The Witch of the Neuroi
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Except the OC's. I own all the OC's.
Chapter 8: The Beginning of a New Tomorrow
After dinner, the Witches all went into the conference room since they received an urgent call and waited.
The three then came in suddenly shocking most of them.
"We're done!" Ursula shouted in glee.
"Here, use these ear pieces..." Yoshika said as she started giving each Witch an earpiece.
"These magic ear pieces are powered by magic so it should be easy." Ichiro started to explain. "These also could connect to our usual communication frequency and can connect from far away granting better range. They will have better protection... the piece will be bound to whomever magic it used as battery so only you Witches would have these and nobody else could use it. It will be able to translate the Neuroi language as well."
"Try activating it... test it for yourself." Ursula said.
The Witches then took out their intercoms and replaced it with the new ear piece.
"Are you ready?" Ichiro asked to the Witches as he looked at Yoshika.
The Witches then activated their magic. Ears and tails popped out of each of them.
"We will test the translator first... we can find out its maximum range later." Ichiro said.
"If you please..." Ursula beckoned to Yoshika.
"What language do you hear me saying right now?" Yoshika asked.
"English." Shirley said.
"Karlslandian..." Minna said.
"English…" Lynne said.
"Gallian!" Perrine said surprised.
"Fusoan." Mio said.
"Orussian..." Sanya said.
"Romagnan." Luchinni said.
"Suomusan..." Eila said.
"Karlslandian." Erica said.
"Karlslandian." Trude said.
They spoke different languages and were shocked at each other.
"Heh~ It was Karlslandian to me." Ursula said, amused at the results.
"Now... don't use magic please and listen to me once more." Yoshika said.
They all deactivated their magic.
"What do you hear now?" Yoshika asked.
The Witches were shocked, while Ichiro and Ursula grinned by the side.
"So... it's a success then..." Mio said.
"Not really…" Ursula replied.
"What does it lack?" Minna asked.
"Haven't you noticed? Only Witches can use these... I could not." Ichiro explained.
The Witches nodded at the explanation.
"Now that this issue is solved for now..." Yoshika said as she looked at Minna. "Any news?" She asked.
"Actually there is..." Minna answered.
"That's fast for them... Usually, it takes weeks!" Mio said in surprise.
"I guess this report knocked them off their feet, then." Ichiro commented.
"What does it say?" Yoshika asked with curiosity.
"We have been given 3 orders!" Minna said getting serious. "First is that all the Witches are to escort this 'Neuroi Diplomat' to the military headquarters after daybreak tomorrow!" She began.
The Witches all had a serious expression while listening.
"Second is that we will be the guards as the negotiation process goes on. Third is to not spread this information to anyone else!" Minna concluded
"This stinks of a trap!" Mio exclaimed.
"I can see that…" Minna replied.
"Ehe~ They're shaking in their pants~" Erica said cheerfully.
"An order is an order." Trude said at the side.
"They want to keep this to their advantage." Ichiro said.
"As expected of Trevor's subordinates... all of them are seasoned foxes." Yoshika mused.
"We have no choice, do we...?" Mio said, depressed.
"I think so... Mio..." Minna answered.
"AHAHAHAHA! It's just as I expected!" Yoshika suddenly laughed, shocking everyone present. "If they got a trap for me... I'll just bust out of it..." She said without fear.
They were so surprised at Yoshika's statement, that they couldn't say anything.
"I will be back tomorrow... at the beach at daybreak." Yoshika said as she headed to the door.
"Where are you going?" Ichiro asked.
"Well... I am worried about the Hive…" Yoshika answered.
"Is that so?" Mio asked.
"See you later then, Yoshika-chan!" Lynne said.
"See you all later." Yoshika said as she left.
Behind her she can hear Minna saying "Do you understand?" and the Witches all reply "Yes Ma'am!"
Yoshika went out of the base, Neuroified herself, and flew fast towards the Hive.
Almost arriving, she used radar to alert the Hive of her position.
She went into the Hive and went straight into the Core room and sees the three Axion, Ixia and Xalia there.
"How's the Hive?" Yoshika asked.
"Running at optimum output, Commander." Axion replied.
"How is the area?" Yoshika asked.
"We have scouts at full alert, Commander..." Ixia replied.
"How about our forces?" Yoshika asked.
"On standby, and ready to let loose!" Xalia answered.
"Any battle plan?" Yoshika asked.
"We are thinking of making them focus on us and if possible have a small group infiltrate and sabotage the enemy Hive, stopping it from being active for a while." Axion said.
"A good plan, but I don't think our trainees can do that... and without me or you three, the chain of command will collapse…" Yoshika said.
"That is the problem... we don't have spare troops we can send." Ixia said calmly.
"We need the help of the humans." Axion said.
"Humans? Why do we need em?" Xalia asked.
"You never do understand strategy, do you...?" Ixia hopelessly sighed.
"I will try..." Yoshika said as she nodded.
"How is your Core?" Axion asked, worried about something.
"It's fine… it's running on optimum level and I have not put any strain to it..." Yoshika replied.
"But... last time..." Axion said, even more worried.
"It won't happen again..." Yoshika cut off the sentence.
"Now... we must prepare our plans... the Super Hive is coming and our moon base is expecting it to come faster than we expected... it is because of the electric maelstrom in the dark space that died down... in around two months they will arrive in the solar system..." Ixia reported.
"Is that so? How about our reinforcements?" Yoshika asked.
"Our own Super Hive will be coming faster due to the same reasons." Axion reported.
"Why did I not receive a report faster?" Yoshika asked.
"We received it just now and were thinking of visiting the Witch base to find you~" Xalia answered.
"Is that so..." Yoshika said.
Yoshika and the three then spent the night putting together their strategy.
"This will hold them for quite some time..." Yoshika said as she noticed the sun rise. "I will visit the military base in Britannia... how about a field trip?" Yoshika asked to the three.
"It doesn't really matter to me but... how about the base?" Xalia asked.
"I'll have our main Core do its job..." Yoshika suggested.
"She... is not exactly on good terms with you... right?" Axion asked, concerned.
"It's not the time for internal dispute... we need her." Yoshika answered.
"If it fits our purpose…" Ixia said calmly.
"Let's go then." Yoshika said as she headed to the main Core room.
The four went to the huge Core that was in the middle of the room.
"OI! WAKE UP!" Yoshika shouted.
There is silence in the room.
"She's... not waking up is she?" Ixia asked.
"She's still pissed, I guess…" Xalia guessed.
Ixia only sighed.
"I guess I have no choice... she needs a little shock therapy." Yoshika said as she put her palms near each other and electricity blared into life.
BZZZZZZZT!
Electricity sparked the system as a voice shouted, "GYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"Are you awake now Tarra?" Yoshika asked.
"Ouch! It hurts!" the voice known as Tarra yelled.
"Oi... we need you right now!" Yoshika said.
"Oh? Is that so? After turning me off... taking over the Hive's command... now you need me?" Tarra asked in defiance.
"Tarrasque! I have more authority than you! I said you're doing it!" Yoshika ordered.
"Hah! Why should I?" Tarra asked angrily.
"Because I'm giving you command of this Hive." Yoshika replied.
"I don't want to! ...Eh? Really?" Tarra asked in disbelief.
"Yes... we have a war going on and we need you power." Yoshika pleaded.
"Ehehehehe... is that so? Then I can't help it then! ME! The magnificent, will help YOU!" Tarra exclaimed.
'She's a pain... luckily, she's easy to manipulate.' Yoshika thought to herself. "You know what to do right?" Yoshika asked.
"Of course~ I have been listening to all communication channels while asleep."
"Oho? Then tell me what I will do next…" Yoshika requested.
"You and those three at the back there will go to the human military base for an alliance." Tarra begins. "As the battle between the king's forces against ours will be in the borders between Karlsland and Gallia we will hold this position while some will lead a sabotage to weaken the enemy Hive. We currently have no reserve forces to do it so you are betting everything on those humans to help you. I am supposed to take command of the base while you're gone. That's all... right?"
"Hmph... as expected of the Hive's mother system... I'll be counting on you, okay?" Yoshika complimented.
"Sure~ I am the best, after all!" Tarra boasted.
Yoshika left to meet the three outside.
"Sigh... She is such a pain." Yoshika thought out loud.
"She's arrogant, after all…" Axion said.
"Well then... let's go..." Yoshika said to the three.
The four exited the hive and went supersonic in the direction of the Witches' base.
"Where is she?" Mio asked.
"Yoshika-chan..." Lynne said, worried.
"She's coming." Sanya said suddenly as her "Magic Antenna" started glowing brighter; the left one was bright red while the right one was bright green.
"Is that so?" Minna asked.
"She's not alone... the trio is there with her..." Sanya added.
"Let's see…" Mio said as she opened her patch and looked afar. She saw the trio and Yoshika flying at high speed towards them.
Yoshika and the three abruptly stopped at the beach sending a wave of strong wind towards the Witches.
"Morning~" Yoshika shouted.
The Witches all braced for impact. Some of them, especially Lucchini, were almost blown away by the wave of strong wind.
"What was that…?" Minna asked.
"Sorry… stopping from hyper-drive is hard…" Yoshika said shyly.
"So we going or not?" Xalia asked.
"We will meet with your General, right?" Ixia asked.
"Ah... right. Air Marshall Adolfine Galland, specifically." Minna replied.
"So you all used the translators." Yoshika said.
"Of course~ after my hard work!" Ursula commented.
"You mean OUR hard work." Yoshika corrected, but then got serious. "No dawdling now, let's go! Lead the way, Strike Witches!" Yoshika ordered as she put on her mask.
They flew towards the Britannian Army Headquarters.
When they arrived soldiers are at stand by, and were tense... scared at the incoming Neuroi.
Yoshika smiled bitterly. 'Never thought I would be looked at like this…' she thought bitterly. "I am here to speak with you leader!" Yoshika shouted shocking all present humans in the base. "We do not want to continue this war!"
"There's no need to shout..." A woman said as she stepped out of the main building "We can speak... in my office... if you can understand..." The woman said as she walked back in.
Yoshika flew down and went into the main building.
The Witches docked their Striker Units in a hangar and walked in after her.
Yoshika and the Strike Witches stepped into a big room. There the woman stands in the middle.
"There's no need to be so tense… I wouldn't do anything." The woman said
The Witches too went in.
"My name is Adolfine Galland, and I am the representative of the Joint Army after Trevor went missing." Galland said.
Yoshika winced at the mention of Maloney's name.
"He is dead after all isn't he? Miyafuji Yoshika..." She continued.
The Witches were shocked. They are all thinking about how she could know about Yoshika's identity.
"As I expected... I should not have underestimated the intelligence bureau..." Yoshika said as she took of her mask. "It's been quite a while, Adolf-san..."
"Yoshika..." Galland tried to say.
But silence continued for quite a while. The Witches were tense about what will happen.
"I'm sorry..." Galland said.
The Witches were shocked; that was NOT what they expected her to say.
"I couldn't stop that man..." She continued while looking sad.
"It's not your fault…" Yoshika replied.
"Do you know the Marshall, Yoshika?" Mio asked.
"Well... she was my teacher... the one that trained me when I was still a Witch…" Yoshika explained.
"Heh... at that time, you were but an unpolished diamond…" Galland said as she reminisced.
"Now is not the time to look at the past... I'm here as a Neuroi representative... the three outside are waiting and I don't want to cause any extra stress to your soldiers." Yoshika said.
"Is that so... then… straight to the business?" Galland started. "I have seen strange behavior in the Karlsland Hive... they are... attacking erratically... what does this mean?" Galland asked.
"Is that so... the king's forces have never changed..." Yoshika mused.
"King?" Galland asked.
"Yes… We Neuroi are split in a civil war... The purple king and the red queen." Yoshika started to explain.
"What's the difference?" Galland asked further.
"The king is set on total domination of the universe, but our queen is set on co-existence." Yoshika answered.
"And you are with the queen..." Galland confirmed.
"Yes... you can identify us from our color... I am red so I am loyal to the queen." Yoshika replied.
"Then... the Karlsland Hive... what happened to it?" Galland asked.
"The king's forces infiltrated it and took it over... we could not retaliate at the moment... the situation is tense... battles may break out in the Gallian-Karlsland border." Yoshika answered.
"So what do you want from me?" Galland asked.
"As a leader of the joint forces, I want you to spread the hope of peace and the truth..." Yoshika said plainly.
"Peace... and truth..." Galland mused.
"I want all humans to know that we are not here for carnage or destruction." Yoshika said.
"I will try... let's hope that the others don't try anything…" Galland replied.
"Others... Maloney also said of the same thing... don't tell me... you're...?" Yoshika asked in shock.
"Yes... it's a shame, but we are in the same organization..." Galland said in shame. "But! We are of different goals…" She rebutted. "Our organization name is CAGE." Galland started explaining. "I am in what you could call the "Bright Side"... we strive for a better tomorrow. Maloney is in what you could call the "Dark Side"... it's not actually split into two, but... some people just want to fulfill their desires, just like Trevor did…" She finished.
"What position is yours, Adolf-san?" Yoshika asked.
"4th… no, its 3rd now" Galland replied.
"Who are the rest?" Yoshika asked.
"I can't tell you..." Galland said in disappointment.
"Classified information, huh…? I understand..." Yoshika said, understanding the meaning. "Then… who else knows about my identity?" She asked.
"As of now… including me, there are three..." Galland answered.
"The two above you?" Yoshika asked.
"Yes." Galland confirmed. "About that peace and truth... I can do that but... what are you going to do next?"
"Ah! That's right! I want to meet Queen Elizabeth the 3rd." Yoshika answered.
"WHAT!?" The Witches (except Minna) that were silent suddenly shouted.
Galland to can only stand in shock at what Yoshika said.
"Wha... Why do you want to do that?" Galland asked.
"We seek peace! So I need to act as a diplomat and seek the various leaders of the world." Yoshika begin explaining. "The Queen of Britannia is my first target since it's nearby. The next would be the Emperor of Karlsland... I hope you can help me with that..."
"I can, but…" Galland started.
"What?" Yoshika asked confused.
"What if you do not succeed?" Galland asked.
"Hope that I do." Yoshika replied simply.
"Right… then… I can set everything by afternoon..." Galland said.
"Oh? That's quite fast!" Yoshika said in admiration.
"Ara? I can't let my former student beat me, right?" Galland teased.
"Well how about the Witches, General?" Minna asked.
"I guess you all would just stand by for a while." Galland said as she headed to her office.
"I'll be waiting outside, then" Yoshika said as she floated out while putting on her mask. "Oh! And my Neuroi name is 'Xonia'. Please remember that." Yoshika said before Galland stepped into her office.
"So how was it?" Axion asked.
"It went better than I expected... luckily my former teacher is a General... she is trustworthy…" Yoshika replied.
"Is that so?" Ixia asked.
"Ahahahaha… those soldiers are tense all the time." Xalia said as he turned around and around at the soldiers surrounding them.
Every time he looked at a group of soldiers, those soldiers tensed in fear.
"Stop it!" Yoshika scolded. "Just don't move... we might wait for quite some time after all."
"I'm Booooorrreeedd~!" Xalia whined after an hour.
"Be patient!" Ixia said losing his patience with Xalia.
"Then return to base and report to me anything strange!" Yoshika ordered.
"Well... better than staying here, I guess…" Xalia said as he flew away, shocking the soldiers.
"Are you all right, Axion? You seem... bored as well..." Yoshika asked.
"Ah! No! No! It's nothing! I can hold it..." Axion replied.
"If you're bored, you can go with Xalia, you know..." Yoshika suggested.
"It's kind of you to think about me, Yoshika..." Axion said.
"Ehe~ you called me by my name..." Yoshika replied, smiling.
"Ah... right..." Axion said shyly.
"It seems I am forgotten here... alone…" Ixia said.
"Ah! I didn't forget you... it's just I thought you weren't bored!" Yoshika tried to make an excuse for herself.
"It doesn't matter... it's fine if you trust me like that." Ixia said.
"Ahahaha... playing the cool character as always." Yoshika stated.
"I'm always cool." Ixia replied.
The three spent their time chatting for quite a while.
Not long, Xalia returned with nothing to report, and jealous of being forgotten by her, also joined the conversation.
The four did this while waiting for time to move.
Not long, the sun is high in the sky. The soldiers are sweating in heat. Of course, they do not stand there all the time. Yoshika noticed that they have a grouping system. After some time, each group has their own resting time.
Galland suddenly walked out of the main building.
The tired soldiers then tensed even more as they shouted "General!" while saluting.
"At ease!" Galland said, and the turned to face Yoshika. "Oi! Xonia! I finished you request! You are allowed audience with the Queen tomorrow! The Queen's personal Witches will escort you there!"
"How about the Strike Witches? Didn't I request for them to follow?" Yoshika asked.
"They could but not as your escort! They will be just observers!" Galland replied.
"Good enough... how about the Karlsland Emperor?" Yoshika asked.
"I also have received permission. I myself will escort you there to meet him." Galland answered.
"Is that so... then I shall take my leave..." Yoshika said as she looked at the three at her back. "Listen to that! We will meet the Queen tomorrow... this is the beginning." She said to the three. "Return to Base!" Yoshika ordered. "Witches~ you too~" She said into the communication channel.
The Witches went to the hangar to put on the Strikers in a hurry and followed Yoshika back to the base.
At the base, Ichiro was waiting for them to return.
'How much longer?' he thought to himself. Soon some shape can be seen in the horizon. 'Ah! There they are!'
"Da~~~d!" Yoshika shouted.
"Yoshika~~!" Ichiro replied.
Yoshika and the Witches landed at the beach.
Yoshika dematerialized her Neuroi armor and features before landing on the ground.
The Witches, by Minna's orders, went to put their Strikers back at the hangar.
"How did it go?" Ichiro asked.
"Much better than I expected." Yoshika said, smiling. "Adolf-san will take care of the joint army… if it's her, then everything will be fine..."
"You always admired her, didn't you Yoshika…?" Ichiro asked.
"Well... I used to... now were equals..." Yoshika answered.
"It's starting to get dark… why don't you see your mother and take a bath before eating dinner?" Ichiro suggested to his daughter.
"Sure~" Yoshika ran in the direction of the house beaming.
Then the three Neuroi floated above Ichiro.
Mio walked towards Ichiro.
"Hmm? What is it Mio?" Ichiro asked.
"Well... these three wanted to speak to you and asked me to translate." Mio said as she activated her magic.
"Is that so... what is it you want to speak with me?" Ichiro asked in the direction to the three.
"We just want to thank you." Axion said.
Ichiro was surprised at the statement.
"Thank me? I want to thank you for taking care of her…" Ichiro replied.
"She never seemed so happy before..." Axion continued.
"If it's that, thank the Witches for accepting her and keeping her company." Ichiro said.
"We will do that, too." Axion said.
"I guess you're Axion... the one Yoshika calls her brother." Ichiro said.
"I guess she does call us her brothers." Axion said shyly as his hull moved downwards a bit.
"Is that all?" Ichiro asked.
"Well… she is a bit lonely, you know..." Xalia said.
"She needs someone there to be for her." Ixia said.
"We couldn't be beside her all the time since she is human." Axion said.
"Human?" Ichiro asked.
"Yoshika is part Neuroi, right? Doesn't that mean she is both?" Mio asked.
"She is part Neuroi... she does have a Core, but... she is not fully merged with it." Axion said.
The two humans were confused.
"I mean… she can return 'human' once more." Axion explained.
"Oh!" Ichiro and Mio said at the same time, shocked.
"We might be here for quite a while so nice to meet you, Professor Miyafuji." Axion said. "Tomorrow will be the beginning she made for humanity and Neuroi alike..."
"Hope that that tomorrow is a better tomorrow." Ichiro said.
"Oh right!" Xalia suddenly exclaimed shocking Mio. "Our Queen will make an audience with you~, trusted friends of Yoshika!"
Ichiro and Mio were shocked; Yoshika didn't tell them anything about this.
"Does Yoshika know?" Mio asked.
"She is the one of the few allowed audience with the Queen." Ixia explained. "She is also the fourth that have their own Queen-line... a communication channel the Queen gives to her most trusted."
"Is that so?" Ichiro asked.
"This is all we want to say. See you tomorrow." Axion said.
With that said, the three flew away at high speed towards the Gallian Hive.
"Ahhh... It's been hectic for quite a while..." Mio commented on the situation.
"But it's fun, right?" Ichiro asked.
"Heh... quite..." Mio replied.
A/N: This fic is a collaboration fic between me and P4Nd0RaS, so please thank him too!