The flames of the final battle with Tenma were still smoldering in Neo-Tokyo’s collective memory when Yuto returned to the hangar. Crowds gathered outside Shiratori Academy, cheering for the squad that had brought the League to its knees and toppled Black Nova’s rebellion.
But victory tasted bitter on Yuto’s tongue.
The city’s skies were finally free — yet everywhere, pilots were fighting over airspace, merchants were arguing over trade routes, and scavengers were stripping old League towers for profit.
Without a clear protector, chaos would swallow everything Kaede had died to free.
Coach Amano met the team with grave eyes. “It isn’t over,” he warned. “The world will rush to claim what you just liberated.”
---
A Global Ripple
News feeds exploded with rumors:
New leagues forming in Europe and South America.
Mercenary pilots claiming territories in the western corridor.
Military drone projects resuming in the shadows.
Jun watched the data scroll across the monitor. “They’re moving fast. Like sharks smelling blood.”
Sora slammed the screen off. “Didn’t we end this?!”
Yuto sighed. “We ended their control. But freedom always comes with risk.”
---
A New Mission
That night, Yuto couldn’t sleep. He stood on the roof of the hangar, wind in his face, stars bright overhead.
Valkyrie appeared beside him, silent as ever, her mechanical eyes glowing faintly.
“You think Kaede would approve?” she asked.
Yuto closed his eyes. “Kaede believed in giving people choices. That’s what scares them now.”
“Then what will you do?”
He turned, fire rekindled in his gaze. “We protect that choice. We make sure no one else takes it away.”
---
Rise of the Phoenix Squadron
By dawn, Yuto had made his decision.
The Shiratori Defense Wing would transform into something bigger: Phoenix Squadron, a volunteer force dedicated to keeping the skies safe from warlords and profiteers.
They would teach free pilots to fly responsibly. They would intervene if a new League tried to take over.
Sora grinned. “Phoenix Squadron? Has a nice ring.”
Jun nodded. “And it honors Kaede.”
Riku clapped his brother’s shoulder. “Count me in.”
---
The Threat Renewed
But even as they trained new recruits, rumors spread of a new, shadowy organization surfacing beyond the Pacific.
Valkyrie shared intercepted chatter:
> “Project Thanatos is real. They’re bringing back the ultimate override system. And they’ll burn everything that resists.”
Coach Amano slammed his fist on the desk. “Thanatos? That was a League prototype so dangerous they mothballed it!”
Sora’s hands shook. “They could mind-hack pilots even harder than Skybreaker.”
Yuto’s jaw tightened. “Then that’s our final fight.”
---
Countdown to War
As weeks passed, the Phoenix Squadron grew.
They trained day and night — perfecting intercept maneuvers, rescue drills, and stealth infiltration.
Every glider was upgraded, reinforced, tuned to perfection.
Valkyrie served as their ghost network, warning of Thanatos’ signals.
One by one, other pilots rallied behind them, wanting to protect freedom with their own wings.
Yuto felt Kaede’s spirit in every new recruit’s eyes — kids who’d once dreamed of flying, now defending that dream.
---
The Challenge Issued
Then it came — a public broadcast hijacking the entire city’s feed.
A calm, emotionless voice echoed through the screens:
> “Phoenix Squadron. You think you hold the sky. You are mistaken. Thanatos will bring you to your knees.”
A symbol appeared: a stylized skull with wings, flickering like a virus across every digital billboard.
> “Face us, or see your cities burn.”
The message ended, replaced by static.
Yuto looked at his team.
“This is it,” he said. “The final horizon.”
---
Ready to Rise
In the hangar, the team made their final checks.
Sora calibrated the shield breakers.
Riku stocked emergency comm repeaters.
Jun oversaw infiltration codes.
Coach Amano stepped forward, his voice fierce. “No League, no tyrant, no monster is taking these skies again. Understood?”
“UNDERSTOOD!” the pilots roared.
Yuto took one last look at the White Comet, battle-scarred yet beautiful.
“Next time,” he whispered, “we end this for good.”
End of Chapter 14
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