Chapter 1: The Beginning

May 24, 2003

Dresden, Germany

Whoosh! A green tracer ripped across the flat horizon. It hit an M26 Pershing straight on the front plate, making it shudder backwards as the white flag shot out from the rear of its massive turret. The shot came from a Tiger II with a woodland style camouflage. A young boy watched the battle with awe and amazement, his cloudy blue eyes were locked on as the battle had just wrapped up. The game referees walked over to the sound system to announce the battle conclusion.

"Black Forest Girls Academy has eliminated Richmond Academy of the Arts!"

Dozens of people of all ages, shot out from the bleachers and erupted into massive cheers and applause for their home team. The boy also cheered as well, although he had no idea which team had won or which teams were even versing. The cheering and shouting had started to die down although it was still mildly loud. The young boy stopped cheering and felt a familiar hand on his shoulder, it was his father. He looked up with a big smile on his face and saw that he also had a smile that almost replicated his as well.

"What do you think about that Eryn?" His father asked, most likely already knowing the answer.

"It was awesome!" Eryn exclaimed as his father laughed. He picked Eryn up and placed him on his shoulders. Eryn looked down at his father, he looked at the battlefield with the same enthusiasm as him. Eryn came to the conclusion that it was probably for nostalgic reasons, his father did Tankery when he was in high school and became an instructor. Like his father, Eryn wanted to become a Tankery athlete

"How much do you count Dad?" Eryn questioned.

"I count 19." Eryn's father responded.

"How did you count that fast?"

"It's a skill that comes with Tankery experience."

As Eryn was about to talk, he heard a feint sound coming from the tree line near the bleachers. As the sound grew louder and louder, Eryn narrowed it down to one thing, a tank. It drew closer, the clanging of the tracks became more apparent and the low growl of its engine sent shivers down Eryn's spine. Eryn's father also had a look of anticipation on his face as both them and the audience waited what felt like an eternity.

Their waiting concluded as the same Tiger II rolled around the corner in all of its glory, the gun majestically pointed towards the sky, its engine growled and roared as it propelled the beast forward. Eryn's face lit up with excitement as the tank crawled down the path for everyone to admire. His father looked at the machine and shook his head with a smirk. As the tank kept on its path, the hatch on top of its turret creaked open. Eryn watched in interest as a figure popped out of the turret and scanned the crowd.

To Eryn's surprise, the mystery figure was a girl. As she rose from the tank hatch and waved at the crowd, Eryn could identify more and more of her figure. She had a cap that rest on the top of her head which covered a small portion of her black hair which barely drooped down to her shoulders. The outfit was what intrigued Eryn the most, it consisted of a black uniform with red trimmings around the neck area, an iron cross was pinned onto the left lapel of the uniform. Her dark eyes met Eryn's as she presented him with a light smile. Eryn smiled back as he continued to make out what she was wearing.

"We love you Ami Chono!" Eryn heard, he looked over to see a group of girls with a sign that read 'Black Forest Peak on top'.

Eryn's interest peaked as she hopped down from the tank and started to walk towards the crowd of supporters and fans. Eryn's father gently grabbed his hand and led him towards the crowd to see what was happening. As they approached, they heard various thank yous and praise. When they emerged from the body of people in front of them, they could see that the tanker was signing various pieces of merch which also included a miniature version of her Tiger II.

The crowd had started to dissipate after the meet and greet, Eryn and his father went over to Ami, who was just about to leave before she noticed Eryn's dad. Her eyes beamed in excitement as she jogged over to them.

"Mr. Silva, its you!" Ami exclaimed.

"It's been a while," Eryn's father replied. "How has Black Forest been treating you for the past year?"

"Well-" Ami droned. "I love it, I've met so many new friends and I'm basically the new icon of the school now."

"Also," Ami added. "I wanted to thank you for teaching me all of the things I needed to know, I probably wouldn't have got to where I am without you."

"Ahhh, don't mention it!" Eryn's father replied. Ami looked to her left and saw a little kid beside him, she looked at him in interest.

"Wait Mr. Silva, is this kid your son?" Ami asked.

"Yep, this little pipsqueak right here! His name is Eryn." Eryn's father said before rubbing his son's hair.

"Dad stop!" Eryn laughed.

"Well Eryn, did you know that your dad is considered one of the best Tankery athletes in the world?" Ami said.

Eryn looked at his father in awe and amazement. "Actually, dad?"

Eryn's father looked at him while scratching the back of his head. "I guess you could say that, but the thing is, I'm old now!"

"So you're not as good as her?" Eryn said while pointing at Ami.

"Yup! Ask her about Tankery instead of me!" Eryn's father said, Ami facepalmed herself.

"Miss uh-" Eryn said before stopping. "Sorry, what's your name?"

"Ami, just call me Ami." Ami assured with a light smile.

"Alright, Miss Ami, what does it mean to be a tanker?" Eryn asked.

Ami was caught in surprise at the question, however, she kept her light smile to hide it. She had assumed that the young boy would ask what tank she commands, or if he could have a photo with her. A little while later, she had come up with her answer. Firstly, she bent down and patted the boy on the shoulder and looked at him in the eyes again to give her answer.

"A true tanker to me, is a person that is humble, respectful and honorable. But they also are very strong willed and are great leaders as well."

"Strong willed but also respectful and humble as well, I see!" Eryn enthusiastically responded. A smile grew on his face as he faced Ami again. "Thanks Ms. Ami!"

Ami smiled along with Eryn, she could see the joy in his eyes which made Ami feel a bit nostalgic. She then thought about Eryn doing Tankery, will he be as talented as her, or will he even do it at all?

"Eryn, do you plan on taking part in Tankery?" Eryn was taken aback by the question, this was his first experience with Tankery at all. He never gave the sport a thought and probably never would have.

"Do you think I have what it takes?"

"Of course! Anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it."

"Eryn!" His father had called out to him "We have to go!"

"Aww!" Eryn whined, he looked back at Ami. "Looks like I have to go"

"Don't worry Eryn." Ami reassured. "I'm sure we can meet again."

Eryn's expression started to change, he started walking back to his dad, who was patiently waiting. Eryn looked back at Ami, she was climbing back onto the Tiger II. As Ami was climbing back on, Eryn said goodbye to her one last time.

"Bye Ms. Ami!" Ami looked back at Eryn and his dad, and reciprocated his words. "Bye Eryn! Bye Mr. Silva."

Ami climbed back into the tank and made herself comfortable in the commander's seat. Her gunner, Elisa looked back at her and flashed a quick salute before changing her stoic expression to that of a more relaxed one.

"Hey Ami, you talked to that kid for a lot longer than you usually do for kids his age." Elisa noted.

"Yea, its like you see something in him." Ami's loader, Sofia added.

"Maybe it's like the Will of Fire from Naruto!" Anna, Ami's driver quipped.

"Do not ever mention Anime in front of me again please." Lana, Ami's radio operator replied.

"Hmm, I don't know," Ami answered. "It feels like he was destined for Tankery, just like how his dad was."

The tank crew looked at Ami in confusion with a slight mix of interest, Ami immediately took note of their facial expressions and drew the conclusion that they all wanted more answers.

"I'll tell you guys later." Ami said "Anna, forward."

The Tiger tank rumbled as it trekked down the dirt path. Eryn and his father watched as it grew farther and farther away from them. Eryn was happy with what happened today, he had found more interest in Tankery and wanted to be like his father. Unbeknownst to him, this would the spark to a journey of a lifetime.