6 months before the fight Cyclopoulpe / Storm Dragon

  -The minotaurs are measuring their strengths, armed with its axe the "black bull" of Texas has created a large gash in the chest of its opponent, the "Golden bull" armed with its shield and its chained ball does not seem to be here to stay.

  In a sand arena, two creatures fight in a bloody battle. Spectators howl in delight at the sight of red, coliseum-like bleachers overlooking the arena from stone walls, a moat below preventing anyone from descending into the arena. Surrounded by emptiness, the sandy surface was tinged scarlet as two creatures faced each other. Both were almost identical, with a few differences.

  Both were tall easily the height of a truck while standing, like the legend, both were half man half bull, bull legs and head with massive horns coming out of their skulls, the bull legs were the color of their respective nicknames going up to their pelvis or a garment hiding their private parts, above the belt their bodies were that of a human bodybuilder with hair like a coat on the top of their pecs and going down to their hands. Their heads, contrary to fiction, were purely bovine, no canine or facial expression, their black eyes were fixed on their enemies, the silence was only jerked by their breathing.

  Holding their bladed weapons, each stared at the other. The crowd was in a frenzy, the field of death of the arena, the fight would soon come to an end, the blood of the golden bull flowed. He clearly did not know how to use his weapon.

  The axe fell on the shield. This last one was weaker and weaker, the golden bull lost ground, the round shield suffered from deep cuts, the iron which composed this last one left in piece with the brutality of the blows of axe. The simple aegis supported as well as possible but the metal was twisting. The blows of the chains visibly hurt but did not prevent the black bull from hammering his opponent. The two-handed axe had two crescent moon-shaped blades, the fighter's clothes reminded of gladiators with his bare chest and a Roman-style skirt. Seeing the weakness of his opponent, he continued his effort until exhaustion, when finally a blow of axe deflected the shield, he tried to give the blow of grace. All this so that his opponent would drop and thrust his horns into the Black Bull's abdomen.

  Backing up several steps. The horns stuck in his body, the pain must have been horrible. But presence of mind in battle was important to survive the arena. Dropping his weapon, the black bull brought both hands together to deliver a violent blow to the back of his opponent's neck. Realizing only too late that the blow was not fatal, the golden bull tried to remove his horns but the blow he took on the skull disoriented him.

  The horns were finally out but now the black bull was forced to resort to bare hands but now the golden bull was on the offensive. The stolen shield and chain striking the black bull without hesitation charging him to close the distance. Ripping the shield out of his opponent's hands with a big shoulder strike. The golden one gave him a punch around which was rolled a part of the chain putting to knee the black one. The golden one then passed in his back using the remaining slack of chain to strangle. But to strangle a bull the size of a semi-trailer, it took a lot, a lot of strength.

  Bringing him to the ground, the golden bull was passed behind him with the chain around his neck. The grip was weak, especially with the strength in the creature's neck. Instead of taking him down right away, his opponent stood up and kicked the strangler in the stomach without looking. Even from the bleachers the spectators held their breath at the impact. The chain lost its tension and the black bull turned around, landing a powerful punch in his opponent's face.

  Continuing to push him back, the edge of the arena was near and the golden bull's pathetic punches to retaliate were deflected by the expert hand until the final sequence. A combo of two jabs, a hook and an uppercut. Bringing the golden minotaur to the ground. KO. He was almost about to fall into the pit of the arena. But a Muhammad Ali-like knockout still drew a roar from the crowd and a round of applause. The moment the connection was lost, a box in the stands lit up in red signaling the loss of contact between the controller and his creature.

  In the box, which until then had been tinted, one could see a man and his team clearly having an argument.

  Opposite, green neon lights were flashing in another box. Inside the winner and his team. Still connected with the Black Bull, the latter made his creature do a lap of honor bathing in his victory.

  -Do you see that? This is the future. Titans are over, they were for war, now people want entertainment, fights they can see up close. All without thinking about the war and the creatures that participated in it.

  -Storm Dragon did not participate in the war.

  -Because it ended. Where is the use of a Storm Dragon today? A tourist attraction that thinks it's a dragon knight?

  -We are the strongest team in the whole league, we will dominate the competition for years.

  -The only reason this sport is popular is because veterans get to watch the titans die. For their enjoyment. Already the titans are starting to disappear, Biotek has stopped production, the countries of Europe have had budgets for more than a year now that are only private subsidies. We would be kings, yes, but on an empty mountain. Even Rafran Industrie decided to change their format for the production of giant cattle. This game is a current accumulation of ideas for future monster fights. Smaller, more nervous, easier to move or create, the neural load is also weaker as the French showed during the war with their four-armed monkeys. This is the future. Soon we will be dropped. Will drop you. They don't give a shit upstairs about you.

  -Dim, I thank you, but I wish you'd leave us alone for a while.

  In Storm Dragon's dressing room. Leo Flint thought. His fights were getting easier and easier. The creatures were getting weaker and older. The monsters were never meant to last, the number of anomalies from genetic experiments continued to increase over time in the creatures from the war research. Partial paralysis, necrosis, infection, cancer, so many diseases where money counts and yet does not come. Not to mention the titans injured in the power struggle Dim may have been right. The end of the Titans and the advent of monsters. How many creatures were already wounded before his fights even started, there is no half victory. Even if the opponent does not force himself to win? A throne that nobody wants.

  -Olivier, what do you think?

  In the corner of the room was Olivier Lebeau. When he was introduced to the man who would become his second in command at Storm Dragon, he shook his hand and smiled so big it made his jaw drop. A big "nice to meet you" before completely ignoring him for three days to watch Storm Dragon from every angle. After the three days, he came back to him and emptied a bucket of water on Leo.

  After an argument started, he asked Flint why he hadn't been in Storm Dragon for three days.

  - Because it is useless?

  Olivier then put some sense into his skull and with it Leo is not only the controller of Storm Dragon, but Storm Dragon itself. No more co-pilot or backup. He was one with the beast, every dive into the alien body, every piece of advice Olivier gave him. Bringing him closer to what Olivier called symbiosis. The perfect union. But he couldn't do it.

  The symbiosis as Olivier said was unique and he had only seen it once. In conditions that he had not hidden from him for a long time in front of his curiosity, but that made him understand that the risk was too great.

  Wealth, power. The two things that a man could dream of had been offered to him by Olivier. One might think that this was due to luck, but no. How many times he had chased Leo for training, stopped drinking, partying, seeing girls. Until he gave him the top. He wasn't going. And when he was having fun, Olivier was on the message boards following the professional fights. He had become what the company didn't want to give him, a coach and a confidant.

  His contract only stated that he was attached to Leo because Storm Dragon and Leo were a pair. Leo wasn't kidding himself. Their relationship began only for the money and fame of each other. But today he was amused to think that they had become friends.

  -For all the screwed up ideas your cousin has come up with. I have to say that this one is a lot less far-fetched than the others.

  -The end of the titans?

  -Possibly. Giant Monster Combat and Titans Monster Combat are taking longer and longer to decide what to do. For Dim to realize this when he's not in the loop, only a blind man wouldn't see it. It's still weird that I didn't notice.

  -Because it must have come from above. Too focused on training, we didn't realize what was going on? And then, it's not like it would be a problem if we left.

  -Sarcasm aside, I think it's time for a parachute.

  -You think?

  -Ever since your ACC went out, Collins has been trying to connect with Storm Dragon 24/7. They may want to replace you.

  -Let him try.

  -Oh he'll get there, with time, never underestimate a humiliated man. I mean, we beat the crap out of him.

  -It's okay, we've got room to grow, as far as Storm Dragon is concerned, no one can take him away from me.

*****

In the offices of the Storm Dragon team. Around the meeting table a group of people were having a discussion.

  -We need to fire Flint.

  -On what grounds?

  -On what grounds? You realize the situation we're in. He is becoming irreplaceable. He refuses to fight and we're left with a bunch of jerks. He breaks his leg and we have to carry him like a prince. God, if he dies he'd have to resurrect him.

  -Collins will solve this problem.

  -Collins. Collins? Collins couldn't walk three steps and you want him to go on the rampage? You've seen his ACC, his fucking compatibility is 52%! 52. Flint was 92 the last time we tested it!

  -That's our solution or we have to find a way to boost our chances in the next few fights.

  There was silence in the room as everyone waited for approval to talk about this "kind" of solution.

  -We have... some ideas.

*****

 In the Storm Dragon training hangar.

  -What do you mean. Leo can't train?

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  -Executive order. Mr. Flint is taking up too many Storm Dragon slots in his training.

  -You've got to be kidding me! Whose stupid idea was that?

  -Mr. Stifler.

  Leo grabbed Olivier's shoulder

  -Olivier let go and we'll do something else.

*****

 One week later

  -What are these changes? Why do you want to dull the claws of Storm Dragon?

  - It comes from above. Mister Malim received reports that the risk of self-injury during the fight was too great. Hence his orders.

  -That's just stupid. It never happened. Flint has always been able to control the depth of his holds and that's precisely the purpose of our training. To blunt them is to deprive Leo of his main punching power. Do you want us to lose the next match or what?

  -You don't have to tell me that.

  -Olivier, you should take a look at his research.

  -Mr. Flint. I'm afraid Monsieur Malim won't allow it.

  -What's wrong with that?

  -Well, I shouldn't say so, but... Mister Malim is the author.

*****

  -Fils de pute d’enculé de ses morts. Ses deux enfoirés ont dû sucer des bites pendants des jours, c’est pour ça qu’on les entends plus.

  -What's he saying?

  -No need to understand. The message is out.

  -A promotional tour. US. We don't have to do this, we should be training to be war machines. And not... driving around the country in a bus greasing door handles. Everybody's got a holo or a fucking phone.

  -Olivier, calm down.

  -No, you're the one who's too calm. When we get home. I start to pack. It is out of the question that I am sabotaged by morons. And if you have two neurons that touch each other you will start to do the same.

*****

  In the company's offices, the Storm Dragon floor, the tension was palpable as Flint walked through the aisles of the various offices. Every time someone stopped to talk to him, one of the managers looked at them as if Leo were a plague.

  After their return from the promotional tour, Olivier began to prepare his departure. Being in confidence with several close members of his personal team. Everyone began to see the ship sinking. The more time passed, the more Leo realized that his comfortable position and the bonuses he had created for his company had poisoned it. The executives who until a few weeks ago greeted him at the entrance had disappeared, moved to a new firm. The few messages he had received told him to be prepared and to be careful. Leo could no longer hide his face.

  Someone, if not the company, did not want him and his team anymore. Even if it meant bringing down Storm Dragon in the process. His last resort was obviously the director of the Storm Dragon project and above.

  When Flint was recruited by the company, Douglas Stifleur had given him a chance to prove himself. He was just a manager at the time. Once propelled on the front of the scene Douglas had rightly used his implication in the evolution of Flint to obtain a promotion. To be at the head of the Storm Dragon team, the most powerful creature of the circuit. But for several weeks now, no news from him. Leo had already seen the competitive side and his desire to rise to the top of the company. Taking down Storm Dragon shouldn't have been in his goals.

  One would expect Stifler's office to be one of his large offices with a great view, knowing that he had made millions. But no, it was a sober office without a secretary at the end of several other team leaders' offices. Without ceremony, Leo knocked and entered. Stifler was in his chair. A bottle of alcohol was on the table, a full glass ready to be consumed.

  -Can we know what's going on?

  -Ah Leo. I'm sorry I can't get up, but I'm in the middle of contemplating.

  Leo was nervous before he came into the room, now he was confused.

  -What do you mean?

  -We're dead is what I mean. We're being cut off.

  -What do you mean, cut off? I thought we were breaking even. Storm Dragon at the top and nothing higher.

  -Here's the thing Leo, I'm sorry but lose the formalities. I'm out of here. Anyway, the problem is that we destroyed the competition. What's the point of being the best if the fight is planned in advance. No waiting, no betting, no spectators, and without spectators there's no money.

  -But... That's what we wanted, right?

  -That's what was asked of us, yes. What the company needed? No. The company British Monster, creates monsters for war. You see a war? No, the audience for fighting is getting smaller and smaller. Without a boost, the money we make will soon be unprofitable.

  The silence fell and Douglas drank his glass, Leo looking at the bottle saw that it was well begun. It was the project of a life that Stifler was going to give up, or rather that he was going to lose. Leo sat down in front of him and asked.

  -What can we do?

  -What can we do? You would have to lose or pretend to have difficulty. We both know that you dominate everyone. No one will forgive you if you let them win or show any sign of weakness.

  -Where did that come from? This situation I mean. We could have, I don't know, created some loopholes where the rules would be against me.

  -Leo, Leo... listen. To me there are two types of people: doers and thinkers. I'm not saying you can't be both. But trust me. You're a doer, the thinkers at the top there. They consider the scale, if it's profitable and if there's a risk. I know you're an honest kid. I used you to get to this office and believe me I would do it again. So listen to me when I tell you. They don't give a shit what you do or what you bring. You want to know when you became important? When you became a thorn in the side of the company? What started it all? Your CCA, the moment you became irreplaceable to Storm Dragon, you became a risk.

  As if to make a point, Stifleur took a breath and took a big sip of his drink.

  -And a company, it eliminates risk.

  Leo suddenly felt very bad.

  -And... What about us? What do we do?

  -What about us? What do we do? Like I said, you're not meant to think. I'll stay on as head of Storm Dragon, until Collins blows it. You, you'll disappear, poof, you'll be put in the closet and when Storm Dragon dies everyone will have forgotten you exist. I'll become manager of a new team and God willing I won't have to worry about anything as the celebrity.

  Leo watched his future with Storm Dragon crumble. Just like that, not in a ring, or even controlling him, Storm Dragon died in a miserable office by a decision made in an office not for a great cause but because he was doing his job too well. The world was falling apart Leo Flint was Storm Dragon. From the depths of his flesh it was like being told his brother had died all over again. The world was disappearing, the company, the offices, even Stifler was still drinking and looking out the window. Only one question remained. What do I do now. Leo took one last look at Douglas before leaving, a man he considered one of his greatest supporters. Leaving him to his fate, he did not even greet him one last time. For him Leo was already dead, just on probation.

  Passing in front of the offices to leave, he understood why all his friends and allies in the company had been transferred. Why the managers didn't dare approach him as if he had the plague. It made him sad but he understood. What he didn't understand was Stifleur's attitude. He could have... called him, warned him, anything. He had to meet him unannounced and consult him drunk to get him to speak his mind.

  His career at British Monster was over, seeing everything that had happened since his ACC had run away and with what Stifleur had just said. Leo realized that he would never be in contact with Storm Dragon again. On a whim, he decided to go see him.

*****

  Only now did Leo realize the grandeur he had become accustomed to. Arriving at the entrance to the site, the tiny gatehouse looked paltry compared to the building behind it. A factory transformed into a gigantic stable. Once inside, Leo contemplated the stasis room as he had done the first time. In different vats were the creatures of British Monsters. Behemoths genetically created for war and fighting. From giant snakes to dragons. The company focused on the reptiles walking in front of the tanks, the staff did not try to stop it. Once he arrived in front of the Storm Dragon storage area, he was disappointed to see that he wasn't there. Obviously Collins or someone else must have been trying to learn how to control it.

  Seeing Olivier, he went to talk to him. Olivier was his mentor, friend and confidant. If anyone could help him see the situation more clearly, it was him.

  -Olivier?

  Raising his eyes from his table, he stood up to shake hands with the smile that had disconcerted Leo a little. Short hair with the beginnings of a beard, the man despite his lean appearance was actually very muscular. How many times he had taken him to the gym.

  -What's going on with you, it looks like you're swallowing wrong.

  -I... I had a talk with Stifler.

  -Oh. And?

  -fired us, or rather me. He was half-drunk in his chair, but this is what he told me.

  Leo told him everything, and over coffee Olivier listened to everything that had happened this morning. People were still working outside while the small office was soundproofed. Once he got to his desire to see Storm Dragon Leo stopped and Olivier finished his coffee.

  -You were right. I should have seen it coming.

  -No, in all the things you've told me, there are several things that don't add up. Why make it a secret? Why not tell us, well guys we're going to cut your hours because you're too good. No, clearly there's something we don't know about. Anyway, the important thing is not to lament on our fate but to see the future. We blew our chance with British Monster but thanks to him we created a reputation, contacts, while Stifleur was polishing the shoes of his superiors I was going to see the opposing teams and other fighters.

  -Is it true?

  -When I put you on your training schedule, you were focused on it like crazy. I have to say it impressed me to see someone so determined. But you didn't think it through. You remember Dim and his miniature monster fights, well you get me.

  -You're going to be a trainer? For one of these companies.

  -No man, I'm gonna go out on my own. I'm doing the math, finding places to store the creatures and believe it or not, the hardest part I thought was ordering a creature, turned out to be the easiest.

  -Are you going to order a creature?

  -You know I can't. And no, I haven't ordered one yet. For that I needed you.

  -What do you mean, you need my help?

  -Think about it, I know it's not your forte but still. I want you to come with me. No more managers, just a partnership between you and me. 50/50 for each of your games at the beginning and from the moment we create our own stable. We make golden balls by becoming coach and manager of our own teams. You the face and me the man behind the scenes.

  -You know, this is the third time today that my intelligence has been questioned and it's starting to piss me off. I don't even know if I can connect with another creature you know so being the face of an entire company...

  As they were talking, Leo's cup began to shake just the surface of the liquid. And immediately Leo knew, got up and went outside to see him.

  The gigantic doors were open, letting in light throughout the building, when the titan's silhouette cut through the light. His footsteps now heavy and echoing throughout the facility. Leaning against a railing Leo watched with the same wonder as on the first day his soul mate went to rest.

  -I know what you are thinking Leo. But like all adventures, it must end for it to be beautiful. I don't know how my adventure is going to end, but here and for us, this is as far as it goes.

  While he was deep in thought Leo didn't realize that several people had approached them.

  -Finally, some wise words came out of Olivier's mouth. Is it going to snow or what?

  Collins and his click

  -Come to see your past, Flint? I want you to know that soon I will be the official Storm Dragon controller. It's a shame you won't be around to see it.

  Leo turned to him. Dressed to dive for the training tank, neural helmet in hand. He couldn't help but chuckle at the stupidity of his words.

  -Does that make you laugh?

  -Yes, a little. Do you still need all that gear to make a simple connection? Or are you back to basics?

  -Your insults mean nothing, Flint. Laugh while you can. You're nothing here. Soon you won't even be able to control it, can you?

  Pointing to Storm Dragon. Leo looked him straight in the eye. Leo reached out and pushed him away, ripping the helmet from his hands, he looked on with disdain before smiling at him.

  -Look, I'll show you.

  Storm Dragon had been put back into its storage tank, this process was done to preserve the creatures without letting them wither away. It's a process that takes time and before doing so the beast had to be left unchecked for a while so that all the muscles would relax. Putting on the helmet Leo turned it on, the two neural pores planted on either side of his spine at the base of his skull. The surgery he had undergone had allowed him to receive the latest implants capable of supporting the neural and electrical charge of the device to communicate his will. Collins needed a tank of water with the helmet connected to an external battery source to have the power and strength to move Storm Dragon. All Leo needed was a connection.

  As everyone watched in amazement. Storm Dragon had just opened its eyes again. The shouts and calls of the technicians could be heard as everyone had to react to the unpredictable movement of the beast.

  The beast grabbed the edge of its stall and poked its head out first, looking in the direction of Leo and Collins. Advancing towards them the heavy but fluid footsteps, the beast made Collins acolytes tremble as they tried harder than anything to look brave. While the titan was moving closer taking measured steps, he finally reached their level. Collins exchanged glances between Storm Dragon and Flint who he could see smiling at the lower part of the helmet not even locked. Storm Dragon then bent his head to get down close, blowing hot air on the whole group, even the animal seemed to have Flint's grin. The latter looked at them as Flint spoke into the silence that had just fallen.

  -You see Collins, I agree with you, my insults should not affect you. At least not as much as it affected my pity for you.

  Storm Dragon's head snapped up as Flint climbed onto one of his hands. The other kept his clawed thumb out and pretended to cut his own throat taunting Collins and his pseudo gang. Flint decided to go out for a walk, one last time. The helmet didn't have a full battery, but he was going to enjoy his last trip together.