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Strike Witches

Legendary Witches: Perrine's Dilemma

After the Second Neuroi War, Perrine was promoted to Captain and began training witch recruits.
One evening in the Spring of 1946, she encountered a witch and her partner in a dramatic incident.
Her life was forever changed, and as a result her one and only daughter, Louise H. Clostermann, was brought into the world.
This is the story of Perrine's Dilemma, told in her point of view.

-Perrine-
-28 February 1947-

My name is Pierrette-Henriette Clostermann, and I was born on February 28th, 1929. My name is long, so I usually go by Perrine. I turned eighteen today and was visited by my friends Lynette Bishop and Yoshika Miyafuji. I wanted to see everyone else as well, but they were busy. That's okay though, because the next reunion is in roughly a month and a week.

I participated in the Second Neuroi War up until we finally won on December 5th, 1945. I'm a Captain in the Republic of Gallia Air Force now. After the war, I chose to remain in the military and have been training new witches ever since, though for the past nine months, I've been on maternity leave. I just had my little girl, Louise, twelve days ago.

I had already known Lynette was pregnant, and she's due in early May, but when they visited Yoshika gave us news that she and her soon-to-be husband recently discovered they were expecting parents as well. It was nice. Most of them managed to find love after the war. I smiled at the thought. They deserved it.

I only wish my daughter was born out of love.

-27 May 1946-

It was a Monday. After a full day of training my witch cadets, I left the base I was stationed at that evening and went to the market. I was living in military housing nearby, so the walk wasn't very far.

I often wondered how the orphans were doing, but I received postcards from them every week, and used my leave time to visit them as often as possible. I knew they were in good hands with Amélie and the Clostermann Family butler taking care of things.

After gathering the vegetables I needed for the soup, I slowly started to make my way back toward the base. Not long after I left the market, a girl that was maybe fifteen approached me.

"Captain Clostermann!" She cheered. The girl was wearing makeshift clothing. I knew immediately that she was either an orphan or homeless, probably both.

"Oh, hello. It's nice to meet you, Miss..."

"I'm Marie. I'm so happy I get to meet the famous Captain Perrine Clostermann!"

"I'm happy to make your acquaintance, as well, Miss Marie."

"If it's not too much trouble, I wanted to ask you about the military."

"Oh, what about?"

"Is it too late for someone my age to join? My magic powers didn't manifest until my fifteenth birthday, about a month ago."

"It's not a problem at all. All you need to do is come by the base and talk to our recruiter."

"That's it? Would I get to train under you?"

"Most likely. Our base here isn't very large, so we only have a few instructors for new witches. My class has a few openings, so if you hurry, you can probably get in!"

"Oh, that's so amazing! Thank you!"

I nodded at the girl. "I hope to see you soon, Miss Marie!" I gave her a goodbye wave and continued on my way, but soon started feeling odd.

As soon as I rounded the next corner, I started having trouble walking. I managed no more than five steps before I was on my knees. To my surprise, I saw Marie was standing in front of me just before I lost consciousness.

I woke up tied to a bed in a raunchy old apartment. I struggled, but I couldn't break free of the ropes that bound me to the bed.

"Tonnerre!"

My magic wouldn't respond. My Chartreux ears and tail did not appear either.

What is this!? My magic won't work?

"Try as you might, Captain. You're not going anywhere until we're done with you." The voice belonged to Marie.

"Miss Marie? What is going on? Why am I bound to this bed?"

"Shh." She sat down on the bed next to me and held her hands over my eyes. A sensation of euphoria overcame me for a moment before she moved her eyes.

I was now in a dimly lit room with no doors or windows. The room looked as if it were made out of Neuroi material, but the evil Neuroi were vanquished, and the allied Blue Neuroi would never do something like this.

"Is the Neuroi touch a little much?" Marie suddenly appeared in front of me. She snapped her fingers and the room changed completely. It was now a simple white cube shaped room, also with no doors or windows.

"What are you doing to me?"

"This is my magic, Cognitive Transmutation. You're under my spell."

"What do you want with me?"

"We. You see, I have no interest in you, but my male partner does."

"What could... No! But we're in here!"

"No, our minds are in here. Our bodies are in that musty apartment. The difference between us is that I am aware of my surroundings in the real world, and you are not."

"Why would you use your magic in such a way?"

"Because I can. I have no reason or a need for one. My partner, however, has a need for my abilities. I make our endeavors possible."

"Your endeavors? That's an oversimplified way to say that you lure in innocent girls and set them up to be raped!"

"Technically it is rape, but I never allow the girls to actually experience it. I always lock their minds away in a room like this, though I rarely speak to them. You are special."

"And how's that?"

"You and your squadron were my inspiration to master my powers."

"I'd hardly call that an honor considering how you are using them."

"Well that's too bad."

"What would it take to get you to release me?"

"It would take my partner finishing with you. Nothing more, nothing less."

I sighed.

"Would you take comfort in knowing that your body is reacting to it? You're not raw, so you shouldn't be as sore later." She shrugged and laughed lightly.

"How vulgar."

"Oh, come on. We're old enough. Oh, wait, that's right. You're a noble. My apologies, Milady. Thou hast becometh moist."

"Vulgar. And that's not how nobles speak either."

"Eh, take it or leave it. I'm not rewording it again."

"I won't forget this, Marie."

"And I'm completely and totally concerned about that. Oh look, he's done."

She snapped her fingers and the white room disappeared. We were back in the dirty apartment.

"My, my." Marie stood over me. "You are rather clean for one who was just defiled... Wait..." She turned to the man standing behind her. "You didn't pull out, did you?"

"Nope."

"You are supposed to pull out!" Marie sighed. "Well, whatever. What's done is done." She turned back to me. "You were untied and your clothes removed before he began. They are folded up nicely in the chair to your right. There is no running water in this apartment, but there is a bucket of water and a towel in the bathroom if you wish to clean what little of you was dirtied. Other than that, this is as far as our acquaintance goes. Oh, and you've probably noticed that you are unable to move right now. That's also due to my magic. You'll regain control of your body shortly. You'll have to forgive us for not waiting. We're locking the door behind us so that nobody else will stumble upon you before you regain yourself. Adieu, Captain Clostermann."

I heard the door close moments later.

I had hoped she was lying the whole time, but I felt the soreness. I knew it was true.

I was raped.

I felt tears rolling down the sides of my face. When I finally regained the ability to move, I cleaned up, put on my clothes, and headed straight for the base.

I asked for a week of my unused vacation time that had built up over the past year. My superiors couldn't be more surprised by my sudden request, but they didn't deny me. I couldn't hide the fact that my face was red from tears, so that probably contributed to their quick acceptance. I also asked for transport to Fuso, which they approved, and immediately boarded a plane bound for Yokosuka, Fuso.

It had to make a pit stop in Orussia, but the Douglas C-54 Skymaster, which Liberion donated to my country, arrived in Fuso roughly thirty four hours later.

It was 1900 hours on Monday the 27th when I left, and about 0500 hours on Wednesday the 29th when I arrived in Fuso, which was 1200 hours on the 29th there.

-29 May 1946-

Fuso was expecting a transport plane, but not an extra passenger. They were surprised to see me, but didn't refuse me.

"Is Lieutenant Colonel Sakamoto or Lieutenant General Miyafuji on base?" My question came as no surprise to them.

"They are currently away from the base at this time." One of them said. "Sergeant Hijikata mentioned that those two were doing something together today, so you may find them in town.

I shuddered at the thought of walking alone through town after what happened Monday night, but I hid my dismay from the soldiers and thanked them for their help.

Before I arrived at the gate, I heard my name called out. "Perrine Clostermann!" I turned and saw a witch of the Fuso Navy, Major Junko Takei.

"Oh, hello!"

"I just heard from one of the guys that you are looking for Mio and Kye. They are up at Kye's place near the Miyafuji Clinic."

I smiled. "Thank you very much."

"Mhm, no problem! I hope your visit goes well!"

I nodded at her and waved goodbye, a gesture she returned before walking off the way she came. I glanced up toward the hill that held the Miyafuji Clinic for a moment and left the base.

The walk was rather short as I soon found myself standing in front of Kye's door. I started to knock, but I heard a greeting coming from the side yard.

"Perrine! We're over here!" Mio called out to me.

I walked around to the side of the house and found Kye, Mio, Rei, and Kye's mother, Akane Miyafuji, sitting at the picnic table eating lunch.

"Hi, Perrine!" Rei greeted with a cheer.

"Hi, Rei, how are you?"

"I'm great! I just finished a semester of school last week!"

"Did you do well?"

"Mhm. I got top marks!"

"She's my little prodigy." Kye ruffled Rei's hair.

"So what brings you to Fuso, Perrine?" Mio asked. "Aren't you supposed to be on duty right now?"

"I uh... I took vacation time."

Kye and Mio both turned their eyes to me. They were full of suspicion.

"Well, you'll have to tell us about it after lunch. Come now, sit!" Kye gestured at a free spot at the picnic table. "There's plenty."

I nodded and joined them.

After eating, Kye and Mio took me into the house and asked what's wrong. They saw right through me.

"It's not like you to just up and take leave out of the blue like this."

"I agree with Kye. What's going on, Perrine?"

Tears returned to my eyes as I revisited the memory of Monday evening.

Kye pulled me to the couch and sat me down before kneeling in front of me. She wiped the tears from my eyes and gave me a strong look of concern. "What happened?"

"I..."

Mio sat down on the couch next to me. "Perrine, we can't help you if you don't tell us."

I reluctantly swallowed, took a deep breath, and began. It took a few minutes to tell the story.

They both sighed as soon as I finished.

Kye placed her hand on my head. "You did the right thing. Times like this is when a woman needs time away. I want you to stay here in Fuso for a few weeks and keep your mind off things. I'll make the necessary arrangements with your base."

"I can take you sightseeing, too." Mio offered.

"But you can't overexert yourself!" I argued.

"It's fine. I'm not due until the end of July." Mio gave me a warm smile. "Nori understands. She'll be good."

"Perrine." Kye took my attention and moved her hand from the top of my head to my forehead. "I want you to pull the memory of those two. Pick the clearest image of their faces you can find."

"That's easy." I pictured both of them in my head.

"I got it." Kye removed her hand from my forehead and placed it on Mio's.

"Got it."

"Now you don't worry about them anymore. We'll find them eventually. I'm going back to the base now. Mio, why don't you and Perrine go have a good time. Take Rei, I'm sure she'll want to go, too."

Mio nodded.

"Thank you both."

The two smiled and exchanged glances.

Kye said, "We're thirteen strong. We take care of each other, not just in battle, but at home, too."

-April 5th, 1947-

I held Louise in my arms as I waited in a lounge at Andrews Field in the Liberion Capitol, Washington D.C. We were originally having our reunion in London this time around, but at the last minute, Kye, Mio, and Minna notified everyone that we were changing locations.

I gave it no thought at first and just enjoyed the quiet time before everyone else showed up. Greetings were exchanged between all of us that had arrived, but Kye, Mio, and Minna were nowhere to be found.

I couldn't describe my surprise when they showed up escorting two familiar faces. They had Marie and her partner bound and gagged.

I gasped.

All of the girls knew what had happened almost year prior, even Rei, but most of them didn't know who they were. Kye and Mio forced the two into seats.

Kye said, "These two are the culprits behind Perrine's little event last year."

Trude immediately stood up, activated her magic, picked up the man, and slammed him against the wall. She started to pummel him, but Minna waved her off.

"I've already decided on a punishment for Marie." Kye continued. "She will be enlisted into the military as a witch cadet and will be sent to Karlsland to train."

"I might come out of retirement for this." Trude added.

"The man, however, is another story." Kye grabbed his arm, removed his gag, and threw him to my feet. "His name is Gervaise. His fate is in your hands, Perrine."

I grimaced as I looked down upon the man. I clearly remembered his face from that Monday night in May last year.

"What'll it be, Perrine?" Mio asked.

"Do you want me to take responsibility for the kid?" He asked. "Fat chance. I wouldn't doubt if there's a few others like this out there."

I felt angry, but I hid the feeling. "It's not my choice. This man is Louise's father, whether I like it or not. I will do nothing. Instead, he will have to wait for Louise to decide after she's grown up. Just make sure he doesn't go anywhere between now and then."

"Alright." Kye put the gag back in his mouth. "Sixteen years of prison will do for now."

"Will the military prison in Neue Karlsland do?" Minna asked with an evil grin.

"I think it will."

The man's face paled instantly.

Kye grabbed the man's arm and pulled him to his feet. "Sixteen years is a long time to think. I suggest you think about important topics."

She escorted the man to the door and handed over to the soldiers waiting outside. After closing the door, she went over to Marie and removed her gag.

"Punishing me with military? I've been through worse."

"Oh, now I'm definitely coming out of retirement for this." Trude smirked.

"Hell, I'll even come. I bet Hanna will enjoy this, too." Erica grinned.

"Between the three of you, I doubt there'll be anything left of the girl." Minna said. "But it sounds good. I'll make it happen."

"No!" Marie yelled just before Kye put the gag back in her mouth.

Kye took her to the door and handed her to the soldiers.

I said, "Are you sure that's a good idea? Her magic..."

"It has a limit. She can only affect one person at a time with it. That's why she waited until you were alone on the streets."

"Hmm."

"Anyway, let's get our reunion on."

Shirley stood up, "Hey, I know of a good restaurant. How about it?"

A collective "Yes!" resounded, and we were off.

Thanks, everyone.

(A/N) I hope you enjoyed the short story! Previously, this was posted as an independent short story, but I decided to move it to my shorts collection.

The plot for this story just suddenly came to me, and I just had to write it. I set it up so that this story is canon with my Legendary Aces series. This is how Perrine's daughter, Louise, came to be.

A little disclaimer for Strike Witches fans: if you do not know who "Kye Miyafuji" is, please check out the stories mentioned above. Also, as of the time in which this story takes place, Perrine (as well as the rest of the Strike Witches) are all on first name basis with each other. As I said above, this story is canon with my Legendary Aces series, so things aren't exactly the same as in the official canon Strike Witches.

Original Upload Date: 11 - August - 2014

Edit (20-August-2014): Title changed to reflect the "Legendary Witches" series it is based on.

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to send a private message or submit a signed review. Guest reviews are welcome of course, but do know that I cannot reply to them! Thanks for reading!