Just a Memory (Azur Lane x OC)

Chapter 5

(A/N: Heyo, these next chapters will focus more on Illinois than the actual show itself. With that said, enjoy! :D )

Azur Lane Base

No one's POV

It was a beautiful morning, sun is cresting over the horizon and the waves crashing against the shore. In one room we see Enterprise waking up and getting ready for the day, with the help of Belfast of course. As they make their way towards the cafeteria, we switch to another part of the base, a single dorm that looks over the harbor. Inside, is a sleeping Illinois, but he doesn't appear to be having the best dream...

Illinois: Agh...Mfmm...Nnngh!

Illinois' dreamscape

Carnage.. carnage was everywhere. Debris was in the air along with smoke. Oil filled the little bay as more ships fire inland. Korean 155mm guns fire towards the ships from the hills they reside in. As the gunfire continues, USS Illinois was at the center of it all. Shells bouncing off the ship's armor, taking paint with it. Illinois' main battery guns firing every 20 seconds, and 5 inch guns firing every second they can. As more shells fly past the ship, some go right through the superstructure, over-penetrating and crashing into the sea below. The ships 40mm guns going off every single second to shoot down planes making bomb and torpedo drops, with the 50 caliber guns shooting inland, hoping to hit anything they could.

Illinois: I'm being hit everywhere guys! They're targeting me! I need a smoke set NOW!

Laffey(DD-724)+Kidd: On it sir!

As the 2 destroyers set a smoke screen in-front of the whole force, more shells fly through, hitting a 5 inch mount on Illinois.

Illinois: AGH! I got one 5 inch mount down! Everyone stop firing your guns unless you have 5 inch guns! Anything higher CEASE FIRE!

All: YES SIR!

As most ships stopped firing, except Illinois' 5 inch mounts, and other guns, AND the 3 fletchers, the Korean's took this opportunity to fire even more rounds at the task force, ultimately firing blindly... and even though the smoke threw off their aim, one shell was bound to hit...

Helena(CA-75): AHHH!

Yep, Helena gets hit with not 1, but 2 155mm shells, one hitting an 8 inch mount, and the other unfortunately hits her fire control. 

Illinois: HELENA! Are you okay?!

Helena: I'm fine ill', but I'm out of combat as a shell hit my fire control.

Illinois: Alright, ight guys load HE shells and prepare to fire at these coordinates *sends out the coordinates* And on my signal, fire, understood?

All: Yes sir! *prepares to fire*

Illinois: Good, Essex, prepare planes to drop bombs on those coordinates, and clear the skies of planes.

Essex: Yes sir!

Illinois: Alright, all ships.. FIRE!

As everyone fires, the Korean's were overwhelmed, with many shells hitting shore batteries and bunkers. Essex's planes then drop bombs on remaining shore guns, and shoot down any planes. All was going well... until one mistake.

Illinois: FIRING! 

After firing his guns however, Illinois' turret 3 shuts down completely, with the guns falling from their set elevation and the turret's mechanisms shutting down. You see, after his turret was fixed with Kentucky's number 2 turret, most of the wiring hasn't been tested out yet and is bound to fail.

Illinois: Shit, Guys, my turret 3 is down, I repeat I'm down a turret.

You see, Illinois and his sisters are the biggest guns in service to be deployed out to sea and bombard beaches. With one turret down, they just lost 1/3 of their firepower.

Klondike: On my way sir!

However, a lone Korea pilot sees his chance as most of the task force is focused on Illinois, and dives down with one 500 pound bomb and two 1,000 pound bombs, heading straight for its target, USS Helena. As the plane closes in, Illinois spots it and tries to shoot it down. While a few rounds hit, most are harmless. As the bombs are dropped, time slowed down for Illinois, as he witnesses another friends death.

Illinois: HELENA NOOOO!!!!

Dream Ends

Illinois: NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

As he looks around the room, all he sees is the walls and a window, overlooking the harbor. He then sighs, and gets up, preparing for whatever today brings.

Illinois: What the... How did I get in my dorm... Last I remember was passing out on the water- oh. Well, hope they didn't see too much... or heard anything.. 

As he walks out of his dorm room, he says-

Illinois: *whispers* Won't lose anyone else again.. *puts cap on*

(Timeskip) 

As everyone was at the baths relaxing, we see Illinois sitting underneath a cherry blossom tree over-looking the harbor. As Illinois is a male, he wasn't allowed in the baths. Of course, he respected that decision and sat outside to enjoy the peace and quiet. As the sun sets and the moon comes out, Illinois is still seen sitting there, with a bottle of whiskey next to him. As he took another sip, he hears footsteps behind him, then a voice.

Enterprise: Illinois? What are you doing here?

Illinois: *looks at her, then the sky* Just enjoying the view. How 'bout yourself?

Enterprise: Came out to do my last round of patrols before bed. 

Illinois: Hmm. *takes another sip* Well, I gotta go to bed as it is pretty late. *gets up to leave*

Enterprise: Illinois? *he looks over* This has been bugging me ever since... well ever since last night... *he cocks an eyebrow at her* What really happened in Korea?

Illinois: *sigh* Really? This question again? Might as well play it off... like always.

Illinois: Let's just say, two sides didn't get along and a third party decided to help out.

Enterprise: No, not about the war. What happened to you?

Illinois: *shadows cover his face* Listen Enterprise, it's getting late. You should head back in.

Enterprise: But I want to know. What happened-

Illinois: *looks straight into her eyes* Enterprise. I suggest you close your mouth. You're stepping into dangerous territory. *eyes turn a slight orange*

Enterprise: *nods with a scared look*

Illinois: *sigh* Listen, let's just talk about it another day. *begins to walk away* But remember Enterprise... *eyes slightly glow orange again* War is just about surviving, there is no winner. *walks away*

Enterprise: ... *sighs and leaves*

However, unknown to both of them, someone was watching... 

???: *sigh* You're still a mystery, Illinois. *walks into the darkness*