Chapter 8: The End Of The War

The Treaty held the majority of the points that were discussed when I had signed the Armistice with the Japanese Admiral, plus a couple of changes and additions made by other countries involved in the Pacific Abyssal War. It was also being televised, and every few minutes I could hear the sound or see the flash of a camera. When the introductions were out of the way the process actually began.

The Main notable points were as follows:

Abyssal Warships were able to freely roam their own waters and holdings without restrictions, and were able to peacefully traverse international waters without restriction as long as they remained above the surface at all times. Abyssal Warships were allowed into National Waters as long as they had an escort of some kind; whether it be military, coast-guard, or hero. Humanity's navies were able to traverse all sections of the sea without restriction, although the remaining Abyssal holdings were to be respected.

Maritime trade routes were to be opened again, allowing shipping and merchant vessels unrestricted and unimpeded access to the ocean regardless of who was in control of the territory. Any attacks on said vessels by Abyssal sorties would be denounced and the aggressors would be treated as an independent and rogue element.

The Abyssals did not have a civilian industry or economy, so we had nothing to give for war reparations. Luckily I had made a suggestion and it was begrudgingly accepted by all parties. Due to recent attacks by the Battleship Princess, many notable coastal cities had been severely damaged across the Pacific as a whole. Abyssal Detachments would be sent to the affected cities and would assist in reconstruction and repair efforts, and in return we would be given raw materials to rebuild our home that had been completely destroyed.

One of the last notable points was the one that stung the most, however. Many islands and installations were being returned to their previous owners, and all of the large-scale installations like the Marshalls, Papua New Guinea, and Wake Island would come under military occupation by the most relevant country. We were allowed to stay and live there, but there would now be a very notable human military presence that would be looking over our shoulders for the foreseeable future.

There was more; including a registration of our forces. That one would have to wait as we were still in the process of cataloging our dead as well. There was also a heavy push for the Abyssal Warships to be re-conscripted into their original navies. I had argued against that one vehemently, and was lucky when America and Australia of all nations agreed. The rest was inconsequential, except for one… There was a call for notable Abyssal leaders to stand trial for crimes against humanity, which led us to now…

"For the record, once again, every ship you have listed off of that sheet is dead or missing. I am the last Abyssal Princess, and the highest ranking flagship left in the Pacific Abyssal Fleet." I took a breath before any insults could slip out of my mouth. For reasons beyond me the dignitaries refused to believe that their attack had killed everyone. I was about ready to tear my hair out, but acting rashly would only put me in a worse position than I already was.

A member of the Russian delegation spoke up, an admiral by the looks of it. From what I understood he was part of a Neo-Stalinist sect in the Russian Government that pushed for extreme regulations of Quirk Usage and a return to values that were at this time in history; basically prehistoric. But what was worse, was that he was clearly a member of the Russian "Old Guard." There was a deep hate in his eyes whenever he looked at me, and his tone of voice never failed to be condescending when speaking to me. Every time there was a push to do something against the Abyssals in this room he was almost always the first to support it. "Be that as it may there will still be a trial regardless because your own name is on this list, unless you have conveniently forgotten your actions during the war?"

"I think you'll find that the memory of a shipgirl is near perfect. We keep meticulous records that we can call back on whenever we want. I have not forgotten a single thing I've done during the entirety of the war. In fact, I remember clearly how the Russian Navy knowingly put out its civilian vessels in front of itself in order to escape or slow us down. I believe the date was the 5th of May, 2029." I didn't feel ashamed of the satisfaction I felt as the room filled with whispers, and I especially enjoyed the fury-filled look that was sent my way by the Russian Admiralty. "If I am to be put on trial, you will find that neither myself, nor any ship directly under my direct command targeted or went out of our way to attack civilian targets."

The room was silent, save for whispered conversations and the few clicks of a camera. Out of the corner of my eye I saw flashes from Dione's signal lights. [Would you stand on trial? I have no doubt they'd do their best to fabricate something against you.]

My own signal lights started flashing. [They probably won't need to; even if I've barely taken part in coastal bombardments my presence alone would be enough for most people.]

[Then refuse!] Despite how angry Dione must've felt she didn't let a single crack appear in her calm face. I knew that without a doubt if something were to happen to me, I would appoint Dione as the head of my fleet.

[I may not have a choice. Even with the peace treaty people will still be out for blood, and I don't have the luxury of another Abyssal Princess.] I responded to an inquiry about the Marshall Islands and the small utopia I had helped to build there, no one knowing about the silent conversation between me and my closest friend. There was some shock about the news, as according to the most accurate intelligence in the Pacific those islands were abandoned and under Abyssal control. I simply corrected them, promising proof of life at a later date.

[… You really would go, wouldn't you?]

[If it meant the survival of the rest of our kind? Without hesitation.]

Only briefly did our eyes meet, and we shared a look. Nowhere in the world is there the kind of bond built by battle. The comrades you have by your side will be as close as your own flesh and blood, if not closer. Abyssal Princesses were all unique, we weren't like other shipgirls or even like other Abyssals. Regardless, when I shared that brief moment with Dione, I knew one irrevocable fact that couldn't be changed by any power on the earth… I've never been more proud to call someone my sister, even if we weren't sisters by blood.

And that was the very next point. After finalizing the Peace Treaty, in a few days' time I would stand trial for the crimes committed by the Abyssals during the war. To my surprise though, it wasn't unanimous. America abstained from the vote for reasons beyond my comprehension.

And Australia voted against my trial. "No need for one," they had said.

It took a lot of effort not to let the shock show on my face, but I managed. After the brief moment of shock the speaker listed all of the points on the Peace Treaty again. Everything I listed above was on it, as well as a multitude of minor things or dealings that weren't important or didn't specifically address me. When that was finished the document was passed around the room for the signatures. It was surreal. Strange. Dreamlike. For centuries the only reality I knew was war on the ocean, and in a few short weeks the entire thing boiled to a climax that resulted in the razing of Tokyo and the destruction of the Abyssal's home. I knew how wars ended, I was witness to one myself, and I had multiple records that spanned human history. The Revolutionary War, Napoleon, the Spanish American War, The War To End All Wars. I lived through the Second World War, witnessed the truce of the Korean War, the pullout at Vietnam, the Falklands, the War on Terror. And scant years later I myself rose from the depths of the Abyss to wage war on humanity itself, although my role rarely saw me target civilians and even then I never did. Now?

The document slid in front of me, with all of the signatures from all of the delegates. And for a moment I simply stared at it. Words on paper to stop senseless killing. I imagined the Pacific Princess, one of my closest friends in my spot. She would sign it as soon as it was in front of her and she would do it with a smile. She would probably have some impassioned speech about furthering relations and bringing about a new era of peace on the waves. I imagined her shaking hands and laughing, writing trade deals with Japan, Russia, China, and America. She would've had some silly name, some idea to turn us into an actual nation, and it would probably have come from a book that only she knew about. I imagined her hugging me and the other moderates, with a tearful reunion and joy that one of her greatest visions had come true. She would go down in history as one of the greatest peacemakers in the history of both species…

But she wasn't here, she was dead, along with all of the radicals and all of the moderates. I didn't have any kind of plan for us, no idea of what to do going forward. I was just putting one foot in front of the other, stumbling around in the dark and hoping that humanity didn't decide that we weren't worth the effort. Her signature wouldn't be on this document, mine would.

"You're not giving yourself enough credit," I could almost hear her say. "Look how much you've already done! You made this happen, not me." Her smiling face burned its way into my mind. She would've been right of course. I never really did give myself enough credit, as Dione tended to tell me when we were in private. I took a deep breath and let it go before picking up the pen.

With a few strokes of the pen the paper I opened up a new chapter in humanity's history.

There was a surprising lack of fanfare when I had signed. Don't get me wrong, the excitement in the room was clear as daylight. Some were able to suppress it, but others had smiles on their faces or were already shaking hands with their compatriots. I could already imagine the civilians of nations across the world cheering and celebrating. The media would be racing to get the first stories out regardless of how accurate their data was. I couldn't account for the shipgirls of the world, or for the enigmatic hero population, but I had a feeling their reactions wouldn't be far too off of what the rest of them would be. I also didn't know how the large reaction would be for the rest of the Abyssals, and I especially didn't know how the Atlantic Section would respond.

I honestly should be just as excited as everyone else. I stared at the place where the treaty had just occupied, as if looking for something to alleviate my concerns… Shouldn't I be happy about this? Wasn't this what I wanted?

Why did I feel an oppressing curtain drawing itself around me? I only ever felt this before a large scale operation. I felt it for Darwin, for Tokyo. Why was I feeling this now?

After a short and unremarkable walk we were back in the lobby, making idle and awkward conversation with dignitaries or naval personnel. Most of them wanted to ask what my plans were for the Abyssals or wanted specifics on our aspects of the treaty. I could answer some of the questions, but I had to be vague on others. It wasn't that I was trying to be secretive, I just didn't know what our plans were for the future. I could see cooperation with the navies of the Pacific easily. Escorting merchant vessels through Abyssal territory was already part of the treaty, but maybe I could turn islands into trading hubs or refueling stations? But then I had a thought, a memory from a long time ago came to the forefront of my mind.

"Hey hey! Did you hear what the Harbor Princess found yesterday?"

I looked down at the energetic source of noise that was suddenly walking next to me. Neon green eyes stared back at me with a shark-like grin plastered on her face. Although I didn't let it show on my face, I could already feel my energy draining from the inevitable conversation.

"Hello Sherman, and no I didn't. What did she find this time?" Forest Sherman, or just Sherman as everyone called her, was a Cold War destroyer princess that showed up a few years after the war had started. Usually only World War Two vessels returned, but sometimes we found outliers in our ranks, or ships that were never built. Sherman was energetic and completely sadistic. Most conversations surrounding her went like; "And then Sherman did," followed by some awful thing or another.

"Get this, Harbor found an unarmed ship sailing near the Phillipines and decided to board it before sinking. Guess what they found?!" She continued before I had the chance to say anything, "humans!"

I blinked. "Yes… human vessels usually carry humans, Sherman." I said slowly. Where in the Abyss was this going?

"Well duh! But no, there were humans keeping other humans in cages! Do you think they were going to eat them?" I knew instantly what was going on… The Harbor Princess had happened upon a human trafficking operation. Apparently they thought they could avoid detection by sailing through our territory. Now the slavers, and the slaves, were dead. I don't think I'd ever understand humans… What was the point in enslaving your own kind? Didn't they know that they were at war?

"I wish I was there, do you know how long it's been since I've tasted human? And they were keeping it all for themselves!" She grinned with a hungry look in her eyes. How many humans, I wondered, had that grin as the last thing they saw?

"I don't think humans tend to eat other humans, Sherman."

She looked at me like I was crazy. "Nuh uh, I've seen it happen! The Airfield Princess has these videos. I saw a human female eating a male's–" I don't think I've ever shoved my hand over someone else's mouth in my existence.

"I wouldn't put much stock in that…" filth… "Demonstration. And I think I'm gonna have to have a chat with her about showing stuff like that to destroyers." She gave me an odd look when I pulled my hand away. I wasn't having this conversation… "I need to go and find the Pacific Princess, talk to you later?"

"Kay! See ya big sister!" I was more than thankful for the short attention span of destroyers at that moment.

Maybe the Abyssals could focus on stopping Human and Drug Trafficking. I wasn't sure how popular it still was, but it would definitely gain us some good will in the eyes of the human governments. I would have to talk to Dione about it later. Another few minutes went by and I saw the officer that had brought me here approaching us. Him, along with Admiral Mato.

"To Yokosuka I presume?" I asked them as they got close.

"Yep, though with your agreement to a trial you'll probably end up having to stay a week there at the least."

I slowly nodded. "Okay, and will that cause any problems for the girls under your command?"

"I've ordered them against doing anything to you, so as long as you behave yourself they won't." If I was younger I would've taken offense at the implication of me causing an incident. Now however?

"I'll be the perfect guest then. Dione," I turned to face my friend. "When we get to Yokosuka I want you to go back to Wake Island ASAP. With Indiana gone…" I stopped before my voice could crack. "I trust Arcania and Andromeda, but I know you'll be able to smooth things over when the Americans arrive."

"And I know you," she countered. "Are you positive you'll do alright by yourself? I don't think the fleet will be happy that you're alone behind–" she stopped herself as well before she could finish that phrase. "That you're alone at a human naval base."

"I'll be fine. Besides," I gave a sideways glance to Mato, "If the admiral promises that I'll be ok, then I'll be ok."

I could see the hesitation in Dione's eyes but she eventually nodded her assent.

"Are we leaving the same way we came?" I asked.

The admiral shook her head. "No, we're leaving out of a back door and using vehicles provided from the HPSC. Apparently they'll be more inconspicuous than naval vehicles."

I furrowed my brow, but not at the admiral. The JMSDF had vehicles, and despite the media I had more than enough faith that we would be safe. Why use HPSC vehicles? My eyes found the cold face of the chairwoman who was engrossed in another conversation that I couldn't overhear. What was she playing at?

Sasebo Naval Base

The seventeen year old hero-in-training known as Hawks, one of the rising stars in Japan, was currently getting his ass handed to him.

"Oof!" he grunted, spinning and rolling after a particularly nasty kick from his opponent. Hello ground, he thought, fancy seeing you here…

"Better. You lasted about fifteen minutes, and I was barely holding back that time!"

Hawks groaned and rolled onto his back, taking a few precious seconds before sitting up again. His opponent put a hand on her hip, her other resting the odd katana-esque sword on her shoulder. If it was anyone else he'd be embarrassed, but he knew that as good as he was, he didn't have a chance in hell of beating this particular opponent.

He grinned and let out a huff, "Thanks, Ten. I aim to please as always." With a single beat of his wings he was back on his feet, and both blade-feathers flew back to his hands.

Tenryuu, the lead class of her ship and best swordswoman in Japan, grinned back at him with a fierce look in her singular golden eye. Tenryuu was a woman about his height wearing what resembled a casual uniform with an open military jacket and a white button-up tucked into a waist-high skirt that reached her mid-thigh before stockings went the rest of the way until her weird ship-boots. Her face was framed by wild neck-length purple hair and two plates resembling hornes framed the sides of her head just above her ears. The most notable feature though, was the metallic plate over where her left eye would be. She would be a catch for anyone, but luckily–and unluckily–for him, she was the sister he never had as well as his trainer. So unlike most of the other girls on base, his hormones weren't driving him up the wall whenever they were in the same room together.

Tenryuu was supposed to be one of his combat instructors when he joined the HPSC. She was the oldest and most experienced sword-fighter this side of the world and one of the oldest Shipgirls in existence. She never talked about it much, but when he asked others he learned that she and DesDiv-6 were in the first twenty to appear in Japan. The HPSC had different options, but any training he would receive elsewhere would always pale in comparison. She lived and breathed sword combat and taught him more in a few years than some people learned in decades. Single handed, two handed, dual wielded, reverse grip, and even just fighting her using his quirk, she taught him all of it. Whenever he fought other people, they all just seemed slow. When he fought her she kept whatever pace he set, and the constant was that she was always holding back. The one time he challenged her to go all out he was on his back in under five seconds. He was good, at this point he was one of the best. She was in her own bracket entirely.

But his watchdogs couldn't account for one simple thing. Tenryuu always tried to maintain a cold and fierce exterior, but she was a complete and utter softie with a soft-spot for kids. Barely a month under her tutelage and she practically adopted him as a little brother. Sometimes when they weren't training she would take him out for fried chicken, and sometimes when they were supposed to train she would take him for ice cream or just out and about. Sometimes it was movie night with the rest of DesDiv-6 who also adopted him as their big bro. His dream wouldn't be possible without any of them.

"Hm. Your head's in the clouds again, take ten and we'll go another round." Tenryuu stretched and gave a satisfied groan before going to their water station. With a small flourish his feather-blades flew and reconnected to the rest before he did the same. He focused on the wall across from them where a decent sized tv was playing the local news. He had known, Ten had known, most of the girls had known, but according to the news the Abyssal Princess had just signed the peace treaty. He could hear the cheers and celebrations of the servicemen beyond the building's walls and he had no doubt that it was like that all across the country. All except for one, it seemed. Tenryuu watched the tv with a frown, her pointer finger tapping the hilt of her sword in a steady rhythm.

"War's over then?" He should probably be cheering too, and he was excited, but he knew that he wouldn't have his peace for a long time.

"…Yeah… Looks like it."

He tilted his head, "you don't seem thrilled?"

"No," Tenryuu sighed. "The Abyssals were brought back to destroy humanity. We were brought back to fight the Abyssals…" It was a minute before she continued, "'Been fighting this thing for centuries. Now it's over. I should be happy but… What's our purpose now?"

"Mn. Maybe you should find a new one." Hawks suggested. Tenryuu quirked her remaining eyebrow at him. "I'm serious! Open up a dojo or something, settle down with someone maybe. You've fought this thing a long time, maybe you should take a breather, take the kids to DLT."

Tenryuu gave a noncommittal hum as they watched the news. "You don't seem too thrilled either."

"Nah, my dream's still a long way off." He wanted to make the world a place where heroes could relax, where they had too much time on their hands. And he'd speed towards that dream until it was a reality. The Abyssal War might be over, but that didn't bring him much closer to his goal.

"One year, huh?"

"Hm?"

Tenryuu turned to face him, "One year until you're opening your own agency, right?"

"Oh yeah, I'm gonna be the youngest in history. I'm planning on breaking the Top 10 by my twenties."

"Ambitious," she noted.

"Since when am I not?" That got a laugh out of her. He was happy with that, he didn't like it when Ten was sad.

"I think I'll visit when it opens… Alright, back to your weekly ass kicking!"

He changed his mind, he hated it when she was happy.

"The ruling is decided. The Supply Depot Princess known as Wake Island is to abdicate her position as leader of the Abyssals."

I felt the oil in my veins turn to ice.

"What…"

Guess who got sick again! This time it was more conventional though, I'm pretty sure I caught the flu or some other bug. Regardless I've pushed through that and wrote this chapter. I debated just posting it at about 3000 words but I decided to add the last bit with Hawks to get it up to where I'm usually happy posting. I hope you guys enjoy that part, I had fun writing it and it gives Hawks some more backstory!

So that's it, the War is finally over. But I'm not quite done putting Mariana through the wringer yet as you've probably noticed. Again, we're getting closer to that fluffiness, but we're not there yet. But now we can officially begin the second arc of this story. We're still a prequel right now, but we're only a few years off of the main story! We're getting more familiar faces next time, including one that may have gotten overlooked~

This chapter probably isn't my best work, but I'm luckily not a politician and I generally don't know how exactly Peace Treaties are actually carried out. I did my best though and I formatted it in a way that made sense to me. It didn't help that I'm still bulldozing my way through writer's block and that I'm sick again. Enough sad stuff though. I've decided that I'm going to start alternating one chapter per story, so if you follow me as an author my next post is going to be my other crossover. And if you haven't already, give that a read as well!

I'm going to try getting these out faster so it hopefully won't be nearly two months between chapters!

Thanks for reading, and I'll see you soon~