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So been playing the recent Azur Lane event, and holy shit! Orochi is canon in game!?
This moment in the lore, makes my hyped not gonna lie... And thinking the idea of more story ideas for the next season/arc of this Azur Lane fanfic.
Well, with that done, hope you enjoy this second last chapter of Arc 1 (Season 1), enjoy...
On the blue sky... A swarm of black and red line glowing snake-like drones descending on the burning land of the harbor. The drones shoot lasers, explosions burst out, destroying and crumbling buildings and environments.
Many men and women soldiers attempted to evacuate and defend, gunshots fired as the functioning cannons were still firing. Drones get hits but the bullet impacts sparks at the armor, but are still functional.
Meanwhile from afar, the ocean field outside the harbor dock is on the verge of battle, as the massive vessel of Orochi stands out on the surface of the sea... Where is the fight between the united Azur Lane and Orochi's drones...
At the ocean battlefield, Tirpitz slams the skeleton drone on the water as it sinks a bit, before getting stabbed down by her staff. Turning to see more drones charging, before she turned and aimed her cannons, firing, taking them down like they were cardboard.
Prinz Eugen and Wales are together, behind their backs, taking the drones down while Wales slashes the torsos, while Eugen's riggings chomp down the skeletons. Suddenly four drones were about to jump on the duo with their claws...
Only a blur of speed dissected the drones, by Kawakaze with her katana. She landed and skids the ocean, rippling out the waves. She sees more skeletons lackeys closing in... Takao and Atago come in and destroy them. Parts scattered and sunk in the sea, Kawakaze nodded at the two who nodded back. Atago glanced to see more are coming as they shoot them down and the three mow them down.
The remaining Azur Lane are spread out against the likes of the drone soldiers, with Orochi in the middle of the field.
At Orochi's vessel, Oswald stands await from the top, witnessing the battle, he is unfazed by their resistance and goes to the top control panel and proceeds to access it to activate the weapon itself. As the vessel glows bright red through the glowing lines all around... Energy charges up...
Then a faint scream occurs inside the vessel, much to the discarding look on Oswald's expression...
Inside the large ship, a chamber resides deep, where Akagi herself is trapped in a container, strapped by wrist cuffs, lines around it absorbing the blue energy from her. Before she suffered, the same glow occurred once again, that was activated by Oswald previously.
A surge pulsed from her, her screams occurred, as shocks emitted while the whole room brightened in red light. Blue energy also known as her Wisdom Cube physiology is being drained. Then the red light spreads out the chamber, through the deep mazes of hallways, then to outside the ship, showing the same progress from before.
The progress goes on... Until he hears a commotion, Oswald turns around to see four girls on the deck...
Javelin, Ayanami, Laffey, and Z23. All four are charging with their weapons readied at their old enemy, with serious intent and determination.
From below the deck, Xavier, the second Commander, down at the bottom of the ship. He was running to one of the entrances of the massive vessel. Seeing the distraction is at work... He enters the tunnels...
Meanwhile from the top, Oswald's face remains amused, before his human look... Disappears... To their sudden surprise, the human of Oswald was nothing but a disguise shell, to reveal nothing more... A cybernetic body, with no traces of human flesh around it. Dark metal skin armor with sharp like features, more similar to Orochi but a smaller frame.
Its dark red glowing eyes with an emotionless mask sealing its mouth and nose, gazes at the girls. Before he raises his arm turning into a cannon, glowing before firing a laser.
Nimi realized he just fired, "Move!" She stated. The rest of the three quickly rolled sideways, avoiding the laser that exploded on contact.
"Laffey!" Javelin turns to her friend, who the bunny ear girl quickly aims her cannon and fires at Oswald. The blasts deflected from his robot form, its armor remaining undamaged. He continues to fire at the agile squad.
Seeing it missed and then coming closer, Oswald grunts before letting its other arm dispose of a large blade underneath. Ayanami quickly notices the weapon, before quickly blocks it with her sword. Sparks emitted from the clash, before she gets pushed aside by the sheer strength of the new side of Oswald's form.
Then he attempts to slash Nimi who dodges from the side to behind, before Javelin jumps in front and thrust her polearm right at Oswald's faceplate. A small shockwave burst and massive sparks reveal such blunt force.
This caused a loud grunt of annoyance, staggering the new form of Oswald. It's expressionless radiates hatred as it jerks his sight on the three girls recovering, then from behind, Laffey continues to aim her cannon gun...
Inside the ship, the sound of the battle echoes through one of the hallways, Xavier continues running, stopping at a crossroad of two paths. He looks both sides, then takes a right...
Outside on the battlefield, Orochi's arm minigun cannon revs up and aims upon the girls. Firing as it spins rapidly, shooting laser bolts at the Azur Lane forces.
Nearly everyone avoided the attacks, Washington was about to be caught by the fire spread... Until South Dakota used her shields to block the bolts. Many singed her metal shields, until the fire continued suppressing her and Washington quickly fired back, but the rounds didn't flinch and the riggings got shot down, causing her to grunt in pain.
Then the minigun fire quickly scratched the shield and pushed South Dakota back. The two are worn down, as Orochi's hand turns into a mace with flail. The mask panels slide open revealing the metallic mouth as it roars out a metal screeching scream. Raising its arm and swinging the flail at the two... Only to be staggered by something.
A certain someone, grabbing a mace flail... Orochi turns its visor sight upon the individual, a giant mechanical hand rigging attached by a tall woman, none other than being Musashi... Her brown eyes glare hard at the large robot.
"Your next opponent is with us, machine." Musashi muttered, then purple electric surges around her and the riggings. A pure energy purple katana summons from the other rigging's hand, glowing and radiating with purple lightning surging out of the construct.
Orochi gazes before it is attacked from behind multiple blue glowing butterflies, each contact vaporizing. Though they provide a powerful blunt attack, due to the major staggering and front stepping, pushing the large robot.
Shinano reveals to be the ones summoning the butterflies, until Ulrich came in front of Orochi below and fired her cannons with all the firepower available, causing it to get launched to the sky. The giant was about to drop, then Vanguard aimed and unleashed the cannon barrage, point blank, knocking down before cratering in the ocean.
New Jersey quickly rushes to South Dakota and Washington, helping them get up. "Go! We'll treat this nasty fella up!" She winked at the two.
Washington looks at her, before seeing a splash coming out where Orochi crashed, itself emerging, its posture displays rage through the already blood red glowing visors upon seeing its opponents. She mumbled, "Good luck, knock that bastard down..." She grunted before she took South Dakota who gave a small nod to her.
New Jersey nodded back before seeing Orochi's mace and flail retracts back at its arm. She then pumps her fists together with a determined smile. "So... You're that punk I've heard about." She grinned, which Orochi leans back then forward quickly, letting out a loud roar. She remains still keeping her happy look on, "Well, as much as I can have a go, we gotta put you down." She said,
As the rest of her highly advanced allies came in, Kronshadt, Musashi, Shinano, Implacable, Ulrich Von Hutten, Sovetsky Soyuz, and Vanguard. New Jersey's grin grows bigger. Orochi roars again and charges with them charging back.
The two sides are about to clash... Until Orochi gains an upper hand, instantly pushing a small fleet of powerful Kansens like they are boxes for shoving.
Ayamani slashes a strike on Oswald's metal arm, but it bounces back as Oswald smacks her away, only barely saved by her riggings blocking the counterattack. Laffey fires a shot from her cannon; it doesn't damage his armor.
Then Javelin jumps from behind, he quickly turns around and swings his elbow, striking her on the stomach. She coughs out, and lands on the deck, continuing to cough out. Oswald aims his arm cannon at the three near the front, knocking them off by the blast.
"This is your plan?" Oswald mocked as he grabbed Javelin by the neck, lifting her up like a weightless doll as she struggled off the grip from her hands clutching his arm and legs swinging. "You are all charging like wild dogs, all bark but no bite..." His grip tightens as Javelin struggles faster. "Your second Commander is smart... " Her eyes widened by his sudden next words, "But I've dealt with this kind of tactic by your other Commander!" He yells with anger and happiness.
Suddenly, multiple shots hit him in the back, causing to drop her down on the metal floor. He turns to see Ayanami, Laffey, and Nimi all have their turrets and guns aimed at him.
"Leave..." Ayanami stated.
"Our..." Nimi glared.
"Friend..." Laffey added.
"ALONE!" The three fired their guns again in synchronized timing. But they all didn't do anything major to Oswald, unfazed by their efforts, he aims back and fires his cannon at them, which they dodged.
An instant sharp pain and a large stab sound caused him to scream, "Argh!" He looks down to see Javelin used her polearm to stab it right at the back of its kneecap. He instantly smacked her away with a backhanded punch, knocking her afar. "Allow me to end this futile attack once and for all!" He ranted, before raising his forearm, summoning a holographic screen, pressing some buttons revealing the map of the inside vessel, seeing a life signal moving through the maze-like map.
Inside the maze, Xavier was still running and stopped to reach yet another three way path. He looks around, sighed in annoyance. However, a small uncommon sound is heard from slightly afar. He turns to see the wall is glowing red, a skeleton drone crawls out like a corpse emerging out of its coffin. It sees him before crawling on all fours all around the hallway from up to side.
"Crap." He mutters as he makes a run straight at one of the hallway paths, as the creepy crawler continues to scutter like a massive bug through the small corridor. He continues to run, going to the corner, turning into another direction.
A moment passed, he still ran, before stopping midway at the hallway. He takes a breath, pondering for a moment unknowingly, then quickly moves out. Until, another skeleton drone comes out in front of him.
He stops to see it moving in a stiff and janky posture, as it snarls at him. Claws ready, running wildly as it shakes. He steps back, but sees the same drone that was chasing him from behind. Seeing himself trapped by both sides, he huffs and rushes at the front one.
The two run at each other, he quickly rolls down and ducks under a claw slash from the drone. It looked underneath its skinny skeleton legs to see him get up and continue to escape from them. The drone snarls as the other one crawls above the hallway ceiling to catch up the pursuit as it follows its ally.
Xavier goes on, seconds past each retaining a moment of life and death. However he stops by... A dead end, hearing nothing for a moment leaving an eerie silence. Until scurrying sounds, as the two metal skeletons appear in fast motion, jumping at their target.
On the top deck, Ayanami topples down, slowly she gets up, legs being shaken as her body is surrounded by bruises and wounds. Then a sudden clutch grip around her throat, Oswald lifts her up as his other arm transforms into a cannon much different than the other weapon he used, it spins as it glows purple, she widens her eyes and her struggles go quicker leading him to laugh at her dismay.
Nimi, heavily hurt, sees this weapon glow, realizing what it is. The same thing it incapacitated Hood and Hornet. She winces at her wounded arm as she reaches for her weapon and quickly fires at him below, avoiding Ayanami in a crossfire.
However he is still unfazed as the weapon glows even brighter, "Die Schweinehund!" Oswald snarks as the cannon barrel touches Ayamani's cheek while gazing close to her face.
Not before this leads to an opportunity for Ayanami to let go of the arm she grabs and uses her sword to slash his face. This caused a huge spark clash, causing him to drop her.
She lands, huffing looking at her foe, only seeing a metal foot come in and kick her in the face. Tumbling around the metal floor of the deck, her body remained slightly motionless before clutching on her jawline. Small drops of blood coming from her mouth.
Oswald steps forward, glaring hard revealing a massive scar on its metal robotic face. Even having its visor cracked, leading him to touch the damage before lowering, "Tch, you've r-r-ruined my face." His voice glitched upon saying 'ruined'.
Then the doors from behind him open as the two drones come out, holding Xavier, each arm as hostage. Due to his bruised appearance, he seems to be in a limping state.
Javelin widened her eyes upon seeing him, "Commander!" She exclaimed, but she got interrupted by a shot from Oswald who was walking at him. Laffey tries to fire but gets shot down, then Nimi.
He steps in front, he grabs Xavier's hair and pulls up. Seeing his face, he is staring at the scarred metal face. "You are the replacement for my greatest opponent. So far... I am disappointed." He remarked.
"..." Xavier remains silent, glaring upon him.
Oswald remains neutral, "So what's your plan?" He mocked him with a questionable tone, "Attempting a last hurrah? You don't think I ain't blinded by tactics!?" He grabbed his throat, choking him, "What kind of fool I am, to not take you so seriously...?" He questioned.
However, a sudden alarm occurs from his system, Oswald quickly checks something... Small life signals are being detected going near the energy containment chamber where Akagi resides... He quickly uses the security cams, then upon the first footage, sees small yellow Manjuus hopping and rushing at the chamber.
Upon realization! He reversed the footage, to see Xavier himself was at the same place where he pondered for a moment. Only to see him drop the Manjuus and non-vocally command them to find the chamber, before he runs off.
The footage is over, he then looks at Xavier, "Hence I bring someone you never expected..." He muttered as the grip made it hard for him to speak.
"...You!" Oswald raged, then lifted him up, letting the drones release the grip. He tosses Xavier at the wall of the vessel, which he groaned and limped upon on the floor. "It's too late! Your plan would still fail. I may have underestimated the first Commander! But this time... I'll take the kill." He quickly turns and aims his cannon and shoots Xavier right at the chest.
The four girls are in shock. They just now witness the sudden swift end of their second Commander... Javelin and Laffey, their expressions shifted, much more, to be noticed by Nimi and Ayanami.
They got up and ran with a sudden boost of adrenaline. Javelin screams in rage and fires her polearm weapon, however Oswald backhand slaps away and kicks Javelin away like a ragdoll. Then Laffey tries to fire with a murderous glare, but it is short-lived. The two drones scuffle with its overwhelming size and toss her near Javelin.
Nimi and Ayanami can only watch as then more drones appear from the deck, emerging as energy before turning into reality.
Oswald watches the four now being swarmed by more drones. He raised his hand to halt one drone, "Deal the pests in the chamber." He commanded, as the drone snarls and turns back and crawls into a door opened to the hallway. It then sniffs out the Manjuus before detecting its scent and scurries there.
Oswald then gets a signal that the weapon is one hundred percent charged, and behind his robotic face, he could smile. Now he proceeds to activate it, as alarm blares. He walks at the side of the deck to see the Azur Lane fighting the Orochi's drone army.
At the battlefield, Wales cuts the drone in half until she hears a hatch open at Orochi, "It's... Happening..." She muttered, everyone else who managed to halt their fights witnessed this...
"You've all fought valiantly, but your efforts are... Futile..." Oswald's voice echoes aloud from the vessel as small hatches open. And multiple drones fly out from it, like a cloud of flies. It then flies around, splitting into two, the ones headed to the harbor, then to them...
The drones flies past the harbor and proceeds to head in a blitzing speed, towards a massive city on the mainland. Turret defenses detected a cloud of drones, firing at the large numbers, before instantly overwhelmed...
Some drones attacked the city, while the others continue to fly other directions detecting more settlements to attack...
At the deck... The sound is now muffled... Xavier's lifeless corpse remains motionless, however underneath his jacket, was the same Wisdom Cube he acquired a while ago...
The faded glowing has brightened... Deep inside... Was something else happening in there...?
Xavier's eyes are filled with life, he looks around. Nothing but a white void...
He tries to recall, only to realize what happened. His eyes widen and sudden gasps occur, before calming down and sulking... He knows what just happened... He'd... Failed...
"Brother?" A familiar voice spoke out, he turns to see her sister Xena, in a navy soldier outfit this time. "You're here..." She murmured with a smile and jokey manner.
"Sister..." He muttered, as his voice sounded weak, which she noticed.
"What's wrong, little bro?" She asked, with worry. Being more serious this time...
"...I'm sorry. I've failed..." He said as the tone gets more vulnerable. "I lost the war..."
The drones from the sky then drop like massive hail... Splashing on the ocean where the Azur Lane continue to fight, more drones from the above transform and begin to swarm them immediately.
Warspite gets stabbed. Kawakaze was being overwhelmed by many drones, as they were ripping her riggings. Then many others are getting attacked by reinforcements...
From Orochi, the large robot seemingly overwhelms the strength of Musashi's riggings and then punches New Jersey aside, as more drones assist it to attack the rest...
"I tried to follow your wish... A path to keep going, but I can't..." Xavier continued, "It's impossible..." He descends at the void floor. "Despite everyone being together..."
"...That's because you 'think' you got 'everyone'." Xena affirmed.
"Huh?" He gazes up at his sister, who is near front of him.
"Being everyone isn't just those who are with you. It's not a physical thing. That's why we call it hope." Xena warmly smiled. "It's not something he grabs onto, it's attainable. And not just everyone with you right now... It's by everyone you remember and those by your sides..." She explains. "So, I will tell you this now, don't give up. I am cheering you on, on the other side, this is just me saying to you right now." She smirked with eyes closed.
"...It's always you being more idealistic than me, is it?" He somberly but a hint of happiness occurs in his voice.
"It's how it is..." Xena replied. "Now don't give up, everyone is counting on you and you won't be alone... Take my hand and get up." She gestured her open hand.
Xavier looks at her hand, he slowly reaches for it, holding it. Then he feels a sudden lift as the void flashes brighter...
Outside, the cube from Xavier's glowed bright white... The singed wound from the chest disappears and heals, he gasps for air. Feeling a surge of energy boosting him up, he gets up... Only for the cube to develop something...
A metallic mechanical armor spawns out, the cube that emits it on his lower pocket, envelope around the waist. It then forms up, transforming the armor all around his body... From reaching his legs and feet, to arms and hands...
Xavier looks in awe, as the helmet forms up and seals, activating a Hud and visor... He looks around himself in a bulky suit of mecha armor.
Speaking of armor... He knows this, from the very blueprints he worked on a long ago... He softly chuckled in glee upon seeing his dream project come true... But right now, he has a certain someone to settle a score...
Word Count - 3488
Yep, remember the April Fool's of Commander getting a mech suit? Well, he's getting it in this story!
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The Arc 1 Finale is coming soon, stay tune for that.