Aranea whistled cheerfully to herself as she cleaned her lance. Biggs and Wedge argued in the cockpit of her thrice rebuilt airship. Maybe it was time to actually name the old girl.

Aranea dismissed her lance and turned around to shout at her boys. She staggered, dropping her gaze to the ground as she steadied herself. With a grumble at random earthquakes, she straightened.

"Ifrit's ballsack! Biggs? Wedge? Where are you?" Aranea spun around, bringing her lance out as she found herself in a Six-Damned MT factory.

She didn't like this one bit. Was it one of Ardyn's prank?

She doubted it. The cleansed man had better taste, and a decent amount of self-preservation, than to do something this stupid.

Though… It could be that idiot brother of his. Aranea took a glance at the map on the wall and set off towards the nearest exit. Somnus might have been the Founder King but he definitely hadn't been so because of his sense of humor, fashion or his wisdom.

Whoever was behind this was getting a taste of her lance. One of the door hissed open to her right.

"The fu…" Both Aranea's started to say as they stared at each other.

"Is there a problem Highwind?" A harsh, distantly familiar voice asked from behind the younger version of herself.

The young Aranea glanced behind her, biting her lower lip for a moment. It was enough for Aranea to spot a couple of ventilation pipes. She jumped and swung herself out of sight just in time. "Nope." Her younger self stepped out of the way and allowed Lieutenant Ulldor to brush past her.

"I hope this is not an indication of your performance Highwind. The Empire doesn't not hire failures." Ulldor walked away without looking back. "Return to your airship. You will shortly receive your orders."

Aranea waited until Ulldor had been gone for several minutes before dropping back down. She glanced over her younger self and tried to figure out what the hell was going on.

Her younger self did the same though she appeared less confused and more thoughtful. "So Loqi ain't the only one with some kind of time double…" she grabbed Aranea's hand and pulled her towards the hanger bay. "I'll explain at the ship. It's not safe to talk her."

Aranea allowed herself to be pulled along. Whatever was going on, it seemed she knew a bit about it.

Loqi… If it was the same guy Aranea knew then this was one hell of a shit show.

They got to the airship without any trouble, the MTs leaving them alone as they patrolled. Her younger self banged on the door and said, "Got another one! You won't believe who!"

Aranea certainly didn't. "Biggs! Wedge!" Her Biggs and Wedge. Older with wrinkles and all the right scars at the right place. Her boys wasted no time greeting her the proper way. With back breaking hugs that made her huff in mock annoyance.

Loqi, looking almost exactly as she remembered seeing him at their last get together, leaned casually against the hanger door. "So you got chucked here too eh Highwind?"

Aranea raised a brow, "And where is here exactly?" She thought about it for a moment then added, "When are we? And why are you with mini-me?" She dutifully dodged the retaliatory jab her younger self aimed her way.

Biggs shared a look with Wedge. That did not bode well. "I'm not going to like this am I…" She sighed.

"No, you're not." Loqi jerked his head towards the inside of the ship. The younger trio were already making their way in. Aranea followed without hesitation. The more she knew, the better prepared she would be for whatever was coming.

Still she had hoped for better news. "There are 2 Aldercapt running around?"


Etro winced at the sight of two, rather naked, Iedolus Aldercapt's staring at each other. A scientist was buzzing around them, taking notes and readings.

Eos looked over her sister's shoulder and winced. "Well.. that's a nightmarish sight. Want to drink until we forget about it?" She created a bottle of whiskey and a few glasses.

"That's how we got into this mess remember?" Etro said, turning away from the nightmare of a sight. "But what the hell. Anything is better than that." She grabbed a glass and chugged it down as Eos laughed and copied her.


A/N: I need help for two things!

1) I need nicknames for the characters. Always using young and older is going to get... old fast. Please suggest nicknames for characters including those that arent in the fic so far but who 'might' appear later.

2) I would like to add art to my 'King of Fire' story. Is there anyone who would be interested in helping me out? I'd return the favor with writing anything the artist would like me to write (within my comfort zone/reason). Please let me know if you are interested!

Thank you!