Talking: Nice to meet you.

Whispering: That's wild.

Thinking: (What the hell is happening?)

---------------------------------------------------------

{Ginga's POV}

I could feel myself start to wake up...man...did everything that happened...happen? Or was it just a dream? It certainly felt real, and my amnesia is still here, unfortunately. I still didn't have the strength to open my eyes but I did feel the presence of two figures in front of me.

Male Voice: Weren't their coordinates sent out from the Space station?

Female Voice: Who cares? They're here and alive. Do they look like mannequins to you?

Are they speaking in plural? Then that means either Momotaros is still here, or Stelle is.

Male Voice: Weak heartbeat and pulse...March, you better do CPR.

...HUH?!...W-Wait a second!

Female Voice: Huh?! Hehe...I-I've never done it before! Dan Heng, you do it!

I could feel something approaching my face! I quickly forced my eyes open! I saw a black-haired man attempt to give me CPR, but the excited-sounding girl pushed him out of the way and got really close to me!...oh man my face is getting hot...

Female Voice: Wait–Stop it! He's awake!

{3rd Person POV}

Ginga held his scarf over his face to cover up his blush. Just as he did this, he felt the movements of a certain silver-haired girl right beside him as she stirred awake.

Stelle: Ngh...Man, what a headache...

Ginga: S-Stelle!...You're still here. (That's good at least, but, where is Momo-)

His train of thought was interrupted when sand began to fall from his pockets and take the shape of the loud Oni we all know and love. Stelle saw him and rubbed her temples in annoyance.

Momotaros: You're awake! Finally!

Stelle: Oh for the love of the Aeons...

Ginga: Y-You're still here!?

Momotaros: Why are you so surprised you jerk!? You thought I was just gonna leave my partner behind all willy-nilly?!

???: Uh excuse me?

The three of them turned to look at the pink-haired girl who was staring at Momotaros with wide eyes. Even wider than before, which is surprising.

Pink Hair: What's that thing?!

Momotaros: Don't call me a thing you jerk!

The pink/blue-eyed girl was about to retort but the taller guy beside her placed a hand on her shoulder to interrupt.

Black Hair: Enough, can you three remember anything? Your names perhaps?

Stelle: Yeah sure. The name's Stelle.

Momotaros: Call me Momotaros! No more "that thing" ya hear me?!

The two strangers turned to the long-haired boy, the black-haired one raised an eyebrow and the pink-haired one tilted her head cutely. Ginga was slightly startled by the attention and stammered out his response.

Ginga: Uh G-Ginga!...My name is Ginga...

Dan Heng: I see, nice to meet you. My name is Dan Heng.

【☯Dan Heng☯】
[Path: The Hunt]

March 7th: It's great to see that you two–or I guess three are ok! My name is Marth 7th by the way!

【📸March 7th📸】
[Path: Preservation]

Momotaros: (The hell kinda name is March 7th?)

Dan Heng: This space station was just attacked by The Antimatter Legion. We came to help with the rescue at the request of Lead Researcher Asta.

Stelle was being bombarded with way too many proper nouns. She just woke up for god's sake. She put her hand up to stop Dan Heng from talking.

Stelle: Pause. The Antimatter Legion?

March 7th: Goons owned by the Destruction. You're lucky the most dangerous Lord Ravager among them isn't around, just some nasty minions. We'll take those invaders out soon, don't worry.

Momotaros: Meh! I can take them all on no problem!

Stelle: I doubt that.

Momotaros: Huh?! What did you just say?!

Stelle: If we were to actually fight, I would probably end up doing most of the work. Plus Ginga would help out.

Ginga remained silent at the comment, feeling a pang of guilt sting his chest. He knew that he wouldn't live up to Stelle's expectations...hell even Kafka's expectations. He spoke up and attempted to deflect the topic away from himself.

Ginga: Um, who is this "Lead Researcher Asta"?

The pink-haired girl raised an eyebrow at his question. She tilted her head (adorably, mind you) in confusion.

March 7th: Uh-huh, a petite cutie with pink hair. Madam Herta appointed her to be the acting lead researcher. Hm! That girl really needs to step up. I can't believe her own employee doesn't even know her name...

Stelle: (So they think we work here?...) Where do we go now?

Dan Heng: Back to the master control zone. Asta and the other researchers have gathered there.

March 7th: Plus that's where we parked the Astral Express! Don't you worry, we'll protect you from the monsters and clear up this mess.

Stelle couldn't help but scoff a little in her mind.

Stelle: (Pshh! It's not like we really need protection but alright...) And who are you guys exactly?

Ginga was taken aback by her blunt comment. He wasn't expecting her to be so straightforward. To his surprise, neither Dan Heng nor March 7th seemed bothered by this at all. That was nice at least.

March 7th: Dan Heng and I are members of the Astral Express crew~

Dan Heng: Well the Express has some dealings with Madam Herta, so we come to visit the space station from time to time.

March 7th: We just so happened to arrive during this... invasion. Of course, as a — ahem — crew of heroes, we're happy to lend a hand.

The black-haired boy smiled warmly after she said that. "Crew of heroes". If he was going to be rescued by anybody, he was glad it was by seemingly kind-hearted people. March 7th's bright smile was really reassuring.

Momotaros: What are we waiting for then? Let's get goin'!

Dan Heng: You three and March go back together. Arlan from the security department lost contact in the vicinity. I need to find him first.

March 7th: Oh, all right. You stay safe.

The silent man nodded before turning to walk away.

March 7th: You guys don't worry! You're safe as long as you stick with me!

Ginga smiled once more. He didn't know what kind of effect her cheerfulness had on him but her bright smile was highly infectious, that much he knew.

The group began their journey through the metal hallways of the space station to reach the master control zone.

Ginga: Stelle, don't you think we should tell March that we don't work for the station?

The silver-haired girl raised an eyebrow with an amused expression.

Stelle: No, why would we? She's helping us. Or what, do you want us to traverse this place alone without a guide?

She nudged him on the shoulder playfully. They walked through a hallway that displayed multiple valuable-looking artifacts, but it was clear some were missing and some were outright destroyed.

March 7th: This place is full of fancy little gadgets — Herta's collection. I really don't get why she'd go out of her way to collect them and then leave them here to gather dust...

Momotaros: So you're telling me she has all these strong-looking doohickeys and just hoards them here?! Ginga you can't tell me this isn't weird?

Ginga: M-Maybe she just likes collecting this stuff?

Stelle: If she has so many things collecting dust I'm sure she won't mind if I "borrow" something.

She chuckled to herself as she approached a black and gold object on the ground. She picked it up and inspected it with a small grin on her face.

【🌟Galactic Bat🌟】

Ginga: U-Um are you sure you should be taking that without permission?

Stelle turned to the black-haired boy. He looked so cute when nervous. She chuckled softly, twirled the bat around her hand, rested it comfortably on her shoulder, and then it dispersed into twinkling light particles.

Stelle: C'mon, we're gonna be facing some tough opponents out there. Don't you want me to have something to protect myself with?

Ginga: Yes!... I-I guess that's true but...

She patted him on the shoulder.

Stelle: Don't worry about it. If it means keeping us safe I'll do whatever it takes. Plus...

Ginga saw a small glint of enjoyment in the amnesiac tomboy's gaze. Her yellow eyes glowed for a second and he was sure he saw the immensely powerful stellaron he witnessed once before in the depths of her mesmerizing golden orbs.

"🌟...Rules are made to be broken...🌟"

The plain-looking male smiled ever so slightly with a bead of sweat forming on his face. He couldn't really argue with her sound logic. It's not like this Herta was going to mind missing only ONE item from her collection right? Momotaros grinned as he looked up at the silver-haired girl.

Momotaros: Now you're speaking my language!

March 7th: Enough dilly-dallying, we gotta go.

The group walked together and past a few doors until they reached a long corridor. In the distance, they saw a Baryon, a floating sphere of antimatter energy surrounded by solid metal armor. It was accompanied by two Reavers as well.

March 7th: Ah, it's the Antimatter Legion! So these crazy jerks made it all the way here...Watch this! My...

The pink-haired girl summoned a large bow to her hand. It was made entirely from a durable yet light metal alloy and was almost as tall as her. 

She pulled back on the string and a glowing ice arrow formed from her fingers as she aimed up with a bright smile, eager to show off.

"[📸Freezing Beauty📸]"

She let go of the string! It flew through the air at high speed before shattering into a rain of smaller arrows that pierced the Voidrangers from above! The ice-cold projectiles pierced their bodies and a thick layer of frost encased them completely.

The black-haired boy stared in amazement at the immobilized soldiers, his eyes as wide as black holes.

Ginga: Woah...that was so...woah...

March 7th's smile seemed to get wider and brighter when she saw just how impressed he was by her technique. Her large multicolored eyes even sparkled at the praise. Stelle pouted in jealousy when she saw his amazed expression and snapped her fingers in front of his face.

*Snap Snap*

Stelle: Hey hey! If you want impressive, check me out!

The silver-haired trailblazer rushed forward and threw her bat right at the Baryon! It bounced off high into the air and she jumped after it, catching it with both hands and delivering a–

*CRUUUUSH*

–Falling strike to the frozen sphere right as she landed! She had an almost unnoticeable smile on her face when she turned to the other two distorters. She twirled the bat around her hand as she playfully walked past them. She then pivoted on one foot, holding her bat in one hand and swinging to the side!

"[🌟R.I.P Home Run!🌟]"

*CLA–CLANG*

The metal weapon collided with the two frozen Reavers. Helpless to her powerful blows! The ice encasing them shattered into a million pieces, followed by their bodies imploding into two black holes.

Her stoic eyes gleamed with satisfaction the second she turned to look at Ginga. His shocked look was all she needed to let go of her previous jealousy.

Stelle: Told ya.

Although, somebody was indeed very annoyed. The sandy ghost huffed as he looked up at the black-haired boy.

Momotaros: Oi! Why didn't we get in on the fun you jerk?! You're seriously just gonna stand and watch?!

March 7th: Hey we put up a really good show though! You can't really complain after seeing that! Hehehe!

Momotaros: I wanted to be in the show, not watch it you calendar jerk!

The bow wielder blinked and recoiled at his words.

March 7th: C-C-C-Calendar?! What kinda nickname is that Momo!?

The ghost blinked and recoiled at her words.

Momotaros: M-M-M-Momo?! What kinda nickname is that?! It doesn't fit a guy as badass as me!

Stelle then chimed in, her hand covering yet another barely noticeable, playful smile.

Stelle: Hm I dunno...I kinda like it. Momotaros is a bit of a mouthful.

The Singularity Point couldn't help but snicker silently at the interaction. His shoulders hung loose now, no longer as stiff as before. This was much like Stelle, actually. The one difference was that she was as relaxed as he was right now from the very beginning.

She didn't care what people thought of her. She didn't care what she said as long as she believed in what she said. It was honestly admirable. However, he was a little nervous of her being so capable. What if he underwhelmed her? He was certain he didn't live up to her expectations, or anyone's for that matter...

He was snapped out of his thoughts by the high-pitched voice of the group's photographer.

March 7th: I know we're in space, but don't space out like that! *Giggle* C'mon, the master control zone shouldn't be too far.

He felt his cheeks heat up due to the close proximity.

Ginga: R-Right!

The group continued to walk through the hallways of the space station. Stelle was certain March 7th would eventually catch on to the fact that they were not space station employees. She was sure the other woman, Dan Heng, knew from the get-go.

When the golden-eyed girl looked at March 7th she didn't see the...brightest tool in the shed. When she looked into her eyes she saw two brain cells, that were fighting for third place...

She chuckled a little at her own joke before looking forward yet again. She saw what appeared to be an elevator, but surrounding it were unnatural black tendrils with golden vein-like lines running along them.

March 7th: So we'll take that elevator on the central platform to go down to the master control zone. Do you know the way?

Ginga flinched ever so slightly. An almost unnoticeable movement. His eyes widened for a split second before attempting to calm back down. Despite wanting to reply, he remained silent. He didn't want to be caught lying.

Momotaros: How the hell are we supposed to know?

The bow-wielder raised an eyebrow in response.

March 7th: Um, I notice that you're not wearing the space station staff uniform. Do you really work here?

Ginga gave Stelle a knowing glance, and the girl with golden eyes nodded in response. He nodded back.

Stelle: We don't remember.

March 7th's eyes widened for a second. She was blatant with her emotions and didn't hold a good poker face. It was clear she was moved by Stelle's words. To be fair. She wasn't entirely lying. She truly didn't remember a thing aside from her name. Ginga didn't remember a thing either. Neither did Momotaros.

March 7th: ...Never mind. I won't ask if you don't wanna talk about it...

She put up a smile

March 7th: Let's go, I'll take you to the safe zone~

Before she turned around to guide the three "space station workers" she gave them one last look, particularly Ginga. Once she turned her back to them she looked down and held her hand up to her chest.

"📸(So they're just like me...)📸"

They walked down the pathways of the space station. They were suspended above a deep chasm surrounding the large elevator cylinder. The fact that the bottom couldn't even be seen was a testament to just how gigantic the space station truly was.

Stelle: Look. Is that another of those Antimatter guys?

She pointed at a Distorter, floating in the distance.

March 7th: Yeah...Seems we'll have to fight. There are no other alternative routes.

Momotaros beamed at her words, which earned him a look of confusion from the pink-haired girl.

Momotaros: Finally! Some action! I have been itching for a fight!

The red ghost threw his hands up in the air and turned to the boy with black eyes.

Momotaros: Come on Ginga! Let me take over!

He looked down at the ground. He was nervous at the prospect of fighting again...but it's not like he was the one actually in the heat of battle. Additionally...he wanted to make himself useful. He was determined to be of some use. With a look of nervous resolve, he looked down at Momotaros and nodded.

"🍑Finally!!🍑"

The ghost's sandy