Chapter II:
A few hours earlier:
- So Dr. Kanker passed away recently?.- Asked a girl with long hair and reddish-orange eyes, wearing an olive-green officer's uniform. She was at the wheel of a military jeep with the "Iron Cross" of Karlsland and was accompanied by two other girls. The one next to her was a brunette and her uniform consisted of a gray uniform and black boots. And finally, the one who was traveling in the back seat of the vehicle, had her skin tone a little darkened, black hair with two long pigtails tied with white ribbons, aquamarine eyes and was wearing an outfit of the aforementioned color.
The dark brown hair was reading a report in her hands, her face showed seriousness about it and she turned her eyes to look at the driver of the jeep, nodding her head. They were advancing along a route in the western United States, leaving behind a curtain of dust, due to its geography, as well as the passage of vehicles through there was normal, although they were not as simple "tourists", but they had something else in mind. The girl in the back was sound asleep, with her legs stretched out over the door on the right side, snoring peacefully and undisturbed.
- One of our agents was sent to that town called "Peach Creek" and where he found the location of Dr. Kanker.- Answered the young woman in gray uniform, who closed the folder with the aforementioned report and looked to the side of the road.- Do you think it's true what they may have said at headquarters?.- She asked the orange-reddish hair, whose countenance became serious, her hands were on the steering wheel and her eyes focused on the road, trying to find an answer to such a situation.
- That's why we were assigned this mission: we will find the answers we are looking for in that town by all means, Trude.- Answered the girl and from there she observed a sign in the distance.
"Peach Creek: 5 kilometers away".
The dark brown-haired girl read the message and then settled into her seat, feeling the wind on her face, coming from the Pacific Ocean. Relaxed, refreshed, the girl behind the wheel took a deep breath and let that moment of peace, if only for a few seconds, flood her being, but Trude was not entirely calm about it, she had her eyes set on what would happen in that place, hoping to find the answers they needed so much. At one point, the girl rested her arm on the edge of the door, looking down the path that stretched as far as the eye could see, immersing herself in her thoughts.
- Trude, is something wrong?.-Her friend wanted to know, turning to look at her, pulling her out of the 'sea' inside her.
She shook her head, turned and looked at her interlocutor.- No, it's nothing, don't worry, Minna.- She replied and then noticed the missing sign.- Okay, it's here. Turn right.- She asked and the girl turned the steering wheel, driving along the road that led to the town of "Peach Creek", whose name was engraved on the facade of an arch that welcomed them.
The jeep drove down a road that led into town. The landscape was one filled with forests and trees with elevations by the mountains, but none of the three girls were out for a stroll. As Minna stopped the vehicle near the main street, which was a neighborhood of nice houses surrounded by a "Cul de Sac", they both got out and noticed that there were not many people around. Trude was wary of the place, that calm didn't bode well and that's when she heard the girl sleeping in the back, who stretched and let out a deep yawn.
- Awww, what a good nap I had. I feel great.- Said the black-haired girl, while examining the place.- Huh? Are we there yet?".- She asked, turning to the two officers in front of her.
- And you wake up at the best moment, Francesca.- Said Minna, while the girl jumped out of the jeep. The latter was with the trunk door open, looking for something inside and after a few minutes, which caught the attention of the Italian, who made a small murmur of doubt, she saw the girl take out a camera and handed it to her.
- Hey, I just woke up and I have to get to work?.- Francesca asked and pouted, but she had to change her expression immediately, as Trude approached her and her face expressed absolute seriousness.
- We are not here on vacation, but we have a very important mission in hand.- She said and that frightened the black-haired woman, who trembled a little at the reaction of her commanding officer.
- Yes...Yes...Yes, Lieutenant!.- She exclaimed and gave the military salute.
Trude shrugged her shoulders and took a deep breath towards the black hair, he knew well that she thought more about having fun than about the responsibilities she had on her shoulders. But when the moment called for it, he had to put her in her place or they would have a stumble in their investigation. Minna closed the trunk door and approached the two girls ahead of her. The dark brown-haired girl looked at the orange-reddish haired girl and the latter cleared her throat to talk to them about what they were going to do at that moment.
- First of all, we are in Peach Creek and we have information, extremely crucial, that Dr. Reginald Kanker has been seen living here until his death.- Minna began and that caught the Italian's attention.
- Wait a minute, but he worked with General Mallory, the "Warlock".- Reminded the black-haired woman and the Commander nodded her head.
- Indeed, after the defeat of the "Neuroi", he came to live here, he got married and everything, but nothing is rosy, Francesca: it is said that he was working, clandestinely, on what he couldn't finish in the past.- The girl remarked and the air remained tense for a while. In the distance they could hear the occasional car passing by and nothing else, that neighborhood was extremely quiet and the wind moved the tops of the trees, swaying them as if an enormous invisible hand was carrying out the aforementioned action. Soon, Minna spoke to them again.- Okay, this is a small town, so we can find your residence. Trude and I will go this way, while you, Francesca, will go this way.- She said and the girl nodded.
- I won't let you down, Minna.- She promised, and after making the military bow again, the Commander and the dark brown-haired Lieutenant got back into the jeep.
- Here, if something happens, we will come immediately. We will go, first of all, to look for the Police to give us a hand in this military matter," said Trude and handed her a radio to maintain communication, "Good luck in the mission, Francesca," she finished and from there the vehicle was started, which headed down the street from the neighborhood and heading south.
A mission, in part, solitary for that Italian, who looked at the site to have a better recognition, in addition to the fact that the place abounded with very imposing and beautiful trees, for which she took the opportunity to climb and work without being seen by anyone. From that place, the girl began to film herself, sticking out her tongue, laughing until, suddenly, she heard noises in the street, so she pointed and could see a group of boys who had built a float with a heart and were singing, holding hands, spending that afternoon of peace and friendship until the arrival of a trio of friends, one of them being short, had three long hairs on his head, as well as wearing a yellow shirt and a red stripe, light blue pants and red shoes.
The black hair filmed non-stop those scenes, however, things had gotten out of control when that young man made a Chinese wedgie to a brake boy, but that's not where things ended; they started to get worse when the neighborhood kids discovered that the heart had been pierced with a field hockey stick, the mouth of the "friend" of a bald boy, which was a wooden board, had been erased with a handkerchief that ended up in the pockets of one of the group of friends and a paint brush with a shoe print was found on the floor.
That had been the straw that broke the camel's back. A search had been launched for the three boys, who were trying to clear their names. They were not the guilty ones, but how could they prove their innocence? The evidence was there, revealed before their eyes, or so it seemed.
Unbeknownst to them, that black-haired girl was the one who would give them a hand in solving that mystery. Francesca moved with great agility and stealth, without being seen by them, recording everything on the way, while she was getting closer and closer until, finally, she managed to reach the woods, discovering the culprit of it all. But when she saw that those friends had been surrounded by the boys from the neighborhood and those three sisters, with no chance of escape, had to give way to the first group, leaving from inside a hut.
What can a person who discovers the truth feel? They had accused those young people of something they did not do. Francesca felt rage inside her, but it didn't stop the mission she had, so she continued with it and returned to the neighborhood. There she saw how they were tied to a fence, located in one of the alleys and they threw fruit at them, while they laughed at their misfortune, punishing them for having ruined their day.
- Hey, who wants to come over to my house and watch a movie?.- Proposed a boy in a red cap.
- I'll go, my friend Kevin. I hope it's a good one.- Said Rolf, while Nazz, Johnny with Plank and Sarah joined him, but that kid with the braces stayed there.
- Jimmy, aren't you coming?.- Asked his red-haired friend and he turned to see her.
- Yes, I'll catch up with them right away.- Answered the boy, who spoke in a calm tone and when he was alone with the Eds, he approached and revealed his true nature.
He walked until he was face to face with those boys, especially with Eddy, who had been responsible for everything. That prank he had played on him with the Chinese wedgie had led him to plan his revenge for all the damage he had caused him, so it had been him who planted all that false evidence to frame them and that included the field hockey stick through the heart of "Friendship Day", the footprint on the floor, the red paint brush and the handkerchief that had wiped out "Plank's" mouth, ending up in Double D's pockets. Plus he couldn't forget about the trail of candy he had left from his pact with Rolf and the deal with the Cruels to set that trap for them in the abandoned cabin.
- I can't believe it...that was most ingenious...I have no words to describe what you did, Jimmy.- Said the boy in the black cap, surprised at such a Machiavellian plan.
But, in spite of everything, Eddy showed the opposite. He gnashed his teeth and an expression of latent fury rose from the depths of his being, as he began to move violently against the ropes that held them pinned against that section of the wooden fence.
- Get me down from here, you stupid boy. As soon as I get it, I'm going to give you what you deserve, I swear!.- He bellowed with all his might, kicking but to no effect.
Jimmy, seeing that his task was accomplished, turned around and faced them for the last time.
- Silence, I have an agreement to complete.- He finished and snapped his fingers, leading to the appearance of the Cruel sisters from behind the fence.
- You've called the girls rebels, little one and thanks for rewarding us.- Said Lee, who turned to look at the three trapped boys.
- AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, THE KAKERS! HELP!".- Shouted the Eds, in a panic, this being the hardest part of their punishment for the damage they had done. Unfortunately, no one was going to come to their aid.
The sisters destroyed the fence and began to drag it westward, back to the cabin in the woods, leaving behind a furrow of earth, while they continued to beg for help that would never come.
Francesca finished recording everything with the camera, her blood was boiling to see that, although that boy named Eddy had been the cause of that joke against the brake boy, she could not allow this to get out of hand. She looked at the way those sisters had taken the youngsters and added to that, just by hearing that familiar surname, it might interest Minna and Trude, so she saw that the video was there, ready to be handed over to make things right.
Immediately, she jumped down from the tree and started running, from the alley to the neighborhood, where she pulled out a black ink marker and a label she carried in the pockets of her uniform. She wrote a message on it and quickly left it at the door of Kevin's house, who had not yet returned. The girl then took out her radio and set out to establish contact with her comrades-in-arms.
- Come on, come on, come on, hurry up, girls.- She asked, seeing that time was playing against her.
Just at that moment, leaving the Police Station, Trude and Minna were walking towards the jeep when, all of a sudden, a voice began to be heard on the radio they had there, so the Commander approached and took the microphone to see what was going on.
- "Girls, come on, please respond, it's urgent".- The voice of the black hair could be heard from the other side.
- This is Minna, what's going on, Francesca.- Asked the young woman from Karlsland. Trude remained outside, reviewing the police files, but none of them provided very interesting information about the target. It was as if that scientist had disappeared from the face of the Earth, despite having settled in that town.
- How could there be no trace of this guy? He came here, settled down, got married, had children, but nobody saw anything. Are they all blind?.- Thought the dark chestnut seriously, seeing that those reports were useless for her investigation, so she decided to return them to their place of origin. Then, when she heard Francesca's voice, she looked towards her friend.- What's wrong? Why is she so anxious?
- Wait.- Minna asked, and then turned back to the microphone.- Did you find anything?
- "I need them, urgently, here, in the "Cul de Sac", hurry up! There is no time!".- The Italian woman demanded, her voice echoing through the place and attracting the attention of the officers working near the entrance. Trude approached the Commander and looked at her out of the corner of her eye.
- Do you think something happened?.- She asked seriously.
- Maybe.- Minna answered and opened the door leading to the driver's seat, her friend accompanied her and after starting the jeep, she passed the microphone to Trude.
- Francesca, stay where you are, we're on our way. I hope you found something about Dr. Kanker, in this town there are many who don't know his whereabouts.- Said the Lieutenant from Karlsland, while Minna stepped on the accelerator to return to the neighborhood.
- "It may be of interest to you and more about this subject. I'll tell you later, there are three boys in trouble. I'll tell you later. Over and out" - Concluded the Italian, who put an end to the communication.
- Francesca, I forbid you, wait until we come back.- Trude denied her but it was too late - Francesca? Francesca, answer! - She asked but nothing, there was no news.- Damn it - She cursed and turned the microphone back to the support - Speed up, Minna!.- She ordered and they left the Peach Creek Center.
Now:
After the raven-haired Italian woman left that video on the doormat at Kevin's house, she set off on a race against the clock to save the three friends. She returned to the starting point, the alley, where fruit scraps abounded, thrown at them, by way of justice. He almost slipped on a banana peel lying around but managed to dodge it just in time. He stopped and looked at the trail left on the ground by those sisters.
- They are heading west, towards the woods, to the same cabin as before.- Francesca deduced and started running again.- Maybe I can ambush them, that section of the fence is too heavy, even for three people.- Her feet moved at great speed, following the trail that the Kankers had left on the ground until it changed direction to the east, back to the neighborhood.
She felt that time was running out, every second that passed was less to save them. After advancing a good stretch of the road, the girl began to hear the screams that were ceasing.
- Hold on, I'm close.- She asked and after saying that, jumped into the trees and began to advance through the branches with great agility.
Sweat was pouring from Eddy's forehead, as were Double D and Ed, who couldn't do anything about it. The Cruel sisters were pulling out their lipsticks, ready to do their bidding. The short guy swallowed hard, closed his eyes, he wanted this all to be a dream, that he'd wake up and they'd be ready for another con but it wasn't.
- Hey, Double D, any bright ideas?.- Asked Eddy, in desperation to his genius friend, seeing if he could get them out of this mess.
- We're tied to this fence. There's nothing we can do.- He gave that pitiful answer.
- This is the end!.- Ed cried, seeing that the three girls were coming towards them.
- Now, now, stop crying.- Said Lee, ready to kiss them and her two sisters.
- Yes, it was a very good idea to make a pact with that boy. I always liked to have a man trapped between my hands, to enjoy his love.- Marie emphasized.
- Let's get it over with and kiss them, I already want to be with my dear Ed.- May finished and from there they moved on.
- HELP US!.- The three boys shouted in desperation.
- No one is going to come here.- Lee "reassured" those present.
- Maybe this could have been different if you hadn't made that wedgie for Jimmy, Eddy.- Reproached Double D, as always, being the voice of reason.
- What? It was just a joke, sock head. Nothing more than that.- The short boy defended himself.- HELP, PLEASE, WHOEVER, HELP US!.- He kept shouting and trying to get out of that grip.
- All right, girls, ready?.- May asked and they nodded.- Let's have fun.- She exclaimed and they pounced like hungry beasts on their prey.
-NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.- But, like an act of God, suddenly, someone came to their rescue.
Just as they were inches away from them, a projectile hit Lee in the head, leaving her dizzy for a few seconds, and then she saw that it was an apple. Both she and her sisters turned to see the person responsible for ruining their "party".
- Ouch!.- Shouted the redhead from that blow to her head, one that had been direct. Then, she picked up the fruit that was lying on the ground, with a gesture of fury on her face.- Who threw this apple at me?.- Shouted and there was no answer for a few seconds until, from the trees, someone appeared.
- Hey, you three, leave them alone!.- Ordered a female voice and there appeared a girl with long black hair, green eyes, wearing a uniform with sleeves, brown shoes and a mini skirt.
- Who the hell are you?!.- Demanded Lee for the name of that mysterious savior, who looked at them seriously.
- Hit her, Lee!.- Ordered Marie.
- Shut up, I'm trying to concentrate!.- Reproached the redhead and then they noticed that the girl laughed a little.
- You may wonder who I am: I'm the one who beats the bullies like you, who torture other people like those three poor kids tied up on the fence.- Answered the mysterious girl, pointing at the Eds.- Now, will you let those kids go or will you do it by force.- She left that warning.
- Hahahahaha!.- Burst out the three sisters in loud laughter.
- Hahahaha, did you hear her right? This girl says she can fight the three of us.- Lee pointed at the black-haired Italian.
- In her dreams, you mean, I don't see her being strong.- Marie mocked, seeing that it wasn't a threat.
- You want to fight, uh, well, we'll give it to you: I'll take care of that bimbo, it won't be quick.- Promised" Lee, who cracked his knuckles.
Immediately, the redhead charged, just like a raging bull, but before she could punch him, she ended up taking a very hard blow to the abdomen, leading her to fall to her knees and start coughing from the lack of air knocked out of her. He snarled and gave her a look of pure hatred, however, before he could strike again, Francesca braced herself.
- Hiyah!.- Shouted the girl and kicked Lee with great force, sending her flying into a tree, which broke in half on impact, throwing a shower of leaves on the redhead.
Marie and May had no words to help them describe what their eyes had just witnessed. Immediately, the blue hair went to give her a hand, to get her out of there, but she still didn't think about giving up.
- Give her a lesson from me.- She charged her, weakly, as she tried to stand up.
For their part, the Eds were no slouches in the whole "show" either.
- I can't believe it! Did you guys see that?!.- Exclaimed Eddy with astonishment in his voice.
- It's incredible, it seems that she is an expert in martial arts, but who is she.- Said Double D, impressed by the skills and dexterity of that young lady.
- Who cares!.- Exclaimed his short friend excitedly.- She's kicking the Kanker“s asses!
After seeing how Lee had been defeated, it was time for a "second round".
- Uhh, so we have someone stronger than us.- Marie said with a mocking expression on her face.
- Let's attack between the three of us!.- Ordered Lee, who had recovered from the beating.
- Sounds good to me!.- May backed him up.
The three of them went back to the charge, however, Francesca did not move from her position and once they reached where she was standing, all their attempts to defeat her were in vain, futile, while they received blows, kicks and ended up flying against the trees, which collapsed from the force of the impact, covering much of the forest edges with their leaves, however, none of them thought of surrendering yet.
- Is that enough or do you want more?.- The black-haired woman asked defiantly.
- As if we were going to give up. You may be strong but you won't free our Eds.- Marie warned her, standing up and pointing at her.
- Yes! We had a deal with that boy who asked for our help and in exchange he would hand them over to us.- Lee bellowed.
- I know everything, but I'm not going to let them torment these kids anymore.- Swore the Italian, who stood in front of them to protect them.
- They are our boyfriends!.- May shouted at her, but that didn't affect her at all.
- Give me a break. Don't you understand that they don't even like them? But you wouldn't even understand it, they only live harassing them.- Said the Italian girl, which was the straw that broke the camel's back.
- That's none of your business, for a random girl who wants to play the heroine.- Said the blonde.
- I know that, after the beating I gave them before, they still insist, since I was in the Army.- Francesca pointed out and that took the Kankers by surprise.
- The Army?! Wow, so that's where you're so brave.- Said the blue-haired girl, who showed a sinister smile until Lee brought her out of her thoughts.
- Forget about that, between the three of us we can do it. She's only one, we outnumber her,.- The redhead and her other two sisters understood the message, nodding their heads.- All right, now, let's end this, now!.- She ordered and they attacked her again, throwing everything they had with them but they failed repeatedly until, being defeated by the girl, they ended up tied to a lamp post.
- Ouch...that hurts.- Said May, dizzy after the beating.
Dusting off her hands, Francesca headed towards the fence where the Eds were still tied up, as well as still impressed by her martial arts skills.
- Hey, who is she? She's our heroine, she gave the Kankers their comeuppance.- Ed wanted to know.
- I don't know, but from the looks of it, she must be a martial arts expert.- Double D theorized.
- That doesn't matter, she saved us!.- Eddy celebrated having a savior.
Soon, the girl was close to those present.
- Are you all right?.- Asked and they answered with a nod of her head.- Okay, don't worry, I'll get you out of here,.- She said and began to untie the ropes, freeing them. Ed and Eddy celebrated their freedom, but Double D wanted to know the reason for the whole thing, so he approached the black hair.
- Thank you very much for your noble deed, but who are you, and why did you save us?
- It's nothing, it was my duty, I don't tolerate innocent people being accused of something they didn't do. Oh, by the way, my name is Francesca Lucchini, I am an Officer who was patrolling the neighborhood when I came across this situation.- Answered and politely introduced herself to them, showing that energetic smile.
Hearing that, the three Eds were speechless, especially Eddy, who ran over to where the Italian woman was.
- So, do you have proof that proves our innocence, Francesca?.- The short boy wanted to know.
- Yes, I do. I recorded everything that happened and the reinforcements are on their way. I left the video at the red-capped boy's house.- The girl answered.
- Kevin's house?.- Asked Eddy and then he remembered something important.- Yes, Jimmy must already be there!
- Oh, by the way, we forgot to introduce ourselves, I am...- The boy with the black cap was about to say but the black hair stopped them.
- No problem: I know who you are, Ed, Edd and Eddy.- Francesca smiled after giving their names.
- Excellent, and by the way, when will the police arrive.-The young man in the yellow shirt and red stripe wanted to know, scratching his head.
- I called them ten minutes ago, after recording the "Friendship Day Disaster".- Answered the black-haired soldier.
- Yes! That fool is going to get what he deserved and I want to see it!.- Smiled Eddy with euphoria, seeing that the moment of revenge was near.
Just at that moment, a military jeep appeared down the street, heading towards where those present were, while Francesca indicated their position so that they would stop. Once the task was finished, the police arrived, surrounding the area, but there was still a pending matter.
[I say it again: This work has the full authorization of Matfix, all rights reserved for him and his original story, it is not a plagiarism or anything, so don't be afraid. I'll translate it into English later, but give me time for that, I'm busy with other matters that depend on my attention.
I hope you like it, friends. I send greetings and thanks to the followers of this fic.
Take care and good beginning of September to all of you, Comrades].
