Chapter VIII:

"Peach Creek: 10 kilometers away."

Many people's throats went dry when they noticed that sign. The fear, the cold, the unknown feeling of what kind of horrors they would encounter when they reached their hometown. The Eds were the first to take a series of steps down the road until they spotted the entrance, the archway that welcomed them to Peach Creek. It was riddled with holes from the Kanker weapons. The shiny silver letters had fallen, a couple of them, to the ground. The grass was scorched, and there was still the stench of fire and flammable elements around the archway. Light, thin plumes of gray to white smoke rose and disappeared in the wind.

Rolf felt as if a huge rock had fallen on top of him, crushing him, breaking all his bones. His legs seemed to tremble as if in an earthquake. He swallowed his breath, but very little, and from there he ran into the field, jumped over the fence and from there into the rural buildings, the family's house, the stables and fields.

- Rolf, wait!.- Lynne ran after him and when she got to where he was, she froze when she found a Dantesque, sad, horrible picture: there were the bodies of several families of peasants who had stayed to fight to the last consequences. Men, women, children, adolescents, old people, neighbors, perhaps some were veterans of the last wars and also hunters. Some still held their weapons tightly in their arms, others held them a few meters away. For the dark blue haired stranger, that scene was extremely unpleasant. He took a few steps forward, it seemed as if he was shuffling his feet, just like a condemned man, an inmate of some prison forgotten by Humanity or a zombie rising from his grave to wander erratically through a World of lights.

Lynne went after him and noticed the tears of despair in her friend's eyes. He was trying to wipe them away with a handkerchief but ended up bursting into a deep, pain-filled cry. A few meters north of the fields, many fallen "Shadow Neuroi" could be seen, their war machines were in flames and others had been completely consumed. Perhaps, those of the first case, had been set on fire by armed gangs that integrated "The Resistance" to prevent the enemy from putting them back into operation. Where the rural buildings were, they were reduced to mountains of rubble and smoldering ruins that ranged from gray to white. A smell of burnt meat, coming from the cattle that had been enclosed by the invaders, impregnated the nostrils of those present, leading them to cover their nostrils to avoid vomiting from the strong stench. The crops had also been spared, the crops, everything that was there had been burned by the flames, so the ground was completely blackened.

He could not believe it. The blonde Brittania walked over and gave her friend a tight hug. The girl's eyes were also moistened and both were silent, being observed by the others who kept their distance, leaving them a moment so they could recover from that rude blow. After a few minutes of mourning, they returned.

- Let's go, this is already personal for Rolf.- Asked the foreigner.


- Hey, buddy, take it easy.- Kevin approached him and put his hand on the stranger's shoulders.- I understand you're angry. I'm scared too about how my home might be, but remember what the Witches told us: We must not lower ourselves to the same level as the Kankers. If you take it as vindictive, then you will be like them. You will see that they will fall, I promise you.- He gave his word to the dark blue hair, while he kept silent and from there he nodded his head.

- I hope so, my friend Kevin. I pray to my Ancestors that the Kankers will pay with their lives in prison or in Death.- Said Rolf, as he turned to the others.

- Yes, that's true and we haven't reached the village yet.- Jimmy backed him up.- What are we going to do? Are we going to continue with the search?

- It all depends on the weather.- Said Charlotte when, all of a sudden, it started to rain heavily over the fields of California.

- Maybe. You should see this place when it snows, it's a beauty.- Johnny pointed out.- Plank and I put together a 'Winter Club'.

- Sounds like fun.- Yoshika approached him.

- Owwww, Winter in Peach Creek is very relaxing, despite having to go to classes but...- Sarah shrugged her shoulders and from there looked straight ahead.- It should be enjoyed to the fullest, just like the other seasons.


Once that was said and done, they resumed their march. The rain fell incessantly, abundantly and began to form small puddles on the shoulder of the road, on both stretches. The smell of burnt cars persisted since, where they were, they noticed a few vehicles that had been set on fire by the enemy, others had signs of having crashed, the fuel had left its "mark" on them. One of the above-mentioned vehicles had crashed into the guardrail, splitting it in two, bending it and leaving a large gap wide open.

The lanterns that illuminated the road at night until the arrival of Dawn were intact, except for a few that had been knocked down, perhaps as a result of artillery bombardment, in addition to a few holes in the pavement. In the background a gas station could be seen, a line of abandoned cars, not so long, and a huge white banner was waving in the gentle wind there.

"No gasoline."

That was the message it was conveying, plus a couple of Police patrol cars were abandoned, the pumps empty but the small buildings, as well as the bar that operated for those who stopped for a drink, was standing even though its door had been broken into and the remains of glass were scattered on the floor.

Minna observed the place, the weather did not seem to improve and it was then that she could make out something on the horizon. She took her binoculars, it was not a good idea to fly as it could alert the enemy, so she stayed still, in her position and from there she went on to see what the whole thing could be about.

- Be careful with the cars, the alarms may be working.- Double D asked the others.

- Yes, that's true. Better avoid the ones that are on fire, too.- Eddy emphasized, due to the temperature of the burning metal.

- Anything on the horizon, Commander?.- Asked Erica to the red-haired girl, but she shook her head.

- No, nothing dangerous, I just see the buildings cut out in the background.- She pointed with her right hand.- There's Peach Creek.- She said.

The first to go were the Eds, Rolf, Kevin along with the others a few seconds later. The black capped boy took a look at the place, he whipped his eyes around even more but nothing seemed to be on fire or destroyed.

- Don't be too confident, folks. It's barely the commercial area I'm looking at from here.- Double D argued, passing the binoculars to the others.

- Maybe we should rest here for a while.- Proposed Johnny.- This rain is relentless and doesn't seem to want to let up.

- We will stop here for a while to eat and recover our strength, but only for an hour.- Said Minna, and they heeded her warning


Some of them went to the bathrooms to dry off from the rain that had fallen on them, as well as to wash their faces after the last fights out there. Minna, Trudie and Mio set up a small "Checkpoint" in the cafeteria of the gas station, where they started to review the maps and reports provided by "Military Intelligence"


- After resting here, we will make our way to Peach Creek. The boys need to know how their homes are.- Karsland's Lieutenant pointed to the point in question.

- Yes and we will also see if there are any civilians trapped. Maybe not, they may have escaped. The topic was the big cities, do you remember when they showed, in that newscast, the panic unleashed in New York and the others?.- Asked Major Mio Sakamoto, referring to those initial moments during the "Shadow Neuroi Invasion".

- How could we forget.- Minna answered seriously.- That's where the first deaths occurred, due to car crashes, desperation and looting.- That sounded very cold against the Kankers.- That trio of madwomen are going to pay dearly when this country is freed from their clutches. Still, girls, we must continue to watch our step. We don't know what kind of tricks and machinations those bitches are up to.

- It's true.- Trudie backed him up.- We've already seen it on several fronts. The last "Hives" were, in the full sense of the word, a "Living Being" who knew no limits, was equal to a brute unleashed and it will be best to hit the target. Although such an infiltration could cost us time.

- Time, ammunition, among other things," added the red-haired Commander.- But...- From there she took a pencil she had with her and drew a "map".- If we storm the interior quickly, the Kankers may not have enough time to carry out their plans for victory, so we will have to be careful.

- Very well then, so be it.- Finished Fuso's black hair.


- Do you see smoke?.- Nazz asked Ed, but Ed shook his head, lowered his binoculars and rubbed his eyes, as they were extremely dry from prolonged exposure to the town, waiting for any sign of change.

- No, nothing.- Answered the Science Fiction fan.- It is as if no fighting, looting or pillaging had occurred. Nothing, just like that.- He explained, sitting on one of the edges of the entrance to the bar.- Hey, guys, did you get any messages or calls from your families?

- No, none.- Said the blonde cheerleader on behalf of the others.- But, to be honest, I hope you're all okay. They must be very scared. I pray that mine were able to get out of town in time.- She asked and clasped her hands together, while Kevin hugged her.

- I'm saying the same thing. I tried to contact my parents. The last I heard, before we left for Brittania with the Witches, was a static silence as the end result.- Jimmy recounted that sad experience.

- When the Kankers left there, they caused quite a gale when the Shadow Neuroi showed up.- Eddy recalled that moment.- I couldn't call my parents either, as the phone lines were dead.

- I left a letter for mine, but I also think they will be somewhere safe with the others.- Double D theorized.

- God hear you, my friend. God hear you and may they be safe and sound.- Kevin pleaded, accompanying Nazz during this difficult moment.


An hour passed, the promised time for them to rest, wash up and get something to eat was over and they resumed their march towards Peach Creek. The rain continued to fall steadily and again soaked their clothes from head to toe. The drops would get caught in the leaves of the trees and fall, much larger in size, against them and leave them surprised. As they followed the path of the road, those present noticed that a couple of those mentioned above had fallen, as a result of the fighting against the Kanker or the bombing.

- These trees are not very leafy, we can pass over them.- Said Eddy and from there they crossed them, one by one, until they reached the other side of the road.

The grove that was on both sides of the road was still standing, a few were down but it was not a serious problem, a little maintenance work and everything would be ready in a matter of minutes or hours. The group did not waste a second and from there they went further south, until they came to a construction zone. The foundations of a series of buildings, machinery and materials were still there next to a huge mound of sand, which was a dark yellow color, due to the effect of the rains that had fallen in that region. Some street lamps were still lit, their light mixed with the precipitation, giving a scene very similar to the police and detective movies of the 20's and 30's. Others were still working but flickering. Others were still working but flickered from time to time.

- The power station must be having some kind of problem with the power supply,.- Said Double D, while examining one of the panels that had the luminous apparatus.

- I hope it's that and not an ambush.- Eddy asked, since the atmosphere was still very quiet.

- You guys, come on!.- They heard Ed's voice and ran to where he was. He was standing in what used to be Peach Creek, on one of the many rocks that made up the creek bed.

- I'll be damned, they've dried up the creek!.- Exclaimed Johnny in amazement but he noticed something strange rising up.- No, wait, do you see it? There, at the bottom, where it flows into the stream.

Some of them looked at each other but they discovered that, at the end of the road, they could see a dam that the Kankers had built to prevent the water from escaping and flooding the area of the "Caravan Park" where they lived, which had been reduced to ashes and debris that still smoldered.

- They rejected even their own home.- Nazz objected with disappointment.- I find it hard to believe they would do this.

- They are consumed by power and madness. Besides, that voice they had, they didn't sound like they were using an app to generate fear, it sounded so natural and terrifying that it gave me goosebumps.- The bald boy recalled, approaching the blonde.

- And there's still no sign of them around here, and no sign of the Shadow Neuroi either. What are they up to? I can't even detect a drone or security cameras, that's the weirdest thing of all.- Kevin pointed to various points of the construction site.

- Yes, that's true.- Said Mio, placing her hand on the red-haired man's shoulders.- This whole atmosphere is too strange.- Said Fuso's Major.

They decided not to talk anymore, yet Johnny chose to blow up the dam and so the water flow was returned to its normal course, leaving behind a burning structure until the waters took over to bury it in the bed forever, like a watery grave.

They left behind the "Construction Site," the newly renovated and reclaimed Peach Creek Creek next to the destroyed "Caravan Park." The sign announcing the welcome to the latter site lay rusted and consumed by the passage of time, uncared for and the huge sign that stood in the area where new homes and buildings would be constructed was now nothing more than a pile of dull ashes. But even so, the group continued to advance cautiously, checking every sector of the town.

- Heh, this is where Minna, Trudie and I entered to look for evidence about Dr. Reginald Kanker.- Recalled Francesca, with her hands in her pockets, as she pointed towards the road they first came by jeep.

- Yes, we are not very far from the "Cul-de-sac", the boys' residential area.- Lieutenant Barkhorn recalled, as she was in the West, along the long alley they called "The Lane".

- It is true, our houses are from here.- Said Ed, but he did not dare to see from the top of the wooden fences, since there could be enemy patrols around there, "Lieutenant Barkhorn, look.- Pointed the young man to the end of the alley, where they noticed that, at the entrance, they could see a few meters of that long dividing wall, knocked down next to a couple of trees, which seemed to have been bombed.


They crossed through that area and from there they came upon the playground. These were intact, except for some fallen trees that had crushed part of the metal fence surrounding the perimeter of the playground. On the other corner were a couple of houses with beautiful and extensive gardens, a streetlight that was lit, because the sky was somewhat dark due to the heavy rainfall, as well as the street that stretched from east to west.

- This is the route to go to the Center of town, especially to the candy store, the stores and further west to the school.- Kevin pointed out.

- Hey, do you think Lemon Brook survived?.- Asked Nazz, since they were rivals from the other town.

- Look, I hate those bastards for beating us in the "Local Football Championship" but...I hope nobody died, neither there nor here.- Was the request made by the red-haired Captain.

They took the street that continued Westward, to the "Peach Creek School" and finally ended up at the same point where everything had started. The boys were the first to recognize the place. There everything was still the same, their homes had not been damaged, everything was intact although the float with which they had put so much effort to celebrate "Friendship Day", now lay burned to the ground and its ashes were flying everywhere. The white-haired boy felt a huge sorrow in his heart at the sight of that scene, Perrine and Sarah went to him to cheer him up and with it was Eddy, who put his hand on his shoulders.

- Hey, since you are coming this...Don't let yourself get discouraged, for the next one you will do a much better one and equal to what you and the others did. I promise. And if you need a hand, we're here to help you.- The short boy spoke to him, freeing himself from those last remnants of the "burden" he'd been carrying for a long time.

- Really, Eddy?.- Asked Perrine to him.

- It's true, I'm not lying. But now, let's leave behind what happened in the past, let's learn to move forward, let's learn from our mistakes and from that we will have a better future.

- You are right to make up for your mistake when you did that Chinese wedgie to Jimmy.- Sarah approached him.- However, we will have time to recover what was lost. Now we have to end this war, who knows what the Kankers will do now.

- Yes, it's true, it's too quiet here. I don't understand why they don't appear.- Warned the white-haired boy and from there, at that moment, an extensive screen began to take shape thanks to a group of "Shadow Neuroi" that turned into infinite particles, "Nanomachines" style, and they found what they were looking for. There was static, a noise that remained unalterable until they could see, in the images, the three sisters standing and with those results they obtained thanks to the "help" their grandfather had designed, as a last resort.

Some felt fear. Those red and extremely terrifying eyes, which seemed to burn like the fire of war itself, those looks devoid of feelings. Airs of superiority and evil ran through their being and oozed desires for expansion, conquest, massacres and a host of other misfortunes that had befallen them. They were like the misfortunes that had come out of "Pandora's Box" when Men had been expelled from "Olympus" during the Golden Age and had to survive, from the perspective of Mythology and Legends, a hostile and savage environment until the end of the Golden Age, to a hostile and savage environment until Prometheus stole the "Sacred Fire" so they could live and cook food until his treason was discovered by Zeus, who punished him by tying him to the top of a mountain where an eagle would gnaw his liver until the night, when it would regenerate again and last for all Eternity.

And there they were, the Eds along with their partners stepped forward. No one was going to be intimidated for these madwomen.

- Well, well, it seems that they returned to the old and beloved homeland. To our homeland.- Lee spoke, referring to that historic event when Eddy's ancestors lost the deeds to Peach Creek during a bet with the Kankers.

- That was more than 300 years ago, Lee.- Said the short boy.- Learn to live in the Present.- He continued speaking and the three sisters stared at them for a while, as if they were simple ignorant creatures that depended on the Master to be tamed to his level.

- To hear you talk and to see you holding hands with that Italian slut, how do you think I feel? Well, at first I refused that you were with her but then I learned the hard way that you have to let go of the hatred you have inside and more so when you have them right where you want them".- He said and then shrugged his shoulders.- It's a pity. I admit it, this war may end here with a victory or defeat for us but, whatever, everything that happens will be nothing but a memory of you. Your time of saving lives has come to an end, so, if you want to fight us and give your last battle, go ahead, we are waiting for you right here, in Liberion. So...- She stopped and from there a great amount of "Shadow Neuroi" appeared, all of them emerged like bees attracted by the sound when their honeycomb was attacked and they headed towards where they were.

- The excitement of the battle has Lee stopped, so I'll be the one to finish it: Let the "Final Battle for Liberion" begin, let's see who will be victorious in all of this!.


The enemy was emerging more and more in number and armed to the teeth. The ships seemed to cover the skies and there, in the distance, the last of the enemy strongholds could be distinguished: The "Seventh Hive" was in Peach Creek and with it, to the north, the Kankers, its leaders.


[A return to Peach Creek charged with different emotions and now a battle against the leaders. A fight that will be all or nothing.

The Epilogue is getting closer every day, friends, so be ready. I send greetings and thanks to Matfix, Franco M. Romano and the other followers.

I wish you a good start of Thursday from me and until next time, Comrades].