Chapter 10: Mayhem

May 28th, 1995

Today, I didn't even listen to orders. All I knew, is we were to attack the Round Table, also known as area B7R and claim air superiority. This would be an amazing and quick fight, and my jet was in perfect condition. I stepped inside of the Eagle and we lifted off quickly, and I stayed close to Pixy. As we reached B7R, the battle began and I began to shoot down many fighters. "Time to dive into the fireworks!" Pixy said as goosebumps raised on my arms. Today was a beautiful day, a great day for a fight at the round table!
"I've never been in an aerial battle of this scope before!" PJ said. PJ and the Crow Team were also with us, ready to attack.
"Galm 1 to Galm 2, engage freely and attack the enemy! Go!" I yelled.
"Where's our support?" One of the Ustio said.
"Look there! Those Eagles!" Another yelled. I shot down so many planes already, it was getting too easy! Reinforcements were supposed to arrive, but they're a little late!
"The Round Table is nothing special, I'll take care of things!" PJ chimed.
"Our supports here? Who'd they send us?" An Ustio squadron said. I took out another jet and flew passed one of our allies.
"IFF confirmed it's Galm. The reinforcement team is Galm!" One of the other Ustio yelled.
"The guy who pulled out Tauberg's sword is here. Be careful!" One of the enemies yelled. I shot a missile at one of the enemies, but missed, but it was still destroyed by Pixy.
"We've still got to get the job done." Pixy said, flying beside me, then swerving to take out another enemy.
"I'll put that Ustio mercenary in his place." An enemy growled as he began to engage me.
"You wish!" I said, then flew upside down to face him, shooting two missiles and destroying him.
"You don't have what it takes to fly at the Round Table!" One of the enemies yelled and tried attacking me too.
"Look whose talking!" I retorted and shot a missile at him, neutralizing him, and then another to destroy him.
"There's so many of 'em!" Pixy yelled.
"But they're easy targets, shoot them down!" I yelled and took out another, then chased another.
"Wizard 1 here. The enemy has broken formation. Take them out." One of the others said. "Larry, can you read me?"
"Looks like you've still got the touch." Pixy said after a pause. I listened closely.
"It's happening, just as you thought." Wizard 1 said. I frowned. What? "It's about time we got out of this dead-end job."
"Not just yet." Pixy said.
"Get a good eye full of this flying! Let it sink in!" PJ chimed. I was suddenly overcome with sadness, was Pixy going to leave us? What?
"Sorcerer 1 to all units, that's the Galm Team, watch and learn." One of the others said. They were from different countries, but they were our allies.
"Galm is not alone! Let's show them what the Osean Air Force can do!" One of the Osean yelled. Osean was one of our allies, plus another was here whose name I have forgotten...
"They're attacking without mercy, do they plan on burning everything!" One of the enemies yelled as I took out two more alongside Pixy.
"That Ustio mercenary, damn him! He's turning the tide of battle into their favor!" Another yelled.
"He can't be human!" Another yelled as I took out another enemy.
"He's like a demon..." Another enemy muttered.
"I've never seen anything like it." Another enemy said as I took out the next. Then I knew that they were talking about me.
"That kind of pilot... They call the Demon Lord." An allied squadron said and watched me in awe as I twisted to take out two enemies at once. Pixy also watched me, I was showing my best today. 'Demon Lord,' huh? Catchy.
"Wizard 1 to all units. Belka's days are over, let's wrap this up." Wizard 1 said.
"Roger that, Wizard." I said and twisted again, taking out two more.
"Galm has revived our front line!"
"No way!" Our allies cheered.
"Those mercenaries are going to get all the credit again!" One laughed.
"I fight for peace, that's what I'm up here for." PJ said calmly.
"While you're up here "fighting for peace," tons of blood is being shed on the ground. Some "peace," kid." Pixy said.
"And I'm here to put an end to that." PJ said.
"You think you can stop the bloodshed by shedding more blood? Flying with those ideals swimming around in your head is going to get you killed." Pixy retorted.
"Enough! Pixy, what is wrong with you?" I yelled after taking out another target. The radio quieted a moment.
"It's nothing." Pixy said.
"Dammit! Where are the reinforcements?" The enemy yelled.
"Galm Team, multiple craft approaching! Somethings wrong... Stay alert!" Eagle Eye said. So reinforcements have arrived, have they now? Suddenly, five Silber planes arrived. Their planes were covered in white tiger stripes, and they looked like a challenge.
"Follow me." Silber 1 said.
"Galm 1, take out the reinforcements." Eagle Eye said.
"Roger." I said and threw two missiles at them. It missed. I finally unlatched the safety on my special weapons and threw those at them, destroying one and hitting another. These babies could be thrown at four enemies at once. I ignored the fact they began to panic.
"Watch out, Cipher!" Pixy yelled. I tried dodging, but I was suddenly hit by an enemy.
"Ugh!" I yelled then turned around.
"He's flying clean! I'll show him he's only digging his own grave!" One of the Silber yelled and I took out another one of there's.
"Another aircraft down? Who shot it down?" One of the Silber yelled.
"The Demon of Ustio!" Another replied.
"So that pilot is the Demon Lord?" A Belkan squadron said.
"Dammit!" One yelled as it was taken out. Then I took out another.
"No!" He yelled.
"One left!" I yelled and headed for it. Others of ours seemed completely befuddled. Then, I took out the last one.
"The Demon born at the Round Table..." He said as he was destroyed.
"Mission accomplished! Great work!" Eagle Eye said. I grinned, happy with my accomplishment. Although, I did suffer some damage. Pixy whistled in relief,
"Yo buddy. Still alive?" He asked me. My grin turned to a frown, and I ignored him this time as we returned to base.

Apparently the Silber Team had one academy-trained Ace. I was amazed that I made it through this... And I was even granted a nickname now. Demon Lord of the Round Table. Tonight, I didn't go strait to the bar. Tonight, I found Larry under his jet on the runway and walked up to him and sat beside him. "Larry, I know there is something wrong, you can't hide it." I said. Larry chuckled and looked away.
"Life is a bitch, isn't it?" He muttered. I blinked, not beginning to understand at all. "This war has taken so many lives... It's all because of these borders that separate us... What if this world had no borders, Cipher? No boundaries..." He said, his voice trailing off. I put my hands on his shoulders,
"Larry, what's wrong with you? I get it, I know that this war has sacrificed so many, and I'm not too proud of myself, at all. And I can tell you are just as worried as I am. Borders are important to this world, we have to have boundaries." I said. Larry looked up to me, glaring.
"What have borders taught us?" He yelled. I growled,
"Borders separate religion, don't think a world with no boundaries can tear them apart! The only thing you'd do is killing more people, Pixy, if you want to be that way then be my guest!" I yelled.
"If this world was one, it would only have one religion!" Pixy retorted.
"Well you know what I think of that, Larry?" I said.
"I don't care." He growled.
"Life is a bitch, now get over it!" I yelled.
"You as one person can't change my mind." Larry said.
"Maybe I can't, but this whole world has a damn opinion." I growled.
"They'll go along with this."
"I fucking love you Larry, now give it up!" I said as tears streaked my face. Suddenly I was tightly in his arms, his lips pressed hard and firmly against mine. My eyes widened in surprise, but soon I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed back, running my fingers through his hair. We pulled away quickly and I caught my breath, we both breathing heavily as we looked into each others eyes, our arms to our side. He couldn't leave me. He was my wingman, my partner, and I... I love him.
"Ever since the day I saved you, it's always been the same..." Larry said and looked away from me, a light blush on his face. "...I can never get you off my mind. You're an amazing pilot... And my best friend. Being your wingman is amazing, being there beside you and helping you, watching you." He explained and closed his eyes. "Everyone in the bar teased me about it. But I guess it's all true, Buddy..." I frowned and leaned close to him, wrapping my arms around him again and running my fingers through his brown hair, looking into those brown eyes... I thought I'd never feel the way I do now. My heart was racing, and I could feel that his heart also beat out of his chest.
"Ever since the day you saved me, I always had the weirdest feeling around you... Whenever our faces were close, I blushed, and when your arm was so firmly around me I felt secure... And out in the air, I know I can count on you. Now I know I've felt love and it's one thing I can't ignore..." I said and came closer to him, a light blush across my face. "I love you, Larry Foulke..." I whispered as our lips met again. No matter how hard I tried to deny it, I was in love with Larry Foulke of the Ustio Mercenary Unit.

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Author's Note
And so this love story comes to a bitter finale on chapter 10. But no, they still have a while to go and those of you who have read this and have played Ace Combat Zero... Well, you know what's next.