This story features an original faction with original characters that I have created and is based on a scene from the film Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale. I hope you enjoy it.
It was a lovely sunny day at the Azur Lane base, all of the ship girls were having a good time amongst themselves. Out in the fields on the outskirts of the base, two destroyer sisters from a newly arrived faction called the Jurkurrpa Tribe, Anzac and Tobruk, were having a stroll and a chat.
"I tell ya, some of those Eagle Union girls know how to have fun," said Tobruk.
"Yeah I know, seeing Bailey and Benson juggling and messing around like that was quite a sight, not to mention those so-called beavers are a cheery bunch," Anzac replied. "Hey, are you coming to training this afternoon?"
Tobruk answered, "you bet, those Royal Navy girls won't stand a chance, they're too gentle and dainty."
Just then, they heard some voices and soft thuds coming from behind some bushes.
"Come on sis, we haven't got all day!"
"I'm trying! This is hard."
"Kick it harder!"
"It hurts my feet!"
Anzac and Tobruk walked over to where the voices were after they saw a rugby ball fly by. Poking their heads around a bush, they saw two girls that they recognised. It was destroyers Javelin and her sister Juno from the Royal Navy. They were kicking the ball back and forth. Tobruk and Anzac looked at each other with weird expressions while watching how they were kicking and catching. Rather poorly they both thought. After Javelin caught the ball after it bounced in front of her, Tobruk finally walked out and said, "no no no no, you never let it bounce Javelin, you gotta take it on the full."
"And Juno, use the front of your foot when you kick." Anzac quickly followed up.
"Oh Tobruk and Anzac, hello there, I didn't know that. Do you think maybe you could show us?" Javelin asked, throwing the ball to Tobruk.
"Yes, pretty please," Juno said in agreement.
Tobruk smiled and replied, "yeah okay, we'll give you a few pointers. Let's start with catching. Now Javelin, this is gonna be a high up-and-under. When I boot this, you get under it, okay?"
"Okay," Javelin responded as she got some distance away.
"Righty-o!" Tobruk shouted as she kicked the ball high up. Javelin jumpers and stretched her arm up to catch it, but the ball bounced off her hand.
Tobruk called out to her, "hey, two hands for beginners alright?"
"Sorry!" Javelin called back, throwing the ball back to Tobruk.
Tobruk kicked the ball again. Javelin braced herself. She started running back to get behind the ball, and as she caught it, she fell backwards onto the ground.
"Are you alright?" Juno called out worryingly.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Javelin replied as she picked herself up. She threw the ball back to Tobruk as she walked back to them.
"Wanna handle the next bit sis?" Tobruk asked Anzac.
"Gladly," Anzac replied. "Now, the tackle. You gotta go low and hard. Juno, I'll run at ya slowly. You tackle me, but don't worry I won't hurt ya."
Anzac started running toward Juno whilst holding the ball. Juno braced herself nervously. As Anzac got close, Juno tried to grab her, but Anzac forced her way through her, causing Juno to tumble to the ground.
Anzac pulled her up and said, "you need to be harder when you grab me, let's try again." The two gathered some distance again, and then Anzac came running at Juno again. 'come on, come on', Anzac thought to herself. Juno grabbed and held Anzac tightly, causing both of them to spin around and topple to the ground.
"Yeah it's coming, it's coming." Anzac groaned as she and Juno got up.
"Gee thanks," Juno replied. "You and your sister know a lot, how are you so good?"
Anzac gave a big smile and said, "well because Tobruk and I have been training for the game next week."
Javelin and Juno gave a confused look. "Game? What game?", Javelin asked.
"Haven't you heard? There's going to be a big match between Jukurrpa and the Royal Navy this weekend." Tobruk answered joyfully. "Us two are part of the team."
"Yeah, everyone at Azur Lane knows about it. With our lineup and how much we've been training, those Royal Navy pansies won't know what hit 'em!" Anzac followed up with enthusiasm. Amazement was in Juno and Javelin's eyes. A proper rugby match sounded really exciting.
They looked at each other and Javelin said "we will look forward to watching it, I hope our faction wins."
Tobruk smiled and replied "we shall see. Now come on, let's continue practising."
Several days later.
It was massively lively at the newly-constructed Azur Lane rugby park. There was lots of excited chatter and noise as all the ship girls from all the factions piled in to take their seats. At the commentary table in the middle of the North sideline were two girls elected as the game's commentators; light cruiser Sydney from the Jurkurrpa Tribe, and heavy cruiser London from the Royal Navy. Next to the table where they were sitting was the elected referee; light cruiser Denver from the Eagle Union, and flag marshals Libeccio and Maestrale from the Sardegna Empire, all dressed in white shirts, shorts and long socks with spiked boots. After a quick microphone test, Sydney and London began their commentary.
S: "It's a beautiful day down here at the field. The crowd is eager to see what I think is going to be an amazing match. The Royal Navy against the Jurkurrpa Tribe."
L: "You are right Sydney. I am feeling just as excited as everyone else is here today. Our two factions sending out ten of their best, all of them have been training hard for this moment. Who knows what is going to happen during the game? In fact, the first team is running out now, and it's the Royal Navy."
Applause broke out around the field as the Royal Navy team ran out from the player's tunnel onto the field. They were dressed in red shirts with white shorts and socks. They jogged onto their half of the field, some of them waving at the stands.
L: "Those girls certainly look confident. We have got Kent as their captain, then there's Achilles, Leander, Shropshire, Icarus, Crescent, Glowworm, Ardent, Bulldog, and Vampire. Quite a lineup they have there."
S: "Well let's hope their skills match their confidence, and I very much doubt it. Anyway, here now comes my team, the mighty Jurkurrpa Tribe. Out first is their captain Canberra, then there's Hobart, Perth, Anzac, Tobruk, Stuart, Voyager, Vendetta, Arunta, and finally Warramunga."
The applause was slightly less loud when the Jurkurrpa team ran out towards their half. They were donning gold-yellow shirts with green shorts and socks. Shortly after, Denver, Libeccio and Maestrale ran to their starting positions.
L: "That team looks tough, I'm not gonna lie. We may have one cruiser extra, but I don't think that's a big advantage."
S: "Indeed not. Our destroyer girls are tougher than they look. Warramunga and Arunta are particularly fearsome. Anyway, both teams are in their positions, Royal Navy is gonna start off with Shropshire taking the kick-off. Just waiting for Denver now to give the signal to start the match. The anticipation is really building now."
The teams and the audience eagerly waited for the 60-minute match to commence. Finally, Denver blows the whistle.
