Shigure fell to the water as her vitals instantly turned red. That bastard!
"You bitch!" (Shiratsuyu)
"Kh!" (Zuihou)
Zuihou smashed her bow against Hyuuga's face, staggering her. Shiratsuyu tackled the battleship to the water and pinned her down with her foot. The Destroyer unloading her both her guns at the enemy battleships' head.
"Ooyodo!"
"I know!" (Ooyodo)
Ooyodo rushed to Shigure's side while Prinz Eugen moved in to cover both of them. The audible clicking sound of empty guns can be heard from Shiratsuyu.
"Damn it!" (Shirastuyu)
"Shiratsuyu-chan, move!" (Agano)
Shiratsuyu leapt off Hyuuga and Agano launched a salvo of shells at the enemy Kansen, sending it across the water. Shiratsuyu launched a torpedo as the enemy Hyuuga just to correct itself. The ensuing explosion engulfed it, but not because the torpedo hit it's target. Even though it's a mindless Siren construct, it was smart enough to detach one of cannons to intercept and avoid a direct hit from Shiratsuyu's torpedo. Hyuuga fired back at the two girls with its three remaining Twin 356mm cannons, forcing them to once again perform evasive maneuverers.
I can only rely on them to handle that thing. Right now,
"Ooyodo, talk to me."
There is a huge laceration on Shigure's body right in the middle. Blood soaked into her clothes as Ooyodo assessed and attempted to do first-aid.
"Ugh... Ooyo- Kaaha-!" (Shigure)
Blood spurt from her mouth as she coughed.
"Don't talk. The wound is pretty badly. I can't tell if any vital parts have been damaged but she will bleed out if we don't do something to stop the blood first. I have bandages but that's not going to do anything." (Ooyodo)
Zuihou rushed to Shigure's side and placed a finger in between the threads that held her sleeve to her kimono. With one swift motion, she pulled and snapped two of the threads before tearing off the sleeve was gaze by Hyuuga's attack.
"Is this enough?" (Zuihou)
Ooyodo looked at the torn kimono sleeve and took it from Zuihou's hands.
"Thanks. This may work. Prinz Eugen, go help Agano and Shiratsuyu. We can manage ourselves here." (Ooyodo)
"You sure?" (Prinz Eugen)
"My planes will warn me. Besides, we have an extra pair of eyes providing overwatch." (Zuihou)
Even though it's true, that's all I could do... Just watch as my girls get hurt...
No. Now is not the time for this. While Agano and Shiratsuyu can distract that monster, they lack the firepower enough to take it out. For now, only Prinz Eugen and Zuihou have the strength to take it out. But Zuihou is assisting Ooyodo...
Even though she is down to one main gun, Prinz Eugen can still fight. For the time being,
"Go. Destroy that thing."
"Understood." (Prinz Eugen)
Prinz Eugen sped ahead to join Agano and Shiratsuyu. She fired her remaining SKC34 20.3cm Twin Gun Mount and 2cm Flakvierling 38 as soon as she got in range. Distracted by Agano, Hyuuga was not able to defect Prinz Eugen's shots. Her shots blew up its top right Twin 356mm cannons, further reducing her firepower. It's still not enough...
Ooyodo folded the sleeve and pressed it on Shigure's wound. Shigure's face contorted in pain as the bespectacled girl applied pressure on the huge gash.
"Sorry, Shigure." (Ooyodo)
"Urgh... Agh..." (Shigure)
"Zuihou, once the bleeding stops, help me elevate her a little. I will quickly wrap her with the bandages." (Ooyodo)
"Got it." (Zuihou)
"Geez! Just sink already!" (Agano)
"Shiratsuyu, can you afford to use another torpedo?"
"Only if I'm sure it will be a direct hit. I only have two left so I can't afford to miss and waste any more." (Shiratsuyu)
Opportunity... Sure-fire... We need to stop it from moving. It has already taken a lot of damage and looks like it's on its last legs. A torpedo should be enough to finish it off. If not, a few more shells will the trick.
"Agano, can you take out its legs?"
"I can try. But that naginata will deflect my attacks." (Agano)
A hinderance... First, we need to get it of its naginata and cannons. We can't risk it sacrificing a cannon to block the torpedo like it did earlier.
If Zuikaku could help...
"Zuikaku, I need you back here now!"
I can hear the sound of metal clashing against one another on the other end of the radio.
"I'm a little busy. Damn it! This Ise-senpai is more of a pain in the ass than the orignal. How are things on your side?" (RA Zuikaku)
"Not good. Shigure is down." (Ooyodo)
"What?! Kh!" (RA Zuikaku)
There were sounds of machinegun fire and an explosion before Zuikaku's voice returned to the radio,
"Great. More Siren ships. I'm going to regroup with you but it will take some time." (RA Zuikaku)
"Forget it. You just going to bring the horde towards us. We will regroup with you once we are done here."
Zuikaku is out of the question.
"Sorry." (RA Zuikaku)
"Prinz, find some way to destroy its weapon and kill its cannons."
"It might be a bit tough with what I have left... but I'll try!" (Prinz Eugen)
Damn it. Why did I think a single Strike Fleet would be enough for this operation?! All of them are on ammunition at this point. Can we even make it to where Shoukaku is thought to be?
"Bleeding seems to have stopped. Zuihou," (Ooyodo)
"Yes. Sorry if this hurts, Shigure." (Zuihou)
Pressing on the kimono sleeve, Zuihou slowly lifted Shigure's body for Ooyodo. She quickly wrapped the bandages around Shigure's body tied it by the side. Shigure's breathing is ragged as they slowly set her back down.
"How is she?"
"She is not out of the woods yet. We need to bring her back to base for immediate treatment." (Ooyodo)
We need to hurry.
"Ooyodo, do you have that with you?"
"Always." (Ooyodo)
"I was hoping you say that. Zuihou, I need your help."
"What is it?" (Zuihou)
"This fight has dragged on long enough. We need to end it now. How many fighter and bombers that can be deployed immediately?"
"Three bomber squadrons and one Reppu squadron have been refuelled and resupplied. But this is the last batch. I'm out of ammo to conduct any more replenishment." (Zuihou)
"Type 99 or Suisei?"
"Type 99." (Zuihou)
"Good enough. Ooyodo, stay with Shigure. Zuihou, rejoin the fight. Put one fighter squadron and one Type 99 squadron in the air. Earlier, the fighters managed to distract Hyuuga for a bit so we are going to do it again. All units, listen up. You have your roles. Zuihou's fighters will create an opening. Once done, strike."
"Roger!" (All)
"What about the Type 99?" (Zuihou)
"For insurance. Alright. Go!"
Shiratsuyu pick up speed and maintained her distance while Prinz Eugen and Agano closed in on Hyuuga. Zuihou launched the two squadrons of planes. The bombers circled around Hyuuga like vultures while the Reppus were like falcons, preparing to strike their target.
"Prinz Eugen, ready?" (Zuihou)
"Yes! Go for it!" (Prinz Eugen)
"Even if they are few, they are the elite!" (Zuihou)
Zuihou's Reppus nose-dived towards Hyuuga and opened fire. Just as planned, Hyuuga stopped and fired its cannons at the Fighters while using its weapon to deflect bullets. Prinz fired her AA gun at Hyuuga's hand, putting holes in it and shooting the Naginata out of its owner's grip. Hyuuga staggered backwards as more holes begin to appear on its body, courtesy of Zuihou's Reppus.
Taking this chance, Prinz Eugen and Agano opened fire at their respective targets. Agano kept blasting at its leg till it was blew off.
"I crippled it!" (Agano)
"Moving into position!" (Shiratsuyu)
Shirastsuyu changed her course and moved to get within torpedo range. Prinz Eugen shot at its gun turrets with her remaining SKC34 20.3cm Twin Gun Mount and 2cm Flakvierling 38. She managed to destroy one but before she could move on to the last, Hyuuga fired at Prinz Eugen with its remaining turret.
"Kyaah!" (Prinz Eugen)
Her vitals changed from orange to red.
"Prinz!"
The blast had sent Prinz tumbling across the water for a bit before she was able to get back up on her feet. Her face was singed and blood dripped from the side of her head.
"Kh! Bismarck-neesama will laugh at me if I'm like this...!" (Prinz Eugen)
Prinz Eugen squeezed the trigger on her Flakvierling, pelting its body and gun turret with 20mm shells.
"Shiratsuyu!"
"This is for Shigure!" (Shiratsuyu)
A single torpedo flew out of Shiratsuyu's launcher and made a beeline towards Hyuuga. Unable to evade and without any means to destroy the torpedo, its body was engulfed in the ensuing explosion. It let out a loud animalistic shriek from within the smoke. The girls surrounded the cloud of black smoke, guns primed in case it's still alive.
"Grrr..." (Enemy Hyuuga)
"Geez! What a persistent thing!" (Agano)
"A torpedo bulge! It must had have one. "
I was hoping Shiratsuyu's torpedo could take out. How can I forget that battleships have a torpedo bulge to reduce the damage inflicted by torpedoes?
"Zuihou!"
"On it! Goooo~!" (Zuihou)
The Type 99s that were on standby flew over Hyuuga and dropped their bombs. Crippled, the bombs were able to make direct contact on it. Multiple explosions engulfed its body once again and a loud guttural beastly cry was mixed in with the explosions.
I watched the monitor...
I swear to god. This better be the end of it.
I can see multiple fires from within the smoke. There doesn't seem to be any movement but we can't be so sure until we have visual confirmation of it's body. Or what's left of it.
Hold on. The radar is beeping. Something is approaching the fleet.
"Look out!" (RA Zuikaku)
It's the fake Ise! And it's coming for Shiratsuyu!
"Shiratsuyu, behind you!"
"What?!" (Shiratsuyu)
The fake Ise leapt at the Destroyer. A sound of a gun echoed through the radio as something hit it in the face, throwing it off course and tumbling across the water.
Zuikaku sped past Shiratsuyu towards the fake Ise who was still on the surface and sliced its head off with a flaming katana. Ise's body twitched as sparks flew from its exposed wires for a few seconds before becoming lifeless. The smoke around Hyuuga finally subsided, revealing the charred remains of its body.
"Haah... Haah..." (Ra Zuikaku)
Zuikaku dropped to one knees as she caught her breath.
"Shigure!" (Shiratsuyu)
Shiratsuyu rushed to Shigure's side. Shigure dropped her still smoking gun onto the water surface. She was the one who shot the fake Ise, and saved her sister from impending doom.
Shiratsuyu fell to her knees and gripped Shigure's hand. Tears filled her eyes.
"Are... you alright, Shiratsuyu?" (Shigure)
"Unn... Yes... Thanks to you." (Shiratsuyu)
"Thank goodness..." (Shigure)
"Admiral, we need to bring Shigure back for treatment. SFFCF is online and ready to use." (Ooyodo)
"I know. Thank you."
Just for the sake on paper,
"All units, I'm authorising the use of Striking Force Fleet Command Facility and ordering Destroyer Shigure's immediate evacuation. As Shigure is in a dire state, I'm overriding the usual directive and rules set by the SFFCF. Shigure will be towed by Destroyer Shiratsuyu and escorted by Heavy Cruiser Prinz Eugen. Please acknowledge."
"Affirmative!" (Prinz Eugen)
"Understood. Let's go home, Shigure." (Shiratsuyu)
"Shiratsuyu, everyone, I'm sorry. Admiral, sorry for... charging in like that." (Shigure)
"You should be. Christ. Don't ever give me.. us a heart attack like that ever again. We lost you once. We can't lose you a second time."
Shiratsuyu carried her injured sister over her shoulder,
"That's right! That was so reckless of you! Once you have recovered, be prepared for a Shiratsuyu-class special scolding." (Shiratsuyu)
"Ahaha... Please spare me..." (Shigure)
"See you back at the base, Admiral." (Prinz Eugen)
"I will leave them in your care, Prinz."
"Ja. I will protect them." (Prinz Eugen)
"Take care of yourself too."
"Let's go. Pudding-chan." (Shiratsuyu)
"Don't call me Pudding-chan!" (Prinz Eugen)
The two girls sped off with Shigure in tow. Their icons turned grey on the kanji for 'Evacuate' appeared on them.
"So there is four of us left now, huh." (RA Zuikaku)
"Zuikaku, what the hell was that?"
"What was what?" (RA Zuikaku)
"That whole battle! I understand if you wanted to split the two but that was too dangerous. We had way too many close calls during that fight alone. Shigure could have sunk."
"How is that my fault?! I didn't expect your fleet to have this much trouble with a single fake battleship." (RA Zuikaku)
"We have fought numerous Abyssal Princess and Water Demons. Sometime it was a total victory, at time we won by the skin of our teeth. But this... how is it that a fake Kansen was able to take so much punishment? Even our own Ise and Hyuuga are not that tough, let alone the Abyssals. Granted, we were low on ammo, it still shouldn't have been that hard to take down a battleship." (Ooyodo)
"Is this normal?" (Zuihou)
The air was silent.
"No. It's not normal. You're right. It shouldn't have been that hard to defeat the real Ise-senpai and Hyuuga-senpai. Even the fight with Akatsuki felt weird. Midway through my fight with the fake, another horde of Siren ships appeared from portals behind her. The fakes were much faster and aggressive than the original. I would know. I sparred with the real ones before. Something is way off." (RA Zuikaku)
"What do we do now?" (Agano)
"We keep pushing. Save my sister and stop the First Carrier Divisions' plan." (RA Zuikaku)
"No. You can carry on all you want. But I'm pulling my girls out of this operation. Not counting you, my fleet is down to three members. Thanks to the horde, their ammo and plane count is low. There is no guarantee we can last all the way till the end."
"You... Are you serious? We are this close to finishing this. And you want to pull out now?" (RA Zuikaku)
"Alright. Let's put it this way. Where is your sister exactly? How long will it take to reach her? How many more battles do we have to win in order to reach her location? If you can answer all that and guarantee the safe return of my girls, I will decide whether or not to continue lending our assistance."
"Admiral-" (Zuihou)
"Stay out of this, Zuihou. This is for our sake. We are not in the idle position to continue this fight. Now, Zuikaku. Your answer?"