Lights. Camera. Action!

The grand stage sprung to life. In a blinding display, the arena lit up like a star. Like the birth of the universe, the tumultuous cheers roared into existence, the sounds and lights carrying further and wider than the stadium could possibly contain.

A grand announcement boomed above all. "And for the grand finale, give a grandstanding ovation to the black bird of the shining stage… the poster child of our sailing peacekeepers…

"Our one, our only… Kestrel the Silver Star Idol!"

The proclamation ended on a high note and instantly the crowd collectively fought to punctuate their cheers even higher. Like them, the shining stage now became blinding as colors of the sky and sea danced and swirled upward, enticing all eyes where up above, she came.

Emerging seemingly from the suns above, descending down like an angel come to grace the earthen realm with a graceful step, a figure landed on stage.

Kestrel rose, clad in a black robe-like dress that allured all who saw with its bold design of detached sleeves, frilly silk, dangling ribbons and laces, heeled dance boots, a golden halo-like wreath, and most strikingly a pair of ebon raven wings. Once retracted, Kestrel spread her wings to the raucous acclaim of her fans.

The once discordant shouts and cheers quickly honed their voices into concert. "Silver Star! Silver Star!"

"SSI! SSI!"

Her hand was raised, whereupon a mic was recognized. The voices were not silenced in respect - rather, she welcomed it. Tearing it back down, the music began and Kestrel wasted no time commencing the grand performance.

"I have so far to go~~!
And only heaven knows~!
Yes I have so far to go~~
Heaven~ knows~~!"

The stage then shifted as props, scenery, and architecture stirred and moved. But rather than surprise, they augmented and enhanced the display, showering all with a spectacle of rainbow lights that danced and responded to the tune. At the move of her hand, a familiar set of aircraft swooped overhead, leaving a trail of glitter in the wake of their airshow.

A pause for effect, and to enable a brief musical solo to arrive in their wings. Then Kestrel resumed singing.

The show was only now just about to start.

The cheering continued to ring long and loud outside, discernible even within the sanctity that was the backstage.

Kestrel breathed a sigh of relief as she rested on her chair, surrounded by her sisters.

"Way to go, sis!" applauded Vulture. "No way you wouldn't kill it on stage!"

"Today's concert has been exceptional," Buzzard commended. Adjusting her frames, she studied the datapad with a keen smile. "We have already surpassed most subsequent performances, in both attendance numbers and sale of merchandise. Already you have been placed in the top 7 contenders although positions remain hotly contested. But keep this up and you'll secure victory in this iDOLMEISTER competition."

"Sure helps when nobody else is a shipgirl like us," Vulture added. "There's no way anyone could compete with the airshow Kestrel put up there!"

The elder sibling glanced at her sister with cautious eyes. "Watch what you say. The other contenders are no joke themselves. Remember that they too possess talent and commitment as warranted in the idol industry. Kestrel should do well to remain on her guard."

"Whatever," scoffed the tomboy carrier. "I already know who I'm rooting for."

Tired as she was, a gentle smile appeared on Kestrel's face. "I can't thank you enough for your support, sisters. It means everything to me. But even if I don't make it to top place, I'm more than happy knowing that you two were with me on this journey. I believe that's what matters most."

Just then, the door burst open and a pair of nuggets waddled in, making a beeline straight for the three carriers. The trio looked in surprise as the lead nugget approached Kestrel, handing her a letter.

"Hm? What's this?"

"Something from 765 Industries or something?" Vulture wondered aloud.

"Doubtful," answered Buzzard with healthy skepticism. "Their marking isn't on the letter. Who was the sender?"

The three sisters peered over the cover. "From Lom Ruise," Kestrel read aloud. "Film director, producer, and famous actor!"

Vulture was astonished. "Him?! Well, what's the letter say?"

Tearing open the envelope, Kestrel unfurled the single folded sheet. Studying it, a look of amazement sparkled in her eyes. "It's an open invitation for me to play a star role in his long-awaited film 'Top Shots 2'. He's been looking for a suitable carrier whose aircraft will play a major role in his upcoming movie and he chose me! He even mentioned how much he adored my Tomcats in the first film."

Buzzard could only beam with pride toward her sister. "Well done, Kestrel! You really are making a name for yourself."

"I-it's not like that," Kestrel objected. But her protests were undermined when she hid her blush and shy smile to no avail.

"Don't diminish your own achievements. You're talented and skilled, born to do great things. There's a reason you're famous as our Silver Star Idol."

Vulture pouted. "Hey, what about me?"

"Find an appreciable talent and then we can talk," Buzzard tutted. "Besides, you're already a distinguished carrier in our fleet. What more glory do you want?"

"Give me a break! How come I never get invited to show off in a movie? Kestrel gets into both Top Shot films and even Buzz got to be in 'Independence Way'!"

Buzzard averted her gaze. "It's not like I appeared as a star role in that movie. They just needed my Hornets for all the aerial battle scenes…"

Vulture could only throw her hands up in frustration as she sulked away, stomping out through the door. "Raagh… F-15s get no love…"

"V-Vulture!" Kestrel shot up from her seat, her concerned look chasing after her sister right as she vanished around the corner. She raced outside the room, finding her sister sulking off.

"Vulture, wait!"

"Forget it, sis," the tomboy replied, her dismissive hand and back speaking for her in place of a relatable face. "'Appreciable talent', ha… How's that quote go? 'No points for second place.' Guess that was more true than I thought…"

"Y-you're wrong! The thing is-" Kestrel stopped herself. In spite of her worries, an idea sparked within her. Unorthodox as it was, perhaps it was worth a shot.

She wasted no time composing herself. "You're not going to be happy unless you're flying at Mach 2 with your wings ablaze."

Her sister paused, her feet stuck in confusion at what was uttered. "Huh?"

"Talk to me, G- Vulture. That's what makes us a team."

Vulture faced her sister, her eyes slowly twinkling from Kestrel's words. Her tone had shifted but Vulture recognized them - she had heard them before. From the depths of her recollections, a sense of fondness grew.

She played along. "Well, maybe I've lost that loving feeling."

"But you can't bail out now!" Kestrel answered, passion flowing in her voice. "Don't say that. If you think that way, you're a goner!"

Vulture walked towards her sister in faux confrontation. "Girl, you're writing checks your body can't cash."

"The price I'll gladly pay many times over if I must!" Kestrel made for Vulture's hands, clasping them in close union. "All so I can fly with you. You're danger, but you're my danger."

"Yep. I am dangerous alright," Vulture replied with a cocky grin. "You can be my wingman anytime."

"So what do you say? You and me, we feel the need…"

"The need for speed!"

Before Vulture could react she found herself ensnared in an embrace. Her jovial grin softened as she felt the warmth of her sister's touch and responded in kind. She nary had another thought to reply before Kestrel's soothing voice beat her to the punch.

"Vulture… Buzzard and I may be the sisters everyone respects and admires, but you will always be the star of your own show, your own life. You will always have potential, no matter what it may be. And nothing can take that away from you. So never - never - shed tears about not following our accomplishments. One day… you'll shine as your own star, bright on your own merits."

The words brought the widest smile to Vulture's visage and she hugged her sister more tightly. "Aww sis… w-who said I was cryin'? Definitely not because of what you said. Heh…"

The shared moment continued until Vulture cracked open her eyes and spotted Buzzard leisurely watching in content silence. She too possessed a smile as she watched.

Meeting eye-contact, Vulture's expression momentarily flickered. But no enmity made it home on her features and it was a short time before Vulture directed her smile, a sheepish one, for her other sister. Buzzard accepted the apology with a warm look.

Kestrel uncoiled herself from Vulture whereupon she immediately took notice of her elder sister behind her. Glancing at her datapad, Buzzard tried her best to conceal her smile. "Your next venue is scheduled to start within the hour. When you're ready Kestrel, please head down to the dressing room."

The Silver Star Idol acknowledged with a nod. She began strutting away with a brush of her hair - back to business now. Only the faint warmth in her cheeks remained.

But as she walked, a major difference Kestrel noticed was the continued presence of Vulture that stuck by her side. "So uh, congrats on being invited to 'Top Shots 2'."

Kestrel blushed. "Thank you."

"Break a leg out there, cuz I'll be sure to watch it once it comes out. You already know how much I've seen the first to know all those quotes by heart. Wonder what memorable stuff'll be in the sequel."

"There will be enough to remember," her sister replied, soft but resolute. "I will be one of the actors after all."

This brought a small snicker from the tomboy. An arm found itself around Kestrel's shoulders as the duo continued walking.

"Hey, you think your fans will want to hear you sing 'Skyway to the Hazard Zone' the next time you perform?"

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

HistoricHippos:

References!

About time I have Kestrel - who is supposed to be a singer to be nicknamed "The Silver Star Idol" - actually have the chance to sing in this fic as well as show off the idol chops. The song was meant to be the original "Blue Skies" from AC4 before I decided that the Infinity remix sounded better as a song one would play at a concert. However, noo "The Journey Home" from her (not yet). Also, the scene at the stage was directly based on the concert scene in the first episode of Symphogear.

This chapter was also a moment for me to slip in other AC-related references as well, primarily the iDOLMASTER series as the games have done crossovers in the past as aircraft skins.

The Top Gun references were included only because of Kestrel's F-14 Tomcats which I shouldn't need to explain how popular it became thanks to that movie. That said, I have never seen the original Top Gun so the last part of this chapter was what I had to wing it with common knowledge and a quick list of popular/famous Top Gun quotes. In fact, the last part was something I originally did not intend to add, only because without it I felt that the chapter's ending was too abrupt and made the chapter too short for my liking.

Now as for the sequel, "Top Gun: Maverick", this is will make this AN dated but I have seen how the featured plane in that movie will be F/A-18 instead of the F-14. I've had Kestrel be invited to the filming of the sequel primarily to introduce the reference. That and it's technically "Top Shots 2" so it's doing its own thing. And who knows what direction Maverick will take, considering the movie (as of the time of this writing) isn't out yet. Perhaps a Tomcat will be dusted off for plot reasons…