Disclaimer & Author's Note: This is the Final Official chapter in the HMS NaruSaku. I haven't decided on any continuations, or any type of "Gaidens", since H&E has & hopefully always will continue to go on. This story has been one magnificent ride from beginning to end, I suppose it lost touch with actual facts somewhere after chapter 39 or so, but it didn't matter anymore since it all deals with H&E mostly and not NarutoForums. But in any case, I personally am ending it as we don't really have an enemy anymore, and the times are changing. This is one of the longest fics I have written so far in my career as an author, and I think leaving at 50 chapters is a good feel for me. I apologize for those of you who wished the journey would go on, and if I could write more, but I'm just getting too tired. Thanks goes out to everyone who has come to read this, if you were entertained then my mission is completed. If you were moved by it, and found yourself joining H&E to experience the people like in the story, then welcome to the H&E community and hope you found yourself a good home here with us. Thank you to everyone who has been with me, and the NaruSaku club from the very beginning. Without you, this could not have been possible and this story & fic would not exist. If I could go back in time to live it all again, I wouldn't change a thing. To those who have been "inducted" in a sense, congratulations for making it this far, and for making an impact enough that you were welcomed into the story. For those who wanted to be in it, but couldn't quite make the cut, I want you to know that despite not seeing your name in there, for every reference made to "crew", "fan club", or any "narusaku people" (i.e. fresh meat), you are included simply for being apart of us. I won't do individual thank you(s), because that would take too long, but you know who you are, and you know what & why I thank you for (as I'm sure I've said the same thing in the same speech nearly 100 times). Thank you again, and enjoy the 2 Part Finale Episode of the HMS NaruSaku.
Chapter 50: All Falls Down
Subtitle: Finale
Prologue:
It's been almost three years since that day ...
... three long years, since the day I lost her ...
... since the day everything finally ended, and we had gained complete freedom ...
... I only wish ...
... she could have been here to see it.
I was on my boat, sailing out in the middle of no where, with Sori downstairs, and I was standing on deck at the steering wheel, feeling the cool ocean breeze upon my war-hardened face. I hadn't worn that long coat or hat since those three years, nor have picked up my sword again since then. Peace time, it was the peace time agreement that kept everyone at bay. And here I was, still out here at sea, hoping, thinking, believing that she was still down there. Nothing but water as far as the eye could see, nothing out here but ocean and sky. I stopped the boat at the exact spot where we had lost her, and where we had said our goodbyes. I stood over to the edge of the boat, and leaned over to look.
Nothing.
Nothing, but deep blue.
I lost focus and all I could see was my own reflection on the surface of the water. Just then, Sori came up from the lower cabin, and stood over next to me, holding onto my arm. The warmth of her body next to mine brought me back to reality. All I could do was close my eyes, put my hand onto hers, and give a heavy sigh.
"I know, dear." She spoke to me in her soft voice. "I know."
I opened my eyes, turned around, and sat down onto the side of the boat where there was seating. Sori sat next to me and stroked my arm in comfort.
"I can still hear it, and see it as clearly as you do. I was there too remember?" She spoke again in a more sad and reminiscent tone.
Part 1: Siege
Three Years Ago ...
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HMS NaruSaku - At Sea
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'There was a major storm last night, nearly rocked the boat sideways. But luckily we were ready for it, and everyone was at their posts. Six days out to sea, and all the Fresh Meat we brought with us on this training exercise have been grounded into their positions. I can proudly say that they are learning fast, and are almost ready to become full members of the HMS NaruSaku & her crew.'
I was sitting in my captain's room, writing in my Captain's Log.
'Six days ... it's already been six days since left H&E, and I still haven't received any information from either LHG, or Cody (HH). It feels like there's something wrong, something is eating away at me, and I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps I'm still suffering from those images the Perfects put into my head. Ever since then I've had nightmares, terrible terrible nightmares. Always the same image of the Burning Ship, a City in Ruin, people running, screaming, and dying, and that feeling ... that feeling that I'm going to lose someone. Every night, I wake up in cold sweat and I find that I am unable to breathe at times. For the first time in years ... I'm almost afraid. And even if I know that this was what the Perfects' final words would do to me, I mustn't give in to it. Everything will be fine, I've got the finest crew members, and people with me. I could never doubt anyone.'
I paused for a moment.
'Not a single person ...'
Just as I was finishing my Captain's Log, there was a knock at my door.
"Come in."
The door opened and it was Yoko.
"Here are the reports from H&E home-base, Taichou." She handed me the paper files, and walked out. As she closed the door behind her, I saw that her brother as standing outside waiting for her.
"Him." I spoke quietly to myself.
'Something about him rubs me wrong.' I began to think to myself, and review over the report from the Island.
H&E Island Report
(For Captain's Eyes Only)
Things are going where here at H&E so far, we've received many new members and applicants for Fresh Meat in the past few days as well. There have been no complaints, or any outside problems either. Only the occasional Library or Gallery problem, but nothing we couldn't fix ourselves. Also no news from our end about confirmation. Tan-chan & the Trouble Trio (Jack, Danny, & Juri) have decided to join forces for the time being and share info with each other, trying to see if they can gain any new information or better leads. Training for the new members has already begun, and we've already begun boot camp for those who wished to enter as soon as possible. No new politics going on from either H&E or NF.
Shauna-chan sends her best regards, even though she wished she could have joined you guys out there at sea. Nick & Eggie are doing fine as well, Nick & I have been working rigorously together in enforcing new rules & regulations. We've also upgraded much of the Island with more space and design. M1abrams & Jwolf0 have been taking in many new volunteers who wished to join the H&E Public Safety Squad (PSS), and security has been updated as well.
Nothing new on my end, but I have been keeping a keen eye open on anything suspicious. I wonder if you are getting that strange feeling that something feels wrong. Anyway, send me a report back as well. Good Luck on your end, and keep your guard up.
Smiter
"So that's how it is." I hummed to myself. "So you're getting that weird feeling in your gut too, huh Smiter."
I filed his report and decided to go inspect the ship all around once more. I looked outside the window and saw nothing, but pure thick fog.
"God, I have a bad feeling about this ..."
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H&E Island - Back Home
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Back at home, the storm also hit the island and there was a thick fog covering all over the island. It was so thick that it seemed like a big white sheet had blanketed over H&E. But despite the fog, H&E and its residents continued on with their daily schedules. The H&E Cafe still ran it's business, Jaredstar was there running the business as AfterDeath was on the HMS serving as the ship's cook since UN (Uzumaki Naruto) was away. The H&E Lounge was still bumping with heavy beats, as Star-chan (starlite) kept playing her music, while Oyaji-san (rathgar) kept it cool for all the members who chilled there. In the Library Sector, it was a little hard to read since the fog blocked out much of the sky, but even so, many of the H&E residents continued to go and enjoy reading many of the archives. Desaix still gained a big crowd at his story discussions all the time. Meanwhile over at the H&E Gallery, most of our artists were still continuing their work, and residents still kept going to view the artists & their works. Also at the H&E Tavern, since Blayze was on the HMS, TheBugNinja volunteered from his weapon smithing to run the Bar & Tavern while Blayze was gone. Nikko didn't mind since BugNin, could still come visit her at the end of the day. Nikko ran her Shoppe with no problems by herself. Katie (Steeled-Ecstacy) had received a regular number of patients at her clinic while Haylee (Quitled-Remorse) was on the HMS, nothing too serious, just the practical accidents & injuries.
Despite the heavy fog, M1abrams & Jwolf0 continued on with their patrolling and training of the new volunteers, they jogged through the fog around the island in unison. Tan-chan & the Trouble Trio were sitting in their back alleyway discussing facts & other types of information amongst each other, trying to figure out who the Mole of H&E was. As well as Tan-chan discussing her fun fact adventure about how she tried to discover the “Secrets of the Captain.
Eggie-chan was at her place, unable to sleep because of the eerie fog. To her it felt like an unnatural darkness of night, so she couldn't quite rest until her Officer shift. Sakura-chan (Sakura Blossoms) went around H&E on her first duty as an Officer of H&E, going around meeting up with people, and enforcing the rules her own way. While, Nick & Smiter sat in their office discussing politics, new rules, and updates about H&E.
Even some people from NF had decided to come and visit H&E for a time, but were unable to return back to NF due to the heavy fog. But that was okay, since they were more than happy to stay a little long here at H&E. Mizura seemed very displeased since she had to deal with a lot of our new members who seemed very immature and noobish. Rinzen along with her, meeting up with old friends, and what not. Even Occa (OccasionalUtopica/Mel) came by to the island to see how things were going on our end, since she couldn't come visit us with her job over at NF. She stopped by Nikko's shoppe and even got her precious "Hand-Cannon" upgraded a bit. Mikah & Pan-chan (+*PAn*+) came over to check out the H&E Gallery to see how well it was compared to the NF NaruSaku Gallery.
Everything was going absolutely fine, life was going on, and there wasn't a worry in sight ...
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Ocean - Just off shore of H&E
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... the shoreline was just in sight of them. The thick fog giving them complete cover, undetected by the Island goes & its inhabitants. Soon there will be fire. Soon there will be destruction. Soon it will all come to an end.
Through the thick fog, surrounding the entire Island, several hundred boats began to come close to shore, and a hundred battle ships were circling into formation.
The shadow of the shoreline was almost close enough to dock, and still there was no one in sight.
No one to take notice ...
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HMS NaruSaku - At Sea
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I had just finished my inspection of the entire ship from top to bottom, everything looked to be in order, everyone was where they were supposed to be, and the ship was sailing smoothly. Blayze was in the Ship's Galley, along with AfterDeath preparing for dinner and after set drinks. Lee (shinyu) & Haylee (QR) were in the Ship's Infirmary, helping some of the Fresh Meat who seemed to come down with severe sea-sickness, nothing overly dramatic. Ash (sharingank) & Alpha (alphabet) were on the main deck, manning their posts, making sure security checks were all in order. Sori was piloting the ship, but also at the same time playing her WoW (World of Warcraft), which was really funny, because when I was going up to check on her, all she kept saying was "Yeah. Yeah. Yeah." like a zombie. But that was okay, because I knew she was at least still doing her job. Even Geno (Geno Calamari) came back for a brief moment to join us on this voyage, although he spent most of his time alone at the Ship's Bar. I met Bassclef somewhere in the middle of the ship, he was doing is round of inspections as well, and we simply nodded as we passed each other.
Also somewhere along the way, I ran into a more or less "stowaway" on our ship, even though she was more than welcome to come join us. K-chan (Yuriko/Keira) ran into me all of a sudden, and gave me this mischievous smile. At first I shook my head at her as in "Oh no, now what have you done?", but instead chuckled to myself and let her go off. Throughout my entire inspection it was funny because from time to time, I saw that Yoko was still giving DarkItachi a tour of the ship form that time she came to my office. Funny because indeed it was a pretty big ship, even I haven't fully uncovered all it's secrets. Finally I made my way out onto the outside deck of the HMS NaruSaku, the thick fog still shrouding the entire ship. Not matter what direction, or how fast we were going, it was like there was no escape. Nothing in any direction, just a wall of opaque white everywhere. I stood over the edge, leaning onto the railing, just taking in the fresh ocean air. It felt cold out today, the wind was blowing lightly, something you couldn't really sail in, but then again we didn't use sails. There was a strange sound in the wind, something almost ... unnatural. Just then the air began to thicken, and become almost unbreathable, I had such a hard time breathing that I immediately went back inside gasping for air.
"What the hell is going on? That smell ..." I was regaining my composure, and then put my hand over my mouth. "... it was almost like ... blood."
Just before I was going to go back out to confirm whether my instincts were right, there was a sudden overhead page.
"Captain. You are required in your office immediately. It's an URGENT MESSAGE."
I put the thought aside for now, and made my way back to my office on the main deck. As I was making my way back to my office, it began to rain again, the sound of the hard rain echoing through the halls of the ship. Something began to stir within me, that feeling of something terribly wrong was beginning to get a whole lot worse. But also, something told me that this urgent message would only bring bad news. I exited the elevator lift and went straight into my office without looking at anyone, and sat down at my desk to look at the screen panel before me. I touched the screen to secure my office, and make sure it was private, and accessed the message ...
It was from Cody (HH).
Dear Captain,
If you are reading this message it means, I've been found out and don't have much time left. They've already cut off any means of escape for me and I've no choice but to give myself up soon. I've found more info about the mole, and it seems the entire time we've been played from day 1. They used one of our own from the very beginning and manipulated that person with them even knowing it. When I had learned of such a despicable operation and way to use such a person, it nearly made me sick to the core. And of all people, they had to use her. But that's not the worse part of it, to be partnered up with such a sick maniacal bastard; I don't know how she could withstand such a person. I couldn't quite get a name, but what I do know is that they have a strange relationship to one another. That's as close as I could get to that plan.
But now things have turned to another situation. Captain, we are all in grave danger. I hope this message reaches you before it's to late.
As I read the next sentence, then looked at the date of the message, suddenly my eyes opened up with utter horror as I nearly jumped out of my chair, and rushed over to hit the RED alert button. But indeed ... it was too late.
BOOM!
The last bit of information had said ...
Both enemy (N***H***) islands have completely mobilized and are heading for HMS & H&E.
... and the message was sent nearly six days ago, from the moment we had left H&E.
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H&E Island - Residential Sector
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The residents of H&E were just going about their day, living life, enjoying their activities. Somewhere in that "Shadowy Corner", the Trouble Trio were sitting around their make-shift table discussing ...
"Hey hey Juri-chan! So do you think that Tan-chan's stories about the Captain are true?" Jack (Quixotic Novice) spoke playfully sitting down on his makeshift chair.
Juri-chan (pocky_luver) crossed her arms and gave this look as if she were pondering. But then gave this grin and said. "I don't know about being 8 different demons, but he is still Devil-sama!"
All three of them began to laugh, and were having a merry time, when suddenly ...
"Hey do you guys hear something?" Danny (GoneKrazy) said turning his head towards the sky as if looking for something.
"Hear what, Dan-Dan?" Juri asked him.
Danny stood up for a bit, and cupped his hand around his hear to listen more carefully. "Almost like a muffled pop, then a whistling sound of something fallin-"
BOOM!
There was a great explosion to one of the buildings that created their Shadowy Corner! Jack & Juri where thrown back against the wall due to the explosion, But Danny was no where to be found.
Meanwhile from the Arts Sector, DeathWorks was doing his daily patrol as Gallery Security, when suddenly ...
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
There came more great explosions, all simultaneously from every direction. All over the island everything and everywhere was being bombarded with cannon fire.
BOOM!
There went half of the Gallery Sector.
BOOM!
There went half of the Library Sector.
BOOM!
Nearly the entire Resident Sector had been demolished and blown to bits.
H&E was under attack, just then the island's air raid siren went off signaling full-scale attack. People of H&E were getting out of their homes, and trying to evacuate, or gather arms to fight back! From the first explosion, Smiter & Nick immediately went to the emergency broadcast room, and tried to alert everyone, but the explosions had hit the power generator and it was already too late. As they could see from their office, the docks were already beginning to become overrun with the enemy. As if out from the thick fog like ghosts, they laid siege to H&E. The only thing they could do was sound the alert, hope that everyone was at least quick to their sense, and stand up and fight. Smiter took up his sword once again after many months, and Nick knew exactly what he had to do. The two of them exited their office, and walked out seeing hundreds of enemies rampage through our home.
"Gather all the women, children, injured, any survivors, and evacuate." Smiter said in a very dark tone. "Get out and try to make for the Isle Del Sorna (See Chapter 27 for reference), and tell the others the same."
"I understand." Nick acknowledged his orders, and nodded his head. "I'll send for help from the safe station we set up over there. And see if we can reach the HMS & Hoku."
"Something tells me he's dealing with the same problem right about now." Smiter spoke as he drew forth his blade. "But do it anyway. Get out. Save as many as you can. And good luck."
They nodded to each other and parted ways. Nick rushing in the opposite direction looking for the other Officers, to gather them and give orders. While Smiter, walked directly into the direction of the enemy siege, the wind beginning to blow with him (See Chapter 47 for reference about Smiter/Wind).
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HMS NaruSaku - At Sea
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BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The entire ship shook from the multiple explosions. Just before I had hit the RED alert button, I was knocked away and back into my desk. The force of the impact of my back to the desk nearly broke my back, but luckily my desk wasn't completely solid, and it was flat. After the first round of explosions, I then had realized that ... it wasn't from the outside, but explosions from the inside! My head was still fuzzy from the impact, but I could hear that the RED alert alarm was going off, the red lights flashing. The next thing I knew, Ash & Alpha came rushing into my office to check on me.
"Taichou! Taichou! Are you alright?" Alpha pulled me to my feet. While Ash was clearing out my room making sure there was nothing suspicious going on around here.
"Clear!" Ash holstered her guns, and came over to help Alpha carry me out of my office.
"Report." I said in a weak voice as I still had the wind knocked out of me.
"We've lost all main power, most of our life support, and long distance communications. Auxiliary power is on, but it's not enough to power the entire ship, at least not with all the people we have on board." Sori was going through the list of problems. "We're pretty much dead in the water, with no engine, no power, and we can't make calls for help, at least not from H&E."
"Call for help, anyone." I told her.
"I'll get too it." She nodded her head, and began working on the control panel underneath her console. "It's not much, but I can tap into the auxiliary power to boost our GPS signal, so at least we'll be on the map like a small island or something. Someone's bound to at least see it and come check it out."
It wasn't the best choice, cutting off any available power especially since we need it for life support, but we were in the middle of no where and we needed help. Everyone looked at me and knew the situation and what had to be done.
"Do it." I told her in a dark tone.
"Okay." Sori nodded her head again, and got to work.
Alpha & Ash helped me over to the Captain's chair, and sat me up awaiting orders. I was still trying to shake off the fuzziness, and regain my composure, but that impact was really hard. Finally I regained some of my senses, and everything wasn't shaking anymore. I put my hand to my head, and began to process my thoughts.
"Prepare the lifeboats, and get as many people you can off. Find & help the injured, secure off any fires, and get everyone to safety first. The last thing we need is panic-" But of course, I spoke too soon.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Suddenly there were explosions from the outside. The ship now rocking from side to side, as if we were being pounded from opposite directions.
I braced myself in my chair from the last explosion. "Now what?"
And before we could see it, through the rain & fog where the N***H*** ships, completely surrounding us. There were nearly five or ten ships that had us surrounded, and kept firing at us. Just then the three girls looked at me in utter shock and didn't know what to say. All I could do was hit the overhead com, and say ...
"All hands, prepare for battle ..."
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H&E Island - Under Siege
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Meanwhile on the Island, Nick had successfully Eggie & Sakura-chan, whom got their orders and went off to gather survivors and the injured.
On the Library Front, they were being over run by hundreds of enemy forces. Tatsu & Mira fought off the enemy from the rear trying to clear an escape route, escorting Lackey_H & Hime-sama (kenhime) out of the battle. Even Lackey put in a good fight as well, he summoned up his ultimate technique!
"ZOMBIE-HINATA GO!" Lackey exclaimed in an evil way, and laughed on as his avatar beat up those enemies that were indeed Hinatards that supported N***H***.
While Hime-sama, helped secure what precious archives we had, and tried to salvage whatever works of literacy she could, but there was just too many. But on the front end of the fight, Faucon, tun, Byron Konoha Ninja, desaix, held off the enemy line for a good while. Faucon was trying to stop the fires going on in the main archives, and tun took a hit for Faucon while his back was turned. As well as Bryon took a blow for desaix just as the enemy began to charge into the archives; he sealed off the entrance, pushing desaix out. Only Faucon & desaix walked out of that firestorm, and could only imagine that the others got out before the entire archive collapsed into itself. Tatsu & the others also made out the back way, and sealed the back way closed. It was a painful thing to do, but it the only way to take out the invading force that came to the Library Sector.
It was different story over in the Gallary Sector. Mikah & Pan-chan (+*PAn*+) where caught in the first explosion, but it was Pan-chan that took most of the blast. Niky, Juujuu, & mame tried to salvage what they could, but were caught in an enemy crossfire. Hinano fought as fiercely as she could conjure up whatever soldier she could draw. She brought her works of art to life (much similar to that of Sai from Naruto), and could only save Niky from that horrible crossfire.
But where the fight really was, was on the front line!
Smiter, M1abrams, Jwolf0, Occa, Nikko & BugNin, even Miz & Rinzen, were all there fighting off the enemy hordes! It was like pure chaos, explosions coming from everywhere, even into their own lines, but they just kept coming and coming. Smiter was slicing down anywhere from a fifty to a hundred bodies, left and right, while trying to dodge enemy fire. Occa dealt with anti-air, trying to take out enemy fire from the distance, as well as trying to set off the sea-mines that we had in place for such an attack (water to land). Nikko & BugNin where with Occa, fighting off the enemy trying to buy Occa time. Miz & Rinzen went into monster mode, and took out as many enemy transport boats as they could, but even the enemy were prepared for that, and attempted to take down Mizura. But in his act of loyalty, Rinzen took the blow for Miz, and went down. That only enraged Miz more, and she went into full berserker mode. M1abrams & Jwolf0 attacked together, trying hold the line with Smiter, but also trying to help evacuate civilians from the battle at the same time. M1, used his Fire Watcher Arts to put out as many fires as he could, and keep the island from completely burning down. Jwolf0 on the other hand decided to take the fight to the ships, by taking his H&E Air Brigade into the fight. They launched out from the Island, into the air, and landed onto multiple enemy ships at sea, trying to make quick raids from ship to shop to stop the constant bombardment.
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HMS NaruSaku - Bridge Room
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It was already a losing fight. The HMS was being completely over run with enemy forces, and we didn't have enough manpower to fight them back this time. Blayze & Bassclef were fighting side by side somewhere mid-ship, trying to hold the line from there. Ash & Alpha were on another end, fighting their way through the enemy trying to get to the escape pods, and leading crew members out. Lee (shinyu) & Haylee (QR) were also fighting their way through, defending the infirmary, along with the injured, and trying to hold out until Ash & Alpha came to get them out. Among the injured was Geno, himself, but of course, he took down a good number of N***H*** before they could take the old lion with him. Meanwhile, K-chan & nick (animeluvr) where defending the engine room, trying to keep the N***H*** at bay, while nick was trying to pump water out of the engine room and keep it from exploding. And of course, Sori & I were holding off the main bridge room, so that they wouldn't gain control of the ship. We had barricaded the door, and stood fast, holding it together as best as we could.
That was the problem, we were all separated, and caught with our guard down in a weakened state. The ship damaged from the inside, now damaged from the outside, and now being over run with enemy forces ...
It was all becoming true. Everything the Perfects had implanted into my head, it was becoming true.
The ship was burning down, we were trying to evacuate, and soon the third image was coming back to me.
I was going to lose someone close & dear to me. The only other person with me was Sori ...
The sudden ill thought of that I would lose her came over me, and I nearly froze in mid-battle as the door was being rammed from the other side. I looked over to her and couldn't help but have that look of concern and worry. She looked back at me and could almost sense that something at that very moment had entered into my mind. Just then she reached over to grab my hand and held on tight to reassure me, and shook her head.
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HMS NaruSaku - Ship's Galley
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In the ship's Galley, AfterDeath was nearly blown away from one of the internal explosions. When he came too, he immediately got up and searched the area around for any survivors. He found some injured crew members lying around, and dragged them over to a safe undamaged area of the Galley. Just then he went into the kitchen that was nearly blown apart, and looked for the First Aid Kit. Just then he heard someone stabbing the few survivors that he had just rescued, and came rushing back into the Galley to see what happened.
"What the hell?" AfterDeath saw that someone had just came in and cut them down like cattle. And as he stood up, he turned around to face that perpetrator, but couldn't believe his eyes. "You bastard! ONLY YOU COULD DO THIS!"
And in his rage, AfterDeath took out his butcher's knife and was about to stab the perpetrator, when suddenly HE was stabbed in the back.
"AGGH!" AfterDeath shouted in pain, and just as he was dying, he turned around to face his killer. His eyes lit up with shock, confusion, and sorrow. In his final breath his voice spoke in a tone of sorrow, and compassion. "Y-you? Wh .. w-why?"
And finally AfterDeath's body collapsed to the ground, lifeless. His body lying in his own pool of blood, his eyes wide open, and they were tearing, reflecting the image of his killer.
"Come." Said the dark and malicious tone. "We have more work for you to do."
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HMS NaruSaku - Bridge Room
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BANG!
The door felt as if it were going to collapse in on Sori & I who were on the other side.
BANG!
The pounding of the battering ram the N***H*** used felt heavy against the solid barricade, but we both held fast.
BANG!
The door began to creak open, and we could hear from the other side the enemy, crying "FORWARD! WE'RE ALMOST THROUGH! RAAAAGGGHH!!!". But just as they were going for their fourth and final blow to the door, their cries of charging, suddenly changed to a cry of blood & death. It sounded like they were being cut down from the other side. The last thing I could hear from them before it went silent was one of the N***H*** commanders shout "It's HER! The Angel Of Death! Kill her! COME ON! IT'S ONLY ONE GIRL!?". And that was the last thing said from the other side of the barricaded door, after that it was only the sound of people getting slaughtered and cut down like cattle. Soon it feel silent again, and there was a pounding at the door like a signal that it was all clear. Sori & I took down the barricade, and unlocked the door. As the door slide open apart, there stood a single blood covered girl, with katana in one hand, and wakazashi in the other. She looked up at me and smiled at us, and I was relieved to see her okay. She must have gotten separated from her brother in the initial attack.
"Yoko." I sighed in relief.
She sheathed her weapons, and walked over to us, nearly exhausted from cutting her way through countless enemies. "Sorry I'm late." And she nearly collapsed into my arms.
"Is she okay?" Sori came over to me and checked Yoko for any injuries.
"She'll be okay." I told Sori. "She's a lot tougher than you'd think. After all, she does take after me."
Sori shook her head again in disbelief, and began to chuckle at the both of us. Just then we set the bridge room to lockdown, and sink the ship down. I knew that it was better to sink the HMS NaruSaku, that to let her into the hands of the N***H***. We entered in the command codes to sink the ship down to the bottom of the sea, and locked the door behind us. I slung Yoko over my back & carried her since she went unconscious, and the two of us began to make our way to the escape route.
"Come on! We got to get out of here."
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Isle Del Sorna - Evacuation Site
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Nick had managed to save a good number of citizens, as well as round up the survivors from the Library & Gallery Sector. Unfortunately Eggie was injured in the initial bombardment, but luckily Katie (steeled-ecstacy) was there to treat her, along with the many other injured. Luckily Tsu-chan & Jiraiya, star-chan (starlite), Oyaji-san (rathgar), Tan-chan, Jack (QN), Juri (pocky), and even Rovert made it to the evacuation site. Everyone mostly regrouped on Isle Del Sorna ...
"We're lucky this island isn't charted on the maps, and the N***H*** only see this island as a death trap." Nick was explaining to the survivors. "After we had acquired the HMS from here, we had luckily built a safety zone, and the volcano had went dead. Smiter & Hoku knew that this would someday happen, and were prepared."
He paused for a moment, shook his head in grief, as he looked on at the siege that was still continuing at H&E across the sea line. He wanted so bad to go back and fight, but he knew that should Smiter fall, he was the next one in line. And there was no telling what had happened to the HMS, or Hoku. All he could do was set up the emergency communications, and lay low until a signal was received.
"Damn it all. How could we not have seen this coming ..." He cursed at himself, and continued to get the communications working.
Just then Shriner had arrived with another boat load of survivors and injured, and more importantly, he had Sakura-chan (Sakura Blossoms) over his shoulder. Nick came rushing over to him.
"What happened?" He asked Shriner.
Shriner put Sakura-chan down and Katie came rushing over to treat Sakura. "She took a mean blast from one of the cannons. Although I don't understand why she did it."
"Did what?" Nick asked.
"She ran into one of the buildings trying to get something. I thought she was completely off her mind and didn't come out for a good while. But after a few minutes she was coming right out with something in hand when the blast hit her nearly directly." Shriner explained cleaning his wounds. "Luckily it only blew her out into the air and not apart. I caught her before she hit the ground, and carried her all the way here."
Nick nodded his head and put a hand on Shriner's back proudly. "Good man."
"Yeah, thanks. Here." Shriner handed Nick something. "Don't know if this is of any importance, but it's what Sakura-chan went after."
Shriner handed Nick a paper a bunch of numbers and codes on it. Just then Nick's eyes opened, and he realized just what these codes where.
"Haha! Shauna, you've just gotten us our reinforcements!" Nick shouted into the open, and ran back over to the communications console to begin entering the codes. "Hang on H&E, help is on the way!"
"So what is it exactly?" Shriner asked curiously as he was the one who help brought them.
"Frequency numbers." Nick told him. "An emergency frequency that we have with our allies."
"Allies?" Shriner asked. "Who the hell are we calling?"
"Hitomi Wo Koete" Was all that Nick could say, as he needed to enter in the code properly and send an SOS message as quickly as possible. "I just hope they're still around, that's all."
"I got to get back there. They need more support and help getting people out of here." Shriner got right back up and headed off to the boats going back. Several other members able to fight also got up and headed back with Shriner in following; Tatsu, Mira, Lackey_H, and Hinano.
It was then that Nick saw something in Shriner that was pretty leadership worthy, and told him before left. "Hey! When this is over, come see me for a promotion."
"Heh." Shriner put a fist up, and turned it into a thumbs-up as he walked away.
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H&E Island - Front Line
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The fight was being drawn out far too long, and there was no real way to win this battle. Smiter was actually injured for the first time, but it was because of a minor blast from one of the ships. Occa, came to his side, and helped him away from the fight, and into some cover. They were losing the Front Line, and didn't know how much longer they could last. Jwolf0 & his H&E Brigade took out most of the ships surrounding the island, but there were just too many. Occa managed to get most of the mines to self-destruct manually taking out a few more ship, but there were still too many. Even Mizura in full berserker mode did her share of damage, but since the fight was being dragged out for too long, she reverted back into her normal form and needed a resting period.
But they held fast, as long as they could, until the volunteers who came back from Isle Del Sorna arrived and help reinforce the Front Line once again. They had all managed to divert all enemy attack through the docks, M1abrams sealed off most of the island, as well as put out most of the fires going on around, with his H&E Black Watch group (as in smoke watchers).
"I don't know how much longer we can keep going on like this." Jwolf0 told Smiter. "We've taken out most of all the cannons on the ships, but we couldn't sink the ships themselves. So at least we won't have to worry about bombardments anymore."
"I've managed to seal off most of H&E, along with most of the sectors so that the only way the can get into the city & Island itself is through the docks." M1abrams explained his report. "And of course there's only one way in or out of the docks."
"We've got the weapons supplies, and rations to fight it out." Nikko also added in.
But BugNin showed a grim face. "But we just don't have the man power to keep going on. Sooner or later, they are going to over run us."
There was a sudden silence amongst everyone, as what BugNin says is very true. Just then everyone looked to Smiter for orders, or advice. Anything at all to help lighten the mood, any chance of survival.
"Then we fight." Smiter said in a weak tone trying to regain his composure. He had just taken a force explosion almost at point blank, but with Smiter's speed, he got behind a busted wall in time for cover. "We fight until we can't fight anymore, we keep going until every last breath is gone from our bodies. We give them such a fight that we will be remembered. We give them such a fight that it will hurt even their spirits forever. We give them hell, before we give them H&E."
And with those words along, there was spark of encouragement that everyone needed. Those words alone were all they needed to hear from him. But before Smiter was about to stand up and do a charge of bravado, but that was when Shriner and reinforcements had come.
"Smiter! I bring news from Nick." Shriner came before Smiter. "There is hope. Even if it's a slim chance, there is still hope for help. Nick's called in for Hitomi Wo Koete. He says they've received our distress call, but it's going to take a while, even at their top speed. They said if we can hold out, then it's a promise of a lifetime that they will come. Just who, or what is Hitomi Wo Koete anyway?"
"Friends. Old Friends." Just then Smiter's eyes lit up with determination, and began to re-evaluate his bravado. "Then we'll hold out until they come. Here we will hold the line. Here we will show them that we won't give up our home. HERE! WE WILL SHOW THAT THE NARUSAKU SPIRIT WILL NEVER DIE!"
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HMS NaruSaku - Infirmary
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Ash & Alpha had finally reached the Infirmary and regrouped with Lee & Haylee. But the only way to the escape pod area was through the infirmary, which the enemy had barricaded them in with. They were trapped. Trapped from both ends, and no where to get out from. Just then there came an explosion from above the Infirmary, and down came a rope to climb. Instantly Ash drew her guns and fired before questioning.
BANG! BANG!
"Hey hey! It's us Ash, it's us!" A familiar voice came from above.
Ash slightly lowered her aim, but cocked her guns ready to fire. "Paulie is that you?"
"OY! Who else is it going to be!?" And out popped that fiery red hair and attitude that only one person had, Blayze! "Matt's here with me, we heard you guys got cornered, so we went above and see if we couldn't get you out of that hell hole."
"Matty you up there too?" Ash yelled up.
"Yeah, hey Ash." Out popped Bassclef's head, despite all the excitement and fighting, he still had that lazy and tired look upon him.
And so they began to get people to climb up and into the upper decks and make their way to the escape route. Alpha was the first to climb up and help secure a route. As soon as she got up there, she ran over to Blayze and gave him a big hug.
"God you don't know how glad I am to see you okay!" She told him as she glomped him.
Blayze was glomped and he was laughing merrily to be glomped. "Haha! Alpha-chan it's great to see you okay too!"
After the moment, they got down to business and started helping people up and out of the Infirmary. The door was being rammed from both sides, and now it was only a matter of time before it would break down.
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HMS NaruSaku - Ship's Galley
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Sori & I had just made our way into the Galley area, and found it completely empty. Only dead bodies where here, but to our shock it was AfterDeath's body that really grabbed our attention. We both made our way over to him, and inspected his lifeless body.
"AD! AD!" Sori cradled and cried over his body, as he was like a little brother to her. "Those DAMN N***H***! Blowing up kids!"
"No." I told her, then looked at his body. "He was stabbed."
Sori then looked at me with a soft rage boiling inside of her. "W-what?"
"There, in the back. He was stabbed in the back by someone." I pointed his wound out for Sori to look. "And what's worse, is that I think someone got close to him to do that."
Just then Sori's sadness turned to rage. "Who could, or even would do such a thing? He was such a good kid."
"I know, Sori. I know." I paused for a moment, and closed my eyes in silence for AfterDeath. Then I took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. Someone he knew had to have gotten close to him, close enough that it shocked him, then they could have stabbed him. And I only knew one person close enough to him that could have such an effect. Just then I felt Yoko shiver & shake slightly, and looked to her on my back. She was still unconscious, but for some reason she was shivering uncontrollably. We had to get out of here.
"Come on, Sori. We got to keep moving and catch up with everyone else." I told Sori, but she didn't want to let go of AD's body. "You have to let him go."
"I-I can't." She began crying again.
"I know. I don't want to leave him too, but we can't stay either." I gritted & grinded my teeth, then found that I was clenching my fist so tightly with rage at this my hand started to shake uncontrollably. Just then I calmed my nerves, and put a warm firm hand onto her shoulder.
She put her hand onto my hand, and slowly let go of AD's body. Before we left, she put her hand over his eyes and closed them for him. She wiped her tears away, and got up to follow me. Just then she grabbed my hand and squeezed tightly as we made our way through the wreckage. Yoko was still shivering slightly, and I spoke to her quietly.
"Hang on. Just hang on."
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HMS NaruSaku - Main Deck (topside)
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Ash & Alpha had led everyone to the escape route, but when they reached the door to the escape pods, the door was completely jammed shut.
"kitten. The power must have been cut off when the N***H*** begun their attack." Ash swore at the door and arbitrarily shot it with her gun.
Alpha tried busting the door open with her MegaTon hammer, but the door was specifically sealed tightly for such attacks, and only opened on emergency. "Well that's bullsh*t! It is a kittening emergency damnit, so open already!"
After a few more angry swings, the door wouldn't bulge, not even crack. Now it was time for a new plan, they needed to get out of the ship before it sank, and the only way out would have to be through the topside.
"We've got no choice everyone. We have to fight our way to topside, and probably try and over take one of the enemy ships." Ash took charge. "Listen up, I won't lie to you. Our chances of survival are pretty grim right now. But I will tell you one thing, if you don't give up on me, I won't give up on you. And you all know that the Inner Kyuubi doesn't give up without a damn FIGHT!"
Despite fearing the wrath of Inner Kyuubi, the Fresh Meat knew well that she was on their side, and that the rage was now on their side. So this gave a great boost in morale and camaraderie, and what better than a strong, fearless, beautiful leader to lead them to the surface. Through victory or death, they would follow her no matter what now.
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Isle Del Sorna - Evacuation Site
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Nick had been relaying the distress signal for nearly ten to fifteen minutes, waiting, hoping, praying that Hitomi Wo Koete had gotten the call, but there had been no response. A sudden feeling of heaviness fell into Nick's stomach, what if Hitomi Wo Koete wasn't there anymore. It had been nearly a year, year & a half since they first came into their own. And in actuality we hadn't really been able to go over and give our support since we were also just starting out as well. Or perhaps we haven't been keeping in touch with each other for so long that they might have forgotten all about us, and even how to get to us. So many downfall thoughts entered into his mind, but it was that little light of hope that, maybe, just maybe, everything he had just said to himself was completely opposite.
He prayed and held hope that Hitomi Wo Koete did get the message, and even Hinata--chan herself will come to our aid.
"Please work. Please work." He kept praying and praying to the NaruSaku Ancients, and not a minute late, his prayers were answered.
There came a sudden mass explosion, not from the island, but from the sea! They could hear high-pitched propellers screaming through the water, and see them hit enemy ships!
"They got it! They got our message!" Nick nearly jumped out and ran into the water for joy. "HAHA! THEY STILL LIVE!"
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H&E Island - The Last Charge
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It was grave indeed, munitions were finally starting to run out, and the final defenders of H&E were nearing that death point of being completely surrounded. It was as BugNin had said, completely out-numbered, out-gunned, and out of recourses. Everyone had grouped all together at the Front Line of whatever barricade they had set up. Now was their last chance for a last bravado, now was their chance to go out in a blaze of glory.
Smiter stood before all of them, one arm clutched at his other, sword in hand. He looked from side to side, it was almost an exact replay of the time he & the others were ambushed by the S***S*** (see Chapters 32 & 33 for reference). He now understood that feeling that filled the captain. It was either run away with our head behind our tails, or stand and fight.
Smiter raised his sword into the air, and gave that same last battle cry that the captain had made at that time. "TO THE BITTER END! FOR THE HMS NARUSAKU! FOR HEAVEN & EARTH! FOR NARUSAKU! FOOOOWWAAARRRRD! AAAAAHHHHH!!!!"
And with great courage, he charged into enemy lines straight into the still on-coming hordes of N***H***, everyone screaming and crying out for blood behind him! All of them, the last line of defense, nothing left behind, nothing to worry about, kill or be killed, nothing left to fight for, except JUST CAUSE.
"RAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
Everyone screamed together in unison, charging straight into enemy fire! To them, everything simply went silent. No explosions, no enemy battle cries, no orders of retreat, just blind bloodlust to kill as many as they could, and take as many as they could with them to hell. Deep into enemy lines, back to one another, blood everywhere, whether it was friends or foes, it didn't matter. Just keep fighting, keep fighting until you can't fight anymore ...
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
... and that's when the sound came back. The high-pitched scream of torpedoes cutting through the water, and exploding on enemy ships! Reinforcements had come! Smiter looked to the sea and saw something & someone whom he hadn't seen in such a long time! It was the Red October (the SasuHina) typhoon class submarine! Along with other smaller U-Boats (small submarines)! All decorated in their different shades of Blue on Blue, representing SasuHina! Out from the water just like sea people the SasuHina forces came to land to help us in the fight, all of them lead by none other than, Hinata--chan herself! Just then Shriner realized something.
"Hitomi Wo Koete ..." Shriner began to understand and figured out the translation. "... Beyond the Eyes"
Just then Smiter came over to Shriner and put a strong hand onto his back. "Yes, the SasuHina. Our long time forgotten allies & friends! HAHA! I knew they'd come!"
It was at that moment, the fog was beginning to clear, and sun shined through the mess of it all. N***H*** ships were either being blown out of the sea, or making their retreat. The SasuHina left no survivors as the N***H*** never left any survivors on H&E. Eye for an eye, kill for kill, blood for blood, no mercy was going to be shown this time.
(continued in 2nd post below)