Enterprise and Alicorn stand beside Yorktown's bed, as she looks out to the ocean. A soft breeze blows into the room.

  "Look, the ocean is so pretty today." Yorktown states.

  "I've never felt that the ocean is beautiful." Enterprise says.

  "I've never cared for the ocean." Alicorn states. "I much prefer the sky myself."

  "From the moment we were born, the ocean was a pce for war. There's nothing beautiful about that. Besides, Sister, the ocean is where you..."

  "That's not true." Yorktown starts. "You're only forgetting. We are ships, taking on the form of humans. The beauty of the seas is engraved deep inside our souls." She grabs her Daughter's and Sister's hand as she smiles at them. "One day, you'll remember what wishes the people pced in your name. Blessings to the azure nes. Enterprise, my dear little sister. Alicorn, my dear daughter."

  Alicorn just looks to the side as a warm feeling rises in her chest. She spots a photo on a desk.

  It's a photo of a young Alicorn, smiling, along with Erik and Yorktown. Enterprise is emotionless in the photo.

  A small frown forms on Alicorn's face as the warm feeling goes away.

  ---

  Alicorn is peacefully sleeping as light shines from behind her curtains.

  The door to her rooms opens and a couple pairs of footsteps walk into the room.

  "I don't know about this Sheffield." Edinburgh says.

  "We were ordered to do so, so we must." Sheffield says. "Nothing will happen to us, she's on our side now. Just remember, she still is a young ship, younger than most in Azur Lane."

  The two walk into the rge room, with Edinburgh stumbling a little. Sheffield walks over to the curtains and opens them, letting the morning sun into the room and it shines onto Alicorn's face.

  Alicorn grunts before opening her eyes. "Huh?" Alicorn sits up and blinks a few times. "What time is it?"

  Sheffield walks over to Alicorn. "It's 8:30 am, ma'am."

  Alicorn grows confused as she blinks her tired eyes. "What? Impossible." She looks at her clock and watches it turn 8:31 am. "My internal clock must be malfunctioning, I must go and see Vestal about this."

  "Well, there's nothing wrong with sleeping in a little." Edinburgh says as she walks over, becoming slightly nervous.

  Alicorn just hums in annoyance. "So may I asked who you two are?"

  Sheffield curtseys. "I'm Sheffield, a maid from the Royal Navy."

  Edinburgh panics a little, then goes into a curtsey. "I-I'm Edinburgh, also a maid from the Royal Navy."

  Alicorn looks to the two up and down, then just hums.

  Baxterbro

  The Previous Day.

  Alicorn watches as Belfast saves Enterprise from Zuikaku. Though her riggins's red eyes stare at Z23 and Ayanami.

  "Zuikaku." Shoukaku calls out as she destroys a couple SBD Dougss' and she nds besides her sister. "Zuikaku?"

  Zuikaku struggles to stay standing as she gres at Belfast and Enterprise. "A maid?! What kind of joke is this?!"

  "She's dead serious." Prinz Eugen states as she floats above the four. "Royal Navy, second ships in Edinburgh css of light cruisers... Belfast. She might look like a joke, but she's still a legendary warrior. Don't underestimate her."

  "A pleasure to meet you again, Prinz Eugen of Iron Blood." Belfast greets. "I must say, it is an unexpected pleasure to see you here."

  "Indeed. Perhaps it's not a bad idea to settle some old grudges out here, far away from Iron Blood and Royal Navy." Eugen's sharks snap at Belfast.

  Belfast smiles. "I have no objections to your proposal, but..."

  The three Red Axis ships look to the side and see a fleet of Royal Navy ships sailing towards them.

  "That's..." Shoukaku mutters.

  "I must remind you that we would be responding with all our might." Belfast informs.

  In the Royal Navy fleet there's Battleship Warspite.

  Battlecruiser Hood.

  Light Cruiser Edinburgh and Light Cruiser Sheffield.

  Then Battleship Queen Elizabeth.

  "The main Royal navy fleet..." Enterprise mutters.

  "A powerful fleet..." Alicorn mutters to herself.

  "So. Have you made your decision?" Belfast asks her enemies.

  "I guess it's time to quit while we're ahead." Eugen says.

  Z23 points at Alicorn. "Listen now! The next time I see you, you'd better apologize for not taking this seriously!"

  Alicorn's eyes glow as she looks at Z23. "If I were to take this seriously, you would have been dead long before you saw me."

  Z23 backs up a little and starts to sweat. Then she turns around and walks away, with Anyanami following.

  "Anyanami." Laffey calls out, in a tired tone. Said girl looks back at her. "Bye-bye. See you." Laffey waves.

  Anyanami gains a conflicted look as she turns around and sails away.

  Alicorn watches them leave as the Sirens and Red Axis pull back.

  Eugen nds on a Siren ship. "See you again, Azur Lane." She gives Alicorn a smirk, which Alicorn responds with a small gre.

  "This isn't over, Grey Ghost!" Zuikaku shouts.

  Then Zuikaku and her sister retreat from the area.

  Alicorn lets out a sigh and stumbles a little.

  "You okay, Alicorn?" Hornet calls out.

  Alicorn just nods as her eyes slightly droop. "Yes, just slightly exhausted." 'Enterprise and I have been patrolling non-stop recently. I had a feeling something back was going to happen and it did, and I wasn't there to stop it.' She curls her hands into fists.

  ---

  Edinburgh brushes Alicorn's hair as she sits at her desk. Sheffield is cleaning any small messes in the room.

  Alicorn adjusts her coat a little as Edinburgh finishes brushing the sub's hair.

  Alicorn then stands up and looks at herself in the mirror, she rubs the scar on her left eyebrow. Then hums and heads towards the door.

  Sheffield and Edinburgh follow.

  "Breakfast is ready, Miss Alicorn." Sheffield informs.

  "I guess I should eat." Alicorn states as she walks down the hall.

  Edinburgh stumbles a few times.

  As the three make it outside a few Destroyers run by and wave to Alicorn. Several other ships give their greetings.

  The three continue their way to the cafeteria, with several soldiers and ships greet Alicorn.

  "You sure are popur, Miss Alicorn." Edinburgh says as she pushes her gsses up.

  "If you think so." Alicorn starts. "They... They apparently see me as some hero."

  "You did destroy the Arsenal Bird and the two experimental drones." Sheffield says. "And you have several medals, including the Medal of Honor. So its a good thing they see you as a hero."

  "How do you know all of this?" Alicorn asks.

  "Most everyone knows you. Mainly from the time you were brainwashed. That gave Commander Stait a rge headache."

  Alicorn just hums.

  "Alicorn!" Team Destroyers runs over to her.

  "Girls." Alicorn gains a small smile.

  "Hello, Sheffield! Oneechan!" Belchan greets.

  "Hello, Belchan." Sheffield gives a small nod.

  Edinburgh smiles. "Hello, Belchan. How are you doing."

  "I'm doing great! Though, I wish Commander Sicilia would allow us to go on patrol again."

  "Yeah!" Kalk fps her arms.

  "She said with all the stuff going on, she's leaving Patrolling to the bigger and stronger ships." Echo informs.

  "Hobby gets board easily when she's stuck at base now~" Hobby states.

  "Where are you going now, Miss Alicorn?" Belchan asks.

  "Breakfast." Alicorn informs. "Where are you four going."

  "To the beach~" The four girls reply.

  "Almost everyone is going!" Kalk cheers.

  "Will you be joining us there after?" Echo asks.

  "I'm not too sure." Alicorn states.

  Sheffield speaks up. "I am sorry, Miss Alicorn, but me and Edinburgh must attend a meeting."

  Alicorn nods and the two maid ships walk off. Then she turns back to Team Destroyers. "You four have fun, I must be on my way." She walks off.

  "Bye, Alicorn!" The four girls wave.

  .

  .

  .

  Alicorn is eating her meal, seemingly lost in thought.

  "I'm not afraid to kill any ship that stands in my way." Alicorn states.

  Eugen smiles. "Neither are we, Alicorn."

  Alicorn grips her spoon as she lowers it from her mouth. 'I've killed a couple ship girls before, so why am I now so hesitant about it. Why do I feel... worried about pulling the trigger.'

  Alicorn sighs.

  "Alicorn?" A voice calls out.

  Alicorn looks up to see Javelin and Laffey standing in front of her. Laffey sways a bit as her eyes close.

  "Are you alright?" Javelin asks. "You seem... tense."

  "I'm... Just worried about the war, that's all." Alicorn replies.

  "I think we're all a little worried. I really don't want to hurt any of our fellow Azur Ships, but..."

  "Laffey doesn't want to hurt anyone either." She says in a tired tone.

  "But we all know that if push comes to shove, we must do it." Javelin says.

  Alicorn hums and stands up while grabbing her tray. "You two should head to the beach with everyone else and rex." She walks off.

  "What about you?"

  "I'm just gonna walk around the base."

  .

  .

  .

  .

  "You need to be more careful!" Vestal pulls on Alicorn's cheek.

  The two ships are at the docks and Alicorn's sub floats next to them. Many soldiers and Manjuus are working on the massive sub.

  Alicorn has a deadpan look. "I am careful."

  "Then what about your left rail gun! It's completely in-operational and there are severe cracks in your run way! You're lucky we have the supplies to repair it all on hand." Vestal lets go of Alicorn and puts a hand on her head. "Oh, you and Enterprise are giving me a headache."

  "Are you done?" Alicorn asks.

  Vestal just groans. "Yes, now I have other stuff to attend to, so please don't get into any fights." She walks off.

  Alicorn just looks up to the sky and spots her eagle flying around. "I wish we could trade pces." She mutters.

  Alicorn then walks down the docks and continues along the shore line. Eventually she hears the sounds of people ughing and talking.

  Alicorn looks ahead and sees many ship girls having fun on the beach, even a group of soldiers are having fun.

  A soldier, in his swim trunks, stands at the front of his group. "Beer!" he yells.

  "Secured, sir!" The soldiers in front of him yell.

  "Food!"

  "Ready, sir!"

  "Sunscreen!"

  "Applied, sir!"

  "Muscles!"

  "Warmed up, sir!"

  "Ball!"

  "In hands, sir!"

  The leader smiles to himself and nods. "Then Men, start operation, Volley Ball is ago!"

  "Yes, sir!" The soldiers yell and they all run and do their own things. A group of them py volley ball.

  Alicorn keeps walking.

  "Alicorn!" Someone calls her name out.

  Alicorn looks to the side and sees Team Destroyers waving to her. They all are wearing swim suits. Alicorn waves back before continuing her walk.

  'They seem to carefree, even when their lives were in danger the day before.' Alicorn says in thought. 'I'll never understand ship girls.' She looks down at her hands. 'A Siren will never understand a ship girl.' She sighs, before shaking her head and continue her walk.

  A few hours ter Alicorn finds herself back at the docks as the sun starts to set. The water glistens in the sunlight and a light breeze blows her military coat.

  'This sun set reminds me of my childhood.' Alicorn says.

  "This is what you're protecting. The peaceful sunset. As long as humanity has the will to fight, the sun will always come back to rise with our fight."

  "Miss Alicorn." Sheffield calls out from behind her.

  Alicorn turns around and sees Sheffield and Edinburgh behind her.

  "Sheffield, Edinburgh." Alicorn greets.

  "Um... Miss Yorktown asked us to show you something." Edinburgh informs.

  Alicorn tilts her head.

  .

  .

  .

  Baxterbro

  Sheffield and Edinburgh lead Alicorn along the side of the cliffs overlooking the ocean.

  Alicorn looks at the beautiful view in front of her.

  "We are here." Sheffield informs.

  Alicorn looks towards the front to see a grave stone that's overlooking the ocean.

  Alicorn tilts her head in confusion, before walking over to the grave and standing in front of it. Alicorn's eyes widen as she reads the words on the stone.

  Erik Steinman.

  A Beloved Father and Friend.

  August 21, 1908 - September 26, 1938

  Alicorn stares down at the grave as a tear runs down her cheek.

  "You've been through too much for your age. Your still just a kid and the whole world is bearing down onto you"

  "Alicorn, it's okay to be sad. But don't be sad for the loss of life, be happy for the life they've lived. Be sad for the loss of beauty in life."

  ---

  3 years ago

  Alicorn walks down a long white hallway as her Siren Yellow eyes shine and she has a smile on her face. Blood covers her clothing as Arms ring out and red light shine.

  Alicorn is holding a sword in her hand and blood drips off it. She looks at the ground and sees a specks of a blood leading around a corner at the end of the hallway.

  Alicorn smile grows rger. "Found you~" She giggles

  A door nearby opens and several scientists run out and spot Alicorn.

  "Alicorn." One of them sighs in relief. "We need to get you back to your room." He walks towards her. "Where's Erik?"

  "Wait!" One of the other scientists yells out.

  "What-" He coughs up blood and looks back to see Alicorn smiling up at him with her sword through his chest.

  Alicorn ughs and kicks his body away.

  "Run-!" The second scientist's head gets cut off.

  "Wait, Alicorn-!" The third scientists get cut in half.

  Alicorn giggles as she steps on a body as she walks over it. "Humans are such fun py things~"

  Alicorn walks around the corner and spots her room along with Erik, who is coughing up some blood just outside her room.

  Suddenly a hand is pced onto Alicorn's shoulder. "Such a good little girl~" Purifier's voice rings out. "Now kill him."

  Erik looks back to see Alicorn and Purifier. "A-Alicorn." He pants. "D-Don't listen... to her. Don't let her control you!"

  Alicorn just smiles and walks toward Erik. "Oh, I'm the one in control, 'Father'"

  Erik coughs a few times. "A-Alicorn, sweaty, listen to me. She's just using you to-" Erik coughs up blood as Alicorn drives her sword through is stomach.

  "Oh, Purifier isn't using me." Alicorn smiles as Erik's blood spews onto her face. "We're using each other."

  Erik's eyes droop as he grunts in pain. But then he yells in pain as Alicorn rips her sword out of him.

  "Now be a good human and die for me~" Alicorn sings.

  Erik sways a little, but he suddenly moves forward and brings Alicorn into a hug. "It's not your fault." He smiles as blood runs down his chin. "No matter what, I'll love you my child. Even when I'm gone, I'll still love you."

  A couple tears run down Alicorn's face.

  Erik then stumbles back and falls down against a wall.

  "Heh, what an idiot~" Purifier walks over to Alicorn and hugs her. "Let's finish this, my dear Imouto~"

  Alicorn wipes the tears away and smiles sadistically. "Yes, dead Oneechan~"

  The two walk into Alicorn's room, and several pained screams are heard from within the room.

  ----

  Tears run down Alicorn's face, even as she tries to hold them back. Then she falls to her knees and starts sobbing up to the sky. Her cries grow louder and louder as the tears keep going.

  Sheffield walks forward and kneels down to Alicorn and hugs her, bringing her to her chest. Alicorn wraps her arms around Sheffield and cries into her chest.

  Edinburgh walks over and kneels down, and also hugs Alicorn.

  The void cracks even more.

  .

  .

  .

  .

  Rain is pouring down on the sub and the two maids.

  Alicorn crying has turned to quiet sobs as she continues to hug Sheffield, burying her head into the maids bust. Edinburgh is also still hugging Alicorn.

  "We should head back, Miss Alicorn." Sheffield suggests. "Or you might catch a cold."

  Alicorn just nods and the three ships stand up and head back towards the base, Edinburgh produces an umbrel and shields all three of them from the rain.

  .

  .

  .

  Back at the Azur Lane academy, Prince of Wales is looking out a window, at the rain.

  Commander Stait and Commander Sicilia sit on the couches behind her. Sicilia has a crutch next to her as she is still bandaged up.

  The two Commanders are drinking tea.

  "It's starting to look rough..." Wales points out.

  "I like the rain." Stait sips some of her tea.

  Suddenly Clevend runs into the room. "Commander!"

  Sicilia looks over to her. "Y-Yes, Clevend."

  .

  .

  .

  The seas are rough and rainy as Hammann, Clevend, Enterprise Belfast and Alicorn, whose eyes are red from crying.

  They sail out in the stormy and rough seas. Alicorn's rigging is mostly repaired.

  "I can't believe I have to get wet again..." Hammann compins.

  "Sorry about that." Clevend scratches her head. "But we can't ignore a distress call."

  Enterprise sails up next to Clevend. "Did they lose their way in this storm?"

  "Maybe..." Clevend looks to Enterprise. "... Wait, Enterprise, what are you doing here?! Your rig isn't repaired yet!"

  Shadows cover Enterprise's eyes.

  "Do you always begin a mission in that state?" Belfast asks the Aircraft carrier.

  "She has me, in case anything goes wrong." Alicorn sails up next to Enterprise.

  "Wait!" Hammann yells. "I see something up ahead!"

  The ships keep sailing and they see some Siren ships ahead of them.

  "Sirens, here?!" Clevend questions as she readies her cannons.

  Enterprise holds her arm out. "No, look closely."

  They all take a closer look and see the Siren ships are battle worn and in-operational.

  "They've already gone through battle..." Clevend mutters.

  "Are the ships that sent out the distress signal fighting the Sirens?" Hammann looks around in worry.

  "That means we have to hurry! But..." Clevend looks around at the rough waves. "In this storm, we can't even scout for enemies properly. We have to be careful..."

  "Cover my fnk." Enterprise orders as she sails towards the downed Siren fleet.

  "Huh? Why...? How...?" Clevend gains a tik mark and then yells. "Why is she always like this?!"

  Alicorn sails slightly past Clevend. "You should try working with her all the time."

  Enterprise sails past many damaged and destroyed Siren Ships. Then she spots a single Light Cruiser floating amongst all the wreckage. "That must be it..."

  Enterprise sails over to the ship and jumps onto it. She starts looking around for the Azured ship and she spots two girls at the back.

  Light Cruiser Ping Hai is holding her passed out injured sister Light Cruiser Ning Hai. They are Dragon Empery ships.

  Ping Hai grits her teeth and gres at Enterprise as she holds her sister closer.

  "This outfit..." Enterprise mutters. "She must be from the Dragon Empery." She then speaks to Ping Hai. "Don't worry, I belong to the Azur ne. We tracked your distress signal."

  Ping Hai sighs in relief, before she starts to cry.

  Enterprise looks at the destroyed Siren ships around the area. "Did you defeat the Siren's around here?" Ping Hai nods and Enterprise walks over to her. "Tell me what happened here."

  Suddenly a Siren ship lights up and it's guns come online.

  Ping Hai sets her sister against a wall.

  "We were being chased by the Sirens..." Ping Hai informs. "We beat them all, but my sister protected me..." Ning Hai grunts and Ping Hai kneels down to her. "Ning Hai?!"

  Ning Hai opens an eye up. "Ping Hai... Are you all right?" Ping Hai nods. "Good." Then she grunts in pain.

  "Sister!"

  "Don't worry, we're here to save you." Enterprise informs. "My companions will arrive shortly."

  Suddenly a loud cnk is heard and the three ships swiftly turn to the side to see a Siren ship moving its guns in their direction. The Siren ship aims its main cannons at the three girls.

  "It's still moving?!" Ping Hai shouts.

  "Run, Ping Hai..." Ning Hai begs.

  "No! This time, I'm protecting my big sister!"

  Enterprise eyes widen as she watches the two sisters and she thinks about Yorktown.

  Enterprise then gains a determined look and jumps off the side of the ship. "Over here!" She yells and the Siren ship aims its guns at her. It tracks her as she sails along the rough waters.

  Enterprise then turns around and aims her rigging deck at the Siren Ships, but it starts to malfunction.

  The Siren ship fires at Enterprise and the Shell flies through the air towards her.

  But Belfast jumps up behind Alicorn and fires her cannons at the shell, blowing it up. She nds in front of Enterprise.

  Then something flies through the entire Siren ship, before it blows up. The Siren ship splits in two and sinks below the waves.

  In the distance the Rail Cannon on Midly's head moves down and goes back into hiding.

  "What a shot!" Clevend shouts as she looks at Alicorn.

  "Hmmm, I've done it before." Alicorn states as she lowers her hand.

  Back with Enterprise and Belfast.

  "I feel that I have a slightly better understanding of who you are." Belfast then turns around and looks at Enterprise. "You are... soft-hearted, Enterprise."

  "Belfast." Enterprise mutters.

  Several hours ter.

  All the girls have their ships sailing back towards Azur Lane. Alicorn's sub is underwater, next to Enterprise's ship.

  Alicorn stands on Ping Hai's ship, along with Enterprise and Belfast. The three look at Ping Hai watching over her older sister.

  "I apologize for this personal remark, but I have become interested in you." Belfast steps up beside Enterprise.

  "What?" Enterprise looks at Belfast in confusion.

  "Please allow me to teach you..." Belfast slightly lifts up her skirt. "...the proper decorum expected from a gentlewoman." She curtseys and smiles up at Enterprise.

  Enterprise slightly tilts her head. "Huh?"

  Alicorn has a small amused smile on her face.

  Baxterbro

  ----

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  06-20-2023

  3630 words