Strike Witches Project: Magi

Disclaimer: I don't own Strike Witches, but I wish Humikane Shimada and AIC would look at this, since GONZO's out of the picture now *sigh*… Humikane Shimada owns Strike Witches by the way

Sorry: Hey guys, I'm really, really sorry if this isn't fan service, okay? I know Strike Witches is supposedly only Girls, again, really sorry. But don't worry it's only one guy. And heck, girls might get attracted to this also. Let's not just keep the Strike Witches fan service to ourselves dudes, besides, who wouldn't like a good harem – The Author

Chapter 3: Beat You To it! : The never ending rivalry

"I won't lose to you Yankee!"

"Hmph, let's see if you COULD win against me here."

It was another day of Josephine and Peggy's rivalry competitions, this time, it was arm-wrestling.

"G-g-g-gh…"

"G-giving up?"

"Never, I won't lose to the likes of a Yankee."

"Okay then Kraut, l'll go full force on you!"

"Argh!"

They are both not moving from left or from right, it's just still and stable.

"Wow, they must be really giving all effort." Yui said.

Mikhail wanted to touch the two hands and when he did, he was surprised.

"Whoa!"

"What?"

"It's as hard as a rock!"

"They must be serious." Yui said.

But before they could even finish the match, Commander Emily called the entire group's attention.

"Okay everyone, we've been here for a month now, and it seems that we have only fought about two Giant Neurois, the next one is expected in about a week."

"So, you're saying is we should prepare for that, right?" Josephine asked.

"Correct, but for now, we have a day off. So make sure you get some rest, okay?"

"Yes ma'am."

Then Josephine thought.

"Hey, Yankee!"

"What is it?"

"Why don't we settle all this with a competition. Okay Yankee, we will have a giant race with our striker units, this will go on for an entire day, we will have a marathon of trials, the first one to finish wins the rivalry contest."

"Sure! I'd like to settle everything now, hahahaha."

"Laugh all you want, but I assure you, you won't be laughing for long."

As they left the conference room.

"Man… Those girls really do hate each other's guts." Mikhail sighed.

"Yeah, they've been at it for some time now."

Adriana explains "Josephine won on the Target practicing competition. Meanwhile Peggy won on the two kilometer run. They been at it even in the dining hall-erm- I mean their food eating competition. They also had the swimming contest, the Striker race competition. And the bravery contest. But it gets stupider and stupider. They just won't quit."

"Who has the leading?" Uhrii and Maxine asked

"It's a tie. They have been fighting but nobody seems to be getting the upper edge."

As they were walking on the corridor, they heard a large boom on Peggy's room.

"Whoa, Peggy what happened?"

Peggy was in her room fixing up her F4F Wildcat for the competition.

"*Cough*Cough. Now, I what I have to do is fix the engine, change its oil, and make sure it's lubed up properly. Okay, that ought to do it! Oh hey guys, I was just fixing my unit here."

"Looks like you broke it even more." Mikhail said.

"Hey, you're really psyched about this competition Peggy." Adriana said.

"Yeah, and a Liberian hates to lose." Yui added.

"You're both correct. Besides, this rivalry has been going on since the day I even laid an eye on Josephine."

"When did you even lay an eye on her?" Mikhail asked.

"When this group was formed two months ago."

Emily: Okay, the 510th Joint Fighter Wing, has been officially formed, by the order of our superior officer. I will recite the names of the 510th's members. *Ehem

-Captain Josephine Steinhoff
- Flight Lieutenant Jaime Jill "Peggy" Southerland
-Captain Adriana Visconti
-Warrant Officer Yui Shinohara

All of you will be going to your respective rooms.

Peggy: Finally I could just relax for a while before the Neuroi comes

Josephine: Don't be such a fool, Yankee. You have to be prepared at all times, being all slack if just like being a dunce.

Peggy: Y-yankee!

Josephine: Should Liberians really have to act like this. Lacks and carefree? What a bunch of fools.

Peggy: Hey! Listen here you Kraut! Don't you call us fools!

Josephine: "Kraut" you say? I'll make sure you regret calling me that!

Peggy: Oh it's on! How about a little contest on who's better!

Josephine: P-lease, a Karlslandian could do more than what you Yanks can do. Surely my Bf109 could beat your Liberian strikers anytime.

Peggy: Oh you're really asking for it!

"You fought over that?" Mikhail asked.

"What? That Kraut ticks me off. Liberians aren't fools y'know what I'm getting at? Besides, I could lay down all I want as long as I do what I'm supposed to do." She chewed on a hamburger.

"Well, Karlslandians are known for disciplinary military training." Adriana said.

"Oh, by the way. I was wondering, what is that Striker of yours anyway?" Yui asked.

"This is a Grumman F4F Wildcat. It's a Liberion Navy striker unit to be exact. I was a Navy officer settled in Guadalcanal before I came here and met you fine young ladies, I was stationed here since there isn't much Neuroi activity near the Oceania region. The Liberion navy and Army Air force have different Strikers. We have these units and the Brewster Buffalos. Meanwhile they have the North Liberion P-51 Mustangs. But someday, I want to soar the Skies with all sorts of Striker Units made by my country."

"Wow."

"But… That is just a dream. Anyway, I have to prove to Miss Grumpy Karlsland Girl that anything Liberion makes, is topnotch!"

"So that's why you're so psyched, huh."

"Yup. Well, I'm kinda busy working on my Striker, would you mind go somewhere else? Sorry."

As they left, Mikhail was going to Josephine's room and check if she's doing the same.

"Hey, Josephine, are you alright there-?"

She wasn't inside.

"She's not here."

He checked outside and saw Josephine flying around and testing her Striker Unit.

She was amazing with her turns and spins. She was a true adversary.

"Wow, she's really good."

"You came to cheer me one here Orusskie?"

"Hey, that's a bit rude of you to call me Orusskie!"

"Sorry. So, why are you here Mikhail?"

"I was just looking at your performance. You're really good with your Striker Unit."

"Please, you could do more tricks than I can."

"Nah, I'm still a beginner."

"Hmph. Don't be too modest. Anyway, I'm done. The Course is also set, call down that Yankee now. "

"You know, it's not really good to call people by those words, especially to Peggy."

"In the battlefield, that's what they would do to you, get used to it, just call her."

"Anyway, Josephine?"

"What is it?"

"I was wondering. Why'd you join the Luftwaffe anyway? Don't you think that there's more things than just fighting?"

"Well. That question is something I've been avoiding be asked. As you can see, I'm from a family of farmers back in Karlsland. I wasn't from the aristocratic part so we weren't so rich. I joined the Luftwaffe hoping to make Karlsland peaceful again and Neuroi-free, and to support my family as well, since I couldn't find a job. I wanted to be known as the best, I hate being second rate, that's why I always fight with the Yankee, to win against her!"

"So, where's your family?"

"My brothers are still in school. I'll be the one who'll help them with funding since my Mother and Father are well… gone."

"I'm so sorry!"

"Don't be."

"I asked such a heartless question!"

"Don't worry, I got passed that. Anyway, why ask this?"

"Nothing really."

"Anyway, do you have any dreams in the future?"

"Nope. I just want to help my family out. But when I was still young, I wanted to teach, but I wasn't able to finish and I had to enlist in the Luftwaffe. But what I want to be known as the best, I hate being second rate, that's why I always fight with the Yankee, to win against her!"

"Oh, okay…"

"You're a weird guy you, know that? But still, I won't go easy on you. In training you will be looking at my strict personality. But for now, I will go a bit soft. Anyway, enough chitchat, let's start with the race."

At the starting point. Both Peggy and Josephine were already preparing to warm up their strikers.

"Wow, this is going to be really cool!" Adriana said.

"I wonder who will win?" Mikhail asked.

"I just hope nobody gets hurt" Emily said.

Uhrii was the announcer with Maxine having the Bird's-eye-view of the race.

"Okay, we are going to have the last part of your rivalry contest. This will be the 510th Joint Fighter Wing Grand Marathon. What you'll do are these. You will first have to go through all the rings hanging on those hot air balloons. Next, you will have to go around those pillars due east one Kilometer from here. You will shoot down all of the floating targets, and go to the base's shores. After this you will have to drop your Striker Units and shoot the ground targets. You will then have to swim on the beach and get back here on the Airstrip to reach the finish line. Oh and don't worry, your strikers will be recovered from the beaches after you finished the race. Got that?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, ready, set…"

The Engines roar and roar so loudly.

"Go!"

They both flew so fast and gave a really strong blast of wind.

"Man! That's strong. Hey Maxine, how's it over there?"

Maxine has her Gun camera and takes a video of what's happening.

"As of now Peggy is in the Lead."

Both the witches were already doing the ring part of the marathon. AS they were able to go through that obstacle, Josephine was already in front of Peggy.

"Okay, it looks like Josephine has taken the lead."

Both are then going to the pillar evasion part of the marathon, it seems that Peggy's striker is more suited in these kinds of Obstacles and she takes the Lead.

"Grrr… I won't lose to the likes of you!" Josephine went.

She accelerated a lot after the Evasion part and able to chase after Peggy.

"Damn it, she's in my tail!"

Back at the bird's-eye-view. Maxine sensed that something was wrong.

"Huh?" She sees a strange looking figure just above the clouds.

"Commander?"

"What is it Maxine?"

"I see an unknown figure above the clouds."

"Hmm, okay, I'll send Uhrii there ASAP."

"Uhrii."

"Yes ma'am."

Uhrii senses something bad in the clouds. As she saw the figure, I was actually a Giant Neuroi two miles ahead.

"Ma'am, I have spotted a Neuroi two miles east."

"What? Damn, it seems our prediction was wrong. Okay, get ready with your units. Peggy, Josephine, I wasn't you to delay that Neuroi, Uhrii and Maxine, stay with them."

"Right!"

"Roger that. It seems that we have to continue this some other day."

"Yep, now let's go!"

As the two were heading towards the Neuroi, Peggy's engine started to make a weird sound.

"Huh? Damn, it seems that my engine's having some problems, but I think I'll be alright."

"You better go back."

"And let you handle this and get more action? No way!"

"Hmph, as expected."

As they reached the Neuroi, they started to rain down bullets on its belly.

"We have to distract this Neruroi until reinforcements arrive."

"Yeah, hey Josephine, watch out."

"What the-"

The Neuroi counter attacks with a laser barrage and damages Josephine's striker.

"I told you to watch it!"

"I can still fly, Yankee!"

Another barrage of laser came their way.

"Whoa! Damn it, it's so hard to shoot at that thing!"

"We could still do this—what the?"

Their strikers were not working very well and they were both shot down by another laser barrage.

"Damn…" Josephine passed out.

As she regained consciousness.

"Where am I!"

"We're in an island's cave. It seems that we were shot down and almost drowned in cold water. I was able to change our direction from the sea to this island. Though both our strikers are heavily damaged."

"Why did you save me. I haven't been good to you ever since the Unit was formed."

"Even if you would act like a total jerk face to me, you're still a comrade. And I can't bare the loss of even one."

Josephine was really surprised.

"You sure have a good heart, Peggy."

"Did you just call me 'Peggy'?"

"Why, isn't that your name?"

"I thought you would still call me 'Liberian', or 'Yankee' or something?"

"*sigh, I would feel guilty if I did that. Even I have a heart you know."

"It seems you're not all that rotten to the core huh?"

"This might be hard for me to say, but… thank you for saving me." Josephine blushed.

"You're welcome." Peggy walks out and checks that the Neuroi had left.

"Well, it seems we're stuck here for now." Peggy then saw Josephine sulking.

"Hey, why are you all sad?"

"I was just thinking. What would happen if I drowned there in the sea? What would happen to my brothers, my parents are already dead! What would happen if I died as well! I was so careless…"

Josephine started to tear a little.

"Don't think about that! Idiot!"

"Huh?"

"Listen! You're still alive and that's what you should be thinking! Don't be too hard on yourself! If you want your dreams in the future to come true, what you should do is to stay alive and trust your group mates!"

"P-Peggy…" Her eyes were full of tears.

"*Uwah!"

"Whoa!"

"I don't know what to do! I didn't really want to do all this! I don't really want to die, I have a lot to do before I 'm gone! I wanted to be the best of everything, but I can't even defeat a Neuroi, and to show an impression to my brothers!"

"Poor girl… But I guess this is what happens in a war… Love ones get killed, you're dreams will be halted and turned to the battlefield."

Peggy embraces Josephine and tries to calm her down.

"Listen. You should calm down. Your brothers will be safe. They're just worrying about you, that's all. They want you to live after the war, and you will be a family again."

"Yeah…"

"You know. I was wrong about you. You're actually soft sometimes…"

"W-what do you mean by that!"

"Hahaha don't worry, I won't tell the group you cried."

"Shut up, Yankee!"

A day passed by and they were at the shores.

"See anyone?"

"Nope—wait I see one! I think it's them!"

"It's Maxine and Uhrii! Hey! We're over here!"

"Huh, you sense anything Uhrii?"

"Yeah, hey, there they are!"

"We're here!"

As they reached the Airstrip, they were awaited by the 510th.

They both nodded and seemed that they want to finish their race.

They both sprinted to the finish line. They were neck-to-neck and ran as fast as they could.

"I won't lose."

"Neither will I!"

The squad cheered them on, and they both made it in to the finish line with a tie.

Later that morning, they were at the mess hall and asked the squad.

"So, you managed to kill the Neuroi without us?"

"Yeah, Mikhail was able to finish it off with his Piercing move." Yui replied.

"So, you guys are going to have another race?" Adriana asked.

"We weren't able to finish the competition but I think we don't need to finish it." Josephine replied.

"Besides, I saw a lot of Josephine yesterday, the ins, and the outs."

"What do you mean by that?"

"What am I going to do! *sob *sob That one."

"What!"

"You be quiet, Yankee!"

"Oh, sure whatever, Kraut!"

"It looks like everything's back to normal." Emily went.

"Yep, anyway Commander. It seems that Josephine really isn't always so tough."

"She's what you call a 'unique' type of girl. She actually doesn't want war, but she has to fight for her family. And she wants this war to end so she could get a REAL job."

"Shut up, Yankee!"

"Why? Like you should care, Kraut."

"They seem to get along somehow?"

"Confusing isn't it?"

A week later

"Hey, mail's here!" Adriana said.

Josephine received a letter coming from her brothers.

"Dear Sister

How've you been? We're here near Belgica. We made a lot of new friends and neighbors. We just moved in here because Karlsland's getting worse. But we're fine. Anyway, thanks for the money you give us. You're actually the best sister we've ever had, and that we're thankful of! Anyway, we are writing this letter in school, so we can only cut this short, oh and it seems you've reached the newspapers here. Our new friends wanted your autograph, they said. You wouldn't mind giving us some - about six to ten- will do. Thanks so much!"

"I was certainly wrong. It seems I was the best… For them anyway."

-End- (Josephine: Teehee)

?: So this is what the base looks like
Tania: Um, commander? Who's this girl?
Emily: She's our new recruit, she'll be joining us now, her name is….

Emily: Next, on Strike Witches: Project Magi. Chapter 4: With A Smile

Notes:

In the Strike Witches world, Belgica is the equivalent of Belgium, reference from the Manga Strike Witches: The sky that connects us

Josephine's teaching ambition was actually based on Johannes Steinhoff's teaching career but he enlisted in the Luftwaffe due to not being able to find a job

The F4F Wildcat is an American navy aircraft that is the countermeasures for the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero