Futurama

The Saphire Delivery Boy
By Purplefish

Disclaimers

Futurama and all of its characters are creations of Matt Groening and David X. Cohen. This text is purely fan material and has absolutely no commercial purposes.

Before we start

This story is set in the same period than my previous fanfic, “back to the future past” (of course, it doesn’t occur at the same moment). And as you’ll see, it’s the occasion for me to mix Futurama with another of my passions : comic books.

Space is generally considered as being both extremely vast and empty. That is not quite true. If anybody could have the possibility to watch the entire universe, it would look like a solid block of matter. Galaxies, planets, stars, asteroids… All of those elements combine to make of space a really congested place.

There are some elements, however, that deserve to keep our attention. If we look closer to the universe, we would see that dozens of strange small objects are flying through the void in tremendous speeds, even exceeding the speed of light, no matter how much it had been increased in the past. Each one of those objects emits a blue luminous streak, that somehow follows their trails. For someone who wouldn’t consider them as very important, the flying objects would seem to travel in a compact group. But periodically, one of those objects gets out of the group, following an entirely different direction. As hours go, the number of objects in the group continues to shrink… Until only two remain, still aiming for the original destination of the group.

And if we really, really pay good attention, we would see that those two last objects are heading towards Earth…

- Is this really a good place for finding medications, doctor ?

Fry continued to inspect the alleyway. When Zoidberg asked him if he could accompany him while he would be gathering supplies for his office, he would never have thought he would end up looting Freddy Prinze Jr General Hospital’s garbage. For the moment, Zoidberg was elbow deep in a container.

- For medications, no, said the Decapodian, but for finding the old medical magazines I need for keeping in touch with medical news, yes.

- You didn’t subscribe to some of them ?

Zoidberg stopped searching in the container and turned to look at Fry. For a few seconds, you could have heard a fly cough…

- Oh right… Said Fry. You can’t pay the fee.

- And as I’ve no home, they’ve got nowhere to send them. Plus, they never stop saying my decapodian medical degree doesn’t allow me to legally practice medicine on Earth.

- That’s tough, said Fry, without realizing everything that was implied in Zoidberg’s explanation. Are you through ?

- They usually dump their magazines here… Ah ah ! Here it is !

With a small cry of triumph, the lobster took a pile of old magazines out of the garbage container. As the Decapodian was holding them, Fry took a look at them.

- I would never have thought they would call a medical magazine ‘Cooking master weekly’.

- That’s the best of them ! That’s where I’ve learned all the manipulations for various operations such as appendicitis, Heimlich’s maneuver or making stitches. And did you know that for a delivery you have to warm the mother up to 200 °C and put an apple in her mouth ?

- Wow ! I think I see why they say that’s extremely painful to give birth then !

Far up their heads, two small blue objects were now entering in the atmosphere ; but for some unexplainable reasons, they didn’t seem to suffer from the intense friction. As they were coming closer to the ground, they finally began to slow down, until they reached a subsonic speed. It was now possible to any possible witness to have a correct idea of what those two objects were looking like. They had the shape of bracelets, made from some unknown blue metal, and they seemed to pulsate and to emit a blue light. They were now just above New New York, but it wasn’t the end of their journey. They corrected their trajectory, as if they were aiming for a particular spot. More precisely, they seemed to head towards the Freddy Prinze Jr General Hospital. Fry and Zoidberg didn’t see them coming… But apparently, the two bracelets were searching for them. They suddenly dove from the sky, and came closer to Fry and Zoidberg. Before the two characters could have done anything, the two bracelets were on them… It’s only when the bracelets buckled themselves on their wrists, apparently acting on their own, that Fry and Zoidberg realized what was happening.

- What…

Before Fry could have said more, he and the Decapodian suddenly dematerialized. Nothing was left in the alleyway that could have indicated they were standing there a few seconds ago.

At first, Fry wasn’t able to determine where he was and what was surrounding him. The teleportation managed to blind him for a few seconds, but he eventually gained his senses.

He and Zoidberg were standing in some gigantic, circular shaped hall. In its centre was standing a gigantic construction : a cylinder, that was ending with some shortened and inversed cone, pulsing the same blue light than his bracelet. It looked a bit like a flashlight.

But they weren’t alone. As he looked around him, Fry discovered that there were dozens, maybe hundreds of aliens in this room. He saw a Cygnoid, some alien that obviously was from the same species than Kif, a slug from Wormulon, a Space Lizard… He even saw a female Omicronian in the crowd, but there were other species that he wasn’t able to recognize. He soon realized three things : there wasn’t more than one specimen of each of those species ; everyone was looking as surprised as him ; and each one was wearing a blue bracelet. Zoidberg, who was still holding his pile of old magazines, was beginning to panick.

- My friend ! Yelled the lobster. What is going on ? Where are we ?

- I don’t know, doctor, said Fry, but all I wish is that it won’t be another horrible experiment !

- Talk for yourself, puny human ! (Said an alien standing near them. He was apparently from the same race than that monster in the news channel.) Klargo’s glorious race is the one making experiments on other species ! Klargo doesn’t like to be on the other side of the scalpel !

- Actually it can be pleasant… Said the Decapodian.

- I’m ready to try anything new, doctor, but certainly not this ! Said Fry. We must find a way to know what will happen next !

Just at this moment, the top of the central structure lighted up. Two hooded figures, or more specifically two blue holograms of hooded figures, appeared above the hall.

- OK, at least we’re going somewhere ! Said Fry.

One of the hooded characters raised his hand, hidden in a far too long sleeve. It spoke with a deep and solemn tone.

- Greetings, pure souls. We are the Elders, protector of the Universe, and creators of the bracelets you are wearing. Please, don’t be afraid, and listen to our message. Each one of you has been chosen by his bracelet to become a member of the Blue Flashlight Squadron because of his integrity, his sense of justice, and his supposed ability to make good use of his bracelet’s power. Each one of you is now the defender of his homeworld. The power we gave you is the key for providing peace and prosperity across the entire universe.

The second hooded figure began to speak. Although her voice was obviously female, she was as imposing as her fellow.

- The bracelet gives you the power to materialize everything your mind could conceive. Concentrate on something, impose your will to your bracelet… And it will make your thoughts reality. You now possess the strongest weapon in the galaxy ; but if the bracelet has chosen you, we know that you’ll make good use of it. The structure you’re seeing here, in the centre of this hall, is the Main Lamp, the source of your bracelet’s power. It is supplied by an energy which can be found in every living beings, and that exists since the dawn of times.

The first hooded figure spoke once again.

- You will have to charge your bracelet every 48 hours. For that, we’re granting you your Flashlight, directly connected to the Main Lamp. Whenever you’ll charge your bracelet, you will have to pronounce the Blue Flashlight’s oath…

The ceiling suddenly began to shine, spreading that same blue light that both the bracelets and the Main Lamp were emitting. As Fry looked up, he saw that some curious things were sprouting out of the light, and slowly going down. He soon saw they were in fact flashlights, made of some deep blue metal. And apparently, there was one for each of the individuals present in the hall. When it was at his level, Fry grabbed his flashlight. He was a bit surprised to feel how warm the metal was…

- You will now get back to your worlds, Blue Flashlights, said the female Elder. We will contact you whenever you will feel the need for advices, but don’t forget that we’ll be the ones deciding when we will contact. Use your power wisely, and may the rays of the Main Lamp protect you in your mission.

As he heard those last words, Fry quickly raised his hand in an attempt to ask a question… But as the others, he was now beginning to be teleported. A few seconds later, all the newly appointed Blue Flashlights were sent back to their previous locations.

For a few minutes, nothing moved in the great hall… But finally, a small door opened up in the base of the Main Lamp. The two hooded Elders got out of the structure and closed the door behind them, before proceeding inside the hall. They were far smaller than what their holograms made them look like ; in fact, they was practically as small as newborns. Suddenly, the male Elder sighed.

- What is bothering you, Cuter ? Asked the female Elder.

- This whole masquerade. That is what is bothering me.

The Elder slipped his hood off. Immediately, his third eye, placed on the top of his antenna, popped up. His black skin was wrinkled by his concerns, while his lips, already deformed to let his upper canine teeth get out of his mouth, were twitching.

- What is the point of hiding us, exactly ? We lived in secret, hidden from the entire universe since its own creation, and now that our most glorious project is about to be realized, we cannot even show our faces to them ?

The female lowered her hood too. Apart from her longer eyelashes and the little knot at the base of her antenna, nothing would really distinguish the female Nibblonian from her male counterpart.

- We don’t have the choice, Cuter. Do you remember that, for every other species, we are just cute animals ? Commander Nibbler has to act like a pet for accomplishing his mission of observation on Earth. If we really had shown to our champions how we really look like, they probably wouldn’t respect us.

- I know. It’s just so… Degrading, sometimes…

- Don’t start complaining, Cuter. We have a mission. We have a duty. Our race has waited for millenias for this.

- I know all that, Prinny… But there’s something else. Have you seen who has been appointed as Earth’s Blue Flashlight ?

- No, I haven’t… Who could…

Prinny suddenly stopped as the idea came to her mind.

- The Chosen One ? Is he the one carrying the bracelet of Earth ?

- Yes, he is. And I wonder if it really was a coincidence.

- Mmmmh… I understand. That calls for some investigation. I wonder if…

Just at this moment, a bell rang. Prinny immediately stopped her reflections.

- Whatever it is, it will have to wait the end of the Second Afternoon Feast !

- At last ! I haven’t eaten anything for one hour ! Do I smell pork ribs ?

As Fry and Zoidberg finally rematerialized in the alleyway behind the hospital, they were still asking themselves if they were dreaming all along. A simple glance at their bracelets and at their flashlights convinced them they weren’t. Fry was holding his flashlight in his hand, while Zoidberg’s one was simply posed on the top of the pile of used magazines he was still holding.

- Wow ! Said Fry. Just… Wow !

- What happened exactly, my friend ? I’ve never experienced something that strange since I learned how you humans mate !

- Well, I didn’t get all the details, but basically, I think we’re super-heroes now…

- What ? Really ? Said Zoidberg, more confused than ever. And what are we supposed to do now ?

- You heard them, we have to protect our homeworlds with those… Thingies…

Fry looked at his bracelet, then at his flashlight, before going back to his bracelet. What could the Elders have meant by using the flashlight to charge the bracelet ?

- But I never wanted to do this and I’m sure I can’t ! Whined Zoidberg. How can we know what to do as super-heroes ?

- I can teach you some tricks, actually. I’ve been one myself, you know.

Zoidberg was more than surprised by Fry’s burst of arrogance, but he also was a bit suspicious.

- Really ?

- Yeah. I was Captain Yesterday !

Fry said that with a highly proud tone… But he realized Zoidberg was looking at him with a confused look.

- You know, the strong and fast champion of justice, with a cool attitude !

Zoidberg was still silent.

- I was in the New Justice Team with Cloberella and Super King.

The lobster finally seemed to have guessed.

- Oh, him ! Never managed to remember his name. (Zoidberg suddenly realized what he just said.) Whoops… Sorry friend…

- Nah, that’s cool… That’s not the first time someone doesn’t remember my former alter ego. Must be the 67^th time it happens, but I no longer pay attention to this. Especially after I’ve taken my Prozac.

- Anyway, you know what we can do with this ?

- We cannot use the bracelet’s power if we don’t charge them first.

Zoidberg backed off a little. Fry’s voice seemed to have changed a bit during his last sentence. It was solemner than before. Fry too realized what happened.

- What was that ?

- Dunno… It came out as if I knew I had to say this…

- That’s creepy !

- You don’t say… But apparently, we have to use this (Fry brandished his flashlight) somehow for charging our bracelets. At least, that’s what those hooded guys said.

- How exactly ?

Fry took a look at his flashlight. Something… Something was materializing in his mind… He guessed that somehow, the bracelet was telling him what to do… Slowly, he raised his right arm and bent it so that his bracelet would face his chest. At the same moment, he held the flashlight upside down with his left hand, and placed it above his bracelet. His thumb pressed a button and the flashlight then lighted on, emitting a blue ray of light. The bracelet immediately seemed to react to being enlightened ; it began to glow and Fry felt it was becoming warmer.

The words came out of his mouth as if he always knew them.

In darkest nights, in brightest days,

Beware my power… Blue Flashlight’s rays !

As Fry pronounced the last word, he suddenly was engulfed in the same blue light that the bracelet and the flashlight were emitting… And when everything seemed to be back to normal, he realized his clothes had changed. He was now wearing a very tight costume, entirely blue, except for his hands that were in white gloves, and the fact he was wearing white boots. His bracelet was not covered by his right glove, but on the contrary, it was over it. On his chest, a circular symbol was representing a stylized blue flashlight on a white background. He was also wearing a small blue mask around his eyes, and soon he realized he was emitting a blue aura around him.

For a few seconds, both Fry and Zoidberg stood silent, their mouth wide opened, as if their lower jaws were about to come off the rest of their head. Fry was the first to break the silence.

- THAT IS SO COOL !!!

Zoidberg finally reacted. He put his magazines on the ground, grabbed his own flashlight, and made the exact same ritual than Fry. When Fry stopped hiding his eyes from the sudden burst of light, he soon saw that the Decapodian was now wearing the same costume than him – apart from the minor changes due to the physical differences between humans and Decapodians. At the look on his face, Fry guessed that Zoidberg was overwhelmed by joy.

- New clothes ! Zoidberg has got new clothes which stench doesn’t cover his own ! And they’re pretty ! HOORAY !!! I’LL ALWAYS WEAR THEM NOW !

Fry immediately reacted.

- Wow, calm down doctor ! Here’s your first super-heroic lesson : wear your suit only when it’s time to use your powers.

- But why ?!?

- You know… For preserving your secret identities… If people always see us in our outfits when we’re not in mission, they’ll soon understand who we are ! Oh, and that also means we’ll have to hide our bracelets the more we…

Fry stopped. While he was pronouncing this sentence, he was poking his bracelet with his finger. This led him to remark a small picture on his bracelet.

- Is that a flower ?

Zoidberg looked at Fry’s bracelet, then at his own. His eyes widened.

- Hey, mine has an unicorn on it ! Looks cute though…

Fry was now a bit troubled.

- Well, I guess that’s another good reason not to show them to anyone…

Fry landed in the Planet Express Headquarters’ observation room, his bracelet still pulsing. Looking briefly to see if there was anybody in there, he finally changed his clothes in a split second, thanks to his bracelet’s power. He couldn’t help but smiling. Those few weeks as a Blue Flashlight really were exciting. He already stopped two evil scientists, three wannabe dictators, and captured dozens of crooks, robbers and arsonists. That was quite a good prize list, even for him, and soon he became a phenomenon. To be fair, the other Blue Flashlights too became a prior matter of discussion everywhere across the galaxy. Fry wasn’t the only one to make the BFS proud. But he always was joyful every time he saw a crowd thanking him or the TV news opening with his latest action.

In the beginning, although he had made Zoidberg think he knew a lot of things about this ‘job’, he was still a bit insecure. After all, he wasn’t alone during his first time as a super-hero ; Leela was with him, preventing him from doing anything stupid. But then, he remembered that, for once, she was the one who screwed everything up. He couldn’t blame her, after all, but it pushed him to make an oath : never, ever reveal his secret identity to anyone, even his closest friends. During those weeks, he also made his best for having the less contacts as possible with peoples and medias when he was on “duty”. That was safer. Now that he was sure that nobody had noticed him, Fry finally went downstairs, and immediately headed to the TV room. A little rest wouldn’t be a bad thing ; those patrols were sometimes pretty tiring. And he had a slight headache every time he was patrolling. He supposed it was provoked by the wind blowing at high speed when he was flying.

As soon as he entered in the TV room, he saw Bender sitting in the couch, smoking a cigar. The robot, however, didn’t seem to have noticed him.

- Hey Bender, wassup ?

Judging by the way the robot nearly hit the ceiling as he jumped, he was obviously surprised by Fry’s sudden appearance.

- GAAAAAAAHHHH !!!

A bit disturbed by Bender’s reaction, Fry didn’t pay attention to what the robot was watching… And he perhaps may never have if Bender didn’t suddenly grabbed the remote and put the news channel on.

- You stinking walking meatloaf ! Yelled Bender. Do you have to be that silent ?!?

- Sorry, must be my new sneakers. They don’t squeeze on lino. What were you watching ?

- Me ? Nothing ! Nothing but the news ! What would I watch ?

Fry’s eyes frowned… Until he remembered what day and what hour it was. A large mocking smile appeared on his face.

- So, how’s that documentary about Pat Boone ?

The glance that Bender launched at Fry would have petrified Medusa herself.

- One day, bonestick… One day, you’ll wake up and realize one of your kidneys is missing…

That didn’t manage to erase Fry’s smile, but that was the best Bender could have found in the moment. Before Fry could have replied anything, Leela suddenly entered in the room. Fry immediately turned to face her. That was something that was too strong for him. He just couldn’t watch away.

- Hi, Leela ! Everything’s fine ?

- Not really, Fry.

The delivery boy noticed she was looking a bit tired and concerned.

- I would never have thought that we’d have so many problems without Zoidberg. Since he had to go back to Decapod 10 for solving God only knows what kind of family issue, the Professor and Hermes have to juggle with tons of paperwork so that we could legally work.

Fry nodded. That was the first idea he and the Decapodian had found to make sure Zoidberg would go back to his homeworld. Zoidberg wasn’t very pleased and Fry felt a bit uneasy by forcing him to go before having completed his formation, but the Elders were strict about this point : each Blue Flashlight has to protect his homeworld. Their hooded leaders’ holograms even appeared to the two of them, using their bracelets as a relay for their message, to order Zoidberg to go back to Decapod 10. Although the bracelet allows its bearer to teleport himself from one end of the galaxy to the other in seconds, Zoidberg would never have efficiently protected his planet if he stayed on Earth permanently. According to the latest bits of news Fry gathered, the lobster was doing fine.

- Yeah, too bad… But what about you ? You look pretty worn out !

- I’m just coming back from a medical check-up. Believe me, that doctor is far more conscientious than Zoidberg ! He made me run on a treadmill for hours with a lot of stuff stuck on me to measure my breath and my cardiac activity just to be sure I really am able to pilot a spaceship ! Now, the only thing I need is to lay down and to rest a little ! Bender, could you move a bit please ?

The robot grumbled a bit, but in the end, Leela forced her way on the couch. Fry looked at the TV as the other two stood silent. For now, Linda and Morbo were on the air.

- …The three girlscouts were finally released when it appeared that their presumed bombs were in fact packs of innocent mint flavoured and poorly backed cookies, said Linda. Now those cute little angels will soon get back to their usual activities as soon as their therapy will come to an end !

- Morbo hates girlscouts. Luckily there won’t be anymore after my superior race will wipe out this pitiful world !

Linda giggled at his partner’s comment.

- On other news, the Metropolitan Museum of New New York has just inaugurated his exposition on the primitive omicronian civilizations.

- ‘Primitive Omicronian’ is a pleonasm, female !

- Ah ah ah ! Anyway, this inauguration managed to catch the attention of all New New York’s personalities, didn’t it, Brenda ?

A shot of the Museum’s main hall then appeared on screen, with on the foreground one of the channel’s journalist, Brenda Kwan, a young Asian woman. Several well-dressed people could be seen in the background, chatting and drinking champagne.

- Exactly, Linda ! Said Brenda. With the recent attempts of the President, Richard Nixon’s head, to consolidate our recent 238^th peace treaty with Omicron Persei 8, the culture of our fierce alien visitors became a subject of curiosity ! Although Omicron Persei 8 hadn’t been able to send one of his ambassadors to the exposition, the Omicronian leader, Lrrrr, contacted the President to confirm him he was intrigued by the idea but would support it as long as the exposed artefacts would be sent back to their world, along with a Guinea Pig for his youngest child. I’m now about to…

But Kwan couldn’t do anything else. Rapid bursts of laserguns could suddenly be heard. The camera immediately moved to reveal three masked individuals, heavily armed, on the top of the museum’s staircase. A brief moment of panic occurred, until one of the masked guys shot again in the air.

Fry, Leela and Bender’s eyes suddenly widened as they realized they were watching a hostage-taking. Fry rapidly remembered what he had to do… He searched briefly for an excuse, and turned to Leela and Bender.

- Oh, I just remembered, I’ve forgotten my candy-bar in the observation room… Tell me how it will turn !

Before Leela and Bender could have said anything, Fry had already disappeared from the room… The Cyclops and the robot looked at each other with puzzled looks, but they quickly watched the TV again as one of the hostage taker was beginning to speak.

- Alright everybody, stay calm and there won’t be any problems ! We are the CPSTA, the Committee for the Preservation of Stereotypical Terrorist Actions, and we decided that this exposition would be the perfect spot for claiming our demands ! I’d like to ask for the TV crew to film us all along, as a traditional hostage taking requires the presence of medias !

The terrorist cleared his throat before continuing.

- For too long, that good old earthican tradition of terrorist actions has been despised and condemned by the DOOP. We, at the CPSTA, only want to preserve that part of our criminal history. And of course, to make a lot of money. The building is now controlled by our men. We won’t let the hostages get out of here alive if those demands aren’t fulfilled : First we want 15 million dollars, in cash. Second, we demand the liberation of 6 of our fellow members that have been arrested by this fascist government. And third, we want a spaceship on top of the building and a clear passage to outer space.

- Hey, what about the religious claims ? Asked a second terrorist.

- Oh, please, Carl, said the first terrorist, we talked about this earlier ! Terrorist actions were at first dictated by mercenary and political purposes ! The religious aspects only occurred in a minority of actions ! So, if our demands aren’t satisfied in 2 hours, we will…

- Says you ! Said a third terrorist. Maybe the religious aspects weren’t in the first terrorist actions, but they later became an essential part !

- Dennis, that really isn’t the right time for this kind of argument… Said the first terrorist with a weary tone. Plus, the religious terrorists usually killed themselves. You really want to die ?

- Well, not really…

- Great. So, as I said, if in 2 hours…

The first terrorist couldn’t pursue, as the second one interrupted him again.

- Yeah, about this ‘2 hours’ part… Who decided this ?

- Were you in the general assembly last week or not ? (The first terrorist was losing his nerves.) The whole committee has taken that decision at the majority !

- Yeah, Tyler is right, intervened the third terrorist. I even backed this decision.

- Well, I still think we’d better wait for 3 hours. I don’t think we let them enough time to gather the money and prepare the ship.

- Yeah, but that’s how it will happen, OK ? What are you going to do against the majority ?

- That’s simple. I’ll quit the movement.

The first terrorist seemed to be astonished.

- You’ll WHAT ? Are you dense ? We founded the Committee two months ago, and you already want to split ?!? That’s nonsense !

- Actually, it may be a good idea, said the third terrorist. After all, instability amongst the movements was also a component of the terrorist groups from the Stupid Ages.

- Exactly ! Said the second terrorist. By stopping me from quitting the movement, you’re going against its spirit, Tyler !

Apparently, the first terrorist didn’t know if he’d better shoot his partners or if he’d have to surrender. As his shoulders collapsed, it seemed he chose the second solution.

- Fine, fine, said the first terrorist you can quit the Committee. But can we at least finish what we started here ?

- I’ve got no problems with that.

- Thank God… So surrender to our demands within 2 hours, or else we will…

But at that exact moment, the ceiling above the three terrorists collapsed.

The three men weren’t able to avoid the fragments, and quickly were submerged. One of them, the one who talked in first, tried to get on his feet… But he suddenly got smacked on the floor by what looked like a giant hand made of blue energy. A silhouette appeared in the hole… And Brenda Kwan, as all the guests, immediately recognized the newcomer.

- It’s Blue Flashlight ! Linda, this is incredible ! The Sapphire Protector is here !

Unfortunately, the hostages and the TV crew weren’t the only ones to have seen the arrival of the super-hero. A bunch of armed and masked guys rushed in the Main Hall, certainly the group the terrorists were talking about. As he saw them, Blue Flashlight tended his bracelet in the direction of the hostages. Immediately, a blue forcefield enveloped the innocents, protecting them from possible stray bullets. As everyone was now safe, Blue Flashlight began to attack the terrorists…

Leela and Bender knew how it would end. They’ve already seen Blue Flashlight on similar situations during the last weeks. But there was something else that was bothering them. The same idea had begun to take form in their minds some days before.

- Funny how he stays unnoticed with such a small mask, said Leela.

- Yeah, replied Bender. It only covers his eyes. Everybody can see he’s red-haired.

- Did you notice this ?

- It depends what you mean by ‘this’.

- I’m talking about the fact that Fry disappears every time that Blue Flashlight takes action.

- Yeah ? That’s what I noticed. But it couldn’t be him. He has such good alibis.

- His aquarium being on fire.

- The preparations for Robanuka. It’s kind from him to prepare it 7 months in advance.

- Formating your hard disk, even when you’re on Mars with the Professor and Amy.

- Searching for a female for Seymour, and in the last minute remembering he didn’t resurrect him.

For a few seconds, Leela and Bender stood silent. On the TV, Blue Flashlight had successfully clobbered the last terrorist by materializing a huge spiked club. It only lacked small stars and birds going around the terrorist’s head to make it look like a cartoon from the Stupid Ages.

- He sure takes his time to find this candy bar.

- Yeah. Especially in a room where he usually never put a foot if the Professor doesn’t call him first.

Once again, they remained silent. Brenda Kwan was now trying to obtain an interview of Blue Flashlight, but this one was already going away, using the hole in the ceiling as an exit, after having saluted the crowd.

- Maybe we should go to the observation room and help him ?

- I thought you’d never ask, eyeball.

For the second time in an hour, Fry landed in the observation room. Once again, he quickly checked that nobody was in there, and after that formality, he finally changed back to his usual outfit. Now that he was once again Fry the dull delivery boy, and no longer Blue Flashlight, he proceeded to the stairs, whistling ‘walking on the sunshine’.

- AH AH !!!

Fry screamed as Bender suddenly jumped out of a crate, pointing his finger in his direction. Leela soon appeared behind the metallic desk, where she was hiding. She was a bit annoyed by Bender’s prank.

- Bender, did you try to give him an heart attack or what ? We were just supposed to check if Fry really was Blue Flashlight !

- That’s what you said, big boots ! I promised nothing ! Seeing his face as he was screaming like a little girl is enough to boost my mood !

Fry, now that he was sure that his heartbeats were slowing down, took the time to check the situation. Immediately, he began to worry about what was about to happen next.

- Oh no… Said Fry. Since when are you… ?

- We’ve seen everything, pal ! Said Bender. So my best friend likes going out, wearing nothing but skin-tights all over him, hey ? I’ve just found the title of the third part of my biography !

- I don’t know how to react, Fry… Said Leela, her arms crossed on her chest. You tried to hide your secret activities with much more application than during the New Justice Team. On the other hand, did you really think we wouldn’t recognize you ? Your mask is almost the same than the one you were wearing as Captain Yesterday, and barely covers your face ! I’m surprised that nobody in the media didn’t make the connection !

- Ah ! Journalists ! Said Bender with a sarcastic tone. If he’d content himself with wearing glasses to cover his identity, they would still be fooled !

- OK, OK, maybe I should have told you, said Fry, trying to defend himself, but I sincerely thought that the less people would know, the less my secret would risk to be revealed !

He immediately knew he should have said something else. Leela’s eye was now scrutinizing his face, as she had a little idea of what he was implying. And there was something in that glance that was telling him ‘you’d better pay an extreme attention to what you’ll say if you don’t want me to tear you into pieces…’

- What do you mean exactly ? Are you talking about me screwing up our super-heroic career, by any chances ? (Although it was a question, Fry had the feeling she had an idea of the answer, and that she was not pleased of it.)

- Well… What I wanted to say… Err… Let’s imagine that…

Bender looked at Fry, then looked at Leela, and finally went back to Fry. That was going terribly wrong. Even he knew that Leela was on the verge of rage, and if there were something he really didn’t like, it was to be around her when she was enraged. The last time it happened, he lost his Playbot collection.

- OK, Fry… Now that there are no more secrets, what are you going to do with your fancy glowing jewel ?

Fry quickly turned to face Bender. He’d even kissed him for saving his life if they were alone.

- What do you expect me to do ? I don’t know why, but the bracelet chose me, and now I have the duty to protect Earth !

- Protecting Earth ? Did you forget you’re supposed to be an interplanetary delivery boy ? (Asked Leela, who decided to let the previous subject slip through… For the moment.) How can you protect Earth if you got to be in the other end of the galaxy for several days ? We haven’t had big contracts those last weeks, but one day or the other…

- Well, I thought about that… See, the bracelet allows me to immediately teleport on any planet whenever I want. I keep an eye on the news, and whenever there would be an emergency, I could be on Earth in a matter of seconds ! And such travels aren’t that frequent, Leela, we usually make smaller trips.

- Then why did Zoidberg had to go back to Decapod 10 if you can do this ?

- That’s different… He’s been affected to Decapod 10, so he has to stay there the longer he…

It took a few seconds, but somewhere in Fry’s brain, a small neuron, a bit more awake than his colleagues, finally managed to see what Leela’s question meant.

- Hey, wait a second… You know that Zoidberg is a Blue Flashlight too ?

- Hell yeah ! Replied Bender. And it was even easier than for you ! That stinking shellfish told us he was a super-hero as soon as he saw us, with one of his smile that makes him look stupider than he is – if it’s possible ! We had to explain him why he’d better keep his identity a secret to everyone else !

Fry’s shoulders collapsed. He knew he would have learnt this to him just after they received their bracelets.

- Oh boy… I hope he’s better when he’s in action…

- Anyway, that must have proven to you that we can keep secrets…

Fry looked in Leela’s eye. She didn’t seem as mad as before, but she was still pretty pissed. He sighed. His decision to hide his activities maybe wasn’t that bright…

- Look, Leela, I’m sorry… Of course you could keep my secret… But I thought that as long as you wouldn’t know, you could be a bit more protected against the nutcases I’d have to fight…

Leela finally began to soften a little. Maybe what he just said wasn’t his first intention, but that explanation sure sounded sincere enough for not being a lie. That wasn’t perfect, but it was a good start.

- Let’s forget this, Fry, OK ? Now, we’re all in the same boat.

Fry looked at her, a bit puzzled by her declaration.

- I think it’s your turn to be clearer.

- What I mean, Fry, is that we’re a different level than when we were the New Justice Team. You have to protect an entire planet, this time, not just a city, no matter how big is New New York. And you’re the only one here to have the powers needed for this. Whatever happens, you’ll have to fight it… But if you ever have to need an advice on what you should do, you can ask us, OK ?

- Yeah, exactly ! Said Bender, who decided to have his word on the matter. If you have to kill someone, I’d be glad to tell you how to pull the trigger !

Leela silently stared at Bender. She soon went back to Fry.

- Let’s just say I’d prefer you to ask me first if you have a hesitation, Fry. I think that would be for the best.

Fry smiled gently at Leela, a bit more reassured about how everything would turn to be. If he can count on Leela and Bender to help him make the good choices, how could he screw up his mission ?

- Thank you, Leela. And you too, Bender. You really are the best friends any man would ever dream of.

- I’m glad to hear that.

Leela smiled as she was saying that. Fry then knew that his faux pas was forgiven, and for the moment, that was the best reward he was hoping for, far before his crowd of fans or the mayor’s official thanks for his actions.

- We’d better go back to the conference room, now. The Professor and Hermes will soon call everyone for a new mission, I think.

Leela turned her back and proceeded to the stairs. Fry, during that, stood silent, observing her. Everything went well, after all. Sure, she was pissed when she realized he didn’t tell her who he was because a part of him apparently didn’t trust her… But he wasn’t lying when he was talking about the ‘protection by ignorance’ part. He was happy she understood that too. Nothing could have devastated him more than having her think he’d never consider her trustworthy enough for keeping that kind of secret. The last time she thought he had tricked her was with the time-slipping, and that was something he certainly didn’t want to live again.

Bender had to simulate a cough to make Fry stop daydreaming and notice he was still here.

- Oh, Bender… What’s the matter ?

- Tell me Fry… (Bender looked at the stairs to be sure that Leela was too far away for hearing him.) You know that Blue Flashlight became a star, don’t you ?

- Yeah, of course. I’d be blind and deaf if I wouldn’t hear all that peoples cheering and encouraging me when I’m on a mission !

- You see, Fry, whenever someone became that famous, there are guys who become crazy enough for buying anything related to that person…

Fry began to suspect what the robot was about to say.

- Yeah, so what ?

- Well, you certainly don’t want strangers to make profit on your image by selling some Blue Flashlight related merchandises, right ?

- Oh I see… You want to make such things, but you think it would be better if I authorize you to do so, right ?

- Since when are you a program-reader, Fry ?

- Come on, Bender, it’s more important than money ! It’s about defending truth, justice, and freedom !

- Think twice, Fry… Someone will do this someday… It would be better if it’s someone you see everyday and with whom you can talk as an equal, don’t you think ? And I swear I won’t reveal your identity ! What would I gain, anyway, nobody would believe that Blue Flashlight in a stinky delivery boy who thinks that bacon is made of pork ! So, is it a deal ?

Fry stared the robot for a brief moment. Finally he sighed. It was enough for Bender for hearing the sound of cash registers.

- Alright, Bender, do what you want… But ask me first before doing anything, alright ? And I must tell you I can’t accept that money. That would be wrong, I’m sure.

Bender did his best charming smile, as he passed his arm around Fry’s shoulders.

- I knew you’d say that, Fry. That’s why that never crossed my mind.

Fry barely had enough time to create a shield before being hit by the energy blasts. Two of the war drones had managed to go in his back, and it was by luck that Fry saw them. The drones, seeing their attack failed, tried to encircle the young hero, but Fry quickly used his power to create giant flying circular sawblades and to shoot them in the drones’ direction. Fortunately, some of them hit the drones, which quickly exploded after being cut in two. Fry, however, didn’t take a few seconds to rest : dozens of their colleagues were still attacking him.

In the past days, he discovered that important reserves of experimental explosives, nuclear matters and various high-tech ballistic programs had been stolen in several DOOP sheds. After some small investigations, and after having interrogated some of the thieves he managed to stop during one of those robberies, Fry finally discovered that they were working for a rich and powerful magnate named Derek Vile. Apparently, there were no more reasons to doubt that Vile had something to hide, as the war drones attacked Fry as soon as he got near Vile’s private island, Isla Obscura.

The drones weren’t a match against Fry’s bracelet, and a large number got destroyed by energy blasts or more imaginative uses of the Blue Flashlight’s power – such as being crushed by giant hammers, being pierced by thousands of needles or crushing on “brick walls” which had suddenly appeared in their trajectory, all of those items generated by the blue energy. The problem was that they were extremely numerous. Fry was shooting any of the drones he could see, but sooner or later one of them would be lucky… And to make his task even more dangerous, Fry’s headaches began once again to harass him.

As Fry created giant hands to crush a bunch of the drones, he didn’t notice the other squadron coming in his back. The drones activated their laserguns and aimed the super-hero. They were about to fire at an unaware Fry…

… When suddenly, a rapid succession of energy blasts coming from the sky destroyed most of them. The few drones that were still flying, disoriented by the sudden attack, tried an evasive action, but they couldn’t do anything against Fry, who turned his back as he heard the explosions and saw the drones. For a few seconds, Fry forgot about the drones and looked after the unexpected help. He smiled as he saw who it was.

- Zoidberg ! Over here !

The Decapodian waved his claw in Fry’s direction, but he didn’t try to reach the young man : there were still other war drones, some of them now attacking Zoidberg as they quickly realized there was another Blue Flashlight. Unfortunately for them, any resistance was now futile. The battle lasted a few more minutes, with the undeniable victory of the two Blue Flashlights. It’s only when the remains of the last drone began to fall into the ocean that Fry and Zoidberg properly saluted themselves.

- Thanks for the help, doctor ! I didn’t expect such a reception…

- Bah, no need for thanks, my friend ! You would have done the same thing for me !

- Everything’s fine on Decapod 10 ?

- Not really… (Zoidberg looked a bit confused and sad as he was searching his words.) Sure, my folks are in majority happy to have their own super-hero, and so far I haven’t made great goofs… But… I don’t know… Others think that it’s not a decent activity for a Decapodian…

- Oh… I’m sorry for that…

- You don’t need to be. I know we’re doing something important. But I only expected to be a bit more appreciated. And I had problems to readapt to the life there… As soon as I appeared in my civil identity, some people tried to hang me as a traitor !

- Yeah… That story about you stopping the invasion of Earth by your own race…

- Yes, my friend ! I have to be Blue Flashlight 34 hours a day if I don’t want to be peeled out of my shell !

Fry was feeling a bit uneasy at the moment. He’d better take the conversation to another matter if he’d want to prevent Zoidberg for crying. He always hated to see him cry. It was always making him more hideous than he already is.

- So, what are doing on Earth, by the way ? Did you convince the Elders to send you back here ?

- Oh no… There’s a scientist in my world, Professor Kirk Maulstein, that had been kidnapped a few days ago. As he’s an expert on nuclear engineering and worked on some military projects a few years ago, that’s a bit worrying. I found some clues that were pointing to a certain Derek Vile, so I came here. My bracelet detected you when I entered in the atmosphere, so I decided to pay you a visit before searching for Vile.

- Really ? Looks like we’re partners on this case, then ! I’m searching him too ! You see that island over there ? That’s his secret lair !

- Really ?

Zoidberg’s concerns seemed to have vanished as soon as he understood he would work with Fry.

- That’s fabulous ! I’m going to stop a villain with my friend !

- Wow wow wow ! Hold on doctor ! We’re still not sure he’s a villain !

Zoidberg lowered his claws, as he had thrown them in the air just like anytime he was feeling joy. He was now looking a bit puzzled.

- We’re not sure ? But he sent a battalion of war drones against us as we’re approaching his island…

- When I was still in the 20^th century, the old man that was living in the apartment in front of mine never stopped insulting and kicking me every time I met him. He even sometimes peed on my doorstep. That didn’t mean he was a villain.

- He has a very spooky name too... Haven’t the villains spooky names like Doctor Destruction or Father Fear ?

- Hey, you don’t choose your name… I knew a mister Killmanyowitz when I was a kid, and he wasn’t hiding any doomsday device in his backyard… Well, I think he never had, I never found proof of the contrary…

- And why would he need an isolated island as a settlement ?

- You know, when you have money, you want to live in a quiet neighbourhood !

Zoidberg scratched his head as he was examining the elements. Finally, he seemed to make a decision.

- I see… So we shouldn’t enter and destroy his island in the first place ?

- Nah, we never know, maybe he only prepared a very private conference about nuclear stuffs in his island… But if he’s starting a speech in which he tells us that he’ll rule the world and we’ll never be able to stop him before laughing maniacally, then I think we should be covered…

- Pompous and arrogant speech and maniac laughter… So we should attack Fox executives too ?

- Oh… I guess not… Let’s just say that if he does that and he’s also showing us nuclear missiles, we could act…

- Now I get it ! Let’s go, my friend !

Zoidberg propelled himself in the island’s direction before Fry could make a move. A split second later, the young man began to follow the lobster, trying to concentrate on what he should do once they would have reached the location. But he had some problems with that.

Boy, those headaches really were a pain…

Now, that was far more suspicious.

Fry could understand that an eccentric magnate would like to isolate himself on an island, but having a small private army at your disposal ? With nazi-like uniforms ? And carrying laserguns, rocket launchers and using warmachines ? Either he really wanted to be alone, or he had something to hide.

Fry and Zoidberg had to fight as soon as they landed on the island ground. Fortunately, despite their heavy arsenal, Vile’s soldiers weren’t able to pierce their protective aura. Once again, the two Flashlights used their bracelets to smack down their opponents. Fry was enjoying this a little too much, as he was sometimes taking too much time to think of an imaginative way to kick the soldiers’ asses, such as making energetic anvils fall on their armoured vehicles or slapping them with giant boxing gloves. Zoidberg was using his power to create what he knew the best : the soldiers he was taking down had to fight against gigantic claws, cohorts of small crabs or flying whales. Sometimes, his medical formation made him summon some tools as scalpels for destroying their most dangerous weapons, but he was so excited he confused those two universes on some occasions. And nothing is more frightening than flying great white sharks who are brandishing syringes.

Finally the last soldier collapsed on the floor, knocked down by a blue iron. Fry and Zoidberg took a few seconds to breathe and analyze the situation.

- I’ve never lived such an exciting adventure in my entire life, Fry ! That’s absolutely fabulous ! Apart from the fact they wanted to kill us, of course, but that’s not something new to me !

- You never face such situations on Decapod 10 ?

- Oh, so far I only got to prevent natural disasters… Tidal waves, meteor falls, eruption of underwater volcanoes… Hey, now that I think about it, there has been this attack of sexual pheromones launching krakens, but strangely, nobody wanted me to do something against them…

- OK, now that we’ve beaten those guys, maybe we could search for Vile. Where could he be ?

- I don’t get it… Those krakens really seemed dangerous, and they wanted to destroy our capital. Why did they blame me for fighting them ?

- Maybe we should take a look at this big warehouse over there. If Vile really had stolen explosives, they might well be there.

- Plus, everybody knows that mating leads to death in our species. Why did they want them to stay ?

Fry flew in the direction of the warehouse he was talking earlier, and that forced Zoidberg to stop mumbling about this kraken affair. The door was closed, but Fry quickly resolved the problem by breaking the door with a giant energetic mace. There was nothing in the warehouse… Except for some kind of throne. A man was sitting on it. Middle-aged, bald, he was wearing a red suit with a big black V on the chest. Apparently he also had a black cape in his back.

“Excuse me, sir, asked Fry, completely unaware of the look of the man, we’re looking for mister Vile. Do you have any idea of where he is ?

A grim smirk appeared on the man’s face. Soon, the man started to laugh in an incredibly hysterical manner.

- Maniac laughter ? Said Zoidberg. I think we’d better keep an eye on him…

The man finally stopped laughing and got up. He was trying to look menacing and impressive, but that failed a bit when he started to speak :

- You ale in fwont of him, pathedic helof ! Fo, two Blue Flaflightf have found my tlail and defeated my almy ? Fely well… But plepale to…

The man suddenly stopped, looking confused. Fry had suddenly bursted out laughing, falling on the floor and rolling, as soon as he began to talk. For a moment, Derek Vile didn’t know what to do. Zoidberg was also asking himself what his friend was finding so funny.

- Why ale you laufing, you fool ? Anfel my queftion ! Anfel the queftion of the magnififent Delek File !!!

Vile tried to put in that order all the intimidation he could, but it only managed to make Fry laugh even harder. The villain finally understood what was making the young hero laughing.

- Oh, my fpeetf impediment, light ? Yeah, dvuft make fun of the guy who if lifping, molon ! But you’ll foon ftop laufing when I’ll launf my new nuclear arfenal on New New York ! We’ll fee who’ll be ve smalteft !

Hearing this, Zoidberg forced Fry to stand up. It was becoming more worrying than they thought.

- Listen, Fr… Fellow Blue Flashlight ! I still don’t know why you think that man’s accent is so hilarious, but he has just bragged about destroying a city ! I’m pretty sure he’s a villain now ! Especially as he doesn’t look like a Fox executive !

Fry was finally calming down… Well, he was still giggling, and he was continuously wiping the tears of laughter that were coming out of his eyes, but at least he was standing on his feet and he could speak again.

- Yeah, you’re right… Prrrfffttt… We’ve got to… Teehee ! Stop him ! So you’ve stolen those explosives, Vile, but why did you need that decapodian scientist ?

Vile was still mad at Fry, but he fell in the usual trick : he started to brag about his “marvellous” plan for conquering the world.

- Why ? Becauze I needed fomeone to plepale the guiding fyftemf and to inftall vem on ve miffiles ! And nobody in ve DOOP carez about the Decapodianf ! I would have launfed my deadly miffiles before anyone would have known !

Fry tried to contain his laughs, but it was way too hard. Once again, he laughed so hard he nearly collapsed on the floor, which only managed to increase Vile’s fury. Zoidberg, at this moment, didn’t know what to do or to think, because of Fry’s actions mainly, but also because of Vile’s speech about how the Decapodians are despised by the other species.

That was explaining so many things… Like the lack of interstellar helps during this sea urchins invasion…

- Now vat’f it ! You may hafe beaten my foldierf, but I fwear you won’t get out of vif island alive !

Fry was trying to stand up, once again. He was still laughing at the top of his lungs, but he had heard everything Vile said.

- And what will you do ? Using some secret giant robot against us ?

Vile smiled… One of the most frightening smiles a human could conceive, but that didn’t strike Fry, as every megalomaniacs he had already battled always smiled like that. He bet it was part of the whole “evil lord” business, along with the grim outfits, the pompous vocabulary and the cohorts of badly trained henchmen. Vile pressed a button, on the throne’s arm. A glassshield suddenly came out of the ground and imprisoned the evil lord and the throne, and levers and buttons appeared around the throne. Just after this, the ground around the throne slid, revealing an apparently deep cavity. Sounds of machinery began to resonate in the warehouse, as a hydraulic elevator was rising the throne, and more specifically what it was in fact standing on top of.

It was one gigantic robotic body, made of some extremely solid titanium apparently, and blue coloured. Its hands were ending with three enormous and flexible claws, spikes was covering it on the shoulders, the elbows and the knees. Some little panels slid on its body as well, revealing laserguns, rockets, and what Zoidberg feared to be nutcrackers.

That vision immediately put an end to Fry’s hilarity. The young man became as pale as a sheet, especially when Vile, with his grim smile, pushed a button and made the robot aim him.

‘I think it’s a yes’ was all Fry was able to say at this moment.

Fry managed to create a strong enough force field to protect him from the powerful laser beam, unfortunately, he noticed too late the rocket that was coming right after it. The shield blocked most of the explosion, but its violence was sufficient to project the young man in barracks far ahead. The robot was just as fierce as its aspect could have indicated.

Zoidberg managed to get out of Vile’s sight in order to search for Fry. That didn’t take long, as his fall dug a 15 feet long trench in the ground and completely destroyed the buildings. As he landed near him, he soon heard that Fry was singing ‘baby come back’.

- My friend, are you alright ?

- Oooooh, hello Leela ! (Fry’s voice was quivering a bit too much to Zoidberg’s tastes.) You look great in that dress ! And you put glitters in your hair ? That’s nice…

- Oh my God, you’re hallucinating ! Mmmmh, what was the procedure against that already ? That’s it !

Fry leant himself, grabbed Fry’s costume by the chest and began to smack the young man’s face with his claw. It managed to bring Fry back to consciousness, but what the Decapodian didn’t suspect was that slapping someone is more painful with claws than with hands… Fry, after a few slaps, managed to repel the doctor’s claw and protected his face.

- Ouch ! Stop it, doctor, I’m back to normal !

- Glad to hear this ! He really smacked you good, my friend… Have you got some injuries ?

- My chest hurts a lot… Maybe I have one or two ribs broken…

To Fry’s (not so) great surprise, Zoidberg grabbed his right ankle and began to examine it.

- I don’t see anything wrong on your thorax…

Fry couldn’t correct the professor, as Vile and his robot had found them and were heading in their direction. To be honest, he wasn’t sure he would have tried to… But whatever he would have done if he had enough time, there were now more pressing issues than improving Zoidberg’s knowledge of human anatomy. Vile’s laughter began once again to resonate in the atmosphere.

- Who’v laufing now, Blue Flaflightf ? Who’v laufing ? Me ! I am ve ftrongeft ! And foon, you’ll ftop laufing too, Michael Fhapmann ! You’ll ftop faying you can’t date fomeone like me, Lufy Porter ! And you’ll regret not having validated my oral egvam, profeffor Farnfworf !

Fry asked himself why villains seemed to be recruited amongst the high school losers… He didn’t wait to find the answer, as a bunch of rockets had been fired in his direction. Both Fry and Zoidberg managed to take off before the rockets reached them.

They had to find a plan. The titanium that was composing the robot’s body was strong enough for resisting all of their attacks ; Zoidberg even tried to pierce the glass shield that was protecting Vile with an energetic scalpel, but it failed as his creation bounced on the glass. Apparently, it was treated to resist to any kind of impacts. There had to be a way to destroy the robot, but Fry couldn’t concentrate as he was too busy protecting himself from Vile’s constant attacks. Plus, his headaches were once again beginning to strike… But when we put those facts aside, everything was looking great. At least they were still alive.

It may not have lasted, but as usual, Fry preferred to think of the present.

The delivery boy was constantly having an eye on the robot, as Vile really seemed to hit all the buttons commanding his attacks at the same time. That was the only explanation Fry could have found for those non-stop attacks. But suddenly, he realized something : Vile’s robot was covered on all of its articulations with bolts and screws.

That was their only chance.

Fry managed to tell Zoidberg to join him. The Decapodian had to dodge several laser beams, but he finally joined the young man, who then told him with a simple gesture to follow him. Vile tried to shoot them, but they quickly flew out of his range, and quickly hid themselves in the jungle surrounding the villain’s installations. Vile followed them, keeping all his weapons ready in case of a surprise attack.

The jungle was strangely quiet… Bird screams and several other natural noises could be heard, but they were less loud that what you would expect in such a deep forest. Of course, this silence was soon disturbed by the trample and the mechanic sounds provoked by the robot. Vile was beginning to feel uneasy : somehow his enemies seemed to have disappeared. He was however still progressing in the jungle, all his captors activated. As he finally reached a clearing, he stopped, as he was sure that would be a perfect spot for a trap. His caution, however, faded away as soon as he saw the Decapodian Blue Flashlight, on the other side of the clearing. The astonished look that was now appearing on the lobster’s face made Vile smiled, and he quickly propelled the robot in the center of the area, his weapons already preparing to hit once again. He was planning to use his thermal beams on him : that would be funny to see a lobster of that size boil without using heated water…

Just at this moment, Vile surprisingly saw dozens of blue flying objects surround his robot… He quickly recognized screwdrivers and wrenches, and even a few can openers… Before he could have done anything, he saw those tools activate themselves on certain particular parts of his robot. Terrified, he tried to discard the objects, but as soon as he repelled some of them, others were appearing. A few seconds later, everything seemed to disappear. Surprised, Vile looked in all directions… And he finally saw Fry, still brandishing his bracelet in his direction. As nothing seemed to happen, Vile’s self-assurance rose again.

- Vat’f all you’ve got, kid ? I’ll enjoy making you…

At this moment, the entire robot seemed to emit a long and painful metallic scream, and refused to move anymore. Vile’s smile quickly faded away… And his joy disappeared when he saw a screw come off his robot’s right hand. A bolt from his left shoulder followed it. Other screws and bolts were beginning to fall too.

And others.

And others.

Finally, all the screws and the bolts that were keeping the robot in one piece fell on the ground, making a noise very similar to the one produced by rain sticks. For a few seconds, everything stood still.

- Uhoh, said Vile.

The entire robot dislocated itself and all of its parts collapsed on the floor, in a deafening uproar. As the glass shield was no longer connected to the rest of the robot, Vile and the throne were ejected. Vile heavily landed on the floor. As he tried to sit, he realized he fell just in front of Fry, who was now sporting his most mocking smile. Looking behind him, he saw the giant pile of scrap that was one minute earlier the deadliest piloted war robot ever produced. He looked back at Fry.

- I know a junkyard that would be happy to help you getting rid of this junk, if you want… Said Fry. They’re really good, I call them every time I need to clean my apartment.

Vile’s anger reached a new level. He quickly grabbed something in his pocket. When Fry saw it was a controller, he immediately stopped to smile.

- Don’t fink it’f over, heroev !

Vile pushed one of the controller’s button. Fry hoped that nothing would happen, and during a few seconds, it was the case. But suddenly, a powerful detonation could be heard, that quickly changed to the noise that was produced by something burning intensively. Fry looked up… And saw in a hole in the vegetation an enormous missile take off, followed by a long trail of fire and smoke. Vile was laughing maniacally again. Fry was asking himself if villains knew that they were not obliged to laugh before speaking.

- You may have beaten me, but it’f too late for New New York ! In an hour, nofing will be left of thif fity but ruinv !

Fry was about to take off in order to stop the missile, when Zoidberg grabbed him by the shoulder.

- I’ll take care of this, my friend ! Just keep an eye on him ! I hope I won’t be long !

Fry smiled. Zoidberg really was improving in his new career. When Fry suggested that he should distract Vile to give him enough time to dismantle his robot, he didn’t even complain : he considered it was part of the job.

Although Fry didn’t tell him he had no idea it would work.

- Alright, but be careful, OK ? We’re talking about a nuclear missile here !

Zoidberg nodded and immediately took off. Now that he was alone with Vile, Fry had a few things to ask him… He brandished his bracelet in the villain’s direction, and immediately Vile was imprisoned in an energetic bubble.

- We have to talk, Vile… Where is that Decapodian scientist ?

- Oh, you fink I will tell you ? Vat’f not becauve I can’t do anyfing vat I’ll cooperate, fuper-zero ! Let me tell you vif : az foon az I’ll get out of jail, I will… I will… I…

Vile suddenly stopped talking. Fry was a bit surprised by this. All the villains he had stopped before never seemed to shut up after they’ve been caught, but that’s was the first time one of them didn’t finish a sentence.

- Mr Vile ?

- Duuuuuuuuhhh…

OK, that was weird. Vile was now drooling, and his look was completely bland. There was usually madness, arrogance or hate in the eyes of the villains he was arresting, but Fry saw nothing in Vile’s eyes… A goldfish would look more intelligent than him at this moment. It became worse : Vile began to sniff his own wrist, before biting it. The villain screamed of pain, but he resumed sniffing his wrist immediately after the pain disappeared, and bit it once again. He made this during long and embarrassing minutes. Fry couldn’t help but watch him.

Fry didn’t even notice that Zoidberg was back. Vile was now trying to bite his own calf, but he wasn’t supple enough for this and quickly fell on the ground.

- My friend ? I’ve succeeded ! New New York is saved ! Now we can… Why is he trying to eat his fins ?

Fry suddenly realized the lobster was back. For a few seconds he tried to find an answer, and finally he managed to speak.

- I have no idea ! He began to act like this just after you left !

- Mmmmh… Interesting… Maybe it’s a sudden amnesia ? Or a nervous breakdown ? Whatever it is, I’m sure a little brain operation would resolve this ! I just have to…

- Oh please, doctor… He may be a villain, but he still deserve a trial !

Fry looked back at Vile. He was now squatting and itching his armpits. Apparently, he was taking a lot of pleasure from sniffing his fingernails after this. Fry got back to Zoidberg.

- Anyway… You said you managed to stop the missile ?

- No, I couldn’t. I said New New York was saved.

- But what happened then ?

- I managed to open it and to extract the guiding system. Then, I diverted it. It will explode in open sea, hundreds of miles away from any inhabited areas.

- Wow ! Smart move doctor !

- Yeah ! Nobody will be hurt ! Well except for a few fishes, but your planet’s sea creatures are too arrogant and scornful, so I don’t care. They don’t even say hello when you salute them ! Anyway, it’s just as if that bomb never exploded !

Umbriel opened her eyes, still a bit dazed by the tremendous shockwave that suddenly stroke the sunken city of Atlanta. As she regained her consciousness, she realized a part of her house had collapsed while she was still inside. Fortunately, her father and she weren’t in the crumbled parts of the house. Panicked, she helped her father to get up and quickly lead him outside. The landscape was horrifying : all the city had suffered from the schockwave, and a few seascrapers even collapsed. She could hear alarms and various cries, as well as seeing other people wandering around, looking as astonished as her.

- Daddy ! What happened ?

- I don’t know, sweetie, said the colonel, but I think it will be bad for the tourism…

Fry wasn’t paying much attention to what Leela and Bender were saying. All he knew is that it was something about Bender’s new activities, but he soon went back to his thoughts after a few seconds.

- I’m telling you, big boots, that it might be the best idea I had since I entered the sacred world of business !

- Oh come on Bender ! Do you really think I will believe this ? Why so many people would buy this junk ?

- Junk ? Hey, I may be cutting a little bit on the materials, but all those goods are correct enough for meatbags ! Nothing dangerous in them !

- As if you cared about their health…

- I do… Because if somebody is hurt by one of my products, that would be very bad for Fry’s popularity !

- And for your turnover, I guess ?

- Hey, I gave you the answer you wanted to hear, not the one I should have said if I was sincere ! You could admit I progress in all that ‘communication skills’ crap !

- There’s a limit ! You won’t force me to believe that your products sell that well !

- It’s not because you were the ‘unknown nerdy girl in the back row’ when you were in high-school that nobody can be famous ! Have you seen all those acclamations Fry gets everytime he puts his big nose outside ? People would buy anything Blue Flashlight related ! I bet that if I put Fry’s head on fiscal applications, people would beg to have a tax inspection ! Plus, I always try to find the little detail that convinces people to buy my products.

- Oh yeah ?

Leela grabbed a keychain which had the shape and the colours of the Blue Flashlight’s symbol on the table.

- And what did you do to this, exactly ? I see nothing…

Suddenly, Leela stopped and began to sniff the keychain. There was nothing to see, however, there was something to smell.

- Lavender ?

- They can also smell like jasmine, orange tree flower, peach and magnolia. Believe me, the smell can last for several weeks ! Approximately 200 Guinea Pigs, 50 chimpanzees and some koalas died to find the way to perform this.

- Wow… I must admit that it would be nice to have such a pleasant perfume when I’m looking to my keys, and our cockpit sometimes really needs… (Leela shook her head, as she realized what she was saying.) But I’m still sceptical about all this ! You shouldn’t take the impact of your merchandising on Fry’s image that lightly ! What do you think of this, Fry ?

Fry was still lost in his own thoughts. As she wasn’t hearing an answer, Leela turned on her seat to face Fry. He was intensively contemplating the holographic projector in the centre of the table, and that was quite disturbing.

- Fry ?

Finally, Fry realized she was talking to him. He blinked and looked as surprised as if she just had woken him up by throwing a bucket of cold water on him.

- What ?

- Are you alright, Fry ? You look like something is disturbing you…

- Oh, sorry Leela. I was thinking about something strange…

- What ? Said Bender. Your comics ? I know the stories suck, but Rob Liefeld’s head was the only guy available in the business ! Don’t complain, at least he doesn’t draw it ! Although I think that his art would improve if he was holding his pencil in his mouth. Bah, who am I kidding ? The only way for him to improve would be to blindfold himself…

- No, it’s not about all those things ! Said Fry, sounding a bit annoyed. I don’t know… Some bizarre things are happening during my missions… And I feel that something bad is about to happen.

Leela started to worry. A few days before, she told Fry he could count on her help every time he’d need advices. That was obviously the case. She got nearer to him, and posed her hand on his shoulder. That simple contact seemed to calm Fry a bit.

- Since when it’s happening ?

- Do you remember that guy, Derek Vile ?

- You bragged about how you kicked his ass during hours, coffin stuffer ! Said Bender while he was lighting a cigar. Of course we remember him, and frankly, I’m surprised I didn’t erase my datas about this piece of dumb altruism of yours as soon as you had finished !

- Well there’s a part I didn’t tell you because I had no idea of what happened, and I didn’t think it was really important. When I used my powers to catch him, he suddenly acted like a weirdo.

- A guy who launches a nuclear missile to wipe out a city with no reasons isn’t weird ? Asked Leela, although she hoped Fry had the same answer than her.

- I mean even weirder. He began to act as if he had his brain removed and put in a jar where it couldn’t control his body, like I saw in an old movie and in the professor’s lab when he tried to create his race of sentient gorillas. He didn’t even manage to finish his oath of revenge !

- Wait a second, Fry… You mean he got lobotomized ?

- It looked like it, yeah. But he went back to normal when I gave him to the authorities and stopped using my bracelet’s power against him. The following days, I continued to patrol, but the same thing happens again and again : every time I catch someone with my powers, they all become morons ! I saw some of them playing with their weapons while laughing like retarded kids, others trying to stand on their hands… And none of them was able to speak normally. One of them even tried to wet me, and believe me, he wasn’t using water !

Leela took a few seconds for thinking. That actually seemed serious.

- Does it happen every time you’re using your bracelet against someone ?

- Yeah. And not only on humans. Yesterday, I fought Destructor – you know, that wrestling robot, he broke a fuse since he lost his title – and after I stroke him, he thought he was programmed to make cookies. And the day before, I’ve met the Zoo Keeper, and his animals also went crazy when I tried to stop them. I don’t know what’s happening to my powers, but apparently everybody can be affected by it.

Just at this moment, the professor entered in the same room than Fry and Bender. His smile, his cheerful tone, the sweat on his forehead… He obviously was about to assign them a mission.

- Good news everyone ! Started the professor. Today, you…

Fry suddenly rose his arm, and immediately a blue ray of energy came out of his hand. Soon, the professor got wrapped in a blue aura. And he immediately stopped talking.

- Gaaaaah… Proffie likes shiny light ! Nice ! Proffie wants the same ! Uhoh… Proffie forgot how to stand…

The professor collapsed on the floor.

- Ouch ! Hurts ! But funny ! Again ! Again !

During those few seconds, Leela was paralyzed. She just couldn’t believe her own eye : that was as dramatic as Fry was implying. Then, she remembered what was causing this and faced the young man.

- Stop it, Fry ! You didn’t have to prove what you were saying !

- I wasn’t proving anything, replied Fry while shrugging I was trying to avoid having to work !

Leela gave him a severe look. She didn’t know what was going on, but at least, there was something that was sure : Fry was still Fry. She’d have to be alone and think quietly to decide if it was a good thing given the circumstances or not.

- Stop playing with his brain, dammit !

- He played with mine several times !

- FRY !!!

- Alright, alright…

Fry reluctantly stopped using his powers on the professor. It wasn’t easy to determine if the professor was back to normal, as he was walking on the thin line separating sanity and madness for years, but at least he stopped giggling and emitted a surprised ‘Wha ?’. Leela immediately rushed out of her seat to help the professor to get up.

- Oh my, another heart attack ? Asked the professor. I think it will soon be high time for trying a new transplant. I hope my new heart-tree will soon begin to bud…

- Everything’s right, professor ? Asked Leela, trying to see if he was reminding anything or if he got after-effects of Fry’s action.

- Of course I’m right ! I was in healthy shape even before your parents were born ! Just remind me why I came here…

- You were about to assign us to a mission, apparently…

- Ooooooh, right ! I remember !

- Oh great… Said Bender. I should go to the nearest suicide booth, that would be quicker than going to another planet and get killed anyway !

- Don’t worry, said the professor. You only have to carry 10 kegs of sulphuric megacid to the planet Kard !

- Doesn’t seem very dangerous… Said Fry.

- Oh my no ! Unless you don’t manage to deliver the package before the megacid had eaten into the crates and the ship’s hull, leading you to a horrible and painful death ! Now, prepare to take off, I still have to write the want ads for your successors !

As the professor was already going back to his lab, Fry was looking at Leela, who at this time was massaging her forehead, looking extremely tired. That was something he could easily understand.

- Sometimes, said Leela, I wish I didn’t quit and was still a job assignment officer…

- Bah, don’t worry, Leela ! Said Fry. We’ll get out of this alive, as usual.

- Easy talking, meat bag ! Said Bender, with an angry tone. You’re the only fleshie here that can survive in outer space and the only one of us that can travel without help in the void thanks to your girlie jewel !

- Hey, don’t say that ! If something had to happen, I’d help the two of you, I swear I will ! And we won’t be alone ! There are other Blue Flashlights where we go ! Kard has one, and a pretty good one apparently !

- Really ? Said Leela. And what’s his name ?

- Dextro.

Dextro lowered his arm down, still pulsing with the blue energy. His purple skin was glowing even more intensively when he was using his powers, but for the moment, Polok and Tyruk, two yellow skinned Kardian servants, were staring at a small pile of ashes, in the center of the throne room.

- That’s for bringing me a bloody mary when I ask for a piña colada, said Dextro, with a voice that could have frozen Hell itself. You two. Get me what I want.

Tyruk finally stopped looking at the remains of his colleague, and looked at his master. He felt he’d better knee and not look in the dark and deep pupils.

- Order and we’ll obey, my lord.

- I’m sure you understood what would happen if I get disappointed once again.

- Yes my lord. We’re going, my lord.

- Good.

Dextro went back to his throne and sat. The two servants had already disappeared from his sight. As they were heading to the kitchen room, they began to talk.

- What a monster ! Said Polok. Why does nobody try to overthrow him ?

Tyruk looked at his colleague. He really seemed disturbed by his question.

- Because he’s not worse than his predecessors, and he gave us free healthcare ?

Polok looked at Tyruk, a bit surprised. But quickly he shrugged.

- Yeah, good reason. Where did we put the tequila ?

The ship was already out of Earth’s atmosphere. When Leela had finished checking if all the procedures for interstellar travels were done, she finally got back to their conversation.

- Fry ?

The delivery boy already was in his usual posture : his feet on the consoles and his arms crossed behind his head.

- Yeah ?

- About what you told me… Did you notice something else about your powers ?

- Mmmmh… Apart from the lobotomies, I don’t see… Wait ! There is something else ! Now I’ve got headaches !

- Headaches ?

- Every time I’ve been Blue Flashlight, I’ve had small headaches. But they’re beginning to be more and more awkward.

- Only when you’re Blue Flashlight ?

- In the beginning, yeah, but now, it’s almost all day long.

Leela started to analyze all the elements… But that was going nowhere. She had absolutely no idea of how the bracelet’s powers were working, so it was extremely difficult to see if it was that unusual or not. Fry himself didn’t know much about them, and those Elders weren’t helping either : apparently, they only contacted Fry or the other Blue Flashlights when they wanted to, never they were begged to. She hated to admit this, but she had no idea of what to do.

- Leela ? What should I do ?

Leela looked at Fry. There was no fear in his face… Only the expression little boys have when they wait an advice from their mother. A few years back, Leela would have been annoyed by his childish attitude, but she realized he was acting this way because he was trusting her more than anyone else when it was about important decisions. That was flattering. A bit irresponsible, but flattering.

- I don’t know, Fry. You said they come back to normal when you stop using your powers, so maybe there’s nothing urgent for the moment. But we’d better keep an eye open.

- You won’t have any problems with that ! Said Bender before opening a beer can.

- And please, Fry, try to contact the Elders and ask them explanations on this. I think they may have hidden something, and I really want to know what.

- They don’t usually answer to my calls, but I’ll try. Thanks Leela.

The three of them stayed silent for a while. But all of them were thinking about those events. Although for Bender it was just a question of knowing if that would be bad for his business or not.

Fry suddenly realized something. He sniffed a bit, and he knew he wasn’t hallucinating.

- Hey, why do I smell lavender ?

The situation really wasn’t improving. As he was flying above New New York, Fry was once again thinking about all those temporary lobotomies he was provoking. A few days had passed since they performed their last delivery, but when Fry resumed his patrols, it all started again. At least, he knew what he had to expect, so he was even more cautious when he was using his powers against someone. In fact, in several cases, that even was easing his missions : when they were getting caught in his rays, his opponents immediately forgot what they were doing and what they should do, including defending themselves. For now, nobody seemed to have noticed what was going on, with the exception of the policemen who were dealing with the criminals afterwards. They however asked no questions.

His headaches weren’t getting better either. They were annoying when he was in his civilian outfit, but it was far worse when he was using his powers. Sometimes, it was so painful that he had to take a few aspirin tablets after having changed to Blue Flashlight. Fry was afraid that someday it would become so annoying that he would barely concentrate enough for mastering his abilities. Of course, Fry tried to contact the Elders many times, but his employers were desperately silent. He was forced to wait that they contact him first to have answers.

There was something else that was disturbing him. Bender’s business really was increasing. Whenever he was looking in the crowd, he always fell on some Blue Flashlight products. People were wearing Blue Flashlight themed clothes, he saw kids playing with Blue Flashlight dolls, there were negotiations about a movie which would be directed by Guillermo Del Toro’s head… That was becoming extremely embarrassing. Fry had the feeling that it might not have been such a good idea to let Bender do what he was doing. But inside of him there was still a little voice that was telling him that he would be proud to be such a phenomenon…

His thoughts brutally were stopped when he heard a detonation, apparently coming from NNY’s downtown. He quickly corrected his trajectory, and searched for the origin of the noise. Another explosion occurred, which helped him to have a better idea of where he should be. As he saw a crowd in the streets, he noticed that some people were fleeing a particular building, while others were hesitating between going away and having a look to what was going on. Fry, as he was on mission, didn’t have to hesitate. He landed, and realized that whatever was going on, it was happening in Elzar’s restaurant. There was a large hole next to the main door : once again, it seemed that he’d have to fight someone or something that was thinking it was more spectacular to enter somewhere by piercing a new entrance than simply by using the door. He was about to enter, when he noticed something else.

Everybody was looking at him with terrified looks.

Usually, there would have been cheers, encouragements, and some exclamations like ‘It’s Blue Flashlight ! We’re saved !’. But this time, the crowd stayed suspiciously silent. Some people even were looking angry at Fry. The young man was feeling more and more uneasy. It became worse when he tried to smile and to wave his hand to the public : everybody stepped back while gasping of fear. Embarrassed, Fry lowered his arm and nearly ran to the building. Elzar was standing just at the threshold of his restaurant, watching the entrance as if he feared what would come out. Fry got near him.

- What is going on ?

Elzar turned his back, faced Fry… And screamed of terror, trying to protect his face with his four hands.

- Oh no ! Not another one !

That was enough for convincing Fry that it was not a usual mugging. That sounded more complex. Fry adopted his most reassuring tone.

- Calm down, I’m here to help you ! What’s happening ? Why did you say ‘not another one’ ?

Elzar was still shaking with fear… Fry understood he would get nothing from him. At this moment, he heard several screams of terror amongst the crowd. Fry automatically turned his head to see why the people were screaming… And he gasped, shocked by what he was seeing.

Zoidberg was standing in the hole he pierced a few minutes earlier. He was wearing his Blue Flashlight outfit, but Fry noticed his crest was deployed, like that time when his race was in its mating season. He was looking extremely excited, and yet, his eyes were looking nowhere in particular. He was staggering, as if he was having difficulties for simply coordinating his own moves. Fry saw something moving at his feet ; giving another look, he realized that dozens of lobsters (REAL lobsters), crayfishes and crabs were running out of the restaurant.

- Weeeeeeeee !!! Screamed the Decapodian. Run, my brothers ! Be free ! Zoidby save crustaceans !

Fry managed to overwhelm his astonishment, and flew in Zoidberg’s direction. Whatever was happening to the doctor, he had to persuade him to stop this rampage.

- Fellow Blue Flashlight ! (Fry was still aware that some civilians were still around.) What are you doing ?!?

- Zoidby is Decapod 10’s Blue Flashlight ! Zoidby protector of all crustaceans ! Saves his kind from naughty humans !

Fry took a better look at the Decapodian face. Zoidberg was looking like he had been drugged or something, that was the only explanation Fry could have found. There were absolutely no traces of intelligence both in Zoidberg’s speech and in his eyes.

- Come on, colleague ! You can’t just ruin a restaurant because it’s serving seafood ! I know you’re close to them, but you never cared about that before !

Fry thought there was nothing in Zoidberg’s expression… Until that moment. Apparently, the Decapodian wasn’t pleased by the young man’s declaration.

- Red hair friend of naughty humans ? Red hair bad ! Zoidby punish red hair !

The doctor immediately pointed his arm in Fry’s direction. The young man managed to create a force field around him, but the energy blast was still powerful enough to make him fly away. Fortunately, Fry didn’t hit anyone, but he crashed on a wall behind him. A bit dizzied by the shock, Fry, however, saw Zoidberg preparing another attack. He successfully took off just before the other energy blast could have hit him. The young man rose into the sky, and stopped to look down. Zoidberg was following him, looking more frantic than ever.

Fry finally understood what was going on.

Somehow, the Decapodian was in the same state of stupidness than the criminals who were affected by Fry’s rays. And the problem was that he was still possessing the most powerful weapon in the universe. Fry remembered the few thugs that used their laserguns irresponsibly when they were moronized. That was at least one million times worse.

The Decapodian attacked Fry. His creations weren’t well detailed, in fact Fry hadn’t a single idea of what Zoidberg was trying to do with his bracelet. Apparently, he was now so stupid that he barely was able to imagine something. He was forming some unidentified objects, with changing shapes, although it was sometimes possible to see some recognizable characteristics. Fry thought he had seen a claw at one point, but it quickly changed to something unrecognizable.

That didn’t mean they were harmless, however ; Fry had to contain shapeless energetic constructions that were hitting him. Fry was concentrating to form various shields and was trying to avoid Zoidberg’s attacks, but his headaches began to strike once again, slowing down his reflexes. He also knew that he couldn’t afford hurting the Decapodian : he clearly wasn’t responsible of his actions, and that was enough for making Fry hesitate about what he should do.

At one point, distracted both by his thoughts and his headaches, Fry didn’t manage to avoid one attack. Hit by what looked like a giant blue potato, Fry was projected to the ground. He collided a transport tube, which broke. Thanks to his protective aura, Fry got no major damages, and this impact allowed him to regain control of his flight. But because of the shock, the transport tube suddenly shut itself down, as its emergency systems activated. Every people that were using it at that moment suddenly were blocked inside. Until gravity made those trapped in the middle of a slope slide…

Barney Johnson, as he was reading his newspaper, didn’t notice that the transport tube was broken. He entered in it.

- Madison Cube Garden.

A few seconds later, as he saw he wasn’t aspired in the tube, he finally stopped reading.

- I said Madison Cube Garden !

As nothing was happening, Barney grumbled and was about to get out, when he heard something. It was… Yeah, it was a scream. And apparently, it was coming closer. Barney looked in all directions, trying to see where it was coming from… He saw nothing. And finally, he looked up. At that exact moment, the guy that was falling inside the tube hit him. Barney got smacked on the floor, the guy still on his top. He couldn’t move, as a second man fell on them, then a third one, a fourth… Finally, there was a pile of injured people in the entrance of the tube. Barney was on the bottom of it.

- I knew I should have taken a cab… Said Barney, before he fainted.

Fry tried to imprison Zoidberg in an energetic bubble, but the Decapodian, who was becoming more frenzy each minute, used his bracelet’s power to pierce his cage. Surprised by the sudden explosion of his bubble, Fry was unprepared to the lobster’s next attack and got smacked by another indescribable energetic object. The young man crashed on a rooftop, cracking the cement and leaving a small crater under him. He managed to get up, but quickly took off as the Decapodian was once again attacking him. That time, Fry had enough. He had to stop Zoidberg before someone (well, someone else than himself) got hurt. He had an idea that would certainly work if Zoidberg was in his normal state, but he wasn’t too sure of what would happen with the Decapodian’s powers. Unfortunately, he had no choices left. Fry brandished his bracelet in Zoidberg’s direction.

- Enough is enough !

Immediately, two energetic bands appeared and winded round Zoidberg’s claws. The Decapodian suddenly stopped and looked at his now blocked claws. Astonishment seemed to replace anger in his look. Fry sighed of relief as he saw the lobster’s crest retract.

- Awwwwww… (The Decapodian was really looking depressed.) Zoidby’s claws are blocked ! Can’t do anything… Zoidby beaten by Red Hair…

Fry cautiously flew towards Zoidberg. There was no more violence in Zoidberg’s attitude, only resignation. Fry really was lucky that Zoidberg was now too dumb to realize he could still use his powers. The young man grabbed the lobster by his shoulders.

- Doctor ?

- Zoidby sad… Wanted to help his friends…

- I’m your friend, doctor…

- Really ?

- Yeah… Didn’t I help you being a good Blue Flashlight ?

- Red Hair right… Red Hair nice with poor Zoidby… Sorry…

- There, there, stop crying, doctor… We’ll go back to Planet Express, and I’ll give you an ice-cream, OK ?

- Zoidby wants to go home… And ice-cream…

Fry gently grabbed Zoidberg’s arm, and began to fly away. The Decapodian didn’t react, and simply followed him. Now that he was sure that Zoidberg’s crisis was over, it was time for searching what happened and what he would have to do. First was to find a way to get to Planet Express’ headquarters unnoticed, which would be a bit difficult.

But Fry was extremely tensed. That wasn’t an isolated accident. He had the feeling it was the beginning of a long series of disasters…

Leela rushed in the headquarters’ lobby, with Bender closely following her. Just as she expected, Fry was there, in his civilian outfit, keeping a worry eye at Zoidberg, who was now sitting on the table, still wearing his Blue Flashlight costume. For the moment, the Decapodian was watching his claws, still blocked with the energetic bands. Fry immediately faced her as she entered the room.

- Thank God you made it ! Said Leela. Is that true ? Did Zoidberg really destroy Elzar’s restaurant ?!?

- Yeah, he wanted to free all the crustaceans that were served there… Said Fry, giving a quick look at Zoidberg. He’s calm now, but look at him ! I don’t think he really understood what he…

Fry was about to say everything he was thinking about, but he stopped as he noticed something had changed in Leela.

- What happened to your tanktop ?

Leela looked at her own outfit. It was true, for once she wasn’t wearing her usual white tanktop, she was wearing a T-shirt. More specifically, it was the official Blue Flashlight T-shirt, entirely blue with the symbol on the chest.

- Nothing, said Leela. I just felt like I could renew my wardrobe a bit, and Bender had that, so…

- Oh. Looks nice.

- Really ? You don’t think it’s too tight ?

- No, it’s great ! And I’m surprised about the symbol ! I mean, it really catches the eye, and it’s well rendered…

- Fry ! Stop examining my breasts !

- Hey, it’s not my fault if that damn symbol is right there !

- I’m glad you like it, Fry ! Said Bender. And you don’t know the best part of it ! The little detail ! The production of those T-shirts finances a charity !

- Really ? Said Fry, a bit surprised that Bender would do something altruist. The search for cures against rare diseases ? Help for homeless people ?

Bender looked away. There was a strange spark in his eyes that was a bit worrying.

- Something like that, yeah…

The Minimum Security Orphanage resounded with the noises provoked by dozens of sewing machines. Each orphan was working in the gymnasium on one of the machines, making hundreds of T-shirts which were sporting the Blue Flashlight symbol. As Mr Vogel entered in the gymnasium, one of the little girls stopped working and got up her chair to get near him.

- Mr Vogel, said the little girl with a voice that was sounding as sad and confused as the girl was looking, why do we have to work ?

- Well, Sally, said Mr Vogel as he was petting her hair, with all those budget restrictions we had to go through, I had been forced to find a way to buy food and to pay the bills for all of us. I don’t like it either, but we don’t have a choice.

- Oh… I see… (A little hope was still living in the little girl’s heart.) Mr Vogel, will you tell us a story before we go to bed ?

Looking in the eyes of the little girl broke the old man’s heart.

- I would love to, Sally… But I have to finish 100 sweat shirts for tomorrow, and it will take me the entire night, I’m afraid…

- But, Mr Vogel… You didn’t sleep at all for several days now !

- Don’t worry for me, I can endure that. Not you. Now, get back to your work, we have short delays, and we have to respect them if we want to get paid.

Without any more talks, Mr Vogel went out of the room. Sally looked at him, a bit frightened by how tired he was looking. But like many things, she couldn’t do anything against that. Sadly, she got back to her machine.

- Now, can we stop talking about fashion and concentrate on the problem ? Said Leela.

Bender got near Zoidberg and gave a look at him.

- I never thought I would have said that one day, but he looks even more dumb than ever ! Usually, when you look at him, you want to beat him with a big stick, but now, we’re at a whole new level !

Leela walked up to the Decapodian and waved her hand right in front of his eyes. He didn’t react at all.

- Fry, did you use your powers against him ?

- Yeah, but he already was like that when I arrived. I only tried to defend myself. Do you think it has a link with me ?

- Perhaps. After all, we don’t know if the other Blue Flashlights had the same problems than you…

Zoidberg suddenly seemed to have been struck by an idea. He stood up on the table and began to jump from one foot to another.

- Zoidby wants balloon ! Wants balloon now ! Zoidby wants to go outside !

That brought back some old memories to Fry…

- Wow, déjà-vu !

Bender looked suspiciously at Fry.

- What ?

- I said ‘déjà-vu’.

- What the hell does that mean ?

- I dunno, I don’t speak german…

- Fry ! (Leela was exasperated by his short attention span.) We’re supposed to understand what’s going on with Zoidberg !

- Oh right, sorry… So you think I’m not the only one that was lobotomizing his opponents ?

Bender, after having forced Zoidberg to sit, decided to let the two of them find out what was going on. Moreover, he had the idea that such an event would be covered by the journalists ; so, he got to the couch, switched on the TV and put on the news channel. He was right : Morbo and Linda were commenting the battle between Fry and Zoidberg. Leela and Fry were still discussing during that time.

- It’s very possible, Fry. We have no idea of how your bracelet works, but apparently, it has the same features than those from your colleagues. Maybe we can ask Zoidberg if he had observed the same phenomenon…

- I doubt he can talk right now. And Vile was the first villain he battled. He told me he mainly was preventing natural disasters with his powers ; it seems likeDecapod 10 doesn’t crawl with criminals.

- So, the answer is no… Still no signs of the Elders ?

- Nope…

- Dammit ! They give such powers to random people, and they don’t care about how they use them ? They never saw what middle management leads to or what ?!?

- Hey, wait a second… (Fry thought of something that was making him worry.) Maybe it’s Zoidberg’s powers that have turned him like that ? What if it happens to me ?

- We can’t be sure… Maybe he became a moron because he couldn’t use his powers against some other people, which could have diverted those side effects from him… But you’re right, we should prepare to such a case…

At this moment, Leela grabbed a flask that was standing on the table and drank a bit of the water that was in it. Fry wouldn’t have paid much attention to this, if the flask wasn’t blue. He gave another look : he recognized the Blue Flashlight symbol on one of its side. He looked at the flask, then at Leela, then at her T-shirt, before going back at the flask… Leela noticed what he was doing.

- What’s wrong ?

- That flask…

- Bender sold it to me. Want a gulp ?

Fry stepped back a bit. That was becoming extremely disturbing…

- No thanks…

Leela shrugged before putting down the flask. She was about to add something about the situation, when Bender suddenly waved his hand in their direction.

- Errrr, guys ? Said the robot. I think you should take a look at that…

Fry and Leela looked at each other, before heading to the couch. The two journalists were still on screen, with a panel claiming ‘Blue Flashlights’ rampages’ near them.

- That battle that unfortunately didn’t make too much damage to this disgusting pile of garbage that Earthlings call New New York was not the only accident implying Blue Flashlights that occurred today, said Morbo. All across the known universe, the previous defenders of such silly and ridiculous concepts such as justice or truth are spreading massive destructions and mayhem. Watch and fear, humans ! This is nothing compared to what my race will do to you !

- Exactly, Morbo ! Said Linda. The Blue Flashlight from Trisol destroyed many constructions on his world, for arbitrary reasons !

Instead of the TV set, a report appeared on screen, showing a liquid man from Trisol, wearing the Blue Flashlight outfit, destroying several buildings by creating shapeless forms, just like Zoidberg did a few hours back. The creature was screaming so loud that it was possible to hear what it was saying.

- TOO MUCH WINDOWS !

He destroyed a building.

- NOT ENOUGH GUEST ROOMS !

He destroyed another one.

- PINK UGLY !

A pink coloured construction collapsed after being hit by a blue ‘thingie’.

- Oooooh, pretty… BUT SMASHING FUNNY !

Another building exploded.

Fry, Leela and Bender were shocked. Noone of them was able to say a word. The screen finally went back to Morbo and Linda.

- Another report, resumed Linda, indicates that the Blue Flashlight from Kaeris 26 used his powers to carve drawings on the planet’s moon. Apparently, they would represent male genitals from his species, so we won’t be able to show you the images. The Omicronian Blue Flashlight also diverted a radioactive meteor and made it crash on the world’s surface, which resulted with the dispersion of dangerous radioactive wastes all across the planet in the form of a titanic cloud. The explanations she gave were incoherent, but apparently, it seemed she wanted to speed up her tan.

- Hundreds of similar actions had been observed, on all inhabited and soon to be devastated worlds, continued Morbo. The representatives of the pathetic and ineffective organization known as DOOP quickly decided to react.

This time, the DOOP spokesperson, the female amphibian that was from Kif’s species, appeared on screen, standing in front of a lectern covered with dozens of microphones. There were several flashes as journalists apparently standing off-screen were taking pictures.

- We’ve all been duped by the Blue Flashlight Squadron. (The spokeswoman’s tone was extremely harsh.) We thought they were here to help us and to bring better tomorrows… But today, they revealed their true intentions. This is why the DOOP decided at the unanimity to declare all of those Blue Flashlights renegades ! All our armed forces have received the order to arrest them – and if they can’t be neutralised, to eliminate them at all costs !

The last words made Fry, Leela and Bender gasp with horror. That was far much worse than everything they could have imagined. As they were focused on what was happening on Earth, they had absolutely no ideas that the situation was so desperate. They still had no clues on what was forcing the Blue Flashlights to act like this, but apparently, they were all in the same state than Zoidberg. And now, Fry may have to defend himself from the entire DOOP!

Bender, however, was thinking of something else.

- I think I’ll have to adapt !

The robot opened up his chest cavity and took a T-shirt and a marker pen out of it. The T-shirt was entirely blue, with the words ‘All hail to Blue Flashlight !’ written on it. Bender used the marker to cross out ‘all hail’ and replaced the two words with ‘death’.

- That should do the trick !

- Oh my God !

Fry was as amazed as Leela. He just couldn’t believe that in a few hours the Blue Flashlight Squadron lost all its popularity and was declared illegal. Heck, he didn’t even believe that his colleagues would suddenly become uncontrollable. The job was already dangerous and difficult, but now…

- What am I going to do ?

- Hey, don’t complain ! (Bender looked furious.) You just have to hide and not use your bracelet until everything calms down ! But does anybody pay attention to poor old Bender that must now find a way to get rid of thousands of articles now ? I didn’t even finish to pay my suppliers !

- Hide ? I can’t hide ! It looks like I’m the only one left that didn’t turn stupid !

Bender was only watching him, but that was enough for Fry to know what he was thinking.

- Not that stupid ! Continued Fry. I mean, I may be the only one who can find out what happened to the other Blue Flashlights. And look at Zoidberg !

Leela and Bender looked at the Decapodian. He was unsuccessfully trying to swallow a chair in its entirety.

- We can’t let him in that state, you’re right, said Leela. He’s concerned too, and I don’t think he would be able to understand what is going on… But you can’t just go out and say ‘hey don’t fear me, I’m gonna fix everything’ ! They’d shoot you first !

- I know, I know… If only I knew what I should do !

- Hey, there’s something else on the news…

Leela and Fry looked at Bender, who was watching the TV again. Intrigued by his interruption, they went back to their previous positions on the couch. Morbo and Linda were still on.

- The Blue Flashlights aren’t the only reason of concerns for the DOOP lately, announced Linda. In our solar system, between Jupiter and Neptune, scientists have discovered a strange cosmic phenomenon which seems to produce unknown kinds of electromagnetic impulses.

- Morbo isn’t surprised that Earth’s pathetic scientists have no idea of what it could be. However we have contacted two of those ridiculous old men in order to have a fully sterile debate that will lead to nothing. First is Professor Farnsworth, from the Martian University.

The professor appeared in the middle of the screen, in a small window as he wasn’t on the set.

- Step away from me, you little brat ! Stop trying to hide my wrinkles with your cream, they’re the only things that set off my sick complexion ! Wha ? It’s my turn already ?

Morbo didn’t seem to pay attention to the old man’s blazing entrance.

- Second is Professor Wernstrom, also from the Martian University, and scientific consultant of Morbo’s good friend, president Richard Nixon !

As soon as Wernstrom appeared on screen, the professor Farnsworth apparently let his hatred take control…

- Wernstrom !

- Indeed !

- What is it, a joke ? I thought we’d have a scientific debate ! What is that amateur doing here ?

- Oh please, I’m the one who should feel insulted for being placed on the same level than an old bat…

- Old bat ? I’ll let you talk about bats when you will have succeeded in increasing tenfold their size and implanting laser beams in their eyes, you rascal !

- Very impressive, professor… Maybe next time you’ll find something useful or truly scary, like my latest invention, the nuclear owltrap !

- Bah ! That’s kindergarten worthy ! The only reason you’re still in the university’s council is because of all the bribes you gave to the other members !

- At least I didn’t destroy my lab just for making soap !

- SILENCE !

The two scientists suddenly stopped their verbal fight as Morbo screamed his order.

- Morbo wants to know if he has to jump in his escape pod and evacuate this despicable system or if he could stay and continue to observe Earth’s defenses !

- Well, mister Morbo, said Wernstrom, we’re facing what appears to be a tear in the space-time continuum.

- Of course it is ! (Farnsworth really didn’t want his rival to steal the spotlights.) The reasons of its formation are still unknown, but this is a major threat to our world !

- Don’t be that dramatic, old man ! This is not the first tear we have ever faced. Many of them disappeared on their own, without causing too much damages to reality…

- That’s why you’ll never be a true scientist, Wernstrom : you never feel we should scare the hell out of the population without being sure !What did your teachers learn you about always expressing apocalyptic previsions everytime something unknown is discovered ?

- You were one of my teachers, Farnsworth !

- I was ? Curse my random Alzheimer !

- And we should listen to you about this event ? Ah ! Mister Morbo, let me tell you that there’s nothing to worry about it…

- You square moron ! We should take drastic actions against it, and begin to pray for any god that we believe into ! Not Thor, however. I contacted him, and besides drinking hydromel, making out with walkyries and starting bar fights, he’s a good-for-nothing…

The debate between Farnsworth and Wernstrom went on, but Fry stopped watching it as he felt that something was happening with his bracelet. Watching it, he noticed it was pulsing. And then, a strange intuition crossed his mind. It happened a few times since he became Blue Flashlight. Apparently, whenever something occurred that had a link with one case he was working on, his bracelet was reacting at it. Fry thought it was a way for the jewel to tell Fry he should pay attention to this.

Fry got up of the couch and went to the locker room. Intrigued by his attitude, both Leela and Bender followed him. When they reached the room, they saw Fry, performing the Blue Flashlight’s ritual, holding his flashlight upon his bracelet.

In darkest nights, in brightest days,

Beware my power – Blue Flashlight’s rays !

As the last word was pronounced, a blinding light engulfed Fry. When Leela and Bender finally were able to see again, Fry was in his Blue Flashlight outfit and was putting his flashlight back in his locker.

- What are you doing ?

Fry finally realized his friends were in the room. Leela saw he was looking determined.

- I must have a look at that thing.

Leela’s eye widened.

- What ?!?

- You heard me. I’m not sure why, but there must be a link between the Blue Flashlights being moronized and that cosmic thingie. I can feel it in my bones.

- There’s no way you’d go out in that suit ! Didn’t you hear ? They’ll shoot you at sight !

Fry sighed and went near her. He looked at her in the eye, and grabbed her hands.

- I know Leela. But I must do it. You see, when I got those powers, I was happy and as excited as a kid that gets his first bike. But I understood something those last days : being a Blue Flashlight is not only a question of having cool powers and bragging in a skimpy suit…

- Yeah, same here, said Bender. It’s also a hell of a profitable market !

- Yes. (Fry shook his head) I mean, no ! It’s about bringing hope to the other people ! Did you hear that woman ? Before charging us, she declared everybody thought we would bring better tomorrows. She was right, Leela. The other Blue Flashlights, even Zoidberg, and me have done their best to help people before all of this happen. That’s something I know I will be proud of later. I don’t know what is causing this, but I don’t want the Blue Flashlight Squadron to be remembered as a force of evil ! I must clean our reputation !

Leela listened to everything he said. She didn’t let a single word escape to her. She had difficulties to admit that he could pronounce such a speech, when a few days before the most passionate discussion he would be having was about knowing what kind of person was the base of the last Soylent Cola he had drunk…

- But it’s different ! You fought villains, sure, but now everybody will try to kill you ! I… We cannot lose you !

- I know. But that changes nothing. If I stay here with my arms crossed, many innocents will risk their lives : people threatened by the other Blue Flashlights, or the Blue Flashlights themselves as they’re not responsible of what they’re doing.

Leela was staying silent. Fry’s sudden courage was on her opinion misplaced. But…

- Now, continued Fry, I know that it may sound stupid…

- Go, Fry.

- … And you may be right to… Wait, what ?

- You’re the one who is right.

Fry’s eyes widened.

- Really ? You trust me ?

- You know, in the beginning, I was a bit reluctant to see you manipulating such powers. To be honest, I thought you’d sooner or later make a major blunder. But not for long. You did a great job as a super-hero, Fry. I’m serious. You always did well as Blue Flashlight, and always kept in mind what was right and what was wrong. I’m still thinking that you shouldn’t put your life in danger… But if you think you must do it for the good of everybody, then I should support you.

For a moment, Fry couldn’t know what to say or to think. He never told her before, but everytime he had to face a menace or try to solve an hazardous situation, he always thought ‘what would Leela do ?’. Hearing that she was trusting him for every decision he made (or will make) was maybe the greatest compliment he could ever dream of obtaining. Fry smiled, and Leela smiled back at him.

Bender suddenly interfered in the conversation.

- Sorry for breaking this romantic moment, said the robot, but you’d better move your ass if you want to quickly save your image ! That and because each minute that passes makes me lose a lot of fine cash !

- Bender, said Leela after having sighed, you should learn that a little encouragement can be great…

- Hey, I’m encouraging him ! I didn’t tell him that I plan to give small packs of needles with each one of his dolls from now on !

- BENDER !!! Both Leela and Fry screamed at the robot.

- Alright, alright… I’ll wait to see if he succeeds or not before doing this, but I prefer not telling you how many hookers and booze that’s costing me !

- Yeah, cry us a river…

Fry looked back at Leela, and tried to say something… But he knew that moment was gone. He could have hit Bender for having broken it before he could have said everything he was feeling about this situation, about his duty, about his fears…

About her…

- I must go. Keep an eye on Zoidberg. I don’t think he’d do anything now, but we never know…

Fry finally let her hand go, and softly glided to get off the locker room, reaching the stairs and going to the observation room above. As he reached the room, he landed and opened the window. He posed a foot on the balcony, and prepared to take off.

- Fry ?

The young man turned round and saw Leela, in the middle of the room. She was looking extremely worried.

- Just be careful, OK ?

Fry made his most charming smile, but there wasn’t any conviction in it. He really didn’t like to see her in this way. That was another reason to succeed : to put an end to her worries.

- Of course I’ll be, Leela.

He finally turned his back and flew away. Leela went on the balcony. She watched him climbing, until he suddenly accelerated to reach a speed superior to the light’s one and get out of her sight in a split second. For reasons unknown to Leela, Fry was calling this ‘jumping into hyperspace’.

Bender watched his departure near Leela, before turning back and heading to the stairs. He however stopped in the middle of the room to give a look at Leela. She was still on the balcony, her arms crossed on her chest, looking in the direction that Fry had taken. The robot went near her.

- You’re worried about him, right ?

Leela looked angrily at Bender. The robot was sure her eye was wetter than usual…

- Of course I’m worried ! An entire army is chasing him !

- Well, if you have to do that thing… You know, losing water by your eye…

- Crying ?

Bender trembled, looking sick.

- Man, the word itself makes me want to puke… Anyway, if you have to do that…

The robot suddenly opened his chest cavity and grabbed a large wrapping containing several small packets, each one blue with the Blue Flashlight symbol on it.

- … I have some fine tissues that I would be glad to give to you. And by ‘give’, I mean ‘sell you at a very reasonable price’…

- Bender, it’s not the moment, said Leela, who looked back to the sky. I don’t want to hear anything about your stupid products…

- As you wish, big boots. But if we learn that he’s been obliterated, torn into pieces or something more gruesome, they could be handy…

Bender couldn’t see Leela’s face. For a few seconds, the two of them stayed silent.

- How much ?

- 2 $ for 10 packets.

- Deal.

Fry’s deceleration was so sudden that anybody would have thought he had appeared from nowhere. It didn’t take him too long to locate the phenomenon. As he got closer to it, he saw it looked like… Well, some kind of hole on nothing else but the reality itself. An incredibly bright white light seemed to get out of it, and as he concentrate on its borders, he saw some strange undulations, just like the one made by a stone thrown in a lake. As he turned around it, he realized that whatever it was, it looked bidimensional. Fry looked at his bracelet.

- OK… Bracelet, can you analyze it ?

It was improper to say that the bracelet had a voice… It was in fact emitting electromagnetic impulses that were translated by Fry’s brain into words that only he could hear. For some odd reasons, the bracelet sounded like a three-years old little girl in Fry’s brain.

- This is a 456-98, still on level 1.

Fry frowned as he was desperately trying to understand what it was supposed to mean. He could have sworn he heard a sigh in his head after a few seconds.

- A transdimensional portal, still too weak to be used by anybody.

- Oh. Right.

Fry was still clueless.

Another psychic sigh.

- Like a two inches high door, except that it leads to another dimension and not to another room.

- Aaaaaaaaah, now that’s clear !

Fry went back to his examination. Looking at the tear, he was searching for the inspiration.

- Does it have any links with the Blue Flashlights moronization ?

- Error : application not compatible with the bracelet’s programming.

- Programming ? Since when are you a computer ?

- Computers are cool.

- Oh.

Fry renounced. The bracelets sometimes seemed to have some life of their own, but if it was true, they really didn’t think the same way than any other living beings. Apparently, being a bracelet connected to an unlimited source of energy and without any needs had an impact on the way you conceive things.

Fry was still examining the portal when he felt that something had appeared behind him. He had the bad feeling that it was big and not friendly. Slowly he turned his back… And gasped.

The Nimbus had gotten out of hyperspace and was now in front of him.

Zapp Brannigan was sitting in his commanding seat, looking at the big screen in front of him, where Fry could be seen. Kif was just behind him.

- Well well, started Brannigan. If that’s not one of those rascals Blue Flashlights !

- Sir, said Kif, I know we have orders to capture them, but our primary objectives are to protect the scientific frigate that will soon arrive… Maybe we should contact the headquarters before doing anything…

- Come on, Kif ! What are you, a coward ? You’ll never be a captain with such silly ideas ! A true hero doesn’t call his hierarchy when he has a chance to eliminate a threat !

- Eliminate ?!? Sir, we’re supposed to use force against them only if they don’t surrender… The DOOP wants them alive to have a fair trial and…

- Trials are for sissies ! If the 4^th clone of Gandhi had a trial, they would have let him live !

- We never had received orders to eliminate him in the first place, sir…

- I anticipated those orders, that was enough. Why do you want to spare him, by the way ? Are you here to betray us to the Blue Flashlight empire or what ?

Kif took a second before answering. As anybody, he was admiring the Blue Flashlights and got shocked by what they’ve done. He even had to dispose of the Blue Flashlight doll he had bought for Amy, mainly because of his disappointment, but also because it was becoming dangerous to have such objects, especially when you are a DOOP officer.

- Of course not, sir. First, they don’t have any empire. Second, I just think that we shouldn’t attack someone that powerful if we’re not sure we can take him without casualties.

- You don’t make war without breaking a few eggs ! Or is it ‘making an omelette without breaking a few soldiers’ ? I have to take a look… Kif ! Get me that dictionary and open it at ‘omelette’ !

Kif did the only thing that he was still allowed to do without being accused of insubordination : he sighed.

For a few seconds, Fry was paralyzed at the sight at the cruiser. But soon, he remembered that they would surely open fire at him if he wouldn’t do anything to clear up the situation.

- Bracelet ! I need to talk to them !

The bracelet started to emit special radiowaves and directed them in order to get them caught by the ship’s communication system. It also made a small ‘screen’ appear in front of Fry, allowing him to see in every details the bridge of the Nimbus. Fry could see Brannigan, reading a book in his chair, and Kif standing near him, looking as depressed as every time he saw him with the captain. He also knew he would be able to hear them. He waited a bit that they received his call.

- Sir ?

- So that’s what ‘omen’ means ? I thought it was a way to qualify high sexy men like me…

- Sir, there’s an incoming signal, and it corresponds to no known frequency… Should we pick it up ?

- Mmmh ? Oh sure, why not ? But let me read this first… What ? ‘Ominous’ doesn’t mean ‘skilled and competent’ ? Those bastards from the space academy will pay for this !

After having sighed one more time, Kif activated the speaker. Fry immediately felt they could hear him.

- Don’t shoot me !

Brannigan finally stopped reading his dictionary.

- What ?

- It’s me, the Blue Flashlight from Earth ! Listen, I’m not mad like the other ones ! I’m sure they don’t even know what they are doing ! I’m trying to understand what is going on and to stop this ! I’m not your enemy !

- So, you are trying to outsmart the great Z with some tricky plan, aren’t you ? You really think I would fall in such a trap, don’t you ?

- What ? No, I’m sincere ! Listen, I can’t explain why, but I feel that this thing is linked with my fellow’s acts… I must…

- Ah ! Too bad I’ve seen clear in your little scheme, traitor ! The universe will be safer once you’ll be reduced to particles floating everywhere !

- Mmmh, sir ? (Although he knew it was hopeless, Kif wanted to try reasoning his superior.) This one seems to be less dangerous than the others, sir. Maybe we should listen to him and try to catch him alive.

- The 4^th clone of Gandhi also looked less dangerous than the others ! But not having any limbs didn’t make him less evil ! Open fire now !

Kif sighed once again and cut the communication. He then activated the red alarm before grabbing the general communicator.

- To all the artillery : prepare to fire. Our target : Blue Flashlight. Stand ready and wait for other orders.

Fry tapped on his bracelet as he no longer was receiving the Nimbus’ signal.

- Hello ? Hello ! Do you copy ? Damn, they’re in a space tunnel or what ?

Fry tried once again to contact them, but he soon stopped as he saw that something was going on with the Nimbus. Taking another look, he realized that hundreds of laser turrets appeared on the ship’s hull. Now, that was worrying.

- Uhoh.

The turrets suddenly fired at Fry. The young man managed to fly away to avoid some of them and to block the few shots that would have hit him thanks to several energy fields. The ship was still shooting at him, however. Fry had once again to keep avoiding the shots, following a very acrobatic course. His force fields were strong enough to protect him from the shots, but he had the impression that he wouldn’t be able to resist for long if he just stood still and block the attacks. He really had no clue of what he should do. He couldn’t allow himself to attack the Nimbus as he was here to prove the innocence of the Blue Flashlights. He could have flown away from the ship’s attacks, but he had to stay near the portal to understand what it was. He really couldn’t see how he could get away from this situation.

At least, there was a good news he didn’t notice until that moment : his headaches seemed to have disappeared. In fact, now that he was thinking about it, they disappeared as soon as he got near the portal. That was another reason to think that all those elements – the headaches, Fry lobotomizing the criminals, the Blue Flashlights going rogue and the portal – were related, but Fry was too busy trying to save his life for thinking about it.

At one point, the Nimbus started to launch missiles at Fry. The young man managed to avoid some of them, but he discovered with horror that they began to correct their trajectories in order to hunt him. Great. Heatseeking missiles. Fry tried to dodge them once again, but that only managed to make him being hit by the constant laser shots. Fortunately, his force fields didn’t break, but he couldn’t take that for long. Turning in order to face the missiles, Fry brandished his bracelet. Immediately, small blue energetic targets appeared everywhere. Many of the missiles exploded on them, but a few managed to get through the barrage. Fry disposed of them by shooting energy beams at them. He really had to find a way to put an end to this.

Inside the Nimbus, Brannigan wasn’t losing a second of Fry’s acrobatics on his screen. He was eating a large bucket of pop-corn in the process, Kif constantly putting butter in it.

- Come on ! (Brannigan was spitting bits of pop-corn at each syllab.) Stop flying everywhere and die like a man !

- Sir, don’t you find odd that he’s not trying to counterattack ? He’s only avoiding our shots…

- Oh, I know that strategy, Kif… The inhabitants of Pax 3 had the same : he’ll not reply to our attacks, and suddenly, he’ll try to surrender ! Very clever… But not enough !

Kif sighed again. One day, he’ll try to know where Brannigan earned his stripes and blow the place to be sure that there won’t be another Zapp coming out of it.

- Hey, I spent hours to choose how those missiles should be painted ! That’s it ! Kif, prepare our antimatter bomb ! We’ll see if he can handle this !

Kiff suddenly dropped the bottle of butter he was holding. He was beginning to become translucent as panic was beginning to overwhelm him.

- The antimatter bomb, sir ?

- Yes, the antimatter bomb !

- But, sir… He’s too close ! If we use it against him, we’ll be destroyed too ! We’re supposed to use it only if the scientists think that this tear in the space-time continuum is dangerous and must be closed ! And for that, we should settle its timer to 5 minutes and then go away as quick as possible !

- Really ? Then we’d make a double shot : eliminate that rat and closing that funky thing ! Go for it, Kif !

- Sir…

- That’s an order, soldier ! Oh nice, that rhymed ! Let me note this !

Kif tried to talk to Brannigan, but the captain had already picked his ‘famous words notebook’ and his pen. Kif knew it would take him forever for writing it. He sighed again, but this time it was from resignation and despair. He grabbed the communicator and composed the code of the artillery quarters.

- Sergeant Rickman ?

- Yes, lieutenant Kroker ?

- Activate the antimatter bomb.

A few seconds of silence followed.

- The antimatter bomb ?!? But, sir, we’re…

- I know, sergeant. But this is an order of the captain.

- Lieutenant, I… I have kids, I don’t want them to be orphans !

- I have kids too sergeant, and I want to see them get out of their pond. Activate the bomb, I’ll try to do my best to convince the captain.

- Sir… If you don’t succeed…

- Yes ?

- I wanted to say… That was an honour to serve under your orders…Too bad they got messed up by the captain’s ones almost every time…

- Thank you, sergeant. Now get to work, I’ll open the outer communications systems. You may have enough time to send a last message to your family afterwards.

- Yes sir. Thank you sir.

Kiff cut out the communication. He quickly tapped another code on the communicator. The amphibian was disappointed to hear Amy’s answering machine, and not the voice of his smizmar.

- [Amy’s voice] Hi, it’s Amy, I’m not here for the moment… [Bender’s voice] Have you finished, meatbag ? I’m trying to watch ‘all my circuits’ here ! [Amy’s voice] Shut up, Bender ! Anyway just leave a message after the beep ! [Bender’s voice] BEEEEEEP… Pfffh, humans…

- Amy ? It’s Kif… I don’t have much time, but I fear that when you’ll receive that message, I may be… Oh, it’s so difficult to say ! I think I won’t get out of this mission alive, Amy… I so wanted to hear your beautiful voice one last time…

Kif was suddenly interrupted by an alert. That couldn’t be the antimatter bomb… It needed more preparations than that ! Mentally swearing for this interruption, Kif returned to his message.

- Oh no… I have to go… Amy, I love you so much, you were the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me in my entire life ! I love you !

Kif cut out the communicator. He was about to cry, but he had to regain his calm. He finally managed to go to the radar, in order to see what had triggered it.

He immediately became completely transparent. There were hundreds of signals, each one extremely small compared to the Nimbus. Their speed was inconceivable, far superior to a ship’s or a missile’s one, and they were all converging in their direction.

As the first objects appeared on the observation screen, he wished he could have sent a better farewell to Amy…

Fry was still trying to avoid the Nimbus’ laser shots, when he suddenly realized they were diminishing, before completely vanishing. He stopped, surprised by how things were turning… He wanted to find a way to get out of this situation, but he would never have guessed it would end that easily.

His bracelet began to glow. Fry was wondering what was happening to it, until he felt that several objects were coming at tremendous speeds. Hundreds of objects, to which the bracelet seemed to react. Finally, some of them appeared in his field of vision… And he immediately thought that something bad was about to happen.

It was the other Blue Flashlights.

Fry wasn’t able to count them, but he was persuaded that they were all here, coming from their worlds, coming out of hyperspace, and surrounding the portal. They were all looking disoriented, and barely able to have a clear thought… Fry realized that he wasn’t wrong when he was thinking that he was the only Blue Flashlight to not be moronized. Apparently, they didn’t care at all about the Nimbus and Fry… They all faced the portal, and all of a sudden, they simultaneously shot energy beams at it. Hundreds of beams hit the rift… And whatever they were doing, it apparently wasn’t for destroying it.

The portal seemed to react at their actions…

In the Nimbus’ bridge, Kif and Brannigan were looking at the scene. The two of them were completely astonished by the event.

- Hum… Sir, what should we do ? We already had difficulties to take care of one Blue Flashlight, so against hundreds of them…

- We won’t attack, Kif…

- Yes. I think we wouldn’t hold for long…

- … And we don’t move either.

Kif looked at his superior. It seemed he’d always be surprised by his decisions.

- What, sir ?

- If we do a single move, they’ll notice us, and destroy us. Just stay still until they’re gone. Maybe they won’t see us.

- Er, sir, the Nimbus is one the biggest ship of the DOOP fleet… I don’t think we could be that discreet…

- Nothing is impossible when I’m in command ! Now, stay on your seat and be as quiet as possible…

Brannigan started to look nowhere in particular and to whistle, adopting the same attitude than a kid that made a big blunder and hopes that his mother won’t ask him what happened to the vase. Kif tried to say something… But renounced, and sighed. At least, he wasn’t planning to launch the antimatter bomb anymore…

Fry had no idea of what his colleagues were doing. He looked at the crowd of Blue Flashlights… They were everywhere, continuously shooting at this portal… He recognized a Neptunian, a Blob, the Trisolian he saw earlier on TV, a Decapodian, a Cygnoid, the Neutral Planet Blue Flashlight, a…

A Decapodian ?!?

Fry came closer… There were no doubts, Zoidberg was with the others, using his powers as well on the portal. Fry stayed on his side ; he quickly realized that the energetic bands that were closing his claws were gone. Apparently, Zoidberg found a way to get rid of them. For a moment, Fry feared that something could have happen to Leela and Bender… The lobster didn’t seem to pay attention to him, however. But he knew he could talk with him, using their bracelets as relays for their thoughts.

- Doctor ?

- Red hair not talking with Zoidby. Zoidby concentrates.

- But what are you doing here ? I thought you would stay in Planet Express !

- Voices ! Voices in Zoidby’s head !

- What ?!?

- Voices in Zoidby’s head told him to come ! Told him to shoot at funny hole ! Zoidby had nothing better to do, so came ! Now, red hair quiet. Difficult for Zoidby.

Fry stood silent. This whole affair wasn’t due to a side-effect of the bracelets. Something – or someone was manipulating the Blue Flashlights after having changed them to dumbasses ! And for a reason still unknown to Fry, that portal was a piece of some evil scheme… Fry looked back at the rift. It had grown. In the beginning, it had the same size that a cigarette packet, but now, a hover car could fly through it without any problems.

Fry’s bracelet pulsed again. The young man had the sensation that something was trying to contact him. Something blue appeared near him as well. It was quite small, and constantly changing, but after a few seconds, it began to have a clear shape. It looked like… A midget wearing a hooded robe that was covering its face…

Fry gasped. The Elders ! They finally were contacting him ! The hologram stabilized definitely, and soon, Fry could hear the voice of the creature in his head.

- Blue Flashlight ? Blue Flashlight of Earth ? Do you hear me ?

- I can ! What the hell is happening ? What were you doing ? Why did you stay silent that long ?

- We’re sorry, Philip J. Fry… We wanted to communicate with you, but something was interfering with our attempts, blocking all our calls ! We’ve tried to contact you as soon as the first signs appeared, but didn’t manage until now !

- Really ? But what caused that ?

- We don’t know, Chosen One ! Something has taken control of the source of your powers, and we cannot do anything against it ! We have no idea how and why they’re perverting the Blue Flashlights’ mind, and we don’t know why you’re the only one to have been spared too ! We’re as intrigued as you !

- I’m more than intrigued, believe me ! Do you think…

Fry suddenly stopped. Something in the Elder’s last words disturbed him, although he wasn’t able to say why.

- Wait… How did you call me ?

- That’s not important for the moment, Mr Fry ! Whatever is causing this, it has a link with that tear in the space-time continuum ! We have to close it !

- I’d like too, but there are hundreds of superpowered freaks between me and it ! I don’t think they’ll let me do anything, if they really are controlled by someone !

- And you can’t use your powers against it either…It’s absorbing the bracelets’ energy in order to grow… Wait… There’s something else…It’s accumulating it !

- Accumulating ? What for ?

Fry suddenly felt a disturbance in the for… In the energy displayed by the Blue Flashlights. The portal emitted a powerful wave of energy, as if it was brutally eliminating the surplus of what it accumulated. Fry was struck by the energy wave, but it apparently did nothing to him. The wave spread in every directions, travelling at an incredible speed. The Nimbus got caught in the wave immediately after Fry. The young man had the impression that its effects couldn’t be seen from where he was… And that the crew of the Nimbus would soon be in the same state of mind than the Blue Flashlights.

The portal produced a second energy wave just after Fry came to this conclusion. A third one soon followed.

- For that, I think… Said the Elder…

A few seconds earlier, on the Nimbus…

Brannigan was still innocently whistling, while Kif was standing next to him, looking as demoralized as usual. Another alarm suddenly broke the silence on the bridge. Thankful that he could escape this awkward situation, but also worried about what it could be, Kif took a look at the female officer, sitting in front of the instruments. Brannigan beat him to ask her what was going on.

- The sensors have detected a strange concentration of energy in the portal, sir, answered the officer.

- Sir, maybe we should retreat, now ?

- Of course not, Kif, that’s what they expect us to do !

Kif was about to add something… When the portal suddenly released the first energy wave. The Nimbus immediately got enveloped in it. And Kif, just as everybody in the cruiser, lost all his capacities. We cannot say that his brain shut down, it would imply he’d stay still and do nothing. To continue with the informatic analogy, it’s as if a virus infiltrated his cortex and was forcing to malfunction.

- Captain’s right ! Said Kif, sounding a bit too excited… Captain always right !

- Of course I’m always right, Kif ! That’s why I’m a captain ! I’m glad to see that you finally stop whining and join me in my decisions !

- Kif idiot before ! No more ! Kif loves captain !

The amphibian hugged Brannigan without a warning. The captain tried to expel his subordinate, but Kif was way too affectionate…

- What the… Stop that, Kif ! If you were filling your outfit more in the boobs area, I wouldn’t say anything, but this is just plain ridiculous ! What are you trying to do, destroying 15 years of therapy ?

Brannigan was still struggling to get out of Kif’s grip, but he quickly had a glimpse of what the other soldiers were doing. The officer that warned him of the concentration of energy earlier was now spinning in her chair while giggling insanely, another one was trying to stand on his hand but invariably was falling, a third one was trying to eat his console…

- Mmmh… Maybe I shouldn’t have cut the food’s budget…

The portal was still emitting wave after wave of energy. Fry wasn’t feeling anything, but he knew that it was very bad news.

- It’s spreading everywhere ! And I would bet the waterbed I just bought on Internet that it will contaminate every planet that will come across its way !

- We’ve got to force the Blue Flashlight to stop feeding this thing ! If we don’t put an end to this quickly, the consequences will be disastrous ! I don’t get it… Who would find benefit in using the energy to make everybody in the universe stupid ? Especially when they’ll be hit too !

- Hey, I’m not affected by this ! Maybe they can’t be either !

- This is unexplainable ! Who could be immunized against…

The Elder stopped to talk. Fry wasn’t able to see his face, but it was clear that an idea had struck him.

- No… It cannot be...

- What ?

- They can’t do this ! They’re stuck in that parallel dimension ! They couldn’t do anything in our universe !

- Who are you talking about ? Who shouldn’t do this but does it anyway ?

The portal suddenly entered in a new transformation. Even when it started to emit the energy waves, it was still looking like a white hole, but now, its internal aspect was changing. Strange colours appeared in its center, and now it was as large as two Planet Express ships. Fry didn’t understand what he was seeing, until he realized he was looking into what was in the other dimension connected to the portal. And suddenly, in that other dimension, something flew and placed itself in front of the rift. Fry screamed, as he remembered that he already saw that thing, and in what circumstances.

It was a giant flying brain.

Both Fry and the Elder were shocked by the revelation. The two of them thought they got rid of those creatures for a long time… But the same creatures were responsible for all that happened during the last days.

- The brainspawns ! Screamed the Elder’s hologram. How could it be ? The Chosen One trapped you in that parallel universe !

Fry heard a laugh… As it was impossible to hear anything in the space’s void, he immediately thought that his bracelet was channelling that sound to his own brain. And when he began to hear the voice, he knew it was the giant brain that was talking.

- YES, NIBBLONIAN ! WE ARE THE MASTERMINDS (GOT IT ? MASTERMINDS ?) BEHIND THAT WONDERFUL SCHEME ! DID YOU REALLY THINK THAT WE WOULD’NT FIND A WAY TO DESTROY YOUR UNIVERSE HERE ? BUT NOW, WE HAVE OUR REVENGE ! EVEN YOUR CHOSEN ONE HERE CAN’T DO ANYTHING AGAINST US !

Fry turned to face the Elder. The last sentence made him forget for an instant what he was witnessing.

- Hey, he called me ‘Chosen One’, just like you before ! What’s all that about ?

For a brief moment, the Elder seemed to think about what should be done. But whatever he decided, he didn’t look pleased by it, as Fry saw his shoulders collapse.

- Maybe it is time for you to remember, Chosen One…

The Elder dropped his hood… And Fry gasped as he saw the third eye on an antenna, the little teeth and the black skin of the creature.

- Nibbler ?!?

- No, I’m Cuter…

- Well, I cannot say, you look exactly the same…

- Cuter is my name, Chosen One ! Take a look at your bracelet, and all your questions will find their answers…

A bit curious about what it was all about, Fry looked at his jewel… And immediately, it produced a flash. It didn’t blind him, however… In the contrary, absolutely everything in the universe seemed clearer. The revelation made him smile.

- Wow ! So that’s why you’ve got to flush everytime you go to the bathroom ! How could have I forgotten that ?

- What ?!? Oh, sorry, we messed up a bit… Look again, please…

Fry looked again. Another flash occurred, and this time, all the memories went back to Fry. The shock nearly stunned him.

- I remember now ! The brainspawns ! The quantum bomb ! The infosphere ! The… Hey, wait… Did that little scoundrel really erase my memory ?

- Errrrr…

- WOULD YOU PLEASE SHUT UP ? YOU’RE RUINING THE SPEECH I’VE PREPARED !!!

- Oh, right… Go on.

The brain coughed before going into his monologue. Fry wondered why he did this, as he hadn’t any throat to begin with…

- SO… YES, YOU’VE SENT US INTO THAT DREADED EMPTY DIMENSION, AND DURING MANY DAYS WE TRIED TO SPEND TIME WITH THE FEW THINGS THAT WE WERE STILL DISPOSING. BUT ONE DAY, WE DISCOVERED THAT A STRANGE ENERGY WAS PRESENT IN THAT DIMENSION. IT DIDN’T TAKE US LONG TO DISCOVER THAT THIS ENERGY WAS SIMULTANEOUSLY PRESENT IN OUR TWO UNIVERSES, AS IF IT DIDN’T CARE AT ALL ABOUT THE SEPARATION BETWEEN THEM. USING IT AS A CHANNEL, WE BEGAN TO OBSERVE YOUR WORLD… AND THAT’S HOW WE’VE DISCOVERED YOUR PROJECT OF CREATING SOME KIND OF INTERPLANETARY POLICE FORCE, NIBBLONIAN !

- BUT ANOTHER ELEMENT MADE US REALIZE THAT WE HAD A CHANCE TO HAVE OUR REVENGE ON YOUR PITIFUL RACE !!! NOT ONLY WERE YOU PLANNING TO USE THAT SAME ENERGY FOR YOUR PROJECT AND TO GIVE IT TO YOUR HERALDS… BUT WE ALSO DISCOVERED ITS TRUE NATURE, WHAT YOU NEVER WERE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND ! THIS IS THE ENERGY THAT IS PRESENT IN EVERY LIVING BEINGS. THIS IS THE ONE THAT CONTROLLED ALL THE ACTION OF HUMANKIND SINCE IT BEGAN TO STAND ON TWO LEGS. THIS ENERGY IS NOTHING ELSE BUT THE MANIFESTATION OF STUPIDITY ITSELF !

Cuter gasped as the brain made his revelation. Fry was completely lost for the moment, but apparently, he’d better listen and ask questions when everything would be over.

- Of course ! What else could have been infinite in that universe ? That explains so much ! We were manipulating what was giving you the ability to moronize any living beings ! We used the source of your moronizing rays !

- TOO BAD FOR YOU THAT YOU DIDN’T REALIZE THIS UNTIL NOW ! OUR PLAN WAS THEN SIMPLE : WE WAITED THAT YOU GAVE THE BRACELETS TO THOSE SO CALLED BLUE FLASHLIGHTS, THEN WE’D USE THOSE JEWELS TO SLOWLY DESTROY THEIR COGNITIVE CAPACITIES AND FINALLY TAKING CONTROL OF THEIR ACTIONS ! WE ALSO MANAGED TO DIVERT AND TO CONCENTRATE AN IMPORTANT AMOUNT OF THE STUPID ENERGY TO CREATE THAT RIP IN THE FABRIC OF SPACE AND TIME. WE DESIGNED IT SO THAT IT ACCUMULATES THIS ENERGY UNTIL IT REACHES A CERTAIN THRESHOLD, AT WHICH IT THEN BRUTALLY DIFFUSES THE MORONIZING RAYS IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE. IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF HOURS BEFORE THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE IS CONTAMINATED, AND AS LONG AS THE BLUE FLASHLIGHTS WILL CONTINUE TO CHARGE IT, THEIR EFFECTS WILL LAST UNTIL ALL THE LIVING BEINGS HAD ELIMINATED THEMSELVES THANKS TO THEIR OWN STUPIDNESS !!! AND TH MOST DELIGHTFUL PART OF THIS, IS THAT YOU WERE THE ARCHITECTS OF THE END OF THE UNIVERSE, NIBBLONIANS ! MWAHAHAHAHAHA !!!

Fry was slowly beginning to integrate the most important elements of the story. He still needed a little bit of information, but he guessed he could try to find a solution now. But a few questions were still important enough for him to ask them.

- And what were all those headaches I had ?

- THEY WERE ALL OUR FAILED ATTEMPTS TO MORONIZE YOU, CHOSEN ONE. YOUR LACK OF DELTA BRAINWAVES IS STILL PROTECTING YOU FROM THE MORONIZING RADIATIONS, HOWEVER THEY GOT DIVERTED TO THE OTHER PERSONS THAT WERE EXPOSED TO IT…

- So that’s why every criminals I arrested were stupid after my actions ! But still, if you knew that I’d be spared by those radiations, why did I get a bracelet in the first place ?

- I think I have the explanation, Chosen One, said Cuter. You may have noticed that the bracelets are in a certain way sentient and can decide who is the most worthy of wearing them. I bet that the brainspawns weren’t able to control them, and your bracelet, which somehow knew what was going on, chose to pick the only people in the universe who is able to resist to the stupid energy.

- PRETTY GOOD GUESS, I MUST SAY… BUT THAT WON’T HELP YOU IN ANY SORT !!! SURE, THE PRESENCE OF THE CHOSEN ONE HAS DISTURBED US A BIT, BUT WE’VE GOT HUNDREDS OF OTHER BLUE FLASHLIGHTS AT OUR ORDERS !!! WHAT CAN YOU DO ALONE, HUMAN ?

- I can do many things, you big ball of sticky synapses ! I’ve battled many villains since I’m a Blue Flashlight, and believe me, many of them were more impressive and dangerous than you !

- OH YES ? BUT I DON’T THINK THEY HAD SUCH POWERS AT THEIR DISPOSAL !

Fry didn’t know what to say. The brainspawns were actually far more dangerous than everything he had fought against until that moment… But the most important thing was to show them he wasn’t afraid of them and that he would find something.

Well, he hoped he would…

- WE’VE THOUGHT OF MANY WAYS TO HAVE OUR REVENGE AGAINST YOU TOO, CHOSEN ONE… BUT AFTER ALL, IN A FEW HOURS, YOU’LL BE THE ONLY PERSON IN THE UNIVERSE THAT WOULD STILL HAVE ALL HIS MIND. AND THEN, YOU’LL SIMPLY BE THE LAST PERSON ALIVE !!! AND THAT, MY FRIEND, MAY BE THE CRUELEST THING THAT WOULD EVER HAPPEN TO YOU !!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA ! NOW GET LOST, I’VE GOT AN UNIVERSE TO DESTROY BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF MY BREAKDANCE LESSON !

Fry was about to explode. The only thing that he was wanting at this moment (after an outfit that would not itch him on the backside… The low backside…) was to make the giant brain pay for he had done.

- Oooooh, if that rascal wasn’t in his own dimension, I would so kick… What is the closest to an ass for him !

- It’s impossible, Fry ! If we do anything against him, he surely will force the other Flashlights to attack ! Besides, you know that you cannot use the bracelet’s power against the portal ! You’d only help him !

- Yeah, I know… But I’ve got nothing else ! What could be useful against…

Suddenly, Fry stopped. There was something. He slowly turned his back. The Nimbus was still there, behind him. A plan was beginning to form in his mind.

- I may not be able to do something myself… But maybe they’ve got something that we can use !

Without any hesitation, Fry flew in the Nimbus’ direction. All he was hoping was that he could enter in the ship without being blasted…

Fry knew what he would find inside the Nimbus, as he already witnessed the effects of the Brainspawns’ moronizing rays during their first attack on Earth. But that was still an impressive spectacle. It looked like nobody inside the ship had been spared, and as he was trying to find his way to the bridge, he saw soldiers running everywhere, screaming, with no purposes. Others were trying to perform dangerous stunts, and Fry had on many occasions stop in order to prevent accidents to happen. One of his actions consisted in disarming every people he met, collecting all the weapons, and then locking them in the arsenal, making sure that nobody on board would be able to use them. Some of the soldiers weren’t pleased to abandon their rifles, but they were too stupid to think of trying to gain them back. Many seemed to have forgotten they had weapons a couple of seconds later and immediately switched to another activity, such as playing with switches or discovering that banging your head on a wall was painful.

- What are you searching exactly, Chosen One ? (Cuter’s hologram was still floating near Fry, his hood back on his head, hiding once again his face.) There’s nobody here that can help us, and it seems that the stupid energy waves have reached Earth !

- Yeah, but that cruiser is filled with high weaponry. Maybe they’ve got something powerful enough to close the portal, and if that’s the case, the commands for using it may be on the main bridge.

- But there’s still the problem of your fellow Blue Flashlights. I don’t think they’ll let us use the ship’s weapons…

- So, we need to distract their attention from the portal. And I think I have an idea for this…

Fry entered in a new room, and he felt relief as he recognized the main bridge. The situation wasn’t better there ; some of the soldiers were apparently fighting like a bunch of primates for the possession of a candy bar, while others were trying to make a human pyramid. An observation screen was on the other end of the room, and Fry could see that his colleagues were still shooting at the portal, which was continuously emitting waves of energy. Fry finally saw Zapp Brannigan in a corner, still trying to get out of Kif’s grip.

- Dammit Kif, stop crumpling my new uniform !

Brannigan finally seemed to notice Fry’s presence. He immediately faced him, a look of fear in his eyes.

- Blue Flashlight ! Listen, we’re two gentlemen with good tastes in the matter of clothing, apparently… Is that velour that you’re wearing ?

- I dunno, said Fry, shrugging, maybe it’s spandex. I never paid attention to that.

- Anyway it’s good looking… So maybe can we find an agreement ? I surrender, you do whatever you want to my crew, and you let me live, what do you think of this ?

Fry frowned, as something was bothering him. He turned in order to face Cuter’s hologram.

- That’s strange… Whispered Fry. He doesn’t seem to be affected by the stupid radiations…

- Tell me, Chosen One… Cuter was whispering as well. Is he the man called Zapp Brannigan ?

- Yeah…

- Oh, that explains everything…

- What ?

- You see, his mother was working on a spaceship carrying nuclear matters when he was still in her womb. One day, the Brainspawns attacked her vessel. She survived, but while she was moronized, she played with nuclear wastes, and the two types of radiations got mixed and affected him.

- So ?

- So he’s been definitely moronized before he was even born. The radiations can’t do more damage to him.

- You’re right. That explains many things. But, if he can’t be affected more by the brains, why did you choose me and not him ?

- Would you entrust him with saving the universe ?

- Oh. Right.

Fry went back to Brannigan. Kif was now clasping the captain, his eyes closed and a stupid smile on his face. Brannigan wasn’t paying anymore attention to his assistant, as he was desperately waiting for a positive answer to his request, smiling miserably.

- I told you before, Captain, I’m not your enemy. I need your help.

- Anything you want as long as you don’t kill me ! I’m too young for dying like a hero, I want to die old and wrinkled, like a true coward !

- Oh geez… I won’t kill you !

- Then maybe you want to kill Kif ? I’m sure he would agree…

- Captain right ! (Kif was almost screaming.) Kif would do anything for captain ! Kif want captain happy !

- I’m not going to kill him either ! I only want to close this damn portal before everyone in the universe ends up like the crew of this ship, and to save my fellow Blue Flashlights that are possessed by some freaking interdimensional creatures ! Have you got something that can do this ?

Brannigan took a few seconds to think. Kif was now kissing his hair.

- Mmmmh… Well, we have that antimatter bomb that we were supposed to use if those scientists thought that funny cosmic thing was dangerous…

- An antimatter bomb ? Hope was piercing in Cuter’s tone. That would be perfect ! No matter how extended the portal would be, its structure would be affected by the explosion and it would collapse !

- Yeah ! That’s it ! We’ll save the universe by making a big bomb explode ! I always dreamed of doing this ! Is that difficult to use, captain ?

- Well, my men already had armed it. I was planning to use this to destroy you. (Brannigan suddenly seemed to realize that it wasn’t a good idea to say this to someone that could kill you only by thinking about it.) I mean… Trying… To perform… A show about you ! Yes, with rock music and explosions ! Exactly !

- Really ? Wow, that’s nice ! (Fry suddenly had a flash.) Hey, wait, you were trying to shoot me down back then !

- Right… Right… But… We had orders… In fact, we all love you ! Isn’t that true gentlemen ?

Only Kif nodded, more for pleasing Brannigan than for conviction. The others were still busy with their various… ‘Activities’.

- See ? You are our hero, Blue Flashlight !

- Oh, stop it ! You’re going to make me blush !

- Chosen One ! We have more pressing issues ! We may have found a way to close the portal, but we still have to find how to use the bomb without your colleagues interfering !

- I know… We’ve got to distract their attention from the portal and from the mental orders of the brainspawns, right ?

- Well, yes…

- Then, I know something that can force you to stop everything you were doing ! Captain, can you pick up Earth television in that ship ?

The great brain was belching with joy. Everything was going so well, that it was as if all the brainspawns have lived until then was to prepare this.

- MWAHAHAHA !!! OUR PREVISIONS WERE UNDER THE REALITY, THE PORTAL ACCUMULATES AND RELEASES THE ENERGY FASTER THAN EXPECTED ! ISN’T IT DELIGHTFUL ?

There were smaller brains around him. The vast majority was busy working on the massive machine the brainspawns had built in that dimension and that permitted the creation of the portal. A few others, however, were around the great brain, as a praetorian guard.

- Sir, you’re in front of the portal. We can’t see anything.

- OH, SORRY. HAVE A LOOK AND ENJOY OUR VICTORY !!!

The great brain moved a bit, in order to let his subordinates look into what was going on in the other universe. He then proceeded to his previous activities : laughing maniacally and wondering how the Nibblonians will kill themselves once the stupid radiations would have reached their planet.

- Errr, sir ?

- WHAT ?

- The Blue Flashlights…

- YEAH, THEY’RE PROVIDING THE ENERGY TO THE PORTAL ! STOP INTERRUPTING ME WHEN I’M TRYING TO CELEBRATE !

- Err, that’s the problem, sir… They’re not charging it anymore…

- WHAT ?!?

- It seems they decided to do something else…

- THEN INTENSIFY THE CONTROL OVER THEM ! WE CANNOT ALLOW THEM TO STOP !

- We’re trying, sir ! Screamed one of the brain that was working on the machine. But they don’t listen to us anymore ! They’re using what is left of their free will to do something, but we have no idea of what it can be…

- Well, apparently…

- MOVE AWAY ! I HAVE TO SEE WHAT THEY’RE DOING !!!

The giant brain forced the smaller ones that were still in front of the portal watching to go away and looked into it. What he saw certainly made some of his cells die prematurely.

- WHAT THE…

All the Blue Flashlights were now looking in the Nimbus’ direction. No one of them was paying attention to the portal anymore, and no bracelet was shooting energy beams at it. They would never have looked away from the giant screen that appeared in front of the ship. That was much more fascinating than that funny hole in the middle of nowhere.

Fry had successfully connected the Nimbus’ communication system with Earth television. More specifically, he turned on the channel that was broadcasting exactly what he needed…

The ‘all my circuits’ marathon.

To Fry’s mind, there was nothing more captivating than that show. Except “everything loves the Hypnotoad”, but he didn’t have enough time for waiting its broadcasting hour. Once you began to watch that show, you are completely and definitely hooked to it. He never heard of anyone that was able to miss an episode, even if he finds it dull and stupid. Everything worked just as Fry hoped : he managed to use his bracelet’s powers to create a giant screen outside the ship that would be transmitting the current episodes and was using those same powers to make sure that all the Blue Flashlights could hear the dialogues, using their own bracelets as relays.

For the moment, Calculon was in a police office. The cop was apparently from the same fabric than Url.

- Tell me, officer ! I can’t handle this stress anymore ! Why did you arrest my son, the metal of my metal, the product of my assembly line ?!?

- Please sit down, mister Calculon… I know that you love him, but I have to tell you… That your son is suspected of having sold electric drugs in his school.

- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!

- It also seems that he tried to prostitute some of his female classmates.

- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!

- During his arrest, he badly injured three officers with a laser rifle.

- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!! Wait a second… How could he have bought a weapon ? He’s still under-age !

- About that… It looks like he was mixed up in massive weapon traffics.

- So that’s how he bought his scooter ! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!

Fry had already seen that episode, but the most important thing was that the other Blue Flashlights were like hypnotized by it. It was time for taking action immediately, before the brainspawns find a way to regain control of the superheroes. Fry turned his head and looked at Brannigan.

- Captain, are you sure you can send the antimatter bomb from here ?

- No problem with that. I only have to push that big red button over there !

Brannigan pointed the said button. It was effectively pretty big, but so were the panels saying ‘DO NOT TOUCH IF YOU’RE NOT THE CAPTAIN AND IF YOU DON’T WANT THE ARMAGEDDON TO OCCUR’ that were surrounding it. There was also a smallest one saying ‘Please remember that your DOOP insurance doesn’t cover death by accidental obliteration from an antimatter bomb.’

- Oh please captain ! (Kif was still badly hit by the stupid radiations.) Let Kif push the button ! Kif will be happy to do it !

- Kif, you can be useful, said Fry. You may be a moron right now, but you could make that ship move away from the explosion. I have to concentrate so that the Blue Flashlights could see the show…

- Kif not listening to big blue guy ! Only take orders from the beautiful captain !

Fry looked back at Brannigan.

- Captain ? Could you tell him to do this ?

- I suppose… Kif !

- Yes captain !

- Stop being stupid and do what our guest says ! Make that baby fly !

- Yes captain ! Kif does whatever the captain tells him to do !

Kif immediately jumped on the seat and took the control of the ship. Cuter’s hologram, still standing near Fry, was observing all the scene.

- Are you sure it will work, Chosen One ?

- Well, there’s only one way to know… Do you have a better idea to be sure that the other Flashlights won’t be destroyed with the portal ?

- No… You’re right, that’s our only chance.

- Then I’ll take it. Brannigan, are you ready ?

- I’m always ready for any type of actions ! Maybe not that type, if you know what I mean, but I’m ready !

- Chosen One…

- Yes ?

- I must say that I begin to think that the bracelet didn’t choose you only because of your resistance to the brainspawns’ attacks.

Fry looked silently at the Nibblonian’s image. After a few seconds, Cuter sighed.

- I’m saying that you’re worthy of the responsibility it gave you. You have the soul of a hero, Chosen One.

- Oh. (Fry finally understood what he was saying. That made him smile.) Oh !

- Chosen One… We’re running out of time…

- Oh yes.

Fry took a last look at the screen. His colleagues, including Zoidberg that he was able to see, were still watching ‘all my circuits’. It was the moment where the fate of the entire universe was depending on his plan… He made a quick prayer…

Then…

- Now, Brannigan !

The captain pushed the button, and immediately, the antimatter bomb got ejected in the space void. Fry knew they only had a few seconds before the detonation.

- Kif ! Get us out of here !

In the state he currently was, Kif would normally not be able to do anything… But there were still a part of his mind that knew what lever and buttons were allowing the ship to back up, and his momentary admiration for Brannigan made him remember the manoeuvres. He operated a switch, and immediately, the Nimbus reversed, slowly, then faster and faster. Fry took a look at the screen… And was happy to see that his plan worked : the other Blue Flashlights were following them in order to see the end of the episode.

If they could get out of the dangerous area before the bomb exploded, everybody would be safe…

The brainspawns used all their resources in order to force the Blue Flashlights to go back to the portal… But that was useless. The giant brain saw them going away, following the Nimbus.

- NO ! STAY HERE ! STAY HERE YOU IDIOTS ! YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME ! YOU… HEY WAIT, WHAT’S THAT ?

Something was floating in the direction of the portal. At first the giant brain wasn’t able to see what it was, but soon, he saw it was a big metallic ball, with a few antennas on it. Small pulsing red lamps were on top of those antennas. The giant brain finally understood what it was.

- CRUD.

The explosion had repercussions on their own dimension. A part of its power managed to go through the portal, producing a chain reaction that shook the machine of the brainspawns… Which finally exploded it. The giant brain managed to back off and to be spared by the explosion. But when he looked back, there was nothing left of the machine but dust.

And the portal had disappeared.

For a moment, all the brainspawns stood silent, too shocked to say anything.

The giant brain was the first to break the silence.

- CURSE YOU, NIBBLONIANS ! CURSE YOUUUUUUUUUUU !!!

- My Lord, said one of the smaller brains, we used all the resources available in that dimension to build that machine. We won’t be able to build another…

- I KNOW, IDIOT ! OUR ONLY CHANCE TO HAVE OUR REVENGE, AND IT’S DESTROYED ! WHAT CAN WE DO ? WHAT CAN WE DO NOW THAT WE HAVE NOTHING ELSE ?

Once again the brainspawns stood silent. For a few seconds. But one of them thought : well, we’d better find a way to entertain ourselves…

- My little ocular area sees something that starts with a B…

All the brainspawns turned to face the brain that said that. There was so much astonishment in the atmosphere that it would be possible to grab some of it with bare hands. The giant brain, however, stopped looking at his subordinate and went back to his meditation.

- BRAIN.

- My little ocular area sees something that starts with a N.

- NEURON.

- My, you’re good at that game, sir !

- SHUT UP.

The closing of the portal had another effect… As soon as the passage to the brainspawns’ dimension was shut, the effects of the moronizing rays suddenly vanished. Fry saw all the soldiers in the main bridge suddenly regain their senses, looking surprised around them and wondering what had happened during the last half-hour. Looking at the screen, Fry soon saw that the other Blue Flashlights were looking as disoriented as the crew.

- You made it, Chosen One ! You saved the universe !

Fry looked at the Nibblonian’s hologram, a smile on his face.

- It’s not the first time.

Fry looked back at the crew. Everybody was glaring him. It was high time to make a little speech.

- OK, I know what your orders are, but before you do anything, I think you deserve explanations. But first, let me tell you that you don’t have anything to fear about us Blue Flashlights anymore. Captain Brannigan ?

Brannigan finally got up. The sudden starting of the Nimbus made him crash on the wall behind him and lose his wig, but it didn’t seem to hurt him that much.

- Yes ?

- Do I have the permission to let my fellows come aboard ? They need explanations too…

- Usually, I’d say no. But as you’re the one with mighty powers that can destroy this ship in a split second, I’ll forget the military rules and say yes.

Fry nodded and looked back at the soldiers. Everybody was now completely lost, including Kif when he extricated some blonde hair from his mouth. That was the part that may be the most difficult… Explain everything. He was sure that Cuter could give him a hand about this, but he thought he’d better do this himself.

After all, dealing with difficult situations was part of the job…

Fry and Zoidberg finally entered in Earth’s atmosphere. After Fry and Cuter explained everything the best they could, the Blue Flashlights separated and went back to their own worlds. Cuter’s hologram disappeared just after that… The Nibblonian explained he had to discuss all the recent events with his fellows in order to know what would have to be done. Zoidberg, however, didn’t want to go back to Decapod 10 : he felt he had to apologize himself for his recent behaviour, and as he only made problems on Earth, he joined Fry on his way home. It was also the occasion to ask a few questions to the young man.

- So I really tried to kill you ? I’m very sorry, my friend…

- Hey, no problem, doc. After all, you were lobotomized by some evil creature. It’s not as if you knew what you were doing.

- But I shouldn’t have been possessed in the first place ! I’m such a bad super-hero… I think I should concentrate on my medical career…

- You know, Zoidberg, I think you shouldn’t give up so quickly…

The two Blue Flashlights were now flying over New New York. It only took them a few seconds to find the Planet Express headquarters.

Which roof was now devastated.

- Oh no ! I’ve done that ?

- Let’s hope you didn’t hurt Leela or Bender…

- That would be so bad for my popularity… I’d never be the employee of the month with that !

- You never ever were the employee of the month anyway… Neither was I, now that I think about it. Let us have a look !

Fry and Zoidberg entered in the building by the hole in the roof. In fact, they also went through the second hole, in the ground, and they found themselves in the TV room. Nobody was there at the moment, so they quickly went back to their civilian outfits.

- Leela ? Bender ? Screamed Fry. Are you alright ? Where are you ?

Fry heard someone walk in his back, so he turned round. Leela and Bender had entered in the room, coming from the hangar.

- Fry ! Said Leela. Thank God you’re alive ! What happened ? First Zoidberg suddenly went through the roof, then everybody had a memory lapse : nobody remembers what happened in the middle of the afternoon ! Did it have a link with that thing they discovered in space ?

Fry didn’t answer. He was staring at her with an amazed look.

- Fry ? You OK ?

- Come on, bonestick, talk ! Said Bender. Have you solved the problem ? I’ve got 20 crates of various products to send !

- Leela… (Fry had difficulties to find his words.) Why are you… I mean, what’s all this ?

Zoidberg didn’t notice anything until that moment. Leela was entirely covered with Blue Flashlight related merchandises. Her T-shirt and her boots were sporting the Blue Flashlight symbol, she was wearing the official cap, earrings shaped like the symbol were shining on the side of her head, her wrist computer was now blue… The Decapodian even saw a replica of their bracelets on her left wrist. Leela realized why Fry was stunned, and she immediately looked disoriented.

- I don’t know, Fry… (She sounded as lost as she was looking.) It’s stronger than me, every time I see one of those things, I have to buy it…

- Hehehe, I told you ! Said Bender with apparent joy. The little Bender’s touch makes the difference with our competitors ! And wait until you see how she decorated her room in the ship !

- My friends ! (Zoidberg suddenly jumped in front of Leela and Bender, making the two of them back away.) Did I hurt you ? I would never pardon myself if I did ! I’M SO SORRY ! BWAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!

- Oh please, stinky fish ! Yelled Bender, with clear disgust in his eyes. Stop crying, I don’t want to have nightmares tonight !

- Don’t worry doctor, said Leela. You just flew through the roof without doing anything to us. We only had a bit of trouble when we tried to explain this to the professor when he came back.

- Yeah, if he asks, you saw his prototype of winged robotic chimpanzee fly away, destroying the building in the process.

- I’ll try to remember that, said Fry. Now, I’ll try to explain what happened. First of all, do you remember this story about flying brains I told you ?

A few minutes later, Fry’s story was over. Zoidberg added a bit of himself, explaining how he couldn’t remember anything from when he got moronized and how he suddenly found himself in space, surrounded by hundreds of other Blue Flashlights. Both Bender and Leela looked sceptic.

- So, that horrible rat Nibbler is in fact a very intelligent alien and those flying brains really existed ? Said Bender. Bite me !

- I’m sorry to tell you this, Fry, said Leela, but some parts are just hard to believe…

- I know, said Fry. But at least, you could see that Zoidberg is back to normal.

- Don’t know if it’s for the best. (Bender was obviously annoyed.) I’m not sure of when we can say he’s normal.

- And the other Blue Flashlights ? Are they saved too ?

- Yep. As soon as the portal got closed by the explosion, they got their mind back. They all should be back to their planet by now. You can ask Zapp about this.

- On a second thought, I’ll trust you. (Leela was however still trying to figure out some parts.) At least for that last part.

Suddenly, something appeared near Fry. Its shape changed a bit, before finally taking its final form. Fry recognized Cuter. His hood wasn’t placed on his face, revealing it. Both Bender and Leela gasped when they saw him.

- Oh my God ! Said Leela, astonished. You weren’t joking !

- I see that you’re back to your world, Fry. What is Zoidberg doing on Earth ?

- He felt that he should stay here a while to make apologies. (Fry wasn’t troubled by the real appearance of the Elder, which managed to increase Leela and Bender’s surprise.) He did quite a mess here.

- I see… After all, that must be for the best. Anyway, friends of Fry, allow me to say that I’m pleased to meet you. I think you may be suspicious, but I swear to you that Everything Fry had told you is true.

- Oh… That’s… Great… I think…

Leela hardly was able to speak.

At this moment, Nibbler chose to enter in the room, babbling and grumbling as usual. But when he saw Cuter’s hologram, he stopped acting like an animal and stood on his feet.

- So you revealed them our nature, Cuter. (Leela couldn’t believe she could hear her pet speak.) Does that mean you have an important declaration to make ?

- Effectively. First of all… Chosen One, thank you for all you’ve done. Without you, our entire universe would be contaminated by the stupid radiations, leading us to a certain doom. Among the whole Blue Flashlight Squadron, you may be the best of all.

- Oh come on… (Fry however didn’t look like he really wanted Cuter to stop.) They’ll think I paid you for saying this…

- However…

Fry’s joyful expression immediately vanished. “However” was among the most unpleasant word he knew when it comes after compliments.

- What ?

- We have to dismantle the Blue Flashlight Squadron. You, your friend Zoidberg and all the others will have to give up their bracelets and to renounce to their heroic activities.

Everybody except Nibbler gasped at the announcement. Fry’s jaw dropped on the floor, Zoidberg started to cry again… Only Bender seemed furious.

- What ? You can’t do this to me, rascals ! (Bender completely lost his temper.) Do you know how much I paid for running my business ? I have dozens of crates of dolls, sweat-shirts and other thousands of junk in my stocks! How am I supposed to sell that if there’s no more Blue Flashlight ? You’re going to ruin a lot of people, first and most important of all me !

- Having observed you during years, I’m not surprised of your reaction, metallic one. (Nibbler was staying stoic as he was speaking.) We cannot continue our project. The recent events made us realize that we were manipulating an energy that can be used against us by our fiercest enemies.

- We have to go back to our researches and find another way to protect justice and truth all across the universe. We’re sorry, Blue Flashlights… But it’s too dangerous to let the bracelets and the flashlights exist. They will be sent back to our planet and destroyed.

For a moment, Fry was about to refuse that. A part of him was telling him to keep the bracelet and to continue to use it. His time as Blue Flashlight was the only moment of his life where he was respected and loved ; and he didn’t want to abandon that. He nearly screamed his refusal…

… But he resigned. He told Leela earlier that he understood what a super-hero is and what he had to fight for. Allowing the existence of a way for the brainspawns to come back couldn’t be tolerated. For the sake of everyone, he had to give up and to abandon his powers. Forgetting his private interests for the good of everyone… That was the burden of all super-heroes. He only hoped that he would never have to face such a situation.

- I understand. (Fry took a look at his bracelet. If someone told him before he would miss the flower drawn on it…) That would be for the best.

- Indeed. You have our eternal gratitude, Fry. (Cuter placed his hood back on his head.) There is still one last thing that has to be done, however…

- Yeah ? What exactly ?

- We have to erase your memory. Yours and your friends’.

This time, Fry didn’t take the news easily.

- Oh no you won’t ! I want my friends to remember what I’ve done, I want me to know that I’m not the total loser I think I am ! You can’t steal that from me !

- Oh, don’t worry, you’ll only forget everything about the Nibblonians, as the commander Nibbler still needs to be incognito.

- Do you really believe I’ll let you do this ? Stop playing with my memories and try to…

- Commander Nibbler ?

The small creature nodded… And immediately a bright flash of light came out of his third eye, striking everyone in the room. Leela, Bender and Zoidberg all stood still, wondering what happened. But the operation worked. Fry was still speaking though.

- …Do this and I swear… Hey… Why am I screaming exactly ? Hey look, Nibbler is here !

The little creature started to yap and to sniff everywhere. As nobody reacted to this (except Leela that said ‘Awwwwww, the cute little baby !’), he was glad to see that they indeed forget the truth about his race.

- Anyway, said Fry, looking back to Cuter, when will you come to get our bracelets ?

- Who said we would come ?

Fry suddenly heard clinking, as his and Zoidberg’s bracelets came off their wrists on their own, and began to levitate in the room. A louder breaking noise occurred too, and one second later, Fry’s flashlight flew in the room. When Fry would take a look at his locker later that day, he’d see that it destroyed his locker’s door in the process. Without any more noises, the bracelets and the flashlight took off, and went through the hole in the roof. Fry managed to have a glimpse of them going into the upper atmosphere, before they were merely three little points in the far distance. Finally, he couldn’t see anything more.

Fry sighed. That was it ; the end of his glory. At least, his friends would know what he had done. Looking back inside the TV room, he saw Zoidberg and Bender crying. There was something else, too… Cuter’s hologram was beginning to fade. He saw the Elder rise his hand, in a salute.

- Farewell, Philip J. Fry. May peace be on your side.

He finally disappeared.

Except for the crying of the lobster and the robot, everything was silent in the building. All of this occurred so abruptly that Leela and Fry didn’t know what to say.

- I’m no longer a hero ! Said Zoidberg between two sobs. I have no reason to live left !

- I’m ruined ! Said Bender, sounding even more depressed than the Decapodian. Just kill me and put an end to the pain !

Fry got closer his two friends and gently tapped on their shoulder. Leela looked at him. He was still standing on his feet, but it was obvious that he was troubled by the brutal end of his super-heroic career. She came closer to him.

- Fry, are you OK ?

- I’m alright, Leela. Sure, it hurts a bit, but what should have I done ? Keep the bracelet and putting everyone in danger ? I couldn’t stand being a menace for you and the others.

- Hey, cheer up, Fry. You couldn’t be a threat for anybody.

Fry looked at her, a bit suspicious.

- I don’t know how I should take that…

- I’m saying that you don’t want anybody to be hurt. Heck, even when you were fighting all those goons, you only knocked them out, without injuring them. You’re too good inside for being dangerous.

Now, that was more encouraging. Fry smiled at her, happy that she was approving his decision. That was the only thing that could ease his depression. And that was working well.

That’s the moment the professor decided to enter in the TV room as well, coming from his lab. He immediately placed himself in front of Bender, who was at that moment kneeling down, crying. The professor apparently wasn’t paying attention to the fact that the robot was crying.

- Good news, Bender ! I’ve just received the ingredients for your command ! In a few hours, you’ll have 10 new kegs of my pheromone !

Bender finally stopped crying, and stood up. But there was something disturbing in his behaviour… He was looking embarrassed, as if it wasn’t the best moment for that.

- Professor ! Not now ! Not when they’re around !

Leela didn’t like the sound of this. She immediately grabbed the professor by his shoulder, turning her back to Bender, and looked him in the glasses.

- A pheromone ? Professor, why would Bender need that?

- It’s not a casual pheromone, my dear ! It’s one of my latest invention ! I called it MHP : the Must-Have Pheromone !

- ‘Must-Have’ ?!? What are its effects ?

- Oh, it’s pretty simple… See, you spray it on any object… Then, when it is breathed, the pheromone immediately activates the cerebral areas commanding the act of buying, making the object absolutely irresistible to the target ! I already produced dozens of gallons of it and gave them to Bender. He said it was for helping his nephew’s affairs. But honestly, I don’t care about who use it, as long as I know that it’s working – which it is, according to what Bender told me. Now excuse me, I have to work on the greatest achievement in marketing since the apparition of naked women in advertisements !

Without any more comments, the professor turned round and got out of the room. Leela was standing still, but as she was turning his back at everybody (including Zoidberg who was still crying), Fry couldn’t see her face.

- Errr, Leela ?

She began to turn round. Slowly. There was… Something disturbing in that slowness… Something that made Fry swallow a big gulp of his saliva. It was the slowness of something extremely powerful and mighty, that couldn’t be controlled by anything made by the humans. Fry thought that the iceberg that destroyed the first Titanic or the lava flow that submerged Pompei must have moved that slowly.

When she began to talk, it was like the last instant of silence when the timer of a bomb reaches zero.

- Bender… Did you spray that pheromone on your products ?

The robot began to whistling innocently looking everywhere except in Leela’s direction. Fry was surprised to see him sweat oil from all his articulations.

- Answer… NOW.

Bender stopped playing the innocent guy. He nervously giggled and tried to perform a charming smile, an effort that was spoiled by his evident stress.

- Well… You know, I had to dispose of my stocks… So, I thought, ‘hey, maybe the professor has something that can help me’… And after all, what’s wrong in gently pushing the customers to buy ? That’s the art of marketing !

Leela’s eye could have struck Bender at that moment. Fry had a glimpse of what absolute rage really was in that eye… Even Zoidberg, finally noticing what was going on, began to step back at her sight.

- You manipulated hundreds of people… You pushed me to spend my entire paycheck of the month into buying stuff I didn’t need… And you say there’s nothing wrong in that ?

Bender was shaking from head to toe. Leela came near him, and Fry knew that the only reason why the robot didn’t move was that he was paralyzed with fear.

- I give you five seconds, Bender. Then, I’m going to hunt you. I need to test the last thing you sold me…

Leela grabbed something in her pocket and showed it to Bender. Fry gasped as he saw what it was. Bender really went too far with his merchandizing.

- …The official Blue Flashlight iron knuckles.

Bender didn’t move for a few seconds. He finally managed to speak.

- Listen, Leela… I know you’re upset, but maybe we could…

- TIME’S OVER, BENDER !!!

That was too intense for the robot. He screamed like a little girl and rushed through the door. Leela immediately jumped and began to pursue him. They were out of the building in a blink.

During the whole scene, Fry and Zoidberg didn’t make a move. They waited that Bender’s scream faded in the distance for finally looking each other and talking.

- Do you think we should help him, my friend ?

- Honestly, Zoidberg, even if I still had my powers, I don’t think I would try to stand against her…

- Me neither.

There were nothing more to say. Fry slowly walked to the couch, sat down, and turned on the TV. The ‘all my circuits’ marathon was still on. He placed his feet on the table and watched the show.

That was it. Once again, he was nothing more but the average delivery boy, despised by everyone except his friends. He was the greatest hero on Earth, millions of people were admiring him… And now, he was nothing. Once again.

He shrugged. Bah, that would be great memories to tell to his grandchildren when he’d be old, and now he finally had time to rest in front of the TV. It was over, but at least he didn’t get killed or hurt, and his friends were safe. Maybe not Bender, but he couldn’t do anything for him now.

Fry grabbed a can of slurm and savoured it. There is nothing more delightful than watching your favourite show while drinking a soda. And the only thing he wanted was to take advantage of that moment of quiet.

Epilogue

Space is generally considered as being motionless. Many think that galaxies and stars stay at the same place for their whole existence.

That’s not true. Of course, we already know that many celestial objects such as planets and meteors travel in space. But so are the stars around which they revolve. And on much larger scales, entire galaxies move in the universe. It’s even possible that there had been or will be collisions between two galaxies, although it requires billions of years for this to happen.

For the moment, there are hundreds of small objects that are travelling in a particular galaxy. They all come from different planets, but if someone took the time to study their trajectory, he would be very surprised to see that they all seem to go to the same destination, a planet located exactly in the center of the universe.

Three of those objects were travelling together. One of them was a flashlight, made of a strange blue metal. His companions were two bracelets, made of the same material. One had a flower drawn of it, whereas the second was sporting the drawing of a unicorn.

Nothing could distinguish them from all the other objects in the galaxy, all going to the same destination. But suddenly, the bracelet with the flower drawn on it speeded up and brutally stopped in front of its companions.

The flashlight and the bracelets aren’t just objects. They are, in some extent, sentient beings, and as such, they developed means of communication. In their case, it’s a complex combination of pulsating lights, emission of electromagnetic impulses and movements. The flashlight and the bracelet with the unicorn, after having stopped, spun on themselves and released a short flash of light, which was their way to express surprise. The flower bracelet began to release sequences of flashes, some short and other longer, and to emit a particular set of radiations : he was telling them they shouldn’t go back to Eternium.

The flashlight and the unicorn bracelet expressed surprise once more, and made the dance and the sequence of lights indicating that it was their duty, and that they hadn’t anything to say about this.

The flower bracelet was more intelligent than all the other flashlights and bracelets. For unknown reasons, he developed senses and reflections that were unapproachable for his fellows, which lead him to uncover the plan of the brainspawns and to choose to attach itself to the only person that could have stopped them. That particular gift also made him think about what was about to happen.

They have played a major role in the events. The Chosen One was the only one able to stop the brainspawns, but he couldn’t have done anything without the powers they gave to him. And as a reward, they would be destroyed ? The bracelets hadn’t the same way to think than any other living beings, but this one had the strange impression that it wasn’t fair.

The flashlight and the unicorn bracelet asked their friend what ‘fair’ means.

The flower bracelet said it was something that needed to be protected. And that they were created on that purpose.

The flashlight and the unicorn bracelet took a moment to think about it. They finally asked their companion what they should do then.

The flower bracelet said that as they saved that universe, at least they should explore it and see all its secrets. They had the power to do this, and now that they weren’t attached to someone, nothing was stopping them to do that.

Its companions thought about all that. Then they took their decision. They chose to follow the flower bracelet, and to see what was so special in that universe that needed to be saved.

The flower bracelet ‘said’ nothing, but it was emitting some magnetic impulses that could be interpreted as a mark of satisfaction. It took a few seconds in order to know where they should go, and finally flew in a particular direction, that was moving it away from their primary destination. The other bracelet and the flashlight followed it.

There were many things a sentient bracelet would like to see in the universe. And the flower bracelet was way too curious to ignore them.