Author's Note:

This is it. Almost three months of working and we're finally here. I just want to tell you in advance, thank you so, so much for reading through it all, even if you haven't read everything, I hope I was able to give you some form of pleasure reading this. It is far from perfect, I am aware, so be sure to let me know the pros, cons, and what else there is in the fanfic that needs fixing or improvement, as well as pointing out the bright moments to give me an idea of future projects.

Now, without further ado, the final chapter of A Saga of Jouko.

"Oka-san, is this all true?"

"Yes, Alice-chan. I've made my decision."

"Did... did the dream come to you again?"

"Yes, but this time, instead of going for the wide road first, I went for the narrow road. I again endured much pain at first, but by the time I reached the gates, not only was I no longer feeling any pain, and my feet as good as new, my body, too, was good as new."

"Who did you see?"

"Not only you, but Miho-chan, and her friends. Oh, one more detail that I've just remembered!"

"Oka-san, please tell!"

"Just before I began my walk up the narrow path, Shiporin appeared from the wide path. She didn't seem to notice me, but after pausing for a while. she began up the narrow path, and immediately jumped, like I did in the first encounter. She went back on the wide road despite my pleading with her, but again she came back and started up the narrow road again.

I decided to walk with her up the narrow, sharing pain together, and she did seem to notice me when doing this. We comforted each other, though I'll admit I did more comforting than her. However, as we kept going, I found myself at the gates much faster than Shiporin. I cheered her on as she came, and she eventually got there, and her body, too, was as good as new. We entered together into eternal bliss, and I woke up."

"D-does that mean..."

"Shiporin might be converting as well. She might even surprise us by coming up to be baptized with us when the baptism takes place."

"That's wonderful, Oka-san! I can't wait! Jouko-san will be so happy, I know it!"

"I'll also be coming over to the school carrier in a few days to prepare. I hope there is a piano there, I miss playing with you."

"There's a couple, and I'll be sure to bring Jouko-san, Mika-san, and Linder-san so we can have a nice musical session."

"It would be lovely. Say, have you seen the Zuikaku nearby?"

"We did manage to see it in the distance a few minutes ago. It looks like its on its way to Kanazawa as well."

"Well, where will the baptism take place?"

"The same chapel where I was baptized. It recently got a minor expansion allowing for more capacity, so I'm confident we can get everyone there."

"Wonderful. Well, that's it. I'll see you soon, Alice-chan."

"I'll be eagerly waiting, Oka-san!"

"I also want to say, Alice, that I've never felt so happy in my life since you were born."

"That's because, well, you're undergoing a rebirth, Oka-san! Of course it's a joyous occasion!"

"Indeed... well, I'd better get going. I'm currently packing for my trip to the carrier. I love you, Alice!"

"I love you too, Oka-san! See you soon!"

"So, not only will your mother and Miho and her friends be baptized, but Shiho, too?"

"Yeah! It's going to be a big baptism then."

"Well, I also have some big news."

"What is it, Jouko?"

"I'm delivering the sermon at that service as well."

"Really?!"

"Yeah! Given the occasion, I'll, of course, focus on rebirth and baptism."

"Well, good luck! I hope you'll do good."

"Yeah, I've been doing preparation for the past few weeks ever since I got the notification. I'll be sure to get my points across."

"Oka-san is also coming over! I'll hope to play piano with her again, it has been so long! Mind joining us?"

"Oh, you don't even need to ask!"

"Wonderful! It'll be so much fun when Oka-san comes over, I'm sure it will!"

"I'll make sure you'll get LOTS of fun, then!"

"Oh, Jouko, you're the best!"

"Heh, no harm in fun, unless you overdo it, of course!"

"Well, there's Kanazawa City, home of Ooarai's worst nightmare since Renta!"

"And one of Ooarai's best friends."

"Jouko still gives me nightmares, Prez... let's not..."

"Oh, don't be such a scaredy-cat, Momo! We may have been enemies a week ago, but now we're nothing but the best of friends!"

"I'M NOT A SCAREDY-CAT! Please never call me that again, Prez!"

"Just be as calm as you can, Momo-chan. Also, don't forget that we'll no longer be the Student Council next year, so we can address each other however we like."

"I'm keeping Anzu as Prez, I've grown up with it."

"Might as well start calling you 'Monocle-girl' in that case."

"DON'T YOU-"

Yuzu sighed as Momo and Anzu began bickering again, looking contemplatively out the window as the carrier neared Kanazawa City. Continuation's school carrier, the Yermak, Pravda's former school ship which had been given off to Continuation once the Kiev had been acquisitioned, was sailing next to them, its signature tree mast towering over the carrier. A helicopter then passed overhead, bearing Federation insignia, flanked by another helicopter which also bore Federation insignia. Yuzu knew that it had to contain a very important member of the Federation, and seeing it passed by the Zuikaku and seemed to be heading towards the Yermak, she could be sure it was Chiyo, Alice's mother, given Alice was a student at Continuation.

As the helicopter shrank as it flew further away from the Zuikaku, her many memories of Alice's visit to Ooarai started to come back to Yuzu. Alice seemed to truly love life at Ooarai, especially the warm atmosphere of the Sensha-do team and the fun she had with Miho, from what both students had told her. Personal rivalry just had to ruin what would've been a neverending period of Ooarai domination. But, it was great to have an opportunity to meet Alice again. If they couldn't be comrades in Sensha-do, then a friendly rivalry would be welcome. Letting out another sigh, Yuzu turned to see Momo and Anzu still at it. She was about to try to defuse the situation when a knock came at the door. The room was quiet and Anzu allowed entry.

"Ah, Taichou! What's the biz? Ready for that... uhh... what's it called..."

"'Baptism', Prez."

"Oh yeah! Baptism! How's that gonna go?"

"We're all very ready, Kaichou. The others are very excited for it!"

"Great to hear! I dunno much about this 'Christianity' business but if you guys want something, don't expect any resistance from me!"

"Well... I talked with Jouko just now, and she asked me to give this to you in goodwill."

"A Bible! Huh..."

"She said you don't have to read it... it's totally optional."

"No, no! I'm reading this! Already off to an interesting start!"

Anzu had opened the Bible to the first chapter of Genesis the moment she got her hands on it.

"Well, I hope you enjoy it, Kaichou!"

"Oh, I AM enjoying this!"

"Well, what time is it- GOODNESS! 1:19!"

"We're late for Sensha-do practice!"

"B-but... I gotta read this..."

"No time, prez, read it later!"

"W-woah! Go easy!"

"Momo-chan, no need to-"

"Sorry, prez, can't keep the team waiting!"

In Continuation's music room, the sweet sounds of pianos, clarinets, and violins were heard vibrating inside. Chiyo's fingers effortlessly glided from key to key as Alice played her part of the piece, pressing down on the keys to sound the note. Chiyo was playing a transcribed accompaniment of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1, reading off the sheet music in front of her as Alice played the main solo part. Jouko was also playing with the duo, using her violin to provide another accompaniment to Alice as she, too, looked at a sheet music of the orchestral score. At first it was just her, but soon the rest of the Sturmi crew arrived to join in the fun. The atmosphere was very warm and cordial, any sense of gloom was nonexistent in that room as the trio played to their heart's content. All wore big smiles on their faces, and very much enjoyed the music they generated.

Alice was enjoying it the most, for Chopin's first concerto was the piano concerto she enjoyed the most, and she could be seen bouncing all over from the sheer joy of playing the final movement. One could admire the fact she didn't fall off the stool, though she came close on a few occasions. The BT and Panzer IV J crews had come along as well with their clarinets, save for Mika who played with her kantele. It was a small orchestra in that music room, and it was a great music session they were having inside. Alice had practiced the piece many times, but it never felt repetitive. She loved to play it, and she felt each note. The others enjoyed playing with her, too. After the conclusion of the piece, everyone applauded each other and their own playing, before moving on to the next piece, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, or the Emperor Concerto. After that came the Rachmaninoff Second, which closed off the session.

As everyone packed up their instruments to get ready for Sensha-do practice, Chiyo got their attention to announce something big.

"Since all of you are here, it is my pleasure to announce that we will be founding a special symphony orchestra for Sensha-do students! However, our spots are limited. Knowing you are all clarinetists, I'll be happy to host auditions here after practice, if that's fine with all of you."

The room erupted in murmurs and gossips of excitement.

"A Sensha-do orchestra?"

"No way, it's a dream come true!"

"To think we'll perform in front of people and show off our talent..."

"It's gonna be great, I tell you! GREAT!"

"We're going to dominate all of Japan in music, too, just you wait!"

"And we might record video game soundtracks, too!"

"And we can listen to Alice play more!"

Chiyo smiled at the excitement. Having gotten the same reactions from Kuromorimine, Saunders, St. Gloriana, and others, all that was left was to announce the news to Ooarai. But, she knew they would all accept, all as in the whole Sensha-do team. As Chiyo was working out the audition dates in her mind as the students filed out of the room, there was an announcement that rang out through the speakers.

"Attention all occupants, we have arrived at Kanazawa City."

"Looks like we're here."

"What day is it today..."

"Thursday, just three days left."

"Nishizumi-dono, do you think we're ready for this?"

"We've committed to it, Yukari-san. There's no turning back now."

"Miporin, Jouko-san's already waiting down below!"

"C'mon, let's not keep her waiting!"

"Hey... wait for me..."

Mounting the Panzer IV, Anglerfish drove down the large ramp onto the harbor of Kanazawa City. To their surprise, they weren't the only ones. The rest of the Sensha-do team had come along, curious at the new city they were paying a visit to. Jouko and her crew were eagerly waiting at the foot of the ramp as the Panzer IV rolled onto the pavement of the harbor, accompanied by Alice and Chiyo, to Miho's surprise. But, to everyone's greater surprise, the other commanders, as well as their subordinates, showed up via their respective transports. Maho, Erika, Darjeeling, Katyusha, Kay, Nishi, as well as those like Naomi, Alisa, Klara, Nonna, Pekoe, Assam, Fukuda, everyone had reunited here.

"Wh- what are you all doing here?!"

"Mihosha, you're getting baptized here?"

"And Ankou... a very interesting turn of events."

"Welcome to the world of Christianity... though it would've been better if you joined us Catholics..."

"I don't know how to approach this... but whatever works for you, Nishizumi-san! Chihatan will always support you!"

"I must say... I wasn't really expecting you to do this so soon."

Maho simply flashed a wink at Miho. Confused, Miho tried to figure out what it was, but Maho simply placed a finger to her lips. There was clearly a secret going on. After a few minutes of banter between the assembled commanders, Jouko and Mika invited them all to a tour of Kanazawa, to which everyone eagerly agreed to.

Driving through the streets, they received a warm reception by passers-by, garnering smiles and friendly waves from the pedestrians around them. Visits included the old Kanazawa Castle of the Maeda Clan and its Kenrokuen Garden, one of the "Three Great Gardens of Japan", where Jouko particularly enjoyed the nature, wildlife, and peacefulness of the place. After resting in one of the hotels for the night, on Friday the group ascended Mount Utatsu, looking over the city at the mount's summit that provided a commanding view of the whole city. After eating a quick lunch, they descended back down and visited the chapel where Jouko and her friends went to church when they were at Kanazawa City.

The church was closed, but it had recently constructed a new garden of medium size, not too big, but large enough to accommodate its 50 visitors. It would remain open 24/7 for people to come over and relax in the calm atmosphere of nature, a great source of relaxation and comfort for anybody who immersed themselves in the beauty of their surroundings in such an environment. Once the tour had been completed, everyone returned to the hotel near the chapel. It had been a good time that everybody enjoyed.

But now, Jouko had to complete her preparation for the sermon she would deliver at the chapel at the behest of the Lutheran pastor of the chapel. That night, and all across Saturday, with help from her friends, Jouko spent little time outside of studying the Bible intensely, as well as Lutheran theology. She had learned much from her experiences, and was willing to give Miho and her friends a lesson they would never forget. Gathering as many texts as she could, she examined each one, jotted down several notes on a piece of paper, and got ready for the sermon of a lifetime.

"Miporin, today's the day!"

"Nishizumi-dono, I'm so excited for this! To think we'll be the same religion as so many heroes of history..."

"And that we'll be saved!"

"Life maybe isn't so bad... I actually got some sleep last night, and I've never felt better right now."

Miho could see a small convoy of tanks, carrying not just Jouko, Linder, and Alice's crews, but also the visitors from other schools who were interested in what was going to happen, and willing to support Anglerfish in their decision. Leading Anglerfish through the halls after changing into formal wear, Miho gradually gathered the rest of the Sensha-do team, and prepared for the big day.

Arriving at the chapel, Miho greeted everyone who welcomed her, as well as the other commanders who wished her well before the baptism. Summoned to an anteroom, Miho was given baptismal robes by several attendants, and ushered to the bathroom to change. As she exited, she noticed something peculiar, and then surprising. Chiyo was carrying a baptismal robe and heading for the bathroom to change as well, but the real surprise was who was following her, holding a baptismal robe as well. Squinting and rubbing her eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things, Miho looked into the face of none other than her mother, Shiho.

The resulting embrace provided enough joyful tears to fill the baptistry.

As the congregation uttered a unified "amen" after Alice finished performing a hymn for the occasion, the chapel pastor stood up to give some remarks before Jouko would deliver the sermon.

"Thank you, Miss Alice, for that beautiful rendition.

Well, it's quite a packed house we have today, but it's just another blessing to add on top of the fact we will be baptizing several individuals today who have chosen to commit their lives to Christ and be reborn in Him. And, it is a greater blessing to know that two mothers and daughters will be part of this group who will accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Before we proceed, however, I'm very honored to hand over the floor to a lady who has frequented this chapel for the past two-and-a-half years, Miss Jouko."

Jouko mounted the podium and set up her notes. After taking a long look at the congregation assembled, viewing the faces of the many students of different schools, all radiant and attentive to her. After a few seconds of silence, taking a deep breath, Jouko began her sermon with a prayer.

"Let us pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come to You this morning out of thankfulness and joy, that today, many have accepted Jesus as their Savior, and that they have agreed to immerse themselves into this water, that their sins may be washed away, and that they be forgiven. As Your only-begotten Son provided an example to follow many years ago, so shall those who have made their decision follow it. We pray that You will touch the hearts of those who will now receive this message, and truly understand what it means to be baptized, to be renewed in knowledge after Your image. For we are not in the flesh, but are in the Spirit, and we ask Your Spirit to be in us today. We ask this in Jesus' holy name, Amen.

We have several verses from the Bible that pertain to baptism. Our first will be this verse from Ezekiel 36:25-26, which reads thus:

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

The word 'baptism' first emerged from the Greek word Baptizein, which means 'to dip in water'. It can either mean to be sprinkled with water, or, more literally, to be dunked in water. As Ezekiel has said in this verse, when we are sprinkled with water, then we will undergo a sea change in our lives, becoming transformed. God, through Ezekiel, promises that by accepting Christ, all of our filthiness, all of our idols, both literally, and figuratively, as in worldly, vain attractions, that will all be swept away, and that we will be cleansed, in other words, out with the worldly old, and in with the heavenly new, like how the Apostle Paul put in in 2 Corinthians 5:17,

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And we won't just be saying 'so long', we'll also be saying 'come in' with the new things God will put into our hearts with this cleansing through water. 'A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you'. With all the dirt, dust, grime, and messy, unorganized garbage removed from the inside thanks to the cleanup via the immersion in water, God now replaces the emptiness with new-and-improved everything. A new heart, a new spirit, a better life, a saved life, a happier life, a Godly life. The angels greatly rejoice for every soul saved. The evils of today are completely done away, with grace and goodness filling the soul, making us sons and daughters of God, which we all should strive to be.

Finally, the verse finishes with these words, 'and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.' How many of us have stony hearts right now, hearts that are cold and sullen, hearts that have no regard for others, hearts that lack humanity, hearts full of hatred. All around the world, there are people with these hearts, people who don't care. People who hate, despise, neglect, brush off, scorn, any synonyms of those, treating other people badly thanks to a heart of stone. It's not just evident in world leaders and politicians, generals, soldiers around the world, it is also evident in the everyday man, woman, child, no matter his or her background. These are people with hearts of stone, hearts of stone that are waiting to be transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit.

When we commit ourselves to God, what replaces that vile, evil heart of stone? A heart of flesh. A heart of Godliness, humanity, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance. A heart of one that is a man after God's own heart. A heart that strives to be perfect, even as our Father who is in heaven is perfect. With this new heart, we will be a better person, kind, tender, loving, caring, 'bearing with one another, and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the LORD has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.' And in the verse before that, it says, 'And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.' That is what a heart of flesh is. That is what God gives the penitent sinner. We are transformed through His righteousness, and the saving blood of Christ.

We now move on to this next verse, Matthew 3:11-12. John the Baptist is preaching at the River Jordan all the way in Israel, and while he is preaching, his cousin, Jesus, arrives. Just as Jesus arrives at the river, John says these words,

'I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire...'"

Jouko spent the next twenty minutes preaching her heart out, talking about baptism, salvation, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Preaching with zeal, fervor, and with a commanding authority that commanded the attention of all in the chapel, Jouko ensured every listener understood every single word that came out of her mouth. The congregation was rapt, focused on Jouko's preaching throughout the 45-minute sermon. After she had gotten her points across, probing all the verses she had prepared for the sermon, she closed with a challenge, a command.

"In closing, I want to give you a challenge. Not just you, Miho, Hana, Saori, Yukari, Mako, Maho, Shiho, Chiyo. Everyone in this congregation, sitting here, listening to the Word of God, I challenge you all today.

Before us stands the most uncertain of times. The world is in decline, things are worsening every year. We don't know what will happen next decade, next year, next month, next week, maybe tomorrow something big is going to happen, nobody knows. Only God knows the future of this world, and we can't help but endure, endure with the help of the Holy Spirit that gives us the strength to endure. We don't know what will happen to us in the future, or this world, but if there is one thing that will remain completely and utterly sure, one fact that will never change, it is that if we fully commit our lives to God, abandon all sin and strive to be a man after God's own heart, then we will truly be saved.

I say to you all today, what is your choice? You stand at a crossroads in such a pivotal time in your live. Before you stand two paths, with no middle ground to cross.

On your left hand stands the wide path. Millions of people travel down that path. At first, it may be pleasant, it will give you joy and pleasure at first. But, as you progress further, you will see how vain it all is, how temporary it all is. That path leads to your destruction, eternal suffering, but you still have a choice to come back. However, once you reach the end, there is no turning back, your probation has ended, the last chance has slipped. You have nothing to blame for this but yourself. The happiness you experienced at first is gone, all gone. Why? It was of this world. Nothing on Earth lasts forever. I will say it again: Nothing on Earth, lasts forever.

Then, on your right hand stands the narrow path. At first, the journey up that path will be hard, and difficult. You will experience pain, suffering, agony, tribulation, but the further up the path you go, the more you will endure it all. You may resist at first, that is what happens for most first-timers. But, if you endure, and reach the end of this path, what will greet you won't be eternal suffering, but eternal joy, eternal happiness! You'll be living peacefully, gaily, happily, safe in the arms of Jesus. When you reach your destination on the narrow path, no storm can hide that peaceful radiance beaming. Your anchor has been gripped, your foundation built, on the Solid Rock.

Now, I ask again. What path will you choose? Will you choose temporary happiness, and find yourself in eternal suffering, or will you choose temporary suffering, and find yourself in eternal happiness? You can only make one choice. You can turn back before you reach the end, but once you reach the end, you can't come back anymore. Your decision is sealed and written down in the books of heaven.

I exhort you all today. Travel on the narrow way. It will give you eternal happiness, make you a better person, ensure your salvation. This world isn't forever, and the wide road only leads to destruction. If you wish to be a steward for Christ, to be a man after God's own heart, to lead others to the way of salvation, to be selfless, to be obedient, be pure, be true, be kind, respectful, thoughtful, and reverent. To be a servant of God, and a friend to man.

Shall you be found before Him wanting, or with your sins all washed away? The choice is yours. Choose the right path, for more joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Make your choice... before it is too late. Amen."

After the baptism of the Nishizumi family, Chiyo, and the rest of Anglerfish Team by the pastor, and his own sermon, the service closed with the iconic hymn of the Reformation, Ein Feste Burg, sung by all with the help of the hymnals in the pews, and written by the great Reformer himself, Martin Luther. Throughout it, all were in tears, moved by Jouko's message and the words of the hymn, comforted by its contents. The powerful organ seemed to belt out the good news to all the world:

All had a Refuge, a place to stay in the face of danger, a Fortress to resist all those who dared come up against it. A Fortress that would stand forever, a Fortress that accepted all who willingly came into Its walls for refuge. A mighty Fortress.

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same; and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;

his kingdom is forever!