Author Note: Busy right now, and next chap will respond to reviews. Remember to follow, favorite, and review!

Chapter 14

"This is fucking bullshit!"

Jack's voice echoed through the locker room as he violently threw open his locker. His hands darted aggressively through its contents, retrieving his piloting gear with urgency. Across from him, Oscar leaned nonchalantly against another set of lockers.

Unfazed by Jack's outburst, Oscar shrugged his shoulders and wrapped his arms around himself, observing Jack as he stripped and donned his armor.

"So, this doesn't bother you?" Jack snapped, refusing to turn and face Oscar, who seemed momentarily mute before parting his lips to speak.

"I don't think we have any other option," Oscar muttered.

Jack groaned in annoyance, securing his militia armor tightly around his body and pulling on his beige pants. As he continued to prepare himself, he retorted, "There is always an option."

Oscar shook his head. "I don't think we have the luxury of options, Jack," he lectured. "Suletta has a real mech, not some rinky-dink titan with mismatched limbs. We're outgunned, and Aiden is about to fight for the holder position. If he loses, he's expelled, and Jetturk takes over again."

Jack winced at the harsh reality of Oscar's words, pausing in his preparations. His fingers tightened around his clothes as he continued dressing, and then he scoffed as he spoke again, venom lacing his words. "This is Aiden's fault," he sneered, the poison palpable. "I don't know what's going on between Aiden Winters and Suletta Mercury, and honestly, I don't care that much. But Aiden's actions and motivations have been strange lately, and it's all because of her."

Oscar was ready to defend Suletta, to dismiss Jack's suspicions as unfounded. After all, the girl seemed too naive and innocent to be involved in some grand scheme. But before he could speak, he paused, and Jack's lips curled into a sly grin.

"Ah, so you see it too," Jack snarked, making Oscar turn back to him. His tone was level, and Oscar felt his breath catch in his throat at the intensity.

"Never turn away, Oscar," Jack warned, pointing his finger at him. "Never turn away from the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. That girl is trouble; there's something about her that I don't like."

Oscar hesitated, torn between defending Suletta and accepting that Jack might have a point. He knew she came from a different background on Mercury, which made her seem naive and oblivious to certain things. But there was an air of mystery surrounding her, and Jack's suspicions were beginning to take hold in his mind.

"Never turn your head away from the truth. Never turn away from the light, because that light may be the glare of the sun, or the light of the fire coming towards you," Jack spoke with a calm malevolence, his finger pointing towards the door as Oscar followed his gaze. "We do not know a damn thing about Suletta, and that is worrying to me. This isn't one of Aiden's flings; I've seen him with women before, and I know how he gets. Yet, Aiden has been acting strangely. Not once has he shown interest in the Holder position."

Oscar shrugged, but Jack's malevolence had left its mark, like fresh scars etched into his mind. He had enjoyed Suletta's company and found her interesting and fun to be around, but something about her now unsettled him.

"Now, look at us," Jack gestured around. "Our ace, Aiden Winters, came here for pilot certification and to major in music, and look at what happened. Now, he's the Holder, a possible heir and groom to a great space company. And for what?"

He raised his hand, seeking answers from above. "I've heard the stories; Guel was a prick, but Aiden is smarter than starting a fight with the Holder. Now look at us?" Jack shook his head, his features rippling with discontent. "We've dipped into the treasury, Oscar. We don't know how long we can keep fighting in this stalemate, and that is scary to me."

"I know, Jack," Oscar sighed. "I know," he repeated softly.

Jack pointed at Oscar again. "I know you," he said. "I do not know Suletta."

Oscar was about to interject, ready to defend Suletta's capabilities and the advantages she brought to the fight, but Jack's glare stopped him.

"I don't care about Suletta's robot," Jack snapped. "That will come later. What bothers me is that Aiden made a selfish decision in picking her over you."

Oscar looked down at his shoes, unsure of what to say.

"Do you not think so?" Jack questioned.

"I think, I think Aiden..." Oscar began.

Jack's narrowed eyes interrupted him, his gaze laced with crude bluntness. "I think Aiden's too fuckin' busy tryin' to get into her pants, and he made a decision based on that rather than your skillset," Jack said, not mincing his words.

Oscar stayed silent, contemplating Jack's words.

"Do you think Aiden really made this decision based on that?" Oscar finally asked.

Jack sighed, finishing with his armor as he donned his beige sweater. "I think Aiden recognized that you are a specialty class, and he wondered what would happen on the battlefield. But I would've preferred if we talked more about this course of action," Jack explained. "We've fought side by side for years, you, Aiden, Deacon, and me, in those Titans. It's a brotherhood. I don't know how Suletta fights, I don't have any history with her. Our inside plans and tactics that we've developed for years are voided now with her involvement. There's not enough time to cue Suletta in."

Oscar sighed again, feeling the weight of Jack's words. "Does it not bother you?" Jack asked.

Oscar groaned in response, fully aware of what Jack meant. "You're not a fool, Oscar," Jack lectured, his voice serious. "I see the way Aiden looks at Suletta, the way he acts around her. It's not normal, and I don't know why he's been acting so foolishly. She's a danger to him and our house."

As Jack finished donning his gear, Oscar couldn't help but inquire, "What's wrong with her mech?"

Jack's eyes narrowed, shaking his head slightly. "I don't know, but it just doesn't make sense to me. That thing was cooked up in some backwater planet like Mercury?"

Oscar was taken aback by Jack's revelation. "She..." He was about to speak, but Oscar paused.

"You never asked," Jack interrupted. "Aiden is too damn enamored by this girl that he isn't asking the right questions, and neither is anyone else. Suletta Mercury comes from some random backwater world, hardly known for anything in particular. Yet she arrives here with a multicolored mech, no sponsor, a mech that must have cost millions or billions to create. Her first action is to save Miorine Rembran, the heiress to a major spacian company. Not only that, but she interfered with Aiden, nearly getting all three of us killed in the process. She's close to this heiress, showing up in her greenhouse like they've been friends for years, and then she starts a fight with the Holder, leading to Aiden beating the crap out of Guel and a duel being issued. And then Aiden goes and reveals his psychic potential to the whole student body, leading to him becoming the groom of Miorine, potentially marrying into the richest family in the solar system."

By the end of Jack's speech, he was sweating, his eyes wide with a crazed malevolence, and Oscar realized Jack had been harboring these thoughts for a long time. He understood that Jack, like Aiden and Deacon, watched and learned, making his own decisions and holding his own opinions. It was him who defied Deacon and went with Aiden to recover the relics. His indifference wasn't a lack of opinion; he simply observed more than the others.

"I don't like Suletta Mercury," Jack reiterated as he strapped on his helmet, the blue light buzzing between them. "There are too many things about her that I dislike. Her arrival, her circumstances, everything surrounding her feels too suspicious to ignore. I don't know why Aiden is so enamored by her, but it must never threaten the house. The deal with Jetturk may have gone down the drain, but it has shown me one thing..."

As Oscar stood there, watching his friend Jack slowly fade away into the distance, his words echoed loudly in the air, resonating with a sense of urgency that gripped Oscar's heart.

"House Harmony cannot outlast House Jetturk or any other houses in this race. We need to change, to grow, or we'll be destroyed before we have a chance to turn this opportunity into something great," Jack proclaimed.

Oscar couldn't help but call out to him, seeking answers. "And what could that be, Jack? What do you believe we can turn this opportunity into?"

Jack chuckled through the vox within his mask, his voice carrying a hint of amusement as he paused and looked back at Oscar. His eyes hidden behind the mask, but Oscar could sense the faint smile in his friend's voice.

"Gold."

Suletta sat in the cockpit, her heart racing like a runaway freight train. Her fingers trembled on the controls of Aerial, her loyal mech companion. The dashboard lights flickered erratically, reflecting her inner turmoil. "Come on, Aerial," she whispered, trying to reassure the mech. "We can do this."

Meanwhile, Aiden lounged in his own cockpit, surprisingly relaxed despite the high stakes of the duel. He glanced over at Suletta through the viewfinder, admiring her determination and skill. "Hey, Suletta," he called out, his voice warm and inviting.

Suletta turned her head, her cheeks flushing slightly as she met Aiden's gaze. "Yes?" she replied nervously.

"Have you ever had pizza before?" Aiden asked with a lighthearted smile.

"Pizza?" Suletta repeated, caught off guard by the unexpected question. "Um, no, actually, I haven't."

Aiden's smile widened, sensing a chance to share a new experience with her. "No way! You're missing out. We should definitely get some pizza together after this duel. What do you say?"

Suletta blinked, surprised by Aiden's invitation. "Oh, um... sure, that sounds nice," she mumbled, feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety at the prospect.

On the other side of the hangar, Jack observed the exchange with an annoyed expression. He couldn't help but feel that Aiden's focus on Suletta was misguided. "Oi, Suletta!" he called out, his voice tinged with impatience.

Suletta turned to face Jack, feeling a bit flustered by the attention from both Aiden and Jack. "Yes?" she responded, her nerves starting to get the better of her.

"Don't mess this up," Jack advised, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her. "We're fighting for the holder position and Aiden's future, not to mention the reputation of House Harmony."

"I know," Suletta replied, trying to steady her breathing. She knew Jack had a point, and the pressure was starting to weigh on her.

The tension inside the cockpit was palpable as the duel approached, and Suletta's nerves were on edge. Her hands trembled as she gripped the controls of her mech, Aerial, her wide and alert eyes darting between the viewports. The weight of the upcoming battle weighed heavily on her, and she was desperately trying to focus on the task at hand.

Meanwhile, Aiden seemed strangely relaxed, his legs kicked up onto the cockpit with an air of casual confidence. He leaned back, hands behind his neck, exuding a calmness that irritated Jack to no end. It was as if Aiden didn't grasp the gravity of the situation or the risk they were facing. Jack's annoyance grew as he noticed Aiden's attempt to flirt with Suletta in the midst of their preparations.

"Forget Jack," Aiden said, waving off his friend's concerns in a careless wave, his voice filled with a nonchalant attitude. He could sense Jack's agitation, but Aiden kept his cool demeanor intact.

Suletta's attention was divided between her nervousness about the duel and Aerial's sporadic reactions. The mech's lights flickered with unease, mirroring Suletta's own emotions. She tried to soothe the robot, knowing that Aerial's disapproval of Aiden's advances only added to her stress.

"I've seen it in games and old recordings, but I've never had it," Suletta stammered, her curiosity momentarily breaking through her apprehension.

"Oh, that's perfect," Aiden responded with cheer, clapping his hands together, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the cockpit.

"Perfect?" Suletta questioned, her voice quivering with a mixture of curiosity and unease.

"Yeah," Aiden smirked, undeterred by the tense atmosphere. "Let me tell you a story."

Jack tightened his grip on the controls, his irritation growing with every word Aiden spoke. He watched Suletta's reactions closely, wanting to protect her from any unnecessary distractions. But he couldn't help but feel annoyed at Aiden's seemingly carefree attitude, especially when there were more important matters at hand.

"Jack and I were walking one night, I think it was after his shift," Aiden began, his casual tone not sitting well with Jack.

"Shift?" Suletta stammered, clearly unfamiliar with the term.

"Work shift," Jack snapped, his frustration evident in his voice. "Don't you know what a shift is?"

Aiden sighed, acknowledging Suletta's unfamiliarity. "Jack, she's from Mercury," he explained, seemingly unfazed by Jack's annoyance.

Jack's eyes widened, and he clenched the controls tighter, his titan responding to his building tension. He wanted to focus on the duel and their strategy, not engage in small talk or flirtation.

"Yeah, we were out smoking weed and stuff," Aiden continued, seemingly oblivious to Jack's annoyance, "and I guess on the way back, we were making our way to the academy. There's this whole shopping district, you know, because the students need stuff here. Restaurants, shops, etc. There's a lot to this campus than meets the eye."

Suletta chuckled, finding some distraction and amusement in Aiden's story. She tried to calm her nerves, appreciating the brief moment of levity before the battle.

"I can show you sometime," Aiden offered, his playful demeanor still intact.

"I-I'll take you up on that offer," Suletta replied, trying to match Aiden's lightheartedness.

"Sweet, so will that be our second date?" Aiden teased, attempting to flirt even in the midst of such a serious situation.

Aerial's lights flared up with disapproval, and Suletta's eyes darted between Aiden and her mech, trying to ease the tension between them. She was flustered, unsure of how to respond to Aiden's advances, while also keeping her focus on the duel.

"I am just playing, Suletta," Aiden reassured her with a smile, trying to ease the awkwardness. "However, let me finish the story."

Suletta nodded, grateful for the momentary distraction from her nervousness. But deep down, Jack couldn't help but feel annoyed at the whole situation. They were supposed to be preparing for the duel, not engaging in idle banter and flirtation. He knew that Aiden's intentions were probably innocent, but he couldn't shake the feeling that it was a needless distraction.

The tension in the cockpit remained, but for the moment, Suletta found herself drawn into Aiden's story, even if Jack silently wished they could focus on the upcoming battle instead.

Suletta's heart pounded in her chest as she sat inside Aerial's cockpit, her fingers trembling as she gripped the controls tight. The anticipation of the upcoming duel weighed heavily on her mind, and she couldn't help but feel nervous. Aerial's sensors flickered with sporadic lights, mirroring her own inner turmoil.

Aiden, on the other hand, seemed surprisingly relaxed as he lounged inside his mech, his legs kicked up onto the cockpit with a casual air. His hands rested behind his neck as he gazed out at the battlefield, seemingly unfazed by the impending battle. Suletta couldn't help but envy his composure, wishing she could find the same sense of calm within herself.

"Hey, Suletta," Aiden's voice broke through her thoughts, and she turned her attention to him. His cheeks were tinted with a light blush, but there was a hint of determination in his eyes. "What are you planning on doing after this, and maybe tomorrow morning as well?"

Caught off guard by the sudden change in topic, Suletta blinked in surprise. "That's specific," she responded, trying to gather her thoughts.

"Not really, anything," she stammered, her nerves causing her to stumble over her words.

Aiden nodded, seemingly undeterred by her uncertain response. "Would you like to grab some food after this is done, a little celebratory dinner?" he asked, a hopeful glint in his eyes.

Suletta's heart skipped a beat, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Sure!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement. "Sure," she repeated, this time with a softer tone, trying to temper her eagerness.

"How about you come around tomorrow morning as well," Aiden continued, his confidence growing as he spoke. "Yeah, tomorrow. I'll get Oscar and the rest of the guys together. We'll take the boat deeper into the river area, we'll go swimming and grab some food. Heck, you can even bring Miorine as well."

Suletta's nerves returned, a wave of anxiety washing over her. "That sounds great and all, but I don't know how to swim, and I didn't bring any swim clothes," she confessed, feeling a little embarrassed.

Aiden's enthusiasm remained unwavering. "So what?" he shrugged, his carefree attitude putting her at ease.

Suletta sighed, considering her options. "Maybe I can ask Miorine for something. She's been very charitable," she suggested, hoping Miorine could help her out.

Aiden nodded in agreement, his genuine concern for her well-being evident in his eyes. "Do whatever makes you comfortable, Suletta," he reassured her, making her heart flutter.

"Yeah," she nodded, grateful for his understanding. "It just is going to be kind of tight, you know, Miorine's clothes have always been tight around the chest area."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted her awkward statement. Aiden's eyes widened, and for a moment, he seemed lost in thought. Suletta blushed, quickly trying to retract her words. "I'm sorry, that was really weird," she muttered, her gaze dropping to the controls.

Aiden's mind wandered into a fantasy, an enticing daydream that took hold of his thoughts. He saw Suletta, her radiant, tanned skin glistening in the sun's warm embrace. Her every move seemed to tease him, and his thoughts fixated on the contours of her chest, just on the brink of freedom.

His daydream was interrupted by Jack's voice crackling through the radio, jolting him back to reality. "Hey, Aiden! Are you even listening?"

Aiden blinked, trying to clear his mind of the alluring vision. "Yeah, I'm here," he replied, his voice tinged with distraction.

"I was saying, let's not mess this up," Jack insisted, his annoyance evident. "We're fighting for the holder position, and you seem to be in your own world."

Aiden shook his head, trying to refocus. "Sorry, Jack. I'm just... thinking about our strategy," he lied.

Aiden waved off Suletta's apology, a playful smile dancing on his lips. "Nah, don't worry about it. Maybe you should ask Miorine for swimwear. You know, it's going to be really early, so all the shops are going to be closed and-"

"Why don't you ask that other girl from Earth House, Nika, if she's got any friends or any pairs to lend you?" Jack's voice interrupted through their radios, annoyance evident in his tone.

"Yeah!" Suletta's face lit up with gratitude for Jack's suggestion. "Thank you, Jack."

Aiden's expression contorted, torn between amusement and irritation. He chuckled, finding humor in Jack's snarky comments, but he couldn't help feeling a pang of annoyance at his friend's lack of support.

The dueling ring trembled and twisted, the arena shifting into a new battleground. "So, it's beginning," Jack stammered, his voice now tinged with glee. It had been some time since their last fight dealing with the insects, and now they faced an even greater challenge.

"You've been itching for a good fight, right, Jack?" Aiden asked, already knowing the answer.

Jack hesitated for a moment, then replied, "We come for them."

Aiden nodded, his mind focused on the upcoming battle. Suletta prepared her Aerial unit, while Aiden readied his weapon, the chainsword at his back and the plasma pistol secured along his titan's thigh. This would be a heavy and intense fight.

The dueling ring halted its shifting, settling into an urban environment, the remnants of what was once a magnificent city, now in ruins. Artificial, of course, but Aiden's mind drifted to Suletta and her aerial unit, reminding him of the place where he first saw her, the place she appeared to him in his vision.

He shook off the distraction, firmly gripping his controls, the lone eye of his titan scanning the vast wasteland before them. On the other side, Jetturk House stood with Guel Jetturk, Felsi Rollo, and an unfamiliar Joe they didn't know.

"Aiden," Jack's voice came through the vox. Aiden paused, scanning the surroundings.

The ruined city sprawled before them, rows of shattered skyscrapers and apartment complexes creating a domino effect. Cars were piled in various directions, covered in faux grass and dirt. Even artificial animals roamed the destruction.

"What should we do?" Suletta inquired, her voice filled with uncertainty.

"We advance," Aiden muttered.

Three pairs of mech legs moved through the desolate streets, each team aware that the battle had commenced, ready to do whatever it took to secure victory. Yet, Aiden couldn't shake the gnawing thought of what to do with Guel.

He pushed the thought aside, focusing on the present. Now was not the time to ponder such matters; his house needed him desperately. Aiden sighed, glancing down at Jack's titan, its chassis still bearing the unique paintjob of their house, while the Atlas and Ogre portions remained unpainted, standing out conspicuously.

He examined the gun in his hands, the PR-01 Plasma Railgun, momentarily equipped with Oscar's weapon. He had an idea of what was to come and how he would handle Jetturk's group.

As they continued moving, Suletta hesitated, "Should we just wait..."

"Meaning ambush them?" Jack interrupted with a snort. "Nah, I say we rip them to shreds and-"

Aiden stopped in his tracks, the other mechs following suit. His titan's gaze shifted to the ruins of a tall building. "What's up with you?" Jack inquired.

Aiden shrugged, "I'm going to get to higher ground, get a good range on them." His plan taking shape, he knew that elevation could give them an advantage in the upcoming confrontation.

Guel and his squad weaved through the crumbling ruins of the city, their mechs gliding gracefully over the familiar terrain. Amidst the tension of battle, they found solace in lighthearted banter, exchanging jokes and playful jabs to ease their nerves.

The trio, Guel, Felsi, and the unnamed pilot, were an inseparable unit, their seamless teamwork a testament to years spent fighting side by side. Their confidence exuded from every move, and they entered the 3v3 duel expecting an easy win.

However, Guel's instincts kicked in, and he abruptly halted their advance, seeking cover behind a half-destroyed building. The others followed, puzzled by the sudden change.

"Why the stop?" the unnamed pilot inquired, warily scanning their surroundings.

"We've got 'em right where we want 'em," Felsi chimed in, wearing a self-assured smirk.

Guel's face remained serious, his mind racing. "Something's not right," he stated, his voice tense.

Just then, a thunderous blast resounded through the ruins. Aiden's plasma railgun had struck from a concealed position, catching Felsi's mech off guard. Despite her efforts to evade, the shot tore through her mech's arm, ripping off its weapon system.

Felsi yelped in surprise, struggling to regain control. Guel quickly ordered his team to scatter and seek cover. The battle had taken an unexpected turn, and they needed to regroup and rethink their strategy.

"Take cover!" Guel commanded with authority. The unnamed pilot and Felsi scrambled to find shelter amidst the debris, their mechs darting with agility.

Guel's mind raced, analyzing the situation and anticipating Aiden's next move. Aiden had always been a formidable opponent, but now with the addition of a plasma railgun, he was even more deadly. Underestimating him would be a grave mistake.

Guel's mind whirled, failing to account for Aiden's possession of a sniper rifle.

He cautiously peeked out from behind the crumbling wall, searching for Aiden's position. Time seemed to slow as he spotted a glimmer of movement in the distance.

In a split second, Aiden's plasma railgun fired, hurtling an intense energy bolt straight towards Guel's hiding spot. Instinctively, Guel threw himself to the side with all his might. The shot whizzed past him, the searing heat grazing his mech's armor.

With his heart pounding, Guel knew he couldn't remain concealed. He had to act swiftly, or Aiden would pick them off one by one. Determined, he signaled to his squad, and they sprang into action, moving with practiced coordination.

Guel's mech darted from one cover to another, evading Aiden's relentless barrage of attacks. He moved with agility and cunning, using the debris to shield himself from the incoming fire. Despite the danger, a thrill coursed through him, the adrenaline fueling his every move.

As the battle raged on, Guel's mind raced, searching for a strategy that could give his team the upper hand against Aiden and his allies. However, his thoughts were interrupted by a booming voice that rode along the hum of the wind. "We come for you!"

Jack's titan erupted onto the scene, catching Guel and his team off guard. The impact sent debris flying in all directions, creating shockwaves that reverberated through the battlefield. Wielding Aiden's chainsword with deadly precision, Jack charged towards them with an aggressive ferocity.

The unnamed pilot bravely confronted Jack, but it quickly became evident that Jack held the advantage. Their weapons clashed violently, the sound echoing through the ruins. Jack's immense strength and skill overwhelmed the unnamed pilot, leaving his mech severely damaged and vulnerable.

Aiden felt a surge of determination witnessing the one-sided duel. He knew he had to act quickly before Jack could inflict more damage. Taking aim with his plasma railgun, Aiden fired a powerful shot that found its mark, severing the last limb of the unnamed pilot's mech. Jack took advantage of the opportunity and cleanly sliced off the mech's blade antenna, rendering it defenseless.

"I'll tear you limb from limb!" Jack's voice boomed with rage, his eyes locking onto the dueling committee's main center. "I've kept my promise, pretty boy," he snarled.

Guel's team was now reduced to three members, and the situation seemed dire. He felt concern for his fallen comrade but also a renewed determination to take down Jack and Aiden. Gritting his teeth, he rallied his squad to regroup and plan their next move.

Guel and Felsi opened fire on the now exposed Jack. He hoped that his titan's shield and Aiden's shield would provide some protection, but then he heard a voice.

"Me and Aerial will support you!" Suletta's voice echoed within his titan as the Aerial unit sprang into action, lashing out in front of him. "I don't need any…"

Before he could finish, Suletta's gun bits shot from her form, weaving gracefully through the air like birds in flight, forming an intricate and protective shield around Jack. The lasers from their opponents impacted the shield, sending sparks flying and scattering the surroundings.

"Help," Jack concluded with fatigue, grateful for Suletta's timely intervention. Her aerial unit had become a shield, providing them with a fighting chance amidst the chaos of battle.

Sweat poured down Guel's brow as he and Aiden engaged in this deadly duel. Each swing of their titans' weapons was met with skillful precision, the clash of metal filling the air like a deadly symphony. Around them, the ruined cityscape bore witness to their fierce battle, as if the very environment had come alive with tension and anticipation.

Aiden's face was a mask of determination as he relentlessly pressed the attack, his chainsword whirring with deadly intensity. Guel, equally focused, met each strike with his laser sword, the brilliant beam leaving a trail of energy in its wake. Both young men were driven by an unyielding desire to triumph, and their fighting skills were a testament to the countless battles they had fought.

Their mechs moved with an almost ethereal grace, a mesmerizing dance of combat that defied the chaos surrounding them. The sound of their weapons clashing echoed through the ruins, a symphony of danger and defiance. Each movement was fluid and calculated, as if they were engaged in a deadly game of chess, anticipating each other's next move with uncanny precision.

Aiden lunged forward with lightning speed, his chainsword slashing through the air like a deadly serpent. Guel's instincts kicked in, and he parried the blow with an expertly timed swing of his laser sword. The clash sent sparks flying, illuminating the darkness of the battlefield with bursts of light.

With a swift and agile maneuver, Aiden followed up with a rapid series of strikes, but Guel's reflexes were nothing short of remarkable. He evaded each attack with almost supernatural grace, dodging and weaving like a nimble cat, always staying one step ahead of his opponent.

The tension in the air was palpable, and even the other combatants seemed to hold their breath as they watched the deadly spectacle unfold. Guel and Aiden were like gladiators in an ancient arena, their lives hanging in the balance with each swing of their weapons.

In this moment of intense combat, all other thoughts and distractions faded away. Guel was fully present, his senses sharp and his mind focused on the task at hand. He knew that victory would require every ounce of skill and determination he possessed, and he was prepared to give it his all.

The atmosphere crackled with tension as the duel raged on, each titan a behemoth of metal and fury. Guel and Aiden, both young and fearless, fought with a relentless intensity, their determination unwavering. It was a battle for supremacy, a clash of wills and skills that had the potential to change the course of their lives.

The surrounding environment bore witness to the power of their blows. Debris and rubble flew through the air, adding to the chaos and destruction. Each move they made was calculated and deliberate, a dance of danger and defiance. The ground trembled beneath them, mirroring the fierce emotions churning within their souls.

To the untrained eye, the duel was a blur of motion and light, too fast to fully comprehend. But Guel and Aiden were fully immersed in the moment, each move a calculated step in a deadly game of chess. They knew that one wrong move could cost them everything, and they were unwilling to show any sign of weakness.

As the duel pressed on, the battlefield saw another intense confrontation. Jack and Suletta, a formidable team, faced off against the relentless Felsi. The air was electric with anticipation as they fought with skill and precision.

Suletta's Aerial unit moved with a grace that defied gravity, its gund-bits weaving through the air with fluidity and grace. They were a deadly force, evading Felsi's attacks with ease and retaliating with swift precision. Jack's titan, a combination of Monarch, Atlas, and Ogre designs, provided a shield of brute force, taking the brunt of Felsi's assaults.

The synchronicity between Suletta and Jack was uncanny, as if they were of one mind, working together seamlessly. Jack's titan absorbed the blows, allowing Suletta to position herself for a devastating counterattack. The gund-bits became a mesmerizing dance of destruction, a flurry of movement and energy that left their opponent reeling.

Felsi, however, was no pushover. She fought back with determination, attempting to outmaneuver her adversaries. But Suletta's gund-bits were a force to be reckoned with, blocking and deflecting Felsi's shots with precision and skill.

In a moment of strategic brilliance, Suletta saw her opportunity and seized it. With lightning speed and accuracy, the gund-bits latched onto Felsi's mech, tearing through its armor and leaving it vulnerable to further attacks.

The tension in the dueling ring dissipated as Suletta's triumphant strike brought down Felsi's mech. The smoke cleared, revealing the defeated opponent sprawled on the ground. Suletta's Aerial unit hovered victoriously, the gund-bits retracting with a mechanical grace. Her beam rifle targeted Felsi's blade antenna, and with a calculated shot, it was reduced to fragments.

But the battle was far from over. Guel and Aiden still clashed with the ferocity of gladiators, their titans moving in a blur of deadly blows. Each strike was met with a swift retaliation, and the sparks of their confrontation filled the air. It was a spectacle that awed and frightened, a dance of metal and mayhem.

Aiden, ever observant, noticed a subtle weakness in Guel's defense. He seized the moment, his chainsword slicing through Guel's mech's arms with the precision of a surgeon. The arms went flying, leaving Guel almost defenseless.

In that moment of victory, Aiden stood at a crossroads. He could deliver the final blow and claim absolute triumph, but something within him hesitated. Their rivalry had forged both of them into formidable pilots, and Aiden couldn't bring himself to completely destroy Guel.

With resolve, Aiden made his choice. He disarmed Guel, cleanly slicing off the blade antenna. The duel was over, but their respect and rivalry remained intact.

Cheers erupted from the sidelines as Aiden's team stood victorious. Jack and Suletta joined him, forming an unbreakable trio of skill and camaraderie. They had proven themselves worthy adversaries in the fierce 3v3 duel.

Despite the defeat, Guel bore no bitterness, accepting Aiden's victory with determination. The battlefield, now quieted, bore the scars of their epic battle.

As the sun set on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the remnants of the artificial environment, Aiden felt a sense of pride and camaraderie with his team. Their journey was far from over, and they were unaware of the darkness lurking, both within the Aerial and among those who watched them.

The dueling ring was more than just a place for combat; it was a proving ground for the strength of friendships and the depths of darkness. The true test of their mettle awaited them, and Aiden, Suletta, and Jack faced the future with determination and unity. Little did they know the sinister forces that lurked in the shadows, waiting to test their resolve.