[L'oro di Illyria – Marketplace]

"This place is the same as three days ago." Axl thought to himself as he casually strolled through the stands. "Of all places you could've taken her, you chose here? Didn't know you had it in you, Sol." Continuing down the pathway, he stops at the fencing facing the water. Resting his elbows on the metal, he leans forward, sighs to himself, and takes out the photo he's kept in his pocket.

The photo is of a black-haired woman with a beauty mark above the left end of her lips. She's photographed wearing a white blouse, a necklace he bought for her, and a few bracelets on her right forearm.

"A shame you can't be 'ere. You'd have loved to meet them." Low laughs to himself, thinking of an ideal situation. "The four of us could've explored here on a double date."

Civilians pass by, going on with their lives and paying him no attention – aside from a few conversing in other languages as to why this long-haired blond man is talking to a picture. Three children play a game of catch with a friendly dog owned by one of the vendors. One child accidentally throws the ball in Axl's direction and chases after it, yelling, "look out!" Axl briefly freezes time, catching it and resuming time before anyone could notice. He turns around, surprising the child, handing the toy back.

"Almost got me. Be careful next time, alright?"

"S-sorry about that, mister. We'll try not to let it happen again." The child bows politely before running off to rejoin their friends.

He watches before resuming his pseudo daydreaming. "This is where we could finally see each other… enjoying the sights, and you'd tell me how the inspiration for a new tune struck. You tuned Marie's strings and hummed what new track you liked, regardless of if you knew the words or not." Placing the image back into his jacket pocket, he closes his eyes, taking a deep breath and exhaling. "Just one last time, Megumi."

Something's wrong.

Something is very, very wrong.

Axl reopens his eyes, instantly taking notice of the immobile surroundings. This wasn't his doing, nor could it have been I-No's. From his point of view, the environment changed from colorful and vibrant to a bleak, grey palette. In the distance, he sees the replay of the city's tallest building – he's unable to make out what it is – exploding. "…How!?" He senses a tremendously powerful presence behind him – fear renders his body frozen in place.

Ominous laughter steadily picks up, increasing volume, before suddenly stopping.

Time resumes. "What… what was all that…!?" Axl's breathing becomes unsteady. His eyes dart in all directions, trying to find any malign changes to his surroundings. "It wasn't real… was that the past? No… maybe the future?" He's thankful nobody noticed his panicked state. Moments later, he regulates his breathing once more. Looking at his wristwatch, he subconsciously glances back at the distant tower. "Oh, hell. Does that mean he's gonna show up here? I knew this peace period was too good to be true."

[Wasteland Highway – one hour out from Illyria City]

I do I, don't be fake
Keep it real!
Keep! It! Real!

I do I, get a good vibe
You know some beasts don't live in herds
Just like that

I don't need your
Symp-a-thy!

"That was a short job stint." Aria comments on the past two days' events. Instead of sitting in the sidecar, she opted to activate the Starchaser's cycle mode. Off to the side of her field of view, a mini-map of the highway system displays under a broken haloed pumpkin icon. She takes her goggled eyes off the road to briefly look at her partner. "I won't lie, it was fun experiencing all this with you. …Sol."

"You say that like it's your last ever." Hearing her consistently use his alias felt oddly comforting. "You don't have to refer to me just as 'Sol,' you know. You're the only person I'm okay with calling me by my birth name."

"If you say so. How many people know your first name is actually Frederick?"

He mentally listed how many people did. "At least seven? You, Asuka, Jack-O, Ram, El, Axl, and Paradigm for starters."

"My 'sisters' are a given as they have my memories."

The pumpkin icon flashes before opening a screen. "Aria, you consider me a sister?" Jack-O asks, not expecting that statement.

"Is that weird?"

"No, actually." Valentine cuddles with a servant in her arms. "It sounds kinda nice. ~"

"Hold up! I thought there was only two of you. There's a third one now?"

"Someone's awake from their little nap."

"Why'd ya have to almost knock my head clean off with that pole! What's a pretty gal like you doin' with this asshole anyway?"

"Keep this up, and she'll shove it up your ass." Frederick leans to the side to look at their captive guest's face. "You got off easy compared to the other guy she turned in."

"I'd say he's still paralyzed in a jail cell." Aria lets go of the left handle, holding her palm up to generate a fireball. "Unless you'd like to feel the same with extreme heat."

The bounty's eyes go wide. "Y-you wouldn't dare, you bitch!"

Visibly frowning, her vocal tone shifts. "Do we have to take him in alive?" Her lips curve into a wicked smile. "I wanna watch him burn from the inside out."

"This isn't like you at all, but I kinda like it. Pull over. Stop your bike."

The duo parks their cycles on the side of the road. She stands up, lifting her eyewear up to rest atop her bangs. She takes a few steps toward the man wrapped in a tarp, face devoid of emotion.

"W-wait wait wait wait! Let's not be hasty here!"

"Trust me, pal." Sol stands as well, positioning himself to stand to the left with his arms folded. "She's the last person you'd want to piss off."

Luna kneeled in front of the bandit, a fireball in her palm placed centimeters below his jaw. Flames high enough to tickle and toast the flesh, he held his head in the opposite direction to prevent direct burns. "Let this be your only warning. If I weren't so kind, I'd beat you like a goddamn piñata." After she dissipated the flame, he dropped his head in further defeat.

"You don't take crap from anybody, huh? For someone who named herself after the Roman personification of the Moon, you're honestly horrifying, 'sister.' 'Luna' is too soft. I think you're more of a 'Proserpina.'"

It's as if she's mimicking his personality. "Was that you or Her?"

"You just asked if it was me or me. Some parts of the other me remained, remember?"

"Some but not all. Your worst has yet to come." He reached towards her, moving her bangs to the side – she looked up to hold eye contact. Her emerald eyes stand out against the rest of her colors. Narrowing his, he leans forward, leaving centimeters between them. "It's not there anymore, but I can still see it."

She takes advantage of the proximity to kiss him. "Do you mean my Gear mark?" She lightly swats his hand away, running fingers through her hair to restyle. "I'm mostly human, but I still feel something warm when using my magic."

Moving back a bit, he collects his thoughts before speaking. "As I advised that night, try to keep it under control. I don't want my fiancée to nearly destroy the world again."

"If anyone were to take me out," she poked the center of his chest with her index finger – thumb flicking the zipper's pull tab. "Please be the one to do so." Hale makes her way over back to the Starchaser, ready to get back on the road. "Let's just… forget about what we just said, okay? We have a castle and what sounded like a distress signal to return to."

"Can we stop, uh, home afterward? I wanna see if my belongings are still there. And if you can summon too."

Seeing her lead the way made him think, "Asuka, I don't know if I should thank you or not."

[White House – Presidential Emergency Operations Center]

His company departed an hour ago, leaving Asuka in the bunker by himself. For what's allegedly a relic from the pre-war era, it's not unlike anything from today. Timeless interior design and furniture clashed and mixed well with the lab-style plain grey walls.

"I'm not certain about this room yet… but everything else is just as I remember it. Finally… I'm finally here. Asuka R. Kreutz. For the first time ever, you exist." He stops to take a deep breath and exhale. Faint echoes of laughter from his (former) friends ring through from the recesses of his mind. "If only you two were here, maybe we could go back to how we once were? I wonder if I've even crossed your minds."

Spotting a stack of international newspapers atop the couch's side table, he takes the topmost one. "Illyria, huh?" Unfolding the front page, the main story catches his eye. A headline reading, "Who is this new heroine?" piques his interest. The article's body text describes what one reporter wrote as an exciting match between two Allied Kings and the person they spent time training. The accompanying photo is of a short-haired woman in a sleek, black bodysuit (that bears an uncanny resemblance to Jack-O's), her right hand held up by one of her opponents. Asuka studies the features to the best of his ability – short red (and white?) hair, petite frame, and that smile he knew all too well.

Along the space bordering the image, quips from various other reporters and spectators were printed.

"A real powerhouse!"
"She's a force of nature!"
"Illyria's newest defender for sure!"
"This was just the beginning! Who knows what else she's capable of?"
"The Kingdoms have a new heroine, and her name is Aria!"

Additional photos depict those who stood by on the sidelines – one of the royal family, the other comprised more critical figures in the capital city. Asuka's eyes widened in a cross between surprise and disbelief – partially at how one person he thought would've been in the images was absent. "…Aria? What on Earth have you been up to?"

[Oval Office]

Observing via the security surveillance feed, Vernon and company watched Asuka's actions. "As I've stated, I think he's being honest with us. He's made his intentions clear and understands the purpose of G4."

"And by that, you mean taking Sol Badguy out? Wouldn't he attempt to stop it?"

"Those two have a long history, but we're going to have to hold our cards close." He noticed the face Asuka made while reading the news. "Seems like what that paper reported has his attention. It's the latest issue from Illyria, no less."

"It can't be about what we've received from them this morning." Goldlewis placed an incident report folder on the table. "Look at this."

"I'm sure you two are aware of the recent downfall of the Sanctus Maximus Populi." Erica began her explanation. "Early this morning, her cell was broken into, and something was stolen from her."

"The reportedly most secure door in the castle broken off? Does anyone have information on the offender?"

"As a matter of fact, we do." She pushes a button, causing a set of informational screens to open. "Designated a potential terrorist, the Illyrian government warns this 'I-No' is an internationally wanted criminal."

"A terrorist? Then, what's she after?"

"It seems they have no clue."

"She's a total unknown, from her motive, plan, and whereabouts." Goldlewis adjusted his glasses. "If you ask me, I'd say she's a ghost, though we'd probably have more intel on her if she was. She goes by another name: The Calamity."

"They haven't said so outright, but Illyria might be hoping G4 is canceled."

"When we don't even know where this woman is or what she wants?"

"That's the problem. We don't know just how dangerous she could be or how the Gear Maker might respond to the cancellation."

"We're in a rock and a hard place…."

Vernon deeply sighs, rubbing circles on his temples. "Dickinson... Our demilitarization promises aren't just some vote-grabbing scheme, correct? We're building a new generation. A new era of peace. People will only follow a leader if that leader's moving forward. We're not canceling anything."

"I have to admit, you surprised me. I thought you'd prioritize national security over all else."

"I don't trust the GM as far as I can throw him. If he's so innocent, then who's responsible for leaving scars across history? Is 'That Man' somehow two different people?" Goldlewis stops in his tracks, stroking his beard in contemplation. "All that bein' said… protecting the country means protecting the people and ideals the president believes in. Besides, how could I say no to those eyes?"

"It's not like we have the time to be squabbling amongst ourselves anyway."

"Still, Erica. What are we gonna do about Sol? We can't exactly mosey on up to him and ask him to take a comfy seat in the electric chair."

"I know how Colin would respond, so I've taken it upon myself to make a few arrangements. Even if they did involve a little white lie."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Giovanna stands behind them, leaning against a wall. Rei peeks from behind her crossed legs, ears perked up.

"Gio? What are you doing here?" Goldlewis questions her presence. "Don't you have that training session to go to?"

"Yeah, but it's a rehashing of what I already know." She lightly shrugs, taking a sip out of her paper cup. "If you two are going downstairs, I wanna join."

"Why?"

"Why not? Worst case scenario, we have to be prepared to take him out." Giovanna observed the deadpan stares shot in her direction. She holds an open hand up in defense. "Kidding! Really, I'm bored."

"I do wonder how you were recommended for the service."

Erica sighs in resignation at the request. "If you can keep quiet about what we just said, then sure. Meet us at the PEOC entrance in 90 minutes."

[Illyria Castle – War Room]

"Ky!"

"Leo."

"I've heard the news. The U.S. sent us a summons letter for Sol?"

"That's correct." Ky places the envelope on top of another – contents only known to him. "Seems the Gear Maker's presence hasn't done much to obstruct their plans for holding G4. They're asking him to attend as a knight."

"Americans don't even know how to make sausage right!" Leo slammed one of his fists on the table. "I-No! Is on the move! And they're throwing a party! It doesn't take a genius to see how this ends!"

"That leaves our main priority as capturing her, just like Daryl said. You know as well as I do that Vernon's passionate about making G4 a success, along with his demilitarization plan. He truly does hope to change the world."

"You hot-blooded fool in disguise as an honor student." Whitefang narrows his eyes before standing upright to look at the ceiling. "I swear I'm cursed as shit happens when I'm about to go home."

Before either could continue, the panel in front of them flashed to the entrance. The live feed was of a pair of familiar faces – one dressed in a brand-new outfit only one of them had seen.

"Hey, Ky. We're here."

In one of the meeting areas in the vicinity of the war room, the Kings spoke to their guests over high-priority matters. Ky and Leo sat on one side of the meeting table, where Sol and Aria took seats directly across from them. Ky slid both envelopes to Sol, backside up.

"Looks like someone's popular," Aria remarks as she watches her partner pick one up. "Read what's inside."

Opening the first envelope, Sol takes out the contents. It's a single sheet of standard-sized paper with the texture of card stock. "Iseo inspection permit? Didn't think you'd have that ready so soon."

"Iseo? That quarantined zone in northern Italy?"

"That was supposed to be a secret. I'll explain later. And…" he opens the second, eyes focusing on the Presidential seal in the top margin. "From the office of the 76th President of the United States?"

"What's it say?" She leaned in, attempting to get a better peek.

Taking the page out, he briefly skims the letter. "A summons from the U.S.? What the hell do they want with me?"

"The President's requesting you by name?"

"Seems a little suspicious, but he's trustworthy." Leo interrupts. "We thought it had something to do with your connection to their voluntary guest."

"Does the U.S. government know of my existence too?" Aria questions him.

"If he's shared it, then possibly," Ky answers. "If not that, then maybe international news mentioned something about you. We're not pressing for an answer but have one ready soon. Ideally, I'd say make a decision by tomorrow."

"I'm gonna need more time to think it over, but it's leaning towards a maybe," Sol adds. "On one condition."

"And that would be?" Both Kings ask together.

The pair of bounty hunters exchange glances at each other before the newer casually responds. "I go with him."

"An unusual request countered by another. You're full of surprises."

A faint halo appeared over Aria's head. One moment later, Jack-O's figure manifested – she leaned to the side to greet them. "That's not the last surprise either. ~"

"You again!?" Leo flinches, leaning back in faint shock. "I'm not hallucinating, am I? Everyone else can see her too, right!?"

"Nope. ~ You've all been speaking to both of us the entire time," Valentine takes the next seat over. "But, I've just been living in there." She pointed at her host body's head before vanishing, appearing on a holo-screen from the goggles. "I can do this too."

"Today cannot get any weirder." The older monarch slouches forward, holding his head in one of his hands.

"Before this conversation derails any further, that's not the main reason why I called you two back." Ky rises from his chair, pointing towards the exit. "There's something downstairs that you need to see."

[Illyria Castle – Prison]

Scene cleanup and assessment wrapped up earlier, leaving Ariels' chamber unattended. The distance between her and the observation deck wasn't significant enough to hide the fact that she no longer posed a threat.

Standing in front of the glass and staring downward, Sol asks, "what exactly am I supposed to be looking at here?"

"You should remember her," Ky answers. "That's the ex-Sanctus Maximus Populi."

"Hardly looks like the one I know."

Ariels stares directly into the white void below, muttering a phrase repeatedly. Remaining in the same position since her defeat, all senses left her body. "Red. Blue. Yellow. When you mix all these beautiful colors together… it all becomes black. Polish that black surface enough… and it will show you your reflection."

"There she is. That's Ariels. She's who wanted to fuse you and Elphelt. It doesn't look like she's holding up well, yet she's alive?"

"Even I can tell."

Nearly two hundred years ago, the Universal Will was a warning and hadn't been seen or given a face. This warning was known as the Dawn of Revival, resulting in the technology and traditional energy ban to switch to magic. Now, it's here, in the form of a woman who was regarded as the voice of God. Ariels' present mien was dull, wholly drained of energy from having her creator and corruptor ripped from her body.

"Strange. I can't get anything on her." No data was found upon scanning the woman – no age, height, origin, nothing aside from basic information that's been public knowledge. "Where have I seen you be— aaaAGH!" A sharp pain ran through her body. She collapsed, caught by both men, before she could hit the ground.

"Aria, are you alright!?"

"T-that woman. I know her from somewhere." She broke free from their arms, repositioning herself to rest on her knees. Her head started to ache, eyes wincing to ease the pain. She held the sides of her head, shut her eyes, and gritted her teeth to withstand the increasing intensity.

"Ariels? How are you sure?"

"M... my acti-..." her breathing became heavier and unstable.

"Your what?"

"Don't force it out." Her son-in-law kneeled down beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to calm her down. "Just take a breath."

"Wh-what's happening. My... my body... my mind is... What are you doing?!"

"Entering coordinates, zone 8-81. Target locked. ...Prepare the gamma ray! Maximum output + 40!"

"Are you serious?! You'll vaporize Japan!"

"Fire, Cecile."

"I... I can't..."

"I'm sorry, I should never have asked you. I'll do it."

"Sir...!"

"Firing gamma ray. Aria, I'm sorry!"

"What are you doing?! What's this light- Wh-What did I just do?!"

Holding a hand out, a sphere of blindingly bright, blue-tinted white energy began concentrating in front of her palm. The entire floor started to rumble. Ky quickly stood back up, gripping the hilt of the Thunderseal – guards by the door do the same, preparing for the worst.

"Aria! No!" Jack-O reappeared, grasping her forearm, tugging to the side with no avail. Phantoms of two servants try to help, pushing from the other side.

"Don't." Right hand positioned to tear off the suppressor, Sol held her wrist. "If you charge up any further, you're going to be met with resistance from me. You and I both know neither of us wants that."

Aria lowered her arm, closing her palm to dispel the energy. "Wh-what was I about to do…."

"I don't believe it," Ky remarks, letting go of his sword's handle. "Of all things, this is what reawakened the gamma ray."

"Turns out, you do still have that power."

"Gamma… Ray…?" Aria wonders where she's heard that term before. "I'm sorry. I remembered it. I remember that day."

"What day?" All three asked simultaneously.

Aria tapped her belt buckle. [09 || 02] represented September 2nd – the day she underwent conversion. "My… my activation date. Zero nine, zero two, two zero seven four. The day I died, and Justice was born." She paused to get her breathing steady. "That woman in the cell." Pointing her index finger in the maiden's direction, she continued. "She was there. She's the saboteur. The records are lost to time, but my memory attests to it."

"...Justice. I can sense that you're here." The group of four glances below. Ariels raised her head towards them, uncovered eye remaining halfway open.

"That's not who I am." She straightened up and locked eye contact – ignoring the feeling of phantom hands holding her shoulders in place. "I'm not Justice. Nor am I one of your 'daughters.' My name is Aria! If you're the 'mother' they had, then Ramlethal and Elphelt deserve better than you!"

Hearing those words from who she bastardized the DNA of had a more significant impact than what I-No said hours earlier. Ariels slowly lowers her face once more. "I... I'm sorry. My words won't get through to you but know this. You two can prevent the end of it all." Her voice started to break – tears welling up in her eyes. "I beg of you. Sol. Aria. The Flame of Corruption and the Scales of Juno. Stop I-No."

"What did she mean by that?"

"I… said the same thing," Valentine added in a hushed voice.

"I'm not entirely sure," Sol cuts in. "But our old friend might know."

Jack-O's attention went back to a suspiciously quiet Aria. She shook her a few times, taking note of the lack of response. "Aria? Hey, Aria. Wake up." A few more tries. Nothing. "…This isn't good… she's out cold." She lays her sister down before disappearing to activate the emergency signal. Lenses flashing from blue to red, a siren sounds floors above.

Back in the war room, one workstation's alarm goes off. The operator who was responsible for monitoring disturbances and responding to emergencies spots a rapidly flashing blip.

"Odd. I'm picking something up. It's… a distress signal?" They check for the source – the system states it's from somewhere in the castle. "It's from here!?"

"What? That's highly unusual." The operator next to them remarks. "Where's it coming from?"

The lead technician from the underground workshop quickly recognizes their work. "Those are from the goggles I worked on." They bring up a projection model of the castle's architecture, rotating to indicate the source. "It's coming from… the prison floor?"

An icon of a pumpkin with a broken halo above it popped up on the cinema-sized main screen. "Hey! I don't mean to startle you all, but we have an emergency! King Leo, bring the other guy and get down here now!"

Daryl ran in as if on cue. "You heard her. Something happened."

Minutes later, the Second and Third Kings, accompanied by two Gauntlet Bodies, stopped their sprint at the door. Both scanned the room to see Ky and Jack-O around Sol holding a collapsed Aria. "We felt the quake. What happened down here!?"

"Long story."

"Call Paradigm up. He was right."

"I'm calling the medical staff."

As Aria was carried out of the deck room, Ky's comm unit went online – colored red instead of the usual blue. "Dizzy, can you come to the castle?"

"It'd be a while, but what? Why? What's wrong?"

"It's about your mother."

"I'm on my way."

[Illyria Castle – Infirmary]

An hour after the call, Dizzy arrived. Greeted by one of the lower-ranked knights, they directed her to the medical hall. Her first escort departed after she entered the front lobby. The lead nurse asks her to follow them to where her mother is.

"Ah, Queen Dizzy. Follow me."

"Mom?" Dizzy sees a group gathered in front of a transparent wall. An unconscious Aria lays on a medical bed past them all. She runs past the escort, avoiding collision with the other employees in the way. "Mom! What happened here?"

Ky extends an arm to halt her. "Don't barge in there. He's on edge, so he might attack."

Recalling how her father can be at times, she couldn't bear the sight. She drooped her wings, tail wrapping around one of her calves in solid unease. "Can someone please tell me what I missed?"

"I've never seen a case like this before." The physician stated, reading over the report notes. "I can't be completely certain about this, but she's okay. Nothing too serious, I ask you to please keep a close eye on her. Call me back if anything happens."

"Can do." Once the door closed, he deeply exhaled. Leaning back in the chair, he stared at the ceiling. "No wonder why Ariels was obsessed with you. She caused you to lose your mind, chose you as the template for the Valentines, and now this."

"…"

"All that time, I was searching for where Asuka escaped to. Had I known what he intended and ended up doing, I would've stopped it all."

She has a stable pulse indicated by the monitor. The physician assures him she's okay. They requested him to be their second set of eyes anyway.

"If I did, you would've never forgotten."

He briefly watches the group observing from the other side of the glass partition. Their daughter's presence made his heart sink. Her body language said it all – concerned eyes, Necro and Undine morphed into their spirit forms to comfort her, curled tail, with her hands clasped near her chest. He hated it when either of them exhibited sadness or cried. To hide how he felt, he turned his back to them once more.

"All because…"

"So?! Once I'd figured out how to cure you, we'd have all the time in the world!"

"No, you don't understand... It's a T.P. infection. I don't have much time left."

A voice crack. "You…"

"...No."

"I wanted to enjoy the time I had left. With you."

"Stop it! There has to be a way to fix this! I'll think of something...! ...Of course! We'll put you in cryosleep! Maybe we can't cure you right now, but some day..."

A tear. "Wanted to spend your last days…."

"Maybe, but then I'd just be alone again. Not dying isn't the same as living. Being alive is about having new experiences..."

These past three weeks, she became acquainted with those she's caused suffering for. Luckily they accepted her, disregarding the past. From Dizzy and Ky to Leo and Axl, they all expressed interest in knowing more about the new her. In a way, she'd consider all of them family. Strangely enough, earlier, she said Jack-O's like another sister to her.

"It would be like dying to not be able to see my friends anymore... Especially you... So I want you there in the end, to see me off... That is what would make me happy."

"No! You can find a new life in the future! You just have to live!"

Somehow, that last part came true.

Holding her hand in his, he knelt down at the bedside. "With me."

"Do you remember our conversation? About wanting to be a bird? Didn't you say that turning into something else would be the same as dying? Like you said, this world is where I belong. I'm the hero of my own story, so you're not allowed to tell me what to do."

"...No. This isn't okay. This can't be how it ends!"

"I tried to tell you…."

"Don't be so selfish. Try and listen to someone else, for once."

"No! YOU'RE being selfish!"

"Just accept the sleep…."

"... Please."

"You did…"

"No! I refuse! My world is the one where you exist! I won't let ANYBODY take that away from me! I'll fight for my world until I'm dead! I'm not giving up, and I'm sure as hell not listening to you!"

"Aria…"

"But that world is coming to an end..."

"Aria… please wake up."

On the other side of the partition, Ky notices Dizzy's countenance. He feels one of her guardians tap his shoulder. For the time they've been together, he's never seen them display anything aside from anger at each other – or towards those who'd try to hurt her. Necro leans downward to hug, while Undine gestures for Ky to do the same.

"That conference in America. Can't that whole event wait?"

"I can't change someone like Vernon's mind, but let's forget about everything else for now."

"I think I'll head home." Dizzy wipes away the tear lingering in the side of her eye. "I don't want to see them like this any longer."

"Stop by the war room first. She brought gifts for you and the kids – ask one of the operators for them. I'll contact you when she's coming back; in the meantime, please get her room ready." Before he departs out of respect for privacy, Ky looks through the last time. He's never seen Sol in this state, hoping this will be the only instance. "If Ariels is right, we're depending on you. Humanity's fate rests in your hands. You're the strongest out of us all. Pull through, Aria."

Silence befalls the room, save for the medical machinery.

…

Ten minutes later, her fingers curled to hold his hand. He lifted his head up, seeing that she slightly turned hers toward him. The noticeable rise and fall of her chest indicated her breathing improved.

Aria struggles to keep her eyes open – squinting to see who's next to her. Corners of her mouth moving upward to form a weak smile, she uttered out, "…it's okay, Frederick."

It wasn't the same person who died in front of him after a showdown in the Backyard. However, at that moment, he felt his soul leaving his body.

[Washington, D.C.]

In the heavily guarded area below the White House, a group of four people have been holding a meeting with their resident guest for the past three weeks. As a safety precaution, additional agents and armed guardsmen stand watch. Among these individuals, the foreign agent accompanied by a wolf spirit began speaking.

"You know, for someone known as the 'most notorious war criminal in history,' you're awfully well mannered."

"Giovanna, don't be rude." One of her superiors, the older, heavy-set man that spoke with a southern accent, scolded her. "You did say what I was thinking, so I'll give you that." Goldlewis turned back to face him. "Gear Maker, right?"

"Yes?"

"We thought we'd have to put up a fight to get you in here." The man stroked his beard as he spoke.

"Appearances can be deceiving. I'm the exact opposite of how the world views me," Asuka replied as he ruffled his shaggy silvery-white hair. "I would say you can ask my friends, but I'm afraid none of them would be able to vouch for me."

One of the other secret service agents waiting outside came in to inform the president of a matter. "Apologies for the interruption. Sir, we've sent the summons request to the Allied Kings. They mentioned something about him having a partner now?"

"You don't sound too confident. Does he have one or not?" Erica asked in the president's place as she adjusted her glasses.

"Y-yes, he does. But they'd like to know if she can come with him. She sounded adamant in joining."

"I'm sorry, but did you just say 'she?'" Asuka interrupted the conversation. His ears perked up at the mention of a woman. He has an idea of who it might be.

"Affirmative," the agent answered with a bow. "Sol's partner is a woman."

He looked to the bottom right corner of his line of vision before asking another question. "Do you know her identity?"

The secondary agent whispered into the vice president's ear. "I see. So, they do have a history. All three of them? Colin, what's the verdict?"

"Someone who has a past with That Man and Sol Badguy? I take it she isn't who we all dreaded anymore, correct?"

"You don't mean Her, do you?" Giovanna threw the question into the air, indirectly referring to humanity's long-time adversary.

"Justice? Bah, that's impossible." Goldlewis brushed off the suggestion, aware that the commander Gear's body disappeared days before the self-arrest. At least, that's what he'd believed.

"It is possible. I don't know to what extent, but she's human again. I'm responsible for turning her into that… monster. It was from a combined effort and an uneasy truce that she was resurrected."

"Resurrection!?" The outburst was uncharacteristic of the older gentleman – adjusting himself to sit upright and placing his hands down on the meeting table. "What in the hell do you mean by that?"

Asuka slouched forward and lowered his head, hair covering his eyes. "I don't want to go into the details…."

"Tell us," Vernon clasped his hands in front of him, softening his voice to get him to speak. "What's her name then? Who is the woman you turned into Justice, allegedly resurrected as a human, and is now traveling with Sol of all people?"

Hands on the mug of tea, he remained silent for a minute before answering. Making eye contact with the president, Kreutz gathered the courage to say his old friend's name.

"Aria Hale."

[Kiske Residence. Nighttime.]

Hours passed since the incident. The physician strongly advised Aria to rest until tomorrow night at minimum, avoiding unnecessary physical activity. A unanimous decision that Sol should be the one watching over her caused him to joke he's the dragon protecting a princess in her tower.

Unable to sleep, he lays down on the couch in the hallway. The manor was dead silent, with the occasional external noise. What sounds out of the ordinary catches his attention.

"…? Must be a wild animal."

Footsteps. Whoever's making these is trying to hush them. Continuing for a few seconds before stopping, he hears a feminine voice curse.

"Dammit."

That voice doesn't belong to Ram, El, or Dizzy. Dizzy's fast asleep in the master bedroom, and the Valentines decided to stay overnight at the castle; they claim it's to speak to their mother. They know what happened during the sabotage. It was Elphelt's idea to confront Ariels and press her for answers. Ramlethal tagged along to ensure she didn't commit matricide.

A chill from Aria's room gives it away. He opens the door, seeing an empty bed. The desk chair's cushion retained the seat indent. Papers scattered on the surface, more crumpled on the floor, and a pen with a chewed-up cap are what he saw before the open window. He carefully steps in, walking towards the table – looking for some sort of note if she left one. Instead, he finds a variety of notes and bullet points.

Across the pages, it's everything from deliberate ink scratches to single words and sentences that sound like an amnesiac trying to remember something important. Ultimately, they were lined out with a degree of legibility remaining.

[[• Sanctus Maximus Populi = • Ariels = • Universal Will.]]

(A cartoony drawing of how Ariels looked today (dull and lifeless) is next to one of her with her skull-esque makeup (maniacally grinning). To the right, a minimalist doodle of a robot-like shape with hollow, white eyes.)

[[• Valentines = her "daughters" and my genetic clones. The first – looked exactly like me – is dead. I live with the other two. Walking weapons of mass destruction, but friendly. The unique/copycat one is also friendly, and she's like my twin sister (?)]]

(More drawings, this time of herself at the top. Below are lines pointing towards four additional. From left to right, three straight lines are connected to the original Valentine (drawn identically with a black bat-shaped hat), Ramlethal, Elphelt, and a squiggly line to Jack-O.)

[[What tried to kill me back then is now human. She recently made off with my body and attempted to force a fusion that'd bring the end of the world. Plans were foiled, and forces stopped in the worldwide effort. Thank fucking god.]]

"I feel like I'm playin' detective here. She must've written something down." Flipping through the pages to find some sort of clue, three lines stuck out.

• Iseo. The book about Italy's geography provided minimal information. All it had was a description and how it was a tourist destination at some point. Tried searching, all I got was a message that said [LEVEL 4 QUARANTINE/ISOLATION ZONE. WARNING: KEEP OUT].

"Guess I owe her an explanation."

• If you need me, I'll be on the roof.

"Well," he briefly looked up at the ceiling, then back at the page. "That's reassuring."

• My journal I kept since I left the hospital. Top right drawer. That's where she left it.

Grabbing the handle and sliding the drawer open, the black cover journal came into view. Reaching in and taking it out, he froze for a second. Guilt washed over him for what he was about to do. "…I'm sorry for this."

Opening the diary to the first page, he skimmed through her personal writings. Beginning with the day after she woke up, his brows raised when he read how she felt seeing him again after all this time. "'Wonderful, yet frightening?' I know I can be an ass at times, but that's how you worded it?"

She wrote there weren't any visitors for the next two days and noted the lack of communication between her and Jack-O – aside from occasional quips. When he read the page about trying the outfit, he held himself back from checking the closet out.

Journal still in his hands, he exited the room into the hallway, walking towards the kitchen. Taking two ceramic cups and mixes out, he prepared hot drinks for them. As the water boiled, he continued reading until the last page's entry. Her last written line sucker-punched him in the stomach – those twelve words solidified her insecurities.

"I just hope I'll be a good enough partner this time, Frederick."

Ignoring the advisory from both the physician and her family members, Aria scaled the manor's exterior to lounge on the rooftop. She has the incident from earlier on replay. To this day, the only person who was there is thousands of miles across multiple bodies of water.

Laying on her back with her hands behind her head, she gazes into the night sky. Memories of the Crusades return – Justice towers above the opposition forming in battalions to fend her soldiers off. Scared humans were scrambling to escape the towns and villages she ordered forces to target. Three white-clad swordsmen directly engage her in combat on their own accord. The first and repeat offender died as a brave old man – she still calls him foolish. A hazy memory of someone close to him crept in. His name escapes her, but she recalls long black hair and a scythe. The second was the young knight she'd unexpectedly call her daughter's husband in the years to come. The third was all too familiar – a superpowered version of the occasionally ill-tempered lab rat who held contempt for who they both became. She shakes her head to clear her mind. "You never left, did you? Am I… still you?"

"That's not entirely true." Jack-O materializes next to her – sans the halo, seated with her legs crossed. She's changed her clothing to a pair of pajamas, leaving the pendant on. "Biologically, you're human."

"I don't feel like it." Aria looks over and raises an eyebrow. "For an artificial lifeform, the way you act is more human than me."

"I cannot feel anything. Or, at least that's what I keep telling myself. ~ It's not quite an emulation," Jack-O remembers how the original and Ramlethal lacked them, "but I think I was given feelings? If I wasn't woken up early, this would've played out differently."

"Could've fooled me. How you speak sounds natural, aside from the sudden vocal changes."

"It's not my place to say this, but shouldn't you be resting?"

"I don't care. How can I sleep after what happened?"

"Can't disagree there." The A.I. stares up, taking in the celestial sight. Across the vast dark plane, the stars illuminate as small pinholes of light. All surround the calming, inviting light of the full moon. "A beacon of hope for those who are lost along the path. Unlike the sun, this glow puts people at ease." A servant she's holding like a plushie also looks up, the faceplate emote changing to an amazed child's. "The moon is lovely tonight, wouldn't you say?"

"Defying an order, commander?" Aria redirects her attention to see Frederick hovering off the roof's edge – she knew one of the spells he constantly utilizes is float. Trails of steam led her eyes to notice he's holding two mugs of hot drinks in one of his hands – the other in the pocket of the plain hoodie he's wearing. A rolled-up throw blanket is wedged in the space between his arm and side.

"You're not one to make the calls."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." He moves forward – soles of his shoes making contact with the roof before taking steps towards her. "I can't tell you what to do. But at least try listening to others. If not me or everyone in the house," he removes the pocketed hand to point at the ghostly body. "At least listen to her."

"Oh, um, you don't have to. I'm going to go now. I'll leave you two alone." Valentine's form vanishes, returning to her host.

He sits down, handing her one of the drinks. Placing his mug off to the side, he unwraps the blanket to place it around both of them. "It's a cold winter night. Why did you come up here?"

She sips from her cup of triple chocolate hot cocoa with miniature marshmallows, chewing the sweet before answering with her own question. "Why do you care?"

"I dunno. Maybe because I'm one of the people – maybe the only person – who genuinely gives a damn about you."

She blankly stares off into space for a few seconds before turning to face him. "I heard you trying to hold it back when I was out. Bottling it up isn't going to benefit you at all, but at least you're trying to fix yourself. Why did you look like you saw a ghost when I spoke shortly after waking up?"

"The original Valentine. She said those exact words and had the same facial expression as you right before she died."

"Oh… I wasn't aware…" she took another sip. "You think they'd let both of us go to the conference?"

"Worth a shot. I doubt Asuka's run his mouth about your revival, or maybe he did."

"Or the papers."

He had considered that a political hub city such as D.C. would get a hold of international news stories, with the off chance her big event was the front page. "I know you'll fight the guards they'd send on the airship if they try to prevent you from boarding."

"Letting me do all the work? Hah." She chuckles at the thought. "They can try."

Not the level of mood shift he aimed for, but it's a start. "You don't have to tell me exactly what happened that day. Extreme measures were taken to save you?"

"That wasn't a save tactic. It was a cross between desperation and a mercy kill."

"Even more reason to confront him."

"I remember what my dying words to you were. There's no need to talk now because an apology won't suffice." Her brows furrowed, and her lips curved downward. "He's a mop-topped punching bag for all I care."

"Let it out. It's good for you. Do you want to hear a joke El and I came up with?" He mentally readied himself to say it with a straight face – what they came up with caused Elphelt to burst out cry-laughing. "Since Dizzy was referred to as the 'princess of the Gears,' that'd make you the 'queen.' You've got a laser at your disposal, and you keep blowing all of our minds, so that'd make you –"

"Don't say it."

"Akiller queen."

Taking a deep breath and exhaling, Aria failed in hiding her smile. A futile attempt at keeping her laughter in, she playfully punched his bicep. "I'm going to push you off this roof."

"I made you laugh, didn't I?"

"You got a pity laugh."

"I'll take it. Now that's the tone of voice I wanted to hear. Let's go back inside. You need to rest. There's an eight-hour gap between here and D.C., but let's leave tomorrow afternoon."

"I want to stay up here a little longer. One thing first."

"Hm?"

"That permit from earlier. Iseo. Why there of all places?"

There it is. No time passed before he began explaining. Somehow, telling her while sitting on the manor's roof felt more natural than laying down in bed with her – as if they were in their early twenties again. The closest they got to this back then was sneaking up to the one of the complex's rooftops.

"It's where I wanted to move to after everything dies down. Picture this: a beautiful valley, untouched by mankind, where everything is as nature intended. In the middle of it all is a crystal-clear lake. Think about it," he pointed at the full moon. "On a night like tonight, the moonlight reflects upon the water's surface, creating something you can't take your eyes off of."

"So, somewhere on a postcard. My god, that's bland even for you."

"Now, who's the mood killer? Yeah, somewhere scenic like that. Sounds sappy as hell, but wouldn't you say it's nice?"

"Definitely. Let's check it out after we get back?"

"It's a date. Another stop to add on our European tour."

"Of course, you'd put it like that." She giggled, offering him the left earbud for her WalkPod. Pushing the play pin, the song picked up where she paused it. What verses the vocalist sang fit today's event and her visualization.

Rather than a helping hand after a fall
Rather than gentle words,
I want you to stay by me (by me)
And believe that together we can go anywhere.

When we reach our destination
When we reach our dreams
I definitely want to be (next to you)
In the scenery reflected in your eyes.

Feeling she rested her head against his shoulder, he rested his on top of hers. He broke the silence after the song ended. "By the way, I'm sorry I read your journal. But you don't need to hope about being good enough." His following words eased her insecurities. "You're the best partner I could ask for."