Chapter 12
Sonia made her way down the Wave Road over AMAKEN, keeping an eye on the Satella Officers stationed about the premises. Lyra had informed her that, with Gemini on the run, she had defeated all of the FM King's elite warriors. It seemed like a good thing at first. However, Lyra then elaborated that it likely meant the FM King himself would be on his way soon, and he would most definitely bring Andromeda with him.
I need to see if there's some way I can intercept the FM King. I don't want the people of Earth to be put in any more danger.
She followed the waves into the facility and made her way to the second floor, exiting a Wavehole right outside Boreal's lab. She knocked on the door.
"Mr. Boreal? It's Sonia."
Boreal stepped out, looking at her with wide eyes. "Sonia? What are you doing here? It isn't safe with NAZA all around!"
"I need to talk to you. Please, Mr. Boreal, you're the only one who can help me with this!"
Boreal reluctantly allowed her in. Staying near the door, he asked, "Where's Geo?"
"He's helping a friend. I didn't want to distract him, so I came without telling anyone."
Boreal put on his Visualizer. "Hello, Lyra. You've been keeping her safe?"
"But of course," Lyra said. "Well, more like giving her the means to keep herself safe. She's a talented girl—she even defeated the FM King's right hand."
"Really? That's incredible!"
"Thank you," Sonia said, "but we don't have time to celebrate. Lyra says the FM King will be coming here next."
Boreal shuddered. "…You should hear this."
Walking to his desk, Boreal said, "We've recently begun receiving a transmission originating in deep space."
He hit a few keys. A short bit of static came from his computer, and then a voice could be heard.
"Greetings, Earthlings."
Lyra felt a chill. "That's…!"
"I am the King of Planet FM."
Sonia started forward, slamming her hands on the desk.
"With all the trouble you've given me, I think I've been more than fair. However, I now see that your insolence reaches incredible depths, and I see nothing more to gain from showing leniency. I am coming to personally destroy Earth. You can consider your planet as good as gone."
The recording ended. Sonia's fingers dug into the surface beneath them. "Where are they sending this from?"
"Actually, the signal that brought us this message came from a system originating on Earth," Boreal answered. "I don't need NAZA's records to verify this signal…it's definitely coming from Peace. And it's getting closer."
"I should've known," Lyra said. "That station could easily be converted into a transport suitable for FM-ian forces. It was already somewhere between there and here, and surely has the Earth's exact co-ordinates already programmed in. Quite an ideal launching point for the final invasion."
Sonia paced across the room, trying to think. Her efforts were further complicated when there was a sudden knock at the door.
Boreal ran over, placing a hand on the doorknob. "Who is it?"
The person on the other side hesitated. "…Detective Bob Copper."
Boreal's grip tightened. "Get out of here!"
"Please, I mean you no harm! Just hear me out!"
"What do you want?"
"You must be picking up the same transmission that we are. Surely, you know that they're using Peace to get here."
"Is that all you came here to tell me?"
"No. You…you know Harp Note, don't you?"
Boreal glanced at Sonia. "I definitely don't!"
"I'm not asking as a Satella Officer! I promise you, I won't say a word to NAZA, I just want you to pass some information along to her."
Sonia considered it for a moment, but then nodded.
"…What kind of information?" Boreal quietly asked.
"Mr. Walters has said that the FM King will not be alone when he arrives. Apparently, he is towing their ultimate weapon, Andromeda, in its dormant state."
"Aren't your orders to help awaken that thing?"
"They are. But, I can't follow those orders in good conscious. Mr. Walters…he truly believes he's doing the right thing. But I disagree. His plan is no better than total failure! The only real way to win is if Harp Note and her allies can stop the war, and that's why I've come to you."
Boreal sighed. "What part of this did you want me to pass along?"
"The location of the fragment of Peace."
The scientist recoiled. Sonia edged closer to the door.
"You were still a member of NAZA when a chunk of the station fell to Earth, right?"
"…I was," Boreal said. "It was still interfacing with the station, but Walters terminated the connection and had it hidden away."
"Right now it's under the ocean," Copper said, "along the coast of Dream Island. Tell Harp Note that if she goes back to the junkyard where she fought Gemini, she'll find a secret entrance buried beneath the garbage, leading down to the place the fragment has been stored. If it can connect to the station, she should be able to transmit herself directly aboard."
The corner of Sonia's mouth started to rise.
"Wait, why should I believe you?" Boreal asked. "How do I know you aren't planning a trap for her?"
"…I'm not sure I really have a way to prove my honesty," Copper said. "But please believe me, Mr. Boreal: I've finally realized that NAZA is wrong in this, and that Harp Note is our only hope. She's done things that Mr. Walters and the FM-ians can't even believe—they're terrified of her, searching desperately for some way to stop her. But, I know that they won't be able to find one. I took an awful risk coming here, Mr. Boreal…but I've decided to bet on Harp Note this time."
Sonia grabbed Mr. Boreal's shoulder, nodding again.
"…I'll tell her if I see her," Boreal mumbled.
"Thank you," Copper said. "And, if it's not too much trouble…please also tell her that I'm sorry."
They heard footsteps, followed by the sound of the elevator. Backing away from the door, Sonia said, "I'd better get going to Dream Island!"
"Sonia, wait!" Boreal said. "Walters is a cunning man. He may have just sent Copper here to lure you in so he could take the Key from you!"
"It's the only lead we have, and we don't have time to find another. Mr. Copper doesn't seem like a bad man. He was there when I encountered Gemini, along with some other officers, but he was horrified by the lengths they were going to for the Key. I'm going to take a chance and trust him."
Boreal sighed. "…Just be careful, Sonia."
"We will. Right, Lyra?"
"Don't worry about a thing, Mr. Boreal," Lyra said. "They won't take us by surprise again."
Luna looked up at the junkyard sign. "So did he say where in this place, or are you going to search the whole thing?"
"It might take a while," Sonia said. "That's why I told you to just give me the Shovel Card so I can do it myself. Besides, there's still a good chance this is a trap!"
"All the more reason I have to be here, then! Claud's too far away and Geo's busy with Pat—I'm the only Brother you can count on right now!"
"I know I can count on you, I just want to keep you out of danger is all."
"Idiot! If it's dangerous, then I as your Brother can't let you face it alone, now can I?"
"Ugh, I don't have time to argue…just wait here while I make sure there aren't any Satella Officers around this time, okay? I'll come get you once I'm sure it's clear."
Luna nodded, sitting down on a bench. "Try to make it fast."
Sonia muttered something and went to the nearest Wavehole. After transforming, she made her way onto the junkyard Wave Road, slowly combing over the area and checking every place where someone could be hiding. She saw no one, not even any employees. A few Sorter Bots were floating around, but they shouldn't prove any trouble, she hoped.
So far so good.
When she went further in, however, she spotted a man sitting at the edge of the trash—he was bald and rather round, with a large beard and mustache that he was stroking absent-mindedly. He carried what looked like a crown in one hand, and there appeared to be something sticking out of his back.
Sonia blinked. "Uh, Lyra…is something wrong with my visor?"
"Why do you ask?"
"That guy looks sort of…blue."
"Oh…so he does. How peculiar…"
The man looked up, adjusting his small round glasses. "Hmph?" he said. "What's this? Be thou a challenger?"
"Huh?! Wait, are those glasses a Visualizer?"
Standing, the man pointed emphatically. "Hold, warrior! To bring honor to my family, I, Jean Couronne XIV, do hereby challenge thee to a noble duel!"
Sonia cocked her head. "What?"
Something flashed, materializing in the air next to Couronne. An EM Being, taking the shape of a crown with a yellow, mustached face beneath it, bounced up and down, saying, "What's this, what's this? Another FM-ian, eh? Well, have at thee!"
"And…who are you?" Lyra asked.
As Couronne headed for a Wavehole, the FM-ian replied, "I am none other than the mighty Crown! Hah! Surely, you must now be quaking in fear!"
Sonia looked at her guitar. Lyra replied, "Sorry, dear, I haven't the faintest idea who he is."
Confused, Sonia looked back down to ask what was going on. That was when she identified that the item sticking out of Couronne's back was an arrow.
"Oh my…wait a minute! You're injured!"
Couronne looked over his shoulder. "Hm? Oh, I am not simply injured: I am dead!"
"…D…dead…?"
"Indeed!" Crown said. "My dear partner is a ghost! Upon meeting his demise, he became a sort of EM phantom, not quite human yet still capable of performing an EM Wave Change with help from myself! Haha! An immortal king who defies even death—quite the fitting host for one such as myself!"
Sonia gaped. "…A…ghost…? A ghost that can Wave Change? Lyra?"
"D…don't ask me, dear, I'm just as confused as you are…"
Couronne and Crown paused at the Wavehole, the former shouting, "Now then! Jean Couronne XIV, On The Air!"
When he reappeared on the Wave Road, his body was encased in bluish black armor, save for his limbs which were plated in gold, though most of this was obscured by the immense, green coat made of armor he wore, its white edges lined with flashing lights of numerous colors. He had a skull for a head and wore a bulbous red and gold crown that was also lined with lights, and atop it was a small bird-shaped ornament.
Couronne crossed his arms. "Prepare thyself, warrior-bard! Thou shalt fall before the might of Crown Thunder!"
Three skulls appeared in the air around Couronne, each surrounded in a flame of either blue, red, or green, and each one carrying a different weapon.
Sonia stepped back. "W-Well…I guess we have to fight?"
"Indeed, indeed!" Crown laughed. "Are you ready to begin?"
She sighed. "This still makes no sense. But, I'll play along."
Activating her Green Dragon form, she played the notes to begin turning the Wave Road into grass. Couronne jumped.
"Egad! Thou can transform in such a manner? Thou will truly be an interesting opponent! In the name of the Couronne family, en garde!"
The blue skull raised its crossbow and fired a volley of bolts. Each clattered against Sonia's shield, utterly useless.
"So, you just want to fight because of your family?" Sonia asked.
"Indeed!" Couronne affirmed. "'Tis the only way to bring honor to our name!"
The green skull attacked next, swinging its hammer with all its might. It too failed before Sonia's shield.
"Alright…what about you, Crown? I assume you're here looking for the Andromeda Key?"
"What?!" Crown yelled. "You know where the Andromeda Key is?"
"…I thought that was why you were fighting me?"
"You mean…you have it?! Well then, I shall have no choice but to take it from you!"
The red skull finally advanced. Its lance made it through the shield, but was not long enough to actually reach Sonia, so she was able to repel it by summoning a small gust. It flew back, knocking the other skulls aside and smacking Couronne in the face.
"Buh-hah?! Do mine eyes deceive me?! How dare thou repel my minions so swiftly?"
"Look, I'd really much rather talk things through. I don't see a reason why we have to fight!"
Couronne straightened his coat. "Balderdash! As I have said, 'tis a matter of honor!"
"And," Crown said, "I simply cannot allow you to abscond with the Andromeda Key! That terrible weapon must not fall into the wrong hands!"
Lyra said, "Hm? What was that, dear?"
Couronne pointed into the sky and shouted. Seconds later, a thunderbolt came down from the clouds, bypassing Sonia's forward shield and zapping her. She dropped to one knee, caught off-guard by the surprise attack.
"Haha!" Couronne laughed. "That was a taste of my true power! Art thou fearful, young bard?"
Standing back up, Sonia began playing her keys. A storm of pellets rained down, obliterating the skulls and sending Couronne toppling over.
"My word!" Couronne said, covering his head. "What manner of sorcery is this?"
"Just shut up for a minute!" she said. "Crown, what did you just say about the Andromeda Key?"
"Hm?" Crown grunted. "That…it is a terrible weapon, and that it must not fall into the wrong hands. It was stolen, presumably by whoever you are, yes? I have come to this distant planet in search of it! Of course, when I met this charming fellow, I became somewhat distracted."
"My deepest apologies, Lord Crown," Couronne said. "After drifting at sea for so long, having any company is such a blessing, especially company from one so pleasant as yourself!"
"Oh no, dearest Jean, I meant no such offense! I too greatly enjoy our escapades!"
Sonia rubbed her temple. "These two could win a fight through exasperation alone…"
"Crown!" Lyra called. "I won't be giving the Andromeda Key back to Planet FM. We've repelled all of the FM King's elites who tried to take it—do you really think you stand a chance?"
"Return it to Planet FM?" Crown repeated. "Bah! Planet FM is, in fact, a set of wrong hands that the Key must not fall into! I daresay any hands would the wrong ones, truly, for that weapon is…wait, did you say all of them? Might that also include Gemini?"
"Um…yes," Sonia said. "We defeated Gemini just recently."
"T…truly?! If you are lying, my fury shall know no equal!"
"It's no lie," Lyra said. "With some help, we were able to stop Gemini. He's still out there, of course, but—"
"Ha-HAH!" Crown laughed. "This is wonderful! At long last, someone has put that manipulative cur in his place! Simply astounding!"
Couronne stood up as Crown continued, "Be that as it may, leaving the Andromeda Key with you would still be most unwise, given I know nothing of your intentions! Therefore, have at thee!"
Thunderbolts started to fall again. This time Sonia was prepared, and she carefully dodged each strike, waiting until the attack stopped before playing a few notes to summon vines that grabbed her foe.
"My word!" Couronne cried.
"Now listen here!" Sonia said. "Crown, if your goal really is to keep the Andromeda Key away from Planet FM, then there's no reason for us to fight! Lyra's decided to help me keep this planet safe. We're not planning to do anything with the Key—we just want to keep it from being used."
"…Is this…true?" Crown asked. "Now you must be completely honest! Should this be a trick, I shall unleash upon you a rage unlike any you could ever fathom!"
"Just relax!" Sonia said.
"It is true that I originally had something else in mind," Lyra admitted. "However, this girl has managed to convince me that the Earth should be protected, and that the Andromeda Key must not be used. If that is in line with your stance, then we are most certainly not enemies."
After a short time, Crown said, "This…this is better than I could have ever dreamed of! Dearest Jean, please forgive me, but…please! We must not fight them!"
"Hmmm…" Jean hummed. "I have gathered enough from this conversation. If they can help you achieve your goals, my friend, then I have no wish to do them harm!"
"Huzzah! Many thanks, dear boy!"
The vines disappeared, and Sonia cautiously walked forward. "Okay. So, who are you, and what exactly is going on?"
"I offer you my deepest apologies, warrior-bard," Crown said. "You see, I am distantly related to the FM King. His mother's father's cousin's daughter-in-law's second aunt twice removed's cousin's…no, wait, that's not it…"
"I find that hard to believe," Lyra said. "Members of the royal family have never lived very long."
"I speak the truth! Many saw me as no threat, and while there were some who tried to eliminate me, I was able to defend myself."
"Alright, but what does that have to do with anything?" Sonia asked. "And if you are related to the FM King, then why don't you want him to have the Key back?"
Crown sighed. "The FM King…that poor boy Cepheus…he's become paranoid and aggressive, an empty shell of a person after the weight and trials that have been forced upon him. A traitorous place like Planet FM is no place to grow up, especially not when you have a position that everyone wants to take from you! He has become a true representation of our planet: unwilling to trust, too quick to fight, and so very, very lonely."
He paused to sniff, doing his best not to cry. "I tried to help him. But that wretched Gemini told him I was plotting to steal the throne from him, and so he banished me! He's become so fearful that he can't even trust his Uncle Crown…"
Couronne put an arm over his eyes. "Curses! This story is such a tragic tale, even hearing it the second time!"
"When I heard that the Key had been stolen, I knew that this was my only chance!" Crown said. "If I can get rid of the Key, then Planet FM will have to stop being so aggressive! I am sure Gemini will continue as he has, but with their most powerful weapon gone, his warmongering nature will finally be transparent, and Cepheus will turn him away at last! And then…perhaps then, he will finally accept me back!"
Crown and Couronne both began to bawl. Lyra sighed. "Well, let's set aside the more dramatic elements. It sounds like they could be useful allies, Sonia."
Sonia sniffed.
"…You're not going to cry too, are you?"
"N-No, definitely not! Um…Crown! Like we said, we're not going to let the Andromeda Key be used again, and I'll do everything I can to make the FM-ians change. Your species deserves to be happy just as much as mine. When I meet with Cepheus, I'll make him see, and hopefully we can make Planet FM start to change!"
Crown sobbed. "Y-You…to have such compassion for an invading force…"
"You are a saint, my dear girl, a saint!" Couronne insisted. "I would be honored to fight alongside you!"
"But, wait!" Crown said. "How will you reach Cepheus? Even when he launches his final assault, he will not set foot on this planet!"
"We're looking into that right now, actually," Lyra said. "We've been told there's something here we can use to make a signal we can ride to the space station where Cepheus is gathering his forces. I don't suppose you've seen any secret entrances around here?"
Couronne stroked his chin. "A secret entrance? Hmm…I'm afraid I don't recall seeing such a thing."
"Wait a moment!" Crown said. "I did sense an unusual amount of electricity deeper in. It could be some power lines, possibly to provide power to a secret facility that may be what you are looking for!"
"Really?" Sonia said. "That's great! I need to get my friend so she can help us, but then could you show us where it is?"
"Why of course, child! Go, retrieve your friend! We shall guide you, and if what you seek is not there, then we shall not rest until it is found! For Cepheus's sake, we must persevere!"
Boreal made his way through the junkyard, heading towards the beaten-up transmitter Sonia told him to look for. Sitting near it was a backhoe pointed at an open trap door beneath the trash. Cautiously, he proceeded down the stairwell, going on for what felt like several minutes before emerging into a large storage facility, with a massive hunk of metal displayed at the center of the floor.
That's really it!
It was a corner of the station, judging by the shape of it. The edges were crumpled and torn, like it had been ripped off by some powerful force, and inside lay a few terminals and miscellaneous pieces of equipment. Standing in front of it were Sonia, Luna, and Couronne. Boreal found he had trouble drawing his eyes away from the third.
"Over here!" Sonia called, waving. "You're sure NAZA didn't see which way you came?"
"Uh, no," Boreal said as he crossed the floor, "I headed for home first, and then took a bus to get here. They only stationed guards at AMAKEN, so…"
He stared at Couronne. The phantom stroked his beard, saying, "Ah, seems your friend is mesmerized by my imposing regality."
"I doubt that's the issue," Luna said.
"This is from Peace, right?" Sonia asked.
"Huh?" Boreal said. "Oh, yes, it is! This is definitely the piece of the station we need!"
"Great! So, do you think you can get it working?"
Boreal set down his tools and walked up to the largest console. He tapped it a few times, getting no response, and then gently pried off the face of the terminal and examined its wiring.
"Hm…well, it's not in fantastic shape. Still, there's power down here, so that won't be an issue…yeah, maybe if that…no…ah, looks like I'll need to replace those…"
He stood up, clapping his hands together. "It doesn't look like it's going to be easy, but I'll figure it out. This is our only chance—it has to work."
"Mr. Boreal, I'd understand if you can't do it," Sonia said. "I'm sure we can figure something else out of this isn't possible."
Boreal clenched his fist and smiled. "No. I'll definitely get this working—I promise! Kelvin and Rosa never gave up, so it's time I decided to stop giving up too!"
Sonia grinned. "Thank you, Mr. Boreal."
"But, you have to promise me something too, Sonia."
"Hm?"
"Come back alive! Rosa would never forgive me if I sent you up there and something terrible happened."
Sonia stepped forward and shook Boreal's hand. "It's a deal! If you get this working, then I promise to come back alive."
"Good. Okay, time to get to work!"
As Boreal began to lay out his tools, the others left to give him space to work. Back on the surface, Couronne said, "Fear not: I shall watch over this place, to make certain that none shall be able to harm the mechanic! Thou need only save thine strength in preparation for the final confrontation!"
Sonia nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Couronne. Please take good care of Mr. Boreal."
"Sonia!" Crown said. "I merely wish to thank you once again for all that you have done! With you on our side, we may actually stand a chance of making Cepheus see reason...this is a day I never dared to dream could be possible! Best of luck, young warrior!"
Couronne floated off into the distance. Luna and Sonia made for the junkyard's exit, the former saying, "What weirdos."
"If it weren't for them, we'd probably still be sifting through garbage."
"I guess so…um, Sonia?"
"Yeah?"
"When you promised Mr. Boreal that you'd come back alive…you meant that, right?"
Sonia looked at her. "Huh? Of course I did."
"Good! Because I know you'd know better than to even think about breaking a promise! S-So…"
Luna blushed and looked away. With a grin, Sonia said, "Well, I know you're not worried about me, but—"
"Shut up! I…I am worried about you."
Sonia slowed down a bit.
"I mean, what kind of Brother wouldn't worry in a situation like this? You're going off into space to fight the leader of an alien world known for destroying planets! I'd be a terrible Brother if I wasn't worried!"
Sonia stared at her for a minute. Then she waved her hand dismissively, saying, "You're overthinking things again."
Luna frowned. "Wh-what?!"
Sonia shrugged. "Like you said: I won't break my promises. So, that means there's no need for you to worry, even if you are my Brother."
Looking down, Luna said, "Well…"
"I'll be fine, Luna," Sonia said, setting a hand on her arm. "What I need now isn't for you to worry about me, it's for you to believe in me, like you always have. If you do that, then I know I'll be able to handle whatever I find up there!"
Luna fidgeted. "…If you say so."
"Great. Now come on! I want to go see how Geo and Pat are doing."
A strange sensation filled his body. He twisted, feeling as if some pressure were pushing down upon him, until it finally ceased and he collapsed. Lying sprawled out on the floor, he gasped a few times, and then, blinking, clarity slowly returned to him.
Cygnus stood. "What…? I'm alive?"
He looked around. The room was dark, and he couldn't see well enough to make out its features. But he could see several others scattered about the floor like he was: Taurus, Ophiuca, Libra.
What's going on?
"Hear me, my warriors."
Cygnus's body shook all at once. Slowly looking over his shoulder, he saw that a large section of the wall was missing, revealing the open void of space just beyond. On the floor's edge sat a throne fashioned from scrap metal, and upon this throne sat a small, green figure wearing a red cloak and a golden, three-pointed crown.
"I have restored you to complete a very important mission. Lyra still holds the Andromeda Key! I am sending you four back to Earth, where you will meet up with Gemini and our human informant. You are to recover the Andromeda Key using any means necessary! And be forewarned…I will not revive you again."
Cygnus bowed. "O-Of course, Your Majesty—we understand! We shall not fail you again, King Cepheus!"
