Witches and Warlock Heroes
Chapter 3
Time for the next stage in Izuku and the other Warlock's journey. Not to mention giving everyone reading this a timeline and frame of reference for the Strike Witches anime. For the handful who have ever seen it. And maybe this will help with my Javelin to Strike the Core story. I've been stuck on the next phase for almost two years now. But not important. What is important is showing what the new suits look like. Which might be something that I'll be able to put on the cover image, if certain things actually work! On with the show.
(No POV)
Izuku was feeling a little uneasy as they were riding a ship around Cape Horn to make their way to the Africa front. Though some of that might be a touch of seasickness. "I didn't think I'd have this problem." Izuku says while leaning on the railing of the ship.
"Eh, you seem better with higher speeds compared to slower ones. That might be your problem man." Eddy said while coming behind him. With Frank showing up a few paces behind as well. "You should be okay once we hit Tobruk. I hear the General Rommel and The Star of Africa have been leading charges and holding the line for a long time now."
"True enough, but you boys might be in for more trouble than you expect. Given you'll be showing off what your new hardware can do." Johana said with a smirk directed the boys' way. She had both hands on her hips and was projecting quite the confident face. But Izuku still couldn't take her too seriously because she was essentially half naked.
An aspect that Pony was still getting used to. And he could see her behind Johana still looking sheepish without a skirt, pants, or anything covering her legs. Even pulling at her uniform to try and cover up more. 'Gotta wonder if it's just a culture thing here.' Izuku thinks to himself before feeling a little queasy again.
Things had been a mix of rushed and excitable after the demonstration to General Devers over the last two or three months. The main piece being that Pony needed to be trained before shipping her off to a battlefront with Izuku and the rest. So she had the combat knowledge and skills of both a Ground Witch and an Aerial Witch beat into her for a month and a half.
While she had been doing that, Izuku and the Warlocks were working on creating and refining their various new armors for combat. As well as making sure they were in tune with each of their partners. "Easy Toshi. I know you really want to run. But we need to do a weapons test first." Izuku had said in his new armor.
It had been slimmed down quite a bit and had more lupine features compared to the general use machine. Especially his new helmet that had something of a wolf design as well. (Imagine akin to the various Power Ranger/Super Sentai wolf rangers. You could say it's similar for all of the others too) All of which glowed a blue green when he powered up his armor. Including the spectral tail coming from the back of the armor.
He was a bit hunched over while aiming, but he still felt comfortable. 'Could be like a "wolf-man" thing? Still, I need to make sure these are aimed properly.' Izuku thought while aiming downrange. Testing the small center of the arm chain guns first. And finding they were off by a few degrees. Same for shotguns on the outside of the forearm.
Though the shield projectors were working great and Izuku was able to use one while carrying a larger weapon or using the forearm weapons. Though his aim was off a bit. "Might be because you aren't that used to them." Eddy had commented while floating above the training grounds.
His armor had much larger wings compared to the prototype, which seemed to make Benny really happy. At the same time, Eddy's new helmet had hooked front above the head but didn't obscure his vision. In fact, his vision was even better. Allowing him to spot and hit targets some witches would only compare to those with magic eyes, foresight powers, or similar. And thanks to Mei, they had built a component that allowed the armor to transmit that data to any others with similar equipment.
Thus, the weapon that he chose as his main was a modified Boys Anti-Tank Rifle. Modified in that it had a larger magazine, and extended barrel for longer ranged shots. Unlike the original and Izuku's unit, his forearm sections were smaller and only had miniaturized auto cannons. To add some extra firepower though, the armor had sections that could drop small explosives with a lot of power and a small Fliegerfaust rocket launcher.
"Seems my penchant for things exploding in my face came in handy. Now let's see if-" Mei had started before a loud shot rang out from the side. Where Frank in his large unit with his partner Pete were testing weapons. Namely the large "Elephant gun" that Mei and Eddy had designed mostly from scratch.
They took the basis of the 37 mm gun but made it to where it would be flexible and could be fired from multiple positions on the body. Putting an almost rail like section on the armor to allow the gun to be fired from the hip, over the shoulder, and even from behind. At the same time, the arm sections were enhanced with even more guns compared to Izuku's and the prototype. Four different guns around the arms in fact.
The interior had been changed as well. A necessity given the suit had presently been made double to almost triple Frank's height. "We can take out some of it out as you grow. But at least we didn't have to add too much. Perk of magic I suppose." Eddy commented as he looked at Frank's new helmet. Coming from the two sides of the helmet were a large pair of red ears, while the smaller visor glowed red as well. And jutting from either side of the helmet were tusks.
A major factor had changed in that time though. While they were finishing their training and armor, Galia had been liberated from the Neuroi by the 501 Joint Fighter Wing. As such, they needed to get to the battlefront to prove the new equipment's quality and worth to the rest of the military. And thus here they are on a transport fleet moving supplies to the Africa Corps.
Though his and the others reminiscing was interrupted by a siren sounding and call to all hands. "General quarters! A Neuroi has been detected coming from the continent!" the PA sounded, and alarms blared. The group ran to the upper deck to get a look at what they were up against.
And they saw the greatest enemy of humanity in this world. A Neuroi that looked like an extra-large bomber. One that started firing beams at the fleet. "Holy…. Shit. I uh…. I kind of underestimated what we'd be up against her." Izuku said with a gulp. Eddy gave him a look before smacking him in the chest.
"Get to your armors! Yours may be better at leaping or ground combat, but you can still do damage!" he said before running to do the same. They all whistled or called to their familiars and were ready for combat in a moment. Each of their armors' visors and extra pieces flashing their colors as they powered up.
Pony meanwhile was being dragged to a P-51 to fight in the air. "I know you were more comfortable with the ground witch units, but I need another airborne witch. And you're the only other witch we have." Johana says while grabbing the back of Pony's uniform. Pony grumbled before being stripped of the skirt she was wearing. Squealing slightly as Johana says, "you gotta get used to this. Us going around half naked is pretty normal."
The rookie witch pouted before her familiar nudged her gently. Sighing before patting him and saying, "okay Buddy. Let's do this." The Clydesdale went into spirit form and triggered all of the changes typical of witches. Pony leapt into the P-51 striker and grabbed the two BARs that had been suggested for her to wield. As well as grabbing a few extra cases and rounds for the fight to come.
"Huh. These really don't feel like they weigh anything to me anymore." Pony comments to herself while holding the weapons slightly aloft. She then focuses her magic energy into her unit to launch. It's a little rough and she's all over the place after being launched from a catapult, but she finds her stride and takes to the skies.
And then promptly blocks a beam attack from the Neuroi. After shaking her head and taking stock of the situation again, she prepares to shoot from range. With most of her shots being too far behind the target. "You're not like me Pony! Your strength isn't fighting from a distance!" the girl hears on her radio. And then hears the report and sees the impacts of Eddy sniping with his anti-tank rifle. His big wings and shield protect her as he gets close to talk with her.
"Forgot to give these to the other witches. Should help with the fight." Eddy says before pulling something from a section of his armor. It's an earpiece that covered her right ear, with a section to cover her right eye as well. She turns the device on and sees it boot up and acknowledges a connection to Eddy's armor.
With a nod he gets a bit above the battlefield to try and find the soft spot on the Neuroi. Pony meanwhile notices the direction of the beams and that they were headed right towards the ship with Izuku and Frank on it. Both of whom where taking their own shots, but they couldn't do quite as much for the moment.
Frank is panicking a little but has enough composure to keep firing his "Elephant gun" with some firing solutions provided by Eddy. "Damn. I really wish I could do more than – LOOK OUT!" Izuku says before sprinting over to some crew who were about to be blasted by a beam. His dome shield guarding them as the monster flew through the skies more.
The youngest Warlock though manages a big hit and rattles the Neuroi when his gun hits. It shakes slightly in the sky and lets out a loud squeal of pain. And that pain gets compounded when Pony and Johana divebomb the thing. Following Eddy's directions to check something that was bothering him. "I was right! This thing's core is moving!" he says with frustration while trying to snipe said core.
"Yeah you're right. That's what I'm seeing in this…. What do you call these? Scouters? Scanners?" Pony says while looking through the device. Mei pipes in with, "those babies are multi-view, radar tracking, guidance radio earpieces! Um….. still working on an acronym for them."
Eddy sighs before saying, "not the thing to worry about. We need a way to slow the core down or get it to stop." Izuku thinks for a moment before looking at the claws on his feet and hands, as well as the guns in his gauntlets. And a small smile comes across his face. "I might have an idea on that. Frank! Pony! I'm going to need you two's help!" Izuku says before hurrying over to the boy.
Who is dumbfounded by Izuku's crazy idea and plan. "Do you even acknowledge how risky of a plan this is? What if you get thrown off? What if-" Frank's concerns were disrupted by the Neuroi attacking again and taking out a destroyer. "If I don't try it, then the fleet's as good as sunk! We need to try!" Izuku says with a focused look behind his visor.
"Pony-nee? What do you think?" Frank asks as the girl is flying and distracting the Neuroi. The new witch hums for a minute while thinking back on what she'd all seen and heard about Izuku in their time at UA. He'd always embodied going beyond limits and was the most determined out of everyone to save whoever he could. Even if that meant sacrificing himself.
'It wouldn't be the best for the project if one of the armors was destroyed. But…. if anyone can take a crazy idea and make it work, it's Midoriya.' Pony thinks before saying she would be ready when they were.
With that, Izuku turned back to Frank with a bit of an excited look on his face. The boy meanwhile sighed before saying, "whatever happens its not my fault. I just really hope you know what you're doing." He holstered his gun and cupped both of his larger hands for Izuku to jump into. "When I say three, you toss me with all your might! Get ready!"
Izuku was saying this while watching as the Neuroi made a pass over the fleet. And was knocked slightly closer thanks to the attacks of Pony and the others in the air. "One, two… THREE!" Izuku says while feeling his familiar charging up for the jump with him.
At the same time, Frank and his familiar Petey put all their strength into throwing Izuku as high as they could. The young man looks like a streak of green lightning again and he got even faster when he triggered the back jets to send him higher. "Yes! Okami! Smash! I mean Slash!" Izuku shouts as he gets close to the Neuroi and jams his claws into it's underside.
"Holy shit that worked." Eddy said with a bit of a blue shade over his eyes. The others were surprised (except Pony) and had to be shaken out of the shock by Izuku shouting over the comms. "Start blasting this thing! Even if I run along and shoot it up, that won't for sure stop the core!" he says while clawing into the Neuroi with his feet as well. And then proceeded to move so fast it seemed as though he was running when he shouldn't be able to. But it was just that he was clawing into the alien quickly.
All the while he was firing a few shots around the body. Before making it to the edge and flipping himself over it and onto the back of the Neuroi. "You heard the man! Let's let this thing have it!" Eddy shouted before firing a few rounds with his rifle. Johana flew closer to the ships to help Frank. And said boy was blasting away with rocket, Elephant gun, and his various other guns. Pony meanwhile chose to stay above and keep an eye on Izuku while also blasting away with her BARs.
"It's slowing down! Just a little more and…. Goodnight." Eddy said and relayed to the rest fighting. Spying the target thanks to Benny's power and taking the shot perfectly thanks to the training they had been doing. The sound of glass shattering as the core was pierced.
But that was when Johana and Eddy realized something. "Uh, Izuku? Do you have a way to get down?" Johana asked in worry. Izuku was able to float for a little while, but the boosters eventually wore out. And that is where Pony came in. "You know, as impressive as that was, it was still crazy," she said with a smirk directed Izuku's way.
And the teen returned it as his helmet retracted a little and he said, "still worked though!" Pony rolled her eyes and flew back to the deck of the transport ship. And Izuku took a bit of a tumble as she dropped him down. "Ow. We might want to look into padding the interiors a bit. That hurt more than I expected." Izuku reported with a chuckle from the rest.
"Sorry we're late. We'll take care of the Neuroi and….. what the Hell am I looking at?" a new voice announced over the comms. Eddy and Johana turned and saw a group of witches flying behind them. "Warlock!? There's another one?!" two of the group announced and trained their guns on Eddy.
Eddy tilted his head in confusion before saying, "I mean, we call ourselves Warlocks. But how do you already know about us? And what's got you on edge?" This stopped the pair who were panicking, and they tilted their heads in confusion as well.
"I know you. Hanna Marseille, right? I'm impressed to see the Star of Africa here." Johana said with a small smile. Before gesturing to the transport ship to talk. With Eddy following along behind her. While Marseille and the rest of her group reported to command before heading down.
Once there, the witches saw the rest of the Warlock armors and were confused. Though the same two from before quickly had their guns on the trio. "What's your problem?!" Pony says while pointing her guns at the two. "Sargent Tsunotori! Stand down." Johana says to the girl before also addressing the pair pointing their guns at Izuku, Frank, and Eddy.
"What do you have against our boys here?" she asked with some suspicion. "What boys? And how are these Neuroi talking?!" the older looking girl with a big bust and orange hair demanded. "These aren't Neuroi! They're our armors to work with our partners!" Izuku says before the back of his armor opens and Toshi separates from the machine.
All of the Afrika Corps witches were shocked at what they had just witnessed. And it continued as Eddy and Frank disembarked as well. With their familiars appearing beside them and the boys being able to interact with the spirit beasts.
"How…. What? Who? Where? I don't… have we been in the desert too long?" the young black haired witch with twintails asked as her head continued to tilt. "Not that long. What's going on here? Who are you people?" Hanna asked with some confusion.
Johana saluted and noted she was a flight lieutenant with the United States of Liberion. "These boys are part of an experimental unit. Not only did they, with the help of another technical expert, build these armors. But they found they could see and bond with spirits and use their magic."
To say the girls were shocked was an understatement. This was a massive departure from everything they've known about the world. Given only girls and young women could use magic and see spirits before. "I see. I have to say it's surprising. Almost as surprising as Matilda's abilities. I'm guessing you guys took down the Neuroi that was attacking the fleet?" Hanna asked.
"Yeah, we did. Izuku here even leapt onto the thing and shot it up to help deal with the fact its core kept moving." Eddy said with a thumbs up directed Izuku's way. While acknowledging he finished the Neuroi. "I can prove it if you need visuals." Pony says before taking off her striker and then her earpiece. Setting it to display the moment Eddy shot the core.
Hanna let out a low whistle before passing the device to the rest of her squad and introducing them. Raisa Pöttgen, a sergeant who was always close by Marseille's side. Mami Inugaki, the heavy long-range gunner. Who was looking at Frank's unit with some appraisal.
The last two introduced though were a pair who were only with the unit (known as 31st Joint Fighter Squadron Africa or Storm Witches) temporarily. The oldest was Charlotte E. Yaeger, a captain with the USL air force. She eyed the boys and their machines with suspicion but couldn't help but be a bit curious as to how they worked.
The younger of two though still had hackles raised as she looked them over. Not aided by the large size of Frank's familiar and the relationship between her's and Izuku's. This was Francesca Luchini, an ensign with the Romangan air force. "They're not right. They don't belong," the little girl said while growling a bit to herself. As the ships entered port and were going to unload the supplies and units to help with the fight on this front of the war.
Okay. I didn't list Shirley as a part of the story for no reason. But it'll be a bit different from what some of you might expect. Don't worry though, I'll get into details of what's going on with the rest of the hero transferees. But I wanted to get Izuku and his new team into their battlefront. Where they might just meet up with their friends in time. Please review!
