Bright scarlet color engulfed everything in sight. The buildings blackened and infrastructures crumbled in moment's notice. As chaos ravaged everything, the groaning sounds of a steel crane falling could be heard. The dormitory, hangars, warehouses, dockyard, and even the harbor. The enemy's ruthless assault destroyed everything in their sight, leaving only charred remains as well as wreckage.
"Gh…! Aaah…!" A shrill voice appeared from beneath the rubble, the heaps of metal and bricks quaking before bursting. A small figure got up, panting as her arms numbed from the forceful summoning of her true strength, but she cared not for herself as she circled the arm of a sailor around her neck. The girl with bright purple hair dragged both herself and the half-conscious sailor out of the site before she found an empty space where there was no worry over the fire or crumbling infrastructure. "Are… are you okay!? Please hang in there!"
The senior sailor who happened to be in the building to repair the radio module groaned, wincing as he clutched his side where dark spots began to spread across the fabric of his outfit. The girl's face paled, but as the injured man reopened his eyes slightly, his unfocused eyes reflected her figure. He forced out a smile.
"Well… that was uncool of me to drag you into the mess, missy…" The older sailor winced. "I will… I will somehow manage. J-just go…"
"But…!"
"Don't make me repeat myself! The enemy's here!"
At the authoritative command, the girl stiffened. Biting her lips, she shook her head with her shoulders quaking, yet in the end—Javelin nodded and got up. Giving the technical officer a salute, she turned around to head toward the sea. She hastened her speed, speeding through the barren road where rubble began to pile up from both sides. Faster and faster, the girl quickly outran even the pace of a motorbike and leaped into the sea, Wisdom Cubes flying from the other side of the base to form her rigging. As she twirled her spear, the armed kansen landed on the water surface before charging into the battle zone rift with the scent of gunpowder.
This is all wrong, she thought. It was supposed to be just another morning like usual. It's all wrong…!
Several Siren aircraft flew overhead. Javelin whipped her head, registering the enemies into her sight as the turrets lifted their gun barrels to fire a volley of anti-air shells. The yellow bullets cut through the air, chasing after the fighter crafts before shooting them down one-by-one. As a shell dropped next to her side, Javelin immediately circled around to point her spear at a Pawn-class Siren—the gun ports installed on her primary weapon lashing out with burst fire. A single barrage could never be enough to break a mass-produced model Siren, so she readjusted her turrets and torpedo pods to supplement her previous attack. The armor-piercing shells punched through the enemy's hull and the torpedoes ignited the Siren into a giant pillar of flames that scattered smoldering wreckage.
Unfortunately for Javelin, the rest of her enemies did not move as they usually would. A shell flew and struck her from behind, the rigging absorbing the impact but also transferring searing pain across her back. Then there was another and another, throwing her body forward.
The kansen spun around only to face gun turrets of multiple Bishop and Rook from three different directions. Javelin froze up like a deer caught in the headlight—then a barrage of crimson shells fell from the sky to punish the Siren. Pillars of water rose up alongside black smoke and fireballs, the shapes of the Piece-class Siren remained to be seen. However, another volley, this time linear to the horizon struck their gun ports and keels. Javelin quickly sensed a familiar presence linking up with her transmission channel and she looked toward her savior.
"Laffey…!"
A white-haired girl sailed to her direction while giving a slight nod. "Are you okay, Javelin…?"
Javelin's breaths hitched. An intense emotion bubbled up, but she quickly shook her mind off the relief washing over her. Steadying herself, she stood in line with Laffey. The enemy was still around.
"We have to end this," Javelin said. "We can't… we can't defend the base like this. Evacuation won't ever finish, and the others... have yet to return."
"Un. We have to defend… the home base." Laffey looked up. The sky was full of jet-black aircraft and bullets. The sea was filled with Siren fleet that had appeared out of nowhere; even if their allies could regain the momentum, there would be nothing left to protect as long as they did not force the enemy to break up or retreat. "There's… Repulse to help us."
...eh? Javelin reflexively stared at her friend's face. She knew Laffey. The white-haired and red-eyed girl always looked so laidback, moving at her own pace. No matter how complicated the issue was, the girl was never hinged. But there was… no way, right? What about Arizona, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and—
"I'm sorry," Laffey eventually broke out. As she gazed in a direction, Javelin's radar detected a familiar signal fast approaching. But because of that, the Royal Destroyer could not see what sort of face her close friend wore. The bubbling emotion once again returned almost to the point of bursting. "We have to regroup, this place isn't… good."
Javelin held her breath. Then she sharply inhaled, hissing as she shut her lips into a tight line. She held her spear tightly, then she nodded down. Even as her aching heart threatened to expose her grief in the open. There was… there was no time for sadness. She had to be strong. She must not fall apart now. If not for the lost ones… at least, for her own friend…
"I understand…" Javelin revved up her boilers. Her gaze soon fixated itself on the humanoid figures on the sea surface that dashed through the rain of artillery shells. Whoever they were, that could be for later. Now… what the two of them must do was one thing! "I understand! Let's go, Laffey!"
Even if she were to fall here, she must protect the place the Grand Admiral would return to.
"The worms moved at last," Kaga notified with a scoff. "Such a slow response. Are they even trying?"
Akagi hummed from the side, manipulating the Black Cube hovering on her palm. Her fingers danced and every touch emitted ominous blue lines that ran across the cube's surface. Their Gift was working to the fullest potentials, allowing them to manipulate Siren fleet freely. Circling around her, red balls of flame soon spread out in a single direction as their forms shifted into another aircraft squadron.
"Well, it looks like the bulk of their power is not here. What a shame," Akagi lamented. In spite of her claim, Kaga could tell she was fully enjoying herself. "Do you think that person will be upset now that we have declared war against those girls, Kaga?"
Kaga paused in the midst of alternating orders. Her mind raced, but soon she realized the person her "sister" referred to was not the same individual. Once again, the incorrigible fox teased her no matter the circumstances. This deplorable, ungrateful bootlick—ugh!
"...the Grand Admiral is young." Kaga took a deep breath and let out a small sigh. "However, he is not so immature that he will easily break. We have already witnessed his growth with our own eyes."
"That's true…" Once again, Akagi hummed noncommittally. "The person we have chosen to forsake is not a mouse anymore. Perhaps, the reason why he is not here is also…"
Also? As Kaga waited, a transmission reached out to her ears. Statics began to flood the central network, then a publicly accessible channel arose as the rotors of a foreign airplane echoed in the other end of the newly formed transmission route. This encryption code, identification number, and engine's sound…
"The Devastators," Kaga shouted. Flaring into the channel network, she announced the fleet's next move. "The fools have taken our bait! It is time to prove your valor, warriors of Sakura!"
A round of tense agreement replied back to her. Then, Kaga met Akagi in the eyes; her sister blessing her with permission to directly challenge one of the Ghosts. Her rigging shifted to her back, the side of the hull unlocking a compartment that allowed Kaga to draw out a Cube-refined sword. As strength coursed down her limbs, the white fox deeply inhaled.
"...I shall be off, Nee-sama."
Akagi waved. "May the Creator's blessing be with you, sister of mine."
Kaga gave no other response aside from a steady nod. Jumping down from the physical vessel of her sworn sister, the white fox landed on the sea surface before quickly sailing forward; becoming a white flash that joined the hunt along with her pack. Akagi narrowed her eyes and gazed over her shoulder.
"What an unpleasant tailwind." Her ears twitched as if having sensed something—a force swift as well as powerful, riding the waves in order to reach this battlefield. "Let's see if my dear juniors can handle themselves well in this first trial."
Ashigara skidded to a halt upon reaching the furthest position she could allocate herself to. While the Fifth Carrier Division only served as the safety net, the rearline guard so to speak, the girl felt that she must not give any chance of oversight.
The defense line served in several layers in order to protect the Combined Fleet's Flagship. Ashigara as well as Ayanami were selected to be stationed in the outermost circle to notify any incoming enemy signatures, repel attacks, and eliminate aerial attacks as needed. However, from the looks of it, she had a hard time imagining the enemy in their present state to retaliate. While kansen could fight back and move at their own discretion, that didn't mean there would be no delay and stutters in their chains of commands. Surprise attacks at the sea tended to throw things out of control exceedingly fast.
And we, as the attackers, are taking advantage of it all to ensure that no one is left standing.
The girl unconsciously inhaled and looked up. Far away, as dawn began to break out, an island could be seen burning intensely. The harbor had completely fallen into ruin. Most of the warehouses were in a similar state, and the armory as well as the hangars were not left unscathed. Her heightened sense of scent traced smoke, ashes, embers, and the burnt remains of what had to be human lives. She saw multiple silhouettes crossing paths in front of the harbor, but she couldn't say for sure whether it was her allies or her enemies. They seemed to be fighting fiercely, in which case the second phase of the plan had gone off without a hitch.
[...Ashigara? Ashigara!]
Senses returned at full force to her. Ashigara gasped and instinctively pressed a hand against her headphone. The girl stuttered a "yes?"
[I want a sitrep,] the cool voice of her superior could be heard. Commanding, but lacking any sort of tension; there was something deeply off in that.
Ashigara quietly heaved her chest down. She began to describe the situation when suddenly her radar pinged her of unusual things. Before she could take a look, a giant white sword flashed by her side to cut down three shells. The heavy cruiser froze as Ayanami had abruptly arrived to protect her, and it made Ashigara redirect her turrets as she repositioned herself.
"Enemy attack!" Ashigara announced through the local channel shared with the entire fleet before she switched to a direct channel connecting her with the Rear Admiral. "Your order, please!?"
[Hold your ground.] A slight chill ran down Ashigara's back at the rough order that indicated she must not let the enemies pass. [Identify the enemy's designation, formation, and armament. Distract them as best as you can. When aerial support arrives, retreat to the inner circle and regroup.]
"Y-yes Sir!" Ashigara jumped to the side, dodging another wave of shells. The enemy's aim was haphazard with wide margins between each salvo. "Ayanami-san, will you back me up?!"
"Nnh…!" Through gritted teeth, the horned destroyer gave her affirmation.
"Then, let's go!"
The two vanguards revved their boilers and charged toward their sudden assailants. All the while not knowing what awaited them.
Ayanami flew into action. Her body was light, moving as she willed it to, yet there was no denying the growing anxiety rooted in her mind. She had thought that her role would come only after things were said and done, but her hope dashed so quickly.
Her rational side deduced that this was the enemy's counterattack. However, it seemed odd that they ignored the rest of their enemy as if trying to cripple the Flagship. Several possibilities came to mind, but she quickly dismissed them in favor of finding out herself. Together with Ashigara, the two parted ways to attack from different directions, Ayanami circling around to cut off the enemy's retreat route as Ashigara advanced like a moving fortress weathering through artillery raids. The opposing force had substantial firepower backing them up, but the intervals between their salvos spoke of low ammunition and few numbers. The moment the initial barrage began to clear out, Ayanami dove into the smokes with her sword flashing forward.
Clang, a powerful ringing noise burst out. Orange sparks scattered and Ayanami confirmed that the enemy was not incapable of close-range combat. Skidding to a halt, Ayanami cut out a sharp u-turn while firing at the enemy. Half of her salvo had failed to mark their targets thanks to poor visibility, but the ensuing water pillars allowed for the smokes to better disperse. Ayanami caught the tip of a spear and a slender figure from the corner of her eyes. Before she could further identify their identity, shells flew through the water pillars. Ayanami grunted as she was forced to swerve beat a hasty retreat.
[Aerial support arriving in one minute.]
The girl stiffened, yet she was broken out of her stupor almost immediately. Through her dance with death, the ice-cold voice of her Commander served like a bell of clarity. His voice steadied her racing emotions, brought relief into her battle-addled mind, and yet also giving her a sense of discomfort for how long it had been since the last time a Commanding Officer actually supported her.
It made her aware of the battlefield. It made her too aware of the small details, perhaps.
When her sword made contact with her enemy's spear, she saw an emblem of a lion with a crown. The peculiar design of the spear was familiar, and so were the retaliation moves that followed after. Soon as those facts registered themselves in her mind, Ayanami could no longer stop herself from recalling every shard of her past both new and old. Her heartbeat quickened, the rhythm of her breathing finally disrupted. As the smokes cleared out completely, she came face-to-face with two figures.
"Eh…?"
In front of a lavender-haired girl was a white-haired girl. Her bent knees allowed for her torpedo pods to stay close to the sea, and she trained her gun at Ayanami. The pair of ruby red eyes blinked upon catching her foe in her sight, and her lips parted so as to utter a name that felt like a needle poking at Ayanami's heart. The two were clearly Destroyers, what with their light armament and the rigging that emphasized speed over the defense. To Ayanami, however, they were much more than just Destroyers.
They were fast friends. They had met each other on a sunny day at the base that was now turning into a fiery ruin. They had talked about their likes and dislikes, learned of their respective hobbies, ate at the same table, and even went so far as having a sleepover. They were best friends who had fought together under the same banner; all four of them. Ayanami, Z23, and...
"Laffey… Jave…lin…"
As the three came to a halt, time seemed as if to have stopped. Ayanami stared at her best friends in silence, all words she could come up dying in her throat. Her grips over her weapons slackened for the briefest moment and a certain thought finally occurred to her. Even though she tried so hard to steel herself, even though it was a choice she knew would have increased her regrets…
Why… are you here…?
Ayanami felt her heart hammering in her chest. Her body trembled, and the urge to avert her gaze from the two girls almost made her did just that. However, her ears caught the faint sounds of crackling fires, her nose sensing the smell of gunpowder and oil, and the warm air of the morning; it was all real. This was all happening—and she had been indirectly participating in the ruination of all fond memories she and her three friends had made in this place.
"Aya...nami…"
The Sakura Destroyer flinched, hearing the disbelieving tone in Laffey's voice. Even though the white-haired girl had tilted her gun, the Eagle Union girl did not drop her guards. In the face of that unfamiliar aggressive stance, Ayanami realized she was now at the receiving end of the disciplined battle mode the Eagle Union's kansen was famous for. A professional combat doctrine only directed to the rightful enemy—Siren—was now pointed her way, and Ayanami felt a terrible pang of pain deep in her heart for understanding the reason behind this well-known fact.
"No… this… is… this is…" Ayanami whispered almost inaudibly, falling back by a half-step. "This isn't… I… we are…"
What was she going to do? What was she supposed to do? What could she even do at this point?
Ayanami's breathing intervals quickened and she stood in place. Then… then—
[Disengage, now. Ayanami.]
As Tatsumiya Aoto's command rang through her mind, a squadron of warplanes flew overhead. Laffey reacted first, looking up to the sky as her anti-air guns whirred to life. Ayanami was the second to react with her focus returning to the present time. Her lips quivered, unable to process the tactical command she had just heard.
"Dis…engage…?" Ayanami wondered aloud, her eyes looking to the sky and the sea.
[Ashigara will cover your retreat. Hurry.]
The demon gasped before making a snap decision, leaping back to flee with all of her might. Any other thought was discarded, and Ayanami reached her maximum speed. To run, to flee, that was the best the current her could do. It was all she wanted to do now.
"Ayanami-chan…!" Javelin's shrill voice was drowned in the ensuing gunfire and explosions. "Why!?"
The demon did not look back. She did not heed that question as she regrouped with her ally. Ashigara trailed after her, but Ayanami was already too deep in her thoughts to see how she was doing. The Destroyer's muddled mind twisted and turned, innumerable words clashing with a tidal wave of emotions that her vision registered only the brightening sea ahead of her.
What… should I do…?
She could feel her heart drumming in her ears. She could sense her chest heaving up and down. She didn't know what to do. She had never been thrust into a situation like this. Even though she had said all that, Ayanami failed to restrain herself when it mattered the most. But, had she kept on attacking... fighting and shedding the blood of her best friends… If she were given the choice whether to betray the trust given to her or to prioritize her personal bonds, then… then—
What… am I supposed to do… after this…?
It hurt. It hurt. It hurt. Ayanami's numbed mind could not connect itself with her body that was already moving in auto-pilot.
Her core of existence trembled, shuddering in pain and sorrow to the point that she had forgotten whatever happened in the world at the moment. She didn't respond to her seniors' concerns, reacting to her Commander's questions only at the bare minimum, and walked past her other friend to find a place where she could be all alone. What mattered was the pain of her heart. It was all that mattered for the current Ayanami. She needed… she needed time to process all this, no matter how little or futile it would turn out. She had to do this, if not for the others, for her own sake.
However, little did the girl notice the silent creaking of her Core—the Wisdom Cube she possessed.
Flames danced and flickered atop the sea. Spilled oil polluted the deep blue water, and scarlet dyed the background bright like a herald of dawn. Two figures stood in front of each other. One turned her back on the harbor, gazing at her opponent as her reflection twisted under the waves. The other turned her back on the sea, blue papers held in-between her fingers flickering with foxfire. Then, the woman with kind eyes parted her lips.
"...it has been a while, hasn't it? Kaga." USS Yorktown forced a smile as she held her bleeding arm.
"Several years, indeed." IJN Kaga raised her hand which was holding the set of shikigami. "Retired you might be, that altruistic side of yours has yet to change. That wound is not caused by any of ours."
Yorktown merely held up that thin smile. Kaga scoffed. The woman knew better than getting wounded in battles unless it was unavoidable. Her silence also spoke volumes of what had actually happened. It was most likely because she had tried to help out people buried under the rubble. Her Devastators buzzed around overhead because they were distractions. Rather than putting efforts in swatting the flies away or dragging out answers with force, Kaga sharpened her focus at the eldest of the Yorktown-class.
This was a trap. A harmless trap to lure either her or her sister, but for what reason? Of course, it would always boil down to that one point of their past.
"...make no mistake, resentment is not our motive in attacking this place." Her rigging whirred to life, the hilt of a sword emerging from within a hidden compartment that slid out from it. Kaga drew the sword and scattered her shikigami into the air. "Your rejection certainly wounded us. However, we expected that. That man, you and your sisters, as well as that upstart loudmouth never saw things beyond what you want to see the most."
"There was…" Yorktown heaved, a pained expression painting her face. "There was never a need to use that terrible power, no…? Kaga, what you have done here is proof—"
"History will tell who is right in this place." The sound of gunfire and explosion intensified. They were the breaths of battles, the elements of war. Kaga cut off all that noise and unsheathed the sword she had held for as long as she could remember. "The strong survive. The winner obtains all. Prove yourself worthy of your words by taking action if you can!"
The woman in black trembled, closing her eyes and biting her lips tightly. A moment later, the Union's carrier's rigging slid to the side, grim determination replacing the kindness in her gentle blue eyes.
"Then so be it!" USS Yorktown declared, warplanes launching from her flight deck as the Devastators descended from above to meet their match. "Brave warriors of the Union, it is time to take flight!"
Author's Note: Shinano looks fine and her event seems like it could fit in this story, but man I forgot to stock up cubes. Maybe next time.