Launching hundreds of fireballs down on the unsuspecting military felt good, as Jamal could see the people below him carrying their load. The planning for this couldn't have gone any better, even though they have a lot to still take care of and fight against. Regardless, he had to focus on the ensuing battle, as several shots sprayed around his body.
Starting to propel himself toward the collapsing frontlines, Jamal managed to crash through one of the buildings, surprising the soldiers attempting to hold down the incoming forces. Not even hesitating, Jamal blasted their way without looking, as he burst through the nearest window. He was then greeted by a sight of an artillery post, to which the lightly-guarded soldiers had no choice but to retreat once a flying man on fire was going to start bombarding them with his power.
Landing back onto the ground, Jamal continued to edge his way closer to the gate. The rebel forces were starting to hit more fortified areas, as the remaining city military was beginning to hunker down to whatever pieces of urban blocks they had left. At least from his position, Jamal could actually see the towering gate, as more reinforcements were making their way through. If things continued to slow down for them, then Youden's forces would have enough time to build up for a counter attack and just maybe finish off what they wanted to do this entire time. It would be now or never.
"Ayo, Jamal!" the man turned to see Hops running next to him, "We got to do this now!"
"Do what exactly?"
"We're going to concentrate towards that gate and take it out! If we can cut that off, then I'm sure they'll surrender." Hops grinned with the idea.
"Sounds good to me, let the others know." Jamal had nodded, just as an artillery shell landed a few hundred meters away, causing them to almost fall back onto the ground.
Not wasting anymore time, both men quickly pick themselves back up and set forth onto their new objective. This was going to be the decisive factor between both sides, and controlling that chokepoint would be vital. The city would just have to hold a bit longer until then.
.....
Staring through the window, Ula was cradling Laken as she could watch large explosions going up in the far distance. She hadn't seen Jamal in the last few days, and it was starting to get into her head. What if he was dead, or worse and actually captured? Could they afford a ransom if needed? What would they have to give up? Would they need to do this or that-
"Ula, you alright?" a knock interrupted her thoughts, causing her to get up to answer.
"Oh, Alice." Ula opened to see the woman holding a plate of food, "I'm alright. Thanks."
Letting herself in, Alice set the food onto the room's nightstand, as a nearby blast shook the entire building. Ula just stared as Alice looked outside the window of the ongoing battle, tightening her fists. They both had pent up aggression for what Youden had done to them, and they couldn't do anything.
"You know," Alice chuckled lightly, "You're not the only person worried about their man. I'm sure they're doing just fine."
"I hope so." Both women turned towards another voice.
Sera was leaning against the doorframe, already having her sword sheathed and appeared to be prepared for battle. Which was strange, since none of them were told they would be needed at all. Did something happen?
"What's going on?" Alice started to approach her.
"I'm tired of wasting my time here, I'm going to actually be useful and putting my skills to good use."
"You can't just go! Do you see what's going on out there!" Ula pointed towards the action miles away.
"I see a better future." Sera shrugged off, "Anyway, I'm going to help the boys out, so you guys just stay safe."
"I'm coming with you." Brat finally made his way up the stairs, with Fonda peeking behind him, "Just because I'm young doesn't mean I can't do something about this."
"Well alright then, looks like we got some reinforcement ourselves." Sera grinned at the teen, "Let's get to it then!"
"Oh no you don't!" Ula grabbed Brat just as he was starting to follow. "You're going to stay put just like the rest of us. It isn't safe out there."
"But Ula-"
"No! Do you hear me!" Ula boomed louder than usually. "Use some damn sense!"
That quickly silence the entire room, even causing Laken to stir awake. Sera simply took a deep breath before looking at everyone one last time.
"Regardless, I'm sure you'll be just fine. Make sure you guys have dinner for me when I get back. Hopefully."
With that, the remaining team just watched as Sera quickly made her way downstairs. This battle was going to be all up to them and the will of the citizens of Port-O-Bea. They must stay hopeful, even to the end.
...
Charging his way through another hastily built fortification, Jamal could tell that he was only a few hundred yards away from the gate itself. Looking behind him, it seemed that most of the rebel forces were still fighting against the initial lines, although there were a few groups that managed to take advantage of the weakened gaps and breakthrough.
"Jamal!" he quickly turned to see one of those heavy tarrs turret's aimed at him. "Goodbye!"
Already ignited, Jamal wasted no time to send a blast towards the tank just as it fired a shell. The large explosion forced a powerful wind around the man, who stood in place and still holding up his hand. With the smoke quickly clearing, the tarr itself was still intact, although it appeared that it's barrel got deformed from the heat. Hearing a lot of cursing, Jamal watched as Zim and the tarr's crew members jumped out of the vehicle just before it exploded.
"Wow, it seems that things aren't going in your favor. The city is ours!" Jamal continued towards the surprised group and getting a better view for him to destroy the gate.
"Heh, you think things will go in your favor after all." Zim started to laugh in a sickening tone. "You think you can win that easily, throwing these people against our defense like it's nothing."
"They're fighting for something. What are you all fighting for?" Jamal started to see more of the rebel forces breaking down the city military's lines even more. Within a few more minutes, and they would have all but gotten the city back completely.
"I wished you would have asked that. I'll be truly honest. I hated Youden just like you, until I realized the truth." Zim grinned as if he was on the winning side right now.
"This truth being?"
"That Youden is our savior!" Zim roared with aggression, just as he started to dash towards Jamal.
In a bit of surprise for a man who had nothing to lose, Jamal didn't even bother fighting back as he expertly dodge all the man's punches. Despite years of combat training, Zim was going to get outmatched by the other man's powers only. So what was he doing?
"You have one final plan?" Jamal turned his side in a bit of curiosity, "Just give up, your own army is retreating. Just look!"
Turning around, Zim's mouth just dropped at the sight. He could see the hundreds of remaining city forces running towards the sole gate out, trampling even some of their own members. They couldn't have given up this easily, until he even turned to see the tarr crew he was just with nowhere in sight. What resolve did these city people have to force them all out?
"You see, it's over now." Jamal cut back his flames, "Might be best for you to retreat here or maybe look towards the right side."
"No." Jamal could watch as Zim collapsed onto the ground in defeat. "No, no, no, no!"
Pounding the ground in fury, Zim's eyes started to bulge in fury before he pulled out a revolver and aimed it at Jamal's head.
"Whoah!" Jamal stepped back in shock, just as Zim started to pull the trigger.
In that short period of time, Jamal knew he couldn't dodge that attack from such a close range without getting hit, as he started to lean towards the side. But strangely, he never felt anything pierce his body as he dropped towards the ground. It was mere silence for a few moments, before a bloodcurling scream broke it.
"My hand!" Zim roared in pain, as a bloody stump was the only remnants of it left.
Before he could even say anything else, a quick blur passed Jamal's vision, before a light thud echoed through the space. Looking back up, Jamal could see Sera wiping the blood off her sword onto the unconscious man before looking back at him.
"You're welcome." Sera announced as if it wasn't pure coincidence before turning towards the rest of the rebel army making their way towards the gate. "I think you guys got the rest of this?"
"Appreciate it." Jamal gotten back up and looked towards the gate, "Don't think I even need to take it down now. Make sure he's taking away."
Nodding, Sera grabbed the fallen man and avoiding the blood still leaking from his hand, before deciding to use his uniform as a temporary bandage. Keeping up with the rest of army, Jamal himself finally reached the gate himself after passing through several blocks that Youden's forces once occupied. With the doors already open, Jamal could still see the long line of forces either on the main road heading back towards the mainland, or to the airport itself to likely hold a last stand. Regardless, after weeks of bloody fighting and chaos, did Port-O-Bea belong back to them. The final push for freedom was over, and the real deal was now going to begin.