The Crimson Commander

Chapter 12 - A Hasty Ceremony

The Commander got out of the water and then turned around to see.. war.  War started this close to home??  They demanded, "What's the situation?"

Nagato moved to walk alongside the Commander once they had gotten to shore, Atago running towards the two of them from her vantage point.  Nagato explained, "When you were halfway back Azur Lane forces started to launch an assault.  Reports say that Belfast is among them.."

The Commander asked, "Where's the ring?"

Nagato reached into her uniform and pulled out the Promise Ring.  She placed it directly into the palm of the Commander as she said, "You know what you have to do, marry that girl.  Once you place it on the altar after the vows you'll know when it's ready."

The Commander nodded to the loli, turning away from the leader only to be squeezed by Atago.  Atago said, "I-I was worried about what would happen to you.  I could see the enemy ships on the horizon, and I tried to.."

The Commander responded, "I-I'm okay, thanks to you..!"

Atago scooped the Commander into their arms, as if they were the bride, while she moved quicker then they could have on his own.  The Commander asked, "H-How did.."

Atago said with some reassurance, "Don't ask questions now, Commander.  We can fool around later.~"

The sun was setting in the horizon as the couple reached the top of the steps that led to the sacred marriage ground.

The two of them reached the walkway where the Commander once questioned themselves, with Atago quickly putting them down.  The Commander grabbed Atago's hand as he started to tug her down the walkway, a blush forming on her cheeks.  Atago pouted, "If only we weren't alone.."

Prinz called out, "I'm here.. it took you guys forever."

Atago's and the Commander's faces both reddened with their blushes once their eyes connected with Prinz Eugen, who had purposefully been hiding behind one of the red pillars that they passed by.  Atago asked, "Prinz??  You're alright??"

Prinz rolled her eyes as she said, "Of course I'm alright.  The Sakura Empire ships insisted that they would handle any enemy threats while I was a guest.  And here I was thinking that I would have some fun picking off some pesky maids."

The Commander smiled a little as they said, "Then I guess we're not alone."

Prinz pulled her back off of the pillar that she had leaned her body against, shifting around so that she would be facing the couple as she said, "Now, are you going to get this little ceremony done or what?  You have girls fighting down there."

The Commander smiled as they said, "Y-You're right.  Atago!.."

They then cleared their throat before swearing, "I promise you that I trust you with my life, as my first Oath Ship.  I will maintain you through sickness and in health."

Atago answered, "I will be your ever-loving partner.~  And I will always be yours, Commander.  No matter what, I'll always fight for you."

Prinz blurted out after Atago's promise, "Now what?  We don't have the ring-"

The Commander reached into their uniform to pull out a small box.  Opening the box, they then revealed the ring underneath which seemed to shine all-the-more.  Atago couldn't help but say, "It's beautiful.."

They nodded with Atago's words, and then walked with the ring over to the altar.  Once the ring was placed on the alter the ring started to glow.. a faint blue color like the cubes that everyone was accustomed to.  Along with the lines of the altar itself.  After this blue glow the lights of both the altar and the ring seemed to fade, which prompted the Commander to take the ring and turn their attention to Atago.

The Commander gently grabbed Atago's hand and held it in theirs, raising it up so that the ring could go onto the finger.  Despite the ring not exactly being a perfect-fit on the onset the ring itself seemed to morph in its shape, adjusting in size to comfortably fit on Atago.  The moment that the ring was fastened on Atago's finger, she seemed to.. glow.  The glow didn't last permanently, but there was an unusual light in her eyes that seemed to be a product of the ring.  After a moment Atago's eyes returned to normal, and she greeted the Commander with a smile.

She teased, "If you keep looking into my eyes like that Commander, you might just get something you could never forget.~"

The Commander quickly turned his gaze towards her hand, holding the ring hand with his own before shifting his attention to Prinz.  Prinz kicked off of the pillar as she walked up to the two of them, giving them a small nod in recognition of their ceremony.  Prinz then said, "Atago, feel like becoming our temporary 'Grey Ghost'?"

Atago answered with a smirk, "I'm ready to teach some naughty ships a lesson, yes."

--

The fight between the forces meanwhile culminated in a stalemate that was maintained through the diligent efforts of the Sakura Empire.  They did expect that some Azur Lane ships would try to take advantage of the fact that most of their ships were concentrated on the Commander's trial, but the sheer amount was more then expected.  Perhaps it was a good thing that most of the Sakura Empire ships were there to fight back in full force.  Among the enemy forces was one of the most renowned ships of the enemy forces, Belfast.  There was no Grey Ghost in sight, but even so Belfast still offered plenty of firepower in her stead.

When the fight progressed, it was the Crane Sisters who took their turn at holding back Belfast.  Thanks to the fact that it wasn't the Grey Ghost they had an easier time handling the Royal Navy ship, slightly.  But Belfast was still a fair threat.  Combined the two Crane Sisters were able to keep her at bay, with Shoukaku's planes eventually landing what seemed like a direct hit followed by a spray of mist that came from the explosions rocking the water.

But still, something felt wrong.. strangely wrong.  Despite the fact that Shoukaku was confident that she hit something.  Fearing the worst Shoukaku called out, "Zuikaku!"

Zuikaku turned around at the sound of her sister's voice, but she was already stuck in a perilous situation.  Belfast had taken advantage of the mist and her gauntlet was inching ever so closer to Zuikaku, intent on knocking her out.  Zuikaku intercepted with her sword but she knew that she didn't have a good stance, with the Royal Navy ship pressing harder and harder with her sheer force.  The Sakura Empire shipgirl muttered, "Sorry, nee-san."

Just when her blade started to waver, something mysterious happened with the Crane Sister.  Ten torpedoes shot out from behind her, all of which were locked onto none other then Belfast!  The cruiser jumped back when the torpedoes exploded, a strong veil of smoke covering the air that was once a clear sky.

When the smoke dissipated Belfast remained standing with both of her arms crossed in front of her.  Once she was able to see the cruiser could identify the ship that was known as Atago.. but something felt different about her.  Her attacks seemed to pack more of a punch then some of the earlier blows she had been dealt.

Belfast remarked as shots rang out around them, "You seem to have changed since we last met, didn't you?"

Atago put on a smirk as she said, "Why don't you stay put and find out?"

The clash between Atago and Belfast was intense.  But in the end, the Royal Navy ship felt as if she couldn't overpower this Atago.

Belfast fired off a single shot into the air as she exchanged blows with Atago, gaining a little bit of space so that she could make a retreat.  Her rigging was certainly damaged, but it wasn't worth trying to chase her down.  As Atago continued to fire from her position Belfast took a couple more hits, but she along with the forces that supported her ultimately made a retreat.