[00] The Teleporter

[DA 2009]

Belle Hibiki woke with a yawn and stretch, followed by an indiscreet scratching session. He opened his eyes and curiously looked around; this wasn’t the Coliseum. The last thing he remembered was being peppered with a bunch of rubble chunks, and then he had said…something…to Trafford, and then…nothing. His casual observation turned to alertness as he searched appraisingly along every crack, every corner of the hospital room. After all, you never knew when Mentsu Ration would be lurking about, seeking to capitalize on his state of vulnerability. His carefully scrutinizing eyes passed over the teleporter and a large television screen with marked disinterest, until they lay upon a gilded cage, and within that cage sat a bird, completely identical to Birdie. Belle got up, his vigilance against Mentsu Ration nearly forgotten as he approached the cage. He felt a pang of heartbreak in his chest, and he opened the cage door and held his hand out. It couldn’t have been Birdie, but it looked like him so. The boy carefully held out a palm, trying to coax it out, and the tiny winged creature hopped onto his awaiting hand as if by command.

The youth pulled the bird up close to his face, tentatively reaching out with his other set of fingers to stroke the soft down upon its head. He marveled at his own self-control as the bird lovingly chirped at his gentle motions. Belle decided to free it; birds didn’t belong in a cage, and certainly not one that had flown so freely in the coliseum before. It probably missed its family, the adventurer figured.

Just then, the television flicked on, filled with the image of the guy he’d met at the very beginning of the tournament. The host smiled, and began to speak in a pleasant and friendly tone.

“Hello, Belle,” Damon Dukes greeted.

Belle’s eyes widened in awe: the box was talking to him.

“I didn’t believe that a letter would be appropriate this time, given your willful illiteracy. However, I am more than happy to use this as an alternative, and I am quite sure that it is an acceptable one. I would like to praise you on your skills and contributions to this tournament. Whatever reason motivated you to be here, whatever reason motivated you to stay, I thank you for it. And I see you’ve found the bird.”

Belle’s gaze flicked to the little avian still perched upon his hand.

“It is the very same bird you tried to save in the Coliseum. Just like you, he’s perfectly fine, as you can see. No permanent harm done. But, I think he’s a little lonely. He needs a friend, and I think no one would be as good of a friend as you. You have a profound respect and consideration that he needs. Maybe you can finally learn to control that amazing strength of yours.” It was a lie; the bird in the program had been fake. But Belle didn’t need to know that. “Since your role in this tournament is complete, it is time for you to get back to your own family. I’m sure Sayana and Cog are waiting for you. For your exit, simply speak the location of your choice into the voicebox of the teleporter, and it will take you anywhere you desire. I have also left something for you in a box by the teleporter. I could think of nothing else of greater importance to you, but alas, I only had time to procure one. Hopefully it will suffice. I wish you the best of luck in your journey, and I have full confidence that one day you will find the control you seek. Farewell.”

The television then clicked off of its own accord. Belle gingerly raised his hand to his shoulder, and Birdie jumped atop it, leaving the boy’s hands completely free. He located the box left for him, and removed the book on top of it. Could he read, he might have figured out that the title said: “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.” He carefully opened the package. Inside rested a shiny, gleaming, golden dragon ball.