Here we go then...this is gonna be another downer when it gets to it.


Second Turn Of Events

The day of battle had arrived and we just left Transbaal, ready to go into Chorno Drive but we were suddenly halted by a sudden transmission.

"Commander, incoming transmission from the White Moon." Almo said.

"White Moon?" I asked. "What does it say?"

"Lady Shatyarn is requesting your presence with the Angel Wing, she also wants to see Alexander."

"Very well, then let's move to the White Moon and dock inside."

We travelled to the White Moon that was nearby and we docked inside. We then made our way to the throne room and waited for Shatyarn to arrive.

BGM: Galaxy Angel - White Moon

"So this is the centre of the White Moon." Alexander said. "I bet it houses a lot of vital information."

"That's an understatement." I replied. "Oh and if it's not too much to ask, try to show a little bit of respect when you see her."

"Well I can't make any guarantees, but I'll try."

Then, the lady herself arrived, it had been a long time since I last saw Shatyarn and she was often the mother I never had when it's just the two of us talking.

"Welcome to you all." She greeted. "I am glad we could meet again."

"The feeling is mutual." I responded. "Considering what's going on, being able to see you is a rare moment of enjoyment."

"Forgive me for interrupting, but I believe you wanted to see me." Alexander intervened.

"Yes, you must be Alexander Lightbringer." Shatyarn said. "It is a pleasure to meet you, even if you are from another universe. I must thank you for all your help so far, your information on the Moon Demon has been incredibly helpful."

"Well the pleasure is mine, I'm just doing my job as I want the Moon Demon to be defeated as well."

She nodded. "Now I've brought you all here for another reason."

"What is it?" I asked.

Shatyarn's smile was gone. "I heard about what happened to one of your Angels, I can only offer my condolences to you. I may not be able to provide the assistance to defeat the Moon Demon, but what I can offer is a chance to gain the upper hand with the automated fleets."

"Please tell us, it would be useful." Chitose said.

"I wish to be like Arnold for a moment and say that I do not want to take any chances. From this moment onwards, you will all have your frames limiters removed."

"So that means we'll have the wings out from now on?" Mint asked.

"Now that's more like it." Ranpha added. "Now we can get out there and beat down bigger automated fleets."

"We'll be able to do much more." Milfie said. "Thank you, Lady Shatyarn."

"Now, you must hurry." Shatyarn lightly warned. "I understand that you have to face the Moon Demon very soon."

"Yes, we'll be going now." I replied. "And the girls will be careful with the frames."

End Of BGM

With that, we all left the White Moon to go back on the Elsior, we activated Chrono Drive and we zoomed to the Moon Demon's location.

"Angel Wing, prepare to deploy." I ordered. "The time for battle has arrived again, but this time we have the upper hand."

The five frames flew out to the open space and lined up in front of the Elsior.

"I'll be keen to see how the angels perform with the wings on." Alexander said.

Sirens went off, here comes the automated fleet.

BGM: Galaxy Angel - Briefing

"Here's the situation." Lester said as the radar appeared in front of me on the map desk. "We are located here and we have allied ships on either side. The enemy fleet is shown here, it looks like to be a lot bigger than last time."

The enemy fleet consisted of six destroyers, six high-speed frigates and three battleships.

"Hmmm." I pondered. "It must be Minion's doing, having Shatyarn remove the limiters on the frames was a good move on her part."

"So it'll be the same as before?" Lester asked.

"Yep. Angel Wing, eliminate the automated fleet so that Mint can get close to taking on the Moon Demon."

"No probs, with our wings out, this will be over quickly." Ranpha replied.

"Let's not get over confident." Alexander said.

"Agreed." I responded. "Angel Wing, engage!"

"Yes sir!"

BGM: Galaxy Angel - Soaring Emblem Frames

The battle started and the high speed frigates were living up to their names, moving almost as quick as our frames. But the girls proved that the automated ships were no match for them. Five of the high-speed frigates went down each, leaving one remaining.

"HYPER CANNON!" Milfie yelled as she took down three destroyers in a line.

"The last one is mine!" Ranpha said, flying towards the last high speed frigate. "ANCHOR CLAW!"

"I have the battleships in view." Chitose called. "FATAL ARROW!"

Her four snipe shots eliminated two of them in quick succession.

"Harvester here." Vanilla said. "The last three destroyers are eliminated."

"Thanks to our team work." Milfie added.

"Argh!" Chitose exclaimed. "The last battleship caught me off guard, I need help."

"REPAIR WAVE!" Vanilla called, repairing all the frames.

Mint was able to deal with the last battleship and it was over.

BGM: Galaxy Angel - Main Imperial Fleet

"All targets destroyed." Coco said.

"Very impressive." Alexander praised. "Those wings sure make them look good."

"Yeah, but this is only going to get worse before it gets better...if it does that is." I sighed.

End of BGM

"Mint, the way is now clear, go forth and weaken the Moon Demon as much as you can."

"Understood Arnold, here I go." She replied.

Her Trick Master flew with us and soon we saw the Moon Demon along with a tiny figure out in the open galaxy before the boundary ring appeared around us.

"Huh? The boundary ring?" I asked. "I thought that only occurred when we try to retreat a second time."

"Then maybe the Moon Demon has gotten wise, or perhaps Minion is present as well." Alexander said.

A channel was opened and on our screen was Minion himself who was in front of the Moon Demon and the Trick Master.

"There you are, child of the galaxy." He said.

Mint however was looking serious and determined. "So you can talk in space? Then you really are not human." She replied.

"Before you can face my master, I must ask you once again. Surrender your soul and all the other souls of the galaxy to my master."

"Do you really believe that I will bow down to you? Now kindly step aside, I don't plan to keep your master waiting."

Minion smirked. "It seems that none of our words will make you heel to us."

"Must I ask you again to step aside or shall I defeat you as well?"

He laughed. "You will regret your decision, child of the galaxy..."

Minion then vanished and then the Moon Demon roared, turning to face us.

"For the sake of the future, I will make sure you feel my desire to win." Mint said. "Let's go, Trick Master!"

The battle started and Mint's frame dodged the early attacks from the Moon Demon. The fliers were hitting their mark pretty easily as she flew all around the Moon Demon, dealing damage all the while. She's holding herself well out there, but I knew that the Moon Demon won't be able to stand these attacks for long, it will probably used that spear again, the one that comes out from underneath it's demon part in order to impale her frame.

"FLIER DANCE!" Mint's fliers swarmed around it and I took a quick look at Alexander who was very focused on the damage report he was receiving.

"Very interesting...she's exceeding what I thought she's capable of so far." He muttered.

Suddenly the Moon Demon roared and an EMP attack beam was released and it hit the Trick Master.

"KYAH!" Mint yelled. "My controls have shut down...I can't move!"

"Quick, use the Angelic Bracelet." I replied. "Don't give up now."

"Alright...here it goes..."

The bracelet lit up and the frame went back online before she turned to face the Moon Demon.

"Fear the might of the Blancmanche Corporation!" Mint exclaimed as a tear dropped from her eye. "FINAL FLIER DANCE!"

The fliers suddenly split into more than three and they were striking the Moon Demon with full impact. It roared in huge pain before it spun around viciously, knocking down the fliers in one swoop. Then the line part where the spear came out showed up again...ready to fire.

"Hah...I'm tired." Mint huffed. "Moon Demon, why would you come here? Why do you want to consume us?"

Suddenly, the spear launched and it pierced through the Trick Master.

"YARGH!" She screamed. "...nooooo! Cough...cough...Arnold, I'm sorry..." She pushed the Chrono String discharge button. "I wish...I could've helped you just a little...more..." I didn't want to see where the spear pierced through, but I knew it was ugly. "I must return...the bracelet...cough...cough...father...please, forgive...me...I'll...always...remem...ber...you...fa...ther..."

*KA-BOOM*

The Trick Master exploded...

BGM: Dragon Quest VIII - Remembrance

"Mint! MINT!" I stood up, trying to control my emotions. "MIIIIIIIIIIIIINT!"

"Commander Arnold, calm down." Alexander responded.

"Calm down?! Mint just died!"

"I know and you also knew that she couldn't defeat it either. She did what she could and that was deal enough damage as possible."

I sighed in anger. "I get that but...the time when she and I shared those sweets, I can still feel the sweetness from those candies."

"We've lost two angel wing members now." Coco said sadly.

"This is too horrible to watch." Almo added.

Lester once again had no words and neither did I at that point. This is going to be a move that may cost my military career, but her father must be made aware of what has happened and pray that he channels his mourn to the Moon Demon and not me, even though I am the one who has to send the girls out there.

The boundary ring disappeared and the Angelic Bracelet returned to Alexander, we retreated back to Transbaal.

Some time later in the memorial section of the viewing park, a small memorial stone was put in place next to Forte's with a short message.

Here lies Mint Blancmanche. Daughter of the Blancmanche Corporation. Her elegance will always be remembered.

I sighed depressingly. "Not again..."

"I won't deny, she did an impressive job in reducing the Moon Demon's health, it is now down to 60%."

"Yes, I'm supposed to be pleased that we're weakening the enemy, but this can't be happening..."

End of BGM

As before, I gave everyone on the ship the day off so we could have time to mourn and remember the times when Mint would be there for us.

BGM: Galaxy Angel - Elsior

"We're here, Arnold." Milfie said as they arrived on the bridge. "We're feeling a little better too."

"Then it is time for the next Angel candidate to step up." Alexander replied.

"Alright, make way for the big guns to step in." Ranpha declared. "I'll avenge Forte and Mint."

"That Moon Demon is starting to become real troublesome." Lester said. "Can we really defeat it?"

"There is no guarantee." Alexander answered. "It is all up to the Angelic Bracelet and whoever wears it."

"Wait? Were you trying to blame us?" Chitose asked.

"That was not my intention, I am only stating the facts."

"I'm sensing a lot of discomfort over this." I intervened. "If we're going to start the blame game, keep in mind that I am the one who can't do anything about it."

"But Arnold, we can't blame you for everything." Vanilla said.

"Yeah, it's not your fault that we've lost two of our best friends." Milfie added.

"I know that...all I can do is be the commander, since even though my body is still healing, I'm nowhere near 100%." I said. "We all need to stay united as one and move forward, that is how we have gotten this far."

"Well put." Alexander agreed. "No matter how depressing this is, we are making progress and we have a better chance of defeating the Moon Demon thanks to Mint's final hyper attack. This is the best way to honour those who have fallen, it would be good to understand that."

"Yes, I will take that to heart and remember it for the future."

"Now, I do have new information for you. Thanks to the data on the wings on the frames, it has allowed me to modify the Angelic Bracelet. You can now use it to nullify any elemental attacks the Moon Demon releases. However, upon using it, you will reduce your chances of unleashing a critical hit with your Final Hyper Attack."

"Well, that is good progress at least." I responded, sitting back in my chair.

"It again proves what I said before. The Angelic Bracelet stores every data it records during training and during the battles, so that none of the sacrifices go to waste. Remember that this wouldn't be happening if it didn't have the data stored on the fights against the Moon Demon."

"Well, it may not be close to the value of the two lives lost, but it is one new option the girls can use when in battle."

Alexander nodded. "Indeed, now Arnold, please select the next candidate and get ready for the next battle against the Moon Demon."

"Okay, well the Moon Demon has fallen to sleep again and will not awaken again for a week." I looked at Ranpha. "Ranpha, are you ready for your turn?"

"Hell yeah!" She replied happily. "I'll give that demon freak the one two K-O!"

"Ranpha seems confident." Vanilla said.

"Yes, it's like she has no fear." Chitose added.

Milfie however was concerned. "Please be careful, Ranpha."

"Hey don't drag me down, Milfie." Ranpha replied. "I'm know what I'm letting myself in for."

"Really, then let's begin the training right away." Alexander said. "I have a feeling that your speed and your martial arts will provide impressive training data."

"You got that right. If you thought Forte and Mint were good in training, you ain't seen nothing yet."

End of BGM

Suddenly, sirens went off across the ship.

"What the?!" I exclaimed.

"Commander Arnold, a small ship has been detected, entering the Transbaal system." Coco said.

"Huh...what kind is it?"

"It looks like a fighter ship, we may have seen something like it before. It's entering orbit and is about to crash along the beach shore of the Transbaal planet!"

"I'm getting an emergency message as well." Almo added. "It just says 'SOS! Please do not attack! Val-Fasc!'"

I blinked. "A Val-Fasc?"

"The Val-Fasc, I once saw a scout ship calling itself that when I first arrived here a few centuries ago." Alexander said. "Weren't they your greatest enemies?"

"Well several months ago before this Moon Demon fiasco started. The Val-Fasc caused such a headache when they were controlling Juno, the capital homeworld of Eden before we came along and freed the civilians of that planet from their grasp. After we defeated their leader, the remnants of the Val-Fasc agreed to negotiate with Eden to try and establish peace between each other."

"I see, is there any other information about them?"

"The Val-Fasc are not human, they can manipulate vulnerable human minds as well as controlling ships with their own brainwaves. Finally, they can live just as long as you Nighteaters."

Alexander was surprised. "That is quite fascinating, I'll be keen to show an interest when I have the time."

"But still, we defeated them and their leader, Gern. So why would a Val-Fasc show up in Transbaal?"

"Commander, the Val-Fasc ship has crashed landed on the city beach shore, we're sending an emergency team to recover it." Coco said.

"Alright, if the Val-Fasc person inside is alive, take it to hospital to be treated."

"Arnold, is your head on straight?" Lester asked. "The Val-Fasc are always nothing but trouble."

"That may be, but remember what we did in order to try and build common ground between us humans and the Val-Fasc. I don't plan on having it's life taken away until we find out its true intentions for coming here in an emergency."

"Emergency team is on the way, Commander." Almo said.

I nodded. "Right, a slight change of plan. Once the Val-Fasc in question has recovered, I will go with Commodore Tact and arrange a private meeting within reason. As for the rest of you, keep your minds focused on defeating the Moon Demon!"


And there's your plot twist, of course I'm aware of the events in Eternal Lovers, but this is an alternate Universe where Tact doesn't end up with anyone.

Speaking of which, next time! Ranpha gets her turn to do some training whilst Arnold makes time to go and see Tact.