StevieBond: New chapter and there'll be more to come as always.
Kelsie: The emperor believes that you need some new pre-segment material.
Santa-Rosa: So we came here to say some words on your behalf.
StevieBond: You don't have to fairies, I've got it all under control.
Backgrounds of an Angel
The next day arrived and a beep went off outside my door. "Arnold, are you awake?"
I had woken up by the noise. "Morning Anise…just now."
"Oh…well mind if you come out? There's something we need to talk about."
"Uhhh, give me a few minutes." I got dressed into my uniform and walked out of my room to see Anise on the benches.
"Sorry to wake you up, but Rico just had a conversation with us about her past and why she throws guys far away." She said. "She mentioned that you helped kept it a secret until she was ready to tell the rest of us."
"Yeah, she did and I told her that she could trust me until she ready to tell."
"Well, I think it's about time I told you a little bit about my past, but there are some things I don't remember."
I nodded. "Take it slowly and begin from where you think you can tell me and before you start, you can trust me."
"Yeah thanks…remember the time when I once said that I refuse to have my frame go under regular maintenance?"
"Oh yeah, I remember Kazuya saying something about it but he wasn't sure why."
"Well it's because long ago before I discovered about you and the Angel Wing, I had an engineer of my own who always maintained over the Relic Raider. He was Kelvin Crepe. He was the only one from planet Azeat who knew how to tinker with the engines to my style and I sometimes looked up at him as if he was my surrogate father."
"Surrogate father?"
She looked down. "Yeah…but then eight years ago, he kicked me out of the home I lived in and since then, I had learnt to survive alone on the planet and in space and how to keep myself out of harm's way. I'm proud of how far I've come, but I'm not sure how to feel when I meet Kelvin again."
"Again, you mean that we're going to the planet of Azeat?"
"Yeah, that's the other thing I was told to let you know. There'll be a space shuttle that all of us need to get on soon. I was gonna go at it alone, but then I remembered about your leadership and how you keep us together."
"Well I'm glad you did, because you're not alone, you joined us nine months ago and you're a very close friend to me and everyone else. I'm sure everyone is a close friend to you in return."
Anise giggled. "Yeah…but there you go again, you're leaving yourself out. You're an amazing leader and you kick ass every time when you're in combat."
"I do try and do that every time, yes. But it's great to be reminded…anyways, I'm all ready to go, how about the others?"
"They already know, we're traveling to Azeat and I think we're getting close….oh and thanks for understanding about my story."
"It's no problem."
We both stood up and shared a friendly hug, leaving the Piroti for the hanger where a shuttle was ready for take-off. The others were already there, so we got on the shuttle and it departed for the planet Azeat.
When we arrived, the shuttle door opened and the first thing I felt was a bit of wind, when we got out, I noticed that there was more than wind, this place was one like huge desert with a few desert storms, I wondered if that guy who made Sandstorm was around.
Kazuya looked at me and I think we had the same thing on our minds, how Anise survived on this planet alone for eight years, we could only guess. We then saw a dome in the distance, so we walked through the sands. The dome was in front of us and Anise opened the gates.
"Hmm, these gates haven't been fixed for years." Anise said.
"Look at all this garbage." Nano commented, noticing the pile first.
"Its scrap metal."
"How could anyone live in this place?" Kahlua asked.
"Ugh! It's gross!" Natsume complained.
"Let's not complain." Lily replied. "We had to go through this to get Kazuya's package back, remember."
"Please don't remind us of that time." Apricot moaned.
"Kelvin! Are you in here?" Anise called out.
There was a response as a big man came out, I didn't know who he was at first.
"Wait, I remember you." Kazuya said. "You were on that ship when you captured me, Roselle and Anise by mistake."
"Yeah I was." the big guy replied. "Hey everyone else, I'm Grog Metabuha."
"My god Grog." Anise said. "What happened to you? You've lost your muscles and you've grown a lot around the stomach."
"Well things haven't been easy on me and Kelvin for a few months….and Kelvin is here I think."
"What do you mean you think? I'm right here!" A voice intervened, standing beside Grog. "Hello to you all, I am Kelvin Crepe…and it has been a long while, Anise. What brings you back to your old home planet?"
"My Relic Raider's engines have stopped functioning." Anise replied. "Could you look into it?"
"Sure I can…now where is it?"
"It's on the Luxiole." I replied. "As Angel Wing leader, let us escort you till we're safe on the ship."
"I can understand, let's go, Grog."
We left the dome and walked back to the shuttle, we then returned to the Luxiole and got out of the space shuttle where Coco was waiting for us.
"Welcome aboard the Luxiole." Coco greeted the two. "I'm the commander of this ship."
"I'm not really interested in formalities." Kelvin replied. "Now where is the Relic Raider that needs examining?"
"It's over here." Croix replied, pointing to Anise's frame. "But I must ask, how long will take?"
"Possibly a few days at least, so we'll need somewhere to stay until it's done."
"I'll set up the guest room." Coco said. "You two can sleep there until your work is done."
"Thanks." Grog replied.
"Now I'm off to get started." Kelvin said as he went over to Anise's frame.
"Allow me to give you a tour of the ship if you want, Grog." Kazuya offered.
"That would be nice for me, thanks, man." Grog replied as he walked with Kazuya and Lily.
"Arnold, I've heard a bit about you being given room tours, but have you seen mine yet?" Natsume asked.
"No I haven't, surprisingly." I replied.
"Then come with me, I wanna show you."
I walked with Natsume from the hanger to the Piroti where she took me to a room that was between Anise's and Lily's rooms. I followed inside and was welcomed to Natsume's room, it was covered in many shades of pink from the ceiling to the floor.
"Well, this is my room." She said. "Isn't it splendid?"
I almost had no words. "Yeah, it's very pink…but so welcoming at the same time."
"Thanks…this is how my room used to look like when I was back home with my parents."
"You mean from the days before you became part of the Arms Alliance?"
"Yes…a room like this is what I've always wanted…I also have a pink TV."
She wasn't kidding, she really did have one. "Have you always thought of having a dose of floral pink in this room?"
"I did once but I didn't like the colour of it, why do you ask?"
"Because you remind me of Mint whose room used to be blue. But she also liked to mix with floral pink."
"I see."
"So besides pink, have you always liked another colour?"
"Yes…I like having white on some things, like the pillows over there. I sit on those when I'm watching a show, mostly either cartoons or comedy shows."
"Comedy shows, eh? I guess my humour inspired you to check them out."
"Well your sense of humour helped, say, would you like to join and watch some shows with me?"
"Sure, I've got time to kill."
She put on a few shows and I learnt that Natsume had great taste in comedy shows.
About two days later, we were in the hanger and approaching towards an asteroid field since we were still around the planet of Azeat. The shuttle was getting ready to leave.
"Well I gotta thank you, Kelvin." Croix said. "Now I can maintain the Relic Raider on my own."
"Well it's time for us to return home." Kelvin relied. "Mind if we have an escort?"
I put up my hand. "I can take care of that."
"Are you sure, Arnold?" Coco asked.
"Yeah, I'm positive. I'll board my frame now."
I got into my frame as the others stood back and the hanger front door opened. The shuttle flew out and I followed, escorting them among the asteroid field. Things were very quiet, it was like a piece of cake this mission was.
Suddenly sirens went off in my frame. I checked the map, there were enemy ships approaching the field. Three destroyers, two fast attack ships and four cruisers.
"Enemy ships?!" I exclaimed. "Wait…how did they get here, there can't have been a rift opened here because if there was, we would've known about it." I made the call. "Angel Wing, scramble at once, we've got enemy ships inbound! We need to escort the shuttle back to the Luxiole."
On my radar, six other blue triangles appeared.
The battle begun with the shuttle turning around and retreating to the Luxiole. I chose to remain where I was until the rest of the Angel Wing got here, ready to swat down those enemy ships.
I took out the three destroyers whilst the others dealt with the fast attack ships, leaving the cruisers remaining. But as soon as we took those out, enemy reinforcements arrived, three more destroyers appeared and they were close to the shuttle.
We swooped out frames back through the asteroid field and dealt with them quickly enough for the shuttle to get close to the Luxiole until it was inside the ship, with no enemies left, the mission was over.
We returned to the ship and checked on the shuttle to see if they were okay. But we were called to the bridge shortly and I think Noah may be able to explain what just happened earlier.
"Angel Wing, the Will fleet appeared before we even knew." Noah said. "Here's the destroyed transmitter we found that denied our radar capabilities."
"Was there a rift to the Infinite Corridor opened?" Kazuya asked.
"Not quite…they appeared through Chrono Drive. This suggests that more Will forces heave appeared in NEUE then we originally thought. The Luxiole will have to respond even quicker in future fights."
"Why aren't we in the briefing room discussing this?" Apricot asked.
"There is another matter you'll need to go attend to."
"Angel Wing, come with me to the briefing room." Coco said.
We left the bridge and walked to the briefing room where Grog and Kelvin were.
"These two will be joining us for the time being." She added. "I have contacted someone from Seldar on a specific channel."
A hologram suddenly appeared in the middle…it was Soldum who had become King of Seldar a while ago.
"Hello, Rune Angel Wing." He said. "And hello Kelvin, I haven't seen you for fifteen years."
"Why is he here?" Kazuya asked.
"I contacted him to fulfil a promise I made years ago with him." Kelvin replied. "Anise stand up please and remain silent." Anise stood up as she was asked. "Soldum, this is Anise, the daughter of Garam and Masara."
Soldum seemed to be in silent. "Anise, I would like to apologise."
"What's going on?" Anise asked. "And why are you saying my father's name?"
"Grog, do you remember me?"
"I don't think so, unless…" Grog was cut off when Soldum put an eyepatch on. "…oh I remember now, it's you, Stanley!"
"Okay, I'm getting nothing but strange vibes here." I intervened.
"Shhh!" Lily replied to me.
"I might as well explain." Soldum said. "Fifteen years ago when I was terribly curious, I temporary left my royalty in search of a legendary treasure, a device that challenged the inner straight of its user. I was with the parents of Anise deep down in the cave where the treasure was said to be."
Now I was beginning to understand where this is going.
"Suddenly, the ground started to shake. Anise, you were given away from your parents to me in order to bring you and me to safety with an escape elevator. However, the ground was crumbling by the time we escaped, I had heard that the tunnel had collapsed and Garam and Masara had died, unable to escape." Soldum looked at Anise. "Unfortunate timing or not, I cannot forgive myself that I was unable to save your parents."
Anise looked at Kelvin, almost glaring. "Why didn't you tell me about that part when you spoke to me before?"
"Because you weren't ready for the full details." Kelvin replied. "But I also made a promise that in some way, I would help you become the person your father had wanted."
"Wanted, what do you mean?" She almost grabbed on to him. "What did my father want?"
Kelvin was calm about it and looked at her in the eyes. "Your father wanted you to become a strong individual with a strong heart, but most importantly, for you to find your own place with many trusted friends with you. So is the Luxiole your place to call home?"
"I think so."
"I am sorry for the way I treated you back then, would you ever forgive me?"
"I…I do…but please stop apologizing." Anise began to feel emotional. "Hearing the King apologise is enough for one day."
"Then allow me to praise you. You have done well to come this far and I am very proud of you and your parents would be proud of you as well."
Anise sniffed. "You…you've never praised me before…why now…why?"
Kelvin remained silent, Anise then began to cry on his lap.
So she lost her parents at an early age…I know how that feels.
"Anise, how do you feel now?" I asked.
"I need some time alone…" she said, wiping her eyes away.
"Then let me take you back to your room."
"Yeah…thanks."
"Alright, the rest of you are dismissed for now." Coco said.
I walked with Anise with my arm around her until we got to her room and I walked with her inside. She was still feeling upset now that she heard the full story of what happened to her parents.
"Anise, it may not be my place to say it, but I experienced losing my parents at a young age." I said. "It was only when I was two."
She sniffed. "Wait, I think you told me that story months ago. About how you lost your father because of the Val-Fasc and what happened to your mother."
"Yeah…the point is, you and the other angels have always been there for me whenever I needed you, now it's time for me to return a favour. Anise, I'll be your shoulder if you ever need to feel better. That goes for the other angels."
Anise hugged me and began to cry again. The pain of losing the parents…I once felt that and now someone else was feeling that pain, Anise was not alone on this matter.
Sometime later, after I gave Anise time alone, I was one the bridge with Noah who played a transmission that was sent to us moments ago.
"This is a message from the Will." Sorbet said. "We have found you of becoming our vessels to spread our culture and technology. I foresee that all will become one and how all will rejoice when that time comes."
The transmission ended.
"Seems like they're not keen on giving up their search for God or Goddess candidates." I commented.
"This was sent an hour ago and I forwarded it to UWP headquarters." Noah replied. "But I already know that they cannot intervene, even though they understand how much of a threat the Will is."
"Is there anything else?"
"No signals have been detected by the Infinite Corridor and we are travelling towards Seldar." Coco replied. "We received a report on a blade that's been identified as one of Seldar's legendary relics, the Crimson Blade as Lily describes it."
Suddenly, another transmission came in and a small plump guy appeared on the screen.
"Who's this oompa loompa?" I remarked.
"Greetings Luxiole, I am Hamon Zerbec." He stated. "I am the former vice admiral of the remnants of Cudgel's fleet."
"Cudgel…wait. That sounds familiar!"
"So you've guessed already? That's good, understand that I only got to that position after what happened to Calvados and the other two of the Three Marquis three months ago."
"What business do you have with us?" Coco asked.
"I request entrance to the White Moon that's behind you."
"We can't allow that to happen." Noah said. "If someone from the Arms Alliance steps into the White Moon, the peace treaties would be ceased and it would cause a political incident."
"I do not care for the consequences, allow me passage or be prepared to fight!"
He cut the transmission.
"We're gonna have to stop him at all costs." I said. "I'll get the other angels into combat."
"We'll brief you in the field." Tapio responded.
I left the bridge and rushed to the hanger, making an emergency call to the angels who followed. We were ready, so the doors opened and out we flew. I checked the map to notice thirteen chargers in front of us.
"Hamon's fleet is automated." Tapio said on my screen. "And his own vessel is hidden among those ships, but if you can do enough damage to it, it should reveal itself. So find and eliminate Hamon's vessel."
I nodded but before the battle began, I made a quick call to Anise.
"Anise…if you don't feel that you can fight because of what's been told to you earlier, retreat immediately. Understood?"
"No, its okay Arnold…I wanna thank you for trying to help me, you're the best leader we could ever have." She replied with a smile.
"Okay…then let's do this battle, Angels!"
The battle started and we flew straight for the first three chargers, the angels split into two pairs whilst I flew around and finished off any charger that were heavily damaged. Two chargers came forward and we took out both of those. Still no sign of Hamon's vessel, we kept looking and taking down the automated vessels that came our way.
There were only three left in the map, we caused damaged on the middle one and suddenly a star appeared on the radar, next to the ship we were attacking.
"Hamon's vessel located." Tapio said. "Destroy it now!"
We focused our fire and Hamon's Vessel ground to a halt.
We returned to the ship and rushed to the bridge. Hamon's vessel was heavily damaged, but a small pod came out and zoomed past the Luxiole, en route to the White Moon.
Suddenly, as the pod came into contact with the White Moon's shields, the shields shut down and Kazuya suddenly collapsed and then I saw a blurred image of Kazuya standing up in front of us.
"What the hell?!" I exclaimed. "Did you just become a ghost?!"
"Yay! Everyone can finally hear me!" He replied happily. "This is my spirit form."
The others were scared in horror, apart from Kahlua.
Kazuya's spirit then went back into his body and he woke up as normal, once the White Moon's shields were back up.
"How can you say all of that with a straight face?!" I asked in shock.
"Well come on, Arnold. You've been through something like this, right?"
I blinked and face palmed, I didn't want to see any more randomness after that.
