Rondo in the Endless Sky

Chapter 9: Discord in Blue

"And that marks off the last one for today." Alain leaned back in his seat as the last of the islands was cleared. While Wyvern could definitely move faster than the transport carrier, checking entire islands wasn't exactly a breeze. Add on the need to check said islands for each location Villkiss could have washed up on it and a flyover could take a few seconds to a few minutes. "Damn I'm stiff…"

"It would be wise not to spend too much time searching." Wyvern said. "We can resume tomorrow with the rest of the list. Unless you want to head to Tusk's island first."

"May be a good idea. Odds of Villkiss being there are low but getting him to help out sooner rather than later would be more efficient." Alain stretched his arms as much as the space in the cockpit would allow. "So whaddya say, a few more before the recovery team radios in that they're setting down for the day?"

"Affirmative. I suggest we head to Area B7R next. It's almost as far out as Tusk's island but has an equal chance of Villkiss having washed up there."

"The Round Table? Hmm… well that place does have that wonky magnetic field. If Ange washed up there her radio would be out for sure even if Villkiss was working. It's worth checking out." As Alain veered Wyvern off to head off, he made sure to send a message out to the transport. The last thing Arzenal needed was two pilots going missing.


By the time the sun was painting the sky orange, the transport needed to return to Arzenal. They were lucky Alain was well ahead of them to check the furthest out islands to save them time and fuel. And even with a full tank the transport only got so far. Just one of the insurances Arzenal had to ensure none of the Norma escaped. None of the vehicles provided to the Norma had a chance of flying far enough to make it out of the sector their "home" was in thanks purely to their need for fuel. Wyvern was perhaps the sole exception, but its actual abilities were a closely guarded secret to those among Jill's most trusted.

"Thirty minutes until refueling is done!"

"Too slow, do it in fifteen!" Mei was sharp as ever in commanding her people. Ersha knew the girl would grow up well, and despite her age she did well as the Armorer's leader, especially since she'd had a hand in raising the girl some years ago.

'B7R… I swear, sometimes it feels like Alain just wants to stay in the sky.' Ersha also ruminated on the message they'd gotten while returning. Of all the places to check, it had to be one of the furthest out islands they could possibly reach with the transport. Ersha knew he loved flying but even he had to take a break at some point didn't he?

"You seem pretty eager to help out." Someone commented. Ersha looked up as Hilda approached from around the bend.

"Hilda." Ersha greeted.

"I don't get it." Hilda leaned up against the wall, folding her arms. "Why are you trying to help that bitch? I know you're a mother hen but seriously?"

"I know you girls can't forgive Ange." And in a rare moment, Ersha dropped her usual calm smile for a much sterner expression. "And that you'd like nothing more than to shoot her down." Hilda gave a smug huff. "But someone has to accept her, or else she'll always be alone. That would be rather lonely, wouldn't it? We're all Norma after all." Hilda looked away with a grumble as Ersha flashed her that ever kind smile. "Also, Ange is a lot like how you used to be. That's why I just can't leave her alone. And why I think Alain can't either."

"That bitch?" Hilda scoffed. "Like me? I might just put you on the shit list next if you keep that up."

"So it was you." Hilda flinched at realizing she'd waltzed right into a trap. Ersha always was a lot smarter than some gave her credit for. "There's another thing I'm curious about. I know you and Alain have never really gotten along, but you've been pretty hard on him since Zola died."

"He needs to learn not to be so cocky." Hilda stuck her nose up. "Someone has to keep his ego in check since Zola isn't around anymore."

"But Zola never actually acted so harshly." Ersha replied. "They used to be the best of friends, practically siblings. Zola cared a lot about Alain, so even when she was scolding him, she did it because she cared. He knew that. But everything you've done towards him is like you're bearing a grudge. Like when you snapped at him when Salia told off Rosalie and Chris."

"Oh what, and he doesn't deserve it? He's an ass!"

"True, but he only acts that way because you do." Hilda growled at the reply. "You know well enough Alain gives what he gets. He treats people as they treat him. Besides, I remember back when we were kids he was the first one to try talking to you after you were brought here."

"I just don't like him. Unlike you I'm not willing to lower myself to jump his bones." Hilda got back to her snide look, but there was clearly a bit of a break in her usual airs. "I dkn't know what some of you even see in him. So what if he acts nice part of the time? Doesn't change the fact he's a jackass and a sleaze who'll basically sleep with any pretty face that asks. And you all act like idiots because he's the only one here with a dick."

"Is that the truth or just what you're telling yourself?" Ersha's question felt a lot more piercing than Hilda expected. "If you took a bit longer to look past those rumors you'd see more. Alain is someone with a heart that belongs in the sky… he's free because that's how he feels, regardless of the fact we're here on Arzenal. And do you want to know something?" Hilda was about to storm off, but almost felt now she had to hear this. "Around ten years ago, a few months before you arrived, a lot happened. Alain could have actually left with some people we knew at the time. I don't remember a lot about then, but I do remember this: Alain is here because he wants to be. He's here because of us. Even if he doesn't always get along with everybody, he'll look out for every Norma in Arzenal. Even the ones who don't like him."

"Whatever. Have fun wasting your time looking for Ange." Hilda stormed off as Vivian came back while chanting.

"Huh, Hilda?" Vivian tilted her head as she watched the redhead leave, then looked to Ersha with a confused look. "What was that about? She looked mad."

"Oh we just had a bit of a chat." Ersha answered, ruffling Vivian's hair. "She's still sore about some things, especially in regards to Alain."

"Ehhh? I never got that. How come Hilda never gets along with Big Bro? He's nowhere near as bad as she acts like he is!" 'Bless you and your sweet soul.' Ersha gave an amused sigh, ruffling the girl's head again.

"It's complicated. You'll find out more when you're older."

"Ehh? But I'm already fifteen!"

"Give it a couple more years."


Alain made sure he headed out bright and early when he left Arzenal. Most of the flight was over open ocean so it was a good chance to catch up on some missed sleep. He snapped out of his nap when Wyvern suddenly shook back and forth.

"Rude way to wake someone up!" Alain grabbed the controls and forced the machine to steady up. He was sure the AI would laugh if it was capable of it.

"You're a heavy sleeper. I felt you would like to see what's on the south beach."

"What washed-Oh." As fortune would have it, in the middle of a c-shaped cove, Villkiss lay half buried in the sands. Fortunately the cockpit was exposed so that was a good sign. As Wyvern moved in for a closer look, Alain caught sight of a blanket with some tools spread across it. Someone peered out of the cockpit as he flew overhead, and Alain gave a sigh of relief. If Tusk was working on Villkiss then that was an even better sign. "Let's pull around so you're out of view."

"Affirmative." Switching to hover mode, Alain pulled around to another side of the island, setting down on an end of the beach that would keep Wyvern concealed behind some rocks. After a short jog through the trees, Alain emerged back onto Villkiss's cove where Tusk was leaning against the machine waiting for him.

"I was wondering when you were going to show." Tusk said, flashing the very same tracker Alain had snuck into Villkiss. "Can't think of anyone else who'd have one of these."

"And that's why I put it in there." Alain said as he and Tusk tapped fists. "Would've been here sooner if the damn thing didn't get turned off for some reason."

"Considering where you shoved it, I'm surprised someone even found it." Alain and Tusk had enough of a history with one another that one would have thought they were brothers. But the failure of the first Libertus had led them down different paths. While Alain had stayed on Arzenal, Tusk had left with others at the time and in the end found himself on this island. Despite that, Alain made an effort to visit whenever he could, though he wondered at times just what it would take to get Tusk back in the fight. Surely Tusk knew there were other and better ways to live than just sit around and occasionally sell off salvaged Para-mail parts to some other friends of theirs.

"So, how about this guy's pilot hmm?" Alain looked up at Villkiss and put a hand to the machine. 'Mei is gonna flip once this gets back home.'

"She's fine, probably still sleeping." Tusk answered, placing his wrench onto his shoulder. "I was hoping to at least get Villkiss patched up a bit. Can't do a thing about the armor, but I thought I could at least get the drivetrain working so it'll turn on. Though if you found us, I guess that won't be needed huh?"

"Well…" Alain hummed as he glanced at Tusk. 'This may be the dumbest idea I've had in a long time.' He thought. 'But… it may just work. For both of them.' Alain just felt this was something he had to trust his gut on. "Actually… I've got a proposition."

"What kind of proposition?"

"Four days. I'll give you four days to get Villkiss operational." Alain said. "So, spend a bit of time with the girl. She's been a pain in the ass ever since she arrived in Arzenal and she hasn't responded well to my approach to things. You might have more luck than me."

"Wait, what?!" Tusk gasped. "But aren't you looking for her under orders? Jill will be pissed if she finds out."

"Not if she never finds out. You don't say a thing and neither will I." Tusk's expression faltered as Alain gave that ever snide chuckle. "I already checked out as far as B7R for Villkiss, and there's still plenty of islands in the sector for them to check. You'll have the time. Besides, she's probably convinced no one is coming anyway."

"Maybe but… is it smart?"

"Probably not." Tusk almost fell over from the blunt confirmation. "So good luck. I'll see you in a few days!"

"Hey wait a second!" But as Tusk yelled after him, Alain was already dashing off into the woods. As Wyvern rose from behind the rocks and shot off, Tusk let out a sigh. 'He's as impulsive as ever. He could've at least hung around to talk a bit longer.' But, not like he could change that. Better to just get back to working on Villkiss. Tusk popped open the hatch that would expose the internals of the forward vents, where it seemed most of the damage was. As he was working on that, the sound of some crunching sand caught his ear and he turned around to see pilot girl come into view, still limping a bit on her left leg. 'Alain could've also at least told me her name.' Tusk thought. "How you feeling?"

"Better, thanks." Well at least she was in a better mood. Tusk turned back to his work as she sat down on the blanket, brushing aside some tools to make room. "What are you doing?"

"Repairs I guess." Tusk answered, fiddling with some of the burnt wiring. It at least looked workable. He'd seen worse.

"You can fix it? How?"

"Bits and pieces of Para-mail wash up here every now and again." He explained. "Sometimes whole units. I pretty much figured out how they work after messing around with them enough. Could you hand me that hex wrench?" As she handed the requested tool to Tusk, a look of realization flashed across her face.

"Why don't you just use Mana to move it?" That question brought Tusk to a pause. "You are a human, right? And what are you even doing out here anyway? Who are you?" Tusk pursed his lips as he thought of what he could tell her. She clearly didn't know everything about Villkiss or Libertus, else she'd likely be much more eager to get back to Arzenal. Plus, there were things he wasn't comfortable talking about.

"I'm Tusk." He finally answered. "I'm just Tusk, that's all."

"Yeah, but…"

"Aha! I knew this was the problem!" Thankfully he found a way to change the subject. "The output circuits are short. I can't get the thing running in full, but the radio will get working when I do. You can get ahold of your people then."

"Don't bother." She sighed, squatting back down onto the blanket. From where he stood, to Tusk she looked less like the wild girl who'd crashed into his life, and more like a lost child. "Even if we do, none of them are going to bother coming to get me. Even if I went back, no one would be waiting for me."

"Oh." Now Tusk was starting to see what Alain meant. Alain had mentioned her attitude bring a problem. Tusk didn't know a lot about Arzenal culture, but from what he picked up from Alain, he knew newcomers often had a hard time. It was likely she'd found herself rather isolated in her group. He had to wonder though, just what this girl had gone through that produced such a wistful look. "Well then, if you're okay with it, why not stay here for a while? I swear I won't do anything weird!"

"Well, I suppose." She broke the briefest of smiles. It was short lived, but it was an honest one. A look like that told Tusk there was no way she could be a bad person deep down. 'Maybe it's not as stupid an idea as he thought.'


Alain gave a relaxed sigh as he leaned back in the outdoor bath. Of the amenities Arzenal had this one thing had to be one of the most generous the Norma had offered to them. He hadn't a clue where the idea for one in this style came from, but he wouldn't argue when it let him relax so easily.

"Alain, I have a question." Alain looked over Wyvern's propped up terminal as it pinged. "Why not retrieve Villkiss and Ange? I fail to see the precise logic in your decision."

"It's not really one I'd say is logical." Alain hummed as he grasped the longer portion of his hair, getting some of the water out before throwing it back. "I just think it may do some good for the both of them. Tusk needs some interaction with more than me and the guys from CROSS. Tusk is a helluva lot nicer than I am. So who knows?"

"It is true that Ange's psychological profile has not improved. The reactions of other members of Garm Squadron have not aided in this." Wyvern said. "If this kind of discord continues, it may cause unity to break down. And, she may never be able to awaken Villkiss's true potential if she remains as such."

"She has a ring, what else would she even need?" Alain asked, turning around and laying on his arms. "Would be so much more convenient if we could just get past it's system locks ourselves… same with you actually. Any progress on analyzing those files?"

"Unfortunately, none." Alain groaned at the response. "Until the locks beyond what you have undone are cleared, I will not be able to dig further into whatever data is stored within my platform's quantum computer. For now, the ARISE System remains a mystery as to its function in relation to the particle engines."

"And those are still problem number one." Alain leaned his head back with a sigh. "Mystery upon mystery. It's annoying." The sound of the door sliding open caught his ear. Alain craned his head around, and he had the same flinch as Hilda as their eyes met. 'Of all the people to come in here on her own right now.'

"How rare." Hilda quickly got to her usual smirk. "I wondered if you ever came in here alone. I always assumed Ersha or Salia always preferred to keep you company."

"Funny." Alain scoffed. "Sometimes I like some privacy. Besides flying around for hours on end is more exhausting than it looks."

"Ohh? And I thought you couldn't get enough of flying." Hilda slid into the bath at the other end from Alain. Were Alain in a different mood he'd probably have stolen a glance at her. "Ersha had a fair bit to say about how you love being in the sky. What was it… oh yeah, "his heart belongs to the sky", ha! Talk about sappy!"

"What's your damage recently?" Alain felt a mental prick at the jab Hilda took. "I get holding a grudge against Ange after what happened, but at this point even I'm confused what the deal is towards me. I know we never get along but you've been way more of a bitch than usual."

"Aw what's the matter?" Hilda mock pouted. "Big strong Ace of Aces getting a little sensitive?" Alain wasn't buying the haughty attitude.

"Then explain the outburst the other day." Alain rolled a finger through some strands of his hair. "If you have something to tell me then why not here? I hear baths are an excellent place to air things out."

"Snide bastard." Hilda grumbled. "What I'm not getting is why you are so keen on finding Ange. If you dislike her as much as the rest of us, then why bother looking? You left pretty bright and early today. Was I right? You totally wanna hit that."

"You wish." Alain replied. "It has to do with a lot, alright? Things I'm not allowed to talk about openly. Besides, dealing with her reminds me of how you were when we were kids."

"Psh, you too?" Hilda growled. "As if that bitch and I are similar. What and how?"

"Let's see…" he counted off, "Both of you came to Arzenal late, were in serious denial about being Norma for the longest of times and didn't start shaping up a bit until almost getting your asses killed in a sortie. Both of you look down on others, be it in different ways, as just a few examples." Alain looked to Hilda more directly, and she notably flinched at the calm gaze he had. "But I wasn't asking about Ange earlier. As much as we ribbed each other you never took things this far. Honestly at times I thought it was friendly… but now it feels like you're trying too hard."

"Huh? The hell do you mean by that?" Hilda shifted to a glare as Alain sat straight up. "How exactly am I trying too hard?"

"Trying too hard to be someone else." Hilda flinched again. "I'm sure someone's already said it. Zola had her bad sides, but she always cared about others, and all her remarks were never meant in a bad way. It feels like you're trying to be the new Zola, but you're missing the fact she gave a damn about others no matter how they looked at her."

"And who are you to talk huh?" Hilda shot back. "People keep telling me you two used to be like siblings, but I don't buy that when all I saw was you two going at each other like you were ready to brawl. Who the hell are you to lecture me on things anyway? You've got some attitude problems yourself. Mister "high and mighty cause I'm the only one with a dick"! You drive me up the wall with that shit! Acting like a total ass and then turning around to lecture people."

"I'd be less of an ass if you'd cool off for five minutes." He countered. "I'm not gonna act like I haven't done things to deserve some of the stuff you throw my way. There's plenty of Norma who hate my guts for one reason or another. And you're right, maybe I don't have a place to be lecturing people. I just want some answers is all. What is it about me that you hate so much?"

"Can I say everything and get a pass?" Hilda said.

"Obviously I'm not getting anywhere with this." Alain sighed and pulled his bangs back. "Whatever. I'll at least say this: If you were in the same predicament as Ange, I'd be putting in the same amount of effort to look for you. And I'm sure the same goes for everyone else."

Hilda watched with narrowed eyes as Alain gathered his terminal and left. She may just have made the water a bit hotter from how much she felt like she was burning up now. 'That… ASS! Where does he get off saying shit like that?' She fruitlessly kicked up some of the bathwater in her frustration. It always drove her up the wall. Not getting just why he so readily gave his loyalty to people, why they didn't have to effectively buy him out for it. Why he'd always rush to help them no matter what. Even those he was an ass towards. Nothing he did made sense and it pissed her off to no end.

"And then he pulls that kind of crap!" Hilda kicked a leg up again as she yelled. "God, I hate him! Heart belongs to the sky? Free because he wants to be? Where do they got off spouting that crap? What is it about him that makes them act that way?! Even Rosalie and Chris go stupid because of him!"

Then Hilda found herself thinking back to the other day. What Ersha had mentioned about him choosing to be on Arzenal. Apparently because of the Norma. That was even more puzzling. 'Why would anybody choose to stay here? He's gotta be insane to have chosen this kind of life.'


For as hectic as it was in some ways, Ange felt she could say the past four days had been some of the best she'd had in a while. Sure, Tusk had more than once found his face to her crotch again, particularly when an attempt at cooking by her had gone horribly wrong. But she'd been treated better in the past while by this one random boy than she had from anyone else for over a month now. A few days where for the first time in a while, she just felt like a normal girl again. She even felt good enough to actually take a look up at the sky for the first time in ages. She'd followed Tusk up the river to a bank where he had a fish trap set up. The air was still rather fresh from a recent rainfall, and the freshly departed clouds left plenty to view as Ange sat down.

"I didn't think there were so many stars." She'd spent most of her life living in the shining capital of Misurugi as it was. Not exactly a location for stargazing.

"You never noticed?" Tusk asked, Ange shaking her head.

"I haven't looked up at the sky in a while." She replied. She couldn't help but show a smile as the brief flash of a shooting star streaked across the dark blue expanse. "It's so pretty." Tusk sat down next to her, and Ange looked over when he placed a hand over hers. Did all boys have hands that big?

"I think you're prettier." Ange felt her face warm up as Tusk's face flushed a bit. She certainly wouldn't say she didn't find him attractive by this point. Both began to lean inwards, closer and closer… but something caught Tusk's eye, and he suddenly lunged, pinning Ange beneath him.

"W-what's this?!" she gasped.

"Be quiet and stay down." Tusk whispered, pressing into Ange and keeping his head down. Since she was face upwards, it didn't take long for Ange to see what the problem was. In the sky above, several mana transports flew by, their searchlights scanning around for any movement. And suspended in the air by cables connected to each transport was a massive chunk of ice with something encased within.

"Is that a DRAGON?" Ange whispered. As the searchlights passed them by, she and Tusk got up for a better look, and Ange recognized the purple Galleion from her last sortie. "Where are they taking it? Why?" Tusk had a look that he was about to say something, but a sudden roar cut through the air. From the trees, a Schooner suddenly burst out. "That's-!"

It was the same Schooner that had nearly drowned Villkiss. It looked ragged and practically half-dead, but it still had enough strength to fly up to the transports. It roared again as the transports opened fire at it, and the vehicles ceased fire for a moment as the DRAGON's roar echoed, only to suddenly open fire on themselves. Each one went up in a ball of flames, falling from the sky alongside their payload, coming down right into the forest and exploding again, setting the entire forest ablaze.

"We need to run!" Tusk said, Ange nodding as he took her by the hand. As they dashed off, the Schooner came crashing down right in front of them. It shuddered up and roared at them, Ange responding by drawing her pistol and firing. Unfortunately, with all the times she'd shot at Tusk, Ange only got off two shots, and all they seemed to do was sting the DRAGON's chest. "A gun that size won't work!"

"Then what, we just let it eat us?!" The two dashed to the side as the Schooner charged, crashing into the ground as Ange had an idea come to her. "Villkiss! If we get it running, then I can take it down!"

"It's not fixed yet!" Tusk said.

"Then fix it now."

"Alright." Tusk nodded. They broke a hard sprint right for the cove, the lumbering Schooner on their tail the entire time. Finally, they reached the beach, and Ange turned to buy Tusk extra time.

"Hurry!" she yelled as she drew her knife, Tusk leaping into Villkiss's cockpit as the Schooner crashed onto the beach. "Over hear you shambling corpse!" Ange stepped back as it snapped at her, her knife slamming against its nose but merely bouncing off the hard scales. A swing from one of its wings sent Ange skidding back across the sand with a well.

"Here!" Tusk stepped out of Villkiss for just a moment, tossing Ange the stowed assault rifle.

"Hurry it up!" Clicking off the safety, Ange fanned the trigger, the Schooner's soft underbelly taking each burst. But while the rifle did more damage than her pistol, the Schooner continued fighting with the ferocity expected of a cornered animal. In an effort to lead it away from Villkiss, Ange dashed around to the Schooner's back, but a swipe from it's tail sent her flying back again.

Within the cockpit, Tusk was working as fast as he could. He couldn't see a thing due the lack of power, but he could hear that the battle wasn't going Ange's way. 'I have to hurry.' He thought. 'Come on Villkiss, don't just lie there! Do something!' Ange meanwhile was in the midst of regaining her senses as the Schooner loomed over her. There wasn't any room to run or dodge. 'This is it…' she realized. 'No! I won't just die here! I won't die!' The Schooner lunged right for her, and Ange felt as if her ring pulsed with a heartbeat of her own. The boom of a machine gun echoed across the beach. The Schooner stumbling back and screeched in pain, blood flying from the fresh wounds as Ange looked up. Tusk had done it, Villkiss was reactivated and he managed to move the arm mounting its gun to shoot at the DRAGON.

"What the hell?" Tusk wondered. He hadn't even been close to getting Villkiss running. It had just suddenly sprung to life and shot the Schooner all on it's own. 'She really is the one meant to pilot it.' He thought as the radio then crackled to life.

"Hello?!" Alain's voice came over it. "Ange? You there?! Hellooo?!"

"Alain, it's me!" Tusk shouted. "We got attacked by a Schooner! Get over here now!"

"On the way, just stay alive!" Tusk felt relieved knowing help was one the way and climbed out of Villkiss, seeing that Ange had reclaimed her knife. With a scream of pure fury, she pounced onto the Schooner, driving the blade into its throat.

"Die!" Ange's screaming became outright incoherent as she kept stabbing into the Schooner, blood splattering all over her and the beach. With a mix of horror and fear, Tusk raced over, grabbing Ange's hands as she raised her knife up again. She seemed totally lost in the adrenaline rush of the moment.

"That's enough." He said. "It's already dead." Little by little, the rage faded from Ange and she got off the Schooner, taking a few steps away and dropping her knife. Her body was shuddering like mad as she wrapped her arms around herself, drenched head to toe in blood and quietly began to sob. Tusk's expression sank a bit as he watched her. He looked at that small, blood drenched girl, and once more his mind wandered to that day burned into his memories. He saw the same damage in Ange he'd seen in Alektra back then.

Once she'd calmed down, Tusk guided Ange towards the surf and helped her wash off the blood as dawn began breaking over the mountain behind them. As the tide rose with it, the dead Schooner was washed up and slowly dragged out to sea.

"It must have been trying to help its friend." Tusk said. "Maybe it just wanted to go home together." Tusk glanced back and saw that the fire from the crash was still raging as well. "We won't be able to stay in these woods anymore. We have to hurry. What about you? Would you come with me?" Ange remained silent. "You're a bit violent. But, you're pretty, and cute, and beautiful. And I've seen you naked. And I did all those things. I'll take responsibility."

"Tusk have I ever mentioned the fact you don't know when to shut up?" Alain's voice suddenly crackling from Villkiss made Ange flinch and Tusk's face burn red. "You left the radio on by the way. I heard everything!"

Ange and Tusk looked up as drifting specks of greenish light floated down around them, and descending from above was the familiar silhouette of the Wyvern, the hum of its engines filling the air as the machine lowered onto the beach. Alain was quick to exit as the Para-mail quieted down, giving Tusk one wide smirk as he strolled over to the both of them.

"Looks like my help wasn't needed after all." Alain commented, glancing to the drifting off DRAGON corpse. "Long time no see Ange. You enjoy the vacation?"

"How the hell did you get here so fast?" Ange asked. Alain and Tusk shared a quiet glance, which only made Ange more confused as to what was going on.

"We've been looking for you and Villkiss ever since you were lost." Alain remarked. Ange could tell he wasn't lying but she had the suspicion he wasn't quite telling her everything. "If you like I could stretch that out a few more days."

"We?" Ange said. Alain simply smiled.

"I wasn't the only one looking for you." Alain stuck his thumb off to Villkiss as the radio crackled on again.

"Ange, if you're there please respond!" Vivian's ever bouncy voice sounded. "Are you dead? Please tell me if you're dead!"

"What?" Tusk looked surprised, and Alain gave a chagrined expression as he scratched the back of his head. Ange actually showed a smile as she trotted over to Villkiss, climbing in and facing the crackling monitor.

"Ange here." She said. "I'm alive."

"No way." Vivian gasped. "Ange is it really you?! Big Bro said he was going ahead to find you! It's really you right?!" Alain sighed as he put a hand to his headset.

"Vivian relax! She's perfectly fine." He said. "Villkiss is pretty roughed up, so we're gonna need a pick up."

"R-Roger!" The younger girl almost sounded in tears as she replied. Ange climbed out of Villkiss, giving Tusk a bit of a sad look.

"I'll be going back." Tusk widened his eyes a bit at what was clearly a response to his earlier question. Ange glanced back at Villkiss, and she could almost swear it felt like it was looking at her too. "I think it's the only place I have. Besides, I have to get some people back for what they did." As they were talking, Alain stumbled on some burnt underwear half buried in the sand. He pulled it out, and the red color told him off the bat it was Hilda's. 'I fucking knew it!' he thought. 'Well… maybe I'll let it slide this one time. Who knows, Hilda may've just saved Libertus."

"I get it." While disappointed, Tusk definitely understood Ange's reasoning.

"Thanks, by the way." Ange added. "I would've been dead without your help."

"No problem at all."

"Sorry I can't go with you." Ange took a step forward and placed a hand on Tusk's chest, then grabbed his shirt and yanked him forward, shoving a finger to his face. "Listen, nothing happened between us. You didn't see, do, or suck venom out of anything. Got it? Forget all about it. And you!" she looked to Alain, who promptly pitched what was in his hands off to the side. "You don't know anything about this or will say a damn thing to anyone too."

"My lips are sealed." Alain threw his hands up.

"Good." Ange let Tusk go, going back to a small smile. "Ange. My name's Ange, Tusk."

"That's a real pretty name." With a final smile, Tusk turned and ran off with a wave. "See you, Ange!"

"What a weird person." Ange mused, turning back to Alain. "So how do you know each other?"

"Let's just say we have a history." Alain said, pocketing his hands. "Anyway, they'll be here with the transport in a few. Before that, I've got a thing to take care of. See you back at base!"

Ange raised a brow as Alain ran off after Tusk. She figured there had to be something weird about Alain's presence on Arzenal, but now she only had more questions to ask since it clearly seemed to involve Tusk as well. Amid her thoughts, the roar of rotos chopping through the air the signaled the approach of the VTOL as it dropped into view.

"Quiz time!" Vivian's signature phrase sounded over its speakers as the girl threw the door open. "Who's still alive even after going down? The answer is Ange!" Ange waved back as Vivian had to be stopped from leaping from the vehicle by Ersha. 'Maybe these people aren't so bad after all.' She thought.


Alain looked around at the cliffside he'd found himself at after following Tusk. At the precipice of a low cliff, Tusk was standing before two rows of rifles set into the ground, each one with a black helmet set over the stock, fresh flowers under each. Tusk had gotten changed into full on combat gear, a flak vest over his chest with sturdier pants and combat boots. In the rock face behind them, a heavy metal door had been installed.

"So, you're all that's left of this group huh?" Alain stepped to Tusk's side, the young man nodding to him as he adjusted the stuffed full duffel bags he was carrying. "Uncle Hannibal, Orga, Lyle, Aston, Ride, Naze, Akihiro, and Norba."

"I'm surprised you remember all their names after all this time." Tusk said.

"I've done my best not to forget the names of a lot of people." He replied. Alain took a moment and kneeled at the makeshift graves, closing his eyes. Tusk joined him in the silent moment. "So, what's next for you?"

"I was thinking of heading to the mainland." Tusk said, turning to the structure behind them as Alain stood up. "I think it's about time I stop sitting around and doing nothing. The guys at CROSS could use an extra hand."

"And I'm sure they'd be glad for the help." Alain helped as Tusk pushed the heavy door of the building open, revealing an object covered in a large cloth. Tusk whipped it off to reveal a black and red vehicle strikingly similar to a Para-mails flight mode, but much smaller in size and open to the air. "No frickin' way! Wasn't this thing Uncle Hannibal's?"

"Yep. Kept it ever since he passed." Tusk ran a hand along the vehicles nose, stopping to set something in a clip on the console. It was a photo of a much younger Tusk with two adults. A man with auburn hair in an armored black piloting suit, and a woman in a magenta Arzenal suit and dark brown hair. His parents, Istvan and Vanessa. "Everyone has been fighting since then. I'm done hiding from my own fight."

"The Knight of Villkiss huh?" Alain said. "Or maybe I should say the Knight of Ange?"

"Hehe, I kinda like the sound of that more." Tusk approached Alain, and the two tapped the back of their fists together. "I'll see you around Alain. Maybe we'll meet next time Jill sends you to the mainland."

"It'll be fun. Maybe you can help me get the guys in Garuda Team to shut up. They bug me for info about Arzenal every time." Tusk laughed at Alain's grumbling, the two tapping their fists again before Alain trotted out, being sure to stand clear as Tusk mounted the vehicle and shot off over the surface of the sea. "Rare I feel so optimistic about things." He mused. "Heh, looks like for once, things are turning around."


By the time he'd gotten back to the beach, Villkiss was already being loaded onto the transport, so Alain offered to fly ahead to tell Mei and the Armorers so that they could prepare for the ensuing all-nighter. 'What a week.' He thought. With Libertus almost stopping before it could begin all over a petty grudge, he'd run himself ragged looking for the Villkiss and Ange. But at least things had turned out okay. In fact, it was better than okay. Tusk was no longer sulking on the island and hopefully Ange would be a bit less insufferable. 'Who knows?' he smirked as he touched down on Arzenal's tarmac. 'Hilda's bitchiness may just wind up saving us all!' If that wasn't just the definition of irony. But for now he just wanted to soak in the onsen and get some needed rest. But no sooner had he disembarked than he heard someone running towards him.

"Finally!" Alain turned, and who else did he see by Maggy running towards him. But something was off. Rather than her usual playfulness, she seemed agitated. She gasped for breath as she reached him, her chest heaving with every breath. "I was wondering the hell you were all going to get back!"

"What's wrong?" Alain asked. "You look like you just saw a ghost."

"I may as well have!" Maggy yelled as she grabbed his arm. "Nevermind! Just come on, we're going to the ICU!"

"Wait why? What happened?" Mei and the Armorers just stared dumbfounded as Maggy dragged him off, though Alain could hear a few of them snickering about him getting a "thorough examination." "Oi! At least answer my question before you drag me off! Maggy!"

"You'll see when we get there so just shut up!"

Alain relented to Maggy's fervor but he was starting to get paranoid. What was Maggy in a rush about anyway? 'Wait a moment…' he realized. 'No, it couldn't be.' Ange was alive, Libertus was still on, Tusk was back in the fight. No way things could just be that didn't work out that way on Arzenal. But if it was bad news she would have just told him when he landed. His heart pounding, he went from following Maggy to sprinting ahead of her. Once he reached the ICU area and Naomi's room, he didn't care how hard he threw the door to the room open. His heart was racing as his eyes scanned over the room. And what started as burning panic froze over into dead shock in an instant. Sitting up with her hands folded over his lap, the girl that had previously been in an endless sleep was staring out of the window of the room. Her head turned to the sound of the door opening, amethyst eyes as vibrant as he remembered them to be.

"Alain?" Her voice was a little weak, and scratchy from two months of not seeing any use. "What's wrong? You… about… ready to faint."

"You're back…" Alain already felt himself shaking as he stumbled forward, and Naomi's clear confusion only grew. "Naomi!" He almost lunged forward almost fearful Naomi would be gone again if he didn't grab her as soon as possible. The embrace he pulled her into was tight, and Naomi gave a tiny squeak of discomfort and alarm, though Alain regained enough control to loosen his hold. "I thought… I wasn't sure you'd wake up! After that… when I thought I lost you I… you're back… you're back!"

"Alain…" Naomi whispered, "What… how long…?"

"Too long!" Alain did his best to smile in return, putting his forehead to Naomi's. "I was afraid you wouldn't… god there's so much to tell you. Almost too much."

"I…" Naomi murmured, putting a hand to Alain's face. She was mustering the best smile she could despite still looking totally confused. "Heard you… before."

"Alain, don't just run ahead like that-Oh!" Maggy finally caught up and stopped with the scene she arrived on. Alain was cradling Naomi in his arms with tears streaming down his face as he shook from bouts of laughter. Naomi still seemed almost half asleep and vaguely aware of what was happening, but enough to return the embrace. Waking up however was the easy part. She would still need to go through rehabilitation and there was the matter of her debt. But that could be saved for when Naomi was more lucid. And it was good to see Alain genuinely happy for once. 'Eh I won't spoil the mood.' The older woman thought. 'Still… we get a pilot for Villkiss and our little special case wakes up… talk about a turnaround for us.' Arzenal was a place were happy things were few and far between, but when it did, it was all it took to keep them all going.

"Welcome back!" Alain had a rare ear to ear grin as he and Naomi touched foreheads again, the pink haired girl, out of it was she was, smiling back at him. For a rare time in their messy lives, they could truly say things were looking up.


A/N

Well this was a thing I'd been looking forward to getting done here for a while. Big shoutout to Eric Michael Kline for beta reading this and helping me edit it as well. It's a big help to getting all this done. Now for a little idea tidbit, voice actors. Cause I always enjoy these hypotheticals, I've got both Japanese and English here. For Alain: JP being Soma Saito, and English being Josh Grelle. Just ideas.