Chapter IX:

The arrival at the Brittania Base and the return to combat actions had been, in their time, commonplace for the Witches. They had defeated the "Neuroi" but now, recapitulating, a new generation, created by that scientist and grandfather of the Cruel sisters, returned and they would continue with the legacy of their predecessor. That vast fortress located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, which was close to Europe, became the "Center" of the resistance against the "Shadow Neuroi", who were waiting for the girls' signal to attack. Time was against them, they could not waste a single second, so the "Witches" were in that base of operations, they had several issues to deal with that day, especially with the first step that the enemy would take.

In the "Operations Room", there was no news on the matter. The radars and satellite images showed clear skies, with no trace of the rivals, but they could not be suspicious. A single slip-up could lead to the attackers taking them by surprise, plus they were following the course of events thanks to their agents deployed on the ground, so they were keeping Minna and Trudie informed.

For their part, the Peach Creek boys continued with their tour, where they had already seen Erica's room, which she would share with Ed, despite the mess, but that did not matter to the science fiction-loving boy, who settled in his assigned sector and unpacked. The next one they were present at was Perrine's, which, in comparison with the Karsland blonde's, this one was sophisticated, clean and with an aristocratic air, something that caught Jimmy's attention, who walked around and observed with great surprise its interior, without being able to believe it. His eyes, as well as those of Sarah, Nazz, Kevin, Rolf, Eddy and Double D were impressed by such aesthetics and care.

- Wow, Miss Perrine, this place is beautiful. It reminds me of the Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm.- Said the albino boy excitedly, thanking the young woman from Gaul for being his mentor and protector.

- You don't have to thank me, Jimmy, however, remember that this is not a sleepover or anything like that, but they are under our care and they will learn how to behave, to be good people, especially with you and Eddy.- Answered the girl with glasses and when she mentioned the name of the boy with the yellow shirt and red stripe, she gave him a cold look full of disapproval for the behavior he had with Sarah's friend. Eddy, on the other hand, said nothing, he withdrew from there, whistling and pretending to be distracted from Perrine's serious posture, but he bumped into Francesca, falling against the floor.

- Are you going somewhere, Eddy?.- Asked the Italian curiously, which left the boy without a possible excuse to save him from humiliation. It was then that, choosing not to cause another problem, he stood up and dusted off his clothes.

- No, nothing, everything is fine, just... I was just going to take some air outside.- He answered, but that did not save him from being in the sights of the Officers.

- One of the rules in this barracks, and the most important, is the prohibition of all types of fights and fights. If one of the officers is attacked, the person responsible will spend some time in her room until the punishment is over. We are not fooling around.- Said Minna to those present, clarifying those points.- Now, Nazz, Kevin, come with Mio and me," asked the orange-red hair and they followed her lead.- Francesca, Lynne, Yoshika, take your men to their rooms.- She left them with that order and they nodded their heads.


For their part, the World had never imagined returning to those dark and turbulent times of war against a race beyond human imagination. They had never expected that they would come with a new generation and be ready to do battle to conquer the Planet. However, the strongest of all were the evacuations that were taking place in the big cities. Huge columns of refugees were leaving their homes and businesses, of all classes, just as in Pompeii when "Mount Vesuvius" erupted, the arrival of the Germanic Tribes in the weakened Western Roman Empire, the fall of Constantinople in the East, the First World War and the next one that took place there, in Europe. But now, in every corner of it, these scenes could be seen:

In New York City, after that broadcast given by the Cruels, panic had broken out. You would think that this would be like in science fiction and disaster movies, where an alien invasion or an asteroid was approaching, but the same thing was happening in reality. Civilians were fleeing in panic, crowding the bridges and tunnels, long lines of cars and other vehicles filled the main arteries, gas stations could not keep up with the fuel supply, while airports such as "J.F.K" and "La Guardia" were full of people who wanted to escape to safer lands, although, unfortunately, there was none.

From that great city that had experienced the worst terrorist attacks of the XXI Century to the beautiful beaches of Florida and California, the same situation was repeated, but we had to add the scenes of looting, riots, of inviduosos who only thought for themselves and wanted to profit from the pain of others. The Law Enforcement and the Military were working against the clock to evacuate those areas, as well as to arrest all those who wanted to commit criminal acts. But time was also against them, as hospitals were emptied and their staff and patients were sent to safe places such as military bases and other shelters set up in Liberion.

It could be said that in Eastern Europe, things were quiet, but that was a matter of time, no matter the form of government, chaos was spreading like a plague of hungry locusts. The UN was unable to do anything and thus ended up dissolving itself due to the lack of support, as well as the inability to solve this without resorting to military force, something that all countries, for the first time, were opposed to diplomatic resolutions.

In simple words, that message from the three sisters had caused all that frenzy of incidents, looting and an unprecedented exodus of citizens fleeing in desperation in the face of the future enemy offensive. The press was obtaining great successes by making reports and interviews that, in some cases, made no sense at all, even those that spoke of it being the "Day of Judgment", something that disagreed, categorically, in the general context and that worsened the situation even more.


From their headquarters located in one of the "Hives", Lee, May and Marie Cruel were gathered in a "Banquet Room", celebrating their future world conquest, enjoying what they had sown and even more when they saw the desperation among the population. The redhead took a glass and toasted together with her other two sisters, clinking them and mixing the liquid in the others, while they smiled mischievously.

- How pathetic they are: look, they are overcome with fear and don't know how to react. They would even use any kind of weapon against us.- May said mockingly, looking at everything through a big screen.

- And to think that the "Neuroi" were just as resistant, but Grandpa improved them a lot, so there's nothing to worry about.- Said Marie, who was tasting some of the food served there.

- Yes, but be careful, we must not let our guard down, sisters: Remember that those meddling witches will be looking for a fight, so we have to be ready to respond,".- Warned Lee, and he was right, so the other two nodded "Yes".

- Let them try, we will wipe them off the face of the Earth and get back our boyfriends, who are ours, legitimately or by force.- Swore the blue-haired girl, while cracking her knuckles.

- One more thing we have to take into account. For now, let's enjoy this moment we have left, then, hehehehehe, we will move on to the "Big Show".-Promised the redhead and they continued with what they were doing.


Everyone had settled in their respective rooms. Double D was the last one and once he unpacked, he noticed that this place resembled his home, especially for the peace it offered, that silence that floated and allowed him to carry out his research. Those barrels that Rolf had brought with him caught his attention, especially with that power. It was not the same as the magic that the "Witches" used for combat, but it could be useful to stop the Cruels. It was then that she stood up and walked to the door, reaching out her hand and turning the handle, she stepped into the hallway.

The place was cool and shaded, a sea breeze flooded the interior, so he took a deep breath and from there he began to walk. On the way he noticed the strong military presence, they came and went with files, documents, besides he observed Minna and Trude talking with them.

- He showed that feeling of amazement for those girls and just when he was heading towards the beaches, he was able to locate Rolf, who was walking with Lynne.


- Owwwww, I needed to rest for a while.- Sighed Eddy, who was lying on his bed, he had already settled down and was about to close his eyes when he noticed Francesca coming towards him, blocking the light and casting a shadow over him.

- If you think that giving Jimmy a wedgie can mean that things are going great, then this World would be a boring place.- Answered the black-haired girl, who giggled at the joke made by the short boy.- I know it was wrong but, hehehehehehehehe, you're a naughty boy, Eddy.- She said to him, so the young man was speechless.

- Wow, I can't believe it," he said, with a thread in his voice that seemed to leave the words hanging like a pendulum, and I thought you were going to lecture me like your friends did. I've had it up to here with those speeches from Trudie and then from Yoshika, Lynne and Perrine, even that French girl," she said, changing to a serious posture, you can tell they don't understand humor,.- She couldn't deny it, that girl wasn't challenging or judging him, although she couldn't let him get away with that either, so she took a seat on Eddy's bed and lay down next to him.

- Well, I have to admit that, on the one hand, funny as it is, I never expected Jimmy to become so Machiavellian-minded that he could take revenge on you. Although he wouldn't have had to do it against Ed and Double D.- The young black-haired girl pointed out, something that was true. Eddy, for his part, "rewound" those moments in which they were about to be turned into the boyfriends of the Kankers , causing a shiver to run down his back and he swallowed saliva.

- Well...- The young man's voice froze, he stretched and then he reconsidered what he had in mind, it was not worth to highlight what happened with Jimmy later on.

- You're not wrong, but here, you heard Trudie: No fighting or you'll be in jail for a few days. You'd better forget about any kind of confrontation.-Francesca advised him and he kept thinking about it.- Besides, don't forget: They are also under our custody and they should be good people, change that attitude they all have. Although I think it will take Trudie longer to educate Sarah.

- Ufff.- Eddy snorted.- That dwarf is a real pain in the ass, although your friend is no "Mother Teresa of Calcutta".- The boy compared the two women.

- You said it yourself, but, for now, take advantage of the moment to rest, later we will see what events take place in Europe and the World," said Francesca, while she stood up and headed towards the door, I have to go, I have a meeting with Minna and Trudie. You can go for a walk, but don't leave the island without authorization and an escort.- She said, leading the young man from Peach Creek to nod his head and lie down on the bed.

He heard the Italian woman leave, the door closed and he remained staring at the ceiling, thinking and with his arms on the back of his neck.


- Ohhhh yeah, I needed to stretch my legs in this place.- Said Kevin, as he rode his bike around the outside, meeting Nazz and Mio.

- I see he's very attached to his bike.- He pointed to Fuso's black hair and the blonde nodded.

- Yes, we have done a lot of riding with her.- Nazz replied and looked at the Officer.- Excuse me, Major Sakamoto.- She said and when she noticed that the girl turned to look at her, she gave her a smile.

- You don't have to be so formal. Call me Mio," she said kindly.

- Ok...Mio, I have a question: Do you think you can deal with this threat? It's just...what happened and everything, I still have a hard time understanding the context we're in. I mean, we were celebrating "Friendship Day" and now... we are facing an alien invasion. It's something that my head can't quite understand.- The blonde put a hand to her forehead, trying to find the answer to her question and Mio observed her closely.

- I know what you mean.- She said.- It is not easy for a person to face a situation like that and believe me, with respect to your question, we will have to see it little by little, we cannot face the "Shadow Neuroi" without knowing them first.

Kevin listened to them and braked his bicycle, raising a curtain of dust that was blown away by the North Sea winds.

- Is something wrong?.- Asked the red-haired man, as he got off the bike and walked to where the girls were, reaching them.

Just at that moment, just when they were gathered together, it was Mio who broke the silence to talk about several points, especially about the most important point of all and that was her relationship with the Eds.


For his part, while Erica was asleep in her bed, Ed had seized the moment and once he was done with his installation, he wondered what the others were doing.


And that question could be easily answered: First, Perrine was with Jimmy, who finished unpacking and noticed that the girl from Gaul was approaching him with that calm and elegant step, like any lady of the Aristocracy. The albino finished putting his pillows on his bed and noticed that the young lady was close to him.

- Is something wrong, Miss Clostermann?.- Asked the boy.

- Jimmy.- She said and closed her eyes, seriously.- Tell me one thing: Do you consider that, at some point in the future? You will be able to face situations and conflicts as someone responsible?.- Was the question the girl asked him, but there was no answer. The boy's gaze was diverted by the question, since he had no way of dealing with a situation like that.- Be honest with yourself.- She asked and the boy took a seat on the bed.

- I would like to. I don't want to continue to be seen as a coward or for Sarah to solve all my problems," he answered and Perrine sat down next to him.

- I hear you.- She understood the message.- It's hard to be someone who's not prepared to face someone who's better at everything, but you shouldn't let people walk all over you. You are a good boy, Jimmy, but you have to defend yourself from those who want to hurt you and for that I am here to help you.- Promised the young girl, giving her support to the albino and he looked up to hug her tightly, as a sign of gratitude.


Trudie was with a certain red-haired girl, who stood beside her with a cold look in her eyes. She could not even hear the flight of a fly, and that was what the education she would receive in order to change her way of being consisted of.

- Sarah.- Said the dark castilian of Karsland.- It says here that he is very temperamental and you treat your older brother very badly.- Said the Officer, while she did not respond at all.

- Ed is just a pacifier who thinks only of comic books and science fiction movies. Nothing more than that.- Said the redhead, which made the other one lose her patience little by little.

- And what would happen if your parents weren't with you? Would you like to continue treating your older brother badly?.- She asked her and that was producing a breach in Sarah's pride.- I'll tell you this, I also have a younger sister and if something were to happen to her, I would travel heaven, sea and earth for her. Ed may not be the smartest of them all, but he cares about you, he doesn't want anything bad to happen to you and you treat him worse than garbage.- She said back to the girl and she didn't say anything. Then, Trudie stood up and knelt down in front of her.- Look, I know this won't be easy for you or for me, not at all, and you've already seen that I'm very patient, but I want us to try, ok?.- She asked her and extended her hand to make a pact.

- Okay, I'll try.- She said, although she didn't know if it would be effective or not, the important thing was that he would try.


Rolf, for his part, was talking with Lynne and Yoshika remained next to Johnny, while Double D was getting closer to the foreigner so he could talk to him about those barrels, while the Kankers were getting ready for that "Great Show", although it would give some more time and when it was over, the World would witness another terrible and atrocious war for the Future.


[New chapter and with it moments of extreme calm, but this is previous to the storm. I hope you like it, friends.

I'll be seeing you and good Thursday for all of you].