Author: This story will end in fifteen chapters. That's my maximum estimation. It'll probably add one extra chapter, making it sixteen chapters in total.
The story will have to end sooner so I will make major edits on some chapters. It will take at least a month or so to edit most of the chapters, but the ending will come first.
Tirpitz blankly stares while she gently rubs the pendant of a necklace with her thumb while her index finger supports the back. Her eyes fixated on the Iron cross symbol, never stopped staring at it.
"Scharnhorst..."
She closes her eyes, reminiscing a memory of also someone very dear to her. Scharnhorst had sunk many years ago, but Tirpitz still finds it hard to move on. A part of her just can't seem to move due to the guilt she suffered.
"..."
She could never forget how she first met Scharnhorst many years ago. Tirpitz was an inexperienced shipgirl back...and that's when she first met a fellow inexperienced shipgirl, Scharnhorst.
"Hey there~"
Scharnhorst suddenly approached her, catching Tirpitz off guard. Tirpitz thought it was just some random person, but after seeing the Iron cross on her uniform, Tirpitz quickly figured out she's a shipgirl just like her.
"I was just looking for my sister whom I couldn't find for half an hour now. Have you seen some girl that wore the same uniform as me?"
"No. Who are you anyway?"
"I'm the lead ship of the Scharnhorst class battleships. The name's Scharnhorst. I'm kind of new here so...hahaha" Scharhorst reached her hand for a handshake
"I'm the second ship ship of the Bismarck class battleships, Tirpitz. I'm also new to the Kriegsmarine..."
The two battleships shook their hand and smiled at each other. While Tirpitz is still nervous around her fellow shipgirls, Scharnhorst's friendly and casual personality made it easier for her to talk to her.
"Wow. You're a Bismarck class. I heard about the Bismarck class so I thought you're scary and intimidating like your famous sister"
"Trust me, my sister is anything but intimidating"
While Tirpitz had just met Scharnhorst, she felt easy around her. Scharnhorst is the type of person who easily get along with anybody because of her personality. Though she can be laid back at times, but she will perform her duty as a shipgirl even if she's inexperienced.
"It sounds like you know Bismarck very well"
"Well she is my actual older sister. Not just my sister ship"
"Really? You're actually related. That's uncommon in the navy" Scharnhorst's eyes sparkled
"Yeah. My sister and I are not the only sister ships who are related by blood"
"Man, I wish my Gneisenau and I are related. That would have been cool. What does it feel like anyway?"
"A little awkward at first. I mean we're sisters not just by class, but by our blood. I have to admit...it's actually cool"
"Ooooh"
"I mean my older sister is actually a famous ship. Being her sistership is kind of a bonus"
Tirpitz fainly smiles, concealing how proud ans grateful Bismarck is her sister...even if she annoys her sometimes.
"I'm pretty famous too, you know" Scharnhorst pouted
"Hahaha. I know. You went down in the blaze of glory. A historical sinking any shipgirl have dreamed of"
During their conversation, the two had already started to form a friendship type of relationship. Scharnhorst noticed how its fun talking to Tirpitz and vice versa.
"You know, well get along just well, Tirpitz"
"Hmm?"
"You're not scary at all so I had fun talking to you. This might be the start of a beautiful friendship"
"Hahaha. I hope so"
The two continued to walk together in the corridor, completely forgetting what they were doing earlier as the conversation continued for several more minutes.
"...?"
Just as Tirpitz wears the necklace back around her neck, Donitz enters the office.
"Donitz, what is it?"
"I heard about there has been a lead to Dreadnought Princess' whereabouts. The one called Mutsu told me"
(Damn it, Mutsu)
Compared to Nagato who would refuse to disclose any information regarding a sortie or operation to anyone, Mutsu isn't the same as her sister ship.
"Yeah. Reports stated she retreated to this part of the sea when Kure encountered her the other day"
Tirpitz lays out a map and circles her finger around a radius in the map, indicating an area in a certain ocean.
"While it's not fully certain, it's suspected she's lurking somewhere in these areas..."
She sets small pieces at the size of a dime and places them in specific areas. Donitz noticed the placements of each pieces and the pattern it forms.
"That island..." Donitz points to an island
"It's an Abyssal controlled area. The mission is to cut off the Abyssal's means of support so bombarding that island and capturing it is going to be our primary mission"
"You said Dreadnought Princess has been spotted in these areas. Could she be in this Abyssal anchorage?" Donitz wanted to know
"It's...a fifty-fifty chance"
"Good enough for me"
Donitz's answer is an indication she wanted to be a part of this battle too. Knowing her personality, Tirpitz knows it's almost impossible to change Donitz's mind once she made a decision.
"You...really want to fight her that badly"
"Of course. I want to sink her with my own hands!"
Donitz tightly clenched her fist much to Tirpitz's worry. While she understands her goal, her desire would likely result to recklessness.
"...?"
Another guest enters the office. To Tirpitz's surprise, it's her sister Bismarck, whom she had been distant lately. The latter saw the two seemed to be in a discussion before she enters and thought she might have interrupted them.
"Sorry. I'll be back later-"
"Wait" Tirpitz stops her
"..."
Even without words, Donitz had read the atmosphere as clear as day. She left the office, patting Bismarck's back before passing by her. She wished her the best of luck and hope the two would ease their tension.
"It's fine...if you don't want to talk right now" Bismarck couldn't look at her
"It's not fine..."
For the past three days, they haven't spoke a word to each other. Not only it became awkward for them, but for everyone around them who would notice how Tirpitz would avoid talking to Bismarck.
"While I'm still upset, not talking to you...is kind of childish"
"I know you're angry at me, but if I haven't went after Arkhangelsk...I wouldn't have known the truth" Bismarck closes the door behind her
"The truth?"
Bismarck's lips shake, a part of her fears to reveal the truth to Tirpitz. She had already made her decision and that is to do what's right...no matter how painful it is.
"Back there...Arkhangelsk showed me truth. Even I couldn't deny it as a lie"
"Sis, what truth?"
"..."
"Tell me" Tirpitz slightly raises her voice
"...It's...it's about...Scharnhorst"
Bismarck steels herself as much as she could, mustering courage to speak what must be spoken. Her fingers twitched as she forces her mouth to let out the words she had been keeping.
"It's...about...her sinking..."
"What...?"
"I know this will hurt, but I can never hide it from you. The truth is..."
With a solid stomp on the ground, Bismarck forces the words out of her mouth before her shaking body loses its will and break down. Every word Bismarck lets out weakens Tirpitz's will. It's as if she can feel her world fall apart.
"I'm sorry..." Bismarck apologizes
Tirpitz bit her lip, holding down the screams of emotions blazing wildly inside her. Her mind couldn't handle the feeling of...betrayal. Their old admiral is the same man who was responsible for Scharnhorst's death.
"Our admiral was the reason why Scharnhorst sunk in the first place. I could have sunk back there too, you know"
In an instant, both her will and motivation had been shaken by the discovery of betrayal. She never thought her old admiral would do such thing as betray their trust and sell them out to the enemy.
"All this time, the person responsible was in front of me. It hurts...it hurts do much. I trusted him...but he's just like the others..." Tirpitz slammed the wall
"I trusted him too, Tirpitz. He was our admiral, but he betrayed us"
Not only Tirpitz, but even Bismarck felt betrayed by this. She saw and heard how their former admiral confessed his involvement in the battle of North cape. Scharnhorst is also one of Bismarck's close comrades, that's why she can sympathize with her sister's pain.
"I can't even trust my former admiral. I don't think...I can trust humans anymore"
That was a dangerous signal. While it's right for Tirpitz to be upset, Bismarck doesn't want her sister to lose faith and trust to the rest of humanity just because of one human's sin.
"Don't say that!" Bismarck stomped her foot
"Schwester?"
"Just because one human did wrong, doesn't mean the rest of them are too"
"...?"
"Remember our country? Back in the old war, we were ruled by a madman. It tarnished our fatherland's name and reputation. As a result, our fellow Germans felt nothing but shame for many years"
During that war, the country itself became tarnished because of one man's actions. As a result, the people developed a collective self loathing, ashamed of their "leader's" actions which lead's to the country's ruin.
"Just because of one human's action, doesn't mean it's the responsibility of the rest!"
"Sis..."
"Tirpitz, we may be shipgirls, but we are still humans. Hating the rest of humanity is like already hating yourself for being one"
Bismarck reminded Tirpitz that they may have became shipgirls, but they're still humans. They can feel, talk, think, and act like other humans.
"The sin of one man isn't the burden of the rest. Remember that, mein schwester"
"Someone...also said that to me once"
While Tirpitz's trust in humanity had been damaged, she can agree she can't hate the rest of humanity for what one of them did. It may take time, but she will try to fully trust humanity again.
"Danke. For always cheering me up"
Thankful for Bismarck's motivation, Tirpitz embraced her older sister. She is always grateful to Bismarck for being supportive and giving her advice in times of need. She just wish she could repay everything Bismarck did for her all these years.
"Ha ha ha. That's what sisters are for"
Bismarck returned the embrace, relieved it comforted Tirpitz at the very least. Ever since they were young, Bismarck did all what she could to support and protect her sister, fearing she might lose the only family she has left. It tore her apart when she first lost Tirpitz before. She doesn't know if she can handle losing her again.
Two days later...
The surface task force assembled before the departure for a last minute briefing. Waiting for their main flagship, the fleet chattered and murmured. Just by looking at them, they're visibly excited for this small scale operation since it's been months since the last one.
"Aoba, don't misidentify anyone this time, okay?" Kinugasa jokingly reminded Aoba
"...!"
The wound cut deep for the "Wolf of Solomon" who is infamously guilty about this.
"Enthusiasm is good, but I hope no one gets carried away"
"It'll be fine, you know" Gangut reassured her
Warspite is reminded of her "youth" when looking at the other shipgirls.
"It's just that the young ones are often the reckless ones"
"Hahahaha! Spoken like an old la-"
Warspite grabs Gangut's finger and prepares to punish her if she were to continue what she is about to say.
"...!"
The shipgirls fell silent when the flagship arrived. Tirpitz fixed her detached sleeves before she speaks with her fleet.
"Everyone is already here? Good"
Since the operation only involves raiding an Abyssal anchorage, one combined fleet is sufficient for the battle.
"As a final reminder, our mission to bombard the anchorage. Due to a storm, visibility will be low on both sides. This is a battle where whoever spots the other first...wins"
Everyone understood what a battle in terrible weather means. Low visibility means the increase need for vigilance. It's a battle to whoever detected the opponent first gains the advantage.
"Remember very well, there's a chance we will encounter Dreadnought Princess. Her power is equal to Battleship Water Demon so underestimating her is a death sentence"
"..."
"Since the weather is a stormy one, we must remain vigilance not only to the enemy, but to our allies. There's a chance one or more will get separated due to the large waves and strong winds. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Alright then! Prepare to weigh anchor"
At her command, the shipgirls head straight to the docks to equip their riggings and commence the operation. As Donitz is about to join the others, she noticed the gloom brewing inside Bismarck.
"What's the matter?" She asked
"I just have this odd feeling. Kind of like a feeling something bad is going to happen"
"Don't jinx all of us. This is going to be a serious battle" Donitz felt worried
"I know. I just can't shake off this feeling. I just hope nothing bad happens to all of us, specially to Tirpitz..."
"Afraid to lose her again, huh?" Donitz smirked
"Of course I'm afraid! I don't want...to lose her. I just can't..."
"You have nothing to worry, Bismarck. We Kriegsmarine shipgirls have each other's backs. Nothing bad will happen"
Donitz reassured Bismarck with her confidence in the upcoming battle. Even if it's a little, Bismarck felt a sense of safety and security
Later...
The combined fleet had entered the storm and they are immediately met with strong winds and heavy rains. The capital ships had to reduce speed in order for the destroyers to follow up.
"They said the weather is bad, but I didn't think it would be this bad!" Bismarck complained
At this condition, only large ships like battleships and certain aircraft carriers can sail in unfavorable weather.
"Visibility has been reduced by ten percent. Even my radars are affected"
Donitz's radars, like the others, are no match against a furious force of nature.
"Four enemy ships spotted! 10 kilometers northwest!" Choukai detected them first
"They got a bit close. Can't be helped. All ships, prepare for surface battle"
Two Ru class battleships and two Ri class heavy cruisers intercepted the shipgirls even if their numbers overpower them. The battleships bombarded them, but along with detection range, their accuracy lessened too.
"If they got this close without firing, then they're as blind as we are" Gangut is aware of that
"Yeah. This like a night battle, except it's harder to sail than usual" Tirpitz commented
The moment the battle started, Tirpitz is aware the main enemy force are already aware of their presence and location.
"They're already here. They brought a surface fleet...and the northern battleship is with them. A queenly one is also there"
The "northern battleship" Battleship Water Demon referred to is Tirpitz while the "queenly one" is Donitz.
"Since my target is the blonde one, you can have your prey for yourself"
"The lonely Queen of the North is mine alone. I want her to face one on one" Dreadnought Princess carved a grin on her face
"That...won't be a problem"
Battleship Water Demon can arrange her fellow Abyssal's desire since it will prove beneficial to her too.
Meanwhile...
As they thread to the storm, Tirpitz felt her heart raced wildly. Sailing in this weather reminds her of her past trauma.
(I can't...show weakness here)
She controlled her breathing, steeling her will so it won't be shaken by her past fears.
"You okay?" Donitz noticed
"I'm fine. It's just...the feeling of that battle again"
"North cape, huh. I understand you're still traumatized, but you have to remain strong as the admiral and flagship to the fleet"
As the flagship, Tirpitz can't afford to show weakness or her fleet will be affected too.
"As the flagship, I can't give in to my fears while I'm in a battle"
"Hahaha! That's my little sister for you!" Bismarck felt so proud
Tirpitz reminded herself, much to Donitz and Bismarck's gladness.
"We may have avoided their air support and submarine, but I just don't like storms" Gangut complained
"I don't have a problem with it" Tirpitz shrugged off her shoulders
"Me too" Even Donitz
"Easy for you two to say. You're speed is different from me"
Gangut, being a slower and smaller battleships can't handle bad weather as easily as bigger ships like Donitz and Tirpitz.
"...?!"
The moment is cut off when shells rained on them. Since they were fire from a long range, almost all of it were near misses. As the water splashed with countless shells, the fleet set to an all out attack formation.
"What the...hell?!"
While Tirpitz did expect Dreadnought Princess, she never expected Battleship Water Demon to be with her.
"The two of them are together? Are you kidding me?!" Gangut dropped her jaw
"No time to be shocked! Focus on the battle"
While the two Abussals fire from a suitable range, they are forced with the escorting Abyssal ships who simultaneously attacked.
"The white haired is mine"
"The big one is mine"
The two Abyssal battleships reminded each other about their individual targets. They split in both directions, attempting for a pincer attack.
"They're flanking us!" Gangut notified Tirpitz
"They're going to pick us off in both directions!"
With their current situation, separating from the fleet is dangerous, on Donitz only focused on Dreadnought Princess.
"Donitz!"
The German battleship ignored everything else and rushed to confront Dreadnought Princess. Unfortunately, the latter is only after Tirpitz herself. Donitz is someone who doesn't interest her the slightest.
"Dreadnought Princess!"
"That battleship? Ah...it's her again. Annoying..."
She wanted to face Tirpitz and not someone like Donitz. Either way, she prepared her main guns to engage Donitz.
"You're an annoying pest!"
Dreadnought Princess roared as loud as thunder, following the powerful booms of her main guns. The two battleships exchanged shell to shell. Donitz only thought of sinking Dreadnought Princess more than anything else, ignoring everything around her.
"Damn that idiot!" Tirpitz went after Donitz
"Tirpitz!"
While Gangut wants to follow after her, Battleship Water Demon is keeping her and the rest of the fleet occupied.
"Just sink, you annoying pest!"
"You took the words right out of my mouth!" Donitz ignored the damages she sustained
Donitz as if Dreadnought Princess had grown stronger compared to the last time they both fought. That was many years ago so she must have evolved in strength
"Why don't just sink-"
Tirpitz interrupted Dreadnought Princess by firing directly at her, ticking her off.
"Don't rush in like that, you reckless idiot"
Even if Donitz wanted to sink Dreadnought Princess more than Abyssal, it's no reason to act without thinking. This is a mistake Donitz did on her part.
"Finally. You're here...Tirpitz. Tirpitz...ahahahaha!"
Exhilarating emotions stirred inside Dreadnought Princess with her primary target in sight. The last time Tirpitz fought Dreadnought Princess one on one almost cost her life i f Bismarck didn't arrive in time.
(I'm not the same battleship I was once eleven years ago)
After everything she had been through, Tirpitz had enough of being afraid. Scharnhorst, Yuki, and her other comrades always faced overwhelming odds with courage on their faces...so should she.
"Donitz, can you still fight?"
"Who do you think you're talking to? Of course I am" Donitz stood up like her damages meant little
Growing impatient, Dreadnought Princess opened fire and unleashed the power she had been keeping. It was as if she had been waiting for an opportunity like this...an opportunity to sink the one person who felt...familiar.
"If I can just sink you...then I can think straight again!"
That's what she thought. If she could just sink Tirpitz, maybe her dream would stop haunting her. She can focus on herself again if she can just kill her...but that's not really what she wanted. She's forcing herself to believe that in order to gloss over a part of her old self.
"I have to help Tirpitz-!"
Battleship Water Demon's escorts didn't allow her. They continued their relentless salvos, preventing Gangut from leaving the battlefield.
"None of you is getting out here...alive"
Battleship Water Demon already felt victorious even if the battle hasn't been decided yet. She took a brief glance to the direction where Dreadnought Princess is, knowing the distance is growing as the battle there rages on.
(This is your last chance, Dreadnought Princess)
Due to Dreadnought Princess' repeated failures, Central Princess grew disappointed at her. Luckily, she managed to convince Central Princess to give her one more chance to prove herself. She allowed her...with the mission of sinking any of the shipgirls.
"Tirpitz, she's drawing us away from the rest" Donitz couldn't see the others anymore
"Is that your tactic? Isolating us from the rest of the fleet so you can finish us off?" Tirpitz looked at Dreadnought Princess
"Well...that and I want to fight you one on one, but that stupid pest won't go away~"
She has no interest in Donitz she pays little attention to her and focused on Tirpitz.
"I'm almost at my limit" Donitz is beginning to be worn out
"So am I. Two secondary batteries are jammed. I also fired all of my torpedoes"
At this rate, the two German battleships will have to expend all their ammunition just to sink Dreadnought Princess. If they can sink her that is. In a matter of thirty minutes, the two of them are close to being heavily damaged, specially Donitz who fought Dreadnought Princess recklessly.
"Donitz, if I don't make here out alive...tell my sister-"
"Don't say things like that just yet. Both of us are going home"
Almost worn out and their equipment damaged, the two German battleships chose to continue fighting, a common act among the Kriegsmarine shipgirls. It's a borderline between bravery and foolishness.
Yuki, both of us will be going home. That's why...
Words echoed inside Dreadnought Princess, but she shakes her head, ignoring that useless thought. It meant nothing so she shouldn't pay no attention to it.
"Sink, both of you!"
She fired a whole salvo, with Donitz deflecting one shell with her bare hands. Drawing her remaining strength, Donitz let loose her operational main guns, damaging one of Dreadnought Princess' turrets.
"Feuer!"
All of Tirpitz's main guns are still operational, but one main gun malfunctioned. The fee seconds of distraction, allowed Dreadnought Princess to land a direct hit, damaging Tirpitz.
"Ahahaha! This time...for sure...you will sink!"
There's a chance they might still win so Donitz is taking that chance no matter how small it is.
"Grr! Damn it!"
Gangut sunk one destroyer, but two more came in it's place. Tirpitz and Donitz had been drawn far away from the fleet so Gangut is desperate to reach them. Unfortunately, the Abyssals are persistent in blocking her path. Battleship Water Demon is stalling them as a long possible to give Dreadnought Princess enough time to sink the two battleships.
"Get out of the fucking way!"
While Gangut faces off with some Abyssals, Bismarck bulldozed her right through the Abyssals standing in her path, shocking Gangut. Bismarck knew Tirpitz and Gangut can't possibly beat Dreadnought Princess by themselves so she forced her way, desperate to reach the two.
(Hmm?)
Battleship Water Demon noticed something odd. She couldn't detect or contact Dreadnought Princess. She felt suspicious, but she has shipgirls to deal with right now so she set it aside while she continues to retaliate.
"Tir...pitz..."
Donitz collapsed on the surface water, her main were either blown or heavily damaged. She couldn't draw enough strength to stand up...so all she can do is helplessly watch Tirpitz be at the enemy's mercy.
"This time you won't escape me, Tirpitz! Today you will surely sink by my hands!"
Dreadnought Princess couldn't contain her excitement as she held a heavily damaged Tirpitz by the throat with Kratos pointing the gun barrels at her. She had been waiting for this. This opportunity of finally finishing off a prey who managed to escape her a few times.
"Back...then..."
"Hmm?"
"Back then...you called...me out...with Yuki's voice"
"Yu...ki..." Dreadnought Princess felt a headache upon hearing that name
"Tell me...are...you really Yuki? Because...that voice...only belonged...to her"
Tirpitz really wanted to know the reason why Dreadnought Princess had Yuki's voice when they last encountered each other. She wants to confirm if this Abyssal is Yuki herself.
"No...No...I'm not...I'm not!" She tightened her grip on Tirpitz's throat
"Then...how come...I can see her sadness...in your eyes..."
Tirpitz looked at her straight right in the eyes, seeing the similarity in her eyes and Yuki's. She wanted to confirm whether it's the truth or lie.
"If you are Yuki...then surely...deep inside you...the battleship I once cared about is still there"
"I...I...I..."
"I don't know if you really are Yuki, but if you are...I just want you to know...being with you made me feel I wasn't alone. You...taught me how to smile again when I had forgotten. Thank you...for everything..."
Tirpitz loosened her struggle, giving up and accepting her face while the gun barrels are aimed at her, preparing to deliver the finishing blow.
"Tirpitz..."
Tears streamed down Dreadnought Princess' eyes, unable to contain her old self who had been trapped for so long. Her hands shook, hesitating to finish off someone important to her. Her nature as an Abyssal is forcing her, but both of her mind and heart are resisting.
"Tir...pitz. Tirpitz..." Dreadnought Princess' voice changed
As her shaking hand is about to gently touch Tirpitz's cheek, Bismarck charged into the scene, forcing Dreadnought Princess to switch her attention
"Tch! Annoying shipgirl!"
Dreadnought Princess lets go of Tirpitz, allowing Bismarck to freely fire at her without the risk of friendly fire. While Tirpitz lies on the surface water, her blurry vision can still tell Bismarck recklessly charged head on.
"Bis...marck...?" Donitz noticed her arrival
Donitz couldn't get up the slightest no matter how much she tries. Her body is completely worn out and has little strength to stay conscious for more than five minutes. In the end, her body had pushed itself to its limit. There's nothing she can much do...but give in.
"Bismarck...Tirpitz..."
Before Donitz closes her eyes, she is reminded of a time from the past. She remembered meeting someone special who became very important to her. That special person was already long gone. It broke Donitz's heart...and it still is until now.
"Tsk! What a nuisance" Dreadnought Princess clicks her tongue
Meanwhile, Tirpitz lies down on the cold surface of the sea, helplessly watching the two in an all out battle.
(I can't move...my body. It hurts everywhere...)
Tirpitz's body won't simply listen to her. She's already drained of strength. As much as she wanted to fight like the rest of the fleet, she had pushed herself to the limit. Even if Bismarck fights Dreadnought Princess at full power, she is still no match for her. She's a powerful Abyssal that rivals Battleship Water Demon's strength, but much weaker than Central Princess.
"Sis...no..."
She couldn't do anything but helplessly watch Dreadnought Princess pulverize and overpowers Bismarck, but the latter refuses to back down despite the huge gap in strength.
So this is the decision you made, huh...
Using the little strength she has, Tirpitz lifted herself up despite the wounds and damages she sustained. Even if her secondary batteries and torpedoes suffered heavy damage, as long as her main guns still works, she will keep fighting.
"Dreadnought Princess!"
Tirpitz never stopped retaliating at Dreadnought Princess even if her condition is at its worst. Dreadnought Princess doesn't wish to hurt anyone, but the Abyss has still a grip on her. Her "other self" is powerless to stop her Abyssal self from attacking even if she's screaming to stop.
"Tirpitz...what are you...doing?!" Bismarck knows Tirpitz's current state
"What any other sibling would do"
Tirpitz smiled as closed at Dreadnought Princess in a dangerous distance.
"I'm not going to let you sink my sister, Dreadnought Princess! I lost her once...that's why I won't let it happen again!"
Tirpitz feared that scenario from repeating ever again. What happened to Bismarck a long time ago...is something only Tirpitz and few shipgirls knew.
"You...!" Bismarck felt annoyed at her stubbornness
Bismarck couldn't move anymore, like Donitz, except she hasn't lost her consciousness just yet.
"Tirpitz...no..."
Tirpitz suffered heavy damage and she knew one direct hit would risk Tirpitz of sinking. Even if Bismarck forces her legs, she just couldn't stand up. She's in a horrible state like Tirpitz so has little strength left.
"Schwester..."
Extremely exhausted and almost out of shells to fire at her enemy, Tirpitz's knee surrendered to the ground, her body pushed beyond the limit it can sustain.
"Hahaha! End of the line for the both of you!"
Tirpitz prepares for Dreadnought Princess salvo that has chance of sinking her depending on where it will land. As cannon barrels from all turrets elevated, Tirpitz realized the direction of the shells are going to land. As every cannoned boomed in an ear deafening sound, Tirpitz rushed to where it's aimed at...towards Bismarck.
"Tir...pitz...you idiot little sister" Bismarck's voice shook
Right before her eyes, Tirpitz stood in front of Bismarck, shielding her and taking the damage to herself. It was selfishness...but it was selfishness done for the sake of her older sister.
"Yeah. I am an idiot, but I did what I had to do...to protect my beloved sister..."
"..."
"One of us might die here, so I might as well tell you how I always felt envy to you because everyone kept comparing me to you. The fact that I was living in your shadow...made me feel insecure. It made me feel angry...at you, but at the end of the day...I still love my sister...more than all these negative feelings"
"Why are you saying these things all of a sudden?!"
"I...never got the chance to tell you how I truly feel. Meine altere schwester...you're the first person I could never bear losing again"
"Tirpitz..."
"You take great pride at yourself and sometimes your impulsive and short tempered...but I wouldn't have it any other way. That's why... I'll always be thankful...to have a big sister like you..."
"Stop saying all of these..." Bismarck felt like Tirpitz is saying goodbye
Tirpitz had pushed herself too hard. She fell back into the surface water, at the brink of her sinking. While she's still alive, her turrets have ceased to function due to the extensive damages it sustained. Her body's remaining strength is enough to make one last move, but there is a price to pay.
"Like I said...end of the line..." Dreadnought Princess smiled victoriously after the moment finished
Bismarck had maintained consciousness long enough than her body can normally do.
"Tirpitz..." Bismarck, burst into tears as she looked at the heavily damaged Tirpitz
Bismarck prepared the last moment she will ever see Tirpitz again. Dreadnought Princess stood quietly, unable to understand why her heart ached seeing the two sisters ready to say farewell to each other.
"Grr! No...I hate these feelings!" She roared furiously
She reloaded all of her main turrets, prepared to deliver the finishing blow towards Bismarck while Tirpitz couldn't bear the thought of losing Bismarck the same way the latter thought of losing her.
"Sink!"
A couple of seconds before her cannons fired, Donitz slowly opens her eyes only to see the horrifying event about to unfold. She was taken back by the scene that unfolded as the cannons went off and fired. Only the quiet remained in the midst of the storm.
Now then...how will things unfold in the future. I can't help but wonder...
EXTRA
After the battle, a post operation report was made and submitted to the headquarters. While Tirpitz left the naval base to take care of it since it's a part of her duty as an admiral, Bismarck and Donitz rests in the docks and waits to finish their repairs.
"That was a very close one, right, Donitz?" Bismarck sighs in relief
"J-Ja..."
"Is there something wrong?"
Bismarck noticed Donitz's change in tone. She answered as if she was scared, nervous, and confused. This is very unusual, for Donitz that is.
"Back then, during the battle..."
"It was miracle for the three of us to get home in one piece. We may have been heavily damaged, but we went home with our lives in tact"
"..."
"You've been acting strange ever since the battle ended. What's gotten into you?"
"Bismarck, what's the last thing you remembered during the operation?"
"The last thing? I remembered we were all heavily damaged while fighting Dreadnought Princess. Tirpitz was in a worse shape than I am. I don't know how we survived since I passed out"
"I see. So you don't remember anything that happened"
"Yeah. Why the sudden question though?" Bismarck crosses her arms
"It's nothing. I passed out during the battle and thought you saw more of the battle"
Donitz shakes her head and made slight changes to what she planned on saying.
"We all passed out, except Tirpitz...I think? I don't know how survived, but I'm just glad we're still here and talking to each other"
"Right..."
Seeing Bismarck just very relieved that all three of them are still alive, Donitz decides not to further say anything. For Bismarck's sake...and for Tirpitz's sake too. While the two are still resting in the repair docks, Gangut and Tirpitz is currently sharing a bottle of vodka while overlooking at the ocean.
"That was a very close one, you know. You three could have been...sunk"
"I know that. That's why I felt scared during the battle. I don't want Donitz or my sister to sink. That's why I fought to the bitter end..."
"I don't how the three of you made it out, but I was thankful. I thought I would lose my partner again..." Gangut softened her voice
"You're not going to lose me again. Everyone is the reason why I keep fighting. I don't want to sink because I don't want to leave everyone, specially you and Bismarck"
Smiling, Gangut offered a toast for their success which almost caused three battleships to sink. Their glasses clinked upon gentle contact and the two former partners enjoy the peace.
(I feel bad for doing this to them, but this is for the best...) Tirpitz thought to herself as briefly glanced at Gangut
Not just Gangut, but the rest are relieved they all made it back alive. She saw how happy they are and doesn't wish to ruin it. Tirpitz doesn't want end it just yet, not until she fulfills her promise and accomplish her goal.
"I've been meaning to ask you this. Gangut, what would you do once the war ends?"
"I'll probably stay here in Japan and live a quiet life. I lost my home, but I'm glad I was able to find another place I can call home..." Gangut grins
"I see. That's good to know..."
"How about you, Tirpitz?"
"Me? Well...I'd probably visit the country where the wreck of my original body still remains. After that, I think...I'll go back where I came from"
How Tirpitz worded it is a bit vague, but Gangut quickly assumed Tirpitz refers to her fatherland, Germany. Bismarck once mentioned the two of them did plan on returning to their hometown and live a normal life.
"You know, I never thought the world can be this beautiful. The world I was used to was...not very pleasant"
Tirpitz reminisces about her sinking eleven years ago in Norway. Compared before, Tirpitz feels less bitter and upset when discussing or even mentioning about her past, specially her sinking.
"I suppose I'm thankful I can see the world in another perspective...but it came with a price"
"..."
"Maybe in the future I would be able to see why she cared so much...about everyone"
"Tirpitz..."
The admiral spoke with melancholy as she looked at Gangut right in the eyes. She felt deep regret just by speaking to Gangut...and everyone else around her. Tirpitz squeezed her glass, but didn't use enough force to break it. She is doing this with a heavy heart...and without everyone else knowing it.
I will fulfill her last wish...even if it means lying to everyone...