Luscious watched dumbfounded. The wings of Alexander glide float through the shieldwall.
His legion of angels were beaten back effortlessly by the spirals of her lasers and guns. She was headed toward Chitose and Forte.
BOOOM BOOM
The three archangels stood by quietly. The White moon flashed enormous energies of light that disintegrated the angels in mid-flight, allowing imperial ships to move through.
"This is troublesome," Chaos spoke.
"Yeah, what are we going to do Vishnu?"
The elderly women closed her eyes to meditate, "Luscious, you sent us here to bring back the old days of EDEN, yes?"
"Indeed, that s what I desire deep down at the bottom of my heart."
"Then one of us must sacrifice themselves for you. So long as you stay faithful to us."
"Of course," he screeched.
Neither flinching or intimidated, she nods, "Chaos?"
"With pleasure," he leaves the throne room. The light of the cathedral roof beamed down on them in a dim twilight. "Will we see EDEN again, Vishnu?"
"Yes, Kadia. And it will be a much more beautiful place than before."
Kadia smiles.
( watch?v=DwCK6HEXpPA)
The GA-07's turrets revolved in circles around the slow moving, Happy Trigger.
TATATATATATATTATA
(Nice shooting, Kazuya. Your troupe really is a decent squad.)
"Forte, why?!" he cried out.
(We fight for what we believe in or get swept away in other causes. I ended up being the latter. Sorry.)
She launched a flurry of missiles, and laser beams that rained down on them.
(STRIKE BURST)
"Brace yourselves!"
Just then an Emblem frame jumped in and protected them, absorbing all their hits without a single scratch denting the hull. Then the rounds were spat back to its sender. A burst of clouds and roaring flames followed.
"Mori?"
(It's me, Kazuya.)
The measurements on my panel were off the charts. Energy was filling up the tanks constantly. I directed my attention over GA-07 and the Saint Angels. A ripple of energy transmitted to their emblem frames.
(What's this- this feeling, could it be-)
Normad chimed in, "This energy is the full potential of the HALO system. Mori's emblem frame appears to be transmitting an aura strengthening all friendly fighters in the vicinity.
They grew their own wings in flight. Space was now a snowy white as feathers showered over us.
A sniper round zipped by Baron, but he returned fire with a deadly chaingun.
BZZZT.
"Chitose!" I screamed out.
(Energy is at 100%. Anise?)
(I'm going after her!)
(Coverin' you two!)
I charged forward as well alongside Red Masque and Espada.
A fatal arrow flew through the center, but we broke in three directions.
(Why can't I make my shot-)
"Chitose, we don't have to fight."
(I know, but- ARGH)
Electricity ran through her body.
-She's being held prisoner by Luscious.-
"I know, Alex. She must be fighting because of whatever's holding her. What can you tell me about the SharpShooter? There must be a way to beat her without-" I froze mid-sentence.
-Normad may know-
(The Emblem frame SharpShooter disappeared in a black-hole a long time ago and since then we believed Chitose retired.)
"I guess it wasn't really gone."
(The Emblem frame is connected to the pilot. Noah may know a way to free her.)
VROOOOSH. I yawled up.
VROOOSH. I pitched right.
(Aim for the intake below the cockpit. That's where the HALO system is.)
I neared closer, but then her engine kicked back and accelerated in reverse away, "She's too fast I need a good shot!"
As I cranked the speed up, a wall of shields formed in front of me and an Archangel stood in front of it, leading the holy fighters.
"Dammit, how am I going to get through."
"I can help with that," a mysterious voice called."
Several sniper shots at once splattered on the wall of men.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
To my left, at 9 o' clock, I saw a fleet of Seldorian ships. Enemy reinforcements? No, the coloring was blue, not white. And they had two emblem frames on their side.
A women and male in angel troupe uniform saluted us on the screen.
"LILY!" Natsumi shouted in relief.
"Saito is also here. Top sniper of the True Seldorian kingdom."
An aristocrat in the clothes of a king appeared. "I am Soldum Seldor, the true king of Seldor. All imperial battleships still functioning, rally under us." I can't believe it, it's the real king and an Angel beside him.
My spirit skyrocketed.
"NO!" an archangel flew toward the king. A line of battleships turned their massive guns on him. He took many hits and was knocked back, but continued to struggle his way up to the king.
"We need to stop him!"
-We aren't within range to reach Soldum in time.-
Dammit, I looked around. I notice the SharpShooter retreating to the Holy Cross.
"Saito, can you shoot the SharpShooter? I'm inputting the coordinates."
"You are the new commander of the third angel troupe?"
"No time for questions, just do it!"
Chaos dug through a battleship with his claws and climbed his way out. Now or nothing. His barrel let out a deafening roar, the shot pierced through the engine below at an angle.
The shot rippled through the armor of the Sharpshooter. It stalled before laying motionless.
"Chitose! Are you alright?"
"Argh..," she rubbed her chest. The cross clicked and fell off. "The cross! I'm free!"
"We can celebrate later, there's something I need you to do, Soldom is here, but an angel is headed toward him!"
"Soldom.. The king!" she steered her wings. Sharpshooter crippled by the shot could only slowly rotate at a limp. "I have to protect him! Where is the evil angel?!"
I plugged in the coordinates.
"You may have kidnapped me and forced me to fight my friends but I won't let you kill the king, FATAL ARROW."
Her arrow crystalized and zipped into space elegantly.
"DIE," the angel roared rattling his sword. The shot went through him, impaling him from behind. "Ugh.."
"Hit," she confirmed.
Chaos squirmed before letting out another roar, in a fit he swung his sword wildly. Fires sprung from his sword and crashed into many ships, setting them ablaze. Lighting flashed through the the bows and the bridges of their deck. The command towers fell over and crumbled. His agonizing pain echoed eerily in space.
My spine tingled. His voice unnaturally projected through space and somehow echoes. He was spoke backwards, "remsphalb eid." Then I noticed the glass on my canopy cracking.
Another shot from Chitose rang through his heart. Chaos fell and descended into the bottom of space.
( watch?v= watch?v=f-xBLSU8O4M Mioka Soundtrack 13)
The angels that saw, turned and fled to the Holy Cross as it floated over Central Globe. In the confusion of battle, it slipped by us toward the Edenian ruins. "You fought honorably until the end. Perhaps when you die, the Gods will be merciful. But for now," Luscious madly eyed the Central Globe.
A flash of light emanated from inside and central globe cracked in pieces, revealing a massive portal. "The gateway to old Eden," his eyes glowed red as he opened a book.
"Brother," Seldom called, "You wouldn't do it, would you?"
"But I must."
"Please," he begged, "Let them rest. Their time has come and gone."
"No, we need them now more than ever. The people have suffered long enough at the hands of the foolhardy wars Transbaal hes led us through. Through the Val-faask, the chrono-quake," he began to read the book, chanting in a foreign language.
A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi
Abiit nemine salutato
Abyssus abyssum invocat
Acta est fabula, plaudite!
Ad perniciem solet agi sinceritas
THOOM
Lightning fired from the wormhole and a Supercarrier emerged, wrecked and burning bright. "This is Nefuria's supercarrier. So this must be.. The gate..Ahahahhaha..Quick, everyone retreat!"
They flew into the deep center of the hole and disappeared.
"Everyone," Noah shouted through the comms, "What are you waiting for? Go after them!"
"We can't, Noah. We don't know what is on the other side," Takuto interdicts.
"But-"
Shatoyarn gives a small nod to reassure Noah, "The Imperial fleet has suffered too much to be able to go after Luscious. As priestess, the remaining humans need to be taken care of, Noah."
I look around me, noticing an all too familiar site of littered bodies and ships suspended by zero gravity. "That's right," Takuto consents, "We lost Lester, Luft, and Roselle in one battle..."
A wave of green light rippled through the portal. As the rays touched the Seldor fleet, the fires and wrecks disappeared. "Huh?"
The voice of a lady calls to us, "Noah and Takuto are both right. We have to go after Luscious, but we have to rest first. I can repair and heal as many people as I can."
"Vanilla is that you?" Takuto's eyes widened.
"Yes, Takuto."
"Alright! With Vanilla is here! We can make repairs and hurry after them."
"But the problem is where?" Shatoyarn replies with a grim look.
"Huh.. That's right. I almost forgot about that.
( watch?v=6hSV_atWp7I&list=SPEFF4AADD8D95DF99 Milfeulle's theme)
Hours later we all reunited on board the Vindictus in the hangar where repairs were underway and the barked orders of Creta and Croix were drowned out by the noise of buzzsaws and blowtorches. Vanilla was beside groaning pilots covered in bandages. She cast healing rays over them to speed the recovery of the wounded.
"Mommy!" Nano-Nano ran over to her mother and embraced her.
I heard of Vanilla before, the ace pilot of the Moon Angel troupe. The kindest, and the strongest angel ever known. Takuto didn't take his time, he immediately kissed his beloved wife upon seeing her.
Kazuya and his girlfriend Nano both awkwardly stand there watching. "Vannnilla!" Milfuelle approached with a cake in hand, Ranpha alongside her, and Mint as well.
"It's been forever since I saw you, Vanilla. My, my you've grown up," Mint flopped her ears.
"That's right. When I heard that you were here, I had to hurry and make a cake. It's..burnt though," she sighed.
"Well, Vanilla is here. That's the most important thing right?"
"Yeah," they all said simultaneously.
"Right," Vanilla says, "Does the Vindictus have tea?"
"Tea? Is that all you've been thinking about?" Ranpha sighed.
"That was a joke," she smiled.
"You're starting to sound like Takuto."
"Is that a bad thing?" Takuto sweats.
They all shrug. All of them seemed happy to be together despite what happened. I didn't know what to say, Vanilla was probably my most favorite angel, and I'm her biggest fan. What would I say?
Chitose limped over beside me suddenly along with Forte. Manny and Baron glared at them and blocked the way to Vanilla. "Not a step any further, m'am."
"C'mon. We're Vanilla's friends, too."
Chitose looks ashamed.
"After fighting against us, can you truly say that?"
"Yes, can you?" Manny pulled out his dagger.
There was a silence and then Vanilla gently pushed both of them aside. "You had no choice. I understand."
"Vanilla..," I stuttered."
She didn't stop for me to finish, "I can feel in their heart, they were ashamed to fight for Luscious. But they couldn't do anything about it. I feel they were hopeless until.. You freed them, Mori. Thank you."
Saito appeared, "But can we really accept those traitors after they killed Luft and-"
"Saito-" Lily tried to stop him, but he shrugged her off, "How can we trust you so easily?"
"Hey, now-" Milfuelle nervously moved her hands.
This situation didn't look good.
"Saito..," Chitose awkwardly motions toward him.
"Stay away from me," he detested.
"Stop," I said.
Saito smiles, "Thank you-"
"All of you," I add. Everyone looks at me. "Do you trust me?"
Baron laughs while John remains quiet. Fleur doesn't say anything, neither Apricot who is standing behind her sister. Anise simply shrugs.
"Of course we do, Mori," Kazuya scratches his head.
"Yeah," Natsumi nods.
"What if I told you I knew someone who was part of the Eonia coup? A boy I met as a child?"
No one said anything. "He was nice to me when I was a lonely child and he was a close friend. Does that make me a traitor?"
Awkward silence like usual. Manny bravely steps up, "You're the finest angel I've ever met, next to Takuto and Kazuya, you're not a traitor."
"Indeed, you're a great customer to Blanmanche and a companion of Takuto."
I proceed, "If you knew this beforehand, would you trust me to lead you?"
They hesitate. "They're still your friends and they wouldn't leave your side no matter what. Before this the only person that I could trust, died. Lisa..And then I met all of you. And fought Eonia time and time again. Am I a traitor?" I repeat the question again. Everyone shakes their head.
Baron looks around confused.
"Baron, you know me," Forte spoke.
"Too well," he shot back. Without another word, he pat Forte on the back. "It's been a while, sis."
"Thank God, you almost scared me there for a second."
Chitose offered Saito her welcoming arms. He accepted and hugged her tightly, "Mom."
"Well, well, Vanilla. You knew Mori would resolve this matter, didn't you?" Mint grinned.
"I had a feeling," she said.
Noah, Shatoyarn, and Shiva stepped inside and everyone fell silent.
"Takuto, the repairs are ready. We're going to our next destination."
"Where's that?"
"Eden."
Everyone looked at each other nervously. Eden? The homeworld of Humanity?
We were in chrono-drive for several days. The couch was warm and comfy as I sat and read in the lounge while Fleur played against the rest of my angel troupe. "Excuse me."
I looked up and saw Saito, "Oh, Saito. What do you need?"
Baron was behind, his face distressed. Something was up.
The caskets of Lester, Luft, and the many soldiers that fell were open for one last ceremony. Baron awkwardly paced himself, "I know we don't talk a lot, but- I just want to say you're a good leader."
"I know, but it doesn't change the fact I couldn't save Lester of all people."
"You couldn't have done anything."
"I know which is why I'm- It's just because I was involved with the Eonia coup. I can't let this sort of thing happen."
"Yeah, I know."
Saito examined lines upon lines of the caskets draped over with the banner of Empire. "We'll make them all pay, eventually, Mori."
"All of them?"
"They won't forget what happened, they'll regret it."
"Chitose was one of them and Forte, too."
"Not anymore. Besides, they deserve to die for this."
"Saito-"
Takuto walks in. "Paying respects?"
"Yes," we cut to a routine of usual mourners. "There's a lot I want to say when we bring them back to Transbaal. The speech can't be cheesy, but I don't want it to take forever."
"I understand."
He waves goodbye and leaves the room. That was when Mint entered, "Excuse me, are you three busy."
We look at each other and shake our heads. "Good. There's something I need help with. I've prepared a special shuttle and a detour."
"Detour? We're still en route to Transbaal, right?"
"Sort of.. Let me explain in the hangar."
Before we knew it we were in the shuttle. The ship lifted off, as we were separated from the Vindictus she began to speak. "Have I told you about my father?"
Stewardess carried plates to our first class seats. Baron took a bite, "Dahl Blanmanche? The man who passed the duties of the corporation on to?"
"He's fallen ill and I'm worried for him. Of course, my duties are to Takuto, but I can't abandon him. I heard they're treating him on the resort planet Venetia."
"Why are we helping?"
"The city can be frightening for a woman like me. My guards alone won't be enough. You see, people there, are.. Wild."
I look around and notice posters of the Venetian landscape decorated with festival lights and gondolas rowing through the canals of the Atlantean city. "That's right, they hold festivals to rejuvenate the spirit of people relaxing there. No rules, just party and elixirs."
"How perceptive."
"Alright, I'm in. How about you guys?" They shrug, well they didn't have much of a choice. When the plane landed we were welcomed by butlers. "Oh, Ms. Blanmanche, we were waiting for you."
"Where is father?" she spoke bluntly.
The butler directed us from the docks and harbors of the glistening lake up the stairs into the marble streets. "He's in the rich district." A group of flute players wearing colorful masks and feather hats circled around us. "Weapons are not welcome in the city, before we depart, perhaps you should deposit them to our trusty lads."
When that was done we explored the alleyways and markets where the people sang and ate. Cheerful place, even the poor were rejoicing. "This place is full of weirdos, Mint. Why put your dad here?"
"He wants to forget how old he is."
Saito scans his surroundings and halts. "What's the matter?"
A lantern is blown out by a worker holding a pipe and poking the flame. He waves to us and returns to work.
"Nothing."
We reached a castle with a lowered drawbridge and expectant servants. Inside the halls and suits of armor lying about we found a room labeled "Dahl Blanmanche"
Inside was an old man hooked up to medical equipment. "I'm glad you're here. My daughter..," he wheezed. The butler escorted the three of us out, leaving Mint alone inside the room. "She will be safe for now. Enjoy yourselves meanwhile."
Saito examines a painting of a family meeting inside a corporate office, "Let's walk outside."
"Yeah," I nod. This atmosphere was starting to make me feel uncomfortable. Outside the castle yards we found drunks binging in the street. Looking at me lewdly. I covered my chest.
Baron walked up to them and whispered something in their ears. Panic fell over them and they ran off. "Thanks.. Baron. What did you tell them?"
"The usual."
I wasn't sure how to feel about that. Saito was on his phone, " The signal here is weak. We should go back to the shuttle."
"Yeah, hey, Vanilla is a healer right? Maybe we can tell her to help. I feel sorry for Mint."
"I'm tired of seeing more people die. Yeah, it sounds like a good idea."
We returned to the docks to find our shuttle was gone. "It lifted off without us?"
The players and the servants were nowhere. The merry drunkards and celebrant peoples were nowhere in the streets. We slowly step back and suspiciously return to the castle.
On the way, candle lights were illuminating the street. It was still day though. Odd. Saito stopped again. Near the lantern. "Hey, what's that?" he approaches it and pulls out a device of some sort.
A poster is gliding in the wind and a vague figure shows, a somewhat familiar figure. "Mori, what did Mint say about his father?"
I take the picture and keep it firmly in my pocket. "Her dad wanted her here. Not sure why..In fact, I remember they usually don't talk to each other a lot."
"Fishy."
We all nod and return to the castle. The butler was gone. "The messages aren't working."
"Well the festival is still calm and quiet, though.. Empty. I wonder what's going on?"
Baron shrugs. He pulls out a revolver. Saito eyes the paintings on the wall. "Blanmanche wouldn't do anything to hurt us."
"I know, but her dad... Just keep an eye on him."
We return to the room. Surprised to see no one here, we walk inside. Mint was tied up inside. "What the-" Baron pulled out his gun. "I should have known," Saito said. Dahl sat in a wheelchair beside other men in blue, wielding a gun and dagger. They were the flute players.
"What are you doing, Dahl? You coniving-"
Three of them shake their heads and unmask themselves. It was a squad of mercenaries. Wearing eye-patches and hooks, or mechanical arms. "We've secured our targets, Elizabeth."
-Good. Macedonia 66th squadron moving in.-
Dahl breathed heavily, "Sorry.."
A group of women from behind us wrapped their around me, "Hey-" they put a hand over me. "Good to see you again, Mori. It's been a while since we met."
They locked five of us in a room, while they were speaking outside.
"Mint, are you alright?"
"I can't believe we were betrayed."
Dahl was wheezing. "It's because we trusted him."
"We can't do anything about it now. We're going to have to find a way out of here."
"Easy," Baron fiddled with the ropes attached to his arm, "How did they find us though? And who were those guys?"
Mint answers, "They must be bounty hunters."
"So Eonia put a bounty on me and the angels? Why were we here then-"
"I wanted to see my father. I had a feeling something was wrong. Takuto wouldn't have allowed us to come here. But I went anyway, thinking your protection would be enough. I'm sorry."
Saito still isn't convinced, "How do we know you're not the enemy, like Chitose and Forte."
"Enough, Saito. That's an order. Mint and Dahl were probably fooled. Like us."
"She's right, man. We can't dwell on it," Baron dissented.
"They said they'd kill me if I didn't-" Dahl coughed.
"That's right. Like I said-"
The door creaked and the hinge turned, "I heard some chatting. Plotting to escape?" It was the bounty hunter.
"No, not at all," I joked. "Wise crack, well. Nice to see you're happy. My superior would sure love you."
"You're shipping us off to die, shame isn't it when I stop talking?"
He slapped me, "Close. But I'm not giving all of you to Macedonia. In fact, I have a bone to pick with one of you. Maverick won't mind," he flipped his blue hair and eyepatch.
"What's going on in here?" his taller, superior stormed inside.
"Just talking to our prize."
Maverick rolls his eyes, "Don't rough them up. Damaging them will make the Maces cut our pay, Ripley."
"I know, I know. But I do deserve some sweet justice."
"Whatever, I'm just in it for the money," he left.
Ripley stood there, watching us with disgust. "I can pay a much higher price for you to let us go," Mint offered. "It's not money I'm after. I want justice, Mint."
"Eh?" she stammered. "He showed a picture of a man and woman, holding the hand of a child. "Jack. Jack Ripley."
"The Ripley family, I understand now."
"Ripley? Mint what is he talking about?"
"You remember me, don't you? Your dad ruined us."
"Those are sings I try to atone for."
"Well if that's the case, then you must have been successful. They died when your mercenary fleet-"
There was a silence and he lamented. "You're scum, like the rest of them," Saito raved.
"Scum?" he opened his eyes and let out a weak laugh, "This planet celebrates drinking themselves to excess and partying with no law or order, and you think I'm scum?"
"Order? You're a merc. What do you know about-"
Jack pinched his head and beat him in the nose, "I'm a Ripley. A lawyer. Of course I know... Dahl, you hired us because of our experience, no?"
The old man was trembling. The room was crowded with our bodies leaning against the wall. This is more like a small closet.
"I'm sorry..," he managed to say. "It's too late for that," Jack held a pistol over his forehead. "Jack.. Don't," Mint begged.
"Tell me, if something did something terrible to you, that you could not forgive them for the pain they left... Would you naturally take revenge?"
Saito is quiet, he nods. "Then we are both scum," he smiled, successfully reading Saito's motivation.
"We've reached an agreement."
Jack pulled his gun away. "They're taking Mint, and Dahl." A void of pain was painted on his face, disappointment, "What?"
"The Saint Angels deserve a humiliating death, they said," he sees us and waves to his men. They carry Mint and Dahl away without hesitation. "You know what to do," Maverick pat him on the back and left.
"What-" he shook his fists violently. I scoot up to him, "What ever happened to your family? Are they alright?"
"They're dead, idiot. Of course not. Your fleets killed them in the crossfire."
"So you became a bounty hunter."
He cocked his gun. "Killing me won't bring them back."
"There's nothing else I can do."
"You can let us go. We'll help you get Mint."
"Really?"
"Yes, but we'll have a trial."
He pauses. Pondering, "They would have wanted it that way," he sighed and untied us. Jack returned our weapons.
He threw a hood made of furs on us, "Put these on if you don't want to be recognized."
(Mori...PZZT. This is Takuto... We... Found your signal.. A shuttle is)
An explosion disrupted the peace. "What was that?"
- Landing. Hmm, there's a lot of civilians in rags... Wait! We're being shot, taking damage! The civilians are- one of them has a rocket launch- BOOM PZZZZT.-
watch?v=QAo0KgFY0To&list=SPFBCDB466FCB9C66C
"Civilians?"
"No. They must be other bounty hunters. From the description, they sound like Khans. We should hurry," he kicked open a window and lowered a rope.
When we were on even ground I asked him while we were walking inconspicuously about the Khans. "The Khans are ruthless. They don't do it for money or justice like Maverick or me. You're lucky you're caught by me and not them."
A group of peasants in bloodied clothes sharply turned a corner left of us and sprinted through us. "Keep moving."
"But- what about the civilians?"
"There are no civilians," he spoke coldly.
"But-" I remembered the chatter on the radio. My spine tingled. "Yeah, let's keep going."
The road and alleyways were riddled with bullets. Men in exotic fur coats of aliens were rallying in the street, burning stands and terrorizing innocent people. A women fell on the floor. The Khan in front of her sneered, "Now do you know where the Blanmanches are?"
"No," she cried. He drew out his sword and swung. The blood spilled all over the ground. Then he grabbed her body and put it on a crucifix. "Halt, who goes there?"
Our hearts froze. All the Khans stopped pillaging and glared. "Our spies ran south. They've found a group of cowards and are telling them to hold up in a mansion."
"Hah, idiots!" the Khans thanks us and ran south. I felt disgusted. Misinforming civilians to slaughter them. "Your friends must be held up at the docks, let's hurry."
"Right."
The water was still with the scrap and burning metal of the shuttle. Kahns patrolled the landing docks in their telltale peasant clothes. "The crucifixes aren't out there. The pilots must be alive."
"But where?"
"There's another way out of the city. But we have to go deeper inside to the town center-"
Saito's phone blasted a loud echo that got the attention of the soldiers, "This is Takuto.. Pzztt.. The pilots are.. At.. The center."
A flurry of arrows tore through the sky. "Run!" Jack drew out his gun and fired lasers into the crowd.
Pft Pft Pft.
We took another way through the city along the canals. The Kahns were ganging up on us from the rear. "Where's Maverick?" I asked.
"He'll be alright. If he's smart, he probably holed himself up at the center as well."
Baron fired at the ground which sent three Kahns scurrying backward. We found ourselves at a fountain. The pilots were standing still as Vanilla and Nano-Nano along with the rest of the Rune Angel troupe were helping them. them. Maverick set up barricades. "You're here, good. Because we're in for a fight." Kazuya ran up to me, "Mori, we heard everything from Maverick."
"After beating me..." he sighed.
Ignoring him, kazuya continued, "We can talk about orders later. Help is coming."
-We're sending in another shuttle to pick you up.-
We heard a battle horn echo in the distance. Footsteps were rumbling through the street like a stampede. Baron clutched his fingers on the trigger. "You know how to time your shots, do you?" Saito added a scope to his pistol and nods. The Kahns rushed forward with energy beams.
TOOM TOOM TOOM.
Our bullets flew into the horde but we weren't holding them back. We need more help. They were falling over our barricade and letting out bloodcurdling screams. In the nick of time, Natsume landed beside us and cast a force-field over us. Their faces were pressed against it.
Still persistent they headbutt the force-field unsuccessfully. "How shameful," Elizabeth sighed. The Khans dispersed and began ransacking stores and setting the buildings on fire. I noticed now, Venetia was emanating an orange glow. The city was melting into the bloody skies. "You disappoint me, bounty hunters. Not only did you fail to escape with your bounty during the gunfight, but the Khans have backed you into a corner. Clearly our barbaric friends deserve the prize money and the joy of killing the angels. Hand them over."
Maverick sighed, "Do as he says."
Ripley points a gun at Natsumi's forehead then turns around and shoots Mint and Vanilla. "Jack, what are you doing?"
"Handing you over."
"But what about the Khans? Aren't they-"
"About that- I only let you go so I can have the honors of seeing them killed. I lured you here and jammed the radio so help would come. The Macedoninans would make some odd counter offer so I planned ahead."
"Jack..," how did I not see this coming? He smiled a wicked smile and punched me in the gut. A sharp stab went through me and I fell. "Mori!" Saito and Baron drew their weapons but Maverick disarmed them with his daggers.
"It's better to be killed by someone you trusted rather than ripped limb to limb," Jack explained. Mint and Vanilla were lying on the floor, bleeding while Jack approached Dahl unimpeded.
"If I kill him first, then I have the right to the reward."
BAM. The shot let out haunting ring as the shell bounced on the floor.
Elizabeth stroked her hair, "My, you're extremely clever."
"Of course I am. Now, bringing them back to Antioch would ruin your reputation as heroes," he ripped off fabrics of their clothes, "Bring these back and I'll get rid of the rest."
"As you wish."
The Khans riled up, were now hacking and slashing at the force-field, angry that they were denied their kill. Huge armored knights much like the ones that kidnapped Normad appeared to break up the crowd. "Disperse now, your mission is over."
We were now the only ones left in the center. Jack waited patiently. The shuttle arrived as promised. "What the- is that Blan-" Maverick appeared behind them, "Take us to Vindictus, now."
In the ship we waited and waited. Miserable silence filled the room, until he stepped inside. "Traitor," Saito stood up. Jack ignored him and looked at Dahl, Mint and Vanilla. "You can wake up now."
Mint stretched yawning while Vanilla checked Dahl's pulse, "He's fine."
watch?v=P07D7XnpkZU
I scratched my head, "What's.. Going on." Saito stood there dumbfounded. "About that thing you told me, Mori. Were you lying about the trial?"
Mint shook her head, "Oh no, she was completely honest. So honest, it scares me."
"Hah," he lifts the money up in his hands, Jack lets out a sigh. "This should cover the fees in damage and loss of life. The rest I think we can work out. Unless, you're sneaky and want to meddle your way out, Mint."
"No, not at all," she winked.
"I don't understand.. You're forgiving her already?"
"I have nothing against, Mint."
"So that story.. About Blanmanche."
The two of them stare at Dahl, who is fast asleep. "What I told you is true, but Mint comforted me when it happened. You see we go way back.. As friends."
"Friends.. You mean."
"Yeah, we used to be close before the war. Her dad has been hard to deal with..first my parents and then funding the mercenary fleet to raid commerce."
Mint walks up to him flopping her ears, he crouches and gets a comforting scratch on the head, "My father is very selfish. I'm sorry for what's happened to you. As the new head of-"
"We can cut the formalities. I know you'll do everything you can about Dahl. The corporation, I mean. In the meantime, any new candies I missed on?"
"Well..," her ears stood up straight like antennas.
Maverick was pointing a gun at Jack, "You lied to mee?"
"I contacted Mint way before landing on Venetia. Can't let my friends not know that someone wants them dead."
"You idiot, if they find out-"
"I do it for justice, not for the money. If someone deserves to live a little while longer, then they should."
He raised his gun, but Baron ran up and knocked the gun out of his hands. Jack pulled down a lever and the garbage compactor opened beside it. Jack intervened and karate kicked him in the head, tripped him and threw him into the compactor then locked the door.
"Sorry, buddy. Your time's up," he pressed eject.
"That was close," Mint shakes her head, "You need to be more careful."
"Sorry, bad habit."
We all sigh in relief.
-This Takuto, is everyone alright?-
"Mori here, everyone's alright."
"Good," he hanged up.
Everyone began to joke and talk to each other. And it would probably be like that for the rest of the trip.
Saito stood there scratching his head. "I don't understand. He could have killed Dahl. After everything he did."
"Saito, why do you fight with Seldom?"
He smirked, "To defeat the king's enemies. Much like Chitose. At least until-"
"Is that all?"
He pondered and nods unable to think of anything else.
"Saito, a true soldier doesn't fight because they hate what's in front of them. They fight because they love what's behind them. A wise person said that once in a book."
"Which book was that?"
"Heroes of the Empire."
"Who said that?"
"Chitose."
He stands quietly and looks elsewhere. "Think about that for a while, okay?"
"Alright."
watch?v=HsCp5LG_zNE - Amazing Grace
"He was always there for me when I was a rookie to when I became a hero of the empire. Now new heroes are needed and a new age is upon us. He'll still watch over us, sighing."
Bag pipes of Amazing grace played as his casket rolled by us and ejected into space. Shatoyarn gave the last rites with Noah. "Pity he's dead," Noah remorses, "He was the only leader that I understood."
After that, we were all needed in the briefing room. Takuto breathed heavily, so Noah took over the briefing with Seldom.
"Seldom?"
"Luscious is using the portal in Central Globe to reach Eden. If we're going to stop him.. We need to return to EDEN."
Alma and Coco stand side by side, "Seldorian forces have abandoned planet Seldor and are moving toward EDEN as well. Reports say they will be there in three days."
Takuto quietly nods. "Let's end this for Lester," I said. Kazuya salutes, followed by Apricot, Nano-Nano, Lily, Anise. Fleur, Manny, and Baron. Vanilla nods with a soft smile, with Milfeulle, Forte, and the united Moon Angel troupe, they saluted me.
"Thank you," Vanilla complimented, "We are in your debt. Heroine of the Empire."
Just then, several fleets exited chrono drive.
watch?v=IgzWO0LFfZQ - Origa and Lia, SAKURA
Coco ran up to the holographic board, "It's the imperial fleet, and-"
WHOOSH
"Reinforcements, the Seldorian resistance. Wait, Magician fleets are on standby, too. Uh..It's the entire NEUE system."
Seldom smiles for the first time I've seen him, "Takuto?"
He stands up bravely and pats me on the back, "It's a nice title. Fits you."
-Seldor Fleet, we await Mori's commands.-
"Hmm? What?"
-You heard us- a boy's voice interdicts
-Magician fleet on standby arch-mage Carraway is ready to hear what you have to say as well, Mori. Oh and is Noah, there?-
-WOO-
-Space whale JR. Don't do that! He's confessing his feelings-
"Oh, no it's him," Noah blushes, "Hnng."
Nano-Nano and Kazuya laugh. Vanilla smiles, "Time wnet by so fast. You've all grown up so fast. Mori, your orders."
I clear my throat, fight the butterflies in my stomach and pounding heart, "Allied fleet, set course for EDEN!"
Vanilla pats me on the back, "I sense a part of Takuto in you. Promise me, you'll save EDEN. And our friends."
"Yes, I promise." Saito stuck close to me and Chitse was holding him closely. "I thought about it, and.. Thanks, Mori."
"Heh.. No problem."
"Group hug~" Milfie jumps us from behind and the whole Angel troupe soon joins in, "Hey, don't forget about me," Anise shouts.
We enter chrono-drive. The green light of hope travels through our massive fleet. And we all stand and watch eagerly. I started out a little girl hated by the Empire as an enemy and I'm protecting it, from a threat that wants to end everything we've been through and earned in these few decades. I won't let that happen. I won't let them stop me. Just you wait, Lisa. I'm still alive!
En Route to EDEN
Eonia taps his fingers. "It's just you, me, and the angels now," Luscious calls.
"Yeah," he lied. Eonia looks into the empty space through the dark of the bridge. Mori, if you're still out there. Take good care of yourself.