Pixies und Panzer
by LGear

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In the years she had visited the Tristain Royal Institute of Science and Technology, Agnes thought she had seen everything this place had to offer. The loud boom that blasted down the hall didn't even register to her as she continued walking, not even batting an eye at the smoke she passed through. Past the smoke she soldiered on, only to be stopped by the sight of a red light by a hall intersection. It took her a while before she noticed what exactly was wrong with the current scenario: she had been drilled to obey the Fae's red stoplights outside the institute to prevent being run over by yet another of their crazy inventions, whether it was the "Yuyumobile" or some other steam-powered contraption capable of great speed.

So why was there a stoplight inside the facility, in a hall only passable to humans?

The answer came amidst the sounds of metal rattling en masse, mixed with the whine of dozens of Fae electric motors. Their source, Agnes saw, was a dozen small, tracked steel carriages a mail long, resembling the "tanks" that the Armored Warfare Department were building, but on a much smaller scale, moving in a narrow V formation. Protruding from holes on top of the miniature carriages were the Pixies who rode on them.

"Listen up!" The Pixie in the lead tank cried out, the loudness of her voice surprising even Agnes. "Those who get knocked out will spend the next week assigned under Hegent-sama's cleaning detail! We'll win against those Oarai girls this time around, is that clear?!"

The collective chorus of "URAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" nearly deafened Agnes in its intensity. How Pixies could have such loud voices Agnes wondered. And then as the Pixie tank column passed by her, she heard their song in a language she had never heard before from any Fae...

"Rastsvetali iabloni i grushi, poplyli tumany nad rekoj
Vykhodila na bereg Katyusha, na vysokij bereg na krutoj..."

As the convoy and their song receded into the distance, Agnes turned to look at the new person who just joined her with much bemusement.

"What was that about Dame Nishizumi?"

The short, brunette Fae who headed the Armored Warfare Department simply looked at the retreating column with much pride. "As you can see we have Pixies testing scale models of our tanks. Their input will be invaluable in the development of the full scale versions."

"And what was that I heard about punishments being meted out?"

The Fae researcher giggled. "We have them test the machines out by engaging in mock battles against other tank teams. Obviously there had to be stakes involved."

"And if they win?"

"A week's supply of Chocolate from Arrun's confectionaries."

A smile suddenly crossed Nishizumi's lips. "Would you care to join me in watching a match? It'll be fun!"

Agnes glanced at the timepiece on her wrist. She had time to kill before her appointment it seems.

"I'll gladly take you up on your offer."

"Wonderful! Follow me please," The young Fae gestured, before pumping her fist into the air. "Panzer Vor!"