Here we are...the next battle to follow and then we get a surprise event involving Minion...

The Cruel Twist

Four Days Later...

"Elsior has completed drive out." Almo said.

"We're back in the south east part of the galaxy once again." I replied. "What's the current status?"

"It appears that the system furthest way from Transbaal has now been fully consumed and is advancing towards the next one." Alexander detected. "I fear that the Moon Demon has chosen to get personal."

"Well if it has, that could be it's undoing." I made a call. "Angel Wing, prepare to deploy in combat."

"Will do." Ranpha replied. "I'll go out and show them the true meaning of payback, those automated ships are nothing."

"Yes, use all the training you've done and show'em what you've got."

"Alright, Kung-Fu Fighter taking off!"

Sirens went off across the ship.

"And right on cue." Lester said.

"Automated fleet detected." Coco added. "It appears there's a new enemy ship type in the area."

"Then let's get the radar on our screen." I replied.

BGM: Galaxy Angel - Briefing

"Here's the situation." Lester explained. "We're located here in the top left, we also have allied reinforcements on standby. The enemy fleet is deployed in the bottom right, she's right too, new ships are found there."

"Those appear to be small ships, they must be fighters." I replied. "That could pose a problem if they get too close to the Elsior."

In addition to the four fighters, there were also five cruisers and six missile frigates.

"Don't worry about those fighters, we'll take them down first." Milfie said.

"Then our objective is slightly different, eliminate the fighters first. Then Angel Wing, you will be free to engage all the other targets, don't be afraid to provide assistance to our allied ships that will join us shortly."

"Understood, we'll provide assistance if we have a chance." Chitose replied.

BGM: Galaxy Angel Moonlit Lovers - New Battle Theme

The battle started and those fighters were fast, faster than the high-speed frigates from before. The girls engaged with them, at least the other automated ships were much slower to move. As usual though, Ranpha was the first to dive into the fight and with her unmatched speed, she'll be quite the opponent for the Moon Demon.

"Commander, allied reinforcements have arrived." Coco said.

"It seems both sides have taken it seriously." Alexander replied. "I think I'm gonna enjoy this automated fleet battle."

Shortly, the fighters were gone and the angel wing assisted the allied ships in taking down the cruisers.

"Hyper attack ready to go." Ranpha said as she flew towards a missile frigate. "ANCHOR CLAW!"

Those claws rebounded and a second one was hit and then a third one.

"Leave those remaining ships to me." Milfie said. "HYPER CANNON!"

The last of the cruisers were gone and after normal attacks on the last three missile frigates, there was no red dots left on the radar.

BGM: Galaxy Angel - Main Imperial Fleet

"Enemy fleet destroyed." Coco said.

"Alright, Ranpha, the way is clear." I added. "It's up to you now."

"Got it, watch me knock that loser out of the park." Ranpha responded.

We moved through the clear line and saw the Moon Demon, it roared.

"That roar." Alexander said glumly. "No matter how many times we hear it, I can never get used to it, knowing what it has done."

"It seems like you've been keeping a record of grief whenever you hear that roar, how many times have you heard it before?" I asked.

"Who knows, it's been such a long time that I have forgotten."

I nodded, not wanting to push that topic further. A transmission came in and I projected the view of the next battle on screen.

There was Minion who was levitating in front of the Moon Demon...ugh, not him again.

"Are you all going to waste your lives for no gain?" Minion asked, grinning.

"Man, you suck." Ranpha replied. "Out of my way! I don't have time to spend with losers like you."

"If that is how you see us, then my master shall enjoy inflicting eternal pain on your soul."

"Stop flapping your lips already! Your 'master' is the one who's gonna bite the dust!"

"Very unfortunate to hear." Minion laughed. "Another foolish child of the galaxy who does not understand. May you rest in pain for eternity."

He vanished again and the Moon Demon roared...one of these days, we're gonna have to deal with that annoying Minion.

"Ha!" Ranpha responded. "Like they say, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Except that we're in space so you're gonna fall in pieces when I'm done with you!"

BGM: MegaDimension Neptunia OST - Encounter Of Destiny

The battle began and Ranpha wasted no time getting up close and personal with the demon part of the enemy. Her normal attacks hit their mark and the demon roared, it fought back with its claws but they missed as Ranpha was too quick to be caught like that. She flew around to the back and attacked again, the Moon Demon turned and tried to swipe again but missed again. It was like to trying to swat down a fly and failing miserably as that.

"Hmhm." Alexander found it amusing in a way, watching the Moon Demon struggle.

But the light humour was about to end. After being forced to turn around three more times, the Moon Demon roared even louder and suddenly, hundreds of lightning bolts rained down around him, striking whatever they hit and unfortunately, some of them struck Ranpha's frame.

"KYAH!" Ranpha yelled as her frame shut down. "Ugh...seriously demon freak, is that all you've got?"

"Ranpha!" I exclaimed.

"It's okay, Arnold." She got her bearings. "I was just thrown off by that surprise attack, I can still fight."

"Use the final hyper attack." Alexander said. "You have one shot at this now."

"Yeah I know that." The Angelic Bracelet began to glow. "I'm not going down without a fight! Yo demon, got a present for ya."

The Moon Demon roared, it's gonna use that spear again.

"Feel the might of the Kung-Fu Fighter...FINAL ANCHOR CLAW!"

Her claws rocketed out of her frame and not only did it hit the Moon Demon, but it got spun around twice.

"Unbelievable!" Alexander said. "Those two claws did that much damage?"

"What is it?" I asked.

"The Moon Demon's health has gone down from 60% to 40%."

"I see..."

But we forgot to pay attention to what was going on in the open space.

"Hah...hah..." Ranpha panted, trying to catch her breath after going through that final hyper attack. "...I'm tired...but why, I can't be tired..."

But it was too late, the Moon Demon had regrouped and went for double swipe with the claws. Well I thought that's what would happen, but it grabbed on to Ranpha's frame, holding her in place.

"Argh!" She exclaimed. "No! Let go of me! I won't let you!"

The line underneath the demon part opened up...no, not again...the spear came out.

End Of BGM

I could only look away since I knew where this was heading...the spiked spear launched and pierced through her frame!

"GWAH!" She yelled. "Arrrrrrgghhhh...dammit! That...freaking...hurts!"

The spear moved away and then pierced the frame again, wait, why is it doing it a second time?!

"ARGH!" Ranpha screamed again. "No...not yet...I can't...let...this...go..."

The spear launched a third time...why the hell is it attacking her three times when it did that once to Forte and Mint?

"URGH!" Her screams were getting weaker. "...no...this...is...it..." She pushed the chrono string discharge button. "Mother...father...my...brothers...my...sisters...I love...my family...I will...al..ways...lo...ve...them...thank...you...Ar...nold..."

*KA-BOOM*

The Kung-Fu Fighter exploded.

BGM: Dragon Quest VIII - Remembrance

I could only stand and mention her name. "Ranpha...RANPHA!"

"RAAAAANNNNPHAAAAAAAA!" Milfie cried.

"No...not again! We lost again!"

"Commander Arnold, get a hold of yourself." Alexander said. "Even with that much damage, there was no way she could defeat it in one go."

I looked at him. "You don't think I already know that?"

"Do not act rash, we're already in this deep so we have to press on."

"Why you?!"

"And remember, if you try going out there, you'll get killed and all will be lost." He sighed. "I know this is cruel, but you need to calm down and stay focused."

"Who made you commander of this ship?" Lester muttered.

"I'm trying to stay calm about this...but-"

I was cut off. "Listen, Ranpha fought with a lot of bravery and did what she could, now you must let her rest."

I sighed and looked up to the ceiling of the bridge. "Ranpha...you did well, please rest in peace..."

The boundary ring vanished and the Angelic Bracelet returned once again and we retreated back to Transbaal via the chrono drive. At the viewing park, a small memorial stone was placed next to Forte and Mint's that on the left side of the big one. But I wasn't alone this time, Milfie had chosen to come along with me. She and I stood close, looking over the memorial stones that reminded ourselves of past memories.

Here lies Ranpha Franboise. A courageous and brave fighter, her encouragement will be dearly missed.

I looked down in sadness. "After losing three members of the Angel Wing, we still can't defeat the Moon Demon?" I asked myself.

Milfie couldn't say anything, she sniffed with her tissue.

"I need to keep having faith in Alexander's method, but...am I just getting tired of thinking that way, should I just accept everything in what he has to say?"

Suddenly, Milfie broke down in tears. "Hic...hic...hic...waaaah...hic..."

"Milfie..."

"Arnold...hic." She hugged on to me suddenly. "Why does this have to happen...hic...waaah..."

I put my arms around her. "I know...you and Ranpha knew each other the longest...you both left pilot school together and then the rest is history."

She sniffed. "Yeah...hic..."

"Forgive me for being unreasonable, but would you like to head back to your room?"

"No, it's...alright, I wish to stay here for a while longer."

"Alright, but please don't give up. We have to keep on fighting or we're done."

She sniffed. "Yeah...thank you."

I showed a weak smile and I left the park.

But hold on, what am I saying when I mentioned about accepting everything Alexander has to say, am I beginning to lose sight of reality? No, I shouldn't use that as an excuse, we just lost again, but we must continue to get stronger and I must continue to lead as a commander until the Moon Demon is defeated.

End of BGM

Forte, Mint and Ranpha...please watch over us who continue to live on...

A day later, I was back on the bridge with the three remaining Angel Wing girls...Chitose, Milfie and Vanilla, I cannot imagine how they're feeling right now.

"We're here." Chitose said. "But...it's so quiet now."

"Yes, with Ranpha gone, the Elsior has gotten empty." Vanilla added. "All our friends are going away."

Milfie hadn't said a word since yesterday, I couldn't blame her for that.

"Well Angel Wing, it's the same as before." Alexander said. "Arnold, which of the three remaining will be the next candidate?"

"Give me a moment..." I sighed in sadness.

Suddenly, the lights flickered before they went back on and a dark circle appeared, out came a familiar foe.

BGM: Dragon Quest VIII - Stalked By Fear

"Minion!" I exclaimed.

"Dammit, not this guy again..." Lester muttered.

"Commander, are you satisfied with your inevitable struggle?" Minion asked with a cunning smile.

"You call sending my forces out an inevitable struggle, what stupidity you show."

He frowned. "I will impart mercy on you all, one last time."

"Mercy?!"

"Hand over the galaxy before you lose any more of your souls. In return, a quick and painless death will await you."

"I believe I made it very clear that we will never surrender to the likes of you!"

He removed his cap holding it by his uniform jacket, showing his black hair. "You are a foolish mortal if you cannot see my master's final offer."

Chitose gasped. "That hair..."

"Chitose, what is it this time?" I asked.

"That hair of his...at first I thought I was crazy, but now I'm certain." She shivered a little. "That's the same hair colour as mine."

"The same as yours...wait, is this Minion look like someone you know?"

Chitose looked at Minion. "Yes...or he was someone I knew..." She changed her expression to serious. "Minion...you're my father...aren't you?"

"Your father?" I exclaimed. "But how can that be? That's impossible!"

"You have to believe me." She pleaded. "That uniform, the way he speaks, his hair...all of that is exactly what my father was when he was alive."

"Uggghhh..." Minion sighed.

"Father, is that you?"

Minion laughed. "There is no such thing..."

"Well let us prove that, shall we?" Alexander intervened. "I have a spell that may prove whether this is true or not."

"A spell?"

"I can cast a soul detection spell, any living or undead lifeforms that possess a soul can be detected." He stood well back and held his hands out. "Ancestors of the Nighteater clan, I beseech you, lend me the visions of the soul that lingers before my eyes. Reveal!"

A light went around Minion and vanished.

"Uggggghhhh..." Minion groaned. "...ugggh...aaaahhhhh...ahhhhh!"

"What's going on with him?!" I exclaimed.

"It appears that Chitose was telling the truth." Alexander said. "Her father's soul is inside Minion, but it's trapped by the boundaries of the Moon Demon. It's why it cannot escape."

"So in other words, the Moon Demon consumed thousands of souls, including Chitose's father's?"

"Correct, however it seems that the soul has been re-purposed to stand alone as the Moon Demon's servant. I guess it wanted to make sure that the memories of that one soul do not overpower it's servant's mind."

"Father, can you hear us?!" Chitose exclaimed. "It's me, your daughter!"

"Its no use." Alexander sighed. "None of us will be able to reach him with words, all we can do is free your father's soul by defeating Minion."

Minion laughed. "Ha ha ha! I guess there is no point in this any longer. I am indeed holding your father's soul captive, by orders of my master." He grinned again. "However, the final offer has fallen on deaf ears. All lifeforms across the galaxy, watch as your own kind and your own galaxy meets it's end."

"Father, no!" Chitose cried.

"Be warned, Chitose Karasuma." He grinned. "When you face my master again, I will personally come for you...and kill you!" He laughed once more and vanished through the dark circle which vanished too.

End of BGM

"Father...father!" She sniffed. "Hic..."

I sighed in anger. "How dare the Moon Demon play a dirty trick like that, using souls to create servants to do his work."

"So the next battle that awaits us." Alexander said. "Minion said he will be coming for us, personally. That means the next angel candidate will have to fight two battles instead of one."

Chitose wiped her tears away and took a deep breath. "I'll do it."

"Chitose?" Vanilla asked.

"I'll be the next angel candidate. If Minion wishes to fight against me, then it would be right if I was to go next."

"Are you sure?" Alexander asked. "Because you will be fighting against the foe that holds your father's soul inside."

"Yes, I understand that. I know that I can't do anything to save him, except to free him from the Moon Demon's hands."

I nodded. "If you are certain, then you are the next candidate to defeat the Moon Demon."

"Yes, I'm grateful for the opportunity and I won't let you down." She looked at Alexander. "Oh and thank you for believing me."

"It's not much trouble." He replied. "Casting a soul detection spell is an ability only exclusive to me. Now come this way."

"Yes, I'm ready to go."

Alexander and Chitose left the bridge whilst I sat in my chair.

To think that Minion is Chitose's father whose soul is trapped inside...make no mistake about it, Moon Demon, things are about to get personal!

Well...that was quite a reveal, since I'm already deep in this story, I have to go all the way.

Next time! Chitose starts her training whilst in a special twist, Arnold is greeted by special guests from another universe.