Zacky looked at Goliath and Wu Xiaohu. But instead of being alarmed, she turned her back on them. She smoothed her hair and smiled, looking at them from the side.
—Do whatever you want. We're not going to give up the Sacred Ruins for a cat —said Zacky.
—Damn! I am not a cat! —claimed Wu Xiaohu.
—Well... I'll… yes, hahaha! I will torture him! —said Goliath.
—Go ahead —said Zacky.
—What? No! —said Wu Xiaohu.
—Then… I'll… I know! I will let my drill trucks play with him as a ball! —said Goliath— What about that?
—Sounds good to me —said Zacky.
—No way! —said Wu Xiaohu, starting to get nervous.
Goliath looked desperate.
—You’re tough, Miss Zacky! Then, I will have to do something more villainous: I'll give him a job! I'll make him work eighty hours a week and I won't pay him! HAHAHA! —said Goliath.
Zacky put a hand to her forehead and finally turned around, in the most dramatic way possible.
—You wouldn't dare do something so evil —said Zacky.
—That’s… not that bad —said Wu Xiaohu.
—Shut up, cat! —said Goliath— Hahaha! I knew you'd give in with something! Will you agree to give up and retreat, Miss Zacky?
—Not in your wildest dreams. Besides, we don't know who that cat is. You can do whatever you want. We don't care —said Zacky.
Goliath's expression suddenly changed. He lifted Wu Xiaohu up by one ankle until he was level with his face and compared him to Bianchi, looking at them alternately.
—What do you mean? You don't know him? That dog and this cat are exactly the same! Look! They have the same hair and they even talk in the same way! How can this cat not be one of your friends? —said Goliath.
—I am not a cat! I am a person! I am Wu Xiaohu! —said Wu Xiaohu.
—If you're done "negotiating", I think it's time for you to leave —said Mi Sung to Goliath.
The monk cracked his knuckles and stretched the muscles in his neck. A group of monks walked past him, rubbing their hands, all with identical smiles. Goliath offered Wu Xiaohu to them.
—So... you don't want… this cat? —asked Goliath one last time.
—No! And since he's a person, do as you promised and give him a job. Understood? —said Mi Sung—. A man always fulfils his promises!
—Whatever! HANADA! Time to BUILD, hahaha! —Goliath shouted. The drill trucks sped up and drove underground, leaving them alone with a huge hole.
—Is this really the one causing you so many problems? —Mi Sung asked.
—Yes... although I think it's more his protective automaton, Robo Maeda, who's the real deal. Goliath... is just a clown —Zacky said—. I think we should move. Goliath is too stubborn not to come back. Come with us to my hideout. We'll get organized better there.
But a few hours later, when they were already in Zacky’s hideout, another group of unexpected guests arrived, knocking at the door. They were two young people, a girl with blue hair and a calm appearance and a girl with red hair riding a rather noisy motorcycle, accompanied by a fairy.
—We've been asking around and have been sent here, as apparently a detective who is an expert in the ruins lives here —said the blue-haired girl.
—I’m not exactly a detective. I’m an archaeologist —Zacky replied.
—Ah! So that’s you! You’re the expert! —exclaimed the red-haired girl.
—I am an expert, yes. My name is Zacky, the Student Detective League's Star. Who are you and why are you here? —Zacky said.
—It is a long story. I’m Lucie, by the way. Nice to meet you —answered the blue-haired girl—. She is Lyka, and the fairy is Roz Coda.
—I love long stories —Zacky said. She looked both ways down the street. When she was sure that no one was lurking, she asked—. Just three of you, or are we expecting someone else?
—Well… —said Lucie, looking at the ground.
—I don't know what to call that guy —said Lyka—, but we have one more companion. A cat who says he is not a cat, but has been kidnapped. We don't care too much, but I’m sure that Wu Xiaohu will appear again at the most inopportune moment.
—A cat that…? No way! —Zacky said— Well, I think I've met him.
—What? —shouted Lucie and Lyka at the same time.
—Come in. We've got a loooot to talk about —said Zacky.
After the proper introductions and Lucie and Lyka explaining that they are witches, Zacky understood that both had an interest in exploring the Sacred Ruins, so she tried to convince them to join the coalition.
—But, what about your cat? —said Bianchi.
—We will get a new one —said Lyka—. One less annoying.
—Poor thing ☆ —said Roz Coda.
Aideen interrupted the conversation. He stood up and walked around the room, examining everyone present.
—Ok. I understand why we are involved on this nonsense of a battle, why the princess and the puppy are also involved, even why the Makoto Cloth Corps are involved. But… these two girls? Why are you interested in our coalition? —said Aideen.
—We are not interested —said Lucie.
—We have common interests, so we will help if needed, but we don’t want to participate in the conflict —said Lyka.
—So, you’re not allies —said Aideen.
—Oh, c’mon, is that relevant? They are witches! We now have magic on our side too! And they want to enter the Sacred Ruins, just like us! —Zacky said.
—Yes, but… why? Are you not concerned? They have appeared here just at the right time and with the best of excuses: their cat friend has been kidnapped and so they kill two birds with one stone —Aideen said.
—Wu Xiaohu is definitely not our friend —said Lyka.
—The cat was kidnapped when they found us trying to enter the Sacred Ruins. We did nothing wrong or illegal, but that still happened. So, we heard about Miss Zacky, and we decided to ask for her expertise on the ruins. Why do you doubt so much about our story? —asked Lucie.
—Because I’m a doctor. I have to question everything in order to give the most accurate diagnoses —Aideen said—. And I don't trust you.
—Ignore Aideen. He's always like that with everyone. But, okay. I'll ask our guests a few questions to make sure your story fits. Better? —Zacky said, looking at Aideen. He nodded.
—Ask whatever you want —Lyka said.
—No, not to you. You’re an open book to me. Let’s begin with the fairy —Zacky said.
Roz Coda fluttered around, smiling and amused at being the centre of attention.
—First question: have you ever been in Academy City before? —Zacky asked.
—Huh☆! How do you know?? ☆☆☆ —Roz Coda answered.
—I’ve heard stories of a young woman that can change her appearance in this city for decades —Zacky said—. Ok, second question: you know a lot more than you're saying about the Sacred Ruins, right?
—Yes, but the ruins have changed a lot since I was here the last time! ☆☆ —the fairy answered—. You’re always this perceptive?
Zacky ignored the question and changed her interrogatory to Lucie.
—You have a sacred relic. Show it to me —said Zacky.
—How…? —Lucie said.
—C’mon, c’mon! —rushed Zacky.
Lucie looked at Lyka in horror. But Lyka winked and nodded, as if to tell her that Zacky wasn't dangerous. Zacky laughed to herself, but she didn't really want to cause them any harm. She was just curious. Slowly, Lucie revealed part of the sacred relic that her mother left behind.
—Interesting —Zacky said—. I have a few, but less powerful than that one.
—Why do you have something like that? —Alex said, looking at Lucie. She seemed very upset. Bianchi calmed her down and pulled her away from the conversation.
—It's from my mom —Lucie said.
—That’s also interesting. This is part of the mystery of the Sacred Ruins, which I will solve veeery soon —said Zacky.
—Where is your mother? —Alex asked, calmed down.
—She disappeared without leaving a trace while exploring the Sacred Ruins. My goal is to find her —said Lucie.
—And I’m helping Lucie to find her mom —said Lyka.
—Are you a couple? —Bianchi asked. Everyone was silent. Zacky was amused by the question, as the answer was obvious to her, but she chose not to comment.
—Would you mind if we were, doggy? —said Lyka, smiling—. Are you interested in us?
—I… no! I was… just… asking… —Bianchi blushed, which is difficult for a werefox.
—Good puppy —said Lyka—. Are you two a couple?
Alex Sansta blushed. Bianchi and the princess walked a few steps away.
—Let’s move on of that topic. Is your mother also a witch, Lucie? —asked Alex.
—I am not sure —Lucie said, her gaze fixed on her sacred relic.
"Either she's the best liar I've ever seen, or she really doesn't know," Zacky thought. But seeing the look on Alex Sansta's face, Zacky got worried. "The princess knows something related to the Sacred Ruins and missing witches. I'll write it down in my memory and ask her later."
—Do you know who might know about your mother's disappearance? The HANADA Group. They have privileged information on everything that happens in Academy City —Zacky said.
—This is a good reason to help you fight them —Lyka said.
—Do you trust them now, Aideen? —Zacky asked.
—I can see their potential —said Aideen.
—Is that the best you can say? —Zacky said.
—Ok, ok, you win! —Aideen surrendered—. Come on, let's go. We have a lot to do and little time to prepare. Welcome to this circus, Lucie, Lyka.
Meanwhile, in the HANADA Group skyscraper, a new employee was showing off the quality of his muscles and his spirit, even if he was just a cat.
—This cat works really hard, hahaha! —said Goliath.
—Indeed, young master. And its cooperation level with other automatons is more than 80%. That cat can be a good asset —Robo Maeda said.
Due to his small stature, Wu Xiaohu had been given a helmet and an exoskeleton to work in. And he hadn’t stopped doing so since he arrived. His productivity was above 100%.
—I can hear you and I’m not a cat! —Wu Xiaohu said.
—You’re impressive, Wu Xiaohu, hahaha! —said Goliath— You should work for me forever!
—Hmmm. No! I have a purpose! What should I do next? — said Wu Xiaohu.
—Now is break time. What do you want? Fish and chips? Lasagna? Cat food? —Robo Maeda asked.
—That’s why I’m saying I’m not a cat! I eat regular food! —said Wu Xiaohu, leaving the room with the other employees of the HANADA Group.
—He's going to fit in perfectly with the company. I'm absolutely sure about that —Goliath said.
—Young master, I am certain that Miss Zacky's group will storm the Sacred Ruins tomorrow —said Robo Maeda.
—Let them come. We will stop them once and for all —said Goliath.
—Ok. Your wish is my command, young master —said Robo Maeda, walking away. But suddenly, the automaton turned around and looked at Goliath over his glasses, surprised—. You did not laugh, master.
Goliath put on a very serious face. The glow of the setting sun reflected on his glasses.
—Sometimes, Maeda, we have to take things very seriously. And this... this is very serious. We cannot allow a group of troublemakers to get in the way of the HANADA Group. Go back to work —said Goliath, walking away.
Robo Maeda stood there, surprised and impressed.
—Master Goliath is a worthy descendant of yours, Master Yokoshima. Very worthy —he said.
The mid-morning sun beat down on the Sacred Ruins. On one side, an army of hundreds of thousands of automatons and construction and demolition equipment of the HANADA Group defended the ruins. They were all fully armed, with missiles, firearms, superior armours, and even rocket launchers. They were led by Goliath, standing on the shoulder of a giant robot. At his side, Robo Maeda awaited his young master's orders.
On the other side, the coalition forces formed a thin but solid line. The Skulk bikers, roaring their motorcycle engines. The Makoto Cloth Corps, chanting the mantra at the top of their lungs. And, mixed in between them, Zacky and Aideen, both ready for combat. Hidden among the Skulks, Bianchi and Alex waited on a motorbike, ready to infiltrate the ruins. The attack would be launched by Kimihe, the second in command of the werefoxes.
Lucie and Lyka were the secret weapon. The HANADA group would not expect them to have witches on their side. Zacky had planned everything perfectly, but she crossed her fingers.
They needed luck to be on their side.
A flare flew across the sky, red as blood.
The battle of the Sacred Ruins began.
