VALKYRIE SMASH

Two days before the Primordial's arrival. Sam decided that it would be the most optimal date for the award ceremony. After doing some checkups he boarded an aircraft and headed for the settlement where it'll take place.

Accompanying him were Elina as well as his Personal Valkyries and a few others. Most of them were visiting a human settlement for the first time so they seemed quite nervous the entire time.

"So, how do I look?" He asked.

"Maybe you should wear it more often." Elina commented, already taking photos with her phone.

"You look absolutely amazing, Doctor!" Nine's sapphire blue eyes sparkled as she complimented his appearance.

With only a couple of hours left before they reached their destination, Sam changed into his full dress uniform. The black suit was far from his favorite as he couldn't wear his lab coat with it, however it was necessary for such a public event.

To the Valkyries seeing it for the first time he looked like a completely different person. His sharp appearance gave him an air of strength and confidence making him seem worthy of the position he held. Compared to his usual appearance, it finally began to feel like he was their leader.

"Just go change already." Came Zero Three's voice. "We don't have much time left."

The young Valkyrie came out of the changing room a couple of seconds after Sam. For the special occasion the girls had a different kind of uniform, though just like the one they were used to it was made to resemble a school uniform with the addition of a hat and a shoulder cape.

"It suits you very well, Three."

Sam's compliment caused her cheeks to flush, however she kept her composure, grabbing the hem of her skirt and spreading it to the side.

"It does look good, but... our usual uniforms are more comfortable."

"You think?" Zero Five said, her usually stoic expression giving in to a slight frown.

Unlike the young Valkyrie her uniform had a more mature look with a knee length miniskirt coupled with dark stockings. The tight skirt didn't allow for a wide range of movement which seemed to be what was bothering her.

"I believe this style is more appropriate for you, Five." Sam said. "You look quite beautiful."

Wolf was the one who did the designing for both styles using the artistic skills he developed in his weeb days, as a result one couldn't shake the feeling that they were nothing more than a cosplay. Those meant for the older looking Valkyries focused more on maturity making them close to the uniforms worn by normal female soldiers. As for the ones made for the younger Valkyries cuteness was the main factor although they still came through as proper formal wear.

"A~~~~~h! Three-tan! You look so adorable!!!"

Melissa was already on the move using her phone to photograph Three's new appearance from every possible angle.

"Please look this way!" She said.

"Eh?" Though she was confused, the young Valkyrie did as was told.

"Hold your cap with your left hand!"

"L-like this?"

"So cute!!! Now, let's go for a cooler pose!" The female soldier went down on her knees trying to go for a lower angle. "Put your hands on your hips and look at me like I'm the lowest trash you have ever seen in your life!"

"W-wha-?"

"You mean like this?"

Miku appeared next, pushing the confused Three aside and taking her place. She glared down with eyes so cold the temperature in the room dropped a few degrees, but that only seemed to get Melisa even more excited.

"Twin-tails!!!" She exclaimed, groveling on the ground while snapping more photos. "Blue eyes and blond twin-tails." She then came to a sudden stop and turned to Sam with a serious gaze. "A tsundere?"

Sam let out a sigh and smiled wryly.

"A kuudere, or so I thought at first."

Miku changed quite a bit from back when he first met her. She used to be quiet and expressionless, which was one of the reasons her actions caught him off guard back then, other than a Valkyrie he didn't know sneaking into his room, of course. Now that the restraints placed on her emotions were removed she seemed to become more talkative, unafraid to show how she truly feels in front of others.

"A kuudere, huh? That's good as well!"

As Melissa continued snapping photos Sam noticed the petite blond looking his way.

"As I thought, you look much cuter in this hairstyle." He said. "And the uniform looks good on you."

Miku's eyes widened a little, but that was the extent of her reaction.

"Thank you, Doctor." She said, doing her best to smile.

Sam wasn't the only one who noticed that something was up as even Melissa stopped what she was doing, but before he could ask the conversation moved on with Miku walking over to Ichigo who had just walked out of the changing room.

"B3's condition seems to have affected her the most." Said Zero Three. "She thinks Atropos got off easily."

"..."

Sam was well aware; after all the blond one wasn't afraid to tell him how she felt about the Olympian. There was nothing he could do about it at the moment, but he vowed to do his best to cheer her up once things settled down.

'A date would be nice...' he thought to himself.

~[ ]~

One of the things the Resistance insisted on was not giving names to any of the human settlements. It was their way of declaring that they would reclaim the lost human territories and rebuild the destroyed cities, though that was nothing more than an empty promise until the Valkyries arrived.

Settlement Number 01, as the name suggests, was the first to be established after the calamities attacked. It started as a refugee camp for the survivors of the initial attacks, but then it kept growing as more people flocked to it over time.

Now that a decade has passed it has turned into one big city, complete with skyscrapers and a booming economy that makes one doubt it was born out of the apocalypse. Being close to the old Resistance headquarters helped as well, though many might think otherwise after Hela's attack.

The award ceremony would take place in an airport right outside the city. A number of prominent personalities were invited to the event in addition to those being awarded and their families.

As soon as the aircraft's shutters opened a crowd of reporters welcomed the guests from the forty sixth base. Though the Valkyries might've been the main subject of interest for them, others were looking forward to finally seeing the man who led them to their victory against the Calamities and Nephilim.

Sam walked at the head of the group followed by Five and CS then the rest of the Valkyries. Him being the only male in the group might've looked normal back home, but to most people it made for quite the peculiar sight.

Nathaniel Carter was there to welcome them personally. Sam stopped to shake his hand in front of the cameras while the Valkyries stepped aside, and once that was done the two stood side by side and faced the aircraft once more.

The whole airport went silent as everyone held their breaths. Not long after a group of women stepped out into the light. Their otherworldliness caused them to be mistaken for the same goddesses that walked the same path not long ago, however the difference in their attire showed that they had nothing to do with the previous group. There were only five of them, four of whom surrounded the one walking at the center.

The humans were stunned for several seconds before quickly coming back to their senses. The crimson haired queen was able to captivate many hearts with her first appearance.

Her attendance caused quite an uproar when it was first announced. Though the public knows about the peace negotiations they still found it questionable to invite the enemy leader to such an event. There was some opposition as well with threats of violence being made, but Sam had no intention of allowing the smallest disruption so he made sure to warn the Generals to ensure nothing unplanned happened.

"It is quite fortunate that we get to meet again, your highness."

Nathaniel spoke, bowing respectfully in front of the queen who wore a polite smile as she returned the greeting.

"General Carter, it warms my heart that you decided to extend this invitation to my people."

The old man struggled to keep on his mask knowing he couldn't let it slip for a moment. The one who made the decision to invite the Nephilim was none other than the Doctor, though it was made to appear as if was something the Council came up with. He was among those who opposed the idea, however he chose to keep it to himself knowing it was pointless to complain.

"We have quite the busy day ahead of us." Sam said with a smile. "Let us make our way to the venue."