"Please… no more… I beg you." Musashi cried as boots continued to kick at her stomach and head, further dirtying her white robes.
"Shut up, your voice is an ear-sore. Maybe if you had chosen to serve the Almighty Sirens, you wouldn't be in so much pain." One of her aggressors snapped.
Musashi clammed up, the only noise she made was the small squeaks that accompanied each kick. She was hoping that they would get tired and stop of their own volition. Much to her dismay, she lost consciousness before they stopped.
In the eternal darkness of her dreams, Musashi sat, curled in a ball, dreading the moment she would awake, only to feel the pain of this morning's brutal beating. The world of her dreams began to form, telling her that she would have at least a few hours before her body would awake, giving her some form of comfort. Her world consisted of a war torn Japan, drenched in rain that turned the remaining flames to smoldering cinders.
"My nation… I have failed you. My citizens… I have failed to protect you. My purpose was nothing more than to be a martyr to a nation standing on it's last leg. Maybe… maybe if I give in… the pain will stop." Musashi spoke softly when a sudden noise attracted her attention.
Standing quickly, much faster than her physical body could have, she deployed her rigging. From a central tower on her back, three massive main batteries, just barely smaller than Musashi herself, made themselves known, connected by three strong looking metal arms, draped in shide and red shimenawa, giving her rigging the air of purity. Connected under the main guns via small platforms and metal arms, sat her secondary guns. Accenting her rigging, were the two scabbards that were previously attached to her hip. Now, on either side of her, attached to the sides of her left and right turret, sat two rigging sized Katanas.
"Who goes there? Reveal yourself." Musashi spoke with as much base as she could put in her voice.
"Hmm?" A familiar voice questioned.
Musashi immediately homed in on the voice and found a child with flowing black tails and black ears.
"Identify yourself." Musashi spoke in a pitifully stern tone.
"You look a lot like Mommy." The child spoke, throwing Musashi for a loop almost immediately.
"Your mommy? That's impossible. I don't have any children." Musashi said as she allowed her rigging to fade before kneeling down to see the child better.
"I know that. But… you look like my mommy, except you're pink. Mommy is silver." The child spoke.
"Grey? What is your name?" Musashi asked.
"My name is Yume. Daddy and Mommy gave me my name." Yume spoke.
"That's generally how it works. How did you get here? This is my dream." Musashi spoke, scratching her head.
"I got bored… I think. Mommy and I were sleeping. It's loud but bearable. My leg still hurts..." Yume spoke.
"You got bored? This isn't making any sense. And what happened to your leg?" Musashi asked as she looked down to see a small bruise on Yume's leg.
"Scary boats ran into me and made a big boom. Daddy's fleet stopped them… but they really scare me." Yume admitted.
"Daddy's fleet? There's only one person… is your Daddy named Apollyon?" Musashi asked.
Yume scratched her head.
"Daddy is Daddy. But… Miss Norfolk has been calling him Isaac. But I prefer Daddy." Yume said.
Musashi sat back and thought.
"So Isaac is Apollyon? Yume, was it? Where is Daddy right now?" Musashi asked.
"Daddy is fighting very hard to free the Philippines. Mommy is helping too." Yume said.
Musashi gasped.
"And they've just sent Yamato…" Musashi spoke as she began to freak out.
Yume grabbed the long white robes that adorned Musashi, causing Musashi to calm down.
"You look hurt." Yume said as she stood and looked over Musashi, causing Musashi to completely lose her train of thought.
"I… My sister and I have been beaten. There are very bad men and they have taken us prisoner. Ever since our capture… we have been hurt a lot." Musashi explained, revealing her arm to show numerous bruises.
Yume shook her head.
"I am sorry. I cannot heal them like Miss Arizona." Yume said.
"Heal? What do you mean?" Musashi asked as another noise drew her attention. Out of a desire to learn more, or out of a deep maternal instinct, Musashi moved to cover Yume.
"Yume. Come out. Mommy isn't mad. But you can't just go invading dreams without cause." Another familiar voice spoke.
Yume gasped.
"Mommy!" Yume cried as Musashi looked down at Yume.
"Is that your mommy?" Musashi asked.
Yume nodded as Shinano made her appearance from behind a building near Musashi.
"Yume, who have you disturbed this time?" Shinano asked as she walked towards Musashi.
"Hold it." Musashi said as she turned to face Shinano. Looking at Shinano's face, Musashi felt the smallest sensation, like she had seen this face before.
"Pardon? I have come to collect my daughter." Shinano spoke.
"Who are you? You have tails so you must be a Kansen… like me." Musashi said.
Shinano sighed.
"Yamato class Aircraft Carrier, Shinano. Now, may I have my daughter?" Shinano asked, getting slightly annoyed in her sleepy tone.
"Wait… Yamato class? Your hull… it's a Yamato class hull?" Musashi asked, refusing to believe what she had just heard.
"It is. Why are you so interested?" Shinano asked. Her curiosity now piqued.
Musashi teared up.
"My name… is Musashi… Yamato class battleship." Musashi said as tears began to flow softly down her cheeks.
"Yama... Big sister?" Shinano asked, her tired eyes now wide awake.
Musashi nodded as she fell to her knees.
"Baby sister… You didn't even have a name when we last met…" Musashi wanted to say more but devolved quickly into an unstoppable torrent of cries and tears.
Shinano ran over and knelt next to her, seeing now all the bruises and cuts on her body.
"Dear sister, what has happened to you?" Shinano asked, only to be stopped when Musashi reached up and pulled Shinano into an embrace.
"What has happened to me is of no concern. You survived. You're alive, baby sister." Musashi said as she pulled Shinano into her similarly ample bosom.
"I am. I am. But please, what happened to you, elder sister?" Shinano asked, tears forming in her eyes.
"The first time we met was also the last. I was sunk at the battle of Leyte Gulf. About a month ago… a Japanese sailor found Yamato and I and brought us back to life using the Wisdom cubes. But almost immediately after, while Elder sister and I were getting used to being alive… the Wolfpacks came and overran us. We've been held as prisoners for well over three weeks… every day consisting of pain. They have been beating us nonstop in an attempt to force us to comply with their wishes…" Musashi said as she made sure Yume was behind her before undoing her robes and showing her body to Shinano, who recoiled at the sight of all the cuts and major bruising that covered the Battleship's body.
Shinano became angry.
"Where is Elder sister Yamato?" Shinano asked.
"They took her. She's headed to the Philippines to fight Apollyon. She's going to die." Musashi said.
"No. She will return home alive. My dear husband will ensure that." Shinano said, the calm rage that had calmed from the assault on Yume's vessel now beginning to bubble once more.
"Husband? You've taken a husband?" Musashi asked as she slowly put her robes back on.
"I have. An American man. He is kind, yet firm. He will grace your cheek with the softest touch, but shows no mercy to his enemies. His name is Isaac Garner. He is the Apollyon you speak of." Shinano explained.
Musashi then made the connection.
"Then this little one?" Musashi asked as she quickly scooped up Yume and presented her to Shinano.
"That is Yume. Isaac and I's daughter. She too is an aircraft carrier." Shinano said as Musashi's eyes began to shimmer like they had never done before.
"I… have a niece?" Musashi asked tearfully.
Shinano nodded.
"Mommy?" Yume asked.
"It seems I cannot be upset, Yume. You have once again stumbled across a very interesting dream." Shinano said.
"Mommy, do you know Miss Musashi?" Yume asked.
Shinano nodded.
"Musashi is Mommy's big sister." Shinano said as Yume turned to look at Musashi.
"Musashi is Mommy's sister?" Yume asked.
Shinano nodded again.
"That makes her Aunt Musashi to you, Yume." Shinano said.
"Aunt Musashi?" Yume repeated, causing an excited gasp to come from the pink furred battleship.
"I love her so much!" Musashi cried as she embraced Yume.
Yume relaxed immediately as her head rested on Musashi's bosom.
Shinano smiled happily.
Shinano's smile was short lived.
"Big sister is coming for the Philippines?" Shinano asked.
"She is. But only because she volunteered to go in my place. They would have beaten me to death if she hadn't gone." Musashi said.
"So she isn't under Siren control either?" Shinano asked.
"Neither of us are. There was no Siren here when we were awakened. Just the Wolfpacks." Musashi explained as she pet Yume, the act bringing her comfort.
"That's good then. Is there anything else I should know?" Shinano asked.
Musashi shook her head.
"Will you be okay? I will get my husband to send help immediately." Shinano said.
Musashi nodded.
"The boss said they can't kill me unless ordered. You have to save Yamato first. She has the boss onboard. I can survive a few more beatings, baby sister." Musashi said as Yume looked up at her.
"Aunt Musashi?" Yume asked.
"Yes, sweet Yume?" Musashi asked.
"Will you be okay? I really want to meet the real you." Yume said.
"Auntie Musashi will be okay, little one. Just make sure you stay safe too. I'd like to see my baby Niece in person." Musashi said with a smile.
"I will save Yamato. Then we will come for you. I promise." Shinano said as she collected Yume.
"Please stay safe, sister. I will hold strong… you have given me hope." Musashi said as Shinano and Yume vanished from her dream.
"I have a Niece… She's… adorable. Thank the gods. Our salvation is near, Big sister, Yamato." Musashi said as her mind changed pace.
"Isaac… I cannot wait to see you with my own eyes." Musashi said as her dreary dreamscape changed from a burning mess to a sunny day drenched heavily in the falling of Cherry blossom petals. Before Musashi now sat a massive temple. Slowly, a smile returned to Musashi's face.
Shinano woke and was on her feet almost immediately.
"Husband." She spoke into her radio.
"Shinano? Is everything alright?" Isaac asked.
"We have trouble. I would like to take a small portion of the fleet north." Shinano said.
"That's towards Japan. Any reason?" Isaac asked.
"My sister have been revived. Yamato is coming." Shinano said.
"What?!" Isaac asked.
"She and Musashi have been revived and are being forced to act on the Wolfpack's will. Yamato has been ordered to come here to attack us." Shinano said.
Isaac went quiet before cutting the line. Seconds later, the general line was opened.
"Attention fleet. New intel has reported that Yamato, Japanese Battleship, is making her way here to engage us. We cannot leave the islands in this state, however, I will permit a small number of you to head North. Those who do not go will be left in Odin's command. Those who wish to be a part of the task force, radio me in ten minutes." Isaac spoke as he cut the line.
He reconnected with Shinano moments after.
"What is she after?" Isaac asked.
"She isn't after anything. She is being coerced with the threat of Musashi's death. If we kill the wolfpack onboard her vessel, she will be neutralized as a threat. But as long as even one member is left standing, she will fight us." Shinano explained.
"This is quite the conundrum." Isaac said.
"How so? We send forces north to face her and deal with the Wolfpack." Shinano said.
"We need Iowa. Sure we have strength to invade and wage war, but not the strength to stand against Yamato. She will deal massive damage if she gets here. So… we have to call in our trump card… Iowa." Isaac said as he cut the line.
"Come on girls, get the refugees offloaded. That way these three can begin repairs." Perkins said as he, Kaga and Iowa stood on the docks in New Guinea.
"Perkins. Come in." Isaac's voice was heard.
"The Commander?!" Perkins asked as he ran to the radio receiver.
"This is Perkins. What can we do for you commander?" Perkins asked.
"How goes things there, Perkins?" Isaac asked, the sounds of gunfire ringing out flooded the background.
"We've just about mopped things up. No real resistance since the Aussies stormed the city." Perkins reported.
"Excellent. I need you to do one thing before I redeploy you." Isaac said.
"Redeploy?" Perkins asked.
"Yes. I need you to call south to Fiji. Tell them to send up Indianapolis and Prince of Wales to replace you, Kaga and Iowa." Isaac said.
"Will do… but why?" Perkins asked.
"Iowa's strength is needed. And I will not allow her to come here alone. So, as her trusted Commander, you'll be shipping out too." Isaac explained.
"Aye Aye. We can be there in three days." Perkins said.
"Excellent. You'll just beat Yamato." Isaac said.
Kaga immediately took the receiver.
"Shikikan. Did you just say Yamato?" Kaga asked.
"Yes. Yamato and Musashi have been revived. But they are being held captive. Shinano is chomping at the bit to head north to help." Isaac said.
"We will leave immediately. I will send a plane to Fiji to deliver your orders." Kaga said as she hung up the receiver.
"Well?" Perkins asked.
"Get Iowa. We're leaving, Husband." Kaga said with a fire in her eyes. A plane appeared on the Kaga's flight deck and launched, heading for Fiji.
"Has the Commander called for me?" Iowa asked. This was the most recent time among many that she had asked that same question.
"Yes. It's time to show him what you can do, my love." Perkins said as Iowa jumped happily, showing off a ring on her hand set with a stunning white pearl.
"Well?" Shinano asked on the radio.
"Three days. Kashino, Texas, Amagi, and Tirpitz have all volunteered to join you to the North. Iowa will rendezvous with us and we will ensnare Yamato before she gets close. Wilhelm and his men will be joining me, Michael and Ben in the assault on the Wolfpack." Isaac explained.
"Then please allow me to greet them." Shinano said.
"Greet?" Isaac asked
"I shall show them… that my sisters are not punching bags." Shinano said as she covered her flight deck in Zeroes and launched them to the sky.
Howdy everyone. It's been a while. Anyway. I will be providing more in depth on both sides of this new development, both the rescue of Yamato and the continued invasion of the Philippines. As for Cole in the Mediterranean, I will try to touch on them in the next few chapters for those of you getting antsy to see them again. Other than that, I hope you are all enjoying this as much as I am. Have a wonderfully day/night. And I'll catch you in the next chapter.