Well, we're nearing the end for this story. Now, questions will finally be answered in this chapter.
Sanya: You mainly kept the Allied Pilots' identity away from the reader's eyes. Looks like we'll find out.
My words exactly, Sanya. Now, onto the chapter.
XXXXXXXXXX
Chapter 25: Identify Yourself
James' P.O.V.
Berlin Tempelhof Airport
The Karlsland Luftwaffe, the Orussian Imperial Air Force, the USAAF, the BRAF, and the Fusoan Air Force landed at one of Berlin's largest airports. There are charred wrecks of aircraft that littered the terminal and the hangars when the Neuroi first invaded the city. That was just a few minutes ago. Now, the heart of the Karlsland Empire, is finally free. We headed for the airport after Commodore Galland told us too.
"James?" I turned to Minna after we landed. "Do you have any idea who is in the aircraft that supported you during the dogfight?"
"I didn't get his name." I answered "He just helped me out. And he promised to reveal his identity when we landed."
"Did you, at least, know his nationality?"
"From the sound of his voice, he speaks fluent English, but with a Karlslandish accent." Just then, the Allied Pilot showed up. During the battle, his aircraft is like Madoka's, but it has more of a stealthy outlook. He exited his aircraft with his helmet still attached. "Alright, I would just like to say thank you, for helping me in my fight against Wymark."
"And for us liberating Berlin." Trude added
"It is a pleasure, boys and girls." The pilot said
"Now that the war is all over, it is time to see who you really are." I said. The pilot nodded as he took off his helmet. He has short dirty blonde hair, which is similar to Eila and has silver eyes. "Girls, dismissed for the time being. Minna, stay here for now." The girls left as Minna and I approached the new pilot. I looked at Minna, as she is frozen in place. "Minna, are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah, I-I'm okay, James." We walked up to him.
"Since we agreed to introduce each other after the battle, might as well do it here, because, I don't know if there are any more Neuroi showing up. I'm James Dowding, Air Commodore of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, the 'Strike Witches'."
"Pleasure, Commodore Dowding. Aren't you related to your great-grandfather?"
"No. He's my father." I answered
"Oh. I got mixed up between yours and mine's Dowding." He apologized
"Wait, you're from a different universe, aren't you?" I asked
"How did you know?"
"I suppose you have heard of the Federation, right?" The pilot nodded in agreement. "Well, they have landed in our world and a member of the Coalition has been able to follow them to our world. The good news is that we have been able to defeat them at Warsaw and you killing off their commander."
"That sounds like good news. The Warsaw where I'm from is partially destroyed during the occupation. And I'm glad that they haven't leveled it to the ground."
"That makes two of us." We looked over to Minna, who has turned red as the surface of Mars. "Hey, Minna. You still have to introduce yourself."
"Is she okay?"
"She's fine. Oh, I haven't heard your name yet. What is it?"
"My name is Lex. A Major in the United States Air Force. I'm with the 118th Tactical Fighter Command onboard the USS Enterprise. I'm also with the UNCS' 5th Fleet."
"I've never heard of that unit. The only ones who are on the Enterprise is the 508th JFW."
"My Enterprise is different than your Enterprise, Commodore." He answered
"I see." Minna regained her senses as she approached Lex.
"And your name is…" I saw him blinking twice when seeing her.
"M-My name is M-Minna Dietlinde-W-Wilcke. I'm in the s-same unit as J-James." She stuttered
"I think Minna is a pretty name." Lex said as Minna blushed deeper.
"That's n-nice of you to say, L-Lex." Minna answered while trying to regain her footing. I think Minna's stuttering because she may be attracted to Lex. I just smiled as she kept talking to him. Adolfine then walked up, along with my father. "C-Commodore Galland."
"At ease you two." She said "It feels really nice to be in Berlin again. Thanks to you two."
"It wasn't a problem ma'am." I answered. My father walked up.
"James, I'm proud of you. I'm glad you're a witch." He complimented
"Thanks. Speaking of which," I pointed to Lex. "Father, Adolfine. This is the pilot who helped me in the final battle. His name is Lex, a Major in the United States Army Air Forces."
"It is a pleasure to finally meet one of the greats." He walked up as he shook my father's hand.
"I suppose you heard about what I did?" He asked
"Yeah. You're different from my world's Dowding." He closed his eyes until he continued speaking. "Since you're James' father, you have developed aerial infantry to combat the Neuroi, who invaded this Earth since 1939. Your idea fell through after receiving approval by Prime Minister Churchill. Many leaders sees this as a major turning point in the war, until an Air Chief Marshal by the name of Trevor Maloney disposed your position in order to establish the Warlock. Luckily, it failed after it went rampant as he was disposed of his position. Your son joined the 501st after the Battle of the Bulge, and went on his way to liberating Berlin along with the entire fighter wing." He finished analyzing everything.
"How did you do that?" Adolfine asked
"It's in my nature, Commodore." She just smirked seeing potential in the pilot. Three C-47 transports arrived at the airport, being guarded by the 555th. After they stopped, the doors opened to reveal the men in black uniforms. Also walking out are rogue members who deserted the military to join the Federation. Wallcroft came in, along with Griffen and Burns, hauling in a familiar looking person.
"Look who decided to show up." I said as Wallcroft brought up Maloney. "You know, we should have you sent over to St. Elba instead." Maloney just looked down in disgust
"You have a filthy Witch of a son, Dowding."
"And from what I heard from Stauffenberg, your ace pilot planned to kill my son." My father said "Prime Minister Churchill won't let this stand."
"It won't matter. The Warlocks may be defeated but my war with you isn't over." I saw Cindy coming over with a death threat to him.
"Want me to ting you?" Cindy asked. Maloney got scared.
"Oh bloody God, please no!" Minna and Lex walked up to find the former Air Chief Marshal quivering in fear.
"What's wrong with him?" Adolfine asked
"While trying to ask him how to disable the Warlocks," Wallcroft answered, "we tried persuading him, along with the men."
"Problem is, they didn't cooperate." Griffen said "Maloney here, even took desperate measures by berating Cindy here."
"Trust me, you don't want to get on her bad side." Wallcroft commented
"Why?" I asked
"Well, when he taunted Cindy a tad too much, she has a familiar of a Yellow Jacket Wasp." Burns answered "She stung him and was in pain until Archer Maiden deactivated the Warlocks."
"I find it hard to believe that this fucking scumbag is still alive." Megan said walking up to the group.
"Oh well. So, what do you think we should do with him and the other defectors?" Adolfine asked
"Easy. Military tribunal. But I think they won't go easy on you, Maloney. One day, you'll take into your senses about what you've done. Wallcroft, get him out of my sight."
"Yes sir." He answered as he and his team left with Maloney in tow.
"Wait. Before we leave, Dowding. Take care of the Air Force. There are pilots who wanted to be like you." Maloney said
"On that, we can agree." Maloney nodded as they left. I turned to Adolfine next.
"Is there a reason why the 501st has been called to Tempelhof other than going back to St. Trond's?" I asked
"Easy. Command wants me to give this to you. I do not know who sent it. They said it's classified." She pulled out, not a large, brown envelope, but a small, white one. I opened it to find a letter.
"It's from King George VI." I read the contents. After finishing reading the letter, my eyes widened as I raised my head slowly.
"What did it say?" Lex asked curiously
"He congratulated me and the wing over the victory in Berlin."
"So, what's wrong with that?" Minna asked also
"Nothing's wrong. But…" She grabbed the letter and read it.
"You're being… knighted?" Adolfine then read it as her eyes went wide also. "After all, your father is a Baron, right Air Chief Marshal?" My father nodded in agreement. For me, however, this sounds huge, though I'm completely shocked with surprise.
"Onee-chan is being knighted? Oh, I'm so proud of you!" I heard Madoka squealing in delight as she hugged me, snapping me out of my daze.
"Who would have thought?" I commented. The girls came back as Madoka spread the news that I am going to be knighted.
"You're being knighted?" Trude asked
"I am. Although I have no idea what title is he going to give me." I answered
"Since your father has his status as a 'Baron', maybe he's going to give you that." Minna said
"Maybe. We'll just find out." I turned to find Minna continuing to look at Lex. "Minna, you just can't take your eyes off of him, can't you?" Minna chuckled while her blush remained
"I'm trying too, but… he just looks cute." Lex blushed also as he turned his head away from Minna
"Well, t-that's nice of you to say, M-Minna. I'm highly flattered." I can't help but chuckle also.
"Okay, Lex. You can tell more information between the three of us." Lex nodded as I turned to the other girls. "Girls, you can walk around Berlin. You have all the time in the world. But come back at 1600 hours. Oh, Adolfine and Trude, you can come with us. Chris too."
"I'll come with also, James. After all, I outrank you in terms of position and age." My father joked. I nodded as we headed off to the Command Center.
Sanya's P.O.V.
Tatsuya and I walked hand-in-hand around the devastated city. It feels very heartbreaking that this city has been under Neuroi occupation for six years. Now that the Alpha Hive has been destroyed, Orussia is free from harm. But it doesn't mean that if my parents are alive or not. We were near an Orussian Command Post where two snipers and a commissar are present. We went inside as the commissar was talking to the two snipers.
"Hello." The three turned to Tatsuya and me.
"Hello, comrade. I heard that your wing destroyed the Alpha Hive. Congratulations, comrade."
"You're welcome, commissar…"
"Danilov." He answered softly. "And these are my friends. They're snipers. Vasily Zaytsev and Tania Chernova. I have fought with them during the Battle of Stalingrado." They both said their hello's to us. "You didn't give us your name."
"I'm Sanya Litvyak, of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing." I said my name
"So you're the 'White Lily of Stalingrado'." Vasily said with surprise
"We never got the chance to thank you for destroying the Neuroi from bombing the city during the siege." Tania said "Without you, Vasily and I would have never saved Major Koenig from the bombing raid." Vasily looked at the two hands clasped together
"Now, who's the one you're holding hands with?" Vasily asked
"This is my boyfriend and Knight, Tatsuya Nakajima." I answered
"Hello." He said softly
"Pleasure to meet you, Nakajima." Danilov said as he shook his hand "I see you're also a witch, along with Dowding?"
"Yes, but, I'm a little different than him." He answered "I have a Neuroi core within me. And before you ask, no, Fred is not like that. It came into contact with me before I joined the Fusoan Armed Forces."
"At least the core is not hostile." Tania said. A radio operator came in after Tatsuya introduced himself.
"Comrade Commissar, we managed to establish a connection past the Ural Mountains. We also found people. Two only so far." He reported
"What did they say?" Danilov asked
"I have no clue, but I remember his familiar voice. His name belongs to Yuri Litvyak." I jumped when I heard my last name being called out.
"My father? He's alive?"
"You know him?" Vasily asked
"Yes, he's my father. I want to speak to him. I want to see if he along with my mother are okay." I said worriedly.
"I'm sure they're fine, snowflake. Don't lose hope yet." We followed Danilov to the radio room, where the radioman inside got a hold of the signal. Tatsuya nudged me to approach the radio as he held me close, in case if anything happens. I brought the radio close as I began to speak.
"Father, is that you?" I asked
"Sanya? My beloved daughter? Are you okay?" He asked on the other side
"I'm fine. I'm in Berlin. I'm using the Orussian Command Radio to contact you."
"Sanya. You're alive. Thank God." I felt tears running my face as Tatsuya comforted me. "I miss you so much."
"I miss you to, Father. How's mother?"
"Mother's fine. She's now pregnant with a second child on the way. We've been thinking, if it's a girl, we'll name her Dasha. We can't think up of a boy's name, however." That is when I thought up an idea.
"How about Tatsuya?"
"Tatsuya? Isn't that a Fusoan name?" He asked
"He's named after my boyfriend. And the one who kept an eye on me until Berlin." My father thought about it for a minute.
"Tatsuya Litvyak. I love that." I hugged Tatsuya close, hearing that he approved Tatsuya's name. "Sanya, we'll be arriving at Moscow in a few days. I'm willing to see your boyfriend soon."
"That sounds like a plan, Father. I can't wait for you to see him." We continued to talk for a while before we were called back.
James' P.O.V.
So, making story short, Adolfine allowed Lex to be part of our group and he participated in the Federation-Coalition War. But that's not the real story. It turns out the Federation invaded Ukraine after a meteor called Ulysses smashed the Earth in his timeline. That's how the war began. And his Earth is currently in the process of rebuilding. Also, when asking about confidential information, only Minna and I are the only people who knows his true identity.
"You're a genetically-built person?" Minna asked
"That I am, Minna." Lex answered "Though it is a little tough to spill out more information about myself."
"It's fine, Lex." I answered assuringly "Your secret is safe with us, both Minna and I."
"But will the others know about it?" He asked questioningly "Like the three that went out earlier?"
"If they want to know." Minna answered "But, you look…" Lex just chuckled it off. Minna returned to her senses as she turned to me next. "Lex, you may have heard this, but James is getting knighted."
"Really? Well, I was distracted by your presence, Minna." Minna again began to blush. "It is good to see a Dowding getting knighted. Just like in my world."
"He's just my father, Lex." I answered "Nothing can remove our history from the Air Force. Aside from Maloney replacing him temporarily." Lex chuckled
"I can tell. Tell you what, if you come over to my world, I'll take you to my world's Dowding's site. Oh, and in my world, there is another Dowding."
"You mean, he has an ace archetype?" Minna asked
"Yes. His name is Derek. He works with the Royal Air Force in Britain. He's currently stationed in Japan, or in your case, Fuso."
"That's if we go there." I lamented "But, it's near impossible because we do not know how to get from one place to another in a split-second."
"It's true." Minna commented "Liberion tried an experiment called, 'Philadelphia', it didn't go well as planned as it revealed to be a hoax."
"But try." Lex assured us. Adolfine entered the room where she says that we are to head for London, where I'm going to be knighted. We left Berlin, with everyone in tow and flew off.
XXXXXXXXXX
London, England, Britannia
One Day after Valkyrie
Buckingham Palace
Trude's P.O.V.
When we heard the news about James getting knighted, we were ecstatic. From an airman in the cockpit of a plane, to a witch, to a Wing Commander, to an Air Commodore, and finally, being the love of my life. The entire Fighter Wing is sitting at the front row, and all the other wings sat behind us.
"Hey, Trude?" Hartmann said next to me. "You ever wanted to be knighted?"
"Highly unlikely, Hartmann." I answered "Besides, I have James and my sister to think about."
"Don't forget about me." Yoshika said from my left side
"Yeah, you too, Miyafuji." We then watched as King George VI stood up as we all did.
"Here we go." I muttered silently.
"Presenting Air Commodore of the Britannian Royal Air Force and of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, James Dowding!" We turned towards the door where the Welsh Guards and the Royal Guards saluted him with an arch of swords. James came in, flanked by both his father and Commodore Galland. The entire wing was surprised to see him, not in the attire he wore during his time with us, but in a dark black uniform. It was used as the King's Royal Guard, but this time, it's different. When he approached the King, he kneeled before him.
"Air Commodore James Dowding, at your service, your majesty."
James' P.O.V.
I kneeled in front of the King as he stood up.
"You may rise." I did so. "Commodore Dowding. You and the Witches have done many great things benefitting humanity. You and the entire fighter wing destroyed the Neuroi and helped freed the final country that was under the Neuroi for years. And you bringing down a rogue member from our Armed Forces and stopping another catastrophe just like a year before."
"It's all in the Air Force blood, your majesty." I said
"Well, your father, including the members of the Strike Witches are very proud of you."
"It's not just me, your majesty. It's everyone's participation who helped win humanity's future." He agreed with what I said.
"I see. Commodore Dowding." I kneeled as he took out a sword. The scabbard of the sword both touched my shoulders as the King continued speaking. "I hereby knight thee, Sir James Dowding, for your deeds in preserving humanity's future from a menace that appeared years ago and for helping liberate Karlsland." I soon stood up.
"Please, your majesty, just James or Commodore will be suffice." I then turned to the audience and began eyeing Trude. "I also have an important announcement." All eyes are on me when I said it. "Flight Lieutenant Gertrud Barkhorn, can you come up here?" She did so as she joined me at the front "Trude, you remember that you wanted to start a family, right?"
"I remember, James." She answered "Why do you ask?" My answer was simple. I got down on one knee as I presented a small box.
"Trude, you helped me conquer the demons I have held within me since joining the 501st. You're the one I loved when I first saw you, but I want to keep that relationship with you forever. So, Flight Lieutenant Barkhorn, will you conquer my inner demons for the rest of your life?" I opened it to reveal a ring. She took it and held it close to her heart.
"Yes. Yes. Yes, I'll marry you!" She hugged me as we kissed in front of everybody present. I heard a mix of 'awe's' and 'Woo's'. We pulled away as we blushed deep red. "We should have done it in privacy, not in front of the entire Witch Corp."
"Let them have their fun. It's about time that everyone deserves a break."
"But all of us are soldiers." She complained "Can't they even-" I kissed her to make her be quiet
"Like I said, let them have fun. Including you."
"Yeah, I guess you're right." She smiled as they started talking amongst themselves. As for the 501st, Lex is still talking to Minna about his identity, Yoshika and Lynne started to make themselves into a relationship, Perrine was busy talking to Hanna Rudel, Shirley and Lucchini went outside along with other witches, Erica is sleeping, along with Christiane after a long battle, Heidemarie and Shizuka are busy with other witches, Mai is busy talking to my father, along with Madoka, and Eila is a little jealous when Tatsuya and Sanya are also sleeping, but she did find Nikka. All in all, the war is over, and peace has finally grasped its hold on the world.
XXXXXXXXXX
Trude: (Looks at James, who is still in shock after being knighted and proposing to her) He's in shock, 96. But nice outcome of the story.
But, there's one more chapter. An epilogue chapter.
Sanya: Basically, you want the readers to find out the outcome of the story, right?
Exactly. But I have a special treat for the epilogue story. I suppose you've seen the development of Lex, right?
(Both Trude and Sanya nodded)
Well, he's part of the new story after this. But here's a spoiler for the new story, just one line.
Sanya: What is it?
"In Tokyo… It was a cold, snowy day."
Trude: That's one good intro sentence.
I know. Also, I have some unfortunate news. I received a message from fellow reviewer Gamerman22 has suffered from Chronic Lung Disease. He's about to go into treatment tomorrow and I feel saddened by this news. He's been a frequent reviewer for both 'Disciple' and 'Demon Lord', although he said 'Little Trude' in GeneralAshton's story.
Trude: Wait… What?
Not now, Trude. Anyway, I wish him luck with his treatment and I wish him well. Get well soon, mate.
Trude: While we're at it, Gamerman22, hope you get better.
Sanya: From all of us.
Yoshika: Don't worry, I'll help you out.
Thanks, Yoshika. Anyway, see you guys in the final chapter.