[Within Mount Morta’s domed Helipad/Military District 9:02 PM]

After splitting from the rest of the returning group, Tristan bows, then makes his way to the only elevator in the vicinity.

It opens, he enters, and it closes with him giving a half smiling wave goodbye.

Once alone, inside the descending elevator, Tristan lets out a stressed exhale.

Tristan(to himself): "When Steph and I first saw Son Goku City as rubble, we immediately feared the same thing happening to Roronora City.

And now that it’s actually happened..."

A tear falls in their respective forms from the young man’s eyes and to the floor of the lift.

Tristan: "How can the same Katsu and Shelly I’ve gotten to know over the past three years, really be psychotic mass murderers, morally capable of erasing entire cities?"

There is a *DING* and the elevator door opens, letting the concerned soldier out of the lift.

He walks down a small set of stairs, a sign above him points towards the available night shuttleway.

Tristan(thinking): *But if it came down to it...could I really defeat Shelly too?

If I want to beat Katsu, I’m pretty confident I can, from what I’ve seen during our combat classes together.

Unless he was also hiding his fighting capabilities along with his true personality.

But to get to him, I’ll definitely have to go through the #1 fighter, out of everyone who has ever stepped foot within these mountains.*

A few citizens are already waiting for the next arriving shuttle as Tristan stands alone in front of a seperate set of closed reflective metal doors.

He stares at his metal reflection while in deep thought.

Tristan(thinking): *Not to mention, she’s intellectually special, as much as she is physically gifted...*

Intercom Voice: "Shuttle from Mount. Morta, Government District to Mount Decima, Residential District!

Please stand clear of the doorway and if there is no available seating, please hold on to a handrail for your personal stability and passenger safety while the shuttle is in motion!

Thank you and have a blessed night..."

There is the sound of air brakes locking in place, right before the reflective metal doors in front of the Squad 1 Captain slide open and he steps into the convenient transportation.

Tristan(thinking): *Because MamMon has exposed the true history of the Valkyries and the existence of Seiõr, Shelly undoubtedly has the privilege of that instinctive prowess.

Did Shelly know about her lineage and Seiõr while she was here?

She must have.

It’s painfully obvious in retrospect of that day.*

...

...

...

[Six Months After Leviathan’s Invasion]

Respectfully two and a half years younger, Tristan (17 y/o with both light brown eyes) and Stephanie (16y/o with braided lime green pigtails) are walking together down a ramped hallway, holding hands.

Tristan has his Polaroid camera hanging from his neck and Stephanie has a deeply concerned look.

Stephanie: "Tritty, are you sure the girls will be okay?

They’ve always had atleast one of us to go to ever since they could walk and talk.

What if Jamie and Pauline get in another fight and Timothea is starting to sneak food."

Tristan: "They’ll be fine, Steph.

Haha, haven’t you noticed yet?

Petra seemed willing to help the babysitter, shepherd her sisters, while we’re here at this academy for 5 hours a day."

Stephanie: "I’m scared of being a soldier, Tritty. You already know I’m not good at much.

I just don’t want to be a burd-."

With nobody currently around them, at the bottom of the ramped hallway, Tristan stops. His sudden release of their held hands, cuts off his girlfriend’s self deprivation and she stands confused.

Stephanie: "Tri-"

They stare at each other in the eyes, deeply.

Tristan: "I told you to stop putting yourself down like that, Stephanie.

You don’t know exactly how much you mean, not only to me, but those six year olds who are in our care.

It scares me, to think about if I had never met you, or fallen in love with you."

Stephanie: "Awww, Trittyyy!"

Tristan takes a deep breath and reaches into his pocket.

Tristan: "Before our first combat training class, I want you to know, what I’m training for is solely you and the girls.

But I want us to get stronger together during these sessions too."

Stephanie: "But Tristan..."

Tristan: "We both know you wouldn’t be here if it weren’t manditory for all capable survivors in our age range to join this military academy and learn to fight against those ice aliens.

You’re such a caring, and hospitable human being, you don’t deserve to live a life of constant fighting."

Stephanie: "Thank you babe, but..."

Tristan: "That being said, I want to apologize to you, Steph.

I’ve lied to you, and kept going along with this lie...

Until now."

Stephanie: "Umm...

What do you...?"

Tristan: "It is true, the most valuable keepsakes we have left, are each other and the girls.

I’ve felt guilty, because the night those alien monsters invaded, one of the only things I grabbed was my old camera.

But when I had told you we had no sentimental items to remind us of the happy life we had before these aliens invaded... I was lying..."

Stephanie: "T-Tristan...

I’m a little puzzled right n-"

Once again, she’s cut off by Tristan’s actions, but this time, it’s because he goes to a knee and pulls out a diamond studded ring that is cut like a crown.

Tristan: "Over three years ago, before our parents went on that unfortunate cruise, I think your mother could already sense our feelings towards each other.

So she gave me this, and told me it was passed down through your family for generations..."

Stephanie has her hands over her mouth and nose. There are tears in her eyes, she’s blushing and speechless.

Tristan: "Ever since that day, when we both became orphans, along with your sisters, I kept this ring tucked in my shirt with my chain necklace.

Since today is your birthday, I figured...

Stephanie, please...don’t ever leave me alone in this world...

I can’t imagine living a single day without you..."

He carefully grabs her wet fingers, and slides the diamond crown ring on the silent sobbing Stephanie’s finger.

Stephanie: "Tri-Tristan I-"

Before she can answer, and while Tristan is still kneeling, they are interrupted.

Katsu: "COME ON SHELLY, WE’RE GONNA BE LATE FOR OUR FIRST COMBAT TRAINING!

I WANNA SEE YOU WHOOP SOME ASS AGAIN!"

Shelly: "Katsu, slow down!

It’s a ramp!"

The romantic scene is unintentionally ruined by the antics of two and a half years younger Katsu (two green eyes) turning the corner in a hyperactive rush, with a slightly younger Shelly jogging behind.

Katsu: "Waaaahhhhh-"

Katsu stumbles, rolls, and tumbles down the ramp.

Making Tristan jump up to his feet and move himself, with Stephanie, out of the way while Katsu slides to a halt, on his face, at the bottom.

Katsu(face down): "Ow..."

Shelly: "Katsu!"

She helps her adopted brother up while Tristan and Stephanie awkwardly watch in silence.

The newly engaged couple looks at each other, puzzled about the incident, then back at Katsu and Shelly.

Katsu regains himself, chuckling, and rubs the back of his head.

Katsu: "Hehe, sorry for almost falling into you two. I’m not familiar with this part of the academy building yet..."

Stephanie: "W-We’re fine, but are you okay? That was a nasty fall you took there.

I have bandaids if you need some."

From her pocket, she pulls out a handful of different forms and sizes of individual bandages.

Tristan: "Are you two also on your way to ’Combat Training’?"

Katsu gets excited once again, star-eyed, and pumps his fists up and down in front of his chest.

Katsu: "Yea! Yea!

Shelly here is such an insanely good fighter, I can’t wait to watch her!

It’s been ages since I last got to see her in action!"

Shelly(blushes): "I-I’m not that amazing, K-Katsu..."

Stephanie examines Shelly’s body language and immediately sees through to the other young girl’s true feelings. She smiles, looking down at the newly placed ring on her own hand.

Tristan raises an eyebrow and gets a first complete look at the shy, blonde 17 year old girl.

Like everyone else, he is clearly sceptical of Katsu’s excitement, but smirks it off with a slight head shake.

Stephanie and her lime green eyes connect with Shelly’s azule blues.

Both young women give comforting and friendly smiles to each other.

Stephanie: "It feels nice, knowing someone believes so strongly in you, doesn’t it?

I’m Stephanie, nice to meet you."

Shelly: "Likewise.

I’m Shelly.

And h-he’s just over exaggerating, I’m not that good at fighting.

Really..."

Katsu: "But Shell-"

There is a school intercom bell that tones five times and all four of the students get surprised.

Together they rush to a red set of push bar double doors and walk inside.

On the other side is a large, college sized gymnasium, and a basketball court with raised hoops.

There is a large Olympic wrestling mat laid out on the court.

Foam padding along the concrete walls and bleachers on all four sides of the court.

There are about 50 students, scattered in their own personal groups, sitting in the same set of bleachers.

At the top corner, furthest from the door, Bethany is sitting alone, with her elbow on her knee and her chin in her hand.

General Gray, with another academy teacher by his side are at the base of the bleachers, looking at the young students.

The current General, Bethany, and the other students look at the late arriving individuals.

General Gray: "You’re lucky it’s your first day, Rookies.

Don’t let it happen again.

Am I clear?"

All Four: "Y-Yes, Sir!"

The four scolded students give nervous/guilty bows and move to the bleachers, sitting together while the other students snicker behind them.

Bethany licks her lips seeing the two women with men she could possibly steal.

Once everyone is seated, the General looks around and then at his colleague.

General Gray: "Head count?"

HFF Teacher: "Everyone is accounted for General."