Chapter VII:
She saw them through those images that were transmitted by a "Dron" and that were taken to the headquarters they owned. Those videos could only be proof enough that her boyfriends had been "bewitched" by the "Witches", leading them to "obey" them in everything they said until they were released. That was their theory, however, the situation was chaotic and could lead to unprecedented fury, however, none of them said anything. Their plan was underway, the armies they had in Antarctica were ready to attack the South American continent and Oceania, destroying the positions and defenses installed, was the only desire they had with them. Even so, from the inside, Lee wished to see Francesca dead, not only for having taken her boyfriend away from her, but also for the fact that her right eye had been affected during that fight in Africa.
- The "Third Hive" is on the move to reinforce our ranks and take by surprise the South American Nations Navy and Australia.- Announced May, who was watching from the radar they had.
- Excellent, we already have them, we just need to attack as soon as possible and this will be devastating for those intruders.- Lee predicted, while waiting for the whole plan to go perfectly.
- I give the order.- Marie approached them both and she nodded her head.
- Do it: Let them attack.- Ordered the redhead and without more to say, the three went to the battle front, escorted by a "Personal Guard" of "Shadow Neuroi" and with that they arrived outside, surrounded by the cold, the sub-zero temperatures and the falling snow. Under the "Bridge" could be seen endless columns of their armies armed and ready to fight. All of them were silent and in the distance could be seen the ships that longed to bomb those countries, to leave them reduced to rubble and ashes, a desolate wasteland as happened in Iceland.
Lee stood at the Center of the platform and with a quick movement of her arm, accompanied by Marie, gave the signal to start marching north. The first to do so were the "Neuroi" fighter ships, which were loading their weapons and thus initiating the first air strikes against the enemy infrastructure.
- Hehehe, I can't wait to see the look of despair on their faces there in South America and Oceania when we arrive. Maybe they will surrender or give a final fight to extinction. But it doesn't matter, I already plan to install our World Government Palace in Europe, I wouldn't want to go to Australia, it's too hot there, there are very rare and dangerous bugs, among other things.- May adjusted the plans to lead Humanity, once the war is over.
- Be patient with it, we haven't arrived yet and you already want to rule. No Empire was forged with a quick installation, remember that.- Lee advised her and the blonde remembered that book she had on the "History of the Roman Republic" and its role in the different wars that took place in the Ancient World. The girl noticed that in her mind, stood up and went to the redhead, taking her by the arm lightly.
- Lee, there's... there's something I'd like to tell you.- She asked, causing the other to raise an eyebrow at that call.
- Even with that?. We'll go back there, there's always a second chance.- She tried to leave that topic aside but the blonde shook her head.
- It's important, I... I think we made a mistake there by relying too much on our early combat tactics against the big cities, like we did in London.- She said and from there another icy silence fell. The redhead took her hand from her sister's and gently looked her sister in the eye.
- Are you insinuating that what we did was in vain? Is that it?.- She asked and then her tone of voice became serious, crossing her arms.
- No!.- Exclaimed May.- It's just that I was reading one of these books about Rome and you just mentioned that no Empire was forged overnight; it's true. What happened is that we were also overconfident that we could defeat them in Africa, but what happened: we lost more than half of our armies in that continent along with the "Second Hive". The same thing happened to us as to Hannibal Barco of Carthage during the Battle of Zama against General Publius Cornelius Scipio "The African" and I could even compare this with the defeat in the Battle of Magnesia, which occurred in Asia Minor, although there it was because King Antiochus III The Great of Syria did not listen to Hannibal's advice on how to act against the "Legions of Romana".- He pointed but had to keep quiet, since the redhead was looking at him in silence.
- It is a very interesting "History class" and it is true, but you also have to remember one thing, May: Those military tactics were finished years ago, the Human Being evolved, we went from the Armor and the sword to the rifle and the atomic bomb. Or do you think we are going to do that in the battlefield? To face the "Witches" with "Scythian Chariots", elephants, Light and Heavy Infantry with Cavalry? Do you think so?.- She questioned him but the blonde shook her head.
- Still, this is still part of "Military History" and if Antiochus, as well as Ptolemaic Egypt thought that the Armies of both were weak, because they underestimated them, then we did something wrong there. I think we should be careful and not throw ourselves overboard.- She concluded and then noticed that Lee frowned, brought one of her hands to her forehead and remained thoughtful.
- You were never the smartest of us but you show that. I'm...impressed.- She showed his respects to her.- I'm surprised by what you said, I really am. But, even so, our ranks will crush the enemy in Antarctica and we will bury them there.- She promised, placing his hands on the blonde's shoulders, who said nothing more and they left for their battle stations.
Kevin had spent the day repairing and oiling his bike. Once he had finished his work, the boy ran the back of his right arm over his forehead, wiping away the sweat from the work he had done, and with that he stood up. His back creaked and from there he went for a walk in the surroundings to clear his mind after a long activity.
He was by the beaches surrounding the HQ and noticed two people standing there. One of them fell to the ground and as he focused his eyes a little more, he noticed that the girl who had rolled was Nazz, who was holding a kendo sword in her hands. The other one standing there was Major Mio Sakamoto and he wondered what they were doing, so he was willing to find out what was going on until he noticed that the blonde got back to her feet and charged at the black hair, who defended herself with her weapon but the other seemed to redouble her offensives. With a series of powerful blows, the girl put the Japanese girl against the ropes, but the latter proved to redouble her defense efforts, leading her to recover the lost ground and now they were face to face, without defining who would come out victorious.
One part of her told her that she had to intervene, but the other pointed out that it was not necessary. She also knew how to respond to situations like that and did not represent any threat to the blonde, but, on the contrary, gave her an air of confidence. So she took a seat and while Dusk was arriving, Nazz and Mio continued for a while until, all of a sudden, the first one achieved what she was looking for, to accomplish her goal, which was to knock Mio down and thus emerge victorious.
The black hair stood up, removing the sand from her uniform and from there she remained standing, before the other, who was silent and from there she gave her the military salute, which she responded in the same way.
- With this first step, your dominion over the "Reppumaru" will become a powerful "bond", Nazz.- She congratulated him but, just when he was congratulating her, the alarm began to sound all around the perimeter.
The redhead got up from the ground and saw that the "Witches" who had stayed there were heading towards the HQ to see what was going on. Mio, being one of the Officers who remained there, went running over there, while Nazz followed in her wake, running into Kevin.
- Hey, that's a good display of fighting.- The guy on the bike told her.
- And that's just a start.- Added the blonde and from there they arrived at the complex, where the girls were taking their "Striker Units".
A few kilometers from their arrival, Francesca and Eddy were having a conversation about the walk they had had in Romagna, about the moments they had lived and especially about the promise she had made to defend her homeland from the clutches of the enemy. That had struck a deep chord in the spirit of the short boy, implying that he would do the same for his friends and his home. While Eddy remained talking to her, she turned around and, taking him by surprise, gave him a small kiss on the lips, one that was fleeting, lasting a few seconds, but which provoked something to emerge from inside the boy.
The latter, turning around, noticed that the Italian woman had returned to her work of driving the jeep until it reached its destination. He ran his hand over his right cheek but said nothing, not wanting to interrupt her. However, as they were entering the perimeter of the headquarters, they noticed that the lights began to turn on and the alarms were going off one by one.
- What's going on?.- The girl asked herself and stepped on the gas pedal to the floor. She picked up the radio and contacted those who were there.- This is Francesca Lucchini, I'm arriving with Eddy, what happened? I repeat, report.
- "You'd better get there as soon as possible, Francesca, we have confirmation that the enemy has started to advance from Antarctica to attack South America and Oceania".- Mio, who was in the "Communications Room", informed her.
No more was said and in a few seconds they arrived at their destination.
The anti-aircraft alarms had taken Erica, Ed, Double D and Eila by surprise, the latter heading towards the hangars, where they met up with the others. A few meters from there, Francesca's jeep was parked and with the Italian black hair and Eddy beside her, hearing every word of what Mio was announcing to all of them.
- The Commander and the others have just advised us that a number of vast "Shadow Neuroi" Armies have been seen advancing from Antarctica for the aforementioned purpose. Also, it seems that we have confirmation of the "Third Hive" that is with the Kankers at this moment and that is the main objective to be taken into account.- Informed the black hair to those present.
- How fast, they took us by surprise? Is it a trick? Is there any distraction they have left us?.- Asked Sarah but Major Sakamoto shook her head.
- For now we have no reports of other enemy incursions, although we are on alert with the other battle stations throughout the world.- Answered the black hair and then went to where the "Striker Units" were, "Witches", in formation, we leave at once," she ordered with a commanding voice and from there they went to place the artifacts, took the weapons and ammunition, while the boys of Peach Creek followed them.
The first to take off was Mio along with Lynne, Rolf, Sarah, Johnny, Plank, Jimmy, Nazz and Kevin. There was no time to lose, the enemy was advancing by leaps and bounds across the "White Continent". They were pressed, they could feel that, this time, it would not be a battle like the one in Africa, no, this was different, the "Tip of the Iceberg" had already passed and now they would face something much more dangerous.
- Don't be afraid, I'm with you.- Erica told Ed as they prepared for take-off.
- I will never be afraid, not as long as we are together.- He promised and they took each other's hands, starting the flight. Still friends, Erica was another of the "Witches" who experienced something for the lover of Science Fiction, monster movies and comic books. She didn't know how to describe it, but it was as if a "seed" had been planted deep in her soul and with it germinated into a future flower. Carrying her combat weapon in her hands, the blonde Karslander began her flight with Ed, soaring through the cold night skies of Europe towards Antarctica.
Sanya had changed, at the last minute, her night patrol round to join the "Witches", as she was needed to detect enemy signals in the surroundings, so she joined the party and went up to the Firmament, while the last to leave were Double D, Eila, Francesca and Eddy. The black-haired girl held his hands, showing a smile of calmness and that he should not fear anything, everything would be fine, so they both got ready. The short boy followed the rhythm that the girl had and with a quick movement, they both rose to the Heavens.
- I love this, I've never felt so full of Adrenaline in my life!.- Exclaimed the boy, as he traced a series of circles in the air and escorted his "Guardian" to the battlefield.
- That's part of the body getting used to the "Magic", Eddy. Now you feel this way because, thanks to the exercises you received with us and Anna Ferrara, you were able to master it, even if there are still some points to close, but don't worry, everything in its own time!.
- Ladies first, please. It would be very rude to go before you.- Offered Double D that Knight's way, so Sanya took off and from there Eila and he remained. However, before the albino headed for the Firmament, she hovered in the air before them.
- Is something wrong, Sanya?.- Asked the silver-haired girl from Nordic Europe.- We'll be right there, we need to finish some last things?.- He asked but the girl didn't move from there.
- Eila, tell me something.- She called to the other one, who turned to see her.- Do you also see in Double D something more than a simple friendship/protection?.- She asked, so the girl looked, crestfallen, to the floor and from there she raised it once again.
- I think we should leave it for another time, they need us and...- Intervened the boy with the black cap but was stopped by the silver-haired girl, making her swallow saliva because of that icy silence.
- No, we can still reach them but, regarding your question, Sanya...- Eila spoke with a firm and calm voice, she didn't show any signs of jealousy or anything like that, but she was confident.- Yes, it's something that goes beyond friendship, that is beyond everything mentioned before and I don't deny it. At first, when you chose him, I was jealous that I might lose you, so I also offered to be by your side.- She answered frankly, looking at each other.
- I understand.- That was the first impression the albino gave.- I also feel something for him, that feeling that is growing inside me but, compared to you, it has not yet surpassed that "level". Still, my heart also doesn't betray me and I believe in what it tells me. That's why I'm also with you on this.- He maintained.
- "Sanya, Eila, Double D, where are you guys?. Hurry up".- Mio called to them over the radio.
- We'll be right there. Wait.- Answered the albino, taking the microphone.- We'll continue later with this matter, now we have to go. And don't worry, Double D, there is nothing wrong with what we are talking about. Stay calm.- He brought calm to the boy, while both held out their hands for the young man to fly to his side.
With a little clumsiness, the boy with the black cap took off, accompanied by both friends, heading towards Antarctica, having witnessed that revealing talk that left a before and after in his history.
Once gathered at that "Point", the group that remained in Brittania together with the boys headed south, to an icy, inhospitable land where very few could live due to the hostile climate and its fauna. Even so, Antarctica was another "World", one of which little was known and that the advances in scientific research made known, with the passing of time, its history, formation and how life was before it became an inhospitable region.
And now, in the midst of a war that endangered the Future of Humanity, the Kankers were advancing, marching at the head of their Armies, destroying every trace of infrastructure belonging to the scientific and military bases, sinking their ships, leading to panic and abandoning those lands to go to the nearest Continents, hoping to save themselves, but without knowing that this was only the beginning.
Their machines had destroyed every last enemy position, driving away the defenders, who fled in whatever means they could employ to save their lives. The combat ships were flying in formation and approaching, menacingly, the skies of those countries of the "Southern Cone". There still remained a "Line of Defense" established by the aforementioned Nations that would make their attempt to contain the enemy advance and allow sufficient time to complete the evacuation of civilians and wounded.
- Watch them flee, they are pathetic and they call themselves "Humans". Ha, I laugh at their misfortune!.- Exclaimed Lee, in a mocking voice, pointing towards the retreating columns.- Run away, try to save your pathetic lives, we'll see who will end up building our monuments.- She augured and from there one of the cannons was set to point towards the last scientific research stations. From there came a Servant "Shadow Neuroi", who brought some glasses with champagne and from there he took his own, raising it in the air.- Sisters, let us toast...let us toast to our eternal world government and to the fall of the Witches!
- Yes, and also to grandfather!.- May added.
- That's how I like it: To our "Empire", to grandfather and the Kanker Family! Long live our Armies!.- Finished the redhead and they clinked their glasses, the liquid was poured into the others, intermingling and from there they proceeded to drink until there was not a single drop left.
And so it was that the enemy armies resumed their march, devastating everything in their path, leaving no infrastructure standing and turning them into huge incendiary pyres.
Meanwhile, a few kilometers from Antarctica, the "Witches" were arriving at the objective, the cold weather could already be felt, so Sanya carried a thick coat and a reddish-brown scarf to protect her from the low temperatures. Along with her communications equipment and firearms, the girl was following an electronic trace of the radio waves emitted by those artificial beings. Suddenly, the girl detected and raised her right hand in the air.
- What's going on?.- Ed asked and then noticed something in the air.- Hey, can't you feel that something is on fire?
That question was not lost on anyone, for indeed, on the surface, the scientific and military facilities were on fire. As they were about to descend, a series of enemy ships emerged and began attacking them to drive them out. Ed was not going to be intimidated by something like that, so he weaved a "Magic Shield" and the shot hit it, preventing it from throwing both him and Erica backwards. He then formed a series of "Magic Spheres" and threw them at the air units, causing them to explode in the air and a couple of them to fall to the ground.
- What a nice welcome.- Said Minna sarcastically.- Come on, friends, let's attack!.- Roared the Lieutenant and the Battle of Antarctica began. A confrontation that, as it had been previously, was going to be totally different from what happened in Africa, since the "Shadow Neuroi" attacked with precision never seen before, leading them to have to protect themselves and counter-attack, leading to an enormous expenditure of "Magical Energy".
- Come here, invaders, come here, the "Son of the Shepherd" will give you what you deserve!.- Rolf challenged them and being surrounded by several of them, the foreigner made his knuckles ring and began to attack them one by one, knocking down every enemy that got in his way, besides helping Lynne and Yoshika, who did not stop shooting against the hordes of reinforcements.
With great accuracy, Rolf managed to take down a few enemies, but they kept coming. It was as if one line, when destroyed, was replaced by another after falling. Aided by Lynne and Yoshika, the three of them were able to counter the attackers and inflict serious casualties.
Next to them, a few meters farther away, Kevin, Nazz, Johnny and Tablón were fighting in a confrontation without equals, since they were attacking the most important machines that the Kankers had, devastating them completely and thus preventing them from continuing with the bombardments against the scientific bases.
Further up, Minna, Trudie, Charlotte and Mio were fighting against the enemy ships, who were trying to reach the continents of South America and Oceania, which was getting more and more complicated. However, just when the Eds joined Erica, Francesca, Sanya and Eila, the space car, the limousine that had rescued the Cruels and evacuated them from Peach Creek, had reappeared and with it were the three sisters, protected by an escort of their "Elite Guard", who took a step and were floating in the air, a few meters away from their boyfriends.
- Well, well, you can see that this miserable and rotten World is still a handkerchief.- Lee spoke and directed his gaze to Francesca, who remained in her position, but ignored her. From there he walked over to Eddy, showing a satisfied smile.- And I see that you have fulfilled your "role" of taking care of the kids very well. However, that can no longer be done. They are coming with us, now.
When she was about to take a step forward, the Italian stopped her.
- Try it and I'll make you lose your other eye, Lee.- She warned her seriously, causing her to frown.
- I see you don't understand what the term "my boyfriend" means: Eddy belongs to me.- She clarified, but that didn't scare her.
- Do you think I'm stupid? You don't have the right to treat him as if he was an object, he is not your boyfriend.- She said and that was like a bomb against the redhead.
She said nothing and pulled up the sleeves of her blouse. This time she was not going to let him run away with that boy. Letting out a battle cry, Lee attacked Francesca with a punch straight to her chest but the black hair was faster and hit her in the back, leading her to lose her balance.
- For your information, I saw it first!.- Exclaimed that sister of the Kankers.
- You have nothing that belongs to you! Eddy went from being a friend to something more with me!
- What did you say?.- Asked Lee with astonishment.
- What you heard.- Interrupted Eddy, stepping forward.- All these years, suffering with my friends because you were harassing us nonstop, but that's over, Lee!
- Ha! And do you love this subnormal?.- She wanted to know with mockery but he should have measured his words.
- Of course I do.- He answered frankly, crossing his arms and looking at his opponent, who froze.- If you think that my friends and I would be her future husbands with Humanity enslaved, you are extremely wrong: We never will.- He swore, and that could have destroyed Lee's will, but she was not going to let herself be defeated by anything.
- Hehehehe, hahahaha, you think I'm going to turn around and cry like a cupcake because you won't be my boyfriend! You're very wrong, little man! You'll be mine, whether you want to or not!.- Warned the young woman and launched an attack against Francesca and the others.- May, Marie, join the battle and let's finish with these undesirables now!.- She asked and they arrived in the blink of an eye, unleashing a confrontation never seen before.
By the time the blonde arrived and had Ed in her sights, Erica got in her way, firing a round of bullets that led the first one to create a "Magic Shield" and from there fly to attack her. However, the girl from Karsland reacted and evaded it, but not before directing a kick in the stomach to the other, raising her to the heavens, but she quickly returned to the fight, recovered and now fell like a bomb to where the "Witch" was.
- Erica!.- Ed pointed at her.
- Don't worry, I'll be fine, nothing will happen...!.- She promised but the words came too late to the boy in green jacket and he went to her, saving her from May, who hit the position where the other was, floating in the air and watching her boyfriend walk away with her.
The boy sighed with relief.
- Hehehe, thanks for saving me, but it wasn't necessary.- Erica thanked him.
- I know, but May is very dangerous and she can count on any dirty trick to play against you.- She told the blonde from Karsland.
- Really? Hmmm.- She thought for a while and then faced the other one, who was boiling with rage.- So you like to cheat? Fine, but I won't "play" that way, I'll play with dignity.- She said and that made her even more angry when Erica grabbed Ed's hands.
Without Erica having time to react, she felt May throw a punch to her stomach, making her dizzy from the impact, coughing and trying to catch her breath, and Ed was face to face with the blonde.
- Ohh Ed, My Dear Sweet Ed, why don't you come with me, weren't you happy with me.- She asked, trying to tame him the easy way, but he turned around and helped Erica.
- You're a brute, how could you do this to her! She didn't do anything wrong to you! You're Peach Creek's problem!.- The young man scolded her angrily, while carrying the Karsland girl, leaving the other one speechless.
- How can you say that, after all we've been through?!.- She exclaimed, trying to win him over the other way, one that went through the Past.
- Are you talking about when we were being chased every day?. When we couldn't run a single con in peace? Is that what you mean?. But now, what you did to Erica, you know what that is: cowardly. You don't own me, you hear.- And what the Science Fiction lover threw at her was so icy and cutting that it made May stay still in the air, without doing anything, being watched by Marie.
The dark blue hair was advancing, in the midst of the demolitions that her armies were having against the "Witches" and their allies, without caring about the results of the offensive, for now. Maybe it would be a few casualties but they would achieve the objective, since the "Third Hive" continued launching new ships and reinforcements to continue with the conquest operation. The first thing was to destroy their enemies once and for all, put an end to the resistance and from there, once those undesirable warriors were eradicated, they would keep the spoils of war, especially the Eds. Yes, that was the plan, what could go wrong? If they don't want to go with them, then they would take them prisoner and without complaint, having to obey their orders to the letter.
A major "Shadow Neuroi Battlecruiser" plummeted in free fall, engulfed in flames, a few meters from where Marie was standing. She watched silently, as dense plumes of black smoke and tongues of flame ascended through the Heavens to plunge into the depths of the Antarctic Sea. She frowned, but they had vast units and logistics to continue the war as long as she wanted, a loss like that was replaced by more endurance. She didn't care what was happening, sooner or later, the "Witches" would run out of "Magic" and then they would be taken by surprise.
Suddenly, a series of missiles hit other heavy fire ships, which fell to sink into the depths of the aforementioned Sea. He turned and noticed that there were two of the unfortunate ones, one of them was albino and armed with a rocket launcher system and a new generation of communications equipment. Next to her was a silver-haired one, who kept flying along with her friend, firing rounds of ammunition and destroying every ship, no matter its size, that was in her way and there, accompanying them, throwing powerful magical spheres, was the person she was looking for.
Eila noticed a presence behind Double D, so she aimed and fired a series of rounds at Marie, who dodged them and from there attacked her, being stopped by Sanya.
- You've taken my boyfriend!.- Exclaimed the blue-haired girl.
- He doesn't belong to you. He is not your servant or anything like that.- Replied the girl from Nordic Europe, facing her coldly.
- Really?.- Marie asked defiantly and went to attack them, however, Double D stepped in and deflected her attack, which knocked down another "Shadow Neuroi".
- Please, stay away from them.- He ordered her cordially, but she was not going to stand idly by, so she responded and shot at the two friends, but the boy protected them.- I told you to leave, Marie: I don't want to hurt you, but I won't leave with you either.- This time, his tone of voice sounded very cold, leading her to realize that she would never see him again.
- They are distracted.- Observed Mio to the Witches, who were at other points.- They are not guarding the "Third Hive" and from there, with that "Green Light" in their path, she turned to the girls.- Come on, let's attack the objective!.- She asked and with Minna, Trudie, Charlotte, Lynne, Yoshika and Perrine, they launched an assault against the enemy stronghold.
Flying in combat formation, making their way through the enemy lines, the "Witches" were heading towards the "Third Hive", supported by the other Peach Creek boys, who gave them covering fire to clear the area until they could infiltrate inside.
- Die!.- Shouted Lee, while fighting against Francesca. Eddy was protecting the Italian and launched several magical shots against the redhead. But don't worry, soon, once we finish this fight, I'll take care of destroying your country, not a stone will be left on stone! It's a pity that Alaric I of the Visigoths and Genseric of the Vandals couldn't finish off Rome until the end. I'll take care of it.- She threatened the black-haired woman and that made her furious.
- You're stupid!.- Said Eddy, while directing a blow against her stomach, which left her breathless. Then came Francesca, who punched him again and now against his chest. She then grabbed his head and smashed it against some debris in the air, from an enemy ship falling to the ground, causing him to bleed like hell.
- Never, ever, in your fucking existence, threaten my homeland again, you hear?!.- She was about to take her away when he noticed that some "Shadow Guards" arrived, accompanied by May and took her away.
She did not say anything, she simply remained silent, just as Lee was also, defeated in the field of love but with the hope of being able to triumph with the "Third Hive".
Marie reacted in time, just as they were about to stop her, managing to throw a smoke screen that allowed her to disappear into the shadows and thus sneak to where her sisters were. She said nothing to Double D, for some reason, even though he was supposed to be with her, she walked away and went to see how the operations would continue. When he got to May and Lee, Lee noticed that the redhead was injured and he was ready to treat her, but she prevented him from treating her.
- I'm fine...- She answered with a tired voice, due to the dizziness caused by the blows received.- Just...Let's continue the battle.- She asked with authority.
- The "Third Hive" is ready to fire, sisters. We only have one step left and it will all be over.- Marie augured, keeping her hopes up, despite the defeat on the other "front".
- You are right.- Lee recovered a little from that blow and looked to the horizon.- Give the order: Let the cities of Oceania and South America burn.- She ordered coldly.
While the combats in Antarctica were multiplying, the efforts of the Peach Creek boys were bearing fruit, since they had caused many casualties to the "Shadow Neuroi" and with the assault carried out by the "Witches", they were advancing through the corridors until they reached the "Core" of the "Third Hive", but their offensive was being slowed down due to the fierce resistance that the enemies were offering them inside.
Hiding against the walls, the fighters were able to destroy the opponents, one by one, clearing the way and allowing them to reach their final objective.
- How do you think the kids are doing out there?.- Trudie asked worriedly.- I saw the Kankers heading towards the Eds.
- I'm confident they'll know what to do with them. Don't worry, my friend.- Minna calmed her down.
- It's true, those madwomen will have to surrender sooner or later.- Added Charlotte, who shot down another group of "Guards" and from there they had a clear path to the "Core".
There was its operation, the "Engine" that moved the other "Hives". Yoshika examined it and was able to witness the enormous power it gave off for that mobile bastion, in addition to the weapons that continued firing against the infrastructures, ships and the countries of South America and Oceania. The roar was deafening, it seemed as if the "Hive" itself was trembling from the onslaught it was launching at the aforementioned targets. Without wasting time, Minna and the others went to finish the mission, just when the Security Systems issued an intrusion alert in that area.
- Let's destroy this "Hive" now, girls!.- Requested Yoshika and from there they began to shoot at the "Core".
Outside, the Cruels were with their "Personal Guard", waiting for new reports on the Battle of Antarctica, however, with the passing of the hours, things had become complicated for their Armies, who were overwhelmed and with hundreds of casualties, leading to only a part of them arriving to them.
- Sisters, calmly, do not panic, we still have the "Third Hive". It should not be far.- Asked Lee calmly, even with those wounds suffered after the combat against Francesca, she could be serene and with that voice of leadership.
- How can you be so calm, Lee.- Asked Marie seriously.- I hope you know that we lost our boyfriends, we can't do anything more.- She sat down and looked at May, who was wiping her tears with a handkerchief.
- It's true...everything we did was in vain!.- Said the blonde, but that led Lee to slap her.
- Don't ever say something like that again and with a defeatist tinge! You are a Kanker, not a weak one! she ordered and put the situation in order, leading the other to stop shedding tears and from there she looked straight ahead: The "Third Hive" is coming, it only remains...
As if the misfortune did not leave them, they received a Servant coming from the mentioned bastion, who told them something in secret that left them very pale, while their "Personal Guard" was left aside, waiting for new orders. Marie raised a hand, asking to be left alone, and they were plunged into a deep silence.
Before them they could see how the "Third Hive" was burning inside and the "Shadow Neuroi" Forces were fleeing from inside, while dense columns of smoke emanated and ascended towards the Heavens. At one point, the three sisters whetted their eyes and could see those responsible leaving in an unknown direction. Then, the huge mobile bastion exploded into a large number of fragments, debris that was scattered on the floor and disappeared before their eyes. Many ended up sinking into the depths of the sea, so May went out to try to save something, which proved impossible.
- No, no, it can't be true!.- She exclaimed, desperate.- Our boyfriends and now we've lost another "Hive"! This...this...this...this...!.- The poor blonde burst into tears, leaning against Lee and Marie's shoulders, who held her so she could unburden herself.
After she stopped crying, the three of them stood and watched the responsible ones returning with the Peach Creek boys to Europe.
Celebrating their new victory, the "Witches" returned to celebrate, however, for four of them and the Eds, who looked down and could see the Kankers, who were silent after a new defeat suffered at their hands. Francesca, Eila, Sanya and Erica said nothing, acknowledging that they would meet again, but when the three boys held their hands, this did not escape the piercing gaze of Lee and her sisters.
They said nothing, they simply set course, in that limousine, to an unknown location. They needed time to recover and reorganize the conduct of the war.
Yes, that was the important thing: Time.
But what happens when a mind is destroyed at the moment of greatest expectation? They had planned that offensive and that it would be the final one to end the conquest of the World. Now everything they knew had been destroyed by the "Witch" attack.- Lee was putting an alcohol wipe on the wounds he suffered in the fight against Francesca, while Marie was looking at the smoking remains of the "Third Hive" and May was making some calculations about the casualties and those who were still standing.
At one point, the blonde threw the papers on the floor, furious.
- We lost almost all of our Armies from the "Third Hive", they didn't have time to evacuate, only a few of them got out! Are you not going to put your word on the table?! We're screwed, from now on!. What are we going to do?!. Huh?! Move those in the other "Hives" to replace the lines affected by the fall?!.- She asked, raising her voice even higher.
- I understand your disappointment, sister, but now is not the time.- Marie tried to calm her down but she pushed him away.
- You act like that because Double D, at least, rejected you being noble, I had to see mine in the hands of that Karsland's bitch!.
- What did you say, idiot?!.- She asked and they started to fight. Lee heard everything that was happening, between the arguments and fight of her sisters, the words that Eddy had told her and now the fall of that bastion was a triple mortal blow against them, but, somehow, she stood up and went to them.
- You don't know anything about commanding troops, you're useless!.- May reproached Marie but they were both stopped by the redhead, whose countenance was cold and silent.
- I can tell that both of you are so weak as to swear for our victory and then turn around, cry and ask Heaven to help us. Here is my answer: No one will help us except ourselves, but instead of thinking, united, against those damned ones, you fight among yourselves! I don't want to hear you two arguing about anything stupid, you hear? I want you both working with me, as we did before, shoulder to shoulder!.- She exclaimed and that went deep into the two sisters, who remained silent until they settled their differences. But, in spite of everything, Lee did not smile or anything, she remained serious and silent, something was developing in the deepest part of her spirit, just like in May and Marie.
That silence lasted for a while, none of the three said anything about it, they just remained silent. The two sisters who had been fighting, now remained silent and looked at the floor or the surroundings, as if they were little girls after having been challenged by their parents for a bad action they had done. Then, Lee got up from his seat and noticed that they were arriving at the headquarters they had installed in the North, in an unknown area and where all the "Shadow Neuroi Forces" survivors of the fall of the "Third Hive" were heading to.
The limousine landed on the area assigned by the controllers of that small "Airport" and after the doors opened, the three sisters descended, walked towards the "Operations Room" and it was Marie who closed it, asking the "Personal Guard" to make sure that no one entered that area.
Once they entered, the door was closed and the Sentinels remained there, complying with the order given.
In the meantime, victory was more than absolute for the Witches and their Allies. Another "Hive" had been destroyed, the enemy forces received a very hard beating and with that it was in that the Eds had put an end to the affair with the Cruels, having demonstrated those feelings that, little by little, would lead them to a possible Future together, one that surpassed, again, that of courtship, but would be forged with the passage of time. The war was still going on and in every armed conflict, whether local or global, there were always casualties on the warring sides.
- You guys showed off again today.- Trudie spoke to them, turning and hovering in the air.- You put up a great fight and with it we ended the Shadow Neuroi threat in Antarctica and also protected South America and Oceania from the enemy.
- It was nothing, Lieutenant Barkhorn, it was in our duty to employ everything we learned in training and put them in the field.- Eddy thanked, taking his friends by surprise, as that was not the answer for someone who only thought of himself.
Some, like Sarah and Jimmy, muttered under their breath, wondering if this young man was the one who was always running scams with Double D and Ed. Francesca looked at them for a while and winked, giving them to understand that everything was fine and that Eddy was speaking with sincerity in his voice.
- Hey, I have a question.- Johnny wanted to know, raising his left hand and with his right hand he was holding Plank.
- Go ahead.- Minna conceded to the boy in the white shirt.
- What can we expect from this war? I know it sounds exhausting, but... I don't know, I have a very strong feeling.- she said with a tone of voice full of fear.
- But, my friend Johnny, why do you say that? Maybe we'll win the war in no time.- said Rolf, but the boy shook his head.
- I don't know why, but I'm afraid that, coming from the Kankers, we haven't got the worst of them yet. Believe me, when they were bothering us in Peach Creek, even when they got a bottle stuck with a boat in it, they left a whole trail of destruction around the neighborhood. Now that we have destroyed three "Hives", I think it is here, as in the adventure video games, where the situation starts to get complicated. What do you think?.- He theorized, and from there a deep silence fell.
What should have been a reason to celebrate, had turned into a deep void, one that no one dared to answer, not even the senior officers like Minna, Trudie, Mio and Charlotte had a clear answer, even looking for it in the depths of their minds, it was impossible, so Sergeant Yoshika stepped forward to talk to Johnny.
- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make things awkward. I know we're going to celebrate and all but...- He apologized but the girl placed her hands on his shoulders.
- Don't worry, nobody's mad at you or anything, Johnny. You don't have to apologize, you didn't do anything wrong.- She reassured him and then took a deep breath.- Even so, what you said, about that theory you have...- She turned and looked at the others.- We will have to be on constant alert and make sure they don't try anything.- She understood and put her cards on the table.
- Wait, now that you mention it, it is true that the Kankers destroyed a good part of the neighborhood because of that ship in the bottle. They are very spiteful and even more so if they are denied something.- Added Kevin, as he approached with Nazz.
- I agree with him. I think we should follow what the Sergeant proposed...- Ed, seeing that Yoshika was looking at him calmly, that he should not address her in a formal tone, changed his mind.- What Yoshika said: We will have to be vigilant, who knows what they may have in the shadows.
- As long as we stand together and fight shoulder to shoulder, the only thing they will know is defeat. Of that I am sure.- Erica approached, taking the hands of the Science Fiction lover.
- Very well said, friend. Those fools have already received their comeuppance several times, one more doesn't hurt anyone. Besides, we are "Witches", our mission will always be to protect Humanity.-Francesca took a step forward with Eddy, who felt his cheeks blushing.
- If we were able to defeat the "Neuroi" in the Past, then we will do it again. History will not be written by them, but by us. I will always be with you, my friends. No matter what happens.- Swore Eila with Double D and Sanya by her side.
- Very well said!.- Yoshika congratulated them with emotion and from there they arrived at the headquarters in Brittania, just when the dawn began to arrive.
A new day had just arrived for a world wrapped in war.
End of "Arc III: The Antarctic War"
[And with this last chapter ends the aforementioned "Arc" and it has been very intense. That's why I worked a lot with the theme, according to my point of view, of the evolutionary step from friendship to love between the Eds with Erica, Francesca, Eila and Sanya, which we will see in the next installment of this fic-remake-tribute.
Well, first of all, friends, I want to give you this very important notice: On Tuesday February 15 I'm going on vacation to the South, to Bariloche, Patagonia Argentina and although where I'm staying there is Internet, I won't write, since I'll be traveling around the region, so this week I'll write the first chapter of the new "Arc" and then it will be on hiatus until I return from my vacation.
Without more to say, I want to thank Matfix, Franco M. Romano and the followers here and Wattpad for following this story. Thank you very much, friends.
I'll be seeing you, take care and I wish you an excellent start of the week.
Until next time, friends.
Next Arc: "Arc IV: The Fight for Romagna"
