Aarón jolts awake, the terrifying dream already fading from his memory. He then winces. It feels like I’ve been dropped out of a plane… he rolls over, a familiar sky and moon meeting his gaze. Aarón slowly pushes himself up, finding himself shirtless. Wait, no, NO! A flood of memories overwhelms him. Instinct came out, he tried attacking the safety force! But this isn’t Kaleido? Aarón stands, looking around. He is in a familiar desert, one that is far duller than the one in Kaleido. He sees a familiar city in the distance. Home? Did they send me home? He tries getting up, but his knees buckle underneath him. Dammit, no! I need to go back! This has to be a mistake! He tries picturing Newon with its neon lights and dark buildings, focusing all his energy into trying to make a gateway. I can’t do it, i can’t do it… tears fill his eyes, and he sits down in a tight ball. I have to go back, I have to kill Circuit-Breaker… His emotions reach a breaking point, and he lets out a loud painful keening noise. He looks up at the sky and the moon, as if he would find an answer written in the stars. He remembers Khonsu and the blessing he had received. “Please, Khonsu, anyone, bring me back…” he whimpers.
He takes out the stone tiger from his pocket, rubbing it, waiting. Nothing. There is nothing but a cold whistling wind. After a good half hour of crying, Aarón numbly walks the long miles through the desert and back into the heart of Hurricane, deciding not to go to his or Leon’s apartment but rather back to the mall where all of it had started. Aarón hears Instinct whining mournfully, feeling their regret for what their actions had caused. Aarón climbs over the fence and enters the Rainbow Desert Mall, slowly walking down the lower left wing. Training his eyes on one particular shop, the shop Mico’s mother had owned. As he draws near, he can still smell the scented wax she had used for her handmade candles. He closes his eyes, remembering the smell of the blue raspberry ones, his favorite scent.
The security gate is lowered, but Aarón easily wrenches it open and ducks through. The shop is frozen in time. Candles still sit on display, the dozens of different scents nearly overwhelming Aarón . Aarón moves to the back of the shop and opens a door behind the counter. A strong wave of sad nostalgia washes over him. There is a small nursery with a wooden crib and shelves crammed with dusty stuffed toys. Aarón remembers the times when Mico’s mother would bring him to work with her so often that Juan had decided to make the small nursery room. The two had been divorced for a good few years at that time, but they had ended on good terms. Aarón lets out a painful noise and quickly rushes out of the shop. I need someone to take me back, I need Mico back…
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Circuit-Breaker moves through the mall, locating every single trap he had placed all that time ago and disables them. You didn’t listen to me… Jaun says flatly. “I could not risk being caught by my creator by staying in the sewers.” Circuit-Breaker states. Jaun sighs. I am going to make contact with Aarón. He is currently in great mental distress, and you must not interfere. Do you understand? Circuit-Breaker nods. A strange feeling washes over him for a brief moment as Jaun’s spirit detaches from him.
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Aarón lays on a rotting wood bench, tears rolling down his face. A strange feeling washes over him… “Only you can take yourself back.” Aarón’s hair stands on end as he looks up towards the glass dome. The voice seemingly comes from above him. From the moon, perhaps? “Khonsu, is that you?” Aarón sniffs. “Don’t recognize my voice?” Realization comes crashing down on him. “Juan?” He whispers. “Yes, it’s me. Now clear your mind. Let go of all your worries and doubts and fears.” Aarón immediately does, trying to fight off the looming negativity.
“Focus your energy, will the multiverse to open up, and picture where you want to go.” Aarón closes his eyes, raising his hand, letting energy flow through it. He doesn’t picture a place, but rather a person. Circuit-Breaker. He opens his eyes, and a gateway floats before him. A doubt slips through. “I’m not ready.” He states. “I know I have this immense, ancient power inside of me, but I’m afraid of it. I’m afraid that I’ll lose control.” “You are a good man, brother. I promise that you won’t lose control. Now go, Aarón ; You ARE ready.” With a deep breath, Aarón prepares to leap. A glowing spear whizzes past him, just barely slicing him on the shoulder. Aarón stumbles back with a roar as a simplistic humanoid robot emerges from the shadows, sparking before running at Aarón. Circuit-Breaker appears, tackling the robot before wrenching open its neck with his golden teeth. Aarón scrambles up and leaps through the gateway.
Wind rushes past him as he falls, his heart pounding with adrenaline and fear. He closes his eyes, the unforgiving ground growing closer and closer with each second. “You need to fly.” Glowing blue wings appear on his back , and Aarón soars back up, high into the air. The entire world warps around him as the city of Newon flickers and moves, the sky turning with colors and abstract shapes as another gateway appears. Aarón soars straight towards it just as Circuit-Breaker flies through it, slamming into Aarón. The two of them trade punches and kicks as they pull each other through dimension after dimension. Soon they tumble back into Newon, Aarón throwing Circuit-Breaker down into the middle of the city, leaving a giant crater.
Aarón waits for his next move. The robot stirs, a pained mechanical whine coming from them as their now dented head turns towards Aarón . A few of his golden teeth have been knocked out. Before Aarón can react, Circuit-Breaker shoots forward, grabbing Aarón and blasting into the air. Aarón gasps and struggles. “GET OFF OF ME!” Aarón wrenches apart the metal death grip, flying away. Circuit-Breaker glides after Aarón , grabbing at his cape and legs. “You need to come with me.” Aarón spirals to the ground, he is tired of running. From the shadows, robots and men with electric weapons bare down on him. Aarón takes them on with deadly fluidity, smashing skulls and shredding necks. He no longer feels any remorse for these terrorists that are just like the ones he had killed back on Earth to protect thousands of innocent lives. Circuit-Breaker lands as Aarón finishes burning the last man to a crisp, rolling towards him on glowing wheels.
Aarón lunges forward and strikes Circuit-Breaker directly in the chest with a flaming fist. Circuit-Breaker screeches and leaps on top of Aarón . “You must trust me-” Aarón roars and kicks the robot off of him, getting back up. Before he can strike again, a giant shadow appears behind Circuit-Breaker. Henry Circuit lifts up the robot and whirls him in the air before slamming him into the ground with a loud metallic crunch. Circuit-Breaker leaps back up just as Circuit summons a giant geometric creature. Circuit-Breaker quickly brings up a glowing shield. The creature smashes into pieces as it touches Circuit-Breaker’s shield, and in a blinding flash Circuit-Breaker flies away through the air. Circuit looks at Aarón, a guilty look on his chubby green face. “I’m sorry. I influenced that alter who fronted while you and Barr were fighting to send you back home. Deep down I wanted you to be safe and not take part in any of this.” Circuit gestures back at the city, where Aarón sees groups of Circuit-Breaker’s followers looting and causing destruction. Aarón nods. “It’s okay, I’m back now. We need to find the engine!” “He’s going back underground, I put a tracker on him when I grabbed him. Through here, Let’s go!”
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Circuit-Breaker makes it into the Mortal Engine, collapsing with a long mechanical whine. “Aarón will still not listen to me.” He says, defeated. “You must wait a little longer. My brother’s heart is filled with years of rage, and it may take you being at my brother’s mercy in order to get him to see the truth.” Jaun says sadly. Circuit-Breaker gets up. “I must convince him to take my memory chip and then completely destroy my physical body so my creator can’t rebuild it so easily. But I am afraid he will destroy my memory chip anyway.” “My brother may be fierce and brutal when he feels the need to be, but he has a soft and loving heart. His heart is why you fell for him, am I wrong?” Jaun asks. “It is.” Circuit-Breaker says. “Now wait, and be prepared to fight with non lethal methods. I can feel members of the safety force close by, and you must trap them somewhere so they don’t interfere.” “I can create false paths that will keep them occupied until my memory chip is removed.” Circuit-Breaker says. “Do that. and no matter what happens from here, everything will work out. I promise.”
“I-” Circuit-Breaker screeches in surprise as Deathmatch strikes him in the back with an obsidian club, loud music emanating from him and bouncing around the vast chamber. “Where is Mico!? What have you done with my NEPHEW?!” Deathmatch yells, preparing to strike again. A look that can only be described as genuine confusion appears on Circuit-Breaker’s dog-like face. “You are not Aarón…?” Deathmatch lunges again, but Circuit-Breaker grabs him by the neck, lifting Deathmatch up. “Circuit-Breaker! Let him go! That’s my brother, let me speak to him!” Circuit-Breaker immediately drops Deathmatch who gasps for breath. “I do not understand, is this a trick?” Circuit-Breaker asks out loud to no one in particular. Circuit-Breaker watches Deathmatch, knowing that Jaun is most likely speaking with him. Deathmatch slowly stands up, keeping his eyes locked on Circuit-Breaker. Deathmatch’s mask disappears, revealing Oscar’s tear stained face. Circuit-Breaker cocks his head to the side. “Who are you?” Circuit-Breaker asks. “I… I am Oscar, the lost brother of Aarón and Jaun Melisandré, and the biological uncle of Mico Melisandré. I’m here to help now.”
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Aarón and Circuit fly through the air until they land near the place where Instinct and Barr had fought. Circuit opens up a manhole and just barely manages to squeeze through, Aarón following him. “The other safety forces are here now, including the Royal Theater crew. The Newon Safety Force is waiting down here, and we can take him. He’s weakened now thanks to our surprise attacks.” They run down the long tunnel, Aarón taking the lead. Aarón can smell traces of the other members, along with the scent of something else, something that he has only smelled a few times in his early life and now more recently. “I smell Katian’s, tons of them.” “We are getting close, but I don’t see any traces of the team.” Circuit’s voice sounds troubled.
They reach the end of the tunnel, running into a wall with an ornate obsidian door. Aarón gathers up his magic and focuses it on the door. It explodes inwards, revealing a mind bogglingly massive room made out of dark obsidian. There are crowded cages filled with dozens of Katians of all sizes and colors. Aarón walks through, stunned. He can feel something powerful moving throughout the room, washing over him. Magic, very powerful magic… The Katians begin to stir, waking up and looking down at him. “You have no tail, does that mean you are him? The son of our lost king and queen?” A voice rings out. Aarón’s blue stripes light up, and a murmur echoes through the room. “I am. I’m here with help to save every single one of you from Circuit-Breaker. I won’t let him turn on that engine, I won’t let him win.”
“He has the rest of your allies, he is coming now!” A female Katian calls, fear in her voice. The door on the other side of the room opens, revealing Circuit-Breaker. “Where are our teammates?” Aarón hisses. The Katians start to all growl at Circuit-Breaker, the noise like thunder. “Your team is trapped, I will not let them intrude.” He looks at Circuit. “You will go join them.” Circuit and Aarón both rush at Circuit-Breaker, Aarón summoning a ball of fire while Circuit uses his belly to knock Circuit-Breaker down. Aarón throws the flaming ball at Circuit-Breaker, however Circuit-breaker dodges it with ease. Aarón and Circuit don’t give up, they keep on using magic until both feel their energy dwindling. Circuit-Breaker sends out giant bursts of energy that knocks them both back and rattles the entire room. “You will let me be alone with him. Go through the door and join your teammates.” Circuit-Breaker commands. Circuit sighs. “Fine, I will.” He looks back at Aarón as he goes, and Aarón senses that his new boyfriend knows something he doesn’t. The door shuts, and Aarón is once again facing Circuit-Breaker, alone.
“We are inside the Mortal Engine. This room is its core-” “Why aren’t you doing it already? What’s been stopping YOU for all these years from just doing it already, why wait for me?” Aarón growls. Circuit-Breaker looks at Aarón . “I don’t want to. For the first time, Circuit-Breaker’s voice contains fear. “You’re scared?” Circuit-breaker stares at Aarón . “You really don’t want to do this?” Circuit-Breaker creeps a few steps closer to Aarón . Aarón rushes forward, grabbing Circuit-Breaker’s head. Aarón feels the ancient energy he has long repressed flow through him. He enters Circuit-Breaker’s digital mind.
The landscape Aarón finds within his opponent is confusing and scary. Aarón catches glimpses of a man with a lantern for a head from Circuit-Breaker’s point of view along with the same man violently beating and assaulting the robot. The frightening imagery becomes overwhelming and Aarón lets go, stumbling back. From Circuit-Breaker. The sound of electricity crackling comes from Circuit-Breaker, and he convulses. The lights on his body glow a dangerous red. He lunges with a mechanical screech, but instead of tackling Aarón , Circuit-Breaker smashes into the control panel. The Mortal Engine lets out an eerie sound, the walls of the room rotating as it chugs to life.
The glowing swords from the Moon Pyramid appear in Circuit-Breaker’s hands, slashing at Aarón . Aarón roars as he is hit on the shoulder, then dodges the second blade while rolling away. The Katians all start shouting, speaking in a language Aarón can’t understand. The room around him grows and changes, then he and Circuit-Breaker are standing on a platform of black rock surrounded by multicolored lava. Aarón ‘s blue wings appear again, and he flies towards Circuit-Breaker, shoving him towards the edge. Circuit-Breaker catches himself and leaps forward, slamming Aarón into the ground. Aarón yells as a heavy metal foot stomps on his chest, the sound of bones cracking.
The Katians start chanting louder, and Aarón feels immense strength and magic flow into him, adding onto his own. The room disappears around him, the chanting fading away. On the ground a few feet away lies Instinct . He approaches them, knowing what to do. “Instinct, I need you.” Instinct rolls over onto their legs with a whine. Aarón reaches out. “Please, you’ve protected me countless times, we need to be together, at least for a while to beat Circuit-Breaker.” Instinct crawls forward, their fur flowing in a silent wind. Instinct butts his hand with their head. Aarón slowly places his hand on the side of Instinct’s face.
Stolen novel; please report.
All of Aarón ‘s senses are heightened. His eyes pin, his mouth glands filling with venom. He feels the ancient energy within him rear up like a wild animal, and yet he is still in control. Fur rapidly grows on his body, a black mane forming. He can feel both himself and Instinct as one full entity. With a roar, he flies forward. Aarón scoops up Circuit-Breaker, proceeding to wrench apart his metal armor. Aarón throws it aside until a twisted metal skeleton and wires are exposed. Through the tangle of cables, he sees the deathly thin body of Mikey trapped inside. Circuit-Breaker snaps at Aarón with his sharp golden teeth, managing to tear into his arm and wriggle free. The two completely disregard their weapons and magic, relying on brute force and messy fighting. Aarón sinks his teeth into Circuit-Breaker’s wired neck, his fangs strong enough to wrench apart the metal. Circuit-Breaker lets out a horrible screech and falls to the ground, fiery sparks flying out of his damaged neck. Aarón looks down at the supposed monster who has caused so much pain and fear to an infinite amount of people, flames engulfing his hands. As Aarón bears down on the robot, Circuit-Breaker lets out a soul wrenching whine much like a dog who had just been kicked by a once loving owner. “I’m scared.” Circuit-Breaker says in a child-like voice.
Aarón feels someone gently grab him by the shoulders. “Aarón, let him speak, and listen to him…” Oscar’s voice gently says from above. Aarón doesn’t question how Oscar had found him, instead he breathes heavily, tamping down his fiery rage. “I don’t want to die.” Circuit-Breaker says in the childish voice again, his fear genuine. “You’ve killed thousands, and kidnapped my kind. And now you have activated the Mortal Engine. Why should YOU be the one who’s afraid?” Aarón growls. Circuit-Breaker shudders, his voice going back to normal. “You saw what he does to me when I fail.” Circuit-Breaker says shakily. “I attacked you out of fear. He is listening to us right now, he is getting ready to puppet my body.” There is panic in his voice. Aarón feels his heart pumping.
“Destroy my body and take my memory chip. Keep it somewhere secure where he can never find it again.” Aarón just stares at him, stunned. “I am no longer the monster he created me to be. I want to start over and fully experience these new emotions and feelings. There are others that reside inside of me, the child and the one who has convinced themself that they enjoy the abuse in a sexual way-”
“No, I won’t let you go like that!” Aarón and Oscar whip around to find a stout man with a lantern for a head holding his nephew in a bear hug. So it really is him, he IS alive. Aarón bares his teeth at Walter Lantern. “I have your nephew, Aarón.” Walter sneers. Aarón growls dangerously, his fur standing up, but forces himself to not rush forward. Circuit-Breaker and Oscar suddenly place themselves between Aarón and Walter, Circuit-Breaker’s mouth is open in a threatening manner while Oscar shakes in rage. “He’s my nephew too-” “Make any wrong moves and I’ll snap this little brat’s neck.” Walter threatens. Circuit-Breaker abruptly collapses, his lights flickering. “I’m draining your power, I have no need for you…”
Walter looks at Aarón. “And you, you’re not worth it anymore.” A knife appears in Walter’s hand. “My plans are ruined, for now. But despite that, I can leave you with trauma you’ll never get over.” In one quick motion, Walter slits Mico’s throat before melting into the dark. “NO!” Aarón and Oscar cry out in unison. The two uncles rush over to their fallen nephew, their eyes wide in horror at the amount of blood seeping from Mico’s neck. Aarón rips off his tank top and tries to stop the flow of blood with it. “Mico, don’t go!” He whimpers. “Mico, you need stay with us!” Oscar says frantically. There is a scraping sound as Circuit-Breaker crawls over to them. “Let me do something…” His voice glitches. Circuit-Breaker places a hand on Mico’s chest, right over his heart. Aarón watches as a vast stream of magical energy flows into Mico until Circuit-Breaker falls back, shuddering as a large memory chip slides out from a small slit on his head. “Aarón , I have watched you for ten years, and seeing you treating your nephew with love sparked something inside of me…” Circuit-Breaker twitches. “Aarón, I’m in love with you.” Aarón feels overwhelmed, tears streaming down his cheeks. “There is no time to explain everything here. Completely open my chest hatch and free Mikey once you take the card…” Circuit-Breaker instructs. Aarón locks eyes with Circuit-Breaker. “Please.” Michael’s voice whispers. “Do it, Aarón.” Juan’s voice says. Aarón carefully removes the card.
Circuit-Breaker’s lights instantly go out, his metal body growing cold. “Destroy his body.” With an ear splitting sound, Aarón wrenches the rest of Circuit-Breaker’s torn up front open. He releases Mikey from the mangled wires and beams before haphazardly rendering the rest of Circuit-Breaker’s body unrecognizable and throws it into the lava. “Follow my lead.” Oscar raises his hands, and Aarón does the same. The two focus their energy on the cages, breaking them open as the room changes back to normal. Thousands of Katians begin to pour out. There is a loud grating noise that makes everyone stop. Aarón and Oscar look at each other before they quickly run over to the sparking control panel, ripping it to shreds. The Mortal Engine grinds to a full halt, everything going dark. Aarón collapses to his knees, every bone and muscle in his body aching from both the fight and intense emotions he had just experienced. “You did good, Aarón, it’s all over now.” Oscar reassures him. “And look…“ Aarón looks up to see a glowing figure moving towards him followed by the rest of the safety force.
He gasps, tears filling his eyes. “It really is me, Aarón .” The glowing figure of Jaun smiles. Aarón forces himself to stand and pulls his brother into a hug, sobbing once he feels that he is very real. “Walter Lantern made Circuit-Breaker hunt down my soul after he made him kill me, one of his original plans was to lure you here years earlier with it. That plan was abandoned, and so I sat down here for years as I do not know how to get to the soul dimension myself.” Aarón wipes his tears away. “Is Mico going to be okay?” He asks. Jaun nods. “Circuit-Breaker used his remaining energy to bring Mico back from the edge of death.” Jaun explains. “Will you stay with us?” Oscar asks. “I won’t stay now that I know that Aarón finally did what he needed to do. Our ancestors are waiting for me, but I do want to see Mico one more time. I know I was able to communicate with you, however I can’t completely leave this place and move in these mortal dimensions without a host. Will you carry me to him?” Aarón nods. “You don’t even have to ask.” They hug again, and Jaun merges with Aarón . “Go, Aarón . The safety forces will take care of Mikey and the memory chip.”
“What was all of that, by the way? That is if you somehow saw what happened?”“ Aarón asks. “There were screens in the room we ended up in, the Katians tapped into some powerful ancient magic that only works in times of great desperation. And that lava was a powerful illusion, but as you can see it still somehow affected Circuit-Breaker physically.” Aarón nods. “I see. There is much about my people that I still don’t understand, and now that this is over I want to learn and live with them. But that would mean having to balance my place in both worlds or just give up Earth altogether.” He says. “I’m sure you’ll find a way.” Stacy reassures him. Aarón looks around, unable to see Mico or Oscar. “Mico and Oscar are at the hospital, your nephew will be awake at any moment.” With that, Aarón finds his way back out of the sewers and flies into the air, a bit awkwardly this time due to his injuries. People below point and stare in awe, some cheering. News must spread fast here. Aarón makes it back to the headquarters and runs to the hospital ward where Mico and Oscar await.
“You did it Uncle Aarón…” Mico smiles weakly. “Yes I did, or rather we did.” He looks to Oscar. “At least as far as we know.” Oscar clarifies. “There is a lot more to Circuit-Breaker than everyone originally thought, and it turns out he was simply being controlled and used.” Oscar explains. “Uh, I know that already…” Mico admits. Aarón raises an eyebrow. “Can I tell you later?” He asks meekly. Aarón sighs.“Fine, but only because I have something to tell you that’s even more important.” Aarón sits down with him on the bed. He reminds Mico how the team members had picked up signals that his brother’s spirit was somehow with the Katians, and how his spirit has been trapped down there for years. “He’s with me, Mico. He’s delaying going to the spirit dimensions to see you. Now stay calm…” Aarón feels spiritual energy stir inside of him, and the form of Jaun appears before them. Mico and his father look at each other, not saying anything before they hug each other tightly. “You’re so brave, Mico. And I’m so proud of you.” Jaun says softly. “I didn’t really know you, but I’ve missed you.” Mico whispers back.
Mico, Jaun, Oscar, and Aarón talk for an hour or so, not about anything big, but just about how their lives were going before they were sucked into everything. Juan looks up at Oscar. “I’m sorry I never got to know you, at least not in this life.” He says to Oscar. “You wouldn’t have liked me ten years ago, so it’s okay.” Jaun smiles slightly, then his eyes focus on something the other three can’t see. “There is a gateway, it’s time for me to go and meet our ancestors.” Mico gets up, embracing his father for the last time. “I’m not sad. I know I’ll see you again, but not for a long time.”Mico says. Jaun smiles. “I know. And you’ll do great things, just like your uncles. This is goodbye, for now…” With that, Jaun disappears in a flash of golden light. The three sit in silence for a bit, processing everything. Aarón turns to Mico. “You know that big green robot you hung out with this morning? Mico nods. “Well, there’s something important I need to tell you about me and him.”
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Days filled with cleaning up the city along with countless arrests and meetings pass. Circuit-Breaker’s memory chip would be safely secured in a vault deep within the Newon Safety Force HQ where it could be studied. Aarón had told Tribez and everyone else everything Circuit-Breaker had revealed to him, and Stacy told him that perhaps one day Circuit-Breaker could become a normal member of society, or perhaps part of the Safety force, at least once Walter Lantern was found and brought to justice. Finally, the day where Aarón and Mico can return to Earth finally comes around. “I have set up a special gateway in your house that leads directly to Circuit’s house and Kaleido palace, that way two may move between dimensions seamlessly.” Tribez explains as Aarón packs up his belongings along with a few housewarming gifts from the Royal Theater crew. “I doubt you two will have to return to the multiverse for emergency reasons any time soon. After war there mostly comes times of peace, as they say. Although keep up your magic practice just in case. Be sure to keep working things through with Instinct, I have a feeling one of these days they will finally agree to fully integrate with you.” Tribez instructs. “Don’t worry, I will. We will see you around.” He and Mico both walk through the gateway. They silently stand in the living room of their apartment, looking around. Everything seems so dull now compared to the multiverse, and they have no idea how they are going to reintegrate back into their regular lives knowing what is out there now and what Aarón really is. Aarón decides to call his parents and Leon, telling them almost everything. “I promise I’m not crazy, you should come over tonight for dinner. There is also someone super important that I need you to meet.” He hangs up. I could get Circuit to make some food for us. Aarón walks into his bedroom closet, finding the gateway Tribez had told him about. “Circuit? Are you there?” He calls. Circuit lumbers into view on the other side. “I’m here, what do you need?” He asks. “I’ve invited my parents and Leon over to eat tonight, and I told them almost everything. I was wondering if you could possibly tell Oscar to come and also make some food for us all?” Circuit smiles. “Of course! With that, he moves away from view again.
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Aarón’s parents along with Leon arrive at the apartment that night. Aarón’s parents are an old couple who love each other and their adopted son very much. “Now, try not to freak out.” Aarón warns them nervously. They enter the kitchen where Circuit sits awkwardly at the head of the small dining table. “This is Henry Circuit, he’s that robot I met during my journey. It was sort of a love at first sight thing, and we are boyfriends now!” Aarón’s mother is the first to approach Circuit, introducing herself and treating him and his parents like any normal person. Aarón’s father is slightly more hesitant, eyeing Circuit’s claws wearily as he does the same. Leon is the last to greet Circuit and his parents, and he even gives Circuit a big hug. They all sit.
“We always knew deep down that you weren’t from this world, Aarón .” His mother explains. “We did our best to give you a normal life here, but we always had a feeling that you were part of something beyond our comprehension.” His father adds. “What was that night like? You’ve both said that you just found me and instantly took me to the hospital, but how did Juan react?” His parents look at each other. “Juan was more fascinated than anything.” His mother says. “He was still instantly protective of you, and begged us to let him stay with you in the hospital that night.” She says. “That sounds like him. I vaguely remember him doing the same thing when I got shot.” The six of them settle down for a good while to eat, Aarón speaking only once he has finished. “Do you two remember how I would act very, uh, tiger-like when I was a kid?” Aarón asks, his heart skipping a beat. “Yes.” They both say. Aarón closes his eyes. “Uh, I think it’s important for you to know that the person named Tribez I told you about told me that I apparently have a disorder somewhat similar to Dissociative Identity Disorder, the disorder that Circuit has.” Aarón explains. Aarón ‘s father leans back. “I never told you this, but my own father, Enrique, had that disorder. I believe it came from growing up in an unstable living environment back in Mexico, and he had a very protective yet kind alter named Aarón . That’s who we named you after.” His father says. Aarón’s eyes light up. “Oh, that’s nice.”
Aarón shifts around wondering when Oscar will arrive. “Uh, Mico and I had some experiences on our journey that we won’t be recovering from for a long time, or maybe ever. Mico, do you want to tell them what happened to you first here? Or in private?” Aarón asks. “I want to do it in private.” Mico says quickly. Aarón takes a deep breath. “Mom, Dad, Leon, someone did something unforgivable to me at one point.” Tears well up in his eyes. “I was drugged and almost killed.” His voice breaks, and he leans against Circuit, covering his face. He had been rehearsing what he was going to say, but nothing could prepare him for actually saying it out loud to his own parents and others. He hears chairs being pushed back, and then arms wrapping around him. “Aarón , my strong tiger, we are so sorry…” His mother whispers, stroking his soft mane. “I shouldn’t have been drinking, I- ‘' His father firmly grasps his shoulder. “It wasn’t your fault. No one should have to ever worry about something like that happening to them. It’s always the assaulter’s fault, never the victim’s.”
“Did they get what you think they deserved?” Leon asks. Aarón nods. “In the multiverse, victims are allowed to choose the punishment. I wanted them to always think about their actions at every waking moment. And before that Instinct disfigured their face with fire magic.” He sniffs. “It takes courage to talk about things like this, and you can come upstairs with us, Mico.” His mother tells Mico. Aarón‘s parents give him one last hug before taking Mico upstairs, leaving Aarón with the others. “I should be going now, Aarón, thank you for the wonderful time!” Circuit says. “I should be going as well, I suddenly don’t feel too well.” Leon adds sheepishly. “Ah, I’m sorry, Leon. But I’ll see you both again very soon.” Aarón says, giving his two lovers a kiss.
Aarón sits alone in the living room, his thoughts not jumping around for once. “You’re a very brave man, Aarón. I can see why Leon and Circuit fell for you so quickly.” Aarón turns to see Oscar sitting at the kitchen table. “How did you…?” Aarón shakes his head. “Uh, Our mom and dad are talking to Mico in private, but they should be done in a few minutes.” Aarón explains. Oscar sits down next to Aarón, a bit awkwardly due to his height.
Mico is the first to appear on the stairs, followed by his grandma and Grandpa who gaze at Oscar with looks that tell Aarón they find him to appear oddly familiar. “Mom, Dad, this is Oscar.” Aarón says, feeling his eyes already starting to sting with emotion. “Um, during Mico’s stay in the hospital, they ran a DNA test. The results show that I am his biological uncle. In other words, I am the child you had to leave behind in Mexico all those decades ago.” Oscar holds out his hands to the mother and father he has never known, his eyes watery. Instead of taking his hands, his mother and father finally embrace their long lost son. “You look very different then how we always imagined you, Oscar” Their mother chuckles, her face full of emotion while her voice remains lighthearted. “I know, and I have so much I need to tell you.” Oscar says. “You are welcome to come back with us to our house, that is if you don’t mind sitting in the bed of the truck.” Their father smiles, wiping tears from his face. “Of course, and I don’t mind at all.”
----------------------------------------
“Mico, I have something for you.” Aarón motions for his nephew to sit. Aarón reaches into his pocket, pulling out the blue eagle pendant he had gotten at the beginning of their journey. “Here, now you’ll have something to hold onto when I’m not around.” Mico immediately puts the pendant on a silver chain he usually wears before hugging his uncle. “Thank you so much, Uncle Aarón .” Aarón hugs him back, his stripes lighting up. Everything is going to be okay, for now. However inside Aarón’s mind Instinct stirs, the tiger spirit guilty about the secrets and truth he was told to keep hidden. And through Aarón’s eyes, Instinct sees dark tendrils wrapped around Mico.