Hello, and welcome to the second-to-last chapter of Strike Heroes: Wings of Freedom.
Now, before we get going on the final fight scene for this entry in Roland's saga, let's spend time replying to the reviews so far:
Karl the Artillery Piece: Given Roland's luck, even the tensest moments seem to break down into something that leaves him feeling made a fool of afterwards. As for the other half of the review, I think that if Roland was here (assuming that you're referring to a certain group of characters that I'm thinking you are) then he'd get a bad feeling about his "sanity's" future. Other than that, thanks for the review, and feel free to send me your idea (same for everyone else; while I won't always be able to use them, it'd be good for me to have something to think over as I'm writing/typing).
Takashi2019: There, there. *pats back* It's not the end of the entire series yet. Given that it's been a rollercoaster of a journey for Roland (and perhaps the people he affected), it might be a little too much. But don't worry: there's still the other stories featuring him (well, okay, maybe more like one currently; Project Origins isn't out "yet", I have a plan for when that will come out; Project GS won't be using the Roland used here in his entirety; however, there is still Strike Heroes: Himebana to enjoy once I get around to another update). Other than that, thanks for the review and I hope you stay until the end.
Gamerman22: A morale boost would seem like the best thing to come out of Roland coming back on the scene, and as for speaking to familiars...I've got a feeling that I'll enjoy utilizing that while proceeding with a sequel (I'm interested in thinking of ideas to use concerning Kuji based on the profile I read on him, even if short. Plus, I'm considering a way to have Lionelis talk to the others. A thousand points to anyone who has an idea what possibility I'd use, but recall that the points are useless). Apart from that, thanks for the review and I hope you enjoy this coming chapter.
GeneralAshton: Glad to see that you can't wait (been a while since I thought of that song). As for the other half, you really do learn something new every day. Other than that, thanks for the review and enjoy.
Jetfire77 (via PM): Thanks for the review. Like any good work, this one has to end somewhere, but fear not: it's not the end of the entire story for Roland. Especially given he's only reached the halfway point.
Alright, with that done, I have something extra to add: since last chapter I said that I was making this a tribute to Monty Oum, I still intend to do just that. For the man who brought us epic fights and a world of Huntsmen, Huntresses, and Grimm to life. This next chapter is to you, sir.
Now, with that said, let's start this final "normal" chapter!
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Chapter 10: Wings of Freedom
Roland's POV
"Look out!" I shouted into the radio as I zipped through the air, aiming for Mio's plane. "Air Roland coming through!"
"Roland?!" I heard Minna's voice ask in surprise. "Since when did you get faster?"
"No time to explain!" Jeez, Lio: I'm barely learning how to fly again. You didn't need to have me kick off the training wings so early!
...Training wings? said core asked.
Shut up, Lio! I added. Trying to focus here! "Mio, raise up the Barrier Bracelet over your head. I'll come by and grab it!"
"Way ahead of you," Mio replied as I watched as she instead chucked the item into the air. "Catch!"
I altered my flight path upward as I watched two Witches fly under me (I think they were Lynette and Perrine) and, reaching my left hand out to grab it, caught it before I willed myself back to Normal Mode-
Prop Mode. Makes more sense, you know? Jet Mode, Prop Mode?
...Whatever floats your boat, Lio...my narrative, though...
Anyways, I willed myself back to Prop Mode and, hanging Shizuka's gun on my left shoulder, slipped the Barrier Bracelet over my right wrist, clicking it into place.
"There we go," I said as I looked at the battle. I then watched as the Witches who flew ahead cast some spells (what looked to be Erica's Sturm and Perrine's Tonnerre; also, I'm going to have to retract my earlier statement about it being Lynette and Perrine...or at least half of it...), which seemed to fuse into a sideways tornado that was coursing with blue electricity.
I better get into the thick of it as well or else these girls (and Draco) are really going to show me up in badassery.
I activated Jet Mode once more and zipped towards the battlefield, using my aura sensing to track where everyone was. Charlotte had grabbed a hold of Francesca and Lynette and was charging ahead, her passengers shooting the Neuroi they passed. Eila and Sanya followed close behind, picking off any Neuroi they could. Mio was making her way towards Yoshika's position, and Minna, Gertrud, and some other Witch (I can't tell who it is right now) were busy adding their own flurry of bullets into the mix.
Readying Shizuka's gun, I aimed down the sights and started firing, hitting a few Neuroi along the way.
"The Neuroi Witch has entered the battle," I heard a Neuroi say. "Make sure he doesn't survive this battle. Our future depends on it!"
Oh, no you don't!
"I'm gunning right for you bastards!" I shouted as I saw a few Neuroi get behind me. "Nothing will stop me from protecting my friends and this planet! Not again!"
"Overblast!"
I felt a wave of heat zip behind me, and when I turned my head to look while switching to Prop Mode, there were no more Neuroi chasing me. There was a familiar male Witch flying right towards me from behind. "Draco?"
"Long time, no see, sir," Draco greeted me as he flew on my right side. "It's good to see you back in a Striker Unit. And in the air."
"Thanks, Draco." I looked ahead at the ongoing battle. "Shirley and Fran treating you well?"
"Yes, sir. As usual. Helps that I'm best friends with Shirley, though."
I frowned slightly. "That's good to hear. You've at least stayed by your friends..."
"True, but you've done way more than me, sir. You and Pilot Officer Miyafuji both. Without you two, we'd just be a bunch of Witches trying to keep the team together. So don't you think for a second that you've abandoned us, sir. You'll never abandon us, you hear?"
"Thanks, Draco." I smiled slightly to cancel the frown. "Let's kick some Neuroi ass, alright?" I then grinned widely. "That's an order, sergeant!"
"Aye-aye, Captain Sage!" He then split away from me to engage some Neuroi, using his BAR to shoot his way through the masses while throwing some well-aimed Overblast spells into the mix.
Let's see...I can't just go for the carrier-looking one yet until the airspace is cleared. How to best clear it...
Aha!
I slung Shizuka's gun on my back and crossed both arms ahead of me, coming to a full stop in the air and just floating there.
The harmony of two souls... Lionelis started musing. The destructive nature of both races, yet tempered by the hopes and dreams of both. It's a sight that few get to use and fewer get to master. Our energies become intertwined as we share each other's fate. Let it be known from this day forth that we are no longer divided...we are Neuroi and human! We are one!
"Neuroi Mode..." I chanted as I felt myself powering up to access the core within me. "ACTIVATE!" I threw my arms to my sides, glancing and catching a view of the red lines on my arms as I looked at the battle before me. "Looks like it's time for a little payback..." I looked at my Striker Unit and noticed that it was no longer open, like it usually was when I entered this form. There were some red lines running across the surface of the device, though.
In hindsight, we're amazed that the aerodynamics didn't affect your performance using the last model, Lionelis added. Now this looks better! And the red lines look like they really add a touch of letting your enemies know who you are.
...I'll just chalk the past design as "it worked, didn't it?" and leave it at that...
I zoomed ahead and saw a few more Neuroi charging right for me.
"Not today, Neuroi!" I yelled in Neuroispeak as I summoned the wrist blade on my right arm and sliced through them as I flew past. I then flew under a more gigantic Neuroi from underneath as I ran the wrist blade through its armor from underneath. I think I struck the core because once I stopped and flew away, it exploded into a dust of white particles. I then saw more coming for me, but luckily Minna, Gertrud, and the unfamiliar Witch shot them down as they flew past me. I did manage to get a better look at the mystery Witch: she had white hair (I think it was white), looked to be wearing the Karlsland uniform, and had the magic antennae I've seen Sanya displaying. "Thanks for the assist, ladies." I gave off a salute with my left hand.
"You're welcome, Roland," Minna told me.
"That's Captain Sage?" a voice asked. I could only assume it was the Witch I couldn't identify saying that.
"Yes. That's my boyfriend, Major Heidemarie."
"I look a lot better without the red lines and the glowing red eyes, I know," I joked before looking behind me and throwing up a red barrier to protect myself from a few lasers fired by two ambushing Neuroi. I then saw a few rockets plow into them, keeping my defenses up to keep from feeling the shrapnel. "Hey, Sanya. Eila."
"You've really gotten yourself into a mess, huh?" Eila asked as she and Sanya floated near me, the Suomos Witch busy reloading. "Neuori going to fire from in front of me."
"On it." I flew in front of Eila and blocked a laser. I soon lowered my barrier and watched as Eila shot it down.
"Don't recall you using an MG-42, though..."
"Beggars can't be choosers, right? Besides, it's not exactly my gun."
"Who does it belong to, then?"
"Our escort for the last month."
"Ah. Laser from Sanya's direction."
"I've got it," Sanya replied as I turned and watched her put up her barrier to stop a laser herself. "We'll keep an eye on you, alright, Roland-kun?"
"Right," I told her with a nod. "You two focus on the main battle first." I then spotted Yoshika's figure getting into a Striker Unit. "I've got to get to Yoshika."
"Okay. Be careful."
"I will."
"Oh, and Roland-kun? Welcome back. It's so good to see you again."
"Same here, San. Same here."
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Yoshika's POV
It took a while after I watched Roland fly off to retrieve his Barrier Bracelet from Major Sakamoto before the major managed to release a strange capsule that seemed to carry something heavy from the bottom of her biplane, and in that timeframe I had found Roland's sword, his crowbar, and his backpack. I had his backpack on my back, and while it felt a little heavy I knew that I had to carry it as long as I could so I can give it back to him. As for his weapons, I had his crowbar in my left hand and the strap of his sword's scabbard in my right hand. I then watched as the capsule sailed down to the ground before it pierced said ground and stayed there, opening up to reveal the Striker Unit I had last used.
"The Shinden!" I shouted in surprise as I ran up to it and stopped. I gingerly placed my right hand on the one for my left leg as I remembered the last time I had flown it as well as the first time I had used it. "You and I have been through a lot in the short amount of time we've worked together, huh?" I then looked at the sky and watched all the members fighting the Neuroi overhead, all my friends... "My friends are up there, giving their all. Even Roland-kun...he's entered Neuroi Mode to help out..." I took my hand off the Striker Unit and, kicking off my shoes, walked behind the machine and, climbing up onto the top of the Launch Unit, stuck my legs in, feeling the comforting embrace of the pocket dimension as my familiar's ears and tail formed once more. "So please...lend me your power..." I then powered on the Shinden, feeling the magic engine kick to life before I looked at the Neuroi above me. "I will protect everyone! That's why I won't ever give up!"
Revving the magic engine as hard as I could humanly make it go, I leaned forward and took off.
From being a girl who refused to touch a gun when she first joined the Strike Witches to being one who's been through too much to just let her friends handle the dangers by themselves...
I'll do just like Roland does: I'll keep fighting for what I believe in and never look back! That's a promise!
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Roland's POV
I flew downward and started flying towards the little Fuso Witch as she flew towards us, watching as Lynette was approaching her as well.
"Yoshika!" the Britannian Witch called out.
"Lynne!" Yoshika replied as she flew towards us. I could see that she had managed to locate my supplies, my backpack resting on her back as she held my crowbar in her left hand and my sword's scabbard (by the strap) in her right hand.
Ah, another reunion for the two girls...
I then watched as a bunch of Neuroi got behind Yoshika and started charging up for some attacks.
No way am I going to let you Neuroi shoot her down! Not after what we've gone through to survive!
"Oh..." I started as I shot my hands ahead of me, charging up for my own attacks. "No...you...don't!" I fired my own set of lasers into the group, moving my arms to imitate a slashing effect (like how they move their lasers to cut a path through the ground or the air), taking out some of them and disrupting their plan.
"Dream on!" Perrine added as she shot at the stragglers, finishing the rest off.
I then watched as Yoshika and Lynette grabbed each other's hands and spun around a bit before floating still as they looked cheerful.
I came to a stop next to the duo and floated there.
"Welcome back, Yoshika and Roland!" Lynette told us.
"We're here now, Lynne," I replied as I powered off Neuroi Mode for the moment, feeling my body act like usual. "Magic, Striker Units, and all."
"How can you two fly anyways?" Erica asked as she, Gertrud, Perrine, Charlotte, Francesca, and Draco flew over to our position.
"I thought you two lost your magic!" Charlotte added.
"Erm...determination?" I tried as I took my crowbar and sword from the little Fuso Witch, setting the crowbar behind the small of my back and, handing Yoshika the gun for the moment, placing the sword on my back and fitting the strap over my right shoulder and across my chest. I really am at a loss as well right now.
"I heard you guys calling out to me, and I felt my heart warming up," Yoshika tried herself as she took off my backpack and handed it to me. "I felt the urge to come to you. Plus, Roland-kun was dying because of me...even though he chose to take this path himself."
"Miyafuji," Gertrud said as we looked at her. She was smiling. A rather weird sight for me now that I think about it. "You want to protect people, don't you?" She then held out one of her guns in front of her using her left hand, placing it in Yoshika's hands.
I then watched as the little Fuso Witch nodded her head quickly. "Hai!" I then think she remembered something. "Oh right! Shizuka!"
"Where is she, anyways?" I asked as I slipped the backpack on top of my sword, taking care not to poke a hole in it with the point of the scabbard. I only know that she was up above, and I learned that from Kuji and Lionelis. But where is she now? Is she on the ground somewhere?
"Don't worry, Yoshika and Roland-kun!" I heard Sanya say through the radio.
We looked around a bit before Eila added, "Over here, above you!"
We looked above us and saw Mio's biplane flying overhead, Eila and Sanya trailing to the side of it. We looked very closely and found Shizuka holding on to one of the plane's wings' supports.
"Pilot Officer Miyafuji..." the Fuso sergeant said through the radio. "Captain Sage..."
"Shizuka..." Yoshika said as she sighed in relief. "Thank goodness."
I heard Mio laugh before she said, "I knew it! Miyafuji, Sage, the sky is where you two belong! This is where you two were meant to be!"
"Sakamoto..."
"Mio..." I added as I looked up and saw Minna and the Witch she referred to as "Heidemarie" fly towards us, coming to a stop in front of us.
"Wing Commander Minna!"
"Minna..." I then watched as Minna placed her gun on her back and floated over to me. "I'm back, like I promised you..." I then gave off a frown.
"It's really good to see you again, Roland," Minna told me before she gave me a hug. "It's been really lonely without you near me."
"Minna...I didn't realize that when I made my choice...I'm sorry if I made you ache or something while I was gone. I never should have gone into hiding...all it's been for the last few days was one thing leading to another and-"
"Shut up, Roland." Minna tightened her hug as she pulled up a bit and planted her lips on mine. Out of some sort of instinct, I rested my hands on her shoulders and closed my eyes.
As we stayed there with our lips locked, I felt my green aura wash over us before we left it, the aura retreating afterward. I then opened my eyes and looked at my girlfriend. "Minna?"
"Don't you ever think that you've made a bad choice in choosing learning answers over being with me. I don't care that you left me anymore...all I care about is that we're together again."
I smiled. "Okay, Minna...if you don't want to worry about it, then I won't either."
Minna then let go of me and said, "We've been waiting for you two anyways. Miyafuji, Roland, you ready?"
"Hai!" Yoshika replied.
"¡Sí!" I added with a salute.
We then looked at the carrier-like Neuroi as it came out of the ground it had been in, taking to the air. It looked...actually, I'm not sure what to compare it to right now. Maybe the Scouts from the first Starcraft or StarCraft: Brood Wars (whichever one it was in first)?
"It's huge!" Francesca called out.
"So that's the enemy flagship?" Charlotte added.
"Heh," I replied with a grin. "That's going to be no trouble at all for us." Lio, how much energy do I have left?
We're recharging the energy you used for Neuroi Mode, the core told me. We think there's enough for you to go back into Neuroi Mode for the moment.
Alright...but I'm not going to be in the usual stage.
...What?
I doubt I'm going to do much against that thing using the first stage of Neuroi Mode, so...
Wait, you actually want to enter the second stage of it? Realize that you're going to damage your body more. Plus, you barely got your magic back!
I know, but I can't pull any punches right now. While it might hurt me later...we need to hit that thing with all we've got!
*sigh* Alright...but don't say we didn't warn you. Enter Neuroi Mode and we'll upgrade you from there.
Thanks, Lio...
Don't thank us until this guy's history. Just in case.
"Stand back," I told the others as I flew ahead a bit, flying past Minna, who grabbed my right shoulder and made me stop.
"You're not going in alone," my girlfriend told me. "Not again."
"I know that, Minna, but I can't just let you guys take this thing on at full potential and not do so myself." I then activated my glowing left eye.
Minna gasped. "You're not going to..."
I nodded my head with determination. "I know entering that stage is dangerous for my body, but if it means fighting to my full potential...I'll gladly fight the Neuroi with all I've got, especially to protect everyone here."
Minna nodded her head as she let go of me. "Alright, Roland. Be careful, though."
"I will." I resumed flying ahead as I heard Minna giving out orders. Something about Formation Illius. I don't know: I was busy trying to focus on my task.
Entering Neuroi Mode once more (complete with glowing red eyes and red lines on my body), I floated there as the carrier-type Neuroi turned to face us.
"So you decide to actually try fighting us once more," the enemy said. "Such a pity that you didn't die back then. At least we'll have the chance to rectify that..."
"I wouldn't count on it," I told it. "You Neuroi keep forgetting one important thing about me: I decide what to do with my life. I know that I don't belong here, but that doesn't mean that I can't live here. We've all got hopes and dreams, and I'll be damned if I allow you and your kind to keep attacking innocent people and trying to exterminate us off our own planet, even if it's for the good of your kind. So let me reintroduce myself..." I felt more energy enter my body as I formed my red visor and the two omni-blade-like weapons over my hands. "My name is Roland Sage, captain in the Liberion Army, member of the Strike Witches, and known as the 'Neuroi Witch'. I'll give you a fight you'll never forget..." I then charged right at the Neuroi. "...because you won't be around long enough to remember it!"
I watched as a bunch of its minions started to circle around it as a sort of vertical ring before it started firing, me using my barrier to block them all. I then watched as a few of the smaller Neuroi flew away to engage me before they got blown away by my teammates. I flew underneath and started scraping my blades against the armor, hoping to hit the core. I then backed away to block a point-blank laser fired at me before going back into the fray.
Soon, a trio of shells fired by the Yamato hit the Neuroi from above, and I heard Minna point out the core's location.
"Let's finish this once and for all!" I shouted as I flew upwards and found Yoshika, who was busy weaving in and out of Neuroi lasers. I used my blades to slice up the enemies after her, and she then looked at me and gave off a nod before flying off towards Minna and the others, who were starting to make their way towards the core with some resistance.
"You'll never win," the Neuroi told me. "You'll never be able to live in peace as long as the Neuroi are around. You will die by our hands, whether you choose to accept it or not."
"I defied my destiny before, now it's time to face yours." I could see the other girls and Draco flying towards the Neuroi, the remaining reinforcements trying to stop them. I watched as they used their barriers to defend themselves before I watched Yoshika fly ahead of them and use her barrier. Getting an idea, the others flew behind her and used their defenses to make a sort of spinning drill.
I see now...
I activated Jet Mode, flew towards them, and managed to slip in next to Yoshika, adding my shield to the mix. As a result, the drill turned red as my red aura intensified greatly.
"Roland-kun..." Yoshika started.
"Yoshika...we've gone a long way, huh?" I told her. "From being a pair of misfits that met by pure coincidence that day to being the metaphorical adhesive keeping the team together...I'm truly proud to have served alongside you all, especially you, Pilot Officer Yoshika Miyafuji."
Yoshika smiled as she looked at the Neuroi. "Same here, captain." She then put her determined look back on her face.
"You haven't been able to escape it," the core continued. "You never will. Not even when your world comes crashing down around you will you be able to run away from your destiny. Your death is certain, so prepare for the final battle you'll ever fight."
I gave off an irritated grin. I've had just about enough of this overgrown game die...
"Shut..." I began as we got dangerously close to the reinforcements.
"Your..." I pumped as much magic as I could ever put in it right towards the tip of the shield-drill.
"Fucking..." This is for everything you and your kind has ever done. This is for all the lives you bastards had taken and those you've hurt. This is for the childhoods you've torn away from these Witches. This is for what you did to Yoshika and Shizuka...and this is for what you've done to me!
"MOUTH!" I finished as we managed to block a bunch of lasers pointed right at us and plow through the reinforcements like they were nothing before we were encased in a red protective sheath.
We flew through the hole in the Neuroi's armor and burst out the other side, decimating the core as well as ripping a huge hole right through where it used to be.
As the Neuroi gave off a dying scream before it exploded, we dropped our shields and flew out of formation, me floating there.
Whew, that was...something...
I left Neuroi Mode completely and felt the exhaustion wash over me, threatening to consume me. I simply shrugged it off and floated there, using what little strength I had left to keep afloat as I watched Mio fly close to me. I grabbed on to the left wing's supports with my right hand for help.
"That was impressive, Sage," Mio told me as she flew the plane. "You actually managed to go into Neuroi Mode twice that time as well as have a new Striker Unit design. Though I'd have to mark you down a bit for wasting your magic like that." I then saw her make a slight smirk.
I smiled weakly as I retorted with, "It's nice to see you too, Major Sakamoto."
I then watched as Shizuka let go of the plane and fly up towards where the others were as they fanned outwards. Sighing, I forced myself to fly up there, though I really wanted to take a nap right now.
"Pilot Officer!" the Fuso sergeant cried out. "Pilot Officer Miyafuji!"
"Shizuka! Roland-kun!" Yoshika said as Shizuka soon caught her in a hug. "Shizuka, cut it with the 'Pilot Officer', okay?"
Shizuka looked at her before saying, close to tears herself, "Yes, Miyafuji!"
I flew past them and found Minna as she and the others were floating down towards the ground.
"Minna," I added as I flew over and gave my girlfriend a hug.
"Roland!" Minna replied, sounding surprised. "I'm glad you're not unconscious yet."
Yeah, I'm running on...I think it's adrenaline right now.
Soon, we came to a stop and floated there as I let go of Minna and grabbed her left hand with my right hand.
"Wing Commander Minna," Heidemarie said as she and the others came down to our level. "I just received notice that additional Neuroi are suspected to emerge near the Karlsland border."
Minna and I looked at each other before we turned to face the rest of the team.
"Did you all hear that?" Minna asked them. "A new threat has arisen. You know what our duty is. As of this moment, the Five Hundred and First Joint Fighter Wing, the Strike Witches, is reformed!"
"Roger!" the other girls and Draco replied.
Looking at me, Minna added, "And you, Roland?"
"I've got no choice," I told her. "The Neuroi are still around, and they're going to make a move again soon. I'd be a complete idiot to not come along. Besides, I think it's time the world knows that I'm still alive. Plus, I'll go wherever you go, Minna. To hell and back, I'm not leaving any of you girls again. Especially the girl I've spent close to two campaigns trying to be with."
Minna smiled. "Alright. We're returning to Saint Trond's. Let's move out!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
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That was the final battle for this story, but it's not the end of the story yet...
Anyways, like I said before the chapter, this is a tribute to the man I mentioned in that section, so I hope I made this close to something he'd do. If not, feel free to let me know so I can summarily slap myself for failing.
Also, in other news: the polls will be open for another week just in case. Thinking about it, like I said, it took a while for it to show up, so most likely (not saying that it happened, so unless it did to someone, this is just an example) people weren't aware of it being up until I mentioned it in the last update. Still, feel free to vote if you haven't yet, but once I put up the epilogue I will be closing it and making my decision based on the votes, so be sure to make it soon if you plan to let you voice be heard.
And, of course, I think it's time to ask the traditional question (considering the series): what was your favorite moment? It can be one from this entry or any of the others (a line, a scene, or an arc), an entire story, or even something from Strike Heroes: Himebana (considering that there's only three chapters up at the moment, it might not work, but you're free to answer with something from that collection so far if you choose).
Apart from that, please read and respond and let me know what you thought of this second-to-last chapter.
Thanks, and I will see you guys in the epilogue.