Hey guys, welcome back to 'Demon Lord', and things are going really smoothly in the Strangereal world. Now, I bet a lot of you are asking what's happening in the Strike Witches world. Well, authors are encouraging me to make an OVA about the events that are playing there while Cipher and Minna fight in the Circum-Pacific War. It's like 'Operation Victory Arrow', but taking place before the events of the second season.

I got a few ideas from Gamerman22, but I want to hear from you guys as well. Otherwise, I might suffer from writer's block or burnout. OVA title may be ''Operation Devil Dog', but I'm pretty sure you can come up with one.

James: Also, at least Chopper isn't dead, otherwise, some people may kill you for that.

Touché. Anyway, time to start the chapter. Enjoy.

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Chapter 14: You Should Know and Ancient Walls

Cipher's (Daniel Cross') P.O.V.

"Uh… Hi." I said brokenly as the Wardog airmen as they became wide-eyed in surprise. I do not know what their reaction may be. I can guess that their reactions may be, 'You're the Demon Lord?', 'You're Isara's brother?'and to Chopper's extent, 'You've helped me bail out in November City?' Soon, Kei was the one that broke the silence.

"You're the famed 'Demon Lord of the Round Table'?" Kei asked "But… According to the history books, you've vanished after Operation Battle-Axe."

"That is true." I answered sheepishly "In actuality, I was warped to another world. Where I was, this world is united against a common threat. An alien threat known as 'Neuroi' has invaded their world, and I took part in it, along with Pixy, Eagle Eye, Crow Team, ROT Team, and the Dancers. Fighting these aliens are magical girls called 'Witches', and the Allied armies use them to combat them."

"That sounds something like Satsuma would create." Chopper commented

"Well… If you want proof, then…" I motioned Minna to introduce herself

"Hello, I'm Minna Dietlinde-Wilcke of the Karlsland Luftwaffe." She began "I'm also the Wing Commander of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, the Strike Witches."

"Strike Witches? You're with the military?" Grimm asked as Minna nodded

"The Strike Witches is an elite squadron tasked with liberating countries that have fallen to the Neuroi since 1939." Minna began "We've been assembled in Britannia to combat them near the country of Gallia, and we've succeeded in doing so."

"But… what's the current state of your world now?" Edge asked

"It's, unfortunately, still a wreck." She answered "I even lost my first boyfriend back home."

"Oh. We're sorry to hear that." Chopper consoled her as Minna soon smiled

"That's okay." She answered "I already found another person I like, who is standing in front of you."

"You mean… You're in a relationship with the Demon Lord himself?" Edge asked

"It's true." I answered "To be honest, I've never been in a relationship before. I mean, Minna is my girlfriend and I can't pass it through." Minna chuckled as she heard my statement

"Same old Daniel." She commented "Anyway, I want to know who the rest of you are." Edge started to introduce herself

"My name is Nagase. Kei Nagase." She said "Blaze's wingman and second-in-command of Wardog Squadron. Or at least, what we were a part of. It's good to meet you, ma'am."

"I'm known as Chopper, ma'am." Chopper said "Wardog Three's pilot and a real talker."

"His actual name is Alvin H. Davenport." Grimm said "A Captain, and what he said is true. And while we're at it, I'm Hans Grimm, a Captain in the Osean Air Force and Wardog Four's pilot." Minna smiled at the new people she is facing.

"It's a pleasure to meet you three." She said "Your squad leader, Isara, she has really been keeping the entire squad together since the beginning of the war. You must be proud for having her."

"Well, we followed Kid since." Chopper said "I don't think we'll ever be separated."

"I even vowed to myself that I would not lose my flight leader." Edge said "Captain Bartlett, my former flight leader, had been shot down in the opening minutes of the war. I can only imagine what's happening to him now."

"Why? What happened?" Minna asked

"The Captain was shot down by a Yuktobanian spy vessel, just as the country declared war on Osea." Edge answered "While fighting in the war, in November City, there are people who wanted to make peace. But there are some who won't listen."

"And it turns out, the people who are playing both sides are a group called the Grey Men." A new voice said as he walked to the group "They won't stop until the two countries are finished destroying each other."

"Uh… You are?" I asked

"Oh, forgive my manners." The new individual apologized "My name is Wolfgang Buchner, and I believe you and I met over Area B7R." I gathered my memories as I remembered the lone MiG-21 Fishbed that flew in ahead of me and Pixy.

"Yeah. You're the one in the Fishbed?" I asked

"Indeed I am, Cipher." Buchner answered "You and the single red wing pilot helped me escape from Schwarze, Schnee and Silber Squadrons during that day. And you also met a familiar person that chased me down."

"Ashley."

"How did you know all of this, Kid's Brother?" Chopper asked

"I participated in the Belkan War, along with Buchner here. Speaking of which, what's your callsign?" I asked

"My callsign is 'Huckebein the Raven', a member of the Belkan Air Force before my defection." He answered

"You were in the Belkan Air Force, Pops?" Grimm asked surprisingly

"I was, before I was taken in by someone who you know very well."

"Captain Jack Bartlett." I answered "I found him flying in an F-14 Tomcat over Area B7R. Unfortunately, he was shot down by Ashley after I introduced myself."

"You met the Captain?" Edge asked

"Yeah. Good guy, though a little gruff." I answered "Oh, and Buchner. I want you to meet my girlfriend. Her name is Minna." The Karlsland girl smiled at the newcomer

"Well, pleasure to meet you, Ms. Wilcke." He said

"Same to you as well." She answered "I guess you're here like what we're doing?"

"Yes, that's correct." Pops answered "It turns out Belka is playing both Osea and Yuktobania in order to rebuild their military strength."

"There's more to that than the rebuilding." I said "The Grey Men, a group of Belkan nationalists and hardliners, are planning on reuniting the two Belka's after they lost in the last war. And for that, Osean and Yuktobanian warmongers have overthrown their peaceful leaders and placed them in their stead. You've met the 8492nd, but there are more."

"Which is why Ustio has declared war on the Grey Men, not Belka itself." Isara stated "Daniel here has been doing hidden missions, more like recon work, on them. More like us."

"Eh? You were spying on us?!" Chopper asked as I shrugged my shoulders in response

"Which is why I'm enlisting the aid of Wardog Squadron into Ustio's Black Ops mission." I stated "After all, you and the squad mates are already dead, technically."

"To the Osean military, yes." Minna said "But for Ustio, the squad's alive."

"Anyway, Captain Andersen wanted all of you to come to the briefing room." Pops said "From his intelligence ship, the Andromeda, they found out that President Harling is located in Stier Castle. And here's the kicker. From the Chancellor, all of Belka's armies are now committed to fight the Grey Men. We may be looking at a civil war."

"That will put a dent in their operations." I commented "Anyways, let's head inside."

"But what are we going to do with aircraft?" Edge asked. Pops pointed over to a container ship that is trying to smuggle aircraft over to Yuktobania.

"That explains it." Chopper commented as Captain Snow walked up.

"Captain Snow. Thanks for the assist back there." Isara lent out her hand as Swordsman took it.

"It was no problem at all, Blaze." Snow answered "You can thank your brother for sending us the intel."

"No problem." I answered as the Wardog pilots introduced themselves outright to the lone pilot on the Kestrel.

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*BGM-Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War-Briefing 2*

"Alright, if there aren't any objections, then I'll take command of this air operation." Pops said as I take position as the briefer

"We're launching a rescue operation for the President of Osea within the Principality of Belka." I started "The communications intelligence ship Andromeda received information that President Harling is being held within Belka. The location is in an old castle positioned on the edge of the border zone between Belka and North Osea. The helicopter squadron, known as Sea Goblin, will handle the direct rescue effort. After securing the area, a Seahawk will descend to the castle and drop in the infiltration team. It will station keep in the air while the rescue is taking place on the ground and in the castle."

"Any news from the Belkan forces?" Isara asked

"Field Marshal Wulfstan has already contacted Chancellor Melchior, and he's bringing in Panzerbrigade 14 to distract the Grey Men army. For you and the squad, Edge, Grimm, and Chopper will be flying F-35C Lightning II's. And for Isara, she'll fly top cover with me. And that will be an Su-47 Berkut. One last thing, Captain Snow is now part of the squadron, and he'll fly the same thing as with the squad members. If nothing else, dismissed."

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Stier Castle, Principality of Belka

December 9th, 2010

We were flying over Belkan territory after taking off from the Kestrel, aside from me taking off at Kirwin Island Airbase. I joined the five-man formation as Minna and I soon saw a large crater near the castle.

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing, Daniel?" Minna asked

"Yeah. PJ was right." I answered "This is one of the locations of the Waldreich detonations. I can't believe Belka would resort to that to save themselves."

"Imagine what our world would be like, Daniel." Minna said "If we fought each other instead of uniting. In all honesty, I'm kind of glad that the Neuroi invaded our world."

"What makes you say that, sweet pea?" I asked surprisingly

"If they didn't arrive, then the friends we made for years, as allies, may have been our enemies. Just like how you're fighting now." She answered sadly

"I can see what you mean." I said "But hey, we have each other. Now come on, we got a mission to do." Minna soon smiled

"Okay."

"Captain Snow, I will be flying at your six o'clock." Grimm said as he flew behind Chopper "It's good to fly with you, sir."

"It's been a while since I've flew in formation." Snow answered

"I remember when you yelled at me during the first battle of the war." Chopper reminded the Captain "You yelled at me for getting in your way. And for Grimm, he was sitting in reserve back then."

"You came a long way you four." Snow complimented the four pilots "Especially you, Cross."

"We were a pillar for the Osean Army. And look where it brought us now." Isara said "But hey, at least you four have my back, while I have yours. And Daniel there is protecting me from enemy fire."

"That's because you're my sister, Is." I answered "After all, I've been away from you since 1995."

"Touché." Just then, Ascension soon spoke

"AWACS Ascension to Wardog Squadron, I received a message from the Kestrel. I'm patching it in." After a few seconds, Pops came over through the radio.

"Do you read me?" The old veteran asked "You guys should have sight on the castle by now."

"Roger that, Pops." Isara answered "Castle is in sight."

"Sea Goblin's going to descend for an insertion, so can you take out the air defence batteries for them?"

"Roger that last. We'll take care of them."

"Take your time and be thorough." Pops ordered "You don't want to let them off easily." When we penetrated the castle's airspace, there were a plethora of AA guns waiting for us. There was also a shipyard that sent out a gunboat.

"Ascension to Wardog, elements of the 14th Panzerbrigade have entered the battle area." Ascension said as we dived down for the attack run. "I'll patch you to the company commander."

"This is Oberstleutnant Friedmann of Belka's 14th Panzerbrigade, 64th Panzer Regiment." Friedmann said over the radio "Our Leopard II tanks will handle the ground elements while you extract the Osean President."

"Cipher here. Roger that last transmission." Isara immediately destroyed the gunboat while Edge and Snow destroyed the shipyard. "The AA guns are harmless unless they hit you. Take them out before your jets can get any holes."

"Copy." Isara answered as I fired 4AGM's onto the AA guns stationed on top of the castle.

"Targets hit, Daniel." Minna said "Just the ones on the castle walls."

"It's alright." Friedmann answered "We'll handle the wall defenses. Scan the skies in case if there are any Grey Men aircraft coming for us."

"Roger, Friedmann." Isara answered as we scanned the skies. That is when Isara spotted a flight of ten aircraft. "Squad, Daniel! I'm seeing ten incoming Belkan aircraft, all Grey Men affiliated!"

"They're Su-34 Fullback's." Snow said "Yuktobania used those during the attack at St. Hewlett."

"How on Earth did…?" Chopper began to ask

"They must have been given by the hardliners in Yuktobania." Grimm answered

"I'll contact the commander." Ascension said "For now, intercept those Fullback's."

"This is Sea Goblin." The helicopter pilot said "We're near the target area. Secure the airspace for us."

"Is, Edge." I ordered "Form up on me, we'll cover Sea Goblin. Snow, Chopper and Grimm, take care of those Fullback's for us." The three Lightning's turned to engage the bandits while we flew next to the lone Seahawk. When they reached the castle, the infiltration team entered through the castle's skylight.

"This must be what the end of the world looks like…" Edge said "Even the air over these lands is heavy from the memories of Belka…"

"I can almost see the bad vibes circling around that castle…" Grimm added

"I wouldn't be surprised, after witnessing seven nuclear explosions." Chopper said. Ascension soon pitched in.

"Friedmann, you have incoming Grey Men armor coming your way." Luke said over his radar "All of them are Gründer-made T-80's being accompanied by M113 APC's."

"Jawohl, Ascension. All armored units, line formation, load AP shells and destroy the rogue Belkans!" As the Leopard II's fired on the Grey Men units, Snow, Chopper and Grimm finished off the last of the Fullback attack planes.

"Cipher, this is Swordsman, we've finished off the last of the Fullback's. We're returning to you." Snow said

"Good timing, because I'm seeing Su-47's inbound towards Sea Goblin." Minna said "Daniel, we have to take over."

"Already on that, sweet pea." I answered her. Edge, Is, and I turned to face the Berkut's. "Minna, set up AMRAAM's."

"Edge, set up AMRAAM's." Isara ordered as we saw more ground vehicles. "Friedmann, you have more combat vehicles."

"Don't let them through, brothers!" We started to fire onto the Su-47's as they broke hard to evade the three of us. We continued to hear the chatter between the Sea Goblin soldiers as they fought from room to room to find the President.

"Daniel, your six!" I evaded a missile shot and got behind him. I fired a Sidewinder as the Berkut exploded into a fireball. Isara shot down two Berkut's and Edge fired her Vulcan cannon onto another. "Notch another to the dead squadron."

"Technically you're not dead yet." I answered

"Well, if my squad's dead, then I'm dead." She countered

"Not really."

"Are too."

"Not."

"Too." Minna tapped me on the shoulder while I destroyed another Berkut.

"Were… Were you two always like this?" Minna asked sheepishly

"We're siblings after all." I answered "But, you're my girlfriend after all." Minna blushed under her helmet as Isara shot down the last Berkut.

"Daniel, all fighters shot down."

"Good job, Is." I answered "At least we got some breathing room before they come back." We then heard that the Sea Goblin soldiers have rescued the President and their still in a firefight with the Grey Men soldiers. Friedmann's soldiers cannot risk injuring the Sea Goblin soldiers, otherwise Belka is now at war with Osea, in which they would not want.

"This is Sea Goblin. We need you to break down a part of the wall for us." The lead soldier ordered

"Ascension, give us the data on where to hit." Isara said

"Roger, Wardog One." Ascension answered "Sea Goblin soldiers are already giving the data on where to hit. Stand by." The radar shows where to hit the castle. "You know where to hit it?"

"Roger that." Isara lined up her plane with the castle wall and fired two missiles, destroying the targeted section.

"Whoa! That almost fell on top of me." One of the Sea Goblin Marines said

"We can get out through the hole there, run!" Their commander ordered

"The Osean President has escaped!" A Grey Men soldier shouted "He's been taken by the enemy!"

"Enemy's escaping out of the castle!" Another shouted "Get all of our remaining teams over there now! If we let the Osean President escape, it's all over!"

"Scheiße, Kommando Spezialkräfte!" It turns out that Friedmann has inserted Belkan Commandos to intercept the enemy forces when the Sea Goblin Marines extracted the President.

"Kamreaden, kill those rogue Belkans!" A Kommando ordered

"Oberstleutnant Friedmann to air groups, the Kommandos will clean up the mess." Friedmann said "The Grey Men's armored forces lie in ruins. Peace will soon be restored to the three countries. Heil Belka!"

"Heads up, you have YF-23 Black Widow II's inbound." Ascension said

"Roger, Ascension." Snow answered "We'll take care of them."

"The President's strapped in." A Sea Goblin Marine said "We didn't leave anything behind, right?"

"Hurry up and leave the area! The enemy's going to be all over us at any moment!" We intercepted the Black Widows as it soon became an easy fight.

"Sorry that we're in the way!" Chopper mocked the Belkan pilots

"Damn it! Take them down now!" One of the Belkan pilots ordered

"Now they're getting serious!" Grimm said "Readying 4AAM's!" I tailed behind a Widow and destroyed it with a Sidewinder.

"Target down, Daniel." Minna said as she prepared another missile "We're almost out of missiles though."

"Can't you use your ability to help me guide the Vulcan cannon?" I asked as I evaded a missile shot from a Widow

"Okay. I'll get behind him." Following Minna's word, I did a cobra maneuver and landed right behind it. "Where to Minna?" With her familiar active, she pinpointed on where the Widow was going next.

"The Widow will try to bank right to evade you." She said "When I give out the order, turn sharp right and fire the Vulcan cannon. Ready?" I nodded and just like that, the Widow turned. "Now!" My Eagle turned to a sharp right and fired the Vulcan cannon, tearing up the enemy and exploded. "Target down."

"Thank you, sweet pea." I complimented her

"Is that you? The lady with the pretty voice? Are you there too?" A new individual asked

"Hey, Kid." Chopper said "Isn't that the President?"

"It is, Chopper." Isara answered "We'll meet him later. For now, shoot down the enemy planes." With the dogfight continuing, the President spoke again.

"So Andersen's realized what's going on behind the scenes too, right?"

"Yes sir." One of the Marines answered "But we've received more tips from Ustio."

"By that you mean…?" The President asked "I'll meet this colorful group later. Let me take a look at this soldier."

"Cipher, just one plane left." Edge said as there is another remaining Black Widow.

"I got it, Edge." Isara answered as she fired a Sidewinder and destroyed it outright. "Targets are destroyed and the Sea Hawk has exited out of the combat space. Nice job."

"Thank you everyone." The President congratulated us "I appreciate your efforts."

"It was no trouble at all, Mister President." Isara answered

"By the way, your voice sounds familiar. Are you…?"

"Yes sir." She answered "We were the ones that escorted you during that day over Akerson Hill."

"And is he…?"

"All in good time, sir." I answered as Minna chuckled from the back of the plane

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In the dead of night, we can only hear the ocean splashing beneath the Kestrel as Minna, Isara and I are gazing up at the starry night. From what the Osean Army said, they couldn't take Cinigrad, and the war began to bog down. But that doesn't mean that they'll stop fighting. Anyway, my hand held onto Minna's as Isara broke the silence.

"You two look like you don't want to be separated anytime soon." She commented on our current gesture. Both of our faces went crimson.

"It's just a connection really. A… lovable connection." Minna answered as Edge walked up.

"Guys, we're going to see the President. He's up on the Bridge with Pops and Andersen." We followed her inside and looked at the three men talking the night away. My first reaction was, how am I going to introduce myself? But we just saluted and smiled. It wasn't until that Isara and I had caught the President's attention.

"Captain Isara Fuchigami-Cross. I thank you and your squadron for rescuing me. That's twice already that I owe you."

"Think nothing of it, sir." She answered "And in case if you're wondering, this is my brother. Daniel Cross of the Ustio Air Force. The terrifying yet revered 'Demon Lord of the Round Table'." The Osean President looked at me in awe.

"I see that Ustio knows as well." He said "And who would've thought that it's the most well-known pilot known to man. Tell you what, your sister makes a fine squad leader. And the sister to a famed ace can help change the war. All we have to do, is play our part."

"Couldn't have said it better for myself, sir."

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When morning came around, the hangar was really busy. Instead of five-grey bodied planes, there are now five-black bodied with red trim planes. The maintenance crews were working on my plane as well. Who knew that my plane still kept the blue-trimmed wings and tail and the rest of the plane is painted black with red lines on the angled ends. I was confused about the occasion, until I saw a new logo on Isara's plane. One that stroke the hearts of fear into the Yuktobanians. The demon itself. Razgriz.

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The Razgriz Air Command Squadron has been born. Thing is though, I want to find out how would Cipher fit in with the Razgriz color scheme on his plane. Keep the blue wings and tail, and the rest of the body, black with red trim. I wonder what a combination between a Demon Lord and Razgriz would be like.

Oh dear. I think the Neuroi would target him now more than ever. Anyway, since I'm about to do the OVA to 'Demon Lord', I would require support. I got ideas from Gamerman22, but I don't need to do it alone. So, 'Operation Devil Dog' or any working title, will be in the works.

Minna: You're planning an OVA series?

I am. Though it will take place between the two seasons. And I'm still working on Infinity as well.

Minna: Just don't burn yourself out, okay?

Yeah. Guess you're right. Anyway, either see you either in the next chapter, the OVA or Infinity. Bye.