The One Who Fell From Grace

by Eagle2091

11 months after the Battle of Iceland an innocent person is framed for something they didn't do, and are forced out of the country they made. But they will try to prove themselves innocent... or become the villain. New friends, new enemies, in continuation from "the Lost Battleship of the Southern Trench"

14. Chapter 14

Chapter 14: old friend

Location Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong

Now Yahagi could be seen sitting in a hospital bed. She wore a normal hospital gown, she no longer looked so heavily bruised, though she still had the blank stare. Across from her was a TV that was currently talking about the war that was going on. The news outlet showed a map that showed the frontlines were much deeper into the Dragon Empery than just two days ago.

But now a doctor could be seen outside of the room watching in. He had short dark hair, dark brown eyes and he looked to be in his sixties. He did seem concerned as he didn't know what to do with her. She was a Sakura Empire ship, and they were at war with the Sakura Empire.

He glanced up at the TV and now saw that the image changed to that of Southern Yamato. She seemed to attend a small military parade in Shanghai. But when the doctor looked back to Yahagi he saw that she now seemed to be staring intently at Southern Yamato.

Yahagi got up from her bed and seemed to walk closer to the TV. Her eyes were glued on Southern Yamato. But then the news outlet switched to something else. Immediately Yahagi started saying something in Japanese, she wasn't full on yelling, but her voice was raised.

The doctor was confused as he didn't understand what she was saying, but her tone of voice sounded like she was distressed.

The doctor rushed over to a phone nearby on the wall. He typed a number in and immediately said into it "this is doctor Liu, get me a Japanese translator for room 459"

Now he hung up before going back and seeing that Yahagi seemed to calm down as soon as Southern Yamato appeared again on the TV. But as soon as the TV switched to something else, Yahagi started speaking Japanese. But then she swapped to something the doctor could understand.

She repeatedly started saying "Yamato" over and over… and over again.

It was a few minutes before a woman with long black hair and auburn eyes. She was dressed in a nurse's uniform. "Doctor Liu, what is it?" She asked in a concerned voice.

"Her" Doctor Liu said as he pointed to Yahagi who was back to saying something in Japanese. "What is she saying?" The woman turned her attention to Yahagi and now walked into the hospital room, doctor Liu walked in as well.

The woman listened to Yahagi for a moment before saying "She's saying 'Yamato, Yamato, why aren't you noticing me? Don't leave me again' then she repeats it"

"Can you ask who she is?"

"I'll try" now the woman spoke Japanese to Yahagi, asking who she was. But Yahagi didn't respond. The woman tried again this time adding "if you tell me I could help you find Yamato"

Now Yahagi looked down at the woman and said quickly "IJN Yahagi. Please, where is Yamato?"

The woman looked to Doctor Liu "She said her name is IJN Yahagi. She wants to know where Yamato is" Now she looked back at Yahagi and asked "how do you know Yamato?"

"She's my… my" Now Yahagi started to cry.

"Yahagi, Yahagi" The woman said in a caring voice "please I cannot help you if you don't tell me"

Yahagi continued to cry for a moment before saying "She's my girlfriend"

The woman looked shocked at what she said, but now Doctor Liu said "what did she say?"

"She's… Yamato's girlfriend"

"What?" Now Doctor Liu looked up at the TV as a video of Southern Yamato appeared speaking.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Location Shanghai

Now just a bit out of the main city a parade grounds could be seen set up for a small military parade. There weren't that many soldiers there, because most of them were on the frontlines, but there were about a thousand men, and a dozen tanks. There were also a few generals, not many for the same reason as with the soldiers.

Southern Yamato was also there and seemed to be giving a speech, the speech was broadcasted throughout the world, by the news media. But her speech seemed to be the reason for why she acted so, and revealed something else.

"Friends, comrades, perhaps even any enemies" Southern Yamato said in Mandarin, though there were translations on the tv for other languages "I have come to you with an announcement. It is well known that the Dragon Empery is lax on many issues. Several among them that I hate, slavery, a censorship to an extreme state, oppression in many forms, and so on. This is why I have made friends with those of the Dragon Union. In all honesty I do not wish to fight those I still view as my friends, chiefly among them, the Eagle Union, the Royal Navy, and the Sakura Empire. But that wish I cannot follow when such horrible things are being committed here. You might ask me 'but were you not an ally to the Dragon Empery?' No, I never was. The Southern Trench had for months gathered intelligence for the Dragon Union and supplied them with arms, and the needed technology. Only very recently, did the Southern Trench cut off that supply, but it was too late to stop the Dragon Union. Now this sounds like suicide on my part, possibly destroying my credibility. But the Azur Lane already hates me, seeing me as an unjust murderer who killed millions. While I would love to reconcile with the Azur Lane, to stop this war, I can do no such thing as long as they insist on fighting. So all I can do then… is fight back, and protect my allies… my friends" now she paused momentarily as there was cheering amongst the soldiers there, the civilians soon joined along. But after a moment they quieted down and Southern Yamato spoke "But I understand that the Abyss Empire alone cannot help protect our allies. That is why we have helped the Dragon Union and Orchid Republic to acquire an army and ship girls of their own. But… They are not normal ship girls. I'd like to introduce you to the newly summoned Chinese Federal Navy" Now Yamato stepped aside for a moment and two women walked forward.

One of the women looked like a traditional Chinese beauty, with long brown hair, silver eyes, and a medium sized bust. To humans she appeared perhaps in her early to mid thirties. She wore a long white dress with a black band around her stomach.

The other woman looked younger perhaps in her early to mid twenties. She had short blonde hair tied into a short pon with a blue ribbon, sapphire blue eyes, and a medium sized bust. She wore a floral pattern qipao, that went down to just below her knees, she also had on white silky looking gloves.

But now the two introduced themselves. The first one said "I am CFN Shandong of the Type-002 aircraft carrier"

Then the other woman said "I'm CFN Liaoning, of the Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier, though I was originally called Riga, then Varyag"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Location Yokosuka Naval base

Akihito, and Akagi could be seen together in what looked to be their house on the base. Their son Ken was also there. Ken looked about 3 or 4 years old and was short. Like his mother, he had red eyes and kitsune ears and tails, though he had black hair instead of brown. He seemed to be wearing a white tee-shirt and black shorts.

But now as Ken seemed to be playing with army toys, Akihito and Akagi were watching the news. Specifically what the parade that was going on in Shanghai. The two looked shocked, but Akagi seemed afraid as she saw the two modern carriers. Even if the two were less than stellar in terms of modern carriers, they were still terrifying for World War 2 era Warships.

But now Akagi grimaced before asking Akihito "what should we do about my deployment there?"

"The government is telling me I need to send at least one fleet to help China. But now that modern ships are showing up, I don't know if that is wise right now" Akihito said "their experience may be lacking, but their technology is… far ahead of anything we can deploy. Even the fairies may not be able to help. But… as much as I hate to say it, I need to send my best, anything less would be suicidal"

"It already is suicidal"

"But at least you have a chance. While they are powerful in terms of technology, modern Warships are effectively glass cannons. They may strike hard, but if they get hit it can be a death sentence. I'm going to send Yamato and Musashi with you. They hit hard, and a single hit from the could cripple a modern ship"

Akagi grimaced and muttered "how long must it take everyone to see the plans of the Sirens?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Location San Diego Naval base

Now Airi, Eliza and a few others could be seen in the lobby of one of the dorms. The TV was playing the news, and many of the ship girls there were a mixture of frightened and excited. Excited that their modern counterparts could become ship girls, but frightened that they'd have to fight.

But Airi grimaced as she saw what had happened, and thought to herself "if only they had been stopped sooner"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Time skip 1 hour, Location Shanghai

Now a small gathering could be seen in what looked like a small banquet hall. It was a mixture of a celebration and military meeting, as some generals and admirals from the three nations of the Solidarity League were there. Though the two stars of it were currently Shandong and Liaoning, as the Admirals were interested in meeting them.

There were also a few reporters there, but all of them were of the Dragon Union, and they were only allowed to take a few photos.

Southern Yamato sat at a round table that was off to the side. Beside her was Ranna, though she could be seen trying to sit as close to Southern Yamato as possible, and seemed mere millimeters from touching her. Across from the two was Admiral Wei who seemed stunned.

"I'm surprised you managed to get the two" Admiral Wei said, as he glanced over at the two modern carriers "I thought modern ship girls were impossible"

"We thought as well" Southern Yamato said "But after Winston S. Churchill, Thunderer, and Challenger came to, the idea of possibly others came to mind"

Now Admiral Wei leaned onto the table and asked "I got to ask, how did you do it?"

Southern Yamato remained quiet for a moment before saying "previously the Chinese government had been making something highly secretive. Even the Southern Trench couldn't find out exactly what. All we knew was that there was something. Turns out, it was a synthetic wisdom cube. Made by human means. But, the wisdom cube appears green"

Admiral Wei laughed "Wisdom cubes are just multicolored now. What next? A pink wisdom cube? A yellow one?"

"Possibly. The known ones: blue, red, black, and green, and seemed to hold their own properties. Though even then our knowledge on them is lacking"

"Well, Do you plan on building any more modern ships?"

"Yes. To get the Dragon Union navy up and running is the plan. But… as well as the Abyss Empire. I… won't say what kind, and how many, but ships are being drawn up. For all three nations"

Now Thunderer seemed to walk up towards the three "sorry to interrupt, Master, but..." she said, before leaning in and whispering something to Southern Yamato. Southern Yamato had a confused look on her face, and she no longer seemed focused on the outside world as her mind raced for answers.

She stood up and said "stay here, Ranna. I… I need to go"

"Eh… what is it-" now before Ranna could even get her sentence out, Southern Yamato disappeared through a portal. "master…" though now she sighed and looked at Thunderer "what is it that you told her?"

Thunderer hesitated "um… I don't understand it myself Ma'am but… it seems I a ship girl who knew of our master was found as a slave. But now she's in Hong Kong"

"Did they give you a name?"

"Y-Yes Ma'am. IJN Yahagi"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Location Hong Kong, Lantau Naval Base

Now Yahagi could be seen alone in what seemed like a smaller office. She was now dressed in a basic white kimono. She sat on the desk in the office as she waited. All she was told was that someone would come and get her soon. So she waited… and waited. But she was surprised by the one who came to get her.

Southern Yamato suddenly walked into the room, and Yahagi seemed to start crying. But now she jumped off the desk and rushed towards Southern Yamato, hugging her tightly "Yammy!" She cried.

Southern Yamato had been surprised as well, as she had thought for years that Yahagi was sunk. But now, old memories came rushing back to her. It took her a moment to register what had happened before she hugged back. She started crying as well, as she hugged her.

It was actually a few minutes as the two hugged each other, before Southern Yamato knelt down to stare directly at Yahagi and asked "h-h-how are you alive? I saw you sink" She held Yahagi's face gently in her hands as they stared at each other.

Yahagi seemed to enjoy Southern Yamato's touch as she held her hands. But now she frowned before saying "I washed up on shore, I… don't know how long after. Everything just became… a blur, of pain, and confusion. All I knew was that I was away from you for a long time. I-i don't want you to leave me again!" Now she wrapped her arms around Southern Yamato again.

Southern Yamato smiled as she now patted Yahagi's head. But a growing sense of anger was boiling in her. She dared not ask it yet… she couldn't hold it back "they… they told me you were a slave"

"I…" Yahagi hesitated "All the times it happened are just a blur now" but now she backed away as she screamed "they killed them Yammy! They killed them!"

"Who? Who did they kill Yahagi?" Southern Yamato urged as she stepped towards Yahagi.

"My children. I was raped over and over. But they killed the children I had. I don't remember how many. But… I remember holding one… and… and… they tore them from me, and killed them, and raped me more!" She started crying even harder now.

But now the anger inside of Southern Yamato had reached a boiling point and she clenched her hands into fists. Her aura flared around herself, as she was enraged. But her anger wasn't concentrated towards a single individual, no… she was angry at the Dragon Empery for allowing such a thing to happen for so long. But she was also angry at herself that Yahagi was only a few thousand kilometers away for so many years, in an awful state, and she didn't know.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Unique ability unlocked…

'Flagship of the Combined Fleet'

"How interesting" Administrator E said.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Location Hong Kong, Lantau Naval Base

Yahagi stared now at the purple flames engulfing Southern Yamato and she seemed to be in awe. The flames around Southern Yamato seemed heavily concentrated and appeared to be a very dark purple.

But now Southern yelled "those… those bastards! I won't let any of them live!"

Yahagi didn't seem terrified of Southern Yamato. She seemed… more interested in her, and the purple flames surrounding her. She cautiously tried touching Southern Yamato and found the flames didn't hurt, actually… they felt somewhat comfortable to her. She touched Southern Yamato directly and now seemed to nuzzle up next to her.

But Southern Yamato now seemed to calm down after Yahagi touched her. She sighed before saying "sorry… ugh, I let my anger get the best of me. But I won't let those who did this to you, and the ones who allowed such a thing to live much longer"

"Yammy…" Yahagi said. Now Southern Yamato put a hand on Yahagi's head and started patting her. Though after a moment she gently rubbed Yahagi's fox ears, which she seemed to like.

But now there was urgent knocking at the door before a soldier entered "Ma'am!" He said "you need to come outside, something just appeared out of nowhere"

"What is it?" Southern Yamato asked as she turned to look at the soldier.

"It's a fleet. A massive one"

"Show me" now Southern Yamato turned to leave, but found that Yahagi now seemed to cling to her right arm. In a sense she was happy because she felt that Yahagi would be safe if they stayed together. Though now the soldier led the two outside to something... terrifying.

The entire harbor, from Lantau Island all the way to Hong Kong Island, and out into the ocean, perhaps even beyond the horizon, was a truly massive fleet. It didn't look to be in the hundreds. No… it could only be measured in the thousands. They were Warships that seemed to be Japanese, ranging from tiny torpedo boats, all the way to the biggest battleships. But Southern Yamato noticed something, all of the ships were Japanese, she recognized the ship classes: Fubuki, Nagato, Amagi, Shokaku etc all the ships were there. But one thing that has been failed to mention up until now was that the ships appeared purple, with varying degrees of hue depending on the part, and they were engulfed in purple flames.

But then after a moment Southern Yamato felt dazed. She groaned before saying "ugh, I don't know why I'm so… out of it right now" she looked out for a moment and could guess that the fleet was causing a ton of traffic jams for the ferries that were trying to get through. "Ugh, they should leave"

At that very moment, just after Southern Yamato spoke, the entire fleet seemed to fade before disappearing entirely. But as soon as they were gone, Southern Yamato didn't feel dazed anymore. She wondered why they left, but now thought that she had seen five Yamato class in the fleet, and wondered why.

Then the five Yamato class appeared in the harbor, but it was only the five and no more ships. This just seemed to be even more confusing for everyone, especially Southern Yamato.

But Yahagi gasped before asking "Yammy, trying thinking about my ship"

"Eh? W-why?" Southern Yamato asked as she looked down at her.

"Just try it"

"Ok…" now after a moment Yahagi's ship appeared, but like the ships before it seemed purple and engulfed in purple flames.

"The ships Yammy… they are made by you"

"Eh? How?"

"I… I don't know. But see if they follow your commands"

"Alright"

Now Southern Yamato looked out at them and thought about what they should do. She was going to speak the commands, but before she could the ships moved in the way she thought. The five Yamato class turned to be in a line formation heading out towards the open ocean. The Yahagi class went to the right of the fleet, and followed alongside them.

"So you can control them" Yahagi said as her eyes were now wide.

"But we still don't know what they are" Southern Yamato said.

"They are your unique ability" a voice said, that seemed to be above them.

Southern Yamato looked up now and saw Observer Alpha "Siren!" She yelled before summoning her riggings and motioning for Yahagi to get behind her "what are you doing here?"

"I was curious about your unique ability. This will be very interesting"

"Unique Ability?"

"An ability unique to a ship girl. All ship girls and Abyssals have one, but most have them locked away. Well, technically it is unknown if unique abilities pass by heredity, so it might be unique per family line. There's different types as well, passive bonuses, new weapons, new armament and so on. But yours is a rarer kind. Seems to be a summons of sorts. I'm interested in how you'll use this"

"Why did you show yourself?"

"Mm, because I felt like it" but now Observer Alpha seemed to look at Yahagi who was peeking from behind Southern Yamato. Observer Alpha laughed "Now, this will be very interesting. I never meant to attack, just talk… Bye bye~ Yammy~" she did a mocking wave before seeming to disappear.

Southern Yamato now sighed, as her riggings reformed into her ship she groaned "Ugh… Sirens" though now she seemed to realize something and asked "Yahagi, can you summon your ship?"

"Mhm" she said. After a moment her ship seemed to appear next to Southern Yamato's ship.

"It's been a long time since I've seen your ship"

"Long time? How… long? Everything for me seems like a blur so I don't know the year"

"It's 2021"

"I was away for four years?" She said in a distressed voice. Though now she seemed to cling to Southern Yamato's arm again.

Now Southern Yamato gently patted Yahagi's head with her free hand and said "I won't let what happened to you again… I'll help those who have suffered the same fate as you. And…" now she stared northwards in the direction of Beijing "No one will escape my wrath. This ability though…" Now she turned to look at the purple ships that were still there. "odd… they've been around for the same amount of time, yet I don't feel as fatigued. Ah… oh… Ranna's going to be angry at me for leaving without explanation" Now the purple ships disappeared before a portal appeared in front of them.

Yahagi seemed surprised and asked "a… portal?"

"Yes, as a Hadal I can summon portals. Oh… I didn't mention it, but technically I'm not Yamato"

"Then… Who are you?" Yahagi asked now with a concerned tone.

"Southern Yamato. The union between the Abyssal half of Yamato, who was named Southern War Princess, and Yamato herself" now Southern Yamato chuckled nervously "I'm neither one of them, but both of them. Because of that I am a Hadal"

"Eh?" now Yahagi tilted her head confused "I'm confused"

"Sorry, it's hard for someone who isn't a Hadal themselves to understand. But because I'm a Hadal I'm insanely powerful compared to ship girls or Abyssals. Only other Hadals come close in power, well except Techno Abyssals, and whatever Enterprise is now. Heh, this is a lot of information, don't worry I'll explain it to you later"

Now the two walked through the portal and were met by Thunderer. Though Ranna seemed to be talking with Admirals, probably about why Southern Yamato had just left.

But now Thunderer bowed to Southern Yamato and said "welcome back, Master" though now she looked at Yahagi and asked "who is she, Master?"

"She's Yahagi. She'll be with us from now on" Southern Yamato said.

"Ah, then it is nice to meet you Ms Yahagi"

"Nice to meet you" Yahagi said in a quiet voice as she now slightly hid herself behind Southern Yamato.

Now Ranna could be seen walking towards them, and she seemed somewhat annoyed "Master" she said before sighing "everyone was wondering why you left. So I had to explain that something came up and you needed to check on it"

"Sorry about that, Ranna. I… needed to go. Because…" now she motioned to Yahagi, who was peeking out from behind herself "she's an old friend who I thought sunk four years ago" now Southern Yamato seemed to clench her hands into fists "but she was actually a slave for those four years"