AN: Story does not stray too much from the GATE Universe. The start is similar but the story will take other paths as it goes on.

Story starts right after the JSDF comes through the gate. But it does not come alone. Japan along with a small NATO contingent containing troops from USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Italy.

Chapter 1: Clash at Alnus Hill

D-Day + 20 days

Alnus Hill, Gen. Hazama's bureau.

General Hazama addressing to his officers.

"Gentlemen, the international units have arrived. Yanagida, please tell us more about the soldiers sent by our friends."

"Yes sir! Replies Yanagida with a short salute. As you know, we have the most men at the moment, 8.000 soldiers with adequate light and heavy weaponry, plus logistics. Italy sent an infantry unit of 500 soldiers with M113 APCs. They will assume guard duties of Alnus Base at the given moment. They are followed by Germany and Canada who agreed on a tank battalion composed of 1.000 soldiers and 20 Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks. Since their armies use the same tank, they will share the logistics. They will stay as a reserve in the base at the moment and assume guard duties. The British did not send any heavy armor, just light artillery and light vehicles with infantry. They will share the Bradley IFVs with the Americans since they have been trained on them. The U.S. brought 20 tanks too, their M1A2 Abrams. We will provide all the air support for now. From what I hear, the U.S. wants to bring three A-10 Warthogs in the near future. For logistics reasons, our allies will all be using the M4 assault rifle, the M240G light machine gun, the M1911 sidearm and the Humvee and many more. I don't think I'm telling lies when I say that the last ones (Americans) are always eager for a fight."

"Thank you, Yanagida. Gentlemen, I want you to prepare a few recon teams. I want to learn more about what we are dealing with here. A UAV spotted large enemy formations marching on our positions. They are not the same as we met in Ginza and when we first arrived here. They are bearing different colors and armor. Tend to your subordinates and prepare yourselves for another fight."

Somewhere in the Special Region

King Duran's army was orderly marching towards Alnus Hill. He was riding his horse on the right side of the column but his thoughts were not here. His mind was somewhere else. He was deep in thought and it took a few attempts from one of his officers to bring him back from wherever his mind was flying.

"My king!"

"Ouh, ugh… what is it?" Duran's low voice replied to his shouts.

"Sir, we will arrive at the meeting point in one day if we don't set camp for the night. A messenger arrived to inform us that the armies of Mudwan, League and Alguna are already there, their commanders preparing the battle strategy but will be waiting for you before making a move."

"Has the Imperial Army arrived?" the king asked his man.

"I do not know, my lord. The messenger did not say anything about this."

"I see. Send word that we won't be making any camp before we meet with the Allied Army."

Duran then turned his eyes towards his soldiers. He had this feeling in his stomach… one too familiar… "This happens always before a battle… but I have a bad feeling about this one in particular."

Near Alnus Hill, Allied Army camp

D-Day + 21 days, evening

A few kilometers away from the JSDF base was the Allied camp. There was a lot of movement and noise as soldiers of every nation was drinking, singing and having a good time. The few dragon riders, arrogant as always due to their role as dragon riders, were separated from the others and tending to their companions in battle. In the middle of the camp was a large ornate tent with guards on every side.

"What do we know of our enemy?" asked Duran.

"Not much…they have been building defenses for a few days now. My scouts were here long before us and kept an eye on them.", King of League jumped in.

"They are one strange army. My men told me they wear green dotted clothes and a few of them are in gray. I recon they are a nation like the empire." added the Alguan king.

That made Duran rise an eyebrow. "Hmm? Why do you say that?"

"They are bearing a white flag with a large red circle in the middle from which red lines come. There are five other flags: one with red and white stripes with a blue corner, one with horizontal black, red and orange stripes, one with green, white and red, another one is somewhat like a red leaf on a white background and the last one is somewhat strange. The first flag is in larger numbers, thus I concluded they must be the sovereign army and the others are vassals."

"How many are there?"

"More than 10.000. We have 10 soldiers for every one of theirs. And not counting our elephants, dragon riders, catapults and ogres." Mudwani king answered Duran's question.

King of League gazed into Duran's worried eyes before proudly saying "I will take the front lines tomorrow and lead my men in an assault to retake the hill. An Imperial messenger delivered a letter from Molt. The Emperor says his army is marching from Italica. Yet he presses us to attack as soon as we can."

"Then they will be here in one day at the most. I suggest we do not hurry and wait for them to arrive. Then we can encircle the hill on every side and launch an all out attack. My lords, I have a bad feeling about this… Something just seems wrong."

"Is the mighty Duran, the Lion of Elbe, cowering?"

"Do not take my caution for fear and cowardice. Do you all three agree on holding on longer before attacking?"

The four kings have agreed on waiting one more day before making a move on Alnus Hill.

Near the Allied Camp

Up in a tree were First Lt. Itami of the JGSDF and Lt. Alistair of the British Army gazing through their binoculars. Lt. Alistair was a man in his 40s with brown to black hair color. He liked his beard trimmed short and his hair cut as best as possible but not bald.

"What do you think, Itami?"

"Not much. I just hope we can scare them off and avoid the bloodshed. Tell me Alistair, how long has it been?"

"Since when?"

"Since we met. Back in the U.S.A. during the joint exercises."

"Two years? Yeah, almost two years."

"And? How's life been since?"

"Regular life. Sister got married and moved just across the street from our parents' house. Then I was redeployed in Afghanistan for three more months with my unit. Lost a good friend there."

"I'm sorry to hear that. How?"

"IED (improvised explosive device). How have you been?"

"Ouh… Well… Risa and I divorced after I returned home from the States. There was nothing interesting afterwards. Just enjoying my free time. Until Ginza… Then all hell broke loose."

Alistair checks his watch then proceeds to bring his radio closer to his mouth. "It is time, Itami. This is Sentinel to Scarecrow! Come in Scarecrow!"

After two seconds he received a reply from a male voice with a Japanese accent: "Scarecrow to Sentinel, we hear you. Give us the coordinates."

"Right. We picked off a nice spot for our play today. 1-1-0 0-9-0. Range: 4km. How copy?"

"Solid copy! 1-1-0 0-9-0, 4km. Fire!"

General Hazama came up with an idea to try scare the Allied Army by firing smoke bombs on their positions to induce fear and confusion in their ranks. Many were skeptic about this plan but it was worth a try. He deployed his Type-74 tanks in the first line of defense facing the enemy camp. The tanks were flanked by older Gepard SPAAGs (self propelled anti air guns), 81mm mortars and infantry. Three hundred meters behind them was the second line of defense. The Abrams and Leopards were stationed inside the base, ready to counterattack any flanking maneuver performed by the enemy.

In a few moments, the 155mm howitzers of the JGSDF opened fire, launching their smoke bombs on the enemy camp. The shells flew through the air for a few seconds before landing among soldiers and animals, spreading its payload. Scared soldiers were falling to the ground, unable to see through the smoke and barely able to breathe. Horses were running amok through the camp, breaking down tents and injuring people.

"Man, they must have pissed their pants! Look at that, we've smoked them good."

"I'd like to sit around and watch, but they serve pizza tonight. Let's go. I don't want to miss the good food. Ain't going to let Kuribayashi and Kurata eat my share too."

"Kuribayashi? Where… ah yeah! Isn't she the small monster with tits?"

"Oy! Don't say that when she is around if you want to keep your bones intact. Let's get moving."

Allied Army camp

D-Day + 22 days, afternoon

King Duran was making his way to the commanders' tent. On his way there he saw dead soldiers carried in carts coming from the southern part of the base. They had no wounds. The heavy smoke was fatal to them. "What in the world happened there?" he asked himself. Their clothes were leaving a heavy smoke aroma in the air. Duran knew this was going to affect the morale, soldiers dead before the fight. He ordered those around him to make ready for battle.

Outside the camp, just 3km from the first defensive line, the Leaguan King was organizing his men in battle formation. Duran came before him.

"Take care out there and return with as many men as possible. I will make ready behind with the Alguan king's detachment. We will follow behind you." and raised his hand in a friendly salute.

"I will do my best, Duran! Take care!". He watched Duran gallop away before taking his sword out, raising his hand and pointing southwards. "Forward!".

Little did they know that shortly they would be torn asunder by lighting and thunder. When Duran heard the explosions not too far away he knew the battle started. He rushed with the second wave forwards. When they reached the top of a small hill the ugly truth of war revealed to them: soldiers torn apart, hands and legs and heads and flesh painted the grass red with blood. Smoke was coming out from the ground riddled with holes. The few survivors were running, screaming in horror. Duran grabbed one from his arm and shook him.

"What happened here!? Tell me, young man!" but only screams of agony came from his mouth. After taking a punch in his chin, he became lucid again.

"The sound! It came from the sky, whizzing down and then fire! Fire and death! Lighting and thunder! Our king was blown to dust by the very same magic!"

Duran let him go and clenched his fists before ordering a general retreat.

Allied Army camp

D-Day + 23 days

One commander down. Duran was wondering where the hell the Imperial Army was. They were supposed to be here yesterday. Something was definitely wrong here. Could they have met the enemy? But how? The enemy was right before them atop Alnus Hill. They did not move anywhere.

"We must strike again in force!" . "No! We have to wait for the Imperial Army!". "They abandoned us here!". The two kings and other officers were arguing over the table with the map.

"Silence! We need to think now, not have a fight over the matter! I will be honest with you. I don't like the looks of things. In less than an hour we lost 10.000 soldiers and a commander. Send word to the Leaguan heir and inform him of the tragic events. We will attack again, in two waves. One right before nightfall and one at midnight. The first wave must get as close as possible and wait for backup. Simulate an attack and distract the enemy, keep losses at the minimum. This way they will think we've had it for the day and not expect us to make a move again during the night. 40.000 men will take part in this attack. The Alguan cavalry will leave immediately to hit the enemy from its side. Arenius! Your heavy cavalry is renowned through the continent. Head eastwards and fall down on them from the flank. Me and the rest will hit it in the front. Dismissed!" a frustrated Duran spoke in an authoritarian tone. That very moment, King Arenius took his leave. Outside, he spoke to his general. The two then went in different directions. Duran whispered to the Mudwany "If we do not make it back by morning, leave with the rest of the army. Bring them home. I fear the Empire lied to us about the reinforcements."

"My lord! How can you ask me something like that?"

"If this turns out to be a catastrophe or a trap then let us make sure we don't fall into it."

After contemplating a few seconds, an answer came: "I will do my best. Take care out there!"

Alnus Base, Intelligence Division

The Japanese had a few UAVs in the air already. A small airfield was already prepared and they were working to extend it to allow aircraft to operate here along with AH-1 Cobra, Huey and Chinook helicopters. For now they were using it to deploy their UAVs.

"Contacts!" the operator of a UAV screamed. "A large formation of cavalry is moving towards east from the enemy camp."

General Hazama was in the room coordinating the defense of the base. "Hmm, a flanking maneuver. I hope God can forgive me one day, me and all of my subordinates. Colonel Dietrich, please inform your German and Canadian men to make ready. In 10 minutes they are departing to intercept the enemy cavalry. The Leopards will go ahead. The infantry will be 2km behind them in APCs and IFVs ready to provide support if the need shall rise."

Colonel Dietrich, the commanding officer of the joint German-Canadian detachment, is an experienced commander, hailing from a village in west Germany. He is a man in his late 40s with a sense of honor only similar to a Prussian officer. His father and grandfather served in the army before him. His grandfather used to be a tanker in the Wehrmacht, spent all the war on the Eastern Front fighting the Russian T-34s in a Panzer III until 1942 and in a Panther from 1943. He's a proud man but humble, honorable but not stubborn. He personally selected the German officers and soldiers for deployment in the Special Region. And he earned the respect of his Canadian subordinates in a short time.

He relayed the orders to the tankers. They immediately boarded the Leopard 2A6 tanks and formed up in a column to leave the base. The commander of one tank is Second Lieutenant Erwin Kalb. His gunner is Franz, the driver's name is Bauer and the loader's Fritz. Fritz and Franz are twin brothers, they are both blonde and have the same WW2 era haircut. Erwin was just like them, clean shaven and with the same haircut. But he had dark hair. Bauer was the wildcard – never the same style, always going with the flow.

Battle of Alnus

Duran's attack was stopped dead in its tracks and the king himself suffered near mortal injuries when a 155mm HE shell detonated near him, blowing his left arm and leg clean off. He was rescued by two soldiers on the retreat. Half an hour ago, Duran watched in horror the dragon riders shot down from the sky by lights rising from the ground, the very same lights who cut down his soldiers. He would later be taken care of at a small monastery after the Allied Army retreated.

The cavalry suffered a similar fate. On their way to flank the hill, they met face to face the 20 Leopard tanks. Arenius was shocked when he saw beasts of steel charging his men. They spat fire and death, running his riders over and cutting them down with machinegun and cannon fire. After disrupting the charge and routing the cavalry unit, the tanks returned to base. The only damage they took were the few scratches left by spears and swords who splintered at the impact with the tanks at 90km/h (NOTE: impact speed = speed of tank + speed of a horseman charging, Leo 2s can go at 60km/h and estimated the horsemen to 30km/h ). The unit will later be known as the "Hussar Leopards".

AN: First thing I ever publish. Please leave reviews. I write because I find it relaxing and entertaining, to escape monotony. I'm also a history and military enthusiast.