Arc VII: Final Battle For Liberion
[Well, my friends, we have reached the last "Arc" of this adventure that started in September last year and look how far we have come together. It makes me very sad to see a story come to an end, but there will always be more, new adventures on the horizon, so let's put that feeling aside and enjoy this "Arc" from beginning to end.
First of all, I warn you that the above mentioned is going to have, in total, 12 very long chapters (no filler) and the last one is going to be the Epilogue for this story.
So, let's start].
Chapter I:
War is cruel. War is hunger. It is destruction, death, loss of everything you come to know: Friends, family, people we see every day and who, from one day to the next, end up disappearing from our sight. How is it possible that it can be so damaging? Many experts and intellectuals have described, in their own words, through photos and books written by them, the meaning of this word. You can start your day well and then the next day is where your decline begins. It hurts too much to know that your home, the city you know, your social circle, everything is gone in a matter of seconds. They become refugees, people forcibly displaced and forced to live in camps organized by different governments but then left to fend for themselves, hungry, cold and other hardships.
The so-called "Social Justice Warriors" are just another branch of liars, hypocrites who play with the pain of others. They take advantage and embolden to "accept them and give them shelter" but only for an economic purpose. Then they disappear, just like the promises of humanitarian aid, which ends up being scarce. They took a flag, turning a struggle to save human lives into an issue to benefit themselves. Rats abound and more so when there is something to entertain them and they can get hold of it. However, other people are willing to fight to the end, to protect the homeland where they were born and raised, even to give their lives for it and drive out the invaders.
The "Shadow Neuroi War" had been one of the most devastating in World History, the arrival of this new "generation" of intelligent beings with a technology far superior to that of Humans, in addition to being led by the Kanker sisters, led to a global outbreak of war that surpassed the one that occurred in 1939.
Ravaging everything in their path, like a plague of hungry locusts or a wave of tornadoes, the enemy hosts were about to win but, thanks to the intervention and return of those defenders of Humanity, in the company of the Peach Creek boys, they were imposing a before and after in the expansionist desires of the enemy: Brittania, Gaul, Africa, Antarctica, Romagna, Karsland together with Suomus and Orussia were already free from the presence of the "Shadow Neuroi", returning freedom and the Future to the populations that lived under the yoke of the Kanker. However, the danger had not yet passed and, as every war or misfortune for the World, there is always a point, a beginning for which such an event occurred and it was there, crossing the Atlantic Ocean, located in the American Continent: Liberion.
After the defeats that the Kankers suffered throughout the World, their attempt to tip the balance in their favor were overshadowed by the loss of their forces in the Nordic and Eastern Fronts, the attempt to take the City of Volgograd, to seize the oil fields and the industries that had been taken there, besides being able to invade Asia and thus secure, later on, Europe with the rest of the Planet, they ended up sinking in the depths of disappointment and shame. Now, having left those areas, they were determined to do everything to defend their last remaining bastion.
The celebrations for the victories in Suomus and Orussia had begun with fireworks, flags being raised over government buildings and reconstruction work that would take time. The Witches and the Peach Creek boys had returned from that city on the banks of the Volga River, receiving congratulations and praise from the local population of both countries. Their Nations were safe, but Minna did not think so. She recognized that the danger would definitely cease when the Kankers were completely defeated and brought to justice but, even so, she was not going to let go of those signs of affection that the people were giving them and for that reason she let her friends go to celebrate that night.
I could not deny it, it had been a bloody battle for which a lot of things and innocent lives were put at stake. Had it not been for the tenacity of the troops who were resisting the invasion and bombing, it would have ended in the worst way, but the Kankers failed and now they had a free hand to go and end the war once and for all.
Commander Wilcke took a seat at a bar, leaning her head back, while the victory chants could be heard from the Soldiers and civilians toasting with their mugs of beer, wine, vodka and other alcoholic beverages. He smiled to himself, even though tomorrow, some or many would have headaches, nausea and hangovers from the celebrations, he knew they deserved it. They had fought and many had fallen in combat, but they were still going to be remembered. It was a price to pay for freedom and the Future of Humanity so that it would not fall into enemy clutches.
She noticed that Trudie brought a pint of beer and another one she handed to her, leading the redhead to look quizzical but she brought her hand to it and raised it in the air.
- Cheers to the victory we achieved.- Said the brunette from Karsland and her friend followed her "rhythm".
- To our families and friends.- Minna added in a calm tone of voice, while they clinked their beer mugs. The foam mingled and with that they took their first sip.
After that, they both stayed at the bar, enjoying the music and especially that the other "Witches" and the Peach Creek boys were enjoying it out there.
- I can see it in your face, Minna.- Said Trudie, who was taking another sip of her beer and looked at the redhead.
- What do you mean?.- She asked.
- Easy: You're enjoying this moment. You recognize that this moment is the calm before the storm that will come upon us in Liberion.- Said the girl, which made the other take a deep breath and let out a sigh.
She fumbled with her fingers the tankard, she couldn't speak, she felt the words stuck in the back of her throat and the only thing she could do was to think of a better sentence. She looked back and forth, they still wouldn't leave her mind but finally she got what she was looking for as she saw her friend, face to face, getting ready to speak.
- This is your moment, Trudie: You need to enjoy tonight. Tomorrow around Noon we will be back in Brittania and from there we will coordinate the final assault on Liberion.- Minna said seriously but keeping a calm tone of voice. From there she returned to her ale, enjoying the coolness and flavor it could provide.
Trudie nodded her head, turned her gaze towards the streets. There she could see Double D with Eila and Sanya, holding hands and strolling around. There was also Erica with Ed and Eddy with Francesca. Their friends were not far behind either. It was a night to celebrate the fall of the Kankers: Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and parts of America were liberated, the same could be said of Antarctica but there was still one last bastion left and the thought of it led the redhead to hold his hands and look up.
- Let's forget the war for one night, shall we?.- roposed the Commander to her friend, who nodded her head.
- Agreed.- The Lieutenant accepted the request and after seeing that there was an agreement, she raised her hand in the air.- Waiter, another two pints of beer, please?.- She asked a young man who worked in that place and was handing out more drinks to the parishioners and diners who went there, along with his coworkers.
- Two new pints are coming out for the ladies!.- The boy accepted the call and went to order them.
The streets were filled with joy and excitement that the war would soon be over. People were anxious to return to the long awaited peace, to rebuild and recover all that had been lost, but that was going to take time. Even so, the celebrations for the victory over the "Shadow Neuroi" were not left out. The latest reports were that the last enemy armies had evacuated the last strongholds on the islands of the North and Baltic Seas, heading towards Liberion. A part of the Peach Creek boys wanted to return there and put an end to that disgrace, that armed conflict that had claimed so much pain, suffering, destruction and spilled blood until the end.
But there was also the question of their Future: What would be in store for them when they returned to their homeland? They had had that feeling long before. Kevin had been the first to ask whether the homonymous village would still be standing. Each of them hoped to have news about the state of their homes, they did not want to suffer, like the others, the ravages of war but, on the other hand, they saw it as a cynical and even selfish stance to think about themselves, although, given the situation, this time allowed them to reflect on it.
- All right, friends, everybody stay still, I've already set the camera!.- Johnny asked those present and after activating the countdown with which that mechanism would take a picture of them, he went to where the characters were.
Soon, once the camera was activated, several pictures of them and the couples that had the Eds came out. Kevin and Nazz looked at those three boys and felt a "pang" of nostalgia.
- Do you think we won't see their scams again?.- The redhead asked the blonde, who grabbed him by the cheeks.
- It's possible but, on the other hand, they have "grown up", emotionally and they know very well what they are doing but...- Nazz remained thoughtful for a while, reflecting on those changes, "I will miss them too when they tried to scam us and then they were exposed but, as Minna and Trudie said, we can't do what we want and even more when events occur where false evidence is planted to incriminate someone. They are already happy with those girls and, to be honest, Kevin, they seem very happy. They are also land, kind and care about others and I also include myself in this.- She said, taking the red-haired man's right hand.
He looked down, the blonde was tilting her head and he could appreciate those beautiful eyes she had. He nodded his head, he knew very well that, during all this time, the young man and she had something in common for quite a while. Together they looked up to the Heavens and remained leaning on the bench they were on, contemplating the beautiful night that stretched out before their eyes. The blonde took Kevin's hands and snuggled against his chest, covering herself with a long coat they wore to protect them from the cold out there.
- We may not know the extent to which the neighborhood, the town and so on must have been left but, from the ashes, hope will always rise again.- Said the Cheerleader, who closed her eyes and let herself be carried away by the romantic moment in time, approaching the redhead's lips and giving him a tender kiss under the night's cold.
The festivities lasted all night but near dawn, the group decided to return to the HQ to rest, regain their strength after the Battle of Volgograd City.
On their way back to the Central Government building, they took the opportunity to go to sleep, since they would return to Brittania the next day. Minna, Trudie and the other "Witches" stayed awake for a while longer, gathered in the "Operations Room" where they had several maps and holographic representations of what would happen in that vast country.
- Well, Liberion is the last target.- Announced Yoshika, with her arms crossed.- But I notice that there is a certain concern in us.- Said the Sergeant and it was Lynne who nodded, agreeing with her friend.
- Unfortunately, it's the Kanker's final remaining stronghold and, I'm afraid to say, like the others, we're going to face a stubborn resistance never seen before.- The girl from Brittania pointed out. It may be equal or worse to what happened in the Battle of the Teutoburg Woods, also known as the "Disaster of Varus", victory won by King Arminius of the Kerusks until the General and Future Emperor, adopted son of Augustus, Tiberius, was appointed to carry out the revenge, the "Total War in Germania". From there Germanicus would come to end the campaigns of repression against the enemies.- At that moment, the blonde stopped and sighed deeply - "So far, what we know is that the enemy has very well fortified the continent.
- Yes, what Lynne says is true?.- Charlotte joined in and showed the satellite photos. It shows that the Kankers have been moving their forces they had in other parts of the world to hold a last defense.- Stressed the redhead seriously.
- Not only that, they are desperate to obtain new resources, they even tried to take part of the minerals that were in the coal deposits and oil fields, however, they failed in their attempt," added Sanya with a serious tone.- We managed to capture them and destroy the looters, as well as recover the resources of Orussia and Suomus.
- What cowards those sisters are. You can tell that fear is chasing them and they don't want to give in to anyone.- Lamented Trudie, who was folding her arms.
- With all this," interrupted Eila, resting her hands on the table, "and adding the seriousness of the Kankers' background, it wouldn't be strange if they were sentenced to the "Death Penalty" or even "Life imprisonment" without the possibility of parole.- Emphasized the silver-haired woman.
- It is not surprising, if they are so "brave" as to enslave innocent families and steal the resources of other countries, maybe they have the guts to put up a last fight or commit suicide.- Said Minna, who was looking at the map and the different possibilities that those sisters had.
- They may or may not be brave, Minna, but remember that we cannot let our guard down: they are still very dangerous.- Warned Mio and looked at the maps.- What we must do is prepare for combat: Let the boys rest well tonight, tomorrow afternoon we will leave for Brittania and we will have the meeting with the "High Command", even Miss Ferrara Anna will come.- Informed the Major of the Fuso Empire, "Is the plan already discussed," she asked Minna, who nodded.
- It is and we will show it to the "High Command" tomorrow by the time we arrive in Brittania.- Reported the red-haired Commander.
- Which zone will we attack?.- Was the question Francesca asked with curiosity.
- About that part, we don't know yet, since, being 100% fortified and well defended, Liberion is a real "bulwark" from the East to the West, the Atlantic and the North Pacific. From what we have been seeing, thinking and so on, we could go from the territory of Canada, leaving from Brittania, flying to the West, crossing the Island of Newfoundland or the Labrador Peninsula, advancing through the Northeast.- Said Trudie, pointing the way on the "Holographic Map".
- The Kanker Headquarters will be in New York or maybe in Peach Creek... I'm leaning towards the second option.- Said the black-haired Italian.
- Everything is possible and more than that it is their last bastion to defend, then they will be waiting for us to arrive to release the "Tides of War" once again.- Said Minna seriously and then she turned off the "Virtual Maps", with this ends the meeting now.- Does anyone have questions about it?.- She wanted to know but no one said anything, they remained silent.
- Have a good rest, friends.- Wished them Yoshika, Lynne, Charlotte, Eila, Sanya, Francesca and Erica, who left and went to where the others were in order to have a rest before the flight back to Brittania.
Meanwhile, in a retreat never seen before, the "Shadow Neuroi" were heading, by all possible means, towards Liberion, evading the constant counter-attacks launched by their enemies who were going by sea, land and air. The bombardments against them had become "commonplace" and the anger of the civilians who wanted revenge was another factor to take into account. Everything that fell into the hands of the enemy troops was destroyed and burned until not even the ashes were left.
From their headquarters in Liberion, the Kankers were going over the preparations for what would be, later on, a bloody battle for destiny, survival and world leadership. Lee had that package in his hands and with its mysterious contents inside, something that Marie and May wanted to find out at all costs, but the redhead prevented them from sticking their noses where they should. They had to be patient and wait for the expected time.
- I don't understand why we have to keep waiting. If it is a weapon that allows us to tip the balance in our favor, we should use it right now," argued May, but Lee shook his head.
- Why can't we use it?" asked Marie, with her arms crossed, and then the girl opened it to show the contents.
- This that you see here, sisters, is not only our "ticket" to success, but also the one that will lead us to a power never seen before. One that will surpass the limits of Science and even overshadow the very God we know. Grandpa was no fool and even more so when a bunch of brats got in where they were not called, he was a good amount of steps ahead of the "Witches".
- Do you think we have enough time, sister?. We're short of it. They will come here, sooner or later, they will give us a war never seen before.- May warned seriously. The redhead sighed deeply, put her hands up to her head and thought for a while.
- You know. I try to show some emotion for this pathetic and shitty situation we are in. I wish we could be victorious, get rid of our enemies and conquer the World. But I see that I am in front of two babies who are dying of fear.
- Hey!.- Marie shouted but the redhead stopped her.
- No. Do you want to know what's in here?. Go ahead. I was waiting for this moment of desperation in you. See and witness what grandfather left us.- Asked Lee and with a quick movement, she opened the package. Inside, some syringes with a strange "liquid" floating inside could be seen, so the girl took one and showed it to the others.
- What is that?.- Marie asked.- I don't understand. Is this what grandpa left us? Syringes? Do they think we are drug addicts?.- The dark blue haired girl wanted to know.
- No, he never thought that about us.- May interjected.- But all this... it's weird.- She pointed and then noticed that Lee took the object to his arm and began to inject the contents.
The liquid seemed to be viscous and black in color with strange silver dots floating around it, as if they were bubbles, sliding towards the Circulatory System of the redhead, who took a deep breath and from there contemplated the empty syringe, without a single drop inside. She smiled, was pleased with the results and then turned to the other two sisters, who were waiting for what would happen next.
- Go ahead, do it.- Lee invited them, and they did.
May and Marie did their job. Once the contents disappeared in their veins, none of the three noticed anything strange.
- I don't understand, what...?.- Asked the blonde when, all of a sudden, a strong pressure in her chest began to take effect and threw her to the floor.
- May!.- Marie and Lee ran, but the other two also felt the same as the girl.
It seemed as if they were suffering from a kind of "meltdown", an "acid" that was eating them up inside, screaming and clutching their heads tightly until they collapsed to the floor.
The security cameras showed what happened and the alarms began to sound in that "Operating Room", painting the scene with an intense red color.
A team of doctors from the "Shadow Neuroi" arrived and the first thing they did was to put them on respirators and check their pulses. There was no response and with their attempts to revive them, they eventually gave up until, all of a sudden, signs of life, their pulses were slowly increasing. The fingers of their hands moved with difficulty, slowly, groping the ground and it was then that they opened their eyes but with some extremely profound changes in the three Kanker sisters.
[And we begin with all this last "Arc", my friends. A major "Liberion Campaign" is coming, as well as the Kanker's have taken matters into their own hands to deal with their adversaries. How complicated will this get?. We'll see in the following chapters of this fic.
I send greetings and thanks to all of you, friends, especially to Matfix and Franco M. Romano. Take care and have a good start of Thursday from me, Comrades].
