Powers Against The World

The single-lane paved roads were empty for obvious reasons for the small suburbs outside of Appleridge, but the atmosphere being devoided of life didn't help the morale of the Port-O-Bea army. Jamal definitely could feel it, as the air around him felt still. Propelling himself over the advancing troops, he kept a good eye on any incoming troops, which Jamal couldn't see. Did they kill that many soldiers that they weren't risking to send any more to battle? What a bunch of cowards, Jamal wanted to believe, although he knew that it was the right decision for them.

"No one?" Leon called from below.

"Nah, not yet?" Jamal was reluctant to say, with the first troops of their army entering the homes. 

The apartment complexes were much closer, and with a better look, Jamal could detail the insane height of what looked to be between twenty-five to forty-story buildings. From such a distance, it would be an ideal sniping or even garrison position for the Reserve Guards, but there was a chance that civilians would still be living among them, potentially as shields. The thought made him sick, before a loud explosion broke the feeling.

Less than a mile away, a large plume of dust was raised in the air, as several of their men became pulling back in a hurry. Did they fall into a trap of some type, or was something else happening, Jamal stayed above and watched the chaos below.

"They're going to shell the place!" a random soldier shouted again, before a closer hit proved that to be true. 

Destroying their people's home, Jamal couldn't hide his distaste, as more explosions began to concentrate on the area. The single-lane roads now proved to be a disadvantage, as carrs were attempting to move in all directions to escape the chaos.

"Everyone, push towards the last tree line! We'll bring the fight to them!" Leon tried taking control of the situation, although it looked like about fifty percent of their troops heard the memo or so.

This was getting out of hand, and fast, Jamal took a quick look at the city's northern side, seeing and hearing no actions as of yet. Taking the brunt of the battle was just as he and everyone else here wished for.

...

"Where have you guys been? We've been sending messages over to y'all for the last thirty minutes!" the disguised Port-O-Bea army heard first from the lead commander assigned with protecting the northern side of the city. 

Of course, this was only the first two hundred that managed to put on their outfits, as the thousands of other Port-O-Bea troops were moving carefully through the woods and preparing to ambush any incoming Reserve Guards moving their way. That was at least the original plan before this came up, Hops had hoped would happen, but not with a delay like this.

"I'm sorry sir, the enemy had engaged our position and we managed to repulse it back with ease." Hops followed with a salute, doing it the way Jamal would've been proud to see.

"And you needed to bring the entire checkpoint with you?" the commander pointed back, "Like what's going on? Are y'all stupid or something?"

"Sir, that was on me, as we needed to come back to replenish our lost equipment and get back in the fight." Hops maintained eye contact.

"You know what I've realized since you started talking to me?" the commander looked behind him, with hundreds of other Reserve Guards on standby watching their "comrades", "Do you even know my name?"

"Sir, what are you suggesting? I know what you've done for us." Hops was lying through his teeth, hoping an opportunity would come before he had to kill the man first.

An Ariocaster flew past them, a sonic boom rupturing the air overhead, as it traveled south and away from Hops and the Viligantes with him. Straight towards Alice and the others fighting their own battles. The sounds of war were barely audible from such a distance, yet the cries of death and pain were carried through the wind, a sorrowful tone indeed.

"It's just weird how not a single soul knows who any of you are." the commander couldn't help but hold his laughter in. "I mean, "your" badge isn't even on properly. I know you're the Port-O-Bea army."

Shit, Hops slightly brought his head down in acknowledgment, the brief movement giving the commander everything he needed to know. One quick hand raise was all it took, and instantly, the Viligantes of Power on the northern flank were looking at hundreds of rifles pointed directly at their heads.

"This could have gone a lot better Hops. Like, I can't believe it." Sera sighed in disappointment, holding one of her hands behind her back.

"Now, if all you would just so kindly raise your hands in surrender, we won't have to kill you. I'm sure we can negotiate on something." the commander gave a light-hearted smile, as not a single soul moved, "Do it or die!"

That quickly changed the attitude of the Port-O-Bea saboteurs, as the commander's troops began to quickly form a semicircle. The coastal soldiers couldn't even move in pure shock, as Sera could only grunt in frustration. They should have prepared for actual opposition against them, and the situation was quickly turning tides. 

"You have three seconds, or we'll shoot!" the Reserve Guard commander grinned with pleasure, as his group chambered their rounds into their weapons. "1!"

"Not good." Hops took one step back, bumping into Sera.

"I might have an idea." Sera gripped the sword's hilt tighter, a dull pulse of energy passing through.

"2!" 

"That being?" Heskins could only question.

"Just get down when he says three." Sera was already positioning herself for the upcoming action.

"3! Fire away!" the commander brought his hand down, practically laughing with pleasure.

"Get down!" Sera called out, as the sword began to glow brightly.

The Port-O-Bea army with the Viligantes didn't even hesitate, as they practically dropped to their knees, while the Reserve Guards were shocked at the change of sight. Using the rare advantage they had, Sera took her weapon out of it's sheath, before twirling around in a circle. The blade's energy was waiting to be released, as Sera managed to direct it in a cutting motion through the air, slicing any of their unsuspecting enemies.

"The fu-!" the commander managed to get out, before his chest was cut in half, resulting in him staggering for breath, before his split body crashed to the ground.

Most of the other Reserve Guards were also slain, as their weakened screams and calls for help were drowned by the dropping bodies. There were a few of them that managed to get the hint, however, the ones alive managed to get a few shots within the crowd, before they too were overpowered and killed. Both sides were quickly adapting and reacting to the situation at hand, and neither could let any of that ground go to waste. This urban environment was now a military playground, with each life at stake in this costly game.