The next morning was so peaceful that Fie was almost ready to believe the previous night's insanity had just been a bad dream. But it only took a single glance towards her friend and classmate to dispel any such notion.
In short Juna looked like shit.
Actually, that might be an insult to shit. Juna looked far worse. It was clear the girl hadn't managed to sleep a wink, yet she lacked the energy or enthusiasm needed to get herself out of bed alongside the rest of them. She just continued to stare blankly at something only she could see.
A silent conversation with Altina confirmed to Fie that her other classmate was on the same page as her – Neither of them wanted to leave Juna alone, but at the same time neither of them had any idea what to do. Instead they decided to go out, get some breakfast, and figure out what was going on with everyone else.
Hopefully someone more useful would have an idea of how they could help the Crossbellian.
Sadly they were unable to get an answer to that most critical question, as neither Kurt nor any of Juna's club mates had a solution. It was frustrating, but it wasn't as if Fie could blame any of them for their uselessness given how in over her head she herself was.
There was one person she knew who might have a solution, but the sad look he shot them once they tracked him down told an entirely expected story – Rean wasn't sticking around. Once again he was being forced into the role of the Ashen Chevalier, just as Rufus had predicted the night before. He along with Alisa, Emma, and Machias were already preparing to depart when the second Class VII managed to corner them.
Unlike the previous month he was more than willing to allow them to tag-along on his mission, but his unsubtle reminder that they would be leaving Juna behind was both wholly unnecessary and kinda insulting. Still, at least they had permission to catch up if – when – they found a way to help their despondent classmate.
And he didn't leave them entirely without ammo, either. Once again the instructor proved why he was their teacher as he was quick to pull a heartfelt speech out of thin air like he did, with Altina using her ARCUS II to record it for Juna. If nothing else Fie couldn't deny the guy had a way of understanding people and finding the words to help them out.
He had done it for Kurt. He had done it for herself.
With that the teacher and his comrades left the camp, taking the bikes with them. Despite everything it still stung a bit to be left behind, but if they wanted to catch up in time then they needed to accomplish their own mission. Just how hard could it be for a former jaeger, an intelligence agent, and Kurt Vander to cheer up their friend?
Still, before they went and presented the message the three of them found themselves sitting at a table brainstorming ideas, "So, what? Do we just go in there, play Instructor Rean's message, and hope for the best?"
"Do you have a better idea?" Altina asked the Vander.
"She's right. Aren't you the one with the most normal childhood? Shouldn't something like this be easy for you?"
"...Father nearly threw me off a cliff once while training."
His words caused Fie to give a casual shrug, "Still the most normal one here."
"I am starting to realize just how useless we all are."
Fie wanted to protest his point. She really did, "Yup." ...But she was no liar.
"Instructor Rean's message will work." Altina stated with calm confidence, although her next words revealed that to be a facade, "...I hope."
...In hindsight it was a really good thing Rean left that message for them. They would've been completely screwed otherwise. They probably were still screwed, but at least now they had a chance.
"Well, nothing to do but try it." Despite her own reluctance Fie knew this to be the only viable course of action. Just sitting around and talking was obviously getting them nowhere. Best to march in there, say whatever came to mind, play the message, and hope for the best.
She was never one for big elaborate plans. Just wing it and hope for the best.
"Oh! Are you guys going to talk to Juna?" ...But before they could execute they were interrupted by a familiar outsider, "Send her out here once she's feeling better. I'm preparing a hearty meal special for her since I know she skipped breakfast."
Fie shook her head ruefully, "Maybe you should be the one to take care of this, Sandy. You're clearly better at this than we are."
Her friend let out a giggle, "Don't sell yourself short. Have faith in her and in yourselves. Just make your feelings known and I'm sure you'll get through to her!"
It was the most basic of advice, but for some reason Fie found herself feeling a little more confident, "Thanks. I owe you one."
"In that case I'll let you help me plant the seeds Instructor Rean left me once we're back at Leeves." Her club mate responded with a teasing grin.
...Once again the lithe warrior found herself wondering just when in the world had Rean managed to find some seeds while they were working yesterday.
With that welcome distraction out of the way the three classmates made their way back to the girl's room where Juna still was. Since Kurt was with them Altina took the time to knock, but after getting a bleary response from the sole remaining occupant they opened the door and stepped in. Unsurprisingly it seemed the Crossbellian hadn't moved at all since they originally left, but she did look away with a shamed expression on her face, "...Did Instructor Rean leave us behind again?" She asked in a quiet voice, entirely unbecoming of the cheerful girl.
"He left on his mission with the Old Class VII, yes, but he gave us permission to go with him if we wanted." Kurt replied evenly.
"Why? Why didn't you go with Instructor Rean? Didn't you want to go?"
"Sure we did, but we weren't gonna leave you behind."
Fie's words caused Juna to seemingly slip further into her despair, "Why bother? I can't do anything on my own. I'm... useless."
The former jaeger couldn't help but give a derisive snort, "I think that's something we're all starting to figure out. Sutherland showed me just how weak I am on my own, and I'm sure Kurt feels the same way." Said Vander nodded his head in support, "I wasn't expecting much when I was forced to go to a military school, but somehow being in Class VII has ended with us being pit against some crazy situations that are beyond any of us."
"But..."
"Fie's right. There's no way I would have been able to make it through last month on my own. Without you guys I probably would have continued being weak. You all have shown me that strength comes in many different forms, and that I didn't need to continue being weak if I didn't want to. With that in mind, how could I do anything but remain behind with you when I know you would have done the same for me?"
"But I-" Juna paused before taking a shuddering breath, "This isn't just some random enemy that we can beat. What can I do against this entire mess? How can I possibly protect my home like this?!"
There was silence at her question as none of them had the answer she sought. Their silence caused Juna to slump down miserably and it was clear she was about to sink further into despair.
Not wanting that to happen Fie opened her mouth to speak without thinking, "I envy you, you know?" Three pairs of surprised eyes met hers and even she found herself blinking at her words. Still, now that she had started it was best to keep rolling with it, "I've never had a home. I have no memories of my time before Zephyr, and the corps never stayed in one place for long. Sometimes we would turn a random building into our base for a while, and other days we just slept out in the wilderness. But none of those were ever home."
"Hearing the way you talk about Crossbell and seeing how you act... I'm kinda jealous. When we were touring the city yesterday I couldn't help but see it like every other city I've been in, but it was different for you. The pride you showed while giving us the tour. The excitement at seeing familiar faces. Even the despair you're feeling right now... I don't think it's something I could ever understand."
"I feel the same way." Altina muttered quietly, "Like her I never had a hometown, nor was I born from biological parents. I suspect I was created so as to experience as little emotion as possible."
Wow. Sure Fie kinda thought the younger girl was very robotic in attitude, but to hear her confirm she was an artificial being was surprising. Still, she was starting to think that neither she nor Altina herself were completely right in their assessment about the girl. Altina had emotion, even if she didn't quite realize it herself.
"But hearing you last night..." The girl continued, interrupting Fie's inner thoughts, "I experienced a strange feeling in my chest. Then, Instructor Rean asked if I was okay leaving you here alone and.,.. That is the reason I am still here."
"Fie... Allie..." It seemed their words had an effect, but that moment faded quickly as Juna let out a sound of frustration, "I know what I should do... Regardless of what's going on, I just need to grit my teeth and keep moving. I know that, but... I'm selfish."
Well that was an unexpected thing to hear. Correctly Fie surmised the other girl was trying to collect her thoughts and so she remained silent. After a few long minutes Juna looked up at them with frustrated tears in her eyes, "A year and a half ago, the Empire took over Crossbell without any bloodshed. Of course, Calvard wasn't about to let that stand..."
"Their military strength is about even with Erebonia's. Calvard's Armored Aviation Divisions are full of highly mobile tanks and gunships. They invaded Crossbell to try and drive out the Imperial Army. The Army held them off with their Panzer Soldats, but..."
This much Fie already knew. As little as she cared about the news it was impossible to miss due to how Erebonian media hyped up Calvard's invasion as justification for their actions, conveniently ignoring that they had struck first. The people seemed to eat it right up which was why support for the annexation has remained high to this day.
"During the first few battles, there were a number of gunships that broke through the front lines..." Juna continued, "Because the occupation was so sudden, most of the citizens were in a panic... Most people fled the city, hoping they'd be away from the fighting in rural towns or remote villages. We had the same idea and tried to at least get Ken and Nana to safety in Armorica Village... I had just gotten back from the police academy and got an acquaintance to help drive us to the village..."
"That's when it happened. On the way there, we encountered a Calvardian gunship. It was hit from Imperial fire and I'm sure the pilot started to panic. It started firing at us, even though we were clearly not a military transport. Our driver tried to maneuver around it, but the vehicle took a hit and we were all thrown out of it."
"It was... frustrating. I felt so powerless... All my training at the police academy didn't help one bit. I threw myself on top of Ken and Nana, swearing I'd make sure at least they survived... And then..."
Juna glanced away from them, clearly ashamed. That action allowed Fie – and probably her friends too – to figure out the conclusion of this story before she opened her mouth, "A grey shadow swooped down on us. It looked like a giant statue of a knight had come to life. With one swing of its sword, it cut off the gunship's rotor, letting it land a ways away... And just like that, we were saved. I heard the voice of a young man coming from inside the giant knight. I found out later... That was the first official mission of the man now known as the Ashen Chevalier."
"Huh..." Fie was the first to break the silence, "So Rean saved you, but since he's also one of the symbols of the occupation. No wonder you've been such a mess since school started."
"Dunno if I'd say I've been a mess..." The Crossbellian protested feebly.
"I understand now." Came the soft voice of Altina, "Juna... You just want Instructor Rean to acknowledge you... I think I'm the same. When I accompanied him on his missions, I was tasked with monitoring and supporting him. But he treated me like a child, kept risking himself to protect me, and took on all the burdens himself. I felt so useless."
The Vander nodded his agreement, "We're no different, I think. I know I still have far to go, but I feel like what happened in Sutherland helped me grow, at least a little Juna, I believe this is your opportunity to grow."
"Instructor Rean left you a message. I'll play it now."
It only took a few seconds of pressing buttons before Altina completed her mission and Rean's voice filled the room, "Juna, the members of the Special Support Section are, without a doubt, heroes. I can't help but think each one of them are truly great people. Him included. But are you okay with simply looking up to them forever? Right now, they're trapped. Unable to protect their home.
"So who's going to be the one to protect Crossbell in their absence?"
Short, but effective. If Fie ever wanted to learn how to make a cheesy speech she would definitely turn to her teacher for advice, "Seriously... He's always so..." Juna trailed off angrily, "I know that already...! Does he really think I need to hear any of that crap from him!?"
Despite her words it was clear that Juna had regained some of her signature fire. Fie doubted her friend was truly alright – and probably wouldn't be until Crossbell was fixed – but she was also confident that the growing light in Juna's eyes ensured she wouldn't need to worry about her classmate anymore.
Class VII was fully assembled and it was time for them to kick Ouroboros out of Crossbell.
"Heehee. From the sound of it, we're ready to go now. We already have the location, so..."
"C'mon. We wasted enough time here. Let's get going already."
While her classmates seemed surprised at the door opening to grant entry to their eavesdroppers, Fie could only sigh tiredly. Naturally she had heard that Musse, Ash, and Juna's club mates had been listening in, and the news that the first two were going with them wasn't all that surprising after the last few instances. For some reason they seemed far too enthused by Class VII's suicidal actions.
Still didn't mean it wasn't gonna be a headache, though.
"We're not going anywhere until Juna's ready." She proclaimed, causing the interlopers to look at her with disappointment, "She stinks. She needs to get dressed. And she needs to go eat the breakfast Sandy made for her-"
"...I don't think I smell that badly?"
"Ash, why don't you go and pick a fight with a bear or something. Seems like something you'd do for fun. Musse, you and Kurt should play Vantage Masters while we wait. He's the best player in class."
"Seriously? A bear? What kind of freak do you take me for?"
"Huh? I don't think I'm that good-"
Fie ignored Ash's complaint and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder even as Musse began to giggle, "I believe in you. Defend Class VII's honor and all that."
Juna's laugh was a comforting sound. Fie had a feeling her friend would have enjoyed watching Kurt get demolished as much as Fie herself would.
"So do we got a plan or are we just gonna charge in there and bust some Ouroboros' skulls?" Ash asked as he followed the rest of Class VII and Egret out of Juna's room, having left the girl so she could stop making a fool of herself and get dressed.
"Normally I'd be all for that, but there's no way I wanna fight that McBurn guy without a plan. Not in the mood to be turned into a bonfire today."
Despite his bravado Ash couldn't help but shiver a little at Jaeger's reminder. There was something about that flame dude that sat wrong with him. Few things in life spooked the Raquel native, but McBurn was one of them. Still... "You're just afraid you'll get turned into a vegetable again, aren't you?"
"Actually, peppers are considered to be fruit."
Both he and Jaeger glanced at the Little Bunny in blank confusion, "Well, whatever. Fruit, vegetable, it don't matter. What matters is I bet the mean scary jaeger was freaking out when she found herself transformed."
"...I really wish Musse had been wrong when I shot at you, but I guess it's a mistake I can fix at anytime."
"That's enough, you two." Kurt interrupted, much to Ash's annoyance, "We're supposed to be on the same side, remember?"
"Can it, Pretty Boy. You gotta live a little while the instructors are gone, you know? Instead you're sounding more and more like Schwarzer by the day."
Surprisingly Fie nodded her head, "Yup. He's become a mini-Rean since Sutherland. It's kinda annoying."
"...I take it back. It is much less aggravating when you two are fighting and not agreeing with each other."
"Teehee." Ash rolled his eyes at Egret's stupidly fake laugh, "As entertaining as this has been, I do think we have a mission to accomplish, yes? Luckily for you all, I just so happen to have a solution in mind that may work out."
Of course she did. There was something so off about Egret that he couldn't believe someone that phony was allowed at the school to begin with. At least the others seemed to be looking at the mint-haired girl with suspicion, proving they weren't all complete idiots. "Well? Out with it."
"That would be spoiling the surprise, now wouldn't it?" Oh how he wanted to smack the smug off that girl, even if punching a girl when not in an actual fight wasn't his idea of a good time. Based on the growl from Jaeger it sounded like she would do it for him. Or at least that was the case until Musse continued, "I do believe we need to secure the assistance of Instructor Towa and Tita for my plan to work."
"Tita...?" Fie blinked, surprise on her face, "Well, alright. I have no idea what you're planning, but I'm willing to try it out, I guess."
Much to Ash's relief, Egret's command didn't send them around in circles, as both the engineer and the tiny teacher were both in the rear car with Schwarzer's machine. Six pairs of expectant eyes turned towards Musse as she was the one with the plan, causing the girl to giggle aloud before finally elaborating, "I do not suppose you've finished preparing that special shipment from Reinford, have you?"
"H-How did you know...?" A confused Herschel asked.
Tita too seemed just as shocked, but that girl recovered a little quicker, "H-Huh? I mean... Yes? It's ready, but we've only managed to equip one Drakkhen so far."
"How wonderful! That should be plenty of support for our dear Instructor."
"Alright. I'm sick of not knowing what's going on." Jaeger spoke up for all their sake, "What's this special shipment and how's it gonna help us help Rean?"
The special shipment, as Tita showed them, was an actual jet pack for the soldats. One that could be activated remotely, allowing it to almost instantly arrive at any location designated by a beacon that they were shown how to use, and the little bunny was given custody of.
Having that much firepower available to them at the press of a button? Hot damn!
"Which weapons should I prepare for it?" Towa asked.
A shame the only soldat they had set up was a Drakkhen and not the Hector. After Sutherland he wasn't gonna pilot on of those weak-ass machines again, especially against the psychopaths that made up Ouroboros. But he had a feeling these morons wouldn't have picked him to pilot it anyways.
"I believe there is only one acceptable answer to this." Pretty Boy confirmed Ash's thoughts with his words.
"Yep. This one belongs to Juna." Fie confirmed, before frowning heavily, "Calling dibs for the next crisis."
"Hell no!" He protested immediately, "You guys get to have all the fun! Next month will be my turn!"
Jaeger narrowed her eyes, "You aren't even a member of Class VII. Plus, didn't you already have your chance last month? I recall someone getting floored in one hit, leaving Kurt to save the day."
"Didn't count! None of you would have been prepared for that freaky aion showing up outta nowhere! Also, seriously? Class VII shouldn't get to be the only one fighting these assholes!"
"That's how it's always been, and that's how it's gonna keep being." She replied with a level voice, pissing him off further.
Egret let out one of her obnoxious giggles, "Maybe you'll both end up working together next time?"
"Hell no!"
"Nope."
"Can we just get a move on?" The only other guy in the group muttered with a shake of his head, "We still need to collect Juna before we can do anything."
The girl in question was back in the grub car, happily devouring bowl after bowl of porridge like it was going out of style. As her classmates approached Juna Ash stood back with raised eyebrows, "Damn, girl! Just 'cause I call you a Wild Filly doesn't mean you gotta eat like one. You even gonna be able to move with all that weight you're putting on?"
...Her only retort was to chuck an empty bowl at him.
Fie couldn't quite keep her amusement to herself as she watched Ash nurse the bump on his head, earning a scowl from the tall punk. Served him right. As much as she agreed with assessment that Juna was doing a hell of a job at eating all the food Sandy prepared, she at least had enough tact to keep her mouth silent.
...With Ash in their group that now made two people she considered to be even tactless than herself, with Juna coming close to that line, too. Either she was becoming a more tactful person or her class was just filled with idiots. Both thoughts were remarkably unsettling to the former jaeger.
"Are you listening, Fie?"
"Yup. Don't mind me."
Towa shot her a dubious look, but recomposed herself and continued with the impromptu briefing she and Randy was giving them before they could leave, "...As I was saying, Rean and his classmates left for Stargazer's Tower not that long ago. I assume you know the way, Juna?"
"Yeah. I've never been there myself, but it's pretty hard to miss." The native confirmed before turning her head towards the sitting students, "We just need to go south down the road for a bit until we reach a side path. That'll take us right to the tower."
"Glad it's not too far." Fie muttered in annoyance, "Why couldn't Rean leave us the bikes?"
"No shit." Getting agreement from Ash was never fun, but she wasn't surprised that he was just as big a fan of the bikes as she and Juna were. Too bad for him she had already called dibs on one of those vehicles.
"Eh. You kids need the exercise." Randy waved them off, earning multiple pairs of annoyed looks in the process, "Stargazer's Tower is a dangerous place, but if you get there quick enough you should be able to climb it without too much difficulty. Rean's crew will probably have taken care of most of the monsters by then."
The smaller of the two teachers stepped forward, "I don't think I need to tell you guys this, but you're mission is only to back up Rean and the others. Don't try and fight those enforcers directly!"
"Damn straight. Me and the SSS fought Campanella before. Selfie here ain't the only one in this room who's been turned into a pepper. And from what Rean's said that McBurn guy might be even worse." Randy let out a thoughtful hum, "If Rean's classmates are as good as he is they should be able to keep those Ouroboros guys occupied for a little while, at least. Try and take advantage of that."
In other words he wanted them to use a sneak attack. That suited Fie just perfectly, "Got it. We'll find our opening and drop the machine right onto their heads."
"Just make sure to be careful." Towa pleaded with a worried expression. One that briefly faded as she seemed to remember something, "Oh! And one last thing. Prince Olivert is assisting Rean's group at the moment, so don't be surprised when you find him there."
Erebonia's oldest prince was helping in the battle against Ouroboros? That was a surprise-
Fie blinked. That was a lie. If even half the stories she had heard about the Debaucherous Prince were true than it would have been a bigger surprise had he not forced his way onto Rean's party. By all accounts that guy just didn't know how to sit still, something which she could respect.
With that the group of six were dismissed. There was nothing left to stop them from going to the tower. They had a plan. They had a machine. They had permission.
And most importantly, they had Juna. The pink-haired girl came to a stop just after they exited camp, forcing them all to stop as well, "Hey, um... I just wanted to say..." The girl looked at her feet nervously for a moment before recomposing herself, "...I just wanted to say thank you. I know I haven't been the most reliable teammate these last couple days, but you've all stuck by me despite that. And now you're helping save Crossbell... I've always thought the worst about Erebonians, but you guys are all cool. So yeah... thanks."
"Of course. We're a team. It would feel wrong to do this without you."
Following Kurt was Altina, "Your thanks is irrelevant as I am sure you would have done the same for any of us." Despite the bland words there was the smallest of smiles on her face.
"Meh. I'm just here cause this is the best chance to kick some ass."
"Isn't this riveting? A battle to determine the fate of two countries! How exciting!"
Juna fixed her gaze onto Fie, as if expecting the former jaeger to have a better response than the lame ones offered by Ash and Musse. The lithe jaeger shrugged her shoulders, "Pretty sure I'm not Erebonian. Plus, if you wanna thank us then do so after we've won the battle. Don't think we'll care too much about you or Crossbell if we end up as grilled peppers."
With her piece said Fie began walking down the road towards Stargazer's Tower, quickly taking the lead on her comrades. There were two reasons for it. One was because they really should get a move on if they wanted to reach Rean in time.
But the second reason was because she didn't need the others to see her smile. Juna didn't need to thank her for fighting with her, because somehow these morons behind her had become so dear to her in such a short period of time. Risking her life for them felt... right.