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Legendary Witches Zero: Before the Liberation

Chapter 3: The Brave Witches

-Kye-
December 5th, 1952

"You flew all the way out to St. Petersburg in 1944?" Yoshika asked.

"My, that must have taken a while," Minna added.

"Well... You'll see. Let me continue!" I reprimanded them before moving on with my story.

June 25th, 1944

Maybe flying out here wasn't the best idea, I thought to myself as I approached the 502nd's base. Three and a half hours of nothing was boring as hell. I wonder what they'll think once they see me. I have only met Major Gundula Rall and Captain Aleksandra Pokryshkin, though they were still kids back then.

The base was finally in view. Just as I was about to call ahead on my intercom, I heard something first.

"Kanno, we have to work together!" That sounded like Pokryshkin. I also heard the sound of a Neuroi beam through the transmission.

Sounds like fun! I was able to sense the Neuroi from the base and darted off in its direction. They weren't too far from the base. It only took five minutes to get there. I waved at them as I approached. "Yo!"

Several of them turned around. Most of them said, "Who's that?" but it seemed that Rall and Pokryshkin did remember me.

"Lieutenant General Miyafuji? What are you doing here?" Pokryshkin asked.

"Deskwork is boring." I sighed. I peered past them, over to the Neuroi. "It looks like you guys are having fun, though."

"Is it safe for you to be here, Lieutenant General? You're age..."

"Ah, no need to worry about me, but you may want to watch out." I pointed at the Neuroi which was charging up a beam attack.

It was aimed at Pokryshkin, though she blocked it with her shield, albeit forced backwards a short distance. "Thanks for that."

"If you'll excuse us for a moment, we were just about to wrap things up here." Rall said.

"Kuro, Kari, let's give them a show."

"Of course, Master," Kari answered.

"Yes, Mistress," Kuro added.

I smirked as I swiftly drew Hikarimaru and launched a blast of magic at the Neuroi. It shattered into the usual white fragments.

"Whoa!" one of the others exclaimed. I recognized her from a photo, Flight Sergeant Katajainen. So this was the Second O'Hare.

"Flashy as always, Kye."

That voice! I spun around and saw her. "Edytha!" I flew up to and hugged her. I forgot she was in the 502nd. "It's been forever!"

"Indeed it has. I trust you've been well?"

"Yeah, that and aggravated at sitting behind a desk."

Edytha laughed lightly.

"So what brings the Golden Witch out here?" Rall asked.

"Oh, uh..." I laid my free hand on the back of my head. "I'm just here for a visit."

"I see," Rall said. "Mission accomplished, all units return to base."

I was sipping from a cup of green tea. I shifted my attention between the Suomus witch in the chair across from me and the scenery through the nearby window. The tea was beyond satisfactory. When I slurped the tea and made an "mmm" sound, I heard an excited gasp from one of the nearby witches.

I glanced around to find the excited witch and laid my eyes on a fellow witch of Fuso. "First Lieutenant Sadako Shimohara, I thought I recognized this taste."

"Yes, ma'am. It's my family's..."

"Oh, I know." I took another drink, placed the cup back on the saucer, and laid both down on the table. "I've had tea made by your mother as well. I must say she has taught you well."

"My mother?"

I nodded before turning my attention back to the Suomus witch. I spoke her name with a serious expression and tone. "Flight Sergeant Nikka Edvardine Katajainen."

"Y-yes, ma'am?" The girl was intimidated.

I could see a little sweat on her forehead. I had to let her have it.

"Kuro, come out and greet her."

Kuro quickly materialized and stood in front of Katajainen. The girl was so frightened that she didn't know what to do until Kuro licked her across the face.

I lightened my disposition and smiled at her before picking up my tea. "You remind me of an old friend." I took a quick sip. "Mmm."

"I... uh, I do?" She was no longer intimidated, but busy petting Kuro, who was still trying to lick her. "Hey, that tickles!"

I nodded at her as I took another sip of tea. "Okay, Kuro, that's enough. Katajainen, have you heard of Second Lieutenant Katharine O'Hare?" Kuro disappeared.

She puffed her cheeks slightly and muttered, "Eila calls me the Second coming of O'Hare."

"Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen of the 501st?"

Nikka nodded. "I've heard of O'Hare, but I don't know her."

"Kate is an old friend of mine. I met her in '39 when I accompanied Tomoko Anabuki to the Suomus Independent Volunteer Air Squadron. I stayed there for a short while, but I was already twenty one at the time, so the higher ups were skeptical of having me aboard. Nevertheless, I was there long enough to witness Kate earning her nickname Crasher O'Hare."

Pokryshkin sighed. "You must be here to discuss the striker units that have been destroyed."

"In a sense, you could say that." I finished my tea and laid the saucer and empty cup on the table. Shimohara started to refill it but I waved her off. "I've had plenty. You may find it hard to get rid of me if you let me have too much."

"Thank you for the compliment!" she said.

I smiled at her before gazing out the window again. "Churchill wanted me to come talk to Katajainen about the strikers. I know she's not the only one, but her destruction record is the highest here."

I noticed that even Rall braced herself for bad news. Only Edytha remained calm, being the only one that has an extensive past with me.

"Personally, I don't care how many strikers you destroy. I just wanted an excuse to get out from behind that godforsaken desk. I even got to destroy a Neuroi today! My first in months."

I heard Edytha suppressing a giggle as the others sighed a breath of relief.

"Oh, come on. You didn't really think I was gonna do something harsh did you? I'm not like those sticklers that enjoy being behind a desk." I allowed my body to glow in magic energy as my golden aura activated. "I hate it. I'd much rather be in a unit like all of you than be stuck in London pushing papers all day."

"That's Kye for you," Edytha said.

"You guys can relax. I'm a witch first. So what if you break a striker unit. That just means you gotta destroy a Neuroi to make up for it," I said as I shot a wink to Katajainen. "Maybe I'll stick around for a little while and shoot down a few with you. If you'll have me."

I looked around at the various witches and could tell immediately that they had accepted me.

"Welcome aboard," Rall said.

"I'll probably hang around until the middle of August. My daughter's birthday is September 1st, so I'll be going home to Fuso for that. Sound good?"

"If you'll be staying here with us until then, we'll need extra supplies," Pokryshkin said bluntly.

"No worries. While being a Lieutenant General may keep me behind a desk most of the time, there are perks. I can have supplies sent out here from London."

"That's good. We've been needing supplies," Rall said.

"Can you make out a list of supplies needed? I need to go back to London to get my personal belongings and do a few things. I can have a transport plane bring everything tomorrow."

"Yes, we'll get right on that."

"Can you have it ready in an hour? I want to get back to London before dark."

"Of course."

"Good," I said as I leaned back in my chair. Everyone started to leave, but I tugged on Edytha's arm and gestured for her to stay, and I wanted more tea. "Shimohara, before you go can I go ahead and get another cup, please? That sure is some good tea."

She nodded and refilled my cup.

"Thanks!"

I waited until Edytha and I were alone together. "So, Edy, do you want to take a little trip to Britannia with me? I'm going to visit the 501st base this evening. You could see Hartmann."

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really?"

"Mhm. I know you took a liking to Hartmann while you were her instructor, and I know how you like to see your students surpassing yourself. You could also catch up with Minna and Barkhorn while we're there."

"That was a long flight," Edytha said as she plopped down on a chair in Kye's office. "Your office is pretty nice."

"I complained until it was satisfactory," I said. "I don't like deskwork to begin with, so if I'm going to do it..."

"I don't blame you."

"I just need a few minutes to get these letters ready."

"Who are you writing to?"

"My niece and daughter in Fuso. Mio is going to Fuso, so I'm going to have her take these letters with her to mail for me."

I didn't add a message to Yoshika's letter, only two pictures. One of Ichiro standing in front of the sea, and another of him and Mio standing in front of the striker unit he developed. I only added a message in Rei's letter.

Rei,

I hope you and your grandma are well. I'm coming home in the middle of August to visit for your birthday. Be safe and I love you!

Mom

I folded the paper, stuck it into the envelope, sealed them both, and put them into my bag.

Edytha looked like she was about to nod off. "Hey, I'm done. Ready to go?"

"Yeah."

"I'm surprised you are here," Mio said bluntly. Kuro suddenly materialized and tackled her to the ground while ferociously licking her.

"Oh? Am I not welcome?" I asked with a light laugh. I was in Minna's office with her and Mio while Edytha was with Hartmann and Barkhorn. "How are things? I see the 501st is up to ten members now."

"Yes. Our most recent addition was a girl named Lynette Bishop. She's a rookie, but she has heart," Minna said.

"Good to hear."

"Dammit, Kuro!" Mio called out with Kuro still on top of her.

"It was nice of you to bring Flight Sergeant Roßmann for a visit," Minna said. "I haven't seen her in a long time."

"Edytha was Hartmann's instructor at one point, and you and Barkhorn have crossed paths with her as well. I figured it'd be a nice little reunion. You should go catch up with her, too."

"Yes. Before I go, do you want me to have the unit gather for introductions?"

"Nah, no need. I'll meet them later. This is a business visit for me."

"I see," Minna said just before she opened the door and left the office.

I walked over to the window where Mio and Kuro were now standing and gazed out with them. The view of the sea was amazing.

"So what brings you here? We just talked on the phone this morning," Mio asked.

"I have a favor to ask, since you're going to Fuso."

"Oh?"

I took the letters to Yoshika and Rei out of my bag and handed them to Mio. "Can you take these to a post office in Yokosuka? Since you're going, it'll be faster than sending them by mail from here."

"Sure."

"You know, it's not going to be easy to convince Yoshika to come here."

"I'm not expecting her to say yes right away, but I have a feeling she'll come around," Mio said.

"One of those letters is addressed to Yoshika. It might help."

"What's in it?"

I held my finger to my mouth. "It's a secret."

She gave me a light smile in return. "That's just like you."

"I wonder..." I muttered quietly as my mind trailed to my daughter. Would she make the choice to fight if she was old enough? Rei.

(A/N) For ranks, in Worldwide Liberation and Return, I strictly used the USAF officer ranking system and converted everyone's rank to that (except Lucchini, but whatever in her case). And I use RAF enlisted ranks.

Hikarimaru, aka Kari in human form, is a Homo Telum, which means "Human Weapon". The Homo Telum are largely referred to as "Legendary" weapons due to their great power. Homo Telum are immortal humans born with the ability to transform into weapons. Whenever they are bound to a master, they are rarely seen without their master and usually fight with their master wielding them in battle.

Edit (27-March-2014): Updated to account for a modification to the story so that Kye is retelling it after the events of Legendary Witches 2: Return.

Edit (17-May-2015): Chapter revised to match the upcoming overhaul of Worldwide Liberation.

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