee, he observed the scene from afar, intrigued. Hazel's children immediately reminded him of Marron, the one and only time he had seen her. The two human babies in front of him had the same type of physique, the same size and the same hesitant facial expressions. They must not have been very old and wore similar clothes, some sort of purple fleece suits. They were sucking on strange objects decorated with plastic medallions that filled the room with tinkling sounds as soon as they moved a millimeter. Thin strands of hair covered their little heads, the same color as their mother's, that almost white gray that he had never seen before in another human being.
But as he looked at them more closely, a detail suddenly jumped out at him.
Except for a pink ribbon that crowned the head of one of them, these little humans were strangely similar. So much so that it was difficult to distinguish them at first glance.
- They are twins!? asked Ruri, anticipating the deduction that 17 made.
- Yes, they are. This is Moss, my little boy. And this is his sister, Mint, answered Hazel, tenderly putting back in place the little ribbon that the little girl kept trying to remove.
- How old are they?
- Almost a year. They were born in December. The 22nd.
- Just before Christmas!
- Yes, the most beautiful gifts you can imagine. Come on babies, say hello to Ruri. RU-RI. Come on, show mom how well you speak!
- Ri! Ri! the twins stammered as they stretched their little arms towards the young woman.
- OH MY GOD!
- They manage to pronounce a few syllables, but it is still approximate.
- Da ! Da ! the babies said as they suddenly turned their big caramel eyes toward 17, glowing with excitement.
The two women looked at each other, surprised, before suddenly understanding and bursting into laughter. Ruri then returns to her place, and picked up the baby wolfdog she brought back to Hazel, to her kids' delight as they waved and shouted.
- Dada !
- Dog. We say « dog ».
- DADA !
- Yes, yes, I will show it to you, but we will keep a reasonable distance, Ruri explained calmly.
The little animal, which had remained silent and motionless until then, began to wag its tail slightly when it saw the children's little hands desperately trying to pet it. Reaching out its muzzle towards them, it sniffed them, one by one. The wet touch of its muzzle on their skin made the twins giggle with delight, but Ruri made sure to stay pretty far away, just to be safe.
- He seems like a nice boy! remarked Hazel.
- Yes, but it's been abused and deprived of its mother. That can affect its behavior, it could bite them. So let's be careful that the babies don't get too close to it. At least until we're sure it's safe.
- You're right. But this is the first time we've seen it show interest. It looks like it' s not afraid of them.
- I think it's because they are so small. Humans that size must intrigue it, and at its age, curiosity often trumps fear. Anyway, this is a good sign. And besides, it gives me an idea... Are Moss and Mint going to have a bottle before they leave?
- Yes, they are indeed on the table. Why ?
Ruri then threw a glance toward 17, who immediately got up to join them. He too had understood what the young woman had in mind. Gently, he took Volt in his arms and held him with one hand against his chest, caressing his skull with the other to reassure him. Using a bottle of milk that Hazel had in her refrigerator, Ruri prepared a meal for the animal, adding a little honey to make it more nourishing.
She then handed this improvised bottle to 17, who advanced it towards the little animal's mouth.
As he expected, the wolfdog refused to feed at first, turning its head away and uttering little whining cries. This was no surprise to 17. Although he knew absolutely nothing about human babies, in his work he had often encountered and cared for sick or injured animals, especially puppies. So he continued to scratch the wolfdog, just above the ears, without turning away from the bottle he continued to offer. The animal was still restless, but it didn't have much strength and, above all, it was hungry. Its fear of humans was palpable, the presence of these 3 adults in front of it reviving the trauma of its capture. But 17 knew how to act. The greatness of his strength was matched only by the delicacy he put into his movements. Not one sudden move. Nothing that would increase fear. He waited, patiently, holding this little being in his arms.
Ruri and Hazel each took one of the twins in their arms, and the babies did not hold back for a second, greedily devouring their own bottles.
Volt watched them, intrigued, sniffing the air all around it, its gaze sweeping the room, landing alternately on Moss, Mint and 17. After a few minutes of interior fight, as expected, it could not resist its curiosity. Wanting to imitate the two babies, it started to suckle too, at first a little, then with the same greediness, making all push a sigh of relief.
- If it eats, then it is saved... Ruri whispered to 17 who nodded, relieved.
Then, when the bottles were all gobbled up, everyone joined Oak, who was waiting in his car so they could all hit the road together.
It was still very early, but visibility was already good enough for 17 to see brief flashes of light that went on and off as they passed.
« Reflection of the sun's rays on cameras » he thought, « we are thus well watched ».
But he didn't have much time to think about it, because it took them only a few minutes to reach Jingle Village, which was only a few hundred meters from the edge of the park. It was a very isolated place, lost in the middle of a vast expanse of snow, reached by a single dirt road. Surrounded by trees and tightly enclosed by mountains, it had only a few houses, tiny and round, with pastel colors that brought a little cheerfulness in a hopelessly white landscape.
The central square of the village was empty, and the silence was total. However, as soon as he got out of the car, 17 noticed that many people were watching them behind the drawn curtains and half-closed shutters of their windows. He looked around at this awkward atmosphere and was soon joined by Ruri, while he was still holding Volt against him. Lying on his right arm and revived after its meal, the little animal had now all its senses on alert. Sniffing the air around it, it suddenly turned its muzzle to the right and whimpered, attracting the couple's attention as they swiveled in that direction before spotting a figure hidden behind a tree.
- Snow! You can come, they're with me!
Oak had just gotten out of the car and called to the woman, who then emerged from her hiding place. Dressed in a thick, bright yellow coat, she rushed to the car, gesturing with long red hair sticking out of the woolen cap she was wearing. Then, almost instantly, all the doors of the houses opened. Within seconds, the entire village came alive. About twenty people, adults and children, were now going about their business almost as if nothing had happened.
Arriving at their height, the mysterious woman spoke, still out of breath from her run.
- Hello! Sorry Oak, when you didn't tell me you were coming, I thought...
- Don't worry about it. This is Ruri and Larry, they are the ones I told you about.
Snow's face broke into a big smile and her gaze went from the Ranger to them. She looked like she wanted to burst with joy, but everything about her attitude showed that she was physically holding back. So she just looked at them, nodded her head in greeting, and without saying anything more to them, she walked over to Hazel who had also come out.
- Did you come to get supplies? Hello, babies!
- Nono! the twins shouted, immediately corrected by their mother.
- Snow, Snoooooow!
- Noooo!
- Don't worry, they're still very young, they'll figure it out in the end.
- I know, Hazel replied, stroking her children's faces. Yes, I have a big order of food and supplies to pick up, and our guests have kindly agreed to come help.
- That's very nice of them. I'll check the storeroom to make sure everything you ordered is ready.
- We'll be waiting for you. Here, Larry, you should go with her and give her a hand. You don't mind, do you, sweetheart ?
17 didn't understand all this strange talk, but the insistence in Hazel's eyes and Ruri's quiet approval were enough to convince him. He nodded slightly, and Snow immediately set off to take him to a small house, the most out-of-the-way and isolated in the village, where they found themselves completely alone. Countless boxes occupied the only room of this building, filled from floor to ceiling, and he was still wondering what they could contain, when he heard the characteristic sound of a kettle, just behind him.
- Here, it's hot tea. And take these cookies too, they're sesame.
« But why does everyone here want to make me eat? » wondered 17, reluctantly agreeing to take what Snow handed him, but without swallowing anything.
- Thanks, but it wasn't necessary, he replied, trying to sound natural.
- Oh yes, it was. It's very cold here, when you're not used to it, you can end up freezing.
- I'm a pretty tough person.
- Good for you! I'm sorry, this must all seem strange to you. But...
- They're watching us, aren't they?
Snow didn't answer at first, taking a cup of tea before nodding.
- Yes, they come here regularly, with their weapons. They terrorize us and search the houses, supposedly to check for poachers and other bullshits.
- They have been following us since we left the house, but they have not entered the village.
- I think your visit is disrupting their plans. When Oak told us about you, they were furious. Especially the two brothers, the big one and the little one. They did everything they could to stop you from coming, but Oak wouldn't let up. So I think they're watching quietly, and then they're going to see how they're going to handle the... problem, if I may say so.
- They are probably in the surrounding woods.
- With their damn cameras and microphones, I know. They've got them all over the place, especially around the Tower.
- How do you know that?
- Because we have often tried to get close to them to see what they are doing, but it is impossible. They always intercept us, before we can even see them. That's why Hazel sent us here. This warehouse is practically invisible from outside the village because of the trees, and I know for sure that there are no microphones here. So we can talk quietly, but we'll have to be quick. Oak told me about you. He said you were a Ranger, like him?
- That's right.
- He also said that you were the greatest Ranger on the planet, that no one else could match you, that you were the best!
- Well... Yes, you could say that I... Yes, that's pretty true actually, replied 17 after a vain attempt to remain modest.
- Anyway, he said I should answer all your questions. So go ahead, what do you need to know?
- Everything. What do you know about the Red Ribbon Army?
- Not much in fact. Or rather nothing about its creation, I was still young when Goku destroyed it after I...
- Goku? interrupted 17 who was surprised by the familiarity of Snow's tone. Are you talking about Son Goku?
- Yes, that's right. Do you know him?
- In a... certain way.
- Is he your friend?
- Not really.
- Is that so? Anyway, you're the first person I've ever met who knows him. It's weird to think about him again, it all seems so far away...
- What was your relationship with him?
- Relationship? But... no... he was my friend, that's all, what do you believe? stammered Snow, whose cheeks reddened with shame intrigued 17 to the core.
He had probably just said something wrong, but he had no idea what it could be. He hesitated before resuming the conversation, regretting the absence of Ruri who could have helped him decipher this sudden change of attitude. But Snow did not seem to be angry with him. She looked rather very embarrassed, her frightened look reminding him the one that Ruri could have when he put, according to his expression, "the feet in the dish with the delicacy of a tractopelle".
- Anyway, Snow said after a few seconds, Goku has been my friend since the day he saved us from the Red Ribbon men. He single-handedly destroyed the army, you know!
- Interesting. And how did he do it?
- I wasn't there, but he defeated all the Muscle Tower soldiers. There were a lot of them and they were armed, so it was still a tough fight...
- That's the main thing. What do you know about what was in the Tower? Because that's what these guys are looking for.
- I'm afraid I can't tell you much more. It's true that in addition to guns and bombs, General Red had built much, much more powerful weapons. There were countless robots in the Tower.
« Here we go... » thought 17. The conversation was finally getting to what he had hoped for, and just hearing that word had just given him a stronger emotion than he had expected.
The desire to know.
To get closer to his past, even a little, even in a very fragmented way.
He had to face the facts: he was actually very happy that this mission had brought him to Snow.
- Robots? That's amazing. What kind? he finally asked.
- All kinds. Goku even fought several of them! After that, all I can tell you is what their creator told me.
This time, 17 didn't have to force himself to act surprised. Taken by surprise by this revelation, he literally jumped towards Snow, almost spilling his tea whose burning drops ran on his hand without him paying the least attention.
- GERO? he exclaimed, stepping forward. Have you met Dr. Gero?
- Who is he?
- Well... The robots' creator... You said you talked to him.
- The man I met was not called Gero, but Flappe. Dr. Flappe.
17 had never heard of this man. In the midst of his surprise, he wondered if Gero had not simply been acting under a false name, in order to cover his tracks. So he resumed his interrogation.
- ... Could you... describe him to me?
- An old man... With a big tuft of gray hair and a mustache. He had glasses with very thick lenses. And he... He was also very nice!
- Nice?
- Yes. The army had threatened him too, he had to work for them, but I can guarantee you that he was against all their ideas.
17 wavered.
If Snow's mention of an old man had strengthened his first assumption, the entire end of her sentence had just destroyed it. He didn't know much about Gero, but if he was certain of one fact, it was that he had never been forced in any way to participate in Red Ribbon activities. And that none of the people he talked to would have called him « nice » afterwards. He didn't know what to say. He had never heard of an assistant or a co-creator. Gero had been his only tormentor and the only other human being he had met in the lab.
He felt like he was on the edge of a precipice.
He thought he had come to this village to find answers, and here Snow had just swept away the few certainties he had, leaving him lost, burdened with a multitude of new questions.
It is then that Snow, unaware of the effect that her revelations had had on 17, took the floor and continued her explanations.
- Dr. Flappe took advantage of the disorder caused by the destruction of the Tower to escape without being arrested or pursued. And I always thought he was not the only one. It was a real mess, you know, so it wouldn't be a surprise if other members of the army had done the same.
- Yeah, they might have.
- These guys...they're part of it. I'm sure they are. The Red Ribbon... the curse of this land will resurface...
Snow's worry had just overwhelmed her, suddenly making her voice tremble. Sensing the change, 17 looked at her for a moment. Staring at a box on the floor, her eyes had become sad, as if painful memories were resurfacing in her mind. He felt a rare sense of empathy, for while he understood human emotions better, he could rarely project himself onto those of others. But now he understood. He felt an immediate closeness and sympathy for this human with whom he shared the common pain of having once crossed paths with the Red Ribbon Army.
He then made the effort to soften his face a little and approached him to speak to her.
- Don't worry too much. You're not alone anymore. Oak asked me to come and fix the problem, and I intend to.
- Yes, I know, and you have our full confidence. Thank you for everything you'll do for us!
Volt's growl suddenly causes them to stop talking.
Still perched on 17's arm, the little animal nibbles on his finger, shakes its head from side to side, growling softly.
- It must be hungry, 17 explained. It hasn't eaten enough in days.
- We won't keep it waiting then. Anyway, we've been talking for too long already, if someone looks at us, he'll end up being intrigued. Let's go back to the car, I've prepared all these cans of food for Hazel.
- I'll help you carry them.
- No need, Snow immediately replied as she turned toward the stairs leading to the second floor of the house. HACCHAN! HACCHAN! Can you come and give us a hand?
A series of thuds were then heard, as if something very massive had just moved to join them.
BOOM
BOOM
17 was very surprised by the heaviness of what seemed to be footsteps, cause he had never met a human moving with such a din. However, it was a human figure that appeared after a few seconds.
A gigantic human, with a colossus physique.
Immediately, 17's gaze lingered on his huge hands from which seemed to emanate great power. He was dressed like the other humans here, warmly, with a green wool vest that covered much of his body. A huge scar ran across most of his forehead.
For a brief moment, 17's vision blurred, so much so that he had to concentrate to clear the sort of hazy veil that seemed to be superimposed on the unusual figure advancing toward him. When the giant, with his slow and placid gait, was right in front of him, 17 instinctively raised his head to look at him better. It was only then that he understood where this impression of « déjà vu », which had disturbed him so much, came from.
This smile and this glance were terribly familiar to him.
In a fraction of a second, he found himself teleported in time.
This smile... this look...
17 saw himself there again, on that cursed island, during his fight against Cell.
When the monster had just tried to absorb him for the first time. As he was struggling with all his strength and despair mixed with anger, he had felt the pressure of the monster's hands on his collar suddenly loosen. Thrown to the ground, he had immediately turned around, his heart pounding, still under the impact of a fear he had just experienced for the very first time in his life.
And when he looked up, the first thing he saw was the face of 16.
16 was smiling at him, with the same blissful, almost naive smile, as he looked at him with the same serene gaze. He had thought himself doomed, convinced that no one could come to his rescue, that he was seized with rage and terror at the terrible fate that awaited him, but that gentle face had stunned him.
For someone had come, whereas until that very moment, no one had ever done anything for him, nor for his sister, during their long years of capture.
17 didn't really know what to think, but this village was definitely a place full of surprises, which he suddenly felt determined to protect, whatever the cost. It was then that the giant reached out a hand and gently placed it on the little wolf-dog, who reacted to this caress with a growl of satisfaction, before frantically licking the top of his palm.
- It's so cute! Is it your dog?
- It's not... well, yes, we'll say that, 17 replied, surprised by such a reaction from the animal who was so wary of humans just yesterday.
- Are you a friend of Snow? You are here to help the village, aren't you?
- Yes.
- Snow's friends are my friends. My name is Hacchan. What's your name?
- ... Larry.
- Great! I'll help Snow carry the stuff.
Although the man was very tall and strong, it was obvious to 17 that he was going to need a hand carrying the dozen or so boxes filled to the brim that were in the doorway. Humans always tend to overestimate their strength, and he was looking around to see where he could drop Volt off, when he heard a loud noise right behind him and turned around. Stunned, he realized that Hacchan had lifted all the boxes he had just loaded on his back in one motion, as if nothing had happened.
He showed no signs of physical effort and moved outward with surprising ease.
- I know it's surprising at first but don't worry, it's normal, Hacchan is super strong! exclaimed Snow at 17's surprised look.
- Yes, strong, that's the word... he replied, thoughtful.
- Shall we meet at the car?
- Yes.
But as Snow headed outside, 17 suddenly grabbed her arm to stop her and asked, this time in a much more serious tone:
- Is he from here?
- No, Hacchan is not from the village.
- And where is he from?
- I don't know, I never asked him.
- And he came to your house just like that, without saying anything?
- Oh no, he didn't say anything. He was the former guard of the Muscle Tower, but he's nice, don't worry. He helped us in the final battle, and he's also a friend of Goku. Why do you ask?
This revelation didn't surprise 17 in the least. On the contrary, it even confirmed what he had immediately understood.
« This guy is a robot... a Red Ribbon robot... » he thought as he tried to figure out as quickly as possible what he should do. A whole bunch of scenarios were forming in his head, but the presence in this village of a creation that could be Gero's worried him. Snow had just said he was a nice guy, and Hacchan certainly didn't look dangerous at first glance. He even seemed to be harmless, with Volt even showing immediate confidence in him.
17 knew that animals had great intuition, and that it was worthwhile to trust it. They could sense human emotions, and their reactions to them were very often indicative of a person's inner nature. Ruri had often explained to him how powerful the animals' sixth sense was, and he had experienced it himself in his work.
« He's like 16... »
The resemblance to his former partner was indeed obvious, even unsettling. But the more he thought about it, the more worried 17 became. Thinking that an older model could only be inferior to him, he had not anticipated anything about 16's actual power. There was no guarantee that an older robot wouldn't be able to give him problems, however unlikely. What was more worrisome was the digging that Lacenaire's men were doing in the ruins. If Hacchan was indeed a robot, and especially the former guardian of the Tower, the possibility that he could be controlled remotely was important. And if so, he would become a real threat to the humans in the village, and to Ruri.
The idea that he might have dragged his companion into a risky situation, one that was moreover related to the Red Ribbon Army, annoyed him deeply.
17 hesitated.
Should he take no chances, and eliminate this robot on the spot so that it could no longer be used as a weapon and harm anyone?
It was probably the most rational thing to do, but he inevitably thought of Ruri.
What would she think if she saw him kill an innocent man in an instant, right before her eyes? No, to put her through the horror of such a vision was unthinkable. If he had to destroy this robot, he would do it out of sight. For the moment, he then decided to do nothing, but he was determined to come back here later to find out more.
So, after thinking about it, 17 finally freed Snow.
- For nothing. Simple curiosity, he answered her by pretending to smile as naturally as possible.
He followed her steps and joined the car, which was loaded in no time. The little group then left the village to reach their starting point. Once the groceries were put away, Hazel left them to stay with her children in the house, also keeping Volt with her, who seemed to be only preoccupied with the idea of playing with the two babies. On their side 17, Ruri and Oak headed to the zoo, which they reached just in time. As the day before, the same welcoming committee was waiting for them. Still equipped with their weapons, the small group of men didn't bother to greet them and ostensibly stayed back, with only Kley making the effort to join them to open the door.
Cold anger was coming out of the grimace that contorted his clenched jaw, and Oak had noticed the darkness in his eyes. He walked slowly, still a few steps behind the rest of the group. 17 could sense the fear that assailed the Ranger. He clearly feared this man and the violence he could do. Ruri was also very quiet, saying only a few vague words and avoiding interaction with Kley as much as possible.
This man, on the other hand, seemed much more interested in the 17 than in the others. He walked ahead, taking advantage of every moment to observe him discreetly, while opening doors and describing very briefly the animals they met. Strangely enough, he didn't look especially worried when he looked at him, but 17 could clearly read in his eyes a very great curiosity about him. It was as if he was watching for "something" in his reactions.
Determined to remain discreet, 17 pretended not to have noticed anything and just stayed as close as possible to Ruri, without saying a word.
He noticed that, as Lacenaire had promised, the cages had been opened. The animals are now free to come and go in their pens. The pens were far too small, but it was a great improvement. However, the large glass cubes were still present, confirming 17's assumption that there would be a massive poaching project of all the individuals gathered here. Exchanging a brief glance with Ruri, he was able to make sure that she shared his analysis, before a shout came from behind them and immediately made them turn around.
- OAK! TAKE ME TO IT! !
Just then, a figure came out of nowhere, running at full speed to join them and camp in front of the Ranger. It was a small boy with red hair, probably about ten years old. He was wearing a small dark blue suit, a white shirt and a bright red bow tie. The outfit, a little small for him, slightly hindered his movements and gave him an awkward gait that he seemed to be the only one not to notice. Grabbing one of the sleeves of Oak's coat, he began to tug on it forcefully, as if he wanted to drag him to the next pens. But the Ranger put his other hand on top of his head, signaling him to stop.
- Wait Willy, wait! Not so fast! I have to introduce you to my friends first.
Annoyed at first, the little boy nevertheless eventually turned to the couple and pointed at them before asking:
- Who are they?
- The friends I told you about, who came to help me with the animals at the zoo. Guys, this is Willy, our sponsor's son. Then boy, this is Ruri and...
- You are really pretty! interrupted Willy, provoking a burst of laughter of the young woman who made some steps to approach.
- Haha! Thank you, you're very cute too, she answered, gently caressing the red curls of the boy whose face became also very red.
- And this is Larry. He's a Ranger, like me, Oak continued.
17, who wasn't thrilled with the idea of having a child around, merely nodded in their direction, hoping that would be enough. But the boy's reaction was just the opposite of what he had hoped for, as he immediately moved toward him.
- Can't you speak?
- ... yes, I do.
- So why don't you talk?
- ... I don't want to.
- It's ok. Take me on your shoulders.
- I am sorry?
- I'm tired of walking. Usually Oak carries me, but you're taller than him, so on your shoulders I can see better. I want to go see the mammoths.
Ruri almost choked with laughter when she saw 17's face, taken aback by this request that he hadn't expected at all. She saw him raise his eyes in her direction, giving her a questioning look in which she read like a cry for help.
But, in a playful mood, Ruri shook her head slightly, determined not to intervene right away. On the contrary. Savoring during long seconds the face of her partner, usually so impassive, to be troubled, one of its eyebrows raising frantically under the blow of the annoyance, the young woman was well decided to wait a little before coming to him in help. She took advantage in fact with amusement of the spectacle of a 17, not used to the contact with the children, trying as well as possible to get out of this bad step.
Pushing a light sigh when he understood that Ruri wanted to leave him to his fate, 17 cleared his throat and lowered again his eyes towards the small human whose insolence was inversely proportional to his size.
- May I ask why I have to do this? he finally asked.
- Because I ordered you to.
17 looked up again at Ruri who was now biting her lips. She was almost crying with laughter, and while walking towards them, the young woman asked him teasingly:
- Did you hear 17? I think you were given an order...
- Yes, I heard perfectly.
- So what? What are you going to do?
- I have an idea, but you might not like it.
- Hmmmmmm...
Without saying anything else, Ruri took a few more steps to get to his height and leaned towards him so that they could exchange in a low voice.
- Do you have a problem?
- Yes, I have a problem. I hate kids.
- Ask me nicely and I'll take care of it.
- Do something or I'll send this brat into space.
- I guess that' s the best I can get. Okay. But it's really because you look so cute when you make that face that I'm helping you, you stubborn tin can!
So Ruri pivoted and took two steps to stand right in front of the young boy. She leaned slightly towards him and placed two of her fingers on his chin.
- Willy my darling, why did you come to the zoo?
- To see the animals! I love animals so much.
- So why don't you stay with me instead? My job is to study animals, I know a lot about them. So if you have any questions, I can tell you anything you want to know about them.
- What does he do?
- Larry protects the animals. He's super tough, but he doesn't know as much as I do.
- Will you hold my hand?
- Of course I will. As long as you want.
- Super cool! It's like a date then. Then you're my girlfriend!
- Well ok, let's say it's valid for the time of the visit. Shall we go?
- I want to see the mammoths!
- No worries, answered Ruri, smiling when she saw the angry look that 17 was giving Willy, who was delighted.
So they left together, the little boy and the young woman in the lead, with 17, Oak and Kley right behind them. On the way to the mammoth enclosure, they stopped several times in front of different animals that Ruri presented with great care. She actually seemed to take her role as guide very seriously, giving many explanations in a very professorial tone that 17 knew well. In the past few weeks, she had begun giving small teaching sessions at her university, and he knew how much she enjoyed this role and sharing her knowledge.
Her passion for the wilderness was palpable in her every sentence, and so they reached in what seemed like a brief moment an enclosure with a huge mammoth.
- It's her! It's Belle! Hello ! exclaimed Willy as soon as he saw the female.
- Belle, is that her name? asked Ruri.
- Yes. She is so cool!
- It is true that she is... cool.
17 had noticed his companion's brief hesitation, and he decided to observe the animal more closely. Alone in an enclosure barely larger than itself, the female was barely moving. It was swinging its trunk from right to left, mechanically, stubbornly, and its thick fur only hid its thinness from the eyes of the uninitiated.
The animal was not in good health.
Like Volt, it must have been slowly starving itself, and its repetitive movements were the manifestation of great suffering, probably from being separated from its family.
He clenched his fists in anger, before turning his head in Kley's direction.
« You know it, you scum... » he thought to himself as he saw the small smile on his face.
17 was enraged.
The cruelty. The indifference to the others' pain. The feeling of omnipotence which made believe that one could decide with impunity the fate of others' lives.
Like Gero.
It enraged him to see this miserable human, whose skull he could blow off so quickly that he wouldn't even have time to notice it, rejoicing like that. It frustrated him to know that he had to hold back for now and not make too big a show of his powers.
Kley smiled, and didn't take his eyes off him.
He was provoking him, that was obvious, and so was the reason.
« You're trying to test me, aren't you? You know I talked to Snow. You know about the other robot. What did you find in that damn tower... »
Willy's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting 17's thoughts.
- This sucks, she's still not moving Ruri!
- Maybe she's tired. We should leave her now.
- She's always like this, it sucks! I want to give her a hug!
- You can't...
- KLEY! She's not moving! shouted the boy without letting her finish.
- No problem, kid, he replied.
In a second, as if he had been waiting for this moment since their arrival, he reached for his belt and grabbed a metal object that he pointed at the mammoth. Understanding immediately what it was about, Ruri had hardly time to let escape a cry of surprise when a detonation burst.
The object that Kley was holding was a gun, and he had just shot the mammoth.
No one in the group had a chance to see what happened next, but everyone instinctively turned their gaze toward the inside of the enclosure.
17 was already there, standing just behind the mammoth, holding a long metal rod in his right hand. It was the projectile that Kley had fired, and which he had managed to intercept with his prodigious speed. The weapon Kley had used was a protective device well known to rangers and zoologists. Intended to be used only as a last resort, it fired electrically charged steel spikes that sent violent shocks when they came into contact with living tissue.
The shocks were not intended to kill, but they were enough to make an aggressive animal flee in pain. Yet if 17 had been quick enough to stop the spike before it hit its target, he knew it was too late. The instant his skin touched the metal tip, a flash of light shot out. Forced to close his eyes, he let the electricity spread throughout his body, absorbing most of it.
Breathless, Ruri watched in horror as small bluish flashes progressed from the front of his arm until they formed a sort of bubble of light around him. She knew he was much stronger than any human being, but seeing the one she loved trapped in an arc of electricity was chilling. However, both were aware that this spectacular intervention would not be enough.
Indeed, after a short moment, some bluish flashes escaped from his arm and from the metallic rod. Unable to block the dispersal of the current, 17 took a step back to prepare for what was to come. Inevitably, some of them reached the female mammoth, who let out a terrible roar. Frightened by the flashes of lightning and the burns they were beginning to cause on its fur, the animal threw itself forward, running at full speed into the fence that surrounded its enclosure, which exploded under the power of the charge.
It went straight ahead, where Willy and Ruri were.
Without having too much time to think, the young woman had the instinctive reflex to seize the young boy and to take him in her arms before crouching. Willy then pushed a cry of fright and snuggled up against her, eyes closed, waiting for the shock which seemed inevitable.
But nothing happened.
Then, slowly, Willy opened his eyes and looked at what was happening.
In front of him, with his back to her, he was surprised to see 17 who had miraculously managed to reach them before the mammoth did. He had interposed himself between them, and held in each of his hands the gigantic tusks of the female that he kept immobile. Only the barking of the mammoth, furious at such resistance, disturbed the silence that surrounded them. Fear and amazement at the titanic strength of 17 left Oak speechless, while Kley was more attentive than ever.
- Get back! suddenly shouted 17.
Willy was surprised by the very authoritative tone of his voice, but he immediately felt a tender caress on his hair. When he looked up at her, he saw Ruri's wide smile and green eyes, shining with a warm and reassuring glow.
- Don't worry kid. Everything will be fine, trust him, she whispered.
Then without another word, the young boy always stuck against her, Ruri undertook to make some steps backwards, bringing them both gradually in a safe place.
17 did not look at her, but he felt her presence moving away from him.
She was now safe, he only had to focus on the mammoth who was still struggling with all its might to escape his grip. It was furious. Terrified. Exhausted, but also no doubt eager to regain its freedom by leaving this place.
« I can't let you go yet... we have to play their game a little longer... », thought 17. He hated the idea of having to keep this beautiful animal locked up a little longer, but he had no choice.
He knew what he had to do.
Hold on, just a little longer.
- Shhhh, calm down. Calm down.
He spoke in a firm, yet incredibly soft voice. He could feel the fear in the female's eyes as it tried to get him to back off. It was trying to move forward, then backward, shaking its head from side to side, but it couldn't make the strange human standing before it.
He was not like the others.
He was strong, but there was nothing in his body language that was alarming.
His face showed not the slightest disturbance, and there was an unruffled calm in his eyes.
It understood him. It trusted him.
She understood him. She believed him.
- I won't hurt you, whispered 17 again.
The bark of rage slowly turned into whimpers, weaker and weaker. The animal was getting tired, but its body was also relaxing. Its heartbeat, so strong that 17 could feel it through his forearms, gradually slowed. Then, finally, it stopped struggling.
The mammoth had calmed down. 17 was still holding it, but he gradually began to release the pressure on its tusks.
He let out a long sigh and closed his eyes. Ruri and the boy were safe.
But...
17 opened his eyes again and turned his head to his left.
Kley was smiling. The same unpleasant smile he had had from the beginning, and which had grown more pronounced under the satisfaction of knowing he had achieved his goal.
17 had sensed that he was being watched, and despite his caution, he had not been able to outwit the trap this human had set for him.
Despite himself, he had been forced to reveal the extent of his strength.