The City Of Love

Zeno: <I'm gonna be going to Russia for a while. So I thought I'd let you guys know in advance.>

Edge: <[Russia?]>

*Edge goes to sit down, his paranoia dropping.*

Edge: <Russia sucks. I should know...>

*Kelphy looks from Zeno to Edge, confused, then turns to the television, turning it on. The news are indeed on, and they are showing footage of the Colsun mansion again. Then, the image shifts to the anchor.*

Anchor: <Moving on, a group of expert Navi technology researchers led by the newly famous and promising Aera Turmill arrived at the Paris International Airport this morning. The reason for their presence there was kept a secret, but it caused a large number of NetNavi and NetBattling fans to gather at the airport.>

*Images of a group of researchers in white lab gowns exiting the airport protected by several bodyguards are shown. The one leading the group is a young elegant woman in her 20s with long blond hair and light blue eyes.*

Anchor: <That would be it, if this was any other city's news broadcast, but for, us Seabreeze citizens, this means a lot more than you would expect. Let's rewind the footage.>

*They start showing the images of the researchers exiting the airport again. This time, the image stops when they're walking out the door, and zooms in on a black-haired man in the back: Mayor Colsun.*

Kelphy: <(...W-W-What...?)>

"The hell is going on!?"

Edge: <Uhh....>

Spider: <That's just...>

Edge and Spider: <What the fuck is going on here?!>

Zeno: <And the plot thickens...>

*She widens her eyes and turns to Alto.*

Kelphy: <C-Can I go get my laptop from your bedroom?>

"The one that blew up? Oh... OH YEAH... go ahead."

*Edge leans into his PET to talk to Spider.*

Edge: <(What the hell is this?)>

Spider: <(I don't know, but something happened. I don't know what, but I have a feeling that woman had something to do with it.)>

Kelphy: <N-No, that was my father's laptop, I mean mine.>

*She goes to get her sky blue laptop and leaves her dad's destroyed one behind. She sticks it in her backpack and comes back.*

Kelphy: <T-Thank you for letting me stay here. It was nice seing you all.>

*With this, she walks out the door and hurries down the driveway.*

Alto facepalms, "Both of you" he looks at Zeno and Edge, "Get out."

*Edge remembers what the woman said to him, about keeping Kelphy away from finding her father and to get rid of her laptop. With that in mind, he starts running after Kelphy, ignoring Alto. He runs until he's a few steps away from her.*

Edge: <Waaaaait!>

Spider: <[Subtle. Real subtle.]>

Zeno: <Keep an eye on Edge.>

*He walks out, looking for Olympe.*

Protoman: <You're not serious, are you?>

Zeno: <Yeah, I am.>

*Kelphy stops and turns around.*

Kelphy: <W-What is it?>

=====

*Olympe is at the Town Hall, in her new office, doing nothing but being awesome and sexy.*

Edge: <I, uh, was hoping I could help you. Y'know, tag along or whatever...>

Alto takes Zeno's advice and e-mails what zeno said to her.

*Zeno opens up the door to the mayor's office and stares down Olympe.*

Zeno: <So, I'm going to Russia, it seems.>

*Kelphy widens her eyes in surprise, but smiles.*

Kelphy: <...O-Okay, but we must hurry.>

Iceman: <Kelphy, new mail.>

Kelphy: <...I can't right now.>

Iceman: <It's from Alto.>

*She takes out her PET and reads the mail. She then glances at Edge and keeps the PET again after a few seconds, before proceeding to hurry down the street.*

=====

*Alto receives an e-mail that reads "Would you like to come with us?".*

=====

Olympe: <Yes, it does seem that way. Not right now though, you have a plane to catch. Unless you want to let your buddy Edge screw Kelphy over.>

*Edge follows Kelphy.*

Alto replies with a yes and to meet up at the park.

Zeno: <He's not gonna do anything major. Besides, I've already got someone watching her back.>

*He laughs as he folds his arms.*

Zeno: <You lose.>

Protoman: <You're being an idiot...>

*Kelphy and Edge arrive at the park. Kelphy looks around looking for Alto.*

[I have to hurry...]

=====

Olympe: <Oh, is that so? Okay then.>

*Her fist rams into his face with the fury of a hundred madcanoes.*

*Edge stays back a bit and sighs.*

Edge: <(Ugh, I hate lying like this. Especially when it's against my will.)>

Spider: <(Then stop. I doubt she has that many spies lurking around us anyway.)>

Edge: <....>

Spider: <(Well?)>

Edge: <(...Let me think about it a bit more.)>

Alto arrives shortly after and waves to Kelphy.

*Zeno crumbles to the ground with a bloody nose.*

Zeno: <Okay, I deserved that much...>