Azur Lane: Story of the Blind Battleship

Chapter 1: The Old World

"Sometimes, for a new beginning to happen, you must destroy the old system first..."


War never changes, a saying as old as time. If only such a saying was true. War always changes, its motives might not, but the means of warfare always change. And here we are, ships of war built to fight other nations, being tested against the next change in warfare.

 

At a random island in the Pacific:

???: I must say, I am disappointed in this world. In its people to have resulted to such a weapon of mass destruction.

???1: Don't be like that, if we had done a land invasion, over a million on both sides would be dead, and we'd hav...

???: Do not preach to me an irrelevant truth, how many do you think will end up dying in the future to your weapon. To your new way of warfare, to your annihilation of people and cities. Even now, things are heating up with the Russians, even after we saved their asses time and time again.

???1: Are you angry about them, for their actions?

???: No, I am angry at you, I am angry at the naval command, I am angry at everything this world has. I was built for war, but in the end, I see that war is pointless. I served for 30 years in your navy, under command of many different officers, and in the end, I along with other ships are being sent to test your weapon. Can you not tell how really fucking angry I am, commander?

???1: I see, well. There's nothing I can do at this point, if I could do something I would. But the navy just doesn't want to maintain old style battleships anymore. I am sorry. You can talk to the other ships if you want, maybe they might cheer you up?

???: You really think a bunch of ships also assigned to this doomful operation will be able to cheer me up. All that'd accomplish would be making things more depressing than it already is. But I will accept. I need to warn the others, for the most that'll accomplish.

???1: Warn the others, how?

???: Telling them to not look at the explosion of course.

As the old battleship says that, he vanishes away from the commander. Who was quiet in his thoughts. He then boards the PT boat as the final ships are being moved into a circular pattern.

??? Appears on the deck of a battleship, though not one from his side. As he makes his approach, he is quickly halted by someone pointing a gunto at him.

Nagato: Have you come to brag more about your victory over my country?

???: No, I've come to talk. Surely, you know what's about to happen.

Nagato: Your navy is gonna test fire weapons on me and Eugen I'd imagine.

???: You're half right. The other half? All these ships you see around you are gonna be tested on as well

Nagato is a bit shocked at this

Nagato: You're telling me that your navy is gonna scuttle your ships as well, you're a battleship, you should have more respect than that!!

???: I know who I am, I know. But orders are orders, as much as I want to burn them. Sigh, I have come over here to issue warnings to the ships. Close your eyes, don't look at the explosion for at least 10 seconds when it first goes off.

Nagato: Why? You think it'll blind me? (sarcastically)

???: Oh it will. The brightness it produces will burn out your retinas if you stare at it initially. So, I have come to warn you for that. And well, do you have any other requests?

Nagato: Requests?

???: Yes, requests as our final moments are upon us. I have made similar promises with the other ships I have warned. Usually small promises, to protect something they cherish, or to make sure they're remembered. Do you have any such requests?

Nagato ponders on this before looking down at her gunto

Nagato: Fine, as per honor and traditions, I surrender my blade to you. I want you to promise me you'll protect it and honor it with your life, do not let the blood of the innocent stain it.

??? Is silent for a few minutes, then moves forward, as Nagato kneels and presents her weapon, the unknown battleship grabs it and attaches the sheath to his belt

???: It's a promise then. I will hold on to this, though, if we see each other again, I'm gonna give it back to you. Remember, don't look at the explosion. It'll blind you.

Nagato: What about you, will you turn away from it?

???: No

Nagato: WHAT? You said it would blind you if you look at it, and even then, you'd still look at it?

???: Nagato, I have seen the beauty there is to see in this world but have also seen its terrors and the way it destroys any who opposes it. I have no wish to continue seeing a world such as this

Nagato appears unnerved by the battleship's words, but nods and accepts his conviction

???: See you again sometime, lil' Gato

Nagato: THAT'S NOT MY NAME!!

??? Appears on another ship, this time a heavy cruiser from the other side of the world

Prinz Eugen: I saw you on Nagato's ship, have you come to gloat to me too?

???: No, just here to warn and accept any last requests.

Prinz Eugen: Last requests? You gonna shoot me with your guns?

???: Hahaha, no. You and I will be going through the same thing, testing a weapon. All the ships you see will also be undergoing such a test.

Prinz Eugen: Ah, I see. So what did you want to warn me about?

???: When they use this weapon, don't look at it. The light it produces can very well blind you.

Prinz Eugen: Hmmm, I thank you for your warning then. Now as for my final request... ~~~

???: Sigh, you certainly do love teasing me, don't you, it's funny, I'm gonna end up blinded by your beauty at this point~~~

With that comment, Eugen blushes a very wild shade of red

Prinz Eugen: T-t-t-that was uncalled for. You certainly can quip back real quick, huh

???: Comes with the territory, now, as for your request?

Prinz Eugen: I.... I don't want to be left alone. I don't want to be left alone, please, don't leave me alone. I'll follow you anywhere, just, don't leave me.

??? Stares blankly for a few seconds before accepting what he heard.


???: I have my own wishes how I will be, but I will try my best to accept your promise. Though, I will not be with you when the end arrives. I can leave you something behind so you aren't alone in our final moments.

Prinz Eugen: That's sweet, how about a ring?~~~

???: *sighs* Fine

??? Summons a piece of armor plating from his ship, which he quickly shaped into a metallic looking ring.

???: Here you go, just remember that a part of me is with you when you wear this ring, so you will never truly be alone.

Eugen starts blushing widely before being interrupted by an alarm ringing across the ocean


P/A: All personnel, it is now 1 minute to zero time. Put on googles or turn away. Do not remove googles or face burst until 10 seconds after first light!

???: Hmmm, time for me to go. Listen to what that person said, do not look at the explosion.

??? Vanishes as Prinz Eugen continues blushing, ??? Appears on the deck of his battleship, which had already been anchored in place 250 yards away from the zero ground.

???: Well, guess it is time

P/A: Minus 15 seconds

P/A: Minus 10 seconds; 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0