Author: Chapter 15 is going to be an epilogue that is going take place months after this chapter. It's only a short epilogue with a bonus extra. It will also open a new door for another story. After all...
"With every ending comes a new beginning"
Mutsuki sat at the beach, curling up the tragedy that recently happened. She already knew what must be done, but her heart is still sinking with guilt and self loathing.
"Can I...really...fulfill your wish?"
She asked the silence surrounding her and distantly gazed over the calm waves. Akagi, who is walking by, happened to see Mutsuki brooding over the beach.
"Still thinking about it, Mutsuki-san?" She approached her in order to comfort her pain
"Akagi-san..."
The sight of the gentle aircraft carrier barely made Mutsuki react and respond with little answer.
"I know how much it hurts since Kaga and I were in the same situation before...sort of"
"..."
"I was sometimes aware of who I was, but I can't fight my Abyssal nature"
Akagi closed her eyes and remembered the horrible battle at Midway island where the Abyssal airfield there was bombed.
"It hurt me attacking my own comrades. That's why I desired to be put to rest...so I can't hurt my friends anymore"
"What happened, Akagi-san?"
"I have vague memories of my last moments, but I regained control of myself long enough for Kaga to deal the finishing blow"
The last memory Akagi had was Kaga tearfully drawing her bow and a bomb being dropped while she smiled filled with content.
"I smiled knowing the person I cared the most gave me the rest I needed for s long time"
"..."
"I'm sure, Fubuki-san wanted that too. To end her suffering with a satisfied smile"
"Can I...really do it?"
"That depends. You have to draw out your will and ask yourself. Sometimes you just have to be honest with your feelings...even at the very end"
Akagi petted Mutsuki head and gave her a piece of advice regarding her doubts.
"It's the only way for Fubuki-san to be Fubuki-san again"
The aircraft carrier left reminding Mutsuki in case she doubts herself again.
"This time. I won't fail...I won't hesitate anymore" She shook her head and slapped her cheeks
Mutsuki solidified her will and refused to give in to doubt again. Her voice screamed out her fighting spirit and determination.
Later that night...
Late in the night, Mutsuki couldn't sleep, not being able to stop thinking about the upcoming operation and Fubuki.
"The operation is in two days, but I can't stop thinking about it"
She grabbed her jacket and strolled around the peaceful night of the naval base. Mutsuki took the opportunity of the silence of everyone being asleep and the cold night breeze.
"This fate. I wonder if it's for the best...or if it's simply too cruel"
She thought of going to the docks to try and rethink a lot of things in this peaceful and perfect night. She stopped in her tracks when she spotted s familiar person sitting at the edge of the wooden docks, distantly staring at the night sky.
"A-admiral?" She's surprised the admiral isn't asleep like the others
"Oh? Mutsuki...what a surprise to see you out here at night"
"I could say the same thing. He he he"
Mutsuki sat near her admiral, thinking she wanted to ask her commander officer a lot of things.
"Admiral, what do you think of that happened so far?"
"Hmm? What's with that question?"
"I mean...it's just that I want to know what admiral thinks. Because to me this fate is just too cruel"
"Well a veteran battleship once taught me that fate isn't a cruel thing since it's a gift"
"A gift?"
"Mutsuki, all of us are given a choice a to accept it or change. It's laid down on front us, waiting to be transformed by the choices we make"
The words spoken by the admiral raised Mutsuki's spirits feeling that those words meant deeply.
"As long as we can hope, we can dream, and as long as we can dream...we can change fate"
"Admiral..."
"Based from my experiences, I personally think fate doesn't give us what we want, but what we need"
"Why do you think so, admiral?"
"It's because if we gained everything we wanted, then what's the point of needing to live?"
She patted Mutsuki's head and messed her hair up a bit. Mutsuki felt like crying while the Admiral is glad she is able to say something useful to Mutsuki.
The next morning...
About eight o clock in the morning, the admiral looked at the documents in her desk, particularly a certain paper.
"Admiral, I finished announcing the fleet composition for the operation"
The secretary ship, Nagato, reported to the admiral's office. She returned the list to her admiral who looked like is in deep thought.
"Admiral?"
"Ah?! Nagato..." It's like she was in a trance
"Are you...okay?"
"Ah. Sure. Yes...I'm fine, I'm fine"
To distract herself, the admiral arranged the documents, but Nagato knew her admiral well enough to know something is bothering her.
"You know you can't stress yourself too much, admiral. You're past injuries might act up again"
"Yeah, yeah. It's bad for my health"
She looked at the list of the ship girls included in the operation.
First assault force
Main fleet:
Nagato (Flagship)
Hiei
Kirishima
Zuikaku
Shoukaku
Furutaka
Kako
Escort fleet:
Jintsuu
Ayanami
Shigure
Shiranui
Naka
Haruna
Secondary assault force
Main fleet:
Yamato (Flagship)
Kongou
Akagi
Kaga
Yuudachi
Mutsuki
Escort fleet:
Taihou
Sendai
Hiryuu
Souryuu
Aoba
Kinugasa
Before the admiral could space out again, Nagato placed her hand on her peaked cap.
"Admiral..."
"Relax. I'm just thinking about the strategy meeting later"
Right now, what's in the admiral's mind is about about a certain Abyssal whom she feels hatred whenever she thinks about it.
(This time. I will reprimand for my failure as an admiral. This time...I promise...Richelieu...)
Nagato noticed how the admiral's hand tensed up for a moment as if she remembered something painful.
12 hours before the operation...
The night before the operation, Mutsuki blankly stared outside from the window. Yuudachi entered the room and found her comrade visibly worried.
"Mutsuki-chan?" She tapped her shoulder
"Ah...! Yuudachi-chan, you startled me..." Mutsuki jolted
"You look very worried, poi"
"Why wouldn't I be? Tomorrow's the day we're going to go at Savo island"
The last two times Mutsuki was in Solomon islands, it was a fateful yet tragic encounter.
"Everyone has been supportive so far and it's helping, but I can't deny this painful feeling in my chest"
"Keeping your feelings to yourself is bad, poi"
Yuudachi may not fully understand how Mutsuki feels right now, but it won't stop her from comforting her friend.
"Even if it's not now, I'm always here for you if you need a shoulder to cry on, poi"
"Yuudachi-chan..."
"I mean you need to release that weight in your chest or it will drag you down and suffocate you, poi"
"...Thanks"
Yuudachi hugged Mutsuki and it made the latter feel a bit more confident about for tomorrow's operation. A the very least, Yuudachi got a smile out of Mutsuki and that's what matters right now.
"Yuudachi-chan, I'm thankful for you and everyone that helped me so far"
"It's no big deal. That's what friends are for, poi!" Yuudachi blushed
"No. Really. I mean I just find it hard to move on especially when two of most closest friends sunk...and I was helpless about it"
She refreshed the memory of when Kisaragi sunk at Wake island and Fubuki sunk at Savo island. Mutsuki felt helpless at those two possess. She felt weak...and blamed herself for it.
"Because I couldn't do anything about it, I blamed myself for not doing anything to stop it"
"You know forgiving yourself doesn't come from the outside. It's in there, poi" Yuudachi pointed at Mutsuki's chest
"Yuudachi-chan?"
"Admiral-san told me before that forgiving oneself is when you look back into the past and accepting everything happens for a reason . It's then you will realize how far you can move forward without regret poi!"
Mutsuki blinked in surprised, both surprised and amazed at what Yuudachi had just said.
"I just said what the admiral exactly told me before, poi!" She waved her hands defensively
"Y-yeah!" Mutsuki felt relieved
For a second back there, she thought Yuudachi was a completely different person saying things like those. On the other hand, Mutsuki isn't the only one worried about the operation tomorrow...
"Tomorrow's the operation. Shouldn't you be resting, admiral?"
Yamato found her admiral outside, still awake. It's already ten o clock, yet the admiral is still awake.
"It's fine. I'm used to it. After all I'm used to the dreams of the past keeping me awake"
"..."
"What I wonder right now is whether I'm supposed to be an admiral. It's like whatever I do, I can't protect anyone...just like that time"
"Admiral, you said it yourself before. We can't save everyone, but that doesn't me we should stop trying"
"I did try all I can in this situation, but I keep denying the fact that...an Abyssal can never escape it's fate"
Like some certain ship girls, Yamato is aware of that and she can't help but feel sympathy for what Mutsuki has to do and for Fubuki's suffering.
"Mutsuki-san isn't alone. When everything is over, we will comfort her so do the same thing, admiral"
"I'm not an emotional person, because to me...my duty is above my personal feelings"
"Right"
Yamato understood that an admiral prioritizes his or her duty first and must not personal feelings when fulfilling the duty.
The next morning...
The day of the operation has come and to Mutsuki it's now or never. At dawn, Mutsuki already readied herself and slipped her jacket and wore her necklace.
"This time...for sure...I will fulfill my promise to you...and your final wish"
She gently pressed her hand on the pendant against her chest. Her heart raced and she breathed deeply, controlling the air coming in and out.
"Shall we go, poi?" Yuudachi wore her scarf
"Yeah" She confidently smiled and nodded
Everyone has already started preparing and get dressed up for the moment such as Jintsuu tying her headband, Nagato slipping on her gloves, and the 5th CarDiv tying their headbands as well.
"Let's get this started, poi!" Yuudachi rushed to the launching docks.
Yuudachi's pugnacious behavior is already showing while Mutsuki remained serious. She doesn't have a reason to smile as the one she is going to face is her most important friend.
(I can only hope...we both get what we need)
Before Mutsuki went to join the other, she first hoped over the horizon before heading where the others are.
"Mutsuki-san..." Yamato tapped her shoulder
"I'm fine. I can do this"
"..."
"I have to be strong for Fubuki-chan"
She reassured Yamato when she noticed the grand battleship is worried about her. Yamato pleasantly smiled when she noticed how determined Mutsuki is.
"Good to see you determined" Taihou walked in
"Taihou-san" Mutsuki is surprised
"Well it's best to face your friend with a solid determination"
"Uhm...well..."
"All I can say to you is I hope we will succeed and you to fulfill your promise"
Taihou petted Mutsuki's head then left with a wave to join with the rest of the escorting fleet.
"Alright! Main attack task force! Secondary attack force! Prepare to sail!"
With Nagato's signal everyone rushed to group with their respective fleet and launch.
All ships, weigh anchor and set sail!
"Let's have the most amazing party, poiiii!"
"We'll win for sure" Mutsuki followed after Yuudachi
The two task forces went into formation and head towards Savo island. Mutsuki helped the pendant again, seeking courage to calm down the fear in her heart.
Savo island...
In the tainted and Abyssal infested waters, Fubuki laid there...as if expecting someone.
"..."
She repeatedly murmurs words that she herself doesn't understand. The Abyssals all over the area are like moths to a flame. To where there is s strong Abyssal force...they are sure to follow.
"It won't be long before they will come here" Seaplane tender Water Princess shrugged her shoulders
"I know"
French battleship Princess smiled as if she is preparing for a fierce battle.
"At the very least...I want to settle a final rematch with her" French battleship Princess clenched her fists
"How can you be certain she will come?"
"I'm certain because I know she won't miss this battle. I know her very well..."
"Even after becoming an Abyssal, you're still at it"
The Abyssal battleship is unsure whether the Water Princess is annoyed or mocking her.
"Well whatever. This is not my problem"
"..."
"Just be sure to take good care of her once you go back to her"
"..."
The two looked at each other and as always the Abyssal Seaplane Tender has an expressionless face.
"If she's happy...then it's enough for me..." Seaplane tender Water Princess' voice became sorrowful
"You..." French battleship Princess reacted
"Hey! You know we can't stay here for too long or Central Princess will suspect"
The impatient Heavy cruiser Princess yelled, slightly annoying the other two Abyssals. Seaplane tender Water Princess took her leave together with Heavy cruiser Princess and she didn't even look back.
Meanwhile...
Yamato's fleet has entered Solomon islands while Nagato's fleet circled around to eliminate the Abyssal carrier task force while Yamato's fleet will breach open a pathway and scatter the enemy.
"Alright, everyone. Widen out the formation so the enemy can't immediately detect"
Just like the plan, the secondary attack force spread out to lessen the chance of early enemy detection.
"This feeling of dread. It's like Operation Ten-go all over again"
"..." Everyone is silent when Yamato mentioned that
"Uhm...sorry mentioning it"
Yamato apologized as soon as she realized it made everyone feel uncomfortable. As they enter Abyssal territory,
"Enemy ships spotted! A fleet of six destroyers!" Yamato's radar detected them
Different variants of Abyssal destroyers dived underwater and splashed right out of nowhere. The battle was brief, but the attack force can't let their guard down.
"...!" A violent wind blew all over them
Every single one felt the atmosphere suddenly got heavier. The source is the Abyssal in the center of the territory, waking up after realizing there are ship girls.
"Tsu...ki...Mut...s...suki..." A voice echoed
"What was that?" Kongou couldn't identify where the voice is coming from
"Mu...t...tsu...ki..."
"...!"
"Mut...t...tsuki..."
Just now, everyone thought one thing. The voice, despite speaking in a broken pattern, is like calling Mutsuki's name.
"She knows you're here" Kaga looked at Mutsuki
"...and she's waiting for you" Akagi's looked over the horizon
(Fubuki-chan... Is waiting for me...)
Mutsuki doesn't knows what's going to happen next, but if Fubuki is waiting for her...then she has to go to her.
"We're nearing the center. Everyone, prepare your main batteries"
The sky darkened as if a storm will follow. That didn't stop the combined fleet from pressing forward.
"There's not a single carrier. Only destroyers and light cruisers, poi" Yuudachi pointed out
"Then Nagato's fleet successfully diverted the northern force and eliminated the carrier fleet" Taihou stated
They can't afford to let their guard down. They can't afford to...
North west of Savo island...
One Wo class is heavily damaged and set on fire...and got sunk by a direct hit from Nagato's 41cm guns.
"Sink"
Shiranui sunk one destroyer and sunk another after she dodged the first one that jumped at her.
"I won't let anyone call me a turkey!" Zuikaku declared as she launched a squadron of bombers
"Those carriers are a nuisance" Kirishima dodged one bomb after another
"Kirishima!"
When Hiei called out, Kirishima joined with her sister and the two fast battleships aimed for the two moderately damaged Nu class light carriers.
"...!" The two Abyssal light carriers screeched upon exploding due to heavy gunfire
Right after they sunk the enemy light carriers, three enemy light cruisers rained them with shells.
"It's mic check damn it!" Kirishima became enraged
While the main fleet ferociously fought surface combat, the escort fleet provided extra anti air support.
"I won't let anyone sink!" Shigure drew the guncannons on her back
"Haruna will never forgive all of you!"
After a near miss on Haruna, the latter became upset for the light damage while dodging torpedoes.
"You've let your guard down"
Jintsuu rushed into the midst of the battle and sunk two heavy cruisers and one destroyers after she aimed and launched all of her torpedoes.
"I am one of the Big seven. Don't make light of me, Abyssals!"
When a late model destroyer jumped out of the water and is about to attack Nagato, she clenched her fist and gave the Abyssal an uppercut followed by a sample of her large caliber guns' power.
Meanwhile...
So far, Yamato's fleet only encountered common enemies in numerous fleets, but they are starting to get exhausted. It's lucky enough they only received scratch damage up until now.
"40 km before we reach the target area" Taihou updated
"It's good that we're closing in"
Their moment of silence is cut short when another Abyssal fleet showed. This time, it's composed of three Ta class battleships, two Ri class heavy cruisers, one Wo class, and two Ro class Destroyers.
"Poi!" Yuudachi charged in
"Yuudachi-chan!"
Worried, Mutsuki followed after Yuudachi who aimed and disrupted the enemy fleet.
"Buuurniing Looooveee!" Kongou cheerfully exclaimed
"My talented girls, show them what you got!"
Loading fighter-bombers, Taihou launched a squadron from her repeating crossbow.
Shell for shell and gunfire for gunfire. Yamato tool the enemy shots to a stride and kept firing.
"Eat this, poi!" Yuudach liaunched torpedoes and crippled one Ta class
"Showtime!" Kinugasa grinned like a maniac
The skirmish ensued until the last standing heavy cruiser tried to move only to be sunk by a cannon fire from Yuudachi. After the battle, the combined fleet continued to sail...
"That's..." Yamato is in disbelief
35 km from the area of Savo island, they are left shocked upon seeing its waters clad in crimson and dark sky looming all over.
"It's suddenly became night..." Kaga looked at the sky
"We're moderately damaged it's not like we can launch anymore planes" Akagi sighed
Exhausted with the continuous battles, the ship girls regrouped together for a moment.
"Moderately damaged. Aoba, Kinugasa, CarDiv 01 and 05" Taihou checked
"We leave the rest to all of you" Hiryuu winked
Two heavy cruisers and four aircraft carriers separated from the fleet and turned back to star board. Aoba waved as the damaged ship girls retreated, leaving only six ship girls in good condition.
"The air here feels scarier, poi!" Yuudachi had goosebumps
"We're entering Savo island waters after all"
Taihou tightened her grip on her repeating crossbow. Unlike a while ago, their current area suddenly became nighttime and the atmosphere feels more eerie.
"There it is..." Sendai pointed
"Savo island" Mutsuki swallowed her breath
Shadows surrounding nearby the island made reconnaissance impossible or any type of visibility whatsoever. The moment they see the darkness clad Savo island, a violent blew past them.
"Someone doesn't like trespassers" Sendai grinned
They are yet to enter the Savo's waters, but everyone except Mutsuki is beginning to feel odd.
"Why does my speed feels like reducing?" Kongou felt exhausted and her speed is slowing down
"It looks like...Fubuki-san doesn't want us to go further"
Yamato heavily panted and it became visible she's suffering from a sudden fatigue.
"What's happening?" Mutsuki is confused
"It's her. She doesn't want us inside her territory"
Taihou sweated and her breathing grew unsteady. The more they sail further, the heavier and more exhausted they feel.
"Fubuki-chan is doing this?"
"Mutsuki-chan doesn't look affected at all, poi" Even Yuudachi is experiencing it
"It seems you're the only one she allows here" Taihou felt dizzy
"Mutsuki, you have to go ahead of us" Sendai told her
The other looked at Mutsuki who feels conflicted right now. She understood what they are going about.
"We got your back" Even a fast battleship like Kongou went below her normal speed
"Only you can confront her, Mutsuki-san" Yamato smiled even though she feels really unwell
At this point, everyone is already aware that Mutsuki is the only one right now that can face Fubuki.
"I hope you can fulfill her wish" Yamato sincerely hoped
Their almost near the target area so Mutsuki, even with slight tears, sailed ahead of her slowed down comrades.
"Good luck, Mutsuki-chan. Poi!" Yuudachi cheered with all her might
Mutsuki gave a nod and thumbs up before she disappeared from their field of vision when she entered to the 'barrier' in the waters of Savo island.
"I wish you can succeed..." Taihou's vision is becoming blurry
"What do we do now?" Kongou asked
"Let's get out of the effect's range before we become dead in the water"
With a signal, they all turned back before the effect on their bodies worsen than already is.
(The effect is lessening) Yamato noticed as they exit the dreaded area
They finally had a room to breathe, but their moment of peace is cut short when a salvo of several shells almost struck them.
"Enemy?!" Sendai looked at a direction
"Enemy fleet, poi!"
To their starboard side is an Abyssal fleet of two late model destroyers, three enemy light cruisers...and French battleship Princess herself.
"Ri...chelieu...?!" Yamato jolted
"I've been waiting to meet you again...Yamato"
The resilient Abyssal moved her large tail where her two quadruple turrets are mounted in a monstrous form.
"The Nightmare of Solomon...won't lose that easily, poi!" Yuudachi declared
"All of you deal with the escorts. I'll deal with the flagship"
When Yamato moved, French battleship Princess did the same thing and the two separated each other from their fleet.
"So that's her, huh. It looks like that Abyssal she to settle their long time rivalry..." Taihou sighed as she loaded her repeating crossbow
While Sendai, Yuudachi and Kongou faced the enemy fleet escorts, Yamato faced her former comrade.
"Richelieu..." Yamato felt a sharp emotional pain
"Let's settle this one last fight, Yamato!" Her eyes brightened
"I see. So this is what you want..." Yamato sadly smiled
"Yes...this is the way I want to go...so I can see her again"
"I understand..."
With a sweet smile, Yamato reader herself and her cannons aiming for the French battleship Princess.
"Fight me with all you got, Yamato!"
A thrilled grin appeared on the Princess' lips while Yamato steeled herself, facing her old comrade...one last time.
Meanwhile...
When Mutsuki entered the darkness and finally exited herself, she found herself entering a crimson territory.
"This is..."
Mutsuki threaded carefully on the corrupted waters and the endless darkness that surrounds it.
"Mut...suki..."
"Fubuki-chan?!"
She heard her voice, faintly calling somewhere inside the darkness. There is no one else, but Mutsuki herself and faint incoherent whispers.
"You...shouldn't...have come here..."
Fubuki looked like she suffered both emotional and mental pain while remaining inside this darkness. Mutsuki took a few steps, and a spike that came from the under almost impaled her. Luckily it only caused a small cut to her cheek.
"There's nothing here for you...but you still came!"
"I still have something left and that is you and the promise I have yet to fulfill"
Mutsuki shook off her head and responded to a furious sounding Fubuki.
"I came here with one thing and that to finally end the regrets we left!"
"You're a persistent one..."
"I can hesitate anymore, Fubuki-chan...because if I do, I will be making the same mistake again"
Fubuki became annoyed at how determined and unyielding Mutsuki is...something she is reminded off.
"Even if you keep pushing me away, I'll just keep standing back up because I'm never giving up on you"
She appeared before Mutsuki and coldly glared at her and saw how the ship girl refuses to give up. The two locked eyes, unyielding at each other's gazes.
"...You hope too much...you will sink into despair"
With a gesture, black mass formed from the surface and rushed to Mutsuki, cutting her sides, shoulder, and piercing her arm. Even with stinging pain of the wound, Mutsuki remained standing.
"You will realize there's no hope as you will sink into this sea devoid of any light and hope...only regret..."
Mutsuki felt drowning at the desperate and agonized cries of sailors that lost their lives during the pointless and blood war humanity set upon themselves.
"To come here is a death wish!"
Before Mutsuki can regain her composure, a monstrosity bit through her leg and it's jagged teeth sunk to her flesh.
"Uaaah!"
"You will sink here...just like I did..."
"How...can you...give up on yourself just like that, Fubuki-chan?!"
Mutsuki fell on the ground and the shadowy mass that continued to bite her started dragging her away to deformed amalgamation of different Abyssals.
"The more I tried to fight my fate, the more it consumes me. In the end, resistance is futile...so it's best if you surrender yourself and sink here"
"You know very well...I can't do that!"
"..." Fubuki reacted
"If I give up now, everything that got me this far is just going to be in vain. If I make the same mistake again...I won't fulfill my promise to you! I won't let that happen!"
Mutsuki kicked and ripped the black mass away from her feet, but another appeared and bit her shoulder. More black mass grabbed her leg and tightly squeezed it.
"I will only fall to despair if I let it shatter my hope to save you!"
"Annoying..."
Fubuki continued to coldly watch the bleeding Mutsuki struggles even if her body is reaching its limit. Her determined eyes, burning...made Fubuki feel something. Mutsuki didn't break eye contact with Fubuki and that made the latter feel so strange.
"There's nothing here for you...no reason to cling into hope. You should know that"
"You're wrong! There's a reason why we met again"
"..."
"We're here right now because it's fate. Even if it's impossible...fate found a way for us face each other again"
"You..."
"I can't change the regret in the past...but as long as I keep fighting, there will be always hope for the future. Even if there is regret...there will always be hope"
Mutsuki flinched when the black mass' jagged teeth dug through her flesh, further increasing the pain she's enduring.
"Fubuki-chan, I came here with one purpose...and I'm sticking to it!" There's blood on the side of her lips
"Why...Why won't you give up?" She saw how Mutsuki kept struggling
"Isn't it obvious? You don't give up on someone you truly care about..."
The black mass slowly consumes Mutsuki until the monstrous manifestation dragged and swallowed Mutsuki before transforming into a grotesque figure of black substance.
"..." Everything went silent
"Kkh...! Why does it hurts?!" Fubuki clenched her chest
Everything became quiet and the silence pierced her, unable to explain the reason. It's like she regretted what she did...
"Mutsuki...Mutsuki...!"
The regret, the anger, and the hatred filled up inside Fubuki...loathing herself for unable to resist the unknown force's urge to give into despair and regret.
"Uaaaaaaah!"
With a furious roar, Fubuki becomes enraged and their surroundings twisted in a darker and more grotesque form. Consumed by her Abyssal instincts, Fubuki lashed out at her surroundings. While Fubuki cried, hating herself and everything, Mutsuki heard her pained cries.
"Fubuki...chan...I...can't give up...not just...yet..."
Mutsuki drowned in eternal darkness, but remembering her memories with Fubuki reminded why she has to keep going. She has a promise to fulfill and she refuses to give up at her friend.
"Not until...I can fulfill my promise..."
She gasped for air as she ripped herself away from the darkness and tore through the screaming shadows. Mutsuki gasped for air again only to see Fubuki rampaging...not in pure anger, but in pure sorrow.
"Ggh!" Mutsuki used her little strength to comfort Fubuki who is in pain
Shadowy shrapnel rained everywhere, but it didn't stop Mutsuki from reaching out for her important friend. She suffered more cuts to her body, but she continued until she reached her.
"Fubuki-chan. It's okay...because even if you lost to despair, I'm here...to be your hope"
"Mut...suki..."
"You don't have to suffer alone anymore. It's fine for you to rest...you don't have anymore regrets. We don't have anymore regrets"
The reason why she came back is because she still clung to the little hope she has left. She wanted to see Mutsuki again...hoping to find a closure between them...and finally putting her into the peaceful rest she longed for. Fubuki regains consciousness and begins to cry, feeling Mutsuki's warmth
"You keep getting yourself hurt because of me and I'm tired of that!"
Fubuki begun crying after they returned to the surface when a flash of light overwhelmed them.
"You should have just left me here..."
"But if I do that, you'll continue to suffer...and I don't want to see that again. I will be making the same mistake again..."
Mutsuki's leg succumbed to the wounds and became numb, but she limped her way to Fubuki.
"Mutsuki...I never wanted this..."
"I know..."
"I never wanted...to hurt you..."
"I know"
Mutsuki embraced a sobbing Fubuki and the two begun crying as the darkness lifts up and bright light flashed...with the sky clearing up. The other ship girls smiled seeing the brief flash of blinding light.
"Even after all of this...you're still crying..."
Fubuki gently pulled Mutsuki away and saw her crying as she knows what has to be done. Fubuki knows this very well and she accepted this...
"Fubuki-chan, I...I..."
"It's okay. As long you don't lose your feelings for me, I won't be lost to you. Let our promise together be the times of what shall always be our memories"
Even if Fubuki wants to cry, she put up a smile to lessen Mutsuki and her own pain. This is the one thing she is waiting for so all she smiled and embraced for the end...
"We no longer has regrets in our hearts and that's what matters" She hugged Mutsuki one last time
"Fubuki-chan..."
"This way...you can smile at the bright future waiting ahead"
Mutsuki burst into tears again, unable to contain the pain even though she is aware of what must be done. To lessen both of their pain, Fubuki touched Mutsuki's cheeks and gently rubbed away her tears.
"Mutsuki, would you smile for me?"
"...!" She gently rubbed Mutsuki's cheek
"...Because at the very end, I want your smile to be the last thing I see" Fubuki looked at her sort of maroon colored eyes
It's not easy, but Mutsuki put up a smile even if there are still visible tears. She raised her main battery and prepared her torpedoes, shaking as she focused at Fubuki...who has no more regrets.
"I will come back...some day..." Fubuki smiled brightly
Mutsuki adjusted her grip and her hand's didn't shake that much anymore, with a final smile...
"No matter how long it will take, no matter what happens...I will keep on waiting...until the day we can meet again at the place where we made that promise to each other..."
"I see...then it's a promise..."
Gentle breeze blew everywhere after Mutsuki pulled the trigger, screaming out everything she needed to let out...all the feelings...gushed out when she succeeded in fulfilling Fubuki's last wish and at the same time, her promise to her...and letting go of her built up regret.
At least...I have no more regrets...
Thank you for everything...Mutsuki...
This is what the two of us needed...
So we both can move on...for a bright new future
Fubuki sunk, but this time...there's a sad yet sweet smile on her lips. She finally had the rest she's been longing all this time and Mutsuki finally forgave herself. That's what mattered to Fubuki right now in her last moments. As the light started to fade away, Fubuki reached for the light one last time and closed her eyes...smiling contently at how everything ended the way it's supposed to be for the two of them.
I'm looking forward to the day we can meet again...Mutsuki...
"I will keep on waiting, Fubuki-chan! No matter how many days will pass...I will always be waiting" Mutsuki yelled at the sky
Both pain and hope filled up her chest, knowing her friend will come back one day...not sure when, but's she'll definitely wait until then. The darkness faded in Savo island and the surrounding waters. As the day brightened up the surroundings, the ship girls smiled...seeing everything is over now, especially the second attack force.
"Aah...so this is the end..." French battleship Princess smiled with tears on her eyes
She bled everywhere, but her wounds doesn't matter since she's going to sink soon. Yamato held her bleeding arm while her clothes were partially torn off, unmasking the blood everywhere.
"Are you content now, Richelieu?" Badly damaged, Yamato used her little strength to stand up
"Very. Because I can finally return to her...the person I loved more than anyone...ma amiral..."
"..." Yamato smiled
"Yamato, please do me one last favor...for my sake..."
"What is it?"
"Please tell her...Richelieu will come back soon to her side..."
"Don't worry about that, Richelieu. The admiral will always be waiting. She had always been waiting"
"Heh...Is that so...?"
French battleship Princess smiled one last time as she sunk right in front of Yamato. In respect to her, Yamato saluted with tears visible in her eyes as her old comrade sunk without regrets...
"Now then..."
Yamato joined with the rest of the second strike fleet and with a slight nod, they all head towards Savo island where Mutsuki quietly stood. There, they found her, rubbing her remaining tears away.
"Mutsuki-san" Yamato greeted
"Poooooiii!" Yuudachi waved her hand
"Everything is okay now. Fubuki-chan...is in a better place now" She showed the others that she has no regrets as well
The damaged ship girls looked at each other then hugged Mutsuki together, except for Taihou...who shook her head and can be heard softly laughing while her hands are on her hips. Yamato almost suffocated one fast battleship, two destroyers, and one light cruiser just by hugging...and Mutsuki is fine with it, in fact she's happy with it. On the other hand, the first attack force is celebrating as well.
"Letting go of the regrets in their hearts...hope has filled it up"
Nagato smirked and watched her comrades cheer at the bright new day and their success. She knows, both the ship girl and the Abyssal let go of all of their regrets and finally learned to move on...
"Oh? They're here..."
At the docks, Mutsu, Ooyodo, and the admiral are there waiting for the fleet to return. Though badly damaged, the ship girls can still put up a satisfied smile...
"There's no more regrets, commander" Mutsuki rubbed her eyes proudly tell that
"I see..."
Mutsuki, overwhelmed by her emotions, embraced the admiral and she embraced the destroyer back. She's still sobbing, but the admiral comforted her by gently rubbing Mutsuki's back.
"It's all over now"
Mutsuki faintly responded with "Yes" when the admiral reassured her. Jealous, Kongou pouted and rushed to her admiral and hugged her.
"No fair!" Kongou jumped at her admiral
"Haruna too!"
"Poi!"
"Me too!" Souryuu joined in
"If everyone else is in it...might as well join" Hiryuu giggled and ran to the admiral as well
"Hiei won't lose!"
Almost all ship girls currently present smothered the admiral with their bodies until she is buried with their chests.. The others softly laughed, amused...seeing how their admiral is struggling to break free from being squeezed by her ship girls.
"Nagato, do you want to join?" Mutusu poked her
"W-what?! N-no way I'm not doing such thing. I'm the secretary ship and I must show dignity in front of my admiral!" Nagato straightened her posture and crossed her arms while looking away
Yamato is glad everything turned up well where everyone can smile so sweetly and innocently...
(At least...it all ended with everyone having a smile on their face...)
...Looking forward to a bright new future filled with hopes and a new reason to keep their precious smiles...
We'll meet again...
Don't know where...
Don't know when. ...
But I know we'll meet again...some sunny day.