Chapter VIII:

(Continued "Saving Pearl Harbor", OST from "Medal of Honor: Rising Sun")

The Battle of North Africa continued, in the middle of exchanges of fire between the troops of those countries and the "Shadow Neuroi" Forces under the command of the Cruels, that seemed to have no end, it was a real "loop" where the combats persisted, Hell itself was over those lands or maybe it could be like the Battle of Panion, where the Armies of Ptolemaic Egypt had been defeated by King Antiochus III The Great of Syria, due to the power of their troops, including the "Argiraspides", the elephants and the fearsome "Cataphracts" together with the Scythian Chariots that destroyed the enemy lines.

From the "Command Bridge", the Kankers watched the destruction unleashed on the enemy lines: barricades, barbed wire and trenches had been destroyed along with the fortifications that did not stop burning. Each time a Shadow group finished its bombardment, another squadron replaced it and so on until the enemy positions were reduced to mere mountains of rubble and dust. May was proud of the Armies she had under her command and on top of that they were taking no casualties, which gave them the lead that the combat would end much sooner than expected.

- Well, well, it looks like we will win Egypt after all.- Said the blonde.

- I do not intend to leave that nation standing, we will raze it to the ground and on the base of the Pyramids we will build a colossal monument to remind us of who their Queens are.- Lee spoke this time, as she opened a bottle of soda and they prepared to toast. She filled the glasses until almost touching the rim and from there she proceeded to take hers.- Sisters, for a promising Future, for our Empire and that our grandfather's legacy be eternal.- She gave her victory speech, they could now call it a day but, suddenly, the alarms began to go off in the place.

Marie wanted to know and approached the screen to see what all the fuss was about.

She typed a couple of times until she got the result, one that she did not expect and that she did not like at all. His mouth almost dropped to the floor when he saw that a fighting force, one they knew very well and that had been responsible for the loss of the previous war in the Past, was heading towards the battlefield. When May and Lee looked toward it, they were nearly choking on the contents of the soda. The redhead spat against the floor and ran to see what was going on and if it was a joke. Unfortunately, for them, it was not.

- It's the "Witches", damn bride robbers, you'll see!.- May shouted, while she ran to where her troops were, "Don't let them attack our lines, finish them off, now!

- How can it be possible that they have come... Wait.- Asked Marie, as something was not quite right on the screen. She cleared the screen and noticed that those Warriors were not alone, but were accompanied by a group of guys they knew. The dark blue haired girl couldn't help but let out a scream of fury when she saw her "beloved" Double D flying with the Witches.- What?! That's my man, damn it, not yours!

- What now...?! Lee couldn't say anything else either. She remained silent and in her position when she noticed Eddy laughing at a joke that the black-haired Italian woman had told her.- My boyfriend...my fiancé...my future husband...him...him...him...him...- She clenched her fists tightly, there was no need to throw a childish tantrum, but to concentrate on her task.- NO, MY EDDY!

- NO, MY ED, NO!.- May's voice was the one that broke and she started to cry when that boy in the green jacket was with a certain blonde from Karsland. She wanted to throw down anything to satiate her anger but Lee came up to her and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look him straight in the eyes.

- This is not the time for nonsense and whims, May.- She warned seriously.

- But...But...Ed...I...- She stammered because of the constant emotional pain she felt, so the redhead slapped her in the face, leaving the blonde and the dark blue hair stunned.

- Lee...you...- Marie stammered, while the other one rubbed her right cheek. The heat from the impact, her sister's hand lingered but she didn't look furious nor did she want to cry. She was a Cruel, she could not show to have that kind of "weak girl feelings", her mission was to continue her grandfather's legacy at any cost, so she addressed a few words to May, who was mute and frozen.

- I don't want you to show, again and in front of our troops, cowardly tears. What are you, a Kanker or a chicken?!.- She warned her coldly and she didn't know what to say.- Answer me!.- She exclaimed and the poor blonde felt that her words were stuck in her throat.

- I...I...I...I...- The girl stammered again and a fierce tremor was added to her body.

- What are you?!.- She asked again. He looked like a Sergeant before the new recruits whom he was trying to mold to his image and likeness.- Eh?! Are you a Kanker or a hen? Answer, Lee! Answer!.- She raised the tone of his voice and seemed to be spitting small droplets of saliva on her face.

- I...I am a Kanker!.- She said, in tears and with her morale raised. Then she let go.

- Good, very good.- She answered and congratulated.- Very good, that's the way I like it.- She shook her head in a positive sign.- Now, let's concentrate on finishing this battle, we'll take care of our boyfriends, and don't worry, we'll marry them. You have my word.- She swore and could see a smile on the faces of both girls, "That's the spirit!.- She exclaimed.- And now, let's go, let's charge, let's crush those useless "Witches"!.- She ordered with her fist raised in the air and giving a battle cry.- FOR THE KANKERFAMILY!

- FOR OUR FAMILY! FOR THE GRANDFATHER!.- Marie and May swore an oath, as they set off for the "Command Bridge".

Lee was standing in the Center, her sight focused on the battlefield, so she began to send her forces to the front.

- I'll go with mine and we'll sink the ships before those heavy ones arrive.- Said May, as she went outside.

- May.- The redhead called to her and turned around.- Be careful, okay? No heroin.- She asked and she nodded her head.

- Stay calm, I'll be back safe and sound.- She promised and went outside, boarding a ship piloted by a group of her "Shadow", heading North.


A few minutes after the Kankers regained the situation, their Armies were already over the North Africans, who were resisting as best they could the fierce onslaught that was now destroying the most important buildings such as the Headquarters and the Radio Station, which were burning like hell and the wounded were increasing, so they had to be taken to the ships.

General Ahmed noticed how a huge "shadow" covered the Sun, the air became icy and with it he noticed a huge advance guard of "Shadow" ships. One of his Soldiers observed, with binoculars, the one who seemed to be in command, being a blonde and freckled girl, who was standing in the middle of a platform and giving orders.


- Sink the fleet, now.- May ordered and the "Shadow" cannons prepared to fire. The color was turning from lilac to an intense violet, the concentration of energy was going to be devastating and it was when some mysterious "rays" were launched, which fell in a dive, just like bombs from an airplane and hit the first ships that exploded through the air next to the Port and the docks.


- Allah Blessed!.- Shouted Ahmed, who covered his eyes from the dust raised by the explosions.- Those ships... were they...?!.- A lump in his throat formed and he was about to fall to his knees until one of the Captains came to him.

- General, don't worry, those were empty, there was no one there! They have taken the bait but it was only momentary, now comes the most complicated part!.- He was informed by a young man from Libya.


From his platform, May watched the first ships burning and many were already sinking. The docks were a veritable fireball along with the buildings that were part of it. It was then that he turned his attention back to his own.

- Destroy the smaller ships and then start with the larger ones, where they are taking the refugees and wounded.- She ordered, as he took a seat on his Imperial Throne, however, something began to sound over the radars that attracted his attention.- Eh? what is it now?.- She wanted to know and as she got closer she even noticed a mysterious "Solitary Point"... - It's nothing, just a bird or a flock... - How wrong she was, since, in those moments, the instruments went crazy and the alarms had started to go off without stopping...- It can't be... it's...

At that instant, an explosion shook her ship, causing her to fall to the floor and almost roll to the void, clinging to her Throne and from there she rejoined. As she did so, she noticed a huge column of smoke varying from gray to black rising from one of her battleships, which had been hit and was hurtling towards the Mediterranean Sea. There was no sign of the crew, no one was answering the calls of his Comrades. Simultaneously, another burst, a second ship flew in hundreds of fragments and plummeted, like a comet, towards the earth.

- It's them, the "Witches"!.- She warned.- Evasive maneuvers and return fire, now!.- She ordered loudly, just as a third ship received the same response and this one was very close to their position.- Don't let them interfere in the conquest.

Firing the engines, May's fleet got underway, preparing their weapons to attack the enemies, after having lost three of theirs and just at that moment she heard a buzzing sound, so similar to those of fighter planes and a white flash that impressed her.

- "We are very sorry to "ruin" your party, Kankers, but this is over."- She heard, both the blonde and her two sisters, the voice of a certain dark brunette.


- Barkhorn!.- Exclaimed the three of them when they recognized her and the girl could be seen together with the others, holding the military radio that Sanya was carrying.


("We're hit!", OST from "Medal of Honor: Rising Sun")

- Guys, we're here, be ready!.- Yoshika asked, while she took the safety off her weapon, a "Schnellfeur M712" and fired at one of the ships, accompanied by Lynne, Mio and Perrine.

- Fly in formation, we have to take pressure off the Armies down there!.- Ordered Major Sakamoto, while she unsheathed her katana and drew a powerful arc that split one of the enemy ships in half, piercing the "Core", causing it to explode and shower the ground with its tiny fragments until it disappeared. All this had been seen by Kevin and Nazz, who could not say a single word at that important moment in their lives.- You, come with me," he asked and they obeyed him.

The attack had begun, one that had never been seen over the skies of Africa. It looked like something out of an action movie. The first to launch themselves against the enemy lines commanded by May were Yoshika, Lynne, Charlotte, Perrine, Eila and Sanya. That group of girls had managed to break through the fierce resistance against them, while the Peach Creek boys stood to one side.

- This is your "Baptism of Fire", don't fall behind!.- Called the orange-haired Liberion.- Give us a hand!

That brought them out of their thoughts.

- Oh yeah, yeah, right, let's attack, folks!.- Called Ed, as he flew and charged at a distracted Shadow Neuroi.

- Ed, come back here, it's dangerous!.- Shouted Eddy and went after him, followed by Double D, Sarah and Jimmy.- Ed!.- Called his short friend again but the boy had already left for the battle front.

Making their way through the Shadow Neuroi and the Witches, Eddy and the other three went after the Sci-Fi fan. That could not be described as a mere battle, but a bloody confrontation where bullets and "Magic" collided" against the enemies, but there were also the counter-offensives they launched. Double D observed Eila and Sanya, who were fighting together and at a given moment, one of the enemy ships fired a beam, being stopped by a "Shield" that the silver hair formed to protect both her and her friend. There was an explosion followed by a plume of gray smoke, immediately after, they both got out intact and it was the first girl from Northern Europe who gave Double D a look, showing concern for her and then nodded, giving her a "message" that they were fine and that she thanked her for her show of empathy.

- DOUBLE D!- He heard Kevin and Nazz's shout, leading him to turn around and see a huge enemy ship about to attack him, however, the redhead and the blonde flew into a dive at that war machine.

- God, he's going to kill him, resist!.- Requested the Cheerleader and they pointed their hands towards the enemy, creating a sphere that was divided into hundreds of "bullets" that were launched against the ship, just like a rain, but it could only do a very little damage. Then, it disappeared.

- What?! No, what happened?!.- Kevin asked.

- Remember that this is just the beginning, you have the "Magic" but soon it will get used to you. Don't worry, you can fight.- Approached Mio, who had destroyed another "Shadow" with her katana.

- But... we could barely get their attention.- Nazz pointed out, however, the black hair shook her head and pointed towards a gap that was expanding on the ship's armor.

- We did it!.- The redhead wanted to know and Mio nodded her head.

- And now you must finish the job, but hurry up, their regeneration is much faster and if you lose a few seconds, it will complicate us to destroy them.- Said the black-haired Major, so the three flew in the direction of the enemy ship.

- Double D, get out of here and help the others! We'll take care of this bastard!.- Kevin approached and cracked his knuckles.

- All right, but be careful, this is very serious.- Said the boy in the black cap, as he walked away.


Eddy had managed to reach Ed, who fired a series of "magic bullets" against a group of enemy ships, however, they had turned around and started shooting at them, so they had to take evasive action, while, from below, the situation was indescribable due to the fights that Minna, Trudie and Erica were giving to get out the wounded and civilians that were trapped there.

Yoshika and the rest of her friends were giving their best, causing casualties to the "Shadow" but each fallen meant a new "Soldier" for their ranks. The battle seemed to have no end and to make matters worse, the bulk of those Armies were upon them and they could not even forget the "Hive" that advanced like a flying bastion towards its prey.

- There it is... - Erica was speechless that that enemy fortification was coming towards them. It was then that, taking her weapon, she traced an upward arc and positioned herself next to Minna and Trudie, who had finished pulling out the troops, wounded and civilians trapped in the rubble.- Girls, there, look!

An immense "fortress" was advancing towards them, from its interior, like a tsunami, hundreds of enemy ships were emerging, which were attacking everything that moved and were heading towards the Mediterranean Sea. In the midst of the heat of battle, Eddy had reached Ed, grabbing his arm, just when a rival was about to shoot at them but, when all seemed lost, the boy closed his eyes and a discharge of "Magic" hit the "Shadow Neuroi", which exploded and fell engulfed in flames, collapsing to the ground.

- Wow, let's see me!.- Asked Ed and attacked two ships, both of which met the same fate.

- Ed!.- He heard Sarah's voice and when he thought she was going to say something nasty, she came closer and hugged him tightly.- Don't do something like that again, it almost scared me to death. I thought I was going to lose you!.- She said and he noticed her sister's warmth, so he ran his hand through her hair to reassure her.

- Hehe, don't worry, it won't happen again. I promise.- He swore, while Jimmy and Eddy watched everything. However, when that was happening, the shadow of the "Second Hive" headed towards where they were, the "Shadow" emerged and began a fierce attack, for which they had to respond and also give ground to the enemy onslaught.

One by one, the ships were destroyed by the "Magic" of the Peach Creek boys. Double D had shot down another, the sky was filled with gunfire and explosions along with smoke, so it would all go down in the history books.

- Guys, over here!.- They heard Johnny's voice calling out to them, waving his arms in the air.

- Let's go with the baldy, hurry!.- Ordered Eddy but when they were heading towards that position, a powerful enemy barrage separated them, Jimmy being hit and separated from Sarah's hand, while he started a fierce descent to the ground.

- JIMMY, FLY, QUICKLY, RECOVER YOUR HEIGHT!.- The redhead asked desperately but in vain, the boy was unconscious, product of the explosion and the "Shadow" surrounded him.- JIMMY! I MUST SAVE HIM, LET ME GO!.- Sarah begged but Ed did not let her go, as it was dangerous. Eddy contemplated that picture. He cursed his luck, he cursed the day that albino had made that "move" to frame them for something they had not done during "Friendship Day". He closed his eyes, a part of him told him that it was better to let him fall and make him pay dearly for his actions...but there were also the regrets, the weight of his decision could weaken the group, so he opted for one thing.

He stepped to the side of where Ed, Sarah and Double D were, looked down, took a deep breath and exhaled until...all at once...he swooped down to where that albino was, making his way through the "Shadow Neuroi".

- Guys!.- They heard Francesca's voice and she noticed that their faces were pale.- What? What's wrong? What about Eddy?.- She asked and it was Double D who pointed to the position where the young man was.

The black-haired Italian woman was speechless, she could not say anything about it, while she saw that boy fighting against the invaders, knocking them down and using his power against them, leaving flaming remains and a fine "dust" that disappeared when he was about to touch the ground.


He was flying in a dive, just like a bomb being dropped from a plane at high altitude or like birds of prey when they spot their target. Jimmy was just a few meters away, so he managed to grab him by the arm and carry him on his back.

- Eh...What...What...What happened?.- He asked and saw his "Savior": "Eddy? Eddy! What...What happened?!.- The albino wanted to know.

- I'll answer you later, but don't think that this will solve what you did against us that day.- Warned the short boy. Those words were sharp, it showed that they still had that "debt" pending and the only thing he could do was to wait for it to be solved with time.


While Eddy had Jimmy with him, the "Witches" had managed to decimate a large part of the enemy fleet, but May was the one in command and did not seem to be giving in, urging them to keep fighting to the end. The Battle of Africa had suffered a huge turn. That blonde thought that King Antiochus III The Great Syria must have felt the same way when his Armies were defeated in the Battle of Magnesia, although the difference was that the Monarch had discarded the ideas of General Hannibal Barca of Carthage and opted to repeat the same victory as in Panion but it went wrong and with respect to the Cruels, his plan suffered a great blow when his ranks began to dwindle due to the arrival of the "Witches".

- "May, at this rate we will lose our forces completely, we must retreat, now!.- Urged Lee, as she led her fleet to cover the retreat.

- No, I refuse to give in, we are going to win!.- She swore and ordered to fire on the enemy.


Something was approaching the short boy, a powerful light was coming towards him and the only thing he could do was to reach Sarah and Ed to hand Jimmy over to them. He then tried to face the threat but could not form a "Magic Shield" in time, so his body received the full impact and before the eyes of Francesca and Double D, who arrived to give him a hand when it was too late.

The blow had been devastating, his body did not seem to react and his eyes were closing from the impact. In a last effort, he tried to reach the hands of the Italian, who had thrown herself to save him and with the screams of his friends, Eddy was "submerging" in a "Sea of Silence", darkness and cold, while the smoke came out of his body and ascended towards the Heavens.

- EDDY!.- Francesca's scream tore through the air and she began a rapid descent to save him.

The young "Witch" accelerated and tried to reach him. That seemed impossible and her "Striker Unit" was almost at its limit, it could explode at any moment but it was the determination she had to save that boy but a sound made her slow down.


A blow, that's what had happened, one that hit the surface of a ship that was driven by Lee, who approached and checked that her "partner" was okay. His heart was beating, he had no inconvenience or damage to his body, so he had arrived just in time.

- My Man, did you think I would leave you alone with those idiots?.- Asked Lee, while Eddy was opening his eyes, his vision was blurred until he fixed himself and was horrified to see the one in front of him.

- AHHHHH! Let go of me, I'll never be your boyfriend, you monster!

- No, no.- The redhead stopped him.- Don't talk nonsense, you know very well that you are mine and no one else. We will get married, so will your friends and they will be our husbands. They will be Kings.- She tried to convince him, but the young man did not think so.

- After everything that happened, from the moment we were kidnapped in Peach Creek until now, the only thing I wanted was to see you behind bars for a long time but...now...now I only feel a deep rage against you and your sisters for what you are doing to the world! Yes, it will sound hypocritical of me but, before, I would rather be with someone else than with you!.- Hhe finished but when she was about to leave, Lee's "Guard" prevented her from escaping and heard her footsteps coming towards him.

- I tried to be good, to make you give in and join our cause but in the end I realize that, deep down, you are someone who needs a deserved "punishment".- She said and grabbed him tightly, shaking his body as if he were a bag of potatoes in the air and from there she looked at him closely.- Hehehehehe, you are going to be a very obedient boyfriend and husband because you don't want to see me angry.- She launched that threat but she didn't see that someone had entered, destroying the glass of the "Command Bridge", destroying her "Elite Guard" and was directing a kick at her that made her roll against the ground.

She struggled to her feet after the impact she had suffered. Her lip was bleeding, a couple of drops slipped to hit the floor, the sound of liquid soaking the surface and then Lee ran the back of her arm against the wound to clean herself. Then she faced the person standing there, protecting Eddy. She recognized her instantly, gritted her teeth, her blood boiling like water in a kettle. She remembered that girl who had saved the one who was to be her husband.

- I never thought that a "Witch" like you would be so stubborn as to get in my way, take away the love of my life and on top of that destroy my grandfather's legacy. But this will not happen today, it will be you who will fall.- She warned after speaking to him and standing up from the blow she had suffered.

- Ha!.- Francesca laughed and pointed her index finger at him, "You call this "love"? kidnapping a person? harassing him and making his life impossible? It seems to me that you are the only one guilty, together with your sisters, of the crimes you have committed, Lee Cruel," said the Italian seriously.

- Save your breath, damn you. You have made a serious mistake that will cost you your life, you don't want to see me more enraged than I am; so, back off and leave Eddy or suffer the consequences.- She threatened but the black-haired girl didn't move from there, she took a battle position, ready to fight. All right, you asked for it! He finished and charged at her, just like a bull charging at the bullfighter who provokes him...- TAKE THIS! THIS HIT IS FOR MY GRANDFATHER!.- She shouted and it hit the Italian's stomach, who went flying backwards, hitting a table with papers that flew everywhere, besides breaking it in half to the furniture.

- FRANCESCA!.- Shouted Eddy but Lee pinned him down.

- Ah no, be a good boyfriend and stay here.- Said the redhead, while the black hair stood up and saw how her opponent wanted to take him away.

- No... This is not over yet!.- She swore and that caught the attention of the opponent, who got fed up and decided to put an end to the matter.

- Agh, you're as heavy as a gnat!.- She bellowed but, this time, the blow came out: Francesca surpassed her in strength and with a quick movement she managed to kick her in the chest, knocking the air out of her, leaving her immobilized but there was much more rage inside her that kept her standing up to continue fighting. DIE, BITCH!.- She wished her and pulled out a knife he had with him, but the military woman managed to restrain her, holding her right arm, exerting an enormous force but that was going to lose with the passage of time.

Eddy watched the confrontation, he couldn't let his friend suffer, so he gathered courage and the first thing he did was to run to the Central control board, there was no one there, so he spotted a button with some letters written in a strange language, so he pressed it and that led to the alarms starting to go off.

- "Self-destruct sequence initiated. 3 minutes to explosion".- Announced a mechanical voice from the computer and when Lee turned to see who had been responsible, she was horrified to see the "Love of her life" lying before the action she had performed. But that wasn't all, the boy ran over to Francesca and helped her to her feet.

- Eddy, what are you doing?!.- Asked the redhead, who stood up.

- Something I should have done a long time ago: Ever since they showed up in town, they've been harassing us, making our lives more than impossible, they even stole those coins from when we had changed Ed's style next to the tree house we had. Now, it's payback time, Lee, and that means my "period" for you.- She snapped at him and then turned to the Italian woman.- Are you okay, friend, did he hurt you in any way?.- He asked, holding out her hand for him to get up.

- Don't worry, I'm fine, she didn't hurt me at all.- She answered with energy and a smile that captivated the boy, but he looked away from the black hair's face, while Lee tightened his grip on the knife in his hands.

- So this is how you repay me, Eddy?.- Asked the redhead with a gloomy voice and from there she raised her head.- Very well, so be it, but I will never give up on you, you will be mine no matter what!.- She exclaimed but the moment she launched herself against Francesca, the ship began to suffer the first explosions that hit her. That was the opportunity for the "Witch" Officer to take advantage and grabbed the opponent's hand, who was carrying the knife, but at the moment she wanted to throw it to the floor, a second explosion caused the object in question to deviate from its course and...

A piercing scream flooded the whole place, in the middle of the evacuation, Lee Kanker stood up and with a hand over his left eye, which was gushing blood and with his hand he tried to stop the loss, so he escaped from there to an escape capsule, but not before leaving a warning.

- This will not be the first and last time we meet, "Witch". You won't be so lucky, neither you nor your friends.- The redhead promised and escaped from the place, wounded, destroyed but with a promise that she would fulfill, sooner or later.

The place was ready to be blown up, the computer voice announced that there were only a few seconds left, so they both had to escape from there.


Meanwhile, on the outside, the battle was tipping the balance in favor of the "Witch" and her Allies. The "Shadow Neuroi" Forces had begun to retreat but Minna, Trudie and the others could not let the "Second Hive" escape, so they began a quick air offensive to destroy it, taking advantage of the fact that most of their troops were outside the interior to protect it.

- Hey, can I come with you?.- Asked Johnny with Tablón.

- Yes, Rolf also wishes to do so. A tribute to my ancestors.- Added the foreigner.

- All right, no problem.- Yoshika and Lynne allowed them to go with them.- But don't get separated from us.- They asked and both friends gave their word.

The attack had begun, devastating the few enemy forces inside the "fortress", despite the fierce resistance they imposed, but not before warning the Cruels of what was happening at that moment.


- What?.- Marie asked herself and then she saw that a message was arriving to her computer and she started to read it until her face turned red with anger.

- What shall we do?.- The blonde approached her and seeing that the other was recovering, she turned around and made a decision.

- Order them to retreat, we can no longer do anything for the "Second Hive".-She asked and she had to obey.


Returning to the enemy "fortress", the "Witch" had managed to destroy the defenses and with it to access to the "Nucleus" that it possessed, leading the "Second Hive" to begin its fall process and when they left, together with Johnny, Tablón and Rolf, they contemplated how it exploded in the air and sprinkled the sandy soil of the Sahara with the debris.

The victory was overwhelming and with the withdrawal of the "Shadow Neuroi" from there, that battle front was closed, however, in spite of the celebrations and fireworks, the Officers knew very well that this was not going to end, there were still other "Hives" around the World, the attacks against the other countries would not stop and the "party" was just beginning.

- Hey, did you see Eddy Francesca?.- Charlotte approached Minna and Trudie, since both did not appear.


Few seconds were left on the ship which, previously, had been under Lee's leadership but there was no one left. Eddy had used a good part of his power and was not enough to fly, so Francesca came up with a great idea. She walked up to him and held out her hand, catching the attention of the short boy, who raised an eyebrow.

- Hold on to me tightly.- She said with kindness in her voice.

- But, that's too much weight, we will fall.- He wanted to use logic, but that girl was very special, she was not like other people, she liked to live that style.

- So what? Nothing will happen, besides, you are in good hands, do you think I would let you fall?.- She asked with an accomplice smile, while she laughed.

He hesitated for a moment, however, in the end, he finally gave in and clinging to Francesca, she started the escape flight, leaving just before the ship exploded, whose remains fell in flames against the Desert floor, while they both watched the destruction under the afternoon sun.

The sound of the Italian's "Striker Unit" was the only one there, Eddy could observe the determination her friend had. She had already shown it in Peach Creek and again when she fought Lee.

- Hey, are you okay, are you hurt?.- She asked but, being taken by surprise, he shook his head.- Okay, that's the important thing. Now let's go back to the others, this battle is over.

- Wait - The boy stopped him - Thank you - He thanked her - Thank you very much - Really, thank you for helping me, after the attack, when Jimmy had been hurt, I...I saved him...although...- He looked aside, what happened in his village was still latent but Francesca understood the message.

- Don't worry. I understand your position, you didn't want anything bad to happen to him and you did well, you saved him, even so, your path has just begun, Eddy. Yours has begun and this battle has only been the tip of the iceberg, new confrontations will come, the Crueles will not give up. This defeat is only a bad taste in their mouth but they will come back to get what they seek. They are driven by the desire for power and domination, but we will prevent them from doing so. We are going to triumph, you just have to have confidence and you will see that the objectives will be achieved.- Said the Italian woman, encouraging the boy, who blinked for a few seconds and felt her warm hands on his.

- You are right. I will do it, I won't give up.- He swore, while avoiding a small blush that suddenly appeared.

- That's the way I like it!.- She exclaimed and they set off towards where the others were.


The trip was short-lived and they arrived at the flagship of the Egyptian Navy. Minna, Mio and Trudie were talking with the "High Command" and the results were excellent: North Africa was secured, but that did not take away the danger of being a potential target for new enemy attacks, Southern Europe was also under the same situation, however, security could be established there. On top of that, the losses for the Cruels during the Battle of Africa had been severe, plus the destruction of the "Second Hive" had been scheduled, so it was a reason to celebrate, although they chose not to.

They would not rest until the war was over and the Kankers were behind bars.

- Eddy!.- Double D and Ed rejoiced to see him safe and sound, as he descended with Francesca on the deck of the ship. Soon, the other characters joined in.

- Hey!.- Sarah called to him and as he turned around, he noticed that the girl gave him a hug.- It's a token of my appreciation: You saved Jimmy from certain death. I'll never forget that. You may be a pacifier and all, but you still chose to do a noble act for him. Thank you very much, Eddy.- She showed her respects and from there the others went to congratulate him, while Francesca looked at him with a smile on her face, encouraging him to keep going and he did.

While they were congratulating him, Minna stepped forward and spoke before them all.

- Today we have won an extremely important battle, one that endangered the security of both Africa and Europe. However, the war still goes on, we will have to keep fighting until the end, because they, the Kankers will know no rest. They will continue with their offensives but today, this victory opens the doors of hope for the people who are suffering, just as they have also participated in their "Baptism of Fire" and we have succeeded in destroying a new "Hive" for them. If we continue like this, we will lead them to a crisis with no way out and they will have to surrender, so... - Minna looked at the Peach Creek boys and gave them the military nod, as well as Trudie and the others - Today you have earned our respect, your powers have begun to emerge and with what you have learned, you will master them, but today you have made history, you have written your feats in the pages that will be read by future generations and I tell you this: Excellent work, boys. Very well done.- The Commander congratulated them and with that the applause broke out.

The Eds and the Peach Creek boys, together with the "Witches", knew very well that now very important days were coming, complicated battles where they would have to put into practice everything they had learned in training. The Kankers would not give up and would return to theirs, but, even so, the hope that the World would have a promising future was still latent.

Soon, the fleet set course for Brittania. It was time to rest, to regain strength after a long battle in the burning sands of the Sahara.

End of "Arc II: The Battle for Africa".


[Well, well, friends, as the message says, here ends this Arc, but there are still others left and I leave you this warning: "Arc III" is going to be a very important one, I'll just say that. I'll let this fic rest for a few days, since I need to finish others I have in "Wattpad" and, possibly, in two weeks, I'll be back with this one.

Without more to say, I thank all of you for following this story. I send you my regards and thanks.

Take care, friends. Have a good start to Thursday from me and see you next time.

Coming soon: "Arc III: The Antarctic War/Antarctica War".].