The Story of Nikko

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 1: The Past
I didn't start out this way, the way I am now.

At least, I don't think I did.

I can't really remember anything farther back than my seventh birthday. One of the other urchins gave me a spring, and I put it on my arm and it got stuck. Funny the things you remember. For example, I can't remember my birth family, or my real name, or where I lived, or anything. But I can remember that I stuck a spring on my arm when I turned seven. Pitiful.

The thing about my birth family: I'm not like the other urchins in this respect. Those that don't know what happened to their parents entertain the hope that they will come for them someday. I prefer to imagine mine died. Because I know that if they are still alive, it means they abandoned me. Death is easier than abandonment.

The Whyatovs rescued me, adopted me, named me. They were a good family, loyal to the Emperor. And then there was Danria. My little sister. I adored her. We worked on her little science projects together, and she watched in wonder while I made my miniature Automatons. I even helped Mr. Whyatov create a small Automaton called E.T.L.O. to protect her. We were inseparable, always together.

When I was about thirteen, I started the Junior Academy. I was the best student there, for a while. I became a Junior Autofficer almost immediately. Everything was going wonderfully, I was already gaining power.

And then she showed up.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 2: The Nemesis
Aislinn Mollisong. Or, as I knew her at the Junior Academy, Aelis Molligear.

The Lando to my Gepta. I, an enterprising genius working my way to the top of the Imperial ladder. She, a young rebel with an uncanny amount of luck and and irritating amount of spunk.

A quiet girl, staying mostly in shadows and corners, but stealthily upstaging me in classes. She often wore her long dark hair down around her shoulders, partly covering her face. Unobtrusive, unnoticed, invisible.

Perfect for a spy.

I began to suspect her a few months into my graduating year, when I was sixteen. She would often slip away during free time, and rarely talked to the other kids her age. Somehow, she managed to be in her room, with everything in order, when the Inspector came around. My suspicions grew, as it was rumored a Resistance cell was gaining information that only officers at the school should know. I began to follow her, trying to learn where she spent her free times, those free times where she was just gone.

One day, I caught her. In a far-flung corner of the Academy, in a locked room, was an outdated transmitter. Somehow, she had picked the lock, and was transmitting sensitive information. I called for the Pacifiers, but she escaped out the window and disappeared.

I was called a liar, and ridiculed for days. Until they discovered someone had been sending out transmissions from that device. I was restored to my former postion, but my reputation was forever sullied. I vowed revenge.

I have kept that vow, or tried to.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 3: The Whirlwind
It was the next year I found out....found out that Danria....died.

I cried for days, railing against death and those that had caused her death. Oh, they said it was a lab accident. They said she was foolhardy with her experiments, heedless of danger. But I knew what really happened.

Victoria.

One of the three best students at the Academy Automicus, along with Danria and Emily Claude, she was the most jealous person I had ever met. I knew she had murdered Danria, just as I knew she had "removed" other rivals. I was lucky she had just graduated the next month, or I might have been next. I promised I would avenge Danria, but I couldn't figure out how.

For the next few weeks, I lived in a whirlwind of pain, anger, tears, and revenge. Revenge against Victoria, revenge against Aislinn, revenge against the world. When the storm subsided, I was left with a dull, cold ache, and a steely determination. I would do what I needed to do, and I would succeed. I bribed the school officials to change my name to Nikko Bestburst. New name, new life.

I want my old one back.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 4: The War
The next time I encountered Aislinn, I was in charge of the Imperial Detention Center. Not the best job, but I made do. She had been detained on a minor charge,(being out after curfew and resisting arrest) but we had records that she was a rebel. We had also captured a major criminal, Hanna Brassheart, and we put them in adjacent cells.

Big mistake.

The next thing I knew, alarms were going off, Troubleshooters were pounding through the hallways, and someone was screaming at me that there was a prison break. I raced into the courtyard, but it was too late. A small airship was screaming over me, and landing near the wall. I saw Aislinn on the ground, presumably wounded. The Brassheart girl was waving her arms and shouting at the ship.

Then, pandemonium broke loose. After the rebels had retreated, I assessed the damage. Not too much, but enough.

We met several times after that, each time worse than the last. Once, her and her Resistance destroyed a third of the entire prison complex. I was....punished for that.

What I did a few months ago, I consider my crowning achievement. Even that accomplishment she managed to destroy. I created a chemical compound using the dreaded Ruka virus, that could slowly convert a person into an Automaton, perfectly similar to a standard Auto in control and mindset, but 60% more efficient. It worked perfectly for quite a while, very nearly coming to fruitition. Even Tasha, my partner, did her job. But then that figure in the red cape showed up, and ruined everything!

I haven't seen her since then. I have gone back to the Academy for another term. Now, I know.

Victory is everything. Mercy is not allowed. And revenge is what I live for.

Nikko is back.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 5: The Friendship
I walk through the halls, ignoring the sounds of the other students. Chatter, laughter, nervous whispers. The sounds of inexperience. I am above this, more mature than this. The first classes are over, and it is study time. Studying is almost impossible at this academy, as propaganda messages are blared through the speakers at all hours. Only the smartest, most dedicated, and ruthless students graduate. Or those with influential family members.

I sit at a table, selecting my textbook from the pile in front of me. “The Complete History of the Fogworks – by Zaul Grimm” I skim through the assigned chapter, “The Invention of Technomites”. I already know this by heart, so there is no point in studying it. Someone pulls out the chair next to me. A small boy, probably not more than fifteen. Light brown hair, tan skin. He glances up at me, and smiles nervously. I recognize him, Keenan Ironcog. A shy kid, pretty smart. I barely know him, just his name.

“Hey.” He lifts his hand like he's going to wave. “Hi. Keenan, right?” He nods. “You're....Nikko. Nikko Bestburst?” “Yeah. Is this your first year?” He nods again. “I graduated from the Junior Academy last year. How long have you been here?” “This is my second. I know my way around pretty well. What are you supposed to study?”

“Um...” he scans his textbook. “The...Discovery of Fog Rock.” There's a strange look on his face, gone almost before I can detect it. Disgust? Because of the length of the chapter, or the content? “Oh, that one's pretty easy. The only questions you have on that one are about names and dates, nothing too hard.” I help him through the chapter, and suddenly it feels as if we have been best friends forever. Over the next few weeks, we study together, sit together at meals, hang out at free times. He tells me some about his family, but I can't tell him about mine. I feel bad about that.

We are in my room, just talking. I look at my chronometer. “Ten minutes 'til afternoon roll call.” He groans. There are three roll calls a day, and no one knows why. An Inspection every night, too.

I notice something on his suit pocket. A golden “R” on a red shield. “What's that?” I point to it. “Oh, uh, nothing. Just a......club I was in, last year.” I know better. I lean in and whisper to him. “That's the symbol for the Resistance, and we both know it.” Surprisingly, I'm not angry at him, just curious.

He looks terrified. “Please, Nikko. Don't tell anyone, I'm serious. You have no idea what they would do to me....please?” “Of course! I'm not some traitor.” I really surprise myself. Usually, I would hate someone like him, someone who sneaked into the Academy Automicus, a rebel. But I couldn't hate Keenan.

“Don't worry, Keenan. You're safe with me. No matter what.”

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 6: The Opportunity
Tasha pops in once I walk back to my room after classes. “Hey, Nik. I have some information for you. Regarding the illustrious Miss Mollisong.” She winks, but there is a sinister look behind her eyes. I know she's still sore about her failure. “What, Tasha? I have to get back to my room before Inspection.”

“It seems 'little miss' is headed for one of the abandoned research stations about three miles from here, and our probes picked up on it. She's going alone. No backup, no reinforcements. In other words, ambush material. You up for it?”

“Do you have to ask?” I say, growling a bit. This time, this time things will be different. This time I will not be humiliated, defeated, or beaten. This time, Aislinn will pay for all the times she has caused me pain.

This will be fun.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 7: The Preparation
I go to the Principal, to ask for leave. We are allowed a certain number of days off, depending on our grades. I, of course, have all A+'s, so I have as many days as I want. Within reason.

I borrow several Pacifiers, Troubleshooters, Technomites, two Combustonauts and a Lasher. The Principal says it is extravagant to capture one little girl, but he doesn't know her like I do. She is president of an organization created simply for the purpose of destroying our Automatons, and she is an escape artist. I am taking no chances.

I talk to Keenan before lights out, and tell him about my plan. “Nikko, you can't do that! Revenge, it's... it's just wrong! She's going to be out there, defenseless, and you're just going to ATTACK HER?!?!” “Uh, yeah. That's what I just said, dude. Were you paying attention?” “But...but...NIKKO!!!” “Calm down, or the Inspector will hear you.” That shuts him up. Everyone fears the Inspector, even me. He lowers his voice to just above a whisper. “Look. I know this girl. She's really nice, and she doesn't hold any of this” he waves his hands vaguely. “against you. She doesn't deserve this. No one does.”

This sets me off. “Doesn't deserve it?! You have NO idea! You haven't lived through the humiliation, the defeat, the ridicule, the failure! Do you have ANY IDEA what this girl has DONE to me?! She ruined my life! If anyone deserves this, it's her!” Then I see Keenan, eyes shut, grimacing, hand held up to shield himself from my barrage of emotion. I deflate a bit, and sit back down, though I don't remember standing up.

“I'm sorry, Keenan. I didn't mean it. I, just, I'm sorry.” I feel like kicking myself. I hadn't meant to explode like that. Great. Then I pause. “Did you say you....know her?” He hesitates. “Uh, yeah, I met her a couple times. At, er, Resistance meetings. Last year. She's really nice. “ he finished lamely.

I slump back against the wall. Is everyone on her side? Even my best friend? Then the bell for lights out sounds, and he gets up to leave. “Uh, night. See you tomorrow.” He kind of half-waves, still a bit wary. “Goodnight, Keenan. See you tomorrow.” The door closes.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 8:The Hunt

We set out the next morning, me and Tasha. I study her as we travel. She hasn't changed too much since I last saw her, but her hair is blond now instead of ginger. She has some strange preoccupation with disguises and whathaveyou, and so she looks different almost every time I see her. “What are you staring at, lookie-loo?” she snaps. I put my hands up. “Just noticing your hair. It's different! Nice!” Tasha's about four years older than me, but infinitely snarkier. “Well, at least you dropped that fake British accent. It was so annoying.”

It takes hours to walk the three miles, thanks to a rainy, sleeting snowstorm that rages the whole time. I keep barely missing “sad cacti” in the veritable snow hurricane, and my boots are SOAKED! THROUGH! But this is worth it. Oh, so worth it.

We almost miss the research station in the storm. Tasha points it out to me, as I stumble into YET ANOTHER CACTUS!! We order the Automatons to precede us, and we march forward.

As we enter the station, the only thing we hear is the echo of the Automaton's feet, and the wind howling outside. “Are we even sure she is still here?” I ask Tasha, rubbing my arms through my parka. “Yes. The probe we placed indicates she is further in.” “Why did she have to pick the one station with an underground bunker?! Why did Rufus have to build a bunker with so many different passageways and traps an-” Tasha shushes me, and holds her hand up. I hear humming, and sounds of tools clunking on tables.

Then, we hear more Automatons heading toward us from the entrance. A gasp from Aislinn, and then sounds of running. “Come on!” Tasha whispers angrily, as she spins around to face the intruders.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 9: The Chase
“You didn't say anything about following us!” Tasha hisses at Zane, one of the Senior Autoffficers. Her voice drips with venom. Thank somebody she's not hissing at me! I think. “We said nothing about it, Miss O'Connor, because nothing needed to be said. You had the information: we needed that information to find a fugitive. Information must be shared, Tasha. You know that.” “But thanks to you, she's gone!” “Oh, is she?”

I run after Aislinn, followed by a squad of Troubleshooters. She dodges through corridor after hallway after tech room, a lot faster than I thought anyone could. We make it to where BIGFOOT001 is stationed, and she speeds past it and climbs up the rope to the outside. I climb up after her, and the Troubleshooters activate their repulsor boosters, jetting up through the hole. She stumbles at the top, slows a bit, then keeps running. I keep going, spurred on by revenge and anger and the cold and being angry about the cold.

She eventually wears down, going slower and slower, and panting harder and harder. She staggers, and collapses. Other Automatons surround her, and Zane walks up. “Nikko, thank you for your efforts. You may return to the Academy.” “What? But, but I just chased her all the way over here! I deserve my revenge, I've waited years for this!” “Mr. Bestburst. Back to the Academy. Now.” “Fine. Come on, Tasha.”

As we walk away, I glance back at Aislinn. The complete terror in her eyes unnerved me. This was what I wanted, revenge.

Right?

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 10: The Uncertainty
I sit in my room, my head in my hands. It's almost lights out, and I haven't seen Keenan yet. The stupid propaganda broadcaster is still yammering on, and it's hard to think.

I'm confused for the first time in my life, and I don't know what to do.

This is what I wanted, Aislinn in custody, my revenge satsified. But something still feels wrong. Keenan's voice keeps echoing in my head, “Revenge, it's...it's just wrong!” and the look of utter terror in Aislinn's eyes as the Automatons close in on her, it haunts me. I want to hit something. Or someone.

The door squeaks open, and Keenan walks in. “Hey...Nikko, are you ok?” “No! Everything's wrong! That was supposed to be, I don't know, fulfilling. Satisfying. But, I just feel guilty, or sad, or...I don't know! What happened?” He sits down, and puts his hand on my shoulder. “Just what I told you. Revenge is wrong, and it doesn't do anything for you. It doesn't satisfy you, it doesn't make you feel good. It makes everything worse.”

Of course, the bell rings for lights out. He pats my shoulder a little bit. “I hope you figure out what you need to do. I'll talk to you tomorrow.”

The propaganda messages keep going, even though they are supposed to shut off with the lights. I can't take it anymore. “Would. You. Just. SHUT UP!!!!” I smash my fist into the wall, and miraculously, the messages stop. I collapse on my bed, not caring if I get in trouble tomorrow. I long for sleep, where I don't have to think about things. Finally, I drift off into blessed nothingness.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 11: The Remorse
I decide to go to the detention center after breakfast. I feel a need to see her, maybe to gloat, maybe just to remember why I hate her so much. So I do.

It's a lot worse than I thought. There are bruises and scratches all over her, and her hair is half pulled out of the side braid it was in. She is curled up in the corner, and I can see her gauntlet is dented and dirty. She doesn't even look up when I approach.

Every notion I entertain that involved bragging or monologuing evaporates. I just want to run, but I don't. I kind of tap on the wall, and her head snaps up.

“Here to gloat? Cause I don't need it.” Her voice is strained, and her face is tear-stained. She looks completely exhausted.

“No, I just, um, are you, are you ok?” Stupid question. She's not ok, you dingus! “I didn't mean for this to happen, I just.....I don't know. I.....I'm sorry.” She looks confused.

“Sorry? You came to say.....sorry? Nicolai Whyatov came to an Imperial Detention Center to apologize to Aislinn Mollisong?!?!? Seriously?” She actually smiles a little bit, but it's a painful smile. “Well, apology accepted, I guess.”

“Hold on. That's it? You accept my apology? After, well, that?” “Yeah, of course.” Then the Patrol comes up behind me and announces: “Officer Bestburst. You are needed at the Academy Automicus. Immediately.” Of course. Sometimes I hate Pacifiers......

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 12: The Plan-Like Thing
“You are being relocated. To Evercity.” “What?! But, but I haven't finished the semester! I'm not, not done learning...” “Don't stutter. It demeans your status. You will be relocated at the end of the semester, after graduation. We have decided your services will be better used in the city of Emperor Lucky.” Zane pounds his chest with his fist. “Alright. Yes. That is what I want.” But I wasn't sure anymore. What was happening to me?

I go to my room to think. Afternoon free time. I don't get much thought in, though, before I hear running footsteps in the hall, and Keenan barges in through the door, panting heavily. “Nikko! Did you hear? No, of course you didn't, they just announced it in the library...” “What? Keenan, what?” “They're going to send Aislinn to the Fogworks! We have to-” he suddenly stops, and lowers his voice. “We have to save her! What do we do?!”

I sit, stunned, not sure what I'm feeling. Am I relieved? Triumphant? No. But am I upset? Should I be feeling the devastation that is starting to creep into my thoughts, making me feel like I just lost my best friend? Should I be feeling like that about an enemy?

Then I know one thing for sure. I can't just leave her to that fate, no matter how much I want revenge, or don't want it anymore. I am suddenly catapulted back into reality, and Keenan is saying, “Nikko! Do you have a plan? Can we do anything?” “Well, uh, we have to bust her out of the detention center, right? So, so we'll need some kind of excuse for getting in there, and some kind of weapon, and, um, I don't know. What would a Resistance guy do in this situation?”

He thinks for a second. “Actually, she did a rescue kinda like this a while ago. She rescued her little sisters and brother...” Then he glances at me. “Oh, yeah. She rescued them from you. Uh, sorry. But, anyway, how she did it was she and a bunch of other kids just surrendered, and then they broke out of the prison, and smashed a hole in the wall, and then....” He trails off. “Well, that wouldn't work. Oh! But we could do it Han Solo style....” He then proceeds to outline a thing that might not be considered a completely coherent, logical, or successful idea. But it's what we've got, so we're going to work with it. This plan-like thing is Aislinn's best chance.

And if we fail, all of us could die.

We better not fail.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 13: The Rescue

“Ahem. #0546? Junior Autofficer Nikko Bestburst. We have authorization to take possession of the prisoner for personal interrogation. Please open the door.” The Pacifier guard is the only one in the immediate area. Keenan is holding on to the only weapon we could find, a piece of piping from the cellar. “Prisoner #12315 is unavailable. Set for termination. Interrogation requests are void.” “Termination? But I thought....” Keenan checks himself just in time. I don't think the Pacifier notices. “Let me see your authorization.”

I take a deep breath. This was part of the “Han Solo style” Keenan had told me about. I strike first. “Here's your authorization!” I swing the piping, hitting the Pacifier in the head. It short-circuits, falling over. “Lets go!” We run to the cells, hoping we don't run into any more guards. The “authorization” probably won't work more than once.

Aislinn stands up when we come dashing towards her. “Nikko? What are you- Keenan?! What in Aethasia are you doing here?!” “We're busting you out. Hurry, before we have to authorize anything else.” “Uh, authorize? Does that mean....” She giggles. “Oh, Keenan. But anyway, yes, I would like out. I hear the Fogworks is terrible for your health.” I unlock the door, and we sneak through the back exit.

“Where are we going?” she whispers, as we take off running. “Uh, funny story. We actually didn't get that far in the plan yet. Any suggestions?” She rolls her eyes. “Han Solo style is right. Great. Well, if we make it to No Man's Landing, I know a bunch of places we can hide. Come on, there's an Aetherstep in Jefferson's camp.” “Aetherstep?” She hesitates. “Uh, you'll find out when we get there.”

Turns out, an Aetherstep is a big, golden machine thing with a propeller on the top. “Just use your map.” “What map?” She stops. “Oh....Uh, just hold on to me, and it might work.” She steps in, and holds out her hand. I take it, and she pulls out a small gold-and-purple device and pushes a button on it. A full size map unfolds, and she selects an icon. Suddenly, we are swept up and flown through the air. “WHAT'S HAPPENING!?!?!” I scream. “It's ok! We're just teleporting. Keenan's coming.” Then we are back on solid ground, on a dock, surrounded by water. “Oh no!” Aislinn cries. “We're at the Isle!!!!”

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 14: The Betrayal
“The Isle? How could we come here?” She starts pacing. “The Aetherstep must have overshot because there was another person without a map. Of course, we can just take the ship back to NML...only it's not there. Great. We could go to the Flying L, but there's no way to get anywhere from there. Not without paying enormous amounts of cogs, anyway. Oh, what can we DO?!” She drops to the ground in frustration. “Wait, where's Keenan?”

“Over here!” he calls, running from the opposite direction. “I ended up on the L. The maps must be going wonky. What now?” I speak up. “Maybe we could look around, and see if there's any airships or boats or anything. I know some access codes.” “Great idea! Keenan, you stay here, in case Emily's ship comes back.” He salutes, “Yes ma'am!” even though he has to be at least a year older than her. I creep around, looking for Automatons. Aislinn hangs back to talk to Keenan.

As we make our way to the top of the island, I feel uneasy. Something feels wrong. “I've got a bad feeling about this.” Apparently, Aislinn feels the same. “What weapons do you have on you?” she whispers. “Weapons?” “Uhhhh, right. I don't have any either. We'll have to find a stick or something.” We keep going, our ears strained to hear any sound. Then we get to the top, and my fears are confirmed.

“Hello, Nik.” Tasha says, standing on front of an army of Automatons.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 15: The Sacrifice
“What? Tasha, what are you doing here!?” She scoffs. “I thought you of all people would know this one. All the rooms at the Academy Automicus are bugged. We've known about your connection to the Resistance for quite some time.” I glance at Aislinn. Her eyes dart around, looking for escape. She spots a gap in the line of imposing robots, but we could never make it before they closed in. We are being herded towards the cliff edge.

We are trapped.

“If you surrender now, Emperor Lucky might be merciful. Otherwise...” the Pacifiers cock their rifles. “I think you understand.” I do.

I look over the cliff edge. We might survive the fall if we jumped, but it wasn't likely. I look back at Tasha. She holds her hand up, waiting to signal the Autos to fire. “Your choice?”

“NEVER!!!” Aislinn shrieks. Tasha shrugs. “Fine then.” Her hand starts to drop. Then, something races towards me out of the corner of my eye. Before I can see what it is, something slams into my chest, shoving me over the side. I hear a girl screaming, “Keenan!!” I hear shots.

Then cold, dirty water, over my head. Pain from the impact, and then,

Nothing.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 16: The Unbearable
I wake up, cold, wet, hurt. I open my eyes. I see a fire, and Aislinn on the other side. She is crying hard. Her biological arm hangs slack at her side.

“What....happened?” I ask groggily. Aislinn looks at me, then puts her head on her knees, drawn up to her chest. “Keenan...” she starts, then sobs.

I crawl over, closer to the fire. Where did the fire come from? I wonder, but then realize I said it out loud. “My gauntlet.” I should be surprised, but I'm not. Nothing seems important, but I can't remember why. Then it comes rushing back. “What happened? Why did we fall off?” This starts a new round of crying, and she starts talking between sobs and gasps and hiccups. “He ran in front of us..... and shoved us off. They started shooting......right when he ran in front.......he didn't make it.” I step back. “No, no, you're wrong. How could...how could that have happened?” She's still talking. “I slammed into the side on the way down, and I think I broke my arm. think you passed out, so I grabbed you and swam over to this cave.”

I back out of the cave. “No, you're lying.” She looks up at me, and her eyes terrify me. She looks at me like she can see down into my dirty, foggy soul. I have to get away, get away from those eyes. I start running, not caring where I go. I can't see, but I don't know if that's the Fog, or the dark, or the tears blurring my vision.

Eventually, I can't run any longer. I collapse in the mud, and cry. I cry for Keenan, mostly, but I also cry for Danria. For my family that I lost but never knew. For Aislinn even, for the remorse I have for everything I've done to her. For everything gone wrong in my life that I've held in for so long.

And for myself, for the monster whose stupidity killed Keenan.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 17: The Encounter
I don't know how much later it is when I stop crying. It's been raining, and I haven't noticed. I'm covered in mud. I have a headache from crying so much, I'm worn out, tired.

I don't know what to do next. I can't go back to the Empire, they would terminate me on sight. I can't join the Resistance. I am estranged, no matter what I do. I have nothing to fall back on, no one I can trust. I have nothing.

Then, I hear a thump behind me. I scramble up, and see a figure in a red cloak. I am immediately transfixed by his violet goggles, for though they shield his eyes, they are as deep and expressive and wonderful as any eyes can be.

“Nicolai.” His voice! How can I describe His voice? “Why are you crying? What has happened to you?” I trust Him implicitly. How could I not? “My friend.....he died. To save me. I did nothing to deserve that. I, he was part of the Resistance. And I'm with the Empire, and we were trying to save this girl that I hated, but I don't even know if I hate her anymore, and her map broke or something, and we ended up here, and Tasha followed us, and they killed him.” I fall silent, not knowing what else to say.

“Nicolai. He died for you because he loved you.” “How could he love me? I've done so many bad things. I hurt his friends! I wasn't able to save my sister. And I didn't even want to save Aislinn until he talked me into it. And I hated her! I hated so many people, and I took revenge, and, and I don't deserve to have anyone die for me. He should have left me to die. He should have saved Aislinn and left me. I should have died instead of Danria.” This flood startles me. I've never said anything like this to anyone, barely even thought such a thing. But it felt utterly natural to tell Him everything, even things I didn't know myself.

“He loved you, not because of who you are, or anything you've done, but because of who I AM, and what I have done.” “What? What did You do?”

“I died for everyone in Aethasia, no matter if they loved Me or not, or if they even knew who I AM. I faced death, and defeated it. So that no one who truly knows Me will have to fear death. Ever again.”

I stand dumbstruck. Someone would die for people they didn't even know? That didn't even care about them? And then that Person could beat down DEATH to save those people?

“And I forgive you, Nicolai.”
“You....forgive me? Me? I don't, I don't deserve your forgiveness.”

“And yet, I forgive you. I love you so much more than you can imagine, and my forgiveness is an expression of that love.” My heart leaps. “I forgive you.”

Words cannot describe what I feel. Light, Joy, Love. Those are nothing compared to Him, and His forgiveness.

I am forgiven.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 18: The Recruitment

“Nicolai. Are you ready to join my cause? To fight the Usurper, spread the truth, and seek justice?” His voice is commanding, yet kind. Full of victory.

“Yes! Yes sir! Oh, I will!” I will do anything for this Man, this Man that forgave me.

“Then go forth, Soldier Nicolai, and give what you have received.”

“Oh, and don't forget these.” He hands me a pair of riveter pistols. “Use them well.”

And then he was gone.

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 19: The Return
I race back to the cave. Is Aislinn still there? Is she safe? I need to tell her about the Man!

The fire is still going, but I don't immediately see her. “Aislinn! Where are you?” “Wha....Nikko? What happened to you? You're covered in mud!” I turn. She's sitting near the door, looking perfectly normal. She isn't crying anymore, and she doesn't even look sad. She looks kind of....glowing.

“Uh...weren't you.....I mean, are you ok?” She laughs softly. “I'm fine. The Scarlet Man came.” “The Man in the red cape? But He was just with me!” I kneel in front of her. “Aislinn! He forgave me!!” She beams. “That's amazing! We have to get back to town, and tell everyone!”

Wait, everyone?

[Nikko_Bestburst]

Part 20: The First Battle
Then, outside the cave, I hear Automatons. From somewhere, Aislinn pulls out an electrical whip-thing. “I thought you didn't have any weapons.” I whisper, drawing my own new pistols. Hopefully I figure out how to shoot it quickly....

“Tell you about it later. Snazzy pistols.” She grins, and cracks the whip, her left arm still hanging slack at her side. “Are you going to be able to fight with your arm like that?” I feel like I need to protect her. What a weird feeling. “I'm fine, Nikko. If I can't fight one-handed, then what am I a Resistance agent for?”

Then the Autos come in. Big ones. Lashers.

We strike first, Aislinn swinging her whip every which way, sparks flying. I aim the pistols at the lead Lasher's fog boiler, and fire off two quick shots from each. They hit home, and the Lasher keels over, fog boiler destroyed. Aislinn's already got three down, and is whalloping a fourth. I let off several successive shots, hitting two towering robots at once, each collapsing in a pile of scrap metal.

The fight doesn't last much longer. I get the hang of aiming the pistols, and barely miss a shot. I think Aislinn is weaker than she let on, so I step in front of her and take out the last Lasher she's fighting. She barely notices, and slumps back against the cave wall, breathing hard. She gives me a thumbs up, though, and smiles mischeivously. “We did it! You're a pretty good Auto smasher, you know. I might hire you.”

“Yeah, well, uh, we better get going. Get you to a doctor, probably. Um, let's go.” I've destroyed Emperor Lucky's Automatons. And I liked it! I'm part of the Resistance now.

No turning back.