Chapter Text
-- Flashback, 2 years ago --
"Are you sure you want to go?" asked Sheila Metallicana. the princess of the autonomous principality of Metallicana. Metallicana was a constitutional monarchy within the United States of America and one of several autonomous "independent" countries that had their territories within American soil. recently, terrorists affiliated with the AWB have been launching attack across Southern Africa. rumours said that the current parliamentary government of Metallicana had funded said terrorists in hopes of securing the forbidden spells in hopes of overthrowing the constitutional monarchy and gaining full independence from the United States. however, the AWB declared war on Metallicana and the other autonomous countries within the United States since they're also after the forbidden spells.
"I know i don't seem like the military type and you know both of us hate the current parliamentary government. but we can't let anyone get their hands on the forbidden spells" said Sheila's girlfriend, Tia Noto Yoko.
"I get it, but I'm just worried, that's all" said Sheila as she wrapped her arms around Yoko's waist. Yoko returned the hug.
"I'll promise you I'll be safe" Yoko sad before locking lips with Sheila.
-- Present Day --
It has been two years since Tia Noto Yoko enlisted to fight in the military. For the 1st 6 months things have gone rather smoothly. Sure she spent most of them either in military camps or during missions. But she was able to connect with the outside works from time to time. However, 6 months into her service, AWB forces have ambushed her platoon and taken them all hostage. Yoko and her comrades have been held in captivity for 18 months. During said time Yoko did her best to not tell any Intel to her captors. Who made their cruelty no secret to anyone. To say Yoko was tortured both physically and mentally would be an understatement.
However, the parliamentary government that sent the troops and abandoned them at the mercy of the AWB has since lost re-election in a landslide. And a new parliamentary government has been sworn in. Said new government has signed a temporary ceasefire agreement with the AWB to withdraw their troops from Southern African soil and free all the Prisoners held by AWB forces.
While Yoko was indeed returning home and to freedom once again. She was too overwhelmed by her guilt and memories of her captivity to be happy. The return to normal life was going to be a difficult journey for the newly released prisoner of war. And Yoko knew that.
AWB forces have just handed over Yoko and the surviving troops from her platoon back to the forces of Metallicana. Who would soon fly them back home.
-- Meanwhile back in Metallicana --
Sheila Metallicana could finally feel whole again after 18 months of mental agony and relentless efforts on her part to pressure the government into signing a ceasefire and hostage deal. Unfortunately these weren't the only troubles she had to deal with. Rumours say that several AWB agents have been able to infiltrated the soil of Metallicana and the other autonomous countries completely undetected.
The new government was supportive and attentive to the plight of the people, unlike the old government which sought to prolong the war for as long as possible due to personal and political reasons. As such the constitutional monarchy was able to regain some influence over the decision making and help end the war while actually ensuring the AWB won't be a threat. But Sheila's top priority throughout these grueling months was always Yoko's well being, and seeing her again made her the happiest she has been in a while.
Sheila was waiting at the airport for Yoko and the remaining survivors of her platoon to arrive on Metallicana's soil. Sheila was accompanied by one of her bodyguards, Kai Harn and Geo Noto Soto, a former priest of Ino Mata and Yoko's father.
It was finally time for Metallicana's forces to land on the ground. As soon as they landed, the platoon survivors were received help to walk on the ground by the soldiers that flew them back home.
"Thank you" said one soldier.
"I wish I could walk on my own" said another.
But Yoko was different, she wasn't saying a word to any one. In fact, she doesn't remember the last time she spoke to anyone for that matter, sure, she knew she was still very much capable of coherent speech. But she also lost count of the amount of times in the past 18 months she begged her captors to not hurt either her or anyone else in her platoon, or how many times she cried herself to sleep in captivity.
Yoko was initially dependent on the soldiers that flew her back home, but her face almost had a blank emotionless expression as she then stepped on both of her feet and walked by herself to the commotion inside the airport without saying a word.
It was then that Geo and Sheila finally saw Yoko in person for the 1st time in almost 2 years. Yoko noticed them as well. Her eyes widened and a huge smile formed as tears of joy streamed down her face. She ran towards them and they ran towards her.
"Yoko" Geo smiled as he hugged his daughter tightly and tears of joy streamed down his face.
"Dad" Yoko smiled and cried in joy as she returned the hug.
Yoko then jumped towards Sheila and hugged her tightly. Sheila returned the hug.
"I missed you so much Honey" said Yoko
"I longed for this day to be with you again my love, I'm never letting you go" said Sheila