The Rising Sun

After London fell, the Russians wasted no time pushing into New York. The Americans held the line, but the Russian army was even more brutal than they expected. Once the blizzard came, they wouldn’t last long.

As the fighting raged outside, Jack prayed. He prayed for his soldiers to triumph, for Tokyo to succeed, for them to win this war, and for them to win the Genesis Tournament.

***

As fast as possible, Tokyo moved their troops from Shanghai to their border with Moscow on the other side of their territory. Thanks to Yamashita, this process was expedited, but unfortunately, this invasion would be sloppy. In order to relieve New York, they had to act immediately, so they simply didn’t have the time to plan out every detail.

The army defending Moscow wasn’t as light as expected. With Tokyo’s unorganized force, it would be a tough battle.

As Yamashita finished laying out the plan, Keitaro sighed. He hated being put into tough situations like this.

Tokugawa didn’t like this either, but he understood that it was unavoidable.

However, one person’s opinion was unknown on account of them not being present.

“Have either of you seen Okita?” Keitaro looked over at his empty seat.

“No,” Yamashita answered bluntly.

“He went missing sometime after we invaded Shanghai,” Tokugawa answered.

“I see…” Keitaro wanted more intel on Moscow. Okita got results, but he had always been a wild card. Him being absent at such a critical moment was a major hindrance, but they had to press forward. There wasn’t another choice. With confidence, Keitaro stood up. “Begin the operation!”

***

Japanese divisions slammed into the Russian line, failing to break through. While Yamashita would’ve struck with fast, brutal accuracy under normal circumstances, without proper preparation, the best he could manage was to throw troops against what seemed to be the weakest parts of their defense, and while they eventually managed to make gains, it was only after more casualties than expected.

Keitaro hated having to fight in such a haphazard way. He had asked Yamashita of ways they could minimize casualties, but he was only told that those lives were the price they paid for speed.

The plan was to take Moscow all at once, but he simply couldn’t take it any longer. He demanded the advance be halted to give them time to reorganize. Yamashita disagreed with this order, but he obeyed, putting the extra time to good use.

Keitaro stared down at the map. This pause would reduce casualties at the cost of time, putting New York at great risk, but he couldn’t just throw away the lives of his men. All he could do was believe. Believe that the Americans could hold out just a bit longer, and believe that his men would be stronger than ever when they were next called to fight.

***

Once news of Moscow’s invasion hit the Russian army, their attack on New York became even more brutal. They did absolutely everything possible to take the city so they could free up troops to counterattack Tokyo.

However, as the Russians became more intense, the Americans responded in kind. This was a war to the death where each side would fight until the last man. Even as the snow got heavier and the air got colder, the Americans didn’t give an inch.

***

“Sir, we’re ready to continue our offensive.” Yamashita had reorganized their army as fast as he possibly could, but it was doubtful that they’d be able to take Moscow before New York fell.

Still, Keitaro didn’t despair. “Begin the offensive.”

Their renewed offensive was much more efficient. Casualties were fewer and they were advancing faster, but it cost a lot of extra time. New York would fall any minute. Their opponent would have to collapse in order to take the city in time.

Still, Keitaro chose to believe in his allies and his men. Maybe it was stupid, but he didn’t want to become a man who frivolously threw away the lives of others.

But his thoughts were interrupted. Behind enemy lines, a series of thunderous blasts rang out from a series of explosions, throwing the enemy into complete disarray.

Always one to capitalize on the enemy’s misfortune, Yamashita commanded his troops to advance at rapid speed, tearing through the scrambling Russians.

However, Keitaro only stood stunned. He had been hoping for their victory, but this was more like a miracle. He couldn’t believe such luck, but his questions were quickly answered.

A call came through on his radio. “Hello? Hello? Keitaro?” It was Okita.

Keitaro answered, “Okita!?”

“Yeah, sorry for going AWOL. I figured war with Moscow was coming, so I went deep behind enemy lines. I wanted to make contact, but I was worried I might blow my cover. Anyway, did you know Moscow’s gas lines are seriously outdated in some places? Certainly made my job a lot easier, all I had to do was light a few fuses to cause some chain reactions.”

“Okita…” Keitaro was almost about to cry. He had never really thought much of his high command before, but he truly was blessed. Tokugawa might’ve been a bit too wary at times, but he always looked out for Tokyo’s best interests. Yamashita never failed to wage war as efficiently as possible. And now Okita, even when Keitaro had lost faith, had been the one fighting the hardest, turning the tide of the entire war in their favor.

Tokugawa, Yamashita, and Okita. They were the best comrades one could ask for, and so much more than he deserved.

But there wasn’t time to be sentimental. The fight was far from over.

As the Russians were reeling from their backline blowing up, Japanese troops were able to mop them up with ease. It wasn’t long until the Kremlin was taken, and soon after, the entire city.

With the fall of Moscow, the Russians lost their administration, their supplies, and their crown jewel.

The main Russian army attacking New York was now running on fumes. One could count down the minutes until their total collapse.

***

When the news of Moscow’s fall reached Jack, his first reaction was a relieved smile. However, once the Russians began their retreat, he didn’t show an ounce of mercy. “Begin the pursuit, and don’t let up! We will finish what they started!”

While Moscow had been decapitated, the battle was still far from over. Bears, after all, were most dangerous when cornered.