Another dream that shouldn't exist...
A world where the world is near the peace it's seeking. In the faraway dream, Bismarck finds herself under the shade of a diligent tree. Kansens of all kind bask under the warm afternoon sunlight, sufficient enough for anyone to enjoy a regular stroll and relaxation. It's a world where she's only an observer as it's only a dream from her current reality.
"This isn't far away from your future of you think about it"
"...!" Bismarck jolts at a man's voice
Beside Bismarck is an unknown middle-aged man wearing a scientist's typical attire and glasses. His expression bears no malice and kindness - just completely still like the dead calm surface of the water. It's balanced and seething yet she could feel uncertainty and eerieness from him. The man who suddenly appears beside her stares at her with eyes comprehending a view that no Siren or kansen could fathom.
"Have we met before?" Bismarck doesn't try to get away or even stand up
"I'm a familiar face, but I don't think you'd remember a dead man for a long time"
"I don't forget the faces of everyone I've met" Bismarck frowns
"Hahahaha! You're nice person underneath that tough exterior. No, it's that you're sacrificing your individual dream for the dreams of many. You want to be yourself, but you're bound in Iron Blood"
"What are you saying?"
"For example, Friedrich der Grosse can take your place as leader, but everyone sees you as the rightful leader of Iron Blood. You're their symbol, Bismarck. The smybol of Iron Blood's pride and blazing glory" The man takes a deep sigh
"Who are you? Why do you know that much about me?"
"I'm just a ghost from the past. A dead man still on the wanted list of the Sirens"
"By any chance, are you connected to-"
"Azeel and Aoste are just...annoying children. Those two and everyone else are quite pitiful...so I let them struggle and despair. Not because I'm evil but they're simply still...children"
"You haven't told me your name"
The way the man speaks has no grudge or arrogance, but he sighs in exhaustion at the thought of the future ravaged by unknown beasts from the depths. He casts a downward gaze and focused on the blank ants crossing in front of his shoes and picking up crumbs and any kind of food source they could salvage.
"A dead man needs no name. I will play no role in this because everything has been set" The man gently laughs
"..." Bismarck faintly groans
"Let's just say I do know everything, and it's for that reason I do nothing. The fact that my actions could influence the delicate flow of timelines can be a nuisance at times. Still, I have no more expectations when every action is within my grasp"
"For short, you know everything yet you don't know what to do with that knowledge..."
"It's called being wise. One action could lead to another and so forth. You people tamper with the past in hopes of creating a bright future..."
The man doesn't look back at Bismarck but shifts his attention to the shipgirls in front of them. Bismarck just silently follows his gaze, somewhat curious at his eccentric behavior and inability to express deep emotions.
"You're so small and fluffy..." KC Nagato gently rubs the ears of her Sakura counterpart
"N-nagato-sama" AL Kawakaze is trembling to draw her katana
"Calm down, Kawakaze. They're just playing" KC Mutsu pulls her away
"I am in great disbelief to my counterpart being a giant"
AL Nagato just rubs her chin and clearly not bothered having her counterpart gently squeezes and rubs her fox ears. Her into focus at the polar opposite between them. They tend to act responsible and disciplined, but their physical appearances are completely contrasting each other.
"You're like one of those mecha shows I watch. The one where humans pilot giant robots in space" Iowa points at New Jersey's head accessory
"Well, I suppose the Black Dragon is flashy. That or humans have a strange taste. For example, Goergia has this triangle on her head" New Jersey points at her own head gear
"Maybe I should ask the admiral to remodel me with mecha parts!" Iowa's eyes shine brightly
"Hahahaha! Just give Akashi jewels and she'd craft one for you"
New Jersey gently taps Iowa's back, and the thought only makes Iowa excited. They're in the same class but from different world. However, that doesn't stop them from bonding like sisters.
"Why are you so attached to destroyers?" KC Ark Royal confronts AL Ark Royal
"If I don't protect the small ones, then who will?" AL Ark Royal proudly shouts
"Yeah, but I don't think you're sending the right message by stalking and watching them sleep..." KC Ark Royal slightly leans her head forward
"Uhm...well...you know. They need ng protection all the time"
"There are pictures of destroyers in your room!"
"I just miss them a lot!"
"I get drag in your reputation because we're both Ark Royal!"
"Like you're any different following your Bismarck around!"
The two Ark Royals just keep shouting at each other and spilling out each other's shameless habits. Any shipgirl and kansen in the vicinity flee almost immediately as they couldn't stand to listen to their embarrassment.
"So...uh, you used to be an office lady?" AL Hornet clears her throat
"Hehehe. Well, I used to be an assistant" KC Hornet scratches her cheek
"I'm Hornet from the Eagle Union. You are?" AL Hornet proudly grins
"Also Hornet but from the US Navy" KC Hornet warmly smiles"
"...Ah. You dress the Yorktown class part right. Meanwhile, they told me to wear a bikini and even sent me to the Arctic!"
"W-well, our admiral likes Aesthetic. Like how the Royal navy all have rose ribbons on their chest and the Kriegsmarine with their Iron Cross"
"I want a matching uniform with my sisters too..."
Their supposed introduction ends up with AL Hornet crying on KC Hornet's chest and the latter reluctantly comforting her. KC Hornet lightly pats her counterpart in the back and let her sob more in her jacket.
"This is just one possibility, Bismarck" The man resumes their conversation
"Even if the war ends, what would become of us? Without Sirens to fight, we have no other reason to fight in the open sea. The grim truth of being a kansen is that we are born for conflict..." Bismarck bites her lower lip
"Didn't you think of a possibility for a normal life?"
"The shipgirls were normal people before discovering they're human reincarnations of warships"
"They could resume the lives they always have. We didn't have old lives because we are born the way we are now!" Bismarck stands up
"You're afraid of settling down and giving up your duties?"
Rather than act shocked or unsure, the man just points out one of his guesses with a neutral stare directly to Bismarck's eyes. He is both uncertain and certain with his words, but his expression isn't the least fazed.
"Everyone has a dream after the war ends. They want to achieve a life of their own and not just their design. For example, Enterprise will search for my child as part of her promise. Bismarck, you refuse to live a normal life because you're afraid you're incapable of it"
"That's...!"
"It's too far away for now. You should be thinking of how to stop your sister from being a pawn. If this continues, my child will..." The man stops himself
"What's going to happen to my sister?" Bismarck stomps her right foot
"All I can say is the happiness that awaits you in the end is but a sweet lie. It's rather pleasant that you don't think something is amiss"
The unnamed man stands up but slowly due to his middle-aged body. He wipes the dust off his lab coat. After stretching his arms, he grabs a silky piece of cloth from his pocket. He goes to remove his glasses and gently wipe off any dust sticking to it to avoid leaving any scratches.
...
...
...
"...!"
Bismarck awakens from her nap which only lasts for a few minutes but her dream stretches far longer than that. She finds herself sitting in one peaceful corner and protected from the sunlight by the shade of a healthy tree. There's little breeze to cool her off but the heat is still tolerable for someone like her.
"Did you have a nightmare?"
Bismarck META, sitting on the other side, softly asks her in order to not startle her upon waking up. Even in her weakened state, Bismarck couldn't sense her presence right behind her, still a remarkable feat.
"I don't think so. I just dreamed of a peaceful moment and spoke with the strange man from a long time ago"
"The self-proclaimed wise man, huh. He likes to entertain himself even after his death" Bismarck META sighs
"You know him?"
"He's a player while we're all chess pieces. To him, it doesn't matter if a pawn is sacrificed to end the game in his victory"
"I don't think he's that kind of person when I talked to him. He's more worried than manipulative" Bismarck rejects her description
"Is that so? Then he might have preferred your company than me..."
Another awkward silence gets in between them because of how Bismarck META speaks in a solemn and exhausted manner. It's the direct reflection of her perspective in the world and how she's in the brink of giving up.
"Did he say something about Tirpitz?" Bismarck META changes the topic
"He said Tirpitz is a pawn and it looks like something bad is going to happen to her if I don't do something"
"Tirpitz is just bait because the real aim is you. Bismarck, the Leviathan wants to test your resolve and willpower. That's why Tirpitz agreed to be used" Bismarck META reminds me
"What Tirpitz's doing is pointless"
"Your Tirpitz acted like that because she inherited Tyrant's memories. There, she learned why Tyrant became the way she is and why she agreed to a suicidal task"
"What do you know about Tirpitz's whims?"
"I know she doesn't hate you, but her betrayal is necessary"
"Is that..."
A necessary betrayal. A word Bismarck knows all too well, and part of her past that she could neither look back in shame nor pride. Never once she expects that those words and past would repeat in a way she wouldn't expect. She just covers her fist with her other hands and slightly squeezes them.
"This is a game of chess, Bismarck. You don't need a checkmate. A check is enough...just so this could end as soon as possible" Bismarck META suggests to her past self
"A stalemate is fine, huh. If I do that, will it end where everyone would benefit. I'm done being selfish and arrogant. I want an end where everyone benefits and not just my own ambitions"
"You've grown to reflect on your actions" Bismarck META doesn't show her faintest smile
"That's because I met you, a future version of me who gave up just like that"
"Huh. To think my past self was once this proud and confident. Might didn't do anything against the inevitable. Fight against the world and if crushes you in return"
Bismarck META is both mellow and solemn, the complete opposite of her younger and prideful self. Even if it's just an impression, Bismarck META forces herself to curve the faintest smile she could muster.
"...I don't have much long to live. My wisdom cube leaked a long time ago and the damage is irreversible" Bismarck META confesses
"Yeah, I figured that's the case. I just guessed it basing on how your eyes are empty now"
"Don't...put your trust in King George V. Her allegiance isn't towards the Royal navy because of a vow she made to the person who saved her" Bismarck META warns her
"What do you mean?"
"In the first time, King George V was revived when she lost her life fighting Arbiter IX: Hermit in order for the others to escape. The second time was when her innocence was proven after she was accused of treason. Bound by her knightly honor, she couldn't ignore the one who gave her another life and restored her honor, so she swore allegiance instead"
"Why allegiance?"
"No amount of materialistic reward could match one's life and honor. I don't blame her for being in debt to someone who gave back her life and cleansed her name"
Bismarck is uncertain on how to react with the information from her future self. Her hands only tense up, conflicting on whether King George V is an enemy or not. Bismarck META warns her not to trust King George V but explains the latter is working for someone out of gratitude.
"Why does Tirpitz has to do all of this? I don't think it's enough reason to be bait. I would come to that demon myself" Bismarck shakes her head
"Perhaps it's out of her desire to have a meaningful death...and so you wouldn't sacrifice yourself anymore"
"Tirpitz..." Bismarck now lowers her head
(There is a way to simply go back to the linear start...but it will consume a terrible price. That demon doesn't grant miracles for free)
Bismarck META blankly stares at her confused yet still hopeful past self, whispering her worry in her own thoughts. As a result, she keeps her mouth tight shut and faintly groans under her breath.
Meanwhile...
Prinz Eugen strolls around the storage area of the base equipment and scraps are both stored. She cautiously scans her left and right, then carefully listening to the sound of footsteps. There's only the faint whistling of the wind in her ear and nothing resembling a sound humans would make.
"Good grief. Watching the people here can be quite boring. I should have been in the north finishing off Sovetsksya Rossiya by now"
Since not a single shipgirl is present, Prinz Eugen finally lets out a deep sigh and complains even if there isn't anyone to listen. Her facial expression first reveals a frowning annoyance then switches to a sharp one with killing intent.
"To think Bismarck META is still up and standing. This isn't going as planned" Prinz Eugen shakes her head
"Oh, so you really are up to something" King George V speaks from behind
"My, this isn't surprising at all" Littorio speaks next
The two battleships both draw their distinctive blades and slides it diagonally to Prinz Eugen's throat. That way she's locked with the only open direction towards the two battleships.
"It was way too suspicious how you surrendered and cooperated without resistance. Prinz Eugen always has something up her sleeve as Wales always says" King George V chuckles
"You didn't even try to find a way out. It turned out, you've been observing all of us. To report it to Tirpitz, right?" Littorio guesses on her own
"It's strange how I didn't even sense you two following me"
Prinz Eugen raises her hands, reluctantly yielding to the two with how the sharp edge of their weapons are slowing pressing against her neck. They wouldn't hesitate to cut her throat open at the slightest movement of hostility. Since she's not brave or suicidal, Prinz Eugen chooses what's best for her survival.
"By the way, I'm here because I lost a bet. Tirpitz nearly killing me is not an act too" Prinz Eugen corrects them
"Then who are you working for? You've been passing information to someone, right?" Littorio frowns
"That would be some sneaky bastard amongst those vodka lovers" Prinz Eugen gently pushes away the two crossed blades
"The Northern Parliament? Someone is betraying them?" King George V lowers her saber
"Not betrayal, just some sort of...shared interest. Rossiya should keep tabs of her people from time to time. For a cautious faction, their leader is actually clueless"
"Rossiya wouldn't suspect one of her own because they're all comrades in her eyes" Littorio lowers her sword as well
"It's important to utilize every useful piece you have. What a cold-hearted player, don't you think"
Since the two are at least not hostile enough to kill her right away, Prinz Eugen turns to her left and head towards the nearest wall she within her area. Even she leans acting cornered and pinned, Littorio and King George V refuses to sheath their weapons.
"All of your movements are being watched since I've been reporting for a while now"
"Eugen, I thought you'd be more loyal considering a lazy person like you is working hard for Iron Blood" Littorio points her sword at her
"You better start being honest about your ulterior motives, lest you want your head to be parted from your body" King George V does the same
"Geez, you two are bloodthirsty today. I'm not here to get all of you killed" Prinz Eugen laughs at the threat
"Then start talking. I'm not at patient as King George V" Littorio warns her
"In exchange for my cooperation, I'm promised an outcome where no one gets screwed. If Iron Blood gets destroyed, I'd be left wandering. The same thing applies to Azur Lane"
Prinz Eugen reaches for the eyepatch covering a portion of her face where Akagi burned it some time ago. She gently peels off the leathery cover and reveals clear skin beneath. There isn't any damage to it at all, not even the slightest scar from dried burn marks. Littorio rubs both of her eyes when her sight clearly prints an image of Prinz Eugen having her burned eye intact.
"That feels better. It took a while to heal, but it's worth the relief"
The unusually calm heavy cruiser sighs in genuine relief and she throws the eyepatch away somewhere at her left side. It's clear her supposedly burned eye could see as clear as day. The severe burns should be impossible to heal even, but it's as if the damage itself have been reversed.
"Although I said it's a vodka lover, the one whom I lost a game of chess is a rather boring person who's a stickler for rules and discipline"
"Who?" Littorio frowns
"It has the face of someone from Iron Blood. That ever dull and unamusing Seydlitz. I mean, who would suspect the obedient soldier to be a deceiver"
"You said it looked like Seydlitz, so it's not the actual one" King George briefly glances at Littorio
"Hmm, even I couldn't distinguish who is who and which is which. It copies faces and even mimics their behavior, so you wouldn't be able to tell them apart"
"A doppelganger. If the Sirens deployed one among our ranks, then we'd have a spy and assassin at hand" King George V clicks her tongue
"If it's my personal ulterior motive, I simply want to see things through. I'm rather interested if this would end in a stalemate or a checkmate. That's just me being curious and seeking entertainment"
Prinz Eugen winks upon confessing she's cooperating based on her whims and boredom. The fact she views the situation as no more than a simple game she's observing makes King George V grits her teeth in disappointment because of her gallant and chivalrous nature as a knight.
"A loss is a loss, so I have to go along with that. Well, I would stop if I know it's going to bring hell to Azur Lane. It's not a perfect home, but it's a home regardless of how bossy Bismarck can be and how everyone pushes me to take my duty seriously" Prinz Eugen crosses her arms and shrugs
"We need Prinz Eugen alive to know who's asking her to keep an eye on us" King George V loses her hostility
"Well, I see deception of this level as unsightly...but I wish to learn who's this doppelganger. I'd expose this Siren and drown her myself" Littorio reluctantly agrees
(At least they bought it...)
Prinz Eugen carefully thinks to herself as her sharp gaze are towards the two cautious battleships. Her complicated lie proves to be effective and while it's not the best excuse she could use, she's at least satisfied with the result. That's why she relaxes her nerves and sneaks a glance at the two discussing on what to do with her after learning all those information.
Arctic region...
Exploring the northernmost region in the world where no warmth exists, Sovetsksya explores the icy region mostly inhabited by animals. Humans occasionally visit the northern sea for research and experimental purposes, but their visits lessen with the Abyssals' tendency to wander and appear out of nowhere.
"..."
Sovetskaya Rossiya only finds stretching sheets of ice as substitute landmass and deep blue water. A mountain of ice towers everything in the region, but there isn't a single living being in sight, not even native animals.
"There's nothing here..."
Much to her disappointment, Sovetskaya Rossiya only finds icebergs and oddly snapped ice structures forming like modern day sculptures.
"The land is a bit far, but I won't find anything standing in the middle of nowhere"
Sovetskaya Rossiya turns her head to the left and narrows her eyes, spotting snow covered land with a small exploration base to prove it's not just another sheet of ice. The thin sheets of ice splits apart by itself by the ripples on the surface from Sovetsksya Rossiya beginning to move.
"Ghost lingered here more than it did in other regions. There must be clues to why she stayed in this region the most"
As she carefully passes by icebergs, Sovetsksya Rossiya feels the frigid gold's breeze on her face. Since her clothing is suited for the region and as a battleship of the Northern Parliament, the weather is as usual as morning to her. She and her comrades are used to the extreme cold, specially with how she sorties to the far north once in a while.
"This should be a safe spot"
Sovetskaya Rossiya waves her hand and her icy steel rigging resembling Iron Blood's shark, begins to dismantle itself in blue particles shaped like miniature cubes. The rigging no bigger than her adult body morphs into its original warship form as the kansen herself jumps to the shore.
"No one's there?"
Five minutes walking on land covered inches deep snow, Sovetskaya Rossiya stops in her tracks when she sees the front side of a single structure used as a remote station by explorers and researchers. The battleship narrows her eyes when her sharp eyesight catches an open window swaying from the breeze and the door itself unlocked.
"Is this abandoned?"
There's a jeep nearby, but thick snow has covered its roof and hood. Its windows have blurred from the formation of fragile ice sheets. When she walks ten meters forward, still heading towards the base, she finds the door slightly opened with the doorknob covered in visible ice.
"Chapyev?!"
In the second jeep, right beside the station, is her deceased comrade quietly sitting on its roof. Her gaze is distracted on the horizon while her boredom has her heels tapping the window.
"..." Chapayev notices her but doesn't say anything
"Chapayev!"
Deeply relieved to see a supposedly deceased comrade, Sovetskaya Rossiya kicks the snow slowing down her feet and drags herself forward. She rushed out of longing to reunite with her comrade, momentarily questioning her presence.
"Comrade Chapayev!" Sovetskaya Rossiya shouts at the top of her lungs
"..." Chapayev jumps down the jeep
Sovetskaya Rossiya only slows down until she goes into a complete stop when she notices Chapayev's eyes lack any emotion or vitality. The deceased cruiser blankly stares at her and not even greeting her.
"Wait! I saw you die...so how?" Sovetsksya Rossiya shakes her head upon snapping back to reality
"..." Chapayev just stands stiffly
"Ghost..."
It only becomes apparent when Sovetsksya Rossiya sees a familiar void-like stare in Chapayev's eyes and pitch black patches stretching from the left side of her neck until her jaw.
"How dare you use the face of my deceased comrade! Killing her isn't enough, so you insult her memory!" Sovetskaya Rossiya draws her sword
"..."
"All of my comrades are precious to me, so I would never forgive anyone who insult them!"
"..."
Chapayev lifts her right hand and copies Sovetskaya Rossiya's battle stance. She even manifests the same sword Sovetsksya Rossiya by forming black crystals from her hand and shaping them. The black crystal stretches upwards and simultaneously reflects the shape and color of the sword.
"Do not taint the memory of the deceased anymore!"
In a burst of great anger, Sovetsksya Rossiya swings her sword at the impostor for the said impostor to effortlessly parries the weapon. As a result, this causes Sovetskaya Rossiya to take a few steps back from the returned shock of her swing.
"...!"
The silent Chapayev retaliates by pulling her right arm back and releasing it like a spring to deliver a swift thrust. Sovetskaya Rossiya manages to jump sidewards one second before the sword could even pierce through her skull. She's only fortunate, it only cuts a few strands of her hair.
"This thing's fast!"
Chapayev immediately stomps her left foot to prevent rushing forward and twists her body facing Sovetskaya. She doesn't give the battleship a moment to react by swinging her copied sword down. This forces Sovetskaya Rossiya to slide her sword above her head and the unusually heavy force from a dead kansen is enough to force her into kneeling.
"Nnggghhh!" Sovetskaya Rossiya clenches her teeth
She mustered every ounce of strength she has on her legs to push herself up and knocking Chapayev in the process. Black patches begin to appear and spread all over Chapayev's nature, further solidifying its empty copy nature.
"You won't get away with this, Ghost" Sovetskaya Rossiya curses her under her breath
"..."
This time, Sovetskaya Rossiya goes on the full offensive and forces the fake Chapayev on the defensive by rapidly swinging her sword left and right. Chapayev could only keep stepping back to try and escape the relentless swings, but Sovetskaya Rossiya synchronizes each step forward.
"...!"
When Chapayev exposes an opening in the brief second she's knocked back, Sovetskaya Rossiya uses the opportunity to slash Chapayev from her left shoulder down to the right side of her abdomen.
"You really are empty..." Sovetskaya Rossiya blinks in surprise
"..."
"Just what the hell are you...Ghost!"
She manages to land a deep and open cut, but there's only pitch black darkness with some sort of faint black particles leaking. It's as if a combination of rising ash and smoke slowly escape the mindless copy. The "fatal wound" affects the rest of Chapayev's body as a portion of her skin disintegrates and her left fingers being the same as well.
"Ggh!"
In the second she's shocked seeing there's only an unknown black substance filling Chapayev, Sovetskaya Rossiya widens her eyes and restrains herself from screaming in pain when the sharp sensation of steel pierces right through her in the area just below her breast. Pure silver blade goes from one her side of the body until to the other.
"Agh...Chapayev. Damn it - ggh...!"
When Sovetskaya Rossiya finds her vision swaying and blurring, she takes one step forward and stretches out her hand toward Chapayev, who doesn't react and continues to stand in a completely stiff manner. Just as Sovetskaya Rossiya's fingertips could touch Chapayev, her entire body helplessly collapses on the snowy ground.
"..."
Before Sovetskaya Rossiya could succumb to unconsciousness, she hears nearly quiet footsteps from behind and standing right where her head is facing. The unknown figure clad in a thick white coat resembling the ones her comrades wear, swiftly swings her own sword towards Chapayev. The steel weapon cleanly cuts from one end of the neck to the other. The speed of decapitation nearly sends the severed head flying, but it rapidly disintegrates into ashes right before it could hit the snow. As for the disintegrating and now headless body, it collapses to the ground right by the unknown figure's side.