[https://i.imgur.com/KzhonnZ.jpg]

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Bubble looked at the object the King of Lost Hell had left him: a music box with one of the Higher Divinities dancing in the middle, spinning around in circles, happy and untroubled. He couldn't believe that he had had such a conversation with such a giant... He would never have believed that the King of Lost Hell was so imposing, and certainly not that he was anything other than human. It was hard to believe that he was a human, since he was at least 10 meters tall... but what was he, then?

- It's really none of my business…” Bubble thought.

He had been taken there by force, forced to fight against Vixen and had almost been killed, but he had won with all of his Power. He hated Heaven's Nightmare, the real form of his Power, but it was what had saved him. It was also a Power that controlled part of his heart and gave him a more intense desire to fight than normal... He hadn't been able to control himself and if it weren't for Kari, he would have killed Vixen and... and…

- …

Now that his head was clear, hours after the fight with Vixen, he wondered why they had been so extreme. He understood why the King had forced him to fight the man and what lesson he had learned from it, but he had allowed Bubble to kill Vixen; or Kari, when she saved the man. If he really wanted to teach Bubble a lesson…

- I've been tested, that's all. Don't worry about it…

Bubble figured that there was a good chance that the King would have stopped him if he had really been trying to kill Vixen or Kari. Chances are he had noticed that Kari had returned and so hadn't moved a muscle. Either way, he could think all he wanted, what had happened was behind him. Now Bubble had to move on with his life and never forget the lesson he had learned. He would still have a hard time loving his Power again or even forgiving himself for killing his family, but he was confident that he had managed to change, after all these years: he had to trust himself.

- …

He turned his gaze to the sleeping girl. She was probably dreaming, given the sweet, but faint smile on her face. It must have been around midnight and Bubble couldn't sleep... His head was full and so resting was complex. Nevertheless, he was reassured, considering what Porencha had told him…

- Really?!

Bubble exclaimed, blinking. Porencha patted Mamou's head and smiled before giving a small nod.

- I've already told Mamou everything, but even if she is in a position where I can't ensure that she stays alive, there is very little chance that she will die from the Tide. She has a stronger body than we think.

Bubble looked at the little girl with big eyes, while Mamou also smiled.

- Mamou very strong!!” she let go.

- I've already given her a shot with a... medication, shall we say. This should stop the spread of the Tide and stabilize her condition. I'm not promising anything and I'll have to check on her in a few days to see if everything is okay.

Bubble was reassured. Porencha had really done his best to help Mamou and had already found a medicine to give her... Mamou's chances of survival increased drastically...! Bubble smiled and thanked Porencha. She waved her hand up and down once and looked quite proud and humble.

- Thank me when we are sure that she is well!” she says.

- You are right. Thanks again, Porencha.

- … Eh.

She rubbed the underside of her nose with her right index finger.

- Ya're welcome, I guess.

Bubble had arrived in Lost Hell hoping to find help for Mamou... and he had found it. Whatever the real identity of the man who had advised them to speak with Porencha, he would have to find him and thank him: he had just saved the life of a young girl. Bubble put down the metal egg he had received from the King and lay down, closing his eyes and sighing. Tomorrow, they were going to return to the east of Lost Hell to find Syrianna and the others... Cerise and the FIREFIGHTERS agreed to keep Mamou for his tests and wait for Bubble to be found, but now that he was back, they couldn't keep her for too long. Besides, from what Cerise told him over dinner, they'd had to stop any torture or work while she was here so as not to traumatize her. At least Garendo, the man he'd met when he got here, didn't do or say anything weird in those few days... Bubble was grateful to the FIREFIGHTERS for what they did for Mamou. He didn't meet many people, but from what he heard from Mamou, she made friends here. Granted, Bubble was convinced that they all had a touch of crazy and that it was best for Mamou not to hang out with that kind of person, but considering how well everyone had taken care of her... Bubble would be back here, one day, to thank them all properly.

However, now he had to make sure Mamou was safe and return Syrianna's small package. Then he would wait for Porencha to tell them that Mamou's condition was stable, take a good supply of the medicine and leave for Winry-Rock again, looking for a new home for Mamou.

- …

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at the little girl sleeping beside him. He loved her very much, Mamou, but unfortunately, Bubble couldn't afford to keep her by his side forever. He had no real purpose in his life, but he was, in a way, a wanderer. He had traveled mostly in Winry-Rock and Teizania, but he would like to visit the whole world. He was also a powerful person, so maybe he could help some people defend themselves against Longers or other enemies. Bubble had thought about it, but if he wanted to get rid of his inner fear of his Power, he would have to use it. How could he control his "ultimate" form if he never used it? Of course he was being controlled! How could he understand that now...? The King, Kari and Vixen had really helped him. Without them, when would he have understood all this...?

It was on these thoughts that Bubble finally fell asleep and was lulled by the clouds of dreams.

Lost Hell, during the night, was as beautiful as it was scary. The sky was no longer blood red, but a darker red, mixed with an obscure mauve. The clouds blocked the rays of Lura, the moon of Arcave. This land was a real hell, but when there was silence and a calm breeze blew over the land, perhaps it could be said that this was a place... quite magical.

- Thanks again for everything.

Bubble bowed to the bunny-eared Kemono and she took a bite of her lollipop, breaking it into several pieces. She nodded.

- Ya're welcome, I guess," she said.

Bubble turned to Porencha who had just woken up. She yawned and rubbed her eyes.

- Are ya leaving already?

- Yes, we need to find Syrianna.

- Hmm... I see…

She yawned again and scratched her hair. Bubble smiled when he noticed that it was all... wooly. She hadn't taken the time to brush it when she woke up…

- I will come soon to check on Mamou," she said.

She cracked her neck and stretched her arm before dropping a small smile.

- Everything should be fine, but it's better to make sure he's okay," she says.

Bubble nodded.

- Makes sense. We can come back here if it's better.

- No, no, I’ll come.

- Ahah, okay, thanks a lot.

Porencha showed her his thumb and Cerise pushed Bubble out of the garage before jumping up and grabbing the metal door. They had changed it, meanwhile... It was Bubble who had destroyed it, but they hadn't mentioned it again. Cerise looked at the girl and then at Bubble.

- … By the way.

- Hm?

- Don't talk about what ya experienced with Syrianna and the others, 'kay?

- I wasn't going to talk about it.

- … So much the better.

Cerise closed the garage door and Bubble scratched the back of his head, a little confused. He hadn't thought to mention it, but why couldn't he?

- Are we going to lie to Syrianna?" asked Mamou.

- I'm just not going to talk about what happened, we're not going to lie.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

- Okiii!

Mamou smiled and took Bubble's hand in his. The two of them began to walk, the man holding a small map in his hands. They would have to walk for a long time, but at least they would be able to see Syrianna and the others again.

A few hours later, after a long walk without fighting or trouble, Bubble and Mamou arrived at the large building where Syrianna and the others lived. Bubble was about to knock on the door when he felt a chill and turned around, but sighed with relief as he recognized the shape running toward them.

- Heyyy, it's been a long time!" said Mody to them.

- Yes, we took our time," admitted Bubble.

- I've had a lot of tests!" said Mamou, jumping up and down.

- Oooh, but did they cure ya?

- Uh, I think...?

Mody turned his gaze to Bubble and Bubble scratched his cheek.

- Let's say her condition should be stable, but Porencha will come to Mamou to check on that.

- Ah, I see. That's good to hear! Aaah, wait?!

Mody was smiling, but eventually she put a troubled look on her face. Bubble questioned her with his eyes.

- Aaah, does that mean ya're still going to enjoy our hospitality?!” shouted Mody.

- Huh? But—

- BUBBLE!!!

Just as he was about to respond to Mody, a woman landed between them and grabbed Bubble by the collar.

- Ya took yar time, huh?! yelled Syrianna.

- S-Syrianna.

- And ya come back and ya want us to put ya up again?!! I want to be nice, but don't think ya can do everything ya want!!!!

Bubble had an embarrassed smile on her face and Mamou looked at them with confusion; even a little fear. Syrianna noticed this and closed her eyes, regaining her seriousness, and stopped holding Bubble by the collar. Syrianna puffed out her cheek as she looked at him.

- I told ya that we're willing to keep ya as long as the girl is being treated, but ya shouldn't overdo it. Ya're not planning to stay in this shitty country, are ya?!” asked Syrianna.

Bubble grabbed Mamou and put her in his arms before shaking his head.

- That's not our intention, but Porencha needs to do a final analysis before she can be sure the drug is working,” Bubble replied. After that, we'll leave directly.

- ... Do ya know when she will come?

- In the days to come, I don't think it will take too long.

- ... Aaah, okay, but not more!

She conjured up her giant screwdriver and stuck it in the ground, right at Bubble's feet.

- We are not an orphanage!

- A-Ahah, I know…

Syrianna made the screwdriver disappear and walked past Bubble before opening the door to the building. Everyone followed her, Mody greeting the little one with a big smile. Mamou returned her smile with a big smile as well.

Once inside, Gareed greeted them and asked them how it went. Bubble recounted their encounter with Cerise and Porencha, as well as his short mission to find the package Syrianna had requested. Speaking of which, he took out the small object and gave it to the woman, which made her smile.

- Finally!!! Ya didn't forget!!!” she shouted as she took him in her arms.

She got up from the table and left to put the object where it belonged. Mody rubbed his chin.

- It had been stolen, that's why we didn't receive it…” she said.

- I see, that makes sense to me," Gareed admitted.

Bubble nodded and explained a little more about the time he accompanied Cerise there, and his destructive fight. Syrianna returned to this then laughed, but not so amused.

- This Cerise, always destroying everything, ah!

She sat down next to Mody and crossed her arms. Gareed looked at her.

- Ya’re especially sad not to have attended this spectacle,” he dropped.

- Huuuuh?!

Syrianna slapped the table with both hands and frowned.

- Who wants to see her fight?! That savage! That barbarian!!!

- In looove~” said Mody.

- I'M NOT IN LOVE!!!

When she had just sat down at the table, she got up and started to run after Mody. Gareed sighed and Bubble looked at them with a small smile.

- Not in love, but at least a fan... whispered Gareed.

Syrianna didn't hear him, nor did Bubble or even Mamou. As she ran after Mody, Mamou laughed, amused by her behavior. Bubble stroked her hair: seeing her happy like that warmed her heart.

Three days had passed since their return to the Imperial Research Team East. Bubble and Mamou had been able to talk a little more with Syrianna, Mody and even Gareed. Tchibu had also chatted a little with them, but since he preferred to be quiet, he didn't show up much.

The hour of noon had just struck when the doorbell rang. Mamou looked up and smiled.

- Big brother Bubu, do you think it's Porencha?!” she asked.

- Possibly,” he says.

- I'll open to see!” says Syrianna.

She jumped over a chair and squeezed herself in. Bubble walked quietly to it as well and looked down the long hallway ahead. Syrianna was already at the end and she opened the door. When she had just pulled the handle, she jumped back. Bubble frowned and was about to run when he noticed someone speaking.

- Hoya? This is how we greet our friends, little Sysy?!

Bubble blinked and watched the two women who had just returned. Porencha ran to the man and smiled.

- Hi! Where is Mamou?" she asked.

- In the big room.

- Is she doing well?

- Yes, everything was fine. However…

Porencha turned around and saw the two women shouting at each other.

- Hey, what are ya doing here, I asked?!” shouted Syrianna.

- I have the right to see the girl, don't I?!” answered Cerise.

- Raaah, we haven't seen each other for a long time and ya come just for her?!

- Are ya a fangirl or what?!

- Shut up!!!

Bubble and Porencha blinked at the same time and the white-haired woman sighed.

- Cerise wanted to come, I couldn't stop her…” she said.

- Ah, I... see…

Cerise grabbed Syrianna and threw her outside before slamming the metal door and walking up to Bubble, hands in her pocket. She chewed the air before nodding to the man.

- Is everything okay?" she asked.

- Y-Yes, and you...?

- Yuuup. Sorry for the intrusion.

She walked back into the building and grabbed Porencha's arm, causing her to let out a small cry of surprise. Bubble looked at them and finally burst out laughing.