Arc IV: The Fight for Romagna
[And we start with a new part of this fic-remake-homage and I let you establish one very important thing: It is going to be a very complicated arc because of the things that are going to happen from now on. The previous one marked a before and an after, so, from this moment on, the Peach Creek kids and the Witches will have to be more than united to face the threat of the Shadow Neuroi commanded by the Cruels and that still hangs over the World.
As I always say, before starting with chapter 1, I am not the original owner of this fic: All rights reserved for Matfix, as well as for "Strike Witches" and "Ed, Edd, Eddy" with their respective authors, companies and countries. The goal is just to entertain.
Now let's get started].
Chapter I:
Throughout Universal History, different types of governments emerged within the first societies that played a role in the evolution of the World. First were the Sumerians and their successors in Ancient Mesopotamia, then it was the turn of the Egyptians, the Greeks and, finally, the Romans. The latter, in their conformation towards what would be the legacy they would leave for future generations, were their beginnings with the Etruscan Monarchy. A period of Kings who ruled the City of the Tiber River until their expulsion and the motto that such rulers would never again rule Rome. The time of the Republic, covered from its beginnings, by the different wars that were waged, both in the Interior and against the "barbarian tribes" as they called those who were Romans, followed by Carthage with the Barca Family until the series of "Civil Wars" that would lead to the dictatorial power of Sulla, his persecutions against the enemies that were in his way, the trail of blood and exiles that he produced until his retirement and subsequent death, leaving Rome in a new chaos until a young Julius Caesar took the reins, put order to the reigning chaos and with the establishment of the "Triumvirate", things could be kept in harmony until various internal conflicts broke out.
And with this came the expansion of the Roman Republic outside its territories, just as had happened during the times of the "Punic Wars" and against the Kings Pyrrhus of Epirus and Mithridates of Pontus. Julius Caesar marched into Gaul to fight the Celtic and Gallic tribes, which were led by the feared Vercingetorix, who united them to face the foreign threat. Meanwhile, the Senate was fearing the great accumulation of power in the figure of Caesar, which could lead to the return of the Monarchy, so they carried out a conspiracy to get him out of the way, taking place the "Ides of March", where he was assassinated.
Even so, internal tensions, after the death of Julius Caesar, led to a new period of "Civil Wars" and in which appears the figure of the young Gaius Octavian, better known as Augustus, who would take charge of different fronts, eliminating the conspirators, conquering various countries and from there, seeing that the Republic could not do anything more and that it was in a frank decline, the times of the Roman Empire began, which would last until 476 AD.
A great number of Emperors passed through this new government, such as Augustus of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty and his successors such as Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero. The "Year of the Four Emperors" until the arrival of the Flavians, the Antonines and the Severi until the "Crisis of the III Century A.D.", where there was political, economic, social, military instability and with the threat of the "Germanic Peoples" on its borders. Many Generals of the "Legions" carried out dismissals and appointments of Emperors, being many of them killed by the "Praetorian Guard". All this period of crisis would reach a certain peace when Diocletian divided the Roman Empire, being known as the "Tetrarchy" and with several Capitals, being in East and West.
The rule of Constantine I The Great, the slow march towards Christianity and then from there the break between the Empires in Rome and Byzantium, led to a final era of chaos, death and destruction, where the various "Barbarian Invasions" took place, heresies such as Arianism, Nestorianism and Monophysitism and the highlight was the advance of Attila I of the Huns from Asia, as well as the "Sacking of Rome" carried out by King Alaric I of the Visigoths and Genseric of the Vandals. The last Emperors ended up lasting a very short time and the last of these, Romulus Augustulus, pressured by Odoacer of the Heruli, had to give in and surrender the Imperial Insignia, which were taken to Byzantium by the Ambassadors of the Barbarian Leader, who crowned himself King of Italy until his defeat and subsequent assassination at the hands of Theodoric I The Great, sent by Emperor Zeno of Constantinople, where a project was initiated to recover the ancient lands that made up the extinct Roman Empire.
And now, in the present, these ancestral lands have left a deep cultural, linguistic, architectural, literary and many other traces in the different societies of Europe and the world. A true bastion that continues to this very day, despite the wars that were unleashed and whose results were very unfortunate for those who had to live them. The shadow of the "Shadow Neuroi" was extended over the whole World and, although they had managed to cause serious defeats in Brittania, Africa and Antarctica, the hostilities were still far from over.
The streets of Romagna were full of life, civilians were coming and going, walking, in their means of transportation such as cars, motorcycles, bicycles. Others chose to take the subway, the train, plane or bus. Many went to their jobs, returned to their homes, the youngest went to schools and universities. A routine in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the big cities, which, despite being at war with a new generation of "Neuroi" that surpassed their predecessors in combat and technology, people went about their work regardless of what lay around the corner.
Even so, Francesca's homeland was having a significant influx of refugees into the Italian hinterland, mainly to the mountain and coastal towns to shelter from the tides of war.
The same situation could be said of Suomus and Orussia, the homelands of Eila and Sanya, where all was peaceful and quiet, despite the military deployment and evacuations of civilians to safer areas. Many opted to go to the countryside or to the islands to live there until the fronts calmed down, hoping that their homes and businesses would remain standing after the war.
Karsland, another country of great importance and with a rich history going back to the times when the "Germanic Tribes" fought against the Romans and later assimilated to the Latin culture, giving rise, many years later, to the "Holy Roman-Germanic Empire" initiated by Charlemagne and which continued until its definitive fall in the 19th century at the hands of the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte I.
The Central Government in Berlin was mobilizing its troops to evacuate the Capital. There, as well as in Romagna, Suomus and Orussia, an icy and complicated atmosphere was in the air, one in which they had to be always on the alert, 24 hours a day, since the danger had not yet passed and many expected a real "duel" against the Cruels and their "Shadow Neuroi" Forces.
Some time had passed since the last fall of the "Hives", being the third to be destroyed in the frozen lands of Antarctica. Even so, the enemy continued to attack the cities of Europe and other Continents, devastating every kind of infrastructure in its path, without showing a single hint of compassion. And over the skies of Prague, the capital of Czechoslovakia, a "Shadow Neuroi Squadron" was preparing to attack the bastions of resistance facing them, loaded with powerful bombs that would leave nothing but a pile of rubble and ashes.
They were ready, they only had to drop them and it would all be over. And if the words of whoever could be writing that at that precise moment were true, they would be true, but, suddenly, to the West, a series of "Magic Bullets" destroyed three of those ships in formation, taking the rest by surprise. Of the aforementioned, these exploded into the air, bursting into flames and plumes of black smoke until they hit the ground.
Who was to say. But the military of Czechoslovakia and the other Nations of Europe celebrated the arrival of the "Witches" and their Allies, the Peach Creek boys, who began to attack the enemy positions and drive them out.
- Enemies at 10 o'clock, guys!.- Erica alerted them, who was with Ed, who was a real "war machine" against the "Shadow Neuroi" due to his way of infiltrating the lines and causing real chaos.
- I'll take care of it!.- The boy asked and carried out his plan.
- How good it feels to kick these bastards' asses!.- Said Eddy, while he covered Francesca and Double D went with Eila against a powerful "Battle Cruiser", which they managed to destroy completely.
From the North, Minna and the others were destroying the other forces that were trying to cross through a "Safety Corridor", which ended up being completely disrupted and from there a fierce retreat had to be initiated before the total destruction of those rival Armies was declared. With the ground strewn with the debris of the destroyed enemy ships, the columns of black and gray smoke rising towards the heavens from the City of Prague, the result of the fires, a great celebration was unleashed in the streets, where the military and civilians came out to thank them for having given them a hand in the midst of the confrontation.
However, still remembering Johnny's words, the Commander and the other "Witches" were thinking about what could happen from now on.
- Prague has been secured along with Brittania and Gaul, Minna.- Informed Trudie, who had the operations report.- Africa is in it along with South America and Oceania.- She asked the young woman.
The redhead nodded and turned to where she was, checking that everything was in place. Despite the victories, that girl felt that something else was going to happen on the war front. She could not shake it off, it was a very strange feeling, something that warned her that this was just the beginning.
- No, nothing, relax. It's just doubts, nothing more than that.- She answered, but Trudie could not ignore that the bald boy's words had struck a chord with the combatants.
- You're worried about the Kankers.- The dark brunette discovered that truth and sighed.- To tell the truth, I can't shake that off either. Do you think I can accept that those damned ones have escaped and aren't thinking of attacking again?.- She said and looked towards the heavens.
- I never got that doubt out of my mind and seeing that they have not reappeared, every day my doubts grow more and more about what their next plan will be.- Minna's voice was serious, she could not deny it. The enemy could not have evaporated on the spot, no, there had to be something else there, an answer, but the thing was that I did not know it concretely.
- Don't worry, Minna, when the Kankers show up, we will fall upon them and send them to Justice. You have my word.- Yoshika swore, always with that determination and willpower in her voice and soul, something that inspired the others to keep fighting. With that said, she looked over to where the Peach Creek boys were.- Who knew? They ended up becoming our allies in defeating the Shadow Neuroi. At first, when we met again in their hometown, they wanted revenge on the Eds and now, it seems, from my point of view, that they are learning from their mistakes.
- I admire this demonstration of affection and affection you have for them, Yoshika. I recognize it and that's good for our morale after some serious problems with the enemies.- Mio showed her appreciation, placing her right hand on her shoulders and leading the Fuso Empire chestnut to smile.
- It's true what you say, Yoshika: Rolf is one of those examples, he is hardworking, sweet and kind. A great friend, he has even given me good advice for my family's harvest to be the best.- Added Lynne, as she approached her friend.
- Thank you for that, Lynne, Mio and I understand that what Johnny has may or may not be true, but we are not going to stop. If the Kankers are in hiding, we will go after them and bring them to justice.- Promised the Sergeant and that boosted even more the motivation to continue with the war.
For his part, Kevin had wiped the sweat from his brow after the end of the Battle of Prague. Once that was done, he pulled out a canteen and took a sip of the water inside, fighting the thirst that fight had left him with. He looked at his friends, even at the Eds. He couldn't deny it, before he hated them and wanted to see them pay for all the scams they had done in Peach Creek, but now, everything was different and he felt pleased that the words of the "Witches" about taking revenge and not solving it in a civilized way, which were wrong, had managed to change their minds.
- Hey, folks, would you like to celebrate the end of the war at my house? There'll be Jawbreakers for everyone.- He offered kindly.
- What bug bit him? Did the "Ghosts of Christmas" visit him like Ebenezer Scrooge?.- Asked Eddy with astonishment and raising an eyebrow, but, seeing that it was a good offer, he shrugged his shoulders.- Count on us, we'll come!
- We'll go too.- Added Sarah with Jimmy.
- And can our friends come?.- Johnny wanted to know.
- Of course, that's why they are all invited.- Answered Kevin and turned to Mio.- If they can come to celebrate the end of the war, Major Sakamoto?
- Sure, we can. I would never miss such a thing in my life.- Promised the black-haired Fuso, as she gave that magnificent laugh of hers that inspired the others.
Once they were reunited with the others, they started their way back to the HQ to rest.
In those last months, two to be exact, the Kankers had disappeared from the operational map, but, even so, they continued to send their armies to the front to continue with the plan of conquest. The European and African Forces, as well as those of Latin America and Oceania, had carried out a series of operations to find them and thus bring them, as detainees, to Justice to pay for their crimes committed against Humanity, but, unfortunately for those who were looking for the hope of moving forward after the devastation caused by the war, they had no trace of the Cruels.
It was as if they had instantly evaporated. They were nowhere to be seen. Some Soldiers who were on the warships, at the time of the Battle of Antarctica, said they saw a flying limousine that was taking them out of there and disappeared somewhere in the North. The search had been carried out but nothing, not a trace of them. Minna and Trudie had been one of the many who formed and led military parties to capture the three sisters, but it had all been in vain. The same happened with Perrine, Charlotte, Yoshika, Lynne, Mio, Sanya and Eila. Zero answers, no data that could give them some "Light" to find them and when the "Shadow Neuroi" started their attacks on Europe and other Continents, again, they were not there, being defeated in a matter of hours.
The return to the Headquarters had, as a reunion, Anna Ferrara waiting for them there. The Veteran walked towards the boys with a firm, serious and quiet step. She then stood at the very center of the formation and after a few minutes of silence, she gave them the military salute, showing her respects to those present and the aforementioned responded in the same way.
- You have made me proud of you, young men. Your training, both with the Witches and with me, has paid off. You are now Soldiers, ready and strong to give your all and defeat the enemy, to drive them from these lands. Now, before I retire, I would like to give you a piece of advice.- She asked for the attention of those present for a while. Silence, all in formation and obeying what she the Veteran was going to tell them about it, while she walked back and forth.- As you can see, I have been hearing rumors about the mysterious "disappearance" of the Kanker“s sisters. Many are thinking that they have hidden somewhere and plan to resist there, but I am afraid to inform you that this will not be possible: they are relentless, malevolent and will cause any kind of misfortunes in exchange for recovering the lost ground, so I will ask you not to let your guard down, for the love of God, fight together and cover each other's backs, because, as many here have said, the storm is about to show its true face.- Anna warned.- I wish this were false, but, as it has happened in many wars in the Universal History, this can be a sign for the enemy to retaliate and these will be very serious, do not lose sight of every movement they make and the same with your Armies", after having given that message, a group of Officers arrived to them and decorated each one of them present.
Eddy, Kevin and even Sarah, Jimmy and Nazz could not believe this important moment. The medals they received had the symbol of the "Joint Air Wing" which they represented together with crossed Swords and a series of Diamonds that formed a sort of "Crown of Laurels", just like the ancient Caesars of Rome and after finishing this act, Anna and the "Witches" gave them the military salute together with the applause.
[And we began a new "Arc" and, as I said, this will be one of the most important, one that marks a before and an after. In addition to that, I know that the day before yesterday, Monday, I had said that I would only do the first chapter, well, there will be a change of plans and I will write them as long as I can, then it will go into hiatus on Tuesday February 15 until I return from my vacation.
My heartfelt thanks to Matfix: Thanks for everything, my friend.
And the same to Franco M. Romano and the followers of Fanfiction and Wattpad.
Without more to say, take care, friends.
I wish you a good start of the day Wednesday from me and until next time].
