Author Note: This chapter was pretty intense to right. There is a lot of drama, politics, and action in the end...and honestly writing Aiden's scene in the end got me feeling kind of sad. However, where on chapter 40, and this chapter is pretty good in my opinion. I hope you guys enjoy and if you like drop a review, comment, etc I would love to hear your thoughts. Hope you guys stick around for the next one! Stay safe!

Reivews

EmeraldMage: Yeah, fuck Parker. Guy doesen't even have a face lol, but I wanted to link up the first guy that gets his ass kicked in the anime and reuse him. He is kind of a stepping stool towards Aiden's further development, but he is entertaining and I can't wait to write the next chapter which is going to be action packed to hell! Yeah, I don't get it why the anime didn't fully commit to Shaddiq liking Miorine, it is very obvious, but having him say it is different than having it implied. Lowkey, the love interest in Witch are interesting and can be at times confusing. Also, yeah, there had to be a part in which Aiden and the rest get called out for there kind of childish desire to get Miorine to Earth, and more on that later. We've...I kind of realized that this fic may be longer than 40-60 chapters. Maybe, a bit longer. I know that it's long but I really want to finish the fic and give the neccesary love neccesary to create a captivating story. Like I said before, I was greatly disatisfed with Witch...and when I went onto /Wattpad looking for something a bit better. A male love interest, a more focused politcal part, and maybe a more UC conventional shift...I didn't really find that. I don't want to disrespect other WFM stories but there aren't many that are doing what I am doing. I read this fic before for a small fandom and it was specfically what I wanted and more, but it was the only one and even COMPLETED. Maybe, that's another reason why I am doing this...because I know there are people who are disatisfied and that they feel the same enjoyment from reading this fic from watching the anime. I wanted to make the characters have more agency, and we haven't even delved into the Earth House Characters and Shaddiq's girls, it's going to start getting messy and all this build up is going to lead somewhere. I can't wait to write the end of season 1! But I do want to state that Shaddiq is a vilalin/antagonist, and I can't wait to start writing more about him in the coming chapters because after chapter 41/42 he is going to be the main focus, then we've got the last two epiosdes then THATS A WRAP FOR SEASON 1! - However, I do want to state Aiden's character. When I was writing him in this scene, he wasen't meant to be right or wrong, kind of both actually. While Aiden is wrong with the fact that he isn't really thinking about the long term events in the future, Shaddiq is also in the wrong. Shaddiq was basically trying to buy Miorine off of Aiden, and that is where the conflict comes from. When writing Aiden I realized something...Guel and Aiden are both hot headed, Elan and Aiden can both be introspective and struggle with speaking, and both Delling and Aiden have bouts of Authortarian Militarization and military past that have led them to where they are. However...what sets Aiden apart from Shaddiq and the rest, is the fact that he's not going to compromise Miorine's freedom. Under any circumstances...Shaddiq offered him the world, and he spat in his face, it's not stupid but rather a scene of willpower. While he may have problems with her, Aiden will NEVER betray her, I think I brought this up in one of the fics in how Aiden views Suletta. While Miorine thinks this is a Suletta exclusive thing, the 'I love Miorine' scene that Aiden has is more friend like. The issue is that Aiden and Miorine struggle to understand each other. I know that this is a bit of rambling but these were just thoughts that generated from reading your review. Honestly, if you weren't reviewing I'd probably still be on chapter 12 on this thing and maybe doing another project, but you've kept me going and I apericite it. We're going to reach this finish line and I hope you enjoy this ending!

Best Regards,

The Author

Chapter 40 - Forgive me, Suletta

Oscar

Deacon's car skidded to a halt in the desolate parking lot of the hospital, the tires crunching on the snow like bones breaking underfoot. The wind howled, a banshee's wail, and the flurries of snow danced madly in the air, making it nearly impossible to see. Oscar gripped the wheel tighter, knowing that tonight he wouldn't sleep if he didn't at least try.

"Can you please, for like the third time, get your foot off the dash?" Oscar's voice was tight with frustration as he glanced at Cecilia in the passenger seat. "I know it's not really Deke's car, but come on, Cecilia."

Cecilia yawned, stretching like a cat before grudgingly complying. She sighed heavily, her breath fogging up the window. "Okay, what do you think going here is going to do in finding my Jackie?" she asked, her voice tinged with doubt.

Oscar shrugged, his shoulders heavy with uncertainty. "I don't know, but this was the last place I saw Jack in person. I honestly don't see any harm in asking to see the security footage."

"Didn't Winter's come asking before?" Cecilia questioned, her eyes narrowing.

Oscar rolled his eyes. "Aiden has a special way of asking for things that are important. Sometimes, he'll rein himself in... I don't think he reined himself in this time around," he sighed deeply, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "Sometimes, he can be difficult to work with."

Cecilia nodded, her gaze drifting through the snow-obscured windshield. "Do you really think we're going to find something?" she asked softly.

Oscar shrugged again, the motion almost mechanical. "I don't know, Cecilia. This is the first step, and for all we know, Jack will come back tomorrow, fit as a fiddle. But I just don't like how long he's been gone, and things around here have been very strange. And that phone call you had..."

She nodded, her expression troubled. "...but you said before that Aiden came here?"

Oscar nodded. "Yep, he lost his data knife. It's a strong piece of technology that the Militia made during the war," he paused, his eyes reflecting a distant memory. "Now, it's practically an artifact. More can't be made."

"What does it do?" she asked, curiosity piqued.

"Well, it's first a knife, but its second mode is data collection," Oscar explained, raising a finger and pointing it at the shut-off radio.

"Data collection?" she repeated, eyes widening.

Oscar nodded, his finger tracing the outline of the console. "It's a combat knife, but there's a segment in it that, if you flick the button and stab the blade into a console, it will rip whatever information the console has. Aiden used it when we attacked that insect vessel. It looks small, but that thing could download and hold data that would make your eyes widen in surprise."

Cecilia's eyes widened at that. "Sounds like a pretty impressive piece of hardware," she commented.

"More than you know," Oscar replied, as he and Cecilia exited the car. They were on the first floor of a sprawling parking garage, the edges dusted with clinging snow. The air was biting, and their footsteps echoed in the cold emptiness. They trudged through the biting wind until they stood before the hospital doors and stepped inside.

The hospital lobby was nearly deserted, save for a lone male receptionist hunched over his computer. Oscar and Cecilia approached the front desk, their eyes darting around the sterile, dimly lit surroundings.

"What is the issue?" the man asked, not even glancing up from his screen as the ferrous tappings of the keyboard filled the silence.

"We're not sick or anything," Oscar replied.

The man paused and shot them a confused look. "Yet, you are at a hospital?"

Cecilia sighed, closing her eyes. When she opened them, a wide, eager smirk spread across her face, and her blue eyes twinkled mischievously. She leaned across the desk, and Oscar watched as the receptionist's cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson. He knew she had him hooked.

It took less than five minutes for the man to get up and start searching through the old data stored in the room behind him.

"Whoa, now that's a skill," Oscar remarked.

Cecilia bore a smug smirk. "Men are just so easy at times," she said. "I didn't even do anything except compliment his position, tell him how important he is to the Academy, and hook, line, and sinker."

The display nearly made Oscar want to laugh.

"A feminine touch does come in handy," Cecilia said. "You Harmony boys would do best to remember that."

"Oh, we will," Oscar replied sarcastically, waving her off. Just then, the young receptionist returned, a wide smirk aimed at Cecilia. He sat back down and plugged the drive into his computer.

"It was a couple of weeks ago, right?" the man asked.

"Confirmed," Oscar flatly stated, his voice steady as he leaned over the desk. Cecilia stood beside him, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as the man took hold of his mouse. The recording displayed the entire day, and the man began to fast-forward through the footage.

They watched the steady stream of people coming and going, the passage of time marked by the changing light and the shadows creeping across the floor. Hours flickered by in a blur until, finally, the late hours of the night approached.

"Stop!" Cecilia shouted, perhaps a bit too loud, but the man heeded her command. They paused as the scene on the screen froze.

"Holy shit," Oscar muttered, his eyes wide with recognition. "That's him."

The camera captured Jack's back, but his height and build were unmistakable. A different receptionist, a woman, was at the desk. "Continue, but normal speed," Oscar ordered. The man's expression soured at being told what to do by Oscar.

Cecilia moved a bit closer to Oscar, her smile disarming. "Can you please, mister?" she asked sweetly.

The man practically melted, smiling as he complied with her request.

"Too easy," Cecilia muttered with a chuckle into Oscar's ear.

They watched intently as Jack motioned with his hands, the silent gestures conveying urgency. "There's no sound?" Oscar asked.

The man shook his head. "This is the best you're going to get," he stated flatly. "It's a miracle we even had the footage. Usually, Debra wipes these after a bit."

Oscar shook his head, relieved he had called Cecilia for help. Sure, he had considered asking Aiden and Deacon, but he wasn't a fool. There was something very fishy about Prospera Mercury. Deacon was starting to rebuild his life, which was good—he was even now with Nika—and Aiden and Suletta were doing just as well.

But Oscar had seen firsthand Aiden Winters' denial. While he trusted Aiden, he knew that approaching him without solid proof against Prospera would only lead to further denial.

Their eyes widened as the woman on the screen handed Jack a box. "What is that?" Oscar questioned.

"That's the box we use to store patients' personal belongings," the man raised an eyebrow. "Your friend wasn't a patient here, but it looks like he was getting stuff from...," he trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air.

The man spoke as they watched the recording, his voice a distant hum. On the screen, the woman turned away, and Cecilia and Oscar both witnessed, wide-eyed with horror, as Jack swiftly grabbed the data knife and slipped it into his pocket.

That was all they needed to see.

"Thank you for all the help, Kevin!" Cecilia cheered as they walked through the automatic doors.

The young receptionist wore a wild smile, his cheeks still red with blush as Oscar and Cecilia made their way back to the car. As Cecilia's voice faded, so did her smile and liveliness, her expression swiftly overtaken by fatigue. Her hands, bare and cold, went up to shield her face.

The earlier Cecilia was gone. Now, this remained.

"Oh my God, Oscar," Cecilia said, her voice breaking as they leaned into their seats within the car. Her face was buried in her hands, while Oscar's eyes stared through the frost on the windshield.

Cecilia's breathing grew heavy, almost as if she was about to hyperventilate.

Oscar sighed heavily. "Cecilia, right now isn't the time to panic."

Fury ignited in her eyes as she wrenched her gaze towards him. "Are you being serious right now?" she snapped. "You had that whole talk about the data knife. Why did Jack take Aiden's knife, and where the hell is he?"

Oscar continued to stare through the windows. "All I'm saying is that we obviously don't know anything yet. I'm going to be honest, Deacon told me that Prospera had Jack on a mission, and maybe he—"

Cecilia shot him a look that could pierce steel. "You said how important that knife was, and I know my Jackie…he would've said something," she paused, wrapping her arms around herself as tears threatened to spill. "He's gone, Oscar. Am I the only one feeling this way?"

Oscar finally turned to her. "Don't say that. Jack is a tough bastard. He and Aiden were handpicked to be trained under one of the greatest heroes the militia ever knew, Jack Cooper," he paused, jabbing his finger into the console of the car. "I don't know where Jack is, but I doubt it's in a shallow grave."

Silence fell between them, heavy and suffocating. Both were confused about their next steps, and honestly, Oscar hadn't believed they would find anything tonight. But now, they knew that after their talk of Prospera, Jack had gone somewhere—somewhere he would need to collect a lot of data.

The question was, where had he gone, and why?

Oscar brought his fingers to his chin, mulling over the possibilities. "Where?" he muttered to himself, the question lingering in the cold air. Where would Jack need to go that required collecting a lot of data? A military installation, perhaps, or a mech production plant, or possibly...

Yet, he shook his head, dispelling the swirling thoughts. "One thing is for certain," Oscar stated, catching Cecilia's attention.

She turned to him, her eyes sharp and expectant.

"Jack was heading somewhere of high importance, a place where he needed that knife. This means I doubt Prospera is being honest about the mission she sent him on… or even if there was a mission at all."

Cecilia opened her mouth to respond, but a buzzing interrupted them. Oscar's eyes widened as he dug into his pocket and pulled out his phone. An unknown number flashed on the screen.

"Hello?" Oscar answered tentatively. His expression shifted rapidly to one of alertness.

"Nuno?" he began. "How the heck did you get my… Gund-Arm emails, Miorine already has company emails, okay, but…" His eyes widened further. "I'll be there right away!"

Oscar slammed the ignition key into the car, the engine roaring to life. He sped out of the parking lot, tires screeching on the icy pavement. Cecilia struggled to buckle her seatbelt, the snap of the clasp drowned out by the car's acceleration.

"What are you doing?" she shouted. "You're driving like a maniac!"

Her words were cut off as Oscar barked out, "Aiden's got himself in some hot shit! Nuno says Aiden got himself involved in another fight to the death, and that bastard is playing dirty… he's bringing a whole squad to deal with Aiden."

The urgency in Oscar's voice hung in the air, a palpable tension that made Cecilia's heart race. The night outside the car seemed to close in around them, the snow falling heavier, the darkness deeper, as they sped towards an uncertain and dangerous confrontation.

Nika

"Oh my God, it's always my room," Deacon exclaimed, his frustration palpable as he furiously banged the side of his TV.

Nika sighed, exasperated but amused. "Deacon, it's not your TV; it's the Wi-Fi," she pointed out, chuckling softly. "You boys just love brute-forcing everything, don't you?"

Deke's face turned a swift crimson, and he gently set down the remote, ceasing his assault on the television. "Um...yeah," he mumbled, flustered as he towered over her.

They had come back to his room, and this wasn't the first time she'd been there. They had worked on a group project for class before, but Deacon's room was barebones, smaller than everyone else's, with an almost Spartan simplicity.

The room was half the size of the others, its walls painted a utilitarian white adorned with sparse movie posters from days gone by. A long desk formed an L-shape, cluttered with homework and anchored by a computer rig boasting three monitors.

"Why did you pick the smallest room again?" Nika quipped, her tone light with teasing.

Deacon shrugged, a casual gesture belied by the weight of his words. "I picked the smallest stick," he replied absentmindedly.

Nika found herself laughing harder than she expected, though she couldn't quite put her finger on why.

"What are you laughing at?" Deacon responded, mockingly annoyed. "For your information, I may have the smallest room…but you know the bed you're on is a water bed."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "No," she exclaimed.

"Believe it," Deacon said smugly, wrapping his arms around himself with pride. "You should've seen Jack when he found out about it, demanding a redo. Fair is fair."

Nika's gaze drifted to the bed, her fingers grazing what she thought was the mattress. But instead, she discovered something unexpected, and her smile widened.

"You guys always do things extra," she remarked, her mind working like clockwork as she surveyed the bed.

Deacon watched her, trying to contain his admiration. She had shed her boots and coat, revealing a sweater the same color as her eyes and long sweatpants. To him, she looked beautiful.

"So, how do you get comfortable on this thing?" Nika questioned, her tone playful. "Feels sloshy and stuff…"

"Sloshy and stuff? I know you ain't disrespecting my bed," Deacon replied, feigning offense.

But Nika persisted, her voice laced with sarcasm and a flicker of something more. "You know… you can come up here and join me, like, show me how to get comfortable?"

Deacon fell silent at her words, his thoughts churning as Nika turned to face him, her vibrant blue locks swirling around her face in the dim light of the room. "It's like you said…the storm probably knocked out the Wi-Fi in your room, we…we can figure out something to do," she suggested gently.

"Y-yeah," Deacon stuttered, taking a seat beside her on the bed. The mattress shifted beneath them, a soft sway in the stillness of the room.

Nika slowly lowered herself onto one of his pillows, her hair cascading like a waterfall over the fabric. Deacon settled beside her, his heart pounding so fiercely he could hear it in his ears.

This was the closest they had ever been... Sure, they had shared hugs and held each other, but this felt different.

"Deke…" Nika's voice broke the silence, and Deacon turned to her, his eyes widening at the sight of her tears streaming down her cheeks. She brought her elbow up to shield her face, but Deacon's mind was ablaze with self-doubt and concern.

His thoughts raced. "What did I do? Did I push too hard? Did I make her uncomfortable? Does she think I'm going to hurt her? Damn it, Aiden, why did you tell me to invite her here so soon? It's only been a few weeks or a month since we got together…"

"I'm sorry, Deke," Nika murmured, her voice laced with anguish as she struggled to wipe away her tears. "I'm a mess, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" Her sobs grew louder, echoing in the small room as she curled into herself, turning away from him.

Deacon rose from the bed, feeling a surge of warmth and compassion. Nika's eyes widened as she felt something soft drape over her, and she turned to see Deacon sitting at the edge of the bed, his gaze gentle yet troubled.

"T-thank you, for the towel," she whispered, her eyes fixed on his back.

"It's fine, seriously," Deacon replied softly, his own mind swirling with worry and uncertainty.

He feared that this, like the incident earlier in the year, might drive a wedge between them, undoing all the progress they had made.

Nika, still clutching the towel, sat upright, pulling her legs close to her chest. "I-I…really mess things up, don't I?" she questioned, her voice laden with self-doubt.

Deacon's eyes widened, his attention snapping to her. "No, Nika, what are you on about?" he interjected, moving closer to her. "Can…I come closer to talk to you, and…"

"God!" Nika screamed, frustration seeping through her words as she struck her head with her hand. "I am such an idiot!" Her voice reverberated within the confines of the room.

"Hey, hey, don't do that…don't hit yourself," Deacon urged, his tone firm yet gentle.

"No, I am an idiot," Nika continued bitterly. "Now, you're asking for my opinion if you can get close to me. Of course you can, Deke. I am the crazy one that ruined the moment hitting themselves and crying like a lunatic, especially with the way I treated you."

Deacon fell silent, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "Y-you treat me pretty well," he chuckled awkwardly, but Nika remained solemn.

Nika's breath came out in heavy bursts. "Deke, I am just…I left you for so long, and I know that all these moments of happiness wouldn't have come if I hesitated," she confessed. "Deacon, I like you a lot."

The confession elicited a wide grin from Deacon. "I like you…"

"Deacon, I am stuck," Nika stated abruptly. "I am stuck, very stuck, and I do not know how to get out of this."

"Stuck, how?" Deacon inquired.

Nika gazed at him, her eyes widening before softening. "Y-you're very sweet, Deacon. I should've…I should've talked to you instead of just icing you like that."

Deacon fell silent, considering her words. "I-I can understand that you probably had a good reason to…"

But Nika rose to her feet, her gaze fixed on Deacon's walls. "We all have our secrets, Deacon. You, Aiden, and the rest, at the very least, live by your ideals, unflinchingly. Me, I am just a coward that can't do anything."

Deacon approached her, circling to her side, and she looked at him with widened eyes as he placed both arms on her shoulders. "You are not a coward," he asserted firmly. "You don't remember, but I was watching you when Suletta first came…you defended her against those two Spacien bitches."

Nika turned away, her lips pursing. "I-I didn't realize you were watching that," she murmured.

Deacon sighed, a smile playing on his lips. "You are wonderful to your friends, you care greatly about your housemates, and you are a talented mechanic. You are brave…some Earthian girl standing up for someone she's never met. You're beautiful."

Nika's eyes widened at that, feeling herself going limp within his arms.

"Deacon," she spoke his name heavily. "I am stuck."

"So, let me help you get unstuck," Deacon began earnestly. "Just say the word, I won't judge you, but please do not suffer in silence."

Nika met his gaze, her blue eyes shimmering as she looked at him.

"You really like me, don't you?" she asked him, her tone shy and soft.

Deacon chuckled softly, brushing away a strand of her blue-black hair as he stared into the depths of her blue eyes. "Ever since I saw you in that crappy psyche class," he confessed.

Nika gazed at him, her cheeks flushing crimson. "Y-you aren't afraid to touch me now?" she queried.

Deacon grew awkward again. "Nika, you were crying, I don't…"

But Nika closed the distance, kneeling on the bed so they could meet eye to eye, though she still felt the difference in their heights.

"The shy Deke is okay, but I like the Deke that isn't afraid to act…you're the leader, aren't you?" she observed, her lips pursed and her eyes narrowed.

That sparked something within Deacon, and he acted on impulse, cupping her cheek with both hands. Nika, wide-eyed, relaxed into the kiss after a moment, her hands finding purchase on his back as Deacon tenderly stroked her cheek. A moment passed, a moment that would stay etched in their memories, before Deacon pulled away.

"Now, are you ready to tell me what is bothering you?" Deacon inquired, his smile tinged with a rosy hue.

Nika chuckled, feeling light and bubbly in her stomach. Whatever had been chaining her seemed to release its grip, and now she was cradled by the person she cared for most in the world in that moment.

Feeling safe, she searched his eyes and knew that Deacon could protect her. "Shaddiq, he, he…,"

Deacon's eyes burned with intensity. "Shaddiq?" he questioned. "What is Shaddiq trying to…,"

Nika sighed heavily. "It's not like we were anything, but we had business together, actual business Deacon. I worked as a go-between between Shaddiq and…,"

Deacon's phone buzzed in his pocket, and he swiftly silenced the call. "Who's that?" Nika asked.

"Oscar, but it doesn't matter," Deacon stated, tossing the phone aside. "What is this about you and Shaddiq being in business together?"

Nika sighed, gathering her thoughts. "I just wanted to help Spaciens and Earthians come together again. Deacon, we're all connected. Sure, you guys may be from Harmony stock, but our ancestors descended from Earth…why would we abandon our birthplace?"

Deacon was about to respond when the phone rang again.

"I didn't want it to come to this, Deacon. I swear, I had no idea what Shaddiq and Dawn of Fold were planning, I…," Nika continued.

"Dawn of Fold?" Deacon's eyes widened in alarm. "Isn't that a terrorist organization that hates Spaciens and…,"

The phone rang once more, text messages flooding Deacon's screen. Nika noticed it too.

"Deacon, it's Oscar and it seems important," Nika said urgently.

Deacon shook his head. "This is just as important, more so, if Shaddiq is trying to blackmail you Nika then…,"

Another call, this time from Cecilia, lit up his screen. Nika's eyes widened.

"Deacon, something feels very wrong," she pressed. "I get that you care, but you still are President of House Harmony."

Deacon shot Nika a look, then glanced at his phone, and back to Nika.

"I am going to see what this is about, if it isn't anything crazy, I'll send Aiden to deal with it," he decided. "But don't think you're out of this yet," he added, his tone firm. "Nika, I am going to help you, I promise."

Nika nodded, wiping away her tears.

Deacon took the phone and spoke into it. "Cecilia, what's…,"

Nika observed Deacon's expression as he spoke, her senses tuned to his urgency, Cecilia's voice a distant hum in the background, its urgency echoing through the room. "Yeah, I am at Harmony House…no…I haven't seen Aiden in hours, he did what, the fuck there is ten of them, Shaddiq doesn't even know. Fuck that, we're heading out, tell Oscar to get into his Northstar, we're taking the Transport to get there quicker!"

Deacon ended the call, his actions a flurry of determination. Nika's eyes flashed with concern. "Is everything…," she started.

"No, it isn't…Aiden somehow got himself involved in an illegal duel practically, Shaddiq isn't even doing anything about it for some fucking reason," Deacon's tone was sharp, his thoughts consumed by the plight of the other blond-haired boy. "I thought that fuck was chill," Deacon muttered. "Looks like all Spaciens are the same."

He shrugged into his jacket and slipped on his shoes, his gaze piercing Nika's. "Nika, call Suletta…I know that Prospera armed our transport with some mechs, but I have been so busy that I never cared to really check like that…so Oscar and his Northstar are all we've got," he instructed, his urgency palpable. "This is a duel to the death, Aiden, that damned fool is fighting in a titan against ten other enemies!"

Nika's eyes widened in shock. "How did he get that titan?" she asked. "Didn't he lose his…,"

Deacon scoffed. "He probably took Jack's from storage, it's the last Titan that we've got left, the others…"

Nika sighed, her mind racing with possibilities. "Maybe, Aiden can…,"

Deacon cut her off with a shake of his head. "Aiden is a talented pilot, no doubt. But in a test of skill between Aiden and Guel, he came out victorious because of skill; he won against Elan because we modified the hell out of his titan to the point where it wasn't even considered a titan anymore. This is a first-generation titan…against a mass-produced line, probably in the third to fifth generation. Aiden may be skilled, but he isn't invincible."

His gaze turned steely as he glanced out the window. "The hell are you planning, Aiden?" he muttered, his thoughts a whirlwind of concern and frustration. "Oaths are oaths…but the time of the titans has come and gone."

Deacon prepared to leave, but before he did, he pivoted back to Nika. "Call Suletta," he instructed firmly. "We're going to need everything we have for this one."

Aiden

"Fuck you, motherfucker!" Aiden's enraged scream reverberated from within his titan, the monstrous machine looming over the battlefield like a vengeful god. His adversary, the unfortunate pilot dragged into the fray by Parker, wriggled helplessly within the cockpit of the TKG-328 Kapell-Kuu as Aiden's titan's massive fist crashed into its side.

The titan crumpled under Aiden's fury. "You call these mechs!" he bellowed, his voice a thunderous roar. Maneuvering his titan closer, he leaped forward, crushing the Kuu's legs beneath his colossal machine's weight. With a savage roar, he brought his machine gun down upon the doomed titan. "This is how true mobile suits fight!" he declared as he unleashed a storm of bullets, tearing through metal and flesh alike.

Using his thrusters to retreat, Aiden faced the onslaught of two more Kuu's rushing to engage him. With lightning reflexes, he dodged the first swing of a heat sword and evaded the beam gun's deadly blast. His movements were swift and precise, a testament to his years of combat experience.

Meanwhile, Parker's lackeys had breached the dueling ring's defenses, hacking into the mainframe with malicious intent. Strange as it was, Shaddiq's absence or indifference did little to deter Aiden's wrath. If anything, it fueled his determination to mete out justice.

As chaos reigned, a feminine voice pierced through the commotion, lamenting the loss of a comrade. Aiden's breath came heavy as he loaded another magazine into his gun, his senses heightened, his focus unwavering.

Glancing at the opposing forces, Aiden smirked. "Ah, you can't find me," he muttered, plotting his next move. His arsenal was formidable, but the sight of the damage to his titan gave him pause. Exposed wires and shattered plating marred the once-imposing machine—Jack's titan.

"Fuck, Jack is going to kill me if I scrap his titan," Aiden muttered, the weight of responsibility heavy upon him. Yet, even as he grappled with his predicament, his resolve remained unshaken.

"That fucking mutant!" another voice spat, the anger palpable. Aiden's gaze flickered across the battlefield, considering his options. His chain gun and chain sword stood ready, but the damage to his mech served as a stark reminder of the peril he faced.

In the whirlwind of battle, Aiden's thoughts raced, colliding with the weight of Prospera's promises and the echoes of ancient oaths. But in this shifting universe, could such pledges hold fast, or were they naught but the fantasies of children who dared to dream?

Suddenly, the crackle of the radio pierced the air, a lifeline to the outside world in the midst of chaos. Aiden hesitated, his eyes widening at the unexpected connection. Perhaps it was Parker, that insufferable prick, attempting some misguided ploy. Yet, the voices that emanated from the speakers were not the ones he expected.

"Um, who is this?" Aiden ventured cautiously, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he listened to the banter unfolding.

"Pass me the mic, Nuno," came the urgent plea, followed by a frustrated sigh. "We're talking about serious matters here, not playing games. We need to handle the situation with the Holder and Gund-Arm," the voice insisted.

Aiden's brow furrowed, skepticism coloring his features. "Okay," he relented, his tone commanding attention. "Who are you, and how did you manage to connect to my titan?"

The response came swiftly, accompanied by an air of casual confidence that belied the gravity of the situation. "I'm Nuno, and this is Ojelo. We're from Earth House, just out for a stroll," Nuno explained, his words laced with an easygoing demeanor that bordered on nonchalance.

But Aiden sensed something amiss beneath their relaxed façade, a nagging suspicion that refused to be ignored. "Listen, we received a distress call from Nika about what's going on. Harmony, Earth, it's all Gund-Arm territory, and..." Ojelo's voice trailed off, interrupted by Aiden's brash interjection.

"No need to worry, I've got this under control," Aiden boasted, his arrogance palpable even over the radio waves.

Nuno exchanged a knowing glance with Ojelo, an unspoken acknowledgment passing between them. "This guy's pride knows no bounds," Nuno muttered, his frustration evident.

But Ojelo remained undeterred, his voice infused with sincerity as he pleaded, "We only want to help, Aiden. Nuno and I are experienced handlers, and we can provide support. We've guided Chu Chu through countless trials, and we can..."

Aiden shook his head resolutely, cutting off Ojelo mid-sentence. "This isn't a test or an exam, guys. I appreciate the offer, but I can handle it," he asserted, his resolve unyielding.

Nuno scoffed, his exasperation bubbling to the surface. "This is absurd. It's a fight to the death, and he's outnumbered ten to one," he remarked incredulously, casting a disbelieving glance at Ojelo.

Ojelo's patience wore thin as he rebuked his companion. "Enough, Nuno. Aiden, please, just listen to what we have to say..."

"Winters, 10 o'clock!" The urgent cry pierced the chaos, snapping Aiden's attention to the imminent threat lurking in the shadows. Through the haze of battle, he caught sight of the Kuu, concealed within the shelter of a building, its ominous beam rifle trained on him. With lightning reflexes, Aiden maneuvered his titan, narrowly dodging the deadly onslaught as the beam grazed the air behind him, leaving destruction in its wake.

"Thanks!" Aiden bellowed his gratitude, unleashing a barrage of return fire into the looming structure before him. Adrenaline surged through his veins as he sprinted forward, acutely aware of the looming danger hot on his heels, a relentless pursuit closing in from all sides.

Amidst the chaos, the rhythmic tapping of keys echoed through the air, accompanied by Nuno's steady voice guiding him through the digital labyrinth. "I've got the whole map downloaded and connected to my laptop," Nuno's voice rang out, a beacon of guidance in the darkness. "I can't see them, but I can see you…dip and cut through the alleyway and make a left!"

Aiden hesitated for a fleeting moment, grappling with uncertainty, before relenting to the guidance of his unseen allies. With determination etched into his features, he followed their instructions, navigating the labyrinthine streets with unwavering resolve. Yet, as he emerged from the shadows, he was met with a sight that defied comprehension.

"What in the world?" Aiden muttered under his breath, his incredulity mirrored by the throngs of onlookers who had emerged from their dorms to bear witness to the spectacle unfolding before them. Despite the biting cold and swirling snow, they had been drawn by a primal curiosity, compelled to witness the duel that had captured the collective imagination of the academy.

Nika, too, stood among them, her gaze fixed upon the glitch-ridden arena with a mixture of awe and trepidation. As the surreal tableau unfolded before her, she voiced the question that lingered in the minds of all who bore witness to the strange phenomenon.

"What is going on?" Her voice crackled over the radio, a beacon of reason amid the chaos.

Nuno's response dripped with disdain as he delivered the grim truth. "They did a shitty job hacking into the ring," he declared, his words laced with contempt. "There are protocols and protections...they just bypassed them, so now the ring is acting up and…"

Ojelo seized the mic as Aiden's titan thundered through the gate, a behemoth amidst the maze of towering apartment complexes. Aiden's fingers danced over the controls, his senses attuned to the subtle warnings echoing through the cockpit. But before he could react, Ojelo's voice pierced the cacophony, a herald of impending danger.

"Aiden, above you!" Ojelo's warning rang out, a stark reminder of the relentless peril lurking in the shadows. With lethal precision, the sniper descended, his heat bayonet poised to strike.

"Die!" The female pilot's cry tore through the chaos, but Aiden was swifter, his movements a blur as he raised his chaingun to meet the onslaught of laser fire. The world erupted in a symphony of violence, the air thick with the stench of burning metal and searing flesh.

"Shit!" Aiden's anguished howl reverberated through the cockpit as the onslaught took its toll, rending through his titan's frame with ruthless efficiency. Yet, amidst the chaos, Aiden found his mark, his relentless barrage finding purchase in the heart of the enemy.

The girl's machine convulsed and fell, a twisted husk amidst the wreckage, her screams lost in the inferno that consumed her. But there was no respite, no moment of reprieve, as the remaining adversaries closed in with murderous intent.

"Die abomination!" The male pilot's voice was a snarl of hatred as he charged, his weapon gleaming with deadly purpose. Aiden braced himself for the onslaught, his movements sluggish, his titan's limbs protesting with each agonizing step.

With a desperate gambit, Aiden hurled his chaingun at the advancing mech, a blaze of fire engulfing the assailant in a maelstrom of destruction. But the fury of battle showed no mercy, as Aiden's chainsword clashed with the female pilot's heat sword in a savage dance of death.

"I…I just wanted a c-allsign of my…," The pilot's words were lost amidst the roar of the explosion, her fate sealed in the fiery embrace of oblivion.

"Damn you, this one is for Carter!" The female pilot's cry echoed through the chaos, her resolve unyielding as she closed in for the kill. But Aiden was a force of nature, his blows raining down with relentless fury, each strike a testament to his indomitable will.

"Damn you!" Her voice was a symphony of rage and despair as their swords clashed in a deadly embrace. But Aiden remained steadfast, his defiance unbroken, a solitary beacon of resistance amidst the gathering storm.

Aiden had no time for banter, no room for jests; this was a deadly duel, and every move mattered. With lightning reflexes, he dodged the oncoming blade, then pivoted, meeting her sword with a resounding clash.

She hadn't anticipated his maneuver, her block merely a reflex. Aiden seized the opening, driving his blade with both hands, cleaving through cockpit and mech alike. She fell, silent in death.

Breath came heavy and labored as Aiden surveyed his titan's status, his eyes widening in disbelief as every limb glowed crimson. Flexing his right arm, he felt the strain in the joints, the mechanical sinews stretched to their limit.

"Shit, how can I…," Aiden's voice trailed off, his gaze scanning the cityscape as reality itself seemed to warp and waver. Buildings flickered in and out of existence, the dueling arena reshaping before his eyes.

Aiden's confidence waned, replaced by a gnawing worry. Half his adversaries lay vanquished, yet Parker and the others remained. His chaingun lost, his titan critically damaged—barely holding together by some miraculous thread.

"Where the hell is Shaddiq?" Ojelo's voice cut through the chaos, a note of desperation tinging his words.

Nuno's retort was sharp. "And where's Rembran? They have to know about this. Remember when the police came for Suletta and the Aerial…where are they now?"

Aiden's thoughts turned to Shaddiq, to Delling, their earlier conversation echoing in his mind. Delling respected strength, and Aiden had unwittingly unleashed chaos in his duel with Elan. But was it mere coincidence that Shaddiq had approached him, only for Aiden to be thrust into this deadly confrontation?

Aiden's eyes widened with realization. Shaddiq was cunning, cunning enough to exploit their history, their oaths. He knew Aiden's strength, but also his vulnerability in facing multiple adversaries, especially in outdated machinery.

It wasn't chance—it was strategy. And Aiden was caught in the midst of Shaddiq's calculated machinations.

"So that's how it is, Shaddiq," Aiden's voice dripped with dark amusement. "Too scared to face me one-on-one, huh? Sending your lackeys to do your dirty work, while you sit back and watch. Classic move from a coward like you. And I bet Parker doesn't have a clue you're using his goons for this little scheme. What a piece of work."

As Aiden spat out his accusations, the arena erupted in blinding light, swirling winds whipping up sand—sand?

Aiden scanned the desert landscape, realizing he was no longer alone. "Hiya, Winters," Parker's voice crackled over the radio, and Aiden's gaze fell on the five Kuu's surrounding him.

His eyes widened as he assessed the situation. Each Kuu, armed to the teeth with heat swords and shields or aiming laser rifles, was a formidable adversary. There was no distinguishing Parker from the rest, but it hardly mattered. They were all gunning for him.

In the city, he could maneuver, lose them amidst the labyrinth of streets. But here, in the barren expanse of desert, there was no escape. The blazing sun cast Aiden and the fallen bodies of their friends into stark relief.

Aiden's titan shuffled backward, his mind racing for an escape route. He spotted an opening to his left, though it meant enduring a hail of blasts. Perhaps survivable, perhaps not.

His breath came in ragged gasps, the pounding of his heart drowning out all other sound. Dry lips, parched throat, wide eyes glaring into the jaws of death once more.

Attempting to flee, Aiden found his movements sluggish, his mech unresponsive. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath, the weight of Parker's laughter echoing in his ears.

"Where are you, coward!" Aiden's voice reverberated through the desert, desperation lacing every word. "Face me like a man!"

Parker's laughter echoed back. "No fancy tricks this time, Winters. And no gun to—" Parker's words dissolved into hysterical laughter. "Your sorry excuse for a mech is a joke!"

Aiden's eyes were narrowed, and fury bit into his tone. "Come fight me, Parker!" Aiden shouted. "You led five of your friends and allies to their death. Come and let's decide and put an end to this?"

Parker didn't even need to respond. "…but, why?" he questioned.

And Aiden was stunned.

Parker continued. "You think I am that stupid?" And he chuckled at it. "No, no, no…you're the one that stepped into this arena saying that you were going to defeat us. But looks like big ole bad Winter's titan can't keep up with the skills of the pilot. You know, when Shaddiq said that you Sons of Harmony willingly give yourselves a handicap…I almost didn't believe him. Guel in all those state-of-the-art machines and that clone in his Gundam for christsake! But you, I heard of what Titans can do, but looks like even our shitty sponsor's crappy line of mechs can topple titans."

The Kuu on the side that he was going to make a break for rose and leveled its beam rifle. Aiden felt sweat slick down the side of his brow, maybe he could dodge! But then he realized that the others raised their own arms.

He took another step forward within his titan, but he felt the limbs creak…

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," Aiden began to mutter, his eyes going to the eject button, but he didn't have a parachute or his pilot equipment to stabilize his fall. He'd just rise…and splat! Either death in battle…or he takes his own life and not give Parker the satisfaction of killing him?

He flicked the covering of the eject button, his palm for a moment hovering, but the echo of breathing, the thump of his heart. The old Aiden would've died before dishonor, but…dishonor, how was killing himself so Parker wouldn't kill him any honorable or dishonorable? He was just going to end up dead all the same?

His mind flashed and he realized that for a moment his mind dragged to stupid things. His music, he had his clients and Deacon was saying that he wanted to throw another party soon. Their DJ was going to die…his clients were going to lose their procedures, how many hours did he spend making those songs and beats, how many days did he spend working and managing clients and gaining them all the same!

That rich Spacien rapper was well known all across the galaxy and he chose Aiden for his next song, Deacon was going to tell him that he committed suicide or that he died fighting in a duel against another student? He'd just look at Deacon and say.

"That is so fucking stupid, why did Aiden, why…why would he throw away his life like that?"

… and that was what Aiden was thinking as well. He was a child soldier who survived the first war, then lost his arm and leg and got bionics installed so he could live another normal life. Instead, he willingly rejoined another war, saw his friends die, saw his brothers die, and then he got this opportunity to attend the Academy. He was studying music of all things! And now, he's here, back again? In a place where life and death were held by the thinnest of threads… and Aiden Winters realized just how lucky he was in that moment.

Men like them never got second or third chances, but Aiden did, and he had repaid the dead with more violence. He could've created something, moved people with his music, and now he's going to die from some no-name fuck like Parker?

Was this how it felt for Daniel? Aiden's old friend that he had a vision before, a vision he had warned him of? When Daniel saw the light of a laser coming straight towards him, did he think of such things, did he think of how he was warned…but his warrior pride had beckoned him to fight.

Warrior, soldier, knight… pride. In the end, it didn't matter. For Aiden Winters, this was the fate that would befall all true warriors. A fact that had followed young men through millennia… you live by the sword, you die by it, and Aiden once believed you could not put it away. But he had… it was so tangible, so in reach!

If he had not gone to recover suits, he would not have gone to Miorine, he would not have gotten involved within the race! He was sure that him and Suletta would've met, maybe at one of their parties, and this whole race thing would've just been something that happened and they were not involved in. But now Aiden was staring down the barrel of a gun.

"Aiden! Aiden! Move… do something, anything, they're going to kill you!" And it was Nuno and Ojelo's voices that echoed and blended within Aiden's ears, but Aiden was frozen, shell-shocked, and the only sounds were the ruminations of his mind's eye.

… and as each breath grew heavier than the last, each heartbeat beckoning to be his last, Aiden Winters stared ahead. Yet, for a moment, he did not feel it… that same feeling he felt when he was thirteen and in his titan. The angel of Suletta Mercury, she was not here. Before he had nearly died… but she was not here to save him.

Jack, Deacon, and Oscar could not clean up this mess… even Miorine could not, and it was funny that he thought of Miorine right now. She was right, he realized, like a mad dog that would bite his owner's hand… and Suletta, she could not save him. He was alone.

Flashes of Suletta Mercury zapped across his mind's eye, Aiden Winters, the Druid or Newtype, could feel it coming. Emotions, sensations, moments that should have been. That dream at the end of the universe of Suletta, of their embrace, of the possible love. Was this all that it was going to amount to… did he really have such little time with the woman he truly loved?

Red crimson locks, deep tanned sun-kissed skin that he wanted to rain his own kisses upon, teal eyes. Her voice was honey, shy and stuttering, but how he wished to silence her with a kiss. He had kissed her… but that was it? Her breast, her butt, what it was like to be inside her… her mouth, her pussy, everything and more.

He had fantasized about it for years and only now she was here and ready, and he was going to die! He knew she wanted him and that time it was going to come, and he was going to die here!

How many times had he imagined driving himself into her? From the front, the back, leaving his essence on her chest, her face, her butt… inside of her. Now, everything he was, and everything they could have been… will be reduced to nothing in an instant.

Twenty years of life… for Aiden Winters, music major, expert pilot, and Holder of The Academy. Now, it seemed so little in comparison. No job, no kids, no recognition, he was the last Winters… nothing would come after him.

Would Suletta move on… of course she would, sure, he bet she would be sad, but he hoped. And as he thought of Suletta and a proper image came to view, it was of her crying. "Shaddiq really played me," Aiden muttered, and a dry laugh arose from him. Shaddiq knew his pride and ego, knew of their oaths and convictions, if he had any other suit… even one of the Kuu's he could've done something. But the archaic trash he held onto was nothing but rust, remnants of a dead world.

"A dead world… all that remains, forgive me, Suletta, forgive me Miorine," Aiden spoke as he dipped his head.

Nuno's eyes flared. "A-Aiden, this isn't the time to give up!" He shouted.

Ojelo piped in as well. "Nika, say something, we need to get him…"

But it was Parker who smirked and laughed. "Don't worry, Winters. I'll take real good care of Miorine." And Parker raised his gun. "Now, time to die."

As Aiden stared into the barrel of the gun, he felt his eyes slacken, and he heard voices. Deacon's, Oscar's, and Suletta's… but others. He heard his mother and Jack Cooper's voice as well. What will happen to Suletta? To his brothers? And as the claws of death came to snap around Aiden Winters one last final time… he realized just how pointless all of this hatred was. And he was horrified because he wondered if this hate and questions of those he loved would follow him even after death?

"I...I've killed so many people that I can't even count," Aiden began as he stared, his eyes slowing to a close as his heart started to still. "I guess, I don't deserve to know the answer. Perhaps…perhaps that is how it must be…"

And Aiden Winter's chose to shut his eyes.

"Forgive me, Suletta."