[3:37 am, Italica East Gate]
It was at this time, this location where the bandits launched their attack. The middle of the night before the sun would rise in a few hours, where everyone would naturally have their guard lowered.
Arrows of fire flew through the air and lit up the battlefield, both the wall and the courtyard now gave everyone a chance to see the enemy they would face. Swords clashed, as the metal ignited sparks, the gates stood strong as the Princess's guard kept knocking them all off the wall. But it would only be a matter of time before they would break through the Gates.
"My Lady, what are your orders?" Hamilton had pleaded for any words from her Lady who remained shocked. Motionless, as these marauders who some of which were once honored soldiers of her father's army. Now they moved as monsters because they have lost their way after being defeated by another foe.
She also paused Because she had something in her hands that she wasn't sure what to do with, not her sword. It was an item that one of colorful soldiers had given her.
[Earlier]
"A flare." Church had explained after handing the bright orange gun to the princess, "It sends a small light out that is like a small sun. If you shoot this up in the sky we'll definitely see it, faster than any messenger."
"A small sun? Does it burn hot?" The princess questioned. Thinking she cpuld use it as a weapon.
Church could immediately tell what she was thinking, "Aim it at the sky. Otherwise we will not see the flare and you will be left to fight the enemy on your own."
"Will that not be such a waste of such a magical item?" The Princess tried to protest.
Church hesitated even more, "Trust us, if you waste the shot a lot more people could be hurt. Trust in us, because we are trusting you."
[South Gate]
"Dang it, Damn Naggit, Dag Nabbit! They were supposed to be here!" Sarge declared as he threw his helmet to the floor, "We were supposed to fight them."
"Hold position Sarge. Church are sure about this?" Tucker questioned as he looked next to his co-leader.
Church looked back and forth to ensure only the two of them could hear, "I'm not sure. I mean this Princess seems like a decent lady but when she saw me hand her the gun I saw a scary gleam in her eyes."
"You'd think she'd waste the shot and try to shoot the invaders."
"Let's hope not." The two went back to starring at the sky from a distant as the sounds of grown men shouting flooded the air. Added with the shatter of swords, spears and so forth, they could only hold their breath in anticipation for the fight soon to come soon.
The only thing accompanying the noise of war, was the sound of Rory moaning as the battle raged on. After being explained what exactly was happening with her, as the souls of those lost in battle flowed through her. Everyone couldn't gelp but grow even more and more uncomfortable as the sounds echoed on.
[Battlefront]
A few soldiers had gotten through the gate and began to kill those who had been occupying the wall as a defensive unit. Eventually even Norma, one of the Princess's guard had fallen to the overwhelming numbers. It was here that the masses were only being stopped by the blockade in front of them.
Here and now was her decision as she knew that that wouldn't hold them long, but maybe long enough for the "Colorful Warriors" to aid them.
She hesitated and aimed the bright orange weapon at the crowd of traitorous soldiers in front of her. Her gand unsteady as she thought long and hard about what would be best for her people. With a decisive move she aimed upwards and fired the device. The bright light caught everyone, friend and foe off guard as they looked at the sky. Seeing the smalls sun shine over them left everyone stunned by spectacle in the night sky. It shined so bright that everyone saw, those outside and those within the walls. Especially those who were made to see it.
[South Gate]
Everyone saw the flare and immediately rushed to action, "Doc, stay here and radio us if shit goes south." Church demanded as the medical team stayed behind with several townspeople, Lopez and Donut.
"Roland, Hodor, we're heading out!" Tucker shouted as he jumped on the same ride as Church and Caboose.
Sarge looked at Grif and Simmons, "You heard him boys, Move out."
The two cars raced, as soon as Donut went to see if Rory would be fine, "We should head out Miss Mercury. WOAH!" She was fine but she was rushing to thw fight.
Everyone saw her small body leap over their heads onto the rooftops above, "Damn it, Donut! you were supposed to watch her!"
"Give me a break, what was I supposed to do? She can 1v1 a dragon." Donut defended himself.
Church groaned as he knew Donut had a point, "Just defend the wall." He said before sliding his head back into the car as he started thinking of a plan with Tucker, "Okay, it sounds like they broke through the Gate, any thoughts."
"Well if we hit them all with the truck then we could end up flipping over or loosing control of the steering." Tucker added.
Sarge took the lead and radioed back to them, "We can cut through a good chunk of them with the turret."
"No good Sarge, the streets are too narrow to go through the town and the long way around wood take too long." Church answered.
Tucker shrugged and came up with the only card they had, "Wanna just wing it and fight them together."
"Hmmm, us against 500 or more Roman era trained soldiers. Welp, it's all we got, nice knowing y'all." Church admitted as they kept nearing their destination.
Once the cars reached the point where it became too narrow to drive down they all jumped put and began to rush down the steps. To the center square where the enemies were clustered together. The masses were currently crowding around Rory, however they were missing her by inches. Unable to keep up with her speed, agility and strength, they did however had numbers on their side.
Not anymore, the loud sound of thunder could be heard as a single round from Church's sniper had pierced through three men who had been lined up perfectly. He rested the barrel on one of the wooden beams for support, "What we have is all we got, make every shot count."
All of them, aside from Church pushed forward next to Rory, Roland's grip on his gladiolus tightened. Sarge racked a shell in his shotgun, as Simmons and Grif stood back to back facing the massive crowds. Tucker stood between Roland and Hodor as the elf drew his bow. Caboose was facing the wrong way as per usual.
Just before the battle commenced Church heard some static over the radio and had finally a familiar sound, "...Blood Gulch This is Hornet Leader 113, come in Blood Gulch Company."
"I'll be damned..." Church smiled under his helmet, "This is Blood Gulch, Hornet leader what you packing?"
"Currently three hornets armed with a machine gunner and rifleman, we also backing a UH-144 Falcon and a dropship transport, over."
"Roger that Hornet Leader, Order all ships to focus on the outside forces. Turn them back, turn them to ash, do whatever you have to do just keep them out. We'll focus on the one's inside." Church ordered as he was feeling better.
The hornet aircraft suddenly swerved away and began to fly along the outside, shooting several of the troops outside the wall. The machine gunners did his job mowing down whoever he could in a streamline of hot lead. While the marksmen picked off specific targets, those in charge and those who looked important.
Meanwhile the Reds and Blues gained a new found confidence as they faced their new enemies. Sarge lead the charge, gladly, "For our ancestor's ancestors' ancestors... Charge!"
Sarge started blasting his shotgun prematurely, peppering the first couple with the shrapnel from the buckshot. The sound followed by another shot as Sarge sent another flying back into a crowd due to the force of the blast. Grif and Simmons follow closely, slowly creeping forward with Sarge, their rifles made for more precise shots and quick bursts. They stood on target and stayed in an almost perfect triangle as they moved forward.
Caboose tapped into his rage and rammed through the shield wall with ease, snapping the spears in two. The soldiers that faced Caboose soon met the power of a true berserker, as he began swatting them back and forth. Tucker joined in with the elf chieftain and Roland by his side. Hodor fired his arrows with great swiftness and accuracy that it almost was as fast as the gunfire. Tucker and Roland stood back to back as their swords sliced through the air. Letting blood fly and shower their armor as the horde of enemies was getting thinned out.
Church actually started to hit his targets, as he stood closest to the fence, the loudest gun either sent fear or ideas to the enemy. Some began to sneak up on Church from the sides, which he started to notice. He tried his best to start taking them out with his pistol but some were about to rush him from the rear. Luckily he had a guardian angel, or a gothic demigoddess armed with a heavy halberd.
"I'll protect you darling." Rory winked as the battle continued.
Zeass had his moment of truth, this battle was lost. But he'd at least kill one or two of them, He tackled Tucker from out of the blue and knocked him and his sword off. With such a defenseless position he went for a stab only to be kicked by a heavy foot. Zeass now met the combined of Roland and Tucker, who was still without his sword. Zeass handed Tucker his Gladiolus, as his friend accepted he took another from the ground to wield himself.
The two on one match started as Zeass tossed dirt in Roland's eyes, trying to get a dirty kill. Tucker deflected the stab with his own arm armor, going for his own cut only to be caught by Zeass. The two struggled as Zeass started to win the push battle only for Roland to sucker punch him in the face. Knocking him off the two started their advance, Roland going for a leaping stab attack, it missed but was followed by a mighty kick from Tucker hit Zeass back. Roland had spun back around going for two slashes to the back. The pain sent him forward as he landed on Tucker's blade... as he began to recover Roland stabbed his blade through his back.
"Enjoy... this victory... traitor... for it was not a fair battle..." Zeass spat as he tried to look back at Roland, who twisted his blade until Zeass' body fell cold.
After a few seconds someone shouted to the scene, "Zeass is defeated!"
In a few seconds they all looked at the scene and stared at the small group who had already defeated quite a number of them. They raised their swords with both hands to the sky, the obvious sign of their surrender. Church radioed to the air support, "The enemy surrendered, wanna round them up?"
"10-4, Blood Gulch. Be advised we have also made a radio request for an armored convoy." The Hornet Leader told Church.
Church waved them off, "Sounds good... we'll wait for them here. Any word on the Rose Order?"
"ETA, 7 hours from now."
"Thanks, over and out." Church went to the wall to finally rest qnd catch a breather. As he was joined in by the rest of Blood Gulch that was at the fight.
[12:24 pm, The Manor]
After recovering those they left behind at the other gate, healing the wounded and finally sleeping a bit. The Reds and Blues finally met up at the big house to discuss the details of the victory. The convoy would be several minutes out as They began to discuss the terms.
Currently Sarge, Roland, Hodor, Tucker and Church were in a group huddle to decide what would be best for everyone. There was a good amount of back and forth as they decided right in front of the princess and her two trusted knights. After that they began to discuss the terms with Roland speaking on behalf of the Reds and Blues.
"I believe we are finished with discussions and ready to go forward." Roland announced.
Hamilton spoke on the Princess's behalf, "Very well."
"We would like to be clear, we have no intentions of seeking territory or anything from the town of Italica."
"Understood."
"In it's place we would like the right to buy and sell items with the domain, as well as begin talks of peace for our two nations."
"I see... we can see what can be done. However we reserve the rights to keep prisoners. That is non-negotiable."
"Very well, all we ask is for them to be treated in a humane way."
"Humane? I'm afraid I don't quite follow."
"Treat them as the colorful warriors had treated me and some of my men. With respect, diginity and above all, treat them as if they were a friend not some animal."
"Would a friend break into your home to kill and pillage as they pleased?"
"These are the conditions." Roland demanded.
Hamilton looked back to the princess who nodded with the agreement, "Very well. Then with all the conditions met will you leave peacefully?"
"We will not argue and leave."
[Later]
After evacuating several women from the battlezone who were kept as captives from the other side the Reds and Blues waited peacefully for everything else to finalize. Specifically for the ladies to finish trading the scales for cash and for the Rose knights to finally arrive. Luckily the ladies would finish just several minutes faster than the Rose Knights would take to arrive.
As they trotted in on their steeds, most had no intention of hiding their true emotions towards the Reds and Blues. All side eyes and nasty faces to the men who saved their princess and the city they were sent to aid. No sign of gratitude, or thanks, not even a whisper, not that it bothered them, still would've been nice.
Now all they could do was have plans for their return, "Welp I'm gonna find a nice shady tree and hibernate." Grif added.
Simmons had his ideas, "I was thinking about starring my own DD campaign. I have room if you're interested."
"I think I'll take your offer on that movie... I am interested." Roland admitted.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and started pitching movie ideas. Some were horrible, some were well recommended. Unfortunately it'd have to wait, as the Princess herself had rushed out in a hurry just a few moments after her own troops entered the building. She looked troubled as if the world started crumbling around here.
She bowed her head and started shouting, "PLEASE FORGIVE US!"
"Uh... okay? Why, though?" Tucker asked.
"I am so sorry that my people had struck you on your territory."
"Ohhh, that... nah it's all good. Just a misunderstanding, besides that was before the agreement... no harm, no foul."
"Unacceptable, please won't you at least... uhhh join us for a banquet... in your honor..." The princess lied on the spot.
That word confused all of them, "Our... honor?"
"I say yes..." Grif raised his hand.
Church actually thought about it, "Weeelll, it would help us build up a good relationship with people."
"Okay... we... uhh most graciously accept... I said that right, right?" Tucker looked back to Roland for confirmation who nodded.
The Princess looked relieved, "Then it is settled we thank for dining with us."
"You're just in it for the food huh?" Church whispered to Grif.
Grif caught on to Church, "And you're not?"
"Dude, I've been an artificial intelligence for a long ass time. I haven't had real food in a while, of course I'm in it for the food." Church admitted.
Okay... First... Sorry my ass took forever to type this short chapter. I've been having a conflict of interest. Long story short: went to the Navy, found some military people are pricks, they're corrupt as hell, yadda yadda yadda. And seeing as how most of my stories have been military related... you can see the conflict of interest there. I'll still respect members of the military but I'm not going to worship the ground they walk on. If you want stories I'll tell some, just ask.
Now to be perfectly honest, still surprised y'all stuck around. Anyway, Churchisalive signing off for now.