A/N: Hello to all, I am back with the final chapter of this story. I want to thank you all for your support throughout this story because it really does mean so much to me. I hope this does not seem rushed since it is an epilogue so I had to get a lot in. In this chapter, we wrap the story up.
Disclaimer: I don't own Strike Witches
Francesca Lucchini arrived at the gates of Quirinal Palace in Rome. She was allowed entrance and went inside to have tea and snacks with Duchess Maria. Lucchini embraced her friend and was met by a sudden surprise.
"Mama!" cried Lucchini.
Lucchini raced over and embraced her mother.
"I've missed you so much my dear. I'm glad to see you're okay." said Mrs. Lucchini.
The two embraced with tears rolling down their eyes for a solid minute before breaking.
"I'm hungry." confessed Lucchini.
Everyone sat down and began eating.
"How are you?" asked Maria.
Lucchini let out a depressed sigh.
"I've been better." answered Lucchini.
"What's wrong dear?" asked Mrs. Lucchini
"Everyone in our outfit were severely injured or killed." answered Lucchini.
"Oh my." gasped Maria.
"Oh my dear." said Mrs. Lucchini, cuddling her daughter.
"The two you were with the day I met you..." began Maria.
Lucchini cut her friend off by shaking her head.
"They are alive, but...they'll never be the same." said Lucchini sadly.
A minute of silence followed before Maria decided to speak up.
"Let's get some more pastries." proposed Maria.
A waiter came in carrying a tray, but he tripped and the tray fell to the ground.
"Neuroi!" cried Lucchini.
Lucchini fell to the ground and curled up in the fetal position.
"Neuroi. They're coming to get me." said Lucchini weakly.
The bright sun bore down in Texas. A Chevrolet Master pickup truck stopped on a dirt road and Charlotte E. Yeager exited the vehicle. Shirley took a deep breath and headed inside. Her family was ecstatic to see her and more so when she revealed she was to stay. After a bit, they headed to ta nearby farm where Shirley's grandfather lived. He was working on his crop duster when the pulled up with Shirley getting out quickly.
"Hey Shirley. Glad to see you home." said Shirley's grandfather.
"Hey grandpa. I missed you." said Shirley.
The two embraced with Shirley hid her pain.
"It's so good to have you back." said Shirley's grandfather.
"I'm here to stay." noted Shirley.
"Good to hear. I missed having you help out around here." said Shirley's grandfather.
"Totally. You're the one who got me into flying." replied Shirley.
"How was it?" asked Shirley's grandfather.
"Hell. Two of the three commanding officers above me died. Then we lost two other soldiers later." answered Shirley.
"Oh honey." said Shirley's mother.
"I can tell by the tone in your voice that you've matured." stated Shirley's grandfather.
"You mentioned a Romagna girl named Francesca." noted Shirley's father.
"She survived, but was emotionally scared. We all suffered." stated Shirley sadly.
"I could only imagine. I was worried about your mother when she fought in the First Neuroi War." stated Shirley's grandfather.
"I had to step up. I became second-in-command after our commanders died." said Shirley.
"Well, I'm sure you did a great job." said Shirley's grandfather.
"As well as I could." shrugged Shirley.
"Our little girl is growing up." said Shirley's grandfather.
Shirley's grandfather laughed and slapped Shirley on the back.
"Shit!" exclaimed Shirley.
Shirley collapsed to the ground and held her back.
"What's wrong?" asked Shirley's grandfather.
Shirley's grandfather and parents quickly went to her side.
"My back was fucked up by the Neuroi." answered Shirley, obviously in tremendous pain.
A Karlsland military jeep stopped outside a dirt road. Barkhorn and Hartmann got out and took a look at their newly liberated homeland. To help prevent a relapse, Barkhorn and Chris were to move in with Erica. The two walked to the Hartmann residence which was currently being rebuilt. As they arrived, they found Ursula waiting for her.
"Glad to see you again sister." said Erica.
"I am glad you're back." said Ursula.
"I wish Minna could see this." sighed Barkhorn.
"Surprisingly sentimental of you." said a familiar voice.
Hanna Marseilles walked outside and stood against a wall.
"What are you doing here?" asked Barkhorn.
"I came to help rebuild. It's a favor Erica." answered Hanna.
"Thanks." replied Erica.
"Barkhorn, I am sorry for what happened." said Hanna.
"What, no snide remark?" asked Barkhorn.
"We might have had problems, but I never wanted to see this happen." answered Hanna.
"Hanna." said Erica surprised.
"I am not a monster. I do feel bad when comrades are injured." replied Hanna.
"Thank you." said Barkhorn.
"Don't mention it." said Hanna.
Hanna pulled out a cigarette and lit it. She then took a drag.
"We've got a large work done on the house." noted Hanna.
Barkhorn looked down to where her left arm used to be.
"I wish I could help." said Barkhorn sadly.
Erica reached over and kissed Barkhorn on the three got to work and began putting the fence up with Erica placing the boards in place, Hanna pounding them in and Barkhorn painting them. Thirty minutes later, a car showed up and Chris raced out.
"Trude!" called Chris.
Chris ran to her sister, but stopped when she noticed Trude's missing arm. The expression on Chris's face went from joy to horror.
"Chris!" cried Barkhorn, dropping to her knees and embracing her sister.
An Orussian Army vehicle stopped in the Orussian capital of Petersberg. Sanya and Eila got out of the car and thanked the driver before leaving. The two walked through the city which was fresh with rebuilding. They reached a rebuilt mansion on the outskirts of the city where they stopped. Sanya gulped and looked at the mansion.
"So, this in our home." noted Eila, in sign language.
Sanya nodded her head in confirmation.
"Damn. I grew up in a home my folks built. I'd have killed for a place like this." awed Eila.
The two girls went to the door and Sanya knocked. After a minute, a maid answered.
"Miss Sanya." said the maid with relief.
The maid lead the two inside and to the parlor. Both witches got teary eyed as not only where Sanya's parents there, but Eila's elder sister Aurora was present. All parties embraced and a minute of crying followed.
"I'm so glad you're home honey." said Sanya's mother.
"We missed you so much." added Sanya's father.
Sanya looked to Eila who signed what her parents said.
"What's going on?" asked Sanya's mother.
"Sanya is deaf. She lost her hearing to the Neuroi." answered Sanya.
"My God." gasped Sanya's father.
The two talked to each other.
"Please sign a message to hear." requested Sanya's mother.
"Okay." agreed Eila.
"Tell hear we still love her and this won't change. We will learn sign language ourselves." said Sanya's father.
Eila signed and Sanya smiled.
"Hey sis, how are you doing?" asked Aurora.
"Fine. I'm glad I told you we were coming here." answered Eila.
Eila signed a message to Sanya and they nodded.
"There something we have to tell you: Sanya and I are lovers." said Eila.
"Congratulations." said Aurora.
"This can't be." said Sanya's mother shaking.
"No daughter of ours is going to be a dyke." said Sanya's father.
The aircraft carrier Katsuragi had sailed from Petersberg in Orussia to Yokosuka, Fuso. It stopped in the harbor and now Lieutenant Yoshika Miyafuji got off. Yoshika limped down with a cane in her right hand. Michiko's grandfather was waiting for her. Yoshika got into his car and he drove noticing Yoshika's new attitude. They arrived at Yoshika's home and parked. They walked inside and found the home dark. Yoshika turned on the light and got a surprise.
"Welcome home!" came a cry.
Yoshika looked and saw Michiko, her mother and grandmother. Their initial joy was lost when they noticed the cane.
"Yoshika, what happened?" asked Michiko.
"My leg got fucked up." answered Yoshika dryly.
"We'll let you rest for a bit then heal it with our magic." said Akimoto.
"That won't work. It's damaged beyond all repair." replied Yoshika.
"Oh honey." said Sayaka horrified.
"It doesn't matter. That's the type of shit soldiers go through." shrugged Yoshika.
"What's happened to you?" asked Michiko.
"I woke." answered Yoshika.
"I don't understand." said Michiko.
"I spent my whole life being an idealistic fool, but now that I've woken up." replied Yoshika.
"Yoshika..." began Sayaka.
"I saw Sakamoto shot down, my first commanding officer shot herself because of horrible remarks with no consequences, I saw one comrade traumatized for her life, one comrade had her break shattered, another comrade killed in action, my second commanding officer became an alcoholic then had her arm shot off, another comrade blinded in one eye, another comrade left deaf so she could never hear her father play piano, another comrade left paralyzed and the girl I fell in love with died in my arms." explained Yoshika.
"Oh my God." said Sayaka shaken.
"The world is a cold and cruel place where you be fucked over in a heartbeat." spat Yoshika.
"I don't like this." said Michiko.
"You're still my friend and always will be." stated Yoshika.
"I want the old Yoshika back." said Michiko.
"There is no way I can go back. I've seen reality and it sucks." spat Yoshika.
Yoshika walked past Michiko.
"I'm going to unpack. Let me know when diner is ready." said Yoshika.
In 1957, Yoshika was still looking down into her drink. The door bell and rang ad Yoshika looked at the clock confirming it was time. Yoshika looked over where she saw Lucchini, Shirley, Hartmann, Barkhorn, Eila and Sanya entered.
"Great to see ya again Yoshika." said Shirley.
"Nice to see you as well." said Yoshika.
The witches sat down at the bar next to Yoshika. The bartender came over to them.
"What can I get you?" asked the bartender.
"A beer." answered Shirley.
"Liqueur." answered Lucchinin.
"Beer." answered Hartmann.
"Vodka." answered Eila.
"I will have vodka as well." added Sanya.
"I'll have a Roy Rogers." said Barkhorn.
The bartender gave Barkhorn a questioning stare.
"I've a recovering alcoholic okay!" snapped Barkhorn.
The bartender was taken aback and turned to make the drinks.
"Calm down." said Hartmann.
"Whatever." sighed Barkhorn.
"I'm so glad you called Yoshika, I missed all of you." said Lucchini.
Sanya wrote something in sign language.
"Sanya wants to know how everyone is doing." said Eila.
"I'm lady-in-waiting for Duchess Maria. It's nice and I like being able to be with Maria." said Lucchini.
Lucchini winced ad let out a saddened sigh.
"Of course, if I hear a loud noise I fall to the ground and curl up in a ball." added Francesca.
Shirley put her arm on Francesca's shoulder.
"I'm not a little girl anymore. I've grown up." said Francesca.
Shirley let out a faint smile.
"I work as a mechanic. They were hesitant at first, but they realize they would be hiring famous speed demon and war veteran Glamours Charlotte E. Yeager it was a no brainer." said Shirley.
Shirley laughed a bit, but grabbed her back as soon as she did.
"I can't work under a car due to my back." said Shirley.
"We work at the Witch Training Academy in Karlsland." said Hartmann.
"Erica is a teacher, despite being inedible lazy, while I am commandant." added Barkhorn.
"Oh brother." said Hartmann, rolling her eyes.
"It would be better if Karlsland was still a monarchy." scoffed Barkhorn.
"The monarchy collapsed at the end of the war. You've gotta get over it." said Shirley.
"Just because you Liberions have mob rule doesn't mean it works in Karlsland." replied Barkhorn.
"Oh please. Democracy is a damn good thing." said Shirley.
"Says you. We had tradition behind us." said Barkhorn.
"Eila and Sanya, how are you?" asked Hartmann changing the subject.
"Sanya is a pianist and I read tarot cards for people. My magic is gone, but I'm still good." answered Eila.
"The great Ludwig van Beethoven was deaf." noted Barkhorn.
"How is Sanya, ya know, being an Orussian living in Soumous?" asked Shirley.
"Things have been fine. Living next to Aurora is helpful." answered Eila.
Sanya looked sadly to the side.
"Sayna has barely communicated with her parents and only by letters." added Eila sadly.
"Because she's homosexual." said Hartmann.
"Yeah." confirmed Eila flatly.
"Um Yoshika, how are you doing?" asked Lucchini, again changing the subject.
"Okay. I'm running the clinic." answered Yoshika.
The bartender came over and delivered all of the drinks.
"A toast." proposed Yoshika.
All of the witches raised their glasses.
"To lost friends." said Yoshika.
"To lost friends." said the others, clinking their glasses.
A/N: There is the story finished. This chapter was made to represent the struggles soldiers have when coming home. I am a firm support of the military and have had family serve. Yoshika is experienced with medicine, has a limp which requires a cane and is a cynic. All she needs is a Vicodin addiction and she could be Dr. House. I may do a sequel, but I have not decided yet. Thanks for reading and please review.