Episode 1:
Origins

Mav's Notes: So here we go again. This time it's a co-lab between two authors with wonderful characters. I hope y'all enjoy this new roller coaster, we are gonna put you on.

This chapter written by An0n Author and edited by Mavrick-17

Life has it's many conflicts. From the first time you have to take a test, the first date, the drivers test and exam, and the job interview. All of these can stress humanity out but nothing stresses them out more than a threat. Sometimes they can just roll over small conflicts between themselves and band together to fight one another. However, when a conflict involves the survival of humanity, they can band together to fight. However, when a power that conventional means won't suffice is when they will start to fear. Through this fear, they begin to grasp at any means of survival. Any glimmer of hope they can hold onto can grow and spread around the world. When the Neuroi appeared on the world, all of humanity was plunged into fear. Appearing first in the early 30's over Fuso, early technology had failed to fight against the new threat. No one knew what it was or what they were but the advent of the Witch had repelled this unknown enemy. This would be known as the Fuso Sea Incident. Years later, technology had advanced but the fear of a Neuroi attack still lingered. The Striker technology was still lacking as everyone thought that the new traditional technology could combat the Neuroi if they were to rise again.

After the Neuroi's return in 1939, the whole world of plunged into darkness again. Territory after territory the Neuroi conquered pushing humanity out. Only with the advancement of the Striker unit did the progression of the start to slow. Many more were able to evacuate from the many different countries with the help of the Witches but only a stalemate could be held as the world military might gathered it's strength. Though in this fight, there are many surprises. Unbeknownst to humanity, what they would consider the enemy was fighting along side of them. The Neuroi themselves have been around for hundreds of years living among the humans in harmony. They had either kept in secrecy or ventured out into the world to interbreed with the humans. As hostilities broke out between the humans and the Neuroi, most of these Neuroi either fled to hiding with their families, perished in the following attacks, or decided to stand against the attack. One of few that decided to stay and fight were the Vermillion sisters. Before, they lived a peaceful life among humanity with little worry of who they were. Other than partaking in what would be considered the gender standards of living like how both love to partake in diving, Ember developed excellent skills as a mechanic, and both had an interest in surfing. Even with their small quirks that distanced them from some crowds of people they lived a simple and happy life. Their mother, Amanda, knew the intentions of the red Neuroi and behind the scenes she worked on hiding the few Neuroi that had defected along with the others that didn't want any hostilities against humanity. The sisters involvement in the conflict only started when Liberion was fully drawn into the Second Neuroi War.

Vermillion Residence, California
December 7th 1942

It was a normal day for the Vermillion's as Ember was coming back from school with Blaze and their mother was home waiting for their return. She hummed to the tune playing on the radio as she prepared dinner. Cutting up some meat on the cutting board, she looked up from her work as she heard the front door open seeing it was her two children.

"Welcome home you two," she greeted them as they entered. Ember walked to the far side of the dinning room table laying her bag down and plopped down in the chair as Blaze took the other side. "So, how was school today?"

"Same old same old... Classes are rather uneventful as people are still stressing about finals but all the material we've gone over is easy," Ember complained as she leaned back in her seat.

"Well, yeah, easy for you to say Ms. A student..." Blaze grumbled. "Unlike you, I have to study to get my A's..."

"And that's why I love you both," Amanda said smiling. "I'm so happy to have two brilliant children. Now wash your hands and help Mommy make dinner for tonight."

"Yes Mom," the two said, getting up to wash their hands. Blaze remained at the sink to wash the vegetables while Ember moved on over to the pot on the stove for the stew.

"So, when will Dad be coming home?" Ember asked as she stirred the pot.

"He won't be back for a few more weeks, you know that Ember. Apparently there's been an influx of equipment that is being sent off to Fuso so he needs to say a bit longer to check up on everything before it departs."

"But he was supposed to be back this week," Blaze grumbled.

"Patience, Blazette. He will be back when is able to," she silenced her before walking over to Ember with the platter of meat prepared.

"Say, after this, can I go down to the mechanics shop before they close?" Ember asked taking the meat and dumping it into the stewing pot.

"If you clean your dishes before hand, then you can after dinner,"

"Score!" she said clenching her fist while Blaze was looking else were. "Something on your mind Blaze?"

"I don't know... There seems to be a lot of activity outside," she said and Ember looked out the window to see trucks and jeeps moving through the streets.

"Well, we do live near a military base," Ember said without looking up.

"But Witches seem to be also be running out."

"Well, some of them don't live on base. Maybe it's some sort of drill?" Amanda asked glancing out the window as she watched witches scramble into the back of an army truck.

"Hey, hey! Blaze, turn the sink off," Ember suddenly asked as she backed away from the stove and towards the radio. Doing as she's told, Blaze shut off the sink as Ember turned up the radio.

"-rrupt your current broadcast with a very important message. We are getting reports that there is a Neuroi presence near our proud country. This broadcast is being sent to any town and cities that are in any type of danger of being attack. Please follow evacuation personal and-" the radio announcer said when their mother snapped the two out of their trance.

"Come on, we need to pack a small bag this instant," she ushered them both out of the kitchen before returning to turn off the stove and oven. Ember had gone and packed herself a small bag of extra clothesbefore meeting everyone back at the front.

"Mom, do you think-" Blaze began to ask when she was cut off by their mother.

"Not right now honey. Don't think of such things until we get out of here," she said as the evacuation siren blared. Outside people were already leaving their home and army trucks were lining up picking up people. Leaving their house, their mother locked the house's door out of habit before the Vermillion's made their way into the back of a truck where they met some neighbors and two of Ember's school friends, Jessica Milton and Jennifer Hopkins. They tried to start up a conversation but their parent hushed them until they started to move. Looking out the back of the truck, Ember could see that Anti Air trucks rolled into the area along with other trucks carrying Witches and their Striker units. As the truck with the Witches came to a halt, Ember's own truck came to life and off they went inland. After they started to move, Jessica spoke up.

"What the hell is going on? I thought all the Neuroi were only in Europe!," she asked gripping her head in her hands.

"Like hell if I know," Jennifer mumbled as she looked out the back crossing her arms.

"But from what I've been following in the papers, there's no Hive that's close to the west coast of Liberion or between us and Fuso. It just doesn't make sense!"

"Look, just calm down Jessy. Everything will be all right… It's true that there's no Neuroi Hive around so there must be a single Neuroi or something that our military could take care of," she reasoned with her and she nodded. Silence had fell over the group of people when Amanda spoke up to her two children.

"I was holding off doing this until you both were older… But I think it's a good time to give you two something," she said as she rummaged around her bag and brought out three items. One was a red scarf which she handed to Ember while she gave Blaze a bangle and a bracelet. Both the bracelet and the bangle had their edges lined with a silver metal while the center was ebony black. In each of them they also had a single red gem impeded in them.

"What are they…?" Blaze asked as she looked at the bangle and bracelet while Ember ran her hand through the scarf finding it quite soft and smooth.

"These are gifts that my mother gave to me when I became an appropriate age. Now, in her place, I give these items to both of you my daughters. Cherish and hold them close to your heart."

Ember and Blaze noted their heads and hugged their mother in the middle when Blaze spoke up.

"I hope Dad is safe…"

"You know him. He's in the most secure and protected area in Liberion. I know for a fact that he's probably alive and helping getting those warships out to fight back the invaders," she said hugging the two.

Releasing the two, Blaze put the bangle on her right arm and the bracelet on he left and Ember wrapped the scarf around her neck while both Jennifer and Jessica complimented Blaze and Ember on their new fashion accessories. Stopping far inland, they were let out to be processed before being let out into the city. They later found a place to rent out to stay until the all clear was given. Tension was in the atmosphere as the public started to speculate about what had happened to cause the evacuation of December 7th when on television, President Roosevelt gave an announcement that shook the nation. The announcement that the enemy had appeared over Pearl Harbor causing the destruction of the majority of their fleet shocked everyone. Sorrow that once was felt in the announcement turned to rage as the nation began to mobilize towards war. As Ember walked around town carrying groceries, she could see soldier recruitment offices and witch recruitment centers being flooded. She even saw her Jessica off as her own Witch powers manifested. Though for the Vermillion's, it was a waiting game to see if their father was all right. Each day they hope to get a letter from him saying that he's all right. All hope was lost when there was a knock on the door. Ember got up and opened it to find two soldiers in their dress uniforms holding their hats.

"Is this where the Vermillion's are currently staying…?"

"Yes…?" Ember said all ready knowing what they are going to say.

"I'm here… I'm here regretfully to say that your father… Carlos Vermillion… Was killed during the attack of Pearl Harbor…" the soldier said.

Words began to echo as Ember fell to her knees hand clamped over her mouth as she took in the information. Her mother was quickly at her side hugging and patting her back consoling her as the soldiers left to give them room to grieve. Everything soon mellowed out after a few weeks as they finished their grieving. Life seemed to turn back to normal as they returned back to their daily lives. Though things seem to only get worse for Ember.

One day she and Blaze were on their way back home with some groceries when Ember started to get lost slightly. She was still learning her way around the city and took a right turn too early to get home.

"Ember… Are we lost…?" Blaze asked her sister.

"No, no. We're not lost just yet," she replied as she looked around. "I was just… Seeing if there's an alternate way back to our place…"

"So we're lost…"

"Ever…" Ember's eyes darted around seeing if there was a way out when she noticed a man coming down the same ally they just went down before grabbing her sisters hand. "Come on, I think we can get back this way."

Pulling her along, she glances back seeing that the guy in a yellow jacket seemed to be following them. Walking a bit further she took a sudden right before darting into a dark corner.

"Ember what are you-"

"Sshh," she hushed her sister when the guy walked past where the two here hiding. She didn't know why, but the way that man felt seemed off. She couldn't put her finger on why or how but she knew something was up about him. Waiting a few more second she then quickly darted in the other direction when she bumped into someone.

"Well well, what do we have here?" a burley voice said as Ember got her footing again. "What are two cutes doing back here?" he said.

Looking behind her, Ember saw that the other guy had turned around and blocked off their exit rout with a second guy right behind him. She backed up concerned about keeping her sister behind her at all times as she looked around for an exit.

"Aw, why so worried?" one of them asked as the stepped in a bit closer just as a fourth goon arrived. "We just want to get to know you a bit better," the four of them snickered.

Being silent, Ember knew their options were becoming smaller when she felt her back bump against something. Turning she saw she bumped into the man with the yellow jacket when her arms were restrained by the man behind her.

"No let me go!" Blaze cried as she was pulled away from Ember.

"Blaze!" Ember yelled as she tried to get out of the mans grip. Her struggles were only rewarded as he clamped down harder.

"So this is Amanda's eldest daughter…" the yellow jacketed man said as he grasped her chin twisting her head side to side examining her. "Like mother like daughter…" he chucked as Ember pulled her chin out of his grasp. "A feisty one isn't she!" he cackled before backhanding Ember.

"How do you know our mother!?" Blaze yelled from the back as she's restrained.

"Oh? You two don't know?" the yellow jacketed man chuckled when the other goons began to laugh as well when their eyes started to glow red. Streaks of red began to crack form their eyes as their chests began to glow as well. Black hexagonal skin formed around their eyes as they grinned. Both Ember and Blaze looked around in horror as they realized what they were dealing with.

"N-Neuroi…?" Ember muttered when he grabbed her by the hair and brought her head up.

"That's right sweetie. We have a winner here boys! We all know what happens when we have a winner, right?!" he asked and was followed with murmers of agreement when he brought out a knife. "Tell your father that I said hi." he growled as she forcibly pulled Ember's head up and put the knife to her neck.

"No!" Blaze yelled out in distress when her own eyes began to glow. Stomping on her captors foot she gained freedom to rush past the other man hand outstretched.

"Ember!"

Clenching her eyes, Ember struggled one last time trying to get free when there was a loud bang. She flinches as she felt something fly past her head causing her hair to blow forwards but she then noticed that the tight grip on her hair was loosened. Opening her eyes she saw that the person that was about to slit her throat stumble back gripping at his chest.

"You…" he pulled his hands away showing that white fragments were falling.

"Bitch…" was his was words as he crumpled into white crystals.

Taking the moment of surprise, she broke herself free from the person restraining her to see Blaze holding up an elegant musket type pistol with ebony black wood and shine silver metal. Her eyes were glowing red with a stern look as the barrel smoked. As soon as her eyes stopped glowing Blaze looked confused at what happened or as to why she was holding the gun.

"You bitch! Die!" a thug behind Blaze yelled as he tried to hit her over the head with an iron pipe when Ember reacted on instinct. In a flash she dashed past Blaze eyes glowing when she felt something quite heavy in her grasp. Looking at her hand was this 49x9 inch sword with a black body and red edge. Turning around, the guy with the pipe was seized up and twitched slight as if in pain as the pipe fell in pieces before he too fell to pieces with his core destroyed. Breathing a bit harder, she stepped back from the pile when the other two decided they had enough and tried to run.

"Fuck this shit!" one yelled as he dropped his weapon when a black figure fell down in front of them. Landing in a cloud of dust, the figure stood up slowly showing that it was fully encased in the black Neuroi armor.

"You dare hurt my children…?" she asked as a glaive with the same color patter as Ember's sword appeared. "Then death it is."

In a flash, the remaining two thugs exploded into white crystals. Blaze had quickly ran to Ember's side when the unknown black figure looked at them and Ember gripped her sword knowing that she will protect Blaze from this Neuroi. But, too their shock, the unknown Neuroi started to walk towards them dispelling her weapon.

"Are you two all right?" the figure asked when the black armor receded to show a woman in familiar Liberion clothing.

"M-Mommy…?" Blaze asked as she lowered her gun.

"It's me my little Blazette… But we shouldn't be here for long."

"But- Wha- How do we get rid of these weapons?!" Ember asked as she looked at the massive sword.

"Will it honey," Amanda instructed. Ember closed her eyes and did so and to her surprise, she felt the weight leave her hand with it being replaced with a silky soft feeling around her neck. Blaze did so as well and the pistol was replaced with her bracelet. Making their way back to their house, many questions were answered and things were set straight between mother and daughters. The evacuation order was soon lifted and they were able to return to their house by the base. Cleaning up was to be had as food had gone rotten but the most surprising thing was how well they took in the information their mother had told them. About how she herself is a Neuroi thus the two of them were also part Neuroi. She explained about Xelarion, Ember's blade and both Hex and Sybaris, Blaze's musket pistol and rifle. She had told them about some pockets of Neuroi resistance but had warned them about the dangers of being hunted down like in the alleyway. Thus, they began to train. In the basement of their house, Amanda had transformed it into an area where the two could train without disruption. About a full year had passed since this revelation when during a sparring match with her mother, Ember had discovered she had manifested a familiar.

With the whole sword together, Ember dashed after her mother as she back away deflecting each strike with her glaive before retaliating with a few jabs and stabs which Ember either dodged or deflected herself. Breaking off a sword from the main blade, Ember twisted around bringing both swords down on top of her mother who had raised her glaive blocking the strike before kicking her away. Impacting one of the house's support beams, Ember had the wind knocked out of her when her mother lunged with a jab. On instinct she raised her hand but to her surprise a blue shield popped up stopping the glaive in it's tracks. stranding straight up, Amanda used the glaive as a cane of sorts and smiled at Ember.

"It's time my daughter. It's time to take the fight to the enemy," she said with a smile. Ember quickly ran over to a mirror to find that her familiar, a Golden Eagle, was sticking out of her head while a flood of feathers stuck out as a tail.

"My familiar… I will make sure they will pay, Mom," Ember smiled.

Enlisting the next day, Ember was assigned to the 370th Fighter Group. This happened to be the same group that Jessica was assigned so the two started to have a little competition to see who could get the higher kill count. Jessica had the lead at first being there much longer but it soon became clear who was the better fighter. As the days started pass, Ember's kill count began to rise even surpassing the previous ace of the group Ashlyn Hopkins. Before she knew it, Ember started to become a Liberion icon as her status of ace started to pass others all the while hiding her identity as a half-Neuroi. Blaze soon entered the fight as well as her own ability manifested but differently as she became a nigh. With the help of the Colonel of the group, Ember managed to secure Blaze as their own Night witch and thank goodness as well as Neuroi activity at night started to increase. Though flying solo at night, Blaze had a bit more liberty when it comes to using her own Neuroi specific weapons. Sybaris and Hex became quite helpful as they added to her firepower causing her own kill count to rise considerably high for being a Night Witch. As time drew on their fame rose in Liberion as they continued to fight but were surprised when one day they were called to the Colonel's office. One sleepy Blaze and a worried Ember later in an office became quite surprised when they heard HQ had sent down a transfer order for the two. They were to be moved further to the front being reassigned to the 501st Joint Fighter Wing. At first shocked they were praised by the CO about their transfer saying that they will be fighting with the best that each nation could offer. After dismissal, they began to say their good bye's to everyone in the group as they packed up. They came and went as they stuffed their belongings into duffle bags when the two found themselves alone.

" … I don't like this Ember…" Blaze spoke up suddenly.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean… Since we're going to be with some of the best… I fear they will find out about us…"

"Look Blaze. We've been able to keep this on the low end for now and nothing's happened just yet. We're fine so far and I understand your concern but…"

"But what?"

"I feel like it will be good to reveal to them what we truly are. Helma knows and can keep our secret so I'm sure others will understand."

"Yeah but still…" Blaze muttered. "You don't know how the people who have lost their home's and own country will react finding out we're one of those monsters…"

"Don't be like that Blaze. I know everything will work out just fine," Ember said laying everything to rest. Before long, they found themselves saying their final good bye's to their old group just before they got onto a plane destined to their new base. When they had arrived they were greeted quite surprisingly by a very diverse group of people ranging from people from Karlsland, Orussia, Gallia, Fuso, Suomus, Liberion, and even Romanga. All greeted both of them kindly with a warm welcome smile with some of them reminding them of old squadmates from the 370th. In a matter of time the two had settled into the new group just fine and was soon seen as a part of everything.

The two had decided to keep their identity a secret as they learned the Neuroi are a touchy matter with some of the Karlslandian people and the one Gallian but everything started to become routine. Ember had befriended the other Liberion of the group, Shirley not only another Liberion, but also another mechanic. The two could easily relate to each other while Blaze had bonded with the quiet Orussian night witch even after Eila had voiced her opinions. Everything just became normal for them until December 12th, 1944. A single person changed it all.