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Legendary Aces Shorts

Chapter 2: Kye's Declaration


A short story taking place two and a half years after the Emmeria-Estovakia War ended in Legendary Aces 2: Hero of Emmeria.


-Kye-

Banquet Hall, Isle Pandora
1155hrs 23 November 2018

I took a deep breath. I couldn't help but fidget as I waited. A crease was forming on the left knee of my dark purple dress and my right foot refused to stop tapping.

Hatsumi is wrong. I'm not ready for this.

"Kye, you've got to calm down," Yami said. "You're about to go on international TV."

"The Dream Music Festival attack was only two months ago," I said. "I'm still..." I sighed. "Hatsumi is giving me all the authority, all the power, and she knows that I'm not in a good mindset. You know what I'm going to do."

I looked up at Yami. She had a smile on her face. How she could keep a smile on her face while looking at the anger on mine was beyond me.

"The fact that you are self-diagnosing your mentality is good. Kye, I know what you're going through. When Marcus got shot down in the Chandelier battle, I felt so much anger. It took all I had to keep a level head. I feared for his life. I know this is different. We didn't lose anyone in that battle like we did at the Dream Music Festival, but the anger is there either way, it's just stronger. Maybe your anger is Grandma's reason."

I opened my mouth to reply, but my mother came in and interrupted me. "Kye, it's time. Hatsumi is about to make the announcement."

"I'm not ready for this. If I go out there, I'm not holding my tongue."

"Maybe I'm biased, but I don't think you should either."

I couldn't respond to that.

"Now come on, it's time." She grabbed my hand and led me out.


As I approached the side of the stage, Hatsumi was beginning her announcement. I stood behind the curtain, out of sight, as instructed.

"I am President Hatsumi Akari of Paragon... At least I am for a few more moments. I have held this office twice in my life. First when Paragon was formed some sixty years ago, until I stepped down in 1985 for my grandson, Zen Akari I, to take office. I returned to office in 2004 when he died and have governed Paragon since. Now, I am stepping down again and passing my office to a woman much better suited for the role. Before my successor is introduced, the Supreme Commander of the National Paragon Military and International Paragon Forces will speak. Please welcome Liliana Venturi!"

Lily stepped out on stage and walked up to the podium. She shook hands with Hatsumi and took the mic. "Thank you, Hatsumi. When I took over the position of Supreme Commander several years ago, I knew it would only be a matter of time until a new President would take office. Since its inception, Paragon has been a very secretive nation. We've worked to keep our existence hidden from the world at large, but when I became the Supreme Commander we came out of the shadows. That move was no mistake. A major conflict is coming, and Paragon has been preparing for it since the end of the Belkan War twenty three years ago. The world has experienced a fleeting peace between the various wars since then, lasting little more than half a decade at a time. Paragon worked behind the scenes to influence the outcomes of those wars to better prepare for the big one coming. War has been a part of mankind's history for thousands of years, and it will continue to be a part of our history."

Lily stepped away from the podium and handed the mic back to Hatsumi.

"Thank you, Liliana," Hatsumi said. "Both war and peace are inevitable. We must hold hope that the latter is worth the former."

She gestured at me to come out. I took a deep breath and reluctantly made my appearance.

"And now, please welcome my successor as President of Paragon, Kye Akari. She is known throughout the world as the squadron leader of the Razgriz Air Command Squadron as well as Paragon's Ace of Aces."

She gestured for me to take the mic, and so I did. I stepped up to the podium and I began.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." I looked out at the audience and at the cameras that were sending a live feed throughout the world. "Depending on where you are, listening to this broadcast, today is either Thanksgiving or Black Friday. As thanksgiving, today is a day of thanks. I personally have much to be thankful for. I am thankful for my life, for my children, and for the years I had with my husband. I will always carry the memories of good and bad with me. I am thankful for that strength. However, the act of Hatsumi Akari passing on the office of Paragon President to me is something the world will not be thankful for."

A wave of gasps resounded throughout the banquet hall.

"As Black Friday, today is a day of good deals. One can go to the mall and make out with everything they wanted at less than half the price. That's great isn't it? Do you know what is not great? Anger. I am not in the best state of mind. I am angry. I am bitter. I am pissed off. The act of terrorism during the final night of the Dream Music Festival is unacceptable and unforgivable. My brother, Zen Akari II, led that attack and has since become the President of Void. You could say this is a glorified sibling rivalry, or you could say this is a playground spat that has grown out of proportion. Whatever you call it, it is fact that this is war."

While still holding the mic, I turned toward Hatsumi and continued.

"At first, Hatsumi, I could not figure out why you decided to appoint me as your successor and step down. I had my suspicions, which were confirmed when Liliana spoke moments ago. You knew full well what I would do, and I believe that is why you are stepping down. Are you too weak to declare war against you great grandson? Or do you believe I am better suited for that task?"

I turned back to the audience.

"The answer is irrelevant at this point. As the new President of Paragon, my first order is the destruction of Void and justice brought upon Void's leadership. Do not take these words lightly. This will be a world war.

I paused for a moment to let it all sink in.

"I vow this on my own life this declaration. Paragon will put an end to Void."

I placed the mic down and walked off stage.

The gauntlet has been thrown, and our battle is inevitable. Are you ready, Brother?


(A/N) Kye is the new President of Paragon and she has declared war on Void.

If you are lost on the plot of this story, please check out the main installments of Legendary Aces!

Legendary Aces 1 (The Legend of Razgriz): s/9147176/
Legendary Aces 2 (Hero of Emmeria): s/9661229/


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