WELCOME BACK
Gennevillers
Paris, France
November 13th
2022 A.D.
Albus walked through the crowded streets quickly and quickly. In front, a fire engine had already turned up and people had gathered near a burned-out flaming van. They probably all thought it was just vandals or teenagers but Albus knew, that was just another breadcrumb for him to follow.
He moved pasted the crowd and continued down the street relatively unnoticed until he reached an intersection at the end. He looked around, wondering which way to go until he spotted the next sign. Lily broken mobile phone was sat at the base of a street light.
He walked over and immediately picked up the scent of another Anomaly. He was close.
Hogwarts Grounds
Scotland, U.K.
November 13th
2022 A.D.
The soldiers had already set up a command tent for the officers and were brining in communications equipment once every few seconds. Major Weatherspoon, leader of the British forces, was staring up at the castle and the huge gold fish bowl like shield that had appeared only moments ago.
He knew they would never allow the army to simply march in a capture this girl but he hadn't expected this. They had prepared for close quarters combat, using rubber bullets and tranquilizer darts. No one had told them that the entire school could be shielded against an incoming army.
"Major. Communications are up." a Private signaled.
Weatherspoon walked into the command tent and picked up the radio.
"Sir, they've erected some kind of force shield around the structure. We've blocked all exits and are holding the parameter but I guarantee that we'll be able to get through that thing. Over." he said.
"Major," a voice replied. "we've collected as much intelligence about that castles defenses as humanly possible but we've never heard of any kind of mass shield generator. This must be something they've come up with out of desperation."
"How do you want us to proceed, General?"
"Obey the rules of engagement, Major. Give them warning, demand that they hand over the terrorist. If they don't, take down that shield and proceed with live capture."
"Sir, we've prepped for this but we really have no idea what could be waiting for us inside that castle. They could have other defenses that we know nothing about." Weatherspoon sighed. "I can't order my lads in there without telling them what they are walking into."
"We've cut off their fireplace transportation and all other lines of reinforcement. You'll be facing minimal forces in an enclosed compound. We have every confidence that you can handle this, Major. Proceed with caution."
"Yes, Sir." he put down the radio.
That was exactly what he had expected to hear. They didn't care about his troops, they just cared about getting hold of their Lightning Rod and saving the US economy. He turned towards one of his Captains.
"Give them the warning."
Gennevillers
Paris, France
November 13th
2022 A.D.
Albus followed the scent down the street until he found himself looking up at an electronics store. The lock had been melted off and the door was open a crack. He didn't have time to be careful and moved straight inside.
A few of the lights were on but not enough to light the entire store. There were also a few TV's buzzing with static on the screen and a radio was broadcasting somewhere in the back.
"The mighty Colossus!"
Albus span around to see Vanguard standing by the door. He had a TV remote control in his hand and an excited, sickening grin on his face.
"You rang?" Albus glared.
"Glad you could find the place!" Vanguard chuckled.
"Where is my sister?"
Vanguard clicked a button on the remote. One of the buzzing TV's switched channels to a dark room. In center of the screen, Lily was tied to a chair with a dirty black bag over her head. Albus felt his rage boiling up inside until she moved her head ever so slightly. She was still alive.
"You know, I have vanted to meet you for a very long time. Ever since you left me in that Temple to save your own skin." he grinned.
"You were there? Sorry, must have missed you." Albus remarked conversationally.
"I killed Marshall. He was getting annoying," he smiled. "but he made some fair points about you I think."
"Listen, I appreciate this little elaborate set up thing but I'm quite busy at the moment so why don't you just hand over my sister and I'll kill you tomorrow or something." Albus did actually sound quite annoyed.
Vanguard laughed. "Good sense of humor! This is important!"
"Why? You gonna laugh yourself to death?"
"No, but I'll have a good chuckle at your corpse!"
Hogwarts Grounds
Scotland, U.K.
November 13th
2022 A.D.
The Captain returned to the tent with the completely unsurprising report that they still weren't responding to their demands. The thought of intentional ordering the bombardment of a school didn't exactly make the Major feel good but then, this wasn't an ordinary school.
"Target to top of the dome. Bring that shield down." Weatherspoon ordered.
The soldiers snapped into action, sending orders down radios and taking positions. Weatherspoon walked out of the command tent and looked at the school through a pair of binoculars. There was no movement around the windows or in the open sections of the castle. He had to believe that the people inside were taking shelter in the depths of the school or maybe he just didn't want to entertain the idea that they'd be in the line of fire.
The tanks, humvee's and MRLS's all turned to target the shield.
"Fire at will!"
Rockets, tanks shells and machines opened fire with an earsplitting boom. Everything sored through the air and connected the with the shield, detonating long before they could reach the castle. They didn't stop for anything, continually firing every round they had.
All of the ordinates were colliding with the top most part of the shield dome. The idea being that if the shield suddenly failed, the rounds that had already been fired would sale over the school and detonate out in the open. The light from the explosions continued to light up the night sky making it almost seem like morning.
Hogwarts
Inside, dust fell from the ceilings as the walls continued to rumble. The noise of the blasts were subdued slightly by the shield but were still very present. Hugo, Lincoln, Aurora, Rose and Scorpius were taking cover under the strongest stone doorways they could find.
"They really want to get in here, don't they?" Rose breathed, looking up at the ceiling. Part of her expected it to collapse on top of her at any moment. Scorpius grabbed hold of her hand and squeezed it tightly.
"Muggles are stubborn." Aurora remarked.
"Don't they ever run out of ammunition?" Hugo huffed.
"It's the military Hugo. They'll never run out of ammunition." Lincoln said absently.
A third Falcon Patronus flew up to them and opened it's beak. "Typhoons incoming!" Amelia voice shouted.
"Everyone hang on to something!"
The noise from the explosion was so fierce that it could have happened in the room next to them. The connecting Harpoon missiles detonated against the shield and made it feel like the aftershock of a massive earthquake.
Gennevillers
Paris, France
November 13th
2022 A.D.
"Have I offended you in a past life or something?" Albus asked.
"It's not so much an offense as a...challenge. You're the best right? The most powerful, that's what they all say." Vanguard smiled.
"That's right."
"See...that doesn't really work for me." he remarked.
"Oh, I see," Albus laughed lightly. "you just want a shot at the title, is that it?"
"I guess so." Vanguard grinned.
"Well, I'm afraid that's not going to happen. You see, I am, like you say, the heavyweight champ and your just a little featherweight so come back and see me when you put on a few pounds." Albus said with an air of amusement causing Vanguard to grit his teeth.
"You might be surprised with what I can do!" he growled.
"Why? Because the Cleric's fucked you up?"
Vanguards rage turned to angered shock. Albus just smiled.
"Oh, I know all about you, Derek!" Albus hissed his name. "I know that the Cleric's have been sticking you with needles, I know that before they tried to swap out your memories you were already as fucked up as you are now! Shit, I even knew you'd be here before you did!"
Vanguard looked like he was about to spontaneously combust which he was fully capable of.
"Your little precog ruins all the surprises!" he growled.
Albus shrugged.
Suresnes
Paris, France
November 13th
2022 A.D.
"HELLO?!" Lily screamed through the bag for the dozenth time and again there was no answer.
The only thing she could hear was the sound of dripping water, probably from a busted pipe. The asshole that smelt of burnt pork and left without saying a word and once she was sure he wasn't anywhere near, she started to cry for help in the hope that someone might hear her.
Unfortunately no one had. She had been so stupid. They were just heading back to meet up with the other and he came out of nowhere, clamping his hand over her mouth and dragging her away with ease. Some soldier she was. She hadn't managed to get off a single spell, not even to warn the others she was with.
She heard the floorboard not far away begin to creek.
"HELLO?! HELP ME PLEASE!" she cried but the bag muffled her voice.
Her yells for help turned into a scream as a massive blast and rush of light caused metal to crash around her. The bag was ripped from her head.
"Lily! Are you alright?!" her eyes came to focus on Athena, her beautiful green eyes looking back.
"Athena?! How did you find me?!" Lily gasped.
"The stupid bastards got a camera pointed right at you!" Athena nodded to a small handy cam and transmitter there were sitting on a tripod next to her. "Don't move." she ordered. A line of blue lightning shot from the tip of her finger and disintegrated Lily's bonds.
"Thank you." Lily breathed.
"Come on! We've got to get to Hogwarts. Can you make a portkey?" Athena asked.
"What? Of course not, I'm only a fourth year!" Lily looked around quickly. She was being held in an old disused apartment that looked like it could fall down at any minute.
"Everyone said that you are really powerful, could you do it?"
"No...I...I don't know. Why do we need to get to Hogwarts?" Lily asked frantically.
"The muggles are attacking it!"
"What?! Why?!"
"They're there for me!"
"You?! What -"
"I don't have time to explain Lily! We need a portkey!"
"I told you, I can't do it!" she cried in frustration.
"Have you ever tried?" Athena simply asked. Lily shook her head. "first time for everything, Lily. Everyone says your a powerful witch, you just haven't learned to focus it yet. You can do this Lily, I know you can!"
"What about Al? He could get us back!" Lily said suddenly.
Athena's eyes went wide. She rushed over and grabbed hold of the transmitter on the camera.
Gennevillers
Paris, France
November 13th
2022 A.D.
The two Anomlies continued to stare at each other as the TV next to Albus started to flicker and buzz. Athena's cocky grin suddenly became visible.
"Hey shit head. Loose something?" she panned the camera to show an image of Albus's liberated sister.
A sadistic grin fell over Albus's face.
"He's all yours!" Athena smiled as the TV screen went blank.
Albus turned his murderous delight towards Vanguard. The Pyrokinetic suddenly ignited both his arms with blazing flames but amazingly, his clothes weren't burnt away. Albus raised his shield and blasted himself forward.
The two men collided and smashed straight through the shop wall and into the street. Before all the rubble could even hit the ground, they wee at it again. Vanguard blasted Albus with a cone of fire while he held up his hand to block it.
Vanguard charged forward and seemed to take to the air. He came down, laying a massive flaming punch into Albus's shield. The force drove him backwards but didn't take him down. Vanguards strength and speed had been increased by whatever the Cleric's had been sticking him with and like The Beast that was formally known as Jack Daggra, he seemed empowered by his own rage.
Albus sent a massive gravity burst back at him, that struck him in the chest and sent him flying through the air.
Even the Colossus was shocked when, in mid air, Vanguard ignited his entire body and stopped, hovering above the street. Heat rises and Vanguard was obviously able to use that to achieve flight.
The Light bulb lit up in Al's head. He could kill two birds with one gigantic gravity stone.
Albus turned and blasted himself into the air, looking back to make sure that Vanguard was following him. They both shot across the Parisian skyline, Vanguard leaving a trail of fire in his wake, while Albus moved effortlessly through the air. Ahead, Albus used the Eiffel Tower to gain his bearing.
Vanguard sent a missile of fire straight at Albus which detonated next to him, throwing him off balance. He took his opportunity and collided with him. The two men rolled through the air until they slammed straight into the side of the Eiffel Tower leaving a massive dent in the side of it.
Albus punched him away and took off again, heading north, leading the Pyro towards the Muggle army.
Hogwarts
Scotland, U.K.
November 13th
2022 A.D.
The ground shook as the shield impacts continued. The rumbling was now so strong that books and and other trinkets were beginning to fall of shelves and table and some of the windows had even started to crack. The sound of roaring jet engines warned of another heavy strike.
A phantom Sea Turtle darted through the corridors and arrived in front of Lincoln. "She's taking a hell of a wallop! The wards are buckling!" Neville's panicked voice cried.
Before the Patronus could fade completely, Lincoln turned to Aurora.
"Signal Amelia and the others, prepare for close quarters battle!"
Aurora waved her wand causing a ghostly Phoenix to appear in mid air. "Regroup!" the bird shot off down the corridor.
The entire castle lurched as another wave of Harpoon missiles collided with the shield. This time, in addition to the thunderous explosion, there was a massive pang that sounded like someone hitting a giant metal gong. The shield collapsed.
The firing suddenly ceased but a few explosions were heard on the other side of the castle as the rounds sales over the roof and detonated in the grounds.
Lincoln, Hugo, Aurora, Scorpius and Rose bolted down the corridors towards the main entrance. They took positions on the marble staircase the lead towards the dungeons and the Syltherin dormitories.
Amelia suddenly jumped down in front of them. She might have jumped from the top floor for all they knew.
"Everyone else is on the way. They're moving up with ground troops. They're gonna breach here at the main entrance and at the North entrance to the courtyard!" she said, slightly out of breath.
"Get Harry, Ron, Teddy and the Aurors to cover the courtyard door, everyone try and hold the main entrance. Retreat into the dungeons when we get pushed back!" Lincoln ordered.
"If we get pushed back!" Hugo corrected. He looked like he was raring to go.
"Don't be too eager, Hugo. This guys are trained killers!"
"Yeah, well I'm a trained Gryffindor!"
"Aurora, tell Neville, Arken and the other teachers to take positions outside the dorms. Protect the students." Lincoln said, ignoring Hugo's comment.
Amelia's head shot up and she stared hard at the huge oak double doors.
"They're outside." she whispered as Aurora sent her Patronus off.
There was a strange thumping sound against the wood.
"Don't fire until they get inside."
Scorpius looked a little confused. "Did they just knock?"
"No." Lincoln's eyes went wide. "they just attached C4 to the hinges! GET DOWN!"
Just as he spoke, The entire main entrance was blasted apart. The massive wooden doors were reduced to kindling and strayed all over the place. Before all the debris could hit the deck another explosion from down the corridor echoed out. They had blasted their way through the courtyard door as well.
Dozens of soldiers shuffled inside, covering each other with their weapons training the area. They were in full camouflage gear with grenades and flash-bangs attached to their belts. Some were carrying heavy canister loaded rifles, loaded with rubber bullets while others carried thin, lighter versions of their weapons that were locked with tranquilizer darts. All of them were carrying their standard rifles on their backs, loaded with live ammunition should the need for them arise.
They immediately spread out and began moving through the entrance and into the corridors. Lincoln and the others kept their heads down and allowed the soldiers to spread a little thiner. Right by the door, two soldiers had crouched and taken firing positions next to a pair of sword carrying statues.
None of them noticed as the statues started to move. The one directly behind the soldier raised it sword and brought it down into his shoulder. The soldier yelled as blood poured from his arm causing the other soldiers to turn and fire.
The tranquilizers simply bounced off the stone defenders while the rubber bullets barely managed to scratch them. More statues suddenly came alive, walking away from their stands with their swords at the ready.
"GO LIVE! GO LIVE!" one of the soldiers yelled.
They immediately dropped their non-lethal weapons, unclipped the safety's from their rifles and opened fire. The animated statues were blasted apart as white-hot lead rounds tore through their stone bodies.
Lincoln and the others saw they're opportunity and took it. They jumped up from the stairs and started firing at the soldiers. Lincoln took leg shots with his pistol as the others fired off stunner's. Soldiers were struck by the spells and blasted backwards before they could return fire.
More troops came rushing through the main entrance, gun blazing. Scorpius and Rose ducked out of the way and bullets cut the air around them. Lincoln gun clicked empty and he suddenly bolted out from the stairs as rounds passed straight through him. He rushed at the pair of soldiers, smashing them in the face with heavy punches before grabbing an M41a pulse rifle off one of them. He pistol whipped them both and picked up their ammo as bullets continued to pass through his body, leaving no damage.
He quickly returned to the stairs and began squeezing off three round bursts at the others.
The remaining soldiers retreated back through the entrance and took cover as Lincoln reloaded the weapon.
There was a ping of metal as a pair of live grenades bounced through the door.
"COVER!"
Aurora, Amelia, Scorpius, Rose, Hugo and Lincoln bolted down the stairs as the grenades exploded sending shrapnel everywhere. They didn't stop and carried on down the dungeon corridor, taking cover just behind a corner.
Both spell and gunfire were heard from above as either Lynx and Violet or Harry and his group began engaging the soldiers. Soldiers began moving down the stairs, hugging the walls for cover as Lincoln and the others prepared to try and fend off the second wave.
Hogwarts Grounds
Outside, humvee's were darting around the perimeter with their .50 Caliber machine guns locked on the castle. They turned around and began moving a lot side the Black Lake.
From behind them, there was an enormous smash as a huge testicle burst from the water. It flew through the air and batted one of the humvee's out of the way like giant tennis racket. The humvee span in mid air, collided with the floor and exploded into flames.
"THEY GOT A FUCKING SEA MONSTER!" a soldier shouted, running away from the lake.
As the soldiers retreated away from the lake, many were suddenly hit by a massive hail of arrow from the sky. The Centaurs were firing from the tree line of the Forbidden Forest.
One of the tanks turned its massive barrel towards the trees and fired. Several trees exploded causing branches and bark to fly all over the place. The explosion lit up the silhouettes of the Centaurs, galloping for cover.
Gryffindor Common Room
With a blast of blue light, Lily and Athena landed on the floor of the common room, looking shaken. They got up off the deck looking extremely surprised.
"I did it! I can't believe it!" Lily's euphoria died as soon as they heard the mass of gunfire from below.
They ran over to the window just in time to see one of the Helicopters making a strafing run over the lake pumping endless rounds into the water from it duel miniguns.
Athena elbowed out the window, extended her arm and left off an enormous bolt of lighting from her hand. It soared through the air and connected with it's tail rotor, destroying it instantly. The helicopter went into the out of control spin and slammed into the surface of the Lake.
They watched as the Squids giant testicles rose from the water and pulled the wreckage down into the depths.
"Yes! Get em Jerry!" Lily yelled.
"Jerry?" Athena asked with raised eyebrows.
"Don't look at me! Albus named him!" Lily said scandalized.
An explosion from below brought their heads back into focus.
"Come on! Stay behind me!" Athena said as they headed for the portal.
They pushed through the entrance to the common room and darted down the corridor towards the sound of gun fire. From around the corner, several flashes of light erupted, followed by Lynx and Violet who were in full retreat.
They looked ahead just in time to see a pair of blue lightning bolts shoot from Athena hands. Both Ravenclaws hit the deck as the lightning sailed over them, striking the soldiers that had just moved around the corner. They were blasted backwards against the wall and slumped to the ground.
Violet and Lynx pulled themselves up.
"Lily! You're all right?!" Violet breathed in shock.
"How did you find her?" Lynx asked.
"No is not the time!" Athena growled, firing more electrical strikes at incoming soldiers.
"Where's Albus?!" Violet screamed.
"He's on the way! He's a little busy!"
Gilmerton
Edinburgh, Scotland
November 14th
2022 A.D.
Albus and Vanguard smashed through a motorway overpass and into the street below, knocking cars out of the way. They had fought their way over two countries in mid air and didn't show any sign of stopping.
Albus kicked Vanguard away and shot back into the air, again heading north. The line of fire followed behind him.
Hogwarts
Scotland, U.K.
November 14th
2022 A.D.
Athena, Lynx, Violet and Lily sent Lightning bolts and stunner's at the soldiers as they fought their way towards the ground floor. Some of the troops were trying desperately to switch back to their tranquilizer guns as soon as they sighted Athena but the delay was working to her advantage.
As they approached the stairs, they came to a massive hole in the ground where a stray grenade had blasted part of the floor to pieces. The hole opened up just enough to climb through and took them right into the dungeon corridor.
Athena dropped down first, landing behind a group of soldiers that were firing like crazy at Lincoln and Amelia.
Amelia screamed as bullets cut through her shoulder. She fell backwards behind the corner as Athena unloaded a huge dose of voltage at the troops. They were struck and thrown through the air, just as Lynx dropped down from the hole.
"Athena!" Lincoln yelled, laying off cover fire for her to run over to them.
Lynx followed as Lily dropped through the hole, followed by Violet. They made it to the corner just as Lincolns rifle clicked empty again and he was forced to reload.
Behind the corner, Rose was cringing as he used her wand to pull the bullets out of Amelia's shoulder. The vampires face was scrunched up but she looked more pissed off than in pain.
"You all right?!" Scorpius asked quickly.
"As long as they don't start using Silver Bullets, I'll be fine!" she hissed.
"Where's Albus?" Lincoln asked.
"Killing the asshole that took Lily! He'll be here soon!"
Hogwarts Grounds
There was a massive crash as Albus and Vanguard bounced straight off the side of one of the mountains that overshadowed the castle. They slammed into the ground, right next to the greenhouses, blowing out all of the windows in the process.
Soldiers everywhere ran for cover as Albus and Vanguard picked themselves up, ready to go at it again. The Pyro's shoulder snapped itself back into place and the cuts on his face healed up. He had the same power of Regeneration that Daggra had been given.
Albus wasn't healing so well. He had burn marks all over him where the flames had managed to break through his shield but the pain didn't seem to bother him. He glared at Vanguard for a second then rushed forwards.
Just as he was about to pounce on him, he was struck and blasted through the air in a blur. He collided with the side of the castle so hard that he almost went straight through it. Vanguard looked around, slightly confused before seeing the smoking barrel of one of the tanks.
The soldiers around it looked petrified at the fact that they had just shot the wrong person.
"Thanks!" Vanguard growled as he walked over to Albus.
He was slumped against the wall, trying to pick himself up. The round hadn't breached his shield but it certainly seemed to have taken it's toll on him. He was in a daze and barely able to move.
"Ahh, does that hurt?" Vanguard grinned, igniting his arm.
"Only when I laugh." Albus smiled. He been faking it!
Suddenly Vanguard was pulled towards Albus who was waiting. He bought both his fists down on his head at the same time, smashing his skull to pieces. The headless corpse hit the floor, twitching slightly.
"No rematch for you." Albus smirked. This had been his plan from the start. He could have killed him at anytime but he decided it was best to show all the soldiers at Hogwarts just what he could do to a person.
It seemed to have worked as no other soldiers were daring to approach the school and all the firing had ceased. They simply stared at him, looking more terrified than ever.
Albus looked to his left, seeing Athena standing at the entrance. She wasn't afraid, in fact she looked almost exited and pleased.
"Welcome back." she grinned.
Albus knew exactly what she meant.