"Holy Mother Theresa, that's a lot of guns." Chloe said as they peered over the snow bank.
Down below them stood the large building, just a few kilometers away from the small town. It was hard to believe that it was in plain sight, such a large building with countless people coming in and out of the place. She watched as more vehicles were loaded onto the large ship and people ran around, making sure things were going to plan.
Looking around, Chloe tried to see if there was anything that would be holding the boys away from them. Shouts echoed the air as a man barked orders at the other men, attempting to avoid his glare.
"That's Sayer." Nora said, "I know that barking order anywhere."
Chloe saw Nora shiver as she remembered her captivity as she heard Brie hum, "Then that leaves Doss, Alpha and Thales, yes?"
"Kiku killed Thales." Harper reminded, "Left him in pieces."
"Right." Brie nodded, "How could we forget that?"
"We have a lot on our plate as we speak." Marie said as she looked over the land once more, "We have enough to get them from the entrance yet I cannot tell how many are within and that worries me."
"Best to conserve our good until the bitter end huh?" Amber joked.
"I'm serious woman."
"I do see her point." Brie said, "It's the question of getting in without using everything and then getting ourselves into a sticky situation."
"I have an idea." Lily announced as she moved from their hiding place, walking straight down to the main doors.
"Jesus Christ Lily, get your ass back here!" Marie told her, attempting to keep her voice down.
"She's mad!" Chloe thought aloud.
"What is she planning?" Harper asked all of them, just to see her pause just a bit away.
"I haven't the slightest idea." Juliet replied.
They watched as Lily kicked some snow around as she looked around, as if waiting for someone...or something.
"Didn't Katyusha talk to her earlier before we got here, about having a tie with Ivan?" Nora pointed out, "Could it be that?"
"General." they heard her say as the men finally noticed her along with Sayer.
"She's nuts I tell you." Amber said, readying herself to fight them.
"Wait!" Brie stopped her and grabbed Juliet, "Juliet, when you became London, how did it happen?"
"What, you were in London when it happened-"
"Just answer it!"
"I drowned in the Thames, why?"
"How did the Thames freeze over?"
"It became frozen after Lily and Alexei were attacked by a Genesis member and Ivan..." Juliet paused.
"Ivan did?"
"He summoned General Winter!" Juliet gasped, "Do you think?"
"I'm starting to believe so" Brie said throwing a blanket over them all, "Hang on girls, it's going to get very cold."
"What?" they all asked as the men were nearly on top of Lily.
"Obshchaya Zima!" she shouted at them.
A harsh, freezing wind came across them as Chloe buried herself in the blanket as all of them pushed together to endure the cold as pained screams echoed the land. Looking up, Chloe saw men flying around the area, being dragged from the entrance and being frozen in place as a strange silhouette of a war general walked along the path and into the building, just to come out and walk around the place. It paused in front of the one Nora called Sayer, looking down upon him. A blood curdling scream filled the air as the thing lifted the man, his body slowly being covered in thick ice, just to have him snap the body in half and continue its way.
"Girls!" Lily called to them.
Lifting the blanket, they quickly gathered their things and made their way down to her, trying to avoid the bodies and the chill of the place. Darting into the large facility, they quickly got themselves prepared as Nora went to search for computers.
"Can you explain?" Chloe asked Lily.
"Katyusha told me before we left that it may be possible to control what our husbands can. Since her's has the power to the troll we saw outside the border Lukas created and she can control him as well, I thought I could do the same."
"So, you did all that on a whim?" Marie nearly shouted.
"Net, I summoned him earlier when we were on our way here. That small blizzard we hit before landing here was him." she explained.
"You are nuts." Harper said, following Nora.
They all followed behind as Nora disappeared in a control room. Checking each door as they passed by, hoping that nothing would pop out for no good reason.
"I found grounds and building map." Juliet stated as she laid the pieces down on the table before them, "Now, how far is your general moving?"
"He's removing all threats to outside sources as we speak. Disabling the ships and aircraft. He hasn't gone within the building as of late, I probably could change that."
"Don't veer him off yet." Juliet explained, "Right now we need a ground plan before going in."
"As of now, this seems to be the center of the building." Juliet said, pointing to the map. "If we sit here and act here and Winter covers the outer sides, we may be able to counter things by there. Only thing I can't see is hidden areas."
"Only spots on here I see are what seem to be holding areas of capitals and cities." Nora said, her eyes never leaving the screen.
"Where?" Juliet asked.
"West from this spot, heading toward the water. The other spot on here that has high security is massive. I can't pinpoint exact locations like I can for that one."
"Definitely where the boys are being held." Lily stated as she looked over Nora's shoulder.
"Jesus woman, your eyes are turning purple like your husbands." Nora pointed out.
"Think it might be a tie thing like Katyusha was saying to her." Chloe said.
"I feel Winter looking at the screen through me, I think he'll head over there and get them so we can focus on one spot."
"What's he telling you then?" Amber asked, gaining a nod from Marie.
"To have our battle in the middle like Juliet said. Pull the enemy out from hiding." she said, "They wanted us, they now have us."
"Right then. As of now we know how we're fighting and how it will be done, yes?" Juliet looked at them all.
Chloe nodded feeling pumped yet scared out of her mind as the battle was before her, the sword she used on the men before at her side as Feliciano's Beretta was on her hip.
"I have the security down in the other chambers." Nora announced, readying herself the rest of the way, "Hope Lukas and Vlad can do as you said they would."
"I have to give them a marker but they will, even as shaky as Vlad is, they will be here to get them all."
"Well that's good because we have to go girls." Brie warned, "We have company coming soon."
Looking over, Chloe saw the soldiers and men of the group attempting to break down the door. Time was running out.
"Alright then, time to strap up and kick ass." Amber smiled.
Throwing the door open, they all ran out, heading to the location Juliet pointed out as she quickly made her way to the small holding cells. Chloe was ready, more than ready to find these assholes and end the hell they created for everyone around them and for taking her Feli. She was going to fight for it all, and nothing was going to stop her.
Her screams echoed in his head. Her terrified and heartbroken face full of tears as she screamed out his name, reaching out for him as Lovi put her in the car. It was all he could think of. The pure guilt of hurting her and the last image he gave her.
He no longer felt the heavy cuffs upon his hands, nor the chain that had him on the wall. He felt nothing after being there. Besides guilt.
"Quit beating yourself up Feliciano." Ludwig chided.
"Dude, let the man be." Alfred defended Feli, "We all feel like him."
"I wonder how angry Nora was when she found out?"
"Nora? You haven't heard Brie get angry."
"Or Lily."
"Marie isn't far behind."
"Juliet terrifies me. Her being silent is likely plotting your death."
"Amber threatens the life of my video games. I know better than to piss her off."
"I still wish we told them, Harper has enough trust issues. I don't want her to be angry with me."
"At least you didn't have them see you like Chloe did."
Silence filled the cell as his eyes stayed glued to the cuffs, "I can still hear her."
The others were lucky in that matter. They were taken without their wives and children's knowledge, but for him it was going to be a memory burned into his skull.
"You tried." Kiku said, attempting to lighten his mood.
He nodded as a loud bang echoed the cell, Arthur scoffed, "Seems like they want to fuck with us again."
A cool chill filled the room, "Dude, they cranked up the A/C on us."
It grew colder and colder as the thumping got louder. Things didn't seem right as it continued. Feli felt a harsh shiver coarse through his body as the others did the same only then did he hear Ivan laugh as strange grunts and shouts filled the air.
"Hold on boys," the man smiled, "It's going to get very cold."
Before he could register what he said, the ceiling of the cell came flying off as their chains were lifted, ice slowly coating the metal as it made it down to their hands. The freezing metal made it feel like he was having his hands ripped off as his body became weightless as he and the others were hoisted in the air. Then he was falling as the chains and cuffs snapped under the freezing cold. He knew he hit the ground, yet it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be as Yao and Kuki landed on their feet like skilled warriors and Ivan landed on his feet with a solid thud. Francis landed upon the desk on his back and Arthur and Alfred landed on their stomachs upon the floor, so where was Ludwig?
"Hey, that wasn't so bad." he said slowly getting up, "I thought it would hurt."
"That's because you landed on me." he heard someone grumble under him.
"Oh, oops, sorry Ludwig." he got up after realizing Ludwig was flat on his back under him.
"Mein Gott, that was hell." Ludwig said, attempting to gain himself back, "What was that?"
"Um, dude, is that Winter?" Alfred asked as he looked out the window.
"That it is." Ivan replied, "But I wonder how he got here."
"Didn't you call him?" Arthur shouted.
"Net. So, the question is who?"
"Forget who, let's get the hell out of here." Yao said making his way for the door.
"Yao!" Kiku yelled.
Feli turned to see the man squared up with a soldier, the man tried to strike him but the blow never came as a stray arrow stuck out of his head leaving Yao and the others shocked.
"That was interesting." Francis said as he went to Yao's side. "Where did it come from?"
Feli watched as Yao went from being curious to scared as he looked out the direction the piece came from, muttering now under his breath. Then the man was gone. They all followed behind him as he slammed himself against the last door, fighting with it to open.
"Yao, what the hell is your issue?" Alfred shouted.
"It's the girls! They're here." he shouted at them, "That arrow came from Nora and they all are in here!"
No. She wouldn't have. Feli threw himself at the glass, looking down to the large room below. Sure enough, they were all down there. Ready to battle with the soldiers around them. Panic settle in him as he tried to find a way to open the door or even get down to them.
"You two are the biggest ones here and you can't bust down a bloody door?" Arthur shouted.
"Don't you think we're trying?" Ivan and Ludwig shouted as they slammed themselves against the door.
"You need more oomph." Alfred said, grabbing onto the bar handing above it and slamming his feet into it.
"The glass won't break, it's reinforced." Kiku yelled as Yao threw something at it.
There had to be something. His mind was trying to figure out a way as they all tried to find another way in or attempting to busting the door. He looked down at them, seeing how the men surrounded the girls and... he looked closer, seeing how each of them stood and what they had. His eyes scanned the room as he saw each girl and their location, then it donned on him.
"Guys wait!" he shouted, "Look!"
They did as told as the girls stared down the soldiers. They waited on baited breath. Not one soul moved. The far door swung open, Alpha came storming in towards them. Hate burning from him as he glared down at them.
"Kill them!" he ordered.
With a wave of her hand, the floor below Juliet illuminated a strange bluish circle, then she was gone. Vanished right before their very eyes. The others covered themselves with items around, making shields as Lily stood in front of them all. Her head rose slowly as she smiled at them, the same smile that Ivan had when he faced an enemy he knew he would defeat.
"Obshchaya Zima." she called out, just to have the room go white with snow and ice.
There upon the ground was General Winter, tearing through the men as if they were nothing but weeds in the grass. Feli stood there stunned as the others. Watching as the rest went to fight. He watched as Brie brought down the sword on the soldiers near her, taking them out one by one as Harper did the same with the Katana. The woman moved with grace and speed that they weren't expecting. A tomahawk went soaring by, hitting the soldier to Alpha's side. The man stumbled back in shock as Amber readied the other in her hand, yet Nora beat her to him as an arrow pierced his shoulder, finding defeat in the battle, the man retreated out the door as the other soldiers attempted to fight yet dropped faster than they could keep up.
Flaming red locks caught his eye. He looked upon the wire walkway and saw Chloe heading down the way as a mass of soldiers followed her just to pause as she jumped over something. Sitting up to her knees, he saw Marie aim the StG 44 at them and smile, pulling the trigger. She ordered something at Chloe as she aimed down below. With a nod, she disappeared as the door they attempted to bust down finally splintered open.
The guys flew out of the room, finding their wives and starting to fight beside them as they cleared the room of any other soldiers and finally eradicating Genesis. For him, he dodged out and took off for Chloe. He prayed he was fast enough to find her and help her out in some sort of way and to beg her forgiveness for his actions. The halls were quiet as he maneuvered around them, trying to hear for anything that would let him know he was close.
A low groan caught his attention as a soldier laid upon the floor, she had to be that way as he ran down the hall just to find himself in a large wreck room. Nothing. Not a soul was in there except him.
"Chloe?" he called out, "Chloe, it's me. Where are you?"
He was growing worried as he searched for her. Hoping that none of those bastards got their hands on her. A small scuffle of feet caught him as he prayed.
"Chloe?"
"Feli look out!" he heard her scream from behind him.
A searing pain wracked his head as his body went limp to the floor. He finally saw her as she ran towards him, just to see another step over him and near her. She called out his name, that same scared and pleading tone in her voice as the man grabbed hold of her. No. Not that. How could he have been stupid like that to lure him to her. He watched as Alpha threw her to the ground, over powering her as she screamed his name again and he couldn't do anything. He wasn't a typical soldier like she fought just moments ago, he was a forming nation. One with strength and skill way above her own.
She cried out his name again as his memories fogged back to that night in the old home, sitting upon his lap once more.
"Grandpa?" he asked him as his little hands reached up for him.
With a hearty smile, his grandfather lifted him to his knee and looked down on him, "What is it Feliciano? Why are you crying?"
"I'm not strong enough." he cried on him.
"But of course, you are. You just have to finish growing, my grandson."
"But how can I protect people if I'm not big and strong enough, what if I never get that way? What if I'll always be little and need help from others to protect me?"
"Feliciano, there is nothing wrong with needing help and truth, you don't have to be big and strong in looks to actually be that way."
"Really?"
"Si," his grandfather beamed, "You see Feli, like I've said before, a man will become twice the man he is when needed. You could be the smallest sprout in the garden, yet when time is needed, you will become the biggest tree."
"But when will that happen?" he asked.
Chloe's screaming brought him back. He saw Alpha pinning her down as he held a knife above her heart as he tried to force her open to him. A flame lit to life within him. His heart raced as it burned, his very being felt a power like no other before as it coursed through his veins as his grandfather's words screamed in his head.
"My boy, there will be a woman that will stand out like no other to you. Someone you will do anything for no matter what the cost."
Feli lifted himself up, his eyes dead set on Alpha as Chloe struggled against him. Her cried and his laughter fuel his body as he grabbed something.
"When they are hurt or in danger, you will become twice of what you are. Both in mind and body. Strengths and courage will surge through you as the vast power of the lands will pour out of your body. Proving enemies, they have messed with the wrong love."
He stood behind Alpha, feeling his own neck crack as he gripped the piece with such pure force he was ready to feel it bend in his hands. He took aim as she called out his name once more.
"For at that time Feliciano. They will see they not only messed with Italy,"
Alpha let out a straggled yelp as he shoved the metal pipe through his chest. He felt pure adrenaline as he heard her quiet cried below the scum that tried to hurt his wife.
"For they will unleash the gladiator, the soldier, the lover, and the emperor. They will have unleashed the Great Roman Empire."
He saw Alpha turn his head to look at him, eyes filled with shock and fear. He felt no emotion towards him except hatred as his hands gripped the pipe tighter.
"Not. Mia. Bella!" he shouted pulling and lifting the man over his shoulder as he landed with a thud behind him.
He couldn't remember moving or pulling the pipe free from him and smashing it against him, all he knew was that he was making him pay. For causing this war. For hurting so many people. For creating a total hell for them all. For hurting her. For making his Chloe cry.
A set of arms wrapped around him, pulling him away as his mind faltered from his grandfather to reality as his arm finally stopped swinging. The sweet scent of wildflowers filled him as the gentle touch he knew brought him the rest of the way back.
"Feliciano." she cried against his back and shoulders.
Looking around him he finally saw the mess of Alpha he had made. There was no face, just a pile of mush as her arms tightened against him. Dear god, what had he done? He was a monster, just as bad as they were. How could he have gone that far? How could he do that with her there? How could she even touch-?
His racing mind was silenced as she pulled his head to face her, her lips smashing into his in a breathless kiss. His own tears slipped past, out of happiness and horror.
"Feli what's wrong?" she asked him.
"I'm a monster bella, I destroyed a man with my bare hands. How could I have done-"
"No!" she shouted at him, her hands gripping his head tightly, "He was not a man. He was the monster Feliciano, not you. He hurt thousands of innocent people and hurt capitals and cities as well as nations. All you did was defend the people you love and protect, you destroyed a monster. Not the other way around."
She didn't see him as that, but how?
"You save me Feli. If you didn't do that, he would have hurt me and killed me. You didn't let him do that. You defended me, protected me like a knight would for a princess."
"Really?" he got out.
"Yes, you did." she kissed him once more, wrapping her around tightly around his neck as his own held her against him.
God how he missed this. Feeling her against him as she took his mind, heart, and soul to another place. But he knew it wouldn't be for long. There were things that still needed done.
"Chloe, we need to get the others out of here." he said to her, "If you and the girls can get the capitals and cities out of here, we will deal with Sayer and Doss."
"Winter took care of Sayer, so it's only Doss left." she told him, kissing his forehead, "I'll get the girls and we'll get the others out of here."
With a nod and a quick peck, he let her go as he took the pipe and made his way back to the main area. He was done being a coward and letting things the way they were. He was acting and nothing was stopping him.