Chapter 6：Strike Back

"Ready! Aim! Fire!" Ordered Kurosawa.

BANG!

Julius closed his eyes. Suddenly, he felt the rope around his hands fall, freeing him.

BOOM!

There was a sudden explosion and the whole place was covered in smoke.

"Careful! It must be his men. Be on your guard." Said Ishin.

Suddenly, a few kunai knives flew from the smoke and struck down the soldiers that were sent to execute Yamato. When the smoke cleared, Yamato was nowhere to be seen.

"Your majesty. There's a note stuck to the pole." Said Kurosawa.

"Let me see." Said Ishin as he took the note.

"Don't think you've won just yet." Said the note.

"Oh I see now. Of course. Only you could have taken his side at a time like this, Alexis. Everyone! The traitor has escaped. But fear not. He will soon be apprehended. In the meantime, I have an announcement to all of Wisseragna. As you all know, the Northern Alliance has been a threat to us for the past twenty years. And their movements for the past four years have been alarming. King Claudius and King Victor fought desperately for peace, but were both assassinated. It has been made clear that both Kings have been killed by the Northern Alliance. And Prince Julius was one of them. So today, in honor of the two Kings that have fallen, I hereby declare war on the Northern Alliance. We will show them the might of Wisseragna. We will avenge those that have fallen and take out anyone that stands in our way."

"Yes!!! Bring down the Northern Alliance!!! Long live King Ishin!!! Long live Wisseragna!!!"

"Kurosawa-san. Make sure you bury these men. Once you're done, come and meet me in the king's quarters."

"Yes, your majesty."

◆◆◆

"What's going on?" Asked Yamato.

"Just relax and follow me."

"But where are you taking me?"

"I'll tell you everything soon."

The two kept running. After some time, a black car stopped in front of them.

"Quick. Get in." Said the driver.

"Where are you taking me?" Asked Yamato.

"To a safe place."

"These people don't seem to have any evil intentions. They even saved my life. But for what purpose?"

They kept driving for almost half an hour. Soon they left the capital and were leaving it far behind. Not long after, they drove into a forest and stopped in front of a house.

"What is this place?"

"It's the safe place I told you about. Nobody will find us here. Follow me."

The two entered the house.

"Welcome to your new home for the next couple of days."

"My new home? Can you please explain what's going on now? I deserve to know. Who are you?"

"Oh Julius. Have you really forgotten me?" Said the person while removing the mask.

"Forgotten? But I don't know... No way. It can't be." Said Yamato as he took a step back.

"C-Cana?!"

"Yes. It's me Julius."

"You're alive! Thank goodness. I thought I lost you." Said Yamato with tears in his eyes as he held her in his arms.

"I've missed you too. You've been through a lot. I'm sorry for not being there with you. But if we would have come out of hiding, then the plan would have failed."

"We? That's right. Akari and Reina. Are they..."

"Oh. I thought you forgot us" Said Reina.

"Told you he'd remember." Said Akari.

"Akari. Reina. You're alright." Said Yamato as he hugged his two friends.

"Of course we are." Said Akari.

"We may not look like it, but we're pretty tough." Said Reina.

"But how? I saw the mansion go up in flames."

"Have a seat and we'll explain everything." Said Cana.

"Before we start, I believe it's time to introduce ourselves." Said Reina.

"Introduce? But I know who you are."

"Technically speaking, you don't." Said Akari. "My name is Charlotte Vi Brittania."

"And I'm Alice Vi Brittania." Said Reina who gave Yamato some tea.

"What?! Britannia?! As in, the Kingdom of Britannia?"

"Yes. Both Alice and I are princesses of Britannia. And King Alexis is our elder brother. The three of us are your cousins."

"Cousins? This quite a lot to take in, but please, tell me everything. At this point it's best if I knew what lies ahead of me."

"Very well. Cana, Charlotte and I, knew about you from the very beginning. We also knew about Ishin-san's plans. But we couldn't act right away. If we did, our plan of exposing Ishin-san would fail. Well, in the end it failed anyway." Said Reina.

"We found out that my father was planning something. And so, the three of us were sent to watch over you and protect you until it was revealed that you were Prince Julius. But Freed intervened." Said Cana.

"He planned to dispose of us, even though he didn't know our true identities. We managed to escape and go to Brittania to report to Alexis-nii-san. Alice stayed behind informing us of everything that was going on. We heard about the attack on the hospital and that Ishin-san was presumed dead. By the time Cana and I came back, it was too late. King Victor was already assassinated and you were the one that they accused. We managed to save you in the last moment. You know the rest." Said Akari.

"I see. It all makes sense now. But what does Ishin-san want to do with those projects?"

"He plans to go to war with the Northern Alliance. Alexis-san has more information on that." Said Cana.

"I thought as much. What's our next course of action?" Asked Yamato.

"We'll rest here for today. Tomorrow we'll make our way to Brittania." Said Reina.

"Alright. That sounds like a plan. But one more thing. What do I call the two of you?" Asked Yamato.

"I believe that we should stick to our old names." Said Akari.

"Yeah. Even we had a bit of trouble calling you by your real name all this time.

"That's better. Also, we don't want people to know our true identity." Said Cana.

"Good. Now Akari-chan, let's go make dinner." Said Reina s she winked at Akari.

"What? But we... Oh yeah! Dinner. Right behind you." Said Akari who also winked at Cana. Cana blushed a bit.

"Hey Cana-chan. Want to go out for a bit?" Said Yamato who extended his hand.

"I'd like that."

The two then stepped out. Reina and Akari shared a smile in the background.

"Julius, I...."

Suddenly Yamato envelopes her in a tight hug.

"I was so scared. I thought you died. I'm so glad that everything was a lie. I missed you so much."

"I did too. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you when you needed it most."

"What are you talking about? You saved my life. More times than I can count. Without you, I'd be dead by now."

"I wouldn't know what to do without you." Said Cana with tears in her eyes as she looked up at him.

They kept looking into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity.

"Just kiss her already." Said Akari.

"Akari-chan!" Said Reina as she hit her on the head.

"Oops. Busted." Said Akari.

"What are you guys doing?" Asked Yamato.

"Oh don't mind us. Just here for the smooches." Said Akari.

"Come on Akari. Let's go inside." Said Reina who began pulling her by the collar.

"Awww. But I want to see the kiss." Protested Akari.

"Don't worry. We'll watch through the window." Whispered Reina.

"Nice idea."

"Those two never change." Said Yamato with a smile.

"That's true." Said Cana who looked back up at him.

"Now where were we?" Said Yamato who put touched her cheek.

"I think I know." Said Cana. The two of them then shared a passionate kiss.

It seemed like time has stopped. As the two parted their lips, Cana lay her head on his chest while Yamato held her tight.

"Yes! There it is!" Shouted Akari.

"Akari-chan!" Said Reina as she put her hands over Akari's mouth. Both Cana and Yamato giggled hearing their friends in the house.

"I'm glad you're all okay."

"Me too." Said Cana.

"Come on. Let's go get dinner. That's only if those two cooked anything while they peeped on us." Said Yamato.

"Rei-Rei, quick. We've got to retreat back to the kitchen." Said Akari as Reina followed while Yamato and Cana made their way into the house.

◆◆◆

The next day.

"I've spoken to Alexis-nii-san. I told him that we'll be coming back today." Said Reina.

"But how will we get there? I'm technically a fugitive. The whole country is after me." Said Yamato.

"Don't worry about it. We have our ways to get to Brittania without being noticed." Said Cana.

"Just follow us." Said Akari.

The four of them along with three of their bodyguards went down to the basement. There, Reina opened a secret door.

"Wow. I never imagined that this building would also have a secret passage. But where does it lead?" Asked Yamato.

"You'll see soon enough. Prepare to be amazed." Said Akari.

The seven kept descending a bit longer until they reached an underground cave.

"This just keeps getting better and better."

"You haven't seen anything yet. Look over there." Said Akari.

"No way. Is that a submarine?!"

"It sure is. It just arrived. We'll take it and go to Brittania." Said Cana.

"Are you serious?"

"That's the only way for us to leave Wisseragna. The whole kingdom is currently out looking for you, so underwater is the best way to go." Said Akari.

"Yes. You're right. We need to leave as soon as possible. If we're found out, then all is lost." Said Reina.

"Let's get going then." Said Yamato who began to make his way into the submarine.

◆◆◆

The next day.

"How much longer till we get there?" Asked Reina.

"We're almost there, your highness. We'll be arriving in Brittania in ten minutes." Said the captain of the submarine.

"Very well." Said Reina who went to inform the others.

"That's a relief. I was getting bored staying cooped up in here." Said Akari who stood up.

"We better wake them up too." Said Reina.

"But they're so cute sleeping like that." Said Akari who looked at Cana who was sleeping on Yamato's shoulder.

"I know, but we'll be leaving soon."

"Don't worry. I'm awake." Said Yamato as he opened his eyes. "Been awake for a while now. Cana-chan. It's time to go."

"Mmm. Five more minutes." Said Cana as she turned and held Yamato.

"She's like a little kid." Said Akari. "Come on. We have to leave the submarine."

"Alright. I'm up." Said Cana as she stretched.

"Your highness, we're about to surface." Said the captain.

"Good. Come on everyone. Let's get out of this container." Said Reina.

As the submarine surfaced, the four of them climbed onto the deck. A few hundred meters ahead was the shore of the kingdom of Britannia. In a few minutes, they arrived in Britannia. The four came down from the submarine and were greeted by a woman.

"Welcome back your highnesses. King Alexis is expecting you. I am to escort you to the palace." Said the woman.

"Marie-san, it's been so long." Said Akari who went to hug the woman.

"I'm glad to see that you are both safe." Said Marie.

"Yamato, Cana-chan, meet Marie Stafford. She looked after us since we were born." Said Reina.

"It's an honor to meet you, your highness." Said Marie as she bowed.

"The pleasure is all mine." Said Yamato.

"Come on guys. Let's go meet Alexis-nii-san already. I'm starving." Said Akari.

"So am I." Said Cana.

"Let's go then." Said Yamato.

At the palace.

"Right this way. King Alexis is in his study." Said Marie.

She then went to the door of the king's study and knocked.

"Your majesty, Princess Charlotte and Princess Alice have returned." Said Marie.

"Thank you, Marie-san. Let them in." Said Alexis.

"Alexis-nii-san. We're back and we're starving" Said Akari who came in and gave Alexis a hug.

"Welcome back Charlotte-chan. Lunch will be served soon." Said Alexis who then turned to Reina.

"Welcome back Alice-chan. I trust that everything is alright."

"Yes Nii-san. Everything went well. Cana-chan and Julius-san are right here."

"Excellent. Welcome to Britannia. I'm Alexis Vi Britannia. But you already knew that." Said Alexis.

"It is an honor to meet you, your majesty." Said Yamato as he gave a bow.

"Oh don't worry about the formalities. We're family. And you're a king as well for that matter."

"King? Of what?"

"Wisseragna of course."

"But, Ishin-san is king. Not me."

"As far as I'm concerned, Ishin-san doesn't have any right to the throne. You are next in line which makes you the current king of Wisseragna."

"That may be true, but with the way things are right now, nobody in Wisseragna would recognize me as their king."

"Well, we're going to have to change that, don't we?"

"Easier said than done. They all think that I was the one who killed Victor."

"But you didn't, did you?" Asked Cana.

"Well...no."

"Then we'll just have to clear your name and expose the real killer." Said Reina.

"But how?"

"We will think about that later. There are more pressing matters that need our attention." Said Alexis.

"What happened?" Asked Akari.

"Yesterday, right after you saved Julius, Ishin-san publicly declared war on the Northern Alliance."

"So he finally did it, huh?" Said Reina.

"Yes. And since Britannia leads the Northern Alliance, it means that we will have no other choice but to lead the army in the war."

"This has become rather complicated." Said Akari.

"It all makes sense now." Said Yamato who was talking to himself.

"What does?" Asked Cana.

"This whole war, my family's assassination. It all makes sense." Said Yamato.

"Calm down and tell us in detail." Said Alexis.

"You see, my brother told me, Cana-chan and Ishin-san about two secret weapons. The Destroyer and project SS. I believe that they must have gotten their hands on them and now plan to use them in the war."

"This sounds like it could pose a serious threat to us. But what are these weapons exactly?" Asked Alexis.

"The Destroyer is a war machine capable of wiping out a whole city and project SS stands for Super Soldiers. It's a project that deals with the enhancement of the body capabilities of a normal soldier allowing him to possess super human abilities such as super strength, speed, body armor and so on."

"How in the world are we going to fight against super humans and war machines capable of wiping out an entire city?" Asked Akari.

"Whether we want to or not, we'll have to fight. If we fall, then the world will be in danger." Said Alexis. He then turned to Yamato. "Julius, I won't ask you to fight your own people."

"It's alright. I will fight. If I don't save them, then who will? You said it yourself. I'm the rightful king of Wisseragna."

"Well said."

"Although, I do have something that's been bothering me."

"What is it?" Asked Alexis.

"Ishin-san said that the Northern Alliance has been a threat to Wisseragna for twenty years. Is all that true?"

"Not exactly. We have never thought of going to war with Wisseragna. But for twenty years, Ishin-san and his organization were spreading fake news about us planning to invade as well as footage of his men wearing our uniforms pretending to prepare for war or footage of small battles between some of our men and Wisseragnaian soldiers which in truth were his men fighting among themselves. The news spread and it looked like we were really planning something against them."

"I can't believe that Ishin-san could do such a thing. All this just to take over the Northern Alliance." Said Akari.

"No. It's not just the Alliance that he wants. I'm very sure that Ishin-san is planning to take over the entire world." Said Yamato.

"Precisely. This isn't just a war with us. As it stands, the Northern Alliance is the only thing standing between him and world domination." Said Alexis.

"And it's best if we keep it that way." Said Cana.

"We'll talk more about this later. I believe you are all tired and hungry. Lunch is about to be served. We can discuss more about this tomorrow." Said Alexis.

◆◆◆

That night, Yamato couldn't sleep. So he stood up from his bed and went out onto the terrace to get some air. Cana placed a hand to where Yamato was supposed to be laying and noticed that he wasn't there. She woke up and looked around and found him standing on the terrace. She smiled, went over to him and wrapped her hands around him.

"Can't sleep?" Asked Cana.

"Cana-chan, you should be in bed." Said Yamato.

"I could say the same to you."

"Huh. It's just that with all that's happened, I just noticed how useless I've been."

"Julius, you are not useless."

"Yes I am. I couldn't rescue you, Akari and Reina. I couldn't save my brother. And it's my fault that Ishin-san got his hands on those weapons. I couldn't even stand chance against Freed. Don't you see? This whole war is my fault."

"Julius, listen to me. None of this is your fault. We were all played. I lived in the same house with my father and I never knew that he was using me to get to you. Reina-chan and Akari-chan were in the same class with Freed but had no idea who he really was. Your father, mother and brother knew my father, but never knew his true intentions. But we have a chance to make things right and fight back because of you. You're the rightful king of Wisseragna. It's time for you to take a stand as king and take out your enemies. Alexis-san, Reina-chan and Akari-chan are here for you." Said Cana as she looked into Yamato's eyes. "As am I. So don't lose hope. We'll get through this together."

Yamato looked straight at her and teared up a little.

"You always know what to say, don't you? I'm glad that one good thing came out of all this."

"Oh? And what is that?" Asked Cana with a smile.

"What do you think?" Asked Yamato as he pulled her in for a kiss. "I love you, Cana Mochizuki."

"I don't want to be known as Cana Mochizuki anymore. I want to be Cana Wisseragna. The wife of Julius Wisseragna."

"Of course, my queen."

◆◆◆

"Good evening, your majesty." Said the servant.

"Good evening. Please take me to the basement."

"Yes, your majesty."

The man then pressed the button for the basement and the elevator started descending. Soon, it reached the basement and the doors opened.

"Welcome, your majesty." Said Kurosawa as he bowed.

"Thank you. Where is Freed?"

"I'm right here." Said Freed who came over to Ishin.

"How are things progressing?"

"Well, as you can see over here, we already have 7 Destroyers. And as for the Super Soldiers, there have been some complications with some men who unfortunately weren't suited for the task and didn't make it. But for now, we have two divisions of Super Soldiers. Of course, I managed to pull through."

"Excellent. I see you're eager to face Julius again."

"Yes. I want to be the one to take him down."

"Don't worry. You'll get your chance. For now we have to get ready to face the Alliance. The Alliance itself isn't a threat. But the ones leading it are."

"You are referring to Britannia, right?"

"Precisely. Britannia is the only obstacle standing between us and the world. If we don't take out Britannia, we won't accomplish anything."

"Do not worry. With the weapons we have now, Britannia won't stand a chance."

"Don't be so sure. Alexis is a strong king. I witnessed his strength. And Britannia is not a nation that should be taken lightly. And what's more, Julius is there and he knows about our weapons."

"Yes he does. But he doesn't know their weaknesses."

"I know. But even so, we have to be careful. The upcoming battles are going to be hard. Even with our weapons, Alexis will be a tough one to beat. But don't get me wrong, we will take Britannia down."

"Of course."

◆◆◆

"Thank you for the information." Said Reina.

"Alexis-nii-san, I was just informed that about five divisions have arrived sent by King Cortes of the Spanish Federation."

"Good. With that, our army should be well past one million soldiers."

"But it isn't nearly enough, isn't it?" Asked Akari looking a bit concerned.

"No. We'll need more than that if we are to counter Ishin's new weapons. But of course, Wisseragna isn't the only one with strong weapons."

"Oh? Brittania has some specialized weapons too?" Asked Cana. "Yes. I believe it's about time I told all of you about it. You see, for a long time, we have feared that a day like this will come. So my father and a few men came up with..."

"You majesty!!!" Shouted a man who came in and knelt before Alexis and the others.

"What is it?"

"Wisseragna has just attacked the city of Ratiskar."

"When was that?"

"Fifteen minutes ago."

"What is the status of the troops defending the city?"

"W-Wiped out, your majesty."

"What?!" Said Akari in shock.

"Ten thousand soldiers wiped out in just fifteen minutes?" Asked Cana who was taken aback by the news.

"What did they attack with?" Asked Yamato.

"F-Five hundred soldiers." Said the man who was trembling.

"Five hundred?!!" Said the girls.

"We have also received news that about five large machines along with about twenty thousand soldiers are coming in from the shout-east."

"Destroyers. I see." Said Alexis. "Very well. Thank you. Tell General Kingston to meet me at the Control Room in Area D."

"Yes, your majesty." Said the man who stood up and left.

"What now?" Said Reina.

"Now we go to Area D."

"What's in Area D?" Asked Cana.

"You were also going to tell us about Brittania's weapons." Said Yamato.

"Don't worry. Everything will be explained shortly. For now, it's time to strike back."