Charlie POV
It had been two months since my father decided to enter the Ultimate Music Contest and he had been practising hard for it, ARI had really only been doing more scientific things as well as negotiating with Northern Japanese Prime Minister Yuichi Aizawa whom ARI wanted to ensure their protection following Takahiko Arima's ascension as leader of Southern Japan now known as the Southern Titan Empire (STE).
The odds heavily favoured Susie Carmichael to win at 3/1 who reportly had been preparing an new song with Aunt Angelica providing synth, my mother and Kousei were 2nd favourites at 8/1 who were performing according to my mother an epic duet, Haman was around 25-30/1 as she had the least amount of experience when it comes to music contests.
My father was the ultimate wild card when it came to odds, one of the judges went to university with both of my parents and had studied music business before beginning to represent some of the best acts in the world and apparently he had seen both of my parents perform and thought that my dad was pretty underrated.
The arena it was to be hosted at was Joe Robbie Stadium which was one of the largest venues in Miami and we all were flown there and stayed at different hotels to avoid the rival singers from trying to upstage each other.
After 1 night in Miami, the contest had arrived and there was an large crowd, I did hear that it was being shown on national television and my grandparents, Ushio, Kotomi and a few of my friends were watching it at the Java Lava.
James had an T-shirt saying "I don't know who to support on it", Lil had an beer hat on her head in excitement
End of POV
TV Broadcast
"Welcome to the Ultimate Music Contest, I am your host John Stean and I am proud to present our judges"
A judge with black hair and an beard waved
"First from California, representing acts all over the world, Kevin Azdon"
A judge with blonde hair waved
"Presenting from Kansas, representing the average joe, Dale James"
An judge with jet black hair and clean shaven
"Finally, from New York, an man that owns the Big Apple Music Corp, Vince Powers"
"With the judges introductions out of the way, we begin with the music and firstly with a bit of surrealist feel, from space, Haman Karn"
The arena went dark briefly before an purplish lighting dominated the stage before 'Running Up That Hill' by Kate Bush started playing and Haman sang it to pretty good quality
"That was one surreal performance by Haman, let see what the scores are"
Kevin: 8/10
Dale: 6/10
Vince: 9/10
Score: 23/30
"An solid score for the first act of the contest, next up for all fans of classical music, Japan's number 1 classical duo, Kaori and Kousei Arima"
Kaori and Kousei entered the stage and performed Chopin Ballade No.1 Op.23 which managed to make the audience emotional as well as sentinmental
"That was an great performance from the duet, almost made me cry, lets look of the judges scores"
Kevin: 10/10
Dale: 7/10
Vince: 7/10
Score: 24/30
"The duet takes the lead in the standing by one point with an strong performance, next up is our most famous act, its the one and only Susie Carmichael"
The fans cheered when they heard the introduction from the host as the arena went dark before Susie appeared in front of an spotlight.
Susie performed an English dubbing of 'Candy' by Naoko Gushima which saw the fans cheering loudly
"That was an brilliant performance, remember the song is coming out next week in all record stores and streaming services across the country, lets see our judges scores"
Kevin: 8/10
Dale: 9/10
Vince:10/10
Score: 27/30
"As expected Susie takes an solid lead with that performance, although I'm surprised she didn't get more than 1 10/10, next is Dil Pickles"
An chair appeared in the middle of the stage before Dil entered with an electric guitar and began playing 'All Upon the Watchtower' by Jimi Hendrix which he managed to get an massive roar from the audience, the performance reminding them of the real Jimi Hendrix.
"Wow that was an amazing performance, like amazing, lets see what the judges think of the final performance"
Kevin: 10/10
Dale: 10/10
Vince: 9/10
Score: 29/30
"Unbelievable, Dil has won the Ultimate Music Contest, the ultimate wild card when it comes to the odds has done it" as Dil's family (Lil, Charlie and James) entered the stage and hugged him
"Dil, how do you feel after winning the contest" said the host
"It feel good to perform again, especially in an massive area like here" said Dil
"Are you planning to perform at any more music events" said the host
"No, I wanted to perform as an last hurrah and also because my two sons and daughter haven't properly seen me perform" said Dil
"Oh fair play, the winner of the Ultimate Music Contest, Dil Pickles" said the host as the crowd cheered
Charlie's POV
I couldn't believe it, my dad actually won the Ultimate Music Contest, he defeated the famous Susie Carmichael and thoroughly defeated both the skilled Kousei and my mother as well as the emotional performance of Haman, I was so proud of him and it showed to me that both of my parents are actually very skilled musicians.
Me, Lil, Molly and my dad were all backstage, James was with mother who surprised both of us with her performance of 'Running Up That Hill'.
"That was an great performance out there dad, I didn't know you had it still in you" I said
"Yeah I don't practise very often, but I do remember Hendrix songs very well down to the technicals" said my father
"Yeah, so you and mother used to perform back when you two were at university" I said
"Yeah we would perform occasionally, I was an good player in my day" said my father
"Who was better, you or Kaori" said Lil
"Kaori can use more instruments than I can, but I take it less seriously than her which is why I shined much better tonight than she did" said my father
"So shall we all take advantage of the Miami beaches and go to the beach" said Lil
"Sounds like an great idea, it will just be us 4 as James will be with his mother for the day" said my father
"Ahh shall we go to an restaurant and celebrate your win and then have an day out on the beach followed by exploring Miami" said Lil
"Sounds like an great idea, what do you think you two" said my father
"Yeah, yeah" said Molly
"Yeah would love it" I said
"It's going to feel like Miami Vice" said Lil smiling
End of POV
2 months later
Charlie along with Ushio, John, Lou Jr, Liam and Brian all had exams in May and early June as they were in their final year at school before going to university, all of them hated the final exams as they were hard and dull.
James also won the California Laser Tag finals in early May with both of his parents (along with Lil and Molly) watching it from sidelines.
Exams would finish in early June which allowed Charlie, Ushio, John, Lou Jr, Liam and Brian to finally enjoy summer vacation before university
"Wow, those were some hard exams, glad they are all over now" said John
"Yeah some of the questions on some of the exams were very difficult" said Ushio
"They weren't that hard" said Charlie
"Yeah, but your an nerd, so of course they wouldn't be hard for you" said John
"Just because I study hard, doesn't mean that the exams are easy" said Charlie
"So what's everyone doing after university" said Lou Jr
"I am waiting on the MLB draft, but if I am not selected, I will simply go to the local university and take computer programming" said Charlie
"Oh yeah your predicted to go in the last round, aren't you" said Ushio
"Yeah although I am favoured to go to the expansion Montreal Expos" said Charlie
"Nice, I'm going on an scriptwriter course at an local community college" said Lou Jr
"You know, I knew you would do something relating to the film industry" said John
"What are you doing then" said Lou Jr
"I am working for my fathers clothing company which deals with designer clothes" said John
"More like going to be making the clothes" said Charlie
"Hey, I will be given an great job straight out of the gate" said John
"You can give him that" said Brian
The group would head to the mall where Charlie would receive an phone call from his mother
"Hi mom, how are you" said Charlie
"I'm doing good, how did your exams go" said Kaori
"They were hard, but I completed them and I believe I've done well" said Charlie
"That's good to hear, look I'm in the USA briefly, I need to speak to you" said Kaori
"I'm in the mall, is that near you" said Charlie
"Yeah, meet me at the cake cafe" said Kaori
"Ok" said Charlie
Charlie put down his phone and said "I'm going to head towards the cake cafe, my mother's there for some reason"
Charlie headed forwards the Cake Cafe where his mother was drooling at the sight of all the cakes
"Hi mom, I see you are having an hard deciding what cake you want" said Charlie
"Oh Hi Charlie, yeah I love all sweet foods especially cakes" said Kaori
"Ah what one are you having" said Charlie
"What do you recommend" said Kaori
"Well it's always said that a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt" said Charlie
"Somebody's been reading their peanuts, but your not wrong, I'll have an Chocolate Biscuit Cake" said Kaori
"I'll have the Rocky Road Mountain" said Charlie
Kaori and Charlie got there cakes before sitting down at a table
"So what did you want to talk to me about" said Charlie
"You know about the Titans" said Kaori
"Yeah, what about them" said Charlie
"And I told you just before the music contest that I was planning an resistance group against them called the Viola Force" said Kaori
"Yeah" said Charlie
"We are deploying against them tomorrow" said Kaori
"But do you have enough ships and have you told ARI" said Charlie
"We have enough ships as well as commanders which includes an Dango fleet and no I haven't told ARI as I don't want to break the non-aggression treaty" said Kaori
"Just come back safe mom" said Charlie
"I will do my best" said Kaori
"How you finding your cake" said Charlie
"Delicious" said Kaori smiling
"So what sort of TV shows do you like that's not named Peanuts" said Charlie
"I like anime, mostly dramas as well as comedy based game shows like Takashis Castle and Total Wipeout" said Kaori
"So your more into comedy shows" said Charlie
"Yeah, what about you" said Kaori
"Well I like all sorts of shows, mainly sports as well as comedies" said Charlie
"Yeah, out of all the desserts in the world, what is your favourite" said Kaori
"Tough to call, I would say Rocky Road Mountain, but love an good Chocolate Eclair" said Charlie
"That's an good one, mine would an Canele, an French pastry" said Kaori
"I remember trying one when we went to your parents bakery and I got to try one, they were nice" said Charlie
"Yeah when I was ill before I ended up in America, Kousei would sometimes pick them up from my parents bakery" said Kaori
"So you've always had an taste for Caneles" said Charlie
"Yeah which may stem from my parents being very good at baking them" said Kaori
"They seem to be good at baking, can I ask you an question" said Charlie
"Go ahead" said Kaori
"When you left me, why did you leave your violin with me" said Charlie
Kaori remained silent for a bit before saying "Because I had an feeling I would of never seen you again, I didn't want to forget that you have an mother"
"Even if you couldn't perform with it again" said Charlie
"When I left for Japan, I knew I could get an another one, but the one you have was the one that I performed some of my more memorable earlier work and thus I wanted you to have it as it was tough to let you go" said Kaori
"Oh, as an memory of you" said Charlie
"Yeah" said Kaori
Lou Jr along with John, Ushio, Liam and Brian all arrived at the cafe not long after and saw Charlie with his mother.
"There you are Charlie, you went missing on us" said Lou Jr
"Sorry guys, my mother somehow ended here and called me here" said Charlie
"Hi everyone, you must be all Charlie's friends, I'm Kaori Charlie's mother, I've met one of you before (looks at Ushio)" said Kaori
"Hi Kaori, how have things been doing with you" said Ushio
"I've been doing good" said Kaori
"I am Liam Deville, I am Charlie's step-cousin, this is John Evans, he is an charismatic character, this is Brian Dublock, he and Charlie like baseball and over there is Lou Pickles Jr who is Charlie's cousin" said Liam
"Lou Jr, oh my gosh you've grown a lot since I last saw you, last time I saw you, you and Charlie were tiny" said Kaori
"Yeah" said Lou Jr
Lou Jr felt a little awkward around Kaoris presence as his parents Tommy and Kimi didn't exactly have the best opinion on her as well as him remembering the day when Kaori left Charlie and Dil behind .
"How did you end up here when Southern Japan is now Titans territory" said Charlie
"Well your father along with Lil rescued me and Kousei using an ARI space convoy in the middle of the night, I believe Dil said that he didn't want the Titans to use me and Kousei against you or something like that, Chopin decided to stay with his grandfather Takahiko" said Kaori
"So you live in California now" said Charlie
"Yeah, on the outskirts" said Kaori
"Cool, just think I don't have to brave an long flight anymore to see you guys" said Charlie
"Yeah" said Kaori
"Kaori, how are you finding California" said Ushio
"Pretty warm, but mostly similar to how I remember it in terms of Los Angeles" said Kaori
Kaori then received an phone call which was revealed to be Haman
"I may need to take this" said Kaori
"Wasn't that James's mom name on Kaoris phone when it rang" whispered Ushio to Charlie
"I think so, how do they know each other" whispered Charlie back to Ushio
After the phone call, Kaori came back
"I need to go, space trip" said Kaori as she grabbed her bags, gave Charlie an hug and ran out of the mall
"Now that was odd" said Liam
"Yeah your mom just came in here out of nowhere and then as soon as she received an phone call, she was off" said Lou Jr
"What's weirder is that James's mom was the one who rang her" said Ushio
"Fine, she's planning on launching an resistance movement against the New Titans" said Charlie
"An resistance movement, how, the Titans are technologically advanced, where she getting the tech from" said Lou Jr surprised
"She said the Dangos are assisting them as well as them building their own tech" said Charlie
"Do ARI know about it" said Lou Jr
"No they don't, Mom believes that it will escalate into an galactic scale war if ARI get involved" said Charlie
"If the Dangos are involved, Kaori may be safe" said Ushio
"Let's hope so" said Charlie
5 days later
Charlie was on an date with Ushio at their favourite restaurant which was an Tapas restaurant not far from Yucipica Town Centre.
"Have you ever tried the Dango on an stick" said Ushio
"I haven't, I tend to go for the more classic tapas style like Mozzarella Sticks or Jalapeño Poppers" said Charlie
"You need to branch out your taste buds, I'll order your tapas, see if you like it" said Ushio
"What items are you thinking" said Charlie
"I'm thinking of ordering Dango on an stick, Samosas and Kimchee for you" said Ushio
"I've only tried Samosas before, they were nice" said Charlie
Ushio ordered Charlie Tapas, whilst Charlie ordered Ushio his favourite Tapas.
They enjoyed their food and talked about current events such as the Ultimate Music Concert and their excitement for college
Suddenly people in suits entered the restaurant and approached Charlie and Ushio.
"Secret Service, you both to come with us under Dil Pickles's orders" said the Secret Servicemen
Charlie and Ushio looked surprised before entering an helicopter which was full of an mixture of Secret Service and ARI Guardsmen
"What is the meaning of this" said Charlie
"The New Titans have attacked the Viola Force as well as John Long has resigned as ARI President" said the Secret Serviceman
"Which means" said Charlie
"Dil Pickles has ascended to the Presidency of ARI and is in merger talks to merge ARI with the USA and Canada with Dil Pickles as president" said the Secret Servicemen
"Wow, what is the status of the Viola Force" said Charlie
"Dil has informed me that he will tell you the answer question, thus I can't reveal it" said the Secret Servicemen
"Oh" said Charlie as he looked worried over the fate of the Viola Force
The Helicopter took an few hours before arriving in Washington D.C, awaiting the helicopter was Lil, James and Molly
"What's going on" said Charlie confused
"Charlie, you need to go see your father, he's in meeting room 1, Ushio your presence has been requested by President Kyou Sunohara and First Man Youhei Sunohara of the Dango Republic who are in meeting room 2" said Lil
Charlie rushed into meeting room where Dil was sat on the end of an long table, on the table was Angelica, Chuckie, Phil, Wally, Kimi and Lou Jr
"What is going on" said Charlie
"Last night, the Viola Force and New Titans engaged in battle, we can report the Viola Force lost most of their fleet, Charlie I've got some very sad news for you" said Dil as his tone got more somber
"What is it" said Charlie
"Your mother and her flagship was shot down, your mother was killed in action during the battle" said Dil
Charlie gasped before tears began to flow through his eyes, it had been less than an year since he reunited with her and now she was gone.
Charlie was comforted by everyone in the room
Dil stood up and made an announcement
"As an result of the New Titans brazen and unethical actions, for our own safety we have decided to merge ARI with both the United States , Klebian Star Republic and Canada forming the Dilganese Empire" said Dil
Meanwhile
Ushio had entered an room with the Dango President Kyou Sunohara and her husband Youhei Sunohara
"Hi Kyou, do you know what's going on" said Ushio
"The New Titans have defeated the Viola Force and Kaori Arima has been reported KIA, the Dango Republic and the New Dilganese Empire have formed an space coalition against the New Titans" said Kyou
"Wait an war" said Ushio
"Yes, the Dangos and the Dilganese have declared war on the New Titans" said Kyou
"Really" said Ushio shocked
"Yeah, as an result your parents and grandparents along with virtually our entire adult population has been conscripted into the Dango Armed Forces" said Kyou
"Am I conscripted as well" said Ushio
"In agreement with the Dilganese, you'll be conscripted to the Dilganese Space Force's 2nd Alien Fleet along with Charlie Miyazono Pickles and Liam Deville" said Kyou
"Ok" said Ushio
"Your parents wanted to give you this" said Youhei handing Ushio an metallic silver Dango pin
"It is an Dango pin, if the Dango Republic falls, it's your duty to keep the ideas of the Dango people alive" said Kyou
Later
"The New Titans have claimed themselves to be an police force for humanity, but all they are is an fascist junta and earlier they assassinated celebrity musician Kaori Arima who protested against their tyranny. To preserve and protect democracy and liberty, ARI, the United States, Canada and Klebian Star Republic have merged to form the Dilganese Empire, the Dango Republic and North Japanese have joined us in an coalition as they fear the evil that the New Titans are bringing, hopefully an bright future can arrive with democracy, peace and love, that I can dream" said Dil
2 weeks later
The ACS Kaori Miyazono had begun its maiden sortie which was to deal with an New Titans fleet that had begun to attack the Dilganese's holdings on Saturn
Lieutenant Ushio Okazaki was on the ship which was being commanded by her boyfriend Admiral Charlie Miyazono Pickles and on her uniform was the Dango pin that her parents had given her
Their life as they knew it was over, the Alien/Titans War had begun