Chapter V:

The hours were passing, those 24 they had declared for them to prepare, came to an end. Night had fallen, the stars began to appear in the night sky. The fresh air of the North Sea was blowing through the area, lifting the dust from the ground, the sand from the beaches, moving the trees and their tops. The leaves were falling, still green, because their bases were weak due to the Element that was rising there. The moon was reaching its point and the lights of the HQ were turning on one by one until it became a real giant "street lamp". Even so, the atmosphere felt strange, dense, silent but with a great mixture of emotions, feelings that could not be described as briefly as possible; only with facts. Words had no meaning in the midst of a war that had become much more complex.

Studying the enemy had been one of the most important issues, within the military field, in order to know their strengths and weaknesses. What kind of those mentioned above did the "Shadow Neuroi" have? The most basic thing was that those Artificial Intelligence beings did not eat, drink or sleep as Human Beings need for their survival and adaptation in the World, something that had been dragging since Prehistory. The next question was how to defeat them, since they had a very good technology that surpassed that of their adversaries and even that of their predecessors, the "Neuroi" that had appeared in 1939, for the first time.

They knew very well, the "Witches" and the Peach Creek boys that the only way to destroy them was to attack their armor and leave the "Core" exposed in order to give them the final blow, turning the threat into infinite and tiny shiny dots so similar to the snow that fell on a winter day, covering the surface with its whitish mantle.

Outside the HQ were the aforementioned Liberion youths, among them were the Eds along with their partners. Each of them had forged an extremely important bond with the girls. While the others went for friendship, the friendship of those three boys evolved from that "level" to that of a love relationship. One could have considered it impossible for this trio who were always scamming to earn a little money to buy those famous "Jawbreakers" but destiny itself had other plans with them and gave them a new purpose. With that change and development in the characters, both the Eds and the others, put aside their differences and started working together, as a true united team. One that surpassed the one that could be seen in superhero comics and movies. This one had its motives and causes: Their home, the homeland, the Homeland that saw them born was under the yoke of the Kanker sisters and now the moment they had all been waiting for had arrived: the return to Liberion.

At the beginning, there was a certain fear of returning to that place for fear of not finding anything. A very common emotion in those who leave for war but do not know what kind of surprises they will encounter when they return, once hostilities are over. The French who had fought with the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte I returned to their homeland to find the return of the Absolutist Monarchy, which had been imposed by the "Congress of Vienna" of 1815 after the end of the "Napoleonic Wars" and whose purpose was to avoid new revolutions in European territory but, with the rise of the Nationalist and Liberal currents, they could not fulfill their role and ended up with the aforementioned revolutions in France, Germany, Belgium and other countries.

Another point in question, within the historical framework, was that the French had had a monarchical government but with Liberal tones, on the part of King Louis-Philippe of Orleans. Even so, the "French Revolution of 1848" put an end to his mandate and he had to go into exile with his family, while the "Second Republic" was declared and then it was called the "Second Empire" that would last until 1871, when France would be defeated by the future Germany, which would be reunified under the leadership of Otto Von Bismarck and King (later crowned Emperor) Wilhelm I.

For those boys, the fear that they would find nothing, suffering the ravages of war was something that caused a bad taste in their mouths but which, deep down, they recognized as something "normal". They had already seen countless cities that burned under Kanker fire and they would start with their reconstruction. Still, amidst group murmurs, they had to prepare for whatever was to happen in Peach Creek.


- Good luck, Commander Wilcke, Lieutenant Barkhorn and Major Sakamoto.- Wished them Anna Ferrara, who was accompanied by General Kevinstone and the other members of the "High Command".

- Thank you very much, Miss Ferrara. We are going to bring Justice for all those who are suffering.- Swore Mio, saying goodbye to the Veteran of Venice and after making the military veneration to those present, they left towards the outside.


- Hey, Ed, Edd, Eddy, Eddy!.- They heard Kevin's voice, who was approaching with Nazz.

- Is something wrong?.- Asked the boy in the black cap, turning to look at the people present.

- No, no, don't worry, don't worry. I just came to tell you that, in spite of everything we went through, the bad times, to begin with, I...- He paused, Nazz was about to intervene but she felt the red-haired man take her hands gently, looking at her for a split second and nodding calmly.- I want to thank you... Thank you for joining us in this war against the Kanker, as well as for obtaining this magical power. Who knew? Helped by Double D's intelligence, the contents of those barrels of Rolf's, the "Witches", trainings and now this...- He paused, again, licking his lips as they were dry, "When all this is over, the idea of the party at my house is still present. You're all invited.- He promised and left quietly, in the company of the blonde, feeling relieved of that heavy burden that had been so hard to get off his shoulders.

- Wait, Kevin.- Ed stopped him and turned around again.

- You don't have to thank us for this. It's something we all had to do. We made mistakes in the Past but we learned from them, so we don't repeat them in the Present and have a good Future.- Double D spoke to him.

- Of course you guys should come!.- Exclaimed the red-haired boy, winking.- There will be good food, music, as well as Jawbreakers.- Said the boy on the bicycle, who walked a few meters away with his girlfriend.

- What are these "Jawbreakers"?.- Asked Sanya curiously.

- Giant and very delicious candies.- Answered Double D to that question.

- And you've never tried them?.- Eila asked.

- Unfortunately, no, but who knows, we might get to taste them.- Said Eddy, looking towards the horizon.- Peach Creek, hold on, we're coming for you.- He swore calmly and from there he went back to Francesca.


The black-haired Italian remained leaning against one of the walls of the abandoned and old sector of the headquarters, her hands were on the back of her neck and from there she looked towards where her short boy was coming from. She smiled and from there she took him by the shoulders, pulling him closer to her, making contact with his body and from there they sat on the floor, contemplating the Stars.

- They are beautiful, aren't they?.- Francesca asked, her tone of voice sounding calm and serene.- Who knows how old they are? Maybe millions or countless. No one will know. One day, technology will reach Outer Space, they will explore the ends of the Cosmos and from there will come trips to other Planets, encounters with other forms of life alien to our World but...- She paused and snuggled against Eddy's left shoulder, "Will they know what love is?

- It's a very good question but one that, unfortunately, has no answer. Maybe they are like us or not. We let ourselves be influenced a lot by Hollywood movies where they portrayed aliens as horrible, gray, scary beings with selfish desires to conquer Earth to enslave us. Their skin color, if we ever meet them, may be a different shade, but I don't think they are dangerous. Others yes, you can not put everyone in the same bag to consider them good. There will always be good and evil in this life, as well as in other parts of the Universe.- Said the boy, who caressed the soft face of his girlfriend, leaving aside that subject to look at her closely.

Then, both Eddy and Francesca were joining, guided, "intoxicated" by the body heat they were giving off, attracted to each other until they conformed a tender and sweet kiss that they carried out, under the stars of a night that was beginning to run and would be one of the most important.


- Who would have thought. Eddy and Francesca are kissing.- Said Erica, as she sipped a nice soda next to Ed, her boyfriend. He was looking at her and she was very pretty, she couldn't deny it and even more so when he defended her during the Battle of Berlin against May Kanker. The memories where she could have died, hit her mind just like a siege weapon against the main gate of a fortress under attack. But, at that moment, he was pulled out of his thoughts by the touch that the blonde Germana carried out.- Ed?

- Don't worry, it was just a little "brush" with my thoughts, but nothing more.- He said sincerely.

- Heh.- She chuckled and then touched the cheekbones of the Sci-Fi fan.- This world is too selfish for people like you. You have a very noble heart and yet you keep fighting for them. You have my earned respects, you are not like others who are just all talk and fix it that way: You know how to fight the Kanker, you never let yourself be crushed by anyone, you even shut the crazy May's mouth when she wanted to hurt me and now...you and I are a couple. Destiny is a complete enigma that you end up discovering, later on, when you put all the pieces of the puzzle together and they will give you the final result.- She pointed out and it was then that the two embraced each other tightly, waiting for the trip to begin.


- Well.- Said Eila, who contemplated how the last rays of the sun disappeared under the mantle of the twilight and from there came the night. The "Hour of Truth".- Said the silver hair, sitting next to Sanya and Double D, huddled under the blanket of Darkness, only illuminated by the first lights of the Natural Satellite of the Earth and the artificial lights of the Headquarters.

- There are times when the human mind remains focused on certain questions such as: What kind of Future will the future hold for us?

- How do you see it? From your point of view.- Was the question Sanya asked him and it left him speechless. He had an almost drawn expression on his face, biting his lips until, from there, he returned to a more natural and serene way, closing his eyes, remaining silent for a while and that was when he made his decision.

- All this depends on ourselves: We cannot see what will happen in a few days or years. The Human Being has faced so many problems since the times of the Hominids, when our ancestors were coming down from the trees to live in the Savannah and face the different dangers that inhabited there, besides elaborating the "Protolanguage", creating weapons to defend themselves, searching for food, using fire and from there creating certain "social" ranks. Both in the past and now, we will come out ahead, no matter how much the fight hurts us, we have to be prepared, because wars are not won only with peace treaties, but also by fighting in the battlefields. It would be very foolish for someone to say "let's talk to the Shadow Neuroi. They suffer as we do". To do a thing like that would be the same thing the Spartans did when they surrendered the Greek Polis of Asia Minor to the Persian Empire to get the fleet and win the "Peloponnesian War".- He paused, both Eila, Sanya and the others were listening to him fully.- He said.

- What you said.- He heard the voice of the white hair of Orussia.- Was the most incredible thing in my whole life. You are absolutely right. We fought against the "Neuroi" in the past and defeated them. Those who thought it would be better to study them in order to use their technology, ended up paying a very high price.

- General Mallory. That guy was an embarrassment to the Army and to think that he had Dr. Reginald Kanker in his ranks.- Added Eila.

- Yes, but both he and Dr. Kanker no longer exist. They are "ghosts" of the Past that must be left behind and that future generations must see so that this type of misfortune does not happen again.- Added her albino friend. Then, both of them leaned on the shoulders of the intellectual boy.

- You are strong, girls: together we will put an end to all this.- He swore and they remained there for a long time.


- You make me proud, Jimmy. By the time this is all over, you will always be my "Guest of Honor" in my mansion I have in Gaul.- Perrine spoke to the white-haired boy.- And not only that, you can also come to the hotel I run. You can bring your friends to spend the Summer, as it is the most beautiful thing there.

- Awww, thank you very much, Miss Perrine...Sorry, sorry, Perrine.- Said the boy and with that he gave her a big hug, followed by her stroking his hair.

- And to think that you were a child who feared a lot and had to have the others behind you, but now, look at you: you've become a real man, grown up. As I told you, it's not bad to get help from time to time, but you shouldn't abuse it either.

- I know and it was hard, at first, but now that things have changed, I am sure of myself and I will never again be trampled or humiliated by another.- The albino swore at that moment and from there they proceeded with a little walk before the journey to the war front began.


- You two, Nazz and Kevin, have become a real dynamic duo on the battlefield. Between your leadership and your handling of the katana with the "Reppuzan", you have earned my respect," Mio spoke to the pair and with that he left something else for them to keep in mind.- Now know that this battle will be crucial for the fate of Humanity. Do not let yourselves be guided by the Kanker, they will seek nothing but destruction, that is why we must avoid falling into their clutches.

- I understand. Well, let them try, because it won't work with us, Major Sakamoto.- Swore Nazz, feeling proud of having achieved this progress throughout the entire armed conflict.

- It's true, with the dangers on the road, they will never be able to get us. We have left them a deep damage and now it is our turn to strike the final blow against them.- Said Kevin and from there they noticed that the black-haired girl launched that charismatic laugh of hers, one that encouraged and boosted the morale of the forces when very complicated moments were coming.

- I know they will do well. Do not be afraid of them and now that this great moment is coming, remember to fight together. That is the important thing and also to protect each other's backs.- Added Mio, putting her hands on his shoulders.


- Rolf.- A certain blonde from Brittania called out to him.

- Aw, friend Lynne.- He approached her and gave her a big hug.- When all this is over, I promise to visit you and your family in your lands.- The Foreigner promised and took out a small pendant.- I hope you like it: it symbolizes our friendship and I have another one for Sergeant Yoshika, since you two are very close.

Putting it around her neck, the British woman took it and looked at it tenderly.

- It is very nice. Thank you.- She thanked him and then received the other one for her friend.


- Is everything all right, Johnny?.- Yoshika's voice was heard, who came along with Charlotte, meeting the bald man.

- Oh, girls, hi.- He turned to look at them.- Don't worry, I'm fine, I was just taking in the view, isn't it beautiful.- He held up and pointed to the vast North Sea, where the last light of day was giving way to night.

- You said it, it's a beautiful sunset show.- The red-haired Liberion backed him up.

- Indeed and more for this occasion, where a great battle is coming but, on the other hand, it is an honor to have you as a friend.

- I know that at the beginning I was not very communicative with you but, now, things have changed and it makes me feel confident about who I am, about my decisions to take and also about my words. I am no longer afraid to keep quiet, now I plan to be more open with my friends, I will not leave Plank aside, he stays with me, but, even so, I will continue with them," swore the bald man and it was then that they heard footsteps coming from inside the HQ.- Are we leaving already?.- He asked with astonishment.

-It looks like that or it may be a pre-trip announcement.- Yoshika theorized and then they noticed that Minna and Trudie were already equipped with their "Striker Units".

- Well, let the party begin.- Charlotte requested and from there they departed to the hangars for their weapons and accoutrements.


Both in the Atlantic and in the Pacific, Liberion's fleet of ships were positioned and waiting for the "Witches" to arrive to begin the final offensive.

- The shuttles are ready, Admiral.- Informed one of the officers in charge of the Pacific Fleet, while he scanned the horizon, waiting for them to arrive.


- All in order, Commander.- Said a sailor to the man in charge of the Atlantic Fleet, awaiting the warning but noting, as in the Pacific, the presence of enemy ships flying over the area.


Minna and Trudie said goodbye to those members of the "High Command" and accompanied by Anna Ferrara, the three of them headed for their "Squadron", which was already equipped and ready for the trip. The calm that hovered over them, one that was absolute, almost eternal, without any presence of noise, only the wind and from there the "countdown" began.

- Attention!.- Ordered Minna with her arms behind her back and all heeded the call.- Friends...the time has come to end the tyranny of the Kanker for good.- Announced the Commander and from there came a shout so powerful that it resounded throughout the surroundings.

Once all the deals were done and all the doubts were closed, the group was preparing for takeoff, which ascended into the Night Skies towards Liberion and a final battle for the Future of the World.


[And with this chapter, I announce that we are already in the middle of this last "Arc". What will happen along the way, and will the plan be a success? That we shall see in the next chapter.

Take care, my friends. I send greetings and thanks to Matfix, Franco M. Romano and the other followers.

Good start of the day Friday from me, Comrades].