Ace Combat: Skies of Deception

Flashback 1:Hatred and Friendship

Ángel Román was born on April 6th 1994, in a small city on the southern coast of the country. He had black hair, brown eyes and tanned skin. His childhood wasn't easy at all: the teachers were rude or didn't listen to him, most children didn't want to play with him, he almost failed most of the exams, but the worst thing was that he was bullied by a kid called Esteban Reyes. Esteban was a boy that reveled on making people have a bad time, and Ángel was one of Esteban's "targets" since elementary school. One day, he even managed to gather about 12 students just to beat Ángel after school. This incident left him scarred and his parents decided to make sure that something like that never happened to their son again, so they talked to the principal in person so that he tried to put an end to Esteban's violence. Although they managed to make the principal pay more attention to Esteban and his goons, Ángel and Esteban's "war" didn't come to an end, even when they entered high school.

Friday, September 25th 2009

Ángel was in the high school's library, having just picked up an encyclopedia of fighter aircraft. He wanted to become a fighter pilot someday, but not any ordinary pilot; he wanted to enter an aggressor squadron, so that he could fly as aggressively as he wanted without killing other pilots.

It was then when he spotted a girl sitting alone nearby, reading another encyclopedia, this one of dinosaurs. She was slender and a bit curvy, with raven black hair that reached her shoulders. She was a bit paler than him, but what really shocked him was her eyes.

At first sight, they were ordinary brown eyes, but after another look, Ángel found out that they had something that kept him from looking away, as if they had some kind of light that trapped someone's eyes; they almost looked as if they could look directly into his soul.

Suddenly, Ángel realized that the girl was frowning at him, as if his mere stare made her feel uncomfortable. He quickly returned to his book, but even so, he couldn't take those brown eyes out of his head. Several minutes later, the rang bell, and the break was over. Ángel dared himself to look at the girl. She wasn't frowning now, but she was not smiling either. Despite this, he couldn't help but notice that she was pretty. Suddenly, he realized that he had class in 5 minutes, so he rushed to his classroom. High school teachers were quite strict, and Ángel's punky looks didn't help him to earn their trust. However, Ángel was more trusted than Esteban, and for a good reason: Esteban had been involved in several serious incidents in just three years since he entered high school, some of them even involving drugs.

That weekend, Ángel spent several hours awake thinking about the girl he saw at the library. Why did her eyes have such effect on him? If she didn't seem happy at first, why didn't she make him notice? He calmed down thinking that he wouldn't see her again, or that was what he though...

Monday, September 28th 2009

Esteban was angry as a bull. His girlfriend dared to say such things to him!:

"-I don't want to go out with you again, Esteban!-she said.-You are such a self-centered asshole!. You didn't even buy me a miserable flower for our anniversary!

-If you behaved yourself, I maybe had bought some present for you.-he answered, enraged.-But no, you had to stay at home instead of spending some time with me!

-I. was. studying!-she retorted-I told you about 20 times that I want to have a god job in the future.

-I don't buy it, you bitch!-he shouted, slapping her hard. The mere sight of that act spurred her friends to her aid..."

-Esteban, you're lucky that her family didn't sue you for that!-said Carlos, one of Esteban's "friends".

-As if they had the bollocks to do it.-Esteban answered, with his cocky grin across his face. Esteban sported a ridiculous crest that covered the top of his head, or as Ángel called it, the "half-ass excuse for a mohawk", he was very pale and had ice cold grey eyes.

-We're serious, man.-warned Sergio, another of his friends.-You remember how mad Ángel's parents got when we beated him at school, don't you?

-Román is just a punk wannabe with no friends. If he gets beaten, not a single person cares, and that's that.-Esteban answered to Sergio. He then saw a girl with shoulder-height black hair and brown eyes heading to the library-Hey guys, check that chick out!

Julieta Álvarez was heading to the library, a bit uneasy. She was not the most popular girl of the school, but she managed to make a handful of friends. She remembered the boy that she saw at the library last Friday. That guy sported a black haired mohawk, brown eyes and tanned skin. He was no hunk, but he was not too thin either. She though that he was some kind of pervert when she found out that he hadn't taken his eyes off her for a while, but then she realized that he was just looking into her eyes.

-Why, hello there, hottie!-she heard. She looked behind her, and saw three guys. She recognized one of them: Esteban Reyes, a bad guy that could only be hated.-Why are you going to the library? Come with us and have a good time!

-Get out of my sight, dickhead!-Julieta hissed, angry.-I'd rather drink rat vomit and swin in sulphuric acid than wasting my time with you!

-Hahahaa, you have quite a sense of humor, I see. But you won't waste your time with me. You'll have fun with me and my friends, instead of wasting your time and looks in that room full of geeks!-he answered, grabbing her arm and trying to pull her away.

That was the last straw for her. His hand was cold and rough, and his voice and attitude were unpleasant.

-KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF ME, MOTHERFUCKER!-she roared, slapping him so hard that she left a bruise on his face. Carlos and Sergio were taken aback by that outburst, while Esteban's grin was replaced by an expression of wrath:

-WHY YOU...

-Hey Reyes, what do you think you're doing?-interrupted other boy. Esteban turned around and saw a boy with a black-haired mohawk and brown eyes overflowing with hatred. It was Ángel.

-Mind your own business, punk!-Esteban said despectively.-This girl and I were about to have a good time until you arrived.

-Good time? Judging by the look on her face and that hand-like bruise on your ugly face, she wants you to leave her alone.-Ángel said.

-She doesn't know that she should know better than to reject me.-Esteban answered.

-So that's how you act. I'm not surprised at all that your girlfriend broke up with you, specially after what you've done to her.-Ángel said, sneering.-Very well then, let's see what the teachers have to say about this!

Esteban was struck by fear, but he grinned mockingly at him.

-You're bluffing!

-Oh, you think so? Don't test my patience, you miserable bully brat, or you'll regret more than you can imagine.-Ángel answered, now truly angry.

-I've had enough of you!-said Esteban, taking a knife out of his pocket and lunging at Ángel.

He didn't know that Ángel had been taking classes of martial arts and he knew how to deal with knife-wielding people. He dodged the knife and hit Esteban with an uppercut, kicking him in the back afterwards. Carlos and Sergio tried to stop him, but they were met by a punch in the guts and a roundhouse kick to the ribs, respectively.

-Look out!-Julieta warned him in time. Esteban had got up after the beating and tried to slash Ángel's throat. He managed to get his neck out of the way in time, but the knife slashed his right cheek. Enraged, he grabbed Esteban's right wrist and twisted it to make him drop the knife, and he was about to punch him in the nose when he heard a voice:

-STOP IT! BOTH OF YOU!-A teacher caught them in the middle of the fight.-You five are going to principal Carpintero's room immediately!

-What? We five?-Julieta couldn't believe her ears.

-Yes, you five. As you have witnessed the fight, he will have to hear you.-answered the teacher sternly.

Several minutes later, they were waiting near the principal's room. Vicente Carpintero was interrogating Julieta, and the others were waiting outside. Ángel had told the principal everything that happened since he bumped into the others. Esteban told the principal that he and his friends were just talking with the girl and that it was Ángel who started the fight; he even went so far as to say that the knife belonged to Ángel, and that he cut his own cheek to make it look like Ángel was the victim. Carlos and Sergio also said almost the same as Esteban, but Carlos said that Ángel cut himself purposely, and Sergio said that Ángel cut himself accidentally during the struggle. Julieta's version would decide everything.

Esteban was confident in that he would get away while Ángel would get expelled for a long time, to say the least. Ángel knew better, however, as Carpintero was less tolerating with Esteban's behaviour than most teachers. Suddenly, Carpintero said:

-De Jorge, Llanos, Reyes, Román, come in!

Esteban pushed Ángel aside as they entered. Carpintero saw it and frowned. When the five students took their seats, he said with a gravelly and somewhat angry tone:

-Román, I know that you never intend any harm at all, but I must warn you that martial arts are not the way we solve conflicts in my school.

Esteban smiled when he heard it.

-Nonetheless,-continued Carpintero.-basing on Álvarez's testimony, you defended her from Reyes when he was about to molest her, and that after you warned him that you would tell the teachers about that, Reyes tried to stab you. After hearing your respective testimonies, Román, you will not have break for a week; De Jorge, Llanos,-continued, addressing Sergio and Carlos, respectively.-you will be expelled for a week; and Reyes, you will be expelled forever.

Esteban couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was expelled!? No way!

-Carpintero, you're not buying Ángel's sorry excuse for a story, right?-he said, trembling.

-Well, Ángel is not the most trustworthy student,-Carpintero answered, much to Ángel's chagrin.-but Álvarez's version of the events coincides surprisingly well with his. And the rest of the versions have very important plotholes, specially regarding the knife and his scar.

-You can't expell me!-Esteban shouted, standing up and pounding on the desk.-I have important contacts that will bring me back here before you can even gasp!

-Esteban, calm down.-warned Sergio trying to calm him down.-You're not talking to another student, but to the principal himself.

-I. dont. care.-Esteban answered, punching Sergio aside, enraged.

-We've had enough of you, man.-Carlos answered, fed up of Esteban's arrogance, while helping his friend to stand up.-You've always bullied people just for fun. We thought that you reached your limit last weekend, but it seems that we were wrong. Román is right about you. You're just an overconfident, arrogant, bully and disrespectful bastard!

-Watch your mouth or...-Esteban started to say, but was interrupted by Sergio:

-Or what? Are you going beat us? We're not afraid of you! Not anymore!

-Enough! Esteban, as of now you are expelled from my school forever. Get back to your classroom and pick up your stuff. Then, get out of the school. And you'd better not ask for trouble again. I know that you smuggled drugs into my school, and the only thing that keeps me from sueing you is that I think that expelling you is enough punishment.-said Carpintero.-Everyone else, get back to your classes. You're missing them.

Everyone said goodbye except Esteban, who slammed the door behind him, getting out before the others and angry as a demon.

-Román, I hope you can forgive us.-suddenly said Sergio.

-Don't worry. You haven't done anything bad today. And call me Ángel, please.-he answered.-What's your name, anyway?

-Mine is Sergio, and my friend is Carlos.-Sergio answered, smiling.-I hope you don't bear any grudge to us just because we were Esteban's "friends".

-Of course not. You two have shown that you are good people.-said Ángel. He then looked for Julieta, but she was nowhere to be seen.-By the way, where's the girl? She was called Álvarez, right? I bet she's been affected by today's events.

-You bet.-answered Carlos, as worried as Ángel.-We've learnt the hard way that Esteban is a machist asshole. We thought that we had seen the worst of him last weekend, but it seems like he's a complete monster. I hope she's alright. Goodbye, Ángel!-he said as they got to their classes.

-See you two soon!-Ángel said. He then headed to his class, happy of making new friends.

At two o'clock, the bell rang, and everyone headed out of the school. Ángel was on his way back home when he was ambushed by no other than Esteban, who pinned Ángel against a wall, grabbing him by his neck.

-You again!? Haven't you done enough damage for one day?-he said, angry.

-Not until I kill you for what I've been put through because of you.-Esteban groaned as he picked up his knife again.

-"Grrr, seems like I'm not getting rid of Mr Dickhead today!"-Ángel thought. Esteban was about to disembowel him when he was hit in the back of his head, falling to the ground. Ángel was shocked that his savior was no other than Julieta, who didn't say anything. Suddenly, Carpintero arrived.

-What the hell is going on here!?-he asked.

-He tried to stab him, but I knocked him out before he could.-Julieta said.

-Is that true?-Carpintero asked to Ángel.

-Yes.-he answered.

-OK, Reyes, that was the last straw. I'm taking you to the police so that they decide what to do with you.-said Carpintero, grabbing Esteban's arm and dragging him away.

As he watched them going away, Ángel turned to Julieta:

-Thank...-but before he could finish thanking her, he found out that she had dissapeared.

-What's wrong with her? First, she saved me from being expelled; then, she saves me from being stabbed; but she doesn't even want to talk to me.-he whispered to himself, before going back home. When he arrived, he was greeted by his father, Lucas, and his mother, Sara, who were shocked when they saw his scar.

-What have you got yourself into today, my son?-said Sara, worried. Ángel told them about the events of that day. When he was over, his parents were utterly disgusted.

-So, to sum up, Esteban tried to molest a girl, you defended her, getting your cheek cut in the proccess, the principal grounded you and expelled Esteban, then you were attacked by Esteban and the girl you defended saved your life, dissapearing after Carpintero took him to the police so that he can be judged for his crimes, right?-summed up Lucas, to which Ángel nodded.-Boy, you can call it a day.

-Hell yeah. Where's Diana, by the way?-Ángel said, talking about his younger sister.

-She's having lunch. Let's see what she says when we tell her about your day.-answered Sara, heading to the living room to feed Apollo, their Boxer.

-Hiya, bro!-said Diana, seeing her brother entering behind their mother.-Seems like you faced Esteban again.

-You're very perceptive, sis.-said Ángel, smiling.-How's your day been?

-Not as interesting as yours, I see.-she answered, smiling.-Same old school routine.

-Don't worry. I'd rather have some good old routine so that I don't have to deal with bullies.

Lucas then received a phone call. What he heard left him shocked in a good way.

-Ángel! We've been called to testify on a trial! Seems like Esteban has been sued!-he told his son.

-What? You're not kidding me, right?-said Ángel, not believing what he had just heard.

-Yeah, the trial is next Thursday-Lucas answered.-With luck, he will get what he deserves.

-Wow, he must have angered Carpintero really bad. Let's hope the trial goes well.

Thursday, October 1st 2009

Esteban was not the only one to be judged. His whole family had been involved in serious crimes, like manslaughter, robbery, kidnapping and drug trade. The judge had been trying to convict them for a long time. This time, thanks to every witness, the sentences were clear:

Julio Reyes, Esteban's father: death sentence. He was executed 2 years later.

Lorena Reyes, Esteban's mother: life imprisonment .

Esteban Reyes would expend his remaining underage years in a correctional before serving 37 years in prison.

Santiago Reyes, Esteban's older brother: 50 years in prison.

Friday, October 2nd 2009

Ángel was on his way back home when he bumped into someone. It was a girl. But one glance was enough for him to be sure that she was no ordinary girl.

-He..., he..., hello.-he stammered, unsure if she was happy or afraid.-M..., my name is Ángel.-A 10 seconds awkward silence was followed by her smile.

-Hello, my name's Julieta Álvarez.-she said, smiling.-You can call me just Julieta. I've heard a lot of you. You're Reyes' worst nightmare. I though that you would be a little more... scary.

-"Damn, she's got such a sweet voice."-Ángel thought. He then said:-Er, well, haven't we met before? I mean, before that day.

-Yeah, I think so. You were that guy in the library with the book of planes that couldn't take his eyes off me, right?-she asked, giggling a bit, in an almost mocking tone.

-I... I... I'm sorry if you felt uncomfortable.-he said, blushing, a bit taken aback.

-Heheheee, don't worry.-she answered, her smile never leaving her face.-At first, I did felt a bit uncomfortable, because I thought that you were just another drooling prick, but then I realized that what really caught your attention were my eyes.

-Yeah. If you don't mind me telling this, I found them very beautiful, even though they are brown just like mine.-he said, hoping that she wouldn't mind that remark.

-Well, that was a little "funny".-she said, frowning.

-Oh, then again, I'm sorry...

-Ha!. Works every time.-she suddenly said, her smile returning to her face.-I was just kidding you! By the way, thank you for that and for saving me last Monday.

-Not at all. I should be thanking you for saving me when I was going back home.-he thanked her.-Do you mind if I accompany you on your way back home?

-Well, it will be good for me not going back home alone.-she answered.-Oh, I forgot, sorry for running away last Monday. I was just scared and unsure of what to do then.

-Don't worry about that.-Ángel reassured her.-Last Friday, you were reading an encyclopedia of dinosaurs. Do you want to become a paleontologist?

-What would you say if I told you that I was reading it only because I was bored?-she asked, smiling.

-Well, I'm not anyone to question your motives.-he answered, shrugging.

-If you had said that, you'd have been wrong.-Julieta said.-You're quite perceptive, to say the least. What about you, Ángel?

-I want to become a fighter pilot.-he answered proudly.

-A fighter pilot? You mean, like those pilots that kill other pilots?-she asked, worried about the fact that her new friend was a potential airborne murderer.

-No, no, no, not that kind of pilot.-he answered, fearing that Julieta thought he was a monster.-I want to become an aggressor pilot. In other words, I want to train pilots so that they can defend themselves.

-Oh, that's a relief. So, if you become an aggressor pilot, you'll fly like a true fighter pilot without having to kill anyone, right?-she said.

-Indeed. I don't want to kill anyone, but I love piloting a supersonic airplane. By the way, I think you haven't met Carlos and Sergio, do you?

-Esteban's former friends? Well, no, I haven't. One other thing, I hope your home is not too far away from mine.

-You know? It almost seems like the same path I take back home.

Within minutes, they were in front of a white wooden door.

-Well, this is my home.-Julieta said. Ángel took a look at the street, and held a gasp. His home was just 15 metres from hers!

-Seems like someone heard your prayers. Look, my home is over there.-Ángel said, pointing at his home.

-Really? Had I known, I would have paid you a visit before.

-Don't grieve about the past. Now you know it, so if you want to visit me, you know where I live. Goodbye, Julieta.

-Goodbye, Ángel. See you tomorrow.-said Julieta, opening the door behind her and not taking her brown eyes from him until she entered the hall.

Ángel was happy that he met such a good friend. Little did they know, however, that it was just the beggining.


This is the first flashback. Sorry if it was a bit too dark, but Ángel's worst childhood enemy is a bully, and bullies suck. Good luck and take care. See you next time