Blazepanzer here...and I went through some of my old fanfictions files that I never published and found this little gymn. Now...I don't have the heart to make it into a fully multi-chapter 100K+ stroy, but the battle was of a good quality, and so I thought that I might share it as a single chapter fanfic.
Anyways, without further adu, enjoy! Note: Blazepanzer does now own Girls und Panzer!
A quiet sigh echoed from her breath as she gazed at the assortment of American tanks where strewn around her. Her M-24 chaffie, along with it's Sander's logo, was arguably the better of the tanks, although the M3 Lee was better in the armor department. Some might say firepower department as well, but there was a lot of room to debate on that.
"Blaze...we're ready to meet the opposing team", one of the troops under her command announced.
"Understood Taylor," Hanoashi, or Blaze as she was called smiled. "Well, let's hope that this plan works."
"You really think Ami's going to be in the judge's box?" Taylor asked, her expression confused.
"It's a risk which I'm not about to let Kay take," Hanoashi admitted. "Besides, if Ami really does decide to play foul, It'll be better for the commander of the Junior team to deal with than the overall team commander. And the Nishizumi kinda owe me a favor, so they'll support me if things go out of hand, I think."
"If you say so. But...isn't the commander of the team also a Nishisumi?" Taylor questioned.
"Yeah, Miho...but she and I are friends and I'm willing to bet that she'll play fair, especially if she sees me leading. Then again...we could be worrying about nothing, or walking into dangerous territory."
"Either way, we're with you. After all, you managed to win the Summer Co-ed academy cup last year, and you came close to winning that year's winter cup as well, so you've more than earned our trust."
"Thanks Taylor, but I didn't win the cup all by myself, it was a team effort, one made up of excellent tankers, just like the team I'm in now," Blaze countered gently, blushing at the praise.
"You're always so humble about it, but that's another reason why Kay's gunning for you to replace Naomi in your senor year," Taylor reminded her.
"No pressure," Hanoashi chuckled. "And I still have to prove that I'm up to that task, and this will be the first stepping stone."
"Well, if any of us can, it's you," Taylor chuckled.
Coming up to the meeting place, she heard a loud gasp. "Blaze! What are you doing here?"
"Hey Miho, it's good to see you!" Hanoashi smiled, running up and hugging her friend. "So...what brings you to Ooarai?"
Miho didn't meet her gaze. "It's...a long story," she mummered.
"Well, it's fine if you don't want to talk about it," Hanoashi reassured.
"So, you went to Sanders?" Miho asked.
Hanoashi nodded. "Yeah... I've kinda thought about going professional, you know?"
"I think you'd be great as a professional tanker!" Miho smiled.
"Maybe. The federation is thinking of making a co-ed professional league, so I'm hoping Yukaro and I can sign up for the same team. Oh...and me and Yukaro are under contract to marriage," she smiled.
Congratulations! I think that Yukaro will be a great match for you," Miho smiled.
Hanoashi smiled for a bit.
"So...where's Kay?" Miho asked, glancing around.
"She...decided to send me and the junior team instead. Thought it might be good training both our teams," Hanoashi admitted. She did feel bad not telling Miho about her suspicions of her instructor, but as far as most people where concerned, this was solely an exercise for the junior team. Only Kay, Taylor, and Hanoashi herself knew the real reason why Ooarai was now facing off against Sander's junior team.
"Yet another reason to congratulate you," Miho smiled. "But you've earned it, especially the way you won the Co-ed tournament last year. Each match had me glued to the screen, and I could hardly believe it when you won that forth match!" She gushed.
Hanoashi felt her cheeks beginning to turn red, but she was saved by the referee coming over. "Sorry to interrupt the reunion, but we need to do the greeting ceremony," she interrupted.
"Right, Miho, can we meet after the match?" Hanoashi asked.
"Miho smiled. "Sure!"
After the brief ceremony, Hanoashi walked alongside Taylor to their tanks. "So...you didn't tell her?" Taylor asked.
"Ooarai's closure is common knowledge," Hanoashi admitted. "And I don't intend to hold back."
"Even if your best friend loses her school?" Taylor asked, looking surprised.
"If Miho doesn't know about Ooarai's closure, then it's her own fault. Besides, there's no guarantee that Ooarai will remain open even if they win the tournament. I was there when the Ministries of Education gave Kay a nice little phone chat about that."
"So what did he say?" Taylor asked.
"Basically that he never made a promise and that if we dare hold back in any way besides sending in the junior team, any chance of Ooarai remaining open goes out the window."
"That must be tough," Taylor sympathized.
"Not really. I mean, my Father insisted that I go to a school that offered me a scholarship if one did and Ooarai was the only one which sent me one. He only agreed to let me come to Sanders because I discovered that Ooarai was closing before we sent off the papers. That...and...well...Rikona was rather insistent that I join her, so that helped as well."
"Ah yes, you and Rikona are quite close," Taylor chuckled.
"D...don't read into it," Hanoashi blushed. "We're just cousins."
"I know Blaze, but a lot of us actually thought you were a couple when we first saw how close you two were."
Hanoashi nodded. "I get why, but we're just close for cousins," she admitted.
Clambering into her M-24, Hanoashi nodded to her crew. "Alright, move out to the starting positions," she commanded.
Miho gazed at her crew as the starting flare signaled the match. "Panzer vor!" she shouted.
"You look nervous Miporin," Saori glanced at her worriedly.
"Hanoashi is quite the competent commander. That's not to say that Kay isn't, but I worked with Hanoashi for a year back when I had to go to Nishmari. She gave up her position as commander to be my driver for half a year, but when one of our other commanders stepped down, she took over the command of a Panzer III E. And boy was she ready to become a commander, the way she commanded her troops and the moves she pulled off, it was like watching magic."
"She's that good?" Hana asked.
Miho nodded. "It's no surprise that our commander chose her to replace him at the end of the year, and she defiantly did not disappoint, given that she never placed lower than third during her commandership, and only once did she place third."
"That's kinda impressive, though how do you place third in the tournament anyways?" Yukari asked. "I mean, I can see placing second or first, but third?"
"Duck team, Rabbit team, fan out and do some scouting for us. Anglerfish and Hippo will protect turtle team," Miho ordered quickly, before turning to Yukari. "Well, the co-ed academies use a grid style format for their tournaments, which is different than the bracket format style of tournaments we have. Basically, in there format one doesn't get knocked out due to a loss, and one's scoring is based first on the number of wins, and then the number of points each academy acquired."
"Sounds complicated. So...Hanoashi tied with the winners most years in terms of points?" Yukari remarked.
"Save for the time she won third and the year the won the cup, yes," Miho smiled. "But that's enough about that, we need to focus on the tournament.
"Yes commander!"
Talking about my friend helped to calm be down a little, but we're outnumbered, and I get the suspicion that if we lose, I won't get away with more than just a small Anglerfish dance routine! Miho fretted.
"Charlie squadron, you will be responsible for scouting, your primary duties are to take out the enemy Type 89 and then to hunt down and eliminate the Stug and Panzer IV.
"Understood commander, We'll be done in no time," the squad commander of Charlie squadron noted, the M22's roaring to life as they went out to hunt for targets.
"Beta Squadron, you're in charge of flag tank duties. Keep your wits about you, Nishisumi can get quite creative in a pinch, dispute their fanatical adherence to the Nishisumi doctrine."
"Don't worry Blaze, we've got you covered!" Talor announced, positioning her Lee at an angle, with three Stuarts moving into position around the flag tank.
"Alpha Squadron, our job will be to hunt down the enemy Lee, so be ready to fight." Hanoashi smiled. "Alright, move out!"
"So, we're still eliminating the flag tank last?" Rikona asked her from her Radio operator's seat.
Hanoashi nodded. "I want to try and give the audience a decent match, though we will be taking the flag tank out early if we need to. That, and I want Ooarai's final match to be at least a little long, no need in ending it too quickly."
Heather let out a small sigh, her blue eyes gazing though the trees. I know we're supposed to just take out the Type 89 if it's alone, but that's not really a big target. Then again, there isn't really any big targets aside from the Stug III, and I highly doubt we can take it on unless it's alone. Surely Miho isn't stupid enough to leave it on it's own, right?
"You okay there?" Her driver asked.
"Just thinking," Heather smiled. "Hm...I think...yeah, that's the type 89. Anyone else see enemy tanks around?"
"Negative commander, no tanks are around here," one of her subordinates called out.
"Alright then, all units fire!"
Noriko felt a harsh jolt as her tank skidded to a halt, and the distinctive popping sound came into range. She knew she was out. "Sorry commander, we're been taking out. Didn't see what got us," she apologized.
"Are any of you hurt?" Miho asked.
"Taeko sprained her wrist, but other than that, we're all fine," Noriko reported.
"Alright then, please wait for the recovery team. And Duck team, don't beat yourself up over being knocked out, it happens to the best of us," Miho reassured.
"Understood commander." Noriko sighed, before gazing out of the hatch slightly. "What kind of tanks are those?" she whispered.
"I don't know," Sasaki whispered. "But they were kinda cute, don't you think?"
Heather let out a quiet smile as she saw the enemy knock out flag deploy. "All units, scatter five kilometers to the south, and then enter the forest, no need to give the enemy team a direct line to our forces.
"Understood squad leader."
Heather focused her attention on looking out for enemy fire, but her gaze frowned as she caught a glance at her left hand. I miss my marriage ring and my watch, but Sanders doesn't allow her students to wear jewelry, and this is my punishment, even though I'm innocent. Still, at least I can see my husband after school and on Sundays.
Heather had started work at a major company after graduating from collage, and a few months after she started, there was a money laundering scandal in the company. While she was innocent, there was some evidence that implicated her in the scheme, and as such she was sentenced to one month in jail followed by having to repeat high school and having to join that school's Sensado team.
Thankfully her husband had remained faithful, even going so far as to move to Sanders and acquired a job aboard the ship.
"All units, fall back to point 1054, that is all," Hanoashi called over the radio.
"Understood," Heather smiled, directing her squad to retreat.
"Why is Blaze having us retreat?" Her driver asked.
"The commander has her reasons," Heather reassured quietly.
Miho let out a gasp as she heard Asusa's panicked voice over the radio. "We've managed to take one of the enemy out, but they've got us back and we're out! Sorry!"
"It's just us three left," Yukari sighed.
"Hey, at least Rabbit team managed to gain a score," Saori smiled.
"That's true...but now Sanders outnumbers us three to one," Miho noted. "We're going to have to regroup at a different location and fast, the enemy could be on top of us at any moment." she announced.
"This is it, it's all over," Momo whispered on the radio.
"It's not all over," Miho argued. "All we have to do is take out their flag tank and we win!"
"You think it's going to be that easy?" Yukari asked.
Miho nodded firmly despite her doubts. Momo-senpai's probably right though. We're outnumbered three to one and we're out-skilled. But...we have to try, right?
Hanoashi waved as she met up with Heather and Taylor. "Nice going with the Type 89!" she smiled.
"Thanks, still though, can't help but feel it was small prey," Heather nodded.
"Still, you managed to take it out without a single loss, which is excellent." Hanoashi reassured her. "We managed to take out the Lee, but we lost one of our M24's. Taylor," she added, turning to her friend. "May I requisition one of your Stuarts?"
"Sure!" her friend smiled.
"Thanks!" Hanoashi smiled. "Meghan, you're with me." she added. "Now, I want Heather to join my team as well for a main strike force, the rest of Charlie team will scout our flanks about five Kilometers from us. Beta team will move three kilometers back from our position, just in case Ooarai gets though us. Is there any objections?"
No one objected, so Hanoashi nodded. "Go ahead!" she shouted, causing the tanks to move towards there orders.
"You know the M22's on our flanks are likely to be taken out if they are spotted, right?" Heather asked, though her voice was gentle.
"I'm aware Heather, and I hate doing this, but Miho is backed into a corner. We cannot afford to take any chances, so if one of them get's knocked out, we'll have an idea of which way they are headed. My plan is to have the other M22 head towards the Beta team if that happens, and then we'll swing around in the general direction of that M22 and hopefully take the enemy out."
"That makes sense," Heather nodded in approval. "And like you said, Nishisumi get quite creative when backed into a corner, right?"
Hanoashi nodded. "Miho is one of the best at creative strategies when backed up into a corner, something I learned the hard way as her driver," she admitted.
"Alright, we need to head north," Miho decided. "But without any scouts, we don't know for sure where to go, and what dangers we can cope with."
"Are you sure about bringing the flag tank with us?" Erwin radioed.
"We'll need all of the firepower we can get, and besides, we can defend the flag tank as we go," Miho reminded her.
"If you say so," Erwin sighed, not sounding convinced.
We might is well though in the towel now, her consonance told her. Face the facts Miho, you where doomed from the start!
Miho pushed her negativity away. Now is not the time!
They traveled for a few moments, before something on the horizon caught Miho's eye. "That's a...M22 A locust!" she cried excitedly. "All units, fire at it quickly, and then head a hard right!" She ordered.
Hana quickly let out a shell, barely hitting the target. Erwin's shell hit the tracks of the Locus, but not before the locust took out the left track of the 38T.
"Damn, this isn't good, that's our flag tank!" Erwin shouted.
Hana shot off another shell, managing to take out the locust now that it was stationary. "Those are rather hard to hit," she noted.
"T-50's are worse, not only are they fast, but their cannon is quite strong and there angled armor is amazing for a light tank." Miho reminisced. "That was the tank I commanded back at Nishmari," she added quickly. "Anyways, we need to help Turtle team get their treads fixed.
Hanoashi smiled as the M22 reported their knock-out and success at disabling the tracks of the enemy flag tank. "Looks like we've got them now," Hanoashi smiled. "All tanks, head to point 1023!" she shouted.
"Looks like your plan is coming along nicely," Heather noted, a small smile on her face.
"So far, but we're not out of the woods yet," Hanoashi reminded. "Miho could still dish out some serious punches if she really wanted to."
"Right!"
As it turned out, the speed of the tanks was quite fast, and they managed to catch Miho's crew off-guard in the middle of repairing their track.
Miho gasped as she spotted the enemy tanks approach. "Dammit," she whispered. We're out of time!
She laid down her portion of the track, and turned to face the enemy tanks.
"They're not going to fire at us, are they?" Hana asked, sounding scared.
"No, either Hanoashi's going to give us the opinion of surrender, or make an offer to restart the fight."
"We can't just surrender, we have to keep going...somehow," Anzu pouted.
"Why do we need to keep fighting?" Erwin asked, her voice growing suspicious. "I mean, I know losing the first match is embarrassing, but...there's always next year."
Anzu just gazed downward, not answering, though her face was somber.
The Sander's team stopped about a thousand meters from them, and Miho watched as Hanoashi stepped out of the enemy tanks, and approached.
"You have some decent gunners, but your teammates really are rookies," she commended as she approached, before glaring at Miho. "Your fighting like you did back at Nishmari, something you can't do when your school doesn't even have half of the team you'd need to even enter the co-ed league tournaments, much less with an inexperienced team like this!"
"Blaze," Miho answered, a bit hurt by her friends rhetoric.
"You owe your team better, I must say I'm disappointed, especially since your school's going to be disbanded if it''s Sensado team doesn't make a good impression by the end of the winter cup."
Miho gasped. Ooarai's at risk of closing down? She shook her head unable to believe it. "I never thought of you as a liar, but that can't be right!" Miho gasped.
"It's unfortunately true," Anzu whispered.
All of the Ooarai team gasped and gazed at her in response. "Are you serious? Erwin growled.
Hanoashi let them argue for a bit. "I could have you surrender here and now, but...I have a different idea," she then turned to the ginger haired girl. "May I know your name?" she asked.
"Saori Takabe," she introduced.
"Well then, here are my terms. Sander's will be taking Saori prisoner for a week, starting now. In return, we'll let let you return to your starting position. And to make things more interesting, I'll add a wager, if you win, then you can take me prisoner for a month, and not only that, but you can decide my attire and force me to wear handcuffs during the day. But If I win, then Saori's time as our prisoner becomes five weeks, and she'll be subject to the same conditions I'll be if you win."
Miho shook her head. "I'm sorry, but you and Saori are my friends, I couldn't do that to either of you. I...I'll surrender."
"Sorry Miho, but who said I was going to just let you surrender?" Hanoashi countered.
"But..." Miho shuddered.
"I'll be okay...I think," Saori whispered gently to Miho. "I don't want Ooarai to close down...so..." Glaring at Hanoashi, she nodded. "I'll accept those terms," she growled.
"Good, I'm glad we've come to an agreement," Hanoashi smiled, extending her hand to Miho.
Miho reluctantly shook it. "Will Saori have to be handcuffed during her week if we win?" she asked.
Hanoashi shrugged. "That's up to Kay, since I'll be your prisoner if you win. But don't think it'll be easy."
"Alright..." Miho whispered, clearly uncomfortable, and she began to turn back to her tank, but she paused when Hanoashi coughed. "Saori comes with us now. Don't worry, I'll take her straight to Kay."
"Alright then...go with them Saori...and I'm sorry."
"My decision," Saori muttered, walking up to Hanoashi. "You happy?" she growled.
"First, prisoners don't get to growl to their captors," Hanoashi chided. "Secondly, I'm doing this to help Miho," she added.
"How does this help Miho?" Saori asked, sounding more irritated at being held prisoner.
"It'll make her realize that she has to fight," Hanoashi informed her. "Just alerting her to the fact that her school is shutting down isn't enough at this moment. Also, don't forget that if we lose, I get held prisoner for a month, and can likewise be subjected to being handcuffed."
"I guess, but I still have to be subjected to being held prisoner for a week regardless," Saori huffed.
"It won't be that bad, at most you'll be helping to clean the tanks and subjected to being handcuffed."
"Which is super embarrassing," Saori muttered. "Have you been handcuffed before?" she added, sounding slightly sarcastically.
"Plenty of times," Hanoashi smiled. "My cousin Rikona is big on bondage, and after ages of pleading from her, I decided to try it. Wouldn't say I like it persay, but I can tolerate it," she added.
"How can someone enjoy that stuff?" Saori whispered.
Hanoashi shrugged. "Rope bondage is my favorite, surprisingly enough."
"You're...insane," Saori huffed.
"Relax, legally the most we can to is handcuff you in the front, you won't have to try actual bondage out. And I was just like you before I gave it a try," Hanoashi admitted. "Hating the very notion of the idea."
"But rope bondage...like having your arms tied behind your back? That's insane!" Saori insisted.
"Well, yeah, but that's what I like about it. You feel insane for letting someone bound you like that, but you know they'll let you go, so you try and laugh it off. Once I watched a whole hour movie bound like that, man, what an experience that was!"
"You're delusional if you think I'll ever like bondage," Saori huffed as she got into the tank.
"Well...too late now," Hanoashi hummed. "Miho already accepted the deal."
"Only because you forced her to!" Saori protested hotly.
"You also pushed her to do it," Hanoashi reminded her gently.
"Yeah, I don't want my school to shut down, and you said you wouldn't accept a surrender otherwise." Saori protested on.
"I would have eventually, as I had some other ideas in mind," Hanoashi smirked.
"Like what?"
"Taking Miho prisoner for a week," Hanoashi smirked.
"You'd handcuff her too?" Saori gasped.
Hanoashi laughed. "What, handcuff a Nishisumi, you're joking!"
"So you'll handcuff me, but not Miho?" Saori frowned.
"Who knows," Hanoashi shrugged.
Saori soon found herself standing by Kay as Hanoashi's tank sped off. "So...what now.?" she asked.
"For now, just grab a seat, a coke and some popcorn and enjoy the show." Kay offered gently.
Saori nodded, unsure, but she did as Kay ordered, and took a seat.
"Don't let the whole prisoner thing get to you, it happens all the time in the girl's league," the girl next to her smiled. "Names Arisa by the way," she added polity.
"Saori...Takabe," Saori smiled back. "Do schools really take prisoners all the time?"
Arisa nodded. "In totality, yeah, though most students outside of commanders, tank or team, don't get held prisoners. If your spy had been caught, she would have also been held prisoner."
"Ah...I see," Saori nodded.
Miho heard the starting flair go off for the second time. "All troops, Panzer Vor!" she shouted.
"Feels odd without Saori being here," Mako sighed.
"Then let's make sure she's only gone for a week instead of a month," Miho growled dementedly. How dare she! Miho ranted inwardly. I know it's common procedure to take someone prisoner for a time in exchange for a favor, but Hanoashi was supposed to be my friend! How could she do this to Saori? To me?
"M-22 in our sights!" Anzu announced.
"Hana, take that bastard out!" Miho hollered.
"Oh...On it!" Hana shivered, having never seen Miho this angry before. She quickly fired, missing the M22 as it quickly dodged the shot.
"All units, turn right and move ahead three kilometers before moving back towards current heading," Miho ordered. "Blaze is trying to bait us, let's not allow her plan to work!"
Her crew obeyed, moving east three kilometers before switching back to a northern heading. Suddenly she found herself under fire from three Sturarts off of her right flank.
"We have to return fire. Hana, make sure you take at least one of them out. Stug, watch our heading.
"On it," Erwin radioed over the phone.
Hana's shot fired off, and managed to take out the first Sturart.
Hanoashi smiled as Miho's tanks came into view. "All units, fire on the Stug," she ordered, her Chaffies coming to life with thunderous booms as they fired.
She smiled as the Stug came to a sudden stop, it's white flag already fluttering in the wind. "Nice going," she smiled.
Suddenly her tank came to a stop as a shell hit her tank. "Well,we're out," she sighed. However, a quick shot from her allied Chaffie hit the flag tank."
"Ooarai Flag tank 38T has been knocked out. As such, Sanders is the winner!" the judge announced over the radio.
Hanoashi let out a quiet sigh. "Well...that was fun," she smiled. But now it's time to take our prisoner home with us for five weeks."
Things moved rather quickly after that match. The ministry of education, somewhat impressed with Ooarai's ability to raise a competent fighting force, allowed them to have a mulligan and fight in the winter tournament to see if they could save their school. They almost succeeded, however when they tried to use cell phones to counter Arisa's Radio Balloon during the semi-finals, they were disqualified and the school shut down.
As for Hanoashi, she continued to prove herself in the coming years, and was eventually made commander of the team in her third year, though it was slightly controversial between her friendship to Miho and Mihos cheating. Though they had their doubts, Hanoashi did well, managing to bring Sanders to a championship victory during the winter cup.
However, Hanoashi's friendship with Miho had came to an end. At first it was one sided, Miho being upset at Saori's imprisonment, but it turned mutual when Hanoahsi discovered Miho breach of the rules. Nevertheless the two never talked until the day they met in Kurogurard. But that was a different story for another day.