"Found them!"
In the dim light of early dawn, AG241 received a report from an AG agent that the four girls' location had been discovered. Now, all that remained was to apprehend the girls and transfer them to the Security Center. It seemed straightforward. The longed-for peace of mind was within reach.
Yet, a strange feeling crept over AG241. An indescribable unease.
What could possibly be wrong at this critical moment? Is there a malfunction in the brain chip?
But the brain chip was functioning normally. Precautionary inspections had been conducted, but no issues were found. AG241 shook his head vigorously.
Then suddenly, a headache struck, causing a throbbing sensation. While such unease had been felt before, this symptom was entirely new.
AG241 reported his abnormal condition and voluntarily went to the Re-education Center for a brain chip reset.
As his mind cleared, only one thing remained.
I will protect IDYPIA.
Countless times, from the day he entered IDYPIA until now, AG241 had made this vow. His loyalty was unmatched, surpassing even that of any citizen of IDYPIA, any AG Agent or AG Number, or even the founders of IDYPIA like AG or SAI. He believed he could not be surpassed by anyone in his dedication to IDYPIA.
As these thoughts ran through his mind, AG241 realized the source of their inexplicable unease.
Why isn't everyone striving for the sake of IDYPIA?
Identity. In IDYPIA, individual effort was deemed unnecessary as long as certain predetermined conditions were met. Thus, everyone remained in their current state, with no one questioning it.
When he met M, following her instructions seemed like it would solve everything. She was a deity, after all. So, AG241 waited. However, after encountering M498, he discovered something lingering within his like stubborn residue. It was something he couldn't deny or escape from.
"What if nobody really cares about IDYPIA's peace?"
It was an unthinkable notion, yet a possibility. Just the thought alone made him dizzy. In truth, questioning this was a sign of his lack of trust in AG and, further, his disbelief in the SAIs.
But still. AG241 couldn't shake off the fact that he had let the girls slip through his fingers. Since then, he had been on constant alert, analyzing and pondering the situation endlessly. It made AG241's nerves sharper and more finely tuned.
'What does M want... What does M truly desire?'
AG241 examined the map provided by AG agents once again. He could see the tightening noose. It wouldn't be long before they could capture all of them alive.
But what if re-education doesn't work on them?
Without a moment's hesitation, AG241 armed himself with a gun and proceeded alone towards the target destination.
***
Some of Zena's dummy data got caught in traps while others led to dead ends.
Hurry, hurry…
Zena smiled at her friends as she spoke, but the situation was dire. Her brain chip processed the dummy data faster as Zena anxiously awaited the outcome. Siu decided to act as bait to distract the security agents and protect the others. Zena clenched her fists, ready for whatever may come.
If I can save my friends, I don't care if my mind burns out right now.
Suddenly, a short gunshot rang out beside her. Zena turned to see AG241 brandishing a gun.
Why would he…
Zena froze in shock. Marty and Tyra instinctively shielded Zena with their bodies, knowing that the danger hadn't passed yet.
"Summary execution? Who gave that order..."
Siu stepped forward, shouting at AG241. Her arms and legs trembled with tension.
"An order? An order... well..."
AG241 initially aimed at Siu but quickly shifted focus to Zena.
"Zena!"
"Ah?!"
As AG241's gun ignited, Tyra grabbed Zena, causing her to collapse. Zena, lost in her focus on finding a path, fell from the shock.
"This bastard!"
Siu and Marty, filled with rage, lunged at AG241.
"Back off!"
"Ugh!"
AG241 blocked Siu's charge and Siu stumbled backward to the ground.
"Siu!"
Marty clung onto AG241 relentlessly.
"You're persistent!"
"Who do you think you are? Huh?!"
They locked eyes at the end of their struggle. Marty stared directly into his eyes. Clear eyes, unlike those of anyone from IDYPIA. From those eyes, Marty felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
"...What the hell are you?"
"Why are you suddenly talking nonsense?! Move aside!"
His usually tidy hair was disheveled, but he glared at Marty as if to say it didn't matter.
"Get out of the way!"
"Ugh!"
Finally, AG241 overpowered Marty and threw her to the ground.
"It's over!"
And then, it happened.
"I found them!"
"What?!"
Suddenly, a strange voice echoed, accompanied by a bright light enveloping the surroundings, guiding the four girls and AG241 into a single memory.
***
- Swooshing
Marty opened her eyes to the sound of waves. Fishing boats dotted the horizon tinged with the glow of sunset, and the salty breeze and murmurs of neighbors filled the air. It was a landscape completely unfamiliar to her.
Is this a dream? Or perhaps virtual reality?
Marty walked slowly towards a sandy beach to get a clearer view of her surroundings. The waves were gently ebbing and flowing, repeating their rhythm.
As she gazed at the scene, Marty couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia creeping over her.
- Grrrr…
At that moment, several shadows appeared behind Marty.
They were a group of sea creatures with dark blue, slick skin and long, black hair, resembling Water Fairies.
They swiftly lunged at Marty.
"Aaah!"
As the Water Fairies rushed towards Marty and made contact, a bright light flashed through her mind like sunlight breaking through the clouds. The light acted like a film, replaying forgotten memories one by one.
"Again, Emotion Reset!"
"Emotion Reset!"
In her memories, Marty's young voice echoed as she lay in a capsule at the Intelligence Research Institute, and beside her were Tyra, Zena, and Siu, experiencing the ups and downs of the virtual reality world just like Marty.
"They're calibrated!"
"Alright! Next!"
The AG scientists extracted the four girls from the capsule. They had become like emotionless citizens of IDYPIA, their eyes devoid of any feeling.
"What are you doing? They're coming. We don't have time, move on to the next!"
"Roger!"
One scientist shouted sharply. Then two others Overseers escorted the four out, and soon after, more children entered the laboratory room. Among them was M498.
The four lingered for a moment in the same space, then eventually exited IDYPIA. Outside was different from the controlled environment of the experiment. Marty felt her heart race.
"It's the kids!"
A loud voice echoed. Marty glanced sideways.
Who are those people?
They were the Resistance. They fought fiercely, taking gunfire, one by one falling until only one boy remained, Ark.
Ark looked at the children with eyes clear as crystal, a sign of life. Marty's heart wavered. Not just Marty, but Tyra, Zena, and Siu, too, felt their hearts tremble. And then, emotions they thought had disappeared began to stir again, as if trying to return to where they belonged.
"No way, is it really you?"
"It can't be... It's a lie."
AG241, with a contorted expression, screamed and staggered.
"I... I...!!"
Blocked emotions erupted like a volcano, blurring his vision with unshed tears. He couldn't even aim his gun properly. He was no longer a citizen of IDYPIA. The shock caused his brain chip to malfunction, and AG241 collapsed in shock.
"Now's the time, let's get out of here."
"Siu, wait."
Siu grabbed Marty's hand and pulled her along.
"But, but..."
"Right now, survival is our priority."
"Okay, Marty. Let's go."
Tyra pushed Marty from behind, but her eyes were still fixed on AG241, writhing in pain on the ground.
"AG241! Are you there?!"
A voice calling for AG241 came from outside the room.
"He's here."
"Hurry, everyone."
"Yeah!"
"Wa, wait..."
And just as Zena was about to lead them through the route she found to escape, a message from an unknown sender appeared simultaneously in front of all four of them.
Travel back in time and make humanity realize the necessity of emotions to save mankind.
Would you like to accept it? (Y/N)
***