The grand auditorium was adorned with exquisite decorations and filled with hundreds of dancing figures. The chandeliers glistened echoing their radiance to the high heavens, casting a white hue that reached towards the open glass ceiling. The live band's rhythm matched the dancers' movements, and fireworks lit up the sky in a golden display of extravagance.

Laughter and music filled the Allegiant Academy as souls found solace in the event. Toni and Richie stood together, champagne in hand, enjoying the festivities and greeting soldiers who arrived in the world of glittering lights.

As the music pulsated and the room filled with thousands of attendees, the two best friends would shortly anticipate the arrival of Cid and Matthew to kick off the ceremony. Champagnes in hand as they themselves had laughed and smiled at the events before them, they continued to greet the soldiers that made their way into the world of glittering lights, dressed in splendid, fitted black tuxedos.

"Well," Toni greeted more of the faculty and then leaned into Richie teasingly, "there's his girlfriend."

Curious, Richie leaned out slightly to look past Jesse and Jasmine, who were busy managing the event with the help of their committee. He caught a glimpse of Mya and Mackenzie in the crowd before noticing Eko and Luke dancing hand in hand on the dance floor.

The woman who had captured their Commander and best friend's heart stood before them, a sight that would surely throw Matthew off his game. She was stunning in her teal dress, drawing many eyes to her, possibly due to the long slit that revealed a hint of allure. Her black adorned mask added a mysterious charm to her appearance. As her French brunette waves framed her face, her laughter highlighted her captivating features.

The two men watched as Luke twirled Eko around the dance floor. It was clear that the couple was engrossed in a lively conversation, and Luke's jokes had Eko laughing all the while.

"This is a disaster waiting to happen," Richie remarked, acknowledging that Luke had a bold approach in pursuing her.

Toni redirected his focus to Richie. "You'll need to keep an eye on him," he advised, noting Richie's confusion.

"Why?" Richie questioned, then asked, "And what are you up to?"

Toni gestured towards Jesse, who was causing a scene in a daring red dress, clearly agitated from the event. "Aiden broke up with her this afternoon. I found her in the cafeteria, and she's been drinking wine ever since. She's beside herself, as she always is when it comes to that asshole."

Richie took a swig of his champagne, expressing his anger towards Aiden. "Fuck me, he's a fucking dick. I'll deck him, I'm done with his shit. What was it about this time?"

Toni replied through gritted teeth, "He wanted her to step down from her duties. He's an arrogant asshole who thinks she should focus on less demanding activities."

Their attention was diverted as more people entered the auditorium, and the cadets at the entrance checked off the attendees as they arrived. Toni and Richie welcomed them with smiles.

"What does that even mean?" Richie shook his head in confusion. "Where the hell is he?"

"He's not here yet," Toni said, taking another sip of his champagne. "But when he arrives, I'll kick his head in."

Richie leered, "I'll gladly join you."

Toni recognized the determination in Richie's expression and agreed wholeheartedly that he would never let anyone hurt Jesse the way he had seen her earlier. . Absolutely not. He's had it with Aiden and he was going to make sure he left Allegiant one way or another after tonight.

"Speaking of people getting their head kicked in," Richie leaned back and scanned the auditorium again. "Matthew is going to throw a tantrum like a five-year-old when he sees her."

Waiters approached, and both men exchanged their flutes for fresh ones. The waiter, dressed in a beautiful white babydoll dress and a matching mask, nodded and left them to continue their conversation.

"Well," Toni reasoned, "you heard him. They're both in it for the same reason. She can't be blamed because he's developed feelings for her." He took another sip of his champagne. "And I've told him the same thing, just tell her. Eko clearly feels the same."

Richie chuckled as he took a sip of his champagne. "I've never seen him act like this. I never thought he would be the one to get like this," he shook his head. "He's actually in love with her."

Toni raised his glass, echoing Richie's sentiment. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens. It's not often we see old mate jealous, so it'll be interesting to see if Luke gets his head kicked in tonight too."

Richie couldn't contain his laughter at Toni's comment, and he howled with amusement. The imaginary scenario they painted was too much. However, their laughter abruptly halted when a younger cadet, barely twelve years old, appeared in his tuxedo and nervously stood before them. Richie and Toni exchanged puzzled looks before focusing on the boy.

"Georgie?" Toni acknowledged the kid with a slight nod, knowing that Matthew often used him for small errands when he didn't want to be seen.

"Hey!" Georgie began, out of breath, "urm, so he's pissed. I saw him up on the sky deck. He told people to, urm, get out, urm, in the way that he says it, with all the words I can't say. But, he locked the floor out."

Toni and Richie exchanged a concerned glance, puzzled by what could have triggered such a sudden change in Matthew's demeanor. They knew he had a bit of a temper when provoked, but this behavior seemed out of character, even for him.

"I'll go check on him," Toni decided, receiving a nod of agreement from Richie. He placed his flute on a passing waiter's tray and hurried out of the ballroom, with Georgie in tow.

Left alone, Richie continued to greet guests, finding himself with the last of those entering the venue. He observed them with detached curiosity, noting the intricate designs of the dresses and the sharpness of the suits. It seemed as though everyone was trying to outdo each other, using the ceremony as the ultimate platform to showcase themselves.

These types of nights were rare, ones where they could go all out and enjoy themselves without restrictions or rules, without the worry of war looming over them. It was a form of normalcy that they all craved every once in a while.

Guests had come from all over, and every student graduating from the academy was in attendance with their trainers, staff, and management. Lost in thought, he took another sip of his champagne, scanning the guests until someone caught his attention.

"Daddy." Mackenzie's voice broke him out of his reverie. He gazed at his curly-haired daughter, dressed in a sparkling pink gown.

As his daughter took his hand, Richie's attention was diverted by the sudden appearance of his ex, Mya, and Sawyer, hand in hand, making their way through the crowd. He couldn't help but feel struck by her radiant presence in her silver satin dress and mask, which highlighted her sharp, defined features that still captivated him. Who was he kidding, everything about her always stopped his heart.

Mya's smile and laughter as she greeted people only made it more difficult for Richie to deal with his feelings towards her. She seemed to light up the room, especially when she looked at their daughter and then at him, as if seeing through his mask.

Sawyer stopped before Richie and Mackenzie, offering his hand forward as a sign of civility, something that Mya had asked of him. Despite the urge to kick Sawyer's head in, Richie knew he needed to bury the ugly, salacious beast that often reared its head when it came to his ex's current partner. Afterall if he wanted to show Mya that he had grown out of the shell of the man he had become, then these were the things he needed to do.

Richie reluctantly shook Sawyer's hand, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He turned to Mya, who awkwardly greeted him with a "hey" in response.

Richie then looked down at Mackenzie and asked, "Do you want to dance, Miss?"

Mackenzie eagerly accepted with a loud "Yes!"

Mya's heart raced as she watched Richie and Mackenzie disappear into the crowd of colorful party-goers. She tried desperately to shake off the memories flooding her mind, memories of a time when they were a family. Neither her ex nor her daughter were fully aware of the turmoil inside her, of the way her heart was caught in her throat at the sight of them both moving away from her.

"May I?" Sawyer's outstretched hand brought her back to the present, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and understanding. Swallowing her anxiety, Mya took the last swing of her champagne, placed it on the table behind her, and accepted Sawyer's hand.

They joined the dancing throngs, lost in the rhythm and laughter, anxieties forgotten in the moment. They waited for the Headmaster to arrive and deliver the speeches that would would kick the celebrations into the next gear for the night.