Azur Heroes
Chapter 13
This will have more to do with debriefing Izuku and some of the others in Japan. After all, Red Axis only showed up in the last month in that world. And some of the first attacks were against the US. And Kotov and his crew are looking to help the Japanese fleets. But not before meeting a few others from Japan. So on with the show.
(No POV)
Izuku was groaning in the a bed in the medical wing of Moncal base. His mother had been told of what happened, but she couldn't see him yet. Mostly because they were still transferring blood to the boy. Given how much he lost in the last fight.
He wasn't the only one injured though. Most of the shipgirls were injured in one way or another. Laffey was mostly strained from her mad sprint to get to shore. Most of Izuku's girls had endured blasts, burns, and cuts from both Siren and rogue shipgirls. And while most of Kotov's fleet was fine, they had taken some hits as well.
"Man. Didn't expect that old girl to pack as much of a punch as she did. Oh no offense Mikasa." New Jersey said while getting her head patched up. Including her once missing right eye. Luckily, Akashi had made enough breakthroughs with coordination from Vestal to replace the organ.
Kotov sighed and scratched his head before addressing everyone gathered. "This is one big mess. Not to mention…" A new voice spoke and said, "this attack was a message. Correct commander?" Standing in the doorway, and with more gray hair compared to when he first met Izuku, was Admiral Sugita.
The American commander agreed and asked Mikasa to step up. When she addressed the admiral, the man himself saluted the historic ship. "Thank you for bringing her here. Though I have to ask how she ended up with you."
"That is a bit of a story sir. One that should probably be told to the other admirals and the other shipgirl commander. If she's still alive." Kotov says with a complicated look on his face. The man agrees and sets up the meeting.
Once there, Mikasa and Kotov explain some of the details of what had come to pass in the three years since the war began. "So the Sirens can call upon even our own ships!? From what it sounds like, it's more akin to those who couldn't be called in the first place. I think you're all missing a different factor in that they have cloned some of the ships to have a massive armada!"
While the admirals bickered a bit, Mikasa seemed uneasy about the whole matter. Let alone how distracted the military leaders of her nation now were not coming up with some sort of plan. Even for just a defensive strategy.
"I know times have changed, but did they really leave it all to that boy?" Mikasa questioned with a look to Kotov and Sugita. The latter bows his head a bit while admitting that may have grown complacent. "Attacks had been no where near this level. So, much like with trusting All Might to protect everyone, we believe we could trust in Izuku and Himori alone."
The old battleship's face couldn't get any flatter as she looked at the admiral. Kotov meanwhile just shrugged and said, "I'm not really the best one to ask or anything. A third of the time I just get dragged into things or have to leave it in the hands of my girls."
Mikasa frowns before taking out her sword and slamming the scabbard down on the operations table. This startles all of the men gathered and they take notice of the woman once more. And how angry she is.
"Is this how you lead your men!? Is this what has become of this nation and its soldiers in the advent of these quirk things?! You are supposed to be leading your men and guiding those to protect all. If you cannot do that, then perhaps I would be better serving under Kotov-dono! He cared enough to rush in to help an injured boy you put everything on and are blaming! If you do not take your positions and duty more seriously, then the Sirens will overrun this country!"
Mikasa's declaration makes all of the commanding officers of Japan nervous, and some feel stabs of guilt. Especially the pointing out that an American commander could help their beleaguered base better than they did. Sugita steps up and thanks Mikasa for speech.
"She's right. We are supposed to be the leaders of our nation's naval force. But just because only Izuku and Himori could summon shipgirls, we just left them to it while we tried to keep our positions safe. I worked with the boy on strategy and planning, but I couldn't get him support from the army to reinforce the base. Or rather I didn't want to bow to them."
The man then notes that this threat is going to be far greater than they realize. "If the Sirens are making moves now, then it is only a matter of time before they come for our nation and all others. So we need every ounce of support and help we can get." Kotov steps up and states that the USA will help as much as possible.
"For now, I think this Izuku kid could use some help. Not just with adjusting to his new situation. But also, in trying to call more allies. Or reinforcing the current ones." After a bit more debating, the meeting ends. For the time being, John Kotov was asked to command the forces until Izuku woke up and was at least capable of leading once more.
Sugita apologized and agreed to help with the paperwork side and getting some support from the Air Force and Army to help protect the base. "Sirs! Sirs! Izuku's woken up!" Sendai says while running up to the men.
She had an arm in a sling after facing off with an enemy she didn't expect. Her sister Jinstuu attacked her while maneuvering various ships to throw the blonde cruiser off. And she would sneak in with her fan to cut Sendai. And then blast her with some of the tools the Sirens had enhanced.
John nodded and asked her to lead on. Most of the hospital staff were helping others, but the main doctor and nurses were just leaving Izuku's room. "How bad is it?" John asked with a look to the medical professional. Who didn't understand his English, so Sugita asked instead.
"He'll live, but he's pretty beat up. We had considered asking that little girl that Yuudachi brought to heal him. But it's too risky. She's already in a panicked state apparently and it's taking everything Yuudachi and Midoriya-san have to keep her somewhat calm."
"Not so sure she could replace that lost limb. Maybe, but who can say." John says with a frown. This time Sendai translates and then asks if they could come in. The doctor gestures to the door and the trio head in.
Sitting next to him was Kawakaze. She had a variety of bandages adorning her body as well, but she wouldn't stop her vigil over her commander. Though she seemed a bit dead inside. "And here I thought you didn't like him." Sugita said with a look towards the destroyer.
She barely acknowledged him before turning back to Izuku. Who looked to the admiral and tried to salute. Only to remember that he didn't have his right arm anymore. "Damn. They got me good," he muttered out while laying back in his bed.
Before either older man could say anything Izuku started muttering to himself. Starting a spiral of questioning what he could have done different, what ways he could have planned around the attack, and finishing by wishing he had a quirk of some kind to let him keep up with the shipgirls and sirens.
"It's not an absolute kid. After all, I have a quirk and they took a lot from me too." John says. Izuku recognizes the man and glares at him. First assuming that he was there to replace him or that he was brought in because he was a ranked hero and could fight with the shipgirls. With Kawakaze glaring toward the two men at that.
John sighs before saying, "kid that's not why I'm here. Hell I wasn't even planning to stick around! I was just bringing a few… who escaped from the Sirens here." He goes over a bit of who it was that attacked Izuku as well as the current state of affairs.
It doesn't sate Izuku's frustration at the situation, but he's less angry at Kotov for the time being. "Look for now, we need to get you fixed up. And I'll help with some of that. I know what it's like to lose a limb after all." John says before pulling up his pant leg and showing the prosthetic.
Sugita speaks up next and tells Izuku that he'll try to get some other support for the base given the situation. "I'm sorry I left this all to you alone. It takes more than one person to lead an army or navy. Get some rest. You'll have some recovery to worry about later."
Izuku just nods before laying back in his bed. Once they left, he finally addressed Kawakaze. "How long have you been here?" Kawakaze looks down before saying, "just after they finished patching me up."
"Any reason why or what?" Izuku says slightly disgruntled. Kawakaze tightens her fists before saying, "if it wasn't for me….. you wouldn't have lost your arm. If I just could have handled Sakawa. Instead… you saved me and almost got yourself killed."
Tears started to build in her eyes while she was saying this. But she wasn't the only one crying. As he started to hear her cries, his own tears built up. But not just from failing to anticipate the enemy or losing to the enemy. From making his shipgirls feel like this because of his own recklessness.
He reaches out with his remaining hand and pats Kawakaze's head. "I guess we've both got more to grow toward. Though you'll be doing it more than I will. If only I was stronger." Izuku said with tears streaming. Kawakaze took his hand and held it to her face while crying as well.
The two older men hadn't gone very far. Kotov sighed while listening to the ship and commander venting about what they'd lost or failed to do. "I know that feeling better than the kid may think. Let's see if I can help him through this or if I'll just make it worse." John says with a sigh.
"I'll do what I can and get him the best prosthetic possible. Maybe Akashi can improve it." Sugita says with his eyes shadowed. He excused himself before talking to Inko and some of the other shipgirls. With Inko bursting in and clutching her son as close as possible to herself, upon seeing his injury.
And while Yuudachi is tempted to ask Eri to use her quirk to give Izuku back his arm, she also knows that Eri could just as easily erase him. Kii meanwhile takes over for Kawakaze at times for watching over Izuku. Mostly when she passes out from not sleeping or eating for a couple of days.
"Beating themselves up won't change what happened." Kii says while taking the girl to her bunk. Kotov agreed but knew she wouldn't be in the best state for a while. "And I'm talking from experience. I went through similar after Yorktown was hurt."
The battleship nodded and wondered what would happen next. Some things that did happen were the media swarming the base and heroes coming in to try and help where they could. Some civilians had gotten video of the attack that happened and leaked it, so the national news was looking for information and details on what happened. Or they were looking for ways to boost their career or get their organization back up (Curious).
The heroes though were helping with clean up and some recovery. Namely Recovery Girl herself who patched up the soldiers and sailors with her quirk. One major piece though, was the arrival of the top 6 heroes of Japan to the base to meet the number two from America.
"It is good to see that America still has a good spirit and powerful help when needed! I can't thank you enough young man!" All Might proclaimed while patting Kotov on the shoulder. He groaned a bit because now he was sure he had to get an autograph for Kate. "She'd string me up if I didn't," he said with a piece of paper held out.
While All Might was taking care of that, Endeavor spoke up next and asked about more of the situation. "Is there more you can tell us?" he queried while his flames were roiling. John just shrugged and said it was classified. And while the man wanted to know more, Best Jeanist and Haws asked him to leave it at that.
"They understand how this all weaves together my friend. Better to leave it to them while we keep the civilians safe on shore." Jeanist says with a shrug. Hawks then notes that he'd gotten a few details from the HPSC. "But they don't know much more than we do, and I think that's probably for the best."
One member though was extra annoying. Mirko was tapping her foot while the others were discussing matters. Until her impatience got the better of her and she pulled John aside to fight him. But the man refused.
"Why not!?" Mirko asked with a frustrated look while Edgeshot pulled her back. John just rolls his eyes and says he has more important things to deal with. "For one. I gotta help the commander of this base." John says before heading to the hospital.
A few of the members were curious and follow along with the man. Except for All Might, Edgeshot, and Hawks. They chose to address the media and keep some attention away from the soldiers and sailors.
Kotov gave an annoyed glare back to his shadows and told them to wait outside. He let himself into the room where Izuku was staying to try and talk the teen into learning how to use a prosthetic Sugita had ordered him. But Izuku was not very receptive.
"What happened to that kid?" Mirko asked with a tilt of her head. Endeavor though recognized the boy as the one who helped them all when the Siren War began. "I knew about him helping Midnight and that he was commanding this base. But I didn't think the buildings looked damaged enough to have crushed his arm."
"That wasn't how Izuku lost that arm. He lost it in a fight with the enemy." Kii says with a look towards the heroes. Jeanist and Endeavor look at the woman with some incredulity and ask if she was serious. "Very. One of our own was backed into a corner and he stepped up to try and save her. No powers, just a sword, a gun, and his own guts and intuition. But it wasn't enough this time."
Mirko scoffed and said that he should have stayed out of the way and let a real hero do the job of fighting the monsters. Which just angered Kii and grabbed the woman by the throat and looked ready to strangle the life out of her.
Jeanist then stepped in and said, "Kii-san! Look I don't disagree that she was tactless in her words, but she isn't the one to take your anger out on. Yes?!" The fox-like battleship slightly glared at the man before unceremoniously dropping Mirko like trash. In fact, she dropped her right in a waste basket where her hips were stuck.
Kotov then stepped out and saw the motely assembly and questioned what happened. "Nothing of import sir. How's Izuku?" Kii said. "Still being stubborn or just depressed. I guess this was a bigger loss than he was expecting. And I don't just mean losing his arm."
Kii nods and goes in to talk with her commander. Over the next couple of days, Kii and John try to convince Izuku to try and learn how to use his new arm and get back out in the world. But to no success. Even Inko could barely get a response from her son.
After a week had passed, Kii had taken some command and was sending out fleets to patrol and attack any stray Sirens. With Kotov doing much the same with his ships. But still no luck in getting Izuku to try and get Izuku to stand again.
"I'm not sure if I can say much to him on the matter either." Sugita says with a sigh. He was discussing matters while walking around the base. Including checking in on Akashi and someone she was working with.
Kotov's self-proclaimed sidekick, USS Reno. "So with this, that arm should be even better than before and just what your commander needs!" Reno announced from the computer next to Akashi. The minty cat was quite excited and happily finished some of the improvements the US ship had suggested.
"It doesn't do us much good when he won't even put the damn thing on." Kotov said with a grumble. That is when a new voice speaks out. "Perhaps he needs someone else to speak up and try to help him!" All Might announces from the entrance to the lab. With Mirko next to him and asking Kotov for a fight again.
He denies and asks if the number one of Japan really thought he could get through to the kid. "I'm willing to try. He helped me and saved many lives the day this war began. I owe him more than I want to admit."
John groans a bit before saying he could try. "Good luck though. He barely been responding and it's just been getting worse." All Might nodded and made his way over to the hospital. When he made it to Izuku's room, he saw the boy's mother talking with him and trying to get the boy to do more than just eat and move around his room.
He knocked before asking to come inside. "Its good to see you again young man. You've done quite well for yourself." All Might starts with his trademark smile. A few weeks ago, Izuku might have been freaking out or extra excited to see his hero. But now he felt the man was more of an unattainable sight for someone like himself.
He bluntly asks, "what do you want? To try and convince me to command the shipgirls again? To fight once more? Maybe I'll lose another limb. Or worse." Inko scolds her son for his tone, but All Might takes no offense. "I know what it's like to be where he's at."
"How could you know?!" Izuku roars at All Might. He then vents about what he'd been feeling ever since he was diagnosed quirkless and the Hell that brought about because he always wanted to be a hero just like All Might.
And then he had to become the commander of a group of warriors who could fight against monsters beyond what most could handle. "Just when I think I can handle all of this and I can truly be a hero, we get attacked by renegade shipgirls, who do even more damage than the Sirens had, and cut off my arm!"
All Might was wide eyed at hearing this and sighed before closing the curtains of the room. He then ease up his state and showed his true form to the boy. And while he and Inko were shocked, All Might explained some of what happened to him.
From his injury to the dwindling of the length of time he could be active as a hero. "I know quite a few in the government know about it, as do some in the military. But they've been keeping it a secret with me. After all, I'm the symbol of peace. I can't be shown as weak or infallible."
The hero sighs before saying that he did know how it felt to be stuck with few options and having to maintain an appearance. "And then you get stuck with an injury that is insanely hard to come back from. So I know how you feel more than you know son." All Might says with a sad look in his slightly hollow eyes.
Izuku was shocked to see his hero in the state he was currently in. And as the man talked, he remembered a bit of how it felt to be a hero and then having the scrutiny of the other admirals watching him. All while doing his best to direct and plan with the girls who put their trust in him.
"Is it really that easy? To just stand after something like that even when you don't want to?" Izuku questioned while looking down at his remaining hand. All Might walks over and puts a hand on Izuku's shoulder before saying, "no. You have to really want it. Not just for yourself or others. But for all of those who put their trust in you."
Inko holds her son's hand and tells him that so many wanted to see him and needed him. Herself included. "I'm always going to be afraid of losing you. But. Kii, Yuudachi, Eri, all of the girls. They need you. Now more than ever. I know I've been saying this for a while. But I hope you are actually hearing me now."
"I am mom. And I'm sorry I wasn't before." Izuku says before hugging his mother. All Might smiles and tells the young man he'd be willing to help as well. "I could write you up a good workout plan to really boost your strength!" All Might says while buffing himself up again.
Izuku nods and thanks the hero. He then asks All Might if he could call in Kotov so he could start talking about training with his prosthetic. The hero agrees and salutes the young commander before taking his leave. 'Perhaps young Midoriya is the kind of hero I've been searching for.' All Might thinks as he leaves the hospital.
In the lab though, Akashi was putting some final touches on the newly modified prosthetic arm. With Reno running diagnostics on the systems. Using something they probably shouldn't be. "You sure about this Reno-san?" she asked while bringing out a few Wisdom Cubes and some repossessed Siren hardware.
"Sure I'm sure! Okay no, I'm just guessing and trying to help where I can. But it could be just what you need to really help your commander close any physical gap. We just need to properly integrate all of the pieces and make sure they won't take him over!"
Her chipper tone doesn't alleviate Akashi's worries. But she'd been hearing about Izuku being barely responsive after losing his arm. So, she thought this was one of the only ways she could really help her commander. "Luckily, we removed most of the Siren control and power aspects. So, it should just be powered by the Wisdom Cubes."
Akashi then pulled out a few more of her tools and continued to adjust and improve the arm until it was time for Izuku to start practicing with the device. Which happened the next day. Izuku arrived to meet the shipgirl, who promptly glomped him in happiness. She hadn't changed most of the exterior of the arm, and it was still gunmetal gray.
But that suited Izuku just fine. The doctor and Akashi then worked to fit Izuku with a socket, suspension, and control set up to attach his new limb. Once locked in place, Izuku winces a bit before twisting and adapting to it initially. He then stepped out of the lab and shielded his eyes with his new arm.
His girls cheered and hurried over to hug him and other expressions of happiness that their commander was back. Eri and Inko also hugged Izuku and were glad he was ready to get better and stronger. Kotov was the last one to address the boy. And all he said was, "alright. Let's get started."
I know some may not be big on Kotov, but I wanted to incorporate more unusual ideas and people into this story. And a custom commander who would be like a parallel felt right in a way. Now though, Izuku has to get used to his new limb and some other factors that will come into play down the line. Please review!