I carefully manage the jet's flow over the country below us. Beautiful land, I must say. In the back the majority of our army rests, checking our maps, counting stocks, and mapping out the land below. Up ahead Zeon glides, occasionally doing backflips with the smaller jet for the sake of it. He actually is a fairly good flyer, I have to admit. We land at our designated spot on the river of Switzerland, with a day's travel by water to Zurich. Part of my army – healers and whatnot – have already got there as backup. Holding my breath, I lead my sector of the army to the boats on the river. So far, so good.

This is awesome! I twist and jerk the controls of the jet around in odd positions, having never flown before. Fortunately, us AEs don't bruise easily on impact. I glance back, seeing the girls bounce against the walls, glaring at me. Oops. It's not my fault I like doing air tricks! From this distance, all of Switzerland is in clear sight. No one is about to know what hit them… Hahaha incoming! 

@Ashlee

My AEs and I have been following you to Switzerland in our stealth drone. What are your orders?

Also, we have brought with us:

15 Giant Mantis Shrimp (Look them up, they are epic)

a Pi Catapault (destroy our enemys with math)

A horde of Scions (stolen fresh from Kyngdom) 

When the plane touches down, I sneak into the bushes, and start crawling along underneath. It is wet and scratchy down there, but its the best plan I have, since I don't want to be caught alone unarmed. I watch as everyone gets out of the jet, then run over. We start slowly moving towards the city, along the bank of a river. The river Linmat, if I remember correctly from my GeographyBee studies. This river goes right through Zurich, where it empties into a lake. Maybe we could follow the river into the city, and then-. My train of thought is interrupted when a small fuzzball walks out in front of me. I turn around and look at Anna. Her face is so guilty. "Anna" I say. "You DIDN'T"

"Yes, I did" she said, her face looking even worse.

"THIS IS NO PLACE FOR A CAPTCHA!" I say, looking down at little Connie.

"Emtg invd Swit Land?" she asks me."I help? Help Gnrl Asle and Lutnt Emtg?"

The pure adorableness of this situation is enough to keep me from yelling at Anna again. "We'll have to ask General Ashlee" I say. But I bet the little CAPTCHA would be useful… She could probably, with all her pure, sweet, innocent charm, talk some leaders out of their countries. "Even if she says yes, you can't be part of any physical combat we may need to use later on."

"Ok" says Connie, and we run to catch up with the rest of the army.

@General Ashlee, do you say yes or no? 

WAIIIIIIIIIT!!!!!!! *slides in on fuzzy socks* Don't Ya just love socks? Is it too late to join the Capere army? Pleasesaynopleasesaynopleasesayno!

We arrive at Zurich, some troops hidden outside, some surrounding the city, others airborne, and a small troop at my side. After doing some research, Lt. elementgirl arranged a meeting with the Stadtrat, or City Council of Zurich. According to my notes, we are to be meeting them in Rathaus (Town Hall) in 12 minutes.

*10 minutes later*

"Ahh… my friends. What matters have you brought to the table this afternoon?" The councilman speaks in fluent German. One of my people quickly translates for us.

My troop within the city sits around a round table, with three of the nine city officials at the other end. All speak German. I take a deep breath and plunge into the beginning of our domination.

"It's quite simple, sir. I am General Ashlee, this is Lt. elementgirl, and a fraction of my troops. We request that you join us in this revolution to freedom. Freedom of your suppressors, sir," I state.

"Is that so? What about the capital, Bern? Our nation's leaders? They never did us any harm, we support each other in this country."

"Yes, but haven't you noticed? Your government hates you, using your city's resources for the benefits of themselves. Join us, and we shall liberate Bern peacefully," Lt. elementgirl says.

"Peacefully?! Haven't you seen the monsters you placed outside of our city? Catapults? Armies?" Another councilman rages.

"My apologies, sir, but that is if you refuse to join us. It's if Bern refuses to join us," I say.

"Give us time to discuss this…"

*The three men and their translator stands up and leaves the room*

We are left in awe, wondering if our plan actually worked. Lt. elementgirl grins, believing we've won over Zurich. How could they say no? We have a strong military. Their city is surrounded. If they reject us, we'll just take them out anyways.

World Domination, here we come!

Grey lands the stealth drone just outside the city and we all hop out

"Grey!" I yell "Take off again in the drone and keep up a steady perimeter patrol. Nick, you are in charge of the Pi Catapault and Scions. make sure you are in a central location! Doublock, you take the mantis shrimp!" 

Team! Cpre Army! Lbrt! Take over Swtz land! Then World!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *does best impression of evil laugh possible for a CAPTCHA*

(Nice work, Nebula and co.!)

An hour later, the three city officials and their translator return to the room. During our time of waiting, we discussed back-up plans, but by the look of the officials, those won't be needed.

"Well, General Ashlee, Capere Army, you've just won yourself an industrial town," one of the councilmen says, clasping his hands together. "Although… There is one condition."

"And that is?" I ask, worry creeping up on me.

"Give us the griffin."

Silence is spread throughout the room, stiffening the air into a choking sensation. I glance at my troop around the table, they all look how I feel. Distress.

"Ahm, sir, is there another compromise? The griffin means a lot to one of our friends, you see," I speak at last.

Whispers break out in German between the men. Within seconds, they simultaneously shake their heads.

"We want the griffin. Nothing more. Isn't that a fair price for our assistance and protection?" The eldest of the men asks.

"No, we will not-" Embers in the Ashes cries until another covers her mouth suddenly.

"Hmm?"

"What she meant is we will not argue with that. Although would you consider receiving a staff of unknown powers, passed down by generations of emperors?"

The men look at each other, with expressions of confusion and excitement.

"You've got yourself a deal. Keep the griffin and we'll have the staff. Tomorrow we will give you aid on reaching Bern briefly," the youngest says.

The councilmen, translator, my troop, and I stand up. I stick out my hand and shake will all three of the men.

"I am glad to have reached an agreement, thank you," I say.

"No, thank you. This… staff could lead to brilliant research," one of the men says.

And with that, the two sides depart. My group meets back up with the troops hidden outside, and we set camp for the night. Tomorrow we will leave to Bern, and the Zurich councilmen will aid us with supplies and transportation.

Let's do this, team! 

Me: Wait a second… did you say…

Doublock: NIFFLER!!!

Niccolai: I LOVE NIFFLERS!!!

Grey: oh no…

Niccolai: we must steal the niffler!!!

Doublock: YESSSSS!!!

Me: Guys! Wait!

Doublock: We shall never wait! There is a niffler to capture!!!

Grey: We should probably warn Embers and her Æs…

Me: Yes. Definitely. EMBERS!!! THERE ARE TWO BLOODTHIRSTY ÆS HEADING FOR YOU AND THEY INTEND TO STEAL YOUR NIFFLER!!! RUN AWAY VERY QUICKLY!!!