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*BANG*

Under normal circumstances the thundering of a battleship's guns outside of a naval base would be more than ample cause for alarm. The resounding echo of shells being launched from guns with all the force of the wrath of the Almighty themself a cry for planes to take to the sky and soldiers to race to their posts, and yet no bombers or fighters took to the sky and no soldiers charged to their posts even as-

*BANG*

Another almighty boom and yet there was no earthshaking explosion, only a loud-

*POP*

A flash of vibrant sparkles lit the night sky, sapphire and emerald which was soon joined by gold and silver. A cheer sweeping up from the populace of the base in whose harbor the battleship responsible for the launch of the fireworks that now lit up the sky.

Indeed, there nestled in the harbor of the Naval base of the Azur Lane sat many ships and yet it was three in particular that had the attention of those on the piers and within the plaza of the base, where a large crowd gathered dancing and laughing in merry glee.

Of the three ships it was the one most easily recognized as a Battleship, an Iowa class to be exact, that was responsible for launching the fireworks, although their method of doing so was..unconventional to say the least given that they were using their main battery to fire modified shells loaded with the fireworks into the air.

The two other ships, one an Aircraft Carrier and the third a vessel of shall we say more… exotic design were holding their fire for now, although if the way that the exoctic vessels' own guns were beginning to hum was any indication it might not be that way for long.

*BANG*

*POP*

A flash of gold and crimson, soon joined by blue and white, green and silver, and countless more colors ignites in the sky, the sparkles reflecting off of the still sapphire blue ocean combined with the pale light of the full moon shining down amidst a field of stars makes for a truly beautiful scene for the inhabitants of the Azur Lane Naval Base. 

Once more the guns on the USS New Jersey adjust themselves before, with an earthshaking roar, another salvo of fireworks are launched into the air, dozens of majuu moving at breakneck speed to load another batch into the canons even as the just launched ones detonate above the ocean bathing the sea once more in radiant colors. 

Despite the loud roar of the guns, they pale in comparison to the sounds drifting from the streets of the base, where the Kansen of all factions stand side by side, glasses in their hands as they cheer for a long and hard fought victory, some cling to their lovers and others find loves as a celebration to rival Mardi Gras sweeps through the base, and yet they are not alone in their revelry for-

*VOOM*

A discharge of what appears to be a multicolored beam of energy detonates amidst the sky, the explosion creating a kaleidoscopic display of glimmering colors that persist for but a few moments longer than the standard and modified fireworks that had been launched out of the battleship's guns. 

Even the uproar of cheer from the base failed to drown out the sudden scream of-

“YOU CHEATING BITCH! WE SAID SHELLS! NOT PLASMA OR WHATEVER THE HELL THAT WAS!” New Jersey yelled from aboard her battleship form, the smile on her face and the fact that the words lacked any true heat showing that there was no true anger in her at the display, although the fact that the person she had just yelled at had the gall to stick out their tongue at her made her eye twitch somewhat as she suddenly whirled about to face the lead Manjuu that stood beside her.

“Is it ready?” The fact that there was a mischievous glint in her eyes, alongside the smile that begun to form on her face would have had any of her fellows nervous about just what the Iowa Class battleship had in store, the fact that the Majuu shared the glint in their own eyes would have had said fellow Kansen running for cover.

The moment the Manjuu nodded it’s head, the captain’s hat it wore almost falling off prompting a frantic scramble as it tried to put it back on its head, the sight making New Jersey chuckle. 

“Alright Captain Kidd, then let’s show our friends what an Iowa class can really do.” New Jersey smiled and turned to face the ships that sat beside her and raised her hands to her lips, even as the Manjuu Captain snapped off a salute before bringing a radio to its beak and relaying the instructions to it’s fellows.

“I HOPE YOU LADIES ARE READY TO SEE WHAT REAL FIREPOWER LOOKS LIKE!” She yelled, prompting worried chatter to break out on the docks where many of her fellows had gathered, they all knew just how excitable the battleship could get when it came to showing off her firepower.

The fact that a neighboring island now had a lagoon was proof enough of just how far she was willing to go to prove her point about her class's firepower. Although, to be completely fair, Prinz Eugen hadn’t really thought that the woman would actually try and make a lagoon with her shells…and the commander had been too busy trying to wrangle a bunch of over caffeinated destroyers to tell her not to use the island for target practice.

On the plus side they now had an artificial lagoon to relax at! 

On the downside, Yuubari was not impressed when she found out what her experimental HE Shell, made with portions of captured Siren tech, had been used for. Although the sight of New Jersey knocked out by the recoil of her guns sending her flying across the base and into a building had mollified her somewhat. 

All of that being said, the reactions of those present at the base were perfectly understandable.

“TAKE COVER!” Or some version of the phrase was shouted in a multitude of languages as Kansen and their guests alike dove for cover, some simply choosing to dive into the harbor, while others upended nearby furniture to use as shields. Those who possessed a form of shield based ability were quick to deploy them, and then dive behind cover after pulling those near them as close as possible to make sure their shields covered them as well.

Meanwhile in the harbor, the other two ships merely adjusted their footing a little bit as-

*BOOOOMMMM*

The sheer force of the blast created a shockwave that sent many of those on the pier onto their back, some were flung back like rag dolls and others still were almost knocked out by the sheer force the shockwave impacted them with, many of the destroyers among those almost knocked out.

Friedrich Der Grosse, clad in an elegant black and crimson dress, was among the few not really affected by the blast and even she had been forced to shield her eyes, and the sight she saw upon lowering her gasp.

On one hand New Jersey was doing her best attempt at becoming a submarine by having successfully flipped her ship form over.

And on the other hand, there on the horizon was now an enormous firework depiction of the symbol of Azur Lane, the colors as vibrant as the ones that adorned the cloth banners that hung from the flagpole in the center of the base. 

Friedrich couldn’t stop herself from smiling softly, even as she pulled the still partially dazed forms of Houshou, her kimono almost having been blown open, and Yorktown, her coat now missing and her dress partially opened near the top, closer, letting the two women rest their heads on her shoulders as they righted themselves. Yorktown clinging to her arm for balance, her eyes wide and her mouth open, an expression shared by Houshou, although it wasn’t shared for long as soon a cheer swept through the base, Yorktown amongst those cheering.

“Honestly my child, you really must learn to reign in your pride.” The Iron Blood Matriarch said softly with a smile on her face, as she watched several submarines dive into the water to pull the now splashing battleship from the harbor. 

As she was about to turn to make sure that everyone else near her was back on their feet once more she was stopped by a tugging on her dress.

Blinking, she looked down and smiled at the sight of Nagato, her ruffled kimono making her look far more adorable than should be considered healthy, and Mutsu, who was currently trying to find her headpiece.

“Yes my child,” Friedrich said as she leaned down, her hand patting Nagato’s head. Houshou having moved to help Mutsu find her head piece and Yorktown having been swept away by a cheerful Hornet and a blushing and smiling Graf Zeppelin but a few moments ago.

“Will you dance with me in the plaza, Mutsu is looking for her headpiece and Akagi and Kaga are dancing with Amagi,” Nagato said, even as she leaned into the head pat with a smile on her face, her eyes drifting closed as she savored the feeling. 

Friedrich’s smile could have lit the entire port as she rose to her feet and outstretched her hands and lifted Nagato up to hold her against her chest, the smaller battleship resting her head on the matriarch's shoulder as the towering battleship carried her deeper into the port.

“I would be more than happy to! Although I am surprised you didn’t ask someone else from the Sakura Empire, are they all busy?” Friedrich asked as she weaved through her fellows, smiling when she saw Prinz Eugen wrapped in Prince of Wales arms as the two women kissed passionately. Bismarck and Hood were only a couple of feet away from them and yet they were likewise occupied with each other much to the battleship's amusement. Her smile widening as she saw more of her children, be they of Iron Blood or of the the other factions that made up Azur Lane pairing up to celebrate their victory and the end of what seemed to be a previously unending nightmare. 

Her smile was blinding when she heard the battleship tucked in her arms reply to her question, even the new chaos breaking loose in the harbor wasn’t enough to stop her from smiling and adding a spring to her step as she strode towards the plaza.

“Not all of them are busy, but I wanted to spend some time with one of my mothers.”

Meanwhile at the harbor

It was safe to say that after seeing the entire horizon become a firework version of their banner the Kansen were certain they had won the impromptu fireworks challenge, and then-

“Oh that has got to be cheating.” Vestal said, unable to stop herself from laughing at the sight of what one of the ships was doing as a response to the display. 

There soaring through the sky were an assortment of planes, bombers and fighters to be exact, and the performance they were putting on was enough to leave the battleship who had just been fished out of the harbour sulking, although everyone could see the smile on her face, a smile that widened as Ticonderoga pulled her into her arms, the two squealing with laughter as they fell on their backs. 

The bombers were dropping their payload which was then quickly shot down by the fighters that were following them, only these were not normal bombs but rather specially made fireworks that detonated in vibrant colors. 

Although the fireworks lacked any true shape, the skill of the one controlling the planes made up for that as they were able to manipulate the planes in such a way that the explosions combined to form beautiful displays. 

Although perhaps having them form the words ‘Show Off’ had been a bit excessive, the laughter it had prompted from everyone, even New Jersey, made it well worth the effort. 

The cheering grew louder still as the planes began to form other shapes.

A heart.

A smaller form of their banner.

An eagle, okay now that was just showing off.

The displays only got more elaborate when a second batch of planes joined with the first, a second aircraft carrier, almost a twin of the first one, materializing alongside it. The two sets of planes seamlessly worked with one another with a level of skill that even the most adept pilot squadrons would have been unable to pull off. 

Now the displays included a whale of all things.

Now they were forming what looked like a rifle, the sudden cry of joy from Ark Royal alerting them all as to just what type of rifle it was. 

Now they were going down the list of the factions flags.

Iris Libre and Vichiya Dominion were done at almost the same time, the sight prompting a cheer to rise from the two fleets, Jean Bart, situated firmly on Massachusetts lap, gasped at the symbols with tears of joy beginning to shine in her eyes, a sight which prompted her lover to smile and hold her close. The forms of Alabama and South Dakota cuddled closer on either side of Massachusetts as they looked at Jean Bart with smiles on their faces as well, enjoying the sight of their sister's lover with joy in her eyes. 

Richelieu smiling softly as she watched the display from a bench in the plaza, Jean d’arc leaning against her with an equally soft smile as they raised their wine glasses in a toast before sharing a kiss under the radiant image of their banner.  

Even the normally dozing Champagne had her eyes wide open as she sat on Saint Louis lap, a serene joy sparkling in them as she saw their symbol gleam amidst the stars above them. Gascogne who was tucked against Saint Louis’ side sported an uncharacteristically joyful expression, a soft smile gracing her lips as she took a sip of her wine, tears building in the corner of her yellow eyes.

Béarn sat beside Emile Bertin and Surcouf, Algerie and Foch nearby as well as they watched over the destroyers of their factions, they were more than a little impressed with how calm their charges had been throughout the night, even if they had somehow managed to get their hands on several glasses of wine it was something they were more than happy to forgive, not only because of how special the occasion was but also because somehow it was actually making them act calmer, none of the three of them had any idea why but they weren’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. 

Dunkerque was busy carrying freshly made confections to the desert table alongside some of the Royal Maids, and La Galissoniere was busy attempting to grab one of the entire Mouse cake, granted no one who had tasted Dunkerque’s cooking could really blame her for her attempts at doing so. But even her sweet tooth had been stalled by the sight of the symbols appearing in blazing glory in the night sky, a triumphant cheer leaving her lips as she raised a fist into the air, several nearby Kansen joining her, their guests doing the same.

The symbol of Dragon Empery prompted cheers as Ning Hai and Ping Hai danced about with delight, their fellows quick to join them. Although many of them were quick to keep their distance once Ping Hai began to spring Ning Hai around, the purplette’s sandals almost flying off her feet, however the wide smile she wore on her face showed her lack of anger at action.

Yat Sen smiled from where she sat under a pair of cherry blossom trees, several of the pink petals having landed on her dress, although she paid them no mind, in the central plaza, a glass of sake raised in salute to the fireworks as she smiled. She looked at the destroyers that sat in front of her, An Shan, Chang Chun, Fu Shun and Tai Yuan, all clad in celebratory dresses of their own. Her smile widening at the awestruck look on their faces as they embraced one another, tears of happiness in their eyes. She smiled further when she saw Ying Swei walking towards them with several trays of food in her arms, the smell making her destroyer charges turn towards the cruiser as their stomachs rumbled. 

She only hoped they didn’t charge her and know the food over…again.

The symbol of the Royal Navy, and now Vestal was certain those two were just showing off…or trying to earn some serious brownie points and if that was the case they were setting the bar pretty damn high for everyone else. 

As the crowned lion made of gold and crimson fireworks formed in the sky Queen Elizabeth raised her glass to a toast with Warspite, the two sharing a smile as they watched the display alongside Richelieu and Joan of Arc. 

Illustrious smiling softly at the fading colors as she was pulled into a one armed embrace by Littorio, Unicorn sitting between the two of them watching with awe at the colorful display, her friends sitting in front of them on the grassy hill likewise awed at the display. 

Hood parted from Bismarck for a moment, a thin strand of saliva connecting their lips as the two briefly turned to look at the firework, before they turned back to each other, Hood pulling Bismarck as close to her as possible, with Bismarck lifting the woman into her arms and pinning her against the wall behind her. A moment into their intense makeout session she heard a pleased moan come from her right, she couldn;t stop herself from smiling as she saw Hood take the hand of Prinz Eugen who was likewise pinned to the wall by Prince of Wales. 

The two women shared a smile before they returned to focusing on their lovers, Bismarck silently vowing that she was going to get the ones watching over the destroyers and younger U-boats the biggest launch day presents she could. 

At the same time Victorious was enjoying laying her head on Tirpitz shoulder, the Iron Blood Battleship having draped her fur lined coat over their laps as they cuddled closer together to watch the fireworks. She silently promised that she was going to find a way to extract the image of the gentle smile that Tirpitz wore as she looked at the fireworks in the sky, it may not be the symbol of IronBlood, but the sight of the fireworks themselves and what they symbolized made her smile wider as she turned and placed a gentle kiss to Victorious’s lips. 

Yeah Victorious was getting those two show offs the best gift she could get her hands on.

Monarch smiled slightly at the display as she was pulled closer to King George, the ruby-eyed woman having pulled her onto her lap with a claim of  ‘A Monarch deserves a fitting throne no?’ something that had made her blush more than a little bit, despite the smile she wore as she nuzzled closer to her fellow, savoring the sensation of warmth and comfort that came from the embrace.

Hunter smiled as she pulled her husky closer with one arm and Eskimo closer with another, the two raising their mugs of hot chocolate to the sky with a cry of cheers from Eskimo that was echoed by the destroyers and younger kansen that sat around them in the amphitheater in the plaza where many of the destroyers and younger Kansen from all of the factions had gathered under the watch of the older members of their factions, the kind eyes of Rodney and the stern gaze of Nelson were mixed with the watchful eyes of London and Exeter, who was situated firmly atop Ajax’s lap. Renown and Repulse were keeping an eye on the refreshments, and surprisingly to many, Ark Royal had proven herself to be trustworthy for helping with keeping order on this night as well, although that might have been due to whatever Friedrich had spoken to her about before the celebrations had begun. Or maybe it was the presence of the guest who sat beside Rodney who was to blame for the surprisingly calm attitude of the well known lolicon. 

Many of their watchers were also thankful that Hardy was able to keep many of her fellow destroyers, and a certain monitor, from causing too much chaos as they indulged in confections made by the best chefs of Azur lane. The sight of Fiji carrying a new tray of sweets and more savory foods over to the center table, Jamaica helping her by somehow managing to carry a tray on her head as well as one in either hand despite the chains she still wore over her left arm even in her dress and York was…okay…maybe there was more to her ‘Force’ then everyone thought.

That or they were all either drunk as hell or high as fuck because a gaping Arethusa and Galatea would later claim that they had seen her somehow levitating more than a dozen trays much to the thunderous cheers of her fellows. Faintly Rodney swore she heard the guest standing beside her mumble a confused ‘How in the fuck?’ under her breath, she smiled as she turned and put her hand on the woman’s shoulder.

“I take it yours never…” She trailed off as the woman shot her a look that told her the answer even before it left her lips.

“If she did then I think we would have known about it, couldn't keep a secret to save her life that one.” The woman said with a sad chuckle near the end before she was pulled into a hug by Rodney much to her surprise if the stiffening of her spine was anything to go by. However, she was quick to relax into the embrace and rest her head atop the smaller woman’s own as she returned the embrace with a quiet ‘Thank you’.

Rodney smiled as she pulled back, “No Problem Ark. Let me know if you need another one.” She said with a wink at the end prompting a laugh from Ark Royal.

The woman then turned and looked at Ark Royal who was currently attempting to get a wine glass away from Amazon, and was somehow failing miserably at it, even with Penelope and Icarus helping her.

Rodney felt Ark Royal sigh.

The woman stood up, softly slipping Rodney’s arm off of her shoulders as she began to walk towards Ark Royal, the eye not covered by her bangs glowing a light blue.

Rodney couldn’t stop herself from chuckling as she saw Glowworm take one look at the advancing Kansen and all but dive out of the way as the woman simply reached over Amazon’s shoulder and plucked the glass from her hands before replacing it with a plastic cup full of punch that she had grabbed from the nearby table.

The smug grin Ark Royal wore as she looked at Ark Royal was something that made Ajax and Nelson snort with laughter, Exeter chuckling as well as Rodney when Ark Royal’s eye began to twitch as she glared at the glowing eyed mirror of herself.

“Your welcome,” Ark Royal META said with a smirk as she stood and began to walk back towards Rodney.

Her counterpart could be seen mumbling what was more than likely a very long string of profanities under her breath as she began to walk over to where the normally drowsy Acasta had taken a place on Shinanano’s lap, the two Nap Club members seemingly wide awake for once, although that might be owed to a suspicious black can with a green oh dear god-

Nelson all but leapt to her feet alongside Rodney the moment she noticed the trembling arm of Acasta and the slight twitch of Shinano’s eyes. The two felt grateful that Centaur and Ryuuho weren’t that far away in case things went really bad.

Somehow they knew Abercrombie was to blame for this.

The Sakura Empires symbol was next, and the cheer of Zuikaku made Vestal giggle, the crane pointing at the display with stars in her eyes as Shoukaku giggled at her sister's childlike display as she pulled her down before she tripped into the ocean. 

As she swayed with her sisters wrapped in her arms Amagi smiled, her smile widening as she heard the sound of dress shoes tapping on the flagstones behind her, Akagi’s ears poking up was something that made her stifle a giggle and the look in Kaga’s eyes told her that she wasn’t alone in doing so. 

Once she heard the footsteps stop she smiled as she felt a soft hand rest on her shoulder, a voice like a spring breeze, soft and gentle a surprising combination given the profession of just whom it belonged to, drifting into her ears. 

“Pardon me ladies, but do you have room for another dance partner?” 

Amagi didn’t have time to respond before Akagi all but leapt at the speaker, something which prompted a chuckle from them, as the speaker quickly caught the kitsune and spun her about prompting a joyous squeal as nine crimson tails wrapped gently around the person who held her in their arms. 

Amagi could faintly hear a certain pair of carriers from her faction and an Iron Blood Battleship mumble something along the lines of ‘Lucky Bitch’, much to her, and if the snorts and chuckles she heard was any indication, many others amusement. 

As she watched the two figures begin to sway to a slow waltz, Akagi happily pressing her forehead to her partner's own even as her partner twirled her around with deft ease, slowly swaying to rope Taihou and Junyou into a rather touching fourway waltz, and then somehow making room for Roon as well in the most bizarre yet touching five way waltz that Amagi had seen in some time.  Amagi turned her gaze towards the sky once more, savoring the lack of pain in her lungs as she breathed in the cool air of this most joyous of nights. Kaga leaned her head against her shoulder with a smile on her face, their tails entwining together as they watched the display.

At the same time Ryuuhou was busy attempting to see if Centaur still had her tonsils with her tongue, only to have her important exam ruined by the machinegun fast steps of an out of breath Terror, Erebus right by her side as usual, she was more than ready to growl out how this better be good damn it before she saw the unease in their eyes.

With a sigh of discontent she straightened out her back and helped Centaur down from the ledge she had been perched on, smirking all the while at how disheveled the other woman looked.

“All right, what-”

Before she finished her sentence Erebus gasped out.

“Shinano…Acasta…Energy Drink!” 

And like that Ryuuhou and Centaur were gone. 

Atago smiled as she rested her head on Takao’s shoulder, with Maya resting her head on her chest as she sat at her feet, and Choukai resting her head on Takao’s lap as they watched the fireworks from the comfort of a park bench.

Atago smiled as she and Takao raised their sake glasses, an action their sisters mimicked until they met in a toast. All four had wet eyes, joy and hope shining even as tears of happiness trailed down their cheeks as they smiled at the prospect of what the future might hold. The sound of approaching footsteps caused them to look at the figure slowly winding their way down the path towards them.

A gasp left Atago’s lips as she felt Maya sit up, allowing her to stand and meet the approaching form. 

The figure had barely had time to open their mouth to speak before Atago all but threw herself at them, almost knocking them off of their feet until the figure regained their balance and gently pulled her closer, letting her rest her head on her chest, listening to the steady beating of the figure's heart. 

Atago didn’t say a word as she stood up and pulled the figure to where her, no, their sisters were waiting with tear filled eyes. 

Atago pulled her companion to where they were posed to take the place she had previously occupied, and gently pushed them down to sit down, Atago then took the place beside them with Maya laying her head on the figure’s lap much to their surprise. Takao, smiled softly as she gently laid her arm around the figure’s shoulder an action which prompted a startled look from them, their amber eyes confused for a moment before they softened as Atago began to gently stroke their back, cooing calming words into a pair of canine ears. 

Choukai sat up and moved to where she could join Maya in resting her head on the figure’s lap.

Tears began to trail from amber eyes as Takao began to stroke their scalp in the way she knew they would find calming, after all she always found it calming when it was done to her by those loved. 

Ember opened her mouth to speak only for Choukai to shush her as she and Maya shifted to where they could lay their heads on her chest instead of her lap, soft smiles on their faces as they embraced their sister. 

She may be of another timeline, of some forgotten and lost iteration of their reality or some variant of it, but that meant nothing to them. She was still a Takao Class. She was still their sister, and that was all that mattered to them. 

“Shush Ember-Nee, we can talk later…for now…let’s just be together.” Choukai softly spoke.

Atago hummed her agreement as she nuzzled the META’s neck, her lips gently ghosting over the woman’s pulse point prompting a sharp gasp from the META. 

Ember closed her eyes for a moment, relaxing into the embrace of her…sisters…huh…she never thought a day would come when she would call someone else that and yet…

She smiled as she leaned her head against Atago’s own.

“Alright…Nee-Chan.” Ember said as she felt something within her click into place once more, a feeling she had lost so long ago returned to her in full. 

She was finally home.

As the firework depiction of their banner bean to fade Hiryuu and Souryuu, both the METAs and the Kansen native to this particular timeline, sat side by side with saucers of sake sitting beside them, Hiryuu handing her META self a plate with dango skewers on them with her alter taking one and handing it to their other META sister before grabbing one for herself. 

The four siblings smiled as they watched the fireworks display resume, although Hiryuu METa did shake her head with an amused huff leaving her lips.

“Honestly, no matter what timeline those two will always be show offs won;t they?” She asked the rhetorical question which brought a round of laughter from her siblings, Souryuu chuckling as she replied-

“You know the worst part? I don’t even think they’re trying to show off.”

Both METAs and Hiryuu chuckled with META Souryuu chuckling as she agreed with her twin.

“True, if they wanted to show off we would probably be seeing them make scale to scale replicas of battles for all we know!” Here the META laughed with her siblings joining her a moment later after the image etched itself into their minds, pour Hiryuu almost knocking over her sake as she frantically tried to get air into her lungs as she imagined what Zuikaku’s face would be like if saw the two showboats do such a thing.

Although all that served to do was send her into another fit of laughter that had her collapsing across the METAs laps, the two women shared a glance with Souryuu before all three rolled their eyes at their siblings' antics. 

The sound of a drunken cheer caused them to look over to see Ise and Hyuuga, who had somehow managed to rope Suruga, Kii, Kumano, Kongou, Hiei, and unless their eyes were deceiving them Mikasa, of all people, into a drinking competition.

Nearby they could see Noshiro, Hiei, and Kinu on standby in case things ended like the last drinking competition that had taken place in the port.

The fact that Iron Blood and Northern Parliament were the last two standing was no surprise to anyone.

The fact that the Commander had agreed to take part in said competition and was likewise one of the last ones left standing was one hell of a surprise to the Kansen, who didn’t think a human could consume even half the alcohol that the Commander had. 

The fact that they managed to tie with Sovetskaya Rossiya and Prinz Eugen was one hell of a shock to everyone.

Another surprise came when several very drunk, and very crazy Kansen decided to get into an argument over who won.

With their riggings doing most of the talking.

To this day they had not found all of the stray shells and torpedoes from that drunken brawl, despite their best efforts. The Commander had been of little help during the debacle, partly because they were also very drunk, and partly because they turned out to be a very flirty drunk. The faces of Akagi, Roon, Taihou, Junyou, Atago and many others would never cease to bring laughter out of those who jhad pictures of them or remembered said faces from being there at the time. 

“Should we try and stop them?” Souryuu asked.

“Nah. If anything,” Here Hiryuu META stood up and stretched out her hands to both her still chuckling alternate and her sister to help them to their feet before doing the same for Souryuu herself as well. 

“I say we join em.” The rabbit eared Kansen said with a smile on her face, her words prompting a cheer from Hiryuu as she began to drag Souryuu along with her towards the long tables where the competition was being held. 

“Come on Nee-Chans!” She shouted, “Let’s celebrate!”

Souryuu looked at her alternate self as they watched their sisters head to the tables.

“This is going to end badly isn’t it?” She asked.

Her alternate self merely sighed as she threw her arm around her shoulders and met her gaze.

“More than likely…but at least it will be fun.” She said with a smile on her face, a similar one forming on Souryuu’s own face as the two turned to head after their sisters before they began to cause too much trouble.

Akashi was having the time of her life. As fast as she could pull sakes and beers from the freezers they were flying off of her selves, the same was going for snacks and even celebratory items! In just the last couple of hours she had made more than she would over the course of a normal week! The greedy cat couldn’t stop herself from smiling if she wanted to, a smile that was shared by her partner Shiranui.

The two rose the glasses of sake they had set aside for themselves in a toast.

“To the start of a new age, nya!” Akashi said. 

“May it be a prosperous one.” Shiranui finished with a smile.

The sound of footsteps caused them to look up, Akashi walking to the register of their stall to greet their customer.

“Can I have a couple bottles of Sake, whichever brand has the most alcohol in it.” 

Akashi blinked as she looked at her customers.

“I didn’t know you lot could get drunk nya.” She said, prompting an amused huff to leave her customers' lips.

“We can’t really, but those lot don’t know that.” The customer gestured to the drinking competition taking place nearby. Amusement glinted in the eyes of both merchants and their customers' eyes as Akashi began to rub her hands together as an idea entered her mind.

“I’ll do you one better. I’ll give you a discount if you agree to fake it to the last round.” The greed in her eyes told her customer all they needed to know.

Her customers eyes gleamed with mirth as a smile that would have sent many running for cover spread across their face. A smile that only widened as they heard the voice of Hakuryuu yell out from the contest area.

“OI! I thought you were getting drinks, not flirting!” 

The two shared a look as Shiranui brought out a box she had filled with sake and beer bottles. All high proof. 

Akashi’s eyes widened as her customer sat a small rectangular box on the counter and then ghosted her finger over the center prompting it to glow a light blue for a moment before it faded amidst wisps of energy leaving in its place-

The two merchant’s eyes were as wide as saucers at the gems and coins that overflowed from the counter and onto the floor at their feet.

“That enough?” The smirk on their customer’s face made the two of them aware that it wasn’t really a question.

Akashi reached out her hand and took her customers, Shiranui doing the same to their other hand. 

“I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship,” Akashi said.

“We’ll keep the booze coming as long as we have it in stock. You win and we’ll give you one thing from both of our stores for free, deal?” Shiranui said. While normally Akashi would loudly protest such a decision she couldn’t help but agree, they were going to make way more then they would possibly lose if this kept up. 

Hell they could probably expand their stores ten times over with just how much they had just been given!

Their customers smile widened as they look them both in the eyes with a gleam in their eyes.

“And if I want you two?” They said teasingly, causing the two merchants to blush as they looked at each other for a moment.  In the two merchant’s minds. Plans to quickly set up a betting pool as to who would win, and with the knowledge they now had…the killing they could make…that and the fact their customer was pretty hot…They shared a nod as they leaned and kissed their customers cheeks prompting a dumbfounded look of shock to grace their customers face.

“You win,” Shiranui began with greed that was normally kept in check, burning like molten rubies, mixing with a small amount of lust.

“We’ll rock your world, nya.” Akashi finished. Greed swirling in her yellow orbs like molten gold, a reflection of her customers of vibrant yellow eyes.

Their customer had a look of shock on their face for a moment before they smiled so wide that it must have hurt as they shook the two merchants hands enthusiastically before they seized the crate of booze and took off for the competition.

No way in hell were they losing now!

Azuma smiled as she watched the Mutsuki class handing candy out to their fellow destroyers and the younger Kansen, her smile widening at the sight of Chiyoda and Chitose helping some of the smaller Kansen make plates from the buffet table and the sight of the Muse Kansen taking the stage to being their concert didn;t hurt either. 

This is what life was supposed to be. Good food. Good drinks. And good friends. 

Ibuki handed her a glass of sake, a non alcoholic blend, but perhaps the most delicious brand she had tasted in quite a while and besides she needed to stay sober to watch over her charges, she could get drunk with her fellow watchers later. 

And then she heard the first few lyrics of what had become one of the most beloved songs around the port as Taihou and Roon took to the stage with Akagi beginning to play her guitar. 

She heard the voice of Murmansk yell out-

“TO THE COMRADE COMMANDER!” 

A cheer swept through the amphitheater, and if the sound from the base was any indication across the entire base as the cheer must have traveled through the intercoms that had been set up so the base could hear the concert.

She could also swear she heard an embarrassed squeal which prompted a smile to spread across her lips. 

She raised her glass and repeated the cheer. 

Yes, this is what life should have been like from the start. But it was alright now. 

The banner of Northern Parliament done in silvers and snowy white with sapphire blues also mixed into it lit up the sky prompting a round of cheers from the girls of the frozen northern seas. 

Avrora raised her bottle of vodka into the air, with a wide smile on her face as she cheered alongside her comrades. It should come as little surprise that they were not only taking part in the drinking competition, but were also some of the primary instigators of the entire affair, granted their destroyers were not present as they had decided to go cheer Tashkent on when it was her band's turn to perform, which if the fading notes of Verheeder’s song was anything to go by should be about now.

Gangut smirked at the flushed face of Prinz Heinrich as she downed another gulp of her own vodka. 

“Feeling ready to call it quits comrade Heinrich?” She asked as she saw the woman sway a bit for a few moments before she steadied herself, a glint of determination entering her eyes as she met the Northern Parliament Battleship’s smirk with one of her own as she down her mug of beer.

“Not eve-*hic* even close.” The cruiser slurred slightly as she looked at the battleship’s own slightly flushed face and the way she swayed slightly in her seat. 

“ ‘Sides…you loooook like you’re go*hic* goin*hic* gonna drop out soon.” She said, slightly slurring some of her words even as she smiled at her opponent. 

Gangut smirked as she reached for another bottle of vodka, smirking as she saw that it was a higher proof than the last one. 

“May…maybe comrade…” She said as she took her time to speak so as to avoid slurring her words too much as she met Prinz Heinrich’s gaze as she popped open the bottle, smirking again as she added-

“But I know…I know I’ll outlast…you.” She finished as she downed the began to down the bottle. 

Prinz Heinrich accepted the challenge by raising not one, but two steins of beer to her mouth and beginning to down them at the same time.

Cheers rose from the spectators and fellow competitors at the scene.

Chapayev smiled as she pulled Tallinn closer to her, unable to stop herself from licking her lips at the sight of the flush that adorned her comrades face at the feeling of her arm being pressed between the cruiser’s breasts.

Tallinn responded to the attention by lifing her bottle to her lips and taking a slow sip, deliberately letting a few drops leak from between the bottle and her lips so that they landed on her breasts, an action which caused Chapayev’s eyes to darken as she felt her lust begin to rise.

She smirked as she finished her own bottle before she lunged.

Tallinn fell back with a squeal and her bottle spilled what little drink it had left in it on the ground as Chapayev began to lap at the drops of vodka that had fallen on her breasts, an action which prompted cheers and applause from those around them.

Sovetskaya Belorussia couldn’t stop herself from chuckling as she stood up and began to drag her comrades from the table. 

“Alright you two, go find a room if you want to play like that.” She said as she began to help them to their feet, smirking as she saw the gleam of lust in both of their eyes as they began to hurry off, not bothering to fix or adjust their clothing as they did so.

“They should have stayed! We could have dinner and a show!” She heard her sister say with a laugh, something which many of her fellows joined in with, prompting her to roll her eyes with a smile. 

“Maybe next time sister,” She said as she took her seat at the table, smirking as she lifted the mug filled with what could best be described as an unholy fusion of vodka and rum to her lips and after downing the drink in a few gulps much to the cheers of her fellows. 

“But the last thing we need is for one of the young ones not at the theater to come across it. Friedrich would skin us all alive if that happened.” She said with a shudder at the thought of the Dark Matriarch of Iron Blood’s  potential wrath. Drunk she may somewhat be, but she is nowhere near drunk enough to even consider risking the wrath of the enraged battleship.

The gulps and fearful glances of her fellows told her that the sentiments were shared. Although, thankfully the fear vanished quickly as those present saw one of their newfound comrades came to table, effortlessly holding two enormous trays of food from all of the varying factions. 

“Someone order take out!” They heard them call as they sat down the platters to the cheers and rejoicing of their comrades. 

As everyone began to grab something to snack on they noticed that there were some exotic items amidst the buffet that had been laid on the tables, prompting whistles from many as they grabbed samples of the food.

The Scharnhorst siblings sat together the META versions sitting across from this timelines versions of them as the four split steins of beer and bratwurst as well as  several other German dishes, at least until Gneissenau reached over and grabbed a coconut…where their comrades got a coconut no one really knew.

Gneissenau broke the coconut open and then gained a glint in her eyes as she began to pour some of her beer into the coconut half, and then down it.

What followed next could best be described as an unspoken addition to the drinking being added to the contest. Using ingredients to make their drinks more interesting. 

Needless to say things went crazy from the get go with Hornet, who had been roped into the contest when Graf Zeppelin had dragged her and Northampton over to the table to get a drink earlier, deciding to cut the top off of a pineapple and hollow it out and pour a mixture of vodka, rum, and what looked like whiskey into it.

   She then began to add various other fruits and liquors to it, even grabbing a nearby sake bottle and adding what was left in it to the mixture.

A mixture that had begun to bubble.

Everyone paused in their own drinking and eating to watch the unholy concoction, which was now beginning to foam as Hornet reached over and grabbed a bottle of oh sweet mother of-

The moment Northampton saw the bottle in Hornet’s hands she all but leapt at the carrier trying to wrest it from her hand with Graf Zeppelin joining in a moment later, after her brain processed the sight of a bottle labeled Everclear being at the table.

However, Northampton was much too slow in grabbing the bottle as Hornet had already poured a healthy dose of the potent liquor into the pineapple.

The mixture stopped bubbling.

Everyone began to lean back.

The foaming and fizzing ceased.

Everyone began to prepare to bolt.

…

…

…

It didn’t explode.

Everyone felt the breaths they had been holding leave them as they all but collapsed like puppets with their strings cut in relief.

And then Hornet took a sip of the drink.

She stiffened, her spine going ramrod straight as she froze.

Graf Zepplin reached her hand over to her shoulder and-

“Well I think I just fucked up.” Hornet said as she stood up and took off her hat before handing it to Northampton, and then she took off her coat and handed it to Graf Zepplin, before she turned to face her fellows and snapped off a salute before-

*THUD*

Falling over in a dead faint.

Northampton looked at Graf Zeppelin.

Graf Zeppelin looked at Northampton.

Hornet had foam coming from her mouth and swirls in her eyes.

The two women heaved sighs before they put on the articles they had been given by Hornet and then proceeded to lift the woman up and head off in search of Vestal or Akashi.

‘Ah the things we must do for love.’ Was the thought that echoed through the heads of several at the table.

Everyone looked at the pineapple that sat there innocently.

Mikasa stood up, a slight stumble due to her own inebriation.

“Can we all agree that anyone who can drink that and not pass out wins?” She called out to the gathered Kansen and their guests who were all looking nervously between the pineapple and the direction where Hornet, Northampton, and Graf Zeppelin had headed.

A minute later everyone raised their voice in agreement.

One of their new comrades stood and made her way over to the pineapple, actual unease gleaming in bright yellow eyes. 

With a gulp she grabbed the pineapple, the thorns doing nothing to her skin as she held it to her mouth.

“If I die…tell my fellows I always hated them.” Her words brought laughter from those present including said fellows who happily began to cheer her on as she lifted the pineapple to her lips and-

Began to gulp it down.

Everyone watched with the morbid curiosity of those who were seeing a train or car crash happen in slow motion in front of them. 

After a full minute of solid drinking, the woman had emptied the pineapple.

She actually was swaying a little bit and seemed to be forcing herself to remain standing as she grabbed onto the table in front of her to steady herself. 

Several moments later her swaying stopped, her bright yellow eyes dimming and the brightening again and again for several moments before the woman threw up her arms in a V shape with a cry of-

“I WIN!” 

Cheers exploded from the crowd as the woman staggered towards one of her fellows before slumping down against them.

“Did that thing actually force you to-” Their comrade began as they put an arm around her shoulder to steady her.

“Yes, I actually had to leave it a couple of times to stop from actually getting drunk. I don’t know how Hornet made it, but I am having that… thing registered as a bio-weapon as soon as I can.” The woman said and then began to laugh as an idea came to her.

“What is it?” Her friend asked and several of those around her looked at her as she broke out in cackles for several moments before she regained herself.

“I just realized that I am probably going to have to get this body purified .” She said unable to stop her laughter as her fellows seemed to consider what she said for a moment before-

“AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Laughter erupted from all around the table as the woman fell back cackling at her pun amidst the storm of her comrades' laughter, a feeling of warmth that had nothing to do with the liquor radiating in her chest as she thought of the days to come and the promises they held.

They had done it. 

They had finally fucking done it.

And now they could finally claim their due reward. Their Happy Ending.

And it was all thanks to the commander. They couldn’t stop themselves from smiling.

The symbol of the Sardegna Empire came next done in flashes of emerald and crimson, splashes of silver mixed in.

Vittorio Veneto raised her wine glass with a smile on her lips, Aquila resting her head on her shoulder as she raised her own glass to tap it against her friends with a smile on her face as the two shared a drink.

Carabiniere sighed in bliss as she downed another helping of her Harlot’s Pasta and took a sip of her wine, smiling at the taste as she leaned back in her chair to relax a bit more. Her smile widened upon spotting Formidable striding to her table, another bottle of wine in one hand and a music player in the other.

“Figured I would get us another bottle before we ran out.” Formidable said as she sat the bottle of wine in the ice bucket on the center of their table. The two having decided to enjoy a more relaxed evening at the Sardegna Dorms as opposed to being in the middle of the concert grounds, where Carabiniere could swear she heard some commotion faintly under the song playing over the intercoms, or…whatever was going on at the pier and plaza, the two having had more than their fill of dancing earlier. 

“Grazi, mia signora.” Carabiniere said as she began to look for the bottle opener, she knew she had set it down on the table somewhere.

As she found the opener and looked back to her plate, she noticed that it was missing.

“Mmm,” The sound made her look up to see Formidable eating her pasta.

“Hey! Get your own.” Carabiniere said as she reached over to try and grab the plate back, only for Formidable to hold it over her head with a giggle, smiling softly as the pasta haired destroyer stood up and tried to reach over the taller carrier to get her meal back something which only made Formidable have to hold in her chuckles as she stood up to keep the plate from Carabiniere’s hands.

“I have a much better idea,” Formidable said as she sat the plate down in front of her before sitting down and pulling the destroyer onto her lap with a smile.

Carabiniere blinked for a moment before she chuckled as she adjusted herself to where her head was resting on Formidable’s chest, barely resisting the urge to nuzzle her head into the heavenly softness pressed against the back of her head.

Smirking Formidable sat down her music player and selected a song before bringing up a fork of the pasta for Carabiniere to eat before she reached over and grabbed their wine glasses and filled them again. Holding hers so that Carabiniere could tap her own against it in a toast as they relaxed to enjoy their meal. 

Duca degli Abruzzi savored the taste of her wine as she watched Maestrale and Libeccio indulging themselves in some zeppoles, Maestrale taking the time to cut hers into small pieces with a knife and dip it into the raspberry sauce with a fork, while Libeccio enjoyed dipping them into the chocolate sauce with her fingers. 

She smiled at the sight of the two enjoying themselves, she was tempted to walk over to Maestrale and tell her that it was alright to mirror what her sister was doing only for a very enthusiastic Nicoloso da Recco to beat her to the punch as she overheard the young destroyer trying to get her friend to lighten up.

While normally she would have preferred her fellows observe proper decorum, even she was willing to wave such a thing given the circumstances of this celebration, although she herself was still behaving as properly as she could. 

She felt someone move to standy by her side and turned her head enough to see Giulio Cesare standing beside her, a rare soft smile on the woman’s face. Her hair let down from its normal short ponytail and allowed to flow freely, framing her face. 

Duca smiled softly as she raised her glass for her fellow to meet with her own in a toast, her fellow turning to her with a smile on her own face as she met her glass with her own. The two heard faint giggling prompting them to turn and see Pola and Zara pressed up against each other, their faces flushed as the two shared a soft kiss before they head off to find a more private corner to continue their own private celebration. 

 They couldn’t help but roll their eyes at the antics of the two. They then turned at the sound of footsteps to see Conte di Cavour walking towards them with a glass of wine of her own in her hand as she moved to stand beside her sister, smiling softly as she leaned her head against her sister's side, raising her glass for her sister to meet in another toast.

Trento smiled as she sat alongside Vincenzo Gioberti at the plaza, the two having decided to get some fresh air and enjoy more of the night's festivities before heading over to the ampitheatre to catch a couple songs. Although she was more than a little surprised to have seen Torricelli, Long Island, and U-47 together in the park, but she felt she really shouldn’t have been as the three were somewhat kindred spirits in their preference for being alone.

Her smile widened as she saw Marco Polo mingling with her fellows, her typical uniform swapped out for a flowing black dress with red and silver highlights, her hair blowing in the breeze as she took turns dancing with some of the destroyers who had decided to take a breather from the concert. At least she was doing so until Duke of York decided that she was curious as to if the Sardegnan could keep up with her and had roped her into a dance somewhere in the plaza, Trento having lost sight of them a little while ago.

Trento smiled as her young friend happily began to eat the cotton candy she had grabbed from a nearby stall, the two happily enjoying each other's company and the company of their friends as the festivities continued around them.

The Banner of Iron Blood Illuminated the sky, crimson and silver gleaming amidst the dark sky, the dark night sky serving to fill the spaces should be black, the symbol bringing a new round of cheers from both the drinking contest as well as those scattered around the base.

Odin smiled as she sat beside the U-Boats, having been assigned as their watcher for the evening she was actually enjoying the job more than she thought she would. Perhaps owing to the rather uncharacteristic calm that the young destroyers and submarines were displaying.

Well…some of them were displaying at least. 

The sounds of U-37 and U-96 laughing uproariously as they watched the drinking match taking place on the pier through a pair of binoculars was a minor thing she supposed compared to the usual antics some of her fellows got up to she supposed. 

And she was grateful that she had Washington and Kirishima nearby in case things started to get out of control…that is assuming the two could keep it in their pants long enough to help her if she needed it.

Once more she was grateful for the angels that were Nurnberg and Leipzig as the two had been a great help in wrangling the more eccentric members of Iron Bloods youth, alongside of Z2 and the Konigsberg class who had been assigned to assist her as well. 

As the laughter died down she smiled and took another slice of cake from her plate. ‘Yes’ she thought, ‘This peace is a nice thing indeed.’

The sound of a slight commotion caused Odin to open her eyes to see the rather amusing sight of Zeppy being all but dragged down to the concert by the smaller version of Akagi, the young kitsune eager to see one of her sisters performances and the… whatever else the commotion going on at the theater was.

With a glance Odin gestured for one of her fellow watchers to go with them, Reno accepting the silent command with a nod of her own as she walked off to catch up with the two little ones. 

Prinz Adalbert was having the time of her life as she and Magdeburg were taking place in an impromptu race, even she wasn’t really sure just who had suggested it but she suspected it was Prinz Heinrich, at least if the exasperation on Peter Strasser’s face and Weser’s face was anything to go by at least.

Prinz Adalbert couldn’t stop herself from smiling as she heard a squawk as Benson accidentally crashed into Marblehead and Richmond, Kumano, having seeing the incoming destroyer and dodged out of the way, was attempting to pick her friends up so that they didn’t get trampled by the incoming Nachi and Pensacola. 

She couldn’t stop herself from laughing as she saw Ulrich von Hutten push Honolulu and St. Louis out of the way of the incoming charge, the indigent squawk and accompanying yell from Honolulu making her wish she could turn around and see her face, but there was no way she was losing this race!

Koln should have expected this, she really should have given their track record of the amount of times things went mad around the basem at least this time she had some more company to help her deal with this new breed of lunacy.

“HOW THE HELL DID THEY STEAL MY BRA!?!?” The scream of Ark Royal made her stagger for a moment, she could hear Karlsruhe trip over her feet as she broke down cackling, Koningsberg joining her a moment later as most of the gathered destroyers and younger Kansen likewise broke out in giggles or laughter. 

Even on the stage Polaris had to take a brief break in their song as they tried to compose themselves at the sight of Ark Royal, rifle in one hand and saber in the other, tearing through the theater after what could only be described as a light blue and pink blur as Nicholas moved at speeds that Hussein Bolt would call too fast, the can of energy drink in her hands giving a clue as to the source of the sudden energy burst.

 Of course Nicholas wasn’t alone, somehow Shinano of all people was actually moving faster than her, Acasta sitting on her shoulders with two cans of the damnable drink that was responsible for this whole mess.

Koln vowed that she was going to have Albacore and Abercrombie running laps around the base for this. She should have known the two were in on it together!

Distantly she swore she heard a very familiar theme start to play as Polaris once more took a break as they lost the battle with their laughter.

The moment she turned her head to see the damn monitor holding the music player she changed targets and began to bolt after her instead. With a startled shriek Abercrombie began to dash, bobbing and weaving around her now howling fellows as Polaris once more began to play their song, the smiles on their faces telling her they were enjoying this. 

“What in the-” A white haired woman asked from the entrance, she had left to get something to snack on during the show and came back to the Benny Hill theme playing as what could only be described as a scene out of a comedy played out even as the idols continued their performance.

She blinked her blue eyes for a moment before she turned and looked at her fellows, one with a mane of white hair let flow freely and the other with their own hair done up into a small sidetail to keep it from getting in their eyes as they likewise wore dumbfounded expressions on their faces for a moment before they heard a light chuckle come from the last member of their group. Her own hair brushing the ground as she moved to take a seat and begin to toss popcorn into her mouth as she enjoyed the show in front of her, looking over her shoulder as she did so,

“Come on, we get to see a comedy and a musical today.” Her words prompting a round of laughter from her fellows as they took their places around her, the blue eyed woman herself almost doubling over cackling as she saw the fox tailed blur suddenly toss a black and blue haired missile straight at one of their pursuers causing them to let out a startled yelp as they were knocked to the ground by said projectile before it stood up and bolted in their direction.

Acting on instinct the blue eyed woman lowered her head so the poor girl didn’t gore herself on her horns as she leapt over her and towards the exit amidst cries of ‘STOP HER’ from the watchers of the group.

She smiled as she counted down in her head.

‘3’

‘2’

And..

‘1’

The black and blue haired blur was stopped as the last two members of their group arrived, one of them reaching out and seizing her in one of her limbs before lifting her up and over the group and holding her still even as the girl squirmed and fidgeted trying to slip free from what the group knew was an iron grip.

“Now, now. None of that my dear.” their newly arrived group’s leader said as she kept her grip on the girl as she pulled her closer and patted her head. “Why don’t you relax a bit and enjoy the show.” She received no response as the twitching destroyer tried to squirm free again only for the panting form of Ryuhou to seize her by her shoulders from behind.

“Th-Th-Thank y-you,” she struggled to say through trying to catch her breath, having been lead her own merry chase around the perimeter of the amphitheater by a peach haired blur named Echo for almost 20 minutes before she was able to catch the girl with Centaur’s help, said carrier was currently taking the girl back to the Royal Navy Dorms so she could crash someplace where they wouldn;t have to spend hours looking for her.

“It’s no problem. Now why don’t we put this little one to bed.” The white haired woman said as she reached into a small ‘pocket’ and pulled out a white can before holding it up the destroyer, Ryuhou almost jumped at the woman when she saw the familiar M shaped logo before she was stopped by the giggling of the ones around her.

She turned to see one of the women raising a finger to her lips and holding up her hand and beginning to countdown with her fingers.

‘5’ The white haired woman let Acasta go.

‘4’ The destroyer shakily grasped the can with a gleam in her eye.

‘3’ The destroyer opened the can and began to gulp the contents of it down.

‘2’ Acasta finished drinking the can dry.

‘1’ Acasta blinked.

‘0’ Acasta fell backwards only to be caught by Ryuhou, who was gaping at the now sound asleep destroyer in her arms. 

“H-How?!” The carrier asked as she met the mirthful eyes of the woman who was even now tossing the empty can back into the ‘pocket’ she had pulled it from.

“Our own young got their hands on something like that drink a while back…it took us damn near a week to round them all up,” The haunted gaze in her eyes and the eyes of her fellows, was something that all of the older kansen who were present to mind their younger fellow could sympathize with.

“After that mess we decided to make something to act as a counter agent to any stimulant without the need for needles or pills, something that was designed in such a way that they would be drawn to try and drink it for more energy only to find the opposite happening.” The woman smiled at the now gaping Ryuhou.

When she felt a hand on her shoulder she turned to see the face of the woman she had arrived with, the face of the experimental cruiser Yuubari was blank but there was a hunger in her eyes that was typically reserved for when the two were in a more passionate mood.

“Teach me,” she demanded.

The white haired woman blinked.

“Umm okay.” She said in response.

The searing kiss she received as a response brought cheer and hollers from her fellows and the Kansen who saw it.

‘I think I’ve created a monster.’ The woman thought as she froze for a moment before she wrapped all of her limbs around her lover.

‘But I think I can live with it.’ She concluded, with a smile.

Friedrich smiled as she gently swayed across the part of the plaza that had been cleared for dancing, bent over to where she could dance with Nagato without the small battleship's feet leaving the ground.

Her smile was soft and gentle, and yet at the same time undeniably radiant as she thought of her children having fun and celebrating as they deserved to on this of all days. She thought of all of the blood and tears, the pain and grief that it had taken to reach this point, she thought of the sacrifices made, the horror and terror at their monstrous foe, and the struggles that had all culminated in this day of celebration and joy.

She also thought of the one to whom they owed this victory. The one who even now danced with her children, her beautiful children having decided to take turns dancing with them so as to make their beloved’s dance more enjoyable. 

She smiled at the sight of the long white hair that gently flowed to the Commander knees slightly swaying the breeze like a wave of silver light, she knew the stress and shock that had driven the black from the hair and slowly turned it white and was overjoyed that at last the time had come for that stress to fade and for their beloved leader to relax.

She knew that it would take a while for them to truly relax but she also knew that they would be there every step of the way, this is where they belonged after all and they weren’t going anywhere.

Her smile softened at the sight of their leader's pale skin, too much time spent over strategy tables and overseeing logistics had left little time to spend in the sunlight or even outside of their office, and those few days they could, they were typically too tired to do more than relax in their company. She couldn’t count how many times she had picked them up and laid them down in their bed, the poor dear had tried to make do with the smallest bed they could get claiming they were used to it, something which had made their fellows blood boil upon learning of it, and the thing had been too uncomfortable to even serve as a damn prison bed.

She closed her eyes and reigned herself in for a moment so as to not ruin Nagato’s dance. 

She could recall the day their leader had passed out in the middle of a meeting. The sheer terror that had gripped everyone on the base was something that their enemy could never hope to mimick even with their cruelest and bloodiest of offensives. Thankfully their leader had been alright, but after that scare everyone who had the privilege of serving as a Secretary had made it their mission to ensure that they slept, be it in their faction's dorm or in the new bed they had brought in for them. They had thrown the old one at one of the Sirens during a battle, the dumbfounded look on the Oceana’s face as she processed the fact that a bed had been thrown at her was something that would never cease to make them laugh. The fact that they had a picture of it was even better.

She turned her attention back to Nagato as the young battleship began to slow her dance. A tired yawn leaving her lips as she calmly leaned her head against Friedrich’s waist, prompting the dark matriarch to lift her up and gently carry her to a nearby Kawakaze and Houshou who accepted their factions leader with a soft smile and thanks before heading off to tuck her in alongside a now slumbering Mutsu.

Friedrich could faintly hear Nagato trying to keep herself awake and smiled, she vowed to get as many recordings of the night's festivities as she could for the young girls to enjoy. 

She was about to head off to find Gridley, the resident camerawoman of Azur Lane, to see if she had got any videos of the night before she heard a voice speak up from behind her prompting her to turn and meet a pair of mismatched eyes, the left one a dark swirling blue like the depths of the ocean and the right one a bright almost electric blue with hints of yellow, the skin surrounding it slightly paler than the rest of their skin.The face of the speaker had soft features, no more sunken cheeks as they had gained as they neglected their health claiming it was normal for them, something which everyone had disagreed with as they had made it a point of importance to make sure they ate their fill whenever they desired it. 

Their cheek bones were slightly high and their chin was a little pointed, their lips were full and pale pink, and their full cheeks were marred only by a small scar that ran over the bridge of their nose, through their right eye, and then terminated at their forehead just below their hairline.

That had soft and gentle features overall mixed with slight aristocratic ones, something they claimed came from a long dead ancestor of theirs. However there were also signs of premature aging brought about by the amount of stress they had been under for quite a while as their eyes were slightly sunken and there were faint wrinkles at the corners of their eyes and lips.

Their body was likewise soft, with curves in all of the right places for a young woman of barely 28 as their commander was, they had gotten her on a stable and healthy diet as soon as they had noticed her lack of regard for her own health afterall. Their hips were wide and full and their breasts were a respectable C cup, with a slightly toned if somewhat soft tummy beneath them, their shoulders were a bit broad and there were faint muscles on their arms and legs owing to training that they had begun to do to keep from gaining too much weight. 

Their leader had to crane her head back a little bit to meet Friedrich’s gaze as they were only about 5 ft 1 inches in comparison to Friedrich’s own height of 8 ft 2 inches, the action prompting their leader to reach a hand to rub at their neck for a moment before Friedrich knelt to greet her commander eye to eye with a soft smile on her face as she opened her arms.

The young woman across from her gave a smile as she leaned into the offered embrace, throwing her arms around the battleship as she rested her head on her chest.

“My dear are you alright? They didn’t tire you out too much with all of the dancing did they?” Friedrich asked the woman currently nuzzling her chest, chuckling at the muffled response the woman gave. 

“I’m afraid I didn’t catch that. Could you speak up a little bit my dear?” Here Friedrich’s smile widened as with a sigh the Commander leaned her head up and spoke up.

“I’m alright just…just having a hard time believing it all I guess. That and my feet are killing me right now.” The woman finished with a slight whine in her voice prompting an amused chuckle from Friedrich and the Kansen who had gathered around the two.

“Oh? Would you like a foot massage then Commander?” Akagi asked with a smile on her face, her smile widening as she broke out into giggles at the deadpan look her beloved shot her over her shoulder.

“Well since you’re partly to thank for it I wouldn’t object to it if you are offering,” 

Friedrich chuckled as she lifted the woman in her arms into a bridal carry, the action prompting a startled squeak from the smaller woman who instinctively threw her arms around Friedrich’s shoulders as she was lifted up.

“Well then come along my dear, let’s go find somewhere where we can rest. Maybe at the theater with the others? We could enjoy the concert and the fireworks at the same time.” Friedrich said as she began to stride towards the amphitheater, her children trailing after her, chuckling and giggling at the embarrassed blush on the Commander’s face at being carried and at the sound she had made upon being picked up. 

“Sure, as long as I can sit down I’ll be happy.” The woman said as she calmed herself down from her embarrassment and rested her head against Friedrich’s chest again with a smile on her face. 

Friedrich leaned down to place her lips to the Commander’s forehead with a smile on her face. Her poor child had been through quite a lot and she imagined their victory had yet to fully sink in, and the poor dear was also probably worrying about some minor concern as she was unfortunately prone to doing. She smiled at the thought of helping her beloved child relax, perhaps after the concert and a massage for her aching feet they could go down to the pier to get a more close up view of the fireworks, or perhaps relax in one of the dorm rooms. 

Regardless she smiled as she felt the woman shift to get more comfortable in her arms, her breathing slowly evening out prompting her to whisper into the woman’s ear-

“Azalea my dear I need you to stay awake for a little bit longer. You can sleep once the festivities are over.” 

The woman’s reply had her and the others with her chuckling.

“Fine…but I am not giving a speech, I did that earlier and I am not giving another one.'' The ‘Huumph’ that came at the end of the sentence made them all break down laughing for a moment, even Azalea herself chuckling for a moment.

“No one is asking you to do so my dear. Just relax and enjoy the festivities. You’re the reason they're happening after all.” Friedrich said with a gentle smile as she held her child close.

“You girls deserve this a lot more than me, all I did was sit in a bunker and read maps while you all we-” Her words were cut off by Friedrich gently placing her lips to hers, a soft and tender kiss as the Iron Blood matriarch stopped her movement to attend to a more immediate concern.

It was an unfortunate trait of their commander’s to not only stress over even small things, but to also be quite self-deprecating, not understanding her own significance and the significance of the action until someone else laid them bare for her to see. 

“Now, now, none of that my child.” Friedrich said as she pulled back from the kiss prompting a small whine to leave Azalea. 

“You may not have been on the battlefield with us in person that day, but it was you whose voice guided our actions, whose plans and strategies won us a battle that should have been unwinnable. It was you who guided us through the dark days before that battle and through the hell that was that day. Never underestimate the importance of your actions that day of all days my child. You are the reason we are all here right now. You are the reason that we can all smile and laugh instead of resting in a watery tomb. And if I have to spend every day for the rest of time telling you that I will, so don;t doubt yourself my child. You are a savior to us, so let us reward you like a savior deserves.” Friedrich finished as she gently kissed her child again before lowering her so that the other girls with her could do the same.

The concert and fireworks could wait, she thought as she eyed a nearby bench. They would be with their leader first. 

As she sat down she smiled as she saw Akagi begin to try and get Azalea’s shoes off, and her smile softened at the happy tears in her daughter’s eyes as she silently mouthed a heartfelt ‘Thank you…mom’ to her.

Friedrich was going to enjoy spoiling her child rotten, she truly was.

The banner of Eagle Union was the next banner to illuminate the sky, done in sapphire and gold with silver mixed in. 

Cleveland liked to think she was the mature one among her siblings, her case in point being-

“Denver, get down from there! Columbia stop encouraging her! Montpelier let me go!”

The laughter of her fellows told her what they thought of this situation and to be fair to them if it were her on the outside of this mess she would be laughing as well, but given that she was currently watching Denver climb a lamp post like a monkey while Columbia cheered her on.

And of course she couldn’t try and get her sister down on her own because someone had given Montpelier enough to drink that she was once more displaying that she was a clingy drunk as she had latched onto her like a limpet and was refusing to let her go. 

“Need some help?” 

Cleveland silently vowed that she was going to get Tennessee and California the biggest presents she could for their next launch day. 

“Yes please.” She said and soon found herself watching as Denver was coaxed down from the lamp post by…unconventional methods.

The laughter of those around them became uproarious at the sight of Tennessee lifting the lamp post out of the ground and shaking Denver out of it while California caught her and tossed her at Columbia with a cry of ‘Go Long!’.

She sighed in relief when the two stayed on the ground in a giggling mass instead of getting up and running off to cause more chaos.

She saw Tennessee and California begin to lift her giggling mess of sisters up, and begin to carry them back to the dorms.

“We’ll get these two tucked in before they try and do something like whatever brand of hell was going on at the amphitheater,” Tennessee called over her shoulder.

“Thank you!” Cleveland called out to them as she relaxed.

…

…

…

Wait…

She was still stuck in Montpelier’s arms.

With a sigh she decided to try and get out of her sister's arms only for her to stand up and carry them over to a nearby cafe table and sit down and begin to nuzzle the top of her sister's head.

 Cleveland blinked before she let out another sigh and decided to enjoy herself a bit as she got a bit more comfortable on her sister’s lap and began to relax.

The sound of someone setting a glass and plate on the table made her blink as she opened her eyes to see the smiling face of Yorktown.

“In case you two need something to eat or drink,” She said as she reached over and pat both of their heads before she stood up, her stance unsteady as she swayed to and fro for a moment before steadying herself. 

“Still not used to them yet?” Cleveland asked with concern in her voice.

“Not really, I am getting better but it still feels weird.” The carrier said as she took a moment to make sure her balance was alright before she smiled and began to walk away, calling over her shoulder as she did so.

“The way I see it, at least I can walk again.” A smile crossed her face and it was soon mirrored across Cleveland's own as she looked at her friend. 

“Now, I’m going to see if I can find Hamman and Sims, I thought I saw them near the pier later and I really don’t want to see what they can get up to if they get enough liquor in their stomachs.” The shiver that racked Yorktown’s fram was shared by Cleveland as the carrier began to walk off, joined soon by an almost mirror replica of herself, a large eagle resting on the other woman’s shoulder as she laid her arm around Yorktown’s shoulder.

Cleveland smiled as she leaned her head against Montpelier’s shoulder. 

“These METAs are going to give me a headache trying to tell who's who.” Cleveland said with a sigh, her sister letting out a hum of agreement as she slipped into unconsciousness with her sister held in her arms. 

Cleveland smiled at Montpeliere’s face and laid her head against hers and began to relax herself, smiling as she fished her phone out of her pocket and began to browse through it as she got comfortable. Looking up when she heard the chairs across from her move, her eyes met the amused faces of Helena and Helena META, both of whom had their phones out and were taking pictures of her.

She raised a single hand and a single finger in response, something which prompted the two women to break down into giggles as they saw the cruiser glaring at them.

Their laughter increased to the point of full on cackling when Montpelier reached her hand out and brought it down on her sister's head lightly with a mumbled comment of ‘No, bad sis’.

With a defeated sigh she decided to just accept her fate. She vowed she would get Monty back for this.

Pennsylvania smiled as Arizona laid her head on her lap in their shared room, her eyes closed as she slept peacefully despite the noise going on outside. It made her heart soar with relief and joy to know that her sisters nightmares had been becoming less and less common, the poor woman finally able to sleep more than a few hours without waking up gasping and soaked in sweat, tears leaking from her eyes with a cry slipping past her lips that typically had most of the dorm coming to investigate, the Colorado class having taken it upon themselves to stay with her after each nightmare, a shared trauma having forged a close bond between them.

Although they were not the only ones as she recalled the day she had gone to the commander’s office to deliver her report from a commission only to find her sister laying on the couch in the office, her head resting on Azalea’s lap as the woman softly threaded her fingers through her hair, an unfamiliar song being hummed from the commander as her sister slept peacefully. 

The commander had heard her enter apparently as she had raised a finger to her lips in a gesture of silence before gesturing to her to come closer with her free hand. Pennsylvania doing so as quietly as possible as she marveled at the expression of tranquility that graced her sister’s face, the young woman seemingly sleeping as soundly as a newborn for the first time in quite a while, bar the times when she would hold her close as she slept but even then nightmares would come and go as images of a horrible day plagued her.

She had been awestruck at the sight of her sisters peaceful face and had been so focused on it hat she had all but leapt out of her skin when the commander had taken her hand and placed it atop her sister’s scalp, the instruction clear as she began to mimic Azalea’s own movements of slowly stroking her sisters scalp. 

“I have nightmares too, from time to time.” The woman had said as she paused in her humming to reach over and get a sip of her drink. “This is what Friedrich and Houshou started doing when I had them as my secretaries a few months ago, and then they taught Nimi and well…now pretty much everyone who's been one of my secretaries knows about it huh.” the woman finished with a self of self loathing at the end.

She recalls wanting to assure the commander that they didn’t think any less of them. That they would all do everything they could to help her with her nightmares and troubles. Wanting to reach out and pull her into her arms as she saw the haunted look that flickered through their leaders then both blue eyes. But she also didn’t want to disturb her sister and so she settled for tilting the woman’s head back and placing a loving kiss on her lips, and a silent vow that she would volunteer to be the next secretary for a while.

After that she had asked the commander to teach her how to calm her sister, and unspokenly the woman herself, down in case of a nightmare to which she had agreed although she had mentioned that Friedrich or Houshou, perhaps even Atago or Yorktown would also be good candidates to ask. Pennsylvania did end up asking them for further tips after Azalea had taught her what she knew, the fact that the woman had fallen asleep on her lap mid-lesson something that made Pennsylvania swell with pride and also gave her ammunition to tease her commander with in the future. 

As the banner of her faction lit up the sky Pennsylvania smiled, once again vowed to rock the commander’s world the next chance she had, not just for getting them to this point but for everything she had done for her sister as well as herself. 

She was shaken from her fantasies when she felt Arizona shift a bit, pressing her face against her sister's tummy, the sight prompting Pennsylvania to grab her phone and begin to snap pictures, further filling an already overflowing album of such pictures, with a smile on her face.

Anchorage was enjoying both the fireworks and the music as she sat in the Amphitheater, an ice cream cone, strawberry and blueberry mix, held in one hand and a glowstick in the other. Baltimore sat beside her on one side with Bremerton on the other, the two sharing their adopted sisters' antics of having a glowstick in one hand and a snack in the other as they enjoyed the show.  

Baltimore was overjoyed at the fact that she had been able to keep her adopted sister from getting her hands on that damned can of energy drink, the last time something like that had happened they had spent hours trying to find her, only to find her in the attic of their dorms of all places, attempting to talk to a pidgeon. 

Needless to say they had made it a point of issue to keep said thing from her hands if at all possible.

But right now, they were going to enjoy this day together and rejoice in a hard fought victory. 

Astoria sat nearby with Quincy and Vincennes sitting beside her, The big sister of the New Orleans Class was smiling as she handed her popcorn bag to Quincy and then to Vincennes and then leaned down to let Minneapolis and San Francisco grab a couple pieces as she sat at her feet, her head resting on her big sisters lap, a pillow shared with San Francisco. 

The New Orleans class were content basking in the company of their fellows and the music, although they did wonder just what the commotion near the entrance was the singing of Cleveland was enough to keep them focused as they cheered on Polaris.

Essex sighed as she leaned her head against Shangri-La’s shoulder, waiting patiently for Enterprise to finish showing off at the pier. Belfast sat nearby, the maid wearing a white dress and a beaming smile as she watched the aerobatic displays, the look in her eyes promising that the two were in for a wild night once they landed. 

Essex smiled slightly as she wondered if Belfast would mind her-

As if reading her mind the maid looked at her with a smile and a gleam in her eye. 

Essex silently cheered at her luck, yes this was going to be a wild night and she couldn’t wait for it to get even wilder . 

The banner of Eagle Union faded and then a hum began to echo across the harbor as the exotic vessel began to prepare its response to the Carriers antics, the planes departing to their respective ships as soon as the were able as the vessel began to build up energy in its main guns the figure stand astride it brought their black cane down with force enough to shake the vessel for a moment as a feral grin spread across their face.

“A GOOD SHOWING EAGLE UNION AND ASH!” The voice bellowed from the ship, easily echoing across the harbor and indeed the base as well.

“BUT LET US SEE IF IT RIVALS THIS.” They yelled once more as the guns of the vessel began to lift to point skywards, portions of it retracting into the hull to make way for additional smaller turrets to fire precise patterns in addition to what was about to happen.

“ALL GUNS FIRE AT MAXIMUM CHARGE!” The all mighty roar of energy being expelled at critical mass drowned out all noise as all eyes were drawn to the display of raw power that lit up the sky in a kaleidoscopic array of radiance. 

The multitude of beams met at distance from the base and then-

BOOOMMMM

The almighty bang shook heaven and earth as a new symbol was born amidst the radian glow, a symbol that appeared to be naught but a massive kaleidoscopic colored mirror, the deep azure of the waves reflected on it amidst the breathtaking array of other colors each symbolic of timelines and worlds lost.

Arbiter: Empress III smiled as the Sirens banner illuminated the sky. They had not truly had one until the commander had spoken with them regarding it, and so the idea of their new symbol was born, the multitude of colors were their tribute to the worlds and timelines lost in their mission, and their showing that their sacrifices were not in vain.

Empress smiled wider as she heard the indignant yell from the battleship near her, chuckles leaving her lips at the sound of the Iowa class yelling at her for, in her own words, “ Vaporizing half the ocean in a bigger show off display then what Enterprise and Ash had done”. 

Her smile softened as she turned to where her superior stood, Observer Zero was wordless as she looked at the display on the horizon, a solitary tear trickling from her blue eyes a display of the emotions she was feeling as she met her subordinates gaze.

The First Siren, the first Antiochus, rose from her seat and threw her arms around her subordinate to steady herself, a near delirious laugh leaving her lips, the words that followed it were muffled but audible still to the Arbiter as she gently embraced her old friend.

“Mother…we did it…we finally did it…we won…we actually won…we finally…we finally…” For a moment she was silent before she broke her embrace with the Arbiter and strode towards the edge of the ship, silently raising one of her hands as her voice rose to echo over the base, the words likewise thundering across the network shared by the Sirens.

Her words swept through the base like a typhoon, prompting cheers to ring out in agreement as they echoed.

Azalea, still wrapped in Friedrich’s arms as she watched the light show felt tears of silent joy and pride trail down from both of her eyes as the thundering cheer of-

“WE WON! VICTORY!” 

Thundered through the base. 

She couldn’t stop the pride and love that welled in her heart as she looked over her base, and her girls.

Yes, they had won, and now they would have their happy ending.