StevieBond: Here we have yet another chapter, done much quicker than the last one.

Arnold: Much quicker than when Lily draws her sword out, eh?

Lily: *Draws out her sword* Say that again!

StevieBond: Help me...

Rune Angel Wing versus the Three Marquis

We boarded our frames and we smiled at Kahlua for what she was able to pull off.

"Congrats Kahlua." I said, giving her a quick hug. "Now you can finally pilot the Spell Caster without having to turn into Tequila sometimes."

"Thank you everyone." Kahlua replied happily.

We walked to the bridge and as we arrived to see Coco, a transmission was on the big screen.

"Luxiole, I am the representative of Magiic, Caraway." She greeted. "I wanna thank you all for driving away Genievres from my home planet."

"My former instructor." Kahlua gasped.

"Ahh Kahlua, I must praise you for finally being able to overcome your fears and use your magic again."

She smiled. "Thank you."

"I must explain about the magic circle you encountered earlier, the incantation that Genievres had set up was a spell that was once used against Magiic many ages ago and somehow, Genievres was able to replicate the ancient seal to subdue a large portion of Magiic's fleet."

Natsume looked surprised. "Genievres never told me of his capabilities in magic."

"I have more good news for you, Kahlua. Tequila has become distinct enough from your personality that she will remain even if you can now properly use magic on your own."

I was about to ask her what she meant by that but I thought not to in the end.

The transmission was then cut off another transmission came in.

"Oh look everyone." I commented, pointing at the screen. "It's the three stooges!"

"You have no right to mock the Three Marquis!" Benedictine exclaimed.

"I'm pretty sure we do, we beat you all and that makes it three losses in a row."

"We have a message for all on the Luxiole." Calvados said.

"We offer you our final challenge." Genievres added. "This final battle shall take place at Seldar where we shall settle the score. We will allow you to resupply and bring reinforcements if you see fit."

The transmission ended, although Tapio began playing it again.

"Hmm, Genievres's expression and his attitude is not like from the other transmissions." Tapio said.

"Really, how come that's got you worried?" I asked.

"Remember how they said that they would play us with some kind of game? Well it appears that the Three Marquis have been upholding some set of rules in each of their encounters. I can now summarise that someone else is behind their actions."

"Someone else, could it be a hidden fourth member?" Kazuya asked.

"The Three Marquis have always been three, there is no such thing as a fourth member, otherwise I would've known about it." Natsume replied.

"I guess we have no other way to find out other than to travel back to Seldar." I said. "But we'll be facing all three of them at once, so this could be the toughest battle we've had since we wiped out Verel's fleet around Central Globe."

"I must agree with you." Coco responded. "We shall enter Chrono Drive and return to Seldar, it may take a while since we're a long way, but we must go."

We all nodded and left the bridge as the Luxiole began to enter Chrono Drive. We walked to the Piroti and thought of two things on my mind.

"Angel Wing, after that last battle, I think Natsume has more than proven her worth to be one of us." I said as I put my hand on her shoulder. "I saw how you did out there and you were top notch, those automated ships didn't see you coming."

"Thank you…but is that true?"

"Of course it is, as the ring leader I would like to offer you a place in our group and to join the Rune Angel Wing."

"Do you really mean it?"

"I do…because earlier on, Coco gave me the word that she has approved of you to fight with us as one of the angel wing members so we can fight for the future."

Natsume smiled and she suddenly hugged me. "Thank you, Arnold! I would love to be an official member."

"Yay!" Nano exclaimed.

"That's wonderful to hear." Apricot added.

I pulled out of the hug with a smile. "That means you'll need an Angel Wing uniform. But they can only be made on the planet of Seldar, so that will have to wait. But that aside, welcome aboard to the team." I shook her hand.

The others were very happy, now it was time for the second thought on my mind. "Oh and Roselle, about earlier. It's time we had a talk." I looked at him.

"Okay, where should we discuss this?" He asked.

"How about your room, if you're okay with that."

"Yeah, I don't mind, come with me."

We waved to the other angels and Lily of course was smiling about it. I walked to Roselle's room and stood inside with him. His room was quite a simple yet metallic appearance, there was a photo frame of him on a table.

"So this is how you like your room?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm not really into all that detailed decorations, not like how my sister would be." He replied.

"I see…alright I want to ask you a few things, because a space bird told me about how friendly you've been with all of us since the previous battle from before."

"A space bird, is that even possible?"

"It's just an expression Roselle, it doesn't need to be taken literally. Anyways, how have you been getting along with the girls of the angel wing?"

"I like them all if I'm honest, although I like some of more than the others."

"That's understandable and believe me, I was once like that when I got to know the Moon Angel Wing. However I've heard a rumour that you've been getting a little too friendly with one the girls, now would you say that it's true?"

"Well I can't lie to you, there is one I just can't help talking to and being friendly towards."

"Who is it, if you don't mind me asking?"

He looked at me. "Lily…putting her sword collection and her loyalty to Seldar aside, she's a beautiful young woman."

"Well I can't blame you there…but anyways, I'm not sure if Kazuya has already told you or that he hasn't got around to telling you, but he and Lily are in a relationship."

Roselle looked away. "No, he hasn't said that."

"I think it's because he wasn't sure how to say it because you just joined our group in a short space of time. But my point is that if you get too friendly with a girl who's already in a relationship with another guy, it's going to make her feel uncomfortable and Kazuya will probably not like that if he finds out about you getting too close to Lily."

"I see…I'm sorry. Since I wasn't exactly well taught on personal feelings due to my time in the military, I didn't know I was making Lily feel uncomfortable."

"Well it's not me you need to apologise to. But it's good to know that you understand what I mean. Now is there anyone else on the ship you like more?"

"Well, the second closest one I like…is Kahlua."

"Ahhh, you like our spell caster of the group. Well I can't blame you, she is quite a stunner and a top-class mage. I think you and her could match well."

"You think so?"

"I have a hunch…as Tact would use to say."

"Well that may not be much of a help…but first things first, I gotta go and talk to Lily."

I stood up from the chair. "Whilst I have gotta check on the other girls, in case Kazuya is busy."

"You do that…wish me luck, Arnold."

"I'm sure you'll be fine, Roselle. We'll talk again later."

I left his room and checked around the Piroti to see if the other girls were good. Until a door opened and out popped Nano's head.

"Arnold!" she called. "Come in to my room, I gotta show you this!"

"Calm down, Nano." I giggled. "I'm coming."

I walked in and I had only seen her room twice. It was a lively and playful one with her bed made in a circle shape in the middle of the room. Nano jumped over to a corner and brought out a huge packet that was wrapped in a red ribbon.

"Look at these, I bought them from the convenience store." She brought it over to the bed.

I was very curious. "What are they?"

"These are candy crackers!" she opened the packet up. "They look like crackers but each one has one of four different kinds of chocolate inside and get this, they have explosive candy inside!"

"Seriously? That sounds quite expensive."

"Oh no, there was a sale going on yesterday and I just had to buy it, you wanna try one?"

"Sure, one won't hurt."

I grabbed a cracker and unwrapped it to reveal normal chocolate, I took a bite and I could tell that it was mint-flavoured chocolate and then I began to hear crackling noises, must be the explosive candy as she would put it.

"Okay, not only do you have amazing nanomachines, you have an amazing taste in sales." I complimented.

Nano laughed. "Thanks, I thought you'd like them."

"I tell you what, you should save that packet and share it with everyone else."

"Yeah! That's a great idea…I better let you go now." She put them down. "You're our leader, but my door is always open if you wanna share more of these and chat."

"I'll hold you to that. See you next time, Nano." I replied, sharing a quick hug before leaving her room.

Who should I visit now? My question was answered when Anise turned up.

"Oh, Arnold." She said. "There's something I wanted to give you, come with me to my room."

"Something for me, eh?"

I walked with her into her room and this was actually the first time I'd seen her room. It had a look of a treasure hunter combined with holiday resort furniture.

"Now this may shock you but this is the first time you've seen my room."

"Really…all this time I've never been in your room once?"

"Yeah, although it is because you are very busy, being a leader and all and it's like Kahlua said back in the infirmary months ago, you don't ask much from us in return."

"Yeah, so what brings me to your room?"

"Well, do you like it?"

"I sure do, it suits your style right down to the ground."

I'm glad you see it that way, here I want to give you this." She handed me something and put it in my hands.

"A smoke bomb?"

"Yep, but it's not like my other ones, this one has been designed to work in the open vast space, this is the only one I have but I think it may come in handy for you."

"Come in handy…in that case, thank you Anise." I put it away in my pocket. "I'll keep a hold on to it, just in case."

"Yeah, you do that…by the way, what was your talk with Roselle about?"

"It was a personal matter, that's all I can say."

"Ahhh I understand, because he and I had a long talk."

Anise looked at me. "I don't think he's my type and I had a feeling that I wasn't his type either."

"So something did happen a few missions ago?"

"Yeah, Roselle, Kazuya and I were captured by mistake by my old treasure hunter crew, but I was able to sort the issue out and we were able to leave and rendezvous with you all."

"Well that must've been quite a mess, but I won't mention that to anyone else. I better go and check on the other angels."

"Alright Arnold, just come to my room if you wanna play space pirates."

"Haha, I'll think about it. See you, Anise." We shared a quick hug before I left her room.

A beep went off in my earpiece. "Go ahead."

"Arnold, prepare the Rune Angel Wing." Coco spoke. "The Luxiole had completed Drive Out, be ready as we approach Seldar."

"Got it, we'll be on standby." I made another call as I walked to the hanger. "Angels, can you hear me? We're approaching the planet of Seldar, stay vigilant and be ready to sortie as soon as we come into contact with the Three Marquis." I ended the call.

Shortly later, I was in my frame and waiting for the others to arrive. One by one they got into their frames and the three hanger doors opened, we flew on out and there was the Seldar planet in front of us, but there were loads of ships guarding it.

"There!" I exclaimed. "The Three Marquis must've got there before we did. That's quite a huge fleet they've got over there."

Genievres appeared on my screen. "Welcome home to the new Seldar, everyone on the Luxiole."

"You again?"

"Benedictine and Calvados have already stated where they stand and I shall make mine. We admit that you have proven to be stronger than us thus far, but this is where it ends."

"How cliché of you to say that." I smirked.

"Enjoy making fun of our defeats, Arnold. But I have even more grateful news for you."

"More news, what more could you possibly do to try and throw me off guard?"

"The Dimension Gate Key, this key that we managed to steal, this key that you've been aiming to get back at any cost…I regret to inform you that it's no longer in my possession."

I blinked. "No way, you're lying!"

"Hmph! Then forget your eyes, it is your mind that is blind to the truth. Since you and everyone else among the Luxiole will meet your certain demise, I may as well reveal to you another true fact."

"Another one of your lies?"

"We have been following the rules of someone else who made this game that we have played since the beginning of our takeover of Seldar's Empire. The one who is behind it all…now has possession of the Dimension Gate Key and best of all, it is now in another dimension. So the only thing standing between you and the key…is our fleet, we each underestimated you once, we'll not do it again. Prepare for battle, we strike!"

He cut the transmission and the radar was brought up.

There were twelve destroyers, six fast attack ships, six cruisers and the Three Marquis battleships. I could tell that they were going to be on the offensive now.

"Okay, it's clear that they're aiming for the Luxiole, but with those many automated ships, I don't think we're gonna be quick enough to deal with all of them." I said.

"Then we have one objective that is sure to work." Coco replied who was on my screen. "Eliminate the Three Marquis flagships, make sure they don't get away again."

"Let's give it all we've got Angels, let's win this final battle!"

"Yes sir!" they replied.

The battle began and we went straight for the centre group of ships that was led by Benedictine, I tore down two destroyers whilst Roselle dealt with a fast attack ship, the other angels took care of the cruisers, leaving the door open for a special attack.

"I'm going for it…HYPER BLASTER!" Apricot yelled as her special heavily damaged Benedictine's flagship and it shut down.

We regrouped and dealt with another pair of cruisers and went to work on Calvados's flagship. Anise and Nano took care of the destroyers that tried to make a beeline for the Luxiole. Calvados's ship was then shut down, one more to go.

Genievres's fleet was halfway to the Luxiole, we didn't have time for the small fry, since Genievres no longer has the gate key, we could go all out on his ship without holding back. We swarmed around him and then his ship shut down.

"Enemy flagships heavily damaged." I said. "The remaining automated ships have stopped moving."

"Alright! We did it!" Kazuya exclaimed.

"Angel Wing, withdraw and return to the Luxiole." Coco said.

We did so, returning to the hanger and rushed up to the bridge to see what else was happening. The three flagships we beat did not retreat, instead they floated towards a huge space station that had appeared from the other side of Seldar. The big ships were connected to the station and something was beginning to form.

"I sense powerful energy magic from the station." Kahlua said.

"Wait, it's not targeting the Luxiole." I added. "It just turned around towards Seldar."

"No! They're going to destroy the planet of Seldar!"

"Quick, move the Luxiole in Seldar's view, we'll try to stop the attack." Coco ordered.

The Luxiole was now between Seldar and the space station's firing range. The ship began to fire, but a siren went off. Don't tell me the Luxiole's firing system is suffering from a technical issue.

"Kazuya, come with me to the hanger." Lily said. "Everyone else, stay here."

"I'm with you all the way." Kazuya replied, grabbing her hand and they rushed from the bridge.

All we could do was watch…no this can't be the end…suddenly, a transmission came in. It was the two fairies from Seldar and they had boarded the Luxiole to help Lily, but what for I wondered.

As the space station began to fire, a wave of light that was shaped like an arc came from above us and swept through the station's energy beam, nullifying its attack. I had no idea what the heck was going at the time.

Then the space station turned its focus to us…they're going to wipe us out, then yet another source of attack intervened, we looked on the radar and we confirmed it to be a very familiar ship.

"No way!" I commented. "It's the Elsior!"

Tact then appeared on the big screen.

"Tact!" Kazuya exclaimed. "How did you get to NEUE?"

"I'll explain in detail later, right now we gotta attack the Three Marquis." He replied.

But before we could, a massive gateway opened up and it sucked in the space station along with the Three Marquis ships before the gate immediately closed. That alone confirmed what Genievres said, someone else now has the key and probably used it to create a temporary dimension gate right there.

Shortly later, Tact was back on the big screen.

"Tact, do you know of the current situation?" I asked.

"I do and it's all good news." He replied. "For now, we're docking at Seldar and because the Three Marquis have disappeared from this galaxy, our conflict with the Arms Alliance is over."

"Well that's one good news at least." Roselle said.

"I'll meet you all at Seldar and explain more, for now, take a breather and congratulate yourselves on a huge victory."

He ended the transmission. He was right, that was a big battle and we won, but I wonder, what will Noah say when she finds out I couldn't get the key back?

My thought was interrupted when Lily tapped me on the shoulder. "I need you to come with me."

I nodded and we left the bridge and I walked with her to her room where she had two swords on the bed.

"First of all Arnold...I wanna thank you so much." she hugged me by surprise. "Roselle hasn't been too friendly with me since you spoke to him."

"That's good to know." I replied, accepting the hug. "But I was doing what any good friend would do."

"Yes and second of all...remember when I told you that you should have a sword of your own?" She walked to the bed and picked up on in it's sheath "This one was given to me when I entered into service as a royal guard on Seldar. Now, I want you to have this." she handed it over.

I blinked. "Really...but this sword means a lot to you, doesn't it?" I took it gently from her.

"It's helped me through my training, but the other one you see was what helped me saved Seldar and the Luxiole from that space station. I believe that you'll take great care of my old sword."

It had a strap to I put it around my shoulder. "I can see...but thank you Lily, I will take good care of this sword and if I'm up close against any evil that threatens our lives, I'll use it just in case."

"Please do and without hesitation...thanks again."

"You're very much welcome, we'll talk again at a later time."

I smiled and left her room with the newly owned sword and I walked straight to my room to take a rest. First a desert eagle, then a modified smoke bomb and now a steel blade sword, all I need is a lucky charm and then my hero's look will be complete...but I was only joking about that part.