Chapter IV:

Flashbacks:

All his life dedicated to Science, he could have used it for good, however, when desires and passions are exacerbated, putting themselves before the concerns of other people, that is when they become corrupted and a chain of destruction begins. And now, after so many years of anonymity, before the gates of the Beyond, Dr. Frederick Kanker was surrounded by his loved ones, who had come to see him before he left. His three granddaughters stood by his side, May being the one who suffered the most from the coming tragedy. She was crying non-stop, while Marie and Lee accompanied her, although they could not leave aside their pain either, since he had been a very kind and gentle person, a gentleman and proud of everything, but there was something they did not know about him: His Past.

- My granddaughters... My beloved little flowers...- The old man called to them, turning slowly and they came closer to talk to him.

- What is it, grandfather? Tell us what you need and we will give it to you.- May replied, taking his hands, not wanting to move away. Her heart rate monitor was normal, but it could "betray" them at any moment.

Reginald got up again in his bed, with difficulty, since the passing of the years, old age and illness had been eating away at his body until he was weak, fragile as a dry branch of a tree, however, using his little strength, he pointed to a safe that lay behind a wall in the study.

- There...The more you need it...take it and use it to finish my legacy.- Said the old man, while breathing heavily.

That caught them off guard, what kind of secrets was their grandfather hiding? Lee approached him and arranged the pillows to make him more comfortable, laying him down on them.

- But...- The redhead doubted the veracity of his words.- You never told us what you had hidden in there.

Marie brought him a glass of water, his throat was dry and he needed to ingest liquids. Once he had taken a napkin and dried his lips, he looked at them, enjoying a little time, despite his deteriorated health, he had to reveal as much information as possible so that they would be ready to take action.

- Listen, girls. You were not even born when I, in my youth, was part of "Project Warlock" - He began to tell them about those "exploits", if they could be defined that way - but first, I must put them in context: It all happened in 1939, when the "Neuroi" appeared, an extremely powerful alien race, which began to attack the Earth and made their appearance in Europe. All the attempts of the Nations to destroy them were in vain until an "Elite Corps" called "Witches" was created to fight them. But, within my sector, there were voices that were opposing that these girls did all the work and we had to sit back and do nothing else. In addition to all this, the "Neuroi" kept coming, you destroyed one, others came to replace the fallen ones, so they had to be eradicated from the face of the Earth... And from there came the "Warlock Project"," the old man related, without missing any detail of utmost importance. When General Mallory carried out a, so to speak, "coup d'état" to get rid of them to start the aforementioned work, things were going well, however, the weapon that we thought would be our "key" to victory ended up going over to the side of the "Neuroi". I, for my part, through the remains of one of these that had been destroyed previously, began to investigate thoroughly until the "Witches" returned, destroyed "Warlock" and Mallory along with many of us ended up being tried before a Military Tribunal and we were sent to prison - At that moment, the girls took a seat in front of their grandfather to continue listening to the story.- After the war, we were released and I had to move away from Europe, there I could not carry out my scientific work and I came here, to Peach Creek, where I settled and had my family, but I never stopped working on what could have been, not a perfect weapon, but something higher and that was...- He stopped, the air had stopped for an air in his lungs, so Marie helped him to put the mask with the Oxygen tank so he could breathe normally.- Thank you, dear granddaughter.

- You don't have to thank me, grandpa.- Answered the blue-haired girl.- Go on, it's very interesting, what did you have in mind?

- Yes, it wasn't a gun you wanted, so?.- Lee joined in and the man looked at the three of them with a serious look on his face.

- That which everyone desires, for which they kill each other in senseless wars: power, my granddaughters, that is what I longed for this family... and you...- At that moment he coughed again but controlled himself.- You are going to be the ones to carry out my legacy for us, the Kranker.- Said the man with pride in them.- You are the light of my life, I love you very much and wherever I am, I will be pleased that you carry out this mission.- Said the man with pride in them. He swore and then closed his eyes for a while to rest.

All this story could seem to have been invented by someone who was already in the "twilight" of his life, but they did not have any illusions, they believed the old man and he spoke to them once again.

- Do not let anyone stand in your way. This World is going to be yours and whoever is naïve enough to come and fight us, you will tear them to pieces. So, when you open my safe, you will find something useful...an "escape route" for when things get complicated,.- He said and they went to that part of the room, where Lee found what they were looking for. Reginald gave them the password and there they managed to open the door, where they found some test tubes containing a black liquid and something viscous next to a communications radio.

- Grandfather, what is all this?.- May asked doubtfully.

- That...that's what...will...lead...them...to...power...and...victory...- He left that last message, while his strength was leaving him. The three sisters ran to be by his side, crying, begging for his return, but it was too late for the former Dr. Reginald Kranker. His time had come and surrounded by his granddaughters and other family members, he was laid to rest in Peach Creek Cemetery, his hometown.

Even though he was dead, his granddaughters were going to complete the legacy he had left them and some time later, the three of them ingested the liquid from the test tubes and kept the communications radio until the big day arrived.

They just had to wait.


End of Flashbacks:

The jeep in which Minna, Trudie, the Eds and Francesca were traveling, besides being accompanied by the neighborhood kids, was going up the streets until the Italian girl stood up and pointed to a place where several police cars were stopped, their lights were on, while an officer gave them the way so they could get out and face the three girls who were still tied to the lamp post.

- There they are, Trudie: tied up and ready to be arrested.- Said the black-haired girl, so her friend walked towards them.

- Oh, that's great: Cops.- Marie grunted, looking up at the dark brown hair.

- What do we do now?.- Asked May, who was panicking.

- Don't worry, girls, you have nothing to accuse us with.- Lee encouraged his two sisters.

Trudie stopped after walking towards them and gave them a cold look.

- May, Marie and Lee Kranker, you three are under arrest for harassment and attempted abuse of the Eds.

- You have nothing, nor have we done anything.- The redhead defended herself against the accusations.

- Oh? Yes we do.- Answered the girl from Karlsland, while taking the evidence that was reached by Kevin.- This videotape, which was filmed by Officer Francesca Lucchini, shows us all the evidence we needed. You three will come with us, immediately. Besides, you have something else to tell us.- She added and watched them to make sure they didn't do anything foolish like trying to escape.

- Untie them, Francesca.- Minna ordered and the Italian went to them, fulfilling her task, putting them on their feet, without taking her eyes off them.

The three sisters stared at those present, they had nowhere to go, the road was blocked and they were about to enter the prison, so Marie approached the eldest of them.

- What do we do now?.- She asked and the redhead turned to her.

- It's time, what he told us, this is the moment.- She ordered and the blue-haired girl remembered the moment when that person had left them that warning for when they were in trouble. Suddenly, she took out a communications radio, which she passed to May. The policemen and the three officers reacted immediately, pointing their guns to persuade them.

- Don't do anything stupid, turn yourselves in!.- Minna and Trudie ordered them.

Despite being surrounded by law enforcement, Lee turned to the blonde.

- Make the call to our "Special Forces", sister.- She gave the "green light" and she turned on the device.

- Very well.- Replied and then tuned the signal.

- What the hell?.- Trudie wondered as she watched the scene.

- CQCQ, this is Dollar Tooth Girl, I'd like to order a long pepperoni pizza with extra cheese and...- That ended with a smack from the redhead, leading to the blonde grabbing her head in pain.

- Not that one, you idiot!.- Roared the girl at the foolishness her sister had just done, while the other one was dizzy.

- Pass it to me!.- Marie asked, and it was she who carried out the task.- Hey, you pieces of space junk, we're in deep shit. Get your metal butts in here RIGHT NOW!" demanded the blue-haired woman, while she put the ops radio in her pocket and a smirk appeared on her face.

No one could give credit or words to what they had just heard. Not even the Eds could describe what was before them. What was all this about? The guns continued to be pointed at those present and the wind whistled cold from the Pacific Ocean, swaying the treetops and causing the leaves that had fallen to the ground to fly away, tracing circles in the air.

- What are they talking about.- Eddy asked them.

- No...No...they're bringing a Robot Army!.- Shouted Ed, terrified.

- Silly, most of the robots have not been produced yet.- Said Sarah seriously.- Or have they? Double D, you're the one who knows about Robotics.- She turned to the boy, who was trembling with fear at what had just happened. He felt that something was coming, a very dangerous evil. His legs were shaking like jelly and suddenly, the Heavens began to be covered with deep dark violet clouds and a mysterious black "point" descending from the Firmament, which had the shape of a plane formed by points of the one mentioned above. Everyone present froze as they witnessed this moment, the eyes of the three officers and the policemen were shocked at what was happening.

- This is not a Robot Army...but something much worse.- Trudie's trembling voice was heard.

- It can't be true.- Minna refused to digest the scene.- It must be a dream, a fantasy.

- I thought they had been destroyed in the past.- Added Francesca, while Eddy came closer to witness more closely.

- What? How? Where?.- The short boy wanted to know what was happening.- What is this?.- He asked towards the three officers.

Trudie froze, her look did not change from astonishment and ended up announcing a news that no one expected or, rather, that those people did not know.

- The "Neuroi" but there is a difference in these.- Answered the girl from Karlsland.

- You are right.- Lee's voice was heard.- Because these are the successors and they are called the "Shadow Neuroi".- She answered with a tone of pride in his voice.

The wind began to increase in intensity, the clouds were swirling, it looked like a tornado was about to develop. The trees were bending as if they were made of paper, a couple of them that were on the edge of the woods fell down shockingly, even on Rolf's house, which destroyed part of his fence and caused the animals to panic, so the boy had to chase them and return them to their respective places.

- Do you want to know something.- The redhead asked before all of them.- We are the successors of the legacy of our grandfather, Dr. Reginald Kanker.- They said.

- HOW?!.- Francesca wanted to know, while the wind was pushing them away.

- No, not at all, stupid girl: Our grandfather created them, starting from the failed "Warlock Project". He knew their structure and functioning very well. He was a great man, misunderstood by people like you, who destroyed his dreams, but now we are here to complete his mission.

- And what do you plan to do? Conquer the world?.- Eddy asked them and they smiled wickedly.- What? Oh...Oh no...no!.- Hescreamed in terror.

- They are crazy, they can't do a thing, especially if their family participated in such a project.- Trudie refused to believe it, but it was Minna who took him by the shoulders, leading him to understand the situation.

- You are basically right, Gertrud Barkhorn, it is incredible what our grandfather did, and we have a large part of the "Neuroi" technology from his predecessors. Do you think he would let them turn into tiny crystals to disappear before his eyes?.

They wanted more and they were going to fulfill that wish for their late relative, no matter what. The three Officers were still in position, but Eddy stepped forward to face those responsible for always making their lives miserable.

- Isn't Peach Creek enough for you, Kankers?! Now you want the whole world?!.- Shouted the boy in the yellow shirt and red stripe.

- And we will use the "Shadow Neuroi" to complete our grandfather's last will, we will enslave Humanity and with that you will marry us, while we become the dictators of the Earth," she said and they began to laugh maniacally.

- That won't happen, Kankers!.- Eddy swore at the top of his lungs.

- Enough talk.- Ordered the redhead and a light fell on them, causing them to disappear.

- See you later, guys.- The three girls said goodbye to them.

Soon, before their very eyes, the Cruel sisters disappeared, leaving those present speechless. The clouds began to move away from the place, the sun shone again, the wind calmed down and it was a gentle breeze but the trail of destruction they left behind and the commotion in the neighborhood kids and the three Officers remained at the surface.

A new threat had just emerged in the World.


[New chapter and with that I thank those who have begun to follow this story.

The Past of the Kankers has just been revealed and with it the emergence of the "Shadow Neuroi". Things have become complicated for our protagonists.

In the next chapter we will see what the plan will be to deal with this threat.

We'll be seeing you, friends. Take care and have a good start to Sunday from me].