(Near the border of Emmeria and Estovakia - March 16, 2022, 0154 hrs.)
In the border, a guard post was active for a routine night patrol. As some of the soldiers moved back and forth, two of them were drinking hot chocolate to warm themselves from the cold temperatures.
"Sure is quiet tonight." One soldier said. "After that, I'm going to take a break for a week."
"Yeah." Another responded. "The Stovies aren't a threat anymore thought. All they did was doing rebuilding efforts for the past 6 years."
"Thanks to our generous aid donations. Maybe I may pay a little visit there."
"Hehehe. Maybe is one thing." The second soldier replied before drinking his hot chocolate. "Hummmhmm. That's a nice cup of coco."
"I'll drink up before I'll continue the patrol." The first drinked before leaving to check outside.
"Try not to stay out too long!" The second shouted an advice.
As the armed soldier walked along the fence, he noticed an unusual spout not far from his position.
"What the hell?" He murmured.
Just then, it turned into a purple sphere, forcing him to duck and take cover. The sphere then expanded briefly before dissipating. This alerted the nearby patrol units and he radioed to report the situation.
"This is Sgt. Baker, I need backup at Sector 9!"
The soldiers then closed in on Baker's position to assist him. When they saw the crater, they armed their weapons.
"Unidentified intruder, you are trespassing on restricted Emmerian grounds!" The commander ordered the intruder. "Stand down immediately or we will deem you as hostile!"
Just then, the intruder began to hover.
"Open fire!" The soldiers opened fire but the intruder was unharmed due to a barrier surrounding the user.
"What the...?" One of the soldiers murmured.
Just then, the intruder launched an attack using an energy charge.
"UUUUAHHH!"
This made the soldiers be pushed backwards, rendering some unconscious. Two soldiers were unaffected by the attack as they ducked just in time. Baker and his colleague watched as the intruder flew away.
"Are you okay?" A patrolling Estovakian soldier asked them as the soldiers from the other side began to offer help. "We're coming to assist you!"
"We're in need of medics here!" Baker's friend replied. "Thanks for the assistance!"
"No problem!" When the Estovakians came to help the able Emmerians carry their wounded, Baker stood up and stared at the crater.
"No more one-week vacation for me this time." Baker said with a surprised expression.
(Department of National Safety, Gracemeria, Republic of Emmeria - 0215 hrs.)
Word of the unexpected attack spread throughout the Republic of Emmeria Armed Forces as they scrambled to figure out what is going on.
"This is outrageous!" General Stamford Williams said in disgust. "This has to be a terrorist attack!"
"Sir, currently we don't have any information on why it happened." Colonel James Isley responded. "Estovakia has denied wrongdoing as of 0210 hrs. and we have no reports of unusual movements within their side. It might be a terrorist attack as you believed."
"Well, can you try to figure it out a little more?"
"We'll try, sir. We're scrambling to figure it out right now."
"Good." Williams agreed. "I want this incident to be classified and send the report to any concerned country, Osea, Aurelia, whatever as soon as possible."
"Yes sir." Isley saluted and left to send the reports.
Just then, an officer came to Williams.
"Sir, I am Darwin MgGuire from the defense diplomacy mission to Aurelia." He introduced himself before giving him an offer. "If I may, I might give you what you are looking for."
"Go ahead." Williams agreed.
"Follow me." The two then went to a vacant room.
"So what's the update?"
"Sir, from what we know from the three young people who suddenly appeared in our world, they said that a phenomenon known as a 'spacequake' was the cause of the attack in our border." McGuire explained. "According to them, it also signals the arrival of certain species called 'Spirits'."
"You're sure?" Williams asked.
"Yes sir. We also received information from Osea that some Belkan operatives are running a weapons program as we speak and a squadron of fighters had recently launched a sneak attack in Aurelian airspace."
"Oh my!" Williams said in shock. "We need more info on what they are up to."
"Yes, sir." McGuire then left the room.
(Griswall, Federal Republic of Aurelia - 1302 hrs.)
Shido and Tohka were walking in a street after buying some ice cream from a well-known brand from Emmeria.
"Man, that ice cream is good!" Tohka expressed her opinion while eating. "It feels like snow is touching me!"
"Yeah, there is something special about it." Shido followed while feeling homesick.
"Huh, what's wrong?"
"It's just that we are pulled to this world suddenly without any warning. I missed my friends, allies, even Kotori." This changed Tohka's mood.
"Me too. I do missed them." Shido then began to show a confident mood and began to hold Tohka's hands.
"Don't worry." Shido assured her. "We'll be back home."
This made Tohka happy. As if on cue, Origami arrived while wearing a sun hat.
"I see that you too are feeling homesick." Origami observed. "Well, so do I."
"I know how you feel." Shido replied. "Let's just stay together."
"Yeah. We will."
Then, Origami shifted to tell Shido and Tohka what happened in Anea.
"Listen, Tonomachi is waiting for us." Origami explained quietly. "The Aurelians had just received a disturbing report that a spacequake has appeared at exactly 0157 hrs. local time."
"Alright." Shido agreed. "Tohka?"
"Yeah." She followed. "Let's go."
The trio then began to move to Phuku Lagolla.
(Phuku Lagolla Air Base - 1332 hrs.)
When they arrived at the base, Captain Tonomachi was waiting outside.
"Glad you made it you three." He greeted them. "Now, we need to move."
"You have more info on what happened?" Shido asked.
"Yes, I do. Just follow me."
When they arrived at the conference room, they found some folders marked 'classified' before they sat down.
"So, the Emmerians experienced a spacequake?" Origami asked.
"They did." Tonomachi replied. "Due to the location of where it happened, near a border to be exact, a small stand-off is currently happening between Emmeria and Estovakia. But I'm sure thay they will reach an understanding in a short while."
"Good." Shido said in relief. "No more war to worry about."
"Yeah, especially after the last war they fought 6 years ago." Tonomachi continued while referencing the Emmerian-Estovakian War.
"That means we will be going there to check it out." Tohka expressed some excitement.
"We will be."
"Yahooo!"
"Now who's excited for a vacation?" Origami jokingly expressed her opinion.
(Gracemeria, Republic of Emmeria - March 18, 2022 0902 hrs.)
The team arrived in Gracemeria as Shido and Tonomachi were flying their jet fighters while Tohka and Origami were riding in a C-17A Globemaster III. What Shido is flying is an F-16C Fighting Falcon while Gryphus One is flying his usual F-22A Raptor, both adorned with the emblem of the 'Southern Cross'. The girls then got out of the plane to meet up with the boys. Tohka and Origami was awed by the sights of the city
"Wow!" Tohka expressed his amazement. "It's beautiful."
"Sure is." Origami followed. "It has some rich culture there. Even a long bridge dotted the landscape."
"Indeed it has." Tonomachi radioed them. "The capital has a lot of interesting attractions Gracemeria is known for. The Golden King, King's Bridge and my personal favorite, the old Gracemeria Castle."
"That reminds me, captain." Shido told Tonomachi. "There is also a city in our world that has equal popularity and it looks similar to the capital."
"Well then, what is the name of the city?"
"New York, sir." Shido gave his answer.
"Nice name." Tonomachi agreed. "Any attractions there?"
"Yes it has. There is Broadway, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, Central Park, among others."
"How I wish I could visit there."
"Maybe."
Tonomachi then reminded the others of their arrival.
"We'll be approaching Gracemeria Air Force Base shortly. Be ready."
(Gracemeria Air Force Base - 0914 hrs.)
The Gryphus Squadron and the Spirits arrived at the base's airspace. The planes then lined up for a landing.
"This is the Gryphus Squadron of the Aurelian Air Force, requesting permission to land." Tonomachi told the tower.
"Affirmative Gryphus Squadron." The tower agreed. "You are cleared to land."
"Roger, control." Then the planes touched down, followed by the Spirits. When they taxied to the flight apron, the boys went outside to meet with the girls.
"Everyone, we're here in Emmeria." Tonomachi announced. "Crux will be here in a short while so we have to wait inside."
"Affirmative, sir." Origami responded. "Shido? Tohka?"
"Yeah" Shido replied.
"Okay." Tohka followed.
They entered the base headquarters to meet up with the officers of the REAF for a discussion regarding the events that plagued the continent.
"It's nice to meet you people." General William greeted them. "We have details on what happened in the border. Follow me."
They walked towards a conference room to discuss the situation.
"We are in a situation here." Williams explained. "The spacequake that recently attacked the border has put Emmeria and Estovakia under high alert."
"You heard about the spacequake, right?" Shido asked.
"Yes, we did. That's why we brought you here, to investigate what is going on."
"If that's the case, we are here to take care of the Spirit." Tohka said.
"Good. We're counting on you."
While the three we're talking, Tonomachi began to get Origami's attention.
"You sure you three can do this?" Tonomachi asked her.
"Yes, captain." She replied. "To tell the truth, me and Tohka are Spirits ourselves. Shido came and help us get out of the situation where power can put us in an almost uncontrollable state."
"I see." He agreed. "No wonder you were able to fly and take out the drones without any aircraft or other form of firearms."
Just then, an alarm was sounded. This surprised everyone
"What was that?" Williams murmured before reaching the intercom.
"I need a sitrep!"
"Sir, we detected an energy ball 5 miles north of Gracemeria!" The command center reported. "It's dissipating now!"
"Shido?" Tonomachi asked.
"Yeah!" He replied. "Let's go!"
They ran to their planes which surprised Williams.
"Hey! We're are you going?" He asked them.
"We'll take care of that sir!" Shido answered. "Don't let the army get close to the site!"
"Uh, alright."
(Gracemeria, - 0931 hrs.)
Minutes later, they were up in the air heading for the suspected site. Just then, Crux radioed the team.
"Gryphus Squadron, can you read me? This is Crux."
"Yes, Crux." Tonomachi replied. "Glad you made it here just in time."
"Roger." Eugene responded. "We already received information of what is going on. Approach the site and take care of the threat."
When they approached the area, they were surprised to see how little damage the spacequake inflicted.
"Whoa." Origami expressed her thoughts. "That little damage? I was surprised by how the spacequake wasn't that powerful."
"Looks like." Tohka followed her opinion. "Luckily it was away from the buildings over there."
"Yeah. Luckily for them."
"Alrighy, guys." Shido informed the team. "Remember, we're dealing with the Spirit peacefully."
"Lead the way, Shido." Tonomachi said and they flew close to see the crater.
As they approached, the found a figure flying above the site. Shido then quickly identified the target.
"Tally ho on a Spirit at bearing 032." Shido confirmed before checking her appearance. "That's not the one we saw before we are dragged here."
"Roger." Tonomachi agreed. "Anyway, just show me how you deal with the Spirit."
"Copy."
The team then got close to the Spirit, who is a girl around her late teens and wearing a blue Astral Dress modeled after a ball gown with some yellow outlines.
"Are they here to hurt me?" The young Spirit asked in her mind. Suddenly, she saw a pilot with the bird emblem taking off his visor and began to wave at her.
"No. He's not." She then heard a voice.
"Hey!" A lady wearing purple armor shouted. "We're here to help!"
"You...you are like me!"
"It's okay!" Another said while wearing what looked like a wedding dress and a crown. "Don't worry!"
The Spirit then got close to the young girl. She was initially afraid, but then, the white Spirit gave her an intercom on her right ear. Another voice was heard. This time, it was from a male.
"Can you hear me?" He asked.
"Yes." She said. "I can."
"Good. Listen, we're here to save you. My name is Shido Itsuka of the Aurelian Air Force and I am the pilot that waved at you earlier."
"Thank you for your kindness." She expressed her gratitude, which made Shido remind himself of someone he knew back home.
"Umm, Gryphus 7?" Tonomachi asked. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing, captain." Shido replied. "It's just that it reminds me of someone back home."
"Ah, okay. I understand." He then radioed Crux.
"Gryphus One to Crux, Spirit is non-hostile." He reported. "I repeat. Non-hostile."
"Aknowledged." Crux replied. "Bring her home."
Just then, Eight blips appeared on the radar.
"Hold on. Eight blips appeared, 20 miles northeast of Gracemeria bearing 052. I'm also picking up encrypted transmission from the bogeys."
"Patch us through." Origami requested. When they began to hear the transmission, they were surprised.
"Volgel 1 to all craft, engage Nemesis and his wingman at high altitude." The pilot ordered. "I want the Bandersnatch to get the Spirit alive."
"Volgel 3, roger." Another pilot responded before Tonomachi and his friends identified their enemies.
"Belkans again." Tonomachi said in disgust. "And what did they mean of 'Bandersnatch'?"
Just then, four Su-33 Flanker-Ds and four robots appeared from the northeast.
"They're here." Shido said. "Let's engage them."
"Copy." Tonomachi agreed. "Tohka, Origami. Take care of the robots while we keep the Spirit safe. The two of us will engage the fighters."
"Affirmative, captain." Origami responded.
"You got it, cap." Tohka followed before the Spirits broke off.
When the Spirits saw the robots, the Spirits felt as if something looks familiar.
"Those robots looked familiar." Origami said to Tohka. "Be careful."
"Yeah. Keep the girl safe and everything will be fine."
Origami attacked first which causes the robots to fall farther out of Gracemeria. The Spirits then touched the ground for a ground fight.
"...Sandalphon!" Tohka then tapped the ground to reveal a throne beside her, which houses her Angel. She took it out and began to resume attacking.
Back in the sky, the Gryphus Squadron was engaging a flight of Belkan fighters.
"Fox 2!" Tonomachi shouted after firing a missile, but it missed.
"Dammit! I can't hit him! Moving to another position!"
"Volgel 2, Fox 2!" A Belkan pilot fired his missile aimed at Shido but it missed as well.
"You're not taking us down today." Shido barked while doing some hard maneuvering.
"This is guy is good." Another Belkan was impressed. "But he needs to learn more."
They continued the fight in the air as air raid sirens sounded off minutes earlier, which alerted Gracemeria Air Force Base.
"Firing guns!" Shido shouted before destroying a Belkan Flanker with his gun.
"We lost one." The Belkan leader confirmed. "Continue fighting. Forget about the loss."
At the ground, Tohka and Origami were holding their ground as the robots keep on launching attacks.
"Those robots are still holding out!" Origami said. "Tohka, aim for their cores!"
"Got it!" Tohka complied and began to slash the body of the robot with her Angel.
"Nice work. There's three more."
The girls then continued attacking with Origami using her Angel Metatron on a second robot. It exploded by Artelif's beam before they proceeded to take out another one. Shortly after, they were confused because of the numbers.
"Where's is the fourth one?" Tohka asked.
"Don't know." Origami replied. "Something's not right."
Just then, they heard a scream.
"HELP, HELP!"
The duo then saw the last Bandersnatch fleeing with the captive young Spirit.
"Let's go!" The two then pursued the robot before catching up with it.
"Careful with her!" Origami told Tohka. "Let me take it out! Get the girl out of here!"
"On it!" Tohka then carefully shot one of the robot's joints before getting the young Spirit out of captivity.
"...Kadour!"
The pillars that make up Origami's Angel then moved in different directions, piercing the robots armour before exploding.
"Whew." Tohka and the Spirit expressed relief.
"Finally." Origami followed as well. "Let's go help Shido and Tonomachi."
Back at the dogfight, the Belkan's were down to only two planes as Tonomachi took out the second.
"Shido, take that guy." Tonomachi ordered Shido.
"Roger, cap." Shido complied before splitting up to engage the fighters.
Tonomachi followed the Flanker closely in a close-range assault. The Belkan then pulled a Cobra to chase after Tonomachi but he made a tight spin to get back to the chase. He fired the gun before the Belkan plane succumble to damage.
"Enemy down!" Tonomachi confirmed.
"Almost on him." Shido reported before arming his missile.
"Fox 2!" The missile hit the plane and it burst into flames. The leader then bailed.
"Enemy down, but the pilot just bailed." Shido confirmed.
"No need to worry." Tonomachi assured. "At least that guy is no longer a threat. Let's regroup."
The Spirits then formed up with the planes shortly after.
"Captain, the robots are gone and the Spirit is safe." Tohka reported.
"Thank you." Tonomachi said in relied. "Glad she's fine."
"Gryphus Squadron to Crux, all enemies destroyed." Shido radioed Eugene.
"Affirmative, Gryphus 7." He responded. "All units, cleared to return home."
A radio transmission was then picked up. They then saw three F-16C Fighting Falcons adorned with black vertical stabilizers and a red bird emblem in the white diamond.
"Gryphus Squadron, can you hear me?" A pilot from the REAF asked.
"This is the Gryphus Squadron, we're fine." Tonomachi responded.
"Good. You people are good today. And by the way, I'm Commander Daniel Pollini from the Republic of Emmeria Air Force, 15th Figher Squadron, Windhovers."
"Roger. Thanks for that." The Gryphus and Windhover Squadrons then proceed to return home.
Just then, the Spirit radioed Shido and his friends.
"Itsuka? everyone? I would like to say thank you for saving me." She said with gratitude.
"No problem." Shido replied. "What is your name?"
"Isolde...Victoria Isolde."
"That's a nice name." Shido smiled before Victoria did the same.
"Shido, those robots..." The captain tried to tell him.
"Yeah. I think I know who's supplying the Belkans with these tech." Shido replied before they continued their trip home.
A/N: Okay, so the Belkan terrorists has some mechs at its disposal to hunt Spirits. By the way, Pollini came for a minor appearance as the responding force.
Anyway, expect more from this fanfic later on. See ya.
