Azur Heroes

Chapter 21

Gonna be an adjustment chapter here. After all, they do have a Melissa who not only summoned a few PR ships and is missing a number of her limbs. Let alone what they did to her head. So on with the show.

(No POV)

Once the fleet was a decent distance from I Island, all the heroes and ships could breathe a sigh of relief. "Okay. I don't know about anyone else, but I could use a nap." Izuku said aboard Kii's ship. Unlike John, he couldn't swim quite fast enough to launch himself onto the deck of the ship.

So, Kii had to pick both him and Fubuki up from the ocean. "I think Ayanami and Laffey were fighting her. She betrayed every one of us, and yet you still saved her. Why?" Kii asked, roughly already knowing the answer.

Izuku looked down at the catlike destroyer and sighed. Before saying, "I don't really know. It's just…. Some part of me said I needed to save her. Or at most just bring her back to try and understand more."

"It seems like you still have some hero types of instincts. Rather than just strategy or military ones. But you should be ready for the trouble this will bring." Izuku's first summoned ship said while patting his head. Izuku blushed at the gesture before wondering how the others from I Island would take it.

Short answer was….. not well. "He actually saved one of those….. that held us!? Why would he do that?! She doesn't deserve it after everything she had a hand in! Hold on, we don't know if she was directly involved. She's still complicit in what we went through! And all of those who died!"

Albacore was listening to all of this and chose not to say anything on the matter. While part of her agreed that the destroyer had a hand in what they endured, she also knew that she was likely low on the totem pole for her group. 'Let alone the feeling of being left to rust and rot at the bottom of the sea. That and her leaders allying with the Sirens, she doesn't have the best options on the matter.'

Georgia and Neptune had been listening to the conversations while watching over Melissa. The battleship pulled a cola from somewhere and cracked it open before voicing her thoughts. "You and I never got to become wrecks or anything like that. So, it's a little hard to understand that little destroyer or the others' thoughts."

"But we do know what it feels like to be…. Well still born as it were. Eh?" Neptune finished before spawning a platter with a martini on it. Downing the drink with a sigh. Georgia also noted that what they did to her commander was unforgivable. "But I'd like to dream that we can move beyond that anger. And come together like we are meant to. To fight the Sirens."

The blue haired cruiser gives her compatriot a raised eyebrow before saying she sounded a little preachy there. "But I don't disagree." John meanwhile was discussing matters with All Might, Star, and Nezu in New Jersey's bridge. "My little ones haven't reported anything John."

"No contacts on radar or sonar honey. I think they're letting us go." Jersey reported after Yorktown retrieved a few of her planes. Kotov let out a sigh before saying, "we got really lucky there at the end. Whoever that Code G is, she saved us." All Might nodded and noted that she had saved Melissa too. "Are you sure I can't see her?" he asked, worried for his niece.

The American commander shook his head and said it wasn't the right time for it. "She's not in the best state All Might. We'll see how she's feeling when we get to Pearl. Star, think you can give yourself an order to fly? Just temporarily. I'd like you, Skyline, Skycrawler, and Red Hot to be on patrol too. Actually, call in the dragon and that flighty girl as well."

"On it bro. Maybe you should get some sleep. Your leg is messed up and you look half dead." Kate says with a wink towards Kotov. Who raises an eyebrow before agreeing. And then needed to be caught by his two main ships as his legs gave out on him while trying to leave the bridge.

They both looked at him with concern before helping him to the captain's cabin. Once there, Yorktown helped to remove John's damaged prosthetic and get him into a spare leg. One that was less combat capable. "Thanks Yorkie. Don't know what I'd do without you."

"Oh, I think you'd be just fine. You have plenty of girls helping you. And you're stronger than you give yourself credit." Yorktown said while putting her hand on her husband's cheek. Rubbing the bit of stubble he had as he gently took her hand.

Their romantic moment was broken up by hearing a latching sound. They looked up to see New Jersey with a coquettish bunny smile on her face. "You know… My ship is set for Hawai'i. They won't be expecting or needing us for a few hours…. And I don't know about you two, but I'm feeling a little heated after that fight~. So~~~."

New Jersey said this while dismissing her jacket and then slipping out of her stockings and gloves. Kotov gulped while Yorktown raised an eyebrow at how she's acting. Not that she was opposed to what the next suggestion would be. Subtly taking off her own jacket and slipping out of her shoes.

The American commander looked to his wife with some unease before asking, "wait, are you really okay with this Yorkie?!" The two women share a look before Yorktown turns her back toward New Jersey. "Do you mind?" she said presenting the zipper of her dress. Jersey's smile grew a bit before unzipping the carrier. And then pulling her own dress up over her head when it was unzipped.

"I know it's a bit early. But dontcha just love the idea of having some fun with both of us~~~?" New Jersey purred out as she tossed her dress to the side. And Yorktown came in next with her dress dropping to floor. Kotov's eyes were wide while a slight smile was growing. Before uttering, "oh I'm in danger."

Izuku was having a less fun time aboard the Kii, but he did enjoy talking with a few people his age again. Namely a few of the young heroes who had come along on the mission. "Wow! So you faced off with those Siren things and rescued another commander or whatever you call yourselves?" Jiro asked while walking on the deck with Izuku and a few of her classmates.

"Yeah. Barely. I'm not even sure how or why this whole power up I have works. But it's apparently thanks to both this arm and the fact I could summon the shipgirls to begin with. Though I'm not sure how the one will take me saving her like I did." Izuku mused while practicing his transformations.

Tokoyami nodded and acknowledged the strength it took to help an enemy. "I'm not sure how many of us would consider doing it, but you did. You chose to forgive her. Though I am curious as to what end."

The young commander looked to his arm, the sea, and Kii. Both the ship and the shipgirl before sighing. "As easy as it is to think of them all as enemies, we shouldn't discount that they were once loved by humans too. Long ago. And now they just feel betrayed because they were forgotten."

"And you want to show she isn't really forgotten or anything like that?" Koda signed with a nervous look on his face. Izuku smiled and said it might be something like that. Before noting that there was going to be some major trouble on the horizon. 'Let alone trying to figure out what that weird wisdom cube is about,' he thinks before asking the students about their classes at UA.

At I Island, Akagi was biting her nail in frustration at having to rebuild sections of the base that had been damaged by the three fleets. "Akagi-neesama. If you keep doing that, you'll have all of your fingers bleeding." Kaga said while moving some large beams to rebuild a shrine and torii gate.

"How are you so calm Kaga!? They invaded and damaged our new home!" the brown kitsune screeched with her red flames roiling. Kaga just sighed before reminding the woman that they had done much the same to I Island originally. "We just took it from humans."

Before the older carrier could start ranting, Soryuu and Hiryuu arrived to interrupt. "Senpai. We can't focus on what has happened. We have to move forward. That is why I sent Shokaku and Zuikaku out with a Yamashiro to patrol our waters." Soryuu says with an adjustment of her glasses. As well as noting that she had assigned a number of other ships to focus on the repairs.

While Akagi still looked ready to rage at the slightest chance, she held it in and went with focusing on the planning a future revenge. Namely by looking into who it was that planned or lead the attacks against their sanctuary. "Neesama. Maybe focus on repairing our house first?"

"Fine! But as soon as that is done, I want our submarines and others working to learn more about the commanders that attacked us!" the kitsune says before picking up some materials to fix the housing situation. Leaving in a huff and with her flames roiling around her.

Kaga sighed before subtly talking with the other carriers. "Do we know more of who it was that attacked the Sirens? And do we have something of a measure of their character?" Soryuu adjusted her glasses again before noting that "heroes" with "quirks" had been part of both the rescue and the attack.

"They were mostly pathetic in comparison to what we could do. But they had equipment that let them bridge the gap. And provided distractions for the enemy ships to do more damage. Then there were those who went with the Siren clones."

Soryuu relayed that Mikuma and Suruga had let the heroes through. "Or rather, Suruga let them in. I guess she didn't approve of what Akagi, and the others were using the human for. Mikuma was just easily dealt with."

Kaga nodded and could understand Suruga's perspective. "It was part of the reason I had Shimakaze slip in to help that girl. But I didn't expect that she'd become a summoner. That could prove problematic in the future."

Hiryuu scratches her head and said she was just lost with what they were talking about. "If you don't agree or whatever, why are you staying here? Why didn't you go with Mikasa and the rest?" she asked while still trying to wrap her head around Kaga's thoughts.

The white haired fox gave her a side glance before admitting that it wasn't that simple and she still had her loyalties. "The main one being to my sister after all. But also, I don't fully trust what could come about if we left. Given our actions thus far. We did have a hand in what befell that one ship after all."

Both Lapine carriers looked down and thought back to one of their first raids after being awakened by the Sirens. At the time, all of their minds were clouded with negative emotions. A majority of them were directed at the USA. And especially a carrier that all of them had a history with.

Thus, Sakura Empire carrier groups 1, 2, and 5 ambushed and mutilated Yorktown while killing all of the sailors aboard the ships she was guarding. All out of the vengeful thoughts that she'd almost survived everything they had dished out during the battles they were all a part of. The cranes themselves taking some extra glee in getting payback for Coral Sea and their eventual loss during the war.

With time however, some of their minds began to clear and felt a measure of shame at how they went about that and other attacks on their homeland. Though it was very few indeed. "Neesama is still wrapped up in her wish to make the world burn after our loss centuries ago. And both of the crane sisters have that same drive after being stuck with the memories of the corner the Americans pushed us into."

"Yeah. And lots of the smaller ships are stuck on those thoughts too. Don't think there's any way we'll get away from it." Hiryuu said with a shrug. Kaga glared downward and could still feel the burning from where the bombs impacted on her. And the chain reaction born from the actions of her crews typical loading and fueling methods.

Her fist was gripped tight as her own blue flames roiled for a moment. Until she let out a tense breath and refocused. "How are the others doing?" she inquired. Hiryuu mentioned that Miyuki and the other members of the Fubuki class were sad and angry about the sinking of the eldest ship. "And it's only fueling their resolve for payback. Even against their own sister."

Soryuu scratched her chin before pondering aloud if that was something that the Sirens were after in all of these battles. To have all of the shipgirls fighting each other. "Who can say. We should get back to work you two. We can discuss more later." Kaga said before picking up the beams she had set down earlier.

Speaking of Melissa, she had started to wake up after being moved to Ticonderoga's ship. And it started with her screaming before Georgia and Neptune could try to calm her down. And it wasn't helped by the fact that her arm and leg were gone.

Suddenly the ship was rocked and a rush of wind blew through the holds of the ship. That rocking and wind was the result of All Might leaping over as fast as he could upon hearing Melissa crying out. "MELISSA! I'm here! And…. oh my god."

All Might started out in his normal bombastic, but still worried, way. But upon seeing what had become of his niece, his eyes were wide and filled with tears. The girl was still panicking as her uncle slowly walked to her. Trying to figure out if he was really there or if it was just another scenario the Sirens pumped into her head.

The number one of Japan started to deflate as he got closer and closer. Finally revealing his true form when he put a hand upon her cheek. Despite getting punched in the face by her remaining metal arm, he barely flinched as he reached out to her. "Melissa… I'm so sorry…." Yagi Toshinori muttered out as the tears fell.

And they increased when Melissa really opened her eyes to see her uncle. Not just because she was scared and yet happy to see him. But also, because he could see that her former right blue eye had been replaced with a yellow mechanical one with black sclera. Georgia and Neptune stepped back and let the pair embrace. As Melissa now knew she really was free and Toshinori was just glad she was alive.

Of course that didn't keep him from being angry about what befell her or that it was kept from him and the others on the way to Pearl Harbor. With him glaring at Kotov the rest of the trip and then taking him and Izuku aside once they were docked in Oahu.

"Did you keep these matters from me because you thought I couldn't handle it? Or because you wanted to study her?" he said with an intimidating presence above both commanders. Izuku gulped and noted it was more of the former for him. "Not exactly wanting to study her, but I will admit to being curious about her whole sacrificing her limbs to summon her ships thing. That was a little crazy." Kotov said with a shrug.

All Might let out an angry and frustrated breath before asking what he was intending to put Melissa through. "Okay definitely NOT what you are probably thinking of. We collected a decent number of Wisdom Shards. We just want to see if she can summon anything else."

"Uh no offense Master, but what's this "we" business? I'll admit to being a little curious, but not enough to put her through more pain." Izuku said with a raised eyebrow directed John's way. Who grimaces and just asks that Izuku work with him for the moment.

The strongest hero lets out a very angry breath before saying she was in no condition to do anything like that. "She still needs to have some limbs replaced after all. And…. we need to get those port things out of her head." John nodded and noted that he'd already called ahead and asked for Vestal.

"She can probably fix that problem and get her set up with some good hardware. Though I wonder how long it will take for her to adjust to being able to move herself." Kotov said before they all heard cries from the docks and refugees. Toshinori recognizing who was crying out. "Dave."

His old friend was terrified to see what had happened to his daughter and had to be restrained by Neptune for a moment. While Melissa was wheeled away to Vestal's hospital to be healed. All Might made his way over to the collapsed inventor and apologized for what happened. "I wish there was more we could do. But…. this is outside of what any of us know."

David kept crying as he looked up at Toshinori. Unable to get out any words of what he was thinking as more people and bodies were unloaded from the shipgirls. For the next week, Dave barely left Vestal's hospital. Sitting next to his daughter with Georgia and Neptune. While Izuku, All Might, and all of the others who participated in the raid informed the other Pacific commanders, heroes, and heads of state of what had happened.

"To think our own ships would do this. I can never truly apologize enough," the Prime Minister said with a sad bow. Izuku admits that he brought back one of the traitor ships so he could understand more of why they betrayed everyone. "And….. well I'm not 100% sure why. But I just felt I needed to save her."

Many in the meeting couldn't fully understand, but All Might had something of an inkling. He, however, was not sharing that sentiment. Given he'd already had to help Dave back from drinking himself senseless after Vestal's reports about Melissa's condition more than once. Namely, how she was much like a Siren herself now, due to all of the technology that had been forced into her body.

Izuku and Kotov decided it was time to talk with her and see what she could do. "Hey Vestal. How's the patient?" Kotov semi-jokingly said. But the flat looks around told him that no one was in the mood. And he got a smack from Vestal for it.

"Don't push her too much. She's still very much on the mend. In more than one way," the repair ship said with a bit of pouty annoyance directed at Botwa's commander. Who let out an uncomfortable chuckle before focusing on Melissa and what she knew/understood about her situation.

With Izuku outlining how she had summoned Georgia and Neptune, and John asking what she wanted to do with her new position and power. "Or rather…. Think you can summon a few more like them?" he asked before bringing out a Wisdom Cube. "Where were you keeping that?" Izuku asked in befuddlement.

Kotov gives him a flat look before noting it wasn't the time. "Look…. I just want to know if you can summon more ships." Melissa looks at him funny before gingerly reaching out to the glowing blue cube. Only for it to disappear and part of the girl's arm to reappear.

"Okay, didn't see that coming." John said with his eyes wide. Izuku thought the same before humming and asking his ships to bring all of the shards and cubes they had gathered or made. It took almost twenty cubes, but Melissa was eventually able to regrow her limbs thanks to the two fleets. "Think this is what Vestal meant about her being more like a Siren?" Izuku pondered aloud.

John shrugged and noted that it was likely. "Now I have to wonder just how many cubes she'd need to summon a ship," he said while scratching his chin. "Ten." The older commander looked up at the girl who rubbed her reformed arm before stating the likely amount again. "At least in terms of trying to summon a ship. It cost my arm and leg to summon both of them. And at least ten cubes were needed to restore both."

"Shit. Well that's a problem. To bad there's no other way to get more of them." John said before leaning back in his chair. That's when Izuku noticed that Melissa seemed to be contemplating something. "There is another way to do it. Isn't there?" he asked her with a smile.

Melissa coughed a little before noting that the information that the Sirens pumped into her head had details on all of the Priority Ships, like Georgia and Neptune. "But they required ten steps of research to do it before. Since I was desperate to be free and save all of us, I gave up my limbs to get the job done."

Izuku questioned what the research was, but Melissa didn't know. Acknowledging that she hadn't had much time to trying to figure it out. "Maybe….. she needs to be on board her ships?" John suggested with a shrug. Izuku shook his head at that and noted it probably wasn't that simple. "Besides, she doesn't even have enough ships for a fleet."

"Well maybe we can help with that." Everyone turns to the see the two commanders of Pearl Harbor at Melissa's door. While Rassmussen makes a call, Miller noted that after all of the fights with Siren clone ships and cloned Sakura ships, they had a decent stockpile of cubes. "More than enough for you to summon at least one or two more ships missy."

The former inventor was surprised by this but at the same time a little excited and scared for what could come next. But while she was slightly improving, her father was still in a spiral. And at yet another bar between visiting his daughter. "You certainly know how to put it away. You a sailor?"

The man looked up to see a dark-haired woman with turquoise eyes looking at him sadly. She gestured to the bartender who quickly mixed up a large and strong drink for her as well. Before asking his story, and her eyes flowing with tears after hearing everything that had happened to his daughter recently. The two of them spending hours consoling each other from their own pains.

Things were less kosher back in Japan though. Namely at Moncal base. Where a number of villains were eyeing up the location. Ready to strike the next time the shipgirls left for patrols and missions. "I'll have you soon. Eri," Overhaul said with a glare directed at the fenced off military base. And all of his gang with him.

Merry Christmas to those who will be reading this. Also, I hope new readers will give some other works a look. Especially UA Multiverse Peek, given that is where this began. And to those who might care, I've started writing on AO3 as well. Mostly just re-releases of my most popular stories. But there is one I'm considering for an AO3 only story.

But to the major topic, yes Melissa isn't quite human. But she isn't quite like Izuku though. At the same time…. Well I thought I'd have some different fun with the other characters. And that dramatic bit at the end is for a special fight Izuku himself will have to get involved with directly. As well as many of his ships. Please review! Oh and leave a suggestion for who the next priority summon will be.