Never Alone (Bismarck, Azur Lane)

A New Life...

Author's note: The artwork used in the cover and top images of this story belong to 'Chun-ge' on Danbooru. FYI, the name 'commander' is just a name to represent you, the reader.

After being defeated by ships of the Royal Navy, Bismarck was transferred to a new sector under a new commander. Because of her defeat, Bismarck was completely unsure of her abilities and was a shadow of her old, confident yet brash self.

"We have arrived~" A voice announced over the loud speaker as Bismarck disembarked the transport train and headed into the port which was to be her new home.

Her first, if only objective, was to find her new Commander and report herself for duty. Although, truth be told, she planned on requesting transfer from the front line units to a support role in port, away from the fighting.

Her defeat had changed her thoroughly, feeling that if she served with other ships in any battle she would only let then down and put them at risk.

---Timeskip---

After a long time walking around aimlessly, Bismarck finally admitted to herself that she was lost, "I give up... I can't do anything right anymore can I..."

"I'm sure you're not that bad~" A cheery voice chirped to Bismarck, causing her to gasp and raise her head to see a fellow ship, wearing Iron Blood clothing.

"D-Do I know you?" Bismarck asked shakily.

"No, but I know who you are"

"Do you now?"

"Of course, you're the new transfer to our unit~"

"Y-Yes that's right, I-I'm Bismarck"

"It's a pleasure to meet you Bismarck, I'm Z23"

"I-It's nice to m-meet you too" Bismarck said with a small smile as she shook Z23's hand.

"So were you looking for the Commander?"

"Y-Yes I... I am"

"I'll take you to him then~"

"T-Thank you" Bismarck said happily as Z23 led her to the Commander's office...

---Timeskip---

As Bismarck and Z23 entered the Commander's office, Bismarck was amazed by the various items that decorated the old room. Framed maps and battle documents, a pair of crossed naval swords above the desk and a case of medals on the left wall.

"T-There's so many!" Bismarck muttered as she examined the medal case.

"Yeah, the Commander takes his job very seriously, and he always makes sure we come home safe~"

"That's... a change..." Bismarck muttered under her breathe as the pair heard a door swing open and the Commander entered the room.

Bismarck noticed the white colour of his uniform and insignia, immediately standing at attention with her hand raised into a salute.

"At ease" the Commander said softly as he walked past Bismarck and took a seat at his desk.

"This is the new transfer Commander~"

"Bismarck reporting for duty sir!"

"Very good Zed, you may have the rest of the day off, dismissed"

"Thanks Commander~"

Bismarck then watched in shock as Z23 strolled out of the commanders office, not once giving him a salute...

"Please" the Commander then spoke as he gestured for Bismarck to take a seat across from him.

"Thank you sir"

"Firstly I would like to formerly welcome you to this unit" The Commander added as he outstretched his hand across his desk, which was taken by Bismarck.

"It's my pleasure sir"

"I've read over your file. Very impressive Bismarck"

Bismarck gasped at his words and stuttered out, "B-But sir I... I was d-defeated in my last b-battle"

The Commander let out a sigh upon seeing her distressed expression and rose from his seat.

"Lets take a walk" he said with a smile as he and Bismarck left his office for the docks...

---Timeskip---

"I know all about your last battle Bismarck..."

"Y-You do?!"

"Of course, every officer in the Iron Blood does"

Bismarck let out a sigh to herself "I'm sure they do..."

"But it wasn't your fault" The Commander said to her with a smile, causing her to blush slightly.

"O-Of c-course it was! W-Who else's fault c-could it be?!"

"Well you were out-numbered and out-gunned, your commander should not have ordered you into the attack at all..."

"I was still defeated..."

"But you never gave up, you fought proudly under the standard of the Iron Blood even when the odds were against you. You deserve recognition for what you did"

"I... uh... I..." Bismarck didn't know what to say, she was so used to everyone calling her a failure.

No one had spoken to her about the battle the way her new Commander had, especially not her former commander...

---Flashback---

"How could you do this?!"

"Sir I-"

"Enough! I ordered you to fight to the last shell, but instead you retreated from battle just to save your own life!"

Bismarck began to quiver with fear in response to her commander's words, tears forming in her eyes "Sir I... I'm so sorry!"

"I don't care that you're sorry, I only care that you failed! You are to be transferred out of this unit effective immediately! If I have my way, you'll never see combat again, you're nothing but a useless excuse for a battleship!"

---Flashback End---

Upon remembering her old commander's words just before her transfer, a tear ran down Bismarck's face.

"Bismarck..." The Commander said softly as he stopped in his tracks upon noticing that Bismarck was crying.

"It's not your fault~" he added as he placed a hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes.

"Uh... T-Thank y-you" Bismarck responded as a light blush formed on her face.

The Commander then said with a wide smile, "Come on, let's go get you ready for your first patrol"