Allow me to introduce a new OC readers. Meet Madoka Dowding. She's the young sister of James, who is of Fusoan descent. We'll know more about her while you read the chapter, right Trude?

Trude: Right. Madoka will fit in well. Say now, Miyafuji, are you getting along with the new girl?

Yoshika: Yep. I like her. At least she's on our side unlike that one person who uses a mecha.

You sounded a little dark there Yoshika.

Yoshika: Oh. Sorry. Time to start the chapter?

Let's go!

Chapter 12: Award Ceremony

Flashback

Day before Operation Inner Demon and Neuroi Blitz

James' P.O.V.

Preparing for my flight, more like a 'Black Ops' mission, Madoka, my sister, came barging in wearing her BRAF uniform. Her white hair gleamed while she made a run for my bed. She sat on it as she began talking to me.

"Onee-chan. About this operation. Is it wise for the government to target our own soldiers?" she asked me worriedly. I took a sigh.

"That's what I was thinking about Imouto-chan. Instead of putting us more on coastal defence, they decided to pit us against one of our own." I snapped.

"It's not your fault onee-chan. Blame the man who made the mecha." I knew who she was talking about.

"If it wasn't for Maloney for replacing father's best bet for humanity, then none of this would have happened." I grabbed my service hat and turned to her "Still though, an operation is an operation. By the way, where are you going?"

"Oh, I'll be at Buckingham Palace. The King wants to tell me something. Must be important though, so I don't know what time I'm coming home." She smiled radiantly

"Okay. Be safe alright? That's an order." I smiled

"Onee-chan, you're becoming like those Karlsland soldiers. Loosen up a bit." She laughed

"I will Imouto-chan." I answered.

Madoka's P.O.V.

After the Neuroi Blitz

King George VI told me to head home right away after hearing the house got destroyed. When I returned home, I found no one else to be alive. Was James alive? I have no idea. Last I heard a Spitfire was shot down. I feared for the worst. Onee-chan was gone.

Present Time

Minna's P.O.V.

"Hello, Air Chief Marshal?" I asked him over the phone.

"Hello, Commander Minna. Anything you want to share?" he asked

"I just want to inform you that your daughter is alive." I answered. I heard silence on the other end.

"H-how is this possible? Last time I saw her was that she was heading for the palace. That's the last time I saw her." He answered

"We found her this yesterday after a skirmish with the Neuroi." I said

"Yes, I've read the reports." He replied while looking over the documents. "They made a beeline for London again, trying to knock out the capital again. They also employed that trick again."

"You can thank your daughter for that." I said "What about the aircraft she flew in? It's highly advanced for a fighter."

"The one that Madoka flew in is called an Apollo Fighter." He began "Developed by Air Chief Marshal Portal, this is made to counter the Neuroi en masse. Advanced in its time, it's an anti-Neuroi weapon. At least there was sense in him not to use a Neuroi core. And not to build a mecha meant to replace you maidens." I smiled at that comment.

"Yes, Air Chief Marshal. Tell Air Chief Marshal Portal to send him our regards."

"Sure thing, Wing Commander. Tell me, is Madoka going to be in your care?" he asked

"By James' standards, that will be a yes. She's your daughter after all." I answered

"Alright. I'll change the orders and Madoka will be aligned with the 501st."

"Thank you Air Chief Marshal." I said

"No problem. Treat Madoka well." I let down the phone and let out a relaxing sigh.

'Now that James know that his sister is alive, I think his demon within him has disappeared for good. I wonder how she'll do.' I said to myself.

Trude's P.O.V.

I was in the dining room with Miyafuji, Sanya, Tatsuya and Mai, who are talking with Madoka, the most recent member of the 501st. When we first met, I don't know how she will fit in with the group, but it settling in nicely.

"Is it true that you are the one in the Apollo Fighter?" Yoshika asked

"Hai. Portal chose me because I was the jet's test pilot. To be fair, it was my first time flying a jet, other than a Tempest." Madoka answered

"That plane is advanced." Mai said "It can also hover in place while you landed."

"Brass called it a vertical take-off landing system, or 'VTOL'." She answered "It's not one of my favorite strong suits. I'm still used to the usual take-off/landing procedures."

"You also helped them intercept the incoming Neuroi." Tatsuya said

"Well, I was on my way to the 501st base in St. Trond, until the Neuroi popped up." She said

"Then, where were you when the Neuroi blitzed London at the beginning?" Sanya asked. Madoka took a breath in before answering.

"I was with the King. I didn't know how long my meeting with him was going to take, but I was worried when Command told me to head back immediately. James, meanwhile, was taking part in an operation, but there were reports that the casualties were ten Spitfires. I didn't know who got killed but I assumed the worst."

"Until he got transferred to the 501st. He adjusted with the new squad well." Sanya said "He's a big help."

"How come you didn't know of this until now?" I asked

"There were some reports saying that James is alive. I couldn't believe Command at first but, I have to try. Portal gave me the documents, saying that earlier, my dad has transferred him from the 29th to the 501st after James found out he's a witch." She answered

"He activated his magic by accident while trying to save me." I replied

"So that's why he's here." Madoka lamented "If that's the case, tell him, I'm sorry."

"For what?" Yoshika asked

"Sorry that I didn't know where he was." Madoka said with a saddened look.

"Don't be Dowding. You were just confused, that's all. Besides, we've taken care of him since he first arrived here." I assured her. She looked up at me and smiled

"Arigato." She said happily. While she happily acknowledged us, James came in, with a smile on his face. "Good morning onee-chan."

"Hey Madoka. I take it you slept well?" he asked the young sister.

"It's good to sleep with you once again, other than sleeping in the barracks with no one else next to me." She said.

"Oh, it's fine." He then eyed me and approached me. "And I expected you had a good night Trude?" It's weird now that he now calls me by my pen name, rather than my last name like in the military. He kissed me on the lips.

"Yeah. I slept well." I looked at Madoka who looked confused. "Oh… uh… James? You might want to answer your sister." He figured out why and put an arm around my waist. In return, I did the same thing.

"Madoka. This is my girlfriend. Flight Lieutenant Gertrud Barkhorn." Madoka looked at me with suspicion. She then turned to James and finally spoke.

"James. You remember about breaking ones heart, right?" she asked slyly

"Why is that?"

"Because, break her heart, I'LL BREAK YOUR FACE!" Madoka shouted as the others cringed because of her booming voice.

"Okay, okay. Besides, what do you think of me and Trude?" he asked. Madoka put her hands on her waist and smiled.

"Well, you two seem to be meant for each other." She answered as the two of us went crimson.

"Really. Thank you." I answered. I kissed James on the cheek.

"I think you and Imouto-chan will get along nicely." I nodded in response as breakfast is being served.

Minna's P.O.V.

After breakfast, I found another large letter, containing information on James' sister. I had a good talk with her after the meal and since she holds the position of Wing Commander also, I placed her as joint second along with James. When I first spoke to her, she looks beautiful. With her white hair and that radiant smile of hers, I'm always happy to see her like that.

The second sheet has an invitation letter, saying that Madoka is receiving the 'Red Arrowblade' medal. It's for her service with the Britannian King. They're going to present it in Brussels, in which High Command moved its headquarters there. I got on the P.A. and called for James. After he arrived at our office, I told him about the event that had him come here.

"So, Madoka has an award coming." He said

"It came from Commodore Galland herself. She wants the 501st to join the procession."

"I don't remember Madoka winning something. All she got were Neuroi kills." He smiled "But, it's about time she's recognized." I chuckled cutely at that remark.

"For that matter, I was selected by Adolfine to provide the singing. It is nice to go back to my profession, other than fighting."

"Do you know who's going to sing with you?" he asked. My head lowered into a saddened look.

"Kurt was the only one who sang with me. Since he died, I've gone solo by myself." He held my chin and he made me look at him but with a caring smile.

"You'll find someone." Something clicked in me.

"Perhaps, maybe… Do you like to sing with me?" I asked politely. He went white-eyed.

"W-Wha, M-Minna, I can't sing." He stuttered

"It can't be that bad. Either you're stubborn or just afraid. Still though, it will be nice for you to sing with me." I said to him "Anyways, tell the others of the news." He nodded before exiting not before he turned and smiled.

"Speaking of which, when do we leave?"

"We leave tomorrow. Oh and bring Madoka over to the Command Room. Since she's Wing Commander, she's going to do paperwork."

"Yes Commander." He smiled and left.

James' P.O.V.

Day of the Ceremony

So far the usual day consisted of paperwork, Striker Unit maintenance, Mio's grueling training in Madoka's case because, well, even though she's not a witch, she has to do training and the Neuroi appearing. Madoka, Trude, Erica, Yoshika and I managed to shoot it down. Trude is overjoyed by the Apollo's weapons. While in the hangar, Madoka gave the rundown of the weapon's systems, for which she is immediately entranced.

In my room, I was busy picking out my outfit for the ceremony. I chose and open black suit with a silver linen, white collared shirt, a black tie and black pants. I also have to wear the eyepatch Trude bought me. Madoka came into my room, wearing a crystal white dress that matched her hair. "Kawaii Imouto-chan." I complimented. She blushed as a result

"T-Thank you, onee-chan." She then noticed my right eye, which is covered by the eyepatch. "Onee-chan, what happened to your eye?" she asked curiously yet suspicious

"Well, I got whacked by Trude by accident. I have to wear this for the time being until my eye feels better." I said sheepishly. Madoka sighed a bit. She lifted up my eyepatch, revealing the injured eye. The iris glowed dimly, but it's feeling better.

"Just don't do that again, okay?" I nodded. "Come on, the others are waiting for us."

When we arrived, the place is filled with personnel, soldiers, pilots and generals in the liking. Everyone went ahead of us and we found them near the entrance. Yoshika, Mio and Shizuka are wearing kimono's, Lynne's wearing a dark green dress that goes up to her ankles, Perrine's wearing the same thing as Lynne's but dark blue with the Gallian flag etched on one of the straps. Shirley's wearing a red dress that goes up to her legs and Francesca's wearing a light yellow short dress. Eila's wearing a light blue frilly dress with the Suomus flag at the front, Sanya is wearing a white dress with black accents, Tatsuya's wearing the same thing as I am but a red collared undershirt and black tie, Mai's wearing a short ice blue dress and Heidemarie's wearing her signature black dress with red accents like her uniform.

Erica was wearing a black dress similar to her uniform, Chris is wearing a Karlsland private ranked army uniform (without the helmet) and Minna wore her traditional red dress with a white rose. They all look great, but one thing crossed my mind… "Where's Trude?"

Minna pointed to the side of the building in which she's hiding. I told everyone to head inside while I walked over and found her hiding. She was red all over, because, from what Erica said, she looks embarrassed when it comes to wearing a dress. "Hey, Trude. You alright?" She looked up and saw me.

"A bit. But how do I look?" she asked timidly. I got a full look at her. She's wearing a dark blue dress with a red rose attached to one of her straps. I contemplated this.

"How about…" My hands got close to her face as I got to the back of her head and removed her signature twin tails. "There you go. You look cute now." I said happily. I think she's about to explode due to her blushing.

"R-Really?" I chuckled.

"Of course you are. It could have been worse. For example a dirndl." She got red again when she remembered the dress Ursula gave to her. When she showed the dress to Erica, she described it as 'weird'. Knowing a Karlsland soldier, it feels wrong for her to wear something that weird for someone who is disciplined.

"Come on. Everyone's waiting for us." The two of us head inside and found everyone is entertaining themselves. Surprisingly enough, my father is present along with Commodore Galland. They are talking with Minna about something undisclosed. Galland spotted us and excused herself.

"Flight Lieutenant Barkhorn, Wing Commander Dowding. Pleasure to see you here." She said

"Not a problem Commodore." I replied

"You know, you cannot go all formal on me Dowding. Just call me Adolfine."

"U-Uh. Sure thing, Adolfine." I chuckled nervously.

"It's really hard for someone to try to get Galland's first name. Not to mention, being a head of the Witch Corps." Trude stated

"True, but sometimes, you just need to loosen up a bit. Like 'Happy Hour' in Liberion." Galland answered

"I wouldn't like to see Shirley acting all drunk. She's a Flight Lieutenant for crying out loud, and she should use that rank with consistency." Adolfine just giggled at the subject.

"Anyways, the ceremony is about to start." We turned our attention to the stage where Prime Minister Churchill along with my father, handed out the 'Red Arrowblade' medal to Madoka. Madoka shook hands with the Prime Minister and hugged her father, in which he graciously accepts. Both me and my father missed her very much, not knowing she's actually alive than dead.

After Madoka received her medal, she approached the microphone and talked about what she did. She described what she did very fluently. Madoka talked about how she survived the Blitz and she was taken in by Air Chief Marshal Charles Portal, as a test pilot to one of the projects he and our father created. She said that she found me while fighting the Neuroi. And finally, Minna accepted her into the 501st Joint Fighter Wing as not a witch but as a pilot.

After Madoka's story, she joined me and Trude. She eyed Trude, who looked differently than the one she knew. "You know, you look better without the pigtails Lieutenant." She commented. Trude turned red once again. "Speaking of which, Onee-chan, can you sing with Minna?" I sweat dropped when Madoka asked me it.

"Oh no. I can't sing Madoka. I'm not going too." I answered

"Just go. It's not like you're tone deaf or something." Madoka retorted. Unfortunately, I admitted defeat and headed up to the stage. I joined up with Minna, as a piano started playing. Sanya should be playing but it turns out both she and Tatsuya are starting to pair up, much to Eila's overprotective attitude.

The pianist started playing as Minna began.

Fly me to the moon

And let me play among the stars

Let me see what spring is like

On Jupiter and Mars

In other words, hold my hand

In other words, darling kiss me

Fill my heart with song

And let me sing forevermore

You are all I long for

All I worship and adore

In other words, please be true

In other words, I love you.

Soon a band started playing, prompting me to start also.

Fly me to the moon

And let me play among the stars

Let me see what spring is like

On Jupiter and Mars

In other words, hold my hand

In other words, darling kiss me

Fill my heart with song

And let me sing forevermore

You are all I long for

All I worship and adore

In other words, please be true

In other words, I love you.

The band stopped playing as the song is finished. The crowd started to take notice. "I didn't know James-kun could sing." Yoshika said. The witches could stare in awe and cheer while I exited the stage.

Sanya's P.O.V.

This is the second time I'm heard Minna singing. The first time was back in Britannia where I got to play the piano for her. Before we came here, Minna told me to take the night off because, she's the commander. Before she sang, I was talking with Eila and Mai. That was until Tatsuya came in. He sheepishly walked up to us and asked me something.

"H-Hey, Sanya." He said nervously

"Hi Tatsuya. You look great this evening." I answered sheepishly. I blushed cutely.

"You look great also." Eila noticed what we were doing and decided to intervene.

"Tatsuya, what are you going to do with Sanya?" she asked

"I'm just only going to talk to her. Nothing important really." He answered to Eila calmly. Just then a piano started playing and Tatsuya made his move. "S-Sanya." He started talking. "Is it okay if…? You and I could…"

"Dance?" I smiled as I took his hand. "I wouldn't want to miss it for the world." The two of us went on the dance floor and started to dance. Under Minna's heavenly voice, Tatsuya and I stayed like this. I started to talk to him. "Tatsuya, after the song, is it okay if you and I can go outside for a bit? I want to ask you something. It's important."

"Sure Sanya. Whatever you need." The two of us continued dancing until the song ended, in which James did his share of singing, which I didn't know about.

Trude's P.O.V.

After James sang, which I didn't know about, he asked me to come outside for a moment. I found him waiting by the stairs and approached him. "You wanted to see me James?" I asked as I kissed him

"Yeah. Here." He gave me intercoms.

"James, you sang beautifully tonight." I complimented. He chuckled at the praise.

"Been a while. If you're asking me about the intercoms Trude, here's why." He started to head out, not from me, but to a backing truck.

"James, what are you doing?"

"Okay Shirley, that's it." Inside the truck Shirley parked was large covered underneath a tarp. It soon hit me that there is something familiar with this equipment. He uncovered the tarp to reveal his Striker Unit. He sighed and turned towards me. "Trude. How about I…" I grabbed his hand as he entered his Striker. As we were about to take off, James gave a command to Minna. "Okay Minna, you're up." James took off while carrying me, bridal style.

The frequency picked up as the piano played again. Minna began singing, to a familiar tune I've heard long ago.

Heisha no ookina mon no mae

gaitou ga tatte-ita

ima mo mada aru no nara

mata aou narande

soko ni tatou

Itoshi no Lili Marleen

We ascended high into the sky. I can hear James' heart beating.

Futatsu no kage ha hitotsu ni

aishiau futari no sugata

dare ni demo wakaru

minna ni mite hoshii

narabu sugata wo

Itoshi no Lili Marleen

Heisha ha yake, tairiku ha ochita

tatakai no sora ha mada tsuzuku

kimitachi ha tobi-tachi

sayonara tsugeru

kimi to yukitai

Itoshi no Lili Marleen

We stopped climbing as I saw James caressing my cheek. "So, how are you liking this? Without your Striker?"

"Felt a little scared at first. But, if you're with me, I could do it." I answered "You flew me to the moon?"

"Yes. I love you Trudy."

"I love you too." The two of us passionately kissed as Minna continued singing.

Kimi no hikou wo ENJIN on wo

gaitou ha oboete-ita

soremo mou yakeochita

boku no koto mo wasuretekure

mou todokanai

Itoshi no Lili Marleen

Shizuka na daichi no soko kara

kimi no kuchibiru ga boku wo yobu

uzumaku kiri no naka

yofuke ni boku ha modoru

katsute no you ni

Itoshi no Lili Marleen

Uzumaku kiri no naka

yofuke ni boku ha modoru

Lili, Lili Marleen

Lili, Lili Marleen

As the song finished, James and I floated there. We heard applause from the audience as Minna finished her song. I became started to become tired as I yawned.

"Tired Trude?" He asked. I nodded as my eyes began to grow heavy. "It's okay. You can sleep now." I closed my eyes as I heard the sound of James' Strikers hovering in mid-air and the heartbeat in him.

Sanya's P.O.V.

"What is it you like to talk about Sanya?" Tatsuya asked me.

"Tatsuya, ever since I met you, you look like a good friend. There's something about you that I like about you. I don't know what it is."

"What are you talking about?"

"Other than your likable personality… It's just…" I looked away in embarrassment.

"It's okay Sanya. You can tell me." He kindly asked as he held my chin.

"I'm just worried of what Eila might think." I said timidly

"I'm not sure myself Sanya. But what are you saying?"

"It's just that… It's just… How do I put this? I have feelings for you, Tatsuya." I answered finally as I looked away again and turned red.

"Feelings?" he asked me with curiosity

"I know you and I met for a long time, but, I knew there's something more in you. Other than your core, you have your heart." I lifted his hand and placed it on my heart. I started to well up tears. "Please. Accept my feelings." I looked away, but Tatsuya cupped my cheeks and kissed me, point-blank. I was surprised to see him doing this. In response, I just put my arms around him and closed my eyes. I still felt tears streaming down my face until Tatsuya wiped them off for me.

"Sanya. Other than my family who kept me alive, you are the only one who kept me close." He answered

"So… Does that mean we're…?" I asked with a small smile

"Yes." He got down on one knee and grabbed my hand. "Sanya, I'll be your knight. I'll protect you in all corners of the globe until the Neuroi are vanquished. Even if I may be Neuroi, I'm still human in blood. Until that day the Neuroi are gone, I'll protect you, with all my heart." I smiled. I shifted my legs a bit as Tatsuya got back up.

"So… Can we kiss again?" He nodded as the two of us kissed under the moonlight. My black cat familiar popped out and surprisingly his EN-D mode came in. It showed red as we kissed. We let go as we take a breath, smiling at each other, when…

"Hey Sanya, Tatsuya." We turned our head to find James. We sweat dropped when he found us making out.

"Uh… Hey Boss." He answered to James albeit shaking. "I didn't see you here. What do you need?"

"Nothing personal. Other than you and Sanya mingling." James had his face down as we found a sleeping Lieutenant Barkhorn.

"Speaking of which, Tatsuya and I are now a couple James." He smiled

"So I noticed. It looks like you two are made for each other. Anyways, we're about to leave soon. And I have to get a certain someone to bed." I chuckled in response. James left me and Tatsuya, seeing that the two of us are well made together. Tatsuya has his arm around me, holding me close, as we walked to the building.

James' P.O.V.

After the ceremony, almost all of the witches are tired, save for me, Minna and Mio. Adolfine is staying with us for the time being because she needs to be within close range to the Allied HQ. While we drove back, I kept getting the feeling that our 'Happy Hour' had ended. I got the girls, I got the Neuroi Knight, I got my father, I got Madoka and I got Trude. They always put me at ease. We're getting close to Berlin, but who knows when we might enter. For now, all of us had a good time.

There's Chapter 12. Now, I'll be out on vacation for the month. And-

Yoshika: Where are you going?

I'm going to the Philippines. It's just for a month.

Trude: Just be careful alright?

It's like you said, 'A Karlsland soldier always keep their promises'. I need this vacation to clear my head, so I can be fresh and write down more chapters.

Yoshika: Still though, be careful.

I will. Oh, and you two will keep an eye on my laptop while I'm gone.

Yoshika: Okay. Be sure you have a good time.

Trude: Yeah. Just imagine us being next to you on the flight there.

(Blushes) Thanks girls. Also, I don't own 'Fly Me to the Moon' and Lili Marlene. So, I'll see you guys in June. Take care everyone and wish me well on my trip there. This is kh2996, signing off.