Rivalry Between Z! (Azur Lane fanfiction)

Prologue 1

Operation Wikinger,
22 February 1940,
North Sea.

1st Destroyer Flotilla of the Kriegsmarine composed of 6 destroyers is,
Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt (flotilla leader),
Z4 Ricard Beitzen,
Z13 Erich Koellner,
Z6 Theodor Riedel,
Z3 Max Schultz and
Z1 Leberecht Maass.

They were on a sortie to attack British fishing trawlers at the Dogger Bank but at 7:43 p.m., they saw hostile aircraft and opened fire. Unknown to them, those aircraft are friendly bombers who also didn't know their presence. Because the destroyers opened fire, the bombers retaliated by dropping 4 bombs. The first two and fourth bombs miss but the third bomb hit Z1 Leberecht Maass amidships, between the bridge and the first funnel making her lose speed and veer to starboard while sending "Habe Treffer. Brauche Hilfe" ("Have been hit. Need assistance.").

As the others were trying to help with Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt was only 500 meters ready with towing equipment, the bombers turn back for a second run, and two out of four bombs hit Z1 Leberecht Maass making a big fireball rise around the stern tunnel before breaking into two pieces.

Meanwhile, on the ship.

Some sailors manage to exit the sinking ship while others lose their lives. While exacuating, one of them asks,

"Hey! Where's our shipgirl, Z1?"

"I don't know! The last time I saw her in the engine room!"

"What is she doing there?!"

"Helping our comrades"

"Shouldn't she help herself escape?!"

"She gave the order to help ourselves first!"

"Damnit! Are we going to leave her behind?!"

"She would not accept our help!"

"Why?!"

"Saving our own lives is a mandatory order for her! She doesn't want to see anyone turning back!"

"What happened if we turn back?"

"You will be shot. By herself"

The sailor's talk was interrupted for a moment as they dive into the cool sea and swam toward friendly boats. Once they were saved, they continue

"Are you serious my friend?!"

"Yes! I am! If not, I am still helping others save their lives!"

"Did she really shoot who disobey her order?"

"With my own eye, she shot two of our comrades for disobeying orders"

"I hope she manages to save her own life as well"

Meanwhile, in the sinking ship.

"Hello! Anybody there?!"

"Help! Please! Help me!"

Hearing that, the figure immediately runs toward the sound source and finds one of the sailors trap between some debris.

"Are you okay?!"

"Please, help me out, Ms. Z1!"

Using her strength as a shipgirl, she quickly removes the debris and tries to pull the sailor out but suddenly,

BOOM!!!

An explosion acquires making Z1 fly back a few meters. When she gets up, she immediately rushes towards the sailor but only finds him dead because of the explosion.

"DAMNIT!"

She hit the floor of her sinking ship before shouting,

"WHY?! WHY MUST SUCH A THING HAPPEN?!"