Brock: Alright, hey guys, Brock or Moo Snuckel here, and welcome to the second-to-last episode/chapter of Strike Wizards.
Man, did things escalate quickly in the last episode, but I'm sure pumped to see what happens next. Right, guys?
ALL: Yeah!
Hell yeah!
Let's go!
Lynette: Tony, you all set?
Tony: Yep, I'm all set. There doesn't seem to be any responses from last episode so, before we start, does anyone have a word to say?
Mio: We're all good to go, Kurosaki.
Tony: Alright then, I guess there isn't really much else to say, so let's get right to it.
PROLOGUE
~501st Joint Fighter Wing Base, Runway, 9:10 A.M.~
The witches and wizards stood still as they saw the unknown mecha unit land behind Maloney. "Nicely done, Commanders Minna and Will." He commended them. "Trevor Maloney, I knew you were to be expected to arrive here in such an untimely manner for us wizards and witches." Will said. "Well, thank you for waiting for me to arrive at such short notice, Commander Allen." He sarcastically replied. "I guess you're in charge, right? General Maloney." Minna spoke.
"Yes, I am. Here's a copy of the official transport order. So, Commander Minna, Will. As of now, this base is under the direct command of the 1st Strategic Airborne Assault Team. That's a mouthful to say, so we refer it to as Warlock." Maloney informed. "Warlock?" Minna asked. "So that thing over there was the secret plans you've been hiding from us, is it?" Tony inquired. "Hmm, quite the detective you have there, Commander Will." He taunts at them, as they scoff in response. The other wizards and witches were escorted outside to hear whatever Maloney had to report to them.
"Now that I have all the Witches and Wizards present, am I addressing Sergeants Yoshika Miyafuji and Kona Shinkawa." Maloney spoke. "Sir..." Kona and Yoshika respond as he approached them. "You two left the base in breach of military regulations. Isn't that right?" He spoke with them as they remember what they did earlier that morning. "Oh no..." "Son of a bitch..." Yoshika and Kona react in guilt as Maloney only smiles in confirmation. They soon remember what the Neuroi had showed them, regarding the Warlock behind him.
"Urrgh! That mecha unit!" Kona spoke. "Hmph. Are you referring to the Warlock?" Maloney asks him. "Yes, We've seen it. It was there in a lab in some research facilty with a Neuroi core beside it." Kona explained. Maloney cringes, thinking that some info might have been leaked from him. "You don't know what you're talking about!" He shouted. "Of course I do! The Neuroi was the one who gave us this information!" Kona argued. "Answer my question now. You both deserted your squad. Correct?" He interrogated.
"Yes, sir... But we..." Kona tries to confess, but couldn't think of anything else to say. "And you two. I issued you both orders to shoot these deserters down the moment you made contact." Maloney said, now speaking with Will and Minna. "Yes, but sir-!" Minna tries to explain, but soon gets interrupted. "Junior officers flying military hardware in violation of house arrest, senior officers disobeying shoot to kill orders from a general. The break down in the chain of command is clear. At times like this, I am left with no other options to preserve military order. Commander Minna, Will Allen, be advised. The 501st Joint Fighter Wing has been dissolved. The Strike Witches and Strike Wizards are officially disbanded." Maloney announced. "WHAT?!" "NO!" "ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" "YOU'RE SHITTING ME!" The wizards and witches react appallingly.
"You witches have each been reassigned back to your home country's main unit. And you wizards are ordered to follow back with them. That is all. Is that understood, Commander Minna?" Maloney spoke. "Understood, sir." Minna responded, reluctantly. "Commander Will Allen, do you understand?" Maloney asks him next. Will stays silent as he puts his head down in distress. "Well, your response?" He asks him again. "You... You..." He muttered as he clenched his fists. "You BLOODY BASTARD!" Will screams as he quickly flies close to Maloney and punches his face right in front of everyone.
Everything felt slower than usual as the wizards and witches gasp in shock and witness Will break down on Maloney. He falls to the ground as he winced in pain from the punch he was given. He opens his eyes to find whoever hit him, to which he saw Will hovering over him. "Grr! SOLDIERS! RETURN FIRE!" Maloney demanded. "Everyone! GET DOWN!" "TAKE COVER!" "DOWN ON THE GROUND!" The wizards shout to the witches as they duck and cover. The wizards quickly pulls up their shields as the soldiers fire at will, directly at them.
Will, in the middle of all the chaos, grabs his Air Strike and fires at a tree nearby, distracting everyone. "CEASE FIRE!" Will demanded. The soldier then aimed over at Will as he approached Maloney. "General Maloney. No. Trevor. Order your men to put their weapons down or I'll have no choice but to order my wizards to retaliate." He threatened him as the wizards pulled out their guns and aimed over to the soldiers who startled in fear, considering the bigger firepower they have. Maloney cringes in anger as he seems to be getting overpowered by this wizard.
"Hold your fire, soldiers!" Maloney ordered as the soldiers react accordingly and holster their guns. Will backed away as Maloney got up. "*pants* As I was saying... Do you understand, Will Allen?" He asks once more. "Considering how much you've driven me to do that to you, I don't think so." Will responded. "Hah. No matter. You Strike Wizards and Witches are all relieved of your duties here in this base. And there isn't anything you can do to change that." Maloney repeated. 'No... The Witches and Wizards are disbanded...' 'This can't be happening... This can't be happening... No...!' Kona and Yoshika thought in guilt.
"Your unauthorized actions were the cause of all this, Sergeants Shinkawa and Miyafuji." Maloney told them. "But I... I... I just..." Yoshika stammered. "You delusional idiots! You don't know anything about the power that Neuroi core has! You'll all pay the price of destruction that core will cause!" Kona shouted at him. "No need to worry. We'll be fine. The Warlock has been designed to completely annihilate the Neuroi. Britannia no longer needs the protection of Witches and Wizards." Maloney responds to his cry, causing him to growl in anger, but also makes Yoshika faint in distraught.
"*gasps* YOSHIKA! What's wrong!? Can you hear me?! Please, answer me!" Kona cried as he tried to get Yoshika back up. "Well now, it seems that her little heart couldn't handle the pressure I've given her." Maloney said. "Grr! Mark my words, you and this Warlock project can go to hell! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, TREVOR MALONEY!" Kona screamed.
Opening Theme: Tiësto ft. Fred Falke & Elan Lea - Calling On Angels
Episode 10: Take to the Air...
Yoshika and the witches were flying in formation together along with the wizards, whom were flying above them. Yoshika turns to look at the others, only to find that they've disappeared. "Huh?! Hey, guys! Where are the-? *gasps*" She spoke as she soon looked up to find that the wizards were nowhere to be found either. "Hey. Where is everyone? Where'd you all go?" Yoshika spoke, when soon, everything starts to blind in brightness. "Yoshika." "Yoshika!" She heard people calling to her.
~Kona and Yoshika's Room, 9:40 A.M.~
Yoshika heavily breathed and when she came to, she opens her eyes to find Kona right on top of her. "Ah... Yoshika! You're alright! I was so worried..." Kona spoke as he hugged her down. "Kona..." She spoke as she hugged back. Yoshika then looks around to find all the witches/wizards around her by the bed. "Hey guys... What's up?" She quietly spoke. "You collapsed on the runaway after we heard." Lynne told her. "It's probably the combination of shock and fatigue that caused you to pass out." Minna said.
She then gets up as Kona lets go of her. "No!" She spoke. "Yoshika, what is it? Is it, about that Warlock unit we saw earlier?" Kona asked. "Yeah... There is just something that isn't right about that thing..." She told everyone. "Hey, I bet if we all just looked into it..." Yoshika says before she notices suitcases on the floor and that the wizards were wearing their pants and had their backpacks on them. "Ah... You guys are, wearing your pants..." She says to the wizards. "Yeah... Yoshika. About that plan you were going to bring up..." Tony spoke to her.
"What's going on guys? Why do you all have your suitcases and backpacks?" Yoshika asked. "I don't think you've heard that well, but, Yoshika. The witches are out of the job. And so are us wizards. Even though we're not from this world, we're still not allowed to interfere with military orders, which is for the witches to head home. All we wizards can do is just follow back with them." Kona explained. "So then the Witches and Wizards really are disbanded? It's true?" Yoshika asks. "*sighs* I'm afraid so..." Kona confirms in regret as he looked down.
"Then... It's both our faults...! We're sorry...!" Yoshika apologizes as she hugs Kona and starts to cry. "Ah...! No, Yoshika! It isn't your's or Kona's fault! Please don't cry." Brock tells her as he and Lynne started forming tears as well. "I'm so sorry. I should never come. I'm so stupid...!" She cried out as she trembled in her grasp on Kona. "Yoshika, don't say that. You aren't stupid. It's all our faults. Remember?" Tony says to try and make her feel better. "Cheer up. It'll be fine!" Francesca says, trying to be positive.
"Francesca, don't you know what just happened? We just got kicked out of the front lines! How is it going to be fine, huh?!" Lui shouted at her, making her startle. "Ah...! I'm sorry for yelling. Forgive me." Lui apologizes, realizing the tone of his voice. "I know, Lui. I was only trying to make things better." She assures him. "I'm sorry... It's all our fault..." Yoshika spoke as she sobbed onto Kona. "Guys..." Kona spoke to everyone as he comforted Yoshika. "Yes, Shinkawa?" Minna responds. "I think, Yoshika and I need a moment." He told them.
"Would you guys be as kind as to wait outside until we're done?" He asks them. "Certainly. We understand, right everyone?" Will spoke as he turned to everyone else. "Yes." They reply as they nod. Everyone then walks to the door and head outside, leaving Kona and Yoshika by themselves in the room. "Yoshika...? Are you okay?" Kona asked as Yoshika was still crying. "Kona... I don't wanna believe this. I don't wanna believe this is happening..." She quivered.
"I don't want to believe it either, Yoshika. I don't. But, there's nothing we can do to change it now... All I can do is just, follow back home with you, I guess." Kona responded. Yoshika holds back her tears as she tries to tell Kona something. "Kona..." She says to him. "Y-Yoshika?" Kona responds. "I take back what I said about why I shouldn't have come here." Yoshika tells him. "What for?" He asks. "I realize that if I had never came here with Major Sakamoto, then... I wouldn't have met any of the witches and the wizards! Especially you, Kona!" She confessed.
"Me?" Kona asks as she nods. "Ever since we met, everyone was there for me when I needed help. But no one had ever stayed by my side for any longer than Brock, Lynne and you, Kona." Yoshika said. "Yoshika..." Kona spoke. "And on my birthday, when you gave me that present, I just... I never thought you would care about me so much. So Kona, I want to be honest with you. I felt really warm inside when we had our first kiss that night, and I just want to say, I love you, and thanks for always being there for me." She tells him.
Kona blushes in enlightenment as he can't hold back the emotions in him and brings her close to him and kisses her. Yoshika blushes and hugs him tightly as they embrace in the love they have for one another. They break away as Kona looks at her and says: "I love you too, Yoshika." They hug once more before they later grab their personal belongings and walk outside.
"So then. Are you two ready to leave?" Mio asks them. They both nod in response. "Let's go." She says as they both follow her, Perrine and Craig. Kona and Yoshika take one last look inside their room and soon they close the door and make their way out.
~501st Joint Fighter Wing Base, Runway, 9:57 A.M.~
In just 3 minutes before the witches and wizards were scheduled to leave the base, Will and Tony went up to Minna to inform her. "Minna." They both call to her. "Yes?" She replies. "We need to have a private talk with the wizards for a few minutes before we all have to leave." Will tells her. "I understand." She says as she nods. "Guys! Huddle up. We gotta talk real quick." Tony announced to the wizards as they look up and walk over to Will and Tony. "What's the matter, dude?" Tyler asked.
"*sighs* Look guys, I know that the witches have been discharged from battle and apparently, so are we. But we can't afford to give up now!" Tony said. "Bro, come on. What point is there to try and keep going? We've lost our base and we're not allowed to fly in to fight!" Lui called out. "Look! I know! We got kicked out of our own base, I get that! But that doesn't mean we should give up so quickly!" Tony responded. "Tony, what are you trying to tell us?" Craig asked. "Don't you guys remember the reason why we came here in the first place?!" He reminded them as they nod.
"We were playing our game. The Neuroi came out of nowhere. They fucked up our shit. And now we're here to fuck up their shit in this world where they came from. There's a saying I read that: 'Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war.' What I mean by that is, now that we've gotten ourselves in this war with the Neuroi alongside the witches, we have to win this. If we don't and just give up now, we might not ever be able to go home." Tony spoke.
The wizards take a moment to bring it all in before they make an ultimatum. "Tony's right, guys." David spoke up as the others turn to him. "Think about it. We came to help these witches fight back against these Neuroi bastards after they screwed us over, and we can't lose now. If we don't fight back, we can't go home and we'll be leaving behind what we've had there." He said. "Yeah, we can't give up. We need to win this!" Brock chimed in.
"That's I what like to hear. So, guys, what should it be? Do you think we should give up now and live the rest of our lives here and let the Neuroi push further? Or are we gonna keep fighting until we and the witches come out on top?!" Tony questions loudly. "YEAH!" "KICKASS!" "YES! FOR FUCK'S SAKE!" The wizards roar in confidence as the witches watch from behind them. "Wow... I don't think I've ever seen such confidence from these boys even after being discharged." Minna spoke. "It sounds like they don't plan on giving up anytime soon." Mio said.
"But wait a minute, hold on. What's the plan here? What are we going to do?" Logan asks. "I'm not sure what we have to do, but let's keep in touch with each other for now, and go our separate ways with the witches until we can all come up with a tactic, we'll call each other and be ready to go into action." Tony said. "Whatever plan we come up with, it better work or else we're all screwed." Tyler said. "Will, any ideas?" Brian asked. "Well, that Warlock we saw earlier this morning... There has to be more info behind it. We have to know more about that thing." Will suggested.
"I think Will's onto something. Guys, I think we only have so much time on our hands, we have to do something about that Warlock project before that bastard, Trevor Maloney, puts the units into full swing." Tony told. "Ah, Will, good thinking. Alright, so we've got something we need to worry, but who's gonna go in and try and gain any info on that shit?" Tyler asked. "Well, us. More specifically, me, Will, you and Brian." Tony said, pointing to them individually. "Us four?" Tyler questioned as Tony nods his head.
"I follow you guys on the way with Minna, Erica and Trude. Johnny, Lui, you'll move out with Shirley and Francesca. Kona and Craig, you guys are leaving with Yoshika, Mio and Perrine. Brock, you follow Lynette. Logan, David, you'll leave with Eila and Sanya. By the way, Nogla, how far do you think your radio transmission can go?" Tony spoke. "I don't know how far, but, pray to god, I hope it goes long enough for us to contact each other." David replied. "Okay, so it's settled then. We've got a plan, and it is on." Tony announced as he extended his fist out.
The wizards all fist bump and nod to one another confirming the rogue operation is a go. The wizards then go their separate ways and meet up with the witches they have decided to leave the base with, and after a few moments, they make their way out of the base of what used to be theirs.
Music: Avicii ft. Noonie Bao - Always on the Run
~10:12 A.M.~
Kona, Craig and Mio stare out from afar with Yoshika and Perrine cuddling onto the two as they are driving further and further away from the base.
Take me from the city
Let's go for a drive
Take me, Take me anywhere
Just make me feel alive
Logan and David take a freight train with Eila and Sanya as they all stare up at the sky.
We could feel this fire
Higher than the sun
Things could be so easy
But we're always on the run
Johnny and Lui suit up in their Striker units as they get themselves ready to fly off with Shirley and Francesca in their biplane. "Holy shit, Lui. I can't believe we're leaving this place." Johnny said to him. "Yeah, me too." Lui agreed. "Hey, at least we'll still be flying with them." Johnny said. "What do you mean?" He asked. "Look." He says as they all head over to the biplane. "Wow, I hope that thing can make it to Romagna." Francesca says as they all stare at it. "Big deal! I have to cross the Atlantic in that bucket after dropping you off." Shirley commented.
Always on the run
Always on the run
Brock holds Lynette close to him until eventually a car arrives to pick them up. Lynne grabs her suitcase as they both get in and take off afterwards.
Things could be so easy
But we're always on the run
Will, Brian and Tyler rest in the back of their ride, squeezing in with Minna, Trude and Erica while Tony sits in the front.
Always on the run
Always on the run
~501st Joint Fighter Wing Base, 10:20 A.M.~
Things could be so easy
But we're always on the run
Back in the base of the 501st, now being used by the 1st Strategic Airborne Assault Team, the hangar was blocked off from the runway by a wall now built over. Trevor Maloney watches over in another command room before one of his soldiers report to him.
Oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh
On the run, on the run, run, run, run
"General Maloney, all Witches and Wizards have vacated the area." He informed as he nods in response. "That's good news." His lieutenant spoke.
Oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh
Things could be so easy but we're always on the run
"Like hell that's good news, couldn't possibly ask for worse timing. Coming out under the openness early was not our plan. We currently only have one operational Warlock." He says. "But sir, we couldn't stay hidden forever." His lieutenant says. "That's true. But our time table acceleration is all in fault of that little girl and, that mysterious boy. If they hadn't made contact with the Neuroi, we could have progressed as planned with the Warlock anonymously." He says remembering when Kona almost revealed his plans to everyone.
Kona: "We've seen it. It was there in a lab in some research facilty with a Neuroi core beside it."
Maloney: "You don't know what you're talking about!"
Kona: "Of course I do! The Neuroi was the one who gave us this information!"
"Do you think that it was wise to let that boy return to Fuso along with that witch?" He asks. "What do we have to fear from a Witch and Wizard without Striker Units? They're only children. We have nothing to worry about." Maloney spoke with evil grin.
~Akagi, 10:37 A.M.~
Kona, Craig, Yoshika, Perrine and Mio were later boarded on the Akagi as they sail away from the base and make their way back to Fuso. "Farewell, Britannia. I'll miss you." Perrine spoke, staring at the base from afar. "Perrine, Craig, I'm sorry. By making you both take me all the way to Fuso." Mio apologizes. "Don't worry. I prefer to be of use to you, Major. Besides, it's not like I really have any home to return to." She tells her. Mio then looks over to Kona and Yoshika as hold on to each other, looking over at what used to be their base.
Kona and Yoshika turn around to look at her. "Sergeant Miyafuji, I'm sorry. When I brought you here I had no idea it would end this way. Britannia is a long way away from your family in Fuso." Mio apologized to her. "Please don't. There's no need to be sorry. I only wish I could've been more help to the Witches and Wizards. As it is, it's both mines and Kona's fault we're all going home." Yoshika spoke as Kona looked down. But then looks back up as Yoshika continues.
"But still... I can't regret the opportunity to be at that base. Everything I've learned and all the wonderful people. I'll always treasure every moment with the Strike Witches." Yoshika says looking at the base one last time. "And also every moment I've had with you wizards. So, thanks." She said as she pulled Kona and Craig close to her. "That's good." Mio said.
Meanwhile, Will, Tony, Brian, Tyler and the Karlsland trio get off at a bus stop to take a breather. "Their surveillance has finally stopped." Minna said, reverting her familiar out. "Maybe we should've just gone back to Karlsland. At least there we would know which enemy we're really fighting against." Trude said.
We could save our money
We could buy a house
Hit back on the patio
Watching fireflies
"Wha-? Huh, wait a second. Trude, what are you saying?" Tyler asked as Erica woke up. "What's wrong, guys?" Trude questions as she turns around. "It was your idea for us to come back here." Erica said. "Well, yeah... because... Miyafuji and Shinkawa... that's all." Trude answered their question while looking away.
We could feel this fire
Higher than the sun
Things could be so easy
But we're always on the run
Will sighs in relief with Minna softly giggling as Brian says to her: "So, I guess you're already missing the others as much as we are, huh?" "Yeah, Trude. Is that really why we came back?" Tyler says, playing along with Brian.
Always on the run
Always on the run
"It's just... we... we at least owe it to them to uncover what's really been going on. I couldn't call myself a true soldier of Karlsland and I get..." Trude spoke before Minna puts a finger to her mouth to quiet her down.
Things could be so easy
But we're always on the run
"Alright. I think you've made your point. I'm sure we're all concerned about what Kona and Yoshika were trying to tell us." Will said as he and the others stood up. "You mean about being friends with the Neuroi?" Erica asked.
Always on the run
Always on the run
"No. About seeing visions of the Warlock with the Neuroi." Minna reminds her as the wizards nod in agreement. "From his reaction to Shinkawa and Miyafuji's stories, it appeared General Maloney was hiding something. We need to figure out just what he's up to." Minna spoke.
Things could be so easy
But we're always on the run
"If the general's acting without orders, that will give us enough reason to take him down." Trude said. "Absolutely." Minna agrees. "Good." Trude says in confirmation.
Oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh
On the run, on the run, run, run, run
"Ladies." Tony called to them as they turn to look at him. "Yes, Tony?" Trude asks. "There's some info we managed to gain on the stories that Kona and Yoshika tried to tell you guys." He tells them.
Oh-oh, Oh-oh-oh
Things could be so easy but we're always on the run
"What is it?" Minna asked. "Well, remember about that beam the Warlock fired when we were headed for the Neuroi hive. When it attacked the humanoid Neuroi it was powerful, if not, more than enough to take it out." Tony explained. "Yeah. Just how in the world did it manage to generate so much power like that?" Trude questioned. "There isn't much of a guess to make about it in all honesty." Brian said. "What do you mean, Brian?" Trude asked him. "We're thinking that, it could've been able to do that 'cause, it was powered by a Neuroi core." He answered.
"Using the Neuroi core?" Minna asked, intrigued. "Yeah. 'Cause, think about it. Why wouldn't that Maloney-fuck use that goddamn core to power up his Warlock? He's literally using the power of our enemy to try and fight them. Or should I say fight fire with fire?" Tyler tells them. "I get it. (nods head) Thank you wizards, for bringing up this information." Minna commended them. "It's our pleasure, Minna." Tony replied. "The question is what is our first priority?" Minna says.
"Well, first of all, how are we gonna back to base to stop Trevor from launching the Warlock in time?" Tony asked. Soon a truck was driving down the road and Erica called out to the driver: "Hey! How about a ride!" She gives the driver a thumbs up while showing off her panties. Tyler blushes as he stares at her cute rear end. "Oh my god, dude!" Tyler wheezed as he laughed in joy. "Tyler, you're a fucking pervert." Brian said. "I know, but it's worth it." Tyler replied. "Hi!" Erica shouts, showing off her entire body.
Unfortunately, the driver just passes by them, meaning all the hitchhiking Erica did meant nothing. "You jerk! You wouldn't know sexy if it bit you!" Erica cusses at him as Tyler laughs and joins in with her. "Yeah, you fucking idiot! You wouldn't know it if it bit you in the ass!" He curses as well. Will, Tony and Trude sigh, as Minna laughed awkwardly at the situation. "Ah, forget about that bastard, Erica. 'Cause I think you're sexy." Tyler cooed. "Tyler, you cheeky bastard. Come here." Erica beckons him.
They hold onto each other and make out with one another. Trude and Minna watch them make playful love to each other before Brian grabs Trude's arms and places one over his shoulder and wraps his other arm around her waist. He gives her a quick kiss and smiles, making Trude blush and kiss him back. Will does the same as he wraps his left arm around Minna's shoulder. He smiles at her, causing her to smile back and blush lightly. They kiss as well as Tony watches from behind.
He sighs in relief as he watches his friends make love to the witches. "As said in Metal Gear: Even in tough times like this, love can still bloom on a battlefield. At any time, any place, people can fall in love with each other. But... if you love someone, you have to be able to protect them." He spoke to himself in his mind.
INTERMISSION
Tony: Okay, okay. At first, I thought I should just drop the intermission thing by this point in the story, but then I was like, fuck it, and just do it one more time before the last chapter, so here we go. One last break and we'll be on our way and we've got another video from the legendary Vanoss. Keyword is on, so let's go! [Keytitle: Gmod Prop Hunt Funny Moments - Flamingos & Glasses]
~1st Strategic Airborne Assault Team (501st JFW) Base, 10:59 A.M.~
Keisuke was currently on-duty, working around the base, until suddenly, he heard the alarm wail from where he was walking. He looks out the window to see that on the runway, the Warlock prototype was preparing to launch. 'Damn, this isn't good. Without the witches and wizards around, what can I do to try and stop this?' He thought before he remembers about another command room in the base, aside from the one being used to operate the Warlock. He wastes no time and quickly heads for the other command room.
Meanwhile, Trevor and his men were finishing up preparations to launch the Warlock prototype into the sky. "Warlock unit 0, ready for take off." One soldier reported. "Coordinates set, for the Gallia region." Maloney's lieutenant reported. "Go." Maloney briefly ordered. "Warlock unit 0, go for launch!" The lieutenant commanded. The Warlock ignites its booster engines and soon takes off from the runway.
Keisuke, during this, arrives to the other command room, but is shocked to find that the Warlock has already taken off. "Ah crap! It's taken off already!" He spoke to himself. He looks around and finds a microphone on one of the control panels. "I hope I can contact them with this. They have to know what's going on over here!" He says as grabs the microphone and adjusts the frequency. The Warlock transforms from its mecha form to its aircraft form, speeding off into the distance.
"Transformation to flight mode, complete. Course confirmed to Gallia region. Cruising at sub sonic speed." One soldier reports. "Perfect. The Warlock outperforms those Witches and Wizards in every way. All our research is finally paying off." Maloney spoke as he smirks. "But sir, the chief engineering feels it's still too soon to put a Warlock into a combat without the proper testing." His lieutenant warns him. "I'm aware of the concerns. But, with the Witches and those Wizards now exiled, we aren't left with any other option." He responds.
"The Warlock must produce results. With the Neuroi eliminated, our new hardware should put us at the top of the world's food chain." He said. From only a couple miles away, The wizards and the Karlsland trio find that the Warlock has already taken off. "They're already trying to control Gallia." Trude said as she looked through a telescope. "Busy beavers." Erica commented. "Those idiots." Brian commented as well. "If they can use this opportunity to demonstrate the Warlock's superior abilities, they'll gain the approval to begin mass-production." Minna told them.
"The Warlock's strong. But I can't believe they're going into battle with just one unit." She said. "It still seems like there's something else they're trying to hide about the Warlock." Erica said. "I've got a really shit feeling about this. We know that thing is still being powered by that Neuroi core, so they might lose control over the Warlock because of that." Tyler spoke. "This is a perfect chance to see what they're up to." Trude said, before they hear Erica giving off a giggle. "What's wrong?" Trude asked. "You're excited. Is this all for Miyafuji and Shinkawa?" Erica asks.
"Wha-?! No! That's not it!" Trude responds as the others laugh with content. "Let's keep an eye on them." Minna tells them. "Right." Erica says as the wizards nod in response. Meanwhile, Johnny and Lui were about ready to take off with Shirley and Francesca before they all see the Warlock fly by. "What the hell was that?" Johnny asked. "It's the Warlock." Shirley told them. "Well, shit. Looks like they're really doing it." Lui cursed. "I don't like that sound." Francesca commented.
"I wonder where it's going..." Shirley wonders before Francesca starts growling and says: "STUPID!" "Hey, now." Shirley said, trying to calm her down. They soon start moving, prompting Johnny and Lui to follow behind them. Elsewhere, on the Akagi, Kona, Yoshika, Craig, Perrine and Mio find that the Warlock has taken off from the base. "Bring me to port side!" Mio ordered. "Yes ma'am!" Perrine complied as they head on to the port. "They're going to Gallia." Mio tells them as they stare at the hazy cloud up ahead.
"That didn't take long." Perrine said. Lasers soon started appearing out of the clouds as Kona and Yoshika recognize what's going on. "That's a... Neuroi hive!" Kona told them. Soon a Neuroi reveals itself and fires at the Warlock. The Warlock dodges the attacks, doing such maneuvers like barrel rolls and what not. It then starts to charge up it's own attack. There, it fires directly to where its core was located, effectively killing it instantly. The witches and wizards as they're in surprise of the quick attack. "Destroyed it in one shot!" Mio tells them as she saw from her magic eye.
"Holy shit." Craig spoke. "That thing is unbelievable!" Perrine said. "I don't get it. How did the Warlock get access to Neuroi beam technology?" Mio inquires before Kona and Yoshika realizes what the Neuroi was trying to tell them before. "What is it, Shinkawa?" Mio asks him. "I knew it! That Neuroi was trying to tell us about the Warlock all along. They've seen it before we did! And to answer your question, Mio, was that they've been powering that thing with a core that they found." Kona tells her.
"There's only one way the Warlock could talk to the Neuroi." Mio says. "Yes, and that's because it was all from using the spare core!" Kona confirmed. "But that's impossible! The Neuroi are our sworn enemy. If they obtained Neuroi technology, they would've told us by now. It just doesn't make any sense to keep that from us." Perrine said. "They would think so if it means getting away with harnessing the hidden power within it." Kona replies to her statement.
"Normally I'd say you're crazy. However it all adds up..." Mio says, directing everyone's attention to her. "It would seem as if the Neuroi aren't the Witch's and Wizard's only enemy. Well then, it looks like your rebellious actions may not have been in vain after all." Mio tells them. "*sighs* So you guys finally get it now..." Kona said as he looks back up ahead. Suddenly, they all heard a voice calling for them through a separate radio transmission.
"Calling all Strike Witches and Wizards! This is Keisuke Hijikata! Do you read me?! Calling for all Strike Witches and Wizards!" The voice shouted through their communicators and headsets. At the same time, the other wizards and the Karlsland trio picks up the transmission as well. "Keisuke, is that you on the transmission?" Mio responds to the call. "Yes. It's me." He spoke. "We just saw the Warlock fly over the Akagi and into the Neuroi hive ahead." Mio tells him. "I see that. Have the others gotten the transmission?" He asks.
"We're not sure." Kona responds. "Try and get their signals. This is urgent!" He orders. "We'll try." He responds. "Guys, come in! This is Kona!" Kona spoke through the microphone. Will, Brian, Tyler, Tony and the Karlsland trio, Logan, David, Eila and Sanya, Johnny, Lui, Shirley and Francesca, Brock and Lynette get the call over their communicators. "Kona, this is Will reporting in. All of us can confirm that we have spotted the Warlock in the sky." He told him.
"Will! Thank god you're still around." Keisuke spoke to him. "Keisuke?! What are you doing over on the radio?" Will questioned. "Never mind that! Have you got any ideas before something goes wrong with that Warlock?" He asked. "Uh, no. The witches and wizards that are here with me are only observing of what the Warlock is doing. Why, is there something you're going to do?" Will responds. "Well, for all I know, it'll be only a matter of time before Maloney and his men lose control of that thing." Keisuke told them.
"And your reasoning with that is?" Tony asked. "I want to try and help you guys. I'm going to find the command room of the Warlock and stop Maloney and his men from operating that thing at whatever costs!" Keisuke spoke. "What?! Keisuke, are you mad?! You'll get yourself hurt if you try and stop them!" Tony shouted. "It's only to buy you guys some time to come up with something to try and stop it before it goes mad! Got it? Alright, I'll try and stop them from doing any dumb shit. Wish me luck!" Keisuke said as he soon ran off to head for the Warlock command room.
"Keisuke? KEISUKE! NO!" Tony screamed over the microphone. "Damn it! He's gonna get himself killed!" He cursed. Meanwhile in the Warlock command room, the soldiers were working on the control panels, preparing for the next attack. "Warlock unit 0 has taken out the Neuroi." One soldier reported. "*laughs* Yes. That's right. Our power has already exceeded that of the Neuroi." Maloney says in confidence. The Warlock, during this, flies under the Neuroi hive as two more units spawned from above the hazy clouds.
"What's that? What's going on, soldier?" The lieutenant asked. "Two Neuroi craft, inbound." The soldier grunt reported. "Not two. It's three!" The other corrected. "What?!" The lieutenant quietly spoke. "Who cares! Destroy them all!" Maloney ordered. The Warlock, as commanded, fires at one of the Neuroi units at the location of the core, quickly destroying it like the last one. Two more spawn from above, forcing the Warlock to fire its lasers, transform back-to-back and aim at its enemies simultaneously.
Back on the Akagi, Kona and the others watch intensely as more Neuroi appear out of the clouds. "That's strange. The Neuroi has completely changed its attack pattern." Mio spoke as she observed through her magic eye. "Yeah. The Neuroi doesn't usually have backup to take out something." Kona said. "What's this? I don't understand." Mio then said. "Huh? Mio, what is it?" Kona asked, confused as she is.
From the Warlock command room, the soldiers report on the current situation that the prototype is in at the moment. "Now there's 8 Neuroi! No, 9!" One grunt reported. "The Warlock is reached its maximum capacity." One researcher warned as Maloney growls quietly in frustration. "Activate the Warlock's core hijacking system!" He demanded. "But we only have one Warlock active. It takes 5 to generate enough resistance to control the core field, sir." The researcher informed, making Maloney growl once again.
Suddenly, the alarm goes off, as one of the soldiers report to Maloney: "Core controlling system has been activated remotely!" "What?!" The researcher and an engineer run over to the alarm system to see what was up. "I don't know how, but the Warlock has activated the core hijacking system on its own." The engineer said. The Warlock, meanwhile, finds itself surrounded by an entire armada of Neuroi as everyone on the Akagi watches in worry. "What's happening?" Yoshika asked in fear.
"Christ! The entire cavalry arrived!" Craig shouted in surprise. "I've never seen that many Neuroi!" Mio said. "Yeah, no kidding!" Kona agreed. Back in the command room, the soldiers and researchers inside report to Maloney about the Warlock's current status. "The Warlock's core control system is functioning perfectly." "It now has control of all the surrounding Neuroi." Maloney smirks, thinking that everything seems to be going well. As the soldiers were looking at the control panel, the enemy units turn red, leaving the soldiers confused of what's going on.
The Neuroi, still going in circles, fires off their lasers in the direction of themselves, causing a suicidal chain reaction of sorts. "It can't be. The Neuroi are attacking the other Neuroi!" Mio says as the moment unfolds. "What?!" "You're shitting me!" Kona and Craig spoke in disbelief. "But why? Is it just a mistake?" Perrine asks. "It's no mistake. The Warlock is controlling the Neuroi." Mio said. "How can that be?" Perrine inquires as Kona soon answers her question: "The core." "The core?" Perrine asked.
"If the Warlock is being powered by that core, then that also means... It controls its every move as well!" Kona concluded. "Then that must be the reason why the Warlock forced the Neuroi to fire on themselves. All because of the core within itself..." Mio deduced.
Music: KSHMR - Hymn of Reflection
Keisuke, meanwhile, finally makes it to the Warlock's command room and kicks the door to try and stop all operation. "Maloney! Stop all operation on the Warlock! NOW!" He demanded in anger.
"Ah, Hijikata. Glad to see that you have decided to join us in seeing the Warlock in action. But I'm afraid to inform you that you're too late. The Warlock should have already completed its objective by now." Maloney casually spoke to him in spite. "The Neuroi has been eliminated!" One soldier spoke as the others briefly cheer before they notice the indicator of the Warlock going offline. "Sir!" "What's wrong?!" Maloney asked in demand. "The signal's gone!" "We've lost control of the unit!" The soldiers reported. "Ha! I knew you'd lose control over that thing!" Keisuke taunts at Maloney, making him growl in anger.
"Nonsense! We can get back that signal for sure! Get it back! Now!" Maloney commanded. "Yes, sir!" The soldiers reply. Back on the Akagi, Kona and the others stare at the Warlock standing motionlessly as the remains of the Neuroi fall around it. "Looks like it's over. The Warlock defeated them." Mio said. "But... the Neuroi fought themselves." Yoshika spoke. "Yes... They were definitely attacking each other." Mio confirmed to her.
The Warlock, without notice, is soon consumed by the hidden power of the Neuroi core within it and goes into a state of madness and rage. "Hey, what the hell is it-?" Craig says as he sees the Warlock getting closer to them. "Hey, it's heading our way." Kona told them. In the control deck of the Akagi, Capt. Sugita and his sailors watch as the Warlock head towards them. "It appears the unit that was fighting the Neuroi is headed back this way, sir." One sailor spoke. "Let's hope it's friendly." Sugita says.
Kona, during this, notices the Warlock's new appearance and gasps in shock as he realizes what has happened to it. "Oh my god... No...! I knew it!" He said, shivering with fear. "Kona?" "What's wrong, Shinkawa?" Yoshika and Mio ask in concern. Kona puts on his headset as he quickly pulls down his microphone and calls out to Keisuke to alert him. "KEISUKE! COME IN, PLEASE!"
Keisuke, in the command room, clenches his teeth in rage before he hears Kona call for him from a nearby radio communicator. Keisuke quickly runs past the soldiers and researchers, picks up the microphone and responds to him. "Kona! It's me! What's wrong?" He asks him. "The Warlock! It's right next to the Akagi! But it's been consumed by the Neuroi core that's powering inside it. And I think it's about to go BALLISTIC!" Kona shouted over the transmission as Keisuke dilates his eyes in shock. "Maloney... You son of a bitch! You could've just stopped all operation on it liked I told you to! AND LOOK AT WHERE YOUR WARLOCK IS AT NOW! The core that's powering it has taken over control and it's about to attack those witches, wizards and the crew aboard the Akagi!"
Keisuke ranted at him, now enraged. Maloney, now left dumbfounded, tries to defend himself. "Err! Not to worry, I'm sure we can get back its controls in no time! Men! Retrieve control of the Warlock! Now!" He commanded. Kona and the others, meanwhile watch as the Neuroi-consumed Warlock looms over the Akagi. They all stare directly at it when suddenly, it fires off an attack in their direction. The wizards and witches scream in terror as they braced themselves. "Ah goddamn it! It's attacking us now!" Kona cursed as the Warlock flew off into the other direction.
"Sir! The carrier Akagi is being attacked by the Warlock." One soldier alerted Maloney. "What?!" Maloney spoke in disbelief. "The Warlock's gone crazy! I can't control it!" Another soldier tells him. "Try again!" He ordered. "Sir, I recommend the emergency fail-safe." His lieutenant suggested. "No! That is our only Warlock. We have to get it back under our control immediately!" He said in disagreement. "But sir, it's turned against us! We can't just stand by and do nothing while it destroys our allies!" The lieutenant reminds him.
Maloney clenches his teeth, before reluctantly deciding to take action and activate the fail-safe. "Fine. Shut down." He ordered. "Initiating Warlock fail-safe on the general's orders." "Fail-safe set and ready, sir." "Ready, sir!" His soldiers spoke. "Well, Maloney. It looks like you and your men have made quite an impact with that Warlock of yours. I have to say, I'm very impressed with the results." Keisuke said to Maloney in irony. "Grr, damn you, Hijikata..." He curses at him.
Back on the Akagi, the sailors prepare themselves to try and stop the rogue Warlock. "Any aircraft veterans! Ready the 40 mils! Load the cannons! Aim for the rogue unit! Fire at will! FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!" The sailors and Capt. Sugita commanded over the intercom as the cannons and machine guns fire at the Warlock. During this, Maloney and his men are getting the emergency fail-safe ready to activate on the Warlock. Maloney grabs onto the lever and says: "Let's shut it down... Now!" He pulls the lever up.
The Warlock gets its shield deactivated for a bit, causing to take damage from the gunfire. An explosion cloud covers it, making everyone on the Akagi think they've got it, when suddenly it appears out of the cloud and fires at the carrier. "Oh shit! LOOK OUT!" Kona yells as an explosion erupts on the ship. He and the others scream, bracing from the impact of the attack. The laser soon reaches the base, causing havoc to erupt nearby the command room. "Wait! What's wrong?! Why isn't it shutting down?!" Maloney inquired in demand.
"Maloney! I swear! THIS IS ALL GOING TO HELL!" Keisuke curses at him. Tony, Will, Brian and Tyler stare in shock as they and the Karlsland trio witness the attack on the base. "Our base!" Trude spoke. "KEISUKE, NO!" Tony screamed. "Don't worry, Tony! I'll try and get into contact with him and see if he's okay!" Will tells him. "But, where'd that beam come from?" Erica asks. "The Warlock! Because of the Neuroi core inside it, it's gone bat-shit crazy!" Tyler answered her. "Well, shit! We gotta do something! But what?" Brian asks.
Minna turns to all them and says: "We have to go!" "Okay! Keisuke, hang on tight! We're on our way!" Tony spoke over the transmission as he ran off with the others. The Warlock continues to attack the Akagi mercilessly as the sailors on board struggle to fight back. "Disturber main deck's been hit!" "38, 2 and 3 are gone!" "Fire group to engineering, contain that blaze!" "Seal the secondary!" The sailors alert over the intercom. "Shit, shit, shit! WATCH OUT!" Craig shouts as he Kona dodge out of the Warlock's way on the runway.
The Warlock destroys the bow of the ship as the witches and wizards feel the rumble of the attack under their feet. The Akagi starts to sink and they start to tremble. "We have to get to higher grounds! Yoshika, hurry!" Craig said. "I'm coming!" Yoshika says as she grabs on to Mio's wheelchair. "Let's keep going!" She said. "Right! Come on!" Kona said, before they start to angle downwards to the ocean below Kona and Craig quickly turn back to help the witches recover as they grappled the handles to keep the wheelchair from rolling down. "Good team work, all of you!" Mio commends them. "Yes, ma'am!" They respond.
Johnny and Lui meanwhile, flew on with Shirley and Francesca in their biplane before they see what's happening over at the Akagi. "Johnny! Lui! Look!" Shirley calls to them as they fly closer to them. "Shirley, what is it?" Johnny asks. "It looks like that carrier that was here a month earlier. What was it called? The Akagi?" Lui said before he notices the damages on it. "Hey, wait a minute. Is that ship on fire?!" Lui questioned. "Let's find out!" Shirley said as she does a barrel roll and accelerates towards the Akagi. "Ah hell yeah! Lui, we're goin' back in to kick some more Neuroi ass! Let's go!" Johnny said as he laughs in excitement.
On the freight train, Logan, Eila and David were still chilling as the wind breezes through their skin before Sanya activates her familiar while she was still napping. She then spoke some words to warn them of what's happening. "The ship... on fire..." She mumbled. "What did you say, Sanya?" Logan asked before he and David receive a transmission from Brian and the others. "Logan! Nogla! This is Brian! You guys there?" He called for them. Logan and Nogla put on their headsets and responds to his call. "Logan here. What's going on, Brian?" "The Warlock! It's going bat-shit insane! It's attacking the Akagi carrier and the base as well!" Brian alerted.
"What?!" Logan asked in shock. "We're gonna try and get back to the base and stop Maloney! As for you guys, do whatever you need to do and be ready to head back into battle soon!" Brian told them. "Alright, Brian! We'll meet up with you and everyone else later." Logan says. "Nogla, Eila, Sanya. Get ready, cause we're about to head back straight into the fire." Logan tells them as he stood up.
Brock and Lynette are at unease after hearing the alert of the Warlock out of control while sitting in their escort car before they finally see the Akagi under attack over the ocean. "Ah! Oh, no!" Lynne spoke. "Lynne, do you see what's going on?" Brock asks her. "Yeah, look over there!" Lynne tells him as he looks out the window with her. "No! Kona! Yoshika! The others!" Brock said in worry.
Back on the Akagi, the carrier ship starts to sink as all personnel are disembarking from it. "Abandon ship. Abandon ship." Capt. Sugita orders over the intercom as the sailors go on board the lifeboats and descend to the ocean safely below. "We've got to get to a lifeboat. The ship's going under!" Perrine alerted the others. "Run? And let Maloney and his goons get away with this madness?! Fuck that! We gotta find a way to destroy that thing!" Kona says to her in disagreement. "Don't be stupid! What can we hope to do without our Striker Units?!" Perrine questions him before they see the Warlock fly by them.
Mio sits in silence before she starts to speak again. "Hold on! Perrine, Craig, help me up!" She says as she got up from her wheelchair. "Mio, stop! You can't get back up now. You're still in bad shape!" Craig told her. She partially slumps as Craig and Perrine support her. "We've still got an ace in the hole, right here!" Mio says as she reveals an extra Striker unit hiding in a hidden compartment of her wheelchair. "You were hiding your Striker unit in there the whole time?" Kona inquired in surprise. "I'll take off and try to buy us time until reinforcements get here. I want you four to get to safety." Mio tells them.
"Mio, don't! You can't do this on your own! Let us help you!" Craig pleaded her. "How, Craig? There's only one Striker." Mio tells him. "But, Major..." Perrine pleaded as well, almost starting to cry. Kona and Yoshika look at one another and nods in agreement as to what they must do. "Mio, wait!" Kona called out to her. She turns to look at them. "Let us take care of this Warlock! It's time for me and Yoshika to take our last stand and MAKE THINGS RIGHT!" Kona tells her.
To Be Concluded...
Ending Theme: Tiësto ft. Kyler England, Tommy Trash & Showtek - Take Me
Tony: And thus, we come to a close on our second-to-last episode/chapter of Strike Wizards!
Oh boy, I seriously cannot wait to finish up this story soon! But until that time comes, I would like to, in the meantime, thank you readers for checking in this chapter!
Like always, be sure to follow/favorite the story if you enjoyed it thus far and would like to be notified for when the final chapter is posted.
Don't forget to leave your thoughts/comments for this chapter or the story in general down below, and as I always say, constructive criticism is always welcome!
And shout out goes to "Vanoss" once again as our featured YouTuber in the intermission.
All my social media links and the music is in my profile.
With all that said, join us in the final episode/chapter, where we along with Keisuke helping us from the sidelines, take down the Warlock once and for all!
Until then, I'm the Rocket Gamer,
Girls: We're the Strike Witches,
Boys: We're the Strike Wizards,
Tony: And until next time, we'll see you guys soon for the season finale of Strike Wizards!