Orange Star: A revised history

by CO Mel

Finally Complete. The Final Battle. And Epilogue. As well as the extra feature chapters that I have included.

29. The ones known as ‘Enigmas’

Orange Star: A revised history

Commanding Officer Mel

Disclaimer: I still don't own the company that made Advance Wars but I do own a copy of the game as usual.

Author's note - And anything that is in Romanji or Pinyin and base Cantonese will be translated, or stated otherwise. Read And Review!

Place: Black Hole HQ

"Hmm . . .I feel that presence again."

"Which one Lord Sturm?"

" . . .that annoying young man who managed to break through my defenses . . .he's close . . .and I can sense his rage directed at me."

"I see . . ."

Place: Orange Star HQ

Andy sat at the center of the chaos.

"Rrr . . .hurt my girl will he?" Andy said through his teeth. "I'll show him!"

". . .Andy, you need to calm down."

"Why do I need to do that!?"

"There's no difference between bravery and stupidity. It's all the same either way." Mel said.

". . .what's that supposed to mean!?"

". . .it means if you run in wildly, you're not gonna win."

"Hmph . . .I'm gonna beat him for sure!"

". . .well, let's hope so."

"And then it'll be all over. And then I can get on with my life again."

". . ."

"What's wrong with that line of thinking?" Andy asked.

"Why do you fight? Do you think it's over when your enemies are dead? Do you think it will help just because YOU are fighting?" Mel said simply.

" . . .um . . ."

"Exactly my point. I don't even know why we bother to fight wars that simply just lead to more violence. And I have a feeling this is not the last battle . . ."

"Oh?"

" . . .I think he's got something more up his sleeve . . .but I don't know what . . ."

"Hmm . . ."

"Well . . .I . . .I'm gonna talk to Sami for a bit. Be careful, and don't do anything too rash now . . .okay?"

Place: Sami's room

". . ." Sami gave a sigh. "I think I'll go check on Sonja . . ." She stood up and headed for the door.

"Oh, where are you off to now?" Mel said as he got to her door.

". . .hmm? Oh . . .I was gonna check on Sonja."

". . .how is she?"

"She's a tough little brat. I can say that much for her."

"Heh. That's Sonja for you."

"Yup. It's . . .almost unreal though, her injuries. They look like the ones you had that year."

". . .the . . .man in black . . .no Sturm . . .he'll pay. He'll pay for all it one day. And I hope . . .no . . .I know that day will be coming very soon." He said clenching his fist.

". . .no need to get scary about it." Sami said tilting her head to the side.

"Hmm . . .whatever then. Let's see how she's doing."

Place: Infirmary

". . .ugh . . ." Sonja blinked a few times as she regained consciousness. "Wha . . ." She reached around for her glasses. ". . .nowhere . . .now . . .where am I?"

"Ooh! You're up Sonja!" Came a voice.

"Yeah . . .I guess I am. Who's there?" She said squinting.

". . .it's me silly." Sami said smiling.

"Oh! Sami-chan!"

"Yup."

"What . . .no . . .where are we?"

"We're still in this . . .place. Black Hole."

". . .no . . .you all should have left by now!"

"Nothing doing Sonja." Mel said walking in.

"Mel-nii!"

"First, he messes with Andy, then with me . . .then the world. Then you. That's the last straw. He's definitely going down. You should have seen just how mad Andy was when he saw what happened to you."

"Ah . . ."

"Well . . .your dad's come to fight too."

"Daddy's here?"

"Yes . . .and he probably was just as mad as Andy was."

"Oh . . .that's good to know." Sonja nodded. "So . . .how are you two doing now?"

"Just fine really." Sami said. "Just . . .I really, really, really hate this place." She sat down on Sonja's bed.

"Hmm . . .can you hand me my glasses? I can't see a thing."

"Oh. Sure." Sami reached into the drawer of the nightstand next to Sonja's bed and pulled out the desired object. "Here you go."

"Ah . . .thank you. Now I can see what's going on."

"It's a better idea for you to stay and rest for a bit. I think they might even have to take you in for surgery just in case."

"Huh . . .that's the last thing I need." Sonja sighed.

"Well it's for the best. We have no clue what he did to you."

"Mmm. I see. Where's everybody right now?"

"Ah . . .Mel and Andy are busy scheming away various evil plans on how to kill Sturm."

"Typical."

"Eagle kinda went missing . . ."

"Really?"

"Last we saw him, he told us to go and he'd hold off the incoming hordes."

". . .hmm . . .that's not good."

"Why?"

"Just by the sheer number of them . . .Eagle should have been easily . . .overcome."

". . .damn . . ."

"Well . . .that's a possibility. But you never know . . ."

"Ugh . . .well . . .best keep my mind off things like that . . .and keep hoping that we'll make it out of this all in one piece . . ."

"Tell that to Mel. I highly doubt he'd try to make it out in one piece."

". . .why do you say that?"

"All these years I've known him, he has a tendency to take everything to the final extreme."

" . . .meaning?"

". . .he's not gonna be happy until he's sure that Sturm's head is in his palm."

". . .ick. That's gross."

"I know . . .but Mel-nii is like that. You can't stop him once his mind is set. It was like that time he went up against you . . ."

"Oh . . .I see."

"Well . . .I think I'll try to get some rest . . .but I doubt it . . ."

"Don't worry Sonja . . .you will."

Time: Two days later

". . .what . . .what's going on!?" Andy shouted over the mayhem in the HQ.

". . .urgh . . .I can feel it . . .that . . .that same power . . ." Mel said as he felt the En pressure coming at an incredible rate.

". . .how can you feel it!?"

". . .I got . . .I got this feeling I know this . . .this pain."

". . .what!?"

" . . .no! Not that!" Mel doubled over on the ground.

"Mel! Mel! Get up!"

"Gah! That . . .that man is using that meteor attack! Try to get the men to scatter, try to – " It was too late, as the meteor smashed into the earth, rending the ground, with pure dark En.

"No way . . ." Andy gasped as he watched the soldiers get destroyed.

". . .that . . .bastard . . .he won't get away with this . . ." Mel said staring the charred corpses and vehicles that littered the battlefield. "Not with this much loss of life."

"Yeah . . .he's not getting away with any of it! The clones, the fighting, Sonja . . .he's gonna go down as soon as . . ."

". . .as soon as you regroup." Mel said with distaste. "He just caused huge damage to a sizable chunk of our forces."

"Dammit . . .how much more damage can we take?"

". . .not much."

" . . .dammit!"

"It's best we find a way to speed up the process."

"Yeah . . .wait . . .can't you just nuke him right now Mel?"

". . .oh I'd love to do that, but . . .I'm kinda drained right now . . .so no can do."

"DAMMIT!!! Why are you drained!?"

" . . .I didn't exactly store any En for this battle . . .and the last time I pulled a D. Strike was on your clone's army . . .and that wasn't a battle stored one . . .I kinda used what I had left to take him out."

"Gah . . .no good . . .can we count on any reinforcements from the others?"

". . .Green Earth isn't ready yet . . .they're still recovering from the beating we gave them . . .and . . ."

". . .what about your guys?"

". . . I dunno . . .I don't think they're really in the position to mobilize right now . . ."

". . .great . . ."

Time: A few days later

". . .hmm . . ." Mel sat by himself in his office, examining a small box. "Should . . .should I do it? I know I want to . . .but what about her?"

". . .what are you talking about?" Andy asked walking in.

"Huh? Nothing! Nothing!" Mel said as he quickly pocketed the box.

". . .what was that?"

". . .just something I picked up a while ago."

". . .okay . . .if you say so." Andy shrugged as he walked out. ' . . .what's he up to? Weird.'

'Gah . . .I maybe really should lock my doors.'

'So what was all that about?'

"WHOA!"

'Easy, easy . . .it's me again.' Dark said.

'Oh . . .'

'What's that you're holding?"

' . . .ah . . .nothing of interest to you.'

'Are you sure? Lots of stuff interests me.'

'Well . . .that really depends.'

'Hmm . . .you're no fun you know?'

'That's what a lot of people say about me.'

'True, true. And I already sort of know what that is. It's a ring isn't it?'

'Right as usual Dark . . .'

'Hehe, told you so. So . . .you do have plans after this is all over don't you?'

'To a degree, yes.'

"Well, I wish you good luck on that. But . . .stop day-dreaming for a few more days lover boy . . .we're almost done pounding Sturm into the ground.'

'Yeah . . .yeah.'

' . . .well . . .I'll see you then.'

'Yeah . . .see you.'

Place: Black Hole HQ

". . .they are proving much more powerful than I thought . . .perhaps it is time for a change of plans."

"Yes Lord Sturm."

"Prepare the back up troops and send them out into hiding."

"Yes Lord Sturm."

". . .I'll let them have this round . . .not before I cause them some more trouble first . . ."

Place: Orange Star HQ

". . .something's weird . . ."

"What?" Andy asked.

". . .I can't put my finger on it, but something is weird."

". . .that really doesn't help Mel."

". . .well bleh. How the hell should I know? I'm not psychic . . ."

"Mel!"

"Wha . . .oh, Sami, what?"

". . .can't you go and just nuke them all . . .now?"

". . .no."

"Why not?"

"Albeit it'd be awfully cool if I did go and blow the living hell out of Sturm now, it'd probably be better if I took a break . . .I'm still drained . . ."

". . .oh."

" . . .I'm not sure . . .but I think he's up to something."

"Why?"

"I can . . .no . . .I don't know . . .but I feel there's something wrong."

". . .hmm." Andy looked outside. "Well . . .can't be . . .there's nothing going on, except we've got him surrounded."

"Yeah . . ."

Time: Shortly after

"Hmm . . .I see . . .today is not my day of victory . . .but soon . . .soon it will be." Sturm muttered as the remainder of his dummy forces was destroyed. "I'll get them yet. They'll never know what hit them as they celebrate their 'victory'."

Place: Allied HQ

". . .is it . . .is it over?" Andy asked.

"Looks like it . . ." Grit muttered as he sat on the couch smoking. "I think we've finally reached the end of this dusty road . . .what in the hell!? Who's there?" He said at the incoming figure coming from the door.

". . .is that you Grit?" Came a familiar voice.

". . .Olaf!?" Mel looked in shock. "What are you doing here?"

". . .what . . .what have I done? I never realized that Sturm was . . ." Olaf sighed.

". . .don't get all long in the face now boss . . .everything's all right now, and boss, you've still got a work to get done." Grit grinned.

"You . . .you're right Grit."

"Blue Moon's . . .treated me well for the most part, and I'm in her debt . . .well what else can I do? What d'ya say boss? Can I help you rebuild her?"

"Hmm . . .you'd forgive me for all my misguided deeds? Grit . . ."

"Maybe it was worth Sturm foolin' him just for this . . ." Grit said to Mel.

"Hmm . . .interesting thought."

"Did you two say something?" Olaf asked.

"Nope, not a word." The two of them said.

"Well . . .maybe let's have a little celebration before we go . . ."

"Yeah . . ."

"Ugh . . ." Came a moan. "Ah . . .everybody." Sonja was being wheeled out on a wheelchair by Sami.

"Sonja!" Kanbei cried out. "Are you all right?"

"Uh huh. Thanks to you daddy."

"Oh Sonja, if anything had happened to you . . ."

"Daddy . . .don't you dare start . . .crying . . ." Sonja groaned as Kanbei did start crying.

"Bu . . .but . . ."

"Really . . .um . . .daddy thanks. Oh . . .do you know what mom used to tell me? 'Your father's a bit silly, but he'll always be there when you need him. Oh . . .now you've got me crying . . ." Sonja said wiping away tears.

". . .you look just like Hayase did Sonja . . .you really do . . ." Kanbei said as he hugged his daughter.

"Hmm . . .I guess we won right?" Max said.

"Yeah . . .this time we really did win!"

"And . . .looks like Sturm is gone for good . . .right Mel?"

". . .I hope so. Oh! Whatever happened to Eagle, Drake?"

"Ah . . .looks like you've weathered the storm, or should I say 'Sturm'?"

"Captain Drake!" Max said.

"Don't worry too much about Eagle . . .I'll go searching for him soon. It'd be best I give him a hand . . .but then again . . .the enemy should be weakening now that their stronghold has collapsed. Well . . .he'll keep his word. He always does."

"Heh . . ." Mel laughed. "He better . . ."

"At any rate, you all did great! But we've got some things to deal with . . .so we'll be seeing each other soon."

"Hold it Drake . . .aren't you gonna at least stay and celebrate with us?" Andy asked.

"Hmm . . ."

"Hello?" Came a voice.

". . .Nell!?" Max turned to see the Commander in Chief. "What are you doing here?"

". . .I was finally coming in to check up on everyone."

". . .hmm." Sami started.

"Well . . .good to see you Nell." Mel said. "Ah . . .Sami, meet me in lounge a bit later okay?" He whispered to her.

"Huh? Oh . . .all right." She nodded.

"Well . . .I'll leave you guys here to chat for a bit . . .I have to check up on something okay?"

"Sure thing Mel, see ya."

Place: Mel's office

'The moment of truth eh, Romeo?' Dark laughed.

'Shut up!'

'Hey, I know what you're thinking.'

'Damn that . . .'

'Well, good luck to you and whatever bratty kids you may end up having! Haha!'

'You're really not helping the mood Dark.'

'But of course I'm not. I'm stuck in your body.'

' . . .meaning?'

'It doesn't matter.'

' . . .right.'

'Well . . .she's probably there by now . . .do you have it?'

'Yeah . . .it's been in my coat for the past few months . . .I didn't want to risk losing it.'

'Don't you have a better chance losing it in your coat?'

'Whatever Dark . . .'

'Well . . .go get her.'

"I will . . ."

Time: After-math of the battle

Place: OS Lounge

Mel made his way back downstairs. And began pondering out loud.

"Hmm . . .where'd everybody go? Ah . . .they're probably outside enjoying themselves then . . .but still . . .there's something wrong . . .gah . . .think positive, think positive. This is an important day." He continued to mutter to himself as he headed into the lounge. ". . .where is she?"

"Over here." Sami said coming from behind him.

"Ah . . ."

"You wanted to talk to me about something Mel?" Sami asked standing next to him.

"Sami . . ."

"Hmm?"

"I've got something for you." He reached into his pocket.

"Huh?"

"You'll see."

"Oh . . ." She shifted her weight on her feet as Mel found what he was looking for. "What is it?" He then took her hands and gazed thoughtfully at her. ". . .is there something on my face?"

". . .no silly. Um . . .what I'm trying to say is . . .will you?"

"Will I what?"

"Stay with me for as long as I live." He opened the package, revealing a band of gold with a diamond on it.

". . ." She was silent. ". . .I . . .I . . ."

"Yes?"

"I . . .I will." She said, throwing her arms around him and squeezed him tightly.

"Thank you . . ." He said.

"No . . .thank you Mel." She said tears welling up in her eyes.

"Here . . .since you can't wear it on your finger right now . . .I'll put it on the chain I gave you." He said, undoing the clasp of the chain and looping it through the ring. "Here."

"Thank you." She said hugging him again. "Love you." She whispered, as she reached up to kiss him.

"Woo!" Came a shout as they were in mid-kiss. Andy popped up from behind the couch. "Congrats you two!"

"Yeah!" Came various shouts from the room, as it began to fill with applause.

"Huh . . .?" Mel said in wonder as he looked around, watching as the now allied COs came out of hiding. "What . . .what are you guys doing here?"

"We kinda noticed you were acting kinda funny since we beat Sturm. Then we got some rather juicy gossip from Nell about how Orange Star found you leaving a jewelry store, so we put two and two together and figured that you were gonna pop the question sooner or later." Andy said.

"You guys . . ." Mel said.

"Ya know, you do need a couple of witnesses or so." Max said.

"Yeah . . .but not all of you!" Mel said pointing to Andy, Max, Nell, Olaf, Grit, Drake and Kanbei. Sonja had returned to the infirmary shortly after Mel had left.

"Good for you Mel. I knew you'd do something like this someday." Kanbei said to his former student.

"Ah . . .thank you, all of you . . .I don't know what to say." Mel said turning red. "What about you 'mi?"

"Mmm. Heehee!" Sami too was as red as Mel. "I have no clue! It's just . . .I'm so happy!"

"Hmm. That' s good to know."

"Looks like we'll have something nice to go to after this war." Nell said.

"Yeah . . .guess so. You're all gonna come right?" Mel asked the others.

"Damn right we are! We wouldn't miss it for anything!"

". . .ah . . .thank you guys. I guess . . .we can home – " The sound of an explosion cut Mel off.

". . .what was that!?"

". . .Sturm . . .I knew it. He was up to something."

"I reckon he ain't done with us yet then . . ." Grit said. "All right, let's – "

"Wait . . .I'm going alone." Mel said.

"But . . ."

"I promise I'll be back. Don't worry." Mel said. ". . .take this with you." He said taking off his glasses.

". . .but won't you be blind without them?"

". . .I'm not that blind. I'll manage."

"You better keep that promise Mel." Sami said.

"I will." With that, he walked off.

"Um . . .shouldn't we stop him?" Andy asked.

"No . . .to interfere in one's battle, can completely destroy his pride. And in the sense of pride, Mel's warrior's pride is one of the greatest that I have known." Kanbei said. "So we'll leave him to his own path."

Place: Pathway to Destruction

The Black Hole forces that were heading towards the allied base were simply ran through and destroyed in a matter of seconds as Mel simply continued walking towards the Black Hole Headquarters.

". . .stopping me . . .will have great consequence. Get in my way . . .and I shall bring Hell straight to you directly . . ."

"What's up with this guy!? He's a demon!"

"Someone stop him! Just – "

"What the!?" Screams of pain and terror filled the air as the bloodshed continued.

Place: Front Gate of Black Hole HQ

Mel stood alone, and looked up at the door.

"Sturm! I'm here to finish this once and for all!"

". . .fufufu . . .it's you again boy . . .you're the miserable worm who actually can equal me in power and in strength . . .how amusing."

". . .Sturm! Come out and fight!"

". . .hohohoho . . .you think I'll simply come at you like that?"

"Yes!"

". . .very well then boy . . .I'll come at you . . .catch me if you can."

"Huh?" The sound of glass breaking alerted Mel to Sturm, who leapt out of the topmost window of the dark tower.

"Greetings boy . . .prepare to meet the reaper." Sturm said as he continued falling towards Mel.

"What the!? Whoa!" Mel shouted as he jumped out of the way as Sturm landed, creating a huge explosion of En.

". . .foolish boy, can you keep up this time around without your friends?"

" . . .damn right I can. Take this!" Mel said slashing at Sturm.

Place: Orange Star HQ

"What's going on?" Sami asked worried.

". . .well . . .we can take a look on the GPS cameras . . ." Nell said adjusting the program. "Looks like it's just a one on one fight . . ."

"Oh . . .that isn't too good . . ."

"Mel looks like he's tired . . ."

"Yeah . . ." Sami said.

"Let's just hope he can make it."

Place: Battlefield

"You . . .I realize now . . .your true power." Sturm said as he continued firing off blasts of En at Mel.

". . .huh?"

"You don't understand it do you? You're an 'Enigma'."

"Enigma . . .the hell that's supposed to mean?"

"Yes . . .a human who's En is much stronger than a normal COs."

"So what are you then?" Mel said firing off his own shots.

"From where I come from, everyone is an Enigma."

"Bah . . .so you're saying I'm some sort of scientific oddity or something?"

"To a degree, yes boy."

". . .to hell with you! Destruction blade!" Mel said stabbing the blade into the ground.

"Hmm . . .what's this?"

"Something known as a gift from the god of death! In which you won't live long enough to enjoy!" As eight shadows appeared around Sturm and began slashing at him repeatedly.

"Foolish boy, you think your flame En is enough to take on my Dark En? Meteor Strike."

"Huh . . .not again!"

"Muahahahahahaha!" Sturm laughed as the burning comet smashed Mel into the ground.

"Gah! . . .ugh . . .damn you."

"However . . .enigma or not, you're still no match for me . . .why don't you activate that hidden power of yours that you used last time?"

"No way . . .I'll kill you by myself!"

'Mel . . .you're not gonna make it if you keep this up . . .'

'SHUT THE HELL UP DARK! I KNOW WHAT I'M – '

"Black Hole . . ." Sturm said simply, as the black vortex swallowed Mel up. "Foolish boy . . ."

"Augh . . ." Mel groaned as he flew out of it.

"Use that sword boy . . ."

"Never . . ."

"Meteor Strike . . ."

"No . . .Armaged – NO!" Mel was smashed into the ground again.

"Fool . . .you're still alive after two of those? You definitely are special then."

'Mel! You idiot! You can't die, not now!'

'No one's doin' any dying . . .not while I'm . . .'

"Very well then . . .I shall make your death quick and painless . . ." Sturm said crossing his arms. ". . Dark En . . .destroy."

"I'll . . .beat . . .you . . ."

"Now . . ." Sturm held his hand out and blasted a huge beam of Dark En at Mel.

"I'll – WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!!!" Mel screamed as it tore straight through his chest.

'Mel . . .you idiot . . .' Dark sighed.

"Sa . . .Sa . . .Sami . . .I'm . . .sor . . .sor . . .ugh . . ." He fell to his knees and dropped face down onto the ground.

Place: Orange Star HQ

"NOOOOO!!!" Sami screamed.

"Mel!" Nell shouted.

"That's . . .impossible . . ." Max sighed.

"Mel . . ." Kanbei groaned. "It's good Sonja isn't here to see this . . ."

"Sturm . . .you'll pay . . ." Andy said.

"Ay . . .tis a sad, sad day . . ." Drake murmured as he took off his hat.

"Mel . . .Mel . . .get up! You've got to be alive! You've got to!" Sami shouted frantically at the screen.

Place: Battlefield

"I'll be taking that . . .since you won't be needing it . . .but I think I'll need you . . .or what's left of you . . ." Sturm said taking the Origin and dragging Mel's body with him. "Let's see what we can do with you . . ." He laughed evilly as he headed back towards the black building . . .

End of Chapter