So a bit of an AN...I guess: Basically, I've decided to write three stories at a time, given how SAO and Girls und panzer are my biggest fandoms, and I really wanted to complete one of my SAO stories. Well...maybe a retake on one of my most popular stories, Legends of the Shadowclan guild. Don't get me wrong, I loved and enjoyed writing the original version, and I may still finish it, but I felt like I was given my Oc way too much leeway in a lot of things, making her more of a Mary Sue than a well balanced character.
This time a few things are going to be different, but all and all I'm going to dedicate the first several chapters in much the same way I've done the original LSCG. The adoption, family, and friends are going to be different, as well as some of the back story. Additionally the formation of the Shadowclan guild is going to take longer than it did in the original, and it's going to be more or less of a slower rise to it's status.
Moving on from that, I'm going to be aiming for a five chapter release window per month across Dual Alina, (Girls und Panzer), Pokemon Pentium, (Pokemon,) and Legends of the Shadowclan rebirth, (Sword art online). As long as I don't get sick or too busy with life, each of those stories will have at least one, if not two chapters published per month.
Now that all that's settles, Enjoy! Fell free to favorite, follow, and or review if you'd like or enjoy this story!
Disclaimer: Blazepanzer does not own Sword art online.
Blaze let out a gusty sigh as he rose up from his computer, stretching briefly as he felt a familiar back ache crawl up on his spine. Geez...nothing seems to help, and that fake as plastic doctor isn't helping, He inwardly complained as he exited the front door, petting his orange cat as he half stumbled, half charged off the porch.
Well...I did kinda rebel against his prescriptions last week, but when you are paying thirty dollars for a prescription when an eight dollar generic pain pill works several times better, you kinda get annoyed, He admitted as his cat, Nishisumi, began rubbing against his feet.
Picking up the tom, he began to cuddle him, letting the soothing vibrations of his purring to calm his nerves. Quietly he sat down in his lawn chair, enjoying the unusually warm Arkansas day.
Even with my back pain...I have practically everything a guy could want. A peaceful life, company...well...cats, but they work, a house of my own, albeit probably one of the most technologically advanced forty year old mobile homes on the market, but it's all good.
He gazed downward at his cat, smiling as his green eyes where closed in contentment. Sadly, he knew this moment couldn't last long, as he would need to head back in soon given the fact that setting for long periods of time would cause his back to hurt even more.
And sure enough, his spine began to twinge in pain after about forty minutes of sitting. Rising up, he patted Nishisumi's head a bit more before letting him down. "Sorry, gotta lie down for a while," he whispered. Thankfully he didn't seem to mind, and Blaze quietly made his way into his house.
Unfortunately, just as he opened said door, a blinding light flashed from inside his house, causing him to go blind right before blacking out.
Waking up, Blaze noticed he was on what felt like a stereo-typically clinic bed, complete with scruffy pillow. What was that light? He asked himself, before pausing. Wait...why do my thoughts sound more...feminine?
Glancing at his chest, he noticed red strands of hair flowing over his shoulders. Additionally, he noticed that he had what appeared to be small breasts growing out of his chest, and that his arms looked much more feminine now.
Well looks like I'm a girl now...wait...if that's true...then does that mean my back pain is gone? Glancing around she noticed that numerous small toys where littering the ground, a mix of building blocks, cars, and dolls.
She bent down experimentally, landing softly on her knee, slightly surprised when no pain shot through. Well don't that beat all...She mused silently. She almost decided to lay down and try to do some sit-ups, before she realized just how weird that would be.
Her gaze happened upon a blue semi truck, and her breath caught in her throat. The trademark logo, the shape and type of plastic...It's the same kind of truck I played with when I was a little boy! She rubbed her hand across the front of the truck, smiling as memories began flooding over her of simpler...happier times.
I haven't seen one of these in so long...It feels like forever.
She jumped up nearly abruptly as a nurse walked in through the door, or what she assumed was a nurse. Surprise seemed to light up in the nurses eyes...and perhaps some relief as well.
"So you are awake?" The nurse asked in Japanese.
Oh Shit! She knew she was in trouble, not knowing how to speak Japanese. "English?" She asked, hoping she'd understand.
"You only speak English?" The nurse asked, stunned. As she nodded, the nurse left the room and a man, professor-like in his thirty's approached.
"Seems we have a bit of an issue here," he mused.
"I...I guess you could say that," Blaze gulped nervously, unsure of weather he meant she was in trouble or not.
"Don't be so frightened little one, you're in a safe place, no one is going to hurt you, even if you don't speak the language."
Little? You you...I'll have you know I'm twenty...huh? For the first time Blaze realized just how small she was compared to both the man, and herself, back when she was a guy. Thankfully she managed to mask her anger with confusion so as not to let the man knew he put her off by calling her little. "I...I don't remember anything but waking up here, sir."
"Well...we where wondering how you managed to wake up there naked. Did...where your parents vacationing?"
Thinking it over for a brief moment, Blaze quickly realized that she didn't have any memory of her parents, or at least any that would be relative. "I don't even remember my own name," she sighed dejectedly.
"What would you like me to call you?" The man asked gently.
Tugging at the natural reddish hair at her cheeks, Blaze gave a thoughtful hum. "Hanoashi? Would...would that work?" She asked, after hesitating a bit.
"Hanoashi? Interesting...I think it actually means Leaf Foot in our language. Not too sure why you would call yourself Leaf Foot...but it does sound pretty.
Oh...so that's what it means! I remember using that as My Oc's name in several of my fanfictions, but never really wondering what it meant or where I got it from. "So...what's going to happen to me now?" She asked, feeling a bit more comfortable at her prospects but still nervous about her predicament.
"Well Hanoashi, the good news is that you are in an orphanage, so you have a place to stay while we try and find your parents."
"And if we don't find them?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"Well...if we don't, and I won't lie, there is a chance we won't, then we'll try to find a good home for you."
Hanoashi closed her eyes briefly, shuddering.
"All that being said, it's a moot point if you don't speak our language," He warned softly.
Opening her eyes, Hanoashi gave a nod of determination. "Okay then, we'd better get started right away."
"Your enthusiasm is good...but it'd be better if you get used to your orphan-mates first." He cautioned.
"Bu...but I don't even know the language!" Hanoashi couldn't help but to burst out the words.
"Not to worry, they are all learning English, so perhaps you'll be able to teach each other," he spoke, before rising up and clasping her hand gently. "Come along now."
Hanoashi stifled a small sigh as she allowed herself to be guided into the nursery area, where many kids where hanging out.
"Everybody...this is Hanoashi, and she will be joining us here while we either find her parents or a new home. Additionally, she doesn't speak Japanese, so if you could help her along the way, that's be appreciated."
"Hai!"
That means yes...not hi as in a greeting, Hanoashi noted from the limited Japanese she had learned back as Blaze when watching dubbed anime. Suddenly she found herself surrounded by the younger kids.
"Hanoashi, is your hair dyed?
"What happened to your parents."
"Wait...are you Irish?"
"Nice to meet you miss,"
Hanoashi froze momentarily, never being good with larger crowd, albeit this crowd only consisted of about six or seven kids.
"Now guys, this isn't helping, can't you see you are frightening the poor kid?"
The six kids suddenly stepped back before bowing. "Gomen-ne," they chorused.
"No no, it's okay kids," she stammered, not too sure exactly what they where saying but guessing by their tone and gesture it was an apology of sorts. Letting out a sigh she decided to try and answer their questions.
"To be honest, no my hair is natural, and yes, I am Irish. Well...ethnically anyways, I really don't know much about the culture nor do I have an accent."
"Irish huh?" Hanoashi almost flinched as the man appeared beside her. "It's not much to go on, but anything you remember will help us to find your parents, alright?"
Hanoashi nodded softly. I don't think we will, though. If this is anything like the fanfiction I written, either I appeared out of no where or I lived with my dying father. I'm guessing this is the former.
"We'll have to teach her how to eat with chopsticks and about our culture too. Think you are up for the challenge?"
"Hai!"
Hanoashis shook out of her thoughts when she realized they where talking about chopsticks. Great! Doesn't help that I'm left handed as well.
Thankfully, dinner proved to be an easier affair then she had imagined, although she did have difficulty at first with the chopsticks. She also learned that most people didn't seem to have much of an issue if you used your chopsticks with your left hand.
Four years later:
Hanoashi let out a small yes! As she defeated her best friend for the ninth time on street fighter on the SNES Re-classic.
"Geeze Blaze, how did you get so good at this game?"
Hanoashi smiled a bit as he used her nickname as much for his compliment. "I guess I just have a knack for these games." she admitted sheepishly. "Still Jun, you almost beat me every time," she added.
Jun simply shook his head. "Maybe, still, you are really good at this game, especially since you haven't been defeated in three weeks!"
She couldn't help but gasp. "Three weeks?"
Nodding, Jun pointed to a small girl watching. "Yui's been keeping count," he commented.
Smiling at the girl, Hanoashi gave her a small tumbs ups. Yui just blushed, but gave a quiet smile in return.
Yui had been brought in by the Japanese equivalent of the American Health and Child Protection Agency. Apparently the brunet Japanese girl had been abused by her parents and only Yui's screaming had saved her from her fatherr's beatings. Nevertheless, she had a lot of mental scars from the abuse. Although she'd never admit to such, Hanoashi also suspected possible sexual abuse based on Yui's reaction at night.
Hanoashi wasn't much for trying to find out, though. What she did know is that Yui was easily scared, especially by yelling and loud noises, so people tried not to yell, even if in joy. A Number of time Yui had woken up in the middle of the night screaming, and Hanoashi would always comfort Yui until she calmed down.
A adoption agency woman suddenly appeared in front of the door. "Hanoashi?" she asked.
Rising up and walking up to the person, Hanoashi tipped her head. "Am I being adopted?" she asked hopefully. It wasn't so much that she hated the agency, rather that she longed for the family she once thought she had back as a guy.
"Maybe, thing is, someone wants to adopt a sibling for her son, but it has to be someone who is good with gaming. You're the best at gaming, but she's going to test you a bit before the interview, so steel yourself."
Hanoashi let out a small smile but didn't speak right away. This...this is the change I've been waiting for! She thought excitedly, when she walked into a room where a Japanese woman was waiting.
"This is Midori Kirigyra, and she is looking for a perspective sibling for her twelve year old son," the interviewer mentioned.
"Thank you Kikuoka," Midori bowed be fore turning to her. "Your name please?"
"Hanoashi mam, but you may call me Blaze if you like," Hanoashi introduced herself before bowing.
"That's an interesting name," Midori mused, before handing her a PS5 controller. "First, let us see if you can navigate the menu. There's a junk game called Adventure Capitalist, let us see if you can delete it without deleting anything else first," she ordered.
Taking the controller and sitting in the chair indicated, Hanoashi quickly completed her task in about 50 seconds.
"How in the world..." Hanoashi gave a quite smile as her teacher gasped at her speed.
"Not bad, little Blaze. But... let us see if you can play this?"
Hanoashi completed the first mission of Ace combat Belka Revenge, smiling as she played what had been her favorite video game, except this time she played as a Belkan fighter pilot instead of a Ustio mercenary. The testing continued for about another hour.
"Welp, I think that's enough testing," Miordi commented, allowing Hanoashi to turn off the console and take a small breather.
"Now for the interview questions," a case worker announced, setting between her and Miordi. "Just answer them all the best you can and we'll go from there.
Midori gazed intently at her, and Hanoashi had to steel herself mentally for a brief moment. "Alright, I'm ready," she vowed determinedly.
"Question one, you come across a frenzied kid who yells "I'm going to stick my quantum harmonizer in your photo resonation chamber. What's your response?"
Hanoashi blinked. Wait...is he giving me the G.O.A.T. Test? Shrugging off the first question as coincidence, she took a moment to think. "Probably tell an adult?" she questions, unsure of what to say.
Come to think of it...I'm suspecting there is a hidden notion to that question, one I really, really don't like, she mused, trying to avoid any weird facial expressions that might have resulted from such a thought.
"Question 2. you are working as an intern at a local clinic when a patent stumble though the door. He's got an infection on his foot that is spreading at an alarming rate, but the doctor has stepped out for lunch. What's the best course of treatment.
He's seriously giving me the G.O.A.T. Exam! Or...is it the S.A.F.E. Test? "I guess I'd call the doctor or a doctor is one is available, if not, then I'd treat the infected area to the best of my abilities. "
"Interesting. Question three, You discover a young boy who's..."
Midori let out a small cough. "Is it really necessary to give her the G.O.A.T. Test?"
"But Ms Kirigyra, this is a..."
"I've already decided," Midori announced in a tone that invited no arguments.
I blew it! Hanoashi wailed inwardly. Granted, in a way she liked the orphanage, but she still longed for the day when she'd have a home of her own.
"I've decided...to adopt young Hanoashi," Midori added after a brief moment of pause.
Hanoashi almost felt her jaw drop to the floor in astonishment. Wait...she's adopting me? I...I thought for sure she had rejected me. It took her a brief moment longer to digest the news. Suddenly she jumped up before bowing. "Th...Thank you Ms Kirigyra...I...I'll do my best!"
"No need to be so nervous, Blaze," Midori soothed. The case worker stood up and shook hands with Midori then with Hanoashi before ushering her back to her room to gather her things.
"So, you are leaving?"
Turning around, she spotted Yui sitting on her bed, gazing at her curiously.
"Yeah...kinda feels like a dream," Hanoashi whispered softly as she paused from packing. Suddenly she felt a strong urge of regret. "I'm really going to miss this place," She nearly whimpered as grief surged though her.
"It's a good place, but a child really ought to be with her parents, even if they are adopted." Yui stoop up, Hugging her slightly. "We'll all miss you Blaze, but we are all happy for you," she added somberly.
"I'll miss you too, Yui, you and everybody else," Hanoashi whispered before a sob found it's way out of her lips.
"Don't cry Blaze, this is a day to take joy in. Besides, you've worked very hard these past four years, you surely deserve to be given a family after all that."
"Huh?" Blaze's eyes snapped open in surprise.
"I asked around," Yui replied before smiling at her. "To be honest, when I arrived here, I didn't have much of a desire to do anything. The pain of the Abuse...it was too fresh...to harsh. Then...I say how hard you where working, getting all A's in your subjects. At first I was confused, most of the student's received B's with an occasional A or C, but not you."
Taking a small breath, Yui's gaze begin to brim with emotion. "Seeing you so determined to do your best, I wondered what made you that determined. So when I asked someone about it, they simply said that you had the most to lose...that you had something to prove."
"I guess you are right, Given how I didn't know much about Japan, it's customs and laws, or even the language, I had to work extra hard in class." Still her heart stung about the dishonestly she was displaying in hiding the whole truth.
But Yui, in everything else, that's a lie. I didn't have to work extra hard in subjects such as Math, Science, General history, and such. I already graduated high school, and so I pretty much knew almost everything I needed to learn. I wish I could tell you this, but I...I can't.
"Even so, you've inspired us, Hanoashi," Yui whispered, before letting go. "Now go on, you need to pack up everything and I doubt your adoptive want to lose another minute with her new daughter."
Hanoashi nodded, before focusing on her task. I wish I could take you with me, Yui, she mused silently, toughed at the effect the brunet Japanese girl had on her. But all to soon and at the same time not soon enough, she found herself riding in the car with Midori.
End of chapter character facts:
Hanoashi was inspired a lot by the author's family, her red hair came from the fact that Blazepanzer's great-grandmother was a natural red head. The watch she always wears was also worn by his great grandmother. Her Type SC4 Diabetes, which is explained in detail in chapter two, was inspired by the fact that Blazepanzer has several family members in his family Diabetes.
Although not always ment as a direct self insert, Hanoashi was designed to be how Blazepanzer would in-vision himself as a girl. However, because of the nature of a self insert, Blazepanzer attempts to give Hanoashi somewhat more demanding parts and situations in his stories, particularly in the beginning of the original Legends of the Shadowclan Guild (SAO) and in Panzerfaren Begins, (Girls und Panzer).
Yui in this concept is a completely different Yui than the one we meet in the Cannon SAO, and both will have their own parts to play later on in the story.