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Wild Arms: To the End of the Wilderness
Chapter Twenty Nine: Wings of the Bird God
Written by Estrelita Farr

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As the wanderers' boots crunched on the barren ground, the familiar stone walls of Adlehyde Castle Town appeared over the horizon. It felt like a long time since they had been back here, especially for Rudy, but at the same time the sight reminded them of their war with the demons.

Jack frowned. "Come to think of it, the demons haven't tried anything in a long time… I've a bad feeling about this.

"They're bound to do something soon…" Hanpan said.

The other two nodded, and they all picked up the pace.

Trees hushed overhead as they stepped into the woods around the castle town. As they followed the dirt path towards the town gates, however, they found someone already waiting for them.

"Hey!" Jane cried as she sprang from her rocky seat, waving madly at them.

Jack waved back at her, but her eyes locked onto Rudy. She sped towards them, kicking up a dust storm, then skidded to a stop right before the boy.

"SO SLOW!" She shoved a finger in his face, making him jump. "So slow, so slow, SO SLOW!"

And, with her high heels… she stomped on his foot with all of her might.

The other winced as Rudy did the single-legged dance of pain.

Jane crossed her arms. "Hmph, you're just exaggerating. Pain is a sign of vigour and life! You should've come back quicker!"

Magdalen approached and gave a short bow. "Rudy, Milady was worried about you a great deal."

"Worried?! Who was worried?!

Hanpan shrugged, Jack nodded with a grin and Cecilia giggled. Yeah, right… yet Rudy blinked confusedly.

Jane shook her head. "Anyway, forget about that! Come on, there's something going on outside Adlehyde!"

"What–" Cecilia began, but the younger girl had already started running into the wilderness, with Magdalen right behind her.

"Come on, come on! It's enormous! I've never seen anything like it!"

The others exchanged glances before chasing after her.

"Hey, slow down!" Jack yelled. "What's the big deal?!"

"It's incredible!" Jane yelled back over a shoulder. "It's the invention of the century! Don't be surprised, Professor Emma's doubtful research might just become a reality!" She jumped off a little hill, whirled around and spread her hands as she continued walking backwards. "A flying machine! FLYING MACHINE!"

Hanpan crossed his arms. "Really? I wonder…"

The swordsman shrugged. "The only thing great about that professor is her ego."

Cecilia thought for a moment. "During the Great War a thousand years ago, I heard they had vehicles that reached not only the sky, but also the stars…"

Hanpan nodded. "Yes, but the Elw technology is mostly lost to us now, like how we can't make new ARM. But if Doctor Emma really managed to make a machine fly… just what did she use?"

Jane gave a shrug. "Beats me. From what I remember, the last trial version was built using the Emma Motor, but it rattled and didn't have enough power to fly in the sky, so in the end it was never used."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "So… how did she finish it now?"

Magdalen glanced at the others. "It seems she obtained some sort of research information."

"Oh, right!" Jane said. "While you were gone, she was examining Asgard's innards. Anyway, come on! Hurry up or we'll miss the test flight!"

They continued on their way, with Jane's occasional hurrying, and arrived atop of a cliff overlooking a vast plain, with trees lining the horizon.

"That strange captain was assigned to test fly," Jane said. "Apparently he's scared of heights. He was snivelling and crying like a baby, and of course, I ignored him. Usually a monkey or dog would be used as a test subject, but none were available so the honour went to him."

Cecilia shook her head. "Poor captain…"

Jack rubbed his head. "I just can't imagine the captain being on a flying machine."

Hanpan shrugged.

"Everyone," the butler called, "It seems the test flight has already started."

All eyes turned upward, then widened with a gasp.

High in the air was a long machine with metal wings, swerving up and down like a hummingbird. They would like to describe it as a graceful flight… but its movements were erratic, with black smoke that escaped from its tail and loud rattling sound that even they could hear.

"Oh, shoot!" Jane exclaimed.

Cecilia gasped. "The captain is riding in that thing?!"

The machine continued swerving up and down, left and right, around in a circle… and then it started spinning out of control as it dived towards the trees.

BOOM!

A huge column of black smoke rose.

Silence.

"How… much fuel was it carrying?" Hanpan asked.

"I don't know the details," Magdalen said, "But I did hear something about weapons…"

A pause, then a mad scramble towards the smoke.

"Captain! CAPTAIN!"

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-o-o-o-o-o-

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The wanderers learnt later that luckily, Emma had installed an "eject" button – which would launch the pilot out of the vehicle when pressed – and Bartholomew had pressed it in his panic, though unluckily, the "parachute" that was supposed to slow his fall didn't work as expected. On one hand the trees broke his fall, but on the other he landed splat right into the lake.

Another meeting was hastily called at the Adlehyde Castle conference room. As the wanderers took their seats, Emma paced the floor and muttered to herself, "I wonder what didn't work, I cannot see any flaws in my design… perhaps I need a Gemini Circuit. And it may be helpful for the pilot to have more confidence in flying… maybe I should install a hypnosis device in there…"

"Um," Cecilia began, "Is the captain all right?"

She stopped. "What? Ah, yes… he earned a gold medal in the napping competition. While you have some time, why don't you visit the hospital in town? You'll meet the miraculous survivor of the catastrophe." She glanced at Rudy. "Speaking of survivor… let me look at you, Rudy."

The boy nodded and stood up.

She smiled. "You look all right. I'm happy for you. Stay healthy, all right?"

His face flushed as he rubbed the back of his head.

Hanpan shrugged from atop the table. "How come Rudy and Bartholomew are treated so differently…"

Jack grinned. "Are you concerned for the captain? You must feel a bond with him. After all, you both have short legs."

"Back off!"

Emma clapped her hands to draw everyone's attention. "Okay, let's discuss the main topic now that we're all together again. Before we start, let me present the main man– uh, woman, Master Anje!"

Master Anje stepped into the room with an abashed smile as she brought in a large metal dish-like device. "Hello, all. This is embarrassing…"

Cecilia looked up. "With Master Anje present, are we ready to discuss the Guardians?"

The engineer nodded. "Yes. There has been a disturbance in the Guardians' realm. I'm sure you know who the responsible party is."

Jack frowned. "The demons."

Master Anje placed the device on the table, and as she stepped back, a ball of green light formed above it. "Please take a look at this. This is the Layline Observer, which measures the power of the Guardians. We detected a very strong interference against the Guardians' power, to the point they almost cancel each other out. It's quite massive."

"This confirms the demons truly intend to annihilate the Guardians," Magdalen remarked.

Jane raised a hand. "Can we tell where the interference point is?"

Master Anje nodded. "Yes, it's possible. Let me see." She peered into the ball of light, ran her hands along the surface, then looked up. "It originated southwest of Adlehyde at Pandemonium, an old battle site. It's not easy to get there because it's surrounded by steep mountains."

A shrug. "Nothing is easy, I suppose… any ideas?"

"Of course!" Emma said. "This is why I have been working hard on the aviation device. Unfortunately, it's not complete yet."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "I think I saw one crashing…"

"I just need one more part installed to stabilise the output of the device – the Gemini Circuit, which can independently magnify and control the energy of the aviation device."

Jane smirked. "It took Magdalen and me a while to figure out where it was while you were away!"

Hanpan shook his head. "If you knew, why did you test the aviation device without the Gemini circuit?"

Emma smiled. "Did you have to ask? For science, of course!"

"…I should have known."

"We should have no problem getting to the interference point once the aviation device is complete. But first, I need you to get me the Gemini Circuit. Magdalen?"

The butler stood up with a bow. "Certainly. From what we gathered, based on the 'Gemini' part of its name, the Gemini Circuit is made up of two parts located in separate ruins. Why not Rudy and his company take charge of one while Milady and I handle the other?"

Jane nodded. "The captain may not be well yet, but he needs to guide us through the sea route to one of the ruins."

"The captain…" Cecilia said. "I feel badly for him. Is he well enough to travel?"

Jack stopped. "Wait a second… if you're taking the ship, how do you expect us to get to our ruin?" A pause. "Oh no… no… no, we're not…"

"Yes, you are," Emma said. "But don't worry, as long as you keep the altitude low, the Emma Motor won't explode."

Jane stood up from her seat and grinned at the Guardians' group. "I wish I could take your place, but it's time for me to go. Take care!"

As the duo left the room, Jack groaned. "Oh, man, are we going to end up like the captain too?"

Emma shook her head. "Oh, quit whining. You'll get there somehow, right? Now come with me to the secret base."

Hanpan's ears perked up. "Secret base? Where's that?"

"Well, it won't be a secret if I told you where it is, right? Now, if you don't mind… I need to blindfold you before I can take you there."

They never thought she would really blindfold them and lead them like a children's game of blindfold train. They could hear people whispering as they stumbled their way through with a hand on each other's shoulders, feeling heat rushing to their cheeks. Already Rudy wished he could hide, and Cecilia wished she could just melt through the floor.

"Hey!" Jack cried. "Are we there yet?!"

"Be patient," came their lead's reply. "We'll be there shortly."

Eventually the chatter faded, followed by the clanks of machinery and the sound of stone bricks being moved. The roars of a waterfall filled their ears as they continued on, and when more machinery sounded and stone bricks moved, the air became silent.

"We're here," Emma said. "You can take your blindfolds off now."

They did, and once their sight adjusted to the light of the lanterns on the brick walls, they descended the spiral staircase after Emma. Further down they went, wondering how far down it would go, and just as Jack opened his mouth to complain, they reached the bottom.

The stone tiles stretched as far as eyes could see, with cables running from one end to the other. Reinforced metal pillars supported the ceiling that spanned several floors, its height rivalling Adlehyde Castle itself. Metal consoles lined against the brick walls on one side, piles of metal stacked up high on another, and there was giant machinery everywhere.

Cecilia gasped. "When was this large facility built? Oh, my dear Adlehyde…"

Hanpan shook his head. "You're violating quite a few regulations by building such a place… we might find you in the public courthouse later."

Emma smiled. "Are you telling me I should have obtained a proper permit in this time of urgency? With or without it, I started the construction, so Cecilia, please get retroactive approval for me." And she continued on without waiting for a reply.

The sorceress gave a sigh. Rudy gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder.

Hanpan shrugged. "Well, I suppose we should have known. It's Doctor Emma, after all."

On the other side of the hall, where the lanterns remained unlit, Emma stopped. "Okay, lights on!"

A flash. Three spotlights shone from the ceiling onto a large machine resting two sets of wheeled legs, its sleek metal body large enough to fit all of them thrice over, with large metal wings folded to the back like a bird's.

Emma spread her hands proudly. "Here we are, the theory aviation body with my Emma Motor! They combined to form everyone's dreams – the aviation device! It's like a phoenix's wing, so I call it, GULLWING!" She cleared her throat as she gestured at the machine. "And its test model, Protowing."

Jack shook his head. "It sure sounds great, but it's in for an imminent crash. So sad…"

The Wind Mouse nodded. "If you ask me, everything that goes up must come down."

Emma whirled around to face them. "All right! Steadiness and output control, that's the key here."

"That's easier said than done… and you don't sound all that confident."

She wagged a finger at them. "My skill and love for Filgaia deserve some trust, don't you all agree?"

Silence.

She gave a cough. "Well, let's leave that aside for now… to make Protowing complete, I need everyone's cooperation, all right?" She turned and clapped her hands. "How is Protowing coming along, everyone?"

Several workers appeared underneath the aviation device, brown clothes stained with black grease. One of them gave a thumbs-up. "It's done! It's ready to go once you find a daredevil to test it!"

Cecilia blinked. "Oh, these people…"

"These are my loyal assistants," Emma said, " They helped with the excavation at Lolithia's Coffin."

A worker shrugged. "Our boss loves to make us work no matter what!"

"Oh, shush." She gestured at the wanderers. "They're the perfect candidates to test my proud creation. Bring the machine into Gate Fourteen before they change their minds!"

"Yes, boss!"

Jack sighed. "It's too late to back out now, is it?"

Rudy nodded with a sheepish smile.

From the side of the Protowing, a set of metal stairs extended to the floor. Rudy took a deep breath and climbed up. Cecilia gripped her staff tightly as she followed after him. Then Jack stepped after them… only to stop short of the stairs. He glanced back at the facility exit, as though to bolt…

Emma shook her head. "Jack, you're not backing out now, are you?" She heaved a dramatic sigh. "How am I to tell everyone that one of the protectors of Filgaia is such a coward–"

"C-coward?! I'm no coward! And to show you, I'll fly this entire damn thing myself!" He stomped up the stairs.

She chuckled, then swung a hand. "Protowing… GO!"

The platform beneath the Protowing rotated with a hiss, then slid into an upward sloped hallway. The wanderers quickly settled into the seats – with Jack at the head facing the clear glass window above the metal console – and scanned their copies of the instruction manual. Higher and higher the platform moved, then it slowed to a stop with another hiss before a giant metal gate with the number fourteen painted onto it. The gate slid open, revealing the clear blue sky as the sunlight streamed in.

"Ready, Protowing!" Emma's amplified voice echoed across the hallway. "Taking off in three–"

"What?!" Jack exclaimed. "But I'm not done reading the instructions yet–"

"–two–"

Hanpan hopped onto a few buttons. "Hold the steering wheel steady–"

"–one–"

"–and just listen to my instructions!"

"–lift off!"

A whirring sound. Growing louder and louder, then the Protowing shot forward with a burst of speed across the stone road. The wheel in Jack's hands trembled as he held it as steady as he could.

Hanpan nodded. "Good, now pull the wheel slowly"–a sudden jerk–"I said SLOWLY!"

Jack gritted his teeth. "I'm trying, dammit!"

"Look out!" Cecilia cried, pointing at the stone hill ahead of them.

Rudy's eyes widened as he gripped the sides of his seat.

Hanpan gave a high squeak. "Come on, Jack! It's now or never! PULL SLOWLY! GENTLY!"

Everyone else stared as the stone hill came nearer and nearer… then, another jerk, and their view through the window shifted upward towards the sky. Hanpan hopped onto a few more buttons, and the device's metal wings spread wide to catch the wind.

"We're… flying?" Cecilia whispered.

Jack punched the air. "Yeah! We're flying!"

"Not any longer if you don't avoid that mountain in front of us!" Hanpan squeaked.

"Relax, I got this! This will be as easy as berry pie!"

A jerk as the device flew further upward. A loud rumble, then everything began to rattle.

"No, don't go up! Do you want this thing to explode?!"

"What do you want me to do then?! Crash into the mountain?!"

"Swerve, dimwit! SWERVE!"

The mountain loomed overhead before them.

Cecilia screamed.

Then Rudy shoved Jack aside. Gloved hands gripping the wheel, the metal plates of the Guardian Blade gleaming, he turned.

A hard swerve to the right. A loud scraping sound as the tip of the left wing struck the cliff. The rattling loud in the air, the whole machine trembling as though it would soon explode…

Then the noise subsided. As Rudy focused, hands steady, the Protowing eased into a calm flight, scaring a flock of birds into the air as it flew parallel to the ground.

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief.

Hanpan shook his head. "Good thing you took over, Rudy… that dimwit over there might have gotten us crashed."

Rudy gave a sheepish smile at the fallen Jack. "Sorry about that."

The swordsman rubbed his head as he got to his feet. "Nah, it's all good. I probably lost a few years of my life flying this thing…"

Hanpan gave a huff. "Yes, and we could have avoided all that if you didn't insist on flying it yourself."

"L-let's just leave bygones be bygones, yeah? So, where are we going?"

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-o-o-o-o-o-

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As the Wind Mouse consulted the map and planned their route, Rudy took the Protowing on a few more test laps around the open plain, getting used to the controls. He found it was not quite the same as using an ARM or old Elw technology – the Protowing didn't act according to his thoughts nor did it feel like an extension of him, but it did give him information directly without having to rely on the numerous gauges on the console, whether the engine was getting too hot or they were flying too high.

And, with the open sky before him, he felt free. Soaring in the air, sweeping across the landscape… it felt breathtaking, unshackled. So much that for a moment he wondered if he could borrow this machine when they were done with the war…

When they began their journey west across the open sea, they flew over the Sweet Candy, atop which Jane waved madly at them.

Jack grinned. "Hey, we're moving much faster than the ship! At this rate we'll get there and back by dinnertime!"

But, unlike his expectations, the journey to the Gemini's Corpse ruin took quite a few hours. Eventually he started impatiently tapping his foot, then pacing around with loud stomping steps. Then he opened his mouth to complain–

"Can't you just be quiet for a few hours?" Hanpan fired at him. "Or would you prefer to be on the ship for seven days instead? It's not too late to dump you into the sea with the captain!"

That shut him up.

The sun was already beginning to dip over the horizon by the time the Protowing manoeuvred around the mountains and landed outside an old yellowed stone building. A night of camping later, they entered the ruin with the enthusiastic treasure hunting duo leading the way, declaring they would be done and out by the time the day ended!

Oh, how they were wrong.

Unlike the standard spike or boulder traps, what blocked their way were doors locked by altars that demanded they offer their "body's stored power". Rudy, who volunteered to go first, found out what it meant the hard way – a magic circle formed beneath him and sapped him of his strength, so much that he fell to his knees, unable to move even as an alarm blared and several robots attacked them.

Jack raised his sheathed sword with a frown. "Sap our strength and attack us with monsters?" He charged. "Not cool!"

Several slashes later, the robots exploded into torn pieces on the floor.

However, it still took hours before Rudy recovered enough to keep going, and several hallways later was another altar with the same demand. A groan, and Cecilia offered to go next.

Many more hours and hallways later, a third altar. Jack heaved a sigh and stepped forward.

At the fourth statue, even Hanpan did his turn… after which he lay sprawled on the floor.

"Wow… now I know why this ruin hasn't been looted yet. I don't know how anyone can take this feeling of exhaustion and still make it through the monsters. Let's just hope there aren't any more after this…"

They did meet another statue in the hallways after that, but not one that asked for their strength. Instead it was the statue of a sword taller than even Jack. It shone brightly as Cecilia passed it, and a sharp female voice called out to her heart.

"Shaman and her warriors, may the sword in hand cleave evil. May it bring doom to those that harm life… if you see a sword that severs uncertainty and brings justice to evil, then shout my name in the heat of battle. I am the Guardian of Swords, Equites. All manner of fiends shall fall before me…"

The orb of light broke into several smaller ones that circled once before disappearing into Cecilia. A new Guardian appeared in the abyss where the Guardians resided; a large golden sword, its sharp edges gleaming in the darkness, strangely alone. But when she took another look, she caught a glimpse of a woman in a combination of golden armour and white robe, with great golden wings tinged with green spread open as she wielded the sword, like a warrior from another world.

Cecilia smiled. "Thank you, Equites."

Their spirits lifted with the thought of another Guardian helping them, they continued on. Thankfully there were no more strength-draining altars after that, and after beating up some more monsters, they reached the chest at the end. Inside was just a single item, a metal box with fully welded seams.

"Is this the circuit Doctor Emma spoke of?" Cecilia asked.

Jack shrugged. "Don't know. Can two of these things make that flying coffin safe? I don't believe it."

Hanpan shook his head. "We'll know when we give these to Doctor Emma."

When they returned to Adlehyde Castle Town the next day and met up with Emma in the conference room, the latter examined the metal box and nodded.

"Good job, everyone, we have one part of the Gemini Circuit. You all did well and I did a great job assigning you to the task! As soon as we obtain the other part, I can complete the Protowing."

A soldier appeared at the door and saluted. "Leader, the Sweet Candy has been sighted on the horizon!"

"Good, it seems the other party is successful too. Looks like I'll be busy soon!"

The soldier saluted once more and disappeared down the hallway.

"Wow," Hanpan said, "We must have spent a pretty long time in the ruin if they're already arriving by ship!"

Jack scratched his head. "Must be all that napping we did…"

Rudy flushed when Emma raised an eyebrow at them. Cecilia giggled.

Suddenly the soldier was back with another salute. "L-leader! The Sweet Candy has encountered a large enemy in the sea! They need backup at once, it looks bad!"

The engineer slapped her forehead. "What rotten timing…"

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-o-o-o-o-o-

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On the Sweet Candy, chaos ensued. All the sailors were running and screaming, and it didn't help that their captain was yelling at them while running around himself. In the distance, a grey Golem with metal wings like a stingray shot out from the sea, sending sprays of water everywhere, and dove back into the waters.

Jane shook her head. "We finally obtained one of the Gemini Circuits just for this?! Hey, Captain, do something! Don't you have anything installed on this ship in case of emergencies, like a secret weapon?! And stop running already!"

He skidded to a stop in front of her. "This is a trading ship, not a battleship! You can beg all you want, it only goes faster, nothing else!"

A crash as the ship shook, throwing some sailors off their feet as others fought to regain their balance.

"Yeow!" Bartholomew exclaimed. "By Lucadia's fin, my poor Sweet Candy!"

Amidst the chaos, Magdalen's rigid posture remained unchanged. "Milady, we must hurry… we are getting awfully close to tea time."

"Ah, okay then." Jane shrugged. "Captain, it's a shame, but we must abandon ship!"

The captain gasped. "Abandon ship?! Why, my dear Sweet Candy and I have been together for–"

She gave a sweet smile. "Pretty please?"

"…you're right. We can't risk our lives." Puffing his chest, he whirled around to face the panicking sailors. "All hands! We must abandon ship! We're not far from shore, swim for your life!"

The sailors saluted. "A-aye aye, Captain!"

Jane grinned at her butler, who nodded at her, and shouted, "We aren't too far from shore! Put on lifejackets, everyone, aaaaaand let's go!"

Another crash. The Golem's impact sent a rain of wooden splinters upon them. Just as everyone dived into the sea, it tore another gaping hole in the other side of the ship. The Sweet Candy stayed afloat for a moment longer before it began to sink.

Then, the Golem turned its attention towards the people.

"It's coming for us!" a sailor screamed.

"Swim, everyone!" Jane cried. "Swim like you mean it!"

They all swam as fast as they could, but they were no match for the Golem's speed. It dived into the water from where the ship sank and emerged instantly near them, hovering at the peak of its jump as it prepared to collide into them–

ROAR. The familiar thunderous cry tore through the air and exploded at the Golem's head, forcing it back into the sea.

Rudy. Standing at the open hatch at the bottom of the Protowing, one hand on a handle on the wall, the other holding onto his ARM. He fired whenever the Golem appeared, knocking it back with sheer power.

Beside him was Cecilia, holding onto the other handle as she summoned Ice Guardian Aru Sulato, the blue humanoid that summoned a great wave of ice to block the Golem.

Behind them was Emma, the screen of light from her Emulator flashing with the "Storm Blade" option as magical wind blades swept across the sea like a torrent.

The alternating ARM shots, Guardian summons and Emulator magic forced the Golem further and further away from the swimmers. Eventually it retreated, and the sea became calm.

But who was controlling the aviation device, then?

"No, go left!" Hanpan yelled. "No, I said left! LEFT! What the heck, Jack, can't you tell your left from your right?!"

"Oh, shut it, Mouse!" Jack yelled back. "I AM going left! I know what I'm doing, all right?!"

A squeak. "Look out, Jack! WATCH FOR THAT MOUNTAIN!"

"Oh no– WARGH!"

And Rudy quickly took charge of the controls, making a mental note never to let Jack fly the machine again.

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-o-o-o-o-o-

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The sunset sky shone a brilliant orange upon the dripping survivors of the ship as they squeezed water from their clothes. The Protowing landed a short distance from the sea and Rudy, Jack with Hanpan on his shoulder, Cecilia and Emma sprinted along the shoreline towards the survivors.

"Heeey!" Jack shouted. "You guys all right?"

Magdalen bowed. "It would seem we are all accounted for with little injuries."

The shaman gave a relieved sigh. "Oh, that's good to hear."

Emma turned to Jane and Magdalen. "What about the Gemini Circuit? Did you get it?"

With a smirk, Jane held up a small box her butler handed to her. "Of course! I always deliver what I promise! You should know I ordinarily would have charged you for this."

"Indeed. Good work!"

"Will this help fix the Protowing?" Cecilia asked.

"Of course. I will not disappoint you. Let's get this to the base right away."

As they all began walking, in the distance a fallen Bartholomew slowly raised his head towards the sea and took off his white captain's cap. "Oh, my Sweet Candy… rest in peace."

The surrounding crew, mostly burley men of the sea… bawled their eyes out like children. "Sweet Candy… Sweeeet Caaaaandyyy…"

Back at Adlehyde Castle Town, the wanderers followed Emma and, much to their indignation, found themselves blindfolded once more.

"One of the Gemini Circuits is for amplification of energy," Emma explained. "But it relies on the other to control the output energy. Each circuit's power may be small, but together they can accomplish many great things. I suppose the same can be said for human beings."

Once they reached the main area of the facility, blindfolds off, the lights turned on to reveal five people gathered below the Protowing. The wanderers' gaze focused on one of them – Nicholli Maxwell.

Emma smiled as she gestured at the five. "These are all my colleagues from different areas of Filgaia. We're all in the same line of work."

Rudy glanced at them, and one of them confirmed his thought, "We are six students of Old Man Zepet."

"Emma called us all of a sudden," another said. "But we know nothing of the aviation device!"

Yet another nodded. "We should have known… this was one of our master's dreams."

And another shrugged. "It was such a short notice. But then again, it's Emma. We should have expected it."

Nicholli smiled as he went over and shook the wanderers' hands one by one. "It's good to see all of you again." He turned to Emma. "If they're here with the circuit, does that mean you're working on this aviation device for them, and ultimately for Filgaia?"

Emma nodded with a smile. "You're correct. Good job, Nicholli, I knew you were smarter than you look. Yes, there was a pulse that interfered with the Guardians' power to the far southwest, which we could only reach with the aviation device. It's been a while since the reading was detected… something should happen soon. I didn't gather all of you for a reunion party, I need you to help me finish the aviation device by morning." She smirked as she pointed at them. "I'm going to boss you around more than ever. Watch out!"

He chuckled. "You never change, do you, Emma?"

Day turned into night as the engineers and workers continued to work on the Protowing, as loud metallic sounds echoed throughout Emma's laboratory.

When the Guardians' group returned to the secret base the next morning after breakfast – blindfolded on the way, of course – the Protowing stood high in the spotlight, its metal body now a brilliant red like that of a phoenix reborn.

Emma nodded proudly. "I've done all I can. I'm not one to believe in fate, but I sure believe in myself!" She whirled around to face them. "Okay, we shouldn't waste anymore time. Let's go for it! Well, we do have some time, but I think it will look cooler if we just go for it. I hear people do better when their backs are against the wall."

They didn't agree, but there was no stopping her once she was on fire, was there?

"Come on, we'll just have to do it!" She swung a hand. "Gullwing! Start the engine and go!"

Once more the Guardians' group boarded the aviation device, and the platform below transported it to the gate that opened to the clear blue sky. The engine hummed as Emma's amplified voice counted down, as Rudy and Hanpan pressed several buttons on the console.

"–and take off!"

A burst of speed. The Gullwing soared as everyone in the secret base cheered, brilliant red wings spread open.

Jack raised a fist. "Now, to Pandemonium!"

The others nodded.

And the Gullwing disappeared into the beautiful morning sky… towards the future of Filgaia.

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End of Chapter Twenty Nine: Wings of the Bird God.

Author's Note:

As I was going through the WAACF in-game scenes for this chapter, I was annoyed at how everyone suddenly became heartless and were especially mean towards Captain Bartholomew for "comedy" purposes, it's like it didn't matter whether he lives or dies! And I was especially annoyed when I realised the original WA game didn't do this – in fact, in WA, Bartholomew was less cowardly and actually tells everyone to abandon ship, and everyone wasn't all that mean to him. So I decided to go with the WA version instead of WAACF!

Also, judging by how Jack usually kicks machines to get them going, I figured he's not great at flying a plane. xD