I just paused a development on a different story due to incredibly large amounts of effort. Fortunately, this story will be much easier to make in the meantime. :) If development slows down in a bit, that means that I would have switched my attention to that story, but I will always return to stories I make so they can have an unrushed ending.

Also, this is my second fanfic lol; please review!

Plus, this story was originally not meant to be standalone, so please try to understand it's complexity.

Backstory

In 2020, a massive economic crash hit the earth due to the coronavirus. Fortunately, President Donald Trump's handling of the economy led to a I-shaped recovery, which secured his re-election. However, in the background, a company known as Aiden Industries had secretly invented cloning technology, and was working on creating the largest corporate entity in the world. They began as a date we company, often collaborating with Loocheed Martin, but soon became very respected and even gained some independent contracts.

Even in 2022, China's grip on the western world was strong due to it's reliance on rare-earth metals. However, in January that year, Aiden Industries created and patented a cheap method of synthesizing rare-earth metals. Also, a child company of A.I., Aiden Incoperated, started mass production of cheap advanced technology. With this, China's economy… slowed down. It didn't stop growing, but it was eventually pushed back to second place.

Even more surprising, though, was the creation of a new political party in March, 2022. It wasn't radical; far from it, actually. It was the Centerist party, created to force bi-partisian cooperation. That November, during mid-terms, they surprised the world by winning almost a third of the seats in Congress.

By 2023, Aiden Industries had saved up enough capital to be able to buy Paris, Texas. Paris was a small, rather unimportant city to Texas. After a brief negotiation period, Aiden Industries had (literally) become the largest company on Earth.

However in 2024, the world was distracted from A.I. with the new American election. The new president was two firsts. The first female president of the US, AND the first president of the US to not be a Democrat or Republican in centuries. With the majority of the government under centrist control, they started cutting down on expenses and also made the US have a positive net income; something that amazed the citizens of the US.

However, Aiden Industries was not necessarily sidelined. A.I. had created a monopoly over the newest military equipment, and soon had a military on par with that of the US. However, this military was not made to contest the US, but to help it. The US' dominance over the world was unquestionable with it's almost complete control of Aiden Industries and their independent region.

Fast forward to 2028. The world is flourishing, and Paris had been turned into a utopia, with almost no taxes. It semi-governed itself, and foreign embassies to 30 nations at the center of there city in an area known as Embassy Square. It's military force was almost entirely clones, although I just admit, clones is actually an incorrect term. A gifted child named Aiden had created an entirely new species, but saying "clones" is both easier to say and explain.

However, this new species had created a subspecies: Child Aiden. Although they looked and after like children, they were mostly an elite fighting force, many of them using powerful abilities that would take way too long to explain (maybe it will get its own chapter?).

With that, we can finally get to the cool stuff.

Paris, Texas, Aiden McKnight Academy; November 3rd, 2028 4:47:33 PM

In order for the Child Aidenipodes (correct plural for Aiden) to become and remain elite fighters, Paris has several academies originally for KAn's (Kid-Aiden) to be educated in both normal school subjects, AND to be trained for battle. The school has organized its students into several tiers of strength. F,D,C,B,A,E,S,SS, and SSS. The top 8 students form an elite team known as REAPER Squad. The top student in the Aiden McKnight Academy is KAn #1-00000 (fancy code for #1. When looking at codes, just move the number in front of the hyphen to the end). Fun Fact: KAn #1 has never actually lost in a battle before. He is, in fact, so good that because of the huge bounties that used to be on him, he has actually become the richest Child-Aiden.

KAn #1 also holds a unique status in Aiden Industries. He is technically only surpassed by the Original 7, a group of 6 regular Aidenipodes and an Aidenette (a "female" Aiden; there is technically no genders in the Aiden species, but, she looks like a girl. -\_(•-•)_/- )

KAn #1 is casually leaving Aiden McKnight Academy and decides to go visit the park at the center of Embassy Square. Embassy Square has the largest park in all of Paris, and it is definitely recommended if you ever find yourself in this dimension.

When KAn #1 gets to the park, however, he is treated by a large, roman -esque structure. Surrounding the structure is a large amount of scanners, wires, and a team of specialists. KAn #1 approaches them.

"Hey, what is this here?" He asks them.

"Well, we don't really know," a specialist responded. "This structure appeared a few hours ago. It doesn't seem to be dangerous, but according to these readings…" he gestures to a laptop next to the structure "this could possibly be a portal to another dimension!"I

"Whoa," KAn #1 says. "Is it safe to go through?"

"We don't know yet," the specialist responded. "We're planning on sending a drone through on the 22nd if all goes well."

"Ah, yes," KAn #1 says. "The day after the festival."

"Y'know, it's kind of insensitive to call it a festival. " a different specialist said. "The original Aiden's birth and death day is that day. "

"I'm aware," KAn #1 says. "It's just a bit unamerican to be so pessimistic."

To that statement, there was not rebuttal.

After the exchangs, KAn #1 then continued off for his walk. Even if something bad did come out of the "gate," he would most definitely be able to protect himself. However, the gate was not currently his biggest concern. A weird portal to another world wasn't the most dangerous thing he had ever encountered. The biggest event coming up was November 21st. On that day, the Original Aiden (the human) was born. He was also assassinated in 2020 on the same day. To honor him, all Aidenipode cycles (live cycles) begin on that day. It is also simultaneously the start and end of the school year. KAn #1, as well as a lot of other SSS students (including REAPER Squad) was turning 7 years old. The original 7 seven turning

The sad part of that day was that it marked a 10 day break in school, and the holiday itself was break day for literally everyone. Every single employer person in Paris had a day off on that day; even military forces. Fortunately, the US didn't have that holiday, so nobody in Paris would have to worry about a potential invasion. Just in case, though, an AI system was put in control of scanners, and a QRF could theoretically be mobilized in 15 minutes, which should be more than enough, even for paratroopers in stealth planes.

However, this break may be relaxing for everyone else, but for most KAn's, the days off from school were incredibly boring. This problem was reversed with KAn #1, however. These days attempted to be literally torture. Every KAn would attempt to attack KAn #1 and be his first ever defeat. They never succeeded, but the stress is completely outputting. Hopefully, this year will be different!

Paris, Texas, Aiden McKnight Academy, Room A22; November 21st 8:29:40 AM

KAn #1, and his friend KAe #1 (Kid-Aidenette) were sitting have a conversation.

"So," KAn #1 started, "did you buy a ticket to go to the festival? I can't wait to see wait they unveil this year!"

"Aiden," KAe #1 responded. "The ticket price was CRAZY this year. Your probably the only person that could afford to go."

Suddenly, the 8:30 bell rang and everyone waited for their facilitator to give morning announcements .

"Good morning, everyone," their teacher, Aiden #3-00001, said. "Happy birthday, by the way. Unfortunately, only two people bought tickets to get to the festival: Aiden and Aiden."

"Whoa, Aiden's coming?" KAn #1 said.

"Yes, I am," a voice from the door said. Everyone turned to face KAn # 2-00000, an Aiden that had unofficially left the academy. School rules say that you don't actually have to show up as long as you finish all your work, which he did.

"Yo, Aiden!" KAn #1 said. "It's been so long!"

"Yeah, what's it been, 2 days?" KAn #2 responded. They both stared off to process the incredible amount of time.

"Wait a minute," another person said. Unlike most others in the class, this voice came from a human, humans being recently admitted to the school. "2 days isn't long at all, and the anti-lie part of your brain should prevent sarcasm. "

"Nathan," KAn #1 began, "as you know, dopamine receptors in our brains don't deteriorate. This screws with our concept of time, making good experiences seem far apart and bad experiences seem really close. "

Nathan didn't quite understand. For the whole year humans had been let in Aiden McKnight Academy, he and his sister, Valentina, never quite understood Aidenipodes, so, whenever he didn't understand what KAn #1 tells him, he drops this gem: "Ok, KAn't."

"Nathan," KAn #1 said impatiently, "I TOLD you to stop CALLING me that!"

"Aiden," the facilitator said, "you're gonna be late if you don't go."

KAn #1 let out an exasperated sigh and got up. He joined KAn #2 and the two of them journeyed of the 3rd Avenue where the festival took place.

EMBASSY SQUARE PARK, 30 MINUTES LATER

The festival at Paris on November 21 always attracted international attention. 20,000 civilians from outside of Paris had visited to see what technology Aiden Industries was releasing. However, not everyone was excited.

The team of specialists working on what had been nicked by the public as the "GATE" were becoming increasingly worried as the festival continued. When it started, nothing out of the ordinary appeared to hapen, but a few minutes in, they realized the energy signature was increasing. 30 minutes in to the festival and the GATE's energy release had doubled. Fearing for the safety of civilians, the festival had been cancelled, and everyone was instructed to get into the embassy of the nation that was closest to where they lived.

The civilians, however, did not see that there was an emergency, it anything, they were just annoyed. Aiden Industries put its foot down, though, and everyone grumpy headed towards Embassy Square. The team near the GATE, though, was severely panicking. It took 30 minutes for the energy signature to double, but it only took 10 minutes to double again. Then, it doubled AGAIN only 2 mintes later. Finally, the signature spiked so high, that the GATE began to glow a blue light. Which began to attract the attention of the civilians visiting for the festival. Suddenly however, the flow stopped. The energy didn't seem to go down, but the flow shut off as if it was a light switch turned off for the night, and all that was left was silence.

Then, surprising everyone, the feint sound of footsteps were heard, growing louder and louder. Then, out of the GATE, stepped a man in medival armor on a horse, followed by a seemingly endless number of Roman-looking soldiers armed with shields, spears, and every other medical armament you could think of. The two sides stared at each other in a brief moment of shock. Then, the man on the horse shouted something to his soldiers. The humans in the crowd didn't know what it meant, but the Aidenipodes in front knew full well what it meant. It seemed to be in their native language, Aiden.

"EVERYONE, CHARGE!" The apparent superior shouted in Aiden.

Before the team could even reach for their weapons, they were all stabbed straight in the torso. As they were designed, their would shattered and they faded to dust. This briefly confused the soldiers, but they quickly reorientated.

Panicking, everyone started screaming and running towards their respective embassies. A barrage of arrows tore through many civilians and Aidenipodes alike. Oddly enough, some of the people killed from the arrows left corpses. Undeterred, however, the soldiers began charging towards everyone grabbing and/or killing many.

KAn #1 and KAn #2 stood opposite the carnage. They, alone, could easily defeat such a technologically backwards army. However, the foreign invaders were engaged up close with civilians, and then intervening may cause more civilian casualties. They opted to contain the hostile to Embassy Square, instead, and delay until a QRF could be mobilized.

Meanwhile, at the American Embassy, US marines were attempting to hold back the invaders. Their advanced weaponry was cutting down many men, but they numbered in the tens of thousands, and only a handful of marines were stationed at the Embassy. Fortunately, they received transmission on their radios.

"Attention all embassies, this is Raptor 6. We are coming in to evac civilians. We will arrive in 2 mikes, over."

2 minutes… it'll all be over then.

Unfortunately, this thought was interrupted when a large, red, orge-eque creature approached the main gate and bashed it open. They marines fired their M5A1 carbine rifles at it, but it's thick skin deflected all the bullets. Panicking, the marines called for all the civilians to get to the roof.

Imperial POV

Meanwhile, in the skies over Paris, a group of wyverns were flying around the battle. From their view point, the could see the full scale of the city they were attacking. It was landlocked, but it's architecture was incredible. It was a wonder how no proper military forces had engaged them yet. Did this world not happen a true defense force? One of the wyvern riders broke off from the group and headed back to the area outside of the forest that the GATE resided in.

When the wyvern landed, they found the general and a small group of his subordinates coordinating the battle. The general was highly eager, but one of his subordinates was bugging him a bit.

"General," he said. "The architecture of this city translates to great wealth. There is no doubt that we will soon encounter a large enemy force."

"Count Formal," the general responded. "I command a force of 60,000 of the empires greatest soldiers. If we encounter an enemy, we will surely wipe them out!"

"Reporting from Wyvern unit 2!" The rider jutted in. "There is no cost of rivers near by, and the city is approximately 3 square leagues."

"3 square leagues?!" Count Formal exclaimed. "That is larger than even the capital! there is no way that we will not encounter a force of great strength!"

"Formal," the general said, annoyed. "We have encountered only minimal resistance from the natives' strange mages. There appears to be no additional forces, and our wyverns rule the skies uncontested. There is no need to fear."

Suddenly, a large book echoed from the skies. Giant balls of fire erupted from where the wyverns used to fly. Passing the fire balls were strange metal-birds. At the same time, iron-pegasi descended into the buildings they pay siege to, and began collecting natives from the buildings.

"What strange creatures are those?!" The general panicked.

Moments later, a horseless carriage of iron rolled into the battle area. When it reached a stop, a group of… children? disembarked from it wielding similar staffs to those defending the building under siege. For a brief moment, the two sides stared at each other with a mixture of confusion and hate. Then, without warning, the children released the magic from their staffs (they're actually guns. The sorcerers aren't in this battle currently).

The imperial soldiers attempted to overwhelm the children's sorcery, but more and more horseless carriages came into the square and began overwhelming the imperial troops. Losing the hope for victory, the general ordered a retreat back to the GATE, but it seemed an iron Pegasus had different plan for them.

Aiden POV

"This is Potato Actual. Raptor 6, do not allow the hostile to escape. If we can't capture them, we won't be able to get any info, over."

"Potato Actual, this is Raptor 6. Roger, wilco; engaging hostile units retreating, over."

"Copy that, Raptor 6. Potato out."

Raptor was a group of AH-100 Comanche II's. In accordance with standard unit organization, Raptor 6 was the callsign for that unit's command helicopter.

"Alright boys, engage all retreating hostiles before they enter the park."

"Isn't that a breach of international regulations?"

"They aren't surrendering, so they're still fair game. Plus, you're bringing up international regulations towards the army that just burnt down 28 foreign embassies?"

"...copy that. Engaging."

The Comanches absolutely wrecked all the retreating invaders, and, reading the wrath of the helicopters, turned around. Behind them, they faced the Aiden QRF that was just recently mobilized. Only about 300 personnel were bout to be mobilized, but she to the invaders being unprepared, they were completely cut down. Only 30,000 invaders remained, and most of the fantasy creatures assisting them were defeated.

The Aiden QRF was about to fire into the crowd of hostiles when the enemy did something unexpected. The soldiers dropped their weapons and shields and knelt down in defeat, awaiting their deaths.

The QRF, however, had their doubts, and had no idea if this was legit or a trick. One brave KAn broke formation and slowly approached the invaders holding a zip-tie. He grabbed a soldier and pulled him a hard away from the others and then applied the zip-tie. Satisfied with the result, the KAn signaled the rest of the group that it was safe, and the battle was over.

After the battle, a roll call of all civilians was started. 30,000 civilians visited Paris for the festival, but only 5,000 remained. Even worse, though, only another 10,000 bodies were able to be found after the battle, even though some were ripped unrecognizable. It was impossible that the burning wreckage that used to be called Embassy Square contained 15,000 burnt bodies, but the only other place they could be is...

KAn #1 and KAn #2 watched the aftermath of the battle. Whilst the battle in Embassy Square was going on, they successfully contained the invaders to the Square, and prevented them from overrunning the whole city. KAn #1, however was unsatisfied. He turned to what was now a burning pile of debris. On the ground, lay a burning flag. 50 white stars and 13 stripes of red and white. He then looked up towards the sky. It was filled with helicopters. Some of the helicopters, though, we're much more powerful than any military vehicle in history. They bared the logos of BBC, CNN, PBS, and FOX news.

"This…" KAn #1 mumbled to himself. "is going to be very bad for everyone."

So… this is the first chapter of my newest fanfic! If you read Under The Literature Club, don't worry, I will continue it VERY soon. On another note, here are some important notes regarding the world we're in, and how I'm writing it:

The original Aiden was a human that created another species because he was lonely. He was assassinated by an unknown group.

Aiden is not only the name of the species, but also the language that Aidenipodes speak. All of them speak English too, though. (English vs. Aiden)

The original 7 were the first Aidenipodes (and Aidenentte) ever created. They're abilities are much more powerful than that of any other Aiden. During the battle, they were handling political business in New York, and didn't make it back to Paris in time.

All Aidenipodes and Kid-Aidenipodes are named Aiden.

All Aidenetti and Kid-Aidenetti are named Aidenette.

This story is (mostly) planned out already. Chapters will be very easy to write and will most likely always be longer than this one.

Abilities do not equal magic. However, sorcery is an ability some Aidenipodes decide to take.

Military notes (that are important)

MATV Mk-12- Standard Aiden/US APC. Can carry 6 soldiers (including driver and gunner).

M2A2 Abrams- Standard MBT of Aiden Industries and the US. Uses a rail gun and needs 5 crew to fully operate.

MH-120 Cardinal- VTOL aircraft commonly referred to as a "helicopter." It has two rotor blades on opposite sides of the airframe, and two small jets built into the tail.

AH-100 Comanche II- Advanced Aiden attack helicopter. Based off of designs for the US Comanche program.

MH-80 Blue Jay- Smaller helicopter. Mostly used for scouting forces.

M5A1 Carbine- Light Assault Rifle based off of the AR-17 design. It uses astral energy to use very lightweight 6.5mm x 30mm shells in 40 round magazines. Mostly been replaced in Aiden Military Branches.

MPAR- Latest Aiden Assault Rifle with four firing modes. Has 100 round magazines for 7.2mm x 35mm shells. Exclusive to Aiden Militaries. 7 pounds heavier than M5A1.

Mk 20 Grenade Launcher- 52mm grenade launcher for most NATO militaries. Mounted on almost all Aiden vehicles.

AI-30 Gattling Cannon- 4000rpm gattling cannon. Fires .50cal HEAP rounds. Mounted on almost all Aiden vehicles.

F/A-50 Raptor II- US/Aiden exclusive 6th gen stealth fighter.

F/A-70 Lightning III- NATO/US ally 6th gen multirole fighter aircraft.

A-15 Warthog II- Replacement for A-10 to be used in low threat environments. Retains the classic BRRRT. Rarely used by Aiden Industries.