"We're not going to need to eat at the cafeteria for a while," Harry observed wryly, looking at the mountain of meet.
"Wait, we're going to have to eat all of it? For how long?"
"Well, it would be a shame to waste it…"
Leonard frowned. "That is not an option. I do not believe the school possesses enough freezers to preserve this much meat."
They paused, gaping at the fish in silence. A piece of tail slid down to the ground, scales rippling feebily.
"How about this?" Mike proposed. "There's no way we can eat it all by ourselves. Why don't we clean it, cook it up, and serve it to all the other students! You know, like a fish fry. It would be fun!"
The rest of the Battlefront exchanged nonplussed glances. They looked towards Winifred.
Their leader stared Mike down, he shrunk under her glare. Then she shrugged. "Fine. Whatever. It's your food; I really don't care-Ah! Hannah! Where'd you come from… I mean, what you have to report?
Casting furtive glances around her, the dark clothed girl drew her leader away from the group. They began to speak in quiet tones.
No one noticed, however. They were far too busy running off to get the fish fry prepared.
"Could you get us some tables and other supplies, Miss Former Student Body President?" Luke asked in awe. "We could have our cookout on the front field!"
She nodded stiffly as they ascended the hill. "I will try to help."
In short order, they had obtained some tables, and liberated further supplies from the bemused cafeteria ladies. A pile of textbooks was gleefully set alight by Emmanuel while Angel was occupied with setting up the tables, and a number of saucepans were put in place over the bonfire. Normal students began to trickle down, chatting and filling their plates. With sleeves rolled up, they set to the food, slicing and dicing tomatoes, peppers and unions, and occasionally sending Luke back with Saito's wagon to get more fish. Richie the fifth presides as master of the stir-fry, barking out orders as a multitude of pans flipped.
"Anyone seen Fred?"
"Aw, she left with Hannah. Figures that she'd vanish."
"I don't get it," Jake grumbled. "Aren't we supposed to be the rebels? Why the hell are we serving these guys? It's almost like charity work."
"I don't mind," Harry replied, sneaking a bite. "It's not like we have anything else to do; now that Angel's just standing over there, doing dishes with Mike."
"I wonder," Elly began. "Are we in danger of obliteration? We're not fighting Angel anymore, and we're helping out the students. If we don't fight Angel, will we be able to stay here?"
Harry paused. "I don't know. Not fighting Angel is weird, but I still feel the same as before, you know? Like something hasn't been settled, like I just need to get back at someone."
"I'd just like to point out that we still can't trust out that girl," Emm pointed out darkly. "For all we know, she could setting up some kind off twisted, diabolical trap."
With murmurs of agreement, they gave the petite person glances of deep suspicion and mistrust.
But Mike and Angel were caught in their dishes.
"It seems to me like the gardening club is just really lazy," Mike was saying. "You're always doing the tough work! I mean, it's really not fair."
Angel was silent for a moment, doggedly sweeping her rag over the juice-stained plate. "I do not mind," she finally replied. "I love being in the garden. Weeds do not bother me, weeding is necessary."
She appraised her work, lifting the plate up to catch the sun. "Besides, work is my responsibility. There is so much that I have to repay. I owe it."
Mike frowned. "What, do you owe the gardening club something?"
Angel shook her head slightly.
"Then I don't get it. Though I guess If you love it, then you don't need a reason." He made a funny face as he put his elbow into the plate, working at a tough stain. He glanced over to see her reaction. Her eyes had widened in confusion.
"Mr. Carter, are you all right?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine." Huh, her hands are getting all pruny and wrinkled, just like mine do in the bath! I didn't know that happened to angels. He swallowed.
"You know, Miss Robinson, I don't think you should feel like you owe anyone anything, all right? You're totally free here. You don't have to follow anyone; you can make your own decision. No matter who you are, no matter what you are!"
She blinked. "What a silly thing to say. Sometimes you say the strangest things, Mr. Carter."
Ugh… Foiled again by his underdeveloped social skills.
They worked in silence for several more minutes. The sun worked its way to the horizon, casting a bronze glow over the students. As they reached the end of the Master's final gift, fish-filled NPC's plopped down onto the grass, groaning in contentment.
"You know, you don't say much," he said eventually.
"Mm-hmm," she agreed, cleaning happily.
He sighed in acceptance. "All right… just one more thing." He hesitated. "Do you mind I just call you Emily? Former-Student Body President is ridiculous, and no one really calls someone their age by their last name..."
"My first name?"
"Yeah! And, well, I like it. Emily is a really pretty name. It's really simple, but… I really like it, though."
He could not see her face. "You may call me so if you wish."
His face glowed. "Thanks. You can call me Michael … hey, Emily?"
"Yes?"
"You know, you don't have to worry about being alone anymore, all right? I'm not afraid of you. Occasionally freaked out, yeah, but that's normal. The point is, I'm going to stay by you. I won't let you get hurt. Got that?"
Emily was silent. For a moment, he thought he saw something familiar pass through her face.
"I do not know if I will ever quite understand you, Mr. Carter. But I have 'got it.'"
It took a while longer to finish the dishes. By the time they had finished night had arrived; they trooped back to the cafeteria with the dishes in darkness.
"Oof," Luke grunted in contentment. "Monsters sure do well in stir fries. Especially with ketchup. Maybe we-"
They slowed, brows furrowing at the impossible sight before them.
A section of the cafeteria's garden was shaking. Flowers tossed violently as the ground abruptly swung up, a dark hole gaping up at them.
Hannah sprung out of the hole. The moment she landed on its lip she reached back down into the darkness. "Hurry," she cried, her face shining with sweat. "She's right behind you!"
All at once, two forms flew out of the tunnel. As Hannah hoisted Winnie's dark figure out through the door, a blurred white shape flew after her, rolling above the girls to land beside them.
The moment it landed, the figure struck. Glistening steel flew forward, Hannah and Winnie tumbling backward to avoid the attack. Teeth gritted, Hannah tore back at the aggressor, her twin knives parrying the thrusts.
Winnie moved forward to help, but her foot caught on one of the discarded plants. As she fell forward, the white figure surged.
Mike started forward as those behind him hastily fumbled with their weapons, but slowed. The figure had been halted. The attacker's blade was held inches from Winnie's sprawled chest. Hannah had enveloped the figure, encircling it with strong arms, trembling as she strained to restrain it.
"Fred…moron…get back."
"Guardskill: hand sonic." Before anyone could react, a second blade shone onto the figure's hand, flashed, and cut Hannah down.
As Winnie stumbled away, the Battlefront gazed at the pale being in terror. Angel gazed back passively, flicking the liquid from her weapon.
Mike's head buzzed in incomprehension. He glanced down at his side. Emily still stood beside him, clutching a stack of plates.
Mike saw the armed Angel turn toward Winnie.
"Everyone, get ready!" he shouted. "Quick, make a semicircle around her, and bombard her. We have to slow her down!" Out of their daze of shock, his friends complied, rushing to their positions as their long experience reasserted itself.
"Guardskill: Distortion"
Gun flashes lit up the night as the assortment of weapons slammed into the Angel. The ammunition was sent flying all around by her shield, but the force held her in place.
But only for a moment. As Winnie took the opportunity to return back toward her team, the Angel started toward them, her pristine uniform soaked in gore.
"You are not permitted to be out this late, students. You must be punished."
Then the creature did something that made Mike's blood freeze in his veins. The Angel smiled. Drool dripping, her teeth-filled mouth curved in a horrific grin. As she took another step forward, her eyes seemed to bulge forward.
"All punishment is necessary for the will of the Creator." The Angel giggled, her shoulders heaving. "He shall receive a tribute of blood!"
Mike heard a curse behind him as Richie's semi auto began to click, rum empty.
"The Virus must be cleansed; it is my duty to the school." The Angel's eyes narrowed and she crouched in preparation.
Mike felt a breeze at his elbow. He heard the plates shatter against the ground as Emily flew forward, her blade outstretched. Like mirror images, the other's blade moved to match its sister's, and then, the two images connected.
The blades met home. The two Angels stopped, and slumped to the ground.
A/N End of Mission Seven. And now we start one of my favorite parts of the series. I've never understood how Angel Beats could be silly and serious at the same time, but they somehow pull it off. And seriousness is definently inevitable… Thanks again everyone. Your feedback keeps me chugging, especially that one individual. You know who you are. Here's hoping for spring.