Alnus Hill, Division Headquarters

3rd POV:

Yanagida is standing before Major Higaki explaining why Itami and Y/N abandoned their original mission.

Higaki: So, let me get this straight, First Lieutenant Itami received intel about an underground natural resource. First Lieutenant L/N went  along with him leaving Sergeant Major Kuwabara in charge while they went alone to investigate. Is that what you're telling me?  

Yanagida: Yes Sir... The Ministry is anxious for information on any strategy resources. Considering the situations surrounding us, we must find as many locations as we can before things get worse.

Higaki: I heard there are dragons in that area.

Yanagida: I'm quite sure they're aware of that.

Higaki: Then why would they choose to go in all by themselves? 

Yanagida: It's because they're both idiots sir.

Yanagida leaves the Major's office

Yanagida: Well...that's all the ground work. I just need the approval from the Lieutenant General.

Later Yanagida stands nervous in front of the General reading his  report and other Battalion Commanders and Air Self Defense Force pilots staring at him.

Hazama: Um.... What in the holy hell is Itami and L/N thinking?

Yanagida: Sir...The letter 5-304 from the Ministry. Entitled "Strategy Resources in the Special Region" is what caused Itami and L/N to take action!

Hazama: Yes yes but that's just their official purpose.

Yanagida: Official or not, First Lieutenants Itami and L/N went to search for resources!

Hazama: Hmm...I see.

Hazama gets up from his desk and looks out the window.

Hazama: Well gentlemen, it seems we have a couple of dumb-asses among us. But we can't just watch them die can we.

Kurihama: No matter what kind of soldiers they are... they're still one of us, after all.

Hazama: You're damn right soldier! They're our dumb-asses! Colonel Kamo!

Kamo: Sir!

Hazama: Put the 1st Combat Team on standby. Wait for the Air Self-Defense Force's contact and support based on their intel. We need to back up their search for resources. Lieutenant Colonel!

Kamikoda: Sir!

Hazama: I am requesting air reconnaissance. You're on C.A.P (Combat Air Patrol) prepare to encounter a Special Region Class-A Vermin. That is all.

Soldiers & Pilots: Understood.

The pilots and soldiers leave to organize a plan. Yangida stands there dumbstruck with his mouth hanging open by the General's decision to support Itami and L/N mission.

Hazama: You  don't happen to speak the Special Region's language, do you? I have someone that would like you to meet. Also contact the Americans let them know what our marine is doing. After you close your mouth of course.

TIME SKIP Elbe

Y/N POV:

We've been driving through Elbe for about three days now with nothing happening. I guess that's a good thing since we're in Dragon country Itami's driving, I'm riding shotgun navigating, and the girls are in the back. It's raining hard and so we pulled over to get out of the rain and get our bearings straight and go over the map.

Itami: I think this is where we are now. We've passed through Tongut, Hebrae, and Gremina.

Y/N: And this morning we left Metabal so he have to be near the Telilia Plain.

Rory: Why did you take such a strange path to get here?

Yao: Yes I'm sorry, I was following the rumors I'd heard about the movement of the green ones.

Lelei: This is the way through the Korlo Mountains. The road is wider, but steep and this goes by the Gurban River. It's longer but more flat.

Itami: Either way, the road conditions are not great.

Tuka is sleeping in the back tossing and turning.

Itami: Lelei can you help us out?

Lelei once again uses her magic to pacify Tuka.

Y/N: Itami, how long do you plan on keeping her asleep?

Rory: How much longer will the magic work on her?

Itami hesitates to answer and dodges our questions.

Itami: Yao, the dragon has been showing up in the Schwartz Woods, hasn't it?

Yao: Mostly in the southern region including the forest. But if you really want to find the flame dragon, we should make our way to the Lordom Valley.

Itami: Remember our purpose is for Tuka to get revenge for her father's death. I'm sorry but we did not come here to save your people.

Y/N: C'mon man that was a little harsh. Can't we call saving them a secondary objective?

Yao: But there's someone there who can tell us exactly where the dragon lives.

Itami: Hmm... Well that could help us.

Y/N: Can't ignore a potentially good lead. We should check it out.

Itami: Okay, but let me make one thing clear. We're not fighting that thing in valley. Not interested in being at the bottom of a kill box.

Y/N: No argument there.

After a few more hours of driving we stopped for the night before heading to Lordom Valley in the morning, the girls are all asleep and I'm keeping watch with Itami. As I sit by the camp fire cleaning my rifle, I start thinking about 3rd Recon. Specifically Kuribayashi, how I just jumped out of a helicopter to go kill a dragon with little chance of survival. I thought about the last time I was with her.

FLASHBACK

Alnus Hill, Y/N Quarters

Y/N POV:

It was the night before our mission, I lay in my bunk unable to sleep. Kuribayashi is sound asleep next to me. I smile as I give head a few strokes with my hand. I get up putting my sweat pants on heading to the latrine to splash some water on my face. I accidentally woke up Kuribayashi and she sees me leaning over my sink looking very concerned.

Kuribayashi: Hey, are you okay? Did you have another nightmare?

Y/N: No, I'm...just having trouble sleeping.

Kuribayashi: *pats bed* Well come back to bed.

I head back over to my bunk grabbing something out of my pack along the way. I lay down and Kuribayashi snuggles next to me resting her head on my shoulder.

Kuribayashi: Mmm...So warm.

Y/N: Hey, I wanna give you something.

Kuribayashi: What is it?

Y/N: Put out your hand.

She puts out her hand and I place this in her hand she looks at it.

Y/N: These are given to Recruits and Officer Candidates when pass the Crucible and earn the title of Marine.

Kuribayashi: You're giving this to me.

Y/N: You earned that many times over. And you would make on hell of a Marine Rifleman. I'm not saying quit the SDF and join the Corps. Though I could put in the paperwork and nominate you to be an Honorary Marine...If you want to?

Kuribayashi: Come on! You don't have to do all that. I'm just happy you gave me this little gift to remind me of you.

Y/N: Another thing....

Kuribayashi: What is it?

Y/N: When I get leave again, I'm gonna go home. And....I want to you to come with me.

Kuribayashi: To America?

Y/N: Yeah, ya know meet the family and whatnot.

Kuribayashi: Really?

Y/N: Shino, you are the best thing that ever happened to me. And I want you in my life. *grabs Kuribayashi's hand* I've never felt this way about anyone until I met you.

Kuribayashi blushes and smiles with tears in her eyes, I feel myself falling asleep. She presses herself closer to me and kisses my lips and before I fall completely doze off I swear she said one last thing.

Kuribayashi: Oh F/N, I love you.

END FLASHBACK

Itami: Hey!!

I snap out my thought and jolt up hearing Itami and start reassembling my rifle.

Itami: You okay? You kinda zoned out there, what were you thinking about?

Y/N: Oh, just...thinking about what 3rd Recon what they might be doing right now.

Itami: Speaking of which...We never finished our conversation from Italica. What do you think of Kuribayashi?

Y/N:......We've been seeing each other.

Itami:......

Y/N: We have been for quite a while, we were going tell everyone after this mission. But that went out the window when you and I jumped out of that helicopter.

Itami: Okay, when did it start between you two?

Y/N: Back in Tokyo, she confessed her feelings to me at that hotel before we were attacked by those agents.

Itami: Is it serious?

Y/N: Yeah, I really care about her. I'll tell you this she'd make an excellent Marine.

Itami: How about me? Could you see me as a Marine?

Y/N: You might hack it....in the National Guard.

Itami: *laughs* Screw you man!

Y/N: *laughs* Ya know if we were born few generations before this we would've had to kill each other.

???: What do you mean?

We hear a voice and turn to see Lelei.

Y/N: Lelei, sorry if we woke you.

Lelei: It's fine, now what did you mean that you would have to kill each other?

Itami and I give each other and awkward look.

Y/N: If you don't want me to...?

Itami: No, no go ahead.

Y/N: In our world many years ago, there was a sequence of events what we call "World War II." Ambitious men gained power in various counties. They wanted to expand their countries influence through military expansionism. These countries Germany, Italy, and Japan formed an alliance known as the Axis. They began by annexing and invading their neighbors. Other countries called the Allies fought back against them.

Lelei: Was America involved?

Y/N: We tried to stay out of it, but it came to us. Our homeland was never invaded but we were attacked.

Lelei: By whom?

I look over at Itami and he gives me a nod.

Y/N: Japan, they attacked our fleet at our naval base at Pearl Harbor. After that we declared war on Japan. Soon after that Germany declared war on America. Our intervention was crucial in ending the war, bringing much needed support to the Allies. After a total of 6 years and millions lives lost it came to an end with the surrender of the Axis. Italy was the first, Germany was second, and Japan was the last using the most destructive weapon we ever created.

Lelei: So America and Japan were enemies? If so, why are you friends? Your countries are not holding any grudges now?

Y/N: No, Japan was not the Japan we know today. We even helped rebuild it after the war including organizing the JSDF.

Lelei: Since it was so long ago did any of your fore fathers take part in this war?

Y/N: I don't know about Itami, but my Grandfather fought the Germans the whole war.

Lelei: Fascinating, I would like to know more about this war in detail.

Y/N: Maybe some other time Lelei for now we should get some rest.

Lelei: I understand.

Lelei left me and Itami alone

Y/N: I'm sorry if I reopened any scars Itami.

Itami: *shakes head* It's all in the history books now man. We should probably get some sleep.

Y/N: Good idea.

A/N: I know I painted a very broad stroke regarding World War II, I myself am a huge World War II buff.

TIME SKIP MORNING, LORDOM VALLEY

Y/N POV:

Itami, Rory, Yao, and myself overlook the valley Tuka is still asleep in the vehicle. Itami brought out one the RPGs just in case.

Lelei: Here we are, Lordom Valley. 

Yao: I'll let my people know we have arrived.

Yao leaps down on some rocks and descends into the valley. Tuka wakes up for her nap and starts walking towards us.

Tuka: *yawns* So...is this it?

Itami: Yeah...How was you nap?

Tuka: It was just lovely.

Tuka looks down into the rocky valley.

Tuka: Why would they choose to live in a place where's there's hardly any green around?

Itami: I don't know. But there must be some reason for it...L/N you okay? You're looking around quite a bit.

Y/N: I getting some bad vibes here. Kinda reminding me of Afghanistan.

Suddenly I hear some rock sifting behind us and I quickly point my weapon at the source.

Y/N: Contact!!

Rory: Dark elves?!

A group of dark elves draw their bows at us.

Male Dark Elf: Who are you and what are you doing here?!

Itami immediately puts his hands up.

Itami: L/N put your weapon away!

Y/N: Only if they do first...It's okay! Yao Ha Dushi brought us here!

Male Dark Elf: Huh? Yao brought you here?

Suddenly we start to feel huge gusts of wind coming form the valley. We turn around and we see it. We are all shocked and surprised to see it.

The dragon lands on the ground and lets out a loud roar.

Itami: Tuka run!

Y/N: Take cover!

Itami and I begin firing at the dragon in bursts, the dark elves loose their arrows at it but it's not having any effect.

Itami: Can you hear me?! Run!

Y/N: Get outta here! Go!

We continue to fire at the dragon but isn't slowing it down. Rory leaps into the air and strikes the dragon with her halberd. Lelei charges her magic and fires a energy ball but the dragon flies into the air and dodges it. Rory leaps and bounds off some rocks and attempts to hit the dragon again. The dragon breathes fire and Rory swipes the fire away, the dragon then catches her off guard and it grabs her and throws her into the ground. Rory rolls a few times and flips back up to her feet.

Rory: *giggles* That was quite impressive.

I regroup with Itami and Tuka still firing at the dragon.

Y/N: *fires burst* EAT LEAD MOTHER FUCKER!! *fires burst*

Itami: Tuka, that the flame dragon. That the beast that murdered your father.

Tuka: You're a liar! My father is not dead! Because you're right here Daddy....

Itami: I am not your father dammit!

Tuka: You're not...

Itami puts the RPG in in Tuka's hand and helps hold it steady for her cause she is absolutely frightened.

Itmami: Tuka! That dragon is your enemy. Put that bastard in the cross hairs, and pull the trigger.

Tuka: NOOO!!

Itami: Open your eyes! Look!

Tuka opens her eyes and sees the dragon the RPGs sights.

Itami: Pull...the...trigger!

Y/N: Tuka! Fire!

Tuka fires the rocket the dragon dodges it and retreats it flies away into the distance and I stand upon a ledge.

Y/N: THAT'S RIGHT! FLY BACK TO YOUR NEST YOU SCALY BASTARD!

A/N: Well I'm gonna end this here, Jesus Christ this one got heavy! So, so sorry I've been dark this last month real world shit got in the way of writing this so I'm back and hopefully delivering more chapters maybe another book. So you know the drill! Give me a vote, share, follow me if you like to. Have a great day or night and I will see you all next time! LATER!!