A/N: Now we have longer chapters again. Time to transition between arcs now.

Disclaimer: I do not own Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans.


Falcon of Tekkadan

Chapter 34: Vidar Rising

Everyone returned from their trip to Earth and it was back to work as usual while Orga went to Saisei to speak with Naze about the deal he made with McGillis. Ride had learned that with Takaki staying on Earth he is now youth leader, now he will take on that role with gusto. Kenji was with Hush at Sakura Farm in a truck that has Shiden inside, they have just dropped off Mikazuki, who was standing next to Ms. Sakura.

"I'll come back to get you after I finish driving them over." Hush said.

"No need. Atra will come for me later." Mikazuki said.

Hush tried to object. "But..."

"Hush, you got training." Mikazuki said.

"Yes, sir!" Hush said.

"You'll oversee his training, little brother?" Mikazuki asked.

"Of course. You can count on me, big brother." Kenji said.

As Hush drove the truck towards Tekkadan Headquarters with Kenji in the passenger seat, Kenji started talking. "Daily training is important. Imagine you're holding a sword and you use it multiple times. What happens to the sword's sharp edge over time?"

Hush thought for a bit. "It dulls, right?"

"Correct." Kenji nodded. "How effective is a dull sword in battle?"

"Not effective at all." Hush answered.

"Correct. So how do fix the sword?" Kenji asked.

"You sharpen it with a sword sharpening stone." Hush answered.

"Correct again. Your combat skills are like a sword's sharp edge, they will dull over time. You need to sharpen your skills with daily training sessions, those sessions are the sharpening stones for your skills. Understand?" Kenji asked.

"Perfectly. Even if I become the very best Mobile Suit pilot ever, it is no excuse for me to not train anymore. Thank you for this lesson." Hush said.

"This lesson just occurred to me, I might come up with others, but they will be at a later date." Kenji said.

"Of course, I understand." Hush said.

They eventually made it back to Headquarters and gotten straight to training with Chad joining them in a Man Rodi Mobile Suit that was captured from the Brewers. Hush and Chad were in a melee fight while Kenji was with Azee and Lafter, observing them. Hush tried to kick Chad, but Chad got out of the way quickly.

"He's huge but fast!" Hush said.

"Not over yet!" Chad yelled as he charged at Hush.

"Don't judge an opponent just by their size!" Kenji said on a communicator.

"Yes, sir!" Hush said as he parried Chad's attack.

"Chad is pretty amped up." Lafter said.

"He went through a painful time on Earth. Guess it's the same for the newbie. Going out to train the minute he's back from the farm. But he's shaping up, though." Azee said.

"Hush is trying to overcome his fears, that is never easy." Kenji said.

"If this keeps up, the mastery training for the Shiden should be over soon." Lafter said.

"Finally, our job will be over." Azee said.

Kenji saw that Lafter was a little down right now. "Lafter? Are you going miss being here?"

"Kinda..." Lafter said.

"I thought you'd be happy to be reunited with Uncle Naze." Kenji remembered something. "Unless, you have your eye on someone else now, like a certain muscle guy with big eyebrows and a mean face."

"Uh." Lafter immediately blushed. "Well, I..."

Azee laughed. "Okay, Kenji, that's enough teasing."

"Couldn't resist." Kenji looks back at the fight. "Hey, Hush! Check your footing!"

Later at night, Atra brought Mikazuki back from the farm and Kudelia came by to visit. The three of them plus Kenji and Hush were in the mess hall right now. Kenji, Mikazuki, and Hush were finishing up their meals.

Atra gave a cup of tea to Kudelia. "Here, Miss Kudelia."

"Thank you. Sorry for bothering you. I know you're busy." Kudelia said.

"Not at all. But these contracts seem tough. I'd be all confused if it were me." Atra said.

Hush stood up. "Mr. Mikazuki. Mr. Kenji. Shall I bring you more?"

"No thanks." Mikazuki said.

"No, I'm good." Kenji said.

Hush tried to object. "But..."

"You three have been together ever since you came back. Something happen on Earth?" Atra asked.

"I've decided to study under Mr. Mikazuki and Mr. Kenji." Hush said.

"Little brother is the one eager to train him, I just find it annoying." Mikazuki said.

"I'm just trying to make sure he builds up his resolve for battle, big brother." Kenji said.

"Don't mind me Mr. Mikazuki." Hush said.

Mikazuki was a bit irritated. "I said..."

Hush then interrupted Mikazuki. "I'll get tea." He then ran to get two cups of tea for his mentors.

"It's at the back of the storage room." Atra called out.

"Don't forget to make yourself a cup Hush. And take your time, preparing tea is an art form. It cannot be rushed." Kenji said.

"No promises, sir!" Hush said.

Kenji sighed. "He's going to rush the tea and it's going to taste terrible; I just know it."

"He's become really attached to you two." Kudelia said.

"It's really annoying." Mikazuki said.

"Don't you want to ensure he doesn't get himself killed?" Kenji asked Mikazuki.

Mikazuki sighed. "Well..."

"About this affair. The farm is your dream, right?" Kudelia asked Mikazuki.

"Yeah." Mikazuki said.

"Then..." Kudelia hesitated. "Never mind. Okay then. I will take good care of your dream."

"Thanks, I guess." Mikazuki said.

"You have to come back for it someday, then." Atra said.

"Miss Atra." Kudelia said.

"What's that about?" Mikazuki asked.

"Can't you read the room?" Kenji asked, having an idea on what this is about.

Chad then appeared. "Hey, what's up with Pops?"

"What do you mean?" Atra asked.

"He doesn't smell." Chad said.

"Well, he did used to..." Kudelia said.

"It stung, didn't it?" Atra asked.

"He's changed ever since he began dating Ms. Merribit." Kudelia said.

"Yeah." Atra said.

"Yeah, it's good to know that he took my advice on personal hygiene seriously. It's difficult to date a woman if she can't come within a mile of you due to your bad B.O." Kenji said.

The girls laughed at that statement.

"Huh?" Everyone looked at Chad, who just stood there. "Ms. Merribit and Pops...?"

"Yeah, they're dating. Chad, are you okay?" Kenji then realized something. "Hold up, do you have a crush on Ms. Merribit or something?"

Hush was then approaching with a tray of teacups. "Mr. Mikazuki. Mr. Kenji. Here's your tea..."

Then Chad suddenly screamed out loud, causing Hush to spill the tea.

"Chad, Chad! Calm down!" Kenji said. "Sheesh, poor guy, learning all this after coming out of coma on Earth." He then unconsciously grabbed his necklace. "Still, I know exactly how he feels..."

Meanwhile, in the Fareed Estate at Gjallarhorn's Earth Headquarters, Almiria was taking a nap on the couch with her head on McGillis' lap while he was reading a book titled "The Life of Agnika Kaieru." Almiria then woke up and saw the book McGillis was reading.

"You're reading that book again?" Almiria asked.

"Yeah. I was saved by the ideas of Agnika Kaieru in this book. To build a world where humans can live like humans, he created Gjallarhorn. You know that I was not born into the Fareed family." McGillis said.

"You told me you were adopted by Master Iznario as a child." Almiria said.

"Back then, I was looked down upon as a child of a lowly background. There was no happiness for me anywhere. I cursed this world, and even considered taking my own life." McGillis explained.

Almiria was surprised at that last sentence. "Macky..."

"But this book saved me from doing so. Agnika was trying to make it come true. A world where humans could compete fairly for what they wished for regardless of their background. Isn't that wonderful?" McGillis asked.

Almiria looked down. "I'm sorry, I don't quite understand..."

McGillis put down his book, then he lifted Almiria up and put her in front of him. "It means a world where you can love whomever you wish, with nobody objecting to it. Or as Kenji would say: "Everyone is equal; everything they have, they must earn themselves.""

"Macky..." Almiria got close to McGillis, their noses touching. "Would nobody laugh and call me a child in that world?"

"Nobody." McGillis said.

"Nobody would make fun of you for having a child as a fiancée?" Almiria asked.

"Of course not." McGillis said.

Almiria smiled then hugged McGillis close. "I want to go to that world. And if it's okay with you..." She blushed as she grabbed her necklace. "I want Kenji with us as well."

"Of course. I'll take you there, Almiria. You and Kenji." McGillis said.

Almiria was still blushing but she was very happy.

Back on Mars, Kenji was sipping his tea with Mikazuki and Hush, then he suddenly gripped his cup so hard it broke.

"Mr. Kenji? Is the tea not to your liking?" Hush asked, concerned.

"Little brother? Are you okay?" Mikazuki asked, also concerned.

"I don't know why…" Kenji started with his eye twitching. "But I suddenly have the urge to punch Mac in the face…"

"Oh… It's okay Hush, it's not the tea." Mikazuki said. "Chocolate Man is probably doing something with Gali Gali's little sister that's upsetting him."

"Chocolate Man? Gali Gali?" Hush asked.

"Don't. Ask." Kenji said.

Hearing the anger in Kenji's voice, Hush immediately shut up, afraid that Kenji might kill him with his katana.