Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

How did it turn out this way?

Where did it all begin?

What did I do wrong?

Why did it have to happen?

Everything started as normal, so even someone like Bismarck became complacent. She believed that days would go on without worry even in the middle of a war, but an incident pushed her to face reality. Bismarck couldn't turn her attention away from it no matter how much she tried to force herself. It's something she has to muster her might just to stare at it.

"..."

That "it" is her own sister, lying unconscious and couldn't normally breath. Oxygen had to be administered as her damaged lungs that also inhaled the toxic black smoke couldn't normally support the air circulating in her respiratory system. The area where the damage is severe is on both hands.

"Tirpitz..."

Even when she softly calls her sister's name, there isn't the slightest response. If it isn't for her expanding chest from every breath, anyone would have mistaken her for a lifeless body. The younger sister quietly lied on the bed with injuries having little hope of recovery. Both of her hands have darkened and a layer from exposing her flesh, but fortunately wrapped in bandages to conceal the horrible aftermath.

"Even after her wounds are treated, her body temperature is similar to a fever. It started as barely a degree higher than normal, but her fever gradually worsens. At this point, her body would overheat to death"

The auxiliary ship Neumark stands just a meter behind Bismarck, forcing her own voice to inform Bismarck. Even if Bismarck herself doesn't turn to face her ally, she's aware of how Neumark is frowning at the sight of Tirpitz's horrible condition. Not only sections of her skin have been charred, but there are bright vein-like patterns glowing like a flame's ember.

"If she remains this way, Tirpitz wouldn't survive for another day. No normal treatment can save her, Bismarck" Neumark takes a deep breath

"No normal treatment? Are you implying...there's another way...?" Bismarck's voice lacks any emotion as she's numb just staring at her sister

"There is one, but...I don't think it's recommended. It might be a cruel fate for Tirpitz even if we both want her to live"

"What are you saying?" Bismarck finally turns to face her

"After the raid in an Arbiter's laboratory, the Wolfpack collected samples from the remnants of its unmelting ice. Touching it with your bare fingers would instantly freeze humans right to their molecular level"

"How come I'm not aware of this. Neumark, don't tell me..." Bismarck frowns at her

"Surgically implanting that is the only way to stop her body from overheating to death. However, it risks dropping her body temperature below normal just to counter the rising body heat. Worst case scenario is she'll die from hypothermia"

"What's the chance of survival...?" Bismarck turns away and lowers her head

"Barely ten percent if we're being generous. Her fate would remain the same..."

Between the choice of letting Tirpitz die of an abnormal fever or through untested surgery, she both has chances of dying. The only difference is that the surgery could save her life if by some miracle she conquers all those odds. Bismarck tightly clutches the handles on the side of the bed, silently lamenting her own helplessness.

"There's no one to blame. We didn't expect the operation would fail and Tirpitz would almost burn to death..."

"The Fool nearly did us in. If my fleet had arrived earlier, then the other fleet wouldn't have suffered a terrible loss" Bismarck takes a deep breath

"What's your choice, Bismarck? You're her older sister and the leader of Iron Blood" Neumark calmly asks

"Do whatever it takes to save her. If this is the only chance we have, then I'll just have to gamble on it" Bismarck decides in a matter of a minute

"If she survives but suffers irreversible side effects..."

"I'll be the one to deal with it. What matters is having Tirpitz be able to fight again. It's not her time to go yet because kansens must keep on fighting"

"You're the boss..." Neumark sighs

The ember on the vein-like scars faintly blink and the bright orange flowing through it is similar to a crackling fire. Neumark couldn't help but frown at her own powerlessness to remove her ally's condition and could only frown thinking it would have been more painful if she was conscious.

Three days later...

Thin sheets of ice crawl all corners of the three inch thick steel wall. Cold air surrounds Tirpitz's unconscious body, but the kansen herself. Bismarck, Graf Zeppelin, and Prinz Eugen stand just right outside the room, viewing the situation inside through a single large fiber glass window.

"Nngh..." Tirpitz weakly groans

Tirpitz could feel a weight pressing on her body and keeping her lying on the bed when she wants to lift her upper body. The unknown weight is at its heaviest on her hands which she could barely lift or even twitch a finger.

"Cold...?"

While she couldn't tremble from the sheer coldness surrounding her, she questioned the presence of ice latching to the steel walls and ceiling.

"Tirpitz"

Bismarck slowly walks towards the rectangular window barely visible now with the cold air forming moisture on the glass. The worried older sister cautiously presses her right palm on the window, careful not to shatter it and nervous the coldness would reach her.

"Sister...? Where am I? Why does it look like I'm in the freezer?" Tirpitz weakly turns her head to the right

"Listen carefully. You mustn't panic about what I'm about to tell you"

"Schwester, I don't like...that expression..."

Even if Tirpitz feels greatly numb and weakened all over her body and all of her senses, she could clearly recognize the anxiety and cautiousness from how Bismarck is staring at her.

"You suffered unusual wounds from fighting an Arbiter. It started to burn you inside out, so we have no choice but to counter it by lowering your body temperature" Bismarck tells her with a straight expression

"Huh?"

"It stopped the burns from destroying your vital organs, but the side effect is your body temperature is permanently lowered to sub-zero level"

"I...don't...understand"

Tirpitz understands the words right from Bismarck's mouth, but the shock renders her briefly ignorant at the fact.

"Your body is immune to freezing temperatures at the cost of your own practically cold as ice" Bismarck looks away for a few seconds

"Why...how...?"

"I asked Neumark and Iron Blood doctors to perform surgery. It saved your life, little sister..."

"..."

Tirpitz remains in shock, unable to utter a single word. However, when she pulls both of her arms from under the sheet. Even if she now has the strength to move her upper body, she forces to move at least her own arms. As soon as she moves her hands above her face, she sees claws shaped by ice covering all ten fingers. The ice starts from the tip until a few centimeters pasted her wrist.

"...!'

At that moment, the urge to scream until she sores her throat fills her lungs. No voice would come out no matter how much she tries, but her hands and limps tremble at the "grotesque" result of reality. Her widened eyes could only express her screams of agony and horror is restricted within her thoughts.

One year later...

Death Valley is a treacherous location for regular humans due to its extreme temperature and being "in the middle of nowhere". One minor facility is specially built there, courtesy of the Iron Blood partnering with the Eagle Union. It's the best fitted location to contain someone with an unusual condition.

"Isn't this a bit cruel? She's been locked here for a year" Victorious puffs her chest

"It can't be helped. She couldn't return to her normal life and would try to kill anyone from Iron Blood, especially Bismarck" Essex shrugs her shoulders

The two aircraft carriers converse over the situation while they stroll the long and eerie hallway. Since the facility only serves as a prison, there's no need for much personnel except for the ones who regularly come to check for an update.

"Besides, Tirpitz isn't allowed physical contact. Even if there's only cold air around her, the freezing temperature is concentrated on her skin. Those special gloves and bracelets are the only ones keeping the chill in check" Essex waves her hand as she explains

"I can't really blame her for being angry at Bismarck either..." Victorious drops her shoulders

"Well, I'd be angry too if I'm alive against my will. Whatever the case, we shouldn't really meddle in their sisterly quarrel"

"I don't think it's a normal quarrel when the younger sister seriously attempted to kill her older sister"

"That's why she's locked here. She refused to cooperate with anyone, so the Iron Blood had her contained instead"

The aircraft carriers turn to the left, then to the right, and lastly to another right. At the farthest corner of the corridor is a steel door without a doorknob. There's only a small rectangular window by the door and lock on the side triggered by scanning a key card.

"Don't take too long. Even if Tirpitz can't feel anything, she doesn't like being around others"

Essex pulls up a key card from the right side pocket. A simple gentle tap and the black screen responds with a brief beep and green check mark on the screen. The door slowly slides open in a matter of two seconds.

"It's been a year. She needs to see the sun" Victorious sighs

"And touch some grass?" Essex chuckles

"..."

"Sorry. Intrepid has been playing a lot of video games and the Beaver squad keeps telling her that" Essex clears her throat

"This won't take long. I'll drag her out myself if she refuses"

Essex lets out an exhausted sigh and proceeds to enter the room. Rather than regular quarters, she finds herself inside a room resembling an interrogation room instead. There are just two chairs on the opposite side with a long table separating them.

"..."

Tirpitz sits quietly and just stares at the normally looking white gloves concealing her ice-covered hands. Both of her arms rest on top of the table, but there's no sign of lingering cold air or the steel table with a frozen layer.

"Go away" Tirpitz speaks in a monotone voice

"I haven't even said anything" Victorious proceeds to grab the vacant chair and takes a sit

"If you're going to bring me to Iron Blood, then I'd rather fight all of you" Tirpitz responds again

"I know you hate Bismarck with a passion. It's ironic how you're still burning with hatred when your body is like a popsicle now"

"My bodily activities have decreased as a result of the operation, so the blood flow and heart beat is slower than normal. As a result, I'm both physically and emotionally numb now"

Five minutes into the conversation, Tirpitz's eyes are only towards her clenched fists. She stubbornly refuses to make the slightest eye contact with someone who isn't involved with her current misery.

"I forgot what it means to hate or be happy. Victorious, I refuse to cooperate because I have no motivation to go along anymore. Emotions drive us, but I gradually lost over the months they locked me here"

"You sound like an angsty teenager when you're a grown woman like me" Victorious grunts

"Take it how you see it. I have no interest in entertaining your whims"

"Just to be clear, I'm here to drag you back to the navy. It's not Iron Blood but you're still going to work again like a battleship should" Victorious hits the table with her curled up fist

"..." Tirpitz still refuses to look at her

"You're just going somewhere where there's no Bismarck or any Iron Blood members to remind you what you're so angry about"

Victorious carefully unfolds a clean piece of paper and straightens it first on the table before sliding it right in front of Tirpitz.

"The Mediterranean?" Tirpitz slightly raises her head

"Just take it as a vacation and a way to literally experience real sunlight again" Victorious crosses her arms

"..."

"You'll work together with kansens from other nations. Rest assured, there are no other Iron Blood ships there"

"The commander arranged this" Tirpitz confidently guesses

"...Yeah. You're wasting your strength here, so she thought you need to vent out all the five years worth of frustration"

"Frustration, huh..."

"That and we somehow need to show you can be controlled. Those annoying geezers are scared of how we're just keeping you caged"

"Not only you locked me up like a feral animal, you want to put a leash on me under the pretense of concern"

Tirpitz finally musters enough motivation to shift her gaze from the table towards Victorious' stern expression.

"I don't really care so long as I don't see my own sister"

"I'll be there to keep an eye on you too. They're scared you might run off and try to freeze the sea again. Besides, they say I'm the only one you're willing to have a normal conversation"

"I can't deny that. You're one of the few people I don't mind talking to"

"Being emotionless makes you more honest"

"Then do I take this as a confirmation?"

"Hmph" Tirpitz averts her gaze

"Great. I'm taking you away within the day. I just need to inform our destined base to report"

Victorious lightly hits the table with both of her palms and standing with a slight push of her arms. Tirpitz doesn't even protest since she doesn't concretely confirm anything and just implies she simply doesn't care.

(If it's the commander, then I'm expecting he has a serious reason. That old man never acts carelessly)

As Victorious hurriedly leaves the room, Tirpitz silently watches her rush out of the door. Tirpitz keeps her own thoughts to herself but remains apathetic when she would normally be upset and annoyed for being forced out in the open again.

Chapter Text

A dream or a memory.
Whatever's the case.....
.....It's just a fleeting moment now.....

Either way, it's indistinguishable from reality as everything that happened over the past one year does exists yet also a fleeting dream. Before everything lost their meaning, Tirpitz engraves the memory of what drastically changed it all. Even when her heart forgets, her mind ensures it wouldn't lose their meaning.

"I....can't touch anything now......"

Due to her current condition, as part of the operation that altered her wisdom cube, Iron Blood isolates Tirpitz within a special room inches tick steel walls that's also resistant to extreme temperatures. Tirpitz sits on a wooden chair near the far right corner and only stares at her bare hands with cold air evaporating from her skin and fingertips.

"That's due to using an experiment of the Sirens to save your life. The wound inflicted by the Sirens could only be countered with their own creation" Bismarck speaks behind the only window
"Why would you do that knowing there's a side effect?"

Since Tirpitz is still dangerous to approach her body emitting vapors of liquid nitrogen that also affects her surroundings, Bismarck could only interact with her outside the room and through a shatterproof glass window. The sealed room is instantly converted into a freezer with spiky sheets of ice occupying from the floor to the ceiling.

"It's a natural decision in order to save your life. Had I not do that, you would have died from internal overheating. There was little chance of survival, but I took that risk rather than letting you die slowly" Bismarck calmly explains
"So either way, I would die. The only difference is the fraction of hope I will survive in the operation"
"It's still too early for you to die, Tirpitz. You still have a chance in life"
"Who.....are you to decide that? I told you if I die, then that's only natural. What you did is unnatural and made it only worse by using an experiment of the Sirens"

Tirpitz can still express her resentment, but her voice is mostly monotone now and her eyes lack the vitality it once had.

"We do whatever it takes to survive in this war, Tirpitz. I can't let the opportunity of you surviving slip even in the chance itself is slim and risky" Bismarck remains calm and collected
"I know it's not because you're my older sister but because you're the leader. So long as I can fight, the result wouldn't matter" Tirpitz clenches her fists
"Your frustration is understandable. A normal life is impossible for you now even when we can suppress the coldness in your body"

Bismarck continues to speak in a calm manner, but she instinctively tightly clenches the right fist that she's nearly wounding her own palm. It's because of her decision that Tirpitz has to be contained as being near her is fatal. She's not ignorant at the fact and she doesn't avert her gaze as proof of her subtly taking responsibility for it.

"This is living hell, Bismarck. No one can get near me because they'd suffer frostbite and my body's activities have slowed down. I literally can't feel anything because everything I touch freezes" Tirpitz briefly lifts her left hand
"I'm aware you're upset at my decision....."
"More than being upset, I can only hate you for leaving me in this state"
"......" Bismarck couldn't respond
"Towards you and Iron Blood itself, there's only resentment now"

Tirpitz doesn't hesitate to speak out about how she doesn't have the slightest gratitude for her second life, just a grudge that's bound to fade away sooner or later.

"Your sentiment is justifiable. That's why I don't want make any excuses on why I made the decision" Bismarck tips off the peak of her cap
"You're always like that. Even when other people disagree or argue with you, you'd just stare at them like a statue
"As the leader of Iron Blood, I must keep my composure. However, it doesn't mean I'm apathetic. I know this is painful for you, but you don't wish for my pity"
"....." Tirpitz doesn't deny or reject her response
"I alone made the decision because I simply wanted you to live. That's all" Bismarck slowly turns away from Tirpitz

For a moment, the ice covering the walls briefly thins out and the vapor leaking from her fingertips and skin dissipates. The cold air on her only returned when she clenches her fists and leer at Bismarck, who's walking away without even turning to face her just once.

______________________________________________________________________________

So long as the specially crafted gloves, Tirpitz's skin would remain at least thirty degrees Celsius and the sample integrated within her wisdom cube wouldn't emit sub zero cold air around her. Even if Iron Blood found a way to suppress the side effect of the surgery, the fact that it emotionally numbed Tirpitz is a cruel reality. In her eyes, she couldn't forgive this fact but the chill in her body couldn't allow her to express any hatred or grudge.

"I can't touch anything, let alone remember the warmth in my hands....."

As Tirpitz sits at a far corner of the base where no personnel or kansen could disturb her, she vacantly stares at the hands she squeezes. The gloves allow her to touch anything without freezing them, but the pair of steel bracelets tightly locked in her wrists are the ones keeping the rest of her body temperature from dropping to sub-zero level.

"To think it's been a year since I'm under real sunlight. Well, that sister of mine locked me in the middle of a desert after I attacked her...."

Tirpitz slowly lifts her head and directly stares at the afternoon sun. The little clouds present slowly drift at the sky and momentarily dims the sunlight with one that's passing by.

"You're finally here. Tirpitz, come fight me!" Alabama musters energy to raise her voice

The Eagle Union battleship Alabama rushes to the reclusive battleship as soon as she catches the familiar white figure from a distance. Without even a second thought, she declares her intent to the battleship who stares at her with a completely stoic expression.

"I'm not interested in that.....or anything"
"I always wanted to fight you, but they said you've been locked away for a whole year. Wait, why were you imprisoned in Death Valley? That place is so hot you can cook fried eggs there" Alabama changes the topic
"......" Tirpitz averts her gaze
"Did you do something bad? I don't think you're the troublemaker type" Alabama narrows her eyes
"The one who did something terrible.....was Bismarck. If she only didn't bring me back" Tirpitz just sighs
"You sound and look so stiff like a block of ice"
"......."

Hearing that, Tirpitz doesn't hesitate to stand up and quietly walks past Alabama. To begin with, she's not interested having a long conversation with anyone when it's not related to her duty as a kansen.

"Wait-"

As soon as Alabama turns around and grabs Tirpitz's left wrist,cold air brushes to her face and has her reflexively let go of her grasp. Alabama takes several steps back, startled and surprised at how her fingers felt numb for a moment.

"What's with that....all of a sudden?" Alabama squeezes at the hand she used to grab Tirpitz
"I can't feel anything except for that cold, but it's much worse than what you experienced"
"Huh?"
"That's why you shouldn't bother me unless it's part of a mission"
"When I asked about you, the commander said something between you and Bismarck. You attacked her and got imprisoned as a result"
"It's none of your concern.....and don't casually mention her in front of me. That person is no longer my sister"

Tirpitz ends the conversation right there and drags she feet away from the scene before Alabama could grab her arm again. Alabama has no intention of stopping Tirpitz again after seeing the emptiness in her once sapphire blue eyes.

One hour later......

There are no missions for Tirpitz to participate yet, so she's forced to spend her time with Victorious, who dragged her out of her cell. Tirpitz had no complaints leaving Death Valley since she's assured she wouldn't encounter anyone from Iron Blood, namely her older sister.

"......"

While Tirpitz feels forced to have tea time with Victorious, Tirpitz turns her head to the left and peacefully observes how sunlight reaches not only the colorful flowers but provides warmth for the likes of butterflies and bees.

"You were locked away a whole year without even seeing the sun. This must feel very new to you" Victorious takes a small sip of her tea
"To be specific, it's unusual seeing sunlight again. I didn't even know a year had passed since my incarceration" Tirpitz returns her gaze back to Victorious
"You wouldn't have been locked away if you didn't try to kill Bismarck" Victorious frowns as she reminds Tirpitz
"If you were in my place, you would have done the same" Tirpitz grabs a biscuit
"No, I wouldn't. Trying to kill your own sister is no solution"
"It doesn't really matter now since that's the last time I ever felt anything"

Like when Victorious first visited her, Tirpitz's expression and tone remain completely devoid of any emotion. Her eyes always appear to barely focus on whoever she's talking to, and her mind is often in deep thought.

"So, you never take those things off?" Victorious couldn't stop staring at the pair of fit metallic bracelets or wristbands
"It's to stabilize my body temperature. If I don't have them, this metamorphosis would cause my surrounding area to instantly freeze. When I first woke up from the surgery, no one could get near me since the chill I emit reached sub-zero"

Tirpitz's hands rests on the round table separating her and Victorious. As she focuses on her left hand for a moment, she gently rubs her index finger and thumb, visibly thinking how even her hands are literally colds.

"When that operation failed, they said I would have died in a day because I'm burning inside out. The only way to save my life is through an questionable operation"
"....." Victorious quietly listens
"It made me stronger, but it's more trouble than worth. I still remember the moments where I still have emotions, but they're just memories now. Now.....it's just empty. That's why while I don't want to see Bismarck again, I can't feel angry and hateful towards her"
"That's a bit confusing. You can't feel hate anymore, but you still don't want to see her" Victorious groans
"I simply don't want to meet her again by instinct"
"Maybe Bismarck just wanted to save your life because you're her little sister. I mean if one of my sisters is dying, I would do everything to save them"
"No, our sisters aren't the same. Bismarck just wants me to keep on fighting for Iron Blood"
"Ugh, there is only negative stuff when you're talking about Iron Blood. The damage from your last battle slowly killed you, but that operation stopped you from dying"
"....I admit that it extended my life, but.....I feel nothing at all. There's no feeling, just a blank space in front of me. It's as if I stopped walking midway, unsure where I'm headed or why I walked in the first place"

Tirpitz slowly reaches for her chest, and her left hand clutches the part of her uniform where her heart should be. There are no simple words for her to describe how someone with emotions woke up one day to discover she slowly lost them. Not only is she incapable of experiencing happiness again, there is no sadness, anger, and fear in her heart.

"Fusing that icy core saved my life and the reason why I'm still here talking to you. It overturned what should have been helpless death, but what did it cost me?"

Tirpitz gently squeezes her fists when she recalls the moment she awakens after the surgery. The horror a year ago remains in her mind, but it baffles her at the same time. She remembers how she couldn't accept her new reality and how even surviving still sealed her fate.

"I simply don't know how to view this new life because I remain here but everything around me is different now. Not only I can't easily touch anyone, I'm left like this. Bismarck sacrificed my heart just so I could live....."
"Tirpitz......"
"It makes me wonder if she made the right choice or if it's what's truly best for me"

Tirpitz closes her eyes, reminiscing the brief conversations with Bismarck before the violent incident between them. While she distances herself from Bismarck now, Tirpitz wonders about her current state in the fleeting moment of reliving the past.

"I would have died unable to do anything about it, and the operation overturned that fate. There was a price to pay and Bismarck willingly gambled on that just so I can keep on fighting. Just so I could still be here with you...."
"You're angry at Bismarck because she had you undergo an untested operation, but the rest of Iron Blood had no part in it. Well, except for Neumark and the other doctors....."
"I lost faith towards Bismarck and the rest of Iron Blood"
"This is difficult to think about. While Bismarck made sure you would survive, you're numb now as a result. This left you being more reclusive and distant than before......" Victorious feels helpless seeing Tirpitz

Among everyone, Victorious is aware how Tirpitz doesn't always interact or approach others unless she drags the battleship herself. Tirpitz's situation is not her own choice and unlikely to be reversible due to the fact it altered her wisdom cube.

"You feel conflicted, so you don't want to see Bismarck or return to your fatherland. Since you're a walking popsicle, you couldn't despise Bismarck or hold a grudge even if you want to. To be specific, you didn't want to die either and wonder if it's really worth the sacrifice" Victorious guessed by glancing at Tirpitz
"Don't think for me. You always do that even before becoming this"
"Rather than wallowing being a block of ice and being sorry for yourself, why don't you try living your day? You can't freeze your surroundings with those restraints, so there shouldn't be an excuse to just sit in a corner all day"

Victorious stands up and slamming the table with both of her hands nearly spills both of their tea.

"You're out here in the open again and with real sunlight. Shouldn't you at least enjoy being free after spending in a depressing prison for a whole year?!" Victorious flails her arms in the air
"......." Tirpitz looks away for a moment
"Try making use of your new life. I'm glad you survived....but I also feel sad because you're like a block of ice now"

Tirpitz faintly reacts when her left index finger twitches and narrows her eyes for a second. She observes how Victorious' hands fidget in her lap out of uneasiness and sees how her cheeks fluster.

"You're glad I'm alive and sad at the same time?" Tirpitz tilts her head a bit
"I'm glad because I really don't want you to die, but sad because you're an emotionless popsicle now" Victorious puffs her chest
"I see....." Tirpitz just continues sipping her tea
"Ugh! I'm not just used to how you're completely.....like this!"

Victorious stretches both arms in front of her to refer to Tirpitz, who briefly glances to the side. The cheerful and energetic aircraft carrier couldn't remove the frown in her face seeing an old friend with dull azure eyes after not seeing her for an entire year.

"I want my old Tirpitz back-"
"Don't carelessly touch me" Tirpitz immediately reacts

Victorious bends her back forward a bit and gently stretches her hands in an attempt to at least touch Tirpitz's cheek. Unfortunately for her, Tirpitz lightly smacks Victorious' hand away with just her fingers.

"You know very well it's not completely safe to touch me because you might suffer hypothermia" Tirpitz sighs deeply
"I can't tell if you're just concerned or annoyed" Victorious sits backs down
"Neither. I'm just stating the obvious precaution"

When Tirpitz responds to Victorious, her gaze shifts to her hands. It's not visible, but even Tirpitz's dull eyes could see a very faint vapor trying to escape from the gloves.

"You really felt nothing when you've been locked up for a whole year? Not only were you thrown in the hottest place there was, you weren't allowed to get out of the building"
"......." Tirpitz refuses to say a word
"Trying to make you react isn't going to be as easy I thought" Victorious slides her face and arms on the table
"You're persistent. Just like how you forcibly dragged me out of my former prison and wouldn't shut up about how stiff I sound"
"I'm just not used to it. You survived but you're literally and emotionally cold now. I don't know if I should be happy or sad....."
"Huh....."

Tirpitz's gaze shifts to the open garden on her right, quietly wondering about Victorious' words. She feels conflicted for someone else's sake even when Tirpitz could no longer understand that. In her current situation, Tirpitz doesn't burden herself with the fact she's alive in exchange for a normal life. It's just that there's no grudge to others or even to wallow in her "curse".

Iron Blood headquarters.....

Bismarck reads through the report word by word and even repeats the sentences at least three times. Her eyes move with each time she reads, and her attention is solely towards the documents neatly laid on top of her desk.

"This is all true, Eugen?"

Bismarck switches her gaze to Prinz Eugen, who leans at the right side of the office with her arms crossed.

"Yeah. Tirpitz was released the other day by the commander's orders. Since it's a terrible idea to bring her back here, she had to stay in the Mediterranean territory" Prinz Eugen briefly closes her left eye as she confirms it
"From the additional reports, it's deemed could return to the front lines with her condition successfully contained" Bismarck picks a document below and places it on top
"Victorious insisted on keeping an eye on Tirpitz. The commander only agreed since Tirpitz is not hostile to her and the only one who can boss her around" Prinz Eugen tries to restrain her giggle
"Even so, shouldn't Tirpitz be under Iron Blood custody?" Bismarck's tone is an unhappy one
"Bismarck, I think it's obvious why that shouldn't happen. Even if you use your authority as the leader, you wouldn't be able to peacefully drag Tirpitz back here. It will get violent in the first five seconds"

Prinz Eugen pulls up her right arms and waves it with her usual cheerful smile. As much as she's just fulfilling her usual duty, Prinz Eugen feels the need to remind her direct superior.

"Tirpitz remains emotionless due to her bodily activities drastically slowed down, correct?" Bismarck takes a slight sigh
"That's right. For an entire year you sent her to jail, Tirpitz didn't even express the slightest emotion. The commander's true intention might be to try and help her, so he allowed Victorious to take her"
"Tirpitz's condition is irreversible because the frozen core was fused with her wisdom cube"
"You made sure Tirpitz survives in exchange of a fate worse than death" Prinz Eugen shrugs her shoulders
"Something had to be done. We needed to counter her rising body heat before her already wounded body shuts down"
"....Still, her isolation might have played a huge factor to why she became apathetic"

Those are Prinz Eugen's personal opinions, but she hesitates for a few seconds before voicing them out. Bismarck appears composed as of the moment, but her sharp gaze indicates she's taking the matter seriously.

"It's just my suggestion, but let's observe her for now. Give Tirpitz enough time to be comfortable around others again. You want to speak with her, right? That's why you're displeased when the commander let that knight captain pick her up" Prinz Eugen winks
"I'm displeased at how the commander sent Tirpitz to another base without informing me first"
"You would have disagreed with him. Besides, Tirpitz reacted violently and created a huge icy mess. I remember not being able to move my fingers" Prinz Eugen wiggles her fingers
"Alright, I'll observe her for now. It's logical to study if Tirpitz would cooperate again even without emotions"
"I'm certain she would cooperate, but Victorious is a troublesome factor. That annoying aircraft carrier is the one to primarily reign Tirpitz in" Prinz Eugen's tone turns serious for a moment
"Victorious, you say? I remember as the one who always influences Tirpitz's behavior. There's no threat, so I have no reason to be hostile against her. It might even be a positive influence because it might incite any form of reaction from Tirpitz"

Prinz Eugen understands how Bismarck hopes there would be any changes from Tirpitz, but she's unsure if the cause of it is how she's responsible for leaving Tirpitz in an unfeeling state.

"I can't imagine being able to live without feeling a thing. We love how pleasure and excitement courses through our veins and seek more of it. In that state, Tirpitz is not stagnant and without anything to cling on" Prinz Eugen shifts to another topic
"......" Bismarck lets her speak
"Bismarck, what did you feel after seeing the result? You successfully saved Tirpitz's life, but it took something crucial to her"
"I'll ask you this. What would you do if you survived at the cost of your emotions?" Bismarck returns with a question of her own
"Empty. I wouldn't even feel grateful or horrified at the result. It would be like a blank slate and how memories are like redundant dreams now"
"......"
"At least, that's the impression I got from Tirpitz. She remembers being happy with that childish Victorious, but those experiences feel detached to her now"
"She told you that?"
"I think we both know why she wouldn't open up to you again"

Bismarck accepts it as a fact, but she's intrigued to Tirpitz voicing out how she views her current status. At the very least, she's intrigued by her younger sister's perspective on her new life.

"Bismarck, did it affect you when Tirpitz lost her faith in both you and Iron Blood?"
"I never thought of it. My intention back then is to ensure she survives when an opportunity opens up. Nothing more, nothing less" Bismarck immediately responds
"Ah, that attitude is why she doesn't want to talk to you or anyone from Iron Blood" Prinz Eugen mutters under her breath
"Is there something you want to say?"
"Nothing~" Prinz Eugen raises both hands

After Prinz Eugen turns her head away for a moment when Bismarck's sharp gaze locks into her eyes, the latter returns her attention to the documents in front of her. In one of the files is a clipped picture of Tirpitz sitting in the middle of a room with the thick white vapors of cold air escapes from her hands.

"A sample retrieved from a defeated META, huh......"

Bismarck's eyes look a bit to the left where the file about what they used on Tirpitz is separated. It's not the full detail about their research on the sample now fused with a wisdom cube, but it details the effect of the core-shaped object

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Next Chapter: Tirpitz doesn't understand Victorious' motives, but she chooses to stay as she trusts Victorious the most. On the other hand, certain ships from Iron Blood are indirectly keeping an eye on Tirpitz since the latter refuses to even meet any of them.

Chapter Text

Two META ships, Scharnhorst META and Gneisenau META, both share a definite hostile gaze towards the floating jackal god stuff toy in front of them. The toy quietly floats up and down, showing no signs of malice or killing intent.

"I never thought you'd find us....and in that form" Scharnhorst META narrows her eyes
"Being a toy wouldn't make a difference, Fool" Gneisenau META doesn't mask her displeasure
"Well, I'm frustrated to the point I had to find you two. I got humiliated by your fellow META a year ago"
"Your precious sample is in Iron Blood's hands and used to save Tirpitz. How many times will you talk about it?" Scharnhorst META crosses her arms
"That's the point! I lost the core after one of your friends let it fall in Iron Blood's hands!"

The small jackal stuffed toy you frantically flails it's stubby arms and spins in the air due to its cartoonish design. It's not entire mechanical and surprisingly appears to be a regular stuffed toy with modifications for long-distance communication.

"I heard after you nearly killed Tirpitz, she somehow survived" Scharnhorst META takes one step forward
"Yes, she did survive but she's forced to wear those things on her wrists or else she would turn her surroundings into the Arctic. Aaaah....it's a shame neither of them died after the operation......"

The jackal then lets out a loud dismayed sigh as it leans its body facing the ground. As a stuffed toy, it could only express dismay by moving its entire body as it doesn't have a neck or long limbs.

"It's a powerful core but its use against Sirens is situational. All it could do is harm humans and kansens after all. Arbiters like me and METAs like you two could at least resist it significantly" The jackal tries to cross its stubby arms
"Yeah, but having your hands and legs frozen wasn't a pleasant experience" Gneisenau META takes a step forward too
"Anyway, you're curious about your fellow Iron Blood ever since I informed you two that she's out of prison"
"You planned to kill her and retrieve the core"

Scharnhorst META grabs the "neck" of the stuff toy and freely tightly squeezes her hand to the point it looks like the beady eyes are going to pop out. It's a stuff toy used a means of communication by the actual Siren, but it flails its arms mimicking suffocation.

"Then would you have left Tirpitz as an emotionless hazard? She can't feel anything anymore and being around her is dangerous"
"......." Scharnhorst META and Gneisenau META look at each other
"That was my sample! Iron Blood just went ahead and stole it"
"That was from a dead META you harvested!"

Scharnhorst META tightens her grip on the stuffed toy and her expression grows dim. The toy frantically flails its stubby arms and legs when when the Arbiter watching through the screen is observing the two with slight dismay in her eyes.

"That wasn't my fault. I didn't even kill her!"
"What do you mean?" Scharnhorst META loosens her grip for a second
"There was too much blizzard, but it seems someone else was involved. I just couldn't tell if it's Siren or kansen."
"Unfortunately for you, Iron Blood got it and used to save Tirpitz's life"
"Save her life? Ha! Can you truly call that saved? The little sister is completely emotionless now and couldn't even hold her friend without those restraints"
"I will come for your real body if you ever try to come after anyone from Iron Blood"

After her dead serious threat, Scharnhorst META angrily tosses the toy body down to the ground and it just bounces a few times before rolling by at least a meter.

"Haha.....how scary. You should be aware destroying a mainframe is the solution to severing a Siren's existence"
"You're underestimating us, Arbiter" Gneisenau META picks up the stuffed toy
"Do you think.....you two are the one I'm concerned about?"

The real Siren moving and speaking through the toy turns her swivel chair around from the large projected screen in front of her. A kansen is present near hers but she's confident enough to casually cross her legs and rests both elbows on the arm rest.

"Huh, so you came back after all"
"......." The kansen takes a step forward
"Hmm-"

In the next two seconds, the Siren's arms falls limp on both side.....after an unknown object flies through her and causes her head to immediately explode. The kansen makes no effort to destroy the rest of the body as an Arbiter can transfer herself to a new container so long as the mainframe exists.

"......."

Instead, the kansen moves forward at the screen still projecting the live feed of what the stuff toy can see through the pair of beady eyes. She narrows her eyes and frowns as if she recognizes the META version of the "Ugly Sisters". The two work as partners and seeing them together incites anxiety to the kansen when she clenches her trembling hands.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Victorious cheerfully swings her legs and tilts her head while stirring her favorite steaming hot tea. On the other side is her sister Illustrious, proudly watching her in a such a good mood. Unfortunately enough, the Indomitable and Formidable aren't present so the ship class could have a full tea party.

"You've been in a good mood lately" Illustrious asks in a teasing manner
"Well.....after a year, I managed to drag that icy blockhead out of jail" Victorious pouts
"Tirpitz had to be imprisoned by her own sister because of the danger she brought to Iron Blood before"
"It's not like she wanted to be like that. I get it that she's alive because of the procedure but she ironically looks miserable while emotionless"
"Like it's torment to be alive?" Illustrious' voice turns serious
"The thing is she's unsure on how to see her situation. Tirpitz couldn't easily touch anyone, but she doesn't want to die. That idiot is unsure if she wants to live or die"
"Of course, Tirpitz is a difficult place right now. She's experiencing the outside world and interacting with another. Even if it's only been a year, being contained inside a room without seeing the sun is tormenting"

When Illustrious mentions Tirpitz's situation before, Victorious clenches her fists remembering seeing Tirpitz quietly sitting with her gaze often on her hands. It's a painful moment for Victorious since Tirpitz herself doesn't care being detained in steel walls without experiencing actual sunlight.

"It makes me question if the old Tirpitz clild return. Even if she's avoiding me back then, at least she expressed her emotions like how she frowned and smiled at me" Victorious is on the verge of crying
"No need for tears. I know it's difficult to see a dear friend in a terrible state like that"

To comfort her younger sister other than words, Illustrious takes the initiative to stand up and stand right beside Victorious. Illustrious lets her lean on her chest while gently petting her head.

"I miss the times when she gets angry at me for bothering her all the time and when she smiles when I do something silly. Right now, Tirpitz looks like she doesn't have any will to live like she's completely empty" Victorious voices out her frustrations
"You made it your goal have her remember warmth
"How could I leave her like that? I just couldn't let her be empty forever"
"You're a good friend, Victorious. You wanted to save her more than anyone"
"Can I really do it?"
"I believe you can. More than anyone, you know Tirpitz best. That's why I believe you would figure out how to make her smile at least"

At the very least, Illustrious' sweet and gentle tone is assuring Victorious into comfort and providing a bit of encouragement.

"Illustrious, do you think Bismarck did the right thing? She may have just wanted to save Tirpitz, but those two stubborn sisters couldn't be honest with each other" Victorious continues to voice her frustration
"Fufufu. They ended up misunderstanding each other, right?" Illustrious giggles
"I want the two of them to talk, but Tirpitz wouldn't like it and she might lose her trust on me"
"That's why you're letting her loosen up until you can convince her to willingly meet Bismarck again"
"Yeah. That way, the incident in Iron Blood wouldn't repeat here"

Victorious refers to the cause of Tirpitz's imprisonment, but she's primarily worried at Bismarck and Tirpitz's sisterly relationship being more strained that it already is. Her feelings are genuine, so she wishes to remind Tirpitz what it means to emotions again.

"I won't give up on her. I promised myself a long time ago, I wouldn't let that icy blockhead be alone anymore and remind her of warmth" Victorious gently straightens herself
"Fufufufu. Your sisters are always here to support and comfort you" Illustrious pets her head again
"Hehehe. If that icy blockhead tries to run away, I'll drag her by force again and beat some sense into her!"
"Uhm, let's not resort to violence so quickly....."
"I-I was just joking. Hahahaha....."

Victorious scratches her cheek as she nervously laughs at herself. Even if she may be just joking due to spur of the moment, she wouldn't hesitate to use force to someone stubborn as Tirpitz.

The next day.....

It's been four days since Tirpitz experienced the outside world, but she's not making use of her time as she still tends to avoid interaction and often spends her time in seclusion. The only way for her to talk is whenever Victorious finds her sitting in deep thought and has to drag her from always trying to escape.

"The beach?"

Tirpitz stares at the ground beneath her. It's not but sand hot enough to scorch anyone's bare feet. However, this doesn't affect Victorious, who's gleefully kicking bits of sand and even digging with her own hands in search for sea shells or burrowing crabs.

"Do you remember how I always have to drag you outside whenever you shut yourself in your room?" Victorious manages to dig a sand dollar instead
".....I remember. You would barge in and even threatened with an axe that one time" Tirpitz slowly walks towards her
"Bismarck even banned me from bothering you, so I sent dive bombers crashing to your window instead" Victorious grabs all the shells she can dig in front of her
"That reckless stunt resulted a week of detention for you" Bismarck is quick to remind her
"Hehehe~ It was worth it since you agreed to hang out with me" Victorious proudly grind
"I see......"
".....I wonder if there will be ever a chance if the Tirpitz I know comes back. They say you lost your emotions, but somehow.....I feel like you're miserable"

Victorious tosses the broken shells she collected aside and focuses on the serous topic.

"Save your pity for someone else. It won't change anything....."

Although Tirpitz immediately rejects Victorious' attempt to sympathize, she turns towards the horizon facing the shore. The sea is calm today as the waves does out on the shore on long intervals.

"Victorious, why do you insist on helping me? I know very well you're trying to rekindle the emotions I lost" Tirpitz turns to face Victorious
"Why wouldn't I? You're stubborn, aloof, and uptight.....but you're my friend even if you're initially hard to deal with"
"Despite the negative first impression, why didn't you leave me alone?"
"I just want to be friends. There's no ulterior motive or anything. Don't tell me Iron Blood blockheads like you are paranoid now"
".....No. You're naive, hardheaded, and way too optimistic. That's what makes you obviously honest.....and tolerable to deal with"
"Wait, wait, wait! Does that mean you like hanging out with me?"
"....."

Victorious immediately rushes towards Tirpitz until their faces are only inches from each other. Tirpitz moves a step back and pulls her head away just seeing the sparkling enthusiasm in Victorious' eyes. She refuses to respond other than distracting herself by turning her head towards the shore.

"How come you're only honest when emotionless? Don't tell me you felt shy to tell me all of that before?"
"It's obvious that anyone wouldn't want the company of a devious person. Well, naive and impulsive people are more difficult to predict. I never expected you would come and drag me out of my prison after all"
"I can't tell if you like me or insulting me?!" Victorious grabs Tirpitz's cape with both of her hands
"Not to mention you're loud and brash yet....."

For a few seconds, Tirpitz hesitates to lift her hands and gently grabs Victorious' wrists since she wouldn't let go of her cape. There's no concern, just cautious because her current ability is nothing but an inconvenience to her. That inconvenience is why others bother her so much, and she wishes to be left alone as much as possible.

"Your optimism is out of place most of the time, but it doesn't mean I dislike it" Tirpitz carefully pulls away Victorious from clutching her cape and wrinkling her uniform
"Tirpitz?"
"I still don't understand why you're trying so much, but it caught my attention"
"That means.....?"
"I wonder.....if there's really a chance I could feel anything again. Would it be worth the effort? Mixed emotions cloud our judgment, but I have nothing to motivate me now....."
"Don't let yourself go down so early! I'm trying my best to make you smile at least"

Victorious pinches both of Tirpitz's cheeks, ignoring how the mere touch of her skin make sit obvious she lacks warmth. No one would get frostbite touching Tirpitz with the restraints on her wrists, but Victorious feels a weight on her chest. The person she sees as her friend is incapable of experiencing joy and could no longer touch someone with her bare hands.

"Who knows? We might at least find a way to deal with your icy cold body temperature" Victorious brightly smiles
"You're way too optimistic, but you're more honest than Iron Blood"
"I'll have to find a way to make her trust Bismarck again and avoid freezing a base again...." Victorious mutters to herself
"......" Tirpitz looks at her hands
"What's the matter, Tirpitz?"
".....I can't stop thinking about how I'm alive. That operation did this to me, but I'm still here talking to you"
"You're alive, but it took something from you. I can't dictate how you view how you're living right now....." Victorious sees her blurry reflection in Tirpitz's eyes

The procedure is both a blessing and a curse, but Tirpitz couldn't understand it since she couldn't feel confused or glad. Even if the one Victorious calls an important friend stares at her with uncertainty. Whenever she lifts her head to gaze at Tirpitz, her chest tightens at the sight of a completely stoic expression with a pair of dull sapphire eyes.

"Everyone seems to pity me as if standing here is far worse than being dead. I keep thinking about my survival ever since" Tirpitz averts her gaze
"Bismarck isn't a cold-hearted person, you know. There must be a personal reason why she wanted you to live, but you don't even want to talk to her. She's just too stubborn to be honest like you"
"Like me?"
"You wouldn't admit anything even when I could tell you look so miserable. That's why I had to do something and slap some sense into you"
"......" Tirpitz gently rubs her cheeks

In Tirpitz's recollection of the past, Victorious means her words literally. Even with a full forced swing of her hand, Victorious furious slap barely hurts someone like Tirpitz. The latter head turns to the side, only surprised at the aircraft carrier who's desperately holding her tears.

"Just after one faithful meeting, you made it your goal to force me out of my loneliness. Even now, you wouldn't give up trying....." Tirpitz pokes Victorious' forehead
"That's because you're my good friend, you icy blockhead. Even if you try to run away, I'll drag you back as many times as I need"
"You're unbelievably bold and honest. To be specific, you're extremely persistent"
"Why would I hide anything from you? Besides, I don't like lying and anyone who lies. So, if you lie to me again, I'll have tallboys drop on you!" Victorious points at her
"I get it. You don't need to shout it at my face"

The way Victorious threatens her is more on the adorable side rather than the menacing side since she's a cheerful and friendly person with a bit of a naive side.

"All this yelling is making me hungry. Let's go get some desserts!" Victorious grabs Tirpitz's wrists
"........"

Tirpitz just allows the cheerfully humming Victorious to drag her as she wishes since she's one of the few people she tolerates. Although there's still no signs of emotional reaction even if from a person she trusts, Tirpitz unknowingly and instinctively focuses her gaze at Victorious.

Unknown Azur Lane base.....

Two strong figures sit across each other and Belfast quietly serves them coffee and tea from their specific preferences. The first one is Friedrich der Grosse as a proxy for Bismarck and the other is King George V, a representative of sorts. Seeing as the two's gaze prepares to engage in a conversation, Belfast slowly walks back and stands behind King George V.

"It's almost a week since Tirpitz is staying with that bubbly aircraft carrier and you've been watching over them as per the commander's suggestion" Friedrich der Grosse leans on her chair
"Indeed. I've been keeping track of their interactions. Fortunately, Tirpitz remains stable and surprisingly behaved" King George V lightly nods
"My child acts like a puppy when around the aircraft carrier. However, Graf Zeppelin is concerned that someone from the Royal navy is reigning in Tirpitz"
"I don't see it that way. It's more like Victorious is keeping her calm and in control. Tirpitz has yet to freeze anything"
"Of course. Iron Blood worked hard to craft them with special nickel steels since Tirpitz once emitted the maximum of negative eighty degrees Celsius"
"I've heard about it. That was when she and Bismarck clashed. Every kansen there had to evacuate and Bismarck had to incapacitate her quickly before Iron Blood headquarters turned into a frozen wasteland"

King George V stirs her cup of tea and takes a brief whiff of the pure tea's aroma. Since she isn't present at the site itself, she bases her knowledge on reports from the commander.

"That much is true. Before Tirpitz lost her emotions, she lost her composure and it ended violently. Tirpitz only stopped because she has no full control over the chill in her body"
"So no one has information on what caused it" King George V sighs deeply in dismay
"Bismarck refuses to explain either, but it's a matter classified to Iron Blood"
"It's understandable"

King George V restrains her curiosity as to avoid souring the civil discussion between them. As much as she wants to press the matter further, Friedrich der Grosse's sharp gaze directed towards her is a silent warning not to speak of it further. It's the gentle and friendly ones who often hide a ferocious side.

"Judging from the past report, the core fused with Tirpitz was from an Arbiter's collection. Said Arbiter also snatched it from a deceased kansen at an unknown point of time" King George V clears her throat
"Truth to be told, not even our Intel could dig more information on that. No one in Azur Lane knows where the Arbiter got it. All we know is an Arbiter fought a kansen in the past and stole what remains of the ship's wisdom cube"
"A battleship. To fight an Arbiter means....a META, correct?"
"Most likely. From the information we can only gather, a violent blizzard engulfed the battlefield. The commander once said bombs could be heard from what the Northern Parliament reported to him"
"An aircraft carrier, but that doesn't narrow everything down....." King George V massages her temples
"That's as much as I can tell you. The rest is up to the knight to investigate"
"Well, information isn't free of charge after all"

To disperse a bit of the tense mood, King George V lightly jokes and laughs at herself. Belfast continues to faithfully stand beside the knight captain and subtly observes the situation.

"The commander is planning to test whether Tirpitz is ready for combat again" Friedrich der Grosse tilts her back forward
"Of course, a kansen still has to perform their duty after all" King George V immediately replies
"I want to be honest. You don't plan on trying to have Tirpitz use her condition as new power?"
"No. I may be a knight, but I wouldn't stand idly for an ill intent. That's why I'm ensuring no one takes advantage of Tirpitz's situation for their own gain"
"You're not referring to humans.....but Sirens"
"The core Iron Blood retrieved is from a Siren who doesn't like being humiliated. Arbiter Zero: Fool"
"The Fool never shows up with her real body. Instead, she uses toys and other Sirens to communicate and battle"
"I want to be transparent here. Does Iron Blood think of curing Tirpitz? She's miserable in her current state....but she doesn't know it"

A moment of silence surrounds them, but neither of them breaks eye contact. Their gazes are focused on determining what the other feels through the slightest change in their expressions.

"There are attempts. All we could manage is a temporary solution to keep the sheer cold at bay. Personally speaking, I worry there are other effects of the core. While it caused her body to be at sub-zero temperature, I suspect it may have altered her wisdom cube in some way" Friedrich der Grosse intertwines her fingers
"I see where you're getting it. If it's fused with her wisdom cube, then it should have the most concentrated effect. Iron Blood couldn't determine because none could get near Tirpitz without restraints and she wouldn't allow anyone to perform tests on her"
"Correct. I wish to observe if she's aware of what changed in her wisdom cube, but I'm certain she would refuse to say anything"

Belfast sneaks a glance at Friedrich der Grosse first before King George V as she continues studying how their discussion is going on. Neither of them are in bad terms, but the two remain on guard on what they should say to the other.

"You don't appear personally upset at Tirpitz not returning to Iron Blood"
"Fufufu~ I have no issue since Tirpitz willingly stayed since it's someone she deeply trusts. Perhaps I even believe Victorious could pester her enough to incite any reaction" Friedrich der Grosse lowers her head for a moment
"....Like a smile?" King George V raises an eyebrow
".....Yes. Bismarck doesn't openly admit it, but I'm certain she wishes for her sister to return"
"This is between sisters, so I'll leave that matter up to them"

King George V immediately recognizes that the issue is something she shouldn't touch. She respects the difficult sisterly relationship between Bismarck and Tirpitz, but her stare lingers for a few seconds. She briefly examines Friedrich der Grosse remaining composed but equally worried for the two sisters as she acts as the motherly figure of all Iron Blood ships.

"Although it's still not the right time to directly assign someone to keep an eye on Tirpitz, Iron Blood is expecting regular updates from you, knight captain" Friedrich der Grosse crosses her legs
"Of course. That's the agreement after all. I will keep my word so long as no side is harmed" King George V nods lightly
"If I may....."  Belfast raises her hand
"......?" Friedrich der Grosse and King George V look at her
"We all suspect there's a kansen out there keeping a close eye on the core used on Tirpitz. Perhaps the active Arbiter XXI: The World could provide some clarifications as she's storngly connected to the Arbiter who possessed the core in the first place"
"......."

Belfast has been meaning to speak for a while but finds it rude to intervene while the two are tensely having a discussion. The second she finds an opportunity, she immediately ceases by raising her hand. After voicing out her suggestion, King George V and Friedrich der Grosse exchange an intrigued gaze towards each other for a few seconds before turning their attention to Belfast. It subtly appears they come to a silent yet mutual agreement.

Chapter Text

A persistent dream...

...Faraway there...

Everything's unfamiliar...

...yet so nostalgic...

Dreams exist even when emotions have been forgotten now. Everything is just a memory Tirpitz watch without a long lasting impression. In one of those dreams, Tirpitz finds "herself" speaking with Victorious who bears a sorrowful expression. That dream version of her let the frigid blow away her tattered cape and hair since even in her dream, she's still physically and emotionally numb.

"Why are you still following me?"

From staring at the plain land of ice beneath her feet, Tirpitz slowly raises her head and her gaze shifts to Victorious.

"I had to or else you would get yourself killed" Victorious takes one step closer

"Then let me die. That's just how life is..." Tirpitz briefly closes her eyes

"Die fighting and being suicidal are different"

"No, I'm sure they're the same. We take part in battle knowing we might die, so that itself is suicide already"

"You're still a blockhead after all this time..."

"That's just the nature of fighting. I don't particularly care whether I survive or not, but I can't even die on my own term"

The dream version of Tirpitz gazes at her hands emitting cold air. It looks harmless at first sight, but the chill from her hands is fatal for regular humans but still a threat to kansens.

"Do you keep on following me out of guilt?" Tirpitz returns her attention to Victorious

"...It's not just that"

"Then why do you keep following me?"

"I don't want you to die. Not again..."

"I don't belong here"

"..."

"You just can't let go even after all this time"

When Tirpitz stands up, Victorious takes a step back feeling anxious. Even if the two are supposed to be friends, Tirpitz is unwelcoming towards her and her unknowing hostility signals Victorious to keep her distance.

"Are you satisfied I'm in this state?"

"Tirpitz..."

"...Forget it. There's nothing that could be done"

Tirpitz takes a deep breath before sitting back down after seeing Victorious on the verge of tears. There is no deceit, but Tirpitz couldn't find any pity from her.

"This is just how it is for kansens like us. We just keep on fighting until the sea claims us"

"..." Victorious lowers her head

"You'll just continue following me even in this hell?"

"I have to. It's the only thing I can do..."

"Despite everything, you just won't let me go. You..."

The word gets cut off when Tirpitz lowers her head and stares at the snow piling up on her boots. All she could do is get lost in her thoughts and be a recluse...until the pesky aircraft carrier somehow tracks her down.

...

...

...

"A dream? Victorious looked different...and so did I..."

Waking up to reality, Tirpitz blinks a few times to be certain of the solid ceiling in front of her. The strange dream has her surrounded by a frozen and snowy landscape while Victorious stares at her in pity. She raises both hands in front of her, sighing in certainty that the restraints on her wrists remain.

"It's going to be morning soon..."

Faint light is visible through the inches wide gap of the curtain. From estimation, only an hour remains before the sun fully rises.

"Am I going to live like this until I die?"

Tirpitz lazily lifts her back from the back and shifts her body to sit on the side of the bed. She sighs again when her feet touch the ground. While she doesn't hold any hatred for Bismarck, just loss of trust, she recalls the moment she wakes up with her surroundings frozen.

"..."

Upon resting the back of her hands on her knees, she gently squeezes her hands. When Tirpitz intertwines her fingers and her palms pressing to each other, there's still no warmth on her skin, just a chill similar to a person suffering from hypothermia.

"Bismarck has her reasons, huh..."

Tirpitz remembers one of Victorious' responses when talking about Bismarck during their last afternoon tea. The image of her older sister sitting in front of her and callously revealing she ordered for the operation despite the possibility of death and severe side effects.

"I can't think of her right now. I have a mission today"

Tirpitz shakes her head to rid herself of any distractions like thinking of her older sister. Right now, her eyes would often focus on her hands, wondering how to fulfill her primary task as a kansen while trying to be careful.

Two hours later...

It's Tirpitz's first mission after being free again for a year considering no one is certain if she can remain stable in combat. Only the commander's insistence that Tirpitz is allowed to be on the front lines in just a week after her freedom.

"The open sea..." Tirpitz blinks as the wind sweeps her bangs

Tirpitz gazes up at the sun high up the sky and catches the faint scent of the sea from the breeze. She could hear the gentle waves and take in the tranquility around her.

"...and this sunlight just like the old days..."

Tirpitz's fingers on her left hand slightly twitches since she's trying to move her hand. All she could manage is trying to lift her hand just a few inches from its original position. It's an instinct to try and reach what catches her attention the most.

"I still couldn't feel it..."

The main reason she couldn't try and lift her arm and stretch out her hands is the reality of not being able to sense the sun's warmth on her skin. Her body being immune to extreme temperatures means not only she's incapable of being frozen but even the gentle sunlight is just mere light to her.

"Did you miss going out in the open?" King George V approaches her

The knight captain, regularly observing her condition, quickly notices Tirpitz quietly staring at the sky and about to lift her hand as if she aims to reach the warm sun.

"It's been a while since I've been allowed to fight again" Tirpitz relaxes her hand

"You wouldn't even be locked up if it wasn't for your kerfuffle with Bismarck" King George V waves her right hand

"To you, it's just a petty argument"

"Still, I didn't expect you to resort to violence. I wonder what Bismarck said that got you worked" King George V rubs her chin

"Don't try to pry into my affairs. The little brawl with Bismarck is in the past"

"Little? You bloody froze your base like you lost your mind!"

"..."

Tirpitz turns her head to the right at the brief recollection of her old furious self standing surrounded by frozen buildings and other objects as her hands emit thick freezing air. It's the point where Tirpitz has lost control of her condition and nearly turned into a walking blizzard.

"Bismarck is keeping a tight lip about the icy core Iron Blood snatched from an Arbiter. It's overloaded with frozen energy, so using it on a ship is suicide. A miracle spared you at that moment"

"Why are you so curious about it? This thing fused with my wisdom cube is just an unstable experiment from an Arbiter. That's why I turned out like this"

"It's way too suspicious. There must be something with that core since the Arbiter who had it was drawn away from her own stronghold. It's an unknown ship who disappeared quickly"

"..."

Tirpitz herself has little to no information about the origin of the fragmented core used on her, so King George V's hint caught her attention, namely due to the mention of an unknown ship.

"Hey, Tirpitz! Let's have a match on who gets to sink most Sirens!" Alabama immediately runs to her

The battleship interrupts the conversation just to boldly challenge Tirpitz again. This time, she makes it into a contest rather than a direct sparring session between them.

"...I'm not interested in any challenges. Our mission isn't a sport" Tirpitz immediately rejects it

"Don't you want to exercise your power? I want to see you get serious!" Alabama raises her scythe

"I can't recklessly fight like you. I don't know if my condition is safe to have anyone around. That's why I'm always wearing these"

Tirpitz raises both arms and displays the metallic braces locked on both wrists. Red faint circuit lines pass through the surface of the nickel steel as it's a device on its own rather than steel with special properties.

"Is it okay to let Alabama annoy her all the time?" Victorious whispers to Glorious

"You annoy her too, you know" Glorious whispers back

Victorious intently stares at Alabama flailing her arm and proposing new kind of contests every time Tirpitz rejects it. Tirpitz doesn't particularly care about the self-proclaimed rival's challenges as her focus is on the horizon in front of her.

"Tirpitz looked like she missed the sea" Victorious turns her attention to Tirpitz

"Really? You can tell from her poker face" Glorious blinks in surprise

"I think she wanted to feel the day's warmth again, but her body temperature is countering it"

"That's why you're trying to make her smile, right? If she couldn't physically feel warmth, then you want her heart to thaw again"

"Yeah. I want Tirpitz...to not give up on herself just yet"

Victorious' gently closed fist reaches for her chest, unknowingly gazing and voicing out her deep concern for her friend. She's energetic and enthusiastic, but her fellow aircraft carrier smiles proudly at her caring and sincere nature. Traits that an unfeeling and possibly suicidal Iron Blood battleship needs.

"Enough chitchat! Prepare for the battle. The Arbiter is here!" King George V quickly warns everyone

The enemy is in front of them. A lone Arbiter who brings a large number of escorting Sirens. The preemptive airstrikes are from the Siren Strategists while Peace Breakers opens fire at the same time to scatter the fleet.

"If I sink more Sirens, then I win!" Alabama declares to Tirpitz

"I don't remember agreeing to that..."

"It could also train your body. To help you control your strength!" Alabama excitedly opens fire first

"..."

Tirpitz briefly looks down at her hands before she shakes her head and focuses on the incoming Sirens.

"D-Don't push yourself too much..." Victorious is standing behind her

Out of concern for Tirpitz's reluctance to fight, Victorious decides to speak to her even while in a middle of a fight.

"I won't fight at full strength to avoid the risk of harming everyone. No one knows how much it can be contained" Tirpitz briefly gazes at her

"I'll keep an eye before you do anything stupid" Victorious frowns at her

"Do as you wish, but I won't allow you to be reckless" Tirpitz grabs the tip of her cap as she fires another round

"..."

Victorious nods before retreating back since it's risky for an aircraft carrier to be in the front along with the battleships and cruisers.

"This is troublesome..."

The others are preoccupied eliminated the Sirens harassing them with shells and energy projectiles and Victorious leaves her side without noticing anything. Since no one is near her for now, Tirpitz staggers back and lifts both hands for a moment. Ice begins to spread from her hand to her wrists, subconsciously responding to the amount of power she's releasing.

"This is why I don't like the idea of fighting with this much people"

There's nothing she could do now but bear throughout the remainder of the battle. Tirpitz has not much practice to actual combat ever since her release as she's struggling to both focus on keeping her condition under control while dealing with the waves on enemies rushing towards her mindlessly.

"No. I need to learn how to control this...and I have to start somewhere"

When Tirpitz briefly turns around and sees everyone else struggling to whittle down the Sirens ships and aircraft giving them trouble due to their numbers, Tirpitz exhales deeply and focuses on her own goals and opportunities.

"...?"

After just losing her focus for a second, a Siren Explorer rains projectiles that deals minor damage thanks to near misses and her condition lessening the damage upon impact.

"Feuer!"

Charging straight with no strategy is an easy fodder for the likes of Tirpitz, so grabs her cap and balances her feet to unleash a full salvo on the fodder.

"Fool, you're really throwing the hard work to us..."

Arbiter VI: Lovers sighs and complains to the drone shaped like a manta ray with the cosmos patterned on its back. It's as small as a cat and does nothing but glide around the Arbiter.

"This is just a small favor" The manta ray flaps both flippers

"Do you want the core back? It's logical to eliminate the ship and retrieve the core from her corpse" The Lovers push the manta ray drone

"...That's not possible. It belongs to her now"

"Are you waiting for that persistent META to show up?"

"No. I know she's not stupid enough to be baited, so I have something else in mind"

The kansens are dwindling down the swarm aircraft like swatting flies while the only present Arbiter actually just relaxes on her rigging and observes their fighting style. She squints her eyes deeming their fighting capabilities to be currently mundane and predictable, but her current objective isn't related to the goal of the Sirens. It's more a menial task passed by a lazy Arbiter.

"The Mirror Sea has been deployed while they're busy cutting down our fodders" The manta ray tries to clap its hand but it's too short to do so

"Already? Huh, I didn't notice it either. I nearly forgot you're a sneaky one"

An invisible black dome surrounds a large area starting from the very center above until it quickly spreads down like laying down a curtain. It first appears as bright yellow hexagons connecting to each other since it's a signal that the entire area has been sealed off from outside interference.

"A Mirror Sea?" King George V notices after cutting down a Siren Explorer in half

The bright sunlight and azure skies disappear from their view. Instead, dark red sky and pitch black clouds replace it in the sealed off world created by the Arbiter. They would realize if they're entering a Mirror Sea or if a Siren is preparing to unleash one, but the method used is more precise that it's prepared at the exact location and only waiting for its activation.

"Hermit would be mad, but she's not here to find out" The manta ray opens a port near it's head

A small metallic cylinder with gear-shaped objects seals the top and the bottom. The object hovers towards Lovers and floats in front of her.

"Have you ever heard of an equivalent exchange?" The manta ray tilts to the side

"What's with that question all of a sudden?" Lovers raises an eyebrow

"In order to acquire something, you must give up something of equal value. For example, to make use of Hermit's ability, I have to settle with a thirty minute timer for it to use"

"Aah..."

The gears on both ends simultaneously rotate in opposite directions at high speed. A small amount of steam spews out from both as fog quickly swallows both the Arbiter and the kansens occupied with the cannon fodders.

"Hmm?" Tirpitz blinks her eyes

In mere seconds she notices everyone has been separated including her. She couldn't hear the sound of cannon fire or the other ships cursing at the Arbiter staring at them the whole time.

"...?"

A shell directly flies towards Tirpitz but rather than dodge, she chooses to catch the single shell with her left hand. The shell is enveloped in a thin sheet of ice externally and internally the second her hand tightly grasps the heated shell aiming at her head.

"Again?"

Rather than an ordinary shell, a straight projectile of condensed energy fires right toward Tirpitz. Just like the shell earlier, it's aiming to destroy her head rather than incapacitate her first.

"..."

Tirpitz lifts her hand and blocks the projectile with the palm of her hand. It's not as dangerous as she thought as it's another single and non-serious shot from an enemy. The moment the energy touches her palm, it immediately dissipates in thin air. Just seconds after the projectile, another solid shell flies right above her head.

"I see. You're testing it out, Siren..." Tirpitz catches the shell an inch from her face without taking away her gaze from it.

Unlike before, her body begins to emit vapor from the extremely low temperature currently restrained. She narrows her eyes at the shadowy figure making its way into the fog, causally taking her time to present herself to the lone battleship. The enemy presents itself with confidence, so Tirpitz throws away the second shell while loading her own rigging.

"So you can use that frozen core as your power after all. I'm guessing you never told anyone, and no one knows this"

"I can only exert a certain degree of control. This is still a curse that stripped me of a normal life" Tirpitz lifts the hand she used to grab the shell earlier

"Isn't that Bismarck's fault? It's an inanimate object incapable of thought, so the fault lies in Bismarck"

"..."

"How surprising. After all this time, you don't truly blame your sister? Or is it you're beginning to rethink the blame after being free again"

"..."

Tirpitz somewhat proves the Arbiter's point when the suggestion brings out a glimpse of memory where Victorious tries to defend Bismarck. However, Tirpitz pushes the memory aside for now since her opponent is an Arbiter while a lone kansen like her is powerless against them.

"Our Intel revealed you tried to kill Bismarck. Was your former emotional self swallowed by rage that you transformed your base into a frozen landscape? Kansens and personnel had to immediately evacuate since the area reached sub zero temperatures"

"So you've been keeping an eye on me..." Tirpitz doesn't appear to be bothered

"It's just out of curiosity. You managed to wield the core but your weak kansen body nearly broke down. Bismarck wasn't harmed even after direct contact unless..."

"Unless what?"

"...I don't want to speculate yet, so I would keep my conclusion to myself"

The Siren in front of her has more information about the origin and cause of her condition. It solely lies on the core inside her, but the Arbiter is deliberately careful with her words. There's no benefit in giving free information on what the Arbiter perceives as prey or pawn.

"You should know the humans tried to utilize it, right?"

"I'm aware of that. The core harmed them as if it rejected them"

"Correct. The core defended itself the moment it sensed humans a meter from it. Just a defensive mechanism to keep itself away from humans"

"Yet, I'm still alive..." Tirpitz cast a downward gaze

"Power comes with a price"

"This is a burden to a kansen like me. I can no longer live a normal life and I lost my emotions"

Tirpitz straightens herself and quickly corrects the Siren. With the inability to fear even death, Tirpitz stares right into the Arbiter and corrects her without care.

"Tirpitz, you learned to utilize the core to fight. Right now, your body has reached sub zero temperature again. Even if I fire a shell or rocket, the negative temperature would prevent it from exploding and hitting you" Lovers notices the chill evaporating from Tirpitz

"Do you think I've been doing nothing while I've been locked up for a whole year"

"Hmm. That makes sense, but this is the first time you're utilizing it in actual combat"

"..."

"Fitting for the Lone Queen of the North indeed"

Lovers changes her focus on the ice already spreading on Tirpitz's neck as she's risking her own physical body just to wield the frozen core in her battles.

"Don't you resent Bismarck or you have second thoughts? It's true she saved your life but sacrificed your normal life for it. She willingly made the choice for you just so you can keep on fighting" Lovers raises her index finger

"You're interviewing me now. Arbiters are really eccentric when they feel like it..." Tirpitz shakes her head

"It's out of personal curiosity. How does an emotionless person perceive it? You can't feel hate or hold a grudge, yet you refuse to meet your sister again"

"..."

The Siren questioning her triggers another memory from Tirpitz. This time, it's the moment Bismarck willingly enters the room turned into a freezer. At that time, Tirpitz discovered her unstable condition minutes after waking up. The horror rendered her speechless seeing how she could fear the chill down right to her very core and very inch of her body.

"How do you perceive the world now, Tirpitz? You no longer feel obligated to fight for Iron Blood or humanity in general yet you remain on their side. You could have gotten rid of Bismarck, but you hesitated moments before you collapsed" Lovers tries to initiate any response

"I'm not obligated to answer someone who hides crucial information" Tirpitz retaliates with her own response

"Since you refuse to answer, I'll move on to the next topic"

"..."

"If I break your restraints, will anyone die the moment the chill crawls to their skin?"

The Arbiter points at the steel locked on Tirpitz's wrists. It's another attempt to initiate a response, but the battleship tilts her head and blinks several times.

"It's likely Arbiters are resistant to the cold I emit, but you're not entirely immune. That's why you shot me with a solid projectile" Tirpitz tips the peak of her cap

"Hmm, you have a valid point there. That's only applicable if you or the core is-"

The sound of whirring blades from aircraft above interrupt the two. Four dive bombers push the fog away and reveal its position diving right above the Arbiter. The Siren intercepts the petty attempt of an ambush with her anti-aircraft fire and does so without much effort.

"Good grief. It looks I have to focus on someone else" Lovers shakes her head

"..."

"I don't have much need to stay here since I managed to gain sufficient information. More importantly, the Mirror Sea has been breached...possibly out of desperation to interfere"

"..."

"I'll extract more data from you. I suggest you fight me head-on the same way as the other you did once"

"What are you-"

The moment Tirpitz takes a step to pursue the Siren who turned away from her and beginning to take her leave, Tirpitz senses an unknown force coiling her body. It's more the weight in her entire body increased and her breathing growing unsteady.

"This core..."

Tirpitz clutches her chest as her numbing body is caused by the core inside her. She couldn't touch it or see it, but she couldn't definitely sense its activities resonating in her wisdom cube.

"I see. This is just like the moment...where I couldn't strike down Bismarck..."

The ice now spreads under her cheek as the lack of control with her condition is harming her more than it's benefitting her. Forcibly using it for combat without proper control is causing her to breathe heavily and her limbs growing stiff.

"...Who are you...?"

When Tirpitz's body sways since she struggles to keep herself conscious, her sight hallucinates a familiar figure in front of her. She stands in front her, unmoving yet emotional. The figure's lips part but shut them close again, hesitating to speak seeing Tirpitz forced on her knees already.

"..."

As if the figure is non existent to begin with, she disperses with a gentle blow of the wind and completely vanishes in front of Tirpitz. The chill on her body begin to settle again because Tirpitz is on the brink of losing consciousness from exerting too much strength all of a sudden and only retains consciousness for a few more seconds with willpower alone.

Right now, you are...

Iron Blood headquarters....

After the sighting of Arbiter VI: Lovers and the fleet returning without fighting the Arbiter once, Graf Zeppelin submits a report directly to Bismarck as it involves Tirpitz. Bismarck follows the direction of the document as Graf Zeppelin slides it in front of her. The third ship inside, Prinz Eugen, is occupied with poking from one book on the shelf to another.

"Tirpitz lost consciousness but remains stable" Bismarck grabs the document

"Her body temperature dropped when she was brought back to base. From the looks of it, her condition became active" Graf Zeppelin states the main concern

"She may have tried to use the core's power or at least showed control to a certain degree"

"The Arbiter may have pushed her to use it or a third party" Graf Zeppelin speculates

"A third party?"

"According to King George V, someone broke through the Mirror Sea but no one saw who it was"

"..."

Bismarck lowers her gaze to learn more about the mission as she's curious about the person who broke through a Mirror Sea.

"You and Tirpitz should discuss it personally"

"I thought of it, but it wouldn't yield anything now since Tirpitz would be uncooperative"

"How long will we wait? King George V suggested investigating the Arbiters since they initially possessed the core"

"..."

Bismarck couldn't immediately respond when thinking about how to speak to Tirpitz again. Even if there's no visible resentment, Tirpitz wouldn't say much considering the loss of trust.

"Bismarck, you should try talking to her again. Right now, Tirpitz has calmed down and it's not like she'll get worked up again"

Prinz Eugen is clearly listening to the conversation while she continues to pick a book by pointing at each one of them. She initially has no intention of joining the conversation, but she has been sneaking glances every second since Graf Zeppelin entered the office.

"Tirpitz needs to know you were personally concerned. You wanted her back in Iron Blood in the first place" Graf Zeppelin crosses her arms

"If she stays with Victorious long enough, she wouldn't leave that annoying aircraft carrier" Prinz Eugen lowers her hand

"Tirpitz is only there because it's convenient and doesn't wish to be with Iron Blood"

"We all know that, but if Tirpitz is somehow swayed, she wouldn't leave Victorious side even if you come to drag her back"

Prinz Eugen lifts her index finger and wags it in front of her face. Her usual carefree smile is difficult to distinguish if she's teasing Bismarck and suggesting a serious possibility.

"Even if I meet Tirpitz again, starting a conversation with her isn't easy. Her eyes lack and warmth or life at all as if my sister has died..." Bismarck clenches her fists

"Just try to talk about the situation a year ago. You told her with a dead serious face that you had her survive just to fight for Iron Blood again. Personally, I wouldn't be happy to hear that" Prinz Eugen shrugs her shoulders and turns away

"Tirpitz needs your honesty. Your awkwardness with her is what's causing this one year long misunderstanding"

"..."

Bismarck still couldn't respond as her thoughts briefly wander to the moment Tirpitz attacked her. As the concrete walls froze, it shattered like thin glass with just a single strike from Tirpitz. The area around them had become a frozen landscape, but Bismarck somehow remained unharmed from hypothermia and frostbite.

"...Fine. I will consider that option in the near future"

"Heh? Why not now?" Prinz Eugen pouts in dismay

"I want the unknown ship to be investigated"

Bismarck grabs the handle of her desk's upper left drawer and slowly pulls it out. Inside it is neatly stacked documents with labels, but she grabs the first one with a somewhat blurry photo clipped on it. Upon slamming it on the center of the desk for the two Iron Blood ships to see, they slightly bend their back forward.

"A possible META emerged to interfere with both us and the Sirens. Although no real damage is done, this is going on for too long" Bismarck is more annoyed than concerned

"A META? They're strong, so I don't think a direct fight is advisable" Prinz Eugen straightens herself

"I don't plan on direct confrontation. My task is to learn about this troublemaker's identity and if her interference has any real meaning"

"How about the defeated META a year ago?"

"There's no information on who that META was other than she clashed with an Arbiter and covered the battlefield with a violent blizzard"

Bismarck lets out a sigh, somewhat frustrated she has no information on the unknown META's identity before she gets defeated by an Arbiter. No one could get near the hazardous snow storm to witness the clash, not even a battleship like Bismarck.

"A year ago, someone came to me. That was when I learned Tirpitz is bound to die from her injuries. I don't know how she popped " Bismarck reveals unknown information

"Someone?" Graf Zeppelin frowns

"I was at the port wondering if I made the right choice on the procedure when she appeared behind me. A woman appeared like a glitching projection so I couldn't see her face or make clear of her entire appearance"

"A projection. The real person must be far, so the connection is unstable. I'm guessing just lurking within our territory back then" Prinz Eugen quickly guesses

"Right before I knew it, she disappeared. I may have seen things when I felt like I fell asleep for a few minutes"

"Still worth looking into. Let's see if this mystery ship is involved with what happened a year ago and if she knows about the core" Prinz Eugen snaps her fingers

"We can't let whoever this is do as they please" Graf Zeppelin clicks her tongue

Now, Prinz Eugen herself is curious about tracking down and hunting one of the possible suspects who has information about the core Iron Blood snatched from an Arbiter. Their initial guess is a META using them for her own agenda, something none of the three kansens inside would simply allow.

Chapter Text

Another dream...?

One single step and Tirpitz's left foot sinks inches below the soft and flat snow. It begins to snow and tiny drops melt on her shoulders and head upon contact. There isn't a single living being around, just the stretching land of snow. Tirpitz couldn't see far with the wind carrying the falling snow.

"How nostalgic..."

Tirpitz raises her right arm above her head and stretches two fingers when a large drop of snow exactly falls on her fingertips. As snow continues to only fall, the skies concealed the sky abovr. Tirpitz could only meet the view of thick greyish clouds, unmoving and bleak.

"Hmm?"

A figure appears out of nowhere in front of her. The unknown person doesn't exist earlier and Tirpitz only notices her presence when she stops gazing at the dark snowy clouds.

"You. Who are you?"

Tirpitz asks her even when she could clearly recognize the figure's appearance being exactly the same as her. The only difference is their clothing because the eerily silent figure has more ragged and darkened clothing.

"..." The figure remains quiet

The two of them share a lifeless and dull gaze, but the quiet doppelganger has a distinctive empty stare. One that's similar to someone who could no longer see or someone who had died.

"..." The doppelganger turns around

"Where is she going?" Tirpitz whispers to herself

Since there's no one else around her and being in an unfamiliar location, Tirpitz begins moving forward to the same direction where her ragged doppelganger is heading.

"What kind of dream is this? Why do you have the same face as me?"

"..."

Tirpitz hurries her footsteps and there isn't much effort to close their distance since the doppelganger slowly drags her feet in the snow. She refuses to respond to Tirpitz's question and continues to aimlessly move forward.

"Maybe the Arbiter did this when I passed out?" Tirpitz whispers to herself

There's still no sign of any structures or living beings around her other than the doppelganger continuing to walk while the winter breeze blows right in front of her.

"..." The doppelganger stops in her tracks

"..." Tirpitz does the same

As soon as the doppelganger stops right where she stands, Tirpitz cautiously stops at least two meters behind the doppelganger. The latter remains standing straight as if Tirpitz is staring at a living statue rather than an actual living being.

"It's time you start talking. Unless you're mute" Tirpitz tries to communicate with her

"..."

For the first time, the doppelganger shifts her right leg to the side and partially turns around just enough for her head to take a good look at Tirpitz. Upon closer inspection, their appearance is indeed identical save for the drastic difference in their gaze.

"Why? You...shouldn't have survived..." The doppelganger's lips finally parted

"You finally spoke" Tirpitz reacts by slightly moving her head

"Soon you'll realize...why you should have spared yourself...by dying..."

Like Tirpitz's current state, the doppelganger lacks any emotion in her tone but she struggles to speak straight. Even when she can, she has to pause for a second after letting out several words.

"What do you mean?" Tirpitz takes a step forward

"...Your curse...is because...of your own will..."

"Hmm?"

"...My regrettable past..."

A brief vision not belonging to her flashes right before her eyes. A deadly sharp object pierced right through her chest, but she couldn't identify the culprit. It's something like a spear or blade that pierced her chest. It truly doesn't belong to her but it synchronized with her senses as if she's living through the vision itself. There's no actual injury on her, but her hand consciously touches the area where the sharp weapon pierced her in the vision.

...

...

...

The snowy landscape disappears from her sight and what follows is what seems to be a long time of drifting into darkness. Tirpitz couldn't speak, see, or hear anything as if it's just her consciousness drifting.

"Hmm?"

After what seems to be hours within a blank dream, Tirpitz immediately meets the view of a white ceiling further brightened by the light bulb at the center. Her back recognizes the soft bed, but she weakly moves her head to the right.

"Victorious..." Tirpitz whispers to herself

The usually energetic aircraft carrier is peacefully sleeping at the side of the bed with her left hand loosely holding on to Tirpitz's right hand. Tirpitz is cautious when it comes to someone touching her hand, but she stares at the soundly asleep Victorious.

"You're kind of careless sometimes"

Tirpitz slowly pulls away her right hand from Victorious as to not wake her up. Her hand slides away while Victorious remains peaceful in her nap.

"..."

Rather than choose to either leave the room or shake Victorious awake, Tirpitz keenly observes Victorious sleeping by the bed. The cheerful aircraft carrier is napping with her crossed arms on the bed and her head comfortably resting on top of it.

"Mmm...icy blockhead..." Victorious talks in her sleep

"Even in her sleep, she's calling me that"

"Smile...mmm...already..."

Victorious is so focused with her current goal that she's sleep-talking while Tirpitz listens as quietly as possible. Even when Tirpitz lifts herself up, she does it slowly while observing if Victorious is being disturbed.

"You're really doing your best...for my sake"

"..." Victorious faintly laughs in her sleep

"No good..."

Just seeing Victorious move her head slightly and mutter incoherent words, Tirpitz instinctively stretches out her hand but stops. Tirpitz freezes her arm just as her fingertips are an inch from making physical contact with Victorious' head.

"I can't just...carelessly touch anyone"

Tirpitz's current condition remains stable, but she doesn't want to risk seeing her cold body is more a liability than an asset. It could be useful in combat but fatal to kansens who have little cold resistance like any other humans. Human bodies are fragile and would break down upon experiencing sub zero temperatures.

"I don't want to hurt you in any way, and I have yet to understand why. You...don't even know the truth"

"..." Victorious continues to be in a deep sleep

"Maybe it's time I try to know whether I'm seeing a ghost...or someone else"

The oblivious aircraft carrier remains peacefully sleeping while Tirpitz softly speaks without caring. Just a while ago, Tirpitz is careful about touching Victorious the slightest, but she musters enough certainty to slowly stretch out her hand again.

"..."

Tirpitz takes it very slowly to even lower her right hand and have her palm at least make physical contact with Victorious' head. The latter faintly smiles for a few seconds when Tirpitz slightly slides her hand down as an attempt to pat her head. It's a rather awkward sight as Tirpitz isn't sure how to gently pat someone's head.

"Is this how they do it?"

Tirpitz repeats the gentle back and forth sweeping gesture while careful not to wake Victorious who would surely make a fuss about it. She doesn't know why she's mimicking how others display comfort to a "friend", but she moves without much thought.

Four hours later...

Rather than Victorious this time, Tirpitz reluctantly spends afternoon tea with both King George V and Prince of Wales. The latter is concerned at the way Tirpitz is blankly staring at her tea while the former is more intrigued observing her trivial actions.

"...I saw what looked like a ghost in my dream" Tirpitz looks at them

"A ghost...?" Prince of Wales tilts her head

"It looked and spoke like me, but she looked more like a ghost"

"I don't understand how this doppelganger is a ghost" King George V is confused as well

The two sisters briefly look at each other with King George V shrugging her shoulders since neither of them are certain what Tirpitz is trying to tell. For starters, they barely know how Tirpitz behaves, specially now that she doesn't possess any form of emotions. Only Victorious understands her best and can easily guess something we confusing about mumbling about a ghost.

"I say it's a ghost because that doppelganger looked dead. She's pale and her eyes is completely dull"

"That's called a bad dream. I once dreamt a doppelganger stabbed me and I died" King George V raises her index finger

"We sees different versions of ourselves. Maybe you perceived yourself as emotionally dead rather than being actually dead" Prince of Wales snaps her fingers

"Is that so?"

Tirpitz briefly remembers seeing her doppelganger stand right in front of her and a pair of lifeless eyes stare right into her. It's not the gaze of someone depressed or emotionally detached, but someone who lacks any form of life.

(It's best not to mention those cryptic warnings right now...)

Since Tirpitz has little reason to believe a doppelganger in a dream and judging the two knights wouldn't understand her the slightest, Tirpitz holds back the information to herself. There's no mistrust towards the two Royal navy ships, but she has little concrete evidence to raise it as a believable issue.

"By the way, how are you feeling? I thought you stopped breathing when I found you" King George V changes the topic

"Victorious wouldn't stop crying and shouting that she'd kill you if you died. We had to drag her out while you rested" Prince of Wales chuckles

Prince of Wales briefly describes it since narrating how she grabs Victorious with both arms and heavily struggles dragging her out since the aircraft carrier flails her arms and legs.

"...That's just like her" Tirpitz just shakes her head

"You're body temperature briefly decreased to twenty degrees Celsius, so I was worried your restraints have been damaged"

"They're resistant to explosions" Tirpitz rubs her left wrist

"Since you're stable again, I'm curious to ask about how you're faring well with Victorious"

As if she's more personally curious than out of duty, King George leans her head a bit closer. Tirpitz blinks seeing the sparkle in her eyes as an obvious sign it's indeed the case.

"She's at least tolerable" Tirpitz takes a small sip of her tea

"I'm glad you didn't mind being dragged by her whims. She's trying her best, you know" King George V winks

"...I can see that. She keeps saying she wouldn't give up until I smile again" Tirpitz sighs

If anything, Tirpitz doesn't find Victorious' persistence and determination as a nuisance. Tirpitz just lets the aircraft carrier execute her whims while she quietly goes along with it. There's no specific reason for it right now because Tirpitz couldn't even determine even a simple reason for her to believe.

"...I want to go back who I used to be. To be specific, I want to at least try" Tirpitz firmly admits

"That's great to hear!" King George crosses her arms and nods

"I'm glad you're trying too" Prince of Wales smiles proudly

"I know she wouldn't give up no matter how long it takes, so I want to try if I could really go back to the one she calls her friend"

"You're still her friend, you know. It's just that you're both emotionally and physically cold" King George lightly slams the table

"Friend..." Tirpitz stares at her tea again for a few seconds

"Victorious aside, I want to hear the answer from you"

King George V clears her throat and shifts to a more serious and formal tone. Tirpitz immediately senses this and focuses on observing the knight captain's gaze locked to her eyes.

"If Bismarck wishes to meet you again, are you willing to have a discussion with her?" King George V frowns

"If you want my honest opinion, then my answer is negative. I'm not willing to talk about my condition with her yet"

(Sooner or later, Bismarck would insist on speaking with her) King George V worries for the two

"However..." Tirpitz has more to say

"...?"

"...I'm already contemplating if now or soon is the right time. Ignoring each other would only create trouble for both sides. There's still the issue in trust, but I want an answer from her as well" Tirpitz admire her new thoughts

"I'm guessing Victorious managed to change your mind" King George V jokingly guesses

"I can't say you're wrong. That persistent carrier is trying her best not to make it obvious how she wants Bismarck and I to discuss the past"

Tirpitz averts their gazes, taking notes of the moments where Victorious is reluctant to directly say she should speak with Bismarck. She's not the type to force Tirpitz when it comes to serious matters due to her cheerful and somewhat naive nature.

"I want to know whether Bismarck actually cared or not. For her to subject me into this...curse, I want to know if she has her personal reasons"

When Tirpitz touches the cup again, she unknowingly counters the warm tea by momentarily releasing coldness from her touch. The steaming hot tea is practically like tea left on a refrigerator now.

"Bismarck wouldn't openly admit it, but I'm certain she didn't do it just out of duty. She might have done it as your sister" King George V isn't trying to be certain

"We don't know what's going on in her mind, so we can't say if it's for your best or not" Prince of Wales is unsure as well

"I know. I don't even know what's going on in her mind and how she could tell all of me that with a blank expression. What am I to her exactly?"

Tirpitz would constantly remember of when Bismarck fully explained her situation without even expressing the slightest sadness or regret. Her older sister stares at her the same way she's formally discussing business.

"At least, they're making progress..."

Victorious manages to eavesdrop even from a distance and sighs in relief when Tirpitz herself confirms that she might be willing to meet Bismarck again. It just happens today and tomorrow is still a bit early. Although this is supposed to bring gladness to Victorious, she couldn't stop frowning in worry and clenching her fists out of anxiety since the issue has yet to be addressed between the two sisters.

"Anyhow, I better get going. I forgot I left Victorious sleeping in the room..." Tirpitz slowly stands up

"You forgot to wake her up" Prince of Wales crosses her arms

"..." Tirpitz looks away

"Hahaha! Get going then. She would certainly be upset to find you missing while she slept" King George V waves her right hand

Just as Tirpitz pushes back the chair to cut her afternoon tea short with them, she raises her head when she recognizes a figure marching towards her, clearly upset and fuming with displeasure.

"Tirpitz! Why didn't you wake me up!" Victorious hastily marches towards her

"You were having a good nap. I thought I'd disturb you happily dreaming" Tirpitz ignores Victorious' anger

"I was worried when I woke up and you were gone! How can you just walk out like that!" Victorious grabs Tirpitz's cape

"Why are you angry about? It's not like I fled the base"

Tirpitz tries to pull away Victorious arm before the latter could further wrinkle her cape, but Victorious' grip strength surpasses the physical strength of a regular battleship.

"This is abandonment and betrayal!" Victorious pouts while her face remains red from frustration

"...You're overreacting" Tirpitz still couldn't pull Victorious' hand away

"I can't help but feel angry. While I slept, you ran off on your own. You could have at least left a note"

"I can't believe I have to deal with this right now"

Tirpitz just wants Victorious to let go of her cape, but the latter begins to shake her and shout all of her complaints without restraint.

"They're like an old married couple" Prince of Wales whispers to King George V

"Hahahaha. That's what a real friend is like" King George V whispers back

"Right..."

King George V places her index finger between her lips as a gesture of silence to her younger sister because she finds Tirpitz just wanting to run away quite entertaining. Victorious is unhappy after she worried she might have gone somewhere or something happened again, but she expresses it in a form of "betrayal" instead.

Near the North Sea...

Iron Blood ships Prinz Eugen, Admiral Hipper, and Friedrich der Grosse survey some abandoned or unusable somewhere at the North sea. There aren't any suspected Siren activities for a while, but the three ships are out in the open for a mission outside of their regular duties.

"It's chilly here. More than usual!" Admiral Hipper tightly wraps her arms on herself

"Hmm. I'd usually say Hipper is overreacting, but I don't think it's supposed to be winter around here" Prinz Eugen narrows her eyes

Prinz Eugen looks left and right, scanning every detail around her. She even takes notice of the calm sea waves and the breeze carrying what appears to be snow or ice. The oil and gas fields around them remain as they are, free of tampering from either Sirens or humans. Not a peep of any living being in sight aside from Admiral Hipper chattering her teeth and mumbling her complaints.

"Even without using radars, I can tell someone is certainly observing our movements"

Friedrich der Grosse agrees to a degree as her enormous monstrous rigging hover on both of her sides. The wind and sea remains calm, but the silence is too eerie to ignore. Their senses are at their sharpest in the very case someone is tailing them, but it remains a speculation since not a single ship or Siren are in sight.

"The sound of an aircraft. It's almost silent, so this is a reconnaissance aircraft" Friedrich der Grosse closes her eyes to focus on her hearing

"Huh? I can't hear anything" Admiral Hipper whispers to Prinz Eugen

"Neither do I" Prinz Eugen admits

"..." Friedrich der Grosse raises her head while her eyes remain closed

The two heavy cruisers intently observe Friedrich der Grosse trying to confirm if it's truly the sound of an aircraft or the wind howling in the distance. She's mostly certain on what passes to her ears, so she relaxes her nerves to pinpoint the exact location to where the almost silent sound of an aircraft's engine and whirring blades are coming from.

"...!" Friedrich der Grosse opens her eyes

The moment she swiftly moves one of her enormous rigging in front of Prinz Eugen. A split second after and a bullet pierces through the wind. The sharp steel flying through the air pierces the rigging but lacks force to go through the other end of the rigging.

"A gunshot from a rifle" Friedrich der Grosse studies the hole on her rigging

"Someone wanted to bust my kneecaps, huh" Prinz Eugen lowers her head

"Someone just tried to snipe you!" Admiral Hipper stops shivering and shouts

"It's a regular bullet from the glimpse earlier, so it's less likely from a Siren" Friedrich der Grosse leans closer at her rigging

"I don't think an aircraft carrier would carry a rifle" Prinz Eugen takes a close look as well

"...!"

Friedrich der Grosse straightens herself again and moves her other rigging to Admiral Hipper, shielding her torso and legs at the same time thanks to its bulky size. Just like earlier, Friedrich der Grosse manages to stop the bullet one second after it flies into the air. There isn't the slightest sound upon firing and the shooter itself is nowhere to be seen.

"It seems we came to the right place if someone waited just to ambush us" Prinz Eugen giggles

"Come out, coward!" Admiral Hipper shakes both fists in the air

"What could be important here that you tried to assassinate us?"

Friedrich der Grosse constantly scans her surroundings unsure if the enemy is hiding in one of the oil rigs or behind its foundations somehow.

"Assassinate? No, you're wrong. You three are my prey, and thus I'm hunting you"

A voice echoes from a distance, but Friedrich der Grosse couldn't pinpoint where the unseen sniper is hiding. The voice is rather young and soft so it couldn't possibly be an adult like battleships or matured like some heavy cruisers.

"Then why are you hunting us? You clearly planned ahead of time, so it's either by yourself or someone asks you to do so" Friedrich der Grosse tries to pinpoint the attacker

"...You're right. I'm doing this in someone else's request. I've been asked not to hastily put you down, just incapacitate you for days"

The unseen attacker loads her rifle, letting the used bullet fall down the surface water and load an armor piercing bullet. Unknown to the three, the fragile sniper could see them as clear as day while the three are forced to guard themselves at the slightest chance she would show herself.

"Well, I can't take all three of you down under these conditions. I would have finished my business if only one of you is here, but Iron Blood is as cautious as ever" The attacker sighs in dismay

"So that's how it is. You knew we were coming" Prinz Eugen crosses her arms and smiles proudly

"Are you a kansen or Siren? If you're a ship, then I'm willing to let you leave here alive" Friedrich der Grosse raises her monstrous rigging as a threat

"Bold of you to threaten me when you can't even see me"

The attacker positions herself with her rifle stretched out at the edge of the gun pointing at Prinz Eugen's right shoulder. There's no scope in the rifle yet the attacker confidently angles her arms and her aim is fully steady.

"We came here to learn about the core taken from a defeated META. That core is implanted in Tirpitz. Perhaps you're aware of that already"

"The Lonely Queen of the North. I'm afraid you're wasting your time if you wish to save her"

"Mind giving us the details? You seem to be confident enough to have a chat"

"You can't undo Tirpitz's condition. She already realized that and slowly learned to control it during her imprisonment" The unseen sniper pulls the trigger again

"...!"

Friedrich moves to use one of her riggings to shield Prinz Eugen and being careful that it doesn't pierce any part that would lead to detonation or malfunction. The attacks are trivial as regular bullets lack raw power and rely on hitting vital spots like the heart and lungs.

"We're here to learn about that core. Just an inch from touching at and anyone's fingers would start to freeze. It fused with Tirpitz's wisdom cube became one with the core and it was irreversible" Friedrich der Grosse moves forward a bit

"I see. So no one expected it would fuse with her. How careless can you be?"

"..." Friedrich der Grosse focuses on the oil rigs

"It doesn't really matter. Your people aren't my business, but I can't let you find more about it"

"That's a shame"

With a single wave from her baton, the pair of bulky animated rigging roars and let the boom of all cannons shatter the peaceful air around them. Shells after shells mercilessly rain down on the oil rigs. The structures are already fragile due to lack of maintenance and rusting metals, so the rain of high explosive tear through the metallic structures like styrofoam.

"Isn't it a bit too sudden?!" Admiral Hipper backs away

"If you can't tell where she's hiding, then blow everything up. A bit reckless, but we need to force her out somehow" Prinz Eugen just tilts her head

Metallic shards and debris fly in all directions, scattering through the once calm sea. Other pieces manage to float while the others helplessly sink through the surface the moment they fall from the sky.

"Your abnormally sharp sense...is a bit admirable"

The explosion mixed from the rain of shells and metallic debris forced the unseen attacker to flee the affected area the second Friedrich der Grosse opened fire.

"You immediately figured out I closed in after every shot"

Some sort of glitching effect forms out of thin air, but it also slowly reveals a small and petite figure with a musket in her hand. Other weapons include a giant pair of scissors strapped by her waist and a modified cannon on her back.

"...!" The two heavy cruisers are shocked to learn the sniper is a destroyer

"Have we met before?" Friedrich der Grosse tilts her head

A gloomy girl with pale skin and bleached hair stands right before them as her cloak is damaged from the explosion earlier. This forces her to a disadvantage where a lone destroyer is out in the open against three ships.

"Hunter META. Just like my name suggests, I hunt"

The former destroyer of the Royal navy dons tattered and dark clothing representing a grim alternate much like other ships from her faction. It doesn't appear she is equipped with the same rigging as her normal self as she is equipped with different kinds of weapons depending on what kind of prey she needs to take down.

"I have no grudge against you, but what you're doing would only get you killed" Hunter fearlessly aims her other rifle

"Oh~ Do enlighten me" Friedrich der Grosse points her cannons at the destroyer

"You seem to be mistaken. The one you call Tirpitz will end up killing you once she wakes up"

"Once she wakes up? You better spill out important details before I blast any of your limbs" Prinz Eugen moves forward to threaten her as well

"None of you would understand since no one saw how Fool and Empress snatched the frozen core in the first place. That person wouldn't just go down unless..."

"That person? So you witnessed how the Arbiters got the core in the first place" Admiral Hipper grits her teeth

"Ask the criminal yourself. I'm wasting my time here now. I can't deal with either of the Ugly Sisters once they get a whiff of my scent"

Hunter META grabs her cap and lightly presses her head, triggering the same glitching effect earlier to surround her body in a matter of three seconds. Just like the beginning, she completely vanishes from their field of vision, making Friedrich der Grosse unsure if she's moving away to the left or right.

"A ghost who died horribly could never rest. Do remember that"

Prinz Eugen and Admiral Hipper desperately turned left and right, searching for the META who disappeared faster than they could react. All that's left is her echoing voice fading until the last word silences the atmosphere completely.

"She managed to escape..." Friedrich der Grosse takes a deep breath

"That gloomy destroyer gave us hints but it made no sense" Admiral Hipper scratches her head

"I really thought we'd be fighting an aircraft carrier since you heard an aircraft earlier" Prinz Eugen reminds Friedrich der Grosse

"It was strange. I was certain an aircraft circled above us, but the sound disappeared somewhere in the commotion earlier" Friedrich der Grosse gazes up at the sky

"So what do we tell Bismarck?"

"...That she needs to meet with Tirpitz again as soon as possible. I fear something terrible might happen if we let Tirpitz be"

Friedrich der Grosse isn't certain of Hunter META's hints earlier, but she immediately understands danger looms over them now that they're searching for the truth. The destroyer warns them of the danger Tirpitz would bring, but she clenches her fists out of doubt to the hunter who tried to stop them.

Unknown abandoned base...

Hunter META drags her unscathed yet exhausted body back to a hangar with only boxed spare parts and pieces of aircraft now covered in cobwebs. Her musket rests on her shoulders while she steps inside the hangar empty of any aircraft...save for two sisters sitting on top of crates covered by a large sheet.

"You two are here?" Hunter META sighs in exhaustion

"If you're looking for that depressed girl, she went out to the sea to probably blame herself again" Repulse META, sitting near the bottom, shrugs her shoulders

"Iron Blood is trying to learn more about the sample, huh"

"They can't study it now since Tirpitz has it. If they try to take it from her, well...history might repeat itself"

"History, but we're from the future. This is hurting my head" Repulse META presses both hands on her head

"I don't know what she has in mind, but is this for the best?"

"I'm not the right person to ask that. I only want a proper solution where neither of them has to die"

Hunter META lowers her gun and lets it rest at the nearest wall behind her while she slams her back on the same wall. Exhausted from waiting and escaping from her targets, Hunter META slides her body down until her rear touches the dusty concrete.

"Tirpitz used the core when Lovers tried to corner her. People like us persist whether we're alive or dead" Hunter META takes off her hat

"We have to deal with Tirpitz, but it will take a while since her carelessness weakens her"

"Even if she's not in her top shape when she sorties again, a bit of heat is enough to stop her" Repulse META slams her fist on her palm

"Even if heat-based attacks counter her annoying ability, we're talking about a battleship who took a lot of bombs just to keel over. That's engraved in the kansen herself and boosted her even if she's..." Hunter META grunts to stop herself

"I think I can guess why that person remained restless. She's too angry to die" Renown META crosses her arms

"Ironic because she's supposed to be emotionless-"

Repulse META almost laughs but clears her throat seeing the other two META ships aren't in the mood to be laid-back.

"We need to destroy those inhibitors placed by Iron Blood on her"

"The pair of shackles on her wrist? If that's destroyed, Tirpitz might go berserk" Repulse META raises an eyebrow

"Normal kansens can't survive the ice she unleashes. Only METAs and Arbiters have resistance to it"

"Yeah, because it's a part ripped off from her META self" Repulse META throws her hands up in the air

"Bismarck would be alarmed now that you showed up and told them some important details. She'll try to reach Tirpitz, so we'll let them be"

"Victorious is there, so I'm mostly certain there wouldn't be any risk of going berserk. After all, Victorious kept her under control until tragedy struck"

"..." Hunter META narrows her eyes

A glimpse of a moment in the past reminds Hunter META of when Arbiter III: Empress has the frozen core floating above her palm. The original where it's plucked no longer exists in their sight as the blizzard slowly fades away.

[Simulation: 86% Complete]
[Internal Temperature: 32° Celsius]
[Wisdom Cube Function: 100%]
[Integration Status: 68%]
[Base Maximum Temperature: -80° Celsius]
[META Negative Threshold: 100° Celsius]

Chapter Text

An enemy Iron Blood couldn't predict. A META who once belonged to the Royal navy, but she's clearly not working alone. Someone else watched them from afar but disappeared in the ensuing commotion. The information is immediately reported to Bismarck seeing this new enemy has knowledge of the core's origin and is aware of Tirpitz's current condition.

"Hunter, a Royal navy destroyer. This one is a META working alongside others like her" Bismarck taps her wooden desk
"She knew we were coming. Otherwise, she wouldn't be in the perfect position to snipe all three of us" Prinz Eugen comments first
"Not to mention' she's invisible and silent, the perfect combination for a hunter" Admiral Hipper admits
"She knew something about the core. Namely, the one responsible for why the Arbiters had it in the first place"
"That META wouldn't go down easily, so someone else killed her. It's hard to piece cryptic hints"

Bismarck massages both of her temples to ease her fatigue on both her duties as a leader and simultaneously dealing with the mystery behind what caused Tirpitz to be the way she is.

"That Hunter META mentioned something about Tirpitz waking up and killing is if we try to take the core from her"
"If we try to remove the core, would that kill Tirpitz?" Friedrich der Grosse frankly asks
"I'm not certain myself. Tirpitz had become one with it, so I feared it would badly damage her wisdom cube" Bismarck admits her uncertainty
"If our wisdom cubes get damaged, it does all sorts of injury to us. It's practically our very essence after all" Prinz Eugen twirls the tip of her hair

Wisdom cubes contain potential as it shapes kansens and becomes their very foundation. It's as volatile as it's capable of giving life to all sorts of ships. Bismarck is primarily uncertain because Tirpitz's wisdom cube has been tampered with after the surgery and the cause of her unstable condition.

"That's why a meeting between you two needs to be arranged as soon as possible" Prinz Eugen twirls her bangs this time
"I mean.....even she would still refuses, right?" Admiral Hipper reminds Prinz Eugen
"How would you go about it, Bismarck?" Friedrich der Grosse wants the answer from her
".....If Victorious is the only person Tirpitz listens to, then she's the only one who can convince and make her agree" Bismarck looks at all three

The three simultaneously react with a wide-eyed shock since Bismarck's plan is clear with those words alone. However, only Friedrich der Grosse frowns on it, but it doesn't express anger or displeasure.

"Victorious is a goody-two-shoes. That noisy girl wouldn't want to take advantage of Tirpitz's trust on her. She'll probably tell you to go meet your sister yourself" Prinz Eugen scoffs
"Well, I kind of agree to that" Admiral Hipper reluctantly raises her hand
"That Royal navy child would agree to help if the situation is explained" Friedrich der Grosse looks on the bright side
"This is for Tirpitz's sake. There's a good chance she'll be targeted if she sets out to the open sea again" Bismarck's hands tensed up

Admiral Hipper lightly tilts her head, seeming baffled at Bismarck's frowning in concern, while Prinz Eugen faintly smiles in amusement since Bismarck unknowingly expresses herself. As for Friedrich der Grosse, she prefers to quietly observe how Bismarck lowers her guard and sets aside her strict leader persona.

Mediterranean base.....

In the time Victorious isn't following her wherever she goes, Tirpitz spends her night alone at the beach. She keenly gazes left and right, taking note if there's any kansen within the vicinity that could overhear or at least spot her.

"......" Tirpitz sighs

Upon confirming they are either asleep in their rooms or out on a mission, Tirpitz turns towards the sea. She first grabs the tip of her left glove and slowly removes it and the right glove follows shortly after. The pair of white gloves falls together just beside Tirpitz as she stares at her bare hands she's required to cover most of the time.

"Hmm........"

Tirpitz deliberately emits faint cold vapor from her hands, but it's weak that it couldn't freeze anything yet. The restraints are still tightly locked on her wrists like minimized shackles, so there's no danger of altering her surroundings.

"I haven't practiced much ever since I've been bailed out"

The nearest physical object is a piece of shattered rock in front of her, so Tirpitz grabs the rough black stone using her left hand. Tirpitz gently squeezes it within her fist and slowly strengthens the chill she emits on her hand. She's careful to only concentrate on what she's touching to prevent freezing her currently peaceful surroundings.

".......?"

White ice begins to coat the entirety of the small rock within her hand. The ice forms like a brittle shell around it while Tirpitz continues to secretly practice exerting control on her touch.

"It's possible if the object or target is small"

Tirpitz briefly recalls having enough control freezing the shell to prevent it from exploding upon contact and disperses the laser's heat with her extreme cold. When she opens her palm, the rock remains intact even with ice all over it.

"Still, sub zero temperature is enough to turn even rock...into a helplessly fragile object"

With a mere squeeze, the once piece of rock shatters into thousand bits no bigger than a grain of rice. It's like Tirpitz transformed it into grounded ice slowly falling down the sand and melting as soon as it leaves her hand.

"Oh~ You can release liquid nitrogen, so everything you touch freezes and fractures. It's amazing how you can fracture something as solid as a rock"

Littorio slowly claps to reveal she witnessed how Tirpitz deliberately freezes an object. She slowly walks towards her, not fearing the chill still present on Tirpitz's hand. In fact, she's genuinely curious at how her accidental ability functions just by seeing cold air on Tirpitz's hands.

"You're that battleship from Sardegna....." Tirpitz tosses the bits of frozen rock to the side

It's not that Tirpitz doesn't remember her name or is unaware of it, she just doesn't care enough to say it. Tirpitz is more focused on why Littorio secretly observed her rather than addressing her.

"Don't be surprised as to why I'm here. This is Sardinia, a part of my glorious Empire's territory" Littorio spreads her arms on both sides
"You're always with your sister Veneto as you both rule the Sardegna Empire" Tirpitz picks up her gloves
"We're more leaders than rulers. Aren't you the same as your sister? The Bismarck-class are seen as the finest example of Iron Blood engineering and your histories both carved fear and admiration!"

Littorio emphasizes it with how she swings her arms around and how she couldn't stop smiling at every word. Tirpitz is someone who doesn't care about reputation and image, so blinks at Littorio unable to contain her excitement.

"......I have no interest in being a symbol or leader, so that job went to Friedrich der Grosse. As long as I get to do my job, I don't particularly care about standing out and ambitions" Tirpitz takes a few seconds before responding
"Really? Isn't that unusual and boring? Everyone needs to have ambition to drive them and push them to new heights!"
"......" Tirpitz crosses her arms
".......but you're too emotionless to feel any excitement and motivation" Littorio clears her throat
"So why are you here late at night? I'm certain you didn't watch me break a stone out of boredom"

After Littorio restrains her excitement, Tirpitz inserts both gloves on and gently squeezes her fingers to adjust them. For the brief moment Tirpitz lifts her arms to insert the gloves, Littorio actually sneaks a glance to take note of the black metallic restraints forged from special nickel steels capable of withstanding sun zero temperatures.

"Veneto is on the mainland while I volunteered to be on the other side.....because Zara and Pola reported they spotted a META sometimes appearing in the Mediterranean sea. Two days ago, it got close and wandered in the Tyrrhenian sea" Littorio turns serious
"A META? How can you be sure it's one of them" Tirpitz takes the matter seriously
"It's a ship resembling an existing one but darker and ragged-looking. Not to mention, she's not hostile to kansens and only attacks Sirens"
"So what kind of META are we talking about?"
"An aircraft carrier with an air wing of Royal navy aircraft. We don't have a more accurate description, since she's careful in hiding her true identity"
"Royal navy aircraft carriers. I'm at a disadvantage against them, so a META is already troublesome"

Rather than the aircraft carriers she encountered in the past, an image of Victorious brightly smiling and posing with a peace hand gesture comes to Tirpitz's mind. This is likely due to the past bombings Tirpitz suffered at her hands when verbally inviting her to tea parties fail.

"Tirpitz, that META only showed up when you got stationed here, so I want to observe if it's related to you" Littorio points at her
".....I haven't met any aircraft carrier META"
"Even if you don't know her, she might know you. META ships remain a mystery, so it wouldn't be a surprise if this one is after something.....like the core you possessed"
"You know about it?"
"Just how the Sirens obtained it after defeating a META who unleashed a blizzard and froze half of the sea"
"........"

Tirpitz instinctively touches her chest upon suddenly remembering the sensation of a sharp object piercing through her body. An unknown person boldly stabs her from the front and precisely strikes the heart on the first try. She vaguely notices her surroundings to be covered in snow dragged by the howling wind.

"My personal theory is that META tracked you down because it's after the core used to save your life" Littorio lifts her right index finger
"Does your people have any information on who's the defeated META?"
"Not much other than her fellow META has her eyes on what's inside me. However, she wouldn't be able to take it....."
".....Unless she kills me" Tirpitz quickly guesses
"......" The two stares at each other

Currently, there's no possible way to separate the core from the wisdom cube unless Tirpitz herself is killed. The thought of giving her own life or getting killed has yet to cross Tirpitz's mind after one year. She's alive when she thought it could have been better to stay dead.

"King George V stayed here not only to observe your condition but to guard at the possibility a META might attack you"
"I don't need a bodyguard" Tirpitz immediately rejects the idea
"King George V is precisely guarding the core. Since it used to be from a META, the Royal navy deems it a risk to let another META retrieve it. I'm certain Iron Blood has the same thoughts, so they wanted you back"

Littorio doesn't hide the fact it's the core Iron Blood is the thing Iron Blood is concerned about rather than Tirpitz herself, but it couldn't provoke the slightest reaction from Tirpitz. She has long accepted that kind of reasoning after she's saved at the cost of a normal life.

".....I didn't want this power, and I preferred to stay dead back then" Tirpitz turns away
"Even if you hated what they did to you, it didn't look like you hated your life. You were given a second chance life but it stripped you of normalcy" Littorio guesses her thoughts
"I used to hate how they turned me into this, but since I'm still alive, I could still converse with Victorious and she could bother me all day long"
"....." Littorio just listens
"My condition is nothing but a burden, but it's the reason I'm alive. So how am I supposed to see this life exactly?"
"Tirpitz, I want an honest response from you"

Littorio takes a deep breath, seeing Tirpitz opening up her deep and sincere thoughts. There's a conflict clouding Tirpitz's mind, but she couldn't distinguish, let alone identify her clashing thoughts.

"Would you choose to die even if it means leaving your dearest sad every time she thinks about you" Littorio stares at her right in the eyes
"......What do you mean?"
"You value her enough to tolerate your cursed condition because she's happy you're there by her side. Not to mention, you didn't push her away and let her drag you on her whims" Littorio repeatedly pokes Tirpitz's shoulder

This makes Tirpitz remember the moments that count as spending time. Each of those times is Tirpitz going along with Victorious' whims. In fact, Tirpitz takes notice of Victorious' habits and how she's doing all she can to make Tirpitz react.

"Are you saying, my current life is more important than blaming Iron Blood for my condition?"
"......." Littorio doesn't answer
"Again, how am I supposed to see this? My life turned upside down when Bismarck made sure I survived......but she technically saved my life. I was about to helplessly die, but Bismarck managed to overturn that. It's because of my older sister that I'm still alive"
"So you did feel thankful after all, but your emotional past was more focused on the grudge.....that you couldn't see past it"

Littorio smiles, sort of getting the answer she wants Tirpitz herself to admit. It takes a cunning one to have someone stubborn and hardheaded to be actually honest. The answer isn't full, but Littorio is satisfied right now.

"Hmph" Littorio turns away and smiles

Rather than at her own thoughts, Littorio smiles because of what's in a distance, just in the cover of dark. Her gaze sneaks a glance by her right side and even winks before Tirpitz could notice.

"That icy blockhead is glad to be alive even if she hated turning into a popsicle" Victorious' puffs her cheeks and yawns
"Heh. I knew I asked the right person" King George V nods

The two Royal navy ships hide behind a nearby beach hut and the dead of night further conceals their figures from being spotted. King George V is just leaning on the side, satisfied with just overbearing the conversation while Victorious is having difficulty peeking without being seen.

"Then Tirpitz wouldn't avoid Bismarck anymore? It doesn't look like she fully blames her anymore" Victorious sighs in relief
"That's possible. Tirpitz is slowly coming to terms with her condition, but she's still at the stage where she has a hard time admitting it"

Victorious is restless out of nervousness and relief even if Tirpitz initially admits it to someone as unexpected as Littorio.

"Is it true a META could be after Tirpitz's core?" Victorious swallows her breath
"It's true. Iron Blood might have gotten a wind of this too, so Bismarck might make her move soon" King George V answers sternly
"Then.....Tirpitz can talk things out with Bismarck?" Victorious finds hope
"Well, that's what we're hoping. It wouldn't be easy, but it's possible they could still reconcile. Those two sisters tend to be aloof and dishonest with their feelings....."
"......" Victorious' head begins to sway

King George V's voice fades away seeing Victorious struggling to keep both eyes open and her keeping her swaying body straight.

"No need to force yourself. It's time for a good night's rest, Victorious" King George V holds Victorious shoulders to keep her standing
"I want to.....listen to more....." Victorious lets out a big yawn
"A good sleep is as important as worrying for your friend"

Seeing Victorious wobble and worrying she might fall face first, King George V gently turns her away from the scene. The visibly sleepy Victorious is powerless when King George V guides her away while holding both of her shoulders.

"......."

King George V glances at the two battleships with her initial focus on Tirpitz who seemingly glances at her for a split second. It couldn't be possible for Tirpitz to notice her hiding in the shadows.

The next day.....

Just right after lunch time, Tirpitz finds herself surrounded by the Mutsuki class destroyers, whose mentality matches their miniature appearance. The culprit for having innocent children is Victorious, who cheerfully gives them popsicles with various flavors.

"......."

Tirpitz helplessly sits a nearby bench under the shade of a tree and holds an unmelting popsicle due to her cold touch. She carefully observes the young ones in a straight line and patiently waiting for Victorious to hand them one popsicle each. Each time one destroyer gets one, she jumps in joy and runs to the side.

"Wow! You're like a refrigerator"

Mutsuki climbs up the bench and presses her small hand to Tirpitz's cheek. The latter moves her gaze to the innocently curious destroyer with eyes sparkling out of amazement. A child is completely unaware of Tirpitz's situation and has no reason to learn the trim reality behind it.

"Mmm.....so comfortable"

Nagatsuki does the same but on Tirpitz's right side instead. Now, Tirpitz has two destroyers pressing their hands on her cheeks to cool themselves even more.

"The popsicle doesn't even melt" Kisaragi leans closer

As soon as the third one comes, the others begin to gather around her like small animals attracted to food. Most of them are staring at the popsicle in Tirpitz's hand that has still ice around and cold vapor rising from the tip.

"It's not that amazing....." Tirpitz finally takes a bite of her popsicle
"I want powers like that too so I can still eat ice cream even if I stuff it in my bag!" Nagatsuki raises both arms
"That's really convenient!" Mutsuki rapidly nods her head
"Victorious, why did you bring these children here. They're too....naive" Tirpitz stands up
"You need some form of comfort. Children don't have hidden intentions and won't backstab you or anything" Victorious puffs her chest
"They don't know anything about my condition"

Tirpitz moves away from the young destroyers, who are all equally puzzled staring at the two since they are clueless to their conversation. It's another moment where "the adults are talking", so they could only change their gaze depending on who's speaking.

"You don't need to tell them about it" Victorious pokes Tirpitz's cheek
"Still, they're naive that I wonder why they took the form of.....preschoolers" Tirpitz briefly looks at the gathered destroyers
"People are weird and their thoughts are often questionable. Well, that's why the military police exist" Victorious giggles
"It makes you wonder if ignorance is a bliss. That we're better off being dumb and clueless all the time"

Looking back at the Mutsuki class huddled up together and staring at her in a shared innocent curiosity, Tirpitz wonders about the children being worry free of reality.

"......" Mutsuki pushes Kisaragi to the front
"W-w-why do you look like you're really sad?" Kisaragi's legs trembles
"Sad? I can't express sadness....or even joy and anger. I'm just empty" Tirpitz bends on one knee
"T-that's not true. Big sis Shoukaku and Zuikaku said people hide their sadness because they don't want others to worry. T-that's why we know Kaga-san......is sad sometimes" Kisaragi looks like she's about to cry
"It may have applied to my old self, but that part of me died a long time ago" Tirpitz shakes her head
"Adults talk really weird sometimes. Musashi talking made my nose bleed one time" Mutsuki tilts her head in confusion
"........."

Tirpitz slightly jolts when Kisragi stands on her toes and tries her hardest to have her small left hand gently pat Tirpitz's head.

"Are you trying to make me feel better?" Tirpitz blinks

The timid destroyer's whole body trembles out of nervousness, but she musters her little courage to give some form of comfort. She's the type who would often look like she's about to cry or faint but still has the courage to do what she must if the situation calls for it.

"S-shinano said sometimes a head pat can make a sad person feel better because it shows.....how we care....." Kisaragi fidgets with her fingers
".....and a hug!" Mutsuki runs behind Tirpitz and slams her body on her back

The other destroyers squeeze themselves and follow Mutsuki's lead, stretching out their arms and embracing Tirpitz. As children, it's the only method taught to them on how to show comfort even if they can't grasp the severity of the situation.

"Children....."

Tirpitz understands the small ones are doing their best to make her "sadness" go away even if she can't sense their warmth or feel the slightest comfort. Until now, her heart feels empty, but she doesn't reject their approach.

"Tirpitz, there you are!" King George V waves her hand from a distance

The young ones pull themselves away and slowly back away from the scene as soon as King George V waves her hand as a gesture of "hello".

"......."

Victorious understands King George V's presence and hurriedly goes to the Mutsuki class side to guide the curious destroyers away. The mood is tense all of a sudden and the conversation is something that doesn't need the presence of oblivious children.

"A representative from Iron Blood is here"
"Iron.....Blood" Tirpitz raises her guard
"Friedrich der Grosse visited in Bismarck's stead. It's important, so you have to meet her now" King George V is in a hurry
"Why visit me all of a sudden? I don't believe she's just here for a stop"
"That's something you should bring up to her" King George V shrugs her shoulders
"I don't think I can refuse" Tirpitz guesses
"Unfortunately, your presence is required"

It's clear from King George V's dead serious glare that she might just forcefully drag Tirpitz if she refuses and walks away. A clash between them in an inappropriate place and time would only cause trouble for everyone present in the base.

"Since Victorious is around, I'll just go along with your whims as well" Tirpitz briefly glances at King George V holding the hilt of her sheathed saber

Tirpitz herself doesn't realize she wants to avoid freezing a portion of the base as Victorious might be in range. King George V wouldn't hesitate to cut one off her hands at the slightest hostile move Tirpitz would make.

Fifteen minutes later......

King George V leads the way while Tirpitz quietly follows not far behind, but she's vigilant even while just staring at the knight's back. She knows King George V is sometimes observing her at the instance she becomes hostile to anyone around her.

"We're here"

The location is one of the private rooms within the base often used for briefings and meetings. It's in the furthest room on the main building's ground floor. It's an ordinary looking room from the outside with a polished wooden door and a glinting round silver knob.

"I'll be standing guard outside since Friedrich der Grosse requested a private discussion" King George V turns the doorknob
"....Fine"

Tirpitz doesn't particularly care whether King George V follows her inside or not. As soon as King George V pushes the door with a gentle tap, Tirpitz immediately sees Friedrich der Grosse sitting with her legs crossed and drinks Royal navy brewed tea with the most relaxed expression she has.

"Please don't try to freeze the room" King George V softly reminds her

As soon as Tirpitz takes several steps entering the room, King George V slowly pulls the door close and Tirpitz even catches the sound of the doorknob being locked from the outside.

"It's been a year, my child" Friedrich der Grosse gently places back the cup on the saucer
"To be honest, I didn't even want to meet anyone from Iron Blood right now" Tirpitz takes the nearest seat
"What pushed you?" Friedrich der Grosse raises an eyebrow
"That chivalrous knight would do whatever it takes to drag me"
"Well, we all have a duty to fulfill. Bismarck ordered I must meet you, so I might have dragged you myself if that knight couldn't"

The way Friedrich der Grosse jokingly states it and even giggles betray her menacing glare. She's focused on how Tirpitz doesn't react the least and her dulled sapphire eyes only study her figure and gestures at least.

"My child, I hope that Victorious hasn't tamed you into a puppy"
"Tame? Do you think I'm being treated like a pet?" Tirpitz raises her head
"It seems you're obedient to her whims and you follow her around"
"I let her do as she wishes because I trust her, and I've been wondering if I could reclaim the emotions I lost"
"That's how it is....." Friedrich der Grosse crosses her arms

There's no malice or any form of Friedrich der Grosse, but Tirpitz raises her guard with how she pries into her relationship with Victorious. Tirpitz already initially guesses Iron Blood, or at least Friedrich der Grosse, is wary of Victorious being around Tirpitz most of the time.

"In your first battle after being freed, did you use your ability on purpose? You passed out with a drastically lowered body temperature" Friedrich der Grosse frowns
"Arbiter VI: Lovers isolated me and didn't really try to kill me"

In the brief encounter with the Arbiter, Tirpitz conceals the part where she freezes the shells and disperses the heat from the laser. She exerted a degree of control over her own condition, but she's guarding herself against a fellow ship from Iron Blood.

"Why did you insist on a meeting today? I want to know why Iron Blood acted all of a sudden" Tirpitz asks the most important question
"Just a few days ago, we encountered Hunter META, who has knowledge about your condition and is aware of your core's origin" Friedrich der Grosse doesn't bother hiding it
"You investigated"
"That's correct, my child. We hoped for a possible cure to your condition by learning more about the defeated where your core originated"
"…......"

The conversation with Littorio last night comes to mind. Regarding her core, an unnamed META is possibly after her core. Still, Tirpitz holds this information because of mistrust.

"That little Hunter META ambushed us because she knew we were coming. However, she didn't aim for vital spots and fled shortly after we forced her to reveal herself"
"What's special about this core? It belonged to a dead META"
"I'm not certain myself. The little META informed us your condition is irreversible and there could be death if we tried to take the core....once you wake up"
"The only death here would be mine. It's fused to my wisdom cube, so I might die if someone ripped it out"
"By the way, do you know anything about a restless ghost? The little META left cryptic words for us. She also said something about a ghost dying horribly cannot rest"
"A ghost?"

The only ghost that Tirpitz could think of is the doppelganger in her dream. In the dream surrounded by ice and snow, a more emotionally dead version of her leaves cryptic messages before forcing her to wake up.

"I don't know about ghosts because I don't think it exists" Tirpitz immediately denies knowledge
"I really hate puzzles and riddles. I'd rather prefer straightforward opponents" Friedrich der Grosse presses her clawed hand on her cheek
"Is Bismarck trying to take me back?" Tirpitz changes the topic
"No need to worry about that. Bismarck wouldn't force you, but she would arrange a proper between you two soon" Friedrich der Grosse cheerfully smiles
"Meet her? It's been a year since the last time we spoke, but that resulted in attempted murder"
"Well, sisters tend to quarrel once in a while. I'm certain it's just a misunderstanding between my children" Friedrich der Grosse waves both hands

Tirpitz would never forget how she turned a base into a frozen landscape out of an impulse to kill Bismarck. She recklessly didn't consider that she might have accidentally frozen one of her allies to death, but she doesn't particularly think about it. In Friedrich der Grosse's side, she doesn't blame them and prefers to dote on her beloved children like a loving mother.

"Tirpitz, I want your personal opinion on your current life. You interact with others without a problem. No instances of any misbehavior or quarrel with another kansen either"
"I still have my grievance regarding Bismarck, but I begin to think how I'm alive right now. That operation saved me, but I couldn't feel anything even if you can say I'm alive right now"
"Your conflict is understandable" Friedrich der Grosse carefully listens
"Emotions make us human, so it felt like I lost my humanity just to stay alive. If that's the case, then is it really worth it to live?"

Tirpitz lifts her left arm and her right hands gently rubs the metallic restraint she couldn't take off due to the danger she possess. It's no different from being handcuffed all the time.

"I couldn't feel the slightest bit of happiness when my old self used to possess emotions. To lose the core part of my humanity just to keep on going, is it really a price worth paying?"
"Bismarck made the choice and you paid the price. Is it why you still find it difficult to speak to her" Friedrich der Grosse slightly tilts her head
"That's probably the case. I'm willing to accept my death and she knows that, but she couldn't respect my choice"
"Bismarck may have after selfishly, but you're her younger sister. She did what she thought was for the best"

The second Friedrich der Grosse defends Bismarck's actions, the room temperature drops by to at least twenty degrees Celsius. Tirpitz is passively affecting her surroundings while remaining seated.

"It's true that I've been saved from death and witnessed more of my surroundings, I could no longer feel another's warmth or experience happiness again. I live everyday unsure whether someone like me should remain alive" Tirpitz doesn't notice the effect on her surroundings
"....."
"Unfortunately, speaking with Bismarck is still a bit early. There's still a chance I might do something similar last year" Tirpitz rejects the idea
"I see. I thought I'd approach you first hoping you would have a change of heart, but I can't blame you for refusing"

Friedrich der Grosse somewhat expected Tirpitz to firmly turn down the idea, so she doesn't push the topic further. As a "mother", she wishes what's best for her children's well-being and Tirpitz is wary of her in her current state. It's evident how she emitted chill all over the room but not enough to freeze the surface yet.

(In the end, we would have to make use of Victorious to make Tirpitz agree. I dislike how that girl tamed my child, but this is our best option.....)

Friedrich der Grosse hides her own dismay over the result and feels reluctant over letting Victorious convince her as initially planned. It's a secret she couldn't let Tirpitz realize as it would make her distrust Iron Blood even more and possibly hostile to them out of attempted trickery.

Chapter Text

Isolated from anyone and forced within the confinement of a steel prison, Tirpitz spends her incarceration alone with her own thoughts. In the moments she doesn't speak, the only sound within the four steel wheels surrounding her is the eerieness of cold air and the weak crackling of ice.

"The ice is receding"

As Tirpitz sits in the middle of her cell, Tirpitz stretches out her hand and observes how the ice spikes sprouting on the wall in front of her begins to shrink from two inches to at least three centimeters.

"I can exert some level of control, but I'm still far from keeping it under control"

About two months in her isolation, Tirpitz could still express the emotions eating away at her heart. She clenches both of her fists in frustration while the ice she produces would harm anyone within range. There's nothing she could do with her current situation but grit her teeth and bite her lower lip, so she doesn't have to scream in frustration.

"I can't touch anyone because they'd freeze to death. Anyone alive within my reach.....just shatters and disappears"

There's no method for her to vent out her frustration and no matter how much resentment builds up in her, it somehow slowly dies down minutes later. It's as if the ice that's harming her surroundings forcibly cools down her heart burning with chaotic emotions.

"Bismarck did this to me. She wouldn't let me choose my life, now she wouldn't let me die on my own terms"

Thinking about the primary source of her suffering and the scarring moment of revelation, the ice around Tirpitz thickens. The silver walls have been swallowed by whitening ice sprouting spikes and thorns capable of injuring anyone.

"Back then, I hated her but not enough to want and take her life. So why did I attack Bismarck? My memory is so foggy that it's confusing me....."

After taking several deep breaths, the coldness in her body passively eases her anger. The silver steel walls become visible again and the sharp spikes mostly retread as well. However, the temperature around her is still dangerous for regular kansens to approach.

"Back then, I was talking to Bismarck but I blacked out and attacked her like there was someone else......"

Tirpitz's memory is lacking several key details, but she recalls being in the interrogation room as Bismarck. The two sisters sit across each other with only a rectangular table separating them. Tirpitz furrows her eyebrows in desperation to dig the sequence of events, but the following memory only leads to the sudden burst of violence.

"........!"

Within that prison cell, Tirpitz is certain of her solitude as the few people guarding her prison couldn't even get near her most of the time. She's certain of it, so the second she senses an unknown figure looming behind, her entire body becomes numb from unexplained intimidation and anxiety.

"......"

Someone is certainly standing right behind her, but Tirpitz's instincts are forcing her to remain stiff right where she sits. As much as desires to turn her head to be certain of the terror standing behind, her hands could only tremble and render her speechless. It's the same feeling as a predator standing behind a lone and cornered prey. Tirpitz feels cornered by a presence she isn't even certain that exists because it's impossible for someone to just appear behind her.

........
........
........

".........."

The memory turns into a regular dream, often resulting in Tirpitz awakening in the middle of the night. Her current body doesn't require much sleep or sustenance, but she does as an attempt to try and live normally.

"I wonder what could have happened if I turned around?"

Tirpitz wonders about the presence behind her and how she imagined it as an ominous shadow. She stares at the ceiling, silently wondering about the past in the middle of the night.

"Hmm?"

Unfortunately, her deep thought is interrupted by the sudden realization there's a wait laying on top of her chest, the soft feeling of someone's chest pressing on her body.

"........."

Tirpitz quickly lifts the covers to discover it's just a kansen peacefully sleeping right beside her. She throws the covers at her feet, exposing someone using her bed as her own.

"Victorious......" Tirpitz lifts her back from the bed
"Mmm......"

The aircraft carrier who often drags Tirpitz around or follows her, is peacefully sleeping until Tirpitz's voice and the lack of a sheet covering her causes her to respond a bit.

"Oh, Tirpitz. You're really up....at night....." Victorious yawns and stretches while still lying down
"Why are you in my room?"
"Hmm? Others saw you sneak off at night like you couldn't sleep. I got worried, so I decided to go to your room and keep an eye on you"

Victorious lazily lifts her back off the bed and reluctantly brings her feet to the ground to position herself in sitting by the bed.

"You snuck into my room and slept without my permission" Tirpitz sits by the bed as well
"You don't sleep much and that's bad for your health. I don't know what changed in your body, but you're making me worry"
"There's no guarantee I won't hurt you. My condition is still here, you know"
"I know you wouldn't hurt me. I fully trust you just how you trust me" Victorious blinks in confusion

Victorious is sincere with her words that she spouts it without a second thought. Although her honesty is a positive trait, Tirpitz's moment of stare finds her current perspective as something not to be proud of.

"I have no full control of the cold in my body. Even if I would never intentionally hurt you, sooner or later I might accidentally do so"

Tirpitz briefly closes her eyes, recalling the moment she realizes the Iron Blood base transformed into a barely recognizable frozen landscape. She fully lost control of herself that her surroundings would kill anyone within seconds.....except for Bismarck who stood unharmed even after a minute of exposure to negative temperatures.

"That's why you've been practicing, right? You don't want to hurt me or anyone else" Victorious leans on her Tirpitz's left shoulder
"You're way too complacent and optimistic that I wonder how you survived in the front lines"
"Call it a gut feeling. I just know you would never truly hurt anyone because you're kind and gentle.....if you just stop being such a drama queen"

Victorious is completely relaxed around Tirpitz that she doesn't care about physical contact. In fact, she currently finds comfort in seeing Tirpitz letting her guard down as well. It's a form of trust between the two, but only Tirpitz doesn't particularly notice it.

"I'm not as naive as people think, you know. I already know there might be a chance you would forever be like this or it might get worse in the future" Victorious' tone becomes solemn

She always acts and speaks so cheerfully that everyone finds her casual nature to be bright and endearing. It's one of the rare moments when she changes her tone, deliberately dropping how she usually speaks so enthusiastically.

"If you know that, then why keep on trying?" Tirpitz believes it's contrasting
"I just want to continue being by your side. Even if you're emotionless, I'm fine as long as you recognize yourself and don't push anyone away"
"Am I.....that important to you?"
"Of course, dummy. You mean a lot to me that I'd still be here with you just so you would never be alone again"
"......" Tirpitz couldn't respond
"To tell you the truth, I'm scared at the possibility that you might not be here when I wake up, so I snuck into your room"

Victorious bites her lower lip and Tirpitz notices the gesture is because her lips are trembling. It's as if she's truly afraid, so Tirpitz stares at her without really knowing why.

"Victorious, what if I become unrecognizable or what if I couldn't recognize you?" Tirpitz raises a different question
".....I wouldn't know what to do. I'm not good at making difficult choices, you know" Victorious reluctantly admits
"What if one day, I would turn against you or everyone else? Would you....."
"I don't think.....I could bomb you with the killing intent"

Victorious tightly wraps her arms on Tirpitz's arm and buries her face on her shoulder. She's trembling in fear and anxiety because she thinks of its possibility. For the first time, Tirpitz witnesses how Victorious would be lost in sorrow and fear. She's uncertain about the future that she's deathly afraid of that terrible outcome.

"Then you wouldn't be able to take my life even if it's the only solution" Tirpitz sighs
"I'd rather kill you myself than have you kill yourself" Victorious tightens her grip
"You just contradicted yourself......"
"I know you more than anyone. You would try to off yourself without a second thought!" Victorious raises her head
"......."
"You're a suicidal idiot who'd gladly die like a bloody idiot than keep on fighting!"
"Since you'd curse at my grave for a stupid choice, I'd been living a bit longer. Well, there's no certainty to what awaits us kansens in death. Do we experience the same afterlife as humans or do we simply vanish?"
"Ugh, I'm not good at thinking deeply or worrying about the afterlife"

Victorious straightens herself to massage both sides of her temple. Her only response to Tirpitz beginning to be philosophical again is furrowing her eyebrows that it's almost connected.

"Why do you worry about dying? If you think about it too much, you won't get to focus on being alive now and when you're about to die, regrets upon regrets will weigh in you" Victorious repeatedly pokes Tirpitz's cheeks
"Huh. You can actually say something sensible if you're serious"
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Victorious lightly hit Tirpitz's shoulders
"Still, you have a point. We should focus on what's before us to avoid regrets in the end....."
"Tirpitz, are you feeling.....worried? Does that mean you're starting to feel something again?"
"No, I just came to think about my past again. Friedrich der Grosse visited and wanted me to speak with Bismarck again. I refused because I know they're not telling the whole truth"
"Why not meet them to know the whole truth? You won't know anything about sulking here and playing it hard"
"It might be too sudden right now"
"Don't tell me you're waiting for Bismarck to come by herself?"
"No, I don't expect her to do that. I just want to be certain that there wouldn't be another disagreement between us. The last thing I need is another commotion....."

The only image Tirpitz usually sees in her mind is Bismarck's serious and cold expression. Never once has she had a memory of Bismarck's gentler side, but she would have forgotten it even if she did have one.

"Victorious, will there be a day where you would lie and deceive me?" Tirpitz stares as she asks
"I'll never do that, and I won't let that day come. No matter what happens, I would never betray your trust" Victorious looks at her right in the eyes to show her sincerity
"Then.....I'll believe in those words as a promise"

Words have less weight than actions, but Tirpitz chooses to believe Victorious not adding the fact it's out of their past interactions. Tirpitz believes someone like Victorious would keep her word, but she turns her gaze to the side when Victorious wouldn't stop staring.

The next day.....

Victorious, along with Prince of Wales and few other ships, pays a visit to a Sakura Empire forward base in Truk. Upon mooring her ship, Victorious takes a deep breath and inhales the salty sea breeze and the sound of sea birds circling the sky.

"I'll gather the reports from the office. In the meantime, don't stray too far, Victorious" Prince of Wales reminds her
"I'm not some kid who would get lost" Victorious pouts
"Hahaha, I was joking. You've been worried ever since we left the base"
"I'm kind of worried at Tirpitz since I'm so used to keeping an eye on her"
"Tirpitz is capable on her own. The base won't freeze or anything just because you're not there" Prince of Wales pats her at the back
"I just hope she doesn't get in any trouble"
"Our mission is just to investigate. You'll be back right before you know it"

Prince of Wales confidently assures Victorious just as she begins to walk away and wave her hand. This leaves Victorious to worry by herself and imagine what could Tirpitz be doing while she's away.

"Victorious, how do you ask Tirpitz for a challenge?" Alabama whispers from behind
"Alabama?! Eh? Why are you asking me?" Victorious nearly jumps out
"I mean, you should know her best since you two are always together"
"Alabama, why are you still insisting on a challenge?"
"I know Tirpitz is strong and I want to see if I'm strong enough to beat someone like her. I would challenge the mighty Bismarck but she can be difficult so I went for the little sister instead!"
"They're both difficult, you know" Victorious crosses her arms
"Still! I'm going to make Tirpitz agree to a challenge one of these days!"
(I'll teach Tirpitz how to get a restraining order.....)

While Alabama's spirit is filled, Victorious takes one step back not wanting to be a part of her enthusiasm.

"You're all about challenging Tirpitz" Victorious has mixed emotions
"I guess it became a habit. I tried to invite her to try Dunkerque's desserts, but I ended making it sound like a challenge....." Alabama scratches her cheeks
"Wait, is your challenge a way to be friends with Tirpitz? You do know she doesn't like answering through strength....."
"I-I know that, but the commander said the best way to know someone is by clashing with them. So I thought if I fought her once, I could understand her a bit!" Alabama innocently explains
(That old man!)

Victorious keeps her mouth shut to prevent making her shock and anger visible to Alabama who believes the advise like a pure hearted girl.

"By the way, how's Tirpitz doing? They say she's as cold as a freezer but I think she's beginning to warm up" Alabama clears her throat
"She doesn't mind being with others now but still has issues with Iron Blood"
"I remember hearing about the incident a year ago. She got into a fight with her big sister so they threw her in jail"
"Hmm, I don't exactly know what happened either. Tirpitz doesn't talk about it either....which is a bit strange"

This raises new curiosity about the incident between the two sisters. It happened within Iron Blood territory and no one witnessed the fight as Tirpitz's freezing temperature forced them to evacuate.

"The commander found it strange too. He mentioned how an Iron Blood base turned into a frozen landscape that birds and rats froze instantly while Bismarck didn't lose a single finger. Sub-zero temperature is like the Arctic, so I'd probably be a popsicle too if I step into Tirpitz's icy field" Alabama keeps talking without paying attention to Victorious
"I don't think Tirpitz could control her ice enough to keep Bismarck unharmed. She didn't have that level of control back then"

Victorious turns away from Alabama and begins to slowly away since the latter is still busy speculating about what occurred a year ago and the possible reasons behind it.

"That icy blockhead is hiding her own secrets now. That's hypocritical!" Victorious stomps her left foot
"My, why are you so angry~"
"......!" Victorious freezes in one spot
"It's such a fine day. No need to sour your mood, Victorious....."

Friedrich der Grosse slowly approaches Victorious from behind much like a beast silently inching closer to an inspecting prey. Fear quickly rushes down Victorious and the overwhelming intimidation leaves someone like Victorious trembling right where they stand. She feels if she moves one step away, Friedrich der Grosse would take this as an unfriendly gesture.

"W-what a coincidence to meet you here....." Victorious musters enough courage to turn around
"It's no coincidence. I specifically searched where's your next mission" Friedrich der Grosse frankly responds
"You looked for me on purpose? Why?" Victorious swallows her breath
"I'll cut to the chase since you're so wary of me. As you can see, the last conversation with Tirpitz didn't go well. No one from Iron Blood could sway her, but you can convince her with a word"

Friedrich der Grosse notices Victorious being greatly nervous but she ignores the unintentional intimidation and walks until she's barely a meter in front of her. Her towering height and sharp appearance is what makes Victorious forget how Friedrich der Grosse is usually gentle and affectionate unless she's facing a Siren.

"There is an unknown META after Tirpitz and I fear this META only wants the source of Tirpitz's freezing condition. As a mother, I won't allow harm to any of my beloved children" Friedrich der Grosse's voice turns deep and serious
(So it must be true.....) Victorious swallows her breath
"Tirpitz has to meet with Bismarck so they can discuss returning to Iron Blood. The enemy knows our moves since we've been ambushed in search of more information about the frozen core"
"It's from a defeated META the Arbiters defeated more than a year ago. George told me a lot about it"

Some of Victorious' anxiety fades away when she inhales deeply and looks at Friedrich der Grosse right in the eyes. There's still anxiety when facing Friedrich der Grosse, but Victorious is determined to let Friedrich der Grosse reveal the information Iron Blood has in possession.

"You're concerned about Tirpitz's safety and I'm worried too, but she still doesn't trust Iron Blood enough to agree to meet with Bismarck" Victorious frowns
"That's why I'm approaching you. Tirpitz doesn't trust anything we say to her, but she'd believe anything you say to her"
"So you really followed me here to make me convince Tirpitz?"
"If it's you, then Tirpitz would overlook her distrust of us for your sake"
"Tirpitz says she trusts me, so if I said it's for the best then she might just agree to go back to Iron Blood....."

The last conversation with Tirpitz has Victorious doubting Friedrich der Grosse. Victorious values Tirpitz as a friend, and it aches her heart to even think making Tirpitz agree just because Friedrich der Grosse believed it's for the best.

"Bismarck is working on solving the origin of the META's fragment and why there is a META getting in our way. To grasp its mysterious nature and keep it away from other METAs, we need Tirpitz back in Iron Blood"
"From, how you said it, why did it feel like you're only concerned about the core? Is its power more valuable than Tirpitz? In exchange for being alive, Tirpitz lost her humanity! She can't decide whether to see it a second chance of life or plain torture!" Victorious unknowingly raises her voice
"Oh, my....."
"I'm just really worried about her. Tirpitz is the type to off herself the moment she stops caring about her own life. She's a suicidal idiot who would rather kill herself than struggle"
"Tirpitz is right to choose someone so honest and caring as you. I'm glad you're looking over her well-being and wishes for her happiness. That's why you convinced the commander to let her be by your side in hopes your bond would remind her of warmth" Friedrich der Grosse sighs and gently smiles
"Uhm.....you're welcome?" Victorious tilts her head in confusion
"However, you're wrong about what you said. Bismarck does care about Tirpitz and fears she would die if the METAs snatch the core from her. She ordered the operation because she felt guilty believing she sent her younger sister to her death. Bismarck knew the mission was dangerous, but she believed in Tirpitz's capabilities"
"That didn't work out well...." Victorious loosens her tension

Victorious senses no deception in Friedrich der Grosse's voice, so her anxiety lessens and lowers her guard as well. The battleship truly acts and speaks motherly when speaking about other Iron Blood ships.

"Bismarck believes herself to be a leader who would do everything to keep everyone safe regardless of her methods. It pained her seeing her younger sister unable to touch anyone, but she's prideful of her own feelings and remained stoic" Friedrich der Grosse shakes her head
"I could say the same thing to that icy blockhead Tirpitz" Victorious shakes her head too
"Victorious, this may appear as deception to you, but I'm not forcing or threatening you. For my beloved children, I'm willing to take the stage and act what I believe is necessary"
"I can't force Tirpitz to go that easily....." Victorious frowns again
"I'm aware of that, but you must think carefully. Their misunderstanding cannot be resolved unless you lock those two in the same room and how danger lurks around Tirpitz" Friedrich der Grosse turns around
"T-then I want to speak with Bismarck first. I want to hear what she needs to say and only honestly!" Victorious' legs tremble as she makes the request
"Oh my, that's a bold one"

The sudden decision makes Friedrich der Grosse face Victorious again and catches the determined gaze facing a vicious beast. Friedrich der Grosse couldn't help but giggle under her breath just seeing how the usually cheerful and naive Victorious is serious and determined even when her legs are visibly shaking.

"I like honest and determined people like you, so I'd have it arranged as soon as possible" Friedrich der Grosse sighs in relief
"Heh?"
"Expect our response within three days. Don't go anywhere, okay~" Friedrich der Grosse turns around

The shocked Victorious got caught off guard thinking Friedrich der Grosse would be upset at her for making a demand without care. She could only blink her eyes repeatedly as she helplessly watches the motherly battleship gently wave goodbye while walking away.

"I-I'm so dead....."

Victorious' legs lose all of their strength and she ends up slipping on the ground with her knees on the floor. Tears form at the edge of her eyes and her lips wryly twitch. She would never expect she sealed her own fate in facing Bismarck by herself after she was blinded by her concern with Tirpitz's strained sisterly relationship.

Unknown location.....

Hunter META polishes each and one of her special armor piercing bullets that could poke a hole even on large battleships. She carefully wipes and rubs until the shell shines enough to see a bit of her reflection. Each of her ammo is difficult to craft, so a sniper like her reserves her shots unless she's certain whether it would hit or not.

"They're now alerted to our presence, but they're careful since they don't know anything about our goal yet" Hunter META blows the newly polished bullet in her hand
"You're so updated that it's actually creepy" Repulse META wryly smiles
"Iron Blood is already going for their next step. That means the Ugly Sisters would catch up with the changes soon" Renown META tightly grips her sword
"They won't wait for long since Bismarck isn't going to take risks"

Hunter META carefully places down the polished bullet at the far right side of perfectly lined bullets. She goes to pick up the rifle leaning by her side and presses it by her chest.

"Don't try to shoot their knees and beat them while crippled" Renown META wags her index finger
"That's what hunting is all about - to follow and study your prey until you corner them. Well, I won't risk my life for a hunt far from our control" Hunter META rests her rifle on her shoulder
"It's just one battleship, so it shouldn't be a problem. Tirpitz is at a disadvantage in a direct fight against us since METAs like us can resist her ice" Repulse META shrugs her shoulders
"Resistant but not fully immune. Her ice could slow us down and even stiffen our rigging" Repulse META immediately corrects her
"She's not even a META, so it shouldn't be a problem taking her head-on"

Repulse META brushes the fact aside and remains confident of her chances against a regular battleship enhanced by a dead person's fragment.

"Repulse and I will have to block the Ugly Sisters once they pop up, so dealing with Tirpitz will fall on you" Renown META looks at Hunter META resting her back on a crate
"That's quite fitting for a hunter going after The Beast" Repulse META snaps her fingers
"Go after her before Iron Blood takes her? Hmm, I suppose we can't waste our time"

Hunter META places her rifle on her lap and inspects its parts by tilting it left and right. The gun appears lightweight from how the destroyer effortlessly lifts it and even wields it on her last hunt.

"I just remembered! Isn't she already ahead of us?" Repulse META raises her voice
"That's why those Sardegna girls spotted her and had Littorio inform the knights" Hunter META isn't concerned much
"Let's focus on Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. We'll leave the sneaking around with Hunter" Renown META assures her
"If you say so, sis. I don't want the Victorious here to realize what we're up to. Knowing her, she'll try to bother us until we talk"
"Bismarck is the target, right? Because of the whole lying and deceiving thing"

Renown META shifts her attention to Hunter META, who's more focused on inspecting dents and scratches on her rifle. A good hunter ensures their equipment is well maintained before and after every hunt.

"I'll have to take my leave soon. Not to deal with Bismarck, but because of the change of plans. I'll make sure Bismarck doesn't drag Tirpitz to Iron Blood yet" Hunter META raises her rifle
"You're right. She can act so long as Tirpitz is reigned in by Victorious"
"Speaking of Tirpitz, does she have a chance of recovery?" Repulse META is genuinely concerned
"I'm not certain. The core is volatile as it's snatched from a physically dead person and shoved in an emotionally dead person. Whatever the case, we just hope she doesn't wake up too soon. Tirpitz is difficult to deal with once she's completely pissed off"
"And the only way that would happen...." Repulse META stares at Renown META
".....Is by aiming at Victorious" Renown META frowns
"Exactly"

Hunter META carefully loads the lined up bullets in the magazine but careful not to accidentally remove the safety lock. Her next hunt is yet to begin, so she knows not to waste a single bullet when it's not even aimed at her prey.

Chapter Text

Are you willing to make the choice?

Shortly after Tirpitz is admitted to the emergency room after the failed mission, Bismarck is the first one informed that Tirpitz is in a critical condition that she doesn't have much time to live. Her fate is sealed as Tirpitz remains unconscious, unknowing that her body has reached its limit and is slowly dying.

"Tirpitz......"

Rather than remain in her office, Bismarck sits by the beach by herself and watches as the sun retreats and the sky slowly falls into the night. She stares at the glass cube with metallic frames concealing what appears to be a fragment of a wisdom cube floating inside. Unlike regular wisdom cubes, it's darker and emits cold air on every corner.

"Tirpitz's wisdom cube has been damaged. She won't live for  more than twenty four hours"

A feminine figure concealed in an abstract glitch and mixed voice stands right behind Bismarck. It's no Siren, but her presence feels much different than a regular kansen.

"Bismarck, what you have in your hands is the only thing that could save Tirpitz"

The disguised kansen walks to Bismarck's side and gently reaches her fingers towards the transparent cube Bismarck is securely clutching.

"......" Bismarck stares at sealed fragment
"Why do you hesitate? Do you not want to save Tirpitz?"
"I know the risks.....but I still sent Tirpitz to that mission. As a result of my decision, Tirpitz is about to die"
"Your guilt hangs on you. I, too, wish to save Tirpitz. That's why I appear before you and no one else"

The kansen takes one gentle step and her foot sinks centimeters below the sand, her weight contrasting with the pressure of her step. She stares into the horizon that welcomes the first hour of nightfall as if she empathizes with Bismarck's guilt.

"This is from a defeated META. There are risks if this is fused with Tirpitz" Bismarck remains hesitant
"Then are you willing to risk death than the only chance of keeping your younger sister alive?" The kansen looks back at Bismarck
"....." Bismarck stares at the cube in her hands
"Bismarck, that core is fit for Tirpitz. It would immediately synchronize with her wisdom cube and give her a new chance in life"
"Something like this is too good to be true. Besides, we tried to touch it and our fingers froze. What's the catch?" Bismarck is immediately suspicious
"Everything must pay a price and you know that very well. Of course, I won't hide the fact that it will certainly take something from Tirpitz"

Bismarck is already suspicious just seeing how the kansen refuses to reveal her true appearance and even voice. All Bismarck could see standing in front of her is humanoid form. She could sense that even with the glitch as her disguise, Bismarck could sense the dreadful gaze of the mixture between resentment and pity.

"If Tirpitz were to lose something-"
"That's a small price to pay compared to her life" The kansen cuts her off
"Tirpitz would survive but she would pay the price.....if I decided to go through with it"
"You said it yourself. It's your fault Tirpitz is in this situation" The kansen slightly bends forward
".......!"
"You sent your sister to her death. She's fighting for her life without knowing it. At this rate, she'll die while you don't do anything"
"You're toying with your words"

Bismarck shakes her head and refuses to quickly succumb to the pressure of someone who keeps herself in a disguise.

"No, I'm telling the truth. If you were to leave Tirpitz be, you're practically her murderer. You didn't do anything when you could have done something. Do you think your pride could live when the fault would lie to you?" The kansen appears to taunt Bismarck
"I dislike deception. I suggest you start being direct and honest before I strike you down" Bismarck takes a deep breath
"Do you think I have time to play these games, Bismarck?"

The kansen lightly stomps her right foot and the sand beneath them is quickly covered in sheets of ice and the cold air reflexively makes Bismarck stand up. The sudden gust of freezing air is enough to send her cap flying behind her.

"That power!" Bismarck prepares a defensive stance
"I don't have time to argue with you, Bismarck. Thinking about your sister made you hesitant and doubted yourself. You care about her, but you keep making mistakes that harm her. Now this is costing her life and you have time to think about it!"

Another stomp sends another wave of cold air that the rocks and sands around her transformed into the snowy ground. The cold begins to stick to Bismarck's skin that her breath is visibly white and her breathing is unsteady.

"There's no other way for Tirpitz to survive this....?" Bismarck takes a deep breath
"No. This is her only second chance in life"
".....Even if she survives this, she won't come out unscathed" Bismarck frowns at the silently contained core
"That's right. Your younger sister might emerge with lifetime damage"
"She either does the way she is or survives by paying a heavy price"

There are only two options for Bismarck, but it's as difficult as having several more options presented to her. In her hand is the only object that could possibly spare her sister's life, but she will have to make the choice for Tirpitz. It's one of the rare moments where Bismarck doubts herself and is clouded by anxiety. That's why the disguised kansen toyed with her doubt and fear.

"Even if Tirpitz ends up bearing a grudge against me, I can't stand here and allow her to die. My younger sister......doesn't deserve this kind of fate. She suffered enough in our past lives....." Bismarck closes her eyes and tightly clutches the glass container
"Then the operation will proceed as planned" The kansen turns her back on Bismarck
"I will have it performed as soon possible. Tirpitz has less than a day to live.....and she might not survive to see the sun rise tomorrow"
"Are you prepared to bear the consequences of your actions? At the end of the day, the fault will lie to you - at least in Tirpitz's eyes"
"I'm prepared to be resented and distrusted by my sister. This is what it means to have the will to make the hardest choices"
"....and that makes you the leader of Iron Blood"

Even if the kansen is facing the quiet beach, Bismarck stares with a firm and solid resolve. She removes what doubt she has earlier and embraces the risk of Tirpitz disapproving of her decision.

......
......
......

Everything remains still and the complete silence in the room echoes the wall clock's ticking. When Bismarck opens her eyes, she finds the view of her desk and the rest of her office remains the same.

"......"

Bismarck squints her eyes and blinks several times to ease the headache of immediately waking up.

"Nngh. I feel asleep while working again....."

Bismarck lowers her gaze and remembers the unfinished documents neatly piled in front of her. The pen rolls on the right side, an inch from falling down to the floor.

"My back hurts again....."

When Bismarck moves her head from resting on her arm and straightens her back, she feels a sudden soreness on her entire back. She lifts both arms in the air and stretches her stiffened muscles and relieves a bit of the fatigue from her constant overwork.

"Back then, why couldn't I remember what that kansen looked like? I could've sworn I saw her face. Otherwise, I wouldn't trust someone like that....."

No matter how much Bismarck concentrates on her memory, the kansen who couldn't even introduce herself remains vague. What Bismarck could only remember is the human appearance clad in an abstract disguise and a voice impossible to distinguish from anyone she knows.

"Was it Neumark?"

The image in her head shifts to the repair ship regularly checks on Tirpitz. While there's doubt on the possibility, Bismarck's thoughts couldn't stop taking the unknown kansen's image as Neumark instead.

"No, Neumark can't possibly be that kansen?" Bismarck shakes her head

It's her knowledge doubting that one of her own sabotaged or tricked her. Mystery remains on whether there's a third party toying with them or not after all.

"My child~"

Friedrich der Grosse casually enters the room without even knocking, mildly jolting a spaced out Bismarck for a moment. Before she could notice, Bismarck straightens her position and sets aside her own doubt and curiosity, returning to the persona she always uses when working.

"You look happy?" Bismarck raises an eyebrow
"That little Victorious is willing to cooperate with us, remember?" Friedrich der Grosse stops right in front of the desk
"You said she wanted to speak with me first. That sounds like she still has her doubts about us"
"It seems that aircraft carrier can be rational. More importantly, the Royal navy might have more information on the META we're trying to track down" Friedrich der Grosse rubs her chin
"What do you mean?"
"Victorious didn't act surprised when I told her a META is after little Tirpitz, and she's well aware the core is from a defeated META"
"The core....."

Bismarck flips one document to another until she stops near the bottom where it's a file where a photo is clipped on the right side. It dates more than a year ago and the first paragraph summarizes about the properties of the core. In that photo, it's already within a container but still emits cold air around it.

"Our initial target is the Arbiter connected to this, but we should be focusing on the elusive META. A sample like that shouldn't be passed around easily seeing how it's fatal upon touch" Bismarck slides the file forward
"Tirpitz managed to withstand the sub-zero temperature, but she's not fully compatible with it. How should I say this? It's like she's rejecting it"
"That's a rather specific guess"
"I always carefully observe my children. Tirpitz always looks like she's still holding back herself even when she has restraints" Friedrich der Grosse looks to the side for a moment
"Tirpitz always did that. She always holds back, her potential is wasted"
"Don't rush your sister. She wants to progress in her own phase. Rushing only leads to rebellious behavior, no"
"Rebelling, huh. Like how she lashed out at me a year ago and covered the base in ice" Bismarck crosses her arms
"Oh, that incident! What really happened?"

Even if Friedrich der Grosse couldn't interfere in the scuffle back then, she remembered how ice and snow cloaked the base. Only Bismarck and Tirpitz remained while everyone else hurriedly evacuated as the ice caused frostbite upon touch.

"She was calm one moment but tried to kill me in the next minute. If you want me to describe it, it was like something possessed her. Like I fought a different person"

Bismarck couldn't properly describe the unusual emotion that stirred in Tirpitz's eyes. While emotions were present, Bismarck rubbed blinked when she briefly saw a silhouette of an unfamiliar person.

"I want to personally ask her since we never spoke to each other after that incident"
"A good relationship requires communication. That's why you two lack, so it's no wonder it turned out this way" Friedrich der Grosse shakes her head
"......."
"There's still time to mend your sisterly bond"
"....So, what has Neumark been doing lately? Ever since Tirpitz got locked up, she's usually busy researching the core. Not to mention, she's been suspiciously sneaking off" Bismarck changes the topic
"According to her, the core has potential and its freezing ability shouldn't be active when we first snatched it from the Sirens. It's still uncertain why the core refused anyone to touch it"
"The METAs know the secret, but they're rather elusive and wouldn't reveal anything even if we ask them" Bismarck massages the left side of her head
"Not to mention, some of them are trying to stop us from finding out. I wonder if it would really be troublesome for them if we find out"  Friedrich der Grosse curve a thrilled smile

It's tempting Friedrich der Grosse to pursue the METAs who have knowledge and uncover the reason why someone like Hunter META even ambushed them. To her, it's most likely driving her intrigue and a form of payback for the hindrance last time.

"Eugen is still with Mainz and Roon?" Bismarck clears her throat
"The three are still at the Black Sea. Meanwhile, Graf Zeppelin is at the North sea with Scharnhorst and Gneisenau"
"Iron Blood has been preoccupied recently. Like how I'm chasing an unknown META after Tirpitz. This is like a needle in a haystack" Bismarck rests her cheek on her arm
"When will you have a discussion with Victorious?"
"After her current mission at the Southern Atlantic. Hermit appeared again and sealed off a part of the sea before running off who knows where"

Bismarck takes the top file among the stack of papers and slides it towards Friedrich der Grosse. One clipped photo shows several humanoid and ship type Sirens with the Arbiter in the middle of it.

"If Tirpitz doesn't hurt herself this time, then everything will go smoothly. Victorious will cooperate with us and convince Tirpitz to come back to Iron Blood. Though I'm certain Tirpitz would still be on guard against us"
"In your personal opinion, do you believe, Tirpitz could return how she used to be? With that loud aircraft carrier in her life, she mellowed down and became a bit more motivated. Tirpitz used to not care about ambitions and growth"
"Fufufu~ You finally admitted Victorious is the best influence Tirpitz ever had. I'd agree too since little Tirpitz even smiled which made me tear up for the first time" Friedrich der Grosse sighs in relief in the moment she recalls a warm memory
"I want your honest opinion"
"I want to be optimistic and believe there's a way. Even if it's just the faintest emotions, I want little Tirpitz to smile at least"

When speaking sincerely, Friedrich der Grosse becomes soft-spoken and gentle. She sees herself as a mother figure, someone who actively tries to protect her "children" and nation.

"What has Neumark been up to? She worries about Tirpitz a lot, but she's been quiet after her imprisonment" Bismarck remembers someone else
"Although she still does her job as a repair ship, she hasn't given up on her research about the core"
"Still the same as ever....." Bismarck sighs in relief
"Once I nab one of those METAs, I'll make sure to make them talk. Depending on their attitude, I might go a little rough on them"

The situation between the two sisters further motivates Friedrich der Grosse. Despite knowing the META ships are stronger than regular ones, she looks past strength and only focuses on preventing any of them from having the upper hand and escaping.

Mediterranean base.....

Victorious cheerfully swings her legs and tilts her head while Tirpitz observes the sparkling carefree and blissful smile. The two are going to be on a mission later and only relaxing now to save up energy for a fight against Sirens lurking in the South Atlantic.

"You look excited" Tirpitz comments
"I'm just really happy under a sunny day" Victorious pokes Tirpitz's cheek
"You're always happy at everything"
"How about you? Still don't feel like smiling" Victorious leans her head close to Tirpitz
"Not a thing. I still.....can't feel happiness, sadness, or anger" Tirpitz lightly shakes her head
"Is that so.....? It's tough to get back what's forcibly taken from you...."

Victorious drops her shoulders, genuinely disheartened at the lack of progress over the past couple of weeks. It's not that she's hurrying, but she has been hoping even for a fraction of change within Tirpitz.

"You never let yourself despair like this. Even when you do, you always find a reason to smile a minute later. It baffles me how you can be so hopeful everyday"
"What would feeling sorry for myself do? Do you think sulking up all day would solve anything"
"......" Tirpitz averts her gaze
"Besides, I'm happy right now because you're spending time with me. Popsicle or not, Tirpy is still Tirpy" Victorious wraps her arms on Tirpitz's right arm
"You're giving me weird nicknames again"
"What? You want icy blockhead and stubborn popsicle?"
"I'm not an ice cream......" Tirpitz pokes Victorious' forehead

When Tirpitz tries to pull herself away, Victorious quickly pulls her back. It's if her arms are tightly restricting her like a snake with prey in its grasp. Except Victorious is way too honest and clumsy to be a snake.

"Tirpitz, can I sleep in your room again tonight? It's kind of hate recently and being beside you is like  free air-conditioning"
"First a refrigerator, now an air-conditioner. Not only you think I'm an ice cream but an appliance as well" Tirpitz shakes her head
"Hehehe, I might as well call you an ice cube dispenser or ice shaver"
"You're lucky I can restrain my body's coldness"

Tirpitz tries to pull her arm away from Victorious' grip, but the aircraft carrier is enjoying the chill Tirpitz emits that she completely locked the battleship in place.

"I won't give up. I'll find a way to cure you and not allow anyone to hurt you"
"Victorious?" Tirpitz notices the seriousness in her tone
"Don't you give up just yet because I'll never forgive myself if I lose you....."
"....Is there something you want to say?"

With Tirpitz's words, Victorious finally loosens her grasp and pulls herself away from Tirpitz's arm.

"I want to say this after the mission is finished, but I can't stop feeling bad about it....." Victorious fidgets with her fingers
"What is it?"
"When I went to Truk, Friedrich der Grosse actually tracked me down which is kind of scary"
"She went after you as soon as I refused to go back to Iron Blood. I should have known...." Tirpitz quickly makes the connection
"Yeah, what you think is right. She wants you and Bismarck to talk, so asked me for help because Iron Blood thinks I'm the only one you would listen to" Victorious nervously reveals
"It's more that I trust you more than anyone. I completely lost faith in Iron Blood, so I'm not prepared to face Bismarck again"
"Friedrich der Grosse believes it's for the best you go back to Iron Blood because someone might try to take your core. If it gets taken, then you might die.....and I don't want that to happen!" Victorious clenches her fists and closes her eyes
"If it's for my sake.....then do you plan on lying and tricking me?"
"Of course not! I don't want to hurt you in any way. You already felt betrayed, so I don't want to back stab you"
"......"

Victorious flails both arms and couldn't restrain the frustration behind her usual cheerful attitude. This is her reflexive honesty, so Tirpitz doesn't question what she says right now and only listens with the same amount of sincerity.

"I mean, I don't want you to hate me! I hate myself just thinking about it" Victorious angrily shakes her head
"Good grief. You're too honest for your own good" Tirpitz lifts her hand and pats Victorious' head
"Mmm...." Victorious pouts and quietly accepts the comforting head pat
"Since you told me about Iron Blood, I have more reason not to go back there. Bismarck is probably focused on the core since I can't control it"
"M-maybe it's just a misunderstanding if you talk to Bismarck. It's been a year and the last time you saw each other was when you almost killed her"
"Bismarck did save me from death, but I paid the price for her decision. It's what I always think every night"
"Do you still hate her?"
"You've forgotten I lost the ability to distinguish hatred along with my other emotions. All there is to me is the instinct not to meet her and distrust over her selfishness"
(She doesn't trust Bismarck and Iron Blood. There's no way to convince Tirpitz to chat with Bismarck again) Victorious is losing hope
"Emotion is what makes us alive. After being stripped of it, I can't find any motivation to struggle for the future. No hopes, dreams, or even ambitions. It's our emotions that drives us to live....."
"That's why I'll always hold on to you if you stop and feel lost"

Victorious lift Tirpitz's hand, not fearing her touch, and even squeezes her hand between hers. Even with the glove and restraint, Victorious could sense the chill on her palms but it's not cold enough to sting and prickle her skin.

"Promise me you won't let go of my hand" Victorious pulls Tirpitz's hand closer to her chest
"Huh?"
"I don't want to wake up one day to see you gone once I turn around"
"It's not like I'm going to leave without saying anything...."
"Then promise me you won't let go just yet"
"....Alright. I promise I won't give up just yet"

Tirpitz isn't forced to agree, but she's less cautious even when Victorious is grabbing her hand. She's usually distant from others since her touch could freeze others, but her liability of an ability somehow doesn't harm Victorious while she's distracted at the latter's determined gaze.

"That's my Tirpy!" Victorious wraps her arms around Tirpitz without warning
"Cut it out with the nickname......"
"Nope!"
"......."

Since it's impossible to stop Victorious' whims as it would further drive her to keep with the nickname, Tirpitz accepts the new habit silently. She doesn't reject Victorious rubbing her cheek on her chest and squeezing her with a fight embrace.

Near Gough island......

Hunter META stays near the island's coast and double checks her equipped weapons. The small cannon is secured on her back just as the deadly sharp scissors are hanging by her waist.

"All weapons are accounted for, and my rifle is fully loaded"

While the sea remains quiet, Hunter META wants to decrease the chances of a failed hunt. She flips the rifle left and right then she inspects its pieces. The magazine is fully loaded with bullets strong enough to injure a battleship. Since her prey isn't within her range, she avoids cocking her gun. Accidentally pulling the trigger would alarm her target and remove the element of surprise, a hunter's primary advantage.

"They're coming to this island, but Tirpitz is with them too" Repulse META calls out to Hunter META
"I don't see the Ugly Sisters, so I doubt they'll show up" Renown META sighs in relief
"Tirpitz is troublesome since she'd stick close to Victorious" Hunter META clicks her tongue
"Let's go with the old tactic of drawing them away by showing up uninvited" Repulse META excitedly suggested
"The Siren is an obstacle unless we get to them before the Arbiter herself shows up"

As the two battlecruisers approach the already annoyed destroyer, Hunter META rests her rifle on her shoulder while she stares at the horizon.

"To do that, we need to attack them at the same time as the Sirens. This will cause confusion and ruin their formation" Renown META rubs her chin
"Yeah! No one is expecting a META in this sealed field, so we'd take them by surprise" Repulse META supports the idea
"Tirpitz wouldn't be able to slow us down since she can't risk hurting Victorious and everyone else"

Hunter META raises her rifle and gently places it on top of her other hand. Just like the two, she's confident but not relaxed with their chances.

"We can't let Tirpitz stay idle for too long because we don't know how long the core will remain dormant. Our only choice is to take it before Iron Blood can" Hunter META gazes up at the sky
"Wait, so how is targeting Victorious going to help? Wouldn't that piss off the Lone queen of the North?" Repulse META raises her hand
"I'm not going to kill Victorious but to keep Tirpitz on protecting her rather than fighting back"
"I feel bad for using Victorious as a distraction" Repulse META shudders
"This doesn't please me the least, but I have a job to do and make sure we don't have another blizzard left unchecked"
"......" Renown META and Repulse META looks at each other
"It's time go. The battle has begun"

Hunter META wastes no time to idle and immediately sails before the two could look back at her.

"You really are the quiet type just as King George V said" Howe comments on Tirpitz on her right side
"I'm not used to starting conversations" Tirpitz looks at her for a second
"How about your trust issues with Iron Blood? I've been told your opinion towards them is quite negative, specially towards your sister"
"Did you already know about the incident that lead to my imprisonment?"
"Of course. It made such a ruckus since you attacked your own sister who is also the leader of Iron Blood. Your base turned into a freezing landscape, right?"
"A field of instant death to normal kansens. Luckily for them, their instincts are sharp enough to flee the moment steel and concrete were overwhelmed by ice"

Tirpitz briefly closes her eyes and relives the second ice begins to quickly spread on her surroundings and cover the ground up to the ceiling. Thick white ice transformed the landscape and cold air spread everywhere like an eerie warning.

"It baffled me why you attacked your sister since I don't believe you're the type to just attempt murder" Howe widens her eyes
"What makes you say that?"
"I mean, you're so gentle and passive when around Victorious"
"Not all sisters get along. Bismarck and I have different beliefs. While she pursues might and ideals, I simply wanted to have some peace and quiet" Tirpitz sighs
"Oh....."

Unknown to her, Tirpitz talked about Bismarck without bitterness from their strained relationship. Its one of the times where Tirpitz herself is unsure whether to speak about anyone or anything related to Iron Blood with disdain.

"Howe is here too......" Victorious groans
"Fufufu. I heard King George V is busy, so she asked her only free sister to keep an eye on Tirpitz" Illustrious whispers to her
"Is it because she might endanger others or herself?"
"Both. Tirpitz isn't accustomed to fighting while restraining herself and cooperating with us"
"I can keep her within the line" Victorious pouts
"You're too soft on her, Victorious"
"But....."
"Let the knights handle her. So long as she remains calm, Iron Blood has no ground to take her back" Illustrious reassures her
"I don't want Tirpitz to go back if she doesn't want to"

Victorious stares at Tirpitz who's still occupied answering each of Howe's curious questions.

"Even I am against dictating someone against their will. If they wish to remain, then I would respect that wish. Bismarck should understand that her younger sister isn't keen on Iron Blood's ideals on their pride and strength" Illustrious places her left hand on her chest when she sighs
"Bismarck is strict, but I don't think she's a bad person. I've spoken to her before, and I can tell she just didn't know how to talk to Tirpitz"
"Perhaps you can convince the two to reconcile. It saddens me how two sisters are broke apart by misunderstanding"
"You're right. That's why I'll try to make them talk after this mission"

Victorious lifts both fists and energizes herself with a new goal in mind. A smile runs across her face and appears as if she's on the brink of giggling with excitement.

"On your guard, Victorious! Enemy aircraft on the north!" Illustrious detects them from her fighter aircraft

Anti aircraft shots starts popping in the sky like fireworks as aircraft from Siren Strategists and ship type Sirens swarm the sky in several groups. Aside from Illustrious and Victorious, the aircraft carrier Essex also joins in the interception.

"........?"

A ringing sensation reverberates all over Tirpitz's body acting as some sort of signal. This causes her to turn her head to the left side before immediately snapping back in front of her due to shells flying in a large scale salvo.

"It felt as if someone's coming after me"

Tirpitz shakes her head and ignored her instinct warning her of an unknown and unseen danger. No one is there other than the Sirens, so she doesn't have enough time to process why her chest acted up without warning.

"They really don't want us to unseal the area!" Howe swings her sword
"Tell me about it!" Washington wipes off the dirt on her cheek
"Eek! They're really angry this time" Edinburgh panics dodging torpedoes

The three aircraft carriers are too occupied fending off the torpedo and dive bombers from targeting the vanguard fleet that no one could notice someone is sneaking within their range.

"There's Victorious. She's in the back line and Tirpitz is busy freezing the shells flying at her and Howe" Repulse META whistles as she squints her eyes
"The Mirror Sea won't activate until twenty minutes is up" Renown META clicks her tongue
"Oh, that's just enough time to beat your asses then" Another uninvited guests joins
".......!"

Armor piercing shells rain of them, forcing the two to immediately pull themselves back and immediately go on the defensive faster than they could turn around to look.

"You bastards evaded us long enough" Scharnhorst META cracks her knuckles
"Wha-! How did they know we're here?" Repulse META rubs her eyes in disbelief
"Tch! This isn't the time to deal with you" Renown META lifts her claymore
"Too bad we can't let you get to Tirpitz. We know you two want to extract the core which risks killing her" Gneisenau META moves forward

Rather than targeting the fleet, Renown META and Repulse META are forced to face the other two META battlecruisers who showed up announced. In their own way, both sides are merely crashing the battle but with different motives.

"I don't know why you want that core badly when it came from a dead battleship" Scharnhorst points at the two
"Hmph. You mean.....Tirpitz META" Renown META tightens her grip on her sword
"Nothing remained but her core which contained all of her power" Repulse META puts her sword on her shoulder
"It's useless to any of us because the core would try to kill us out of rejection" Scharnhorst META reminds them
"We don't want its power. What we want is to retrieve it without letting anyone using it" Renown META shakes her head
"Besides, we know dead people shouldn't be disturbed. Bismarck shoved it in Tirpitz's wisdom cube to save her"
"You're still going to take it even if it kills her?!" Scharnhorst META grits her teeth
"....."

Renown META and Repulse META fall into silence and simultaneously glances at each other. They're well aware of the possible outcome, but they couldn't justify it as beneficiary for everyone else. Their goal is to simply retrieve it to prevent a possible danger.

"There's no telling how long Tirpitz would behave. Sooner or later, she would bare her fangs at her own allies" Renown META grunts
"Your group is the reason why Tirpitz META died in the first place!"

Scharnhorst META grows angrier with each exchange of words and in the heat of the moment, she opens fire another salvo at the two battlecruisers.

"Hmph!"

Renown META lifts the claymore nearly as tall as her. Heat seeps from the edge of the blade and with a heavy swing above her, the heat mixed with the air spreads into a crescent shaped blazing move. This causes the shells to explode mid air and scatters cloud of black dusts from gunpowder.

"Hey, while you two are busy yapping, one of us got close" Repulse META throws her thumb to the back
".......?!"
"There's no telling if you two would show up or not so we took the precaution of staying behind" Renown META smirks
"Shitbags!" Scharnhorst swings her right arm in the air
"Scharn, you have to go ahead. I'll block these two" Gneisenau META immediately suggests
"That won't be necessary"

As if the two Iron Blood battlecruisers aren't enough of a battle crasher, another one interrupts the moment.

"........?!"

Just as the two immediately turn around after hearing a familiar voice they both detest, aircraft above them make themselves visible to the naked eye. Due to the proximity and the dive bombers already nose diving, Scharnhorst META could only grit her teeth just one second before bombs explode right on top of them.

"......."

Three to four more explosions occur, preventing the "Ugly Sisters" from moving away or countering with their own bombardment. Meanwhile, Renown META and Repulse META relaxes and lowers their claymore, but stares with wariness in their eyes.

"Hmm? What just happened?"

Tirpitz blinks a few times and shakes her head to return her focus in front of her. Everything is unusually quiet due to both Sirens and kansens missing on the battlefield.

"Another fog?" Tirpitz

Not to long ago, Tirpitz already experienced a de ja Vu where she everyone else got isolated because of a sudden change in their surroundings.

"While you're busy shooting like an idiot, I laid out my trap to keep everyone apart. None of you can get out in this tweaked Mirror Sea" The Hermit's voice echoes everywhere

There's no specific direction Tirpitz could track where the Arbiter is, so it's no different from losing the advantage and being cornered. Not to mention, her environment has changed. There are half sunken buildings everywhere that are either damaged by nature or by the fight.

"I hate kansens, but that lazy Fool keeps dumping the tedious work to me!" Hermit complains
"Just show yourself and let's get this over with" Cold air begins to emit from Tirpitz's fingertips
"No can do. I'm just here because I got dragged here, and I don't remember agreeing to more unrelated work"
"....."
"This is the only part I agreed. The rest is up to those failures. If it wasn't for Fool pestering me, I wouldn't even agree to work with them"

Right after those words, Hermit's words fades away and everything else falls to silence once more. Not single sound from both Sirens and kansens could be heard all around Tirpitz, so she restrains the cold air on her hands to avoid friendly fire.

"........?"

A gunshot rings in the air. It echoes form a distance north to her, but Tirpitz couldn't see any silhouette of at least the muzzle fire from the gun.

"Kkh!"

Victorious slides a few meters back, touching the shallow wound on her left shoulder. Even as an aircraft carrier, her bombers are useless with little visibility. Not only because of her limited ammo but the fact she couldn't see any of her allies within her range. The worst part is somehow, the open sea is now surrounded with ruins from half sunken buildings.

"Oh, your reaction is rather swift, Victorious" Hunter META compliments while remaining unseen
"Are you a Siren or a kansen? Also, your voice is somehow familiar" Victorious looks left and right
".....That's just your imagination" Hunter META reluctantly denies

Another gunshot is heard in the air. As swift as the bullet pierces the fog concealing everyone, Victorious slide to the right, but the bullet manages to tear the skin on her right leg.

"She's not aiming for vital spots? Is it on purpose to target my limbs?" Victorious notices as bends on one knee
"You're not going to die here, Victorious. A hunter doesn't senselessly kill"

Hunter META, remains concealed by the fog, reloads her rifle. The used bullet falls into the surface water and a fresh bullet take its place.

"Stay still, so I don't want to accidentally shoot your vitals" Hunter META aims again
"Like I'd do that!" Victorious shakes her fist in the air
"You're making this difficult....."

This time, a bullet successfully shoots through her right shoulder in the one moment she's distracted. Victorious covers and presses her wounded shoulder as the reeling pain reflexively causes her to bend on one knee.

"I told you to stay still!"

Hunter META lowers her aim and carefully shoots her right leg. The second sound on her leg is just two inches apart from the first wound not too long ago.

"I'm not some target dummy you can just shoot like nothing!"

When Victorious drags herself to the left side, another bullet swiftly pierces the fog and shot through her right forearm. As much as possible, Hunter META avoids damaging her lungs and heart where it could mortally wound her.

"Aaagh-"

The growing pain from one bullet wound to another causes her to cry in pain but bites her lower lip and forces herself to bear with it. The combination from the stinging and burning pain fastens her heart beat and makes her break into a cold sweat.

"Hmm? The air is growing cold. Don't tell me....." Hunter META lowers her rifle

The cold air is mixed with the fog, so she couldn't detect it until it passed by her skin. Hunter META loads her rifle once again, but her gaze has become sharper and contains the killer intent because of the realization.

"Victorious....."

Tirpitz running to the fog and coursing through the buildings everywhere finally pays off when she stumbles on Victorious. Unfortunately, she couldn't reach in the time, so she finds her holding her bleeding shoulder and kneeling on the ground.

"What happened to you?" Tirpitz rushes to her side
"Some sneaky sniper keeps shooting my arms and legs. I don't know why, but she says she doesn't want to kill me. How sadistic can that be?!" Victorious' legs tremble due to the pain
"Don't push yourself. The wounds aren't serious, but you shouldn't be careless" Tirpitz grabs her arm and slowly raises her up

Blood spills on Victorious right shoulder and leg then blood drops from her fingertips due to the wound on her hand. The bullets indeed miss vital spots, but the several shots is making Victorious dizzy at restless from the pain.

".......!"

Just as Victorious manages to stand up straight, another gunshot rings in the air. This time, it didn't targeted Victorious but Tirpitz instead.

"Tirpitz!"

The bullet manages to hit Tirpitz's left arm when her reflexes moves herself to the side.

"There's no blood-"

Victorious rubs her eyes at the realization the bullet didn't even pierce Tirpitz's skin. Instead, Tirpitz manages to catch it a few centimeters from making contact and covers it in ice upon touch.

"You can shoot Victorious like nothing, but I'm no easy target"
"Hmm, you got a point" Hunter META reloads her rifle
".....?"

Rather than her rifle, Hunter META raises the barrel of her rigging. As she has the only one who has visibility, she squints her eyes and adjusts the angle of her main cannons.

"Try catching shells.....for her"

Two rounds of a full salvo booms in the air and those words are enough for Tirpitz to realize the shells are flying towards Victorious not her.

"........."

Without even realizing it, Tirpitz rushes in front of  Victorious and uses her own body to shield the wounded aircraft carrier from the explosions. She takes shell after shell as the second barrage is followed by the third and fourth one.

"A destroyer's shell. This is.....nothing....." Tirpitz pants
"You're freezing the attacks to lessen the damage?!"

Just touching her shoulder, Victorious immediately pulls away her hand when Tirpitz's body temperature drastically dropped. Upon closer look, ice crawled from her neck to her cheek.

"Don't use your ability. You know you can't fully control it!" Victorious grabs Tirpitz's sleeve
"Just....be quiet and go......before you get hurt even more" Tirpitz has difficulty breathing
"Like I'd do that! I know you're going to die if you keep this up"
"I'm fine.....I can still take a few shots"
"You're going to freeze to death before the shells can kill you"

Victorious refuses to leave and begins scolding Tirpitz for being reckless to the point of suicide. As she has yet to control the cold she emits, it possess more danger to her than benefit in battle.

"........"

Two simultaneous salvos pierces the fog again. Even when Tirpitz is having difficulty breathing, she grabs Victorious' left arm and tosses her to the right side. The aircraft carrier rolls a few meters away.

"Stop it already, Tirpitz!"

Just as Victorious tries to stand up, she helplessly watched as Tirpitz take an endless rain of high explosive shells. Freezing the air reduces the explosive power of the shells because the shells are slowly freezing before they could hit Tirpitz. However, this is freezing Tirpitz inside out.

"......."

With intervals per breath, Tirpitz is beginning to experience dizziness and numbness all over her body.

"I told you not to off yourself, remember?!"
"I....won't let you die here....." Tirpitz exhales cold air
"That's nice, but I'm getting tired wasting shells on you"

Smokes rises on the tip of Hunter META's barrels and the steel emits becomes yellow orange from the excessive heat produced per salvo.

"I know this won't easily kill you with his resilient you are, but you've reach your limit.....Tirpitz"

Hunter META raises her gun and the tip is aiming right at a significantly weakened Tirpitz. While Tirpitz has enough strength to keep on fighting, she's vulnerable due to her insides being frozen from her condition's recoil on her.

"Go ahead, you frigid revenant. Let's see how much you can protect her"

The relentless hunter slowly pulls the trigger as soon as she's certain her aim is completely steady and there's little wind around her. A single click is all it takes for the bullet to slide out of the barrel and resists piercing through the cold air.

"......"

Tirpitz's reflexes have her briefly ignore her labored breathing and attempts to reach Victorious.

"Don't die yet, Tirpitz" Victorious tells her with a furrowed pained expression

Rather than allow Tirpitz to take the direct hit for her seeing how she's drastically weakened, Victorious rejects it and pushes her away instead. It's the only thing she could say to her with the spur of the moment and reaction without any self-preservation.

"What-" Hunter META nearly drops her rifle

The bullet hits Victorious in the chest rather than her arm due to her unexpectedly pushing Tirpitz away. Hunter META expected for Tirpitz to shield in a split second only for Victorious to foil that attempt. The bullet pierces the one target she reminded herself not to release a fatal shot.

"......"

Tirpitz stands speechless after just a few seconds ago, Victorious stretches both of her arms and pushes the suicidal battleship from taking the bullet for her. It's such an impulsive thought that she couldn't expect it. No sane person would stop anyone from helping, but she couldn't rebuke it as she tried to protect Victorious without thinking.

"......"

She couldn't immediately process the situation since she could only blankly stare at the aircraft carrier lying on her back, motionless and with blood on her chest. Her right hand on top of her abdomen while her left hand is stretched out on the side. Still, Victorious' eyes shut close right before she collapsed to the surface.

"Victorious....."

Tirpitz has no emotions, but she couldn't begin to think what to do next other than slowly approach the motionless Victorious. Even when she calls he out, Victorious remains completely silent and still like the water around them. Tirpitz wants to say her name once more, but she knows that her voice is pointless at this point. There wouldn't be any answer

"Why can't I..... understand what's going on.....?"

Tirpitz slowly bends on one knee on Victorious side, but the aircraft carrier still wouldn't respond with her words. She isn't moving an inch other than the blood flowing from her chest. The sight is too foreign for her that her emotionless perspective couldn't comprehend why she couldn't react or blacks out once every few seconds.

"My mind.....it's going blank. I....can't comprehend this....."

Tirpitz's hands are nearly frozen due to her recklessness earlier, but she still reaches out to the motionless Victorious. Her right hand gently pressed her chest, but her frostbitten hands couldn't sense any pulse from her. The thought her cold hands couldn't sense life stops her thought process for a five seconds.

"You....died right in front of my eyes.....but you told me I shouldn't die yet....."

Tirpitz stands back up as soon as she pulls her hands away from the presumedly dead Victorious. She looks at her right hand, seeing only the blood of her friend stain the palm of her gloves. The blood freezes on her hand but somehow preserves it bright red color.

"It's as if......I came to a dead end....."

When those words fade away, Tirpitz relaxes her right hand on her side and gazes at the dark sky. Her gaze is conflicted and no voice would come out. Tirpitz just quietly stands in front of a lifeless Victorious with her eyes stuck staring at the sky.

[Why couldn't you.....leave me be.....you, who betrayed me?] A voice echoes from within Tirpitz

The temperature around the altered battlefield drastically lowers until the sealed off field created by a Siren is added by a blizzard entrapping the kansens inside. It breaks off the initial barrier as the shredding barrier filled with ice fragments keeps anyone from escaping or interfering.

"....Nnghh....." Victorious forces her eyes to open
"......"
".....Tirpitz.....?"

Victorious' voice is far too weak for Tirpitz to hear and drown out by the howling wind of ice and snow. She believes it's Tirpitz, but her attire is different than what looked earlier. It's a rather darkened and and rugged clothing worn out and charred from conflict.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it! This wasn't supposed to happen!"

Hunter META realizes the reason behind the sudden blizzard without thinking much about it as it's far too obvious.

"Gghk!"

Surrounded by violent wind made difficult by the snow, a hand appears out of nowhere and tightly grips Hunter META's neck. Its tight grip is close to easily snapping her neck like a twig, but the figure behind the blizzard lifts her off the ground.

"For calling me out again, this battlefield shall be your frozen grave, Hunter" Tirpitz reveals herself
"Agh! It's....you again...."
"I will bury you and everyone else here....with me"

Hunter META could only flail her legs and grab Tirpitz's arm, but her grip is locked just as her fate is sealed. The hunting ground set up earlier is transformed into a hail of ice and snow where a frigid revenant has been unintentionally called out.

[Location: 20km from Gough island]
[Weather: Blizzard on the South Atlantic]

......
......
......

[Wavelength: Drastic Increase]
[Override Dominance: 70%]
[Base Host: Inactive]
[Estimated Resistance: 5%]
[Metamorphosis: Successfully.....Revived]

This snowstorm means someone woke her up. I have to stop her again.....

Chapter Text

After confronting the contradiction of the sudden turn of events, Tirpitz finds herself sitting near the beach enjoying the view of shore. It's the perfect weather to enjoy a peaceful afternoon with no one around and only the calming waves brushing at the shore.

"Victorious, what you cooked the other day...." Tirpitz grunts
"Ahahaha. I might have gotten carried away" Victorious scratches her cheeks
"Just one spoon and I've been out cold for the next two days" Tirpitz crosses her arms
"I tried to experiment a spicy and sweet soup!"
"No wonder I felt burning in my mouth and the sweetness tainted my tongue"

Tirpitz could only cover her mouth as she freshly recalls the exact reaction that flooded her senses. Even now, she furrows her eyebrows in disgust and even appears about to hurl just remembering it.

"Neumark said I almost had a heart attack" Tirpitz removes her hand from her mouth
"I apologized already! I just tried to make something new you would like" Victorious playfully hits her
"You don't have to go all that trouble. I'd eat any normal food you'd cook" Tirpitz sighs
"Hehehe. That's Tirpy!"
"Don't call me that. It sounds childish....." Tirpitz averts her gaze
"I'm glad you appreciate my cooking skills"
"I just trust your cooking. Neumark tried to make herbal soup for me once. It tasted so bitter I couldn't taste anything for the next three days" Tirpitz closes her eyes
"I already imagined your reaction"

Victorious blinks before giggling at the mere thought. This slightly annoys Tirpitz, but she sneaks a smile when Victorious isn't looking. It's only rare for her to express warm emotions and still find it difficult to do it in front of someone she trusts knowing Victorious would bother and tease her about it.

"Still, I'm glad you stopped being a such a socially awkward drama queen" Victorious clears her throat
"Am I that much?"
"Of course! You'd act so stubborn that I resorted to dragging you myself. If you weren't used to the cold, I would thrown you in a frozen lake!" Victorious lifts both arms up in the air
"....and I'd probably drag you too"
"I'd catch a cold!"
"Loud and persistent ones can't catch any"
"Wha-! When did you learn to answer back?"

Playfully upset at Tirpitz's unexpected remark, Victorious grabs her cape and weakly shakes the unmoving Tirpitz. All she's doing is wrinkling Tirpitz's cape and providing her an afternoon amusement.

......
......
......

"How can you put so much faith in her? That you'd do everything to keep her happy"

The scenario dissipates and Tirpitz ends up in a stretching land of nothing but snow a few dried trees on their surroundings. The "ghost" in Tirpitz's mind drags her in that world and even asks without even facing her the slightest.

"You peered in an old memory of mine" Tirpitz sighs
"........"
"Even if my emotions are just a memory now, I haven't forgotten anything. That's why I'm letting her do what makes her happy" Tirpitz wuickly answers the question
"You care about her even if you can't return the warmth she shared with you" The doppelganger turns to face her
"I just can't seem to leave her be. That's why I stayed by her side when she dragged me out of that prison like how she once declared she would remind me of warmth"
"......"

Tirpitz speaks with full certainty that she doesn't avert her doppelganger's gaze even when those eyes are that of someone who wouldn't hesitate to cut someone down. There's indeed no doubt which puzzles and intrigues the doppelganger at the same time, causing the one minute silence.

"You trust her with all your life. Haven't you thought you would come to regret that?"
"....No, I wouldn't"
"How can you be so sure?"
"I made the choice to trust her"
"I thought you lost your emotions, not your common sense"

Unfortunately, the doppelganger is disappointed rather than convinced with her answer. She stares at Tirpitz, baffled at how the emotionless battleship could boldly be certain of a foolish answer.

"The kansens of Azur Lane are my allies, but Victorious is the only one who I have faith in. To deceive for one's gain is human nature and kansens like me are born from humans so we're not free of humanity's curse" Tirpitz adds her answer
"Victorious cannot be trusted just like Iron Blood who paved the way to your existence"
"......"
"The one you call your friend is bound to lie and betray you. It's bound to happen"

The doppelganger takes one reluctant step forward and the other foot does the same after a few seconds until she approaches the unmoving Tirpitz. Even when the reflection bears killing intent in her emptied gaze and her figure is enough to speak of scarred tragedy, Tirpitz refuses to yield and so plants her feet in the ground.

"Victorious will betray what's left of that frozen heart of yours"
"I'm not going to just agree with the words of faker" Tirpitz shakes her head
"These are not mere words. What I'm saying is what's fated to happen"
"Like I said, just because you said it doesn't mean it's true" Tirpitz remains stubborn
"I forgot now difficult I am to deal with.....just like Bismarck"

Seeing Tirpitz refuses to believe the slightest word she says, the doppelganger raises her head as if she's aware it's pointless to argue with her. The two are at a stalemate because both of them are refuting each other's claims.

"At the moment Victorious will betray you, what will you do? What will you say?" The copy sighs
"I can't say for certain because I never believed it would come to that" Tirpitz lowers her head for a few seconds
"Then what if I kill Victorious myself? Can you bring yourself to act for her sake even if you know it will lead to your demise?"
"I'd kill you even if it kills me" Tirpitz doesn't even hesitate to answer
"You really are a suicidal idiot. Both you and I....." The doppelganger disdainly admits
"I have little regard for my own life, but I came to rethink about it when that persistent carrier wouldn't allow me to go down"
"That's precisely why....."

The doppelganger appears to have widened her eyes in surprise for a moment, but shakes her head in dismay and immediately turns her back on Tirpitz.

"Even if she drag me back to life just so she could curse at me, I wouldn't curse her"
"......" The doppelganger raises her head but refuses to face her again
".....because for once I actually thought being alive isn't so bad even if I still struggle to come to terms with the price Bismarck made me pay"
"Perhaps something indeed change or at least......it could change"

Just as the doppelganger begins to take slow and careful footsteps, she whispers something under her breath that Tirpitz couldn't hear. The latter could only watch the bitter doppelganger disappear into the snow when the snowstorm begins to hinder her vision.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

An inescapable blizzard traps Siren and kansens alike. The barrier is a constantly swirling snow with ice fragments shredding those who try to reach it. Flesh and steel alike, the freezing shredder tears through materials indiscriminately.

"A blizzard all of a sudden?!" Howe lifts her black sword
"This is no good" Illustrious scans her surroundings

Around them are floating scraps of defeated Sirens, but their main concern is howling wind separating them from the outside world. The temperature around them trapped but not enough to freeze their skin and blood yet.

"Even when I arrived late a year ago, I remember witnessing this kind of blizzard. It was a battle between an Arbiter and a supposed META" Illustrious combs her bangs
"The one where the META was supposedly killed?" Howe rubs her eyes because of the snow
"Yes. The blizzard only dispersed when the META was defeated"
"Do you think the same META resurfaced after a year of silence?"

Howe, cautiously guards everything within line of sight, stands behind Illustrious. An aircraft carrier like her wouldn't be able to launch her aircraft because of the weather with low visibility and strong winds. The fog already rendered their visibility low but the blizzard made their radars barely function.

"Her body was never found, so it could be a possibility" Illustrious exhales but her breath is as white as the snow around her
"Not only an Arbiter baited us but brought along a presumedly dead META" Howe swallows her breath
"We must search for the others. They may be under attack or suffering from this blizzard"
"I understand. We'll thread through this snow carefully. As a battleship and a knight, it's my duty to keep you safe until we return"

Howe gently presses her hand on her chest, repeating her duty as a proud knight of the Royal navy. While not as experienced as her eldest sister, Howe is as diligent as everyone else as the rest of her sisters.

Outside the blizzard......

Repulse META drops her jaw seeing a blizzard manifest and create a deadly barrier concealing everything from the outside world. It encompasses a large portion of the battlefield, more than enough to swallow an island.

"The fact this appeared again, then Hunter managed to piss her off enough to come out" Repulse META scratches her head
"Yeah. Victorious must have either been seriously hurt.....or dead" Renown META coldly sweats
"Hunter wouldn't fatally shoot Victorious. We all know that's practically asking for a disaster"
"Should we try to take her on? METAs like us are resistant to her ice"
"Resistant but not immune. We'll still freeze to death if we fight there for too long" Renown META wags her index finger

The two META battlecruisers could only watch the swirling blizzard from afar because of the danger a blizzard could bring even to META ships.

"Still, we got to do something! She might have torn Hunter apart by now" Repulse META fears for her comrade
"Not to mention, the one who went in there would only make things worse" Renown META clutches her sword
"If we stay here, we'd just be sitting ducks until we end up having two dead META ships" Repulse META grabs her shoulder
"I know that!"

They share the same fear of losing their allies, but they will risk facing someone who's hatred is declared by the ruthless blizzard trapping everyone inside like prey.

"This is.....ugh.....your fault.....!" Scharnhorst META can barely stand up straight
"Now you've....done it" Gneisenau META as well

The two suffered heavy injuries from the repeated bombings that took them surprise. Scharnhorst META couldn't stand up on her two feet without her legs visibly trembling from the damage she sustained.

"You two have done nothing....but disrespect the deceased. Not only you murdered her but planned to use her.....for your own gains" Scharnhorst META pants from the effort of standing up
"Tirpitz had become a revenant trapped in her own heart because of what you did a year ago" Gneisenau META shares the resentment
"We didn't justify anything" Renown META shakes her head
"Although we were aware, we might as well be guilty for doing nothing" Repulse META momentarily looks down
"If you had just left her be the first time she died, none of this would have happened" Scharnhorst META spits out blood
"Tirpitz already died twice. Her revival means she would suffer another pointless death" Gneisenau META wipes the blood at the side of her lips
"You two should rest there. We'll deal with the rampaging ghost"

Renown META is in no mood to argue with them, so she just sighs and focuses on the blizzard that sealed the kansens and Hunter META inside.

"So we just beat the hell out of Tirpitz until she calms down?" Repulse META raises an eyebrow
"Unfortunately, that's the only solution. If she's this angry, then reasoning is out of the option"

The blizzard swirls a violent mixture of ice and snow making it look like a still tornado in a winter. Rather than purely wind, the shards of ice dragged within its current created a barrier that shreds.

"You're betting that she's still weak because she just woke up" Scharnhorst META takes a deep breath
"That's right. She's weaker compared a year ago" Renown META answers with no hesitation
"What you're about to do will only make things worse" Gneisenau META clicks her tongue
"We don't have time to waste with you two. Tirpitz's power is mostly concentrated on that blizzard. She can't fight at her peak strength in exchange for an environmental advantage" Renown META sails ahead first
"We know who you're talking about" Repulse META sails shortly after

The two META ships moves out as talking more is just wasting their time arguing while Hunter META remains trapped with Tirpitz blinded by revenge.

Within the blizzard.....

Victorious coughs out the cold air she inhales, seemingly unaffected when everything around her had been consumed by ice the moment the blizzard appeared. She's still lying down on the surface with her entire body aching and a spot on her chest burning and stinging at the same time.

"Don't move too much. I'm still mending the wound" An unknown figure sitting beside her gently speaks to her
"Am I dead.....? I think....I got shot.....a while ago....." Victorious groans in pain
"No, the bullet luckily missed your heart. I managed to get here in time before it could be a mortal wound"

The figure's warm hand floats just an inch right above where Victorious got shot earlier. The blood is gone and the wound is slowly closing on its own.

"I think I must be dreaming because you look like....me?" Victorious rubs her eyes
"No, this isn't a dream....."
"H-Huh?"
"I am you from one of the tragic timelines out there. The Victorious that people call....Victorious META" The META ship touches Victorious' cheeks
"Hahaha.....I think I'm hallucinating" Victorious nervously laughs

When her vision becomes completely clear, it's not doubt the lady sitting beside her has the exact appearance as hers. The only difference is her META version has a solemn expression and tone.

"This is reality. You're facing your possible future"

Victorious META shakes her head, speaking without breaking eye contact to display how she means everything she says.

"Where's.....Tirpitz?" Victorious could only lift her upper body
"She's venting out her anger on Hunter META, but she isn't your Tirpitz"
"Not my Tirpitz?"
"She is the Tirpitz that died a year ago. I'm afraid the ego of the one you knew might have been overwhelmed by your loss"
"I'm not dead!"
"It's what she believed when she saw you get shot and collapse. She couldn't express sorrow and grief, so she lost control. Your Tirpitz saw you as someone dear to her even after she lost her emotions.....unlike mine"

Victorious META briefly sighs in relief and stands on her two feet when the regular Victorious has partially recovered without any trace of the bullet wound anymore.

"What did you do?" Victorious swallows her breath
"....A selfish wish out of regret" Victorious META clenches her fists
"A....selfish wish?"
"I'm sorry. I truly am....."
"Wait-"

Victorious META quickly leaves her regular version, refusing to look back even once. As she hurriedly leaves the scene, Victorious tries to reach out to her only to pull back her arm in both dismay and confusion.

Meanwhile......

The blizzard nearly covers everything in unmelting ice, even the floating Siren wreckage have become blocks of ice from how thick it got encased.

"Aaugh!"

Hunter META got thrown in a nearby half sunken ruined building only to fall back to the surface water seconds after her back cracks the wall.

"How many times do you people intend to force me into this living hell?" Tirpitz cracks her neck
"Ggh! I never thought you're consciousness remained in the fragment of your wisdom cube" Hunter META stands back up and draws her large pair of scissors
"Wisdom cubes are our very essence. So long a piece remains, our consciousness can still persist"

Tirpitz squeezes her right hand, casually standing in the territory of her own making. Within a battlefield of extreme temperatures and unforgiving weather, Tirpitz is at her most advantageous.

"I've been watching for a while, and I actually begun to believe that something could change. That it would be different this time....."
"That's why you never interfered with your past self, Tirpitz....META"
"I remember I died the first time because if you people, then the second time was at your betrayal"
"You had to be stopped when you nearly killed regular kansens"

The cold where no living being could thrive protects Tirpitz META and not just hinder those who she sees as an opponent. Cold begins to creep on the surface of Hunter META's rigging and her weapons. As a META, Hunter META remains unhindered by the sub zero temperature around her, but her breath gradually becomes unsteady with the minutes she wastes.

"It's time to put you to rest.....again!"

With the unusually large scissor in her hands, lunges at the revived META, meaning to sever any of her limbs or at least leave a deep cut.

"Do you think I'd be weaker because I just woke up"

Tirpitz META catches the scissors at the moment Hunter META enters her range, gripping them by the blade before they could split open. A direct touch from her instantly
".......?!"
"Any metal becomes brittle as sub zero temperatures. Unfortunately for you, I could reach negative temperatures even if I'm weak right now"

A simple squeeze is all it took for Tirpitz META to freeze the entirety of the scissors and shatters it. In the process, the freezing ability reaches Hunter META's hands just as she loosens her grip on the sharp weapon.

"Ugh....!"

While Hunter META's didn't shatter, her hands have mostly stiffened when a regular kansen would have lost both in seconds. The ice crawled until her forearm and not only it stiffened her muscles and joints, it added weight tightly gripping around the affected area.

"Hmm?"

No matter how silent they come, Tirpitz META lifts her hand upon sensing two more living beings rushing to her direction at high speed. Rather than move, Tirpitz remains right where she stands and listens at the sounds from both directions, somehow distinguishing them from the snowy wind blowing and Hunter META struggling to move her hands.

"You two, huh....."

Two claymores swing down from both sides and Tirpitz META moves both arms to block them by gripping them between her hands. Repulse META and Renown META makes themselves visible from the blizzard clouding in every direction, but Tirpitz META ruins their opportunity. The attack is supposed to land a fierce blow as the moment it stops, the surface water creates waves from the shockwave.

"Damn, we should have been quieter" Repulse META pulls her sword and herself back
"It's fine, Repulse. This revenant is in no condition to fight three META ships at once"
"......."

Tirpitz META moves her hand in front of her and realizes the effect of blocking two sudden swings from heavy weapons is her hands trembling. She confidently stopped their attempt only to not notice the limitations of her current state.

"Hey, Hunter! What did you do to get her this angry?" Repulse META retreats to her destroyer comrade
"There's no way she'd release a blizzard the second she comes back" Renown META is in disbelief
".....Victorious didn't let Tirpitz save her, so I ended up shooting Victorious in the chest"
"Great! We planned on stopping from bringing back a META only to do the exact opposite" Repulse META flails her arm
"I just keep seeing the faces that caused my death more than a year ago. You just can't let me rest, can you?"

Tirpitz META's expression remains blank, but her fingers twitching couldn't mask her utter resentment at the three META ships in front of her. It pains her to relive the memory and the thought she's being insulted by meeting them once more.

"Regular or META. I will entomb everyone in this frozen grave. Perhaps, by then, I'd finally be left alone-"
"That's enough, Tirpitz"
"......?"

Just as Tirpitz META lifts her left hand and concentrates the coldness on her current battlefield, fighter aircraft burst out of the snowy wind and all of it rapidly unleashes their bullets on the surprised battleship.

"Annoying....."

Even machine gun bullets from several aircraft at once had been rendered harmless as they are either freezes and quickly shattered before impact or deflected by the freezing air protecting Tirpitz META.

"You shouldn't involve your past self. This is between you and I....."

The aircraft circles around Victorious META and appears from Tirpitz META's left side. Seeing the aircraft carrier riddled with sorrow and guilt, Tirpitz could only react in anger by squeezing her fists.

"You dare reappear after what you did...." Tirpitz is like a wolf baring her fangs
"......" Victorious META lowers her gaze for a few seconds
"You, who betrayed me!"

The memory of the person she once trusted as a friend would only bring up "betrayal" in her mind. It left such an impact that Tirpitz META disregarded the existence of the three META ships and solely set her eyes on Victorious META

"You three must leave at once. Take Hunter out of here before she loses both arms" Victorious META doesn't break eye contact with Tirpitz
"Are you sure? Tirpitz isn't going to hold back" Renown META is visibly worried
"I can....still fight" Hunter META shakes her head
"Idiot! You can move your fingers anymore" Repulse META points at her frozen hands
"Just leave. I'm the one who must stop her"
"......"

The three silently glances at each other, knowing Victorious would insist on taking Tirpitz META on a one-on-one battle. Tirpitz META herself wouldn't bother with other opponents other than Victorious META out of life grudge.

"Don't you die on us" Renown META complies with the request
"We'll drag you back once we get Hunter out of here" Repulse META nods

The two META battlecruisers respects her decision and escorts the mildly crippled Hunter META out of their line of sight, leaving only a battleship and an aircraft carrier against each other.

"I can't blame you for hating me.....because I was the one who brought you back" Victorious META admits
"How many times do you intend to toy with my life?"
"....."
"You can't even let me rest, but you can't respect my decision"
"I know what I did was selfish, but I just couldn't lose you.....!" Victorious META bites her lower lip
"Both you and Bismarck decided my life for me without thinking of the consequences"
"You have every right to hate me, but that body belongs to the Tirpitz of this timeline. If you keep this up, the Victorious here will lose her Tirpitz"
"That Victorious is bound to lose hers. It's always how it is....."

Tirpitz META gently touches her chest and frowns, horrified at what her own friend did to her.

"Our past selves will make the same mistake. Trusting you will always lead to betrayal!"

In the next second, Tirpitz META unleashes a volley or armor piercing shells, ending the brief moment of Victorious META's attempt to reason.

"......"

Fighter aircraft appear on the left side, detonate the shells midair, much to the META battleship's shock. The reaction speed isn't normal for someone like Victorious META, but she's facing someone she still sees as a friend. As the black smoke gets overwhelmed by the relentless blizzard, Victorious META stares at her dead in the eyes.

"I have to stop before our past selves suffer the same mistake!"

Victorious META is serious with her resolve in order to atone for her mistakes and regrets. Torpedo bombers take flight and defies the harsh wind and withstands the icy fragments it brings.

"It's always bombers"

Not even further increasing the temperature nearby Tirpitz META could stop the bombers from diving right above her. The aircraft wings and bodies are slowly being sealed in ice from their very edges, but they don't falter. She couldn't move fast enough if she wanted to. That is the price of her power and the limitation of her current body.

".......!"

Three simultaneously explosions occur, but its weakened due to the blizzard restricting any heat-based abilities. It dampened the molten heat of Renown META and Repulse META's swords, but the freezing temperature is somehow less effective on Victorious META.

"What now?"

Right as Tirpitz META removes the black smoke hindering her vision with a single swing of her hand, torpedo bombers work in coordination. Three aircraft on both sides drop their payloads at once, timing it just a second for Tirpitz META to see it.

"If you keep this up, the Tirpitz here will undergo the same metamorphosis as you did. Our history will repeat here" Victorious META retreats her aircraft
"Then perhaps that is my fate....." Tirpitz META wipes off the stain on her left cheek
"Tirpitz....."
"The Victorious here will do the same thing you did. Nothing's going to change....."
"It's not going to be like that. The Victorious here would never disrespect her Tirpitz's wish" Victorious META assures her
"How can you possibly be-"

Fighter aircraft interrupts Tirpitz META, but the aircraft appeared different from the one Victorious META uses. Four of them blitzes through the snow while maintaoninf formation and unleashes hundreds of machine gun bullets the moment it catches the silhouette of the target. Tirpitz META raises her arm and her forearm deflects the bullets as she encases a portion of it in ice.

"Tirpitz!" Victorious interrupts the two

The regular Victorious braves the harsh blizzard, shielding her eyes from the snow by moving her forearm to the front. Even when the cold wind constantly pushes her back, Victorious forces one step forward. Moving in a weather rejecting her is made more difficult with her body still weakened and her breathing growing heavy from the chill she inhales. She could only focus on the displeased Tirpitz META since there are now two kinds of Victorious in the scene.

"Tirpitz, is that you? Why do you look so different?" Upon closer inspection, Victorious sees her in a darker and rugged uniform
"Your Tirpitz isn't here right now"

For a moment, Tirpitz META's voice becomes calm and relaxed compared to the killing intent she had earlier. Even her expression is less hostile, but still frowns in displeasure because she's Victorious.

"Not my Tirpitz?" Victorious approaches her META version
"She's the META version from my timeline revived in your Tirpitz" Victorious META calmly explains
"If you're not my Tirpitz, then where's mine?" Victorious angrily raises her voice at the META
"You're looking at her but not talking to her"
"I don't understand what happened to Tirpitz. One moment I got shot and the next thing I know another me is here and there's a blizzard all over the place"

The two METAs remain silent and only gaze at her, and fortunately not resuming their clash. Victorious' gaze is towards Tirpitz META who frowns at her out of dislike and not out of hate. As for Victorious META, her soft gaze is more sorrowful specially when she closes her eyes and lowers her gaze.

"Tirpitz became that way.....when I got shot? It's because Tirpitz cared about me.....and got angry....." Victorious takes a step back
"Perhaps it's still out of instinct that she succumbed at that very moment" Tirpitz META nods
"I don't care what you're talking about. I just want my Tirpitz back"

Victorious rushes to Tirpitz META without thinking if she's hostile or not. All she sees is another Tirpitz using the one she knows. Except this one may have emotions but only driven by bitter emotions directed towards the other META.

"You're not even supposed to be here. Move out the way as I'm not finished dealing with that Victorious" Tirpitz META calmly warns her
"I can't do that. Tirpitz would never kill anyone, and I know she wouldn't hurt me"

The shock had Victorious move back and move to be in front of Victorious META. It's her way of declaring she would not allow it. She's not even afraid or hesitant even if it's against her own friend.

"I see. You trust she wouldn't hurt you just she would trust you wouldn't betray her. How tragic could that be?" Tirpitz META stares at her, somewhat confused
"I promised that icy blockhead I wouldn't let her go and I'd put her down if she tries to kill herself" Victorious doesn't break eye contact
"Can you really uphold that? A promise is nothing but having faith on both sides would keep it"
"I don't care what you think of it, but I know Tirpitz never breaks her promise, so I would never break mine" Victorious rejects her idea
"Persistent as ever...."
"....."
"......but perhaps a bit of me still wants to believe something could change" Tirpitz META falls on her knees

Tirpitz META softens her hostility towards the mostly unaware Victorious. It's that she doesn't care what Tirpitz META as she's far too concerned at Tirpitz's sudden change.

"Victorious, make sure.....to not disrespect my wish this time.....or it would always end this way....." Tirpitz META's voice grows weaker
"Tirpitz!"

Victorious quickly rushes to Tirpitz with little hesitation as visible cold air evaporates from Tirpitz's body. The blizzard around them gradually loses its hold on the frigid temperature when Tirpitz slowly returns to her original appearance. Victorious manages to clutch her before she could collapse on the surface, extremely worried at her unresponsive body.

"It's alright. She returned to normal, but she's completely exhausted" Victorious META quickly assures
"Did Tirpitz almost become a monster? I felt like I looked at someone who would try to destroy everything until she's destroyed" Victorious nervously asks
"That's precisely what happened to us or at least what will happen to you if history repeats itself" Victorious META tries to be vague
"Tirpitz......" Victorious continues to support the unconscious Tirpitz
"......" Victorious META prepares to leave
"Where are you going?"
"I can't be seen here. I'm one of the META and besides, my allies are waiting for me"
"I have a lot of questions like how there's a sad version of me"
"That will be answered in due time. Right now, you mustn't allow Iron Blood to take Tirpitz back. Not yet...."
"Why?"
"......."

Victorious META refuses to provide more information or even a single hint. Instead, she immediately leaves the scene while the blizzard is still present. She must use the snowy wind to cover her fleeing the scene as there might be regular kansens she might accidentally come across.

Ten minutes later......

Howe and the others who are still in food condition to fully move spot Victorious who's still holding on to an unconscious Tirpitz. She's far too worried that Tirpitz remains unconscious and that she couldn't notice Illustrious' aircraft circling at her area.

"Victorious, what happened here?" Howe rushes first
"Hermit laid out a trap for us with that blizzard. I got attacked first then Tirpitz got seriously hurt trying to protect me"

It's the best explanation Victorious could come up with to protect Tirpitz. The source of the blizzard is her, but she greatly feared the oblivious kansens would see Tirpitz as a threat as she unknowingly dragged everyone else inside.

"Her restraints got almost destroyed. This blockhead doesn't want to accidentally hurt me, so she couldn't fight well" Victorious tightens her clutch
"I'm sorry I couldn't find you sooner. I could have done something" Howe lowers her head out of guilt
"You didn't do anything wrong. This icy blockhead is just suicidal....."

Tirpitz's body is as cold as almost negative ten degrees Celsius due to the core that went rampant, but Victorious also doesn't care that she's quivering from being in direct contact with the remnant chill.

"I don't care what happened when I passed out, but you can't keep throwing your life like a dummy. You and Bismarck still need to make up for the misunderstandings....."

Victorious leans her head close to Tirpitz's ear and whispers even if she knows she wouldn't receive a response. She tightly holds on to Tirpitz, freshly afraid of what she had seen and experienced earlier while it remains unknown to everyone.

Chapter Text

After the whole scuffle, both factions retreat to their own territories. Some of the META ships leave the scene first before the blizzard gradually vanishes. Renown META and Repulse META escort Hunter META, but it's no easy task considering a revived and furious META nearly shattered both of her hands. In just one accident, the hunter got toyed like prey.

"I can finally feel my arms again"

Sitting on top of stacked crates, Hunter META sighs in relief as she moves each of her ten fingers. The ice keeping it stiff earlier doesn't even melt but slowly dissipates into a visible cold vapor.

"Her power doesn't immediately wear off" Hunter META finds it a hindrance

"I thought they would fall off and we would have to install some metallic prosthetic arms on you"

Repulse META grins mischievously grin and almost looks like she's about to laugh because Hunter META still carefully stretches her arms and squeezes her hands.

"Whatever happened to those two? Scharnhorst and Gneisenau" Repulse META snaps her fingers upon remembering
"They left when they realized the blizzard is weakening. I think they realized Tirpitz calmed down" Renown META calmly answers
"You know, I thought I could have fought an undead battleship, but Victorious made us go away" Repulse META drops her shoulders
"She wouldn't even care about us once Victorious showed up"
"Renown is right. You two would be just like distracting flies"

Victorious META returns to her allies and joins in the conversation without anyone noticing her arrival. She casually walks from behind them and goes past them, fortunately leaving the battlefield unscathed.

"How did it go?" Hunter META squeezes her freshly recovered hands
"While I couldn't pacify her hatred, it seems she doesn't wish to harm the Victorious here" Victorious META sighs in dismay
"Now that's a surprise" Hunter META raises both eyebrows
"Perhaps she saw how her past self is different from her. My past self would never abandon her Tirpitz, but I never expected for her to calm down that easily"

Victorious META gazes up, recalling how Tirpitz META's blind rage begins to soften when the normal Victorious stands in her way. She knows her past self did tremble, but even she refused to succumb to the possibility of getting killed.

"Did she have a heart to heart talk with the normal Tirpitz?" Repulse META scratches her head
"Perhaps. If she rejected her past self, then she wouldn't have gone back to sleep"

Victorious META furrows her eyebrows, somewhat frustrated at herself for being uncertain. The immediately ending took her by surprise when Tirpitz META only vented out how she would never forgive her.

"She wanted believe it would be different this time, so I suppose the Tirpitz here showed she's a different person than her" Victorious META comes to that conclusion
"We already changed the event because Bismarck revived her instead"
".....That doesn't change the fact it was I who convinced her to do it"
"What's the next step?"
"While the META one was forced back, the restraints have been damaged. There's no choice but to go to Iron Blood so Neumark can repair it" Victorious META confidently guesses

The other three META ships simultaneously turn to look at each other, sharing a puzzled and nervous look. Victorious META has been actively observing the friend she once betrayed, and she doesn't show any signs of fatigue even after a year.

"This is something Tirpitz can't refuse. Do you think their Victorious would come with her?" Repulse META raises her hand
"From what I've seen, Victorious wouldn't leave Tirpitz alone. Now that she knows a META version of her exists, she would keep a close eye to prevent her Tirpitz from undergoing a complete metamorphosis"
"She didn't become one after sending me flying like trash?" Hunter META rubs her cheek punched earlier
"Even in our timeline, Tirpitz's metamorphosis is.....imperfect. It's why she wouldn't stay dead"

Victorious META is more concerned at the tragic fate of her former friend than how her fellow META nearly turned into an ice sculpture had the two battlecruisers didn't arrive in time.

"Will it be alright for the two sisters to meet again? Bismarck would use this as an excuse to have Tirpitz return to Iron Blood. She'd insist to the commander that it's safer for her to be there because she got seriously hurt twice" Renown META reminds her
"Right now, Bismarck will just stall. More importantly, she'd try to convince the Victorious here as she's the only Tirpitz actually listens to" Victorious META dismisses the idea
"I see. That's why you look confident that their Tirpitz wouldn't stay in Iron Blood" Hunter META lowers her scarf, making her mouth visible
"......"

There's no response from Victorious META as her mind spaces out in a deep thought. She blocks out anything outside her senses and focuses on gathering her thoughts.

"I know that look. You're planning to make your move" Renown META narrows her eyes
"I'm still worried about Tirpitz. When she's in a fight, she will throw away her life just to defeat whoever is in front of her. I thought she would at least have more self preservation with her emotions gone"

Rather than the dormant META, Victorious META complains about the regular one who disregarded her own life to protect her Victorious. She worries, but she couldn't casually approach either her or her counterpart as a META.

"You're right about suicidal. That dead battleship would bury everyone alive even if it kills her" Hunter META massages her neck
"That's why I worry so much. This isn't the last time she will get hurt....." Victorious bites her lower lip

Even if the Tirpitz she knows still despises her for a supposed "betrayal", Victorious META remains worried for both the present and future versions of her friend. She could dismiss the hatred but never see her in harm's way.

Mediterranean base......

A day after the bizarre mission, Tirpitz regains full consciousness but her strength has yet to recover. She unknowingly overused her freezing ability as the recoil proves it's more harm than good. To her and everyone, it's an unknown core from an unknown deceased META when in reality, it's the fragmented piece of her META version.

"......This is - I passed out again....."

Tirpitz on the side of the bed, shaking her head while her left covers half of her face. She furrows her eyebrows at the second time she knocked herself unconscious due to her reckless behavior.

"You almost froze yourself, you.....you icy blockhead!"

Victorious, sitting by Tirpitz's right side, tightly grabs her cape with both of her hands and furiously shakes the battleship who has yet to fully recover. Tirpitz may be fully conscious now, but her body is still numb that she might now be in combat for a few days until a week.

"Stop trying to eat shells and bombs to your face just because you survived repeated bombings!" Victorious continues to scold her
"That's because I saw you got shot the chest. I thought it did you in because you didn't stand back up....."

Tirpitz remembers her last memory before waking up the infirmary. She stretches out her right hand and her fingertips gently touch the area where she recalls Victorious got shot.

"......"

A gunshot wouldn't instantly heal or even disappear within a day. More importantly, Victorious acts as if she hasn't been shot at all. This unusual turn of events had Tirpitz reflexively moves her fingers up and down as if she's looking for any signs of the wound.

"I don't why I couldn't act after seeing you collapse and faint. My mind went blank like I faced something beyond what I could understand" Tirpitz couldn't fully describe it
"That's just who you are. You tried to save me but I didn't want you to be the suicidal idiot.....that you are" Victorious squeezes Tirpitz's hand with both of her own hands

Even after Tirpitz recovered half of her strength, her cold temperature passed through her gloves. It's not dangerous enough to freeze her skin or stop blood flow, but it's the same temperature as a solid block of ice.

"This just shows that my old Tirpy is still there. You still care about me even if you can't smile or laugh again" Victorious shows a gentle smile and loving stare
"......" Tirpitz couldn't respond

Tirpitz is more focused on how Victorious' gentle squeeze is that of a reassuring one, completely ignoring that she lacks the warmth to feel her own or have other feel it. What her mind is more focused on is staring at Victorious' touch bearing the chill she emits and even rubbing her gloved hands.

"It's because you got angry for my sake that you got possessed by your dead future version who happens to hate my sad future version" Victorious whispers under her breath
"What?"
"I mean you should stop being so suicidal just because you're fighting. Try to have a bit of self preservation too because your life matters. More importantly, I'd cry and be angry if you die protecting me. I'd drag you from the afterlife if you try to cross there!" Victorious quickly changes her mood
"You really don't want me to die....." Tirpitz slowly pulls her hand away from Victorious
"Of course. All I want is for you to be alive because I wouldn't like it if either of us are gone"
"......"
"I just can't take it. When I saw you suffering from your own power just to protect me, I know I would forever blame myself if you die. That's why I don't want you to die horribly"
"Sooner or later we'll meet are end. Kansens can't live forever" Tirpitz lowers her head
"Just stop being so suicidal. It hurts me to see that you see yourself as expendable. You mean a lot to me even if you're a popsicle with no self-preservation"
"I'm fine so long as you can live the life you wanted, so I didn't think twice when I tried to protect you. Before I lost my emotions, I always had a sense of security and comfort with you. That's why I told myself I don't want to lose this kind of person in my life"
"Tirpitz...." Victorious momentarily lifts her head
".....because I might not meet this kind of person again in my life"

Tirpitz couldn't even glance at Victorious when she confesses the thoughts of her formal emotional self. She possessed stubbornness and pride of her own, so she always ends up keeping her honesty to herself.

"You're the only person who tried to remind me of the warmth being with someone. I suppose that left such an impression that I grew curious about you" Tirpitz continues with her confession
"Hehehe~ I knew you couldn't resist me" Victorious tightly wraps her hands around Tirpitz
"So long as I don't experience betrayal from you, I won't leave your side just as you promised you won't leave mine"
"Stop thinking about that. No way in a thousand years I'd destroy your trust!" Victorious pouts
"Huh? You're right. I wonder why I suddenly....question your friendship?"

Tirpitz herself isn't certain to why it crosses her mind. She just expressed why she trusted Victorious only to actually mix "doubt" at the end. Someone like shouldn't be capable of either worry or doubt, but her heart is still yet to recover unlike her body.

That's precisely why......

A voice rings in her head instead. The appearance is abstract, but she recalls a stretching land of snow and facing someone close to a kansen.

(Did I just hear my own voice?)

Tirpitz lifts her head without alerting Victorious of what suddenly flashed before her mind. It may be similar to her own voice, but it echoed and has a calm yet frustrated tone. To be specific, it's from someone who remained cold and solemn despite capable of emotions.

"By the way, did you experience something......unusual while I passed out? You were miraculously unharmed and you've been anxious around me" Tirpitz looks at her right in the eyes
(She noticed that? I can't tell her an angry ghost version of her possessed her and tried to kill a sad version of me!)

Cold sweat rolls down Victorious' cheeks when she freshly recalls how the blizzard is caused when Tirpitz became someone else. There, she encountered a META sharing the same identity as her but is the target of the "ghost's" grudge and resentment.

".....I just got scared when you got hurt.....because of me. Sometimes I wonder if what I'm doing is more harm than good....." Victorious reluctantly answers
"......"
"I don't want to do something selfish believing it's for your sake because you'd hate me......"
"So you did see something....." Tirpitz notices the fear in Victorious' eyes
"I had a nightmare......where you hated me so bad you wouldn't forgive me. That hate was unbearable that no apology would suffice" Victorious tightly wraps her arms on Tirpitz's shoulder
"That's just a nightmare. This is reality, so you shouldn't fear what's a product of your own worries" Tirpitz comforts her
"You're right....."

Victorious doesn't want to speak more of it and pretends to agree with Tirpitz's assurance. It's reality after all, but fortunately enough, Tirpitz has no recollection of being possessed by a deceased version of her. She could only worry it would happen again because of her and it might not as peacefully as the last time.

Four hours later......

Tirpitz has regained more of her strength in mere hours, but she's still forced to rest in the infirmary. Her body is still too weak for heavy movements. In fact, Tirpitz could still feel the soreness all over her body and her hands are still shaking from the recoil of her own ability.

"Hmm?"

While Tirpitz spends her afternoon observing her current physical condition by moving her arms up and down, she hears footsteps by the door.

"Good day!"

After at least knocking three times, King George V opens the door. She peeks her head inside and cheerfully greets the resting Tirpitz. Upon seeing the only patient to be awake and full of energy already, she quickly goes inside and closes the door behind her.

"I see you're in good condition now. Victorious was deathly worried that she didn't leave your side" King George V scans Tirpitz
"......." Tirpitz averts her gaze
"Although I wasn't present, I've heard everything from Howe. It seems you protected Victorious but hurt yourself in the process" King George V proudly smiles
"That's....." Tirpitz doesn't have much to say
"You fearlessly defended your friend and didn't even hesitate in doing so. I like that kind of courage!"

King George V speaks of Tirpitz proudly as a gallant knight like her admires courage and "acts of good deed". As for Tirpitz, she just stares, unsure to how the knight could just barge in and praise her. Tirpitz herself doesn't care much for honor and glory, just peacefully living her life.

"You came here for another reason" Tirpitz observes the knight's expression
"Hmm, you're correct. I was trying to set the mood as they say" King George V clears her throat

To Tirpitz, the knight before her is suddenly cheerful and energetic the second she enters the infirmary room. It's not that she's aware, she guesses and awaits for King George V herself to confirm it.

"I just received an order from the commander" King George V's mood return to her calm and collected self
"The commander, huh" Tirpitz frowns a bit
"By Bismarck's.....suggestion you are to return to Iron Blood as your restraints need to be replaced and a check up on your condition"
"......." Tirpitz could only lower her head in silence
"Although I would say you would return there, the commander understands there's still tension between you and Bismarck. That's why he only allowed it until your condition is completely under control again"
"It's been a year since I was in my homeland, but I have no nostalgia for it" Tirpitz still doesn't find it as good news
"Just bitterness, huh" King George V sighs in dismay
"My old self felt I've been betrayed and disrespected by Bismarck and the rest of Iron Blood"

Tirpitz walks a few steps towards King George V, frankly stating how she viewed her own faction.

"I was bound to die and I was willing to accept that.....only for me to wake up on the living again. In return, I turned out like this - worse than the lone queen of the north I used to be" Tirpitz lifts her hand to show the damaged restraint on her wrist
"....." King George V just listens
"Despite the distrust over deciding someone's fate and turning me into this, I can't say this is my worst fate"
"Oh?" King George and raises an eyebrow
"It's because I'm alive that I could still be here talking with that persistent aircraft carrier. Had I died, she would have cursed me at my grave and possibly blame herself....."

Tirpitz shakes her head remembering the anxiety and annoyance visible on Victorious' face when Tirpitz questions her diverted fate.

"That aside, I'm still undecided on my current life. While I lived, it took the emotions that drives me to live. A kansen with no emotion is no human but an empty shell" Tirpitz speaks out her inner thoughts
"I can understand where you're coming from" King George V doesn't judge her for it
"This is difficult to live with. I have to be careful around everyone and I long for the days where I could smile"

Tirpitz's fingertips gently touch the edge of her lips as she couldn't even force herself to smile. There's an emptiness gnawing inside her and that causes her to view the world as mostly bleak and without motivation.

"Tirpitz, do you truly want your emotions back?"

King George V's gaze is fixated on Tirpitz's stoic and unfazed expression. To be specific, she focuses on Tirpitz's still gaze that's seemingly less uninterested compared before.

"Your mind went clear, right? There's nothing to cloud your judgement or weigh down on you anymore" King George V begins questioning her
"Do you believe it's what I think?" Tirpitz raises an eyebrow
"I believe you keep more truth than you let on" King George V's fine becomes more serious
"......"
"I'm not forcing you to confess anything, but it still depends if it involves others or not"

While King George V doesn't view Tirpitz as a threat or enemy even with her suspicions, she's wary enough that her hand reflexively reaches for the hilt of her sheathed saber. Tirpitz sneaks a glance at her sudden action but doesn't view someone like King George V as a threat.

"You're right to say I'm not telling everything. It's not because of a motivation, but for the sole reason I'm not obliged to confess anything" Tirpitz responds without breaking eye contact
"That's true. There's no reason to tell everything unless the situation calls for it" King George V relaxes her hand

The knight loosens her brewing tension as her hand hangs by her side. It's just by words, but King George V has enough faith in Tirpitz's response. To suspect her out of instinct would lead to paranoia and possibly reckless consequences which is unacceptable for a dedicated knight.

"You're a gentle person, Tirpitz. It's just that you're rather wary of everyone after the whole quarrel with Bismarck" King George V wryly laughs
"You're still sending me there though" Tirpitz shakes her head
"Not alone, of course. Victorious insisted on coming along with you, so I agreed with the condition that Wales and I will serve as escorts"
"In case another fight between Bismarck and I break out. You do know your steel would shatter before it could touch me" Tirpitz looks at the sheathed saber
"Like I said, you're a gentle person. You don't want to turn kansens into a ice sculpture"
"Victorious is meant as some sort of meat shield, isn't she? So long as you keep her with me, I wouldn't act even if I want to attack my own sister"
"Unfortunately, you guessed what Friedrich der Grosse said. They will allow Victorious in Iron Blood to keep you behave. They don't like her because they believe that a Royal navy aircraft turned you into a tamed pup"

King George V's tone is briefly loosely irritated that she seemingly broke off from her usual knightly persona.

"Well, you still ought to be cautious" King George V clears her throat
"Why is that?"
"You're slowly learning to keep your coldness under control, but do not let your guard down. The best way to control someone is to make them believe they're in control "
"......" Tirpitz isn't bothered by the warning
"You may be following your own whims, but who's to say there's no one whispering all sorts of motivations to you"
"I'll take note of that....."

The advice is too sudden, but Tirpitz senses no bluff or misdirection from King George V. She's a bit wary herself because of Victorious acting anxious, but she doesn't want to believe her friend is keeping secrets from her. At least, she would tolerate the knights regularly observing her movements even if they can't always conceal how they're anxious at the possibility of Tirpitz turning against them.

Iron Blood headquarters......

The report of Tirpitz suffering more serious injuries last time quickly reached Bismarck a day after it occurred. Her body dropped to freezing temperature but fortunately not cold enough to affect her surroundings. Unlike her usual mood, Bismarck's expression grows dim, uncertain if she's either upset or worried.

"A blizzard which resulted in Tirpitz hurting herself.....again" Bismarck massages both sides of her head
"According to Howe's report, Tirpitz nearly froze her insides because she tried to protect Victorious. That girl is nothing but trouble" Graf Zeppelin scoffs
"My child prioritized that little aircraft carrier over her own life. Although Victorious appears to be a hindrance, she'd been keeping Tirpitz under control" Friedrich der Grosse shrugs her shoulders
"That only means a mere Royal navy ship rendered Tirpitz mellow and docile. If this continues, Tirpitz would never return to Iron Blood" Graf Zeppelin nearly slams Bismarck's desk while arguing with Friedrich der Grosse
"Tirpitz is not someone to submit like a mere pet"

Bismarck interrupts the two without hesitation with a calm voice restraining her own annoyance. It doesn't suit her to find two close comrades arguing right in front of her and in her own office at the top of that.

"Graf Zeppelin, are you saying my sister is weak-willed that she would blindly obey a Royal navy ship?" Bismarck leans on her chair and rests her head on her arm
".....That's not what I meant" Graf Zeppelin softens her voice
"Then what are you so worried about?" Bismarck lets out a deep sigh
"Little Tirpitz is highly attached to that happy-go-lucky aircraft carrier. From our last conversation, Tirpitz wouldn't hesitate to bare her fangs at us if we try to harm Victorious" Friedrich der Grosse answers instead
"Exactly. Tirpitz would prioritize someone else over her duty and pride as a member of Iron Blood" Graf Zeppelin waves her left her in the air
"......."

Bismarck couldn't reject or even deny the idea. In her silence, she could only think of the latest report regarding Tirpitz. Everyone in that mission only has minor damages while Tirpitz ignored her own condition just to protect someone else.

"We're the hunters, so Tirpitz isn't supposed to act like someone's....pet" Graf Zeppelin throws both arms in the air
"Graf Zeppelin, you're saying I lost control over my own sister. Is that it?"

Bismarck presses both of her hands on top and pushes herself up from her seat. She's not upset at her subordinate's words and the growing tense atmosphere trapped inside isn't intentional either. It's only due to Bismarck lacking enough control when it either personally concerns her or someone close to her.

"As you said, no one else controls Tirpitz. So why should I keep my own sister on a leash? Doing so would only cause her to rebel against me" Bismarck removes her cap
"That's not....." Graf Zeppelin instinctively averts Bismarck's intense gaze
"My child, do you still distrust Victorious? Although she appears to be taking advantage of Tirpitz, perhaps we lack the impression of her. Why don't we observe what kind of friend she is once Tirpitz temporarily returns for repairs" Friedrich der Grosse suggests to ease everyone's nerves
"That's what I intend to do. If Victorious has no hidden motives, I won't try to ask her to convince Tirpitz. Trickery and manipulations go against our ideals"

Sighing in exhaustion, Bismarck couldn't directly state she has a level of trust in Victorious and wouldn't resort to petty tactics just to force Tirpitz to return. Those words aren't unusual as Bismarck is known to follow her own principles and ideals even if another method would be more convenient and quicker.

"Once Tirpitz arrives here, we can use that time to have an update on her condition"
"It's only been a year, but it felt like it's been a long time. Are you worried Tirpitz might have changed?" Graf Zeppelin raises an eyebrow
"Isn't that what we're hoping for?" Bismarck returns with a question of her own
"It depends on what kind of change. Ever since that fragmented core is fused with her, it felt like Tirpitz is someone else....sometimes" Graf Zeppelin is reluctant on her own observation
"Hmm, that's not wrong. Before little Tirpitz was incarcerated, some conversations made it look like I was speaking with someone angry and unattached" Friedrich der Grosse agrees with Graf Zeppelin
"Whatever the case, we can discuss it further once Tirpitz and I have a proper conversation this time" Bismarck sits back down
"If she doesn't try to kill you.....and possibly the rest of us" Friedrich der Grosse mischievously smiles
"......"

Bismarck only looks to the side, silently recalling the unforgettable moment Tirpitz froze her surroundings and lashed out without hesitation. It may have ended without losing even a finger from the extreme temperature, but Bismarck always keeps the memory fresh after a year has passed.

One hour later.....

This time, the visitors in Bismarck's office are Prinz Eugen and Deutschland. It's a rare sight since the two are very rarely paired together, namely Prinz Eugen sometimes in the company of Admiral Hipper. The pair sit across each other as their incompatible personalities keep themselves distant.

"It looks like you have something to say, Deutschland?" Bismarck slightly tilts her head
"I just can't stomach the thought of that Royal navy girl coming here. She made Tirpitz harmless" Deutschland couldn't keep her frustrations
"You're exaggerating. Tirpitz is still far from harmless" Prinz Eugen is quick to respond first
"Huh?! Isn't that always the case? As long as the empty-headed carrier is present, Tirpitz forgets she's supposed to be one of us!'

Deutschland loses her temper and stands up to retaliate without thinking. She has her own frustrations believing it concerns the pride of someone from Iron Blood.

"For all we know, that Victorious is the one telling Tirpitz not to come back-" Deutschland grits her teeth
"Calm yourself, Deutschland" Bismarck cuts in
"......."

In a mere second, Deutschland shuts her mouth close even if Bismarck didn't even raise her voice. In fact, Bismarck remains composed as she's not even upset at Deutschland shouting and arguing with a fellow Iron Blood heavy cruiser.

"I just can't accept how one of us refuses to stay in our fatherland. We, Iron Blood, are proud of our nation and ideals" Deutschland takes a deep breath and relaxes her voice
"Even though I am a bit frustrated, I don't see Victorious as a hindrance. It's because of her that Tirpitz remains stable" Bismarck speaks out
"Still, you're not happy that Tirpitz is fighting to protect someone" Prinz Eugen giggles
"It's like Tirpitz doesn't give a damn about being an Iron Blood ship anymore" Deutschland sits back down with her arms crossed
"This shouldn't be a huge issue to begin with. Many of you are far too concerned with this"

Bismarck furrows her eyebrows and shakes her head as her display of displeasure. As a leader, she's mostly composed and doesn't throw a fit of rage. Her unhappiness and anger is a consistent one so it doesn't end up with her blindly speaking and acting.

"It is a big deal because she's your younger sister. Those old geezers expect you to keep Tirpitz under control" Prinz Eugen doesn't hesitate to speak up
"Those same old men who cower and stand arrogant?" Bismarck rests her back
"Yes, those kind of old geezers" Prinz Eugen scoffs
"They view Tirpitz as a weapon after the whole procedure. I don't agree with their view of treating Tirpitz like a gun they could just point and order around"
"Why not just cut off their heads? Our nation has no need for cowards"

Deutschland runs her thumb across her throat, grinning at the idea of "culling" those who she views unnecessary. Her eyes even sparkle with gladness as if she has been waiting for it to happen.

"It's a matter of order. If the chain of command is cut off, there will be chaos among our ranks" Bismarck reminds her of the special reason
"As much as I hate it, I have to agree with that reason. We live in an era where a nation could only survive if there's a straight structure of command" Prinz Eugen exhales deeply
"Still, it's only right if Tirpitz returns as a member of Iron Blood"
".....Aren't you being too soft on your sister?" Deutschland reluctantly tells her
"I'm not being soft. It's a matter of knowing how to act enough to keep them aligned with you"
"That didn't really end well a year ago, right? Not only she tried to cut you down, some of us nearly lost our limbs from the frostbite"

Prinz Eugen finds is appropriate to remind Bismarck of the reality even if she's a subordinate speaking to the fleet leader.

"That won't happen again" Bismarck quickly assures her
"And if it does?" Deutschland cuts in
".....Then I must do what's necessary"
"You can't put her down because I feel like that would only make things worse. There's no guarantee you can kill someone who died once" Prinz Eugen wags her index finger
"....."

On the other side, Deutschland slides a bit from her seat as if she wishes to escape the office. She observed Bismarck's expression growing dim as she's upset but still tolerating Prinz Eugen.

"No, you're confident right now. The reason why you don't hate Victorious is because she's useful when dealing with Tirpitz, right?" Prinz Eugen chuckles
"I won't use petty tricks. Our methods contradict, Eugen" Bismarck sternly reminds her
"That's a shame. It would have been faster if we just tricked Victorious into agreeing with us" Prinz Eugen shakes her head in dismay
"You two should focus on the unknown META aircraft carrier detected by U-556 leaving the area where the blizzard appeared" Bismarck chamges the topic
"I have a feeling our elusive stalker will show herself soon. She's following Tirpitz and spying, right?" Prinz Eugen chuckles
"Let's just catch the bastard once they come close" Deutschland cracks her knuckles
"When it comes to anyone who isn't a kansen, I don't care what method you use. If she's connected to what happened to Tirpitz a year ago, then I will personally cut her down"

Bismarck not only promises herself but makes it apparent to the two of them. Once she lays down her own word, the two simultaneously look at each other knowing Bismarck would always see through to it. It's not just out of keeping her honor, but the sharpness and clarity in Bismarck's eyes makes it plainly obvious that she holds a grudge.

Chapter Text

Iron Blood or "old home" as Tirpitz perceives it now. It's the nation tied to her existence, but she strays away from its ideals after seeing more of the outside world. This is seen as an "outside influence", but Bismarck surprisingly shows no disapproval of it. A year has passed, and a lot has changed, namely on Tirpitz's side. After all that time, Tirpitz inevitably finds herself back at her fatherland whether she likes it or not.

"Nothing has changed since then....."

Tirpitz gazes at the sky first before turning her attention to the base she once called her home. The north is where she's familiar the most, but she sometimes returns to the mainland when Bismarck isn't making her "guard" a distant fjord.

"I feel nervous all of a sudden. It's like I'm not supposed to be here" Victorious tugs Tirpitz's cape
"To be precise, I'd say not everyone welcomes you here" King George V steps forward
"I kind of expected that....." Victorious awkwardly smiles
"Don't worry much about it. While some Iron Blood ships see you as a nuisance to Tirpitz, Bismarck is more..... open-minded" King George V pats her in the back
"They won't do anything to you so long as you don't go far from my side"

Tirpitz shifts her gaze at Victorious who's still clutching her cape that it's getting wrinkled. At least, she could safely assure Victorious that she's protected so long as she's nearby. Even if Tirpitz doesn't mention it, it should be natural to remember that no one would even harm Victorious because the Royal navy and Iron Blood are both under the Azur Lane faction.

"Look at it this way, they don't want to risk getting Tirpitz's attention" Prince of Wales does her best to comfort Victorious
"I don't want to treat Tirpitz like an attack dog or as a shield" Victorious lets go of Tirpitz
"There's no problem with that. I won't allow threats near you"

Tirpitz gently puts her hand on top of Victorious' head as the only way she could think of comforting the anxious aircraft carrier. There are two Royal knights with them as extra precaution, but Victorious swallows her breath to ease her trembling.

"Please don't turn anyone into a popsicle. Last time you went berserk, they nearly had to amputate someone's leg off" King George V stands in front of Tirpitz
"That's their fault" Tirpitz only tilts her head
"Isn't that a bit cold-hearted towards your fellow Iron Blood ships" Prince of Wales crosses her arms
"......" Tirpitz immediately turns to stare at her
"Eh?"

Tirpitz doesn't even say anything, so Prince of Wales is somewhat nervous and puzzled as to why Tirpitz eyes her as a predator staring down at her prey. There's no emotion to distinguish it, just Tirpitz's usual stoic expression, but Prince of Wales' instincts screams of danger.

"Anyhow, you and Victorious must separate for now. The arrangement is for Bismarck and Victorious to have a private meeting while Tirpitz has her checkup done by Neumark" King George V clears her throat
"I know it's arranged, but do I have to be really alone in a room with Bismarck?" Victorious profusely sweats
"Wales is going to accompany you....by standing outside the room" King George V cheerfully pats Victorious' shoulders
"That's not comforting at all!" Victorious nearly screams
"We won't even stay long here. I prefer to leave as soon as I get what I need"

Tirpitz stares at what's in front of her instead. Right before the four of them is the "main building" of the base, where most offices are located including Bismarck's private office. Only a year has passed, so Tirpitz's memory of the last time she stepped on her homeland is as fresh as it is unpleasant.

"Do you think Bismarck will find a loophole to make her stay?" Prince of Wales whispers to King George V
"I don't think Bismarck is in a hurry. My concern is whether they'll use Victorious as a leverage" King George V whispers back
"I'm worried that they might hurt Victorious in any way" Prince of Wales faintly groans
"Trust me, Iron Blood isn't that reckless. Tirpitz's condition is volatile and the last time she got provoked, she nearly turned this base into a frozen wasteland"
"That's not really reassuring since it sounds like they see Tirpitz as a threat that needs to be controlled....." Prince of Wales couldn't hold her displeasure
"No, it's a matter of misunderstanding. They don't understand that it's Victorious keeping Tirpitz in line"

The four of them start to walk with the two knights continuing their private conversation while carefully eyeing the two. Right now, everything is under control as Victorious takes Tirpitz's cap as her own. Tirpitz halfheartedly tries to retake her cap, but Victorious pressed both hands on top of her head and pouts. This causes Tirpitz to give up on her cap and ignore one of her excitable whims again.

"Bismarck may not be the underhanded type, but I don't think they'd just let someone like Tirpitz wander on her own" Prince of Wales expressed more of her concern
"Not letting her leave on her own is why she left in the first place. The fact Bismarck herself threw her in jail for a whole year sealed her decision" King George V shakes her head
"Good grief. Those two sisters are a handful. One is the complicated leader of a cautious nation while the other is a volatile blizzard"
"Hmm. Let's just hope Tirpitz over there doesn't get pissed off enough to repeat what she did a year ago" King George V cheerfully laughs
"L-let's just keep Victorious close to her" Prince of Wales stares at the two
"It's not the most honest method, but it keeps the possibility of a conflict away"

Fortunately for now, Tirpitz remains behaved while Victorious keeps tugging her sleeve and pointing at all sorts of directions. Her lively and optimistic attitude at least keeps Tirpitz focused on her enough to forget her bitterness for Iron Blood a bit.

One hour later.....

Tirpitz rolls up her sleeve, revealing the pair of restraints with visible cracks. Cold air faintly evaporates from those cracks as if the chill it absorbed is at the risk of going wild. It causes the cracks to faintly glow a mesmerizing Sapphire blue light, but ice sticks to Tirpitz's wrists to make the side effects of the damage more visible.

"I didn't want to come back here to meet any of you, but I don't want my condition to harm anybody" Tirpitz partially raises her arms
"It's understandable you want to leave the second you're done here, but Bismarck found a way to make you return albeit temporarily" Neumark doesn't care much
"......"
"Don't worry. Bismarck just wants to know if Victorious have been a good influence since the others think you're acting like a pet or being manipulated"
"She would never do that" Tirpitz briefly releases cold air
"I know, but they're making it a big deal because you're Bismarck's younger sister. You're not the type to particularly care about status or position after all"

Neumark inspects the more durable and adjusted replacements for Tirpitz's damaged restraints. They're almost identical to the current one except for the more polished and smooth appearance.

"Hmm, you must have emitted coldness past negative one hundred Celsius" Neumark gently lifts both of Tirpitz's hands
"That's impossible. My kansen body would break past that" Tirpitz shakes her head
"It's not impossible since an unknown META released temperature further than negative two hundred. I would have studied her, but she was killed in action" Neumark lowers Tirpitz's right hand
"The core used on me was from that deceased META, right?"
"It's only a piece. From my theory, it was deliberately shattered in pieces, and one was mysteriously missed by the culprit"
"........" Tirpitz quietly observes Neumark

The Iron Blood repair ship carefully adjusts the damaged restraint to slowly loosens its lock on Tirpitz's wrist. When the metallic restraint clicks open, the room's temperature drastically decreases when a glass of water's surface begins to freeze.

"Are you sure this is safe for you?" Tirpitz notices the change in her surroundings
"My uniform and gloves are specially insulated. It's easy to make adjustments since I've been repairing you since your time in the northern fjords" Neumark doesn't hesitate to remove the restraint on the left arm first
"......." Tirpitz observes her again
"Don't you hate me for agreeing with Bismarck? I suggested that the operation be done to save your life and perform the procedure"

When Neumark does the same on Tirpitz's right hand and the surroundings grow colder again, Neumark reluctantly asks after a year of distance and awkwardness.

"You're a repair ship and it's your job to mend our wounds. It's part of your job after retiring from commerce raiding" Tirpitz looks at her straight in the eyes
"I wish you reserved that forgiveness to Bismarck......" Neumark sighs in dismay
"What I couldn't accept is Bismarck believing I should keep on living to continue fighting. To her, there was nothing wrong with losing my emotions and warmth. She never observed how miserable I felt back then....."

There's no other Iron Blood ship other than them, so Tirpitz finds it safe enough to express her inner thoughts. It's been a year since the incident and the moment she spent in the Mediterranean is enough to teach her more about not keeping secrets and trust.

"I was in complete despair knowing I would slowly lose my emotions. How could I not hate her when she couldn't even show any remorse......for stripping me of my emotions"

Tirpitz may speak calmly right now, but Neumark can guess Tirpitz would be completely furious and frustrated if the chill in her body didn't numb her heart. There's a bit of nervousness, slightly fearing Tirpitz loses her control over her condition.

"Did Bismarck hesitate when she knew that it would take something from?" Tirpitz stares at Neumark again
"Bismarck knew very well that you might not live a normal life......but it pained her seeing you're slowly dying. It's either let you die or give a second chance in living, and Bismarck couldn't afford to lose her only sister....." Neumark tries to soften Tirpitz
"When I survived and turned against her, Bismarck couldn't face the consequences of her actions. Instead, she imprisoned me and couldn't even apologize"
"Bismarck chose it because she couldn't bring herself to execute you. She lost her younger sister once; she would never lose you again"

Neumark slightly raises her voice after she finishes locking the new restraints on Tirpitz's left hand. The room's coldness lessens by half, but it's still cold enough to keep liquids still.

"I know I could not go through the operation, but I saw Bismarck's worry. She wants you to live, but she knows you would pay the price for it" Neumark frowns at Tirpitz
"......."
"Bismarck did feel guilty for what happened, but she never regretted saving your life" Neumark locks the second restraint on the right arm
"You're telling me all of this, but she couldn't tell me herself a year ago"
"You have every right to hate her for what she did. That's why Bismarck didn't justify her actions as right"
"......." Tirpitz lowers her head
"Bismarck does care about you, but you're both stubborn and not expressive. As a result, you misunderstand each other and so does the people around you. You've seen Bismarck's other side, so you should know this more than anyone"
"......" Tirpitz averts her gaze

All Tirpitz could think of is observing Bismarck from her back and when they spoke after Tirpitz survived the operation, Bismarck couldn't show a hint of emotion.

"If she knew I'd be miserable, she should have let me die" Tirpitz takes a deep breath
"If you had died, wouldn't that hurt your dear Victorious?" Neumark tilts her head
"......" Tirpitz raises her head
"Tirpitz, we all know you're attached to Victorious"
"......"
"Bismarck made the decision because you had a reason to live. Our dear leader is never honest with her own feelings, you know"
"That's...." Tirpitz doesn't know what to say
"Good grief. You should talk with your older sister. I'm your repair ship, not a therapist"

Neumark stands up and walks towards the desk with a lot of documents and files nearly piled up. She reaches for a folder on the far right with today's date stamped on the folder.

"How's the examination on my wisdom cube?" Tirpitz turns around

As she tests the newly locked restraints that don't appear to be different than the damaged ones, she sets her gaze on the folder Neumark is holding.

"You surpassed the threshold, but I'm shocked to find no damage. I may have calculated wrongly since the output you released last time is somewhat similar to the META where the fragment came from" Neumark opens the folder and pulls one of the sever documents
"Am I a META or at least close to one?" Tirpitz stands up
"Don't worry. From the results, you just possess the power of one. Even after death, that META's power lingers and contained a large amount of energy"

Neumark hands over the piece of paper where the findings on the wisdom cube are stated. The writing is clear and eligible, but Tirpitz is no researcher to understand the numbers and terms used other than her wisdom cube is stable. She just stares at it even when she remains uncertain.

"It merged with your wisdom cube which isn't a surprise since it's a broken off piece" Neumark flips to another page
"Broken off piece?" Tirpitz sets the paper aside
"Tirpitz, the core is the piece of the META's wisdom cube. It's likely deliberately destroyed rather than naturally fractured from an intense battle"
"Someone destroyed it when the META died. Why break it apart?"
"I don't know. All I know is it's illogical to leave one piece while take the rest" Neumark closes the folder

Tirpitz gently reaches for her chest, wondering more about her wisdom cube changed by her current condition.

"Even if it's just a piece of a dead META, I can't guarantee it wouldn't have any effect on you" Neumark walks towards Tirpitz
"What do you mean?"
"It latched on to you and replaced the broken section of your wisdom cube. If we're careless, it might alter your wisdom cube further. When we studied it before, the fragment contained a faint essence as if the META's influence is still present" Neumark scratches her head
"So, you're saying I might become one of those METAs?"
"There's no proof of it, but it's better safe than sorry. I doubt nothing's going on when a kansen showed up and let Iron Blood keep the piece"
"What?"

Hearing possible crucial information, Tirpitz approaches Neumark enough that they're only inches away.

"Bismarck kept it confidential, but a kansen helped us retrieve the piece. That same kansen showed up when you were on the verge of death. Bismarck wouldn't tell me, but I saw that kansen talked to Bismarck before she made the decision" Neumark takes a step back
"You're saying someone convinced Bismarck?" Tirpitz clenches her fists
"Tirpitz, I don't want to jump to the conclusion that someone is making a fool of us......but it's strange neither Bismarck and I could remember what the kansen looked like"

Neumark crosses her arms and tilts her head left to right. This shows even Neumark herself is clueless of a possible foul play but doesn't deny the possibility. She's more focused on the kansen with a questionable identity.

"Can you tell me more?" Tirpitz grabs both of Neumark's shoulders
"....I'm sorry, but I lack information to confirm anything. It's just my hunch that someone is toying with us" Neumark reluctantly replies
"That's fine. Everything you said is enough for now"

Tirpitz doesn't press the issue further and lowers both of her hands. She doesn't even notice that she's still trying to keep distance from Iron Blood until she's told of new information.

Bismarck's office.....

Victorious has no choice but to be alone with Bismarck. Her supposed companion, Prince of Wales, is standing guard outside. Like a dutiful guard, she quietly stands near the door without even feeling exhaustion and numbness on her legs.

"Tirpitz's back, but you knights are keeping an eye on her"

Prinz Eugen is also outside the office not out of order but for the purpose of bothering and possibly teasing her favorite battleship.

"It can't be helped. There's no guarantee Tirpitz would behave" Prince of Wales sighs
"So you don't trust her that much, huh"
"George doesn't trust Iron Blood would just be quiet"
"How mean~" Prinz Eugen giggles
"Someone's been eyeing Tirpitz and we don't know whether it's a third party or someone from Iron Blood"
"It's certainly not from Iron Blood. Well, aside from the occasional spying from the Wolfpack....." Prinz Eugen turns away and whispers to herself
"The what?"
"Hehehe. Don't be concerned about it. At least we both know someone is trying to play games with us, but I don't like to entertain the ones who don't even introduce themselves"

Prinz Eugen turns back to Prince of Wales, mixing her occasional serious attitude and usual carefree nature. She nudges the diligent battleship hoping for her to react, but Prince of Wales only furrows her eyebrows out of annoyance.

"That loud carrier is reigning Tirpitz in but I can't say it's a good thing or a bad thing. Tirpitz is behaved while Victorious is around, but wouldn't that make Victorious a liability?" Prinz Eugen walks back and forth in front of Prince of Wales
"What do you mean by a liability?" Prince of Wales frowns
"I mean Victorious can control Tirpitz. The popsicle of a battleship will just go along with whatever Victorious says, and Victorious can also be used against her. Anyone would hate it if someone precious to them is held against them"
"I don't like your tone, Eugen. It's like you're going to try one of your tricks again" Prince of Wales begins to warn her
"I like my hands and feet still attached to my body, thank you very much. I just want to make sure Victorious is in a position where she isn't a liability to Tirpitz"

Before the two could argue and disturb Bismarck inside, Prinz Eugen raises both hands in the air. She should be aware Prince of Wales wouldn't always take her jokes and implications lightly especially when it's involving someone.

"Are you saying Victorious is a dead weight?" Prince of Wales is losing her patience
"I didn't say that. Tirpitz isn't used to having someone she needs to protect, especially that she needs to hold back all the time now" Prinz Eugen pats her on the back
"That's true, but Victorious isn't a liability" Prince of Wales loosens her tension
"Well, she has been helping Tirpitz....but the possibility is still there"

Prinz Eugen casually uses Prince of Wales' shoulder to rest her arms and even leans on her. As a knight, Prince of Wales could actually tolerate her eccentricities like her "touchy" tendencies.

"Tirpitz may be here again, but she doesn't want to stay for long" Victorious takes a deep breath

Inside, Victorious faces Bismarck, but she musters enough courage to speak with Bismarck with direct contact. It's a serious matter for both of them, and Victorious is aware Bismarck has no ulterior motives.

"I figured she doesn't want to tell me herself....." Bismarck straightens her back
"I want the two of you to talk because clearly nothing will happen if you keep your distances" Victorious clenches her fists
"......"
"There are misunderstandings, but the only way to work out this issue is for you to talk"
"That's impossible considering my sister refuses to even see me" Bismarck reminds her
"Tirpitz felt betrayed after you saved her, but you're the reason she's still alive and with me. She couldn't hate you for that, but she was robbed of emotions"

Victorious drops her shoulders as all she could do is sympathize with Tirpitz and couldn't even do anything to cure her.

"I knew it would cost her, but if I hadn't done it, Tirpitz would have been dead" Bismarck leans a bit forward
"....But you don't see it as an achievement?" Victorious tilts her head
"Of course not. Although the operation was successful, the power granted to Tirpitz was nothing but a curse. She was miserable that she only spited me ever since she came back to life" Bismarck lowers her head for a few seconds
"Came back to life? You said like she died" Victorious wryly smiles
"During the operation, Tirpitz clinically died so I had Neumark merge the core with her and it was a success. Tirpitz was saved from death only for her body to be as cold as ice"

Bismarck's intertwined fingers tenses and her tone deepens out of self-loathing. She couldn't dare herself to describe everything in detail, but she sees it as a necessity to inform Victorious.

"I was glad when Tirpitz breathed life, but I couldn't express my horror when her body completely loses its warmth. It's as if she suffered a fate worse than death" Tirpitz closes her eyes for a moment
"To live without emotions and warmth - I couldn't imagine it happening to me" Victorious shakes her head
"She woke up confused when she started screaming and panicking. I couldn't bear to see the consequences of my wish to see my sister alive again. Victorious, I simply wanted to for her to live but I didn't wish for her to suffer....."

Bismarck eases her tension enough to be at least honest about her thoughts a year ago. She couldn't directly tell anyone as she had always been leader that's never soft and emotional. It had always been that way until Bismarck behaved like a machine who disregards her own yearning even if she's an individual like everyone else.

"You felt guilty, but you don't regret saving Tirpitz's life. I'm grateful for giving Tirpitz a second chance in life, but why don't you personally tell her while she's here" Victorious crosses her arms
"Even if I tell her, would she listen? Tirpitz wouldn't heed my words because she no longer trusts me" Bismarck quickly replies
"She doesn't trust you because you didn't tell her everything!"

Even if Bismarck is known as the fearsome leader of Iron Blood, Victorious doesn't hesitate to raise her voice and scolds her. The two sisters are equally stubborn, and Victorious had enough of dealing with Tirpitz, the younger sister, alone.

"The solution is so simple but you two are such blockheads! You're as difficult as steel and Tirpitz is ice. If you had just told her a year ago, this wouldn't have strained your sisterly relationship. There are only two of you, but you two are much more difficult than an army of the Fletcher class!" Victorious stomps her right foot
"......"

The sudden burst of anger from Victorious shocks Bismarck into rendering her speechless and staring at the carrier with a wide-eyed expression. It's the first time someone actually speaks out their frustrations because they cared. Victorious is equally annoyed at the two sisters that she doesn't care that her voices reach outside.

"Tirpitz told me you just looked at her straight in the eyes and never changed emotions. Directly telling her she's only alive so she can fight again hurt her. I know you did care about her, but you made things worse trying to hide it" Victorious takes deep breaths
".....I can't deny that" Bismarck exhales
"Why are you scared of just telling Tirpitz you were just scared of losing her?"
"I'm not afraid of anything. It's just that it's not easy to act as an older sister when I'm so used to being a strict leader"
"So you're more awkward, huh....."

Victorious blinks several times in sudden disbelief when she realizes Bismarck isn't proud but doesn't feel too confident communicating with her own younger sister. The two don't know each other well when they've been just focusing on their duties and never themselves.

"I can convince Tirpitz to at least try talking to you" Victorious sighs in exhaustion
"I'm not forcing you to do that" Bismarck rejects the idea
"No. I want the two of you to reconcile. It's been a bloody year already and I don't want Tirpitz to always think her sister never cared about her" Victorious is firm with her decision
"That's...."
"You never forced Tirpitz to come back and let her stay with me because you thought it was best for her" Victorious is certain
"......That might as well be the case. I know you're a good influence on Tirpitz and gambled on the chance you would ease her burden"

There's no denying or avoiding it in the current situation, so Bismarck willingly confessed her reason. She's not shy of it when she doesn't break eye contact from every word that comes out of her mouth.

"You taught Tirpitz warmth before, so I believe you might be able to remind her again. While her emotions have yet to return, she hasn't lost herself because you're always there for her" Bismarck faintly smiles
"W-well, I thought she might do something stupid that might get herself killed" Victorious fidgets with her fingers, unsure how to react from the conflict
"I hope you continue being a trusted friend to my sister"
"There's no need to promise that because I wouldn't betray Tirpitz" Victorious places her hands on her hips
"I see" Bismarck briefly smiles again

Forty minutes later.......

Victorious tightly grips Tirpitz's hand, forgetting that even when she's sealed, her touch is as cold as frozen food. She's used with physically contact with her, and she's more focused with excitedly dragging the clueless Tirpitz with her. The latter is unsure to why Victorious is giggling while pulling her through a familiar hallway.

"I'm taking you to Bismarck" Victorious chooses to reveal it
"Why?" Tirpitz tilts her head
"It's been a year already, and I believe it's time" Victorious glances at her
"What if I refuse?"
"Too bad I'm not letting you. Whether you like it or not, you're going to have a sisterly talk with Bismarck" Victorious frankly tells her
"......."

Tirpitz loosens her grip on Victorious for a brief second but closes her eyes and allows Victorious to keep dragging her.

"Did Bismarck pressured you? If she did-" Tirpitz is cut off
"She didn't. I'm the one who told her that you two should talk" Victorious sternly responds
"I see....."

For an actual moment, Tirpitz's body temperature lowers as if she's about to direct her hostility but quickly returns to normal. She doesn't question on the possibility that Victorious may have lied because she could already sense Victorious is annoyed with the two of them.

"Even if you still can't forgive Bismarck, I want at least for you two to have some clarity" Victorious slows down
"I don't fully reject the idea of speaking with Bismarck again, but this is too sudden....."
"Since we're here, why not just go ahead with it?"

By the time they finally stop walking, Victorious has guided Tirpitz right in front of Bismarck's office. Victorious gently loosens her grip of Tirpitz and looks at the door where Bismarck is waiting beyond it.

"It's going to be fine....as long as you don't try attacking Bismarck again" Victorious pokes Tirpitz's cheeks
"I can't guarantee that this may end well" Tirpitz sighs
"Bismarck does care about you, but I want you to hear it from her"
"Being honest is the least thing Bismarck would do" Tirpitz averts her gaze for a second
"Like you're one to talk!"

Victorious lightly punch Tirpitz's left shoulder and pouts when the latter is being stubborn again.

"It's going to be alright" Victorious cheerfully smiles
"......." Tirpitz notices a bit of nervousness in her
"Even if you two wouldn't reconcile right now, this is a start. I want the two of you to be sisters again"
"If that's what you want, then I'll try....." Tirpitz surrenders
"Don't do it because I wanted it. You should decide that for yourself" Victorious weakly punches her a few times
".....Fine" Tirpitz reluctantly accepts

After knocking a few times, Tirpitz turns the doorknob and slowly pushes the door open. Tirpitz turns around for a moment and Victorious only responds by giving her a thumbs up from both hands. She has to be alone with her sister and seeing Bismarck leaning by her desk distracted her enough for Victorious to shut the door herself.....locks it from the outside.

"It's been a year, Tirpitz....." Bismarck starts by removing her cap
"Yes, but it felt like it's only been a short amount of time" Tirpitz takes a few steps forward
"You looked less cold compared a year ago. It seems you did mellow out with Victorious around" Bismarck does the same
"Even so, my heart remained frozen, and my condition still persists" Tirpitz bluntly reminds her
"........"
"........"

The two both fall into a tense and awkward silence. Tirpitz is barely hostile to Bismarck, but the latter could tell Tirpitz is still reluctant speaking to her. It's natural for the two of them to remain distant as the incident drastically changed Tirpitz's way of living.

"Back then I hated you for leaving me this burden, but I'm alive because of that procedure. It's because I'm still alive that I'm still talking with that loud carrier" Tirpitz stares at her hands
"I know you still couldn't fully accept it"
"How could I? My condition is likely to be permanent and all I could feel now is the coldness" Tirpitz doesn't hesitate with her words
"You have every reason to be upset at me"
"To think I would see you with such guilty eyes. Did you truly regret what you did to me?"

Tirpitz waits for a few seconds before speaking because she observes Bismarck's gestures and even analyzes her way of speaking. At least, she hopes to see changes in her older sister after a year. The Bismarck she had last known only acted and spoke like a relentless machine who never sways from their objective.

"I knew it would take something from you, but it's the only way to keep you alive" Bismarck begins explaining
"So, I could fight for Iron Blood again" That's what you told me before you threw me in jail" Tirpitz could never forget it
".....No. I just wanted you to live because you weren't prepared to die like that. You wanted to live because you don't want to abandon your friend"

Bismarck makes it certain she's serious with her words when she takes several steps forward until she's only less than two meters from Tirpitz. There is still bitterness from the latter, but Bismarck is willing to accept that knowing it's her decision that set the events in motion.

"I had always been a leader to you than a sister, so I thought this is the least I could do to give you a happy life"
"Happy? Do you think I'm happy the way I am right now? I couldn't even express happiness even if I want to" Tirpitz emits cold air from her hands
"It's my fault you lost your emotions and turned your body into a hazard, but I never wished for you to suffer this way" Bismarck takes one step forward

Even if the room's temperature gradually lowers, Bismarck ignores it just so she could be honest with Tirpitz this time. It's her hesitation to be honest a year ago that strained their relationship and she wishes to at least reveal her side to Tirpitz.

"It's too late for that. You incarcerated me until a year has passed and still shackle me....."

Tirpitz lifts her left hand and rolls up her sleeve to show the restraints. It might as well be chainless cuffs and the fact it's a metallic object locked on Tirpitz all the time adds more to the similarity.

"I know Iron Blood made this to suppress my coldness, but it always reminds me that I don't have a normal life anymore" Tirpitz rubs her wrist
"I haven't given up on trying to undo what I caused" Bismarck reaches out her hand
"Physical damage would heal in time, but what was taken from me....." Tirpitz relaxes her hand on her side
"Emotions shape us as individuals and without it, we wouldn't be different from unthinking machines" Bismarck is well aware of the sacrifice
"......"
"I can't be certain what I did would be undone, but it wouldn't stop me from trying"

Bismarck grabs Tirpitz's left hand and also ignores the low temperature of her touch. She lifts Tirpitz's hands in front to the both of them to prove her certainty because Tirpitz has yet to forgive and trust her.

"You're acting like you care now" Tirpitz shakes her head
"I wanted to try. Even if it can't undo your condition, I want to find a way to give you a normal life" Bismarck continues
"......" Tirpitz falls quiet to observe her
"You are my younger sister, and I haven't forgotten that"
"I don't know if I could trust everything you say now, Bismarck. What you're saying right now is different from a year ago"

Tirpitz is uncertain on Bismarck acting soft and gentle, even admitting that she caused Tirpitz's misery and strained life. This change that Tirpitz is viewing is the first time Bismarck is being open to her younger sister in order to not repeat the conflict between them a year ago.

"I simply couldn't lose you, so I gave in to what was offered to me" Bismarck unhands her
"What do you mean?" Tirpitz lifts her head
"Back then, I did hesitate into going with the procedure. I know you would pay the price for my selfish decision. No matter how much I convince myself, I couldn't bring myself to agree that it's worth the sacrifice" Bismarck turns around
"Are you saying someone talked you into this?"
"A kansen whose name and face I couldn't remember. She tempted me into going through with it and I agreed.....out of fearing losing the only sister I have" Bismarck confesses
"......."

Tirpitz doesn't respond since she remembers Neumark mentioning someone similar earlier. Their statements match, so it might be the truth. However, Tirpitz isn't keen on taking this as the full truth from words alone. Words can be twisted depending how one would portray emotions to make it seems natural.

"I am the leader of Iron Blood, but I am also your older sister. My mistake is thinking you don't need to know everything. If I had told you, then you wouldn't have left Iron Blood" Bismarck faces Tirpitz again
"Bismarck, you're not someone to be fooled.....so why did you turn a blind eye and agree with someone you don't even know?" Tirpitz questions her
"I know you wouldn't believe me, but I felt she was familiar. Like someone I always knew, so I trusted her words" Bismarck isn't certain
"......."
"She had one" Bismarck remembers something else
"One?"
"That unknown kansen. I vaguely remember she held a similar core in her hand, so she was able to emit cold air and spread ice on the ground"

While Bismarck couldn't remember any physical features from the kansen, she wouldn't forget how that kansen had the same ability as Tirpitz's current condition. She couldn't ignore the faintly glowing fragment floating an inch above the kansen's hand.

"I'm not making an excuse or directing the blame, but I want you to at least know about this" Bismarck makes it clear
"Neumark said you did meet with someone before you ordered the operation. I know you didn't lie....." Tirpitz mostly accepts it

There's still a part within Tirpitz that's still cautious of their words, but she doesn't throw it as impossible considering she has her own secrets too. Tirpitz has yet to confess to anyone about the "ghost" with the same appearance as her that made itself present whenever she passes out.

"Are you willing to hear me out?" Bismarck is a bit puzzled
"I'm willing to listen at least" Tirpitz crosses her arms
"I see. Then I'm glad you're willing speak with me further" Bismarck lightly nods
"Just so you know, this has yet to fix anything. I'm only doing this because I want the truth"
"That's fine. I just wish to have some clarity between us" Bismarck doesn't mind
"......"
"Just as you're willing to hear my side, I wouldn't turn away all the frustrations and resentment you wish to express. I can't deny that I caused your life to be like this"

For a moment, Tirpitz's finger twitch as if something sparked in her chest. She couldn't notice this as she focused on Bismarck's solemn and soft tone resulting from her guilt of robbing Tirpitz a normal life in exchange of surviving what could have been certain death.

.......
.......
.......

Unknown to anyone in Iron Blood, a certain META is partially aware of the conversation between Bismarck and Tirpitz. The META is still lurking by a dark sea with a lifeless fragment of a wisdom cube in her possession. It emits a faint blue light and pulses in regular intervals as it hovers a few centimeters above the left palm.

"Tirpitz.....reacted....?" Victorious META's lips part in disbelief

The META who has been observing from time to time, is caught off-guard at something she couldn't foresee. She couldn't get near without alerting everyone, so lacked the other details to interpret what she sensed.

"Bismarck doesn't remember yet, but if my past self figures this out" Victorious META bites her thumb

Victorious META hasn't panicked, but she's gradually growing nervous at the situation she couldn't stir away. Nothing could distract either Bismarck or Tirpitz without the opportunity to approach regular kansens.

"This happened because you couldn't get the most important piece" Hunter META, who's standing behind her, scoffs
"Why is it the one Iron Blood had in possession is where her consciousness remained?" Victorious META stops biting her thumb
"You got careless back then and gave it out of a hurry......or our Tirpitz thought ahead and tricked you"
"That's not possible" Victorious META denies the second idea
"It is possible. Her body may have died, but she's still conscious of her wisdom cube"

Realizing that, Victorious META sweats coldly as she tries to spy in Iron Blood using the fragment of a wisdom cube with her. It may be broken, but like the one used in Tirpitz, the META's influence and power still lingers.

"Tirpitz would try to find the truth of her own without letting her Victorious know. Bismarck wouldn't figure out who tricked her for a long while" Victorious META sighs in relief
"......." Hunter META narrows her eyes
"Are you angry?" Victorious META doesn't need to look
"You kept the piece of the friend you betrayed" Hunter META stares at the fragment
"Betrayal might be lighter than what I did"
"......." Hunter META furrows her eyebrows
"After all, I made sure to break her wisdom cube apart"

Victorious META leans her hand closer to her face to stare at the glowing fragment on a clearer and better angle. She finds no joy at how it emits a calm glow as it's the result of her sin more than a year ago.

"I have to make sure she stays apart. It's for the best....." Victorious META gently presses the fragment to her chest
"Is that why you didn't try to retake the fragment?" Hunter META raises an eyebrow
"No, it may not be part of the plan, but it might work in my favor.....because Tirpitz is still alive" Victorious META faintly smiles
"Your dedication is making me nervous. I hope you're not about to make things worse"

Hunter META is at disbelief to what lengths Victorious META will go after what she did a long time ago. Even if they're allies and Hunter META being concerned with Victorious META endangering herself, she knows that the latter might gamble with danger again. That danger might be worse than leader Tirpitz META to her death.

"My past version trusts Tirpitz, but she's still naive of what's going on. Even after meeting me, she's not taking action" Victorious META continues to hold the fragment close to her
"She's not doing anything because she wouldn't leave Tirpitz alone" Hunter META sighs deeplys
"Tirpitz believes her Victorious wouldn't betray her, but will she hold up to that promise? Her will is shaky....she's emotional" Victorious doubts her younger version
"You do realize you're talking to a past version of you?"
"That's the point. The Victorious of this timeline doesn't know anything and what she will do"
"You never told her what you did to our Tirpitz? No wonder their Victorious is confused and nervous ever since the encounter" Hunter META grunts
"I can't tell her or anyone the fragments were my own doing"

Victorious META slowly pulls away the wisdom cube's fragment but keeps it floating above her palm. It continues to emit e faint glow and the white cold air it releases is barely visible until Victorious META leans it closer to her my doing.

"Hunter, will you try to stop me?" Victorious META turns to face her
"Your problem isn't my problem....until you try to make the dead Tirpitz come out" Hunter META lifts her gun for a moment
"I have to think carefully on how to deal with the META one. Even so, the regular Tirpitz is difficult to deal with because she had grown protective of her Victorious" Victorious META frowns looking at the cube
"Don't try anything reckless. Tirpitz will attack the moment you try to get your past version" Hunter META raises her voice
"I just want to protect Tirpitz. That's why I kept mine this way....." Victorious META glances at the fragment

As it's just a fragment, Victorious META is somewhat dismayed that the Tirpitz she knows is dormant with the other fragment not in her possession.

"I have to do something because the fact there's a possibility that Tirpitz might regain her emotions.....and Tirpitz META might wake up too soon" Victorious META bites her lower lip
"Don't act right now. Tirpitz META is dormant because your past version is keeping her Tirpitz calm. Besides, she's a guard dog who would maul anyone trying to hurt her Victorious" Hunter META approaches her side
"That's obvious after you nearly lost both of your arms"
"Let's see how the conversation with Bismarck turns out. Even if Tirpitz doesn't forgive Bismarck, this will clear at least some misunderstandings" Hunter META calmly suggests
"It wouldn't reveal the truth...."
"It's because this started when you tricked Bismarck"
"I don't want to make Tirpitz think I betrayed her....."

Victorious looks at the fragment on her palm again and this time, the fragment's glow is brighter as if it's responding to her words. It's still an inanimate object but still retains it connection to the piece with the deceased kansen's persisting consciousness.

So long as the META remains dormant, Tirpitz wouldn't discover where it all begun......

Chapter Text

Inches thick steel cuffs keep Tirpitz's wrists together, preventing her from moving her hands other than lifting her arms. It might have made her hand movements limited, but the ice covers the cuffs' surface and everything else around Tirpitz. The room had been instantly turned into a freezer with the exception of sharp icy protrusions everywhere.

"We have nothing to talk about....." Tirpitz faintly growls

Iron Blood is successful in limiting Tirpitz's chill, but it's less effective when Tirpitz is hostile and furious. The source of that hostility is Bismarck, who's sitting a few meters from her. Surprisingly, Bismarck could withstand the negative temperature around her judging by her relaxed expression and the way she just crossed her legs with her hands clasped together.

"Tirpitz, resenting me will do you no good. Your anger is only worsening the cold you emit" Bismarck lightly shakes her head
"Then what am I supposed to feel? Letting me survive but stripping me of warmth is far worse than slowly dying" Tirpitz lifts her hand just on her chest level
"You're alive because it's too early for you to die right now"
"You made me pay the price when I didn't even ask to live!"

Tirpitz immediately stands up and couldn't hold back her rage against Bismarck. The brief yet uncontrollable outburst causes the temperature to drop further, but Bismarck remains unfazed.

"Every second of my life right now is torture. You don't care because you're not the one living with this condition. I can't touch anyone and everything feels too cold!" Tirpitz shouts at the top of her lungs

Even when the usually quiet and calm Tirpitz verbally lashes out and shouts, Bismarck's expression doesn't even change the slightest. She stares at her younger sister with her usual stern and neutral expression.

"Do you even know how miserable I am right now? I don't have a normal life anymore because you decided for me" Tirpitz sits back down
"To fight is our main purpose. Being alive right now is the best outcome for you" Bismarck frowns
".......!" Tirpitz widens her eyes at the response
"Be at least thankful you get to live another day. Not everyone gets to overturn certain deaths"
"Thankful? Are you joking with me?! Do you want me to thank you or Iron Blood for turning me into living ice? How blind and narrow-minded can you possibly get?" Tirpitz grits her teeth and holds back her voice
"Watch your tone, sister" Bismarck stands up
"Sister? Did you really see me that way? Never once did you look at me like a younger sister....."

Tirpitz couldn't even feel angry at Bismarck right now and reduces it to frustration and a slowly growing grudge. The air around is far too dry and freezing for her to shed a single tear. Tirpitz can only lower her head and strongly bite her lower lip but no blood would spill.

"That's not really important.....because we're kansens. We don't know whether we'll live or die, so relationships are often short-lived" Bismarck couldn't provide her own answer
"You should have let me die....." Tirpitz looks away
"That's out of the question. As a battleship of Iron Blood, it's your duty to fight for our nation. You must live because you must fight" Bismarck reminds her
"There you go again" Tirpitz clicks her tongue out of irritation
"I ordered the procedure to ensure your survival, Tirpitz. You're a battleship with a duty to fulfill"
"Is duty all you think about?" Tirpitz clenches her fists
"As a leader, yes. I have a lot of duties to fulfill and responsibilities to hold"

Throughout the conversation, Bismarck speaks as a leader who only focuses on her duties and abandons their personal feelings. Bismarck isn't ignorant of her own words, but she keeps them beyond a stern and stoic expression.

"You should try to use that freezing ability, Tirpitz. The core has potential and the same goes for you. However, you tend to hold back and do as you wish" Bismarck leans a bit forward
"I will fight on my terms but you couldn't even let me die on my terms. Do you expect me to just ignore everything and take orders from you again?" Tirpitz throws a sharp glare
"You don't get to decide on that, Tirpitz. To fight is the duty every kansen must fulfill" Bismarck reminds her again
"I would rather die again than cooperate with Iron Blood"
"You're making this difficult" Bismarck groans

This puts the two of them at a stalemate. Tirpitz is becoming stubborn while Bismarck wouldn't allow Tirpitz to do as she pleases. It's the first time Tirpitz is defying Bismarck when she's used to going along with Iron Blood without a care.

"Tirpitz, insubordination isn't taken lightly in our nation. Stop being stubborn because you're no child" Bismarck is trying to remain calm
"I don't care about Iron Blood's ideals and rules anymore, and I refuse to accept your words as orders" Tirpitz continues to be defiant
"Don't tamper with my patience, Tirpitz. You're being unreasonable" Bismarck's hands tense
"I should say the same thing to you"
"What?"
"You wasted the core that contained a large amount of energy just to bring me back. Even if you used it as a test on me, it's still an unreasonable gamble"
"Stop being emotional, Tirpitz. We, kansens of Iron Blood, must learn to detach our emotions. They cloud our judgement"
"Are you really putting me in the same place as you? To not care about anything other than our mission as kansens?"

No matter how much Bismarck speaks coldly and without care towards Tirpitz, it's surprising the latter doesn't even think of harming Bismarck. Despite all the building up frustrations and spite towards her older sister, Tirpitz sets aside the slightest thought of violence knowing it's futile and would only make things worse for her.

"Have you considered what I would feel if you saved me while paying the price? Did you stop to think how it would affect me?!" Tirpitz couldn't help but remain furious
"I've never seen you this furious before. Are you afraid you can never be with your friend again?" Bismarck remains stern and distant
"You're unbelievable....." Tirpitz continues to be disappointed
"I'm not letting my emotions get the best of me unlike what you are right now"
"How can I possibly stay calm knowing I'd be like this for the rest of my life?"

Tirpitz lifts her hands, displaying her frozen cuffs and the cold air coming escaping the area where the specially designed cuffs seal Tirpitz's wrists. Even if Tirpitz doesn't wish for it, her surroundings would be unrecognizable if the cuffs aren't suppressing her body temperature. Bismarck is the only exception, being the only one seemingly unaffected by the chill around her.

"You'll come around your senses eventually. Right now, you need the isolation to rethink and calm yourself" Bismarck suggests as she stands up
"Bismarck, you - ggh!"

Tirpitz suddenly becomes motionless when her shoulders drop and her head lower. Without explanation, Tirpitz almost reels in pain and tightly closes her eyes, causing the ice around them to subside and slowly retreat.

"Tirpitz?" Bismarck swallows her breath in worry
"......" Tirpitz only groans under her breath
"What's the matter?" Bismarck hurriedly walks towards her
".....Nngh....it hurts so much....." Tirpitz mutters while unaware of her surroundings
"Tirpitz, what's happening?"

When Bismarck is finally in front of Tirpitz, she sees that her younger sister tightly shuts her eyes close as if she's in excruciating pain. She trembles not because of her own cold but of in unexplainable pain instead.

"Why.....can't you....leave me be?!"

Tirpitz unleashes a violent gust of cold air strong enough to send Bismarck flying to the wall. The push is so sudden that Bismarck's back thuds on the steel wall, but fortunately she remains unharmed when the flying icy fragments only scratch her cheek.

"Tirpitz, what in the world are you doing?!" Bismarck demands an explanation
"Aaaagh! It hurts! Everything hurts. Why is it.....so painful?!"

Most people wouldn't notice it, but Bismarck notices Tirpitz's voice is much more furious than earlier and her tone isn't the usual one she uses. In fact, she incoherently screams while forcing her wrists to be apart.

"Tirpitz.....?" Bismarck is uncertain of what's happening
"Aaugh.....why.....this body....."

Tirpitz snaps the metallic shackles with ease, freely moving both arms now. The temperature drastically lowers that even steel is as fragile as glass before Tirpitz. Cracks begin to spread on the wall behind Bismarck due to the violent wind trapped inside the room and the shards of ice piercing through the walls and ceiling.

"It's you again.....but the traitor isn't here......!" Tirpitz stares at a confused Bismarck
"Traitor?"

Not only is Tirpitz speaking randomly with a voice forcibly restraining her anger, her eyes are now filled with killing intent and sharply locking into Bismarck.

"You have it, don't you? After that bastard.....destroyed my heart....." Tirpitz grits her teeth
"You're not making any sense!" Bismarck is unsure what she's referring to
"Shut up and die!" Tirpitz swings her left arm in the air
".......!"

Bismarck shields her arms in front of her face when the freezing wind shreds the wall behind her and sends her body helplessly flying like a rag doll.

"Ugh!"

The next thing Bismarck knows is that her body is tossed by the wind's current and her back only slides to the ground after at least four seconds in the air. As a result of the room being destroyed, the freezing temperature escapes into the open and begins to affect both land and air. Ice crawls to the ground and covers both concrete and steel with ease. The once warm atmosphere is overwhelmed by the wind carrying both ice and snow with each sweep.

"Mur....derer. How dare you kill me.....when I trusted.....you......" Tirpitz walks out holding what remains of the blasted wall
"Tirpitz, is that you?" Bismarck wonders if it's someone else who's speaking
"It hurts so bad. You....did this to me....." Tirpitz scratches her neck

As she's in a hallucinating state, Tirpitz isn't certain of the figure in front of her. It's still Bismarck, but to her it's vague so terribly that she's relying on her distorted senses to recognize her. In Tirpitz's current state, the pain is overwhelming her senses and giving her the idea of tearing her own body to get rid of the unbearable pain within her.

"Vic.....ugh.....damn you......!" Tirpitz continues to scream

The excruciating pain she couldn't relieve only worsens her emotional and mental state, causing the ice to further spread. At that point, half of the base is transformed into a deadly icy landscape and the sky above the Iron Blood base darkens from a blizzard consuming everything.

"What have you done to me this time?" Tirpitz is finally able to speak straight

By the time Tirpitz makes sense of the howling wind and ice covered base, she's furious looking at her hands and touching her cheeks with both of her hands. There's no one else around other than Bismarck, who's standing unsure how to deal with Tirpitz suddenly going berserk.

"You again?! Why can't all of you let me die in peace?" Tirpitz's sky blue eyes brightly glows
"Again? What are you talking about, Tirpitz?" Bismarck could barely see from the snow flying to her face
"You fused my wisdom cube.....you piece of shit! Not only you forced me back into this living hell, you dragged my normal version" Tirpitz clenches both of her fists
"I don't know what you're talking about"
"You don't have to know because you just need to die!"
"......!"

Tirpitz moves swiftly than she usually does and charges straight towards Bismarck. To her shock, ice covers her left foot, forcing her in one place. She couldn't force her foot free since Tirpitz swings her fist and successfully connects it to Bismarck's fist.

"Ggh!"

This senses Bismarck flying back again and spins in the air right before the right side of her face slides to the rough frozen ground. Bismarck remains in her normal state even when everything has been encased and consumed by the abnormal ice and snow.

"I'll never forgive you. Both you and Victorious" Tirpitz grabs Bismarck by the face
"Victorious? What are you talking about-"
"You know what you did!"

Tirpitz slams Bismarck to the ground the icy surface even cracks around Bismarck. The force would have cracked a regular person's skull open, but Bismarck is a resilient and durable battleship, so she only feels soreness rather than bleeding by now.

"You're out of control, Tirpitz!"

Bismarck grabs Tirpitz's hand gripping her face and tosses her to the side, sending her rolling away by at least three meters away.

"I'm not out of control Bismarck. I'm just unbelievably angry right now because I've been resurrected.....again!" Tirpitz pushes herself back up
"Huh?" Bismarck remains oblivious
"Just when I thought I could find peace in death, you dragged me back here. It hurts so much when you woke me up" Tirpitz clutches her chest
"Did the procedure actually fail?"

The only reason Bismarck could think is that it's a side effect adding to Tirpitz's outburst earlier. It doesn't explain the extremely low temperature surpassing the Arctic sea.

"Your death wouldn't be easy, Bismarck. After I deal with you, I'd take out Victorious as well" Tirpitz cracks her neck
(Why Victorious?)
"Then I'll just rampage until someone eventually kills me for good...." Tirpitz solemnly tells herself
"I don't know what's gotten into you, but you have to stop"
"I wanted to stop, but none of you could let me die in peace"

Tirpitz couldn't care about how Bismarck is both confused and oblivious since she's confused about her surroundings. The core of her blind anger stands right before her and ignores the pain coiling around her body.

"Ugh.....I remember the snow......then I was betrayed.....and split apart...." Tirpitz presses her hand on the left side of her head

The memories inside remain fresh and whole even after she's forced back into the life she despises the most. All she could remember is the unpleasantness of it and the other one she resents.

(I have to stop her!) Bismarck pushes herself forward
"Bismarck!"

Just as Bismarck lunges at Tirpitz and grabs her left arm, Tirpitz attempts to immobilize Bismarck by solidifying Bismarck's limbs with the concentrated coldness.

"Why won't you break into pieces?!" Tirpitz gets pinned to the ground
"No ice or flame can stop me!"

Bismarck presses her weight on top of Tirpitz by pushing her left forearm on her neck. This restricts Tirpitz's breathing, but it doesn't stop her in retaliating by grabbing Bismarck's neck with her right hand.

"You're not a META, so how?!" Tirpitz tightens her grip on Bismarck's neck
"What the hell is happening to you?! You're not acting like a different person" Bismarck demands an answer
"I'm supposed to stay dead, but you just can't let me go. Both you and that Victorious" Tirpitz's dilated glare focuses on Bismarck
"......"
"Does it amuse you that I'm paying the price? Is it worth sacrificing your own sister, Bismarck?" Tirpitz couldn't move her body to push Bismarck away
"It's not my wish to see you suffer, but how could I let my own sister die?"
"Hypocrite!"

White sheet of ice thickens on the ground beneath Tirpitz and spreads further. The frost produces and swiftly sprouts frozen spikes to impale Bismarck enough to push her off from Tirpitz. The ice pierces both her shoulders and non-fatal areas in her abdomen.

"Guah!" Bismarck falls to the ground again
"I had enough of you.....not letting me die on my own terms....." Tirpitz pushes herself up
"Who.....are you?" Bismarck furrows her eyebrows
"You can't allow me to live nor die, so you broke my wisdom cube....." Tirpitz couldn't hear her

With each step Tirpitz makes, the ice beneath and around her thickens. It's only in their area where it's the coldest and no living being could survive even for a second, except for Tirpitz and somehow.....Bismarck.

".......!" Tirpitz couldn't take another step

Tirpitz lifts her arms and only sees her hands trembling. This confuses her for a moment but enough to make her take one step back....and another step back.

"My head......no.....I can't....not yet....." Tirpitz mutters to herself
"What's going on now?" Bismarck stands up
"It might have been too early......but it doesn't mean I won't come back...." Tirpitz begrudgingly swears
"......."
"I'll never forgive you.....Bismarck....."

At the moment Tirpitz's vision grows blurry and her knees about to fall to the ground, she stretches out her hand to Bismarck. There's only resentment in her that she refuses to fall so easily.

"......"

Tirpitz's eyes slowly shuts close, the rest of her body becomes numb. Right as her body is about to helplessly collapse to the ground, Bismarck rushes in time to stretch out her arms. She manages to catch Tirpitz in her arms and let her rest on her chest even after attacking her. Tirpitz's body may be too cold for anyone to touch without the inhibitors, but Bismarck remains unfazed as she's the only one unaffected by the blizzard that transformed their surroundings into a blank landscape of ice and snow.

.......
.......
.......

The two sisters sit across each other. Bismarck is calm and relaxed as usual while Tirpitz is quietly observing her out of curiosity and wariness. She's willing to let Bismarck retell the events, but there's no guarantee Tirpitz would believe her. If it isn't for Victorious' insistence, she wouldn't even think of approaching Bismarck and leave instead.

"I don't really understand what happened, but you attacked me out of nowhere" Bismarck crosses her arms
"Now that I think about it, I remember talking to you but blacking out at some point. When I woke up....." Tirpitz closes her eyes for a moment
".......It's either execute you or imprison you. I insisted on imprisoning you because I couldn't bring myself to kill my own sister"
"......." Tirpitz briefly tilts her head

It's the first time Bismarck speaks sincerely and honestly towards her that Tirpitz raises her guard. The concept of the ever serious and strict leader of Iron Blood speaking gently is something that didn't cross Tirpitz's mind for a long time. At least, ever since being imprisoned.

"Tirpitz, don't you truly recall what happened?" Bismarck leans a bit forward
"I told you already, I completely blacked out. By the time I woke up, you ordered for my arrest" Tirpitz sighs
"It was like you were a different person. You deeply hated me and the blizzard you unleashed was intense"
"I remember black out for moments, but the longest was the last mission with Victorious. I saw her get shot, and I couldn't think straight" Tirpitz rubs her thumb and index finger on her right hand
"Then do you think you unleashed the blizzard?" Bismarck sternly asks her
"I don't know, but it's possible. Do you believe I caused it?" Tirpitz crosses her arms
"That I can't say because I wasn't there. It would be just my random guess" Bismarck shrugs her shoulders
"I might have caused it, but they might have known....."

Although Tirpitz remains willing to speak and listen to her older sister, there are still details she doesn't wish to discuss. Bismarck is making effort to clarify misunderstandings which resulted in their situation, but Tirpitz remains vigilant of her actions and words.

"Iron Blood, or perhaps you know something about what caused me to be like this. That broken piece you stuffed in my wisdom cube" Tirpitz changes the topic
"We do know something, but the answer you seek isn't with me" Bismarck shakes her head
"You knew it was the wisdom cube of a defeated META"
"Yes. It retained its essence, but a broken piece can't form a kansen. We tried to harness its energy, but it retaliated every time we tried to touch it" Bismarck squeezes her left hand a few times
"By freezing the hands making contact with it" Tirpitz glances at Bismarck's hand
"We couldn't use it for ourselves because it refuses as if it's alive"
"Do you think the META retained its consciousness of some sort?"

Only when Bismarck wondering if the fragment is 'alive' that Tirpitz suddenly thinks of the "doppelganger" she's been seeing in her dreams and visions. She persists in keeping it a secret, so she asks without informing Bismarck.

"A destroyed wisdom cube shouldn't function. To be specific, a wisdom cube couldn't be conscious in its purest form" Bismarck is baffled
"Neumark said someone helped you retrieve the piece from the Arbiters and that someone talked to you before the procedure" Tirpitz intently stares at her sister
"Yes, a kansen did appear and draw one of the Arbiters away. After the battle, she helped us retrieve the piece" Bismarck quickly confirms
"And you didn't suspect anything?"
"Of course, I knew something was off with that kansen, but I wanted to learn more by observing her. I must have knew her if I trusted her like that, but I don't know why I couldn't remember what she looked like"
"Are you saying that kansen wiped her identity from your memories?"

Tirpitz finds it hard to believe since she has yet to encounter a kansen who could alter other people's memories. There are kansens who have unusual abilities such as Shinano's ability to dream alternate futures and that one time Kaga transforms her own ship into a beast.

"That's most likely the case, but I'm not certain how she did it. I didn't let her touch me and I never let my guard down" Bismarck frowns, annoyed at her own uncertainty
"......." Tirpitz remains suspicious
"That same kansen appeared when you were near death. She was the one who convinced me that I had no other choice"

Bismarck clenches her fists while suppressing most of her anger from the kansen who tricked her. She lowers her head for a few seconds, so Tirpitz wouldn't have to see her irritated at the kansen who's actually an enemy and she couldn't realize it until it's too late.

"She had the same power as you, so what she had in her hands must have been the other piece" Bismarck remembers the fragment
"Then this time, you're saying that kansen is the one who broke the wisdom cube?" Tirpitz lets out a deep sigh
"METAs are still mysteries to us, but I can't deny the involvement. A META destroyer ambushed our investigation some time ago"
"Why?" Tirpitz raises her head
"That destroyer warned Friedrich der Grosse and the others that it's dangerous to keep investigating further. It only makes me intrigued on why they're trying to stop us"

The warning includes Tirpitz posing danger to Iron Blood and everyone else around her, but Bismarck omits that details for Tirpitz's sake. She couldn't immediately deem her younger sister dangerous as she has no intention to harm others and only wishes to be away from Iron Blood.

"I want to learn more about the fragment in order to completely stabilize your condition. If I could do that, then you wouldn't need those restraints anymore" Bismarck glances at Tirpitz's hands
"Are you trying make amends by finding a cure to my condition?" Tirpitz lowers her head
"At the very least, I want to remove or lessen the burden I made you carry" Bismarck's hands tense
"What changed your mind? You suddenly wanted to speak to me and started acting like an older sister"
"Victorious is right when she said that nothing would come out if we keep distancing ourselves. We both don't want regrets, so I wished to settle this in a conversation as sisters"

Tirpitz remains detached at Bismarck's slow attempt to regain her trust and clear more of the misunderstandings, but her left finger reflexively flinches. She knows she couldn't be moved by mere words alone, but she focuses on the way Bismarck never takes off her gaze from her.

"That happy-go-lucky carrier pushed us to talk, huh......" Tirpitz doesn't find it strange
"I know you won't trust me yet or return to Iron Blood, but I only wanted to let you know I'm not trying to make excuses anymore" Bismarck speaks softly again
"I've seen your leader facade slip a few times before, but you remained standing as a leader out of your sense of duty. Over time, I couldn't recognize you anymore"
"Just as I want to protect Iron Blood, you want to protect Victorious. I know your friend means a lot to you" Bismarck clears her throat
"That's why I'm keeping an eye on her in case she gets herself hurt again. More importantly, against Iron Blood trying to use her as a leverage"
"I'm not the kind of person who would use others" Bismarck reassures her
"It may not be you, but even if it's anyone from Iron Blood, I won't let Victorious be hurt because of me. More importantly, I won't stand by if someone else hurts her"
"It's good to be loyal to your allies and friends, but I don't want you to be someone else's guard dog"

Bismarck is primarily concerned with Tirpitz growing protective and attached to Victorious, but her usual stern voice interprets it as a warning. Tirpitz mellows out because of Victorious, but Bismarck believes she's letting her guard down too much.

"As long as Iron Blood doesn't try to approach Victorious to convince her again, then I won't do anything" Tirpitz takes a deep breath
(She would attack if it means protecting Victorious) Bismarck is more concerned
"Victorious told me how Friedrich der Grosse followed her and asked her to meet you"
"Since I couldn't talk to you directly, I thought of speaking to her first" Bismarck doesn't deny it
"......"
"I had no intention of forcing her. Friedrich der Grosse said Victorious was truly concerned about your well-being, so I wanted to see if she meant you no harm" Bismarck adds
"Don't involve Victorious in something like that. If you want something from mez then you come to me"

For a moment, Bismarck feels a cold air sweep by her to further display Tirpitz being serious. It only proves Bismarck's concern of Tirpitz primarily thinking of her friend before herself.

"Tirpitz, you're getting too attached to Victorious" Bismarck ignores the coldness earlier
"It's just that she's one of the few people I could truly trust and she saved me before, so I'm grateful to her" Tirpitz clarifies it
"There's nothing wrong with that, but you should worry about yourself too. You got yourself hurt trying to protect her last time" Bismarck stands up
"That's my own will. She got hurt, and I couldn't stand doing nothing....." Tirpitz gently rolls up her left sleeve

The newly upgraded restraints remain firmly locked on her wrists. As much as Tirpitz dislikes wearing it as a form shackles, it's the only device keeping her from freezing her surroundings.

"Sooner or later something or someone will try to release you from this"

Bismarck walks a few steps forward and grabs Tirpitz's arm, brushing aside the fact that her touch is cold due to the remaining distrust. Tirpitz instinctively lowers the temperature in her body and her surroundings when someone or something presents themselves as a threat to her. It's a defensive mechanism driven by her consciousness.

"......!"

When Bismarck squeezes Tirpitz's hand for a bit, she feels some sort of prickle and spark from Tirpitz's end to her.

[Let me show you, my detestable sister who carries a piece of me]
......
......

".....?"

In Bismarck s mind, a vision of another Tirpitz plays out as if she's viewing it with her own eyes. The surrounding is vague due to the strong blizzard blocking and hindering everything and everyone.

"Forgive me, but I won't let you go.....ever again"

The scene isn't clear, but Bismarck could recognize a solemn and darker version of Victorious. To her speechless shock, that Victorious holds a badly cracked and breaking wisdom cube while she remains unaffected by the blizzard around her.

"What's....going on.....?"

Right before Bismarck could process the scene, a scene of the wisdom cube completely cracking and finally shattering into pieces played out right before her eyes.

"Bismarck, what you have in your hands is the only thing that could save Tirpitz"

The familiar words spoken by a silhouette disperses like a fog in her perspective. It's the same Victorious from the previous scene. It's not the same as the Victorious present in Iron Blood due to her battle hardened appearance and sorrowful tone.

I'll never forgive you. Both you and Victorious!
"Victorious, what did you do?"

By the time Bismarck asks herself, she immediately lets go of Tirpitz and takes several steps back. She would have stumbled down if she hadn't regained her senses in time to correct her balance.

"Bismarck?" Tirpitz stands up as well
"......I just need some fresh air after this" Bismarck hides what she witnessed

To her, it does make sense in a way. The Tirpitz who attacked her a year ago equally despises her and Victorious. The latter has been kind to Tirpitz and a good influence, so Bismarck is more confused than intrigued as of the moment.

"Tirpitz, I wanted to ask you something" Bismarck regains her composure
"What is it?" Tirpitz sits back down
"At this point, do you see your life as a blessing or as a curse? You were meant to die, but I refused to accept it" Bismarck looks at her straight in the eyes
"Back then, you dragged me away from death and made me pay the price. I hated you before, and I have yet to forgive you now. You made me lose a normal life and imprisoned me for a year"
"That's true. Not only did I give you a burden, I took a year's worth of freedom from you" Bismarck also sits back down
"That's why I still don't want to return to Iron Blood. While I couldn't live normally anymore, Victorious still keeps me sane in a way. Still, I have to live with shackles knowing I could hurt anyone if I'm not careful" Tirpitz lifts her hands for a bit
"What I took from you is practically your humanity, yet you didn't lose your way. I was afraid you would have become a monster burying anyone in ice"
"When I lost my emotions, I lost my attachment in the process. Perhaps if I hadn't met someone like Victorious, I would have become someone unrecognizable"

Bismarck squeezes both hands when she silently agrees that Victorious' influence keeps Tirpitz in line and a support to her well-being. Tirpitz only acts attached and protective because she doesn't wish to lose someone who reminds her of who she is.

"Bismarck, while we're indeed sisters, I still can't recognize you as my older sister" Tirpitz exhales deeply
"I know you won't forgive me by talking today, and I'm not saying you should forgive me now" Bismarck is aware of it
"I don't know if I'm willing to forgive you in the future, but I don't want to kill you either....."
"Tirpitz....."
"I still don't trust everything you said to me, but you don't lie and never once did you lie to anyone. This is difficult to think about even though I'm not supposed to be confused or anxious......" Tirpitz shakes her head
"That's fine. You can think about our conversation once you return"

Bismarck faintly smiles as she's somewhat glad that the current Tirpitz isn't full of hatred but still couldn't forgive her.

"I still have my grievances, but I honestly don't know what to think of you right now" Tirpitz averts her gaze
"......" Bismarck notices a change in Tirpitz's expression

Tirpitz doesn't know why she looked away either, but Bismarck is quick to notice how Tirpitz frowns as if she couldn't comprehend that she might be.....feeling conflicted. There's no certainty of it, but Bismarck couldn't mistake the hesitation in Tirpitz's voice.

"I once hated you and I still couldn't forgive you, but I can't bring myself to kill you. I just couldn't do it" Tirpitz rubs her chin with her thumb
"Don't think too much about it right now. Victorious might get worried again" Bismarck tries to brush it aside
"I just can't stop thinking about it right now. This is the first time you've spoken so gently albeit awkward" Tirpitz straightens herself
"What I did is enough to make me feel guilty, but I don't regret saving your life"
"I see......"

Tirpitz presses the matter further since it's very much clear to her that Bismarck is trying her best to be sincere, but the past is keeping Tirpitz distant. Her judgment remains clouded for some reason and she couldn't decide if she should remain spiteful of her sister or rethink their whole discussion.

"Looks like, I need to soften Tirpitz so she would be willing to forgive Bismarck" Victorious whispers to herself

The aircraft carrier has been eavesdropping on the part of the conversation where they're having a sisterly heart-to-heart talk. She sighs in relief at first since Tirpitz is less stubborn than she feared and actually doesn't reject Bismarck's words and attempts.

"It's very unladylike to eavesdrop on others affairs" King George V pulls Victorious after grabbing both of her shoulders
"I'm just getting to the good part" Victorious speaks softly
"That won't do, Victorious. Let the two sisters settle their issues. It's obviously personal, even for you" King George V drags Victorious from the door
"No, I still want to hear how it ends" Victorious pouts and flails her arms
"Now, now, you mustn't throw a tantrum while they're still inside"
"Can't you just give me five more minutes?"
"No" King George V frowns
"Curses.....!" Victorious finds her intimidating

Victorious complaining is enough for her voice to reach inside the office and interrupt the two. Rather than scold Victorious for rudely eavesdropping, the two remain silent inside. As for Tirpitz, she presses her palm on her face knowing Victorious is just embarrassing herself while she's getting scolded by King George V.

Half an hour later......

Tirpitz relaxes for a while and stays in a room with King George V for a moment of peace over a cup of tea. Unlike when they first arrived, Tirpitz is more relaxed and her eyes are focused on the cup of tea she's stirring.

"I assumed the conversation went well?" King George V takes a light sip of her own tea
"It depends on how you see it. I still don't trust Bismarck after what she did to me" Tirpitz isn't certain of her own answer
"Well, it's not like everything will be alright in a snap. You may come around eventually or not"
"Right now, I don't think it will be the same again. I didn't choose to be like this, but I couldn't bring myself to kill her even if I found her unforgivable" Tirpitz takes a whiff of the tea's aroma
"Then a part of you still care about Bismarck. Deep inside, you may still respect her as an older sister"

King George V confidently believes it's the case just hearing Tirpitz not spouting resentment. Tirpitz's uncertainty is interpreted by King George V as Bismarck managing to reason with Tirpitz and even sway her thoughts.

"I want to leave here as soon as possible...." Tirpitz could only sigh
"Come on, now. It's been a year since you returned to Iron Blood.....even if the last time you were here, you blanketed the base in ice"
"I really don't know how that happened. Back then, I was angry at Bismarck....and I just blacked out. When I came to my senses, Bismarck was wounded and had me arrested"

Tirpitz attempts to recall the incident which led to her imprisonment, but there's only a large gap in her memories. It starts with the spiteful conversation with Bismarck and ends with her waking up with a headache only for Bismarck to have her detained.

"According to the information we have, you attacked Bismarck and caused a blizzard in the base. The temperature was so extreme that everything became brittle and fracture, but Bismarck was completely unaffected" King George V rubs her chin
"That's why I've been thinking if I was the one who caused the blizzard at the last mission. I blacked out again and a blizzard engulfed the battlefield"
"The kansens weren't as affected as the Sirens back then. If anything, that blizzard was weaker than the one unleashed in Iron Blood, so I'm guessing the Arbiter might have replicated it"
"......." Tirpitz is still suspicious of herself
"Victorious was there and she stated you got knocked out from fighting the Sirens"
"She acted strange after that mission. I know she must have experienced something back there, but she's too scared to say anything"

While Tirpitz takes a sip, she couldn't help but think that Victorious may be keeping crucial information to herself. More than anything, Tirpitz doesn't want to doubt her, but Victorious being anxious is only doing the opposite.

"If I tried to hurt anyone, then do what you must do. I don't want to become unrecognizable. I want to remain as myself.....even if it kills me" Tirpitz makes a request
"As a knight, I will honor my word. Tirpitz, if you turn against your own allies, I will cut you down" King George V doesn't hesitate to accept it
"Thank you"
"Why make such a request? I don't believe you will go astray from your path" King George V gently places down her cup of tea
"......"
"Tirpitz?"
"When Bismarck grabbed my hand earlier, I felt like I'm about to black out again. No, it felt like someone dragged my consciousness earlier"

Tirpitz tries to make sense of what she experienced when she closes her eyes. In jer perspective, her body briefly becomes paralyzed and an unknown force suffocated her. This lasted for a few seconds just as Bismarck recovered from the sudden shock.

"The core used on me was from a deceased META, so it might alter me in some way" Tirpitz clutches her chest
"The META has been dead for more than a year. Only its power still lingers" King George V dismisses the possibility
"If the core is separated from me, will I die or return to my old self?" Tirpitz clutches her chest tightly
"Don't fret about it too much. That core may have taken away my normal life, but it saved you" King George V tries to cheer her up
"You're right. I know very well, I'm only alive because of what they did to me, but being alive is difficult now....." Tirpitz loosens her hand
"I see. So that's why you're conflicted on forgiving Bismarck. It's true that you're alive because of it, but you possess danger in return"
"Without these inhibitors, I would have either been executed or living in solitude"

Tirpitz relaxes her hands on her lap and catches a glimpse of the restraints mostly covered by her sleeves. As much as she dislikes being forced to wear "shackles", Tirpitz bears with it in order to remain in Azur Lane.

"We'll find the origin of the core and find out who helped Iron Blood retrieve it and convince Bismarck to merge it with you" King George V cheerfully nods
"Whoever it is, I want to learn why would she go all that trouble or if she did it on purpose"

Tirpitz lifts her left hand and squeezes her fists several times. Cold vapor faintly escapes from her hand, but she has enough control to seep back the cold air before it spreads to the rest of the room and makes King George V shiver.

Iron Blood port.....

Victorious spends her time waiting at the wharf and observing the peace in Iron Blood. Strangely enough, she finds relief that Iron Blood is in order and united when Bismarck is appointed as fleet leader. It's not as relaxing as her home, but Victorious finds the serenity of her surroundings quite comforting.

"I haven't seen Tirpitz. I wonder if they're done talking....." Victorious sits at the edge and stares at the calm water below jer
"If you're looking for her, she's having tea with King George V"
"Eek!"

Victorious nearly falls to the water when she doesn't even notice Bismarck walking in her direction and speaks once she's right behind her. She flails her arms and pulls back her weight before she loses her footing.

"B-Bismarck, it's just you...." Victorious nervously laughs as she stands up
"What do you think of Iron Blood?"
"Well, it's a bit peaceful.....minus the bloodthirsty heavy cruiser and the other sadistic one" Victorious scratches her cheeks
"My nation means everything to me, so I do everything I can to keep it united while I'm the leader" Bismarck turns around when a breeze passes by
"You're an earnest and strong-willed person, Bismarck. No wonder people think highly of you"

Victorious is impressed by how proudly Bismarck stands yet fondly looks at the nation she struggles to maintain peace and order. In fact, she could sense Bismarck is shouldering that responsibility to herself and doesn't speak of her hardship to anyone..... thus she ends up suffering alone similar to her younger sister.

"Victorious, you are the most important person to my sister because you once saved her from loneliness. That's why she couldn't afford to lose you or see you get hurt" Bismarck looks at Victorious right in her eyes
"At first, I was curious why she's so stubborn, so I did everything I could to remind her of warmth. It took a long while, but she came around when she finally smiled at me"
Victorious' fingers fidget

For her, one of her biggest accomplishments is finally urging the Lonely queen of the North to finally smile and open up her thoughts. Victorious unknowingly curves a fond smile at the memory of Tirpitz expressing her comfort through a faint yet gentle smile.

"Even if it's not completely, I want her to feel something again. I know she might slip away....and even I wouldn't be able to save her" Victorious clutches her hands to stop its trembling
"You have an honest heart, so I know you wouldn't take advantage of Tirpitz's trust"
"Of course not. I would never-"

Victorious stops her own words when she nearly forgets that a META version of her exists. The version of her is full of sorrow and regret as if she carries a sin she couldn't deny.

You trust she wouldn't hurt you just she would trust you wouldn't betray her. How tragic could that be?

Tirpitz META despises her enough to try and kill her over an unknown wrongdoing, but Victorious knows very well that the furiously revived META completely distrusted Victorious META. They may not be the same, but Victorious fears for both herself and Tirpitz.

".....I wouldn't hurt her....." Victorious anxiously finishes her sentence
"You look pale all of a sudden?" Bismarck leans her head forward
"It's fine. I just remembered the last mission where a freaky blizzard appeared out of nowhere" Victorious makes the best excuse she can
"I just remember. I'm supposed to ask you something about that"
"W-what is it?"

It doesn't appear Bismarck is aware, but Victorious is the only who witnessed both Victorious META and Tirpitz META's conflict. Other than that, she isn't aware of what caused Tirpitz META to view the other Victorious as an enemy she must take out.

"You were in that blizzard too because Tirpitz protected you. Was she the one who summoned it?" Bismarck sternly asks
"No, I don't think Tirpitz could do it. She was already too weak from fending off the enemy that attacked me"

Victorious is conflicted as it's both the lie and the truth. It's the truth because Tirpitz herself didn't cause it, and it's the lie because her META version possessed her and manifested the extreme weather. She tries to avert suspicion by not breaking eye contact with Bismarck and tensing her body to avoid trembling.

"Are you certain? Tirpitz admitted it may have been possible since she made a blizzard appear a year ago in Iron Blood"
"Tirpitz passed out by the time the blizzard appeared. It only disappeared at some point while I'm trying to drag Tirpitz away" Victorious lies to Bismarck again
"........" Bismarck observes her gestures and movements
"No one really knew where the blizzard came from, but I wish it wouldn't appear again"

Bismarck's gaze is locked on her like a predator eyeing its prey for any sign of weakness. As much as Victorious wants to hurriedly leave, her body couldn't move from the intense anxiety and the fact it would raise suspicion to Bismarck.

(She's hiding something, so it's either Tirpitz did cause it or she must have witnessed something she shouldn't see) Bismarck is slightly suspicious but not hostile
"I'm sorry, Bismarck. I wish I could tell you more, but I got caught in the confusion back then" Victorious nervously laughs
"No, that's fine. You told me enough"

Unfortunately for Victorious, Bismarck's intuition is sharp and she could determine a lie in front of her. It doesn't help that Victorious isn't a habitual liar, and her honest nature is quick to give her away.

"Victorious, were you anywhere near Iron Blood a year ago when Tirpitz was near death?" Bismarck frowns
"Eh? I was in the far north as part of the cooperation between the Royal navy and Northern Parliament" Victorious tilts her head
"Ah, that's right. I remember that....." Victorious exhales deeply
"I honestly didn't want to stay there but the whole mission lasted for a whole day....." Victorious shudders

This time, Bismarck could sense Victorious is genuinely unsure of what Bismarck is trying to imply. Just earlier, Bismarck gets a vision of the unknown kansen who convinced her to go through with the operation to be actually Victorious albeit with a tattered appearance and solemn expression.

"Sorry, I must be imagining things" Bismarck eases her tension
"What do you mean?"
"Don't mind it. I have other things to take care of as of the moment" Bismarck turns away
"Right....."
"I'll try to ask you more if something comes to mind. In the meantime, feel free to tour Iron Blood as Tirpitz will undergo one final check-up before departing"

Bismarck parts with those words and waves her hand good bye as she begins to walk away. Still anxious and puzzled, Victorious could only remain right where she stands and watch Bismarck take her leave without even looking back.

"I want to know the truth from my META version, but I'm scared that Tirpitz might lose control again....."

As soon as Bismarck is leaving her line of sight, Victorious releases her breath and whispers under her breath. She drops a cold sweat at the thought of seeing Tirpitz become filled with killing intent and not caring if she drags everyone else around her. That Tirpitz willingly returned to dormancy, and Victorious wouldn't think of trying to speak with someone who might kill her.

Chapter Text

A ghost who couldn't rest......

Tirpitz finds herself in the stretching landscape of ice and snow that now resembles the far northern fjords. Just like usual, there isn't a single living being around her......except for the doppelganger quietly sitting on a rock covered in snow. To her, the META's consciousness is nothing but a ghost in her mind. A ghost who persisted even after her body has been horribly destroyed and her essence separated.

"I spent days and months exiled here. This land of frigid winter became my prison I willingly threw myself in......"

Land encircled the fjord, limiting the scenery Tirpitz META could blankly stare. Even if the land is completely flat, there's nothing but the icy blue waters in front of her for miles. To her, it's the only scenery she has known for most of her life. That is if isolating from everyone and resisting the soul crushing loneliness is even called living.

"I don't wish to return to my home land, so I remained here because I had nowhere to go. Everywhere would only cause harm to others and I had enough of reminding myself how horrible my life became....."

The META continues to narrate her tragic life while continuing staring at the still body of water and the falling snow being lost at the sea. Tirpitz stands meters behind her, unsure what to make of the doppelganger's rambling.

"I once had limiters placed on me. While it stopped the ice from constantly freezing everything, it badly weakened my fighting abilities" Tirpitz META raises her right hand and puts it back down
"So you ran away because you couldn't fight anymore?"
"I ran away because I couldn't bring myself to kill the people who made my life a living hell. No matter how much I resented them, I just couldn't do it"

Tirpitz META tightly clenches both fists, frustrated and regretting her emotional flaw. This somewhat reflects Tirpitz as she couldn't think of killing her own sister with the difference that she didn't flee from everyone.

"Victorious was there and grabbed me when I lashed out, so I backed down. Even when I learned she did this to me, I still couldn't push her away, let alone hurt her....." Tirpitz META expresses more regret
"......" Tirpitz continues to listen
"Since I didn't know what to do next, I fled from everything and made this land my prison....."

As the winter breeze blows past the two of them, Tirpitz META lifts her head and stares at the cloudy skies where the sunlight couldn't even reach them. It's an unlivable state, but she lacked the heart to spiral into madness from complete loneliness and misery.

".....What happened to you?" Tirpitz thinks first before asking
"I died and Victorious couldn't let go of me, so she had me brought back to life by completing my metamorphosis. It felt horrible being dragged to life" Tirpitz META grunts
"......" Tirpitz doesn't know what to say 
"It's nothing but excruciating pain. I felt like my body was ripped and my heart coiled by barbs. That was too much to handle so I rampaged upon waking up and screamed until I broke my own voice"

Tirpitz META closes her eyes while she remains facing the sky. It still lingers in her - the moment she lets out an agonized cry before proceeding to attack anyone in sight. The defilement of her life twisted her metamorphosis and practically corrupted it, resulting in a condition she couldn't control at first.

"All of that because Victorious was afraid I'd leave her. She selfishly thought of her happiness rather than thinking of my misery" Tirpitz META closes her eyes
"That's not the Victorious I know" Tirpitz rejects the idea
"She's already hiding things from you. That's why she wouldn't be any different from the one I know"

After venting out her tragedy with the only audience available, Tirpitz META lifts herself from the rock she's sitting on and quickly turns to lecture her ironically ignorant regular version. They may be the same person, but they're far different from each other. The META one couldn't pacify her hatred while Tirpitz wishes to only ease her own burden.

"You don't know that" Tirpitz refuses to listen to her
"The same goes for you. You don't know when she'll betray you, but it's certain. Victorious will remain the same - a selfish bastard only thinking of her own happiness" Tirpitz META returns her words
"Are you really just a ghost in my head?"
"You're not wrong. I'm nothing but a ghost living in your mind....and a part of you"

Tirpitz META approaches the stoic Tirpitz and faces her with barely a meter of distance between them. raises her arm, lightly poking at Tirpitz's head first then slowly lowering the angle towards her chest.

"I lay dormant right now, but once I face the one who betrayed me, you won't be able to struggle against me"

Tirpitz META suddenly grabs her by the collar and pulls her closer, but Tirpitz's expression remains unchanging. However, it's undeniable that "ghost" would never remain quiet forever. Her lifeless glare couldn't mask the anger eating her away at her death as if it's the only thing keeping her going.

......
......

Tirpitz immediately reaches for the nearest support by the edge of the table because she senses her limbs suddenly growing weak and trembling. She nearly collapses from another black out of hers.

"Is something wrong, my child?" Friedrich der Grosse notices Tirpitz's dizziness
"Nothing. I almost lost my balance" Tirpitz grabs the nearest chair and sits
"Don't push yourself too much. You've undergone one test after another" Friedrich der Grosse sighs in relief
"Why are you here? I don't remember you having repair ship skills"

From Tirpitz's tone, she would rather not spend time with other Iron Blood members, especially after the necessary sisterly conversation with Bismarck. She wouldn't admit it, but she finds Bismarck tolerable due to her upfront and direct personality compared to the others' cunningness.

"I heard you had a long conversation with Bismarck. I'm curious to know what you thought of it?" Friedrich der Grosse smiles in anticipation
"It didn't end in a way I'm staying here again" Tirpitz makes her reply short
"Hmm, I expected that ending, but I wish to know your thoughts" Friedrich der Grosse crosses her arms
".....I've been told you were attacked by a META when you investigated the source of the fragmented core

Tirpitz is reluctant to ask, but she remembers Bismarck saying a META attacked Friedrich der Grosse's group to hinder their search.

"Yes, someone called Hunter META. I'd say she was skilled in stealth and ambush" Friedrich der Grosse's expression darkens remembering the unpleasant encounter
"Why did that META get in the way?" Tirpitz wishes to learn her experience

As much as she would rather leave the 'clinic', Neumark has yet to return with the results and this is her chance to learn more. Even if it's just an encounter with another META, Tirpitz remembered how Bismarck mentioned the META has knowledge about her.

"She knew something about the core but refuses to reveal much. I'd say she was just an errand girl asked by someone else" Friedrich der Grosse rubs her chin
"I want to know"
"It's vague, but I believe she knew the battle which resulted in the META's death. The same deceased META's piece used to save you" Friedrich der Grosse points at Tirpitz's chest
"She knew who the META was....." Tirpitz still lacks the information
"Iron Blood didn't have much information about the deceased META other than it has control over ice and snow. Whenever she appeared, a blizzard always followed, so it was difficult to gather information like her identity"
"Huh?" Tirpitz is distracted for a second

Tirpitz is clueless about the battle where two Arbiters killed a META, yet an image of the "ghost" appears in her mind. In that brief moment, Tirpitz sees the wounded ghost facing not two Arbiters but a silhouette of a kansen while the blizzard surrounds them.

"Was that META a battleship?" Tirpitz asks without thinking
"Hmm? Most likely. They said the META had long range and large caliber guns after all"
"I see....."

Another image pops into Tirpitz's thoughts, and this time shedding a single tear and shakingly stretching out her left hand to someone. That someone furrows their eyebrows with pain visible in their eyes.

"What do you think of Bismarck now?" Friedrich der Grosse excitedly asks
"What happened last year wouldn't just be discarded that easily" Tirpitz frankly tells her
"Considering your little quarrel resulted in your imprisonment....." Friedrich der Grosse doesn't think much of it
"You know very well I couldn't accept what was done to me"
"It saved your life, didn't it?"
"It did keep me alive, but it cost me"

Tirpitz taps her left index finger and cold air evaporates from her fingertip but has enough to control to prevent freezing the surroundings. She has a degree of control over her own condition after repeated trial and errors, but no one knows how much she can grasp her own ability.

"No warmth and no heart - just the constant reminder of this" Tirpitz lifts her right hand
"Is that why you have yet to forgive, Bismarck?" Friedrich der Grosse stands up
"Even if Bismarck did feel guilty, it wouldn't change what happened"
"You're right. No apology can undo the past, but that's why she's making effort to mend what she had caused. It wasn't Bismarck's intention to make you suffer"

Intention. Thinking about it reminds Tirpitz of the conversation with Bismarck where she could sense no lie or deception from her older sister. The sincerity has Tirpitz question reality for a moment after a year of their strained sisterly relationship.

"Even if it wasn't on purpose, the result remains the same, but forget it. This isn't the right time to dwell in it" Tirpitz ends the conversation
"Wounds from the past take time to heal. I'm certain you would calm down sooner or later" Friedrich der Grosse agrees
"I'm more focused on finding about the dead META and why her wisdom cube was broken into pieces"

Tirpitz clutches the left side of her cape when she imagines a regular wisdom cube with spreading cracks before it crumbles into fragments.

"Well, we can't really get answers from a dead META. Let alone, from someone who was broken" Friedrich der Grosse jokingly reminds her
"Dead kansens.....should just stay dead. It's hard for both sides....."

Tirpitz mutters under her breath and closes her eyes only for her to see the quiet doppelganger staring back at her.

Bismarck's office......

Tension and silence fills the room and even the clock's ticking echoes for the two battleships. They sit right in front of each other and only two meters apart, but it feels as if there's still some distance between them.

"Tirpitz has finished everything needed here, so we will return to the base one hour from now" King George V shatters the silence
"I'm well aware of that, but right now it's just the two of us here. There's no need for secrets between us" Bismarck makes it direct
"Very well. I will not avoid the topic I'm certain you wish to ask" King George V crosses her legs
"More than a year ago, a META was defeated and had her wisdom cube shattered. One of those pieces fell in Iron Blood's hands because a kansen helped us"
"......."

King George V straightens her back, concealing the mixture of her genuine surprise and a curiosity. As well informed as she is against possible threats, Iron Blood hasn't revealed to the higher echelons about a third-party's assistance.

"It's a bit of a long story, but I somehow remember seeing Victorious, yet it shouldn't be possible" Bismarck furrows her eyebrows, being confused herself
"You're right. Victorious had no involvement a year ago, but she wasn't anywhere near Iron Blood's mission" King George V is as confused as her
"It wasn't an illusion. The one who visited me was her. There's no way I could mistake her voice and appearance"
"Well, it's truly impossible for her to be in Iron Blood. Bismarck, aren't you overthinking this?"

King George V is slightly unhappy since Bismarck is gradually accusing Victorious of interference with the affairs of another nation.

"That Victorious appeared one day and fended off the Arbiters. Her fighting capabilities is much more than a regular aircraft carrier. She looked at me with clear familiarity"

The memory is incomplete with the image of Victorious META being clearer in her recollection now. Still, she isn't aware of the true nature of the ship who set them up to retrieve the piece for themselves.

"She spoke and acted as Victorious, but she knew of my doubts and used it against me" Bismarck shakes her head
"I would say it's possible a fake appeared before you, but the METAs resemble our current allies with the exception of their abnormal strength" King George V merely suggests
"Then you're thinking it could have been a META?" Bismarck raises an eyebrow
"That may be the case since Victorious couldn't be at two places at once" King George V waves her hand
"I want to believe that because I know the Victorious present wouldn't resort to underhanded manipulation"
"Hmm....." King George V rubs her chin

In her mind, she projects the image of how Victorious usually behaves. While she's as graceful as her sisters, she becomes livelier and assertive if Tirpitz is present and within her reach. Never once did her observations that she could think of Victorious being cunning and devilish enough to fool anyone.

"That would explain the unknown aircraft carrier occasionally appearing in the Mediterranean ever since Tirpitz's release" King George V snaps her fingers
"An aircraft carrier?"
"There's little information available since an aircraft carrier has been reportedly spotted appearing in the Mediterranean for short periods of time. She disappears swiftly as she emerges" King George V shrugs her shoulders
"Do you believe they're the same person. The possible META is keeping an eye on Tirpitz" Bismarck clenches both of her fists
"There's no solid proof, but it's likely. It's too coincidental, but it doesn't make sense because neither of us have any clue about this sneaky kansen's motives"
"She helped me save Tirpitz's life and didn't try to harm her - not even once. Why would  that META go through that length"

Bismarck could only massage both sides of her temples since a headache is about to stir from trying to make sense of the possible enemy. Victorious META allowed Iron Blood to take possession of the cube's fragment and convinced Bismarck to proceed with the operation. This hasn't benefited her as Tirpitz remains unharmed and untouched as far as the two battleships are aware.

"We can't take off the possibility it's a fake to confuse us, but we can assume it's a META" King George V still doubts that it's Victorious
"That I can agree with, but I'm still suspicious since this META went through the effort of hindering my memory because I recognized her"
"True. You wouldn't just casually agree and believe a random kansen who showed up one day"

King George V chuckles softly to at least lighten the mood. They're beginning to stress themselves over a mystery kansen with little information from either side.

"Speaking of META, does the Royal navy have additional information on the deceased META? It stands out too much since that META would always appear with a blizzard and was killed in a matter of minutes" Bismarck becomes more serious
"Unfortunately, we're also distant from witnessing the battle. Much like your faction, we only witnessed the blizzard dispersing as a sign the META had been killed" King George V sighs in dismay
"I see. It's nearly impossible to get information if the META herself had been completely destroyed....."

The two lower their heads, disappointed that a blizzard hindered both sides from discovering the identity of the META whose piece helped save Tirpitz.

"By the way, how's the conversation between your younger sister? It seems you're in a good mood, so I assumed it ended on a positive note" King George V changes the topic to lighten the mood
"Tirpitz remained emotionless, but I saw doubt in her face. For a split second, she reacted as if it came from her heart" Bismarck's tone becomes soft
"Then wouldn't that mean Tirpitz has a chance to recover what she lost?"
"I don't know, but it may not be as easy as it appears if it's indeed possible"
"To think it's been a year ever since your younger sister lost a normal life and tried to kill you"
"Yes. Back then, Tirpitz-"

When the memory refreshes in the surface of her mind, Bismarck momentarily covers her lips with her fingertips. She specifically recalls the moment Tirpitz attacked her as if the pain drove her mad.

"......She blamed Victorious for an unknown crime" Bismarck widens her eyes a bit
"Huh? Why would she say something like that" King George V tilts her head
"It's as if Tirpitz was another person. She was unbelievably furious and violent"
"What are you trying to say?" King George V frowns as her mood grows serious too
"Perhaps Victorious may have been involved, but Tirpitz doesn't appear to be aware of her own actions. She could only remember blacking out, so the operation might have mentally and emotionally affected her" Bismarck faintly groans her confusion
"I mean it affected her emotionally with the loss of her emotions"
"How should I put this? It was like she was hallucinating and mistaken me for someone else"
"Tirpitz hasn't experienced black outs ever since staying in Victorious' care, so it might have been a side effect because the procedure was recent" King George V guesses
"That's true....."

Bismarck chooses to believe it, but she couldn't set aside how Tirpitz truly tried to kill her even in a weakened state. The words she spouted were nothing but a strong desire for revenge against her and Victorious.

"I'm going to further investigate this matter and discover that META's motive for giving the fragment to Iron Blood, but can you refrain from mentioning this to Tirpitz?" Bismarck calmly asks
"Of course, you have my word as a knight. However, I won't hinder Tirpitz if she discovers you're planning to take action soon"
"That's understandable" Bismarck nods
"I will try to look into this matter as well since I'm personally curious if there's someone out there pretending to be an ally of mine" King George V smiles in amusement

Their growing curiosity pushes them to start taking action after their conversation has little progress. Neither Bismarck nor King George V can confirm the identity of the deceased META or even the one they're suspecting a META version of Victorious.

One hour later......

Tirpitz lightly twists her cap left and right, aiming for the right angle to position it. As soon as she keeps it in a desirable angle, she proceeds to wipe off the dusts and dirt sticking to her uniform, namely the area by her shoulders.

"Tell me, did you expect I would stay or did you simply wish to talk to me?" Tirpitz turns around
"Wild you believe me if I said it was the latter?" Bismarck stands a few meters behind her
"......."
"I know very well I couldn't force you to return nor wish for it. Your friend convinced me to clarify some things with you. That's all"

There may still be some distance and tension between them, but Bismarck is subtly relieved that Tirpitz doesn't push her away or even reject her. Compared a year ago, she's more reasonable and somewhat mellowed down that she's less hostile.

"I don't know when I will forgive you or if I could even forgive you......" Tirpitz deeply sighs
"It may not be now, but I will wait for your answer in the future. Use this time to see another perspective in your life" Bismarck is aware of it
"Coexisting with my condition is easier said than done. My restraints are temporary solution. They could either break or be taken off by someone"

Tirpitz knows the restraints are resilient, but it's nothing but shackles. She wishes to be free of it someday without harming anyone, but it's a wish she would keep to herself, even from Victorious.

"My current life is a burden and a curse, but it doesn't mean I would go ahead and kill myself" Tirpitz rubs her neck
"Because of her, right?" Victorious looks at a distance past Tirpitz

Bismarck is referring to Victorious seemingly chatting with King George V while Prince of Wales is trying to break free from Prinz Eugen's grabbing her arm. She focuses on how the aircraft carrier is always cheerful and carefree which learned to be aggressive just to deal with someone as unmoving as the Tirpitz.

"If I would kill myself, I would prefer something that wouldn't be an inconvenience. I know death wouldn't be the end of me and it'd be worse than what I am right now" Tirpitz's voice fades
"Tirpitz?"
"Ignore that. I'm just talking to myself" Tirpitz averts her gaze
"Right......"
"Anyhow, this is the first time you've spoken like this to me that I'm doubting how much of your words are the truth" Tirpitz clears her throat
"I won't dictate which is what and what is what because I just wanted to speak what I had in mind" Bismarck holds her cap for a second
"I see....." Tirpitz turns her back from Bismarck

Again, Tirpitz isn't accustomed to Bismarck acting less strict and serious making it seem like she willingly dropped her leader demeanor just for the conversation.

".....Have you come to tolerate your new life lately?" Bismarck reluctantly asks
"That depends on which part I tolerate, but it's worth keeping for now" Tirpitz glances at her for a moment
"For now?"
"I know very well even my shallow peace would be interrupted sooner or later" Tirpitz clutches her chest
"Is there something I need to know?"
"This is something you shouldn't be involved with because you still have your duties as a leader"

Tirpitz rejects Bismarck's implication for help, reminding each other that Tirpitz isn't prepared to forgive Bismarck or trust her as an older sister again.

"Even so, I am still your older sister" Bismarck only wants to ease their sisterly relationship again
"Think of it as you wish" Tirpitz prefers to keep herself distant
"Iron Blood is still your homeland, so you can return whenever you opened your heart again" Bismarck also turns away from Tirpitz
"........"
"It may have hurt you when I had you imprisoned, but I didn't want to see you die again....." Bismarck at least informs her

Bismarck knows it's still difficult for Tirpitz to accept what she perceived as betrayal and indifference. Still, Bismarck doesn't regret choosing to imprison her younger sister than execute her almost killing her. In fact, Bismarck is barely bothered about Tirpitz lashing out, but Tirpitz isn't willing to understand Bismarck's inner thoughts yet. Her heart may have frozen, but the wounds remain fresh.

"I'm just relieved they've been treating you well that you mellowed down"

Shortly after saying that, Bismarck tips the peak of her cap and begins walking away from the scene without even turning back to at least say goodbye to Tirpitz.

"If you had only been like that a year ago, perhaps I......"

When Tirpitz sneaks a glance and waits Bismarck to be barely visible from her sight, Tirpitz says it to herself but couldn't continue. A part of her believes Bismarck only wishes to be sincere to mend their strained relationship, but the incident a year ago scarred her with distrust.

"Tirpy!" Victorious rushes towards her
"It's Tirpitz......" Tirpitz shakes her head
"Same thing!" Victorious pouts
"You want to leave already?"
"Yeah. George said we completed whatever we needed to do here"

Victorious grabs Tirpitz's wrist with both of her hands and weakly tugs her to follow.

"Judging from how happy you look, I'm guessing Bismarck didn't scare you or anything" Tirpitz observes her bright smile
"Of course! Well, I was nervous since Bismarck looked so strict, but she's really worried  when not giving orders to anyone else" Victorious forms a victory gesture on both hands
"......."
"What's wrong? Did you two fight again? If you did-"
"No, it ended surprisingly peacefully. I still have my issues with her, but it doesn't mean I rejected or ignored what she said" Tirpitz isn't certain of her opinion
"Well, it won't be fix like a magic after just talking once. I'm sure a little  space is all you need"

By the time Victorious says "space", she already pulls Tirpitz closer who allows it seeing she's in a better mood. Victorious is very relieved and thankful that the two sisters didn't argue again or escalate in a confrontation.

"You seem happy"

Graf Zeppelin observes Tirpitz from a distance and asks Bismarck as soon as she passes by in front of her.

"It's just that Tirpitz is calmer than expected. Of course, she still hates me for what happened" Bismarck stops in her tracks
"Then it will take your sister a long time to forgive you" Graf Zeppelin waves her hand
"That's most probably the case. As strange as it sounds, that might depend on how much Victorious can move Tirpitz"
"That loud carrier?" Graf Zeppelin blinks in surprise
"It seems she's teaching Tirpitz to cope with her new life and the one keeping her from going astray"

Bismarck sees Victorious taking Tirpitz's cap again and wearing it for herself. Tirpitz quickly takes it back and pinches Victorious' cheeks as punishment.

"Why would you believe that?" Graf Zeppelin is genuinely puzzled
"Once Tirpitz gets attached, she doesn't let them go. It's probably because of her past laments that she's unusually fond of that aircraft carrier.....even after I turned her like that" Bismarck lowers her head
"You didn't turn her like that. It was an unpredictable side effect" Graf Zeppelin raises her voice
"Still, I insisted on going through the operation even when Neumark expressed doubts"
"She is your only sister, so you'd want to protect her"

Graf Zeppelin has a degree of awareness on Bismarck's gentle and caring side which is why Bismarck isn't acting like the serious leader everyone thinks she is.

"I want to find out who's after Tirpitz and take care of it" Bismarck expresses her next goal
"You're the leader and we'll support you in any way we can" Graf Zeppelin scoffs, expecting the answer
"......."
"You want to protect her life because Tirpitz is genuinely happy for the first time, right"
".....I worry that something is bound to endanger Tirpitz. After all, the only way to actually hurt her right now.....is Victorious"

Bismarck knows Tirpitz is strong in her own right, but she's vulnerable and adding the possibility of Victorious' involvement with the deceased META and an ulterior motive.

Renown META has no plans to be at the open sea for today and has no problems staying for the day. She spends her time inspecting the cracks and chips on her great sword. Countless battles and near death situations have worn down both her and the weapon.

"Was it really worth it being selfish, Victorious?"

Since no one else is present, Renown META could only voice out her worries to the inanimate sword dulled from the countless scorches and swings.

"Hey there, sis!" Repulse META returns to the hideout
"You're back early? Hmm, I'm guessing you didn't find anything" Renown META leans the sword by the wall
"Not a thing. The Arbiters are busy with the other METAs like how Lovers has been tracking the Ugly Sisters" Repulse META drops her shoulders
"......"
"Something on your mind?"

Repulse META slowly moves towards where her sister is resting and notices her inner brows raised and her lips downwards. Even if Renown META doesn't respond, Repulse META could generally realize her mood with just a single glance most of the time.

"Are we really doing the right thing by doing nothing? Victorious betrayed and killed Tirpitz. Now, she's after the dead META who's sealed within the normal Tirpitz" Repulse META sighs
"Is it because of what happened last time? She wouldn't care about casualties as long as she gets her revenge"
"Our Victorious crushed Tirpitz's wisdom cube and retained her consciousness in a fragment. I never thought she would go through that length to keep her bound and harmless"

At the thought of it, Renown META tries to forget it by shaking her head, but to forget is much more difficult than to remember.

"Victorious meant well, but she only brought harm to the friend she wanted to save" Renown META grips the handle of her sword
"Even if Victorious had no malice, what what she did was kind of expected. Tirpitz accepted her death and being revived......transformed her into this aggressive monster"

Just like Renown META, Repulse META pities the restless Tirpitz META rather than see her as a complete enemy. Neither of the two resents Victorious META, but they're aware that her blind actions resulted only brought problem for everyone.

"Still, is it alright to let the dead META stay in Tirpitz's body? That dead battleship took control of the body last time and only became dormant because the normal Tirpitz pulled her back"
"Sorry, but I'm not good when it comes to this. All we're sure about is that if our Victorious tries something funny again....." Repulse META pokes both sides of her head
"Wait, where did Victorious go? Wasn't she with Hunter?" Renown META suddenly remembers
"Hunter said she'd keep an eye on her because Victorious felt threatened. That sounds like Victorious might do something stupid....." Repulse META nervously laughs
"Let's go find her"

Renown META lifts her sword when her intuition and instincts share the anxiety of leaving a troublemaker unattended. Said troublemaker is both focused and selfish at her current goal.

"Wait, do we even know where they are?" Repulse META follows after her sister
"We'll know once we get there" Renown META vaguely answers
"You're not even sure!"

Rather than pause for a moment and hesitate, Renown META only keeps walking forward with the panicking Repulse META dragging her feet. The latter's instincts are warning her for a possible confrontation, but she couldn't leave her sister be, especially  that there might be a possibility one of their own is inviting danger.

Meanwhile......

Victorious META lifts her hand high up in the air. Floating a few centimeters at her palm are the brightly glowing wisdom cube piece of Tirpitz META. The one in her possession is the center where the energy is the highest, but it's not the most important piece in her possession.

"......" Hunter META frowns
"I'll finish this as soon as possible. There's no need to harm anyone" Victorious META reassures her
"This is asking for a death sentence" Hunter META warns her
"She wouldn't know the difference. Not even the friend I killed with my own hands"
"Are you proud of your sin or are you constantly reminding yourself in hopes to atone?"
"Atonement? I wish I could be redeemed, but a selfish person like me is beyond saving"

Victorious META lightly smiles not out of amusement, but at the sorrowful acceptance of her reality. Her sins couldn't be undone nor would they be forgotten, but she keeps struggling to realize her new wish.

"I still want to save her but I cannot die by her hands yet" Victorious META stares at the sky
"You put both Tirpitz in danger by having the dead one reside in the living one. I may only know how to kill, but even I would know two minds in one body is unstable" Hunter META lifts her rifle
"They're the same person"
"No, they are not. You know that" Hunter META loads her rifle
"......"
"What you brought back was a monster fueled by revenge. That Tirpitz is nothing but a corpse possessed by intense emotions"
"......"

Victorious META doesn't respond, but she's aware of how her actions backfired before. The once calm and gentle friend she loved rampaged because the excruciating pain of being forced to revive overwhelmed her senses. What she heard the day was a monstrous roar rather than an agonized cry.

"I just don't want to let her go again....." Victorious META lowers her head
"You only thought of your own feelings" Hunter META scowls
"You're right. I've been selfish.....that I prioritized myself, but that wouldn't stop me from finishing what I started" Victorious META remains determined
"So what are you planning to do this time?"
"Bismarck isn't stupid and caught on quickly. I can't let her get in my way...."

It's not visible from their distance, but Victorious META is aware of an Iron Blood base situated somewhere in the sea. There are at least four kansens staying there, but Victorious doesn't think of them highly.

"I may not find amusement in it, but Bismarck needs to be taught a lesson....on why she mustn't interfere with my goals"
"Killing Bismarck would have the opposite effect"
"Kill Bismarck? No, I don't want to take the life of another kansen" Victorious META shakes her head
"Then how do you plan on stopping her?" Hunter META lowers her weapon
"Stopping her myself is a bit early. I need to distract her.....but I can't guarantee they would be unharmed"
"Hmph. We're done playing games, huh. I won't save you if that freezing ghost wakes up again because I'm not anyone's punching bag or meat shield"

In the end, Hunter META still tolerates Victorious META decision to make a direct move but only to keep Iron Blood at bay. Victorious META's specific target is Bismarck herself, but Hunter META is more concerned at repeating the incident of Tirpitz META rampaging. After all, only Hunter META got the worst beating while Victorious META left unscathed.

Chapter Text

Note: Due upcoming to holidays, next two chapters wouldn't be on the weekends and/or might take a while.

______________________________________________________________________________

A familiar scene right before her eyes.

Just like the visions where the ghostly copy tends to drag Tirpitz, she stands on a field snow. There's no blizzard to hinder her vision or ruin the scenery, just the gently falling snow. It's a peaceful scenery of snowy land, yet it's formed unnaturally.

"Why am I....here again?"

Meters in front of Tirpitz is a vision of the META she only believes as either an illusion or a ghost. Tirpitz META touches her face before almost pulling the hair on her scalp. Unlike the bitter and revenge driven ghost, that version of Tirpitz META is in a state of panic and shock that her voice is shaking and her breathing is visibly unsteady.

"I know I died because I felt my life slip away....."

The META continues to mutter with a shaking voice as her numbed legs are forced on the ground.

"I....I was in a dark place......then something ripped me....." Tirpitz META tightly closes her eyes
"Calm down, Tirpitz"

Another person is present. Victorious META bends on one knee and grabs both of Tirpitz's META's shoulders.

"Your voice....called me......" Tirpitz META weakly grunts
"Back then, I didn't want you to die....no matter what"
"Why couldn't you let me die on my own terms?"

Tirpitz META's anger couldn't be denied, but she lacks the intent to vent it out to Victorious. A part of her remains in control and perhaps.....alive.

"You tried to defy what's natural....and denied me an afterlife" Tirpitz grabs both of Victorious META's shoulders
"I just....I just don't want you to die......" Victorious META bites her lower lip
"You disrespected death and my wish. How much more do you want me to suffer?"
"No, no, no, it's not that. It wasn't....."

No words would comfort Tirpitz META who's on the brink of clawing her own skin if it isn't for Victorious META tightly embracing her. She sees how the traumatized META is already digging her fingers on her cheek and neck.

"Did this happen?" The normal Tirpitz shifts her eyes to the left
"This was how I came to be - a dead battleship who should have remained dead"

The ghostly Tirpitz META takes a couple of steps forward and stands on Tirpitz's left side. They may be the same person, but the difference between their tone and appearance are clear.

"I died, but I was horrified when I realized how I was dragged back into this hellish war. What's worse was how my own friend betrayed my wish to rest. Both she and Bismarck defiled my life" Tirpitz META blankly stares at the scene
"......" Tirpitz could mostly relate
"I suppose it's a curse for both of us to end this way"
"We're not allowed to die.....but you already died this time" Tirpitz also stares at the scene as well
"I was dragged into darkness again, but when I came to be....I was still conscious without a body. Instead, I woke up in your body. That inexplicable pain overwhelmed my senses....and I nearly killed your Bismarck a year ago"
"So the reason I couldn't remember attacking Bismarck is because you possessed me"

As strange as it sounds, Tirpitz somehow has little doubt about it and is barely unfazed at the realization. Namely, she's way past the incident from a year ago.

"Something woke me up back then. I should have remained dormant, but I think a piece of me resonated with the piece inside you" Tirpitz META lightly pokes Tirpitz's chest
"Piece?"
"My wisdom cube is shattered. Since I'm still conscious, my other pieces are still active and possess my power. I don't need to guess who has it" Tirpitz META scoffs
"You hated Victorious for what she did, but the one I know isn't the same as yours"
"Victorious holds us dearly and it's for that reason she will betray you. Love for another leads anyone to a hellish path" Tirpitz META gazes at the snowy sky
"........"
That's what makes it.....the worst curse of them all"

They both lost their hearts, but the way it happened to them is different. Tirpitz is incapable of expressing emotions while her META version loses her faith in everyone and everything.

"I didn't intend for you to suffer a fate as much worse as mine" Tirpitz META lowers her head
"The cold in my body is unintentional. Is that what you're saying?" Tirpitz slightly tilts her head to the right
"That's right. It's my own power as a META, but you couldn't control it because you aren't one" Tirpitz META nods once
"Am I going to be stuck like this for the rest of my life?"
"....." Tirpitz META just looks over the horizon
"I see" Tirpitz understands the silence
"Without emotions, nothing clouds your judgement. Are you really willing to regain them? It will be your downfall"
"That's for me to decide and not some ghost living rent free in my head" Tirpitz shakes her head
"You have too much faith with the person who will betray you first. Despite that, you're blinded by lost emotions"

There's no point in continuing the conversation as Tirpitz would reject and dent everything Tirpitz META says. In her eyes, the META is only a ghost that has no control over her life. A ghost who keeps haunting her and latching on to past hatred.

"That ghost keeps dragging me without warning....."

Tirpitz slowly opens her eyes, finding herself sitting by the shore with a smooth pebble on her palm. There isn't anyone present other than the sandy beach and the view of the shore in front of her.

"Still, can I even trust her words?"

What Tirpitz could only think of is the scene between the META versions of her and Victorious. She couldn't also ignore the repeated warning of Victorious' inevitable betrayal.

"I should have asked her if this curse could be suppressed at least"

More importantly, Tirpitz forgets to ask more about the nature of her condition from the source itself. There's no means to voluntarily speak with the deceased META, and there's no pattern when and where they will speak again.

"I don't think you're the brooding type, Tirpitz" King George V waves her hand

The knight appears from behind and interrupts Tirpitz who nearly gets lost in her thoughts.

"It's rare to see you without Victorious" King George V looks left and right
"She's somewhere else, and I needed the time to think" Tirpitz briefly looks at her
"What's bothering you?"
"If a wisdom cube gets destroyed, the kansen ceases to exist, correct?" Tirpitz wants to know her opinion
"The cubes are our foundation. If it's destroyed, then we suffer the same fate as well" King George V nods
"......."

It's a common answer as it's what everyone believes. Tirpitz wants to be more specific with her question, but the nature behind it is difficult to explain. Even if she explains it, she doesn't believe King George V would be able to provide an answer.

"Did something happen during the last trip from Iron Blood?" King George V senses it's odd
"What used to save my life was a wisdom cube piece, but its power is still active. It makes me wonder if the kansen remained alive in some form"
"Its power might still be active, but I'm certain the kansen is certainly dead" King George V firmly believes
"Depends on what kind of dead we're talking about....."

It's true the kansen is physically dead in a sense, but Tirpitz could only think of how that "ghost" is conscious and coexisting with her.

"Don't think much about it. There's no way a destroyed wisdom cube would affect you" King George V lightly pats her in the back
"Has the knights found any information about the owner of the fragment?" Tirpitz suddenly remembers
"Unfortunately, we could dig out any new information about the identity. We did find out there was another kansen there. An unknown aircraft carrier"
"Another one....."

The mention triggers an unfamiliar memory of her META version seemingly about to strike down the kansen who pierced her heart. Rather than deal a fatal blow to the kansen, Tirpitz senses her META version sheds a tear and lightly embraces the attacker.

[I hate you......but I......couldn't let go too.....]

Tirpitz spaces out, briefly experiencing the moment when those words were spoken. Even when the snow rages around them, the deceased META is instead filled with regret and sorrow rather than the usual hatred and thirst for revenge.

"Tirpitz?" King George V snaps her fingers in front of her several times
"I don't want to believe Victorious will betray me, but I'm always reminded that it would happen" Tirpitz regains her focus
"Victorious? She's the last person to harm you"

While King George V is certain of it, Tirpitz only focuses on the possibility.

"I don't want to become like that restless ghost...." Tirpitz whispers to herself
"If you have a lot of problems, don't keep it to yourself" King George V winks at her
"It would be just confusing for you since it's not something anyone would believe"

Tirpitz is reluctant to share anything due to the confusing visions mixing with her current memories. Moments would seep to her whenever she lacks focus even for just a second which she knows might affect her if she leaves it unchecked.

"The META's remnant is restless. It's like an afterimage haunting me....and it won't shut up" Tirpitz vaguely describes the deceased META
"Hmm. I am indeed confused....." King George V wryly laughs
"I've been having strange dreams where someone tells me Victorious will betray me"

Tirpitz trusts King George V but not enough to fully tell her about how it's actually her META version warning her and sharing her memories.

"Do you think Victorious will hurt you?" King George V is beginning to be curious
"Perhaps in a way she would believe it's the right thing to do"
"Wouldn't that apply to all of us? I mean we cause harm believing it's just and right"
"Are you talking about experience?" Tirpitz stands up
"To a degree, yes. Some things I do cause disapproval and disagreement. Even if I know and believe it's only the right thing to do, it would harm those with no understanding" King George V crosses her arms
"......."
"To put it simply, our actions can benefit others while harm others. Not every time we have a solution for every single person. That's why we have a majority and a minority" King George V clears her throat
"You can't save everyone, huh...."

Tirpitz interprets it that way, but she still has little understanding if causing harm can be excused or forgiven if there's a noble intention. What adds more to Tirpitz's mind is how one solution will always benefit someone while harming another as if the universe is forcing an equal trade.

Later that afternoon.....

On an unusual day, rather than wander on her own, Tirpitz is sitting with a cup full of freshly served tea. It's the usual tea time - the favorite pastime of the Royal navy girls. Instead of Victorious or King George V, the one sitting on the other side is the older sister, Illustrious.

"......"

Tirpitz couldn't say a word for a whole minute. Illustrious acts gracefully, soft-spoken, and friendly, practically a typical well-mannered lady with the occasional light teasing. It's just that Tirpitz is so accustomed with the energetic and outspoken Victorious who holds nothing back.

"Should I really be here?" Tirpitz looks around
"Fufufu. Don't be so awkward. It's an opportunity for the two of us to know each other" Illustrious giggles
"You're different from Victorious" Tirpitz doesn't bother hiding it
"Victorious is rather lively and a bit direct but she means well"

Even after all this time, Tirpitz feels somehow on guard when it comes to fellow kansens who she has little to no knowledge about.

"You know, whenever Victorious and I have tea parties, she wouldn't fail to mention you. The way she's so excited is telling me all about you......"
"I hope she isn't saying anything more than necessary. She doesn't hold back with her words at all" Tirpitz takes a sip
"Don't worry. Victorious would always say how she's happy being with you and how you don't get annoyed being with her"
"Well, she is a friend after all. At least, the only one I trust enough to call one" Tirpitz shrugs her shoulders

It briefly reminds her of the day Iron Blood left her with the burden of having an extremely cold body. Despite the effect of her condition on a physical and emotional level, Victorious remains the same as ever without caring what she had become.

"She wasn't afraid of what happened to me, but instead she wanted to help me. I don't fully understand why she's willing to go through all of that for me"
"That's just how she is. She would do anything for the dear friend she cares for and love" Illustrious fondly smiles
"......" Tirpitz shifts her gaze to the side
"Is something wrong?"
"I'm beginning to wonder if there's indeed a solution to my condition. Even if there is one, would I return to who I used to be?"
"What do you mean by that?"

Just like before with Bismarck, a bit of Tirpitz's former self spills out. Illustrious manages to notice the slight change - a second of Tirpitz furrowing her eyebrows and clenching the fist resting on the table. Even if she couldn't notice it herself, Tirpitz displays what resembles worry.

"Iron Blood left me scarred, so I lost faith in them. If I have my emotions back, I might not forgive Bismarck and possibly despise her even more" Tirpitz sighs
"Are you saying your current self is considering forgiving Bismarck?"
"My old self would be overwhelmed by emotions all this time and it would always haunt me"
"How do you see yourself now?" Illustrious leans slightly closer
"It's as if I'm a different person. The current me behaves and thinks differently from my former self, so I'm beginning to see myself as a different Tirpitz" Tirpitz quickly answers
"How different?"
"I see myself separately that I don't know if I could ever be the same person I was once"

In a rare moment, Tirpitz delves deeper on her current perspective and gradually seeing herself differently. In her eyes, she thinks she's straying off from who she used to be they she's beginning to be unrecognizable.

"The problem is you're seeing yourself as a different person and the more you believe that, the more it will come true" Illustrious takes a minute to answer
"I'm just thinking about it too much?" Tirpitz partly understands it
"Listen well. You can always fool others, but you can never fool yourself. No one knows you better than....well, you" Illustrious points at Tirpitz's chest
"Perhaps you're right. I want to think I'm someone else now because I might not handle returning to my emotional past" Tirpitz couldn't look at Illustrious
"See? There's nothing wrong with admitting what you really believe"
"This became a therapy session rather than tea time"

Tirpitz only now realizes she has opened much of her thoughts to ollustrous without notice. She shakes her head thinking the tea time might have been a way to let her open up what's she's been bottling to herself.

"I believe it's just that you didn't want Victorious to worry about your problems. That's why you never lost the habit of acting fine in front of her" Illustrious giggles again
"Has she noticed all this time?" Tirpitz refers to Victorious
"Of course. Even if you only have a cold expression, you're still the same Tirpitz"
"She might as well know my weakness" Tirpitz takes a large sip of her tea
"Little Victorious would always say how you're also a big softie other than a big dummy. I guess she meant you're mellow when around her"
"......" Tirpitz instinctively covers her mouth

Tirpitz couldn't reject or deny it as she remembers she follows most of Victorious' whims and possibly the only one she doesn't mind spending time for long periods of time.

"I don't think you could notice it, but you smiled earlier when I mentioned Victorious" Illustrious pokes both sides of her lips
"......" Tirpitz is silent because she doesn't believe her
"I'm serious. You're fond of her and being reminded of warmth also reminded you of the bond between friends. That's why you hid your smile earlier"
"I....." Tirpitz couldn't make an excuse
"That's why you shouldn't worry too much. Slowly but surely, the heart you lost would return"
"Just don't tell Victorious everything. She keeps saying I act more like the drama queen of the north" Tirpitz is thinking on leaving
"You kind are though...." Illustrious lightly tilts her head

The way Illustrious somewhat verbally retaliates leaves Tirpitz speechless that she doesn't think of walking out of the tea time right now. Illustrious is aware of what she said just seeing how she's innocently smiling while holding her cup of tea.

Base near the North sea.....

King George V supervises the human and manjuu crew rebuilding and repairing some docked ships. She roams around scanning every angle to see if everyone is performing their tasks or slacking off without notice.

"What a lovely afternoon, Ms. Knight captain" Littorio walks to her direction
"Well, we're just finishing repairs from the last Siren encounter weeks ago" King George V lets out a deep sigh
"Indeed. The damage was severe, but Azur Lane's coordination sped up extensive repairs"

Littorio turns around and notices how the base is mostly as good as new and the ships being repaired are from the recent battles instead. Thankfully, the kansens themselves have moderate to little injuries and spend their time recovering their strength.

"So what brings you here? It looks like you found entertainment?" King George V laughs with her hands on jer hips
"We received Intel some META ships are lurking on Iron Blood's scent. I believe the Royal navy is aware of this?"
"Hmm, mostly. We received reports on how the weather phenomenon here is too unusual. It's not the Sirens experimenting but someone resembling those dark METAs"

Other than that, King George V isn't aware that a META is spying in the shadows with Iron Blood as a target. Both of them could only rely on how much Azur Lane can gather from elusive enemies.

"The one in the Mediterranean is alone. This time, she brought others with her" Littorio frowns
"She's the same one?" King George V is genuinely surprised
"An aircraft carrier bringing ice and snow with her. The same ability of the deceased META battleship" Littorio's tone becomes serious
"It's the same power......taken from the owner" King George V scoffs
"It's tragic and displeasing on the possibility that a META would steal the power of a fellow META after she died"

Littorio may be fond of theaters with their tragic and romantic plays, but she frowns upon betraying what could have been a close ally just for the sate one's thirst for power or greed.

"She eluded Iron Blood from the beginning like she knew their every move. How? I don't know" Littorio regains her lively composure
"Our sneaky little META might be a fan of Iron Blood with how she stalked Tirpitz before" King George V smirks
"Possibly bad blood with Iron Blood? They made a lot of enemies in the past after all"
"Whatever the case, it's certain that META has something else in mind"

The two battleships both turn their attention at the ships being repaired from top to bottom. One of those ships have their blasted secondary guns replaced by newly built ones.

"Well, I'm only here to find more about it. Iron Blood's affairs are none of my concern" Littorio makes it clear
"I have the same thoughts, but I have a hunch I can't leave this be" King George V is somewhat puzzled at herself
"Your knightly instincts are sharp. Perhaps, you feel like this would concern the Royal navy" Littorio rubs her chin
"I'm intrigued to find out about why this META only observed Iron Blood all this time"
"Iron Blood once possessed the wisdom cube fragment which gave Tirpitz her freezing body. Both of us know this is mostly connected"
"A destroyed wisdom cube is the end, but if Tirpitz has only a piece, then the rest could be in someone's possession" King George V frowns
"If a piece could give Tirpitz that kind of power, then it's logical that other pieces have fractions of similar power" Littorio smiles in excitement
"Perhaps that META has one of the pieces, but we can't know until we face her"
"You're right. That META might just have a similar power without needing a piece of the wisdom cube" Littorio shrugs her shoulders and shakes her head

Due to lack of solid evidence, the two have to accept their thoughts as speculations and theories. Their only basis is the similar power and the fact a wisdom cube got shattered with only a piece of it found.

"George! George! We just received a distress call from an Iron Blood base"

Howe comes running towards the two with the destroyer Carabiniere struggling to follow after her. Interrupted and concerned, the two immediately gaze at their direction noticing how sweaty and heavily panting they are.

"An Iron Blood base has been attacked by unknown METAs! Much of the area and the surrounding sea has been closed off by a blizzard" Carabiniere salutes
"They're asking for reinforcements because the backup was beaten badly" Howe adds
"Howe! You, me, Bellona, Jervis, and Bellona will provide reinforcements. The rest stay on guard"
"I'm taking Carabiniere, and Abruzzi with me" Littorio steps forward
"We're short on numbers, so hopefully we can fend off those METAs"

King George V can't bring all of the kansens stationed as the base as they need to spread their manpower and keep the base protected. Even if METAs are still kansen by nature, King George V knows their stronger than a regular kansen as one could fight against a regular fleet with little problem.

"Is this the universe being coincidental or hearing our conversation?" Littorio sarcastically thinks
"Whatever the case, this is our perfect opportunity to find out about our sneaky little META and how she ambushed us before"

King George V is both excited and worried since a META unleashed a blizzard tsrgettkng Iron Blood. Right now, the battlefield has been sealed off and it's clear approaching it would be a difficult task even before the fighting.

Iron Blood base.....

The blizzard serves as a barrier to stall and ward off other kansens coming to their rescue. There's nothing but the howling blizzard and everything being consumed by ice or covered in snow.

"Nngh....."

Bismarck groans in pain as she slowly regains consciousness, her fingers digging into the snow beneath her. Everything around her have been blasted by bombs while she's on the ground wounded and with her body sore from the pain.

"Ggh.....that took us....by surprise....."

After two minutes of struggling to pull her arms up, Bismarck manages to lift her body off the freezing ground and shove away the snow building on top of her.

"A blizzard, but it's not like the one Tirpitz unleashed a year ago...." Bismarck struggles to stand up on her two feet

Bismarck grips her left arm where it hurts the most and quickly analyzes her surroundings. The sky and her surroundings have been enclosed within a freezing dome with a blizzard hindering everything.

"I can't just.....keep lying down here. I must deal with the threat.....quickly....."

No matter how much Bismarck's body is screaming and twisting in pain, she completely ignores her current physical state to focus on the situation. There's an enemy who attacked her territory, so it's something she couldn't ignore.

"Everyone. I hope.....they're safe....."

There's no other kansen around Bismarck, so she's worried about the possibility that the enemy might have taken them out or if they're trapped within the blizzard.

"Bismarck is up already. She's too stubborn that it wouldn't put her down easily"

Within the blizzard, Victorious META lets a wisdom cube fragment float a couple of inches above her left palm. Somehow, she senses Bismarck's current state through it.

"I have a bad feeling about this" Repulse META whispers to her sister
"Why did we even agree with this?" Renown META grunts in frustration
"I'll shoot you myself if there's any casualties" Hunter META warns her
"I wouldn't leave any bodies. That would set off Tirpitz and provoke the sleeping META" Victorious META turns around
"Reinforcement will come here any moment. We can stall them, but you have to hurry" Renown META reminds her
"I don't know what's up with this, but this better be worth it!" Repulse META angrily tells her
"Don't worry. This will only serve as a distraction for Bismarck"

Victorious META calmly smiles and returns to where she's originally focused. The blizzard may hinder the other METAs, but she has better sight and can sense Bismarck with the fragment empowering her.

"This will set her back for a while. Just long enough for me to deal with Tirpitz" Victorious META looks at the closing fragment
"She is really going to murder you once she finds out about this. At least, the META one" Repulse META frowns
"We're not going to stop her once that angry META wakes up and rampages" Hunter META grunts
"Hunter doesn't want to be a punching bag, and I don't want to become one either" Repulse META shakes her head
"Tirpitz META wouldn't come out because the normal Tirpitz wouldn't allow her to possess her again. Why do you think Bismarck is still alive?"

Victorious META looks back at them and reassures them with full confidence, but this only worries the three. Well, Hunter META is more worried that Victorious META will make her deal with the angry META who can unleash more powerful extreme ice with more control. She doesn't want to lose her arms as she nearly lost both last time.

Chapter Text

Bismarck personally inspects salvaged Siren parts from a recent battle. In one of the spacious warehouse of the base, she has it suspended in the air by chains. She analyzes the surprising intact section of a rigging as she walks around it and slowly moves her head.

"How about that one?"

There's nothing particular unusual from the object other than the section has been blown off from the mass-produced humanoid Siren. What she's more intrigued is the salvaged barrel from a Siren Tracer displayed on top of a long wooden table.

"It's from another fleet. The way it was destroyed was strange, so we had to bring it" Mainz walks towards the table
"It's still freezing....."

Bismarck approaches it and keeps at least a few inches of distance from the table. The barrel has been severed not from a blast or a clean slice, but the section breaking off from the rest. The metal had become fragile that it shatters on its own leaving it like snapping off a branch from the rest of the tree.

"This isn't Tirpitz's power...." Bismarck whispers to herself

Faint cold air still evaporates from the broken part, mostly visible from the end where it was broken. Oddly enough, even when Bismarck gently rubs the center with her fingertips, it doesn't shatter or even crack.

"What do you think did this?" Graf Zeppelin approaches from the right
"Someone attacked the Sirens and left nothing but scraps. It's either they had an inevitable encounter or someone used them as target practice"

Bismarck turns her head to more parts lying on top of the table. Unlike the barrel, the parts show cracks but not enough to crush them into bits. The rigging is either highly resistant or the perpetrator controls the amount of power.

"Has the Wolfpack found evidence that it was from an aircraft carrier?" Bismarck looks at Mainz standing at her left side
"Unfortunately, no. A sudden blizzard hindered them as soon as they entered the battlefield. By the time the weather calmed down, the attacker disappeared and left the frozen Siren debris" Mainz shakes her head
"However, they were certain they at least detected two kansens. One of them was a destroyer" Graf Zeppelin adds more information
"They couldn't detect the other one?" Bismarck raises an eyebrow
"An unknown wave distorted the other ship's presence. They described it as something that swept their faces on the way there. It's a jamming device, but we were countered when the culprit detected our group first" Graf Zeppelin speculates

The only one Bismarck knows who had such an ability to control extreme temperature is either her younger sister or the unknown kansen who she believes is Victorious. Neither of the two are near Iron Blood territory as Tirpitz is taking her time off back in the Mediterranean and Victorious is away on a mission at the Pacific.

"......!" Bismarck suddenly jolts

When Bismarck suddenly takes a step back, the two kansens with her nearly widens their eyes in surprise. Bismarck reflexively grabs the back of her neck feeling a threat looming behind her. It's her instinct to protect herself, but there's no visible threat around her, just two silently confused subordinates.

"What's the matter?" Graf Zeppelin first shows concern
"Nothing. It felt like I was being watched......" Bismarck rubs her left shoulder

There's no one behind Bismarck as she quickly turns around. The only thing present is the quiet breeze and dust within the warehouse. She keeps turning her head left and right, but this only worries the two because Bismarck remains alert with no enemies present.

"Strange. I really did feel someone was looking here" Bismarck shakes her head

Shortly after, she brushes off the sudden nervousness that rushes to her spine. It's no different from walking alone with the constant anxiety of being stalked by an invisible force. It's the unshakable vulnerability of all living beings since the beginning. The fear of being exposed to an intangible threat. Even someone as strong-willed and resilient as Bismarck is no exception to this.

".....!"

Bismarck nearly loses her balance and would have hit the ground if both of her hands didn't grip the edge of the table.

"What's this.....?" Bismarck groans in discomfort

Bismarck resists the unexplainable sensation, but her thoughts force her to view a vision of a vague silhouette holding a faintly glowing piece of an icy blue crystal of some sort. It's a light blue fragment with a pure white center, but it emits visible cold air.

"Huh?"

The sensation resonates with her. To be specific, the energy the fragment emits harmonizes with the one resting inside her. Even when returning to reality, Bismarck clutches her chest for at least a few seconds.

"......I need some fresh air" Bismarck regains her composure
"Sure...." Graf Zeppelin shrugs, remaining baffled

Without much hesitation, Bismarck quickly drags her feet away from where she stands, hurriedly leaving the scene. She's not anxious about the sudden feeling of being stalked and the brief vision, but she's more confused at the source of the feeling within her chest.

"I can't shake off the feeling. It's like someone just walked right up my back"

At that point, Bismarck isn't certain if somehow she's going paranoid or if it's a premonition to a future threat. She couldn't get rid of how she certainly saw the fragment on the kansen's hand. It's almost similar to the one Victorious META possesses. Like everyone else, she's still completely oblivious to the kansen's true identity.

(Hmm the sky is growing dark now? Strange, I thought there would be no rain from the recent weather forecast)

Bismarck gazes up and notices the darkening clouds and the air gradually lowering its temperature. It's not just the sign of an incoming rainfall, but closer to the warning that snow is about to pour.

"Taking a relaxing walk, Bismarck?" Odin approaches her direction
"Odin? Yes, you could say that....even if the weather changed" Bismarck breathes deeply to calm herself
"True. The weather got dark when it was sunny earlier...." Odin stretches out her hand and feels the cold breeze past her uniform
"Somehow I have a bad feeling about this" Bismarck is concerned at the shift of weather

The view of the peaceful port where both kansens and manjuus are making themselves busy lifting and transporting equipment eases her worry for a moment. She doesn't mind the weather for now with her primary concern being her instinct warning her of a nearby enemy even of there's no one around her.

"I have yet to find a clue if the one I met a year ago was Victorious or not. That kansen was more solemn.....and a bit cold-blooded" Bismarck closes her eyes for a moment
"Hmm, it's rather strange. That kansen helped the Iron Blood retrieve the piece, but Victorious alone couldn't fend off the Arbiters" Odin couldn't provide an answer
"Not to mention, Victorious is too honest for herself that she wouldn't prey on my worries.
"It must be a Siren in disguise. Only they are capable of lowly tactics to trick you"

It's not the first time, so Bismarck doesn't remove it out of the few options she has, but Bismarck is certain it might be more than the Sirens and their regular schemes.

"It's no good. I can't think of anything right now" Bismarck clicks her tongue
"Even I have no explanation. We can't determine anything if our enemy is always in the shadows" Odin also admits

No one could possibly explain anything if the target is someone they haven't seen the face or at least the figure. All Bismarck knows is that they're most likely dealing with a kansen but different from the Victorious already existing in the Royal navy.

"Huh?"

Rather than rain, snow begins to fall when it shouldn't be anywhere near winter. This distracts Bismarck for a moment when actual snow gently drops on her head and shoulders.

"There's no time to think about it right now. I-"

Just as Bismarck utters that word a dive bomber catches her off guard and deliberately drops a bomb straight in front of her. The powerful explosive force of earthquake bombs helplessly sends Bismarck and Odin flying in different directions.

"What....ugh....was that.....?" Bismarck's legs shake when she tries to stand up

A second and more dive bombers appears above the Iron Blood base and forces everyone within the base to scatter like rattled insects. The first group of bombers blast the dock to strategically damage the ships first then the second group aims for the facilities just to render collateral damage.

"Ggh.....what's.....going on.....?"

Without their radars detecting incoming aircraft or patrolling ships reporting an approaching enemy, the security which Iron Blood prides themselves on is breached with little effort.

"Kkh!"

Debris of concrete and steel fly everywhere, powerless against the direct hits from aircraft based bombs. The resulting explosion blasts facilities until the roof and most of the walls have been blown off from the fierce blast.

".......!"

Right before Bismarck could move one foot forward another dive bomber targets her. Unlike the one earlier, this dive bomber aims a bit closer. She staggers, too weak to run and is shocked trying to process the sudden attack. The second the aircraft drops its payload and the tip of the bomb makes the slight physical contact to turn ground, another explosion occurs. The blast alone is enough to send Bismarck further this time and rolls to the ground until she stops with her face facing the ground.

"......."

The blunt force to her head from the blast and ground quickly renders her unconscious as soon as she hits the ground. While Bismarck lays unconscious surrounded by flames and growing black smokes the explosion around her continues. Bits of debris bounce off her even when the sunny sky has been consumed by the sudden arrival of winter.

"I never thought Bismarck would come here herself. Well, wandering here isn't a waste of time after all" Victorious META sighs as the fragment in her palm slowly spins

The aircraft who laid waste on one of Iron Blood's bases returns to the aircraft herself as soon as they expend their bombs damaging everything in sight. It would have been easier to not hesitate, but she has to exert accuracy to not directly hit any kansens.

"Man, that shook them badly. Are you sure you have no personal grudge?" Repulse META narrows her eyes

Even from a distance, she could see the several thick black smoke rising from the sky. Victorious META calls back all of her aircraft when she gradually increases the strength of the weather shifting. Her aircraft would have difficulty returning to her once it becomes a blizzard and might even damage her aircraft as a result if she's not careful.

"They just made it easy. Bismarck is like a magnet after" Victorious META raises her hand above her hand
"You mean you turned her into a magnet" Renown META frowns
"This trick won't work forever. Sooner or later they'll catch wind of how you can always predict them"

Hunter META arrives on the scene already gripping her sniper rifle with both hands. The preemptive attack may have been a success, but those who can still fight will surely try to track down the enemy, so a hunter like her ought to be prepared before entering the battlefield.

"By the time they learn my trick, I have nothing else to hide anymore" Victorious META smiles proudly
"The more you say it like that, the more things won't go your way" Hunter META warns her
"Hunter means you can't control either of the two Tirpitz" Repulse META raises her left hand
"Tirpitz couldn't kill me no matter how much she hated me. Her anger couldn't outweigh her attachment. That's why.....she suffered like that...."

The fragment on Victorious META's palm slows down the pulse it emits, but it's impossible for an inanimate piece to understand a conversation.

"To go this far for the sake of one person....."

Hunter META is both pitying and admiring Victorious META's dedication to her only goal. If it isn't for her sanity, it might have been called an obsession that would inevitably lead to self-destruction. However, Victorious META's single-minded way for her goal only directly caused Tirpitz META's death and indirectly caused the present one's suffering.

Present time......

Bismarck's left leg is terribly aching from the broken bones and injured muscles. She ignores the physical pain that would make anyone constantly groan and paralyzed on the ground. The only reason she could mostly move normally is because she's absolutely furious of an intruder daring to attack her territory.

"An aircraft carrier who brought this blizzard. Just for what purpose....."

As Bismarck mutters to herself, she drags herself to her intact ship that's fortunately still in shape to sail and engage someone in combat. She doesn't care if she has to drag her wounded leg to her anchored ship with how focused she is to the sudden blizzard hindering her sight and blocking a large area.

"Nngh...."

Bismarck barely managed to dematerialize and transform her enormous ship into a rigging fitting for her, but she nearly staggered back in pain. Her right hand clutches the left side of her abdomen when a twitching and prickling sensation nearly numbs her senses.

"Where are the others? Odin and everyone else are gone"

About a minute or two rushing into the blizzard, Bismarck is both anxious and puzzled as to why the several kansens in the base are suddenly absent. Odin got knocked out near her, but she is missing by the time Bismarck regained consciousness.

"Tch. I can't see a damn thing in this weather....."

The last blizzard this powerful she experienced is the incident with Tirpitz a year ago. Except the one she's experiencing in the moment is hostile towards her and intends to hinder everyone compared to the past unintentional one.

"........!"

Dive bombers fly through the blizzard with little to no difficulty. The snow and ice carried by the strong winds doesn't slow their flight speed or even decrease their accuracy when detecting ships within the blizzard.

"You again!"

Bismarck is forced to immediately use her maximum speed to pull herself back when the dive bombers begin to go into position and prepare to nose dive right above her. The relentless barrage of anti aircraft fire from her forces the dive bombers to be scatter and waver even for just a moment.

"Kkh!"

Due to her experience with dive bombers and the discreet reluctance of the enemy aircraft carrier, the bombs only manage to land near misses. Bismarck lifts her arms in front of her face to shield herself from the nearly freezing water splashing to her face.

"What now?!"

The second she moves a bit to the left, she detects torpedo bombers behind her. When she turns around, it's the exact moment the torpedo bombers low themselves enough to the surface water to release the rushing torpedoes.

"They're coming one after another. That carrier really wants to stop me!"

Bismarck narrowly evades most of the torpedoes rushing straight towards her with only two landing a direct hit. With Bismarck's focus mostly on evading and tracking down the aircraft carrier herself, she couldn't notice how subtly the enemy is holding back against her.

"Show yourself, coward!" Bismarck furiously declares

Bismarck shouts at the top of her lungs while facing the raging blizzard. The aircraft earlier fly from different directions, making it confusing to the exact location of the target. It could be the carrier herself is moving or simply still.

"......."

As there's no response, Bismarck could only rely on her instincts and restricted radars to pinpoint the aircraft carrier using the blizzard as a camouflage. Her eyes intently follow the aircraft circling above her. Not to perform another attack but to leave the area and disappear into the howling wind in mere seconds.

"Maybe I should have blasted a limb or two......"

Unfazed and relaxed within the cover of the harsh blizzard, Victorious META lightly closes her eyes for a moment. She focuses on the muffled and echoing booms of cannon fires from different directions. It's a chaotic and irritating sound, but the distance of the source doesn't bother her since her focus is towards the single battleship fading away from her detectability.

"Hmm? Bismarck is gone? Did she pass out from her injuries?"

Victorious META turns her head left and right, baffled at how Bismarck falls quiet all of a sudden. It's as if an aimlessly wandering blinking dot disappears from the empty black map.

"Just where did she-"

Just as her aircraft return to her, large caliber shells flying at high speed rains in front of her.

"Impossible!"

Victorious META, grits her teeth in shock and disbelief, immediately pulls herself back and hurriedly launches another squadron of dive bombers and fighter aircraft.

"You're not getting away!" Bismarck confirms there's someone present

Bismarck has yet to make sense of the aircraft carrier's identity, but she could identify a humanoid figure launching aircraft from a distance.

"How could she pinpoint me when this blizzard hinders any kansen except me?"

One shell manages to graze her left shoulder and panics for a split second. Victorious META sighs in relief upon seeing her flight deck is barely damaged.

"Ggh!"

Another shell lands a direct hit on Victorious META's right shoulder this time and the resulting explosion stuns her for a moment. She's distracted and careless with how she remains in disbelief that Bismarck is already targeting her.

"So you're the source of the aircraft and the one who brought this blizzard!" Bismarck closes in
"I can't believe she's helping you in her own way" Victorious META clicks her tongue
"Wait, you're....." Bismarck stops

Victorious META swings her right hand and the irritating black smoke from the shell earlier disperses. Compared to the other areas, Victorious META's surroundings are the least affected with little wind and snow hindering her. It's similar to how she created the "eye of the storm" around her even if it's on a small scale.

"Victorious......!"

At first, Victorious META is facing the ground with how she nearly kneels on the surface water. As soon as she hears Bismarck shouting at her, Victorious META is forced to directly face someone she both loathes and respects. She lifts her head and allows the rest of her body to be exposed into the clear open rather than conceal herself by strengthening the wind around her. Her sullen and sorrowful eyes meet Bismarck's wide eyed shock with neither of them couldn't mistake each other for someone else.

"I....underestimated you thinking you'd be lost and angry. Perhaps fighting a nonexistent enemy like everyone else" Victorious META wipes the dirt off her clothes
"What's the meaning of this? Why is there Victorious in front of me?" Bismarck points at her
"You're not even listening......" Victorious META lets out an exhausted sigh
"Explain what's going on! Are you Victorious or another fake?"
"I am, but I'm also not her.....because I killed my Tirpitz and destroyed her wisdom cube with my own hands. I always believed kansens vanished upon destruction, but she refused to stay dead...."

Victorious META doesn't directly confirm anything and begins narrating her thoughts even without a demand from Bismarck. She ignores her almost the same way Bismarck does a moment ago as a form of petty retaliation.

"You remember me now? Even though I did everything to remove my identity from you and everyone else's mind" Victorious META shows the fragment to Bismarck
"It wasn't an illusion after all. You were the one who helped Iron Blood get the wisdom cube fragment and tricked me into proceeding with the operation"

The moment Bismarck finally lays her eyes on the actual Victorious META, some of the vague memories before becomes plain and clear to her. She's the one who first revealed herself to Bismarck and the same one who visited her when Tirpitz was on the verge of death.

"Trick? No, you were considering it out of desperation. I just gave you a little push" Victorious META denies her claim
"I refuse to believe you are Victorious....."

That one response is enough to give Bismarck the impression that the META in front of her is much different than the regular Victorious. It's too difficult for Bismarck to believe with the indifference in Victorious META's far gaze.

"I just didn't want for Tirpitz to lose again" Victorious META loosens herself
"Again?" Bismarck prepares a battle stance
"Yes, again. I could never let go how I betrayed and killed her myself. At least, the one from my timeline" Victorious META briefly stares at the fragment still on her hand
"That's....."
"It's a piece of my Tirpitz's wisdom cube. I thought kansens would vanish once their wisdom cubes are destroyed, but it's impossible to get rid of her thirst for revenge. She wanted to kill me so badly that her consciousness persisted in one of her fragments"

Rather than worry, Victorious META instinctively curves a grateful and pleased smile. That unusual response from her has Bismarck briefly thinking if Victorious META is aware that a normal person wouldn't be relaxed and relieved at the thought of someone wanting to kill them out of revenge.

"I'm glad you survived a year ago against Tirpitz. It had me worried that she might have accidentally killed you" Victorious META returns her focus to Bismarck
"What do you mean?" Bismarck has a vague idea
"I tried to control her but sensing another piece of her in my possession only provoked her. As a result, she woke up not knowing how and why she's alive. Forcibly revived in the body of her past version made her go berserk.....and brought a deadly blizzard to Iron Blood" Victorious META isn't bothered by her actions
".......!"

Bismarck is speechless out of shock, refreshing the memory of how Tirpitz suddenly tried to kill her and unleashed a blizzard which lead to her imprisonment. Bismarck always found it odd, especially how Tirpitz shouted her grudge at her.....and at Victorious.

"Hmm?"

Before Victorious META could think of confessing more of her involvement, Bismarck opened fire a full salvo without warning. In mid range, Bismarck's high explosive shells would have struck accurately.....but ice covered the shells and strong winds redirected them to miss from both sides.

"What?!"

Bismarck shakes her head when her shells curve outwards and land on the water behind Victorious META. The latter is confident in her reaction time that she stands with a blank expression even as her hair faintly sways from the shells swiftly passing near her.

"I forgot to tell you that even a fragment has my Tirpitz's power. The reason yours couldn't control it is because she's a META" Victorious META tilts her head
"Not only you confessed in her murder and suffering, you nonchalantly stole her power. You are as devilish as the Sirens"
"I don't particularly care about anything. My only concern is Tirpitz"
"......"
"Also, you should have let me finish talking a while ago" Victorious META sighs in dismay
"For what reason?"
"I wished to tell you why you're unharmed in Tirpitz's blizzard. The one from last year and the one from now"
"........" Bismarck realizes it and inspects her normal body
"Your younger sister couldn't hurt you. No matter how much the deceased META despised you, Tirpitz's consciousness restrained both the META and herself. That blockhead is still dishonest with her own feelings after all this time"
"Just be quiet already"

The more Bismarck hears her speak, the more she grows displeased at how the one referring to herself as Victorious speaks and acts as an entirely different person. She tightly clenches her fists that both hands tremble in anger.

"For what reason you're doing all of this?! You knew Tirpitz would lose her heart and be forced with a burden, didn't you?" Bismarck grits her teeth
"Of course I knew that. Tirpitz META had the same circumstances as well. The only difference is that she actually died and I convinced the future Bismarck to help me revive her" Victorious META doesn't hesitate to confess more
"I never thought you would lower yourself like that......" Bismarck is even more displeased
"She wanted to die more than anything, but I couldn't let her go. I was just scared to lose an important friend. Bismarck, you would have done the same thing because she's your sister"

Victorious META let the fragment float above her index finger, somewhat mesmerized by the faint pulse emitted from its center.

"It's true that I might have considered it, but I would never disrespect her wish. If she wished to die, then I wouldn't think of reviving her. To ignore it is to curse her with a fate worse than death!" Bismarck shouts at the top of her lungs
"I see......" Victorious META furrows her eyebrows
"Before Tirpitz could suffer more in your hands, I will finish you off here. Even if you're a kansen.....and once a friend to her" Bismarck aims her main turrets
"Let's see how you will fare against a META with a fraction of your sister's power"

Bismarck starts by increasing distance between them and Victorious META follows by having fighter aircraft rush towards location.

"......!"

Victorious META isn't bothered about fighting Bismarck, not even the slightest reluctance, as she begins by having all fighter aircraft rain down machine gun fire. Two fighter aircraft fall at Bismarck's quickly responding anti aircraft guns, but two fighter aircraft graze Bismarck's cheek and left shoulder. It tears a bit of her skin and uniform, causing shallow wounds at best.

".......!"

Much to Bismarck's shock, her turrets wouldn't turn and the barrels wouldn't also raise itself. The main culprit is the ice creeping to the cracks and openings in Bismarck's rigging, jamming and locking most of her rigging.

"Tch!'

After much struggle with her rigging and simultaneous evading another squadron of fighter aircraft, Bismarck manages to barely move two of her turrets and shatter the ice restricting it.

"I told you it's pointless......"

Just like before, Bismarck unleashes a barrage of shells from the roar of her cannons. The only problem is how Victorious META freezes them to the inside and curves them outwards. She even catches one shell aiming to her head. The shell obviously failed to explode the moment Victorious META grips it in between her hand and it shatters from an effortless squeeze from her.

[Victorious!] Repulse META contacts her
"What's the matter?" Victorious META pulls herself back
[Will you hurry up there? We have a problem] Repulse META continues to shout
[Two ugly problems!] Renown META joins in
"I'm almost finished here. Try to stall them as much as possible"

Victorious META immediately cuts off the communication and focuses on Bismarck who's visibly annoyed at how she's been deflecting another round of her shells.

Meanwhile.....

Outside the raging blizzard trapping Bismarck and several others, the two METAs face off against another pair of META sisters. They both lift their swords oozing hot liquid similar to lava or melting steel.

"How the hell did Victorious pop out in Iron Blood?! There's no way she could just walk there and bomb the base" Scharnhorst META wipes the blood from her cheeks
"There's a trick to it. Like how she's always aware of Iron Blood's movements" Gneisenau META steps forward
"There's a trick but we're not dumb enough to reveal it" Renown META somewhat confirms
"Even if you find out now, Bismarck would be beaten today. So long as no one dies, we won't let you stop Victorious" Repulse META tightly grips her sword
"Why did you turn a blind you when you let her revive Tirpitz back then? Had she lost her mind along with her heart, Tirpitz would have been empty without freewill!"

Furious, Scharnhorst META quickly rushes to Renown META who blocks not with her usual great sword but with the regular one sheathed in a broken scabbard. The force and shock pushes back Renown META by a meter and their blades shake from the struggle to push one another.

"The effect was unintentional. Victorious didn't intend to strip her away of a heart or a mind. If Tirpitz resurrected as a mindless corpse, she would have put her down as an act of mercy" Renown META rejects her claim
"You defied the natural order of this world by bringing the dead back to life. Tirpitz wanted to die!" Scharnhorst META is slowly pushing her
"She was desperate to save her after killing her for the first time! We just wanted to help her because she was riddled with guilt and despair"

Renown META grunts and retaliates by slowly pushing Scharnhorst META. The latter wouldn't understand it, but Renown META bites her lower lip remembering how she witnessed Victorious META impaling a rampaging Tirpitz META with tears rushing.

"If we arrived sooner, we could have stopped it. Tirpitz didn't need to die and Victorious wouldn't be suffering from guilt" Renown META pushes Scharnhorst META back
".......!"

The sudden force of being pushed violently has Scharnhorst META take a few steps back to prevent stumbling down.

"To wallow in the past - is that how we all are?"

On the other hand, Gneisenau META asks Repulse META while she's slowly squeezing her hand on her neck.

"What you revived isn't a person but a corpse. Tirpitz knew, so she sought death and for Victorious to accept reality" Gneisenau META continues
"If we accepted reality, then METAs wouldn't have been born. We exist because we wallow in regret that no travelling in the past could undo"

Repulse META pulls out a small knife hidden in her sleeve and stabs right through Gneisenau META's wrist, forcing her to let go.

"We're just an alternate timeline, another possibility. We lose in this one, but we win in another. Yeah, all of us are seeking a branch where we could win" Repulse META bitterly smiles
"Once this world serves its purpose, we would all come to an end....." Gneisenau META casually pulls out the knife and throws it away
"No matter how slim it is, we're always looking for the one chance we could win" Scharnhorst META stands beside her sister
"That's what Victorious believes. No matter how drastic and selfish it is, she would go through it if it's the only possibility" Renown META indirectly admit it's not a pure method
"She doesn't even care what price she has to pay....." Repulse META weakly grunts

At that point, Scharnhorst META isn't certain if she wants to rebuke or pity them. Renown META and Repulse META are aware that Victorious META is acting selfishly out of guilt and desperation. Those two could only see her despair, so they couldn't ignore her or let her be.

Inside the blizzard......

Bismarck could barely stand straight with the bullet holes all over her rigging and body. None hit any vital spots that could cause terrible bleeding as she mostly aimed at Bismarck's arms, legs, and shoulders.

"Why wouldn't you use your bombers on me?" Bismarck heavily pants
"I might accidentally kill you. If I did that, it would ruin my plan" Victorious META immediately replies
"Your plan?"
"I'm not generous enough to reveal it just yet, but it got a bit foiled when you somehow found me" Victorious META clicks her tongue
"I felt someone standing by when I saw the aircraft retreating in the same direction. Something in my chest felt similar in the distance, so I followed it" Bismarck controls her breathing
"Ah, so that's how it is. I suppose it's my fault this time....." Victorious META chuckles
"Huh?"
"That just confirms my trick is a double-edged sword, but it's still useful regardless"

Victorious META has her fighter aircraft retreat back to her since she grows relaxed after realizing her mistake this time. It's a moment of relief to her, baffling Bismarck and causing her more tension as a result.

"Let's wrap this up. I had to change my plans because of my oversight" Victorious META shifts her head a bit to the right
".......?!"

A bullet from afar flies in the air and pierces through Bismarck's right leg, forcing her to kneel on one knee. Another bullet tears through the left side of her abdomen and further puts more bullet holes in Bismarck's left arm.

"Nngh....." Bismarck bites her lower lip to restrict the pain
"Facing you head-on is tedious for me even as a META, so I made sure to play unfairly. My intention is to incapacitate you" Victorious META slowly approaches a greatly weakened Bismarck
"Tirpitz.....will find out sooner or later....." Bismarck couldn't breath properly
"She will, but she won't find out now......because I'm taking you out of the picture" Victorious META stands in front of her
".......!"
"I'm not dumb or naive, so I have to stall the one who would give me the most trouble"

Victorious META stretches out her right hand but folds her fingers save for her index and middle finger. She gently presses them on Bismarck's forehead and this signals for the fragment to emit a constant bright glow rather than blink.

"So Victorious would end up betraying Tirpitz. Once I get back up, I'm coming after you and your allies" Bismarck throws a sharp glare while vowing
"Then I'll be waiting for you"

A cold and prickling sensation pierces through Bismarck's skull and she falls quiet in an instant.

"......"

Bismarck's body collapses forward and she lies motionlessly on the surface water, but Victorious META remains unfazed. Since Bismarck is still alive, she isn't concerned the slightest or even regrets harming her. Instead, she blankly stares at her unconscious body, confirming that she's still breathing and with no mortal injuries.

"Excellent aiming as usual, Hunter....." Victorious META shifts her gaze

The META destroyer concealed within the blizzard makes her way to the area and analyzes the bullets she fired earlier. All of them managed to pierce non-critical areas, but she frowned seeing Bismarck unconscious.

"Bismarck is out of the picture, but this would only delay you a week or two. The dead META wouldn't let you win" Hunter META warns her
"That's where the next part comes in" Victorious META bends on one knee and further observes the unconscious Bismarck
"You're asking for a death sentence harming Bismarck and your next target. Tirpitz isn't going to let you live"
"I wouldn't mind being killed by the friend I once killed myself. You could say it's my rightful punishment, but I can't die right now" Victorious META shrugs her shoulders

Victorious META stands and takes several steps back from Bismarck's motionless body. She remains indifferent to most of her surroundings and even to herself, slightly annoying Hunter META enough to throw a glare at her.

"I will successfully revive Tirpitz even if one of them has to die" Victorious META reminds herself
"You're going to kill her again?"
"Yes. This is the only way to save her - whether she likes it or not"
"This is going to backfire one day, and you will have to face that yourself" Hunter META turns away
"I will. This is my sin to bear after all"

Victorious META hides the fragment by letting it vanish in the air when it turns into particles of light until not an inch remains. Before the blizzard starts to disperse from Victorious META deactivating it, she turns away from Bismarck and begins to move without even looking back at her.

"....."

Hunter META sneaks a glance at Bismarck when she slowly moves away from her body. Her long and silent gaze is her own way of silently apologizing for using force just to incapacitate her. Since Bismarck is only unconscious because of Victorious META, she has a small amount of guilt only for shooting from behind just to create a moment of vulnerability. As the two METAs begin to vanish into the blizzard to leave, the snow continues to fall on top of Bismarck, who's powerless with her out of commission for the time being

Collateral Damage: Moderate destruction on structures and equipment
Status: All present kansens moderate to heavily wounded
Source of Damage: Unknown Assailant
Resolution: [TBA]
Severe Issue: Bismarck - Unconscious, Out of commission

The Mediterranean base......

In what's supposed to be peaceful afternoon, Tirpitz's feels her legs weaken and nearly collapses on the ground.

"....." Tirpitz's knees are forced on the ground
"Tirpitz, what's the matter?" Victorious runs towards her
"Are you alright?"

Alabama does the same. Much like Victorious, she's concerned at Tirpitz clutching her chest while her other hand digs through the ground, seemingly upset.

"Something happened to Bismarck......" Tirpitz is uncertain
"Huh?"

Alabama raises an eyebrow while she grabs one of Tirpitz's arms and help her stand up.

"I don't know, but somehow I know something happened to Bismarck" Tirpitz shakes her head
"Don't say something weird" Victorious nervously laughs
"Something is urging me to return to Iron Blood"
"You can't just leave the base and walk in there whenever you feel like it" Victorious grabs her cape
"Someone defeated Bismarck and the way it happened.......made someone else really angry"

Tirpitz tightens her grip on her chest with her gaze not towards Victorious or Alabama. Her focus is in her consciousness where the dormant ghost made the blizzard violent in that inner world.

"Victorious!" Tirpitz META screams at the top of her lungs

She let out incomprehensible screams bearing resemblance to a mindless beast rather than someone in agony. Tirpitz META swings her arm left, instantly destroying a rock and sweeping the ground.

"Bastard! You filthy traitor! How dare you.....!" Tirpitz META growls

The dead META sensed a part of her used against her will. Worst of all, she has decent accuracy of how and what her wisdom cube's fragment used for. Even if she's separated and forced to be dormant, Tirpitz META isn't severed from the rest of her shattered essence. It's an extension of her after all.....so this angered her greatly and fueled her killing intent at the traitor she once called a friend.

Chapter Text

The memories would never leave.

They would never fade because a grudge beyond death latched on even after "her" body had been destroyed. That day etched memories she wished never existed. She wanted to forget every single of that event, but she couldn't even be granted a peaceful rest.

"Forgive me.....Tirpitz" A certain aircraft carrier sheds a tear

The one tightly gripping a weapon with both hands slowly pushes it deeper into Tirpitz META's chest. Victorious META, who accepted betraying a friend, never breaks her gaze even as she lands the mortal blow.

"Why....."

Tirpitz META shaking hands weakly grips Victorious META's wrists. She doesn't sink or even vanish after that one strike destroys her heart. Death couldn't take her yet with how she strongly clings to the living. No, it's more that she outwardly refuses to die silently.

"I'm sorry. I truly am....." Victorious META fully plunges the sharp blade in her chest
"I trusted you"
"....That was your mistake" Victorious META lowers her head
"A mistake I knew I would make sooner or later" Tirpitz META sheds a tear instead

There's anger spreading like poison inside Tirpitz's META's chest, but it couldn't push her to an immediate act of violence for the sake of revenge. She couldn't immediately understand that her hate for a traitor clashes with the love for a friend. That strong emotion couldn't be immediately overtaken by the impulsive desire to strike down the person who fatally stabbed her.

"I knew you would be my downfall, but I didn't want to leave....."

Tirpitz META's hands loosen her grip on Victorious META's wrist. Her right hand falls back to the side while her left hand slides to touch the back of Victorious META's hand.

"You should have listened to your intuition" Victorious META furrows her eyebrows
"......but I would still fall by your hands sooner or later" Tirpitz squeezes her hand for a moment
"So you chose to accept your fate the way it is"
"I would never forgive you for betraying me and every part of me is screaming to kill you right now"

As Tirpitz META couldn't fully express the sheer killing intent creeping to her mind, she acknowledges how she could never look past the betrayal.

"I want to kill you right now even when I'm inevitably about to fall. Even if it means I would drag you down with me" Tirpitz META's hands reach for Victorious META's neck
"That's a sin I'm willing to accept and bear" Victorious META closes her eyes

There's no fear or doubt in Victorious META's eyes. Instead, she stares at Tirpitz META with the same amount of attachement she  always had. She still cared yet she willingly betrayed her.

"I have to save you.....even if it means killing you" Victorious META presses the hands slowly strangling her
"Liar. You're just acting out of your own selfishness like you always do"
"Yes, you're right. I'm being selfish.....and just lying to make myself feel better" Victorious META lowers her hands
"......" Tirpitz META's eyes slowly grow dull
"I wish.....it didn't have to end this way"

Victorious META embraces Tirpitz META without caring if the latter would retaliate. Tirpitz META still had enough strength to move, but she quietly listens to a regret she never expects.

"Lies. Nothing but lies....."

The memory dispersed like a parting fog and Tirpitz now only sees the disembodied META cursing and kneeling at the ground.

"Even if she broke me into pieces, I know she still used a piece of me"

Tirpitz META keeps muttering under her breath, genuinely not noticing Tirpitz quietly standing a few meters behind her. It's unbelievable for Tirpitz that the META is angrier after her death when her anger in her dying moments is more akin to pity that hatred.

"She won't get away, she won't get away, she won't get away. I'm going to kill her for certain this time"

Now the META is on a thin line between revenge and madness. That hatred isn't just to seek "justice" anymore but an obsession cursing her disembodied consciousness.

"I have to be the one out there....because I'm the only one allowed to kill her! There's no way I would let Iron Blood steal my quarry"

After finally noticing Tirpitz being present, Tirpitz META stands up to tightly grab her alter ego's collar. Her eyes may be dull from being dead for more than a year, but it couldn't suppress her itch for violence and revenge.

"What are you blabbing this time?" Tirpitz lightly tilts her head
"Victorious used a piece of my wisdom cube to attack Bismarck. I don't give a crap about Bismarck being hurt, but she used me when she was the one who destroyed me in the first place!" Tirpitz META pulls her closer
"She hurt Bismarck?"
"That traitor......how dare she insult me like this after reducing me in this state? She did nothing but defile my death.....again!"

If Tirpitz is her normal self, she would be anxious and puzzled as to how there's a possibility that she could be like her META version - fueled by revenge and no different from a rabid animal.

"That's why I have to kill her. This itching hatred would never go away so long as she's still alive" Tirpitz META mutters under her breath while facing the ground

It's clear to Tirpitz that her META version is no different from a typical vengeful ghost. She lost every form of warmth and restraint to her as she couldn't care less other than to follow her instinct to end Victorious META.

"........?"

Tirpitz snaps back to reality when King Alabama taps her shoulder three times seeing her blankly staring at the coast and not responding to her calls.

"Are you alright?" Alabama is standing behind her
".....I'm fine" Tirpitz shakes her head
"Are you sure? It looked like you're about to sucker punch yourself" Alabama narrows her eyes
"I said I'm fine. I just saw someone who's more persistent than an insect"

Tirpitz wishes to speak about her META version she's forced to share a body with, but she immediately views Alabama as someone who wouldn't understand or even believe. In fact, no one would believe her if she tells anyone there's an angry ghost version of herself fused with her.

"Tirpitz, don't run off like that!" Victorious interrupts the scene with her sudden rush

The nearly panicking Victorious headbutts Tirpitz from behind and repeatedly hits her weakly.

"Victorious, Tirpitz isn't some kid who needs to be on close surveillance. Is the watching over her just an excuse to be clingy to her?" Alabama shakes her head
"That's because you don't know what she's like. Just turn away for a second and she's off to either get herself in danger. This icy blockhead is like a lost puppy" Victorious grabs Tirpitz's left wrist
"I'm more of a cat since I do whatever I want and at least know my way back" Tirpitz shrugs her shoulders
"Anyway, we can't idle around. Iron Blood is.....not well after Bismarck got sent into a coma" Victorious tugs Tirpitz
"Still, who could be strong enough to actually knock Bismarck out cold?" Alabama is genuinely nervous
"......"

Even if Tirpitz doesn't say anything, she consciously sneaks a glance at Victorious after recalling her META version being more restless and aggressive. She isn't certain why, but she couldn't set aside why an angry ghost is pointing at Victorious for what happened at Bismarck.

".....I have to see Bismarck now" Tirpitz makes an excuse to pull herself away from Victorious
"Would they let you? Bismarck's in a coma and they just wouldn't let anyone visit her casually"
"If it's me, then yes. Besides, Friedrich der Grosse is in charge while Bismarck is out of commission"

The past has yet to heal, but Tirpitz ignores how she's "worried" at Bismarck because even she couldn't expect her older sister to lose in a sudden battle. At least, it's difficult to defeat Bismarck in a head-on battle.

"I'll come with you-" Victorious wants to volunteer
"No, you stay here with Alabama" Tirpitz quickly rejects her
"O-okay....."

Victorious doesn't want to annoy Tirpitz by insisting, especially that she senses Tirpitz being serious again.

Twenty minutes later......

Prinz Eugen is the one who escorts Tirpitz to where Bismarck is resting in private, but Tirpitz is focused on the heavy cruiser's injuries covered in bandages and the rather annoyed expression.

"Someone managed to defeat Bismarck. All it took was a sudden blizzard and we were fighting like headless chickens" Prinz Eugen speaks in a displeased manner
"I'm not the cause this time. That's new....." Tirpitz averts her gaze for a moment
"We were bombed all of a sudden. It's like the aircraft popped out right above the base itself"

Prinz Eugen grunts at the brief recollection of unable to react in time when bombs forced them to scatter or send them flying.

"Is.....Bismarck alright?" Tirpitz reluctantly asks
"Bismarck's fine in a sense she won't die. It's just that we don't know when she will wake up"
"......."

Tirpitz doesn't respond as they reach the door at the end of the corridor. She expected it would be guarded or at least under surveillance, but there's only one ship present there, not to guard but to wait.

"I'll leave the rest to you" Prinz Eugen takes a deep sigh and leaves immediately
"......" Tirpitz watches her leave

Rather than enter, Tirpitz continues to be silent, observing why she has to awkwardly stand and stare at Friedrich der Grosse also standing by the door.

"From what it seems, you've been informed" Friedrich der Grosse speaks solemnly
"A base was attacked which left Bismarck in a coma. The attacker bombed with aircraft and unleashed a blizzard" Tirpitz summarizes her knowledge
"Bismarck fought the enemy by herself and we couldn't be there to help"
"What kind of Siren defeated Bismarck just like that"
"....It was a kansen" Friedrich der Grosse frowns
"What?"
"I briefly saw it, but the aircraft was from a kansen. To think someone would actually attack us head-on"

It's the first time Tirpitz witnesses Friedrich der Grosse completely losing her cheerful expression as she couldn't simply set aside the thread made. The worst is Bismarck got defeated in battle that Friedrich der Grosse had to step in as a substitute until she fully recovered.

"I don't care if it's a kansen. No one lays a hand on Iron Blood and gets away with it" Friedrich der Grosse threatens with a sharp glare on her eyes
"I have to see Bismarck....." Tirpitz turns to the door

Personally speaking, Tirpitz shrugs off what's causing most of Iron Blood's resentment right now: damaging their pride and defeating their proud leader. It's natural for Tirpitz to know that someone directly attacked Iron Blood and succeeded cannot be left unpaid.

"We tried our best, but she remains fully unconscious. There's no telling when she will wake up" Friedrich der Grosse now bears a solemn expression
"......"

Tirpitz just stares for a moment before she turns the doorknob and slowly pushes the door open. Inside there is a spacious well lighted room with the only occupant being a quietly resting Bismarck.

"Look at you getting yourself beaten for everyone to see. This isn't like you, Bismarck"

As soon as Tirpitz closes the door behind, she whispers to herself while taking slow steps towards the unconscious Bismarck. While the latter's condition is unstable and there aren't many external injuries, she remains motionless and defenseless while everyone is restless at her defeat.

"Did you get rusty or did someone counter your proud strength?"

Tirpitz stares at Bismarck while she stands right beside her bed. She doesn't hate her sister for being defeated. In fact, Tirpitz couldn't notice she finds no relief that Bismarck got herself hurt.

[No, that bastard used my power against her,]
"......" Tirpitz takes a step back
[To a degree, Bismarck is frozen. Not in a sense she's a popsicle]
"......"

After hearing a snap echo, Tirpitz is helplessly dragged into an inner world within her own consciousness. The part of her consciousness where Tirpitz META remains dormant and observes from time to time.

"What do you mean?" Tirpitz doesn't question why she's suddenly sitting next to the angry ghost
"I could control the degree on how and what I will freeze on others. For example, the filthy traitor incapacitated Bismarck for an unknown reason"

Tirpitz META lifts her index finger while she sits on a stone bench facing the shore of the imaginary northern fjord.

"If left unchecked, Bismarck might never recover. She's a regular kansen affected by the power of a META after all" Tirpitz META turns to face her regular version
"You quickly thought I would want to save her?" Tirpitz looks away in response
"Why do you think you're here?"
"......" Tirpitz couldn't reply
"We're still the same person no matter how much you reject me. I know very well that you're willing to forgive Bismarck"

The two pause for a minute or two with Tirpitz META mostly waiting for her regular alter ego to confirm her guess. Not much of a guess but more of a certain assertion considering Tirpitz META sees their personality is still alike if the mad desire for revenge isn't taken into account.

"I can save Bismarck. At least speed her recovery by removing the primary cause of her coma" Tirpitz META's expression darkens
"What do you want in return?" Tirpitz is aware of the implication
"You have to let me in" Tirpitz META takes a few seconds to respond
"Let you in?"
"You've been subconsciously keeping me away to prevent yourself from being influenced"
"I see. You're asking for control. If you want total control, then I can't agree with that" Tirpitz doesn't hesitate to reject it
"So you want compromise, huh. Well, I did try" Tirpitz META sighs

Even if it's her META version, Tirpitz couldn't find any reason to immediately agree since the price is too great for her to pay. The META version shrugs her shoulders knowing Tirpitz isn't desperate enough to agree with the exchange just to save Bismarck.

"I want to murder the one responsible for selfish reasons. Not for Bismarck's sake but for my overdue revenge. I have the one to kill her and not Iron Blood" Tirpitz META confesses
"Even so, I won't give up control"
"I'm not asking for total control. What I want in return is easier control" Tirpitz META clarifies her condition
"That's practically the same thing" Tirpitz still refuses

Tirpitz is highly cautious of the ghost who once forced control which resulted in the incident leading to her imprisonment. Not to mention, Tirpitz META is impulsive and violent the moment she sees the target of revenge even if she's reasonable as of the moment.

"You already know what took down Bismarck was my own power. That's why you sensed she was defeated before anyone else" Tirpitz META briefly smiles
"......."
".....and you know as well the only way to undo it is with the same power"

The META reminds of the moment Tirpitz nearly collapsed to the ground and vaguely sensed Bismarck being in danger. Even if Tirpitz doesn't admit it herself, she would agree with the statement if it isn't for her own pride.

"You got worried so you rushed here to see Bismarck"
"......" Tirpitz remains silent
"Face it. You want to save Bismarck"
"Even if that's the case, what you're asking is too risky for me" Tirpitz remains cautious
"Then you're still going to hesitate if it puts your Victorious at risk?"
"What do you mean?"

Just a while ago, Tirpitz had little to no interest in entertaining Tirpitz META's deal, but the latter is obviously aware of how to get her attention. Other than Bismarck's current state, Victorious is the other person capable of  making Tirpitz react.

"She won't stop at Bismarck. Sooner or later, that careless girl will get herself hurt for your sake"
"If you're pressuring me, then forget it" Tirpitz refuses to succumb
"Have you forgotten what happened when you thought she died? If it wasn't for some dumb luck, that loud carrier wouldn't be here with you"
"....."

Tirpitz's hands tense when she's forced to remember how Victorious got herself shot in the chest when she refused to be saved. Back then, Tirpitz's mind went blank and she had no recollection of her META version taking control and attempted to kill Victorious META.

"You don't have the power on your own to either save Bismarck or protect Victorious. Bismarck might never wake up and Victorious won't be so fortunate again because you're being stubborn"
"What do you want?" Tirpitz asks again
"Like I said, I want you to let me in. I need to be the one in control if I want to end that bastard myself. There's no way I would sit here and while someone else takes her head" Tirpitz META grits her teeth
"How can I be sure you wouldn't take advantage of it?"
".....because I am you.....and you are me. What would you think and do in this situation?"

Tirpitz META doesn't use much of an excuse and points at Tirpitz's chest instead. To her, Tirpitz only needs to be aware of what decision she would make or if it's truly her intention. Of course, they both share the "honor" only in a sense they would acknowledge and go through with it.

"Wouldn't that risk of me becoming a META?" Tirpitz straightens herself
"If you only let it fully influence you....or if you die. Well, if you die, I take over as the sole consciousness remaining" Tirpitz META doesn't hide the fact
"Iron Blood cannot afford to lose Bismarck just as I couldn't bear to lose Victorious. Even if this harms me in the future, I'm willing to accept that so long as that girl remains unharmed"
"......."

Tirpitz META doesn't reply knowing Tirpitz wouldn't accept her true thoughts. Even if the target of her revenge is Victorious META, the resentment extends to the regular Victorious. Fortunately, she isn't instantly violent seeing the normal Victorious and would hesitate to kill her.

"At least you're smart enough to think you can't win on your own" Tirpitz META scoffs
"I have my other reasons for giving you easy reign and it's certainly not to try and kill someone else again" Tirpitz reminds
"Can you still say that if you're forced into a corner? Your current state isn't permanent"
"What do you mean?"
"I'll tell you more once we get into that situation"

Although Tirpitz META speaks calmly and sternly much like the normal Tirpitz, the META version would constantly suppress the violent impulses consuming her as the remains of the deceased Tirpitz META.

"For now, the condition has been set" Tirpitz META stands up and reaches out her hand
"For the sake of keeping everything intact, I'll let you in.....but I won't allow full control" Tirpitz stands up as well and grabs her hand
"I....can accept that"
"If you ever go back in your word, you  won't see the light of day again.....even if it kills is both"

Tirpitz doesn't fear death if it means protecting Victorious from her, and the META one is aware this is no empty threat with how suicidal Tirpitz tends to be.

"You're lucky your sister still respected and admired you, Bismarck"

Back in reality, Tirpitz META temporarily gains control as she's the only one capable of wielding and undoing her own ability. She stretches out her index finger and lightly taps Bismarck's forehead, speaking with a mixture of spite and amusement.

"Why is it the ones I hated the most lives longer? Both you and Victorious can't seem to die no matter what I do"

Tirpitz META absorbs the energy back into her body and emit cold air from the hand she used. Even with no one listening, she laments how she could only keep the ability within her rather than use against Bismarck.

"I want to kill you as badly as Victorious.....but that would cause problems with the other me. Even if it's not now, I'll make sure I won't fail again like last year"

Tirpitz META extracts what appears to be faint light blue energy, almost invisible to the naked eye, and lets it be absorbed through her hand. Victorious META directly struck Bismarck in the head, so the META aimed to directly remove the core of the problem with little effort.

"Well, now I got what I wanted, my hunt for that traitor Victorious begins. I have to take her down before anyone steals my quarry" Tirpitz META grits her teeth

No matter how much she tries to remain calm, she couldn't get rid of her killing intent and violent impulses triggered by her desire for revenge. It's highly unpleasant to remain alive after her physical body has been destroyed. What made it worse is knowing Victorious META has her other pieces.

"Killing you right now would be the easiest part...."

Tirpitz META stretches out her hand and slowly squeezes Bismarck's neck but not enough to disrupt her breathing. Her hand is shaking from the urge to either snap Bismarck's neck or slowly rob her of air to breath.

".....but you get to live a little longer"

Reluctantly, Tirpitz META loosens her grip and pulls back her hand. She's genuinely dismayed she sees it as being in the wrong place and time rather than knowing Tirpitz has no desire to kill Bismarck.

"Don't get in my way, Bismarck. I'm not as kind as the sister you know"

As Tirpitz META turns around and heads to the door, she softly threatens the still unconscious Bismarck. Compared to the wavering Tirpitz, the META version doesn't have the slightest amount of love for her older sister or anyone else.

"There's a chance for Bismarck to wake up, but it would take a while" Tirpitz informs Friedrich der Grosse upon exit
"How are you sure?" Friedrich der Grosse is more surprised than puzzled
"This wasn't the first time I've seen it. Bismarck would naturally recover in a few days"
"Are you alright? Somehow.....you appear different"

Friedrich der Grosse is quick to notice how the Tirpitz in front of her is not as emotionless as before. In fact, someone with a sharp instinct and intuition like her would notice the killing intent Tirpitz META is forcing herself to suppress.

"I just didn't think Bismarck would end up like this" Tirpitz META makes a halfhearted excuse
"Fear not. Iron Blood will make sure to hunt down the pest responsible. No one lays a hand on our leader unscathed. This is a humiliation Bismarck wouldn't accept once she wakes up"
"......"
"That intruder got a lot of nerve taunting us like this"
"The only one who kills her is me" Tirpitz META whispers to herself
"Hmm?"
"What Iron Blood does is none of my business....unless it conflicts with my goals" Tirpitz turns around
"......"
"I said what I needed to say to Bismarck and confirmed that she's not much in danger. There's nothing else for me here"

Since Friedrich der Grosse is eyeing with a bit of curiosity, Tirpitz META makes another excuse to leave the premises at once. Even if she's a regular kansen, Tirpitz META dislikes a fearsome battleship attempting to corner her or at least see through her.

"Something is off with Tirpitz. It's like she became a completely different person the moment she walked out" Friedrich der Grosse narrows her eyes

She could only observe Tirpitz from behind, unaware that her guess is right. What catches her attention is Tirpitz suddenly displaying the anger of revenge when the unknown culprit got mentioned.

"If you didn't worry about them, you wouldn't have given me free reign. I suppose both you and I lose common sense when it comes to people dear to us. At least....once dear for me"

It's been a while since Tirpitz META controlled as the dominant alter ego, so she squeezes both of her hands and swing her left arm on a whim. To be specific, it's more that she's enjoying the bit of freedom after an opportunity opened for her. An opportunity she would never let go even if it's part of the deal.

"I'm making an exception now, but I won't allow anyone from Iron Blood to get ahead of my prey. Do keep that in mind....Tirpitz"

Tirpitz META tells her regular version, the owner of the body, before retreating to the corner of Tirpitz's subconsciousness like she always does. It's surprising for Tirpitz that the META willingly retreats rather than tricking her and taking full control.

"I think....I just made a horrible decision......" Tirpitz tells herself as leans to a nearby wall

Her instincts screams of danger the moment she senses more of her META version. Usually, Tirpitz couldn't even notice her, but now she feels as if the vengeful ghost is close to being present in the actual world.

Back at the port......

Victorious swallows her breath while Alabama fidgets with her fingers. On the other side is Graf Zeppelin, unusually approaching them and observing even their silence. Everyone knows Graf Zeppelin is outspoken with her spite towards everything and everyone, even God, so she always bears a scowl even if she's not displeased.

"Victorious. Now I've seen you up close, I do wonder how you tamed Tirpitz" Graf Zeppelin crosses her arms, resting her breasts on them
"Tame? Are we talking about a battleship or a puppy?" Alabama scratches her head
"I didn't tame Tirpitz or anything. She's with me on her own" Victorious puffs her cheeks and places her hands on her hips
"Tirpitz became disobedient and hostile the moment she was saved, yet you can pacify her resentment and keep her behaved just like that" Graf Zeppelin expresses her skepticism
"That's because Tirpitz trusts me as a friend and I treat her nicely"
"That makes you a double-edged sword to her. While her attachment to you keeps her calm, you would also be the reason to provoke her"
"......"

Rather than deny Graf Zeppelin's thinking, Victorious feels her whole body freeze right where she stands and her hands tremble. She holds them together in front of her, but she could barely ease her shaking. It triggers an exact memory where the possibility is applied.

"....."

For the first time, Victorious witnessed succumbing to hatred and being driven by bloodlust. Tirpitz dislikes fighting and violence in general, but the META who possessed her would stop at nothing to get rid of the other Victorious. That Tirpitz is prepared to die just to sate her revenge and perhaps put a rest to her neverending misery.

"I won't let that happen. Tirpitz always protected me, so I don't want to be a burden to her. I want to be beside her rather than always being protected behind!" Victorious takes a deep breath and asserts herself
"Hmph. You got some spine after all. I thought you'd be dead weight"
"Dead weight. That's a bit harsh....." Alabama wryly smiles
"I'm trying to help Tirpitz because she's also trying to help herself. What she needs is someone to remind her of warmth and not another reason to hate Iron Blood"
"......"
"I'm not some bait to be used by others or to have others think I'm using Tirpitz. I mean she gets herself in trouble the moment I look away or even run off somewhere I couldn't find her. Why can't she just sit still when she knows she's a walking popsicle?!" Victorious vents out her frustrations
"You're feisty but honest and caring. No wonder Tirpitz is protective of you. I know you're the right person to keep her calm and content" Graf Zeppelin chuckles
"Huh?"
"Ah! She was just messing with you" Alabama lightly hits her fist on her palm
"Eh? You were just testing me?!" Victorious shakes her in disbelief

The realization strongly hits Victorious that seeing the proud and satisfied smile curve on Graf Zeppelin's lips causes her to nearly stumble on her rear. Fortunately enough, Alabama catches her in both arms and gently pushes her to stand straight again.

"Bismarck approved of you, so I wanted to see for myself why she would entrust her younger sister to you" Graf Zeppelin sighs in relief
"E-entrust? I'm not adopting her or anything, you know" Victorious frowns
"You're a trustworthy person, so I'm relieved you're not someone who takes advantage of her trust. Tirpitz doesn't seem like it, but she would do anything for people she holds dear" Graf Zeppelin observes Victorious
"Well, you two are obviously close" Alabama whispers to Victorious
"I like Tirpitz being attached, but I wish she would stop trying to jump into the danger head first. She has Bismarck's stubborn nature, but not her common sense" Victorious drops her shoulders and complains
"You might as well say I don't think when I'm with you"

Tirpitz quietly approaches Victorious from behind and makes her jolt the moment she speaks right behind her.

"....!" Alabama immediately steps away from Tirpitz

"Tirpitz!"

Again, Victorious nearly stumbles on her rear but manages to plant her feet on the ground and snap back into standing straight.

"You went to see Bismarck's current state" Graf Zeppelin solemnly speaks
"She's going to be fine, but I'm not certain if she'll wake up soon" Tirpitz waves her hand
"How are you certain?" Graf Zeppelin raises an eyebrow
"The attack used on her is similar to my own ability. I can't say I tried, but I know ice based attacks when I see one"
"I don't know how you're certain, but you look confident" Graf Zeppelin isn't certain if she should be relieved or suspicious
"I'll explain it when Bismarck is awake. Right now, you'll have to take my word"

As Graf Zeppelin and Tirpitz continue with their conversation, Alabama carefully observes the way Tirpitz speaks and makes slight gestures. She frowns the more she observes Tirpitz and it only fills her up with tension.

(That's not Tirpitz......but why am I thinking of that?)

It's the conclusion Alabama comes up with, but she's puzzled by what led her with an absurd guess. One explanation she has yet to realize is how she always even trivial details on Tirpitz to study her rival and learn more of her nature.

"Are you going to leave as soon as possible or.....?"
"No. I have the whole day for myself and it's surprising I'd rather waste time here than be ordered around by King George V. Besides, I want to know more about what happened, specially about the attacker" Tirpitz's expression turns grim for a moment
"Since you're going to stay for a few hours, I might as well use this time to learn more about your friend. Victorious isn't as bad as I thought, so I want to see more of her character" Graf Zeppelin is keen on speaking more with Victorious
"....." Victorious silently shakes her head when Tirpitz looks at her
"Do as you please. I need some time alone" Tirpitz crosses her arms
"Tirpitz!"

Tirpitz could clearly tell earlier that Victorious wouldn't want a long conversation with Graf Zeppelin, but Tirpitz ignores her pleas. As a result, Victorious curses at her by angrily shaking her fists while Graf Zeppelin slowly pulls her away from the scene.

"Tirpitz, about a while ago-" Alabama suddenly stops herself
"What about it?" Tirpitz turns around
".....Aaah - I kind of forgot now...." Alabama scratches her head

As if Alabama's instincts immediately warned her, she immediately shuts her mouth the moment Tirpitz partially turns her head towards her. Her eyes are sharper and more cautious compared to her usual stoic yet gentle expression.

(Suddenly I'm getting bad vibes from Tirpitz. Like my instincts are saying I should stay away from her)
"Is there something on your mind?" Tirpitz blinks upon noticing Alabama breaking a cold sweat
"Nothing. I may be just imagining things" Alabama waves both hands
"I see....."

Tirpitz's expression loses its tension, returning to her usual calm and collected self. This also lessens Alabama's unexplained nervousness facing Tirpitz when she views her as not only a self proclaimed rival but a "buddy".

"I'll go off to spar with Scharnhorst. I heard she likes a good fight. Want to come?" Alabama quickly changes the topic
"I'd go meet with Friedrich der Grosse. You can go on without me"
"O-okay....."

Alabama reluctantly leaves puzzled, but she's more relieved she has an excuse to leave the area without having Tirpitz think she's avoiding her all of a sudden. At first, Alabama makes sure she turns her heel at a normal pace and keeps her steps one at a time rather than speed away from the scene.

(She looked like she wanted to end Victorious' life earlier. I may be getting paranoid thinking Tirpitz would even think of hurting Victorious)

Alabama shakes her head and dismisses her unexplained and baseless fear. It's only her instincts guessing and this further contradicts the Tirpitz she knows.

"For some reason, Alabama looked scared of me......"

On the other hand, Tirpitz who curiously watches Alabama slowly fade away from her lone of sight, rubs her chin in curiosity. She would normally ask, but it's obvious that Alabama is reluctant to speak much, something she would never expect from someone who would barely shut up when talking to her.

Somehow, I know this will go wrong....but this is the best way to understand her death....

______________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Text

Some things should have remained locked up.

Tirpitz has loosened the shackles she unknowingly placed on the deceased META, in her dream, she stands on another plain of snow. A few meters in front of her is Tirpitz META sitting by a stone bench and her gaze fixated on the imaginary shattered piece of her wisdom cube. It's the specific piece used to save Tirpitz and the one containing her consciousness.

"Did your heart finally waver? You didn't budge before, right?" Tirpitz shifts her gaze
"....." Tirpitz takes several steps forward
"To think you'd believe Bismarck's words. Have you regained your emotions?"
"......."
".....or perhaps - no, I would do that but you wouldn't" Tirpitz META shakes her head
"I just didn't want Bismarck to die for everyone's sake. There's nothing personal behind it"
"Right......" Tirpitz META clearly doubts it
"Why is revenge all you can think about? You're dead and literally broken into pieces"

For a while, Tirpitz has been meaning to uncover the source of the several memories she witness from time to time. Each of those memories are usually between her META version and Victorious', highlighting her obsession with the intention and how she harbors it.

"It's the only thing keeping me going now. If I clung to this living hell with only hatred in mind, then deep inside I'm seeking revenge" Tirpitz META clasps her hands together and intertwines her fingers
"No. It's more like you're consumed by it that you lost sight of reality. That relentless hatred blinded and twisted you. I can't even recognize you as another version of me" Tirpitz feels the need to correct her
"I'm dead. Does it matter? Until the day I can no longer stay conscious, I will let this emotion drive me"
"You just don't care anymore. If you want to die the second time, go do it yourself"

Even an emotionless Tirpitz isn't as suicidal as the ironically deceased yet lingering consciousness. The ghost seeks revenge but also seeks to die in the process. How she achieves it doesn't matter to her.

"You can't use the full extent of my power no matter how much you try" Tirpitz META changes the topic
"Hmm?"
"You've been trying to bend the cold to your will, but your attempt will only get you killed. Since you're not a META, your body will eventually get consumed" Tirpitz META sternly warns her
"If I were to lose the fragment inside, would I die or return to normal?"
"....You know the answer by now. My fragment is a substitute to the piece you lost"
"....." Tirpitz lowers her head
"There's still a reason for you to live. Don't make the same mistake as I did"
"I thought all you care about is revenge"
"Unfortunately, I may still have some other emotions left. I wished.....I didn't remain as an emotional ghost while you're an emotionless shell"

The two versions both go silent to reflect on their conversation. At the very least, the META one isn't thrashing around and screaming about revenge. If anything, Tirpitz META looks more annoyed.

"I went mad from pain, so I didn't hesitate to try killing Bismarck last year. Just imagine drifting into nothingness only to be violently ripped away and find yourself in another body"

Tirpitz META grunts since the memory of her forced revival haunts her up until now. Even after losing her original body, she could still sense the stinging and prickling sensation reverberating all over her body. She knows this is mainly because she's bound to another body, but she doesn't blame Tirpitz for it.

"You strive to regain most of your emotions. One day, you would regret having it return to you" Tirpitz META warns her again
"Regret? I didn't start out as an empty being. I had emotions, but I had forgotten it.....until that loud carrier reminded me of warmth" Tirpitz just shakes her head
"Your motivation is to regain those old days, huh. Even if you might die at some point, you wouldn't regret it"
"Then perhaps, when that day comes....."

The faint breeze blows over some of the surface snow and the heavy clouds above them begin to drop snow on their shoulders and on their peaked caps.

"Tirpitz, Tirpitz, Tirpitz" Graf Zeppelin snaps her fingers
"Hmm?"

Tirpitz blinks a few times when her scenery changes from a snowy landscape to inside a briefing room. Her eyes adjust to what's in front of her recognizing a polished wooden table with a laid out map and scattered files on all corners. Then she comes to remember she's sitting inches from the table itself and seemingly staring at the report filling the paper from top to bottom.

"You didn't hear anything I just said....." Graf Zeppelin crosses her arms
"Sorry, I was spacing out....." Tirpitz sighs
"I get it you're still uncomfortable with Iron Blood, but at least pay a little attention"

It takes a moment for her to remember what she's actually doing after being distracted by focusing on her consciousness.

"I'm willing to cooperate with Iron Blood so long as I can face the culprit who attacked Bismarck" Tirpitz assures her
"Did the culprit have anything to do with you? You seem interested about who attacked Iron Blood"
"I don't like tedious work, but....."

Tirpitz averts her gaze as it's the only response she could make to avoid mentioning her deceased META version. Her circumstances aren't so simple that she could confide it with someone trustworthy. The source is within her and quite volatile even as a ghost.

"Forget it. I have to deal with this before Bismarck wakes up" Tirpitz shakes her head
"Why?" Graf Zeppelin sets aside the main topic for a while
"How did Bismarck lose in the first place?"
"Don't evade my question with another question" Graf Zeppelin scoffs
"......Answering all of it is difficult, but why am I trying to deal with this problem myself?  I saw Bismarck get hurt and thought I needed to find this enemy" Tirpitz is uncertain of herself
".....I can't answer that for you. Not everyone would just explain whether it's another form of your feelings or not. What am I? Your therapist. I advise the likes of Bismarck from time to time but I don't deal with people's emotional issues"

Graf Zeppelin takes a few seconds before answering, somewhat perplexed at Tirpitz being unsure enough to speak of it to others. Something is clouding Tirpitz's thoughts and judgement, but the person herself either lacks the ability or simply refuses to acknowledge it. Tirpitz expressed a difficult form of confusion due to the abstract nature forming in her mind.

"While you say you lost your emotions, I believe it's more accurate to describe it as suppressed. This is just like the old you before meeting Victorious"
"Just like the old me?" Tirpitz raises her head
"In an extreme and more complicated nature. That freezing curse seeped into your wisdom cube and affected your thinking"
"Everyone has their theories.....but I wish it was as easy as that. I don't know.....how to fix myself - wait, why did this suddenly turn into a counseling session?" Tirpitz turns her attention to Graf Zeppelin

Tirpitz blinks and stops herself upon realizing she's unconsciously speaking without thinking. It's a bit of an old habit to lighten her tension by complaining from time to time.

"Beats me. I'm just letting you vent out your problems. You don't talk about this to Victorious, so she doesn't worry about your broodiness" Graf Zeppelin chuckles a bit
"She keeps a close on me thinking I might hurt myself or get myself in trouble....." Tirpitz couldn't look straight at Graf Zeppelin
"That's because she's your friend who knows you very well"
"Back to the topic, why and how did Bismarck lose like that?"

Tirpitz stands up to immediately stop herself before she would mindlessly spill out her inner thoughts again. She focuses on several photos neatly spread in a row with all of it being the aftermath of the sudden bombardment.

"The aircraft appeared in a split second and right on the base. Not to mention, they appeared to be aircraft from a kansen rather than a Siren"
"A kansen aircraft teleported right on top of the base and bombed the base. I still find it hard to believe that Iron Blood is that helpless"

Judging from the photos Tirpitz is carefully examining, the base has been significantly damaged but mostly on the crucial areas like communication towers and onshore defenses. The attack is carefully thought-out and most possibly planned for quite some time. An attack on a whim couldn't possibly catch even a single base of Iron Blood off guard.

"We didn't know what happened when we were bombed right in our faces. Bismarck might have rushed to the culprit head-on even when she was badly injured. Still, for Bismarck to be in that state...." Graf Zeppelin clenches both of her fists
(Bismarck fought a META using another power head-on and without prior knowledge is an impulsive move on her head. No, maybe she didn't expect her opponent to be a familiar META) Tirpitz thinks to herself
"I can't think of an aircraft with a firearm though"
"Firearm?"
"We found Bismarck with several gunshot wounds. From the examination, it's a long distance armor piercing gun so the enemy used a sniper rifle"

Tirpitz only has surface knowledge based on what the META's ghost sensed, but she's reluctant on the idea of Victorious META's existence and her goal for leaving Bismarck in a coma.

"An aircraft carrier with a sniper rifle? Just who in the world is that?"
"I don't know who, but she managed to land direct shots at Bismarck" Graf Zeppelin massages her temples

No one and nothing comes to mind for Tirpitz when thinking who could match the description. To begin with, an aircraft carrier wouldn't need a long distance weapon as fighter and bomber aircraft covers their need for long distance combat.

"Once the enemy has been located, I'll take her head-on alone. I can't let anyone get in the way"
"Why?" Graf Zeppelin is somewhat intrigued
"I can't guarantee I can stop myself because I may not be the one who will fight"

Tirpitz couldn't outright confess her deceased alter ego will forcibly take over when the source of her revenge presents herself. Unlike her, the META version doesn't have an inch of love or care towards anyone. Tirpitz META is just a ghost fueled by revenge and even admits it herself.

"Wait, has there been any progress in Iron Blood's search?" Tirpitz remembers upon looking at the laid out map
"We've been scouring the Atlantic but the culprit mysteriously vanished. It really looked like she just teleported away"
"......?"

Tirpitz senses her limbs weaken enough that she trembles. Before she could lose her balance, Tirpitz presses both of her hands on the edge of the table.

"Iron Blood wouldn't be able to find Victorious. She wouldn't come out unless she finds it necessary" Tirpitz META drags her without warning
"......."
"Tirpitz why do you reject that it's Victorious?"
"I don't understand why Victorious would hurt Bismarck. There's no motive" Tirpitz wants to confront her
"Victorious META had Bismarck revived me through you. I don't care what her reason is because she will end up dead"
"I won't allow killing anyone without knowing why and for what reason"
"......" Tirpitz META faintly grunts

Revenge is a personal matter Tirpitz rarely involves herself with, but she's also involved in the revenge now. It's clear to her she's standing between the unforgiving META and the source of the revenge albeit unwillingly.

"More importantly, I know you might have other plans. Bismarck getting hurt happened to be the perfect opportunity" Tirpitz frankly points it out
"....." Tirpitz META quietly frowns
"Still, you wanted to kill Bismarck but helped me save her. You'd do anything for freedom"
"Don't be mistaken. Between Bismarck and Victorious, I hated the latter even more. So much that I'd accept any offer of freedom" Tirpitz META isn't afraid to admit
"You're not completely free because you can't fully control someone else's body"
"Freedom is freedom even if it's only when against that filthy traitor"
"I won't let you do as you please"
"Of course you won't" Tirpitz META turns away

It's natural for Tirpitz to be cautious because she doesn't fully trust herself, especially the version of her who's a META without restraints and only focused on revenge. Although not plainly clear, Tirpitz META isn't so easily discouraged by her normal version's warnings and barely takes her seriously knowing the difference in their strength is like night at day.

"Do as you please. As long as it doesn't concern Victorious, I won't do anything.....unless you let your guard down" Tirpitz META whispers the last part

She isn't the type to easily give up when the opportunity presents itself. The situation is against her as of the moment with Tirpitz being extra cautious. Still, while her words may be true, it doesn't necessarily mean the full truth is included.

"Tirpitz" Graf Zeppelin shakes her
"....." Tirpitz takes a deep breath

Tirpitz lightly covers her mouth with her left hand and continues to take several deep breathes while her grim and hostile expression vacantly glares at the scattered photos.

"Do you want me to come after you that badly?"

Her piercing remains fixated on the photos that she forgets Graf Zeppelin is standing near her instinctively taking a step back. Tirpitz remains unexpressive, but never once in the past did Tirpitz bear murderous intent.

"........" Tirpitz closes her eyes for a second
"What happened? It looked like you couldn't breathe"
"I spaced out again...." Tirpitz regains her cold and unfeeling demeanor
"Is there something going on? You look like....you're going to kill someone earlier" Graf Zeppelin is a bit reluctant to describe
"......"
"Tirpitz?"
"Let's focus on the target. She can't hide forever"
"You talk like you're hunting" Graf Zeppelin shrugs her shoulders
"I'm not the one who's hunting...." Tirpitz mutters to herself

No matter how much Tirpitz dislikes it, Tirpitz META being present all the time inside her means someone else is keeping an eye on her actions. It's the reason why she loosened only a slight amount of restraint against the META because without a single shackle is a careless and foolish move on her part.

The next day......

Victorious groans while her bored eyes stare at the passing clouds freely drifting in the sky. She lies completely flat on the ground with her arms spreading on both sides. Remaining bored on a peaceful day, Victorious puffs her cheeks and almost leaves herself thoughtless while continuing staring at the clouds.

"What are you doing?" Tirpitz walks toward her
"Tirpy!" Victorious regains her cheerful demeanor

The moment the ever familiar figure looms over her and the shadow shades her, Victorious greets her with a relieved and lively smile. The latter immediately jumps on her two feet as if she hasn't seen her in a long time.

"It's - nevermind" Tirpitz surrenders correcting her
"You went to Iron Blood again and you didn't tell me!" Victorious lightly hits Tirpitz's shoulder
"You would do everything in your power to follow me" Tirpitz makes it clear why
"I was shocked to know you actually went there on your own"
"Yes, I don't like it for the most part, but it's necessary for me to tolerate them" Tirpitz lightly scoffs
"Necessary? For what reason" Victorious leans closer

Staring at Victorious for a few seconds reminds Tirpitz of the inescapable memory of Victorious META landing the fatal blow on Tirpitz META. It's not the same gentle and cheerful Victorious she knows because that one doesn't have a shred of regret and mostly solemn

"To bring down someone who's looking for a fight" Tirpitz responds with a deep and serious tone
".....!" Victorious takes a step back
"What's wrong?"
"I got spooked for a moment" Victorious wryly laughs

In just a mere second, Victorious recognizes certain killing intent which Tirpitz doesn't possess even before losing her emotions. Tirpitz dislikes fighting and the violence of it not because she's a pacifist but she lacks the motivation to be a part of one. The friend she knows wouldn't actively seek out to kill someone, let alone hurt someone.

"There's just someone I'm looking and I need to fight her.....for reasons" Tirpitz averts her gaze on the last part
"Who is it?" Victorious circles her as if to pressure her
"The someone who attacked an Iron Blood base and somehow beat Bismarck"
"Vengeance for Bismarck? I didn't think you would do that" Victorious leans closer to her
"More like someone's undying revenge because she can't stay dead" Tirpitz holds the tip of her cap
"Right....."

Victorious couldn't hear much with Tirpitz incoherently muttering under her breath, at least according to her perspective.

"Victorious if you were to kill me one day, would you do it out of hatred or love?" Tirpitz raises an odd question
"I don't know because I would never do that"
"......." Tirpitz's eyes dilate and glow brighter for a split second
"Is everything alright? I don't know if I'm seeing things.....but you're....."

Victorious sneaks a glance to notice Tirpitz tightly clenching her right fist to restrain herself. Being worrisome towards Tirpitz, she stretches out her hands and gently presses them on her cheeks. Tirpitz doesn't flinch because she silently welcomes the gentle touch that doesn't fear the cold she emits.

"You're not alone anymore, right? So long as I'm here, you shouldn't be scared to hold me.....like this"

When Victorious gently pulls her hands back, Tirpitz's thoughts subtly wish to let it stay even for a few seconds so she could engrave her touch and gently worried expression in her memory. Victorious reaches out for Tirpitz's right hand instead and squeezes it between her two hands. She could feel the chill beyond Tirpitz's gloves, but she doesn't fear the friend who would never hurt those around her.

"That's right. You would never do that to me. It would never happen....." Tirpitz slightly squeezes her right hand stand still in between Victorious' hands
".......!" Victorious is briefly surprised but fully welcomes to it
"You have faith I wouldn't hurt you, right? That's why you would touch me without hesitation"
"Of course, you icy blockhead" Victorious confidently smiles
"Then I have faith you wouldn't break my trust. At least not stab me right through my chest"
"What?" Victorious blinks in confusion
"Nothing" Tirpitz looks away
"You keep mumbling under your breath"

Victorious puffs her cheeks and pinches Tirpitz's cheeks since playfully hitting her is no different from a solid block of ice - cold and unmoving.

"Fool"

Tirpitz META eavesdrops on the conversation and she clicks her tongue in complete dismay. She once said Tirpitz lost her emotions along with her common sense. The moment only proves Tirpitz META is actually right, but she could only observe certain moments while sitting in the midst of her freezing prison.

"My, they're being playful. Must be in a great mood" Illustrious passes by and observes them from a distance
"Ms. Victorious is comfortable with her friend. Fortunately, Tirpitz is very tolerable of her antics and whims" Belfast rubs her chin
"Sometimes she just doesn't know personal space with how clingy she tends to be. For example, she got moody when Tirpitz went to Iron Blood without her" Illustrious gleefully chuckles
"I feel proud they stayed as friends even after the bombing threats and actual bombings in the past" Illustrious casually reminiscences
"I'm surprised there's no restraining order"

Belfast awkwardly smiles especially with the current scene of Victorious desperately attempting to grab Tirpitz's cap only for the latter to press her hand on Victorious' face and easily push her back.

"Hmm, Tirpitz hastily visited Iron Blood over concern from Bismarck's defeat, right?" Illustrious' tone becomes stern
"An Iron Blood base was ambushed and Bismarck was overpowered. Iron Blood didn't take it well and actively hunts the attacker as we speak" Belfast confirms with a nod
"I've seen Bismarck fight, so I wonder who could have caught them off guard to bomb their base like that. King George V informed me of a blizzard that trapped everyone in the base. Then speculation rose of META pairs fighting one another"
"That I cannot confirm either since the attacker is said to mysteriously vanish alongside the blizzard. However, few Iron Blood ships similarly witness aircraft appearing right on top of them" Belfast remains one of the ones speculating
"Perhaps Tirpitz may have a clue or two. Otherwise, she wouldn't just cooperate with Iron Blood just for payback" Illustrious focuses on Tirpitz
"Do you believe Tirpitz has her personal motives?"
"That may be the case, but she may have a secret or two"

The two continue to observe Victorious and Tirpitz from a distance the latter pair wouldn't notice. At that moment, Tirpitz gives in and willingly puts her cap on Victorious' head. The latter is quick to celebrate her victory by raising both arms in the air while Tirpitz is just shaking her head wondering at how she's easily overjoyed.

______________________________________________________________________________

About ten kilometers from Easter island, Victorious META distracts herself by letting the wisdom cube's fragment spin on her left hand's index fingertip while point shards of ice float around her. She barely minds the two battleships whose legs and rigging are slowly freezing. It's possible to speed up the process, but Victorious META designs it to start with their feet and their turrets first.

"It looks like Tirpitz let out the META to speed up Bismarck's recovery. This isn't what I had in mind since I didn't think she would try to save Bismarck" Victorious shifts her eyes to the two without moving her head

"Nngh! You got a lot of nerve picking a fight"

Scharnhorst META shatters the ice keeping her left arm in place but ice sprouts and forces the body part to be locked in place again. No matter how much quickly she moves, the chill surrounding them overpowers their physical capacity.

"......"

The ice can indeed stall their movements, but it didn't leave Victorious META unscathed. There's blood from the left side of her forehead and her left arm suffered burns and deep cuts up to her shoulder. There's also an open wound on the right side of her abdomen and half of her aircraft have been expended, but Victorious META uses the freezing abilitity to both numb the pain and stop the bleeding.

"I didn't want to hurt Bismarck, but I needed to buy time. Unfortunately, the result became the opposite because my Tirpitz is awake now" Victorious META still refuses to look at her
"What would you gain from all of this? Tirpitz's dead because of you and now you're not letting her rest" Scharnhorst META grits her teeth
"I'm keeping her awake because it was my fault she died in the first place" Victorious META is fixated on the fragment
"You feel guilty that you killed her, but your actions contradict it" Gneisenau META points out

"I killed her? Well, I might as well consider it powerless to undo it. No matter what I do, I couldn't change anything" Victorious META's tone becomes sorrowful
"...?" Scharnhorst META is confused at how she responds
"All I want is to have the Tirpitz I know back. It doesn't matter how cruel and selfish I become to accomplish it"
"Let her go already, Victorious. You turned your own friend into a vengeful ghost sharing a body with the Tirpitz of this timeline"
"I can't. Not after she first died. There's no way I can just let her go....." Victorious META bites her lower lip

Victorious META isn't blind to her actions and painfully accepts her selfish motivation when it's lost within her contained guilt.

"It shouldn't have ended that way, but I was too scared to do anything. As a result, I lost my Tirpitz" Victorious META sheds a single tear
"When you had her revived, she wasn't the same person as she was before. You were warned not to toy with the deceased" Gneisenau META actually pities her
"Who you brought back was a monster......so you killed her. I thought it was to finally put her out of her misery, but you shattered her wisdom cube" Scharnhorst META is both furious and pitying her

The sudden recollection of forcibly breaking glowing wisdom cube makes Victorious META flinch for a moment. She reels back as if she's disgusted by her own actions but carries the burden of that regretful moment.

"I thought I would have succeeded by now, but nothing went as I wanted it. The META couldn't override the ego of the body, so she's trapped as a lingering consciousness" Victorious META reveals a bit of her goal
"You're out of your mind! That would mean killing the mind of the normal Tirpitz just to bring back the META one. Don't you care about the Victorious of this timeline?!"

Consumed by blind rage, Scharnhorst META first cracks the ice and explosively shatters the ice locking her limbs and rigging in one position. Victorious META is desperate to fall into the line of what most people would consider evil.

"Uugh!"

Victorious META fires the fourteen inches long icicles with the same speed of a bullet from an automatic gun. This sends Scharnhorst META flying back after two directly pierces both sides of her shoulders while the third and fourth lodges in her left thigh.

"I'm trying to find a way where it doesn't have to end that way! I want to save both, so I had to make Bismarck go with the procedure. Even if it's another Tirpitz, I just want our counterparts to be happy....for once" Victorious META burst into tears

Since Victorious META is immune to the chill emitted by her borrowed power, warm tears freely flow from her eyes while the two battleships are stuck within blocks of ice. As much as possible, Victorious META wants to remain calm and collected, but she has been holding her desperation for so long that she couldn't bear lying anymore.

"That's why I'll keep on trying no matter how much I have to kill her over and over. Until the friend I knew and loved returned, I couldn't let anyone stop me" Victorious META wipes away her tears from the corner of her eyes
"Even if you become a monster yourself?" Gneisenau META questions her
"I'm far from being called a sane person. Just to save one friend, I'm willing to keep killing her until I find a way to actually save her"
"You can't bring one life back without sacrificing others. It's the sole reason you failed the last time"

Scharnhorst META removes the unmelting icicles stuck in her flesh and throws it to the side as she stands up straight again.

"I know you couldn't accept her death, but you have to realize not everyone would want to live again. Tirpitz accepted her own death, you're the only one who couldn't" Gneisenau META attempts to use reason
"Hell, I'd rather kill myself then be brought back again" Scharnhorst META pointe at herself
"I have to do something before the Victorious of this timeline makes the same mistake. That's why I can't stop here......not until I'm certain Tirpitz is happily living again"

There's a chance of surrendering, but Victorious META quickly denies the peaceful end offered to her. For her, what she struggles to achieve the most isn't worth abandoning no matter how much they remind her to "let go" and "move on". They wouldn't understand how the incident affected her because she's the only one who truly witnessed it right before her eyes.

"Now that Tirpitz is hunting me, I have to deal with her. You two aren't my concern right now" Victorious META turns away
"Ggh! What are you up to this time?"

Scharnhorst META takes a step forward the open wounds sprout ice that covers most of her body within seconds save for her head until her right hand.

"You won't have to find me again. Even if you do, I doubt the two of you would make it in time" Victorious META warns them
"Don't get cocky just because you're stealing someone's power!" Scharnhorst META glares at the fragment
"Unless you two have a better alternative to save Tirpitz from dying, I'm not going to stop here"

After that, Victorious META sails away from the scene without looking back once at them. In fact, she leaves them to free themselves in order to stall long enough to leave their radius and the sea itself. The cold air around them will disperse in an hour and ice will weaken within a few minutes as well and that would be enough for them to break it easily. Victorious META knows they would eventually escape and even be careful not to let them be stuck longer than they should.

Chapter Text

I'm sorry. I truly am.

Over and over, Victorious META apologizes with tears continuously streaming down her cheeks and her lips tremble, unable to properly voice out sentences. Her hand trembles, but she couldn't unhand the broken blade piercing Tirpitz's heart for the first time. Instead of the usual ice and cold wind, the two are surrounded by raging flames illuminating them in a bright orange glow.

"I'm sorry....." Victorious META sobs
"You.....Why?" Tirpitz META musters the strength to open her mouth
"I'm sorry....."
"......Why.....are you apologizing......?" Tirpitz META manages to say more
"I couldn't do anything" Victorious META holds her sobbing
"There was nothing.....that could be done...."

Tirpitz META clings to life as much as possible even when the light in her eyes had grown dim and her vision slowly being consumed by pitch black darkness.

"I don't have the right to live. That's just how it is, right?" Tirpitz META briefly closes her eyes

It's as if Tirpitz META couldn't process the feeling of a barbed coil around her chest. That unexplainable suffocation and deep sadness overwhelms her senses, briefly forgetting the fact she's supposed to be dead. It's just that she refuses the force of death to finally pull away her consciousness persisting through the power of her metamorphosis.

"No, Tirpitz. You have the right to live just like everyone else.....but you would take that right away from them if I let you be. The world is just that unfair....." Victorious META bites her lower lip
"......"
"All the fault falls on my shoulders, so don't bear a grudge against the world"
"Victorious.....you have to let go. Death is where I can finally find rest.....so don't take that away from me"
".....I promise...." Victorious META reluctantly agrees

The cold contained within Tirpitz META's body freezes those around her but strips of her own warmth. Right as her sight is growing dim, she widens her eyes at a brief gush of warmth on her chest.

"Why.....now.....?"

Tirpitz META musters enough strength to speak and to Victorious META's surprise, sees a single tear roll down Tirpitz META's right eye. She gains the freedom from life she seeks only to be mocked by her fate as warmth returns to her moments from death.

......
......
......

Tirpitz slowly opens her eyes and rather than the sunlight peaking through the curtain's gaps, she only sees the faint moonlight outside. Visible cold vapor leaks from her body, but sighs upon seeing her surroundings has yet to freeze.

"Hmm?"

As she lifts her back off the bed, she remembers the deceased META's memories making its way into her dreams again. She has no interest in the experiences of another, especially if it's another "pointless" tragedy.

"You didn't want to see what happens next even if I still persisted a minute longer"

A familiar voice prompts Tirpitz to turn to the right and look at the figure leaning by the desk with arms crossed. Cold and unfeeling in the surface but couldn't hide the unrelenting anger inside. That's how the deceased META usually speaks, but what alerts Tirpitz is seeing a disembodied META appear right before her.

"......" Tirpitz turns her legs and sits at the bedside
"You've been talking with a ghost. Seeing one isn't so different" Tirpitz META shrugs her shoulders
"Why and how are you here?" Tirpitz pushes herself up from the bed
"I'm not exactly here because I lost my body and was forced to live with yours" Tirpitz META lifts her right hand for a second
"Then-"
"You could say I'm a projection only you can see"
"So a visual hallucination?"

As Tirpitz stands at least a meter from the so-called projection, Tirpitz META slightly lifts her head, baffled and a bit annoyed at how the current Tirpitz remains cold and unfeeling unaffected by the memories.

"I am you and you are me. It's as simple as that" Tirpitz META furrows her eyebrows
"Not that nonsense again......"

Tirpitz isn't interested hearing the META repeatedly insist that they're no different from each other, so she quickly heads to change into her regular uniform.

"You're running away again. Is this the only thing you know how to do?"

Tirpitz META raises her voice when Tirpitz grabs her cap on top of the desk and completely ignores her in the process. The regular kansen doesn't truly wish to spend another second in a closed room with a hallucination, so she rushes out of the door and through the hallway.

"Tirpitz, you can't get rid of me just as how you can't deny what happened and what will happen!" Tirpitz META drags her legs and follows her
"Be quiet. You've been forcing your memories into me and now I'm hallucinating"

If the META has a physical body, Tirpitz might have pushed her away. Unfortunately, she couldn't do anything but let the ghost relentlessly follow her closely.

"Maybe you're not real and I'm losing my mind"

As soon as Tirpitz steps outside and stops just after a few meters, she swings her right arm in the air. On the other hand, Tirpitz META stands with her arms crossed and grim glare at Tirpitz's denial.

"You let me in, remember?" Tirpitz META grunts reminding her
"So it's my fault I'm hallucinating?"
"Why don't you want to see the full truth? You know by now Victorious will betray you"
"Don't try to force your experience here. You're not me, so none of that will happen" Tirpitz continues to reject her

They may be the same person to a degree, but their perspectives and personalities are still far too different. Tirpitz keeps herself separated from the META even after the several memories she witnessed since the beginning.

"If you want to escape from that dread, then kill yourself already. It's either Victorious kills you or you kill yourself to spare the suffering" Tirpitz META grits her teeth
"And abandon Victorious? She did everything she could, so I could find meaning. Killing myself now.....would disrespect her efforts all this time"

Tirpitz stands her ground at brief images of Victorious smiling and pestering her on a daily basis. They may appear as every day nuisances, but to Tirpitz, she only pays attention to the memory.

"Once you get attached to someone, you never let them go. You will repeat the same mistake....of trusting anyone" Tirpitz META clenches both fists
"I choose how and when I die. You're just a phantom who couldn't move on" Tirpitz takes a step forward
"You can't make the hardest choices in life. That's why you're bound to suffer even after death"

The two continue to argue. In Tirpitz's perspective, the META speaks and moves as if she's real, but to everyone who would see, Tirpitz is speaking to no one in front of her.

"Why is Tirpitz.....talking to the air?"

Victorious passes by, heading back to the dormitory, when she stops upon spotting Tirpitz. She tilts her head, baffled and worried as Tirpitz is visibly talking but there isn't anyone around her.

"What's gotten to her?" Victorious tilts her head left and right

While Tirpitz focuses on the dead Tirpitz META, she couldn't hear Victorious' footsteps inching closer towards her, needlessly tiptoeing at the distracted battleship.

"Tirpitz-" Victorious taps her on the shoulders

The two versions of Tirpitz immediately stop their argument with Tirpitz META clicking her tongue and crossing her arms again. Victorious is not the same as the guilt ridden and selfish META who killed Tirpitz META, but the latter still views them in the same light.

"Aah!"

Victorious immediately pulls her hand and staggering back a few inches causes her to lose balance and her bottom hardly hits the concrete ground.

"Victorious" Tirpitz quickly turns around and bends on one knee
"You nearly froze my hand....." Victorious shows her palm with thin patches of ice
"I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to attack......"

Tirpitz reaches out her hand to hold Victorious' affected hand but slowly pulls herself away at the sudden thought of accidentally freezing her skin again. Although the sudden 'defensive mechanism' only covers the surface of Victorious' skin, Tirpitz could only think of the accident.

"Don't be scared. You didn't mean to hurt me" Victorious gently smiles
"........" Tirpitz groans in reluctance
"This is nonsense. How can you be like this knowing what will happen to you at her hands?" Tirpitz META stomps her left foot
"......" Tirpitz just ignores her
"You're rejecting everything I've shown and told you because of bond and affection? This is absolute bullshi-"
"You.....Shut up already!"

For the first time, Tirpitz raises her voice which startles even Victorious. Tirpitz suddenly turns to an empty direction and shouts at no one just like earlier. Ice slowly forms on the ground beneath Tirpitz's feet, reacting to her desire to get rid of the persistent ghost.

"Tirpitz?" Victorious softly presses her hand on her cheek
"......." Tirpitz remembers her presence
"Is something wrong? You're suddenly talking even when there's no one there"
"......."
"You look like you've seen a ghost"
"A rather angry and talkative one. That's why I can't tell she's not me" Tirpitz stands up and turns away

Since the beginning, Tirpitz has acted calm and rational, so seeing her act strangely makes Victorious squeeze Tirpitz's hand between her palms. It's what usually assures Tirpitz of comfort and security because the current Tirpitz is like a beast eyeing a threat and preparing to strike at any given moment.

"Y-you're not losing your mind, are you?" Victorious' voice shakes
"......" Tirpitz faces her again
"I'm really worried that something's going on that you're not telling me"
".....I'm haunted by the possibility of you being my downfall. That you're the one to betray and kill me"
".......?!"

Victorious takes a step back because the memory of their META versions remain fresh within the corners of her mind. Her META version is burdening herself with guilt and could no longer experience joy while Tirpitz only seems revenge against her, driven purely by rage beyond death.

You trust she wouldn't hurt you just she would trust you wouldn't betray her. How tragic could that be?

The moment also reminds Victorious of Tirpitz META's spiteful words directed to both the normal and META version. The META has less grudge on the regular Victorious, but she still views them as betrayers who deserve death.

"All I've been seeing and hearing is the inevitable end I would meet by your hands......because of your selfishness"
"I can be selfish....but I wouldn't do anything to make you hate me. I don't want you to hate me.....so don't look at me with those distrustful eyes"

More than anything, Victorious is afraid of seeing the same conflict between them. The fear and anxiety swells up in her chest that she's on the brink of tears. To her, Tirpitz is her dearest friend so she keeps her close out of worry she might recklessly get herself killed.

"I don't want to do anything that would put the two of us against each other......" Victorious bites her lower lip
"......Forget what I said"

Tirpitz gently wipes the tears forming at the corner of Victorious' eyes. Her gloved index finger sweeps the tears away even if it stains a bit of her white gloves.

"I may have lost my heart but my mind remained intact, so it's like I'm losing my mind recently. It's like there's a voice in my head trying to control me" Tirpitz still couldn't reveal it
"Who are you calling-" Tirpitz META grits her teeth
"I don't want to hurt you. If that day comes, then I wouldn't bear any grudge against you. I would gladly give my life if it means protecting you from me"

Tirpitz may appear to declare all of that without hesitation, but she couldn't get rid of the META's memories eating away at her mind. Deep inside her, Tirpitz doesn't remove the possibility of Victorious being possibly killing her even if she remains stubborn enough to deny her META version.

"I want to soothe your problems because if you lose your mind, then I'd lose you forever" Victorious furrows her eyebrows
"Everything that comes out of her mouth is like what the Victorious I know would always say. Where did that end up? Getting shanked twice by Victorious" Tirpitz META scoffs
"....." Tirpitz just frowns at her
"This is what you people call a red flag, Tirpitz. You're signing a death warrant and heading closer to your grave. That's why it's either you kill her.....or you kill yourself. Either way, it would save both of us the trouble"
"You once told me if I die, you'd replace me. I'm not sure if that's true, but you're not getting what you want either way" Tirpitz remembers their recent conversation
"......" Tirpitz META growls at her
"Tirpitz, you're talking to thin air again"

Victorious gently presses her hand on Tirpitz's face and forces her to look back at her after being ignored for a minute.

"I just need some sleep. Thinking about my own life has mee seeing imaginary....parasite"
"......!" Tirpitz META frowns at the insult
"I'll escort you back. You might argue with a door on the way back" Victorious jokingly comments
"Choosing not to do anything is a fatal mistake!" Tirpitz META shakes her head in anger
"......" Tirpitz ignores her yet again

Unknown to Victorious, while she cheerfully drags Tirpitz by her wrist, she walks past Tirpitz META whose arms remain crossed.

"That little - I forgot how difficult I used to be....." Tirpitz META exhales deeply

Since she would be wasting her breath and words, even as a bodiless ghost, she just storms away and begrudgingly follows right behind Tirpitz.

"Do you want me to stay?"

After guiding Tirpitz back to her room, Victorious leans to the right and peaks inside Tirpitz's room.

"It's fine. I need some peace and quiet to clear my mind. Beside, I'm not your personal air conditioner, remember" Tirpitz quickly rejects her
"Tch!" Victorious snaps her fingers in dismay
"Go to sleep already. We have a mission tomorrow, you know"
".....Alright, but if you need anything, just come into my room or you could sleep there-"
"The air freshener smells too strong, so I have to refuse. Also, do you always spray perfume there?" Tirpitz rejects her offer again
"Fine! I'm going to sleep" Victorious cheeks flashes red in embarrassment and pouts her cheeks

The aircraft carrier marches off from the scene with her shoulders drop in defeat because of Tirpitz's tendency to be more picky than doting.

"......"

Just as Victorious reaches the end and turns to a corner, completely disappearing from her line of sight, Tirpitz heads inside her own room. Right after slowly closing it, she proceeds to double lock the door and staggers forward until she can feel herself losing balance. However, she presses her hand on the desk to force herself to stand upright rather than collapse and faint while the ghost is still right behind her.

"You know she's hiding something, right?" Tirpitz META raises an eyebrow
"......" Tirpitz keeps ignoring her"
"Victorious saw me possess you before, but she didn't tell you. She knows what happened between the other Victorious and I"
"Stop lying to make me vulnerable....." Tirpitz breathes heavily
"When you woke up after I took over, you saw her act strange - afraid of you and for you" Tirpitz META walks right to Tirpitz
"You're not stupid, Tirpitz. You knew something wasn't right ever since then, so you repeatedly tried to reassess your trust to her"

Tirpitz META grabs Tirpitz's cape and pulls her close until they're just a few inches from each other. Since Tirpitz has been ignoring her warnings and threads, the META one starts applying pressure on and preys on her denial this time.

As soon as Tirpitz META grabs Tirpitz's collar with a tight grip from both hands, the latter relieves the moment.

".....I just got scared when you got hurt.....because of me. Sometimes I wonder if what I'm doing is more harm than good....."
"......"
"I don't want to do something selfish believing it's for your sake because you'd hate me......"
"So you did see something....."
"I had a nightmare......where you hated me so bad you wouldn't forgive me. That hate was unbearable that no apology would suffice"

At first, Tirpitz pays no attention to it and brushes it off shortly after. Those words loom over her, a product of the deceased Tirpitz META's fragment being integrated in her wisdom cube.

"Even if she knows, Victorious isn't the same as yours"
"You confidently told her you'd die to protect her, but you couldn't give me a proper answer when her selfishness is taken into account" Tirpitz META removes her grip and raises both hands for a few seconds
"......" Tirpitz straightens herself
"That's because you don't know what to do. You lose your common sense when you're around her. It's the same reason I died twice"
"....."
"You're blind when it comes to Victorious, but none of that would matter once I get my hands on that traitor. Then, you would understand why I am the way I am"

Since Tirpitz would either reject or ignore her, Tirpitz falls tired of arguing with someone who's harder and colder than the ice she wields. She has confidence in the right moment that she narrows her eyes right before she turns away from Tirpitz.

I'll give you a reason for revenge. Perhaps the first emotion that would return to you.....would be unpleasant.....
......
No, perhaps it's already there.....

Tirpitz META disappears from Tirpitz's sight by dispersing into a mist of freezing air. She has no reason to speak it out loud to bid her time long enough for her warnings to be a hard slap of reality to Tirpitz.

The next day......

The fleet with Tirpitz and Victorious a part of it sails out in the open sea. Ever since last night, Victorious has been staring at Tirpitz's back ever since leaving port, and Alabama is quick to notice.

"Did you two fight or something?" Alabama whispers to her
"Tirpitz is going through something but the dummy won't tell me anything" Victorious puffs her cheeks
"That's Tirpitz for you. She never says anything or complains even when she's beaten badly" Alabama awkwardly laughs
"I saw her last night talking to no one, so I got worried that she might lose her mind"
"How about looking at you like she wants to kill you?" Alabama snaps her fingers
"What?"
"Ah, forget I said that. There's no way Tirpitz would try to end you" Alabama lightly smacks both of her cheeks

While their conversation continues, Tirpitz sneaks a glance at the two of them. She doesn't say anything, just observes them while focusing on the mission ahead.

"We might meet with Iron Blood at the target area. A fleet of theirs is also going to investigate the sea around the island" King George V reminds Tirpitz
"Clue for whoever attacked Bismarck?" Tirpitz focuses on the knight
"Yes. They're hellbent and relentless when Friedrich der Grosse pressured me into sharing more information" King George V twitches the side of her lips
"They haven't changed. Once they set their eyes on a target, they don't stop until it's dead or in their hands. It's difficult to shake them loose"

Tirpitz makes it sound like their determination is both a positive and negative trait with how "hardworking" she describes them.

"Hopefully this gets resolved before Bismarck wakes up"
"Huh? Why?" King George V tilts her head
"I just don't want her to try pursuing the culprit and get herself an unusual injury. There might not be s second chance"
"For her?"
".....for me"

Tirpitz briefly thinks about the actively listening ghost who's patiently sitting in one corner, but Tirpitz could feel her long and keen gaze from the corner of her mind. It's an unwelcoming sensation because the locked gaze is mildly distracting her from what's ahead.

"Victorious looked worried. She said something about you talking to yourself" King George V changes the topic
"She told you that? It's nothing worth noting" Tirpitz doesn't want to discuss it
"Just the other day, you were having an existential dread"
"......"
"Tirpitz, you either need a long vacation somewhere else or a therapy - maybe both!"

King George V's suggestion may appear to be out on a whim, but she's genuinely concerned about other kansens' wellbeing. As a knight, she makes keeping the fleet morally stable and abiding laws as an additional part of her duty too as a kansen.

"I could give you a counseling session after this mission-" King George V cheerfully suggests
"I'd rather take the vacation" Tirpitz doesn't waste time to refuse
"Too late! We're having that counseling session later"
"I don't have a say on this, do I?"
"Not at all!" King George V chuckles
"......"

King George V curves a confident smile across her face while Tirpitz makes no effort to protest or further complain knowing King George V would likely drag her to a room and chain her to a chair.

About twenty minutes later.....

The sun earlier loses its light with the thick clouds occupying the afternoon sky. More than the weather, King George V is more concerned at the Iron Blood fleet they supposedly encounter or at least contact. There's no communication at both ends and there's only a faint static noise.

"Something isn't right. The Iron Blood fleet couldn't be detected or even contacted"

King George V looks both left and right as she raises her guard at the slight instance or possibility of a foul play. She moves a bit further from the fleet, but cold meets prickles her skin and hinders their visibility.

"It's no good. I can't pick up anything with this weather. The windows are freezing, so it makes it near impossible to spot anything"

Indomitable approaches King George V and shakes her head in dismay. Her aircraft lowers their altitude and forms a straight line since she's making them land back to her flight deck.

"Same here. I can't find anything and my aircraft blades are getting jammed because it's suddenly freezing" Victorious approaches as well

Victorious does the same. Other than the freezing blades, the cold temperature is forming moisture on the aircraft windows and dressing the tip of the wings.

"This unusual weather hindering us is most certainly a trap and we just walked right into it" King George V immediately deduces
"By Iron Blood?" Indomitable frowns
"I don't think so. There's no motive to trap us here.....unless they got caught in the trap as well" King George V frowns
"The freezing air is restricting aircraft, so that's minus air superiority" Indomitable grunts
"Four battleships and two cruisers. The commander should have deducted one battleship and inserted a submarine instead" King George V massages her temples
"Commander has their reasons.....probably" Victorious nervously laughs

They continue to sail within the freezing trap slowly enclosing them where they could not get out or allow anyone to enter. A watchful eye has been tracking their movements, allowing for the predator to stalk its prey - reversing the role before they could notice.

"Nngh....." Tirpitz has difficulty breathing
"What's the matter?" Baltimore approaches her
"Something's not right. We shouldn't have waltzed here like nothing" Tirpitz clutches her chest
"What's wrong?"
"We're being watched"

Tirpitz begins to lose her speed with the air from her lungs gradually being restricted. As much as she forces her body to move or for any air to come out, her breathing grows unstable and her legs become numb. She falls on one knee, and Alabama supports her weight to stand back up.

"Is everything alright?" Littorio notices Tirpitz's current state
"Tirpitz feels suffocated all of a sudden" Alabama doesn't know what to do
"This is.....bad. We.....have to leave now....." Tirpitz forces herself to speak
"Huh? Why?" Littorio furrows her eyebrows
".......A......snow storm.....is coming...."

Tirpitz's consciousness is growing dim with the fragment inside her erratically reacting with the snowy wind forming a large dome around them.

"Aaaugh! It's her......that bitch.....is here!" Tirpitz META falls on her knees

The META immediately senses her other piece and Victorious META who wields it. Inexplicable pain becomes thorns coiling around her and causes her to let out incoherent grunts.

"Tirpitz!" Victorious rushes to her
"S-stay.....away....." Tirpitz stretches out her hand

Since the META is growing erratic from sensing Victorious META, Tirpitz knows the ghost would become violent and aggressive to the point she would get overwhelmed as well.

"Enemy fire!" San Diego shouts and points at the sky

The fleet quickly moves on their feet and moves away from where the rain of shells are about to land. Each hit causes large splashes in the water and briefly disturbs the waves around them.

"Tch! Victorious" Indomitable takes risks and launches her squadron
"Right!" Victorious follows her lead

There's little visibility even if the aircraft could still thread the faint snowy wind. Judging from the trajectory alone, the salvos are from a distance similar to a battleship's range.

"Enemy aircraft at three o clock! Anti-aircraft maneuvers!" King George V immediately relays the orders
"Another side as well!" Baltimore sees the other squadron

Two squadrons of aircraft from opposing sides try to corner them and force them to further scatter from each other.

"Kyaa!" San Diego covers her right side from the near miss of a dive bomber

San Diego may be a specialized anti aircraft cruiser, but it's difficult for her to defend from two squadrons of aircraft launched from a META. The aircraft themselves are faster and more durable that a single direct hit on the wing isn't enough to pierce it. Not just because of the armor but with the growing blizzard making her machine gun bullets more fragile and slower.

"I'll kill her. I have to kill her.....myself.....!" Tirpitz META is forcing control

In the inner world where there's nothing but snow, Tirpitz META is losing her composure from merely detecting Victorious META. She's being driven like a furious beast out for blood, something she could not control as a vengeful ghost.

"I won't let you stop me, Tirpitz!"

Tirpitz META targets Tirpitz first and lunges at her faster than she could blink. The latter couldn't defend herself from being grabbed by the neck and helplessly lifted a few inches off the ground.

"You.....you......" Tirpitz grabs the META's arm gripping her neck

In order to gain control by force out of impatience and madness, Tirpitz META squeezes Tirpitz's neck with her left hand. She doesn't even begin gently and immediately thinks of strangling her or breaking her neck.

"The enemy....isn't even here yet" Tirpitz keeps on struggling
"I had enough waiting. That traitor will die today!"
"Ggh...."
"It's pointless. By the time you wake up, both of those Victorious will die. That is if you wake up ever again"
"......" Tirpitz's hands fall on both sides

Those words alone are enough for Tirpitz to realize how the META lied at the beginning and crossed her the moment opportunity reveals itself. By the time, she notices her mistake, she's already moments from closing her eyes and stops breathing.

"She followed me....as soon as I went out......but this is fine.....because you invited her death!" Tirpitz META forces control

The synchronization amplifies the fragment holding Tirpitz META's consciousness, thus discarding the owner of the body and becomes the dominant ego. Her overwhelming thirst for revenge removes Tirpitz from being in control in mere moments even if there's a struggle earlier.

"I'll kill you this time. You won't escape me or force me back to sleep!"

Since Tirpitz META becomes the dominant ego, the blizzard around them is overwritten by her own ability as she's the entirety of consciousness. Tirpitz META's icy blue eyes glow brighter and freezing cracks form from her hands up to her neck.

Meanwhile......

Victorious META is quick to sense Tirpitz META's being active again. Although she faintly smiles, her face immediately displays a deep sorrow with grim on her eyes. Behind her is not only Hunter META but another META pointing a blade at the back of her neck.

"I just went away for a couple of weeks and you're screwing your best friend already" Ark Royal META clicks her tongue
"Calm down" Hunter META points her rifle at Ark Royal META
"I'm not calming down! You killed her twice and now she's a mad ghost possessing her past version" Ark Royal META shouts at the top of her lungs
"I can still save her" Victorious META turns around
"There's no fixing this. You risk one of them dying. If the normal Tirpitz gets overwhelmed, her mind will die and the META will own the body"

Ark Royal META doesn't like to meddle in the affairs of others, but she rushes wothit hesitation after learning the severity and impact. The level of desperation is more harmful than beneficial that she couldn't ignore.

"There is a way to save them both. You just have to trust me!" Victorious META defends herself
"Why are you taking her side, Hunter?"
".....It's stupid but possibly the only way to save both of them. Besides, she wouldn't mind dropping dead after she gets what she wants"

Hunter META shrugs her shoulders and turns her gaze on Victorious META on her second statement. If anything, Hunter META will go along with the whims as long as it doesn't escalate or involve her taking the hit again.

"All of this because of her first death? You couldn't accept it...." Ark Royal META grits her teeth
"How could I? Tirpitz wasn't supposed to die.....and I had no choice but to stop her myself"
"What makes you think you can save them? Tirpitz META is revived with revenge. She's a vicious monster that will self-destruct" Ark Royal META pities her desperation
"The hatred filling the gap I left her had clouded her memories. I don't know if she would forgive even if she could remember, but I want that Tirpitz back" Victorious META refuses to give up
"There's only one way to pacify a savage ghost, but it means bearing all those sins" Hunter META lowers her gun
"Tch!"

It takes a few seconds, but Ark Royal META couldn't cut open the throat of someone who would gladly give up her life just to accomplish her goal. The root of all of it is the haunting and stinging guilt born out of a single wish for a beloved friend.

"To go this far for Tirpitz....." Ark Royal META frowns in dismay
"If I didn't interfere, my past self would have made the same mistake as I did....and everything would repeat. I don't want to see that again" Victorious META shows her the fragment
"Victorious....."
"That's why please bear with me for a while"

Victorious META moves forward with the rapidly blinking fragment still floating centimeters from her palm.

"I will face Tirpitz myself. You don't need to interfere" Victorious META softly tells her
"........" Ark Royal isn't sure how to react
"Stopping her is impossible. Trust me. I tried.....more than once" Hunter META rests her rifle on her shoulder
"Even so, a wish this foolish.....will require a hefty price. There's only one way this will end" Ark Royal META twitches her lips
"Well, she wants to be put out of her misery once and for all" Hunter META shrugs her shoulders
"I'm not talking about her" Ark Royal META glances at the destroyer
"Oh....."

Hunter META widens her eyes with both eyebrows raised but immediately returns to her default serious expression with sharp killing intent. It's not for her to decide whether she should interfere or not considering Victorious META is adamant on taking the responsibility when dealing with Tirpitz META.

Chapter Text

The blizzard trapped everyone else in a large area, so they couldn't react quick enough to flee the area. It's as if they're in a new world of ice and snow without anything else. All kansens are unable to move normally within the blizzard due to barely seeing anything ten meters ahead and their riggings jamming.

"Tir.....pitz?"

Victorious worries about herself and surroundings for nearly a minute before completely switching her priority to Tirpitz. Rather than her safety, she's both worried and afraid after seeing Tirpitz with brightly glowing icy blue eyes and blue cracks stretching from her neck to her cheek.

"........!"

As soon as Victorious gets within Tirpitz's range and reluctantly reaches out her hand to hand, Tirpitz's response is immediately grabbing by the neck. The shocked aircraft carrier is soon lifted off the ground until she could only struggle by flailing her legs and grabbing Tirpitz's forearm.

"You.....you! If only you just died a long time ago....." Tirpitz's eyes dilated
"T-Tirpitz......I can't breathe....." Victorious tries to pull herself away
"Both you and that wretched META share the same fate. I entrusted you with my life, so you abused it and took it from me!" Tirpitz tightens her grip
"That anger......!"

Even if it's still Tirpitz, the instant Victorious hear the deep and furiously shaking voice, what flashes in her thought is "the other one" who once possessed her Tirpitz. It's the other Tirpitz who bears a deep grudge on her more guilt ridden and solemn META version.

"I'm not your Victorious......so give me back my Tirpitz!" Victorious tightly grips Tirpitz META's wrist
"I don't care. You will end up just like her!" Tirpitz META tightens her grip a bit
"Nggh! You just won't stop until you get your revenge. That's not how my Tirpitz is.....because she doesn't wallow in petty grudges!"
"Petty?! You murdered me twice and broke my wisdom cube into pieces. It's because of you I'm trapped as a fragment and lost my original body forever!"

Tirpitz META pulls the arm holding Victorious only for her to violently tosses forward and sends her rolling at the nearly freezing surface. Victorious quickly raises her head before the prickling coldness of the water reddens and numbs her skin. The battlefield has been transformed into a desolate area that no organic being could thrive, but Victorious is barely harmed by the extreme temperature despite the grudge of its source.

"You're hurting others because of this undying obsession. More importantly, you're hurting yourself" Victorious angrily points at her face
"You got a lot of nerve to scold me when it's all your fault!"
"Why are you blaming someone who hasn't done anything? I may be Victorious too, but I'm not the same one who made you that way. It's like killing someone the moment they're born because of something they will do in the future!"

Unfortunately for the META, Victorious couldn't restrain scolding and berating her the same way she does with the regular Tirpitz. She subconsciously views them the same, rendering Tirpitz META herself actually stunned that she takes a step back.

"Dead or not, you're still an icy blockhead stuck on one thought because you're too uninterested to find another way. What you're doing is hurting everyone here and justifying it how they're as guilty as the other me!" Victorious doesn't stop yelling at her
"What makes you think-" Tirpitz META gets cut off
"The same way I could tell you're angry that you clung to life but also tired and wishes for an eternal rest"
"Shut up! Don't talk like you ever understood me"

Frustrated at how the regular Victorious is genuinely pitying her because she already memorizes Tirpitz's consistent thinking, so she angrily grabs Victorious's left arm and lifts pulls her forward.

"You're right. I don't fully understand Tirpitz, but I know when she's suffering. Seeing you, I know when she's in pain or upset. My Tirpitz chose to trust me enough to stop bottling her emotions" Victorious stares at her right in the eyes

There isn't the slightest fear or hesitation in Victorious even when she directly stares at the sharp icy blue eyes staring back at her. This annoys Tirpitz META at least because Victorious wagers her own safety out of a trust to her dear friend. Victorious doesn't even tremble or pause every time she speaks but remains firm and confident in face of someone who can freeze her entire body with a touch and shatter her with a flick.

"If you truly believe it's right to kill someone other than your target, then go ahead and kill me right where I stand. Continue with your revenge and you'll end up destroying the Tirpitz who has nothing to do with this" Victorious dares her without hesitation
"Why are you trying to save me?" Tirpitz META's softens her frown
"META or not, dead or not, Tirpitz is Tirpitz. I guess I can't ignore any version of my icy dummy when she's in pain and being stubborn again. How can I ignore seeing Tirpitz hurt herself because she's at a dead end?" Victorious nearly lifts her hand to reach the META
"......."

Tirpitz META surprisingly doesn't even freeze Victorious or at least injure her. Instead, she loosens her grip on Victorious and lets her fall on her behind. She stares down at Victorious, not out of affection but out of persistent irritation she can't get rid of.

(I remember that traitor was once like this and I.....)

Thinking to herself, Tirpitz META briefly closes her eyes and imagines an old yet persistent memory. Before her death, Tirpitz META fully recalls contently walking beside Victorious and letting her cheerfully talk. She doesn't particularly care about the topic, but she's truly content so long as Victorious would hold her and affectionately gaze at her.

"The past version of me holds you dearly but fears you would either break or disappear. No wonder she's holding me back so much" Tirpitz META slightly shifts her to the side
"Uh, thanks?" Victorious stands up
"Hmph....." Tirpitz META moves past Victorious
"Wait, where are you going?" Victorious turns around
"Don't get in my way. The other you is here and it's time to settle my score with her"
"......!"
"I'll make an exception once but never twice. You won't be so lucky next time"
"Huh? Wait-!"

Tirpitz META swings her right arm as she leaves, unleashing another gust of violent wind and deliberately sending Victorious flying back by a few meters. She uses the thick weather to disappear from her line of sight within seconds as the field is mostly her own territory now.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Where does the hatred stem?

To express anger is not the essence of Tirpitz, but that one has long died. Not only has she physically died, but her personality is nothing but a husk. To fill in that void, the bitter memory of her final moment piles up over and over again until the kansen herself succumbs to madness.

"That revenge-obsessed ghost almost snapped my neck"

Tirpitz wakes up with the side of her and chest pressing the ground. There isn't a snowstorm in that world but the soft plain of snow remains on every corner of the imaginary land. However, bits of snow still gently fall to the ground, adding more to the pile.

"Hmm......I got caught off guard and now restrained within my own mind"

As Tirpitz gently massages her stiff neck from being strangled earlier, she immediately senses her consciousness being disconnected from her physical body. She is stuck unsure of the current situation in the real world since her last memory is being unable to breathe and blacking out without warning.

"Oh.....?"

Tirpitz closes her eyes for at least five seconds when she massages her neck only to discover her surroundings have drastically changed. The empty plain of snow vanishes and what formed around her is a location existing in the real world. It's the ever-familiar fjord where she spent most of her time blankly staring at the coast and asleep due to boredom. It's early winter, so the snow on the ground is less compared to the previous scene.

"My Tirpitz can be grumpy and stubborn, but she's caring and gentle once she gets attached. Although she can still be a bit of a drama queen when she gets annoyed and impatient" A familiar voice speaks with in nostalgia

The voice clearly belongs to Victorious, but there is none of the liveliness and pride there. Her expression is rather heavy while her tone is mostly solemn which only indicates sorrow bearing for long periods of time.

"By the time I thought I saved her, I realized I killed her" Victorious META plays with the snow on the ground
"What do you mean?" Tirpitz turns around
"Reviving someone against their will requires a heavy price. The price being the Tirpitz who almost killed you" Victorious META slowly stands up straight
"......"
"It can't be helped. I toyed with her life twice, so she's unable to differentiate reality from nightmares. To her, this is living hell, so she succumbed to her vicious instincts hoping someone would kill her"
"Why are you telling me all of this?"
"I reached out to you before I face her myself. At least you should know that she didn't willingly become mad with revenge"

Whenever Victorious is present, Tirpitz subconsciously lowers her guard and docile, but the Victorious META standing right before her doesn't emit the same instinct. Instead, Tirpitz remains a few meters from her and carefully analyzes her slightest movements.

"The anger and violence you're seeing is just her forcing herself to be that way. My Tirpitz just wants to die for good, so she's behaving as someone.....very suicidal" Victorious META takes a step forward
"For some reason being called a suicidal blockhead doesn't sound far off....."

Tirpitz quickly recalls her Victorious being regularly angry in the past and scolding her for being a "suicidal blockhead" followed by weakly hitting her shoulders like a child.

"You're the Victorious from her time. I've seen you in her memories" Tirpitz shakes her head from the distraction since the beginning
"Correct. I am Victorious META and the same one who killed her twice. Yes, the same reason she bears a grudge against me"
"......"
"She has every right to be angry at me if that's what you're thinking. It's my fault she died, and it's also my fault for trying to revive her"
"What made you like that?"

The difference between Victorious META and the Victorious she knows are visibly contrasting each other that Tirpitz nearly sees her as an enemy. Of course, she's being careful with the memories of the angry ghost being stabbed in the chest by Victorious META.

"I just couldn't let go. That's all....." Victorious META averts her gaze
"You've been keeping an eye on me all this time"
"Only most of the time. I either couldn't sense you or I'm busy somewhere"
"The ghost version of me threw a fit and cursed you after I sensed Bismarck got hurt. Tell me the truth right now....." Tirpitz takes another step closer
"I was the one who tracked down Bismarck in one of her bases and took her by surprise. Killing her wouldn't do me any good, so I just put her out of action.....but canceled out my attack"
"......."

Tirpitz couldn't immediately respond. Even as her current perspective remains distant and slightly blank, an unknown sensation causes her to mildly jolt. It's no shocking feeling as it's more of a natural response of the human body. Since she couldn't comprehend the signal from her body, Tirpitz clutches her cape for at least ten seconds before her settling down her hand again on the side.

"Strange....." Tirpitz faintly sighs
"......." Victorious META doesn't say anything
"The thought of killing you crossed my mind, but I rejected the idea.....because you're Victorious. How could I experience hesitation when human impulses shouldn't hinder me"
"You want to kill me but couldn't because you care about Victorious. That's how bloodlust and affection conflict, Tirpitz" Victorious META gladly explains it for her
"That's-" Tirpitz clutches her cape again
"You couldn't fully rid yourself of emotions, Tirpitz. A kansen is created from human emotions. So if one kansen possess none, then they are no kansen. They would be hollow puppets.....or obedient tools. Strangely enough, my Tirpitz remains human because even the thirst for revenge and desire for death are human traits"

For Victorious META, she's at least grateful that she could still view Tirpitz META as human. The side of her lips twitch for a split second, silently admitting to herself that it's unfortunate how a self-destructive emotion to be even is part of a human.

"Well, the ghost in the fragment is still angry but she's not completely insane. She can get mad, but she's not as violent or aggressive as she's been showing you" Victorious META forces a smile but couldn't hide her sorrow
"What do you mean?"
"She's betrayed, bitter and tired. That's what became of her after death. If I hadn't sent her on a frenzy a year ago, she wouldn't be this......stimulated"
"You're talking a lot" Tirpitz crosses her arms
"My Tirpitz is just in a bad mood. She's easier to deal with once that excess energy has been expended like now"
"Like now?"
"......"

Victorious META smiles just as she does in the real world where everything is covered in the clashing snowstorm between her and Tirpitz META. Anyone inside would be nearly blinded by the chilling wind and snow, but Tirpitz META has developed immunity to the hindrance of low visibility and the extreme temperature.

"It's been a while, Tirpitz......" Victorious META gently smiles at her
"You may have shattered me for a year, but time stretched after I was reduced to disembodied consciousness stuck in my fragment"

Tirpitz META angrily grits teeth and clenches both fists. The opportunity she's been craving and waiting is now right before her. Victorious META, the friend who betrayed her and also her murderer, is alone and willingly trapped herself in the blizzard without any fear towards Tirpitz META.

"Have you regained your senses? You've been raving mad in your sleep all this time" Victorious META tilts her head
"I'm unbelievably angry that I'd kill everyone else even if it means killing you!" Tirpitz META makes her anger clear
"It's unlikely of you to act like a feral beast, but you're only hellbent on revenge"
"You couldn't let me rest.....twice! Victorious, I trusted you more than anyone, but you betrayed me"

Tirpitz META finds it very difficult to restrain her anger because she's on the brink of letting out a scream and physically lash out at Victorious META. Her throat is itching to roar and shout at the top of her lungs after the time she spends trapped within the fragment of her wisdom cube.

"Tell me, were you trying to revive me using this version's body as a sacrifice? Two consciousness can't share the same body. Someone has to perish, and you know that!"

Tirpitz META raises her right hand just at her head level. In a matter of seconds, ice forms in crooked circles on both sides. The solid mass then extends into floating icicles.

"For someone trying to kill me, you're barely trying....." Victorious META moves her body to the side

The icicles launch towards Victorious META with the same speed as a bullet, but the latter only raises an eyebrow before dragging her left foot back and dragging the rest of her body. One icicle shred bits of her bangs, but the rest fail to make physical contact with her.

"My reason for reviving you is to save both you and that Tirpitz, but I didn't hesitate to take the opportunity. Truth to be told, I didn't even know she would survive, but I gambled you wouldn't let her die" Victorious META callously confesses
"......!"
"It's my turn to ask. Why didn't you kill me when you had the chance? You still had the strength to either crush my head, neck, or even punch a hole through me.....but instead you...." Victorious META narrows her eyes

In the brief moment she pauses, aircraft circle from behind Victorious META and reappears on Tirpitz META's both side. The low visibility and howling wind prove to be an effective cover for aircraft to stealthily move without Tirpitz META even noticing the slightest.

".....!"

Fighter aircraft from both sides open fire which forces Tirpitz to immediately pull herself back while focusing on anti-aircraft fire. Her opponent is a lone aircraft carrier within medium range, but she ignores her obvious and instant advantage to know the truth before obliterating her.

"Kkh!"

Tirpitz META swings her left arm and the blizzard's violent wind disrupts the aircraft and sends all of it flipping in the air. The icicles carried by the current peels of the aircraft's metal plating first before grinding the rest of its parts in a matter of seconds.

"You're still numb, aren't you?" Victorious META snaps her fingers

Three dive bombers appear above Tirpitz META right after she dispatches the fighter aircraft. The brief window of distraction is enough for the three dive bombers to quickly position themselves into a diving position as soon as their appearance sweeps the snow surrounding them. Three bombs simultaneously land right at Tirpitz META.

"Victorious!"

The powerful consecutive explosions indicate even three dive bombers manage to land direct hit, but Tirpitz META being a sturdy battleship and learning from the abuse of dive bombers keep both of her feet standing at the surface water.

"Haa.....haa....." Tirpitz META clutches her chest
"How ironic, isn't it? Ice can be fragile too....."

The heat and firepower have been significantly reduced due to Tirpitz META's extreme body temperature. Three heavy bombs wouldn't be even an issue to her, but her current doesn't belong to her. Instead, it's a shackle to her because a META forcing rapid release of power within a regular kansen's body would severely injure and cripple the body even if they are the same person.

"Tirpitz, you couldn't even put up a fight. That only lasted five minutes at best" Victorious META retreats her dive bombers
"......" Tirpitz META notices her left hand shaking
"That other 'you' is still holding you back just like the scuffle with Bismarck. Perhaps, you don't want to accidentally break that body"

Victorious META shifts her gaze a little lower upon noticing Tirpitz META gripping her left forearm because her hand is trembling. It's not due to the cold of her own making, but the recoil and briefly unleashing the level of her strength as a META while still in a regular kansen's body.

"Victorious, you were the only one I ever saw a close friend. That's why I didn't understand why you murdered me....." Tirpitz META takes a deep breath
"To me, you were my dearest friend. That's why I supported your decisions and tried to keep you safe" Victorious META returns to her solemn tone
"Then why.......why did you choose to kill me that day?!" Tirpitz META shouts at the tops of her lungs
"You really don't remember why I had to kill you the first time......"

Rather than surprise, Victorious META furrows her eyebrows and stares at Tirpitz META who's equally confused and furious at her. The closest emotion to her narrow and somehow focused gaze is perhaps pity.

"I had to stop you, so I got in your way. If I let you commit those sins, you would never forgive yourself" Victorious META shuts her eyes tight for at least three seconds
"What are you talking about?"
"I had to put you down myself because you were beyond saving"
"........"

Tirpitz META parts her lips only for her to close her mouth shut almost immediately. She grits her teeth at the forced recollection of the second Victorious META pierces her heart at the second of her vulnerability. Back then, searing flames surrounded them and the bright orange glow illuminated their surroundings.

"Reason barely applies to you anymore. In your eyes, everyone is the same and it doesn't matter if you drag them into your outbursts. That includes the other Tirpitz who we dragged into this problem" Victorious META sighs after seeing Tirpitz frown at her
"I didn't want to come back to this wretched life but you and everyone else can't allow me to stay dead. I just want to kill you then end my own misery. That's why.....just let me kill you already" Tirpitz META grits her teeth again

At this point, Tirpitz META is suffering from her urge and desperation to finally punish the friend who betrayed and killed her a long time ago. It's an itch she couldn't reach, so she ends up clawing both sides of her cheeks.

"Then why didn't you kill me before? I asked you a while ago, but you couldn't answer" Victorious META reminds me
"Why didn't I.....?"

Just as Tirpitz META raises her hand to form more ice-based projectiles, she destroys the forming ice and lowers her hand. It's to her disbelief, that she's questioning herself, searching through her memories and pinpointing any scenario to get rid of her doubt.

"In the end, you couldn't hate me enough to kill me" Victorious META answers it instead
".......!" Tirpitz META raises her head
"Tirpitz, killing me didn't cross your mind when you shed a single tear in your final moments"

With Victorious META pointing out a scene neither of them could deny, Tirpitz META steps back. She couldn't reject or deny the memory as she fully remembers tears rolling down her cheek a year ago. The friend who inevitably killed her never averted her gaze even for a second. Victorious META looked even as she destroyed her friend's heart in an act of betrayal.

Meanwhile......

Victorious frantically looks left and right then front and back. No matter what angle she scans, there's only the wind and snow around her. The blizzard makes it nearly impossible to spot anything more than fifteen meters in front of her even when the cold isn't hindering her.

"I have to do something before those two METAs will end up killing each other"

Due to the first time she witnessed the META versions of herself and Tirpitz, Victorious is highly suspecting they're clashing with Tirpitz META intending to take her life. No matter where she runs in the blizzard, there isn't anyone in sight.

"I-is.....anyone there?!"

Alabama embraces herself and rubs her shoulders while her quivering voice and chattering teeth calls out for her allies. Her voice echoes around her, but not a single kansen could be seen in sight.

"Alabama!"

Victorious hears the repeated call. The first time she hears it, she moves to the left then to the right, uncertain at the current direction of the voice. Only during Alabama's third distress call that she turns a bit to the right where the battleship's voice is the clearest.

"Alabama! Alabama! Are you there?" Victorious rushes through the snow
"Vi.....Victorious!"

Alabama narrows her eyes the moment she spots a humanoid silhouette calling out her name twice. She would cry tears of joy if it isn't for the freezing weather, so she forces her shaking lips to curve a grateful and relieved smile.

"How come you don't look cold while I feel like I'm in the freezer?" Alabama shakes her head in disbelief
"Huh? It's.....uhm......you get immunity after spending so much time with a walking popsicle" Victorious fidget with her fingers
"R-right. You always hang out with Tirpitz"

Fortunately, Alabama immediately trusts Victorious' excuse and the logic of it doesn't even cross her mind. It's too cold for her to think deeply and prioritize why someone with little clothing too isn't hindered by the blizzard.

"What the heck is going on? It's just a bit of snow then a snowstorm sent us flying" Alabama tightly embraces herself
"Sorry, I don't know what exactly happened. Where are the others?" Victorious turns her head on both sides
"I can't tell. The snowstorm slapped us hard and we got carried away by the wind alone. I saw King George V earlier, but she couldn't hear and she disappeared quickly"
"This isn't good. Everyone else will freeze to death if I don't stop Tirpitz"

Victorious mutters to herself, worried how she isn't suffering from the freezing temperature while Alabama is quivering from head to toe. She wouldn't be able to move at maximum speed seeing her legs are trembling and slowly bending.

"Alabama, we have to move. I need to stop the source of the blizzard" Victorious sternly suggests
"How do we stop it? Who do we have to fight?" Alabama holds her chattering and straightens herself
"It's a kansen, but I'm the only one who can make her stop all of this"
"It's Tirpitz, isn't it? I saw her look like she was about to kill someone. The same vicious look she had when we visited Iron Blood" Victorious wryly laughs
"That's because it's Tirpitz, but not my Tirpitz. They're the same person, but far different from each other"
"What.....?" Alabama blinks in confusion
"Tirpitz is possessed by a really angry dead version of her because her fragment is within Tirpitz so it's like a freaky ghost possession but the dead one isn't really a ghost"

The contradicting explanation confuses Alabama further who only understands "dead" and "possession" even after a minute of silence.

"I'll explain on the way. We have to move before you freeze to death here" Victorious grabs her hand
"What exactly is going on? Is Tirpitz trying to kill us?" Alabama almost swallows her breath
"It's not the Tirpitz we know. Her body is being used against her will by her dead version who's out for revenge against my depressed version"
"I don't really understand, but I want to save Tirpitz!"

Victorious leads the way first with Alabama following at the same pace as her using only her sheer willpower to keep the cold from making her collapse and faint.

Ten minutes later......

Victorious META's aircraft swarm and surround Tirpitz like persistent flies. The pattern of her attacks is rather simple, but Tirpitz META is far too restricted to properly retaliate. Fighter aircraft poke at her to keep her on the defensive followed by torpedo bombers launching attacks on two sides. If at least one torpedo hits her, Tirpitz META staggers back for at least five seconds, just enough for dive bombers to annoy her further.

"Enough of this mockery!"

Right after dive bombers stun her yet again, Tirpitz META opens fair amidst the black smoke from the bombs. The shell pierces through the air and part both the smoke and freezing wind.

"......"

Victorious META hurriedly moves to the right side and calls her fighter aircraft to her side to use them to catch the attacks she wouldn't be able to dodge. She has one immediately head into the direction of the shell, causing both to explode before the targeted kansen could be hit. Explosions distort the snowy wind one after another as with each salvo from Tirpitz META following the circling Victorious META, the latter sacrifices her aircraft for the shells to strike and explode midair.

"Nnggh....!" Tirpitz META bends on one knee
"Stop this, Tirpitz. That body will break if you keep forcing your strength!" Victorious META warns her
"I'll stop once one of us dies!" Tirpitz META opens fire
"If you don't stop, not only will the body be destroyed but the owner will die as well"

Throughout the fight, Victorious only lost a quarter of her aircraft from both Tirpitz META's anti-aircraft guns and her sacrificing aircraft to shield herself from the barrage of shells.

"Hyaah!"

The two are interrupted with Alabama rushing from Tirpitz META's left side and swinging her scythe at the rigging. Rather than slicing cleans a section of the rigging, the scythe manages to break a crooked ice that forms between the bladed weapon and the steel rigging.

"You.....!" Tirpitz META pulls herself back
"I don't really like fighting an ally, but I can't let whatever possessing you do as they please. So give me back my rival-friend!"

Alabama pulls herself back as well and holds the enormous weapon with both hands. She ignores the sharp killing intent and icy blue eyes illuminated within the blizzard.

"Please stop fighting. There has to be another way!" Victorious stands in front of her META version
"You're not supposed to be here" Victorious META widens her eyes in genuine shock
"I'm pretty sure I should be. That dead META is using my Tirpitz's body"
"You'll get yourself killed trying to stop us" Victorious META warns her
"If I don't do anything, you two will end up killing each other"
"That's what my Tirpitz wishes......"

The two versions of Victorious ignore the clashing of shattering ice and the swinging of the scythe. This at least keeps Tirpitz META distracted even if it would last for a few minutes at best.

"If you don't get out of my way, I'll make you get out of the way" Victorious META's expression darkens
"You don't want to do this. We both want to save our Tirpitz"

Victorious sees the deep sadness and hesitation of the META version even when she attempted to threaten her earlier. At that point, Victorious META couldn't express anger or even killing intent. Her expression remains a sorrowful one with eyes lacking motivation and interest.

"Don't make me repeat myself. This isn't your fight to meddle with, so get out of here before I have to use force even if it's against my younger version" Victorious META's tone seethes as if she's getting impatient
"I refuse! This isn't just about you anymore with how you involved my Tirpitz"
"......I'm sorry, but I wasn't bluffing about what I said" Victorious META bites her lip
".........?"

The sound of two consecutive explosions from the same bombs used earlier causes Tirpitz META to grab Alabama's left arm and toss her behind.

"......?!" Tirpitz META's lips shake

When she turns to face Victorious META after suddenly hearing bombs, her eyes dilate, and her expression grows grim at the sight of Victorious lying on her back heavily injured and completely unconscious. Blood drips from the side of her head and she has received cuts and all over her body.

"Ugh....." Victorious faintly groans
"I'll stop you here before you kill the other kansens here, Tirpitz"

Unlike earlier, the bullets from the fighter aircraft, pierces Tirpitz META. The busts go through her left leg, right arm, abdomen, and grazes her head. This causes her to stagger back and prompts Victorious META to drop torpedo bombers from both sides.

"Tir.....pitz....." Victorious slowly regains consciousness

Her sore and weakened body could barely push her upper body from the ground. Seeing Tirpitz META bleeding and coughing out blood pushes Victorious to forces her shaking arms to push her body up and her legs trying to push the rest of her body as well.

".....!"

A bomb explodes right at Tirpitz META's shoulder, and the blast injures her head that a lot of blood spills from the left side of her head.

"That's.....enough....." Victorious manages to at least stand and move.

Her legs are screaming in pain and terribly shaking, but she ignores the pain tormenting her and stands between the two METAs. Victorious heavily exhales after straining her injuries and badly wounded body just to act as a mediator between the two METAs with a serious issue and grudge.

"I won't hesitate to bomb you again if you don't move out of the way" Victorious META frowns
"From the way you look, you're forcing yourself.....to do this. You keep ignoring your own feelings....and hurting yourself......just like our blockhead"
"This is my last warning" Victorious META doesn't want to admit anything
"Torturing yourself won't.....save Tirpitz. It will bring the two of you.....more pain and suffering"
"Victorious, you don't need to die just to stop us. This is my burden to suffer, so......" Victorious META bites her lower lip
"......."
"......I'll have to force you once again"

Victorious META snaps her fingers and a single dive bomber drops its payload right on top of Victorious. Before the black smoke could even disperse, the already injured kansen helplessly collapses to the surface water. Victorious remains there, lying motionlessly and completely silent.

"......!"

Tirpitz META rushes to the unconscious Victorious, ignoring the META one silently observing the two. At that point, the glow in the battleship's eyes, vanishes and returns to her usual stoic and emotionless expression.

"Vic....torious....."

The normal Tirpitz bends on the ground and gently places her left hand on Victorious's back and Tirpitz right hand holding Victorious's left hand. There's no response from Victorious, but the serious injury is undeniable.

"What....." Tirpitz notices something

Tirpitz lifts her right hand and brings it near her cheek when she senses tears streaming down her cheeks. This brings a warm sensation on Tirpitz's skin, bypassing the sheer coldness of the blizzard, but this is warmth she doesn't welcome.

"Why....."

For the longest time, Tirpitz couldn't even smile, so she isn't certain how to react or even know what to say when her she unconsciously burst into tears. For her to actually shed tears means her heart is overwhelmed with an intense emotion of sorrow and rage, but Tirpitz couldn't sense anything when she clutches her chest. At least, it's what she believes as of the moment....

"Tirpitz cried?" Alabama rubs her eyes

The Eagle Union battleship regains her balance but keeps her distance from the battlefield after witnessing the shocking turn of events.

"Why.....did you hurt her?" Tirpitz tightly embraces Victorious
"I warned her, so I had to make sure she wouldn't interfere in my fight. If I didn't stop her, she would surely die trying to stop a fight between METAs" Victorious META explains with little emotion
"Did you think what if you accidentally killed her instead? You're the same person, aren't you?"
"........" Victorious META averts her gaze
"You're not the same Victorious that I know"
"......"
"You are......an enemy - someone I must eliminate"

The reluctance Tirpitz had earlier completely vanished. Both her mind and heart share the same choice of viewing Victorious META as an enemy.

"Alabama, take Victorious out of here" Tirpitz wipes away the tears with her thumb
"R-right!" Alabama hurries to her side

Tirpitz carefully places Victorious down and steps forward to face Victorious META herself. Both of her hands release cold air and her eyes emit a bright icy blue glow.

(I knew this is how she would react. Well, at least those two have something they can agree on....)

Victorious META isn't the least fazed at how Tirpitz is letting her META version influence her. The restraints on both of her hands freezes, destroying them once more albeit deliberately this time.

Chapter Text

In a dream that may have existed as a memory in the past, Victorious META pulls up the sleeve on Tirpitz META's right arm and gently pulls out the gloves from the fingertips. Tirpitz lets her body part be limp for Victorious to easily lift and move it.

"You've been using too much of your power recently" Victorious META gently rubs the white ice on Tirpitz META's forearm
"I'm trying to experiment more of it and slowly removing the limit" Tirpitz META explains
"Still, your metamorphosis is incomplete or rather still in the experimental stage. Ice isn't known to be kind and friendly after all"

Victorious META holds Tirpitz META's arm with her left hand and gently rubs the fingers with her right hand. Her soft and gentle fingers tickles Tirpitz META, but Victorious META is simply examining for extensive damage of Tirpitz's recklessness.

"They're taking my nickname a bit too literally...." Tirpitz META groans
"I know you're upset, but you don't get to choose your power" Victorious META giggles
"Like you said, isn't friendly to everyone, even to me. It tends to freeze me too"

Tirpitz META tenses her hand, gently squeezing Victorious META's fingers. The latter holds Tirpitz META's hand in return and put her other hand on top of it.

"My hand is constantly cold.....but I could still feel your warmth" Tirpitz META faintly smiles
"That means you're still alive and you're still yourself"
".....What is Bismarck thinking making me go through all of this?" Tirpitz META sighs
"She's annoyed you're suppressing the influence of your metamorphosis"
"I just don't feel like it" Tirpitz META averts her gaze
"Just go along with her for now. The higher ups may not be happy that not only you refused to be next in line for leadership, you've become rebellious as well"

When reminded by Victorious META, Tirpitz META only twitches her lips and continues to avert her gaze. She's irritated thinking about it, but she doesn't want to appear unpleasant when Victorious META keeps on with a warm expression and gentle smile.

"I'm not as charismatic or hardworking like Bismarck. Besides, I'm the type to move on my own pace" Tirpitz META clicks her tongue
"Well, at least I still have my personal cooler~"

Jokingly, Victorious META wraps her arms around Tirpitz's shoulder and pulls her close without notice.

"I should really stop doting on you...." Tirpitz META sighs
"Even if you become a full META, I'd still be here with you. That's why you won't ever be lonely" Victorious META gently pulls herself away
"......." Tirpitz META furrows her eyebrows in worry
"Besides, I'm strong too so I could save you whenever you need my help" Victorious META grins
"There's no need for you to do that. You get easily hurt, so I'm the one who has to save you"
"Pyah!"

Tirpitz META lightly flicks Victorious META's forehead, but the latter exaggerated by pulling her head back and letting out a high pitched noise.

"Still, I'd do everything to save you because I don't think I can lose my friend. I lost some of my allies, so I won't allow a dear friend to die as well" Victorious META grabs Tirpitz META's cape
"I won't die that easily. Even if I do die, I'd cling to life if you call me"
"Then promise me you'd try to live as much as possible" Victorious META pouts
"Alright. I promise to keep on living no matter what"

Tirpitz META extends the brief and simple promise as she stretches out her left hand and holds out her pinky finger. However, Tirpitz META is certain with her promise after seeing Victorious META keep staring at her knowing Tirpitz META is the type to die fighting rather than prioritize self preservation.

".....Then at least promise me you'd stay if I call out to you. That you'd refuse to die if so ever cry and curse at you" Victorious META stares at her with certainty
"......I promise"

Silence surrounds them for almost a minute. Tirpitz META isn't certain to why Victorious META is suddenly being anxious, but she couldn't refuse being stared at with full seriousness.

"No matter what happens, don't you ever die.....because I will drag you back myself"

Victorious META holds out her pinky finger as well and locks it with Tirpitz's finger, sealing what's usually used as a promise between friends or other loved ones.

.....
.....
.....

The cold air sings Victorious' cheeks and this causes to cough as she slowly regains senses to reality. The blizzard's relentless wind whistles by her ear and she nearly shuts her eyes close after a few centimeters of trying to open them.

"Victorious!" Alabama blinks in confusion
"Where's Tirpitz?!" Victorious opens her eyes wide
"Wha-!"

As soon as Victorious wakes up and realizes she's still surrounded by the blizzard and the only kansen present is Alabama, she's quick to snap back to reality. She even shouts and moves away from Alabama carrying her.

"Where's the suicidal blockhead?" Victorious frantically turns her head left and right
"She suddenly cried when you passed out and now she's so pissed off that she went to fight the other Victorious" Alabama briefly explains
"That idiot! Why would she-"

Victorious grits her teeth, but the stinging sensation in her abdomen makes her take a step back and reflexively press her hand on the aching area.

"V-Victorious, take it easy" Alabama rushes to her side
"You said she cried....." Victorious takes deep breaths
"It's true. Tears flow out her eyes and she looked confused. It's like she felt sad and afraid, but her heart remains frozen to understand anything"

Alabama couldn't properly describe the moment when Tirpitz holds a wounded and unconscious Victorious then tears starts coming out from both eyes. Tirpitz herself could barely utter a complete sentence, but her hand trembles upon realizing there really are tears.

"Tirpitz......can still feel something again after all.....but....."

Although Victorious' body trembles and her heart skips a beat in relief, she feels a weight in her chest realizing that her tears are out of sorrow. She put herself in danger, causing sorrow to be the first emotion to remind Tirpitz.

"I need to get to Tirpitz. She'll get herself hurt again" Victorious grabs both of Alabama's shoulders
"You can't go back there. Your body is still wounded and only get in the way"
"I'm the only one who can calm Tirpitz down"
"That's true, but I don't think that would work right now. She's too pissed off to listen!" Alabama grabs her arm
"I'm not asking!"

Victorious raises her voice and rudely pulls her arm away from Alabama, forcing the nervous latter to unhand her.

"It's my fault she's like that again, so I have to be there. Tirpitz needs me right now"

Without saying anything else, Victorious turns her back away from Alabama. All she could think about is remembering Tirpitz META possessing Tirpitz again out of hatred and grudge towards Victorious META.

"I need to stop her...." Victorious whispers under her breath

Victorious shakes her head and reaffirms her resolve. Her whole body is still aching with pain that her arms and legs are trembling. Normally, she would just collapse and barely move, but she's overwhelmed by her emotions that it's stimulating all of her senses. Even her heart is racing and she could barely breathe.

"Victorious, Victorious, Victorious!" Alabama repeatedly shouts

Victorious couldn't hear Alabama warning and calling out her name the second she hurriedly leaves the battleship fearful of her injured body and stubbornness to stay put.

"Aaaah! Why are they both like this?!" Alabama messes her hair in frustration

Before Victorious completely disappears from her line of sight, Alabama yells in frustration and hurriedly trails after the singleminded aircraft carrier. She knows it's dangerous to interfere in the fight, but she couldn't abandon Victorious out of the possibility she might get herself killed for real this time.

Meanwhile.....

Why do you try so much?

An unbelievable amount of desire to kill and certainty fills both Tirpitz's heart and mind. A version of someone she deeply cares about is standing in front of her, but in her eyes she's nothing but an enemy she won't hesitate to take down. In doing so, she deliberately shatters her restraints with the sheer cold air she releases. Just as she faces her enemy, Tirpitz slightly bends her thumb and carefully wipes the tears away even as she couldn't understand how she is capable of tears.

"You were overwhelmed by the fear of losing her again" Victorious META narrows her eyes
"Fear? I don't know if I felt that way, but I can't think of anything but taking you out" Tirpitz raises her right hand
"I see......"
"I'd rather not feel anything right now, because if my old self came back right now, I might not be able to control myself right now"
"Why is that?"
"......because I'm a softhearted idiot when it comes to that loud carrier. I always end up going along with her whims just to see her smile. Even now, I just can't let her be" Tirpitz takes a deep breath
"......"

Victorious META glances at her equipment, noticing how her flight deck is being consumed by white sheet of ice. Not only her equipment, but small patches of ice stiffens some of her fingertips, left shoulder, and legs. If it isn't for the fragment in her possession, she would have frozen right where she stands.

".....Have you lost your mind, Tirpitz?" Victorious META ignores the increasing cold
"What?"
"If you keep abusing your power or carelessly fighting without restraint, you'll become like her"

Victorious META leers at Tirpitz's glowing icy blue eyes. The META and the regular one is beginning to resemble each other that Tirpitz herself lacks the obsessive hatred her META version possesses.

"I have no reason to listen to you" Tirpitz concentrates on the freezing air around her
"You're not the one assimilating the fragment, it's the one assimilating you. Both your body and mind......will cease to exist" Victorious META warns her again

It's obvious that Tirpitz would never listen to someone she only views as an enemy.

"Then I'll defeat you before that happens" Tirpitz remains unfazed
"Both you and that ghost.....are equally stubborn!"

Icicles rain down above Victorious META, immediately forcing her to pull herself back. Each icicle falls at the speed enough to pierce and shred through a kansen's flesh. As a regular kansen forcing herself to use the power of a META, Tirpitz's attacks would only leave deep and open wounds at best.

"........"

Fighter aircraft stealthily circles above and lowers their altitude the moment they fly behind Tirpitz, but the aircraft helplessly falls and sinks into the freezing water. A single swipe from Tirpitz's hand and she unleashes a gust of cold wind that instantly jams the aircraft engines and guns, making all of it helplessly plummet to the sea.

"One after another....." Tirpitz clicks her tongue

Torpedo bombers strike Tirpitz from the left side, two of them detonating directly at her. This causes her to stagger, pulling herself back by two steps.

"She's really being reckless"

Victorious META raises her left arm a bit and sees all five fingers are starting to freeze and she could barely bend her fingers. However, she mildly counters the attempt to cripple her but activating the fragment still in her possession. This makes the ice stiffening her fingers retreat and vanish in cold vapor.

"Stop being stubborn and stay down already! You can't win like this" Victorious META tries to reason with her
"......" Tirpitz doesn't reply

In her silence, Victorious META snaps her fingers and has four dive bombers takes advantage of Tirpitz's stunned state. Tirpitz barely dodges the first two with a near miss a few inches from her.

(I don't feel so good. Is this because of the ghost or is my body not accustomed going all out?)

Shortly after that, the other two landed a direct hit in a fiery explosion with a shock enough to disturb the falling snow and wind around her for a few seconds. With her senses focused on her body being partially numb and a shock reverberating all over her body.

"Ugh....." Tirpitz's body sways
"I told you to stop....." Victorious META retreats her aircraft
"Not until.....one of us drops dead"

Tirpitz snaps control of her shaking body back and wastes no time moving her turrets to point and aim at Victorious META. She immediately unleashes a salvo from all four twin turrets with little regard for accuracy because her vision is spinning and her balance is swinging back and forth.

"Tch!" Victorious META shields her head by crossing her arms in front of her face
"I can't....." Tirpitz couldn't straighten her vision

Everything in Tirpitz's line of sight becomes doubled and blurry, so her accuracy is reduced by half. Only one shell lands a direct hit on Victorious META, but that's only enough to annoy the META rather than actually damage her. The rest of the shells swiftly fly past her and land somewhere behind her without even exploding.

"Why did you kill the future me? You didn't even hesitate attacking your past self" Tirpitz can barely stand straight
"There's no other choice for my Tirpitz. I have to put her down" Victorious META responds without hesitation
"You did that twice and by the second time, you tried to destroy her wisdom cube"
"That proved useful because it's what saved you. Unfortunately, it had horrible side effects and now she's trying to possess you"
"If there wasn't a choice, reviving her and killing her for the second time is pointless"

Tirpitz couldn't find any motive even when she's aware how Victorious thinks and acts, but the one in front of her is a META who she can sense is both longing and desperate.

"What's more, you gave the piece to Iron Blood and had Bismarck perform the operation on me"
"Had Bismarck perform the operation? No, Bismarck recognized me at first sight. She trusted me, so agreed" Victorious META quickly corrects her
"........" Tirpitz raises her head
"What you initially thought wasn't wrong. Bismarck wanted you to live for selfish reasons. There's no truth around you. Certainly you bit the false assumption of love from your sister and friend-"

Tirpitz cuts Victorious META's sentence by swinging her hand and unleashing a blinding violent gust full of snow. In response, Victorious META takes at least two steps back and sweeps the snow in front of her.

"Hmm?"

In a matter of two seconds, Tirpitz lunges right straight to her and a solid and extremely sharp edge pierces right through her forearm. This fortunately stole the tip of the sword from piercing her neck due to her coincidentally raising her arm and slowing down the blade with her flesh.

"An ice sword? You're able to construct now. Well, it's natural as it's part of the META's power" Victorious META comments as if she's impressed

Ice spread a bit around the area where the frozen blade had pierced. Victorious META wryly smiles seeing the sharp edge of the sword is at least two inches away from piercing through her throat.

"Still, your body will break at this state" Victorious META snaps the sword with a hand chop and distances herself
"Hmph....." Tirpitz distances herself as well
"Really?"

Just as Victorious META swiftly pulls out the blade stuck on her arm and tosses it aside, she slightly shifts her body to the side upon realizing Tirpitz tosses a frozen dagger this time. This leaves a shallow wound and frostbite at Victorious META's forehead.

"I just want to save the two of you" Victorious META sighs as she rubs the shallow wound
"Then why did you hurt your past self? She tried to reason with you, but you almost killed her" Tirpitz clenches her fists
"She was in the way. Besides, as long as she's alive, there's no problem with it, right?" Victorious META shrugs her shoulders
"You just made it more obvious you're not the same as the friend I know because my Victorious isn't heartless as you"
"You're not in the position to say that because you lack emotions while I just ignore them" Victorious META tilts her head

Victorious META speaks and behaves far too different for Tirpitz to ignore. The META in front of her is callous even to her past self and wouldn't hesitate to use lowly methods to achieve what she wants. It's why seeing her as an "enemy" remains firm and doesn't waver the least for Tirpitz.

"What if I tell you I'm thinking of reviving my Tirpitz through you? Of course, that involves erasing your current ego, so she could freely occupy that form without struggle"
"A lie even an idiot wouldn't believe" Tirpitz scoffs
"Even if not all of it is true, I want to save my Tirpitz.....and you. That's why I made sure the fragment will be used on you. Truthfully speaking, I wasn't fully certain you'd live" Victorious META sorrowfully admits
"If I died, then......"
"The one who woke up wouldn't be you"

This is an obvious answer and confirmation that Tirpitz META isn't lying when she said the death of Tirpitz's consciousness would be just a free vessel to revive Tirpitz META.

"It may hurt me if you died last year, but I would have still gotten a bit of what I wanted" Victorious META faintly smiles
"How can you speak like life is expendable to you? That it's alright to toss them aside if it benefits you"
"I was forced to kill you the first time. That sin became a regret still shackling me to this day. I didn't want to kill you, but I needed to stop you before you could kill others" Victorious META bites her lower lip
"......."
"You lost control because of Bismarck making you let the metamorphosis influence you further. I rushed to try and calm you down, but you lost your mind and you were about to kill me too"

Victorious META loses her composure when she's forced to recall the root of all of her actions or at least what triggered it. She tightly closes her eyes shut and recalls the prickling sensation of the heat surrounding her. Back then, Tirpitz META possesses her usual glowing icy blue eyes but she only eyes everyone in front of her as prey.

"Bismarck knew the fragment belonged to a META and it will affect you. The sister you're willing to forgive wants to turn you into an incomplete META. If it succeeded, then Iron Blood would conduct experiments to complete it" Victorious META grunts in frustration
"What makes you think I'd believe that?"
"You're the only one unaffected by the fragment's freezing ability. At the end of the day, you're only treated as a test subject to be preserved if you had lived and to be discarded if you had died"
"You're saying Bismarck has been lying and keeping more secrets?"
"This shouldn't come as a surprise because you're a softhearted blockhead. Bismarck fed you with apologetic words to pacify your hostility and you willingly blinded yourself"
"You're no different. All you've been doing is contradicting everything I know so far" Tirpitz frowns

Just as Tirpitz takes a step forward, she feels a tightness in her chest and the air she breathes slowly becomes restricted. The frost she unleashes recoils with every use, causing her damage to multiply just like before. She unleashes the full capacity, making the reflection of her own power way too sudden ever since she's been solely focused on attacking Victorious META.

"Even your Victorious will betray your trust. Unfortunately, your blind affection will only get you killed in the future" Victorious META shakes her head
"You're speaking like you're so certain"
"That's because I am. My past self may be naive and overly loving, but we are both Victorious"
"......" Tirpitz concentrates freezing air on her left palm
"I wonder what expression you will make once you realize, everything and everyone made a fool out of you. A trusting fool who always repeats the same mistake.....of not killing me when they have a chance"

Victorious META snaps her fingers and a squadron of fighter aircraft harass Tirpitz again by annoying her with bullets that couldn't even penetrate her skin. This only makes her feel like shooting practice rounds at her.

"What-"

Rather than stay right where she stands and let the aircraft do all of the fighting as a typical aircraft carrier, Victorious META activates the fragment again with a bright glow. She forms a crooked ice dagger on her right hand and rushes towards Tirpitz......swinging and slashing her throat open.

"This is the only way to keep you down"

Victorious META turns the blade downward and plunges it right to Tirpitz's left clavicle with enough force that most of it sinks through her body. For an aircraft carrier, she's swift and while but her body is only enhanced by the energy emitted by the fragment in her possession. Although, even without it, she could still outmaneuver Tirpitz who's inexperienced with using her META's power and drastically weakened by its rebound.

"......So please, don't fight me anymore"

Victorious META forms two more freezing shards on both hands this time. She uses the right one to pierce right through the solar plexus, paralyzing and causing Tirpitz to black out. Unfortunately for Victorious META, Tirpitz immediately snaps back into consciousness after three seconds and just as her body wavers.

"......!"

As for the other one, Victorious META stabs it through the right clavicle, but she drags it diagonally, carving what should have been a fatal wound since Victorious META slices and pulls out the shard as soon as it reaches the heart.

"Vic.....torious....." Tirpitz weakly reaches to her
"Just stay down....already" Victorious META bites her lower lip

Upon stabbing the ice shard deeply into the side of Tirpitz's neck, the latter helplessly falls on her knees. Anyone would have immediately collapsed to the ground entirely, but Tirpitz empowered by a META remains conscious for a few seconds enough to keep herself from collapsing.

"......"

Now, she's unconsciously kneeling on the surface with her arms limply resting on the side and her lowered. Until the very end, Tirpitz refuses to succumb even after receiving one fatal blow after another. Just like the META version, she refuses to stay completely dead. She would have permanently died if it isn't for the power of the META and her shackles being destroyed.

"Tirpitz!"

The normal Victorious rushes to the scene holding her injured left shoulder. She arrives just to witness her friend being unconscious while there's ice piercing her chest and neck.

"Tirpitz!" Victorious shouts in horror

After taking just a few steps forward, she realizes Tirpitz's throat has been slashed open and there's a gaping wound on her torso starting from her shoulder until the area where her heart is supposed to be.

"Victorious, wait-" Alabama runs after her only to widen her eyes in horror
"Tirpitz, Tirpitz, Tirpitz! Wake up! This is no time to be passing out"

Victorious ignores her META hurries to her friend, almost stumbling down in a panic and desperation. She grabs both of Tirpitz's shoulders, but she wouldn't respond.

"How can you murder Tirpitz like that?!" Alabama swings her scythe at the air
"She's not permanently dead. The power of the META keeps her alive" Victorious META remains callous
"You.....you....!" Alabama grits her teeth
"She'll recover in an hour or two. That is if her body doesn't give out from overusing a power she has yet to adapt-"

Victorious META instincts alert her, and she moves her body back by a few inches in response. A sharp blade cuts through the air and narrowly misses her neck by at least two inches.

"Hmm? That was a serious swing....." Victorious META touched her neck
"Anyone who tries to kill my friends is my enemy! I won't forgive someone who could take someone's life even if they're a kansen" Alabama declares to her
"You sound like the Alabama from my timeline. Unfortunately, she died stopping Tirpitz's rampage"

Victorious META clenches her fists, not wanting either of the two kansens to sense the guilt coiling around her chest.

"I thought you wanted to save her!" Victorious shouts in full anger
"I do, but I have to keep her from struggling and resisting" Victorious META sighs
".....!" Alabama rushes at her
"Hmm?"

Alabama attempts to swing downwards this time since she wins to sever one of Victorious META's arms, but a sheet of ice floating in the air interrupts Alabama's attack.

"Wha-!"

As her scythe slides through the hurriedly formed shield, Victorious META follows the defensive move with a powerful gust of snow and ice shards. Alabama receives shallow and non-fatal cuts all over her body as the pressure sends her paperless body flying several meters away to remove her from the scene.

".....!"

Victorious gently pulls her arms from the unconscious and near-death Tirpitz to face her META counterpart herself. She prepares to fight another aircraft carrier, the stronger version of herself from the future.

"Before you waste your strength on me because you'd lose for sure, how about we talk first" Victorious META raises one hand in the air
"What's with you? You nearly tore apart Tirpitz, now you want to talk?" Victorious grits her teeth in anger
"You dreamed earlier"
"Huh?" Victorious blinks a few times
"That wasn't a dream. I showed you a memory before my Tirpitz and I became torn apart because of my selfishness"
"......"

Out of a mixture between curiosity and confusion, Victorious relaxes her muscles a bit and sets aside her attempt to immediately launch her aircraft to bomb her.

"Tirpitz means a lot to me, but I can't save her by being naive and kind like you. I had to become someone I don't want to be just to save her" Victorious META takes a deep breath
"Why.....?" Victorious frowns
"That icy blockhead lied first.....and I couldn't let her go"

Victorious META drops her shoulders and lowers her head when she frowns, frustrated not at Tirpitz but at herself instead. She loathes herself for forcing herself to be heartless and having to be aware of her own selfishness.

......
......
......

The wind continues to howl because of Tirpitz META's power remaining active through Tirpitz's persistent body. Neither of the two Victorious are affected by the harmful ability as the regular is passively protected by Tirpitz's willingness to protect her while the other has her wisdom cube's fragment in possession.

"Hmm? That's...." Victorious META lifts her head

The noisy and familiar sound of dive bombers whistling immediately catches her attention. It isn't just any aircraft diving towards her, but it's the particular siren Stuka aircraft makes whenever they're about to drop their bombs.

"......" Victorious META snaps her fingers

Her fighter aircraft intercepted the bombers and riddles all of them with machine gun fire. The dive bombers explode mid air seconds before they could be low enough to drop their bombs on the still aircraft carrier.

"You finally found your way into the blizzard, Graf Zeppelin" Victorious META shifts her gaze to the right
"I never thought I'd find another Victorious. To make it worse, you're the culprit"

Graf Zeppelin pushes her way through the blizzard and in the area where the wind is the weakest much like an eye of a storm. Unlike the two, areas of Graf Zeppelin's body and rigging are covered by ice and not just simple thin sheets of ice.

"The rest are here....."

Victorious META moves back as soon as she hears cannon fire in the air. Not just from one salvo, but two salvos from two different ships. One roars in the air as it's a battleship while the weaker one belongs to a heavy cruiser

"This is indeed a surprise~" Prinz Eugen appears from the left side
"You look so gloomy for someone who made a fool of us" Friedrich der Grosse appears shortly after
"This can't be ignored!" Mainz appears from behind
"On second thought, only half of the group is here"

Victorious META widens her eyes after sensing and only seeing four Iron Blood ships attempting to corner her.

"I don't know what's going on, but you've got nowhere to run" Alabama hurries back to the scene
"....." Victorious META briefly glances at her normal version

There may be five ships hostile towards her and will certainly open fire as soon as she tries to make the first move, but Victorious META doesn't even see them as worth noting right now. Her gaze is only focused at her regular counterpart and Tirpitz who's still at death's door that's prevented by the power of a deceased META.

"Oh? Tirpitz doesn't look too well" Prinz Eugen notices first
"To hurt one of my children like they're toys you can thrash....." Friedrich der Grosse's eyes grows dim
"Victorious, is Tirpitz....." Graf Zeppelin grits her teeth
"I don't know how, but she's still alive" Victorious looks at the unconscious battleship
"To harm both Bismarck and Tirpitz, do you have a death wish?" Mainz draws her sword

All four Iron Blood ships are prepared to open fire without hesitation as one could describe they're "out for blood". The worst probably being Friedrich der Grosse who's only considering that she might not calculate her aim in anger that the other night get caught in the cross-fire.

"I do, but you're not the ones allowed to kill me. Only Tirpitz is allowed to take my life.....as punishment" Victorious META smiles
"Huh?" Alabama tightens her grip on her scythe
"I have yet to get what I wanted, but I did achieve what I wanted to say"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Graf Zeppelin furrows her eyebrows
"Sorry, but I wasn't talking to you. Well, it doesn't matter right now"
"You're not getting away"

Friedrich der Grosse stretches out her pair of animated dragon-like rigging and unleashes a hail of high explosive shells.

"You should reflect on it....if you know what's for the best"

With a mere snap of her fingers, Victorious META unleashes a wind the shreds through the shells and aircraft, making them detonate mid air.

"......!"

The Iron Blood ships surrounding her gets flung away like flies, even someone as large as Friedrich der Grosse. The snow shields her figure from everyone and consumes a large area. Now, the violent snow robs them of detectibility and sight because there's nothing but a pure white in front of them. The only exception is seeing one figure approach another.

"......"

In mere seconds, the wind full of snow slowly fades away, but Victorious META completely vanishes from their sight. A single aircraft carrier manages to disappear completely that none of their radars could detect her in their surroundings.

"Damn it! She got away" Alabama stomps the ground and nearly throws her scythe
"....." Victorious faces Tirpitz and bends on one knee
"Are you sure she's still alive? That Victorious lookalike carved her up"

Prinz Eugen approaches the unconscious battleship first and bends her upper body to examine Tirpitz's injury.

"D-don't joke around right now, Eugen. We have to get her treated immediately " Mainz scolds her supposed older sister
"Wait. Her restraints have been destroyed. Is it safe to touch her?"

Graf Zeppelin raises her hand and stops anyone from making physical contact upon realizing the restraints are missing on both wrists. She's worried about Tirpitz as well, but everyone knows normal kansens will mostly certainly freeze to death upon touching Tirpitz.

"It's alright for now. Her ability is too focused on keeping her alive that it's deactivated" Victorious assures them
"We're taking Tirpitz back to Iron Blood, and we're not asking this time" Friedrich der Grosse makes the decision
"Only if I stay there with her. That way, Tirpitz wouldn't immediately leave as soon as she wakes up and find out you're going to keep her there for a long time" Victorious stands up
"Bismarck regained consciousness, so if Tirpitz wants to leave, she won't stop her" Graf Zeppelin reminds everyone
"The nearest base for treatment is the Royal navy. We need to get her there first"

Victorious may be shaking as she faces both Graf Zeppelin and Friedrich der Grosse, but her will is only firm after seeing Tirpitz unconscious and faint cold air escapes from her open wounds. It's her power working at full capacity to keep her from dying.

"We'll discuss this later, but the plan would be for Tirpitz to transfer to Iron Blood to restrain her condition and finish treatment" Graf Zeppelin summarizes it
"If it's up to me, I won't allow Tirpitz exceed her stay with you. This is the third time she's been seriously hurt because of you" Friedrich der Grosse stands a few inches in front of Victorious
"It's not her fault!" Alabama tries to defend Victorious
"That's enough. We don't point the blame here" Graf Zeppelin looks at Friedrich der Grosse
"You found your target. What will Iron Blood do?"
"You'll have to explain why it's another version of you and why she has the same power as Tirpitz" Friedrich der Grosse frowns
"I'll gladly tell everything, so long as I'm with Tirpitz" Victorious frowns
"I will allow it....for now" Friedrich der Grosse smiles gently

Victorious swallows her breath as Friedrich der Grosse intimidates her with both her size and the bulkiness of her rigging. Her sharp eyes masked with an friendly and cheerful facade can make anyone wary of approaching her. As if by instinct, Alabama pulls Victorious to her side and stands beside her. There are only two of them while four Iron Blood ships surrounds them. One of them already dislikes Victorious after seeing Tirpitz being at death's door and not just simply injured.

Chapter Text

Another dream, another moment...

Victorious always worries so much about me and she becomes nervous after undergoing metamorphosis. She isn't too happy after I said it's both incomplete and might turn unstable if I overuse it. To me, my life is as fragile as an ordinary human. My body is stronger now, but my soul remains the same as ever. I'm terrible at refusals, so I end up forcing myself to agree with my older sister and assuring Victorious.

"..."

As I sit out in the open where the beach is just nearby, I contemplate on how I've been trying to push my ability to the limit. Since I entered the META stage, I'm fortunate enough not to have any side effects of losing my emotions and unable to control my freezing ability. Although my body is still constant in sub-zero temperature, I can control it enough to just be as cold as ice upon touch.

"Hmm..."

I lean on the metallic chair and place my left arm on the arm rest. The gentle sound of the waves on the beach and the nearly quiet breeze relaxes my nerves. I'm a bit annoyed with the increasing pressure from Bismarck and having to increase the output of my metamorphosis. Neumark said a sudden spike in release would have unintended consequences, but Bismarck refuses to listen to her.

"A promise, huh..."

I fold my fingers except for my pinky finger because I reminded myself of the promise I had to make a few days ago. Normally it should bother me, but I find myself thinking about it several times a day.

"..."

The peace and quiet continues to surround me, but I csn barely concentrate with this single thought. It's a promise I made to a dear friend, but I know I can't guarantee it. I can't tell her while I won't be suicidal, I don't have a strong will to live. Once I meet my end, I don't wish to be brought back to life even if Victorious does it.

"It's rare to see you alone. You're always by Victorious' side"

Alabama cheerfully greets me as she approaches me. In the past, she would usually pester me for any kind of competition much like how Victorious would try to drag me for tea parties. Now, she's less annoying than before, so I don't really say anything or force her to go away.

"What's wrong? You look very troubled" Alabama takes a seat
"I made a careless promise that I don't even know I can keep" I let out a deep sigh
"Let me guess, it's about Victorious?"
"Yeah. I made a promise recently...but I'm not even too sure about it"

I don't usually confide my personal thoughts in others, but Alabama is someone I know I can trust after fighting alongside her for so long. My doubts, fears, and worries are only to myself. Victorious would be very upset if she finds out I'm still keeping secrets from her.

"Victorious is scared of me dying, so she made my promise to keep on living and she even said she'd drag me back to life if I die" I fold my finger

"That bothers you?" Alabama crosses her arms
"Of course it does. I know I wouldn't be able to fulfill it in the end" I just grunt
"Huh? Why is that?"

"Once I die, I would rather stay dead. I don't want to be revived even if it's for Victorious' sake"

"Yeah, that's a problem. You promised to live no matter what, but you'd easily accept dying"

Alabama presses her hands on both of her temples looking uncertain if she has something to advice me or not. Well, it's not like I'm seeking a solution from her. I just feel the need to discuss it with someone who can keep their mouth shut.

"Victorious will feel like you lied to her and she'd curse you even more once you die. She's very emotional, you know" Alabama tilts her head left and right
"I agreed to a promise without thinking because I couldn't stand her looking so worried and anxious at me" I shake my head and grunt
"It's too late to take it back now. You got to keep your word since you promised Victorious of all people" Alabama points at my head
"Yeah, I'm aware of that"
"Geez. You promised something without thinking things through"
"I couldn't help but follow most of her whims. As a result, I end up doting and spoiling her just to keep her happy"

This is what happens when I get too attached to someone. It's very rare for me to see someone as a dear friend and when I do, I cherish them to the point I just agree to Victorious' whims because I become a softhearted idiot when around her.

"I know this would cause so much regret in the future, but I would prefer to stay dead because once you bring someone back...they'll never be the same person as before"

I know I might end up as someone drastically different or just completely unrecognizable if I die and return to life. Humans can never play God, so toying with a soul always backfires horribly. It's as if a hypothetical God is reminding humans how "a life has been lost cannot be retaken". That's why we shouldn't take things for granted.

"Besides, my will to live wavers with each battle. It's like I'm getting weary every time..."

I need to confess to someone somehow to relieve a bit of the weight in my chest. There's no doubt that I'm indeed "exhausted". I tried to ignore and reject it for the longest time, but the weight is too much now.

"You're looking for a resting place..."
"Before that, I'm looking for how I can die without inconvenience"
"You made a promise to live when you want to die?" Alabama angrily stands up
"We're just humans, Alabama. Not all of us can reignite their will to live. I'm one of those weak people who prefers the easy way out" I couldn't even face Alabama
"To choose the easy way out means will end up being lonely for your decisions"

For certain, Alabama is referring to Victorious since I made the promise to her. Victorious is safely assuring herself that I won't give up so easily and perhaps she suspected that I stopped trying at some point. It wouldn't be strange because we've been friends for so long.

"I really became selfish..." I clench my fists
"..." Alabama quietly stands behind me
"Still, I know when to let go..."

I want to continue by adding "Before I destroy who I am", but even that is tiring to me. My sister, Bismarck keeps tirelessly trudges forward, and it shows the difference between us. She has ambitions and the will to see it through while I've grown disillusioned not at the world but at myself.

I hope you can understand that one day, Victorious...

Why does it feels like everything is fading? My body is accustomed to the harsh cold, yet the sensation is prickling and burning my skin. My hands are shaking at first but now it feels numb.

[There's no need to think about it...]
[Let it all fade away...]
[It will free you from everything]
[That's why...]
[...I have to kill you over and over again]

It's a familiar voice. A warm and gentle voice that I dearly trust without knowing why. I just know I don't need to hesitate to listen to it and trust it.

[It's alright...]

The soft voice becomes clearer...and I could "feel" its warm touch. A delicate hand gently caresses my cheeks. I want to "answer" it, but my body is mostly paralyzed. My consciousness is so faint that I could barely open my eyes, just enough to gaze at w blurry figure whose voice is echoing all over the place.

"Let the listlessness engulf you"

My eyes couldn't fully open, my body remains motionless, and my voice is cut off as the source of that voice slowly moves herself closer. She's at least a few inches from my paralyzed body and I believe she's softly humming near my ear.

(I feel my senses are drowning...)
"Let it drown..."

The voice echoes inside me as if it's to convince behind my thoughts and into my soul. It's trying to appeal me and make me forget everything but thst voice's call.

(There's only futility and emptiness...)
"There's nothing to worry about..."

Again, the voice persuades me in a calm and gentle voice. My instincts and intuition scream out that I mustn't be blind to it. I must listen to myself, but whenever I try to look away, it suddenly pulls me to face "her".

You're not allowed to die just yet...
The power needs to be contained inside you...
No one outside Iron Blood must have it...
I know you can put it to use for our nation's sake...
...because you're my younger sister after all...

Bismarck? It's the faint memory of Bismarck speaking to my faintly conscious body a year ago back when they're about to perform the operation on me. It seems different all of a sudden. Only when I drift into the deepest corners of my mind that I remember Bismarck is only focused on securing the cube's fragment out of fear losing it. She's not afraid of losing me, just the unknown power in Iron Blood's possession.

(Why...?)
"Bismarck never looked at you. She was only focused on the power" The voice responds
(This is not...)
"Power is everything to Iron Blood, remember? Without one, you're to be discarded"
(I remember...)
"You were about to be discarded too, but even a corpse can still be reused for their own purposes"
(...)
"Have you forgotten who abandoned you and left you to die in the fjords? You were sent there to die...by Bismarck herself"

I want to deny it. I want to reject it. If only it's a lie, I could easily respond that "she's wrong". My initial belief is "second chance" exists, so I willingly pushed aside that memory for so long. Since the beginning, Bismarck has been desperate to utilize the fragment's power. Only when I touched it without consequences did she finally " look" at me.

It turns out she only looked at the power...

...
...
...

The familiar four plain white corners of a closed room keeps an unseen chill contained inside. It's as if it's already winter the moment someone pushes the door open because of the patient's unconscious work inside.

"Nnggh..." Tirpitz let out a faint noise upon slowly opening her eyes

Tirpitz has difficulty opening her eyes alone due to the heavy sensation pressing against every corner of her body. It's completely silent that the silence becomes a faint ringing in her ears.

"Huh. I'm still alive..." Tirpitz blinks a few times after completely opening her eyes

In the first few seconds of fully regaining consciousness, she immediately recognizes the ceiling and furniture inside an infirmary room. To be specific, it's somewhat of a private ICU room within the base.

"Ugh...I can barely move..."

The moment Tirpitz tries to move her left arm and lift her back, her entire body feels stiff and heavy as if something is tightly wrapping around her limbs and shackles weighing her down. She suffered a near-death battle and even with the resilience and natural recovery of the META's power, her normal kansen body is experiencing the backlash of using a META's power without prior knowledge of its capabilities.

"That's your fault for being stupid and reckless. You had a chance, but you made a fool out of yourself!" Tirpitz META clicks her tongue

The projection only Tirpitz could see and hear leans by a nearby wall with her arms crossed and her glare fixated on the heavily weakened Tirpitz. It's obvious she wants to relay how irritated and disappointed she is with the result even after being forced back to dormancy by Tirpitz during the battle.

"We're the same person, so you're just insulting yourself" Tirpitz lets out a sigh
"You had the chance to beat Victorious, but you just stared and kept talking like a complete idiot! As a result, you got your throat slit, stabbed in the stomach, and nearly had your chest carved open"
The deceased META couldn't restrain her frustration and marches towards the side of the bed. She couldn't even hurt Tirpitz no matter how much she wants it as she has no physical body to interact with reality and reduced to a projection.

"If it wasn't for my power, you would be at the bottom of the sea right now!" Tirpitz META grits her teeth
"Is...Victorious safe? I can't remember anything after I've been stabbed..." Tirpitz ignores her complaints
"Why you - ugh, she's alive and well. The bloody idiot when had enough strength to cut on the fight after you passed out from your injuries" Tirpitz META slaps herself in the face

"I remember shedding tears when I thought I'd lose her again...but somehow it feels faint like a passing thought"
"Like a passing thought? It's unusual to be disconnected, but you're emotions were suppressed, not completely erased. If you completely lost them, then you can't be human anymore"
"Then I can still return to who I used to be?"

Tirpitz presses her elbows on the bed, slowly and shakingly forcing to at least raise her upper body from lying on the bed. The META may have saved her dying for personal reasons, but she lost most of her strength and too weak to make simple movements such as standing up.

"You don't sound too happy" Tirpitz META narrows her eyes
"..."
"I meant why you're not looking forward to it"
"I've stayed like this for a year now, so I...lack interest to pursue it now"
"Something's wrong. You're hesitating on regaining your emotions" Tirpitz META shakes her head in shock
"I can only forgive Bismarck because I remained emotionless. My normal self wouldn't even want to hear her name" Tirpitz immediately admits
"So you know there would still be strong hate inside you"
"I was against returning to Iron Blood but Victorious convinced me it's out of necessity. Even talking to Bismarck again was something she scolded me to try. Truthfully speaking, I didn't care so I just listened to her"

If there's anything her words could describe her perception, it would be bitterness and regret for being swayed. Since it's from the one person she sees as a friend, she doesn't complain or question it.

"This made me think that Bismarck may have only said half-truths and that while she didn't lie, she omitted key details I wouldn't like to hear"

Tirpitz tightly clings to the side of the bed and even when her arms are shaking from the overexertion, she forces her body to at least sit up and turn to the side of the bed.

"Huh? You only figured it out now?" Tirpitz META would hit her if she has physical form
"..."
"Bismarck did hide key details such as she's not really tricked into it because she already knew that traitor had ulterior motives"
"If that's the case, then why did she agree?"
"To test the fragment into you. To her and Iron Blood, it's just an experiment"
"..." Tirpitz quietly processes the thought
"Did you honestly think there was some form of sisterly affection to why she saved you? Everything humans built was built on lies and trampling lives. That's how humanity progressed" Tirpitz META clicks her tongue
"You're either a talkative version of me or a pesky inner demon. Either way, it's not like it matters. Nothing matters - not you, not Iron Blood...just nothing"
"What's gotten into you? It sounds like you're getting empty which is the opposite of what should be happening" Tirpitz META couldn't ignore the strange behavior

Tirpitz forcefully moves the rest of her body, standing up even if her body both remains stiff and sore. Her injuries have partially recovered, but it required to expend most of her body's strength and stamina as a sacrifice.

"Still, that doesn't change the fact you truly don't want to regain your emotions because that means all the one year of bitterness and frustrations will all return" Tirpitz META steps in front of her
"..." Tirpitz blankly stares
"You're afraid, Tirpitz. You shed those tears before because you finally remember being afraid of losing someone...and yourself"
"..."

Since Tirpitz remains silent, this only proves the META's assumption is correct. Their personalities may be different due to the deceased META being driven by revenge, but the latter is aware what would "she" think if she's in the same situation.

"Afraid...? I don't think you and I share the same idea despite sharing the same body"

Tirpitz's voice is soft but lethargic as if she's completely disinterested even when talking to her deceased alter ego. It's not a response out of denial or rejection, just the genuine intrigue and...detachment.

Meanwhile...

Bismarck has recently regained consciousness. Even if she's still not in the ideal condition to fight in the open seas, she instead insists on returning to her daily work as the fleet leader of Iron Blood.

"Friedrich der Grosse insists on keeping Tirpitz in Iron Blood after the last incident" Bismarck informs Victorious

It may not be noticeable to other people, but Bismarck is setting aside her lack of strength and stamina out of her sense of duty. She couldn't strain her body, but to her the soreness of her entire body is little matter compared to Iron Blood needing their leader back.

"She really looked angry at me back then..." Victorious lowers her head
"In a way, I can understand her concern, but I don't wish to force Tirpitz again"
"Bismarck, why didn't you tell Tirpitz everything? The other me showed up and told me her side of the story"

For once, Victorious steels expression that her solid gaze is locked with Bismarck's surprised stare. Her voice lacks the softness and liveliness it always had to focus on making Bismarck reply honestly and without omitting more details.

"You wanted to save her to contain the fragment fearing it would be used by others. It's why you asked her for help when the opportunity is presented to you" Victorious doesn't hesitate to speak
"...I won't hide how I thought it would make Tirpitz stronger because she refuses to polish her capabilities"
"So you thought of forcing her to grow stronger because she doesn't want to" Victorious frowns at her
"I only hesitated because deep down I realized it means imposing my will on her. As her older sister, I shouldn't try to control her as that would strain our already...awkward relationship" Bismarck pauses before the last word
"That still got strained because she ended being cursed by your choice. It did save her from death at the cost of her humanity" Victorious lowers her gaze
"The reason why she behaves no different from before is because you keep her in line"
"You're making it sound like I'm keeping a leash on Tirpitz"

This causes a tense atmosphere between them after the second encounter with Victorious META results with the normal Victorious questioning Bismarck herself.

"I meant to say her attachment to you keeps her as the normal Tirpitz. If you weren't there, she may have deemed fighting for humans to be pointless"
"That's true. Since Tirpitz is such a suicidal blockhead, she might have left somewhere thinking she's at a dead end" Victorious shakes her head

Victorious closes her eyes for a few seconds, imagining observing Tirpitz from behind only to catch a glance on her eyes losing interest at her surroundings and to her life in general. It's the blank and silent expression of someone who had given up on pursuing a meaningless future in their eyes.

"So what do you intend to do? The others are pressuring you to make Tirpitz stay in Iron Blood after she's an inch close to death" Victorious returns to the original topic
"My decision remains the same. If I force Tirpitz to stay, I would repeat the same mistake a year ago" Bismarck furrows her eyebrows after remembering the incident
"Then what about the other me? The one referring to herself as Victorious META. She might go after Tirpitz again"
"I'm guessing she isn't pleased to discover I'm in full health again while Tirpitz got saved again" Bismarck regains hee composure
"I never expected you'd recover so quickly. What's more unexpected is Tirpitz rushing to Iron Blood to help save you"

It's a genuine surprise for Victorious, but Bismarck is somewhat curious as to why the aircraft carrier is both impressed and slightly unhappy at the same time.

"What happened during the last fight?"
"Tirpitz reacted for the first time when she fought the other me. I'm not certain if it's to protect me or to get revenge, but she did show...emotions" Victorious hesitates on the last part
"If she displayed emotions, then you helped her make progress. That is incredible, Victorious" Bismarck raises her head and let out a gentle and hopeful smile
"...Still, it might be just a one time occurrence. Maybe it can only happen again in a situation where a strong emotion is forced to draw out, but even I don't know what would either anger or sadden her greatly" Victorious rubs her chin and gazes left to right
"Hmm, that's plausible. I suppose it's worth studying, so I don't want to test it until it's proven effective"
"..."
"Victorious, I want to help Tirpitz regain her emotions. I'm not asking for forgiveness, but I want to atone for my past mistake. This is the last I could do after ignoring her wish" Bismarck slowly stands up

Since Bismarck puts up a stoic and serious image in front of everyone, Victorious slightly leans back because she's still not used to Bismarck speaking so softly and expressing genuine love for her sister.

"She might not be happy once she learns you didn't tell her everything" Victorious tries to cut the tension
"That is fine. There's no need for me to hide secrets"
"I will try to help for Tirpitz's sake"

Although Victorious smiles cheerfully like she always does, Bismarck silently observes the unnatural smile - a forced smile to be perhaps. It's no different from a mask Bismarck has taken note from several individuals.

Twenty minutes later...

Mainz stands in front of Tirpitz with her arms spread on both sides while Admiral Hipper, who's positioned behind, tightly pulls Tirpitz by her shoulder. No matter how much she tries, she couldn't make the battleship budge even by a centimeter. It only looks like she's trying to sway a solid wall.

"You can't just go off on your own after waking up. Didn't you forget you nearly died?" Mainz scolds her
"I don't care. Now get out of the way"
"Don't be reckless! I get it you don't like it here, but you got cut open, you know!" Admiral Hipper keeps tugging her
"That's none of your concern"
"Victorious will get mad at you!" Mainz keeps scolding her
"Don't make me...repeat myself"

Deeming their interference to be unnecessary, Tirpitz swings her arm back, pushing away Admiral Hipper all of sudden that she nearly stumbles down on her back. She then tightly grabs Mainz by the collar and the temperature around them drastically lowers.

"If you won't get out on your own, then I'll just make sure you won't get in my way ever again"

Ice begins to spread beneath Tirpitz's feet and coats the ground in thin sheets of white ice. The chill causes the two heavy cruisers to naturally shiver, but the temperature continues to lower with each passing second.

"Whoa, whoa whoa! Why are you violent all of a sudden?" Admiral Hipper grabs Tirpitz's arm
"Then you as well" Tirpitz grabs Admiral Hipper by the collar as well
"Wha-!"
"I have no time for this"

Tirpitz lifts both of time a few inches off the ground. What stares at them is not a threatening glare but a blank expression that is devoid of any motivation or interest with anything and anyone.

"Stop that, you icy blockhead!"

A furious voice scolds Tirpitz from behind and a pair of hands tightly grab both of her shoulders in attempt to pull her back, but Tirpitz is too difficult to budge. It's only due to the familiarity of the voice that Tirpitz drops both of them without care.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed again?" Victorious steps in front of Tirpitz
"..." Tirpitz refuses to respond
"You just woke up and you're about to do something stupid again! They're your comrades and you were about to turn them into popsicles"
"Com...rades? Why would I see them as such when it's Iron Blood who turned me the way I am? They would have done the same in my position"

Tirpitz speaks with no hesitation even when she directly looks Victorious right in the eyes. Her sudden change the way speaks, similar to how she use to act before being freed, shocks the three kansens in the scene.

"I have no love towards Iron Blood despite being created as one. Do you think I would simply set aside what was done to me?" Tirpitz continues
"What's with you all of a sudden?" Victorious swallows her breath
"This nation had only cared about their ideals and ambitions, so Bismarck set aside my own will just to turn me into a failed experiment"
"..."

"I thought I wouldn't care anymore, but no matter how much I look at it, what Bismarck and the rest of Iron Blood did can never be set aside"

Rather than express the bitterness locked inside a year ago, Tirpitz turns away from Victorious and hurriedly leaves the scene. She loses interest "complaining" knowing Victorious can't comfort or justify her thoughts.

"Why are you acting like that all of a sudden? It's like you're that cold and heartless version of yourself that was thrown in prison a year ago" Victorious immediately follows after her
"I remember a rush of fear and doubt when you nearly got yourself killed in front of me. When I came to be, it's as if something drained it from my heart"
"I mean why you're hostile to Iron Blood again" Victorious grabs her wrist
"I'm not certain, but I'm confronted by my own memories"

When Tirpitz slows down walking until she stops right where she stands that Victorious steps in front of her again.

"Perhaps, it's sending you a message. You couldn't look at me whenever you talk about your past" Victorious tilts her head
"..."
"Tirpitz, have you been in denial all this time? In order to live peacefully, you set aside what you witnessed a year ago"
"No, that's not...possible" Tirpitz straightens herself
"No, you're lying to me even if you're emotionless. You've been trying to lie to yourself all this time" Victorious grabs her cape
"..."
"Tirpitz, you can lie to others as much as you want, but you can't lie to yourself. There will always be there gnawing and clawing feeling inside you no matter how much you look away from it"
"..."

Being forced to admit is one of the reasons Tirpitz remains silent as she remains uncertain to what's the truth and the lie to her. Victorious persuades her in confessing what her mind and heart truly believes, but she somehow doubts her own friend. It's the main reason for her silence.

"You aren't wrong. Don't deny that" Victorious leans a bit closer
"But that's..."
"It's alright to be listless"
"...?"

Tirpitz takes a step back when a buzzing sound rings in her ears and a static image flashes in her thoughts. It may be vague, but she briefly recalls someone who appears to be Victorious sitting beside her and...humming.

"What's wrong?" Victorious notices and begins to worry
"It's nothing..."
"O-okay..."
"I want to search for the other Victorious, but I'm in no shape to do so" Tirpitz relaxes herself

"We'll deal with the enemy once you're back in full health and out of Iron Blood. They intend to keep you here"

"They'll have to tie me down for that to happen" Tirpitz doesn't hesitate
"Are you thinking of resisting Bismarck if she asks you to stay?"
"If she insists, then I may have to confront her again..."

Tirpitz may be willing to resist through force if Iron Blood tries to force her to stay. As for Victorious, she's worried about Tirpitz being impossible to control through force due to the sudden emptiness inside her.

"For Tirpitz to bare her fangs again after nearly dying. Something isn't right here..."

Unknown to the two, Prinz Eugen eavesdrops on most of the conversation while she leans behind a wall rather relaxed and her fingers rub her chin.

"Why did you wait before you stopped Tirpitz a while ago?"

Prinz Eugen asks herself while her stealthy glance is focused on Victorious alone with a mixture of distance and plain curiosity. Although she studies her with a keen gaze, Prinz Eugen blinks at the sudden thought that Victorious glances for a split second in her direction as if their eyes almost meet.

Chapter Text

The sun shines brightly and the kansens on a day off are enjoying basking under the sunlight and the calm breeze at least relaxes their worries. As for Tirpitz, she deliberately fixates her gaze on the nearby beach to avoid the gentle smile observing her subtle movements.

"Does this feel awkward?" Yorktown softly asks

Yorktown pulls herself a bit, genuinely concerned after Tirpitz is quieter than usual and could barely make eye contact with her.

".....It's not" Tirpitz looks at her
"Then....."
"It's just that, I'm not the type to easily strike a conversation" Tirpitz clarifies to avoid misunderstandings
"Ah, you're not used at socializing after all. It must be hard ever since you were detained and lost your emotions....."
"....."

The reminder of the one year of bitterness confined in a steel prison located at a scorching heat valley only reminds Tirpitz of Bismarck refusing to even look at her when she got arrested. Tirpitz's hands resting close to each other on top of a round table, tenses until she reflexively clenches her hands tightly.

"I wanted to speak with you because I learned you deeply hated Bismarck because she caused your condition and imprisonment" Yorktown notices
"Why do you care?"
"I'm the eldest sister who always looks after my two younger sisters. That's why I feel awful when you sever your relationship with Bismarck and became hostile"
"......" Tirpitz lowers her gaze on her hands

As much as Tirpitz wants to outright voice out how much she blames Bismarck, she couldn't find the motivation in front of Yorktown. The latter is genuinely concerned, without any malice or hidden motive. It's rare for her to encounter someone "soft and gentle", especially that she barely has any faith in humanity and performs her duties because she doesn't care enough to question.

"You two never met before and when this life gave you two a chance.....it ended up this way" Yorktown intertwines her fingers
"She did this knowing full well of the consequences. Of course she wouldn't care enough to reconsider because I'm the one who would pay the price"

Tirpitz moves her right hand to lift a bit of her left sleeve, displaying the steel cuffs tightly locked on her wrists. Faint energy flows in the thin lines running across the restraints suppressing the chill she emits from killing normal people.

"It's not just as simple as taking away a limb to spare the rest of the body. That selfish bastard robbed me of my emotions" Tirpitz couldn't bring out her anger

As a result, she could only express through a cold and distant voice. She only has the unpleasant memory to push her away from Bismarck. There's no forgiveness in her mind after even her hatred is stripped from her.

"A sister is someone you can trust and rely on because they're family. I thought there was a chance we could build that relationship because we never had the chance.....but in the end, she was only full of pride" Tirpitz squeezes her wrists
"You feel disappointed. I mean, how you would probably feel....." Yorktown isn't sure how to describe it
"Bismarck only cared about fighting and her ideals. She never looked past herself. After all, she couldn't even see enough to care about how I would feel"

In Tirpitz's mind, she briefly recalls a moment where she's standing right behind Bismarck and is about to say something. Seeing Bismarck is completely focused on what's in front of her without even looking back, Tirpitz shuts her mouth close and turns away in dismay.

"In her eyes, I was just a soldier whom she expects to fight until I die for good. She didn't see me as an individual but a soldier who has no right to complain" Tirpitz continues to voice out her past bitterness
"Is that what she showed to you or is that what you believed?" Yorktown tilts her head
"......."
"Tirpitz, you mustn't make assumptions when you two didn't even communicatr about the issue"
"I told her that if I were to suffer a mortal injury, I wish to die naturally. Instead, she toyed with my life and restored me in this cursed state"

The temperature around them lowers to the point Yorktown is already shivering a bit from the spreading cold. Tirpitz's restrained condition isn't fatal to anyone, but it doesn't stop the chill from leaking when she loses her focus.

"She even called it a success and described it as a newfound power. How can she tell that to my face without batting an eye? Bismarck how I freeze everything I touch and my body's temperature is permanently negative" Tirpitz tightly squeezes her hands again

That incident is permanently etched in her memory and it's the one she wishes to have been stripped away rather than her emotions. In her memory, Bismarck is standing inside the frozen room, miraculously unaffected, ignoring Tirpitz as she looks at her trembling hands emitting thick cold air.

"Someone who actually cared would choose to peacefully let go rather than sacrifice a normal life just to live. They couldn't even let me die on my own terms......"
"Then why don't you express all of this to Bismarck? You refused to meet her ever since you were released"
"If I say it to her, would she listen? Of course not. She never listens to anything she doesn't want to hear. After all, she never listened when I begged her not to save me"

Rather than be grateful, in Tirpitz's memory, she couldn't utter a single word the moment she discovers her touch freezes and the chill she emits makes it impossible for life to thrive.

"This won't get anywhere if you don't voice out everything without even trying. You're stubborn and so is Bismarck. That's why you two are never honest with each other" Yorktown massages her temples
"I just don't want to care anymore, but I can't get rid of this memory....."
"You can't turn away from your past. All of us suffered from tragedy, but we never set it aside or try to run away from it" Yorktown lets out a deep sigh
"Then I wish I would have just remained dead......"
"Is that what you wanted or is it what you want to believe? Sometimes, what we think isn't what we truly needed or even want"
"......" Tirpitz averts her gaze
"At this stage of life, you have yet to find out what you wanted"
"I don't have any desire anymore, not even an aspiration. I just want.....to stop caring altogether"

Tirpitz furrows her eyebrows, refusing to accept Yorktown's words as the stubborn battleship that she is.

What Bismarck did is something no reconciliation could mend. It's impossible to simply look past the emotions she took from me" Tirpitz lowers her head
"Forgiveness doesn't come easily. It takes time to accept what happened before you can take a single step to forgiving your sister"
"Forgiveness, huh. There's no one who can make me forgive Bismarck"

Tirpitz crosses her arms, believing that someone with an empty like her could never move on from the incident. It's too much for her to bear that the lost thoughts are still flooding her mind.

"I really need to soften her over time. She's still hung up on what happened....."

Victorious eavesdrop on the conversation and mutters to herself, saddened and dismayed how Tirpitz is rejecting the very idea of trying to forgive Bismarck.

________________________________________________________________________

As much as it is difficult, Tirpitz is forced to regain her strength in Iron Blood. Even if her injuries are mostly healed primarily thanks to the META's power, she exhausted a large amount of her strength to focus on her recovery. This renders her body weak, numb, and mildly lethargic. Fortunately enough, Victorious is there to keep her company to both ensure her full recovery and to prevent her leaving without notice again.

"It's difficult to keep you in line that if someone tries to put a leash on you, you end up retaliating at first notice"

Victorious, sitting right by the infirmary bed, moves Tirpitz's bangs between her eyes to the side. The battleship always poses a tough and unmoving exterior but appears vulnerable and even gentle once she falls asleep.

"You never expose yourself to others, but once you get attached to someone, you discsrd your common sense. It's as if you're an innocent child who just learned to cherish something"

Since Tirpitz is deeply asleep, Victorious freely speaks out her thoughts while examining how Tirpitz calmly appears while remaining unaware someone is regularly making sure she doesn't try to leave again.

"Still, you're slowly reverting to how you used to be. Right now, it's bad for your health"

Compared weeks ago, the current Tirpitz is much calmer and more relaxed, making Victorious believe her approach is getting through Tirpitz.

"What are you so worried about, Victorious?"

Less than a meter behind Victorious, Tirpitz META stands with her hands crossed and her hostile glare directed towards the aircraft carrier.

"......!" Victorious could only freeze with a wide-eyed shock and cold sweat on her cheeks
"I didn't want to waste energy just to come out, but I can't ignore why you're not happy with the possibility of Tirpitz returning to her old self"
"......"

Victorious observes for a moment, somewhat noticing the META in front of her is mostly likely a projection rather than materializing in a physical form.

"Tirpitz cried because she felt sad and afraid. What if she remembers what hatred feels like? She wouldn't forgive Bismarck anymore and would try to kill her...."
"That's for certain. Bismarck plays the 'it's for the best ' reason. Only someone who wants to protect their ego would use that excuse" Tirpitz META clicks her tongue
"That's not true! Bismarck isn't that kind of person. It's just that everyone needs her as a leader, so she believes she mustn't show weakness" Victorious stands up
"In her eyes, emotions are a weakness, so she enforced that on her unwilling sister" Tirpitz META turns away

The deceased META speaks calmly but still with the clear resentment and bitterness towards Bismarck.

"Bismarck sees Tirpitz as her younger sister. Those two just don't know how to communicate properly"

Victorious stands up in response to Tirpitz META making Bismarck appear as a terrible person as she believes.

"If she did care for her younger sister, she would have let her die in peace. Instead, she forcibly denied her eternal rest.....just like me" Tirpitz META clicks her tongue
"Just because you're her META version doesn't mean you know how she feels" Victorious marches in front of her
"You're one to talk, hypocrite" Tirpitz META faintly growls
".......!"
"You always believe you know what's best for her, so you end up prioritizing your own feelings and ignore hers. That's why I said you're just like her....."

Tirpitz META raises her hand but slowly lowers it, remembering she's a ghost without a physical body of her own and the one in front of her isn't the Victorious META she despises the most. As much as she resents any version of Victorious, she's still sane enough to differentiate them.

"I get it. You're angry at the other me who killed and revived you. It hurts being in that state, so you want to die......but I want to save Tirpitz first"
"How do you plan on doing that? Only now you realize returning her emotions right away will flood the one year of what she went through"
"Tirpitz lived without emotions and it kept her behavior under control"
"You can't save Tirpitz because your idea of saving her would only be disastrous"

Tirpitz META briefly glances at the still unconscious Tirpitz, her expression softening as she pities her past self and unusually worried at the outcome.

"You're acting like the normal Tirpitz except for the lingering bitterness" Victorious suddenly realizes
"I only persist because of hatred but even I can get exhausted. My wish is to finally rest for good....."
"If the fragment is separated from Tirpitz and destroyed, would you finally get what you want?" Victorious swallows her breath
"Your META version has the other pieces of my wisdom cube....and there's one here in Iron Blood" Tirpitz META looks past Victorious and stares at the door
"Huh?! Another piece here"
"Iron Blood is still keeping another fragment of me. Hmph! It's no surprise if Bismarck is keeping it like the scheming bastard that she is"
"Bismarck is not the scheming type! She can be a bit blunt and strict, but she doesn't lie or deceive"

Victorious could only angrily point because she tries to poke Tirpitz META's chest only for her finger to pass through her body, immediately forgetting the META is incapable of materializing a physical body even if it's temporary.

"You believe she doesn't lie but your hesitating voice betrays you. Victorious, you know Bismarck isn't being fully honest" Tirpitz META doesn't believe her
"T-that's......"
"If you want to spare her the trouble, don't try to make her forgive Bismarck.....or are you regretting you convinced her to forgive Bismarck" Tirpitz META takes a step forward
"I-I didn't regret it...." Victorious responds by taking a step back
"You're beginning to regret it, aren't you?"
"Don't mess with me! I'm not as weak as you think"

Before Tirpitz META could pressure her further, Victorious shakes her head and puts her hands on her hips. She may know Tirpitz META couldn't physically harm her, but her heart races speaking with the deceased META after strangling her and nearly snapping her neck in their last meeting.

"You encountered your META version, so tell me if you believe if what she's doing is right" Tirpitz META straightens herself
"......I don't know. The other me said she wants to save Tirpitz, but I don't know if I could really trust her"

Victorious doubts herself after being attacked by her META version and nearly killing Tirpitz with little hesitation. It's as if she stared at a completely different person only bearing the same name.

"It's obvious you can't trust her. To be specific, I don't trust either of you" Tirpitz META leans a bit forward
"A-and I don't trust you! Ever since the beginning, you take over my Tirpitz just to get your revenge"
"I have nothing to live for. If I'm still in this world to get even, then I would do anything to achieve it. You and that traitor can't let me die after all"
"........" Victorious sweats coldly again
"My past self would never forgive Bismarck. It was her who sealed revenge in Tirpitz's heart"
"Tirpitz isn't about revenge. Even if she has her emotions back, she didn't blame Iron Blood for the lonely death she suffered in the past. She just wanted to live a free life this time"
"If that's what you believe, then you know nothing about Tirpitz"

For a moment, Tirpitz META blinks in surprise, only to frown again as soon as Victorious responds. Tirpitz META isn't immediately hostile to the regular Victorious, but she dislikes how much Victorious herself refuses to believe and tries to make it as if she's the one who's wrong.

"Saving her isn't as easy as you think. Her wisdom cube is being strained with each battle" Tirpitz META turns to stare down at the unconscious Tirpitz
"What do you mean?"
"Hmph"
"Hey, wai-" Victorious tries to reach her hand to her

Without even properly responding and leaving Victorious in "suspense", Tirpitz META turns her head just to disintegrate in thin air. Her whole body quickly disperses to bits on at least five seconds, leaving Victorious with no time to leave more words to her.

"Dead or not, that icy blockhead is still difficult to deal with"

Victorious wants to stomp her feet several times, but she just pouts and frantically flails both arms in the air.

"Still, I can't let - no, no, I have to focus on what I must do for Tirpitz's sake.....even if I know she might not like it once she finds out"

Victorious mutters to herself as she shakes her head and her worried gaze turns to Tirpitz. As much as she wants to be relieved Tirpitz is stable for now, the deceased META's words leave her uneasy.....and somehow feeling conflict.

"Who the hell was she talking to?"

Just outside the room, Prinz Eugen furrows her eyebrows and blinks, wondering why Victorious appears to be speaking to someone even if there's only one voice inside the room.

"Tirpitz's friend must have a screw or two loose"

Prinz Eugen withdraws her head from leaning against the door and snakes her head in genuine confusion. The sound may be muffled, but she clearly overheard Victorious' speaking without someone's voice responding.

Bismarck's office.....

Neumark, the resident repair ship, lays out several nearly compiled files in front of Bismarck's desk. Other witnesses inside the room who are also focused on what the files contain are Graf Zeppelin and Friedrich der Grosse.

"Those are the results after I thoroughly scanned Tirpitz's wisdom cube" Neumark lets out a deep sigh
"I'm impressed you managed to run those tests while treating her severe injuries" Friedrich der Grosse faintly smiles
"Normally, she wouldn't allow me or anyone else in Iron Blood. She'd throw a fit and freeze the whole lab....and this entire building" Neumark scratches her cheeks
"How do you interpret this.....diagnosis"

Bismarck picks up the first paper, briefly reading the first paragraph and turning the page towards Neumark and the others. While she understands some of the terms, she is no repair ship who can analyze wisdom cubes in detail.

"Her wisdom cube was severely damaged in the last battle. I couldn't believe she survived after suffering lethal injuries" Neumark shrugs her shoulders
"You said it's fatal, so how did she survive long enough to be treated?" Bismarck stands up
"The fragment devoted much of its own energy to make up the damage parts. If it didn't do that, the wisdom cube wouldn't be able to sustain itself and the kansen by extension"

Neumark lowers her head and clenches her coldly sweating hands, barely containing her anxiety and fear of a worse outcome for Tirpitz. Both Friedrich der Grosse and Graf Zeppelin turn to face each other, understanding that Tirpitz's survival is by some unexpected miracle, but Neumark's expression isn't the least relieved.

"The fragment functioned on its own and it's the reason why Tirpitz's chill isn't fatal even after her restraints are destroyed. I don't want to assume, but the fragment may either be autonomous or still conscious"
"What do you mean?" Graf Zeppelin takes a few steps forward
"It's a piece of a wisdom cube from a deceased META. Its unusual properties mended the damages needed for the kansen's survival....." Neumark lowers her head
"Then what?"

Bismarck pushes her chair back and slowly walks away from her desk. The other two Iron Blood ships remain right where they stand as the sound of Bismarck's footsteps sounded heavy in the silence.

"I-it's reconfiguring the properties of a normal wisdom cube" Neumark's legs shake
"It's trying to change" Bismarck frowns at the thought
"While I lack evidence, one possible conclusion is the fragment adjusting the wisdom cube to match its level"
"What does this do?" Bismarck stands a meter in front of Neumark
"The last battle was fatal, but Tirpitz's survival allowed the fragment to improve the damaged areas. It made Tirpitz stronger in exchange for suiting her body......to handle it in a more stable manner"
"This means the fragment made Tirpitz adapt to it and improve her abilities as a result"

Friedrich der Grosse is quick to understand and the smile she curves is out of her amusement and intrigue.

"I thought the fragment only cursed Tirpitz, but I didn't think it could have this......capability" Bismarck rubs her chin
"It's beneficial to her and all of us if the fragment improves her strength further" Friedrich der Grosse agrees on the idea
"As long as this doesn't have any side effects, this may be for the best" Graf Zeppelin also agrees
"Huh?" Neumark blinks in confusion

The repair ship frantically turns her head to observe the three ships in deep thought, namely Bismarck who's staring at her right hand.

"If Tirpitz completely adapts to the fragment, then she wouldn't suffer another near-death experience" Bismarck mutters to herself
"I don't mean to offend as your subordinate, perhaps we need to reconsider this further. You're about to make the same mistake as you did a year ago" Neumark finds enough courage to speak out
"Tirpitz faced a META and nearly died. If it wasn't for that piece, she wouldn't be here and be at the ocean instead. I would have lost my sister for good this time"
"Bismarck, twenty five percent of her wisdom cube had become similar to that of a META!"

Unable to keep her mouth shut, Neumark raises her voice and the loud echo surprises the other three ships due to how she mentioned "META".

"If we only think of how this will benefit us, you'll have something much worse than the incident last year. You might lose your sister and I'm not talking about dying" Neumark grits her teeth
".....but Tirpitz needs the strength to protect herself. My younger sister completely disregards her life and would gladly die without struggling to live"

Bismarck's voice becomes slightly deeper, restraining her frustration and worry as an older sister. She isn't blind to the consequences, but she believes she's at the position where she has to choose for the sake of someone.

"I don't want Tirpitz to grow stronger just to fight for Iron Blood. What I want is to be capable of being strong enough that I can be rest assured of her safety" Bismarck insists
"Victorious is softening her. That's why she was quick to be taken down because the META she faced was another Victorious"

Friedrich der Grosse tightly grabs Neumark's shoulder that the latter jolts and her heart rapidly races. She's the only one opposed to the idea since Bismarck is being selfish again even if her intentions are noble.

"Victorious META is without a doubt an enemy, but Tirpitz couldn't fight back against her. She needs the strength to fight back. This might be our only opportunity" Bismarck takes a step forward
"Bismarck, she's going to fight back at you and not the enemies you recognize. If the fragment alters her further, you're going to bring regret to all of us, especially to yourself"

Neumark stares at Bismarck right in the eyes without blinking much to Friedrich der Grosse and Graf Zeppelin's surprise. For a repair ship, she remains unfazed at the grim gaze unintentionally intimidating her.

"......We'll discuss this another time. Neither of us are calm enough to have a civilized conversation"

Fortunately for everyone, Bismarck exhales deeply to regain her composure. She's not impulsive or reckless, so she's the one who cuts the tension first because she doesn't want to argue with a fellow Iron Blood ship.

"Think this through, Bismarck. All of you believe you know what's for the best when it's your misguided attempt that caused all of this"

Neumark decides not to pursue the matter after realizing she's being emotional and that she's disobeying the fleet leader. Rather than extend her stay or wait for Bismarck to ask her to leave, she turns away and is quick to storm off the room without saying anything else. Friedrich der Grosse and Graf Zeppelin could only follow her with their gaze right before she closed the door behind her.

"That girl should be punished" Friedrich der Grosse folds her arms
"Leave her be. Neumark is responsible for most of Tirpitz's repairs in the past, so she worried for a good reason" Bismarck returns to her chair
"Still, Tirpitz is compatible with the fragment and it saved her once more. As long as she has it, she won't easily die" Friedrich der Grosse points out the benefits
"Neumark still has a point. We can't ignore the risks just" Graf Zeppelin admits
"I need some time to think in peace....."
"It's rare to see you upset, m child. Is it because Neumark actually talked back at you" Friedrich der Grosse tilts her head
"I believe what I'm doing is for Tirpitz's best, but she insists I'm being selfish again"

Bismarck relaxes her back on her chair and breathes out deeply as her nerves have yet to fully relax.

"I can't always be there to keep Tirpitz safe, so I want her to be at least strong enough that no one can hurt her" Bismarck closes her eyes
"We understand you're trying to act more like an older sister to her while trying to fulfill your duties as our leader" Graf Zeppelin tries to understand at least
"Take the rest of the afternoon off. Clearly, you need some peace and quiet to rationalize what just happened"

Without warning, Friedrich der Grosse hurriedly walks over to Graf Zeppelin and grabs both of her shoulders from behind.

"You two may leave. I need to compose myself and rethink my decision" Bismarck sways her hand
"......" The two quietly nod

As Bismarck places her elbow on the arm rest relaxes her head on her fists just as the two ships leave, she let out another exhale and faintly groans under her breath.

"Maybe it was a mistake to accept the other fragment given to me....by Victorious"

Bismarck frowns at herself, still conflicted at the idea because she still thinks about Neumark , of all people, berating her actions. She's not as stubborn as appears as her current thoughts waver when thinking about the moment she witnessed the horrified expression in Tirpitz's face when she regained consciousness after the procedure a year ago.

_____________________________________________________________

"No, perhaps my mistake was letting our relationship worsen, especially when I said that to her"

Bismarck shakes her head, somewhat irritated at herself due to how what's already bad turned worse in more than a year.

.......
.......
.......

[When and where did it go wrong?]

In the past, almost forgotten by Tirpitz, there are indeed moments where Tirpitz doesn't view Bismarck with hostility. It's one of those 'early days' buried under the countless memories of Tirpitz viewing the world in a different light. One of those moments she has long forgotten was a conversation, or at least Bismarck's attempt to have a meaningful conversation with her.

"Everyone's impression is how you're cold-hearted and unsociable"

Bismarck fondly smiles as she gently stirs the cup of her warmly brewed cup of tea. As she slowly twirls the cup, her expression immediately turns serious and somewhat disappointed.

"And.....?" Tirpitz briefly stares at her own cup before taking a light sip
"And you shouldn't keep that kind of impression. People would misunderstand you as someone emotionless" Bismarck crosses her arms
"Why should I be concerned with what others think of me? I don't care who I am in their eyes because I don't need their perception of me" Tirpitz rolls her eyes
"Tirpitz, you mustn't forget you're a Bismarck-class, my only younger sister" Bismarck lightly taps the table
"Do relationships matter to you, Bismarck?"

Tirpitz rests her hands on top of the table and clasps her hands together, focusing on the conversation once Bismarck reminds her or position.

"The higher echelons assumed you should be next in line for leadership, someone who should be leading alongside me. I do believe it as well, so why do you view Iron Blood with distrust?" Bismarck tries her best to control her voice
"....." Tirpitz falls silent

Silence between them gradually forms the tension, especially from Tirpitz frowning at one of the reminders she dislikes.

"Tirpitz, you have the potential to grow stronger. You're a competent battleship and you possess the same strength as I, so why do you reject your capabilities" Bismarck sternly demands an answer
"I only fight with necessary strength. Bismarck, I'm not like you who focuses on further seeking might because I don't have the same ambition as you" Tirpitz answers with a sigh

Rather, it's that Tirpitz is in no mood to have someone point out her actions and attitude, but she wants to avoid problems with someone like Bismarck. She wishes to be left alone in peace, so she bears answering Bismarck in hopes she would leave as soon as possible. Staying silent would only annoy Bismarck and cause her to further scold her to no end.

"Tirpitz, answer me why you distrust Iron Blood. It's why you're only battling with sufficient strength and never letting loose - not even once"
"You would never know after all....." Tirpitz lowers her head
"Tirpitz?"
"In the past, you sunk first.....so you wouldn't know why I hold both my strength and my thoughts to the people around me"
"......."

Bismarck straightens her back as her eyes blink when she clearly recognizes frustration in Tirpitz's eyes. The younger sister who only speaks when necessary and barely expresses emotions now frowns with the side of her lips lightly twitched and her leering eyes dilated.

"We're sisters.....so I don't want to argue with you....." Tirpitz closes her eyes for a moment to relax her expression
"I want to know the exact reason"
"......?" Tirpitz raises an eyebrow
"I want to know how angry you are deep inside" Bismarck frankly tells her

It's more of a demand she doesn't want Tirpitz to refuse. Her younger sister clearly has resentment running deep after forcing herself to return to her default stoic expression because Bismarck sees the unintentional change in behavior.

"All you need to know is I don't trust anyone because of my historic fate"
"Tirpitz......" Bismarck hears sorrow rather than hatred
"I don't hate you, but I can't bring myself to open up to you"

Tirpitz is somewhat conflicted in how she views her supposed older sister. The two are distant with how they barely take the initiative to open up. In the current case, it's Tirpitz who deliberately keeps her distance from Bismarck for reasons she refuses to tell.

"Even if you hide it, I know you're bearing loneliness. All this time, you-"
"Bismarck, I may be lonely in your eyes but I don't feel the need to seek companionship from others" Tirpitz immediately corrects her
"No, you're keeping up that facade of a cold-hearted person because you don't want to admit you're lonely"
"Perhaps it's better that way....." Tirpitz stands up
"We're not done here yet" Bismarck stands up as well
"......"
"Tirpitz.....?"

To Bismarck's surprise again, she sees Tirpitz blankly staring downwards, her eyebrows are nearly furrowing, and her lower lip slightly pulled down. It's the clear indication of someone unable to hide the emotion of sadness. No matter how much one tries, their facial expressions and gestures would always give their inner thoughts away.

"If you can't understand why I distrust both Iron Blood and you, then you know nothing at all. So please, don't try to say like you know anything" Tirpitz turns away
"Why aren't you at least trying?" Bismarck goes to grab her wrist
"What's the point? Every little hope I had in the past was always returned with disappointment.....because of Iron Blood and you" Tirpitz pulls her wrist away from Bismarck
"Is that why you distrust me too?" Bismarck clenches her fists
"You said I was lonely, but what do you know of my loneliness? Do you perceive the same world as I am? Tell me, Bismarck, do you really believe we could understand each other?!" Tirpitz presses her hand against her chest

Tirpitz doesn't want to speak further, but she couldn't contain her frustrations. As a result, she ends up voicing out her bottled up thoughts right before she realizes she's starting to berate her older sister.

"We live in a different world Bismarck. While you march to a blaze glory, I remained shackled in a frozen prison" Tirpitz turns away again
"Just because we had different fates, doesn't mean we couldn't be sisters....."
"I don't just distrust Iron Blood, Bismarck. From the bottom of my heart.....I despise this nation. That's why....don't make me hate you too"

As much as Tirpitz wants to keep her thoughts to herself, she made the decision to make it clear it's more than being upset and disappointed. Deep inside, she has come to realize her fate caused negative emotions to pile up inside her as a ship who never once experienced warmth in her entire career. Tirpitz tightly closes her eyes for a brief second because she couldn't bear the thought of their strained relationship being severe to the point Tirpitz would extend that resentment too.

"If you are just like that, maybe it would have been better if you were emptied of all emotions"
"......." Tirpitz nearly speaks out of shock
"Tirpitz, I didn't-"
"......."

Tirpitz doesn't say anything else as she clenches her fists and only relaxes her hands just as she quickly marches away from the scene. Since she refuses to even pause or turn around, Tirpitz couldn't see how Bismarck at least attempted by reaching out her hand. Her lips part as she's about to call Tirpitz, but shuts them close when her figure is quickly vanishing from her view.

If only I told her back then how I want to understand her because I care about her as her sister.....

Chapter Text

Hours after the encounter with Victorious META, Tirpitz is rushed back to Iron Blood for immediate treatment due to her mortal wounds. Normally, it would have instantly killed even a battleship, but Tirpitz clings to life thanks to the power of a META's fragment.

"What in the world.....just happened?"

Inside Bismarck's office, Bismarck herself takes a deep breath while asking Victorious as calm as possible. Not even a week after regaining consciousness, the first news she received is Tirpitz on death's door.....again. Inside the room is Prinz Eugen leaning by the wall and keenly observing the intense atmosphere.

".....The same META who sent you into a coma nearly took out Tirpitz. That's why she couldn't properly fight back and suffered those injuries" Victorious reluctantly replies
"......?" Prinz Eugen notices something but doesn't speak
"How?" Bismarck squeezes the edge of her desk
"The blizzard was unleashed by her to separate all of us. I tried to reason with my META version, but she attacked me as well" Victorious bites her lower lip in dismay
"That's kind of dumb...." Prinz Eugen scoffs
"Why would you try to reason with a META? She attacked you once but you returned to endanger yourself again! What if you died on that spot?"
"......!"

Bismarck curls up her fist and slams her desk the pen nearly flies and rolls off the desk. It's rare for Bismarck to lose her composure and furiously scold someone, but she's unbelievably upset at Victorious' recklessness.

"Victorious META attacked us without caring, so what makes you think she would be reasonable?" Bismarck sighs to calm herself down
"But....."
"She's not as kind and caring as you, Victorious. It should be obvious the moment she targeted Tirpitz with the intent to harm her" Bismarck points at her
"I want to know why. What changed in thet version of me? She lost her Tirpitz, but she still wants to save her"
"There's no point in trying to find a reason! That version of you is an enemy and she solidified it when I fought her"
"But that's......" Victorious meekly lowers her head

The hostility and grudge is clear from Bismarck, so Victorious couldn't find the courage to argue further. Even she is aware of how her META version is hostile and ruthless to other kansens. Victorious META attacked her, the regular version, and attempted to kill Tirpitz. It should be obvious to Victorious since she's not as naive and ignorant as other believes. It's just that she refuses to accept her other self as an enemy.

"Bismarck......do you intend to keep Tirpitz here?"

Victorious keeps her eyes staring at the ground while her left hand tightly clutches her right arm. It's a question she's very hesitant to ask, but she grunts in order to hear the answer right where she stands.

"......My younger sister is important to me even if we didn't have the best kind of relationship" Bismarck takes a few seconds before she responds
"That's because you caused all of it, Bismarck"
"What?" Bismarck frowns
"Oh boy....." Prinz Eugen moves away from the two

In an unexpected response, Victorious suddenly blames Bismarck briefly surprising the latter, and nearly shakes her head in disbelief. Prinz Eugen's sharp instincts sense the hostility and quietly slide to safely reposition herself away from the two.

"My META version told me everything. Even if Tirpitz didn't nearly die a year ago, you would have used the fragment on her! Was that just a perfect opportunity for you?" Victorious raises her voice
".....I didn't intend for any of it to happen, but I want to protect my younger sister as much as other older sisters even if my method can be unacceptable" Bismarck understands her frustration
"Then it's true you readily accepted the offer because you saw it as an opportunity?"
"I saw it as a means to protect her. Even if she pays the price, then she would have the strength to ensure no one hurts her ever again"
"Bismarck, we are individuals with free will and emotions.....but you didn't give Tirpitz a choice and stripped her of emotions. Tell me if your guilt for what happened was genuine?" Victorious clenches her fists

As the tension between them grows heavier, Prinz Eugen eyes on the door near her in hopes of avoiding being in the crossfire, but Bismarck's sharp gaze noticing her for a brief second forces to remain right where she stands.

"I felt guilty because I left Tirpitz with a great burden and caused her suffering, but I have to make sure her life wouldn't be in danger again. I can't always be there to protect her, but I wish to do so as much as possible"
"It's for the best, right?" Victorious grits her teeth

Bismarck's attitude towards her actions reminds her of the last encounter with Victorious META who's the inconsiderate and ruthless version of her.

Tirpitz means a lot to me, but I can't save her by being naive and kind like you. I had to become someone I don't want to be just to save her

Victorious META may be extra aggressive and uncaring with her actions, but she tightly clenches her fists again upon remembering how much she feels repulsed to her future self. Although she views her META version and Bismarck shares the same thought of "It's for the best" while ignoring Tirpitz's opinion.

You should reflect on it....if you know what's for the best
"......!"

Before Victorious could be lost on how much she wants to reject her META version, she immediately recalls the latter's parting words, but she lightly shakes her head and ignores it. Her current focus is on Bismarck, so she doesn't want to be distracted by thinking about the last encounter.

"Tirpitz is my friend and I want to protect her as much as you do, but I don't want to assume I know what's best for her" Victorious' voice wavers
"......." Bismarck quietly listens
".....but I can understand why would make the hard choice for Tirpitz's sake because I would do the same thing"
(Huh?) Prinz Eugen, still standing at the back, frowns
"You two are so much alike, so even I can't deny you two are sisters...."

Victorious actually averts her gaze for a brief second as she keeps what she really implies to herself, but a bit of her frown slips.

"Victorious, tell us anything your META version told you or anything you know about her" Bismarck stands a meter in front of her
"Even I find my other self mysterious. She never said anything. Nothing.....at all" Victorious quickly shakes her head

The memory of the last encounter flashes through her mind, specifically the moment Victorious META takes her leave. Rather than upset at Iron Blood's interruption, she's rather pleased with the ending which makes Victorious' heart race in anxiety.

(Why would you lie.....?)

Bismarck holds the tip of her cap and lowers her head, uncertain if she would point out the obvious lie or observe further. She sneaks a glance at Prinz Eugen, whose frown is focused on Victorious as if she understands the 'lie' as well.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Inside a briefing room only used for important meetings, Prinz Eugen and Mainz are both invited by Friedrich der Grosse, who primarily focused on studying all of Neumark's diagnosis after she scanned Tirpitz's wisdom cube and updated the current condition of her body.

"I heard there was a little trouble during the last meeting. Something about Neumark talking back to our dear leader" Prinz Eugen chuckles
"Neumark disagreed with letting Tirpitz's condition continue" Friedrich der Grosse confirms it
"It seems she did detect signs of the fragment influencing the wisdom cube since a year ago. Back then, it was merely one percent, but it jumped to twenty percent all of a sudden"

Prinz Eugen slides the specific paper to Friedrich der Grosse's side while the Mainz overlooks in curiosity.

"Upon treating Tirpitz, it was at ten percent but after the recent test, it doubled. What just happened?" Mainz keeps flipping through the papers
"The numbers won't just magically double and Neumark wouldn't give a false diagnosis. So what happened in the few hours in between?" Prinz Eugen waves one paper in the air
"Are you suspecting foul play, Eugen?" Mainz swallows her breath
"That loud carrier always dragging Tirpitz......feels a little off and I couldn't put my finger on it" Prinz Eugen tilts her head left and right
"That again....." Mainz groans
"Are you still keeping a close eye on her?" Friedrich der Grosse sighs
"Of course. I trust my instincts well, and my intuition believes we're not the only ones with secrets" Prinz Eugen furrows her eyebrows
"Cut it out, Eugen. Victorious isn't planning something horrible. Even Graf Zeppelin said she's an honest person with no ulterior motives" Mainz gives her a light hand chop to the head
"Too honest that she sucks at lying. Even Bismarck saw through it. Whatever the case, I personally want to know why she has the guts to lie at Bismarck straight in the face"

Prinz Eugen lazily waves a folder and confidently smiles while Friedrich der Grosse just shakes her head and buries her face on her palm.

"Something definitely happened before we nearly cornered Victorious META. Besides, did no one find it strange about how the META just ditched us?" Prinz Eugen looks at the two of them
"I can't believe you've become the overthinking type, Eugen" Mainz gives her another light hand chop to the head
"Unless you have solid evidence, it will remain as baseless accusation. Besides, Tirpitz needs the support and guidance from a trusted friend"

Friedrich der Grosse lightly closes her eyes for a moment as she thinks about how the META hurriedly left after the Iron Blood ships arrived to interrupt her.

I have yet to get what I wanted, but I did achieve what I wanted to say.....
Sorry, but I wasn't talking to you. Well, it doesn't matter right now.....

At that time, Victorious META laments something but curves a faint relieved smile shortly before her departure. Her eyes and attention are barely focused on Iron Blood.....but at the opponents she faced before their arrival.

"Are you really going to keep stalking her?" Mainz places her hands on her hips
"Until I get my answers" Prinz Eugen proudly smiles
"What if you don't?"
"Oh, I will. Don't forget, I have my ways" Prinz Eugen wags her index finger in front of Mainz
"Eugen, you, you-"
"Now, now, no fighting"

Friedrich der Grosse gets their attention by aligning the gathered files and lightly shaking them while still clamping in her hands.

"You should let them have their space even if Victorious is indeed suddenly suspicious" Friedrich der Grosse sternly looks at her
"If you're suspicious as well, then why aren't you doing anything?" Prinz Eugen crosses her arms
"My focus is if the last battle the cause of the infection in Tirpitz's wisdom cube"

Friedrich der Grosse places the neatly arranged files on the middle of the table and carefully pulls out a paper with the statement of how the "infection" advanced to a fifth.

"This will likely spread and I don't want to know what happens if it overtakes Tirpitz"
"That begs the question if bringing her back from the dead is the best idea?" Prinz Eugen rests her chin on her hand
"She didn't even die....." Mainz tilts her head
"Tirpitz clinically died for a few seconds. We thought the procedure failed at first....." Friedrich der Grosse looks at Mainz
".....Then she woke up turning the whole room into a freezer and freaking out in the process" Prinz Eugen shrugs
"....."

The memory flashes in Friedrich der Grosse's thoughts because the image of Tirpitz being shocked to see cold air escape her body and grimly stares at Bismarck remains fresh after all that time.

"I'll have to visit Neumark. This type of condition doesn't just go away like a cold" Friedrich der Grosse stands up
"....and I'm leaving the tedious work to Mainz" Prinz Eugen as well
"Hey, don't just neglect your duties!" Mainz shakes her head in disbelief
"Paperwork doesn't really suit me. That's for a hardworking type like you" Prinz Eugen taps her shoulder several times
"Wait-"
"Bye~"

Before Mainz could grab her and force her to sit back down, Prinz Eugen immediately makes her way to the door. The sneaky heavy cruiser winks right as she opens the door and shuts it close in a matter of three seconds. The annoyed Mainz could only twitch her lips while still keeping her arm raised.

Infirmary room....

Neumark occupies the only other chair in the room while Tirpitz sits at the side of the bed. The latter stares at the result of her diagnosis, blinking a few times due to the unfamiliar terms and numbers.

"Sorry, but I don't understand anything....." Tirpitz shakes her head
"It means your wisdom cube is changing. Right now, about twenty percent has been infected by the fragment fused with you" Neumark takes the paper from her
"I'm changing....."
"I thought I was wrong but the possibility of the fragment changing you is true"
"....." Tirpitz sneaks a glance to her right

The ghostly META is leaning by the wall with her arms typically crossed. She frowns not towards Tirpitz but at Neumark instead.

"If you keep using that power, it might spread further" Neumark taps her shoulder
"Is there any way to remove it or halt the spread?" Tirpitz leans forward
"I'm sorry, but the only solution I could think of is removing the fragment itself"
"......That's bad for me, isn't it?" Tirpitz straightens herself
"There's no telling how your body will be affected once it's removed. I don't want to think you might die as a result"
"Is there something you want to tell me?"

Tirpitz stares at her right in the eyes after noticing Neumark's uneasiness that her eyes keep shifting left to right, unable to make direct eye contact.

"It's...about Bismarck"
"......?!" Tirpitz META straightens herself
"Your sister doesn't want me to do something about your condition"
"Why is that?" Tirpitz's hands become tense
"In her eyes, you're better off the way you are - an emotionless battleship with the possibility of being consumed by the fragment"
"......She hasn't changed after all"

Tirpitz weakly scoffs and lowers her gaze staring at her lap, but she fails to notice she's lowering the room temperature again and Neumark is already shivering.

"She said she wanted to help me, but that was just a way to catch me off guard....." Tirpitz's eyes glow
"They agreed that it should be left alone because you would get stronger. It didn't cross their mind how no one in the right mind would leave an infection untreated"
"To them, what happened a year ago should be forgotten, huh. Even for Bismarck....."

Tirpitz clenches her left fist, emitting frost and gradually covering her restraints in ice. She may not be emotional or expressive, but the chill she emits is enough to display the intent.

"Bismarck.....thinks it's for your best without even talking to you. I know this isn't what you want.....so you should know about this" Neumark is still shivering
"If it was still the old me, I wouldn't have forgiven Bismarck and might have attacked her again"
"Hmph! Just take freeze an arm to teach her a lesson" Tirpitz META finally speaks
"You....just shut up" Tirpitz glances at her
"What?"

Neumark turns her head to the direction where Tirpitz is staring it, but she blinks as there's only a plain wall.

"She can't see me unless I use resources to make myself visible" Tirpitz META reminds me
"You're making look crazy" Tirpitz mutters under her breath
"That's your fault" Tirpitz META leans at the wall again
"......" Tirpitz frowns at her
"I don't think the infection is causing you to....uhm....hallucinate"

Neumark shifts between the wall and Tirpitz since the latter keeps glaring at the wall as if someone is standing there and looking back at her.

"I'm just seeing things....." Tirpitz shakes her head
"Anyway, don't use much of your power even if Bismarck urges you. It might accelerate the influence on you" Neumark grabs both of her shoulders
"I understand"
"The fragment did help repair your damaged parts, but it's taking advantage of the gaps by replacing it. Since it's part of a destroyer wisdom cube, the fragment is trying to reconfigure your wisdom cube to make it similar to a META"

Tirpitz glances again at Tirpitz META who blinks in surprise since it might as well be directed towards her if she's visible.

"It might just change you more than physically. Your emotionless state might end up being permanent" Neumark grits her teeth
"......"
"You're making progress now, Tirpitz. Don't let Victorious' efforts to waste"
".....You're right"

The second Victorious is mentioned, Tirpitz could only think of Victorious dragging her left and right just to trigger any kind of reaction from her.

"Tirpitz, I-"

The door slams open, making Neumark jolt, and Tirpitz lazily turns her head to the side.

"Uhm, am I interrupting something?" Victorious nervously laughs

Victorious takes one step back seeing Neumark sitting in front of Tirpitz while the latter raises her eyebrows.

"We'll continue this later, Tirpitz. I bet Bismarck or the others are looking for me again" Neumark immediately stands up
"Sure....."
"She needs your support right now, Victorious"

When Neumark hurriedly goes to the door and stands in front of Victorious, she whispers soft enough for Tirpitz not to hear them before walking past her.

"What was that all about?" Victorious walks towards Tirpitz
"It's about Bismarck and why I shouldn't have believed her"
"Okay, what happened this time?" Victorious sits right beside her
"It's a long story, but it has something to do with what's happening to me"

Tirpitz clutches her chest and slowly shuts her eyes not to delve into her thoughts but into the essence of her wisdom cube. The foundation of her existence remains intact but a part of it has stained black. It has always been there but its spread becomes more visible after the last encounter.

"Tirpitz....." Victorious watches her nervously

As a friend, Victorious sits beside while Tirpitz remains completely silent for more than a minute.

"It's really there....." Tirpitz opens her eyes
"Is everything alright?" Victorious could barely remain still
"Neumark is right before. This wisdom cube is affecting me"
"How.....are you certain?"
"The battle that put me at death's door a year ago damaged my wisdom cube. Iron Blood had no means to salvage my wisdom cube, so they used the fragment to plaster the gaps"

Tirpitz tightly clutches her chest, but Victorious places her hand on top of Tirpitz's hand and gently pulls it down. It may not be obvious to Tirpitz, but she frowns and nearly twitches the side of her lips out of the gradually surfacing bitterness of the past.

"Tirpitz, you cried when I got hurt. That was the first time in a year you felt something, right?"
"Felt something.....? I don't know what came over me, but my mind went blank and I couldn't think straight again"

Tirpitz looks away because of the memory where she witnessed Victorious getting shot in the chest. As she laid lifeless on the surface, Tirpitz's train of thoughts came to a stop...and learned helplessness.

".....It's alright. That won't happen again" Victorious taps her shoulder
"....." Tirpitz's body sways a bit
"Tirpitz?"
"Somehow....I'm.....a bit dizzy" Tirpitz lightly presses her hand on her face
"Maybe you should rest for a bit"
"It's fine. I don't need to rest right now"

Not only is Tirpitz dizzy, but her body is growing weak and her eyelids being heavy and nearly shutting close.

"......!"

Tirpitz META moves away from the wall the moment she senses a disruption in her current form. She stands up straight and stares at her hand that appears normal in her perspective.

"Victorious, what the hell are you doing?" Tirpitz META takes a step forward
"......."
"Oh right, you can't see or hear me" Tirpitz META sighs
"No, I can clearly tell you're there...." Victorious responds without looking back
"....!"
"I should have kept you under control a long time ago. Even before I realized.....you lied about your promise"
"You-"

The second Tirpitz META realizes who she is speaking to, she tries to reach out only for her projected form to be forcefully ripped away from the physical world. In merely a second, Tirpitz META is removed, just to avoid any risk of further struggle.

"Victorious....." Tirpitz forces herself to stands up
"Don't move too much"

Upon seeing Tirpitz sway and nearly lean on the wall, Victorious gently grabs her by the side before she collapses.

"I feel weak all of a sudden" Tirpitz senses it's strange
"That's because I don't want you to put up a fight"
"What do you mean?"
"You trust me way too much. No, it's that you trust her way too much"

Victorious pulls Tirpitz close to her and without warning, she tightly wraps her arms around the weakened battleship.

"That's why you couldn't see me.....until now"

Since Victorious is still tightly embracing Tirpitz, the latter couldn't see what Victorious is holding on her right hand. A familiar fragment floats above her palm and emits a faint glow opposite to the energy it's releasing.

"......" Tirpitz feels partially paralyzed that her legs surrender to the ground
"I can't believe that ghost is slowing down the influence. No wonder you're still.....you" Victorious bends on one knee
"......" Tirpitz couldn't speak even if she wants to
"Listen, Tirpitz. Bismarck isn't trying to help you. At the end of the day, she only has Iron Blood's ideals as her only interest"

Victorious gently presses her hands on Tirpitz's cheeks and closely whispers to her. As for Tirpitz, she drops a cold sweat and struggles to breathe.

"I saw the sincerity in Bismarck when we talked again after a year. That's why I want to know.....if she's being selfish or if there's another reason" Tirpitz takes several deep breaths and slowly stands up
"You can't go back to who used to be" Victorious gently holds her shoulder
"I don't want to remain like this - completely unfeeling" Tirpitz walks past her
"....."

An unknown force urges Victorious to reach out and hold Tirpitz's wrist, but she bites her lower lip and shakes her head. Rather than allow the "instinct", Victorious firmly stands in one spot while Tirpitz had already pulled the door open.

"....I need to be.....somewhere"

Tirpitz's instincts vaguely warned her of danger when she gazed at Victorious, so she tries to distance herself from her as soon as possible. Even if there's no proper explanation why her own mind would register Victorious as a 'threat', Tirpitz quietly shuts her thoughts to herself again and hurriedly leaves making it appear she's avoiding Victorious on purpose.

"Hmm. She's avoiding you, so she must have sensed something is wrong"

Victorious META appears behind Victorious without warning as soon as the latter lifts her hand and lets the fragment freely float a few centimeters above her palm.

"I did what you asked, but....." Victorious grunts in frustration
"You're doing well. Just keep it up" Victorious META grabs both of her shoulders
"You said Tirpitz sensed something is wrong. Wouldn't that make her suspicious of me?"
"Don't worry about it. She can't deny her instincts, but she throws common sense away if it's you"
"....." Victorious swallows her breath

To scheme against an ally and friend isn't what Victorious would do no matter the reason, but right now her lips quiver and her voice lowly grunts as forces herself to listen. Even if it's another version of her, Victorious couldn't hide her discomfort towards the META who nearly killed Tirpitz and the one responsible for Tirpitz META's deaths.

Just a little more push....to bring her out myself and finally save her.....

Chapter Text

Forced inside a blizzard with Victorious META, the regular Victorious' hands shake as she couldn't even touch Tirpitz. Not due to the chill she emits but at the gaping and fatal wounds on her body. Normally, Tirpitz wouldn't have survived, but the power of the META is using every ounce of its strength to keep the injuries from actually killing Tirpitz. Just a few minutes ago Tirpitz is still in full health and the utter disbelief of seeing her at death's door again renders Victorious speechless and her body trembling in fear.

"I don't understand what this is all about? I can't even think of hurting Tirpitz!"

Victorious is well aware that she's outmatched by a future version of her with little morals, but she stands with the full intention of fighting her head-on. It's impossible for her to just ignore her META version trying to kill her friend.

"Your goal is to remind Tirpitz of emotions and get rid of her condition, right?" Victorious META stretches out her hand

The other fragment of Tirpitz META's wisdom cube faintly glows on Victorious META's palm much like an alluring light putting Victorious in a few seconds of trance.

"To you, the ghost is a threat to your Tirpitz's well-being, and you're right about that"
"What do you want?" Victorious couldn't take her eyes off the glowing fragment
"We can help each other because we both want to save our Tirpitz" Victorious META slowly approaches her
"Help you? You tried to kill my Tirpitz, and the other one called you a traitor!"
"I won't deny I played a hand in her....unwilling revival, but she promised me. It turned out she wanted to die all this time, so she refused to be saved or even revived"

Victorious META slightly bends her fingers wanting to squeeze the fragment within her palms but couldn't forget that it's part of the deceased Tirpitz META. She's upset and frustrated, but she couldn't bring herself to violently lash out or shout.

"My Tirpitz lied to me. I hoped she would choose to live just as she promised only for her to seek permanent rest. How can she give me false hope.....like that?" Victorious META briefly shifts her gaze in another direction
"You're angry because she wants to die?" Victorious blinks in disbelief
"I lost some of my allies, so I became afraid to lose a friend"
"No wonder that ghost couldn't think straight. You brought her back even if she didn't want to"
"You would do the same"
"No, I wouldn't!" Victorious fiercely rejects
"....I forgot how difficult I am"

Seeing it's impossible to persuade her, Victorious META shakes her head out of frustration and annoyance at her normal version.

"Victorious, you're the clingy one and you would never respect Tirpitz's wish to naturally die. I know I didn't....." Victorious META lowers her head
"What's gotten into the future me?"
"I want to make it right this time"
"Make it right? It doesn't look like it after killing your Tirpitz twice and tricking Bismarck into fusing them"
"It was.....unforeseen because I never thought her consciousness would persist all this time"
"Then....."
"We can save both of them, but you need to trust me"

When Victorious META takes a step forward, the normal Victorious immediately takes a step back. The latter is naturally wary of the person who nearly killed Tirpitz without hesitation.

"What do you intend to do?" Victorious swallows her breath
"I can help return Tirpitz's normal life. Don't you want her emotions back and to remove the fear of accidentally killing someone?" Victorious META stretches out her hand
"I....I want to, but"
"Face it. I'm your only chance in saving Tirpitz. Iron Blood and everyone else can't help you"
"I know you're me, but you're different than me" Victorious takes another step back
"That's true, but you don't have much of a choice right now. I'm your only chance of getting rid of the ghost and reverting what Iron Blood did to your Tirpitz"
".....That would mean I'd be betraying Tirpitz"

Victorious clenches her fists as she weighs on what she views as her only option. As beneficial as it appears, Victorious knows she's going to face the dilemma of betraying her friend by cooperating with an enemy.

________________________________________________________________________________

Victorious slams her back on one discreet corner and nearly slides down to the ground. Floating on her left palm is the fragment of the META's wisdom cube. It weakly glows in her possession and every time she gazes at the object, her expression twists in sorrow knowing its origin well.

"I thought it's good to bring Tirpitz's emotions back, but doing it right now means she'd fight Bismarck again" Victorious is on the verge of tears
"You're right. If that happens, your Tirpitz might lose her life. She won't be the same even if I bring her back again"

Victorious META appears in front of her without warning. She stretches out her hand and stops her fingertips an inch from touching the fragment.

"As long as the fragment remains, I can always connect myself here" Victorious META pulls away her hand
"I don't think I can continue fooling Tirpitz....." Victorious begins to waver
"We need to ensure Tirpitz fully adapts to that power. It's the only way to suppress her chill"
"That would bring her emotions back too?"
".....Yes" Victorious META faintly smiles
"Tirpitz needs to take it all in"
"What if it does more harm than good. It won't, trust me"
"That's still - but this might be my only chance" Victorious shakes her head

Both her mind and heart echo with danger, but she sets aside her emotions and focuses on her current goal.

"This might be the only way, but it's not free of any flaws"
"What flaws?"
"Inevitable side effects, but that can be fixed"
"W-what side effects?"
"Fatigue and lethargy. It's why Tirpitz feels so weak recently"
"It will go away, right?"
"Of course. What I'm trying to do is similar to infusing a stabilizer in her wisdom cube. Bismarck carelessly did the procedure without listening to everything I told her"

For a moment, Victorious META's expression immediately grows dim and her eyes flash a bright bloodlust. Victorious ignores this not because she doesn't care but because she lacks the courage to ask any further.

"Tirpitz is suffering like that because it's overloading her wisdom cube. Since I played a role, I can help her.....and the other one"
"What's the catch? Something like this has a catch, right?"
"The catch is the success depends on whether Bismarck finds out sooner than expected. That's why you must maintain secrecy"

Victorious focuses on the META's gaze and beyond seeing her reflection, she could only feel anxiety and reluctance within her. At that moment, she feels more like a cornered prey rather than someone having a normal conversation.

"The freezing power remains uncontrollable but I can dispel the excess and purge what's causing it. It's not that complex, but I need your help on this"
"I know that....."
"You just have to be close to Tirpitz, but be careful not to let anyone suspect you. Prinz Eugen is keeping an eye, so we can't always talk like this"
"I'm not sure I can fool them that long"
"No one would think you're up to something. Just keep doing what you normally do. Remember all you have to do is keep close to Tirpitz"
"I can do that...."
"Good"
"......"

Somewhat satisfied, Victorious META takes a few steps back and slightly nods. Victorious is silent, hiding her relief at sensing more space between them.

"Victorious?"

A familiar voice mentioning her name startles Victorious enough to make her jolt and stagger back, nearly stumbling down on her back.

"What's wrong?" Tirpitz lightly tilts her head
"N-nothing!"

Victorious frantically looks at both sides, realizing her META version vanishes in a split second, so Tirpitz is somewhat unsure of why she suddenly panicked like a trembling prey.

"I just had a lot in mind, so I went to hide in a quiet corner....." Victorious nervously laughs
"I've been thinking of some things too, so I'm taking a walk, but it doesn't solve anything...." Tirpitz sighs
"What's bothering you?"

Victorious walks out of the corner while Tirpitz follows her a few meters away. Even if Victorious META somehow disappears without Tirpitz sensing her presence, Victorious sneaks a glance at the spot where the META stood earlier. It's as if she never appeared before her in the first place.

"It's not a problem, but it's as if I've been forgetting things. I remember you excitedly dragged me to a garden but I can't remember when and where" Tirpitz briefly takes off her cap
"Oh, the Royal navy garden. The flowers were so vibrant and blooming, so I wanted you to see them" Victorious proudly puffs her chest
"It's not just that like how Bismarck and I once talked while drinking. I just remember we talked, but I don't know whether it was good or bad. Not even how it went....."
"Maybe you're just too tired" Victorious taps her shoulders in assurance
"I had enough rest....."
"We can't always remember anything, Tirpitz. There are just past moments we forget"
"........"

Tirpitz may have faith in Victorious' words, but her focus drifts in her mind for a moment. It's silent and empty which should be normal, but the ghost itself is completely absent.

"Something's wrong....." Tirpitz mutters to herself and takes a step back
"Tirpitz?"
"It's like that ghost is gone"

When Tirpitz should have ignored it, Tirpitz is slightly suspicious of the unexplained disappearance.

"What ghost?" Victorious frowns as she leans closer
"I'm just talking to myself"
"Y-you're tired, huh" Victorious tries to change the topic
"I feel weak ever since I woke up here. My wounds should have healed by now"
"That's normal. I'm sure you'll recover your full strength in no time"

Victorious grabs Tirpitz's right hand and gently squeezes it, but Tirpitz lifts her head when what she senses as energy similar to the ghost flows from where Victorious is holding her until it spreads to the rest of the body.

"......" Tirpitz pulls away her hand

The flowing sensation is immediately cut off which only proves to Tirpitz that it's from Victorious. She could feel it being absorbed by her wisdom cube. It's similar to the META inside her, but she refuses to take more of it.

"Tirpitz?"
"Sorry, I have to go....." Tirpitz turns away
"Are you avoiding me?" Victorious grabs her wrist
"......."
"That's not it, but....."
"......."
"Something isn't right. That's all....."
"Let me help you"
"I need space for my thoughts"

Tirpitz gently pulls away her wrist and avoids Victorious' gaze. She moves her hand to her front, away from Victorious' line of sight to conceal the slight trembling.

"Tirpitz, there you are"

Right as Tirpitz is about to take a single step and leave the scene, Bismarck spots them from a distance. Upon noticing the two familiar figures, Bismarck hurriedly drags her feet in their direction.

"....." Tirpitz clenches her fists
"I was just looking for you. There's something we need to talk about"
"......" Tirpitz remains silent
"Let's talk in my office"
"If you want to say something, say it right here. Unless you have more things to hide"
"What do you mean?"

At that moment, Bismarck realizes Tirpitz distrusts her again and acts as hostile as a year ago. To her knowledge, she has done anything wrong yet since they last had a conversation.

"Neumark told me about you and the others. Something is wrong with my wisdom cube, but you wanted me to stay like this" Tirpitz gently presses her chest
".....Yes, the fragment is trying to spread itself in your wisdom cube. Not only it allows you to recover quicker, but it's also further adding your strength" Bismarck's expression turns serious
"You know yet you want to remain this way. I thought you regretted what you did to me, but you saw an opportunity to benefit your own goals"
"Tirpitz, just calm down....." Victorious grabs her shoulders

The instant Victorious realizes they're going to argue again, she didn't hesitate to rush and hold Tirpitz.

"Was your promise to help me an elaborate lie?" Tirpitz swings her left arm
"I do want to help you, Tirpitz. This incident made me realize you need to be stronger to defend yourself. You need to be a fighter, so this wouldn't happen ever again" Bismarck steps forward
"Do you want me to grow stronger for myself or your Iron Blood?"
"No. I wanted what's best for you to make up for the year I caused you this burden"
"Saying this is for my best is what led me to have this burden!"

Tirpitz stomps her feet and she unintentionally violent gust of cold wind, freezing both the ground and the surroundings in a twenty-meter radius. Bismarck covers her eyes by lifting her left arm while Victorious is unaffected by it.

"I want to protect because for once I want to fix our relationship as sisters. This is the only way I could think of because I wouldn't always be there for you"
"......" Tirpitz straightens herself
"I care about you just as much as I care about Iron Blood. Even if I don't know much about you, I know you're a strong person on your own. That's why I have faith you can take care of yourself even if I'm not there for you"

The ice around them begins to disperse in faint white smoke while the one on the ground retreats and vaporizes in the process. Bismarck's attempt to be more open to her sister effectively calmed her down enough for Tirpitz to believe her sincerity.

"I've been told if this was left unchecked, it would cause more harm than good. Did you know that too....?" Tirpitz calmly asks
"....I knew" Bismarck reluctantly confirms
"......"
"Tirpitz, I couldn't believe it when you were rushed here with mortal wounds. It felt like I relived that incident a year ago. There was nothing I couldn't do anything to stop it because I just woke up and couldn't be in that fight...."
"......."
"When I learned the power kept you alive, I wanted you to maintain it. It protected you when I couldn't be there"
".....Bismarck, I wanted to get rid of this power.....because I'm forced to share my body with someone"

After ten seconds of silence, Tirpitz inhales and with no hesitation, decides to reveal what she has been dealing with in silence due to its bizarre nature.

"There's another me in that fragment, the Tirpitz whose consciousness is stuck in a broken wisdom cube. She's the same Tirpitz who took over my body and nearly killed you"
"You're telling me the wisdom cube fragment is from another you?" Bismarck shakes her head in disbelief
"It's from a META version of me, and it's trying to eat me little by little. Yet you still want me to remain the way I am?" Tirpitz could only clench her fists again
"Tirpitz, calm down....." Victorious whispers to her
"......."

When Victorious squeezes Tirpitz's right hand between her hands, Tirpitz immediately falls silent and her expression becomes less expressive. Rather, it returned to being completely devoid of emotions again.

"It's like I faced a version of me thirsty for revenge. She would always talk inside my head or show up in front of me as an illusion. I would have gotten mad if I still had my emotions" Tirpitz takes a deep breath
"....I didn't know. Why didn't you tell me?" Bismarck approaches her
"Let's face it. You would just say I'm imagining things and exaggerating as a side effect" Tirpitz crosses her arms
"She does have a point-" Victorious mutters to herself

When she meets Bismarck's displeased gaze, Victorious quickly stands behind Tirpitz to block each other's line of sight.

(It's true after all.....)

It only takes Bismarck a few seconds to realize the truth ever since she remembers Victorious META mentioning and describing Tirpitz META. At that moment, she realizes the fragment is more than a fragment.

"It's pointless now because she hasn't shown up or said anything since yesterday...." Tirpitz clutches her chest
"I need to know more about this META version of you and why she's eating your wisdom cube"
"I don't think this is the right time. Somehow, my body is weak and tired again. Maybe it's the cold and this whole....quarrel"

Tirpitz lazily turns to the left as her vision is both swaying and becoming blurry. To her, she just dismisses it as straining her power and the brief moment of "infuriation" to Bismarck.

"Victorious, you knew.....didn't you?"

As soon as Tirpitz is barely in their line of sight, Bismarck's voice is less gentle and calm. It's more of a display of intimidation and disappointment.

"What do you mean?" Victorious takes a step back
"You weren't surprised at all. If anything, you didn't like it when she said it" Bismarck points out
"I knew because she took over Tirpitz right before my eyes and nearly killed me last time" Victorious massages her neck
"Let me guess. You didn't say anything because Tirpitz would feel bad" Bismarck becomes less hostile
"She would stay away from me and I don't want that"

Victorious holds her fingers together on her back and shifts her gaze to the side to avoid Bismarck's sharp stare much like a dangerous beast.

"You have to tell her. She has the right to know" Bismarck's tone is more of an order
"......" Victorious walks a few steps away from Bismarck
"Well, other than that, there's something I need to know"
"......?"
"How did you know it was another you that attacked me in Iron Blood?"
"......!"

The question sends a nervous shock all over Victorious' body and causes her heart to race in complete anxiety. It's Bismarck herself who's asking and she's the type of person who pays attention to whatever people say, especially from those she knows.

"The identity was never revealed to anyone, but you knew with full certainty" Bismarck walks towards her
"......." Victorious lowers her head
"What are you hiding, Victorious? If you're-"
"She confessed when I faced her. There wasn't any remorse. I should have figured since she mercilessly attacked Tirpitz"

Victorious loses the anxiety visible in a guilty person in a mere second, mildly surprising Bismarck. Her calmness and confidence aren't natural, at least how Bismarck views her as an honest person who couldn't keep up an elaborate lie.

"She said it was possible because you had a fragment in your possession. The one in her hand and the inactive one in Iron Blood are both from Tirpitz META" Victorious returns the accusation
"You gave it to me, remember?"
"I wasn't even here a year ago. I only go here for either a mission or to visit Tirpitz" Victorious raises an eyebrow
"Ugh, she managed to fool me again"

Upon realizing that, Bismarck comes to the conclusion her memory has been warped again and she believes another deception by Victorious META. This is in the same situation when she couldn't remember who helped her retrieve the fragment and save Tirpitz.

"If you don't want to accuse me of anything else, then I'll take my leave" Victorious frowns and turns away offended
"....." Bismarck couldn't say anything
"....." Victorious hums as she walks away
"Huh?" Bismarck blinks in surprise upon hearing it

Victorious has an alibi to how she both knows about her META version and is clueless about the fragment in Iron Blood, but her firm gaze remains locked, observing even her back and footsteps.

"You did manage to fool me"

Rather than try to say anything else to Victorious, Bismarck holds back the sudden realization to herself. In frustration with her belief, Bismarck tightly squeezes her fists and nearly grits her teeth as her gaze turns into a keen and deadly glare.

"Do you think I wouldn't recognize you?"

Bismarck remains right where she stands, firm and somewhat dismay at what unraveled right before her eyes, bites her lower lip instead. Instead of being more than angry, her eyebrows twitch in frustration and a bit of a denial in her heart.

Meanwhile.....

Tirpitz continues to walk, panting and struggling to focus on the view in front of her. Her whole body feels heavier than usual, and she couldn't explain why the strength is drained from her body.

"......."

The ghost of her META version would usually follow and annoy her as an illusion only she could see, but the ghost herself is completely absent. Not even a whisper from her. She's always present even if she's quietly standing in one corner, but it's different. Tirpitz couldn't sense her at all in her wisdom cube, but the fragment remains.

"Every time when I'm with Victorious, I get weak and sleepy. Perhaps, I need to distant myself from her....until I figure out what's going on...."

Nothing accompanied her but silence. Instead of the ghost saying anything to explain her situation or just to bother her without any reason, the sound Tirpitz could hear is her own tight breathing.

.......
.......

It's just a second, or at least by her perspective, but her vision briefly gets disrupted by pitch black darkness and static. By the time she comes to her senses, Tirpitz not only senses the change in atmosphere but her surroundings as well.

"Huh?"

She blinks a few times and rubs her eyes to confirm her view. It's clear to Tirpitz that she's on the other side of the base, near the warehouses where the arsenal and storage area are located.

"Hey, are you okay? You don't look too good" Alabama taps her shoulders from her behind
"Alabama? What are you doing here?" Tirpitz slightly turns her head to the side
"I told you I would visit, remember? Well, I kept calling your name earlier, but you kept walking like a zombie" Alabama stands in front of her
"You were?"
"Of course, I did! You just kept on walking while you had that hazy look in your eyes"
"Sorry. I must have spaced out"

Tirpitz momentarily turns around, seeing the wide and open path she must have walked earlier. By her estimation, it would have taken her at least ten to fifteen minutes from the last location she remembered to her current spot.

"When did you tell me you were visiting?"
"You must be doozy from the anesthesia or something? Wait, does anesthesia even work on you? I could have sworn they couldn't even poke a needle into you" Alabama scratches her head
"......"
A-anyway! When you woke up for like a few minutes, I told you I'd visit you in a few days and you said to do what I want" Alabama flails her arms
"I must have been half awake when I said that....."

Although Tirpitz doesn't have full recollection, she hears a buzzing sound and her mind flashes and image of Alabama speaking to her while she's lying on the bed. Alabama moves her mouth, but no voice reaches to Tirpitz.

"Did something happen? I thought you'd be well by now, but it looks like your mind is still somewhere else" Alabama tilts her head left and right
"You were with Victorious when I passed out from the fight. Did something happen?" Tirpitz softly asks
"I can't tell if something important happened. I remembered fighting Victorious META then getting blown away. When that happened, I thought something bad might have happened because she faced her alternate version by herself for like a few minutes"

Alabama presses both sides of her head with her fingers, trying as hard as she could to remember the full experience in the last battle. There's a gap between her arrival and being knocked away by harsh wind enough to remove her from the battle for a while.

"Nothing happened in those few minutes?"
"Sorry, I can't tell. When I got back, Victorious didn't even move or get more injured. Instead, she kind of look like......nervous? unsure?"
"She didn't tell me she had to face her META version by herself, but from what you remembered, it's like they just stood there and looked at each other....for a few minutes"
"Are you saying something happened and Victorious won't say anything?"
"I'm not sure myself, but I hope my instincts recently are only......mistaken" Tirpitz slightly frowns
"Leave it to me! I'll be here for a while, so I'll get the bottom of this. I'll ask George too since she's a knight and knows Victorious" Alabama places her hands on her hips
"When she touched me, I felt as if energy flowed from her to me. Then she held my hand again in the middle of an argument with Bismarck, it's like she silenced the emotion trying to get out from me"

Tirpitz moves her left hand to her chest and freshly recalls how Victorious holding her suppressed emotions from its attempt to surface and drained her of strength. Victorious has no such ability, but Tirpitz is certain of the energy she sensed earlier since it's similar to Tirpitz META who has yet to reveal herself again since yesterday.

Chapter Text

How long has it been...?

As far as I can remember, it has always been battle after battle. Everyone, even Bismarck and Victorious, pushes me to keep on fighting. I desperately want to tell them I'm exhausted and I could no longer keep on going, but I couldn't find the courage to say it, especially to Victorious. I want to - I truly want to confess my constant exhaustion, but I promised my friend. Yes, I agreed to a promise I wouldn't fulfill...so I'd die a liar in front of her.

Forgive me...but you have to let go...

On the day I move forward toward where I would meet my end. It's this dread hanging over me that made it clear I wouldn't live any longer. Victorious, she never realized, let alone suspected that I lost my will to live

Finally...

I remember the sensation of an Arbiter's projectile piercing through my chest. The heat burns through my body and the damage I sustained is far too much for my wisdom cube to handle. Even if I couldn't see myself, a sigh of relief and a content smile escapes from my lips. Throughout this conflict, I've been pushing myself to the limit to ensure my survival and my comrades' survival.

No, that's not true...

For so long, I've been seeking permanent rest because the metamorphosis rendered me more durable than ever. The ice I cursed so much became my power as if the world played a cruel joke on my history. I never stopped fighting believing it was my sole wish and source of joy, but I'm wrong in the end. All these non-stop battles have taken a toll on me and drained my will and resolve midway.

In the end, I...

I don't know if it's these countless battles or the effects of the metamorphosis, but I've gotten mentally and emotionally weak right before I knew it. My mind crumbled from abusing my own body and power until I could barely feel every wound I sustained. When my body finally feels warm and light, I don't struggle the least. I just let this lightness take my senses and me away.

Why...why...why...?

When everything goes dark, I feel everything leaving me. My body has gone completely numb and motionless the moment I closed my eyes. This is what I wanted, so I didn't struggle or resist even if I heard Victorious screaming at me and calling me repeatedly. I thought that was the end of "me", but after some time, air fills my lungs, and my body is shocked into waking up.

Why...why...why?!

All of my senses returned to my body, and I regained some of my strength, at least enough to turn my head and move my hands. My body is lying on solid ground instead of sinking to the bottom of the ocean.

...!

The horrifying realization finally strikes my mind. My wisdom cube has been fully restored and reactivated, so both my mind and body have been brought back.

"Tirpitz..." Victorious sheds tears of joy
"Why...why would you do this?!"

I covered my face with both of my hands and grit my teeth before this chaotic emotion exploded. My mind couldn't think straight because I could only see red, and my instincts screamed at violence. I'm furious beyond reason because they toyed with my life against my will.

"Why did you bring me back?!"

When I fully regained my consciousness, I shouted at Victorious and a swing of my arm unleashed a field of ice and snow around us.

"I-I...you died...so I did everything to save you..." Victorious backs away

It's as if my reaction is unexpected that Victorious stutters and she's confused at the response she dislikes. The joy she had earlier completely vanishes and all that remains is the fear and dismay mixed in her eyes.

"I didn't ask to be saved! Why did you bring me back?"

Disgust and utter horror flood my mind. I couldn't think straight with this gnawing feeling in my head and prickling itchiness all over my body. My fingers instinctively claw at my skin to the point I'm at the point of tearing through my own body.

"It itches...it hurts..."

All my senses couldn't stay focused with the extreme discomfort and disgust that makes me feel nauseous.

"You...you...just couldn't let me go. Why, why, why?" I keep clawing my neck
"I just wanted to save you!"
"No, you just wanted...to save your feelings" I groan in pain
"Tirpitz, you promised you'd live no matter what...but you chose to die"
"That promise...can never be fulfilled...because I've been longing for death..."

Victorious did something unforgivable, but I still couldn't think straight. The pain is gradually worsening and further throwing my senses into chaos. I can't calm down even for just a second.

"So you promised to know very well you're lying..." Victorious frowns as if I'm at fault
"Why did you toy with my life? You don't get to decide...whether I live or not!" I keep groaning in pain
"I thought you still wanted to live...but you've given up all this time"
"Just...Kill me...kill me already..."

I take one step forward as this pain has grown unbearable. My chest feels strangled by barbed wire, my insides burning, and my head is constantly stabbed. It's the same as leaving an open wound to fester.

"Just let me die!"

Right before I know it, my mind goes blank. Everything still feels heavy and horrible.

The sound of cannon fire...
The strong scent of gunpowder...
The suffocating black smoke...
And...and...

My left arm got blasted off by an explosion, but cold vapor escaping from the gap reconstructed the lost limb, but I lost it again after a rain of shells directly falls on me. A black figure stands in front of me.

"Bis...marck..."
"Forgive me, but I cannot let you harm others any longer"
"Bismarck!"
"...So please...rest once more"

My head hearts. It feels like I'm being stabbed all over again and both sides are being squeezed. I couldn't think straight enough to think of a logical reason why she arrived and attacked me. Her voice only echoes as it passes my ears...and my eyes are tainted red.

"This is my punishment for toying with your life. That's why I will put you to rest myself...so no one can hurt you ever again"

Tears. I see tears flowing from both sides of her cheeks and her facial expression twisting in pain. It's usually the expression of someone who has to bear what they're usually unwilling to do.

"Don't do it, Bismarck!" Victorious cried out to her
"This is enough! Tirpitz has suffered enough!" Bismarck begins scolding her
"You're...going to kill her again..."
"Can't you see what we did? We brought her back, but that's not my sister"

"My dear sister perished a long time ago. She's nothing but a soulless corpse now"

I don't know what's going on, but Bismarck is berating her not blaming her. My head is still twisted in pain. It's like it's being squeezed in between, and I'm being stabbed all over again.

"I will put her out of her misery myself. This is the least I could do...to save what remains of her reanimated corpse"

Ah, that's right. Tirpitz died a long time ago, so what latched on to this undead body is the dying consciousness from back then. Even if she says that I could see the pain twisted in Bismarck's face.

Why is she crying...?
Why is she in a lot of pain...?
Why is she filled with regret...?
Just why...?

As those questions fill what's left of this drifting mind, my head rings in pain and I stagger back in response. The colors in front of me are tainted red and my vision is growing blurry. I couldn't focus on my surroundings except for Bismarck's figure.

Not this headache again...

I groan in pain, but my headache doesn't subside even after a minute. My remaining hand trembles and before I could make sense of my surroundings...my body moves on its right before I know it. I could barely recall heading towards Bismarck and a flash of muzzle blinds me for a split second. Something happened in a few seconds I blacked out and drifted into a dream-like state again.

"..."

By the time I become lucid again, I immediately realized Bismarck's trusted sword is plunged right through my chest and to the other side of my body. Her other arm is tightly wrapped around me, and she holds me close to her so that we're pressing each other's chest and her head resting on my shoulders.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry. I truly am..." Bismarck whispers to me

Since we're this close, Bismarck's sobbing is clearer now. At a distance, she's gritting her teeth and frowning in frustration. To think there would be a day she would drop her solid demeanor to just break down...and cry.

"If you wish to resent anyone, just blame it on me alone...because I allowed this to happen"
"..." I couldn't say anything
"It's going to be alright now..."
"..." I don't have the strength to say anything
"...because no one will hurt you ever again"

As she plunged the sword deeper into my shredded heart, Bismarck digs her fingers into my uniform. Her faint sobbing and grunts twisted in pain continue making it obvious she is forcing herself to do this.

"So please...rest forever..." Bismarck plunges her sword deeper into my chest

I still couldn't feel anything even if my heart is destroyed. As a reanimated corpse, I wouldn't feel anything or need intact body parts. However, everything is clear again. Both my ears and head aren't ringing anymore. Bismarck still faintly sobs right next to me and her embrace...is warm.

"Ggh...!"

My head begins to throb again and a shock travels throughout my body. Once again, my consciousness becomes dark and hazy that I could only recall pushing Bismarck away and removing the sword from my chest at the same time.

"Tirpitz...I'm sorry...this is my fault..."

A familiar voice cries and her gentle sobs echo in my mind. It's not Bismarck as I vaguely see her being wounded by a shard of ice on her left shoulder and abdomen. It was only when I turned around that I met a fighter aircraft. The sound of gunfire came...then...then high-speed projectiles further damaged this dead body and riddled it with holes.

"It's...suddenly quiet..." I let out a small sigh

The incomprehensible noise finally comes to a stop. There are only the sounds of the whistling breeze and Victorious' faint sobs next to my ear. She holds me in her arms before my body full of bullet holes collapses. Most of my focus is on how my body feels lighter now and warmth courses through the rest of my body.

"What's...this...?"

My body feels "cold" but sudden loneliness takes over. Everything feels empty...and quiet. I couldn't do anything about it and I don't want to do anything about it. There's no motivation to struggle like how my damaged wisdom cube is losing its light and about to shut down for good in a few minutes.

"So this is...death..."

Ah, I finally remember what it means to die. This is much more peaceful than before, and I feel like I can accept this outcome. Victorious finally stops sobbing, but she still holds me tightly in her arms. I couldn't look at her because she was pressing her head by my shoulders.

I couldn't hate you enough to kill you...but you couldn't bear my suffering...

I thought I'm not capable of it anymore, but warm tears stream down my cheeks as I unknowingly return Victorious' embrace. The relentless headache and suffocation made me lose my sanity that I constantly black out and hurt those around me. I've become a soulless corpse who rampaged hoping to be put down like an animal, but Victorious made the difficult choice of putting me down herself.

"Thank you...for stopping me..."

It's the least I could say to her after dealing a fatal blow that finally helped me regain my senses. If only I woke up from the nightmare sooner, Victorious wouldn't have to bear the sin of having to end my life. Knowing her, I'm sure she would carry this as her guilt because of her involvement even if all hatred has washed away in this peace.

You have to let me go, Victorious...

I want to tell her that, but I don't have the strength to even utter a single word. I couldn't move my body at all. What remains is allowing myself to be dragged away by this lightness. Her sadness wouldn't immediately leave her be. I'm certain she would do something she would regret again, but I don't even have the strength anymore.

...

...

In the ever-familiar landscape of ice and snow, Tirpitz takes a deep breath and calmly scans left to right.

"Tirpitz..."

The ghost, in a shambled and cracking state, appears right in front of Tirpitz and grabs both of her shoulders.

"It felt like a long dream and I still couldn't remember everything, but...she was in more pain than me" Tirpitz META grits her teeth in frustration
"Where have you been?"
"That's...not important right now. I don't...have much time..." Tirpitz META pulls away her arms
"What's happening?"
"Don't...don't trust Victorious. She's about to make a...worse mistake..."

The blizzard blows right between them, pushing Tirpitz back and shifting her consciousness right where it belongs. Tirpitz struggles to open her eyes and the moment she slowly opens them, the sight of a familiar ceiling greets her.

"Huh?"

In mere seconds, Tirpitz realizes actual tears are streaming down from both of her eyes. Those are warm tears on her cheeks, bypassing the extreme coldness of her body. The sensation from that dream reverberates on her body and prompts her to clutch her chest remembering both her heart being shredded and warmth coursing through her body in her last moments.

"Did you have a sad dream?"
"Hmm?" Tirpitz slightly turns to her left

Victorious sitting right by her head, softly staring at her filled with concern and anxiety.

"I felt...sorrow..."
"Felt?"
"Yes, that's what it is
"How...so?" Victorious swallows her breath
"I had a dream seeing not myself but the other Tirpitz. She wasn't angry all this time - just driven to rampage as a soulless corpse"
"..." Victorious frowns for a split second
"What is a soul? What is a heart? What is...my humanity?"

Questions flood Tirpitz when the dream is more than just something she viewed, but a perspective she unknowingly experienced. The memories are vague and incomplete, but it shows her the thoughts that flowed within the META's dying moments.

"Victorious, can I regain my humanity?"
"What's with the sudden question, Tirpitz?" Victorious nervously laughs
"I had to relive it from her perspective - the thought of being a reanimated corpse without a soul. It made me remember the fear of living a husk of my former self" Tirpitz's left hand clutches the bed sheet

Tirpitz slowly lifts her back off the bed and presses her right hand on her face. Even as Tirpitz META damages her body, her reanimated body numbs her senses and she continues to rampage without reason.

"Losing my emotions robbed me of my humanity - to be an individual with free will. That's why I've become an unfeeling machine"
"That's why...you remembered fear"

Victorious gently touches the back of Tirpitz's left hand. Unlike before, Tirpitz's hand is less cold, but she's visibly trembling. The experience of living as someone else in a dream shocked Tirpitz's body even after she woke up.

"Little by little, I've been forgetting moments in my life. Sensations have been leaving my body, but I couldn't tell you" Tirpitz takes a deep breath
"You're starting to forget the little moments of the past..."
"I couldn't even talk to that ghost anymore. It's like she just mysteriously vanished"
"You don't have to think about her"
"..."

Tirpitz instinctively moves away her left hand from Victorious the moment she immediately senses the flow of familiar energy from her hands.

"Victorious, is there something you want to tell me?" Tirpitz moves her legs to the side and sits right beside her
"What do you mean?" Victorious nearly stutters
"I feel like you want to tell me something, but you're holding yourself back"
"Tirpitz, I-"

Just as Victorious takes a deep breath and manages to speak, her voice suddenly gets cut off. She struggles to move her mouth and as she moves her hand to her throat, she widens her eyes not in shock but in realization.

"...Nothing. There's nothing to say" Victorious calmly responds
"Is that so...?" Tirpitz stands up

To Victorious, it's nearly impossible to distinguish whether Tirpitz genuinely believes it or merely pretending considering she's still struggling to regain her emotions.

"You don't need emotions" Victorious stands up as well
"What?"
"You don't need to force yourself if you don't want to. I know you're hesitating, Tirpitz"
"I don't want to admit it, but you're right. Ever since I lost my emotions, it's as if I've been free of doubts and my past laments. This puts me in a place where I have to weigh which is more important" Tirpitz lightly lifts both hands
"Then which is it?"
"My happiness or my sorrow. Regaining my emotions means I have to experience the likes of hate, anger, sorrow, and fear. I've begun to doubt whether it's something I'm prepared for"

Tirpitz lowers her head, forced to admit the thoughts she has been keeping since the beginning. Back then, she already realized just as she will regain her happiness and warmth, her negative emotions would be dragged as well. Anyone wished to be free of painful emotions, but Tirpitz isn't certain of what she's willing to sacrifice.

"That's right, Tirpitz. If you wish to be happy, then you must be prepared for disappointment and hatred. Are you willing to suffer again for your happiness?" Victorious leans close to her
"I don't know...because when I briefly experienced being my META version, I wished to escape the chaotic emotions in her heart" Tirpitz turns away
"You're not prepared at all. Rather, you don't want at all" Victorious faintly smiles

"That's just how it is, Tirpitz. As long as you're alive, you will always suffer. It's etched into your memory" Victorious grabs Tirpitz's wrist from behind
"Then wouldn't it be better if I just don't remember at all? To be free of this memory plagued by my past suffering at the hands of Iron Blood?"

It's merely a suggestion in the heat of the moment, but Tirpitz doesn't appear bothered even when she grabs her cap and cape. Tirpitz sneaks a glance at Victorious who couldn't respond at all, just blinking at the unexpected words right out of Tirpitz.

"Of course, it's not easy to be just someone else. To forget everything and be free to live as I wish"
"Perhaps that wish may come true if the future allows it"

Victorious sorrowfully smiles while she walks towards Tirpitz and helps her attaches hang her cape over her shoulders.

"Tirpitz, losing your memories and becoming someone else is no different from effectively dying. The person I know is dead or would die..." Victorious tightly grabs Tirpitz's cape
"Perhaps it's what some of us need - a fresh start" Tirpitz doesn't reject the idea
"Don't think too hastily. We don't want...any more regrets after all" Victorious snatches her cap
"How would I regret it if I wouldn't remember it?"

Tirpitz grabs her cap from Victorious and puts it on her head, twisting it left to right to find the perfect angle.

"I'm going to meet with Alabama. You're free to stay here if you wish as long you don't touch anything" Tirpitz tips the peak of her cap
"Sure..." Victorious lightly frowns
"You're right. We shouldn't be suggesting things we may regret, so...I need to clear my mind for a while"

Tirpitz avoids Victorious' gaze by sheer instinct, sensing she's being keenly observed as if she's prepared to strike the moment.

"That META is still active. Even if she can't manifest herself, she's trying to reach Tirpitz" Victorious META appears behind Victorious
"Y-you should stop doing that..." Victorious lets out her breath
"That's because you were planning to tell her, weren't you?"

Victorious META's voice deepens as she tightly grabs both of Victorious' shoulders, nearly painfully squeezing them.

"I-I just couldn't lie to her..." Victorious looks away
"Tirpitz makes it clear what she wants. You just need to push her in that direction"
"That would mean it wouldn't be the same Tirpitz. You said it yourself" Victorious pushes herself away
"If Tirpitz regains her emotions, that means she's bound to suffer, especially from her condition. Unless she undergoes a metamorphosis, she would be a prisoner forever. Do you want her to be always shackled?"

To further put emotional pressure on Victorious, the META grabs her left shoulder and pulls her close to her. She's upset by the deep hesitation and worries in Victorious, especially how she nearly confessed earlier.

"We need more time to remove the META's harmful influence on her and bring out that ghost. Right now, that ghost must have realized what I'm trying to do" Victorious META reminds her
"If Tirpitz META gets out, she'd be upset and angry again..."
"She won't if we get her under control. Our goal is to bind that ghost and keep her forever" Victorious META lets go of her

"Since Bismarck might make her move soon, there's no time to waste. Unlike the others, she's not stupid. She would handle you before you could get to Tirpitz"
"..." Victorious swallows her breath
"You have to be brave for Tirpitz. I did horrible things to save her, and I don't want to fail this time. It would be different this time..." Victorious META turns around

As desperate as Victorious META is, she's consumed by the mixture of guilt, regret, grief, and fear from having to kill her friend twice. The only reason she has to turn around is to mask the single tear from her right eye and how much she can barely contain the resurfacing of her past emotions.

"There's going to be an upcoming sortie. Use that opportunity"

With that reminder, Victorious META walks past Victorious and vanishes just as the latter turns around. It's no surprise how she could pop out and disappear before anyone could notice, but it still skips a heartbeat of shock for Victorious.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A monster...

I can't put my thoughts together. My ears are ringing, and I feel nauseous. There's this unbearable headache like it's twisting my head, so I can't focus on what's in front of me. I just see Victorious confused as her eyes are fixated on me.

"What...have you...done?!" I groan in pain

She's supposed to be my friend, but she and Bismarck revived me. No, this isn't even resurrection. What they did is far worse and unacceptable even in the eyes of others.

"What the hell is this?!" Alabama shouts at Bismarck

Their voices are echoing. All three of them are in front of me saying something, but it becomes distorted when it reaches my ears. The only clear sensation right now is the cold solid steel floor and the four corners surrounding me.

"We tried to reactivate Tirpitz's wisdom cube, but..." Bismarck couldn't continue
"You brought back an abomination instead" Alabama clicks her tongue in disappointment
"..." Victorious' eyes become blank
"It was you, wasn't it?" Alabama turns her attention to her

The moment Alabama stormed to this prison a few minutes ago, she staggered a few steps back and stumbled on her back after seeing me contained within these walls. I stopped counting how many hours or days since I died with how my mind drifts into the nothingness from time to time.

"Reviving someone isn't like waking up. You can make the body move again, but you can't put all the soul back!" Alabama scolds Victorious
"I know she's still there even if she can't think straight" Victorious refuses to listen
"Tirpitz has become aggressive and unreasonable...because her body lacks a soul"

Bismarck casts a downward gaze toward the floor. She's not afraid to accept reality even if she has to admit its harshness. The cruel realization is right in front of her - imprisoned within steel walls.

"You brought Tirpitz back...but she's not quite alive" Alabama barely looks at me

It's clear to everyone, including me that something is wrong - that this is wrong. My memories are intact, but my emotions are jumbled all over the place. Not only that, I feel hollow like not all of "me" is there. It may be the "soul" mentioned earlier, but what is a soul exactly?

"..."

I just look at my palms, staring at them for no particular reason. Bringing someone from the dead would have consequences, especially since I strongly refused to be revived. Unfortunately, it's not clear to Victorious as she forcibly made me regain consciousness.

"This isn't right..." I tell all three of them
"..." They're all silent
"This is...a mistake. Your mistake...!" I shift my gaze at Victorious
"I can still make this right"

Victorious remains stubborn and refuses to acknowledge how wrong this is. My headache is returning, and my limbs are trembling.

"No, you can't..." I groan as I press the side of my head
"You won't understand now, but I'll find a way to save you" Victorious walks closer
"You...you...!" My headache is getting worse
"...Even if...I have to find a new body for you"

My current body is unstable since my wisdom cube is constantly overworking itself to sustain it for my consciousness to continue inhabiting. My exhausted wisdom cube is affecting my mind, causing this constant headache and body pain. It gets worse and it can become unbearable to the point I black out and regain consciousness only to see damaged surroundings.

"I'll make it right this time" Victorious sorrowfully smiles
"Bismarck!"

Victorious backs away the second Scharnhorst's furious voice booms and her marching footsteps echo all over the place.

"Scharnhorst, calm down" Gneisenau holds her arms
"I thought it was a shitty joke when I heard you brought Tirpitz back, but it's real" Scharnhorst is unsure what to say to the last part
"Just kill me already...if it's that bad for you..." I beg Scharnhorst

Sooner or later, I might stop thinking straight for good. I'm afraid I'd move by instinct and be no different than a typical zombie.

"This is wrong in so many ways" Scharnhorst stomps her left foot
"I know that...but I can't bring myself to put her down again" Bismarck clenches her fists
"I'm the one who brought her consciousness back...after making a deal with an Arbiter"
"It was you?!"

Scharnhorst would have lashed out at Victorious if it wasn't for Gneisenau pulling her from the back and Alabama stepping in between. It's natural for Scharnhorst to react that way because she believes living again is violating one's honor.

"You defiled a dead person by resurrecting her! Why can't you fucking respect her wish to stay dead?" Scharnhorst doesn't hold back her anger
"I know apologizing won't do anything...and I won't make excuses either" Victorious turns away from her
"You don't bring someone back because they never come back the same" Scharnhorst takes a deep breath
"Even if you think you brought back their soul, not all of it...is there" Gneisenau briefly looks at me

To all of them, I'm just an abomination or a mistake, and they're right about it. Even I see my reanimation as a mistake that I want to be killed. I tried ending myself, but this body is effectively dead. I need to exhaust my core so much that it couldn't keep my consciousness attached to my body.

"Nngh..." I press my forehead

There's this throbbing headache again. My vision is getting blurry, and their voices have become incomprehensible again. It feels like my mind is drifting into a dream again.

My mind feels hazy again...

...

...

Tirpitz presses her left hand on the scorching concrete ground, but it causes ice to spread to a small area where her palm is pressing.

"Ggghh!"

The pain from that memory reverberates into her real self, causing her to experience it for herself. It's as if daggers stab and twist through her body while thorns prickle her head.

"This... isn't...make it stop!"

Tirpitz's body responds by further lowering her body temperature and spreading ice beneath her. Her breathing grows heavy as unknown fear looms behind her.

"Just take it easy" Bismarck taps her shoulders
"Bismarck...?"

Rather than being alone, Tirpitz blinks a few times, unsure if the Bismarck kneeling beside her is the real one.

"You nearly collapsed" Bismarck helps her stand up
"What are you doing here?" Tirpitz takes a step back
"We were having a conversation, remember?"
"We were?"

In a matter of seconds, Tirpitz reverts to her usual stoic demeanor, but her voice faintly hints she's still shaken by having the META's emotions reflect on her.

"I feel like I've been forgetting more and more things lately..." Tirpitz shakes her head
"We were talking about the META residing in the fragment"
"We're... talking"

Tirpitz takes a few steps back, forcing herself to be distant from Bismarck and uncertain of her surroundings. One moment she's still about to leave the hallway and the next second she's suddenly out in the open and walking with Bismarck of all people.

"Are you mad at me again?" Bismarck's tone is softer
"I can't easily forget, Bismarck. I lost one year of my life...and my heart in the process" Tirpitz looks her straight in the eyes

"I tried to forgive you, but I lost part of what makes me human. The truth is I've been beginning to think that it's better if I just forget everything..."

The burden of the memory ever since her near-death experience had caused her to begin questioning whether she should return to her former self.

"It won't be the same, Bismarck. I've come to realize that because the old me would bear a grudge and never trust you or Iron Blood again" Tirpitz turns around
"What I took from you might never be regained. That you might be like that for the rest of your life. I feared that possibility, but I have to prepare for it..." Bismarck confesses
"I could barely remember what I felt in the past like moments in my mind began to disappear too, yet you want me to remain this way"

"Taking away your emotions is no different from removing a part of your soul"
"I couldn't experience being alive. What does it mean to live? What drives me forward now? Even now I'm slowly losing attachment to Victorious. Sooner or later, I might not recognize my friend" Tirpitz's hands tremble
"You couldn't regain your happiness and hope. Instead the emotions of doubt and fear plagued you"

If anything, Bismarck furrows her eyebrows seeing Tirpitz slowly losing motivation to live and move forward. It stings Bismarck's heart knowing how she initially caused Tirpitz's situation and the consequences being her sister losing the will to live and being detached.

"Nothing matters now, does it? I'm no longer loyal to my nation, and I'm slowly questioning my friend, and the path ahead of me feels hazy" Tirpitz drops her shoulders
"What's gotten into you? There is no way you'd just give up all of a sudden" Bismarck walks in front of her
"I'm reliving the META's memories because we're nearly one person, so I only realize now how...maybe I'm just looking for an easy way out. That ghost got herself killed after losing faith in everyone and losing hope for herself"
"You're not going to end up like that!"

The burden of having to experience the memory for herself is like a fog clouding Tirpitz's judgment - something she fails to notice. Bismarck, annoyed at Tirpitz's sudden change, grabs both of her shoulders and pulls her close to her.

"Bismarck, I didn't try to save myself back then. That's why I asked not to be saved when I'm about to die" Tirpitz takes a deep breath
"You wanted to die..." Bismarck pulls away her hand
"Where do we draw our life, Bismarck? For what greater context do you live? Is it for destiny? Morality? Belief in an external force? Or a God who would never answer you"
"..." Bismarck remains in disbelief
"You're right, Bismarck. What you took from me might never be regained. It's because of your actions that led me to realize I have no loyalties and I can't believe in anyone anymore..."

Tirpitz ends the conversation right there and immediately marches away from the scene without even looking back at Bismarck. Bismarck lifts her arm by a few inches as if she wants to reach out to Tirpitz, but the latter is quick to move away from her line of sight.

"You heard all of that, right?" Bismarck takes a deep breath and turns to the left
"Victorious entered her room earlier this morning and Tirpitz walked out losing faith in the world. I'd say something is amiss" King George V walks out of the corner
"I don't like anyone eavesdropping, but you know something is wrong"
"Of course. I'm always vigilant for troublemakers" King George V approaches her
"What do you mean?"
"Hmm? Ahahaha, you have yet to realize. You see, Victorious had always been honest to herself and everyone around her. So even a single lie would stick out like a sore thumb as they say"
"You're saying her lies are obvious"

Bismarck walks to the knight until they're only one meter apart since it catches Bismarck's attention and interest.

"I'd say she's not being honest. That's all" King George V shrugs
"Then, what if we're dealing with someone else"
"Oho~ What do you have in mind?" King George V rubs her chin
"That Tirpitz may not realize she's being fooled by Victorious META"
"The META? Now, that's interesting"
"It isn't for me. The fragment's influence is already at thirty-five percent and her behavior is changing"
"She said she lost contact with the ghost whose consciousness is within the fragment. It only happened ever since waking up"

"Not to mention it's as if Tirpitz was about to say something when she nearly had a seizure. Something, something let me die and something Victorious" King George V mutters to herself

King George V closes her left eye as she keeps her fingers on her chin and her elbow on top of her folded arm. She's curious enough to dig into the details herself but lacks the connection to make sense of everything.

"If the fragment isn't actively influencing her, then..." King George V tilts her head
"Victorious..." Bismarck frowns
"She's the prime suspect considering she keeps Tirpitz close to her even when Tirpitz herself is keeping her distance. Well, she did mention that she's questioning her friend now" King George V has her doubts too

"I'm afraid if we're dealing with an impostor then I would need to resort to...the traditional way of solving problems" King George V draws her saber a few inches from the scabbard
"I need your help to determine the real enemy before it completely endangers Tirpitz. We need to deal with Victorious META"
"So no with the..."

King George V straightens her left hand and draws her hand towards her throat, lightly swinging her hand as a throat-cutting gesture.

"Since you're doing it for your sister's sake, I'll help you as much as I can" King George V confidently smiles
"We can use this"

Bismarck lays out her left palm and a fragment of Tirpitz META's wisdom cube manifests out of thin air and quietly floats a few centimeters from her hand.

"Have you been keeping that with you all this time?"
"For the moment I have to draw out Tirpitz META. If she's still there with Tirpitz, then I need to provoke her"
"Hahahaha! To ruin our culprit's plans since she suppressed the META for a reason" King George V snaps her fingers

The fragment rests harmlessly on Bismarck, but it emits a faint icy blue glow contrasting its dark crystal-like appearance. It appears as an inanimate object, but Bismarck's softened stare invokes an unknown sadness and a bit of regret knowing it's more than just "a piece".

Chapter Text

Why do I persist living....?
What do I strive for.....?
Is there anything I'm looking forward to......?
Just.....when can I finally stop......?

Upon being thrown into the past, I drag myself into a dark corner, unable to process this second resurrection. The first time I've been brought back, there's this gnawing feeling I'm forgetting something, and the second time.....I feel half of my mind is missing or ripped away. I can barely remember the moments of peace and comfort during my lifetime. All I could remember is the endless baffles and dying.

"Victorious.....nngh.....it's her fault......!"

As I crawl in a dark corner, I bite my own hand and claw the ground, unable to soothe my own pain. It's more than just a headache now. It's as if my flesh is being peeled and bitten off repeatedly.

"Where.....when.....how....."

I try to gather my thoughts, but a large portion of them are still missing. It's only blankness and eerie silence when I try to trigger a memory of the past. Most of what's left is the battles I'm forced to throw myself into and being wrongly revived by Victorious.

"......I'm already dead. Died twice......revived twice....."

After I manage to soothe a bit of my discomfort and uneasiness, I keep my thoughts straight. The "me" right now isn't fully revived. My subconsciousness etched in my wisdom cube rejected this revival, so I'm left incomplete.

"This is all too wrong....."

I forced myself to walked out of the cave I crawled into and reflexively lift my forearm in front of my face to shield myself from the sunlight. It's too bright right now as it's still noon, and my body temperature is preventing me from basking under its warmth.

"There's no way to completely revive me without a cost....."

As I take a step forward on the vast and isolated sandy beach, I focus my senses on the quiet surroundings. I could hear the brushing waves and the complete silence somewhat calms my nerves.

"There has to be a cost...."

Still, I feel detached to my body knowing not all of me is here. It feels rather uncomfortable, but this is the body I always had. Perhaps, I should destroy myself entirely to prevent another resurrection.

"You're right. It will come with a cost"
"......!"

I startled, my foot quickly slides when I turn around and my body completely in a defensive stance. Cold air lets out a sizzling out of my hands in preparation of turning this entire beach into an arctic to eliminate the sudden enemy.

"You're that Arbiter - Fool. How did you find me?" I growl in hostility
"You're particularly not difficult to find. Considering you're close to being a zombie" The Arbiter laughs at me
"What do you mean close? I'm already dead"
"That much is true, but Victorious managed to resuscitate half of your.....soul"

The Arbiter does an air quote gesture when she mentions "soul". No one in the right mind would believe an Arbiter, especially someone who would appear unannounced and with clear ulterior motives.

"Tell me, do you want to be fully revived? It's just a little push left to regain the life you lost"
"No. I'd rather stay dead permanently" I immediately reject her
"You're a terrible liar, Tirpitz. Even your eyes are telling me you want to regain your life"
"........"

My hands tremble in both irritation and uneasiness. I despise this Siren, but I can't draw strength to deny and reject her words. This frustrates me so much......because I know she's right about my lie.

"Victorious and the others are looking for you now. Not only did you escape in this timeline, she won't stop until she saves you"
"Save.....me? What she wants to save is her feelings. She couldn't let me go, so she revived me against my will" I clench my fists
"All these quarrels. You people are difficult to deal with"
"......."
"How about this? Let's make a deal"
"Get lost"

I'm not foolish enough to go along with a Siren's whims. Everything they do has a selfish reason behind it. To them, humans are expendable and part of their simulation. Even if I'm desperate, I won't bite on my pride to agree in being someone else's pawn.

"You can have your life back, but it might cause the Tirpitz of this timeline" Fool extends her left hand
"I said get lost!"

In anger, I swipe my hand, causing the area of three hundred meters to instantly freeze. A single step cracks the icy floor beneath us and a single poke with the surroundings would cause them to shatter. Temperature of negative one hundred and fifty isn't enough to kill a Siren, but it's enough to cause her skin to crack and her fingertips to shatter.

"You can have your life back and save the Tirpitz of this timeline. In the near future, she will be on the brink of death. Her wisdom cube will be damaged beyond repair, but you can prevent that tragedy"
"....." I faintly growl
"You will have to use your wisdom cube to prevent hers from collapsing. If the Tirpitz of this timeline dies, the same mistake of your timeline will repeat her"
"Her Victorious will try to revive her?" I take a deep breath
"Exactly. If you don't do something, your Victorious might do more harm than good to both you and the other Tirpitz"
"As tempting as it sounds, I will not trust a Siren"

Trusting a longtime friend got me unwillingly resurrected twice, so trusting a Siren is a more horrible decision. Besides, I'm aware how Fool is involved with the whole situation and her appearance now isn't coincidental.

"Hahahaha! Cynical as always" The Siren bursts out laughing
"......"
"Your own country tossed you aside and left you to rot after all. Anyone would grow to disdain the world and distrust the people around you"
"What's your motive, Siren?"
"Nothing. It's just that.....you shouldn't even be standing anymore. So what's driving you this far? Wisdom cubes respond through will like how Bismarck is too stubborn to die"
"........"
"You get to die. That's all you should think about"
"........"

My emotions are conflicting. A part of me is tempted to believe the Siren out of desperation, it reeks of danger at every corner. This person has a motive of her own, but perhaps it may be the only chance I have.....to finally rest in peace.

.......
.......

Who.....Where......What......?

Questions fill Tirpitz's thoughts as she finds herself lightly drifting in a quiet yet pitch black space. She instinctively reaches out and a flash of binding light swallows all of her senses.

The sound of a sudden dive bomber.....
An annoying and bold aircraft carrier.......
Said aircraft carrier yelling and shouting.......
The proud smile across her face......

Tirpitz digs into her memories, recalling the very she first encountered the pestering aircraft carrier. She could never forget the encounter ever since the explosion nearly deafens her. Then the culprit proceeds to drag her away without care and with a proud smug on her face.

"It's.....foggy. The day Victorious..... declared she would drag me out of my loneliness....."

While Tirpitz could recall her surroundings and the voices that day, there are several gaps which makes the memory less sensible. She couldn't piece the information inside her head as the gaps become more apparent and alarming.

"It's becoming.....difficult to distinguish which is the dream or the reality....."

A mirage - Rather, Tirpitz META who has visible cracks on the left side of her face and faint white smoke escaping her body, softly speaks to Tirpitz.

"What's happening to us......?" Tirpitz takes a step forward
"Perhaps it's becoming increasingly hard for us to coexist. We reject each other by nature, so it's a matter of who breaks first"
"........"
"Tirpitz, your inner thoughts screams of refusal and rejection. You don't want to return who you used to be, do you?" Tirpitz META stares at directly
"I just want to forget because I know this would be too much for the old me. Who I used to be might fall apart between revenge and despair"

Tirpitz looks at her own hands, concentrating on how she could clearly feel the coldness coursing through every inch of her body.

"I realized the only way for this to end without me trying to hurt Bismarck or putting more burdens on Victorious was to simply erase everything" Tirpitz clenches both of her fists
"Isn't that just taking the easy way out?" Tirpitz META crosses her arms
"Perhaps....."
"You couldn't bear it all and gave up, so you chose the easy way out knowing how it would affect both your sister and friend"

Somewhat upset at Tirpitz's decision, she tightly grabs her by the collar and pulls her closer.

"My wisdom cube wouldn't be able to handle metamorphosis any longer. I.....don't want to die, so I'm doing everything I could to stop myself from decaying any further" Tirpitz sheds a single tear
"........." Tirpitz quietly unhands me
"If you don't want to die, then why are you giving up?"
"I want to die in a way no one can see. At the very least, I can accept disappearing quietly......without anyone knowing. That way, Victorious wouldn't grieve over someone like me"
"Are you suggesting......"
"This is my final request......before all you take away all of me" Tirpitz turns around
"......."
"Let me cling into my memories as long as I could....."

Without saying anything else, Tirpitz walks away from the ghost who could only shake her head in both pity and dismay. There's less anger than before, so Tirpitz META at least carefully watches over Tirpitz's back as she slowly fades away from her line of sight.

.......

Memories jump to hours, days, or perhaps weeks. Tirpitz has no sense of time within her own mind, but she recalls when she laughs shortly to hide the fact she chuckled at Victorious' words.

........

Then another memory forces itself way in. It's when Victorious shoves a cake in her mouth for being reluctant and anxious. Tirpitz remembers tasting what should have been a surprisingly sweet dessert, but she could no longer describe the sensation.

"What's happening.....?"

The memory itself is becoming detached from her. Tirpitz is becoming a spectator of her past - being aware without being connected to it.

"Will this succeed at all?" Bismarck's voice echoes in her head
"It's the only way, Bismarck. You have to take the gamble or lose your sister forever"
"......." Bismarck murmurs something under her breath
"Are you having doubts now? You insisted on going through with it"
"What will happen if it succeeds?"
"I already explained this, Bismarck. Tirpitz lives and the fragment remains in Iron Blood possession"

After a minute or two, Tirpitz realizes the voice belongs to Victorious META. Both she and Bismarck are having a serious and tense conversation. They're both unaware that Tirpitz is faintly conscious, and their voices reach past her ears.

"She'll be stronger with the power of a destroyed META. Isn't that what you wanted? For your sister to attain new strength.....whether she likes it or not" Victorious META sarcastically reminds her
"Just this one fragment. I can't let the other one be infused with her"
"Of course. This should be enough.....for now"

At that time, Tirpitz wishes to be fully conscious and open her mouth, but her body has mostly shut down aside from being barely aware of her surroundings.

"I allowed this to happen, so I'll make sure to tie her down in Iron Blood this time" Bismarck steps away from Victorious META
"You're keeping your sister bound to the nation she has little to no trust?"
"I've given my sister freedom hoping it would be for the best, but she has gotten weaker and softer"
"That's called being happy, Bismarck" Victorious META sighs in disappointment
"Even if she loathes me for the rest of her life, I won't allow this incident to repeat"
"Being protective in your own way will bite you back. She'll bare her fangs and lash out on you"
"I can keep her in check because I still have the other fragment with me"
"Are you sure you're seeing her as a sister or a test subject?
"......."
"Enforcing control and authority doesn't work too well, Bismarck. It will be your undoing"
"........"

Bismarck remains silent, but her heavy and slow footsteps indicate her angrily storming off the room. Seconds after Bismarck leaves the room, Victorious META sighs a bit before slowly moving closer to the mostly unconscious Tirpitz.

"I'll have to interfere a bit with you if I want to save you. Catching you off guard will be difficult, but fortunately it's not impossible" Victorious META mutters to herself
"........"
"Perhaps the Tirpitz right now will cease to exist, but that's a small price to pay. After all, you won't even know it"

Just as the Victorious META in the memory gently reaches out to Tirpitz, the one in the real world stops about an inch to Tirpitz's face.

".........!"

Out of instinct the second Tirpitz wakes up, she harshly grabs Victorious wrist. She would have fractured or injured her arm if she realized a second later that the one shadowing over her is Victorious.

"Sorry. I thought you're-" Tirpitz blinks and shakes her head
"Tirpitz?"
"......."

In Tirpitz's perspective, she briefly catches a glimpse of Victorious META's figure in Victorious' place. Only after shaking her head that the regular Victorious becomes clear in front of her.

"Why......?" Tirpitz mutters under her breath
"Is everything alright?"
"I....I mean.....I fell asleep....and....."
"You're shaking, but I don't think it's because of your cold body"

Victorious gently slides her palm to Tirpitz's cheeks and allows the chill to seep into her skin. She has strong faith in Tirpitz's control over her own power viewing it as a wolf shutting their mouth close when a familiar hand reaches them.

"You're anxious again like what happened in the last battle. Is the memory of me getting hurt still haunting you?" Victorious withdraws her hand
"No......"
"Then what?"
".....I saw myself in battle, but I couldn't have been afraid. I lost it the day I died"
"Fear is a primal emotion. There's no need to be strange to it......" Victorious tries to calm her down
"......"
"It's going to be alright......."

Tirpitz straightens herself when she couldn't respond and distracts herself when she realizes her surroundings are different from her last recollection.

"This is......how did I get here again?"
"We're up for a sortie, remember? Lovers has been spotted and she's presumably possessing one of Tirpitz META's fragments"
"Ah, so that's how it is......"

Tirpitz quickly regains her usual stoic demeanor after seeing the ships anchored nearby, but it's facade to keep silent on the fact she's recently having black outs.

"Is everything alright here?" Bismarck approaches the two
"Don't get cold feet now. We're cutting the Arbiter's experiment short" King George V appears shortly after
"What are you two doing here?" Tirpitz is visibly uncertain
"Bismarck and I are part of the upcoming sortie. Don't tell me you weren't paying attention, Tirpitz?"
"No. It's just-"
"Tirpitz needs a minute to sit down. Would that be alright?" Victorious steps in front of Tirpitz

The two battleships look at each other simultaneously for at least three seconds, noticing Victorious is more nervous for herself than concerned at Tirpitz.

"Sure, but be back by thirty minutes" Bismarck sighs at waves her hand
"Come on. You need to get it together before a battle"

Victorious evades King George V's suspicious glare and immediately drags Tirpitz out of the scene before the latter could protest at the sudden decision.

"So, did you see anything?" King George V clears her throat and looks at a corner
"Clearly, something is fishy. When Victorious dragged Tirpitz here, Tirpitz looked like she was spacing out"

Alabama steps out of corner, but not after she quickly turns her left to right upon poking out her head.

"Tirpitz was spacing out?" Bismarck frowns
"Yeah, it's like one of those Tirpitz's black outs. She didn't remember how she got in one place to another" Alabama remembers witnessing it
"Then what happened?"
"She whispered something to Tirpitz, but she got interrupted when Tirpitz regained her senses and grabbed her hand" Alabama waves both hands
"Can this battle determine Victorious' intentions?" King George V rubs her chin
"We'll draw the META out. This should be enough to smoke out the truth" Bismarck nods in confidence
"W-What if it gets out of hand? Like she might end up killing Victorious"

Alabama reluctantly raises her hand after seeing Bismarck in a completely serious mood and without a drop of doubt to herself.

"Fufufu. She won't because she would have to defend herself" King George V answers instead
"How are you two certain Victorious META is lurking nearby or pretending? What if it's not the case" Alabama remains nervous
"That's why we're both coming along to stage a situation that could force the truth out and allow us to interfere before everything gets out of hand" King George V taps her in the shoulders several times
"Even if you two are right, Tirpitz might break if she finds out Victorious has been lying and betraying her"
"........." Bismarck and King George V couldn't respond

They share the same thought seeing how Tirpitz fully trusts Victorious and never doubts her even once. In fact, she can be a bit protective even after losing her emotions.

"......I will end her before Tirpitz finds out. Even if she ends up loathing me forever" Bismarck grabs the tip of her cap
"No, I'm the one who bears the responsibility of punishing betrayers" King George V stands in front of Bismarck
(I want to volunteer, but I don't think I can stand up to these two......)

To a degree, Alabama feels a bit overwhelmed since the two are dead serious with their words. In her mind, both King George V and Bismarck share the same trait of going through their vows without fail.

Northern Sea.......

Bored at waiting at a lifeless base, Arbiter VI: Lovers lazily plays with her sea angel constructs by stretching their flippers or pinching their ears. Since they're just part of her rigging, they possess no will - not even a voice.

"Why am I being sacrificed again?" Lovers turn ask Fool
"They said they would cooperate if I used you as bait"

Fool, in the form of a floating manta ray, chews on a stick of man-made bubblegum and whips her tail to the left without even looking at who she's referring to.

"Why are we going along with this again?" Gneisenau META whispers to Scharnhorst META
"We need to draw Tirpitz META out and deal with the META tea drinkers" Scharnhorst META whispers back
"Just the two of us?"
"Just the two of us" Scharnhorst META cracks her knuckles
"Are we going to take down Victorious META before anyone else?"
"We're taking her out before her other friends arrive"

The two METAs glance at the two Arbiters, but only one of them is actually present while the other is speaking through a manta ray drone.

"Bismarck's group is approaching the area. You should all get ready" The manta ray drone begins to fly off
"Already?" Scharnhorst META frowns
"Well, Bismarck might have suspected we might be anticipating her so she went ahead of schedule.....or she might have something else in mind" The drone completely leaves the scene
"......"

Fool isn't hiding she has an idea of Bismarck's plans, but speeds out of the area before any of the two METAs can either question her or shoot down the drone.

"You'll provoke Tirpitz if you get near Victorious. This time, you might lose an arm or leg from her blizzard" Lovers stretches her arms
"We can talk through her. It's Victorious who drove the Tirpitz mad in the first place" Scharnhorst META scoffs
"Assuming Tirpitz META would even listen to you"

As the sea angel familiars move itself at the back of the Arbiter, the latter glares at them with a somewhat demeaning expression towards Scharnhorst META.

Meanwhile......

Bismarck places herself in front while King George V takes the rear to secretly observe Victorious. The latter may not speak or sneak a glance to her back, she's aware of King George V being on guard and focused on her more than anything else.

[You have to make your move] Victorious META whispers
(I can't.....) Victorious whispers to herself
[If you don't, then you'll lose your chance]
"But....."
[You'll get caught between the two METAs ahead and these two annoying battleships]

Even if Victorious META is only "whispering" to her, it's as if her demand is physically present to Victorious. This only makes her heart race abnormally and gradually jumbles her thoughts.

"Enemy ships ahead! All ships, open fire!"

As soon as Bismarck shouts, everyone else becomes alerted of the groups of mass produced Sirens heading to intercept them. Soaring above the battlefield is Fool's drone scanning both sides below.

"I-I don't want to do this....." Victorious let out her voice

Even as shells and bombs rain all over the place, Victorious stops in her tracks while everyone is desperately pushing the Sirens back and taking them down one at a time.

"Victorious?" Tirpitz notices
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to, but she......"

Victorious tightly closes her eyes and takes several steps back. As her willpower wavers, the unknown META only grows disappointed and upset.

"You have to tell me what's happening" Tirpitz approaches her
"I really.....don't want to......" Victorious walks towards Tirpitz and pulls her closer
".......!"
".....but what choice do I have?"

Tirpitz lowers her gaze and widens her eyes at the clear sight of a wisdom cube's fragment which produced a long and crooked icicle.....which Victorious sends to pierce right through Tirpitz's vital spot by her abdomen.

"Why......?"

There are so much words flowing inside Tirpitz's head, but she could only utter one. It's the same reason she had told Victorious before the battle.....and with the same intent.....of questioning their motive. Unable to respond, her heart is as if it's being stung seberls times and strangled by barbed wire. Tears flow from both sides of her eyes and rather than grab Victorious by the neck to snap it like a twig, Tirpitz still chooses to put her hand on her shoulder but her numb limbs causes them to fall limp.

"Vic.....torious....." Tirpitz tries to reach out to her

Victorious bites her lower lip and shuts her eyes when her shaking hand grips the projected shard sidewards and violently ripping through a section of Tirpitz's abdomen. Right after she deals a critical blow, she quickly moves herself away in fear Tirpitz would retaliate out of impulse.

"Why....would you....." Tirpitz feels her heart racing
"It's because you've been blinded by trust"

In a mere moment, the figure standing before her is no longer the regular Victorious. Instead, Victorious META herself appears as soon as the regular Victorious steps back. Rather than retaliate, Tirpitz stands as her thoughts ceases to form any decision. She couldn't even move herself when Victorious META moves herself closer to her and gently presses her hands on Tirpitz's cheek then her fingertips slide near the side of her mouth.

"......!"

Right as Victorious META pulls her hand away, she raises her hand with the fragment in her possession......and fire three consecutive icy bolts to Tirpitz's chest with one of it piercing through her heart. The next two shot shreds the side of her neck.....lands a fatal shot right through her skull.

"Tirpitz!" Bismarck immediately notices

Tirpitz receives a nearly fatal blow and her ability unleashes cold air from the gap to prevent another fatal injury and shut down most of her senses.

"I knew it. You're already......" Victorious META mumbles something under her breath
"I'm sorry......" Victorious couldn't even look at her
"I knew...... but I didn't want to believe......" Tirpitz remains standing
"........!"

Both Bismarck and King George V blast a Siren and slash a Siren respectively to rush upon seeing Victorious META appear herself and Tirpitz's eyes brightly glow blue again.

"I still tried to believe.......you wouldn't go through it....." Tirpitz presses her hand on the gaping wound

Due to her falling state, Tirpitz is unable to grasp her freezing power properly to slow down the injury and repairs the part of her body that has been damaged. Anger floods her mind and sends an itching yet tingling sensation at every inch of her body. She's filled with the desire to harm Victorious, but she resisted the urge as "hurt" equally overwhelms her as well.

"So......why......"

The one moment Tirpitz rejected of being a possibility is forced right before her eyes without a doubt that it's real. She could only question her friend who not only stabbed her but revealed her involvement without much explanation. Tears could only escape her eyes and her heart slowly succumbing to complete shock.

"This is the only way to make things right" Victorious holds her arm out of guilt
"I'm......going to kill you!"

At that moment, Tirpitz allows herself to "sink" as emotions rush both in her mind and heart. Shock, disbelief, sorrow, dismay, and among other things trigger so much in her that her mind couldn't support her emotional and mental state at once. To prevent total collapse, the META forces herself back, gaining only enough strength to undo the suppression through the instability within the wisdom cube. The META shoulders all of it, succumbing to maddening anger and expresses her strong desire through a violent blizzard swallowing everyone and everything.

___________________________________________________________________

Tirpitz META, quietly mumbling her endless frustrations in one corner of the freezing land. She sits on top of ice debris in a makeshift throne while her head rests on her arm.

"That damn Victorious locking me here....."

Continuing to wallow in her annoyance knowing she lacks the power to free herself, Tirpitz META is forced to wait in solitude like she always does.

"......!?"

A shock runs through her back, promoting her to straighten herself and gasp without truly knowing why. While Tirpitz META isn't aware of the specific reason, her instinct is enough to inform her that Tirpitz's wisdom cube has been damaged or at least her body has been damaged.

"It's her.....!"

In a matter of seconds, Tirpitz META further makes sense of her instinct and senses the "traitor outside" after Tirpitz gets her abdomen gutted and her head fatally shot. It's only due to Tirpitz META's passive influence that Tirpitz herself remains standing without wavering.

"How could you do this to her....?"

By the time Tirpitz META realizes it, her consciousness has been attached to Tirpitz's body, effectively possessing her without intention. It's as if the wisdom cube itself performed the best option to keep the body and mind from completely collapsing.

"Answer me, Victorious!"

Tirpitz META's eyes seethe with complete disappointment and fury not at Victorious META but the trembling normal Victorious.

"I have to......because it's the only way....."

The blizzard isolates the two of them while someone sets up a curtain of a Mirror Sea, but Tirpitz META doesn't particularly care she's been called forth while trapped within a Siren-made domain.

"Agh!"

As soon as Tirpitz META tries to draw power, she's then immediately reminded that Tirpitz received fatal hits from the two Victorious earlier. The sides of her abdomen and neck have been shredded open like torn paper, and she's riddled with bullet holes from both machine guns and from her lower.

"You tried to kill her? Your own friend?!"

Tirpitz META nearly recoils in pain due to being primarily forced to focus most of her strength in repairing the damage rather than immediately attacking Victorious. The blizzard alone expended a significant amount of her energy. This wouldn't be a problem normally, but she's both deceased and not in her original body.

"Your Tirpitz trusted you, but you took advantage of her blind attachment. What did you do? Lie to her, deceive her.....turn ultimately betray her by working with Victorious META" Tirpitz META bends and steps back in pain
"I know what I did....." Victorious takes a deep breath
"You filthy little-" Tirpitz META still couldn't heal the damaged abdomen
"........" Victorious couldn't look at her
"Even I tried to believe you'd be different. That you'd prove me wrong for once"
"........"
"In the end, I make the same mistake. No, Tirpitz and I made the same mistake of having faith in the world. I should have known better......when Iron Blood tossed me aside and left me for dead"

Tirpitz META faintly growls at herself, cursing at the reminder of her past even before as a META. This reignites her past bitterness and lament towards everyone - a reminder why the cold fits as her home and the source of her unwanted power.

"You really are just like her" Tirpitz META grits her teeth
"........."
"I'll sink you right where you stand, traitor!"

Since the normal Tirpitz has gone completely silent, no one is there to restrain the META's control and influence on the body. Completely furious as she sees Victorious as no different from her META version, Tirpitz META's eyes glow a brighter shade of blue to indicate she's forcing more power out of the borrowed body.

Chapter Text

Note: This was supposed to be last week, but I felt like last weekend lasted a few seconds. Definitely not because of a PlayStation sale.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Two sisters hinder another pair of sisters. Renown META and Repulse META both draw their greatswords, firmly standing in the way of Scharnhorst META and Gneisenau META. The two Iron Blood battleships' goal is to reach the raging blizzard, but two Royal Navy ships appear just when they're close.

"Out of the way. I don't want to waste my time with you two" Scharnhorst META declares
"You know we won't do that" Renown META shakes her head
"Tirpitz META was forced out by your Victorious. You know what happens, right?" Gneisenau META steps forward
"This is Victorious' choice and she's willing to die for it" Repulse META frowns

Renown META and Repulse META both share a tense and pained expression, but doubt isn't present. They're aware of the situation and the outcome, yet they willingly choose to hinder the two fellow METAs.

"You can't save both Tirpitz. One of them has to be eliminated because the body is too damaged to sustain two egos" Scharnhorst META grits her teeth
"All four of us know who has to go. Victorious didn't hide that fact from us" Repulse META briefly averts their gaze
"Tirpitz META wants to be put to rest. We'll do that without harming the other Tirpitz. Your Victorious will end up killing both!"

Scharnhorst META is losing her patience, so she loads all of her main armaments and prepares a battle stance.

"Move out of the way. This is my final warning" Scharnhorst META points her blade at them
"Make us" Renown META refuses
"Fine!"

With a swing of her blade, both Scharnhorst META and Gneisenau META let loose their cannons without restraint. High explosive shells fill the sky and rain toward the other pair of META sisters.

"How can you turn a blind eye to what Victorious META did?! Tirpitz META died by natural causes, but your ally desecrated her death and brought her back against her will!" Scharnhorst META couldn't hold back her anger
"Victorious didn't do it out of malice. We saw how her grief and sorrow turned to desperation"

Renown META swings her enormous sword first and the heat she sends up in the air is enough to detonate the shells before any of them could reach them.

"She saw Tirpitz right before her eyes, so she was overcome with her guilt from her helplessness" Renown META continues
"If anything, she would gladly trade her life if it means bringing Tirpitz back" Repulse META adds
"We are not Gods to decide who lives and who dies. The world will smite those who try to usurp the heavens!"

After another salvo from Scharnhorst META, she follows it shortly while charging herself and Renown META being her target. Her blade may be smaller, but the strength of her swing is enough to push back Renown META by a meter even while using her sword to defend herself.

"Renown!" Repulse META tries to aid her sister
" Not so fast!"

Gneisenau META opens fire at her and one shell manages to land a direct hit on Repulse META's left side, enough to stagger her for a few seconds.

"Arrogance is why civilizations fell over and over again" Scharnhorst META continues to berate them
"Is that why Bismarck ditched your country?" Renown META reminds them
"......!"
"She couldn't put down her sister. That hesitation out of love led to the death of two Iron Blood ships. In shame, Bismarck stepped down as leader......and disappeared without a trace"

Everyone is aware of the story, but Renown META summarizes it to Scharnhorst META even without asking.

"Bismarck couldn't forgive herself. She played a hand in violating her sister's death and her heart stopped her from putting Tirpitz to rest. Haunted by guilt, Bismarck turned her back on us and vanished" Scharnhorst META tightly grips her sword
"We know what Victorious plans to do, but we're helping her out of pity. Victorious wishes to die after she succeeds. Her plan is the only way to achieve the closest happy ending" Renown META grunts in frustration
"Happy? In what way does killing one personality to save the other lead to happiness?!"

Scharnhorst META pulls herself back and points her blade, unleashing yet another salvo. Renown META exchanges with a salvo of her own at the same time she heavily swings her sword leaking molten steel at the incoming shells to prevent any direct hits.

"We will accept any alternatives, but there isn't one. Someone has to die, so the other could live. It's always been that way....." Renown META bitterly accepts the reality
"The ending you all want to achieve is still.....far too cruel....." Scharnhorst META lowers her sword for a few seconds
"....I know" Renown META takes a deep breath

It pains them as they know the result and what it would lead to in the future. One of them continues to defy it while the other surrenders to the inevitability. Renown META grabs the sword with both hands and swings it in the air just as she rushes for a melee confrontation with Scharnhorst META.

________________________________________________________________________________

As the gaps continue to grow in Tirpitz's mind, the utter shock shakes her very core. It freezes her thought process the moment her friend stabbed her and is revealed to be working alongside a META. Victorious only watched as the META gutted her to the side and shreds a portion of her body, nearly causing her to faint from the fatal injury

"You never discovered she was the one who suppressed me and further tampered with your wisdom cube" Tirpitz META speaks without turning to face Tirpitz
"Why.....?" Tirpitz is on her knees and her hands pressing the ground
"To force her idea of saving you" The META sighs
"......."
"By prying into your cube, she learned the only way to get back the Tirpitz she knows is by causing extreme shock. Of course, it's difficult without emotions, but you showed her the possibility of"

At first it's pitch black darkness, but then the two of them find themselves back into their inner world of ice and snow with no living being other than then.

"You insist on keeping your attachment to her, so she forcibly severed it. That recoiled badly and here we are......"

Tirpitz META frowns as her gaze turns to the sun mostly concealed by dark clouds. It doesn't matter to the META as the imaginary world lacks any sensation for both her and Tirpitz. The META mostly returns to her usual state - someone who no longer expects anything from the world yet still finds her disappointed and......perhaps heartbroken.

"Congratulations. You can finally feel something again" Tirpitz META faces her
"But not this way....." Tirpitz digs her fingers in the snow
"It's either you die or she dies, Tirpitz. That's just how it is....."
"Still, that's...." Tirpitz grits her teeth
"The very friend you trusted betrayed you without a doubt. You've been lied to, but you desperately believed it was either a lie or her conscience would prevail"
"........."
"Unfortunately, the reality isn't too kind. A friend who lies and plans to backstab you would reject her conscience. In the end, we both hoped it only got reality to slap us from our delusion"

To the deceased META, she doesn't need any excuse to understand why Victorious betrays Tirpitz's trust as she has been warning her past version since the beginning. Even if she remains unsurprised, Tirpitz META lowers her gaze at her feet and the snow beneath her, silently dismayed her words are proven true.

"......."

As for Tirpitz, her shaking hand reaches for her chest as her chest pounds loudly so that she doesn't need to clutch her chest. Her heartbeat echoes inside her, weakening her limbs and stressing all of her thoughts.

"Why is it like this? I didn't ask to regain it this way......!"

Tirpitz, clearly frustrated, grunts at herself and tightly clutches her chest when she couldn't ease her racing heartbeat and shaking hands. Tirpitz META slowly blinks, continuing to silently observe Tirpitz clashing with rejecting and accepting the current situation.

"I'd rather be the emotionally cold person I used to be" Tirpitz stands up
"Doing so means your current ego would cease to exist. That's a fate worse than death if you ask me" Tirpitz META scoffs
"........"
"Victorious doesn't care if you die. Even so, will you still believe in any noble intentions?"
".......I do" Tirpitz takes a deep breath
"Then you and I are the same in the end"
"......."
"If you plan on ceasing altogether, make it worthwhile"

Seeing Tirpitz still with disorganized thoughts, Tirpitz META shakes her head and wakes a few meters away from her. She can't help but feel annoyed and itching to swing her fist at her past self for being overwhelmed by emotions and unable to firmly hold her choices.

"You sank deeper and so you lost control of yourself without interference from me. Well, not like you can wrestle control for a while" Tirpitz META scoffs again
"Why is that?"
"You're too mentally and emotionally weak right now. Someone as fragile as you would just break in a second" Tirpitz META clicks her tongue
"I don't even know what to do. I hate her for lying and going behind my back....but.....but I can't....."

Tirpitz could only tightly clench both of her fists when she's forced to admit her indecisiveness and persistent attachment.

"Then do you prefer being killed by her?" Tirpitz META groans in annoyance
"No, but....."
"Make up your fucking mind! If you stand there, you'll die! Are you really that weak that you'll choose the easy way out?"

In a fit of sudden anger, Tirpitz META grabs the regular Tirpitz's collar and violently pulls her closer until they're only a few inches from each other

"......" Tirpitz averts her gaze
"Then I'd rather be the one to kill you instead.
"I'm angry too, you know. I can't think straight....because I'm trying to hold back myself because I might go down a path I'll never escape from"
"......" Tirpitz META loosens her grip
"You don't know how much my heart wants to lash out at Victorious because she deceived me.....but I still want to believe.....but I'm angry"

Tirpitz pushes herself away from her speechless META version since her frustrations grow over the restless indecision to calm herself or succumb to her emotions.

"Why is everyone lying, deceiving, tricking, and betraying me? Can't I just have anyone who I can trust? Just one....." Tirpitz's knees surrender to the ground again
"Only a saint would be free of lies and deception. You won't even find them in those religious folks"
"I know that....."
"It's human nature to lie or deceive no matter the intention because fear and self-preservation are present within everyone. Even if you lead yourself to believe you're doing it for someone else's sake, it will always be for selfish reasons. Just like now....."

There's no hope for Tirpitz as of the moment as she doesn't even attempt to resist her META version, so her shaking will let the suppressed META loose enough to resurface. Tirpitz META quietly staring at Tirpitz for several seconds does express her frustration and disappointment, but she faintly exhales in what resembles sympathy.

"Don't expect anything from anyone, and you won't be disappointed. Had you reminded yourself of that, it wouldn't have led to this incident......"

Since Tirpitz META is incapable of comforting someone and is in a terrible mood, the lightest berating she could leave Tirpitz is harsh but fitting advice considering their histories aren't so different.

It doesn't matter.....because you're running out of time......

.......
.......

Why?

That one question races through Tirpitz META's mind and repeats like a broken recorder. Just when the bitterness of her death subsided after observing Tirpitz's daily life, her memory reminds her of the harsh reality.

"Good grief. Not only you'd break out once provoked, you just won't go down"

Victorious META's aircraft circle around a mostly immobilized Tirpitz META like vultures stalking their prey. With a single wave of her hand, fighter aircraft reposition themselves and open fire a hail or rapid armor-piercing bullets.

(One is a problem, now there are two of them!)

Due to her injuries and expended stamina, Tirpitz META could only freeze and shatter the bullets in midair while she attempts to lift her one leg. She couldn't stand up straight with piercing shots from both aircraft machine guns and ice shards lodged into her leg.

"Why.....?" Tirpitz META continues to mutter under her breath

Tirpitz META grabs the ice piercing her leg and pulls it out in a split second without regard to pain or safety. Her vision may be doubling and a bit shaky, but she focuses enough to look past Victorious META and sharply glares at a terrified Victorious standing behind.

"You betrayed her"

Tirpitz META'z eyes briefly glance at the other META, referring to their involvement.

"I know working with my META version is betraying Tirpitz, but what choice do I have? Bismarck and the others can't undo what they did" Victorious wraps her arms around herself
"......." Tirpitz META is unusually listening
"The only way to force her into feeling anything is through subjecting her to an extreme situation. To force her into a live-or-die choice is the only way. You knew that too......"

On the last statement, Victorious' voice wavers, fearing the seething killing intent carved in her brightly glowing eyes intensified by the low visibility blizzard around them.

"Your lies and deception broke that fool. She wanted to kill you, but she still.....valued you enough to hold back. It's driving both of us crazy......so if she can't bring herself to sink her fangs, then I'll tear you apart myself!"

Thick cold air escapes from Tirpitz META's hand due to further lowering the temperature she emits. This also puts a strain on a non-META body.

"Nngh....." Tirpitz META takes one step back

She feels as if her body is cracking and suffering over and over again. This physically scars her body with blue cracks, forming both lines and stripes on her arms up until to her neck.

"......"

In Tirpitz META's brief yet quiet concentration, she becomes aware of the damage in the wisdom cube continuing to spread the more she pushes to body to the limit.

"You'll break that borrowed body" Victorious META goes into a battle stance
"Then I'll just make it my own. I'll transform this broken body into a vessel reflecting my original body" Tirpitz META attempts to provoke her
"Unfortunately, I can't have you do that. I need that body intact as much as possible"

Unlike before, Victorious META couldn't simply drop bombs or put more bullet holes in Tirpitz when it's clear Tirpitz META is overworking the normal body.

Meanwhile......

Bismarck tries to control her breathing because all she could inhale is the cold air around her. The whistling and howling wind cancel out most of the noises around Bismarck, but she's more annoyed at how there's only a blurry white landscape all around her.

"George! Tirpitz!" Bismarck shouts at the top of her lungs

Not a single being responds to her call as the irritating blizzard continues to hinder her senses and her path.

".......?"

Bismarck stretches out her left hand when a chilling sensation separate from the current blizzard, crawls all over her skin. The fragment of a wisdom cube manifests itself on top of Bismarck's palm.

"My head.....ugh.....there?"

The fragment signals her thoughts as if it responds to her dilemma and instinctively directs her to the direction in front of her.

"Hyaah!"

A swoosh swiftly cuts through the air and nearly cuts Bismarck's skin, only managing to cut a few strands of her bangs. A knight's bright red figure bursts out of the blizzard, wildly swinging down her sword in the air.

"King George V?!" Bismarck moves back after nearly being injured
"Bismarck?! I thought you were some bloody Siren" King George V quickly sheaths her sword back
"Then why were you blindly swinging your sword?"
"I thought I caught a glimpse of the dead META"
"That dead META is possessing my living sister" Bismarck shows the fragment to her
"How do we get rid of the vengeful ghost? More importantly, Victorious herself....."
"......" Bismarck lowers her head

It's a situation that can't be resolved peacefully, but Bismarck is silent and could only stare at the fragment in her hand. King George V is prepared to draw her blade with little to no hesitation. The situation requires to use of unrestrained force and even if the opponent is a META trying to resurrect herself, Bismarck couldn't outright say she's prepared to take either Tirpitz or Victorious down with her own hands.

"I have to bring Tirpitz back before the META fragment becomes irreversible" Bismarck takes a deep breath
"What if it becomes impossible? Can you put down your sister to prevent Tirpitz META from causing further damage?"
"......I don't know" Bismarck is uncertain but she doesn't break eye contact
"Bismarck, what if it's one of those scenarios where your sister would become a shell for that undead battleship's rampage"
"Before that happens.....I'll save my sister. I won't ever let that happen" Bismarck moves forward first
"You're softer than anyone believes....."

King George V unsheathes her saber once more and hurriedly follows after Bismarck before she loses sight of her in the raging blizzard.

"This fragment is making me sense Tirpitz META.....but I can't sense Tirpitz at all" Bismarck mutters to herself

The piece of the wisdom cube isn't physically pointing in a direction, but each time it emits a pulsating glow, Bismarck's senses instinctively move in one direction.

"To kill her is the only way to reignite her wisdom cube, but that would start the metamorphosis. You doomed your friend!" Tirpitz META heals the gutted side
"Her wisdom cube has been damaged beyond repair. If it wasn't for you extending your fragment, Tirpitz wouldn't be here!" Victorious META reminds her

Bismarck slows down upon hearing two familiar voices shouting at each other. Victorious META is only annoyed at best while Tirpitz META is bitter and has difficulty keeping her voice calm.

"What would you gain from all of this? For what reason you shattered my cube and stuffed me in a dying past version of mine?" Tirpitz META clutches her chest
"My initial plan was to sacrifice this timeline's version of you to resurrect you. To bring you back physically and mentally intact, I needed a living vessel to sacrifice" Victorious META takes a deep breath
"I knew it....."
"In doing so, Tirpitz's ego would essentially cease to exist and you would be the replacement - the new owner of a fresh body. That's why I had to gain Bismarck's trust, so I could personally get the body needed for the procedure"
"That wouldn't work so easily. She would resist and it would both damage our egos. The only way to do that....."
"......is to crush her spirit" Victorious META finishes the sentence
"So manipulated me in betraying Tirpitz......?"

At the quick realization, Victorious' shaking legs take several steps back and her equally shaking lips couldn't utter another word.

"I was worried and panicking because the procedure stripped Tirpitz of her emotions, so it's impossible to stop her from resisting. To lessen my problems, I've been stripping her of her memories for Tirpitz META to occupy it easier and not be influenced by her memories" Victorious META turns to her past self and explains
"You....How could you do all of this....and not care?" Victorious slowly shakes her head in shock
"This is....just one timeline. What difference would it make if I destroy the lives here? I know what I'm doing is horrible and unforgivable, so I know I deserve death as punishment. I'm willing to be punished.....but I can't fall until I accomplish what I came for" Victorious META takes a deep breath
"Why are you going this far to bring me back? You know I don't want to go back to being alive"
"Yet you're here - persisting and struggling. You wouldn't have been conscious if it weren't for your desire to be resurrected"

Victorious META stretches out both of her hands and spreads her palms open, proudly exposing Tirpitz META's silent rejection of the idea.

"You're a terrible liar, you know that? Dead or alive" Victorious META chuckles
"........" Victorious silently shifts her gaze to Tirpitz META
"I wanted a second chance in this world, but I'm not a heartless demon to willingly steal someone's life. You stripped me of a peaceful death, but I won't justify my bitter end to replace this Tirpitz's life"
"What made you change your mind?" Victorious META frowns
"I'm sharing the same body as my past version, so it felt as if I relived her life just as she relived mine. The much more peaceful life she had compared to mine soothed my restless soul....even for a little bit"

Tirpitz META clenches her fists, overwhelmed by her desire for revenge towards Victorious META for not only toying with her life but with the past version of her. Anger from the forced reanimation no longer clouds her mind, mostly returning to her stern yet somewhat expressive self.

"Then I'll kill you over and over again" Victorious META lifts her hand and snaps her fingers
"......!"

Torpedo bombers appear from behind and launch torpedoes right below the surface water. By the time, Tirpitz META turns around and is about to move herself away from the line of torpedoes, two of them have already struck her.

"Tirpitz!"

The explosion causes the surface water to erupt and cover Tirpitz from the burst and large splashes. The attack is followed by two more dive bombers from both the left and right side, removing any moment to recover Tirpitz META's focus.

"Gggh!"

Just as Tirpitz META is about to recover from staggering a bit, the two more torpedoes cause significant damage to her current body. Her original META body would be resilient to mere four torpedoes, but her current body is weakened after just recovering from fatal wounds.

"I won't kill you, but I'll remove you......because I no longer need you" Victorious META turns around to Victorious
".......!"
"Hyaah!"

King George V pushes her engines to the limit and charges at full speed, appearing from Victorious META's left side and swinging down her saber without a second thought.

"Whoa!"

A gust of cold wind stops the saber's sharp edge from making physical contact with her and the force sends the gallant knight knocked away by at least ten meters.

"Feuer!"

Right as King George V is out of the way, a rain of shells falls towards Victorious META herself, but the two shells about to hit her strike two aircraft instead.

"Bismarck!" Victorious blinks in surprise
"I WILL have you explain everything later. Right now, it seems the current threat is that other Victorious" Bismarck sternly tells Victorious
"Nnggh.....I don't need you.....here" Tirpitz META rubs her head after recovering some strength
"I'm not your opponent right now. The same goes for this Victorious" Bismarck stands in front of Victorious

Bismarck goes ahead thinking Tirpitz META might still see her as a threat and attack her too. Having a three-way fight would be difficult and would only drag the battle without a proper conclusion.

"I don't care. You two get out of my sight before I sink you too" Tirpitz META warns them
"Victorious, get out of here" Bismarck whispers to her
"I'm not leaving! I.....I caused this.....so I have to fix this" Victorious musters her courage
"So do I" Bismarck sighs
"Then I'll have you stay put"

The moment the voice echoes, bullets in a second interval quietly pierces the air and pierces right through Bismarck's right leg, nearly causing her to kneel.

"Ggh!" Bismarck steels herself into one place
"No hard feelings, but I can't have more trouble while I'm around"

In a distance, protected by the blizzard, Hunter META reloads her sniper rifle. Her eyes brightly glow, allowing her to properly determine the location of the target even if the blizzard caused by Tirpitz META has her at a mid-range disadvantage.

[Where have you been?] Victorious META radios her
"It can't be helped. Those two are held back by the ugly sisters. Going past them wasn't easy, you know" Hunter META covers her right ear
[Change of plans. We're retreating] Victorious META clicks her tongue
"Already? What happened?" Hunter META is suspicious
[.......!]
"Oh......"

The sound of cannon fire from the other side nearly deafens Hunter META and this alone is enough to explain how the situation is escalating beyond their control.

"Hmm?"

Shells fly in her direction, causing her to hastily move back at the last second. Her spot a few seconds earlier has been filled with large splashes from the impact of the shells and would have landed a direct hit on her if it isn't for reaction time.

"So there you are!"

King George V appears from behind and swings her saber down at the destroyer META, but she's blocked by a giant pair of scissors. The force delivered by the swing, even if it's successfully blocked, almost makes Hunter META bend on the surface water and damage her forearms.

"Ho~ A scissor is rather an inconvenient weapon for a little hunter? Are you sure you're not some sort of slasher?" King George V sarcastically comments
"This is none of your business. Leave" Hunter META frowns
"It is very much my business because a Royal Navy ship is involved" King George V keeps swinging her saber
"How the hell did you track me?"
"I didn't. Bismarck did - so I went around when she sent those shells flying to you"

The relentless swings from King George V and her surprising speed overwhelm Hunter META and her left shoulder and right cheek are cut open.

"Why are you working alongside Victorious META? Her goal is rather selfish and unforgivable" King George V moves half after straining her arm from the countless swings
"I don't particularly care about good and evil. I'm a hunter and everyone before me is either a threat or prey. As for Victorious META, she knows she'd be killed sooner or later, so the best I could do is offer my pity and let her die as she wishes"

Hunter META heavily sighs knowing the furrowed eyebrows in King George V means her answer is unexpected. However, she's being true to herself that she cares very little about morals so long as it doesn't hinder her.

"What's killing the ego of a battleship destined to die back then? At least every part of her is put to good use like how a hunter never wastes parts of the slaughtered prey" Hunter META lifts her scissor near her chest
"Hmm. This is infuriating me because your view is clashing with mine" King George V admits with a smile
"One of them wishes to die....and I'm not talking about the META"

Hunter META swings the large scissor to her side and springs herself forward, removing their distance before King George V could open fire and resume her flurry of swings.

"Gghk!" Victorious META coughs out blood
"........"

Tirpitz META is standing right before her with cannons all pointed at her and hands emitting extreme chill enough to freeze someone in a split second.

"I'm ending you once and for all" Tirpitz META lifts her hand and forms icicles mid-air
"You keep saying that.....but you only keep dying"
"......"

Without even saying anything, Tirpitz META sends several icicles flying at high speed. Most of them have been shredded by Victorious META's figure aircraft machine guns, but the first one manages to slice her left eye when she attempts to dodge sideways and the second one her left shoulder.

"Victorious!"

Rather than use her rigging, Tirpitz META prefers to use the side-effect of her metamorphosis and charges toward the other META without thinking.

"You're rushing to kill me that badly!"

As soon as Tirpitz META swings her right hand in the air, a misshaped dagger of ice forms near her fingertips and cuts open the right side of Victorious META's abdomen. Tirpitz META clicks her tongue, somewhat annoyed the wound isn't serious due to Victorious META dodging right before her entire abdomen could be sliced open.

"What-?!"

This time, Tirpitz META uses her left hand and forms an ice shard right in her hand, using it to attempt to stab her in the heart. Unfortunately, her weakened state causes her to only strike below the heart and not even deep enough to pierce through the other side.

"......." Tirpitz META quickly distances herself

Just as Tirpitz META is about to use her main armaments next, her body swings and the gaps on her cheeks grow wider by a centimeter. Then her breathing becomes heavy and her legs shake.

"Don't push yourself, Tirpitz" Bismarck softly tells her
"Shut up already. I'm not.....your sister......" Tirpitz META reminds her
"........" Victorious quietly stands behind Bismarck
"As for you, give me one reason why I shouldn't sink you too" Tirpitz META looks at her
"I......" Victorious couldn't answer
"You've been used, but that doesn't mean I forgive you. I despise liars and betrayers after all"
"That can wait. The real enemy is in front of us" Bismarck reminds Tirpitz META
"Oh, don't worry about me. This can wait.....because you should think about your breaking host body"

Victorious META covers her functionless left eye with her left hand, ignoring the wound on her shoulder. She expresses little pain and even wryly laughs.

".....!"

When Tirpitz META tries to move her left arm, she hears a crisp cracking sound which forces her left arm to remain at the side.

"What makes you think you're going to leave here alive?" Bismarck steps forward
"I still have this and as long as you have that, you can't get ahead of me" Victorious META raises her right hand and manifests the fragment in her possession
"This is annoying....." Tirpitz META bends on one knee
"We'll face each other again. Let's just hope it's the last.....because neither of us will last long" Victorious META begins to move back
"Wait-!"

Right when Bismarck is about to open fire to keep the opponent in place, a blizzard wind surrounds Victorious META and pushes the three ships back. The speed of the shards of ice flying in the air dents through their battleship rigging.

(Why is she confident we can't get ahead of her?)

Bismarck thinks to herself after the blizzard used as a means of escape slowly dies out and when the view in front of them confirms Victorious META has escaped once again.

"You.....nngh.....we're not done....." Tirpitz META lifts herself and grabs Victorious' left arm
"I know what I did......" Victorious isn't afraid to admit
"Once a betrayer.....always a betrayer....."

Tirpitz META collapses in Victorious arms not out of her own will but due to the fact she exhausted her strength undoing Tirpitz's fatal wounds and keeping the body from being destroyed entirely.

"Betraying a friend isn't a sin you can easily atone" Bismarck speaks gently
"Why don't you hate me too like her?" Victorious turns her head
"I despise betrayal done out of malice.....which you didn't possess"
"Aren't you being honorable or are you going easy on me, Bismarck?" Victorious clutches Tirpitz
"I'm not the one you should be asking for forgiveness"
"........"
"However, you must face the consequences of your actions once this situation is resolved" Bismarck turns away
"At least you're optimistic this would end how you hoped" Victorious whispers
"......."

Bismarck overhears it but refuses to say anything. It may not seem obvious from her expression, but she clenches her hands for a few seconds before loosening them. She's upset about Victorious' careless decision to betray Tirpitz out of noble intentions only to cause more harm than good.

Chapter Text

Note: I've been running on caffeine-fueled life that I forgot I didn't upload anything last weekend.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Victorious META staggers dragging her feet, barely able to walk straight, back to her usual hideout. Again and again, she escapes the vengeful grasp of a former friend. The only difference right now is that she's not unscathed. The freezing properties prevent her wounds from healing on their own and even prickle her inside.

"You're still alive after all" Hunter META leans by a nearby wall
"I got lucky she wore herself out from healing her fatal injuries. If I didn't land a fatal blow before that clash, I might have lost my head"

Victorious META rubs her neck, mockingly laughing at herself. For someone who has done nothing but flee once the situation goes against her, Victorious META doesn't take her life or death seriously half of the time.

"That shocked enough in bringing the old Tirpitz back. Kind of like waking up from a falling dream, right?" Hunter META shrugs her shoulders
"At best, it only scarred her. The one person she thinks she can trust had been going against her and ends up stabbing her"
"You're more upset you couldn't suppress the normal Tirpitz and purge unnecessary memories"
"I wanted to remove any form of resistance from the normal version......and effectively leave it vacant for my Tirpitz to occupy"

As the wounds worsen due to Tirpitz META's power lingering effect, Victorious META summons the fragment to absorb some of the prickling ice stopping her wounds from closing.

"I thought you wanted to save both of them" Renown META walks in
"I do. The Tirpitz of this timeline wasn't supposed to live....." Victorious META sits on a pile of boxed scraps
"Clinically dead" Hunter META straightens herself
"Exactly. Tirpitz META was only revived in this vessel because that Tirpitz died for a few seconds. What I did was extend her life"

Until now, Victorious META sees her actions as appropriate in a horrible situation but she's well aware it's not "just". She never excuses herself as some form of savior and seeks gratitude. Someone like her is just desperate to achieve her struggling wish.

"The only way for Tirpitz META to be fully revived is by sacrificing someone for it. Even if it costs my life, I will make sure she will be alive again" Victorious META looks them straight in the eyes
"Wouldn't the META one be miserable in the end? You will revive her in the body of another Tirpitz who will die in the process and she will be stuck in this timeline" Hunter META marches in front of her
"This is the only way for her to have a fresh start. She can do as she wishes after she gets rid of me" Victorious META faintly smiles
"You want to be killed by the friend you both betrayed and murdered" Repulse META scratches her head
"Isn't that an ending we all expect? We all know my selfishness will be my undoing"
"For the love of - if you want to seal your fate that badly, why didn't you stand and let her kill you?" Repulse META puffs up her chest
"It's not done yet. Until I can integrate them, I have to live a little longer"

Victorious META gently rubs her left eye badly wounded by Tirpitz META. It initially left a deep cut that destroyed her eye, but the fragment in her possession emits a faint light. The dried blood disintegrates in thin air and the gaping wound reconnects the skin.

"Tirpitz is resisting, so it's a matter of a tug-of-war between their two egos" Victorious META grunts
"Can't they just coexist?" Repulse META walks towards her
"It's not that easy, Repulse. There could only be one person in the driver's seat. That's how it works, isn't it?" Renown META furrows her eyebrows
"Exactly. You can't have two egos in one body. Their personalities are contradicting each other and cause friction with each clash"

The wisdom cube fragment is then used to reconnect the skin and flesh on the right side of Victorious META's abdomen. Tirpitz META nearly gutted her open if it wasn't for her weakened state.

"Even if Tirpitz META's personality wasn't altered by her deaths, she wouldn't get along with her past version. Our Tirpitz is suicidal, aloof, and much more stubborn" Hunter META shrugs her shoulders
"That fool only fought to die. She threw herself in dangerous battles hoping she could be killed" Victorious META tightly clenches both of her fists
"Why do you think it is the best choice for her? You dictated her death and now you wouldn't even let her die"

Renown META steps forward, prompting Repulse META to take several steps backward while Hunter META sighs in annoyance.

"Calm down, Renown" Ark Royal META walks into the scene
"........" Victorious META's expression becomes dim in mild hostility
"Your actions caused more friction between the two egos. Her emotionless state made her more passive and less resistant, but you deliberately forced her through extreme shock"

Ark Royal META grabs Victorious META's arm and forces her to stand up. The two battlecruisers at the side become tense with how the two aircraft carriers are likely to clash if the situation escalates.

"That Tirpitz is nothing but memories etched into the wisdom cube now, so I believe she may not survive if Tirpitz META is forced out" Victorious META replies with little to no emotion
"So this mercy and kindness to you?" Ark Royal META pulls her closer
".....No. I put them together so one of them can let go. The wisdom cube cannot sustain two egos, so......" Victorious META continues to be unfazed
"How is wiping away the normal Tirpitz any good?"
"I told you this before. The Tirpitz here was meant to die. What I did simply gave her another chance. On the other hand, my Tirpitz willingly got herself killed so she didn't have to fight over and over again anymore. She just stood there when the blast went through her chest!"

Victorious META loses her calmness in a second and her repressed anger booms out all over the spacious hideout. This briefly makes Hunter META widen her eyes in shock and even straighten her back against the wall.

"You toyed with someone's fate, Victorious. Tirpitz chose to die, but you deprived her of a willing death and brought her back. People like that don't return how they used to be and not all of them return whole" Ark Royal META loosens her grip
"This is morally wrong, but I had no choice back then. It was the only way to give them the second life and peace they needed"
Victorious META sits back down
"Peace? What do you mean?"

Victorious META keeps her head lowered and gently puts her hands close together, manifesting the cube's fragment in her palm again. It emits a calm and gentle glow, reflecting how its owner used to be.

Iron Blood headquarters......

Hours after the latest incident with Victorious META, everyone managed to return home without casualties and intact. For Victorious herself, Bismarck immediately has her detained in a special detention room first.

"......"

Instead of Bismarck questioning her, the only other person in the room with Victorious is Tirpitz META still in possession of Tirpitz. The only way to tell them apart is the META one having a permanent scowl and sharper gaze to show how her personality devolved as someone who distrusts the world and lost interest in humanity's affairs.

"Where's Tirpitz......?" Victorious weakly asks
"She isn't dead if that's what you want to know"

Tirpitz META refuses to sit down and chooses to lean her back on the wall with her arms crossed.

"Let me guess, she doesn't forgive me"
"That much is obvious......but it's because her mental state is too weak to properly function" Tirpitz META scoffs
"Too weak?" Victorious META blinks in confusion
"When you resuscitate someone, do they immediately get up and walk?"
".....I don't get it"
"Tirpitz wouldn't be able to function properly. She's in a constant state of mental shock. I don't talk in gibberish but she couldn't think properly right now"
"How about her emotions?" Victorious stands up
".....That.....I cannot guarantee"

For a split second, Tirpitz META's expression becomes softer and even displays a hint of sadness for another.

"What do you mean?"
"There's no telling if her emotions have returned because she can't even move or talk right now" Tirpitz META swings her arm in the air
"I don't understand"
"It means she can't properly function as an individual. That's why I have to be in control or else this body wouldn't even move" Tirpitz META clicks her tongue
"All I wanted was to help Tirpitz by separating you two. The other me made me believe it's the best choice I have" Victorious couldn't look at her
"She is you, so it's obvious why you were easily fooled. Not to mention you're too trusting"

Unlike before, Tirpitz META is less hostile to Victorious, but her disappointment and irritability towards her are clear. For Victorious, it's at least better than the META being somewhat in a mood for a normal conversation than thinking of breaking her neck.

"The other me wants you to take that body. It means my Tirpitz will essentially die....."
"To make me truly alive again, I have to overtake sn active wisdom cube. My original body was no different from a walking corpse"

Tirpitz META faintly grunts and shakes her head, uncomfortable at the memory of her original self, but her current situation isn't so different either. Even someone finds her state of speaking and moving using a past version of her to be "wrong" in more than one way.

"I would have to eliminate the consciousness of the vessel. It's not just possession but complete take over" Tirpitz META lifts her left hand and gently squeezes it
"You don't want to do that....." Victorious widens her eyes in surprise

Just not too long ago, Tirpitz META would force control the second Tirpitz drops her guard or if Victorious META is present. Now, she explains it in a rather displeased with explaining.

"Will you be able to live with the fact that you have to essentially kill and replace another version of yourself? I'm angry and desire revenge, but I'm not like Victorious META" Tirpitz META walks towards the table
"I didn't know that was her plan and that I was being used for something horrible......"
"There's no room for regrets now when your Tirpitz is just an attached existence" Tirpitz META mumbles her breath
"I......deceived Tirpitz and ended up destroying her trust. That's why I'll accept any kind of punishment"
"Hmph......" Tirpitz META turns away

Victorious is genuinely regretting her mistake and even on the verge of tears, but Tirpitz META neither forgives her nor resents her for it. She's well aware of how Victorious has been ignorant and naive of what length Victorious META will go, but what sets Victorious apart is she's less desperate for a solution due to her morals.

(It's too late for regrets because there's nothing that could be done anymore. Even I have to accept this reality sooner or later.....)

As soon as Tirpitz META exits the room, she thinks to herself rather than speak it out loud to the three battleships outside.

"You're calmer than I expected" Bismarck is somewhat surprised
"That'd a good thing....." Alabama sighs in relief
"I find it....uhm......awfully strange to see Tirpitz grumpy and disgusted" King George V speaks first
"......." Tirpitz META continues to walk away
"I'll speak to her first" King George V follows after her

Bismarck looks like she wishes to speak to Tirpitz META first, so King George V cuts off the idea and follows after the displeased META.

"You're talkative, grumpy, and harsh compared to the normal Tirpitz. You're the polar opposite of her"

King George V finds Tirpitz META leaning in one corner, but her gaze implies she's lost in her thoughts and couldn't even hear the echo of the knight's footsteps.

"It's like you're someone else with another person's name attached to it" King George V stops a meter from her
"People change, and I'm no exception. Dying and living twice warps both your mind and soul. You wouldn't know who you are anymore......"

After ten seconds of delay, Tirpitz META realizes King George V is standing near her and speaking to her.

"Is that how you felt?" King George V expresses sympathy
"Perhaps. All I know is that I sometimes forget I'm the battleship Tirpitz who behaves as the Queen of the North"
"You act grumpy and tough to hide your sorrow and confusion. That's not healthy for both you and Bismarck" King George V's expression softens
"The Queen of North's image has been warped to my wisdom cube. Instead, this reanimated META is the aspect spiteful and bitter to humans. That was the sunken aspect......"

In life, Tirpitz META admits that part of her is lonely, but she has long lost that part of her 'soul'. The one standing before King George V is part of her that Iron Blood left to rust and die a coward's death. It's the source of her anger and bitterness toward everyone.

"I want to let go of this lingering bitterness for the sake of the future" Tirpitz META sighs
"For the sake of the future?"
".....Tirpitz may not survive if this situation gets resolved. Her wisdom cube is severely damaged from past battles and her consciousness is weakening" Tirpitz META reluctantly confesses
"You're saying Tirpitz is practically an inch from death....." King George V frowns
"Even if Tirpitz survives by unexplained miracle, she can't return to a normal life....."

As angry as she is at Victorious META for her death, Tirpitz META is still capable of pity for her past version. It's as if she's upset in her steed.

"What if Tirpitz doesn't survive?" King George V softly asks
"Would you rebuke me if I tell you?" Tirpitz META returns with a question
"......."
"The answer should be obvious. My cube's fragment would assimilate hers and that leaves me freshly incarnated in this vessel"

Tirpitz META lifts both hands with her palms outwards as she stares at the back of her hands. There's no short way to explain her current experience to King George V. She can freely move and speak her current body as if it's hers to begin with, but the discomfort itching inside is from the unforgettable reality she's inhabiting a living version of her from another timeline.

"I'm not just taking her body, but I'd be stealing her existence. To replace someone without telling anyone, how cruel can that be?" Tirpitz META lowers her hands
"Is that your last resort?"
".....Probably" Tirpitz META stares at the floor
"You asked me earlier if I would rebuke you. My answer to that is......uncertain. Pretending to be someone dead is cruel, but....."

From King George V's perspective, even though she is uncertain what's the best course of action, she admits it will inevitably lead to a cruel fate.

"You know it's wrong, but you can't help feeling pity" Tirpitz META pities the knight herself
"This would affect both Victorious and Bismarck. As a knight, I'm against lies and deception - but you suggest deceiving them to spare their feelings"
"That's why it's better if I die in battle instead. It's more acceptable than suicide"
"It's as if you're implying that fate is inevitable"
"Who knows.....?"

Since Tirpitz META isn't fully certain or at least she refuses to confirm anything, she deliberately leaves her only answer vaguely.

.......

In the quiet landscape of snow and cloudy sky in an inner world, Tirpitz META's feet instantly sink into the two inches of deep snow surrounding her. Tirpitz stands in front of a leafless tree shouldering snow on its branches, not noticing the approaching META behind her.

"You've been quiet all this time and made me do all the talking" Tirpitz META nearly raises her voice
"......Ah, you're there"

Tirpitz only notices her when the META grabs her shoulder and forces her to turn around and face her.

"You look terrible....." Tirpitz META frowns

There are icy blue glowing cracks on Tirpitz's neck and her wrists albeit barely visible unless she pulls up her sleeves. It's difficult to notice up close either, but specks of blue particles escape from those thin cracks.

"My body is at its limit, isn't it? Even if you repair my wounds, I'm still taking the brunt of the damage" Tirpitz touches the left side of her neck
"Your wisdom cube is already cracked. Each fatal damage spreads the crack further. I can return the body to its former state but not your soul"
"Tell me, if I undergo metamorphosis by accepting you, will it undo the damage entirely" Tirpitz frankly suggests

In her current state, Tirpitz returns to her nearly emotionless state, so she asks without little anxiety or even fear for herself.

"I don't suggest that" Tirpitz META pulls away her hand
"....but it's the best choice, isn't it?" Tirpitz tilts her head
"You'd rather be dead than be like me"
"I want.....to live"
"Even after your friend deceived and betrayed you"
"........"

Tirpitz META believes her normal version resumes being emotionless, but she blinks a few times after seeing tears drop from the left side of her face. Tirpitz's eyes are nearly dull and probably having difficulty perceiving her surroundings, but the sadness in her eyes couldn't be masked by her behavior.

"You're willing to give her a second chance......" Tirpitz META realizes the reason
"I want to learn to forgive my sister. I want.....to regain my normal life and start all over again"

Tirpitz tightly clenches both of her fists because she couldn't hide her wish - her motivation to continue living.

"What I want is to truly forgive Bismarck and to rebuild trust - both to her and Victorious" Tirpitz wipes off her tears
".....but that's....." Tirpitz META couldn't remind her
"That's why I'm willing to become a META if that's what it takes for me to live"
"How can you say all of that knowing you might not live long?"
"As long as there's a chance, I will take it....." Tirpitz firmly replies
"Tirpitz, even if you survive, you will not be the same Tirpitz that Victorious loved as a friend"

There's only silence between them, especially on Tirpitz META's side since she couldn't force herself to be her angry self with pity in both her heart and mind.

"Is that because you'd have to be the Tirpitz living not long from now?" Tirpitz is ready to accept the truth
"That's one of the possibilities, but the other is as bad as that" Tirpitz META sighs
"......."
"You'd still be essentially dead because Tirpitz wouldn't exist anymore. What made you who you are will be erased. Just a Tirpitz who's a blank canvas and living a clean slate.....while everyone remains unaware"

Tirpitz META tries to explain it in the least harsh manner she could think of. Both options are horrible, but she couldn't accept their "best choices" - the choices with the highest chance of actually succeeding.

"Then there's no alternative......" Tirpitz drops her shoulders
"I'm not saying there isn't one, but it's the only ones that don't rely on miracles and chances" Tirpitz META briefly closes her eyes
"It's either I get replaced by you.....or my current self ceases to exist. No matter what I choose, someone will suffer" Tirpitz scoffs at herself
"I will find a way. It doesn't have to end here" Tirpitz META refuses to give up
"How come you're the hopeful one between us?"
"I indeed returned as a vengeful ghost, but I want to die more than anything. Ghosts like me can't pass on with regrets. That's why my consciousness has persisted up until now"
"It only took you this long to realize....."

The two versions of Tirpitz stand next to each other and watch as bits of snowfall from branches and be lost amongst the endless snow on the ground.

"I want revenge before I die, but I don't want Victorious' mistake to be repeated here. It's as simple as that" Tirpitz META scoffs
"Is that so......"
"Victorious META knows she would most likely die to atone for her sins, but I can't pity her compared to you. That's why I'll take her down along with me"
"Do as you wish. I.....will no longer resist you"

Tirpitz raises her head and stares at the snow-filled tree with her still dull eyes. She's losing hope in herself. A future version of her friend murdered the future version of herself. Even the current version of her friend ends up betraying her.

.....That's because I made my choice already

Chapter Text

Another persistent memory.......

In the first days, Tirpitz is forcibly contained within four steel corners. The temperature she emits clad everything in white ice, but she herself is unable to realize how extreme her surroundings have become. It's about negative sixty degrees Celsius, but to Tirpitz it's neither hot nor cold.

"Why.....?"

At that time, she still has her emotions intact, so Tirpitz is constantly horrified and confused at her current situation. She's stuck in one room with little to no contact from anyone, forcing her into loneliness when it's not even her fault in the first place.

"Why......didn't they let me die.....in peace?"

Her growing frustration causes the ice around her to protrude spikes from the floor up to the ceiling. Tirpitz could only look at her shaking hands releasing cold vapor from her skin and ice forming white patches on her hands.

"Bismarck.....no, all of them......they did this.......!" Tirpitz puts both hands on both sides of her head

There's no one around her to lash out. The only sounds reaching her are the crackling ice and the echo of her own voice. She has been speaking to herself for hours now and the silence is putting her thoughts in chaos.

"........." Tirpitz falls completely silent

Even though Tirpitz has no full control over her condition, her instinct and strong desire generates a crooked and incomplete dagger-like ice on her left hand.

"........"

Her thoughts come to a complete silence when her blank gaze shifts to her hand gripping the makeshift blade on her hand.

".......?!"

In just seconds, Tirpitz's initial and decisive thought is to drive the sharp ice into her skull, but her hand doesn't obey her thought. Just as swiftly swings her hand holding the weapon right to the side of her head, her left arm immediately stops an inch before the sharp tip could pierce her head.

"Nngh.....!"

Tirpitz desperately tries to move her stiff arm to push the dagger into fatally stabbing her head, but that part of her body is somehow not coordinating with her.

"Just.....let me die already!"

No matter how much she tries to end herself, her body doesn't obey her. At that time, Tirpitz has yet to realize she's "not alone" in her imprisonment. Her will contradicts someone else's will. It's why her arm couldn't let the ice pierce her head.

"Ha.....hahaha.....even my body won't let me die....."

The ice on her hand disintegrates into bits and vanishes as it rises in the air. This further frustrates Tirpitz that she could only laughingly mock herself.

"I'm not supposed to remain alive, but.......I couldn't even undo myself......."

As she sits at the side of a bed placed at the corner of a room, Tirpitz is reminded how she's imprisoned when her situation isn't her choice. It's a mistake by Bismarck and everyone else in Iron Blood by Bismarck, but they contained their mistake without admitting it.

"They just.....couldn't let me go. Ha....hahahaha......"

There's no one to comfort or even listen to her, so even her persisting emotions are in chaos. Tirpitz's will is being tested, but even someone like her can break because she's born from the thoughts and wills of humans. She continues to dryly laugh at herself while she buries her face on her hands and the sound of her faint sobbing masked by the cracking ice around her.

.......
.......

Tirpitz META rubs her eyes and blinks a few times after realizing she has taken a nap under the shade of a tree.

"Hmm......you feel asleep after all....."

Rather than the warm afternoon sun and clear sky, the first thing in Tirpitz's sight is Alabama bending forward and staring at her face.

"Do you want me to turn you into a popsicle?" Tirpitz META immediately threatens her
"Geh. I forgot you're the grumpy version of Tirpitz. Usually, she would just sigh and walk away"

The side of Alabama's lips twitch while she straightens herself. Since Tirpitz META is the one inhabiting the body, it's natural for anyone to forget the normal Tirpitz is still mentally too weak to regain control.

"What were you dreaming about?" Alabama sits beside her anyway
"The past" Tirpitz META replies immediately
"Which past?"
"The other me's past. To be specific, the moment she's spiraling into madness that she tries to off herself......more than once"
"Tirpitz tried to kill herself?" Alabama is genuinely surprised
"Who wouldn't? If you're stuck with an irreversible condition, wouldn't you react the same?"

To someone who died twice and resurrected twice, the thought of suicide isn't even a sensitive topic. In fact, Tirpitz META sighs at the thought of having a successful death.

"I mean, why didn't anyone or even Tirpitz herself tell about this? She tried to kill herself!" Alabama flails her arms
"Who in the right mind would start a conversation with mentioning they tried to kill themselves several times?"
"Aaah.....good point"

After a moment of realization, Alabama shuts her mouth close and lowers the hand she's about to raise.

"Tirpitz.....tried to end her misery, but I didn't let her. I was still unconscious back then, but I stopped her at every attempt out of self-preservation" Tirpitz META reluctantly confesses
"So Tirpitz tried to unalive herself, but you wanted to live. You knew she was miserable, but you prioritized your own survival"

Alabama crosses her arms and tilts her head left to right. While she's against someone trying to end themselves, she understands why Tirpitz would desperately resort to it. Letting Tirpitz die as she wishes is the mercy Iron Blood should have granted, but they both stripped her of that option and a normal life

"Wait! I've been told that if Tirpitz did die, you can have the body all for yourself. So why stop her from killing herself?" Alabama suddenly raises her voice
"......." Tirpitz META refuses to respond
"You didn't know that, did you? Or......you knew from the beginning"
"If Tirpitz did successfully kill herself, the one who would wake up next isn't her. I don't know what stopped me from achieving my goal early on"

Tirpitz META shakes her head. While she doesn't regret her decision, she's more confused at her impulsive decision a year ago. Had Tirpitz's ego ceased to exist, she would have free reign and claim the body as her new vessel. Tirpitz META is aware that she would have escaped Iron Blood and seek revenge without anyone actively holding her back.

"Whatever the case, she doesn't have much time left....but she refuses to come out" Tirpitz META changes the topic
"Refuses to come out? You mean Tirpitz"
"Your damn rival refuses to retake her own body and left me to do all the tedious talking"
"Isn't your change of heart so sudden? You wanted to take over that body, but you don't want to anymore?"

Alabama tilts her head left to right again, completely puzzled at the deceased META's contradicting her initial goal.

"That idiot may not have much time left. Either she goes or I go. That's how it is....." Tirpitz META grunts at herself
"Oh....." Alabama drops her shoulders
".......Why did it have to be this way? I didn't want to achieve it like this" Tirpitz META continues to be frustrated
"What are you talking about?"
"There's no solution where everyone can be happy....."

It's not noticeable to Alabama, but the moment Tirpitz META closes her eyes, she briefly sees a vision of the normal Tirpitz standing behind Victorious albeit with a pained and sorrowful expression.

"Hmm?"

Tirpitz META raises her head when a spark passes by her senses. To her, it's similar to a ripple, faint yet deep echo, vibration at the same time. She turns her head to the left and her gaze is locked towards the main building within the headquarters.

Meanwhile.....

At an underground laboratory of some sort, Bismarck carefully lets one of Tirpitz META's fragments float between her palms. Other than her, Victorious is also present but on turn condition Friedrich der Grosse and Graf Zeppelin to closely observe her.

"You know about these fragments, correct?" Bismarck asks Victorious
"The other me told me about Tirpitz META's fragments. She did it on purpose to stop her from trying to revive herself" Victorious nervously nods

Normally, she's not very nervous being with Bismarck anymore, but she could sense the hostile gazes of the two Iron Blood ships silently standing within the laboratory.

"It's how she could reach within the META even without permission" Victorious explains further
"Still, why only one possessed Tirpitz META's consciousness? It just happened to be the one Iron Blood retrieved" Bismarck couldn't hide her frustration
"From what I know, Tirpitz META chose a fragment unintentionally left behind. She used that opportunity to stuff that consciousness piece inside Tirpitz, hoping the META would dominate the normal personality"

They both remain silent since it's a tense reminder Tirpitz META could have incarnated herself by killing her past self's mind. Bismarck wouldn't have noticed at first due to their almost similar memories......minus the thirst for revenge.

"Oddly enough, that ghost became behaved" Graf Zeppelin speaks first
"Even after you betrayed her, she didn't try to kill you again. I mean would have" Friedrich der Grosse narrows her eyes
"Tirpitz META would grab the chance of gaining a living body, but she couldn't sacrifice Tirpitz. At least that's what I heard when I interrupted her battle the other day" Bismarck lightly shakes her head
"Victorious META robbed her of freedom and happiness, she didn't want to do the same to our Tirpitz. As angry as she is, Tirpitz META isn't heartless enough to rob someone of their life.....and replace them"

Victorious lowers her head and holds her hands together closely because she couldn't say it without her face twisting in pain. It's only now she realizes while Tirpitz META is twisted by her death, it doesn't mean she has forgotten who she is prior to her deaths.

"To her, it's not worth the sacrifice just to kill a former friend. Is that right?" Graf Zeppelin wants to confirm her understanding
"Tirpitz is Tirpitz. Dead or alive, META or not. She's not someone who would trample on others to get what she wants. Besides, she wants to be put to rest like any ghost does"

Between life and death, all four of them look at each other, knowing someone like Tirpitz META would prefer to permanently die instead of replacing someone without anyone else knowing.

"I didn't know about what was going in Tirpitz META's mind. More importantly, I didn't even know about my META version....." Victorious lowers her head again in shame
"Even if you didn't know what Victorious META is after, why did you agree to conspire with her? Your actions lead to Tirpitz losing her will and the dead META forced to take control" Friedrich der Grosse steps forward
"Take it easy" Graf Zeppelin reminds her
"What she did is betrayal. It's not treason to her homeland, but it's treason to a friend who trusted her wholeheartedly"

When Friedrich der Grosse is less than a meter to Victorious, the latter takes one step back out of instinctive intimidation. Their height difference and clear hostility is enough to make Victorious' legs mildly tremble.

"Stand down, Friedrich der Grosse" Bismarck steps forward
"How can you be considerate to her, Bismarck? As Tirpitz's older sister, you shouldn't be forgiving her like this" Friedrich der Grosse swings her right hand in the air
"It's true her actions lead to Tirpitz's mental state weakening, but I'm not the kind of person who harbors a grudge to someone unknowingly used as a pawn believing their actions are leading to good intentions"
"......." Friedrich der Grosse goes silent

They both share the idea as Bismarck is reminding her of what they had all gone through in the past at the hands of the Sirens. Bismarck applied that "lesson" to their current situation, overlooking personal impulses.....as the older sister.

"However, I can't say I fully forgive you because betraying a friend is a grave sin. The only reason I have yet to court martial you is my personal hatred for anyone using another as an expendable pawn" Bismarck turns to look at Victorious
"Even if you don't hate me, I don't want to go unpunished. I wouldn't fight back if my country wishes me to be imprisoned for a long time.....because I knew this meant betrayal"

Victorious shakes her head, refusing Bismarck lightening her punishment out of honor and past experience.

"Graf Zeppelin, are you.....chilly?" Friedrich der Grosse turns around upon noticing
"The air......is suddenly.......colder" Graf Zeppelin rubs her shoulder
"Is it just me being barefoot or the floor being cold too?" Victorious lowers her head
"......" Bismarck stares at the door
"......!"

Friedrich der Grosse grabs Graf Zeppelin's cape and pulls her away from standing close to the door. Three seconds later and the door is forced open when the steel door is nearly overwhelmed by ice.

"I knew it....." Bismarck sighs
"I should be saying the same thing"

Tirpitz META barges in uninvited and unannounced, surprising everyone except for Bismarck.

"This uneasiness is more than just a typical feeling. You had that with you all this time!" Tirpitz META glares at the fragment on Bismarck's palm
"I had this some time after the incident a year ago"
"It's why she's been preparing for both you and I. You've been giving us away!"

In the sudden rise in emotion, Tirpitz META's eyes glow a brighter shade of her icy blue eyes, making everyone else nearly go in a defensive stance.

"Victorious META......has been detecting us through this?" Bismarck is genuinely surprised
"........" Tirpitz META grabs the fragment while Bismarck is briefly distracted
"Wait-"

In a split second, Tirpitz META raises her hand and tosses the fragment in her mouth, swallowing it without the slightest hesitation.

"......." Victorious nearly drops her jaw
"Did you seriously just eat a piece of your wisdom cube?" Graf Zeppelin isn't sure how to react
"Why in the world did you swallow it?" Bismarck shakes her head
"She could detect our position through that like a radar. That traitor has another piece of me, remember?" Tirpitz META massages her neck
"Then shouldn't we have used it to detect her position?" Bismarck returns with a question
"That's outside Iron Blood's capabilities. She knows how to resonate with the fragments, you don't"

Tirpitz META immediately shuts down the idea due to her knowledge of her pieces. It doesn't contain the rest of her consciousness as the ego saved itself in one fragment to avoid capture.

"Besides, in order to solve Tirpitz's situation and end this, I have to regain pieces of my wisdom cubes. That way, I can leave this cursed life and die for good......"

In Tirpitz META's second statement, there's a second of hesitation from her words as if she's not sure herself.

"We were about to start strategizing how to accurately pinpoint Victorious META until you swallowed the fragment" Bismarck shakes her head
"You just need me as bait. She'll come herself the moment I return in the open"
"How are you sure Victorious META would be drawn the moment you sortie?" Graf Zeppelin frowns with great doubt
"I can make her come to me, but of course this needs planning to properly bait her. You should know she doesn't care about anyone else but me"

Tirpitz META doesn't forget Victorious is there too and switches her gaze from them to her.

"I just want to take her out along with me. If I can at least accomplish that, I'd gladly finally leave and disappear for good" Tirpitz META takes a deep breath

Just as Tirpitz META seems revenge for the betrayal and murder at the hands of her most trusted friend, she strongly yearns for an eternal rest. Other than anger, the other emotion swallowing her is exhaustion from her disturbed death. She couldn't die on her terms yet she couldn't let Tirpitz get herself killed either.

Two hours later......

Secluding herself in her room, Tirpitz META rocks the chair back and forth, uneasy and impatient judging by how she even faintly growls under her breath.

"Tirpitz......"

Upon mentioning that name, she shifts her focus in the landscape formed within the shared thoughts between her and Tirpitz.

"You should be the one writing and not me" Tirpitz META frowns
"......." Tirpitz doesn't turn to face her
"It's your message. The one you want to leave in case....." Tirpitz META walks to her
"I don't know what I can write or what I want to tell you and everyone else" Tirpitz lowers her head
"You know we don't have much time left. I don't know if I can stay for any longer or if you can survive the process"

Reminding both of them of the possibilities only disheartens them, even someone like Tirpitz META. Her gaze is towards the snow beneath her feet, but she lifts her head back up to see Tirpitz reluctantly turning around.

"You're going to end this once and for all" Tirpitz is either afraid or hesitant
"What choice do I have? This is what we both chose, remember?"
"How did it suddenly reach this? One moment, you're trying to kill me for control, now......we're working together just so you could die"
"It would have been great if that was the case" Tirpitz META sighs in exhaustion
"......I'm scared to face reality"
"You're not a child, Tirpitz"
"I was free from confusion and doubt when I was like this block of ice. Not all of my emotions have returned, but I'm scared to learn what it means to feel again"

Tirpitz steps forward just as she starts confessing what's shaking her will and further weakening her mental state.

"It's not the best ending you want, but it's the only one that will hurt the least people" Tirpitz META shrugs
"Is it alright to you? To leave your life behind.....it may be against your will"
"This is......freedom too. I have no reason to reject it"
"Still....."
"You have to make up your mind. We don't have all the time in the world"

The moment Tirpitz META turns away from Tirpitz, she opens her eyes and her senses return to the real world. Her moment of conversation is disturbed by three knocks at her door.

"Come in....." Tirpitz META sighs
"I'm not disturbing anything, am I?"

Victorious slowly opens the door and hesitantly peaks through the small gap, nervous and awkward at the person who played a huge part in her current problem.

"Aren't you in jail?" Tirpitz META raises an eyebrow
"Prinz Eugen is standing nearby just in case"

Victorious briefly pulls herself away and glances at the bored heavy cruiser leaning nearby with arms crossed to emphasize her current mood.

"Then come inside. Don't bring that nosy and sly cruiser" Tirpitz META raises her voice enough for Prinz Eugen to hear outside
"R-right....."

It's slightly awkward, but Victorious shuts the door behind her after a few seconds of hesitating to come inside.

"What are you writing?" Victorious notices the pen and clean paper
"You want to talk to her, right?" Tirpitz META ignores her
"Y-yeah......" Victorious nods
"........"
"She still doesn't want to talk to me?"
"Don't worry. You're not the problem. This little nuisance is being stubborn"

Tirpitz META pushes herself off the chair and clicks her tongue, growing impatient the more she has to stay in control of the body.

"Tirpitz, you're aware of your surroundings. I know it's my fault because I betrayed you.....but I really did believe in helping Victorious META, I would restore you to now you used to be" Victorious walks towards her
"......" Tirpitz META quietly listens
"I lost your trust, but I want to fix my mistake. Even if it damaged our friendship, let me at least help"
"......."
"I get that regaining your trust isn't as easy as it sounds, but I deserve the hatred. As long as you can be your normal self again, I would accept it if you don't want to see me again"
"......I was hurt enough that the shock stung my heart, and I know you want to atone for your ignorant mistake"

The soft and calmer tone visibly indicates the one speaking is the normal Tirpitz this time. As for Tirpitz META, she doesn't particularly care but she's still fully listening to their conversation.

"I was angry at you that I might have hurt you back then, but you're not like Victorious META. Victorious, I don't have a grudge against you, but I can't forget what you did" Tirpitz frowns a bit
"Then at least let me work hard to earn your trust again. No matter how long it takes, I want to start over as friends again" Victorious looks at her right in the eyes
"I don't mind spending time with you again......and reliving the time we had in the past" Tirpitz faintly sighs

Normally, Tirpitz would hesitate in either allowing or refusing Victorious, but there are two reasons she's quick to make her judgement at the spot. One of those reasons is the current situation she already discussed with the deceased META.

"Although I can sense my heart again, not all of me is there. I'm not half of what I used to be. If anything, it's like only a quarter of me returned" Tirpitz clutches her chest
"Then this time, let me help you regain the rest of you. I want to be there no matter how long it takes or how hard it is"

Victorious grabs Tirpitz's left hand and gently squeezes it between her two palms. It's still as cold as before and Tirpitz is still mostly stoic, but Victorious couldn't help but feel joy over the hope to restore the rest of her humanity.

"Victorious, to solve this situation....." Tirpitz takes a deep breath
[You know why you mustn't say it] Tirpitz META's voice echoes
"Tirpitz?" Victorious tilts her head
"......Nothing. It's just that this dead META is impatient to take down Victorious META. If she could at least kill her, then she can finally go for good" Tirpitz pulls away her hand
"Is killing really the answer? I get it the other me did horrible things, but it started with bloodshed and will end with one....."

Victorious drops her shoulders due to her dislike of violence and bloodshed even if she's fighting in a war herself. It personally pains her as the deceased Tirpitz META could only find rest once she murders Victorious META as revenge and prevents her from accomplishing her goal. Both she and Tirpitz detest the cruelty of war and inevitable casualties, but they're both aware of the reality they're fighting.

"This is how it is. Victorious META knows she's digging her own grave, so this ghost wants to end both of their miseries. Perhaps she'll find peace in death" Tirpitz isn't fully certain
"I hope so. She used me and nearly killed me more than once. There's no certainty if it's on purpose or not, but she's doing everything to get herself killed" Victorious holds her hands together
"Whatever the case. These two need to rest for their own good and to prevent causing more harm to others"

The situation ends up involving more people than it should for the sake of selfishly sacrificing someone to unwillingly revive someone.

"Tirpitz, promise me we won't become like that. You won't try to end your misery. At least, not right in front of my eyes" Victorious grabs her shoulders
"I can promise you I'll at least die not in front of you. There's no telling what awaits me in the future after all" Tirpitz gently lowers Victorious' hands
"At the very least, if you want to die, do it in a way I can at least accept.....so I won't become my META version"
"......I know"

Due to Tirpitz expressing little to no emotion, not even Victorious can fully guess the thoughts flowing inside Tirpitz right now. All she knows is that she wants to be prepared in case the same tragedy strikes them and to prevent repeating it in their timeline.

"In the end, I haven't changed at all......" Tirpitz META lets out a deep sigh

Tirpitz META remains as the active listener in their current conversation, but she at least comments to herself how upset she might be at what lies in the near future.

"No. It will be different this time. I'll make sure of it......"

Before she could end up being disheartened and making her doubt her own decisions, Tirpitz META shakes her head and reminds herself. The goal and the enemy is clear, so she forcibly sets aside her current thoughts before it could cloud her judgement and make her hesitate at the very last minute. Instead, Tirpitz META reminds herself of what she has chosen to prevent their mistake.

_________________________________________________________________

Tirpitz quietly concentrates on carefully making each strokes of the black ink coming out of the pen. Her words have been carefully thought out before she even started writing, so she doesn't hesitate with each letter and words.

"......."

Tirpitz META projected herself, standing nearby with her back against the wall and her arms crossed.

"Are you trying to sound poetic?"

Since Tirpitz has been quietly writing without even breaking her concentration, Tirpitz META couldn't resist her curiosity. She stands right behind Tirpitz who's been moving her hands for minutes now.

"I've never been good with words, so I could at least express it through words" Tirpitz responds while continuing writing
"Does it include how you didn't tell her what we're about to do is suicidal? Well, as long as I die and you live.....it doesn't really matter" Tirpitz groans
"If only that was the case......"
"The mistake won't repeat here. I can promise you that"
"Promise. Everything screwed up because you made a promise" Tirpitz stops for a moment

Guilty, Tirpitz META takes one step back and awkwardly turns her head to the side. She couldn't admit or deny her words because of the reminder.

"I've been wondering, what will I be like after this?" Tirpitz leans on the chair and stretches her legs
"Do you really have to think of that right now?" Tirpitz META softly asks
"I want to at least know what I can expect"
"It will essentially still be Tirpitz, but it will be different this time"
"At the very least, I want to go to a quiet beach and just sit there to think about my life"

Tirpitz stares at the ceiling, briefly imagining what it would be like if she manages to fulfill it. All she could imagine is being under the sun and taking in the fresh tropical breeze with no one in sight to disturb her.

"I want to see more of the world and experience being alive"

As lament only fills Tirpitz, she stares back at the mostly finished letter in front of her. Only a few sentences remain, but she wanted to change how she wishes to convey her limited words.

"We both want to start all over again. A life free from bringing either of us back from the dead" Tirpitz regains her calm composure.

"After we settle it once and for all, we'll fulfill that wish together. That's why.....try to live a little longer" Tirpitz META's voice is unusually soft and solemn
"Bismarck might get angry and try to go after us without hesitation"
"She can try but it will be all over by the time she gets there"
"......"
"After all, I just need to eat Victorious META myself to regain all of me" Tirpitz META frowns
"I.....don't know how to feel about that....."
"You don't have to think about it. What she started will end with me"

Tirpitz META speaks and acts calmly, but a brief glance from Tirpitz is enough to notice how the deceased META is uneasy and hesitant. Someone who went mad from the anger in death is partially behaving how she used to be prior to her death. It's as if the two egos have come to a mutual agreement.....and nearly 'one'.

One hour later......

King George V passes by a hallway, noticing Tirpitz's room is slightly open by a few inches. She blinks at first believing it to be her imagination, but as she steps closer to the door, she widens her eyes in realization the door is indeed left open.

"Tirpitz?"

To ensure someone could be present inside, King George V calls out her name once.

"........"

After ten seconds of waiting, not a single response in the air, so King George V stretches out her hand. A slight push from her fingertips is enough to further push the door open, revealing Tirpitz herself isn't in the room.

"Hmm?"

King George V scans the room left to right, and the only noticeable or at least out of place is a piece of paper in the middle of the desk.

"A letter?"

Usually, King George V wouldn't just barge in someone's room without permission, but the air is ominous and her instinct causes her heart to race.

"Something isn't right here..."

King George V shakes her head and slaps her cheeks, ignoring the tension wrapping around her neck and chest. She hurriedly marches inside to quickly reach the letter as fast as possible. Since no one should enter someone's room, King George V immediately goes towards the desk and reaches for the neatly placed letter different from what Tirpitz has initially written.

"Wha-?!"

The second King George V carefully picks up the paper and scans the words from the start, she realizes the context even after reading only halfway through.

"Tirpitz, you bloody idiot!"

King George V nearly crumples the paper in her hand if it isn't for her self-control. She takes several deep breaths shortly before she furiously storms out of the room.

Briefing room......

Bismarck lays out a map flat on top of a table and circles three certain locations with a black marker.

"Is this everything we have gathered so far?" Friedrich der Grosse tilts her head in curiosity
"The Wolfpack did their best to narrow down the locations for us. It was five the other day, remember?"

Bismarck points at each of the three locations, all of which are distant and supposedly uninhabited islands.

"Once we track down where Victorious META is hiding, Tirpitz META is willing to rest in peace" Bismarck takes a deep breath
"How sure are we that Tirpitz META will just vanish after getting her revenge?" Friedrich der Grosse doesn't trust the ghost
"Her hatred stems from being resurrected against her will. Since she is also Tirpitz, I trust her that doesn't lie with her only wish" Bismarck confidently answers
"You're such a soft big sister to Tirpitz - even if it's the vengeful dead META we're talking about"

Since Bismarck is firm with her decision, Friedrich der Grosse only sighs in reluctance acceptance. It's nearly impossible to sway or budge Bismarck once she has decided after all.

"Once Tirpitz is back, I'll have to work on repairing our severed relationship" Bismarck takes a deep breath
"My~ What a wholesome intention"

Friedrich der Grosse couldn't resist smiling widely with her hands pressing both of her cheeks.

"I may be the leader responsible for countless ships under my command.....but I only have one younger sister" Bismarck places her hands in the edges of the table and lowers her head
"To think it only took attempted murder from Tirpitz a year ago for you to realize you must fix what you broke" Friedrich der Grosse giggles
"We're getting off topic. Our objective is to pinpoint Victorious META and corner her with no means of escape this time"

Bismarck clears her throat and takes the piled photos from the side and scatters it in the middle of the map. As usual, she's not the best at expressing her inner thoughts most likely due to her stubborn and prideful nature. More importantly, the topic is getting awkward the more Friedrich der Grosse mentions the past.

"Bismarck!"

Their discussion is immediately cut short when King George V slams the door open and her sudden shouting genuinely startles Bismarck for a second.

"My, oh my~ It's rude to enter without knocking. Let alone, yelling all of a sudden" Friedrich der Grosse's expression darkens
"What's wrong?" Bismarck notices the panic in her expression
"Your bloody sister went to confront Victorious META herself!"

King George V angrily storms inside and slams the partially crumpled paper in the middle between the two Iron Blood battleships.

"What?!" Bismarck immediately grabs the paper

The paper is clearly written by Tirpitz the moment she gets a view of the whole letter. In it is Tirpitz apologizing for making the decision as the opening of the letter.

First of all, I would like to apologize for making a selfish and sudden decision
By the time you're reading this, I've left the base to confront her myself
Although you wish to support me, this is what we both thoroughly decided
The only way to end this is for Victorious META to fall at my hands
It will come to a confrontation between us, so I must solve this myself
That ghost doesn't want any interference we decided to keep this decision
There's no telling if I might make it out alive by the time the smoke settles
So at least this way, if I end up losing by any chance, no one has to witness it
I know Victorious would be upset and curse me for doing this on my own
If she manages to reach me in time, I wouldn't mind taking a beating from her
If it ends intended, I would have a lot to explain and answer to her
Not just Victorious, but to you. You have the right to understand why I made such a decision.

This body has taken too much damage, so the only way to save it is to free the dead META. She will have to intake the fragment Victorious META synchronized with. That means effectively eating her in the process.

"......"

Bismarck lowers her gaze at the paper, seeing coordinates at the bottom. Upon reading most of the selected contents, Bismarck takes a deep breath and gently puts the paper back on the table.

"The Northern sea......"

The coordinates are written in numbers and it only takes seconds for Bismarck to pinpoint the exact location. She presses her index finger on the exact spot on the map, a small island off north.

"Call Prinz Eugen, Mainz, Graf Zeppelin, Peter Strausser, and Odin. Have them be prepared to sail in twenty minutes. I'm dragging back my sister" Bismarck calmly orders Friedrich der Grosse

Unlike her usual tone, Bismarck's tone is mostly emotionless yet deep. It's how she suppresses her intense emotions. As for the current situation, she's infuriated at Tirpitz running towards her death without telling anyone.....until it's too late.

"I'll have to inform Victorious and Alabama. Those two would chase Tirpitz without your offer anyway" King George V massages her temples
"If Victorious META doesn't kill Tirpitz META, I'm killing that ghost myself" Bismarck takes another deep breath
"Hmm....."

King George V wants to point out how a ghost means a deceased individual, but Bismarck is too upset at Tirpitz's suicidal tendencies that she wouldn't take the slightest nonsense.

Island at the Northern sea.....

Tirpitz gazes up at the unnatural snowstorm surrounding a large area of the sea. Due to its nature, she's completely unaffected by it, but her eyes return to stare at the two figures in front of her.

"I can't believe she guessed you'd go barging on your own right now" Scharnhorst META pants
"Don't do this, Tirpitz. You know how this ends" Gneisenau META tries reason with her
"I'm sorry, but I don't have much time left. Before this body gives out from the excessive strain, I have to end this" Tirpitz shakes her head

The two METAs aren't preparing themselves to engage Tirpitz in combat, especially that Tirpitz herself doesn't have the least intention of using force against them.

"You don't have to worry about me. I have to finish this myself, or this ghost won't die on her own" Tirpitz explains to them
"Tirpitz, you know this is suicide" Scharnhorst META steps forward
"I know. As much as I despise pointless bloodshed, the only way to end this is to sink Victorious META" Tirpitz continues to be stubborn
"Whose freedom are you trying to achieve?" Gneisenau META steps forward as well
"For the both of us"

Tirpitz faintly smiles for a second, remaining sure of her decision from her short answer alone.

"The Arbiter didn't ask you to go this far, right? I know there's only one person who can convince you two to go to such lengths to get in the way" Tirpitz META stares at them with certainty
"If you know, then....." Gneisenau META couldn't continue
"You're just like her - META or not" Scharnhorst META grunts again
"If you understand, then grant me this one last opportunity of freedom" Tirpitz META is about to move past the two
"This isn't freedom, you know. It's just.....another tragedy" Scharnhorst META frowns
"It will still be me. As long as I continue to exist, I will accept whatever outcome awaits me"

Tirpitz sails past them and the two don't budge from their spot if their instincts are commanding them to stop her from leaving.

"Whatever started with us, ends with us......"

Minutes after leaving the two METAs and losing sight of them within the low visibility of the snowstorm. She couldn't tell if she's either too far or they just left on their own because she doesn't dare to stop for a moment and look back.

"......right, old friend?"

Tirpitz's eyes brightly glow within the snowstorm and her demeanor changes that of Tirpitz META. The figure she thought she would need to search appears before her, on her own accord.

"....."

The other METAs of the Royal navy aren't there with her. Victorious META faces Tirpitz META alone with the wisdom cube fragment still floating on her head.

"In the end, you realized you're the one who has to let go. If only I could have spared you from this fate myself......"

A spectator of a kansen observes the two from a distance alongside a drone proxy of an Arbiter circling above her. Her downward gaze is filled with sorrow and her tone laments at forcing to accept reality.

________________________________________________________________

Chapter 30: Death Begets Life (?)

Tirpitz META decides to confront Victorious META once and for all, not wanting to risk destruction of her host body. As two old friends, decides the victor through death, Victorious rushes herself in fear of Tirpitz repeating the META's mistake and setting the tragedy's course in action.

However, Tirpitz made that decision to avoid such fate.....

Chapter Text

What  happened to those days......?

Back then, my thoughts are usually to myself......until you came along. From time to time, I find myself letting these thoughts free and voicing them out to you. You may not understand all of my dilemmas and bitterness, but you're always there to listen.

"Tirpitz......" Victorious calls out my name

Unable to coexist with my metamorphosis, my abilities caused a negative reaction to my surroundings as if it's answering my subconscious thoughts.

"What did you do to me?!"

I'm still alive back then, before becoming a vengeful ghost, but I already bear resentment toward Bismarck who pressured and tricked me into making me undergo metamorphosis. I hated her so badly, that my mind went blank and everything......suddenly silent.

"......."

By the time I realized this, I succumbed to blind rage and damaged everything within my reach. Bismarck nearly lost her left arm from the direct hit of my subzero temperature. Expectedly, I didn't regret letting her know what I feel......yet I ended up turning away and fleeing without a second thought.

I just keep running.

It's strange. No matter how much I want to despise her, the thought of her still being my older sister crosses my mind. Every time that happens, my bitterness and grudge subside.

It always happens.......

My heart cools down not because of my ability but at the thought I couldn't sense malice from Bismarck.

She has no bad intentions.

That's what keeps echoing in my mind. Everything Bismarck does is what she believes is for the best, but her motivation and interest are narrow to her goals. I'm not that ignorant and stupid, but I ended up blaming my nation and fled like a coward.

"......So you're here after all. I knew it"

It's been days....or weeks, but only Victorious managed to successfully track me down. How can she find me before the wolves sniff me out? Is it out of instinct or intuition? Whatever the case, she's all alone.

"Tirpitz....."

Before I say anything, Victorious gently calls my name again while I just holed up in the farthest north where there's nothing but snow and icebergs for miles. The ice surrounding me isn't from this frozen land but from my own. Even so, she steps barefoot without flinching or being harmed. I don't hate her or see her as an enemy, so this ice capable of freezing molecules couldn't touch her skin.

"It's alright" Victorious sits on her knees in front of me
"It's not" I couldn't look at her
"They say you lost control, but you just made that excuse"
"I don't know nor do I care......"

I just sit here not caring about my frozen surroundings while Victorious sits in front of me. She holds my hands emitting extremely low temperature and gently squeezes them between her two palms. Again, Victorious is completely unaffected by the side effects of my metamorphosis.

"META or not, my Tirpitz never changed from being a suicidal blockhead" Victorious gently pulls my hands close to her lap
".......Just go home already"

Ever since my metamorphosis, my mood and perspective aren't the same as my usual distant and indifferent self. I would now just tell anyone to "Get lost" no matter who they are, but my behavior becomes passive on its own when it comes to Victorious. My voice is soft no matter how much I try to shout at her and I can't even tell her to go away.

"Not without you" Victorious shakes her head
"Stop being stubborn. It's getting annoying....."
"You're the stubborn one, you icy blockhead!" Victorious scolds me
"......."
"Tirpitz, stop freezing your heart. You're not a walking popsicle, you know"

I keep forgetting how quickly she tends to catch on to my habits. She's right about what I'm doing right now. I'm suppressing myself, so I wouldn't be bothered by persistent emotions like confusion and regret. What I want is just to be myself without making effort for someone else or anything.

"I just want to be at peace. Whether it be life and.....at my inevitable death"

It's the first time I realized I just want to live on my terms and die on my terms. For once, I don't want anyone to decide for me with how Iron Blood decided for me from the beginning. They're the ones who forced me into a life of solitude and bear this troublesome power.

"Is it what you want or is it what you only believe?" Victorious tilts her head
"......" I raise my head out of curiosity
"Tirpitz, you never thoroughly think about your desires......because you've become used to being apathetic. This conflict out in the open seas and Iron Blood rendered you numb.....so your mind won't collapse"

Although I'm usually glad Victorious can distinguish the emotions in my words, sometimes I despise how perceptive she is. We've spent a long time together and fought together that she memorized even my minimal tendencies.

"If there's anything I want more than anything in the world, then......."

My initial wish is to die in a blaze of glory like any warrior desires, but that's not really what I want. Dying on my terms isn't my endgame either. Well, I would die sooner or later, but what I truly seek is not death.....but something simple and perhaps close to wishful thinking.

.........
.........
.........

The air clears of snow every time the sound of explosions ring and scatters in the air. It's the combination of battleship shells exploding, and dive bombers being swatted off the sky. Only the sound of flying shells whistling in the air and the whirring of aircraft overwhelms the howling snowstorm. Due to the power originally belonging to Tirpitz META, their area is mostly cleared out of hindering snowstorm.

"You came here yourself but you risk both of you disappearing!"

Victorious META angrily swings her right hand, commanding the aircraft to swarm over Tirpitz META who reduced the damages using the freezing air around her.

"You're the only one who's going to disappear!" I shout back at her

She's expending as many aircraft as she needs this time. Unlike before, she has no full control over the fragment in her possession, but it's still providing protection. This time, I'm serious about our battle because I truly intend to let this be the last.

"You're going this far even if it's not for her best....." Tirpitz speaks to Victorious META

Within the stretching landscape of endless snow, Tirpitz and Victorious META stare at a nearby frozen lake. Winter has subsided, so the blizzard falls silent in the process.

"Tirpitz has always been a gentle and caring person. That's why even as a vengeful ghost, she didn't want to destroy your ego and incarnate in your body" Victorious META sighs
"That's why you're doing it for her instead......"
"She understands that, so she's disappointed and upset with my selfishness. What choice do I have?"
"There's always another choice. You just gave up halfway through" Tirpitz shakes her head
"You're still young in terms of experience. Perhaps Bismarck pampered you in her ways. There will always be a time where you won't have a choice" Victorious META clenches both of her fists
"......."
"I'll die to accomplish my goal, Tirpitz. Even if it means a horrible death awaits me, I'll do whatever it takes to win and grant her wish"

The cheerful and energetic Victorious that she always knows is the complete opposite of the META standing beside her. That version of Victorious has become pessimistic and somewhat self-destructive. Victorious META has given up on herself, so she has little to no self-preservation left.

"Is that wish worth dying for?" Tirpitz only questions her
"Yes. This is what I have chosen......" Victorious META immediately confirms
"You don't care whether she forgives you, do you"
"I deserve to be loathed by her. Even if she curses me after I die, I'll still smile at her"
"......." Tirpitz falls silent

There's no need for Tirpitz to further confirm because Victorious META is truly certain about her goals. She's more than glad that she could and might die in the current confrontation with Tirpitz META.

"Don't bear a grudge against your Victorious. I used her to lower your guard because you trusted her. Even if you became distant and indifferent to the world, you remained attached to her"! Victorious META softly requests
"That's why you know it'll affect me if she betrays me....."
"I did try to help you remember warmth, but most of you are gone" Victorious META lowers her head
"Most. There's a bit of me that returned, but....."
"That's how far it will go. The Tirpitz who found warmth from a friend will never return"
"Yes. Even if you reassemble a broken plate, some bits will be lost forever" Tirpitz closes her eyes for a moment

She has come to accept the possibility of remaining incomplete, but she faintly smiles for a split second, reluctantly accepting how a piece of her at least returned.

"We initially hated each other because Tirpitz META wanted revenge while I wanted to die. Sharing the same body with her made me unwillingly peer into her perspective and vice versa" Tirpitz confesses her inner thoughts
"What did you gain?"
"Tirpitz META chose to die because it's the easy way out. At some point she came to a dead end and didn't struggle for another way. I think it's because Tirpitz META knew she was already exhausted.....and came to accept her fate"

In Tirpitz's perspective, she would imagine Tirpitz META facing a war-torn sea with an expression twisting in lament and sorrow. Her eyes gaze afar, but there's only thick black smoke and floating shipwreck.

"Being denied at a peaceful end corrupted her personality. That was the vengeful and frustrated ghost living in me. To think she cried and clawed her skin when she remembered peace" Tirpitz shakes her head
"Huh. She remembered we were once friends. That I was her emotional support and I motivated her to keep on fighting......"

Victorious META bitterly smiles at herself, knowing Tirpitz META witnessed the similar life she once had before undergoing metamorphosis.

"Tirpitz META will choose to put both of us to rest. So long as we both exist, we will continue to interfere with your life and repeat the mistake" Victorious META casually smiles
"To go this far. Victorious META, you....." Tirpitz doesn't want to repeat herself
"My Tirpitz is the most important friend I have after all" Victorious META warmly smiles
"......." Tirpitz widens her eyes in silence

Even with the drastic personality change, Tirpitz sees her friend in Victorious META.  It genuinely surprises her that the original Victorious still lingers within the equally suicidal Victorious META. Tirpitz couldn't deny that warm and confident smile as the one she always treasures the most.

"You won't have the opportunity to apologize to your Victorious, so I'll just have to do it in your stead. My Tirpitz wouldn't apologize out of pride" Victorious META faintly chuckles
"Do as you wish....." Tirpitz lightly sighs
"You know, I really wish it didn't have to be this way......"

Just as Victorious META sorrowfully confesses one of her regrets, the sound of aircraft exploding midair and helplessly crashing in flames beneath the freezing water snaps her back to reality.

"You just won't budge at all!"

Every highly explosive bomb and the shock of torpedoes directly strike Tirpitz META, the freezing air, and solid ice break. Just before she can land a follow-up assault on the shattered area, Tirpitz META would simply regain her full protection in mere seconds. It frustrates Victorious META it's no different from an endlessly regenerating block of ice.

"I don't want to live this way, Victorious. You know I'd be miserable for the rest of my life. Why can't you just let me rest in peace?"

A single swipe of her right hand and the freezing air shut the engine and blade of the incoming dive bomber aircraft. Some of the aircraft shatter in bits as they helplessly fall from the sky while the others only lose some pieces as they crash.

"Kkh!"

Fighter aircraft catches her off guard from behind. In the last second of defense, Tirpitz META shields her face with her forearm. Although the rapidly firing bullets hit her, they shatter upon impact on her skin.

"You wanted to live, so I'm doing everything I can to accomplish that. Since you're too soft to destroy her life, I'll do it myself!"
"Unlike you, I know when to stop. Rather than struggle pointlessly, I learned to accept how it is"
"That's just being weak-willed because you chose the easy way out without considering how it will affect others. You're as selfish as I am!"

Victorious META couldn't hold back her frustration and yells at the top of her lungs. With a swing of her hand and a dive bomber squadron swarm above Tirpitz like savage vultures.

"Why did you have to die in front of me? It's because you couldn't even kill yourself without the inconvenience that I'm this frustrated at you!" Victorious META continues to berate her
"......."

Tirpitz META lets her voice out her frustrations while sliding away from torpedo bombers on both sides. One torpedo narrowly misses her left foot by a few centimeters, making her heart stop for a moment. After a few seconds of distraction, Tirpitz META realizes the dive bombers are in position.

"Nngh!"

Anti-aircraft guns tears through two dive bombing aircraft, sending them into a fiery explosion and being swallowed by black smoke. Since not all pesky aircraft could be rid of, Tirpitz META concentrates on freezing air above her and shields her head with her left forearm.

"........!"

The sound of repeated explosions echoes even from a distance, just enough for a hurriedly approaching Victorious to overhear muffled explosions.

"Idiot! Don't just rush by yourself. There's a blizzard, you know" Alabama catches up to her
"Tirpitz......is fighting by herself. If I let her be, she'd take out both Victorious META and herself" Victorious begins to panic
"I know that, but you'd get shredded if you try to get in between them" Alabama grabs both of her shoulders
"Alabama has a point. You mustn't rush without thinking of the dangers ahead"

Bismarck and other Iron Blood ships arrive, observing the blizzard ahead. Even they could overhear the muffled explosions from dive bombers landing a direct hit and shells.

"Aircraft can't go past that barrier. It's a clear indication they don't want any interference" Peter Strausser shakes her head in dismay
"Even if we manage to reach them, how do you intend to stop them? Most likely, Tirpitz META is the one fighting" Graf Zeppelin frowns looking at the blizzard
"I'm guessing they'd shoot anyone on sight" Prinz Eugen chuckles
"I still have to interfere. If Tirpitz META intends to settle this one last time, Tirpitz's body might not withstand the fighting"

Bismarck clenches her right fist, concerned yet cautious of Tirpitz's current state. They don't know how long the fighting has been going on or what state Tirpitz's body is currently in.

"I get it you want to stop Tirpitz, but they're fighting to the death" Graf Zeppelin looks afar
"Should I blast it with Herteitr's Rolling Thunder?" Odin raises her hand
"Not an option" Graf Zeppelin answers
"This is quite troublesome. They made sure no one can interfere in their duel" Peter Strausser lightly grunts
"If we keep waiting, it might be too late....."
"Then how do we get in there? Barging in might get you shredded" Alabama scratches her head
"I don't think that would stop her...." Prinz Eugen points in the direction of the blizzard
"Whaaaa!" Alabama shakes her head in extreme shock

Victorious, who is supposedly sitting beside her, is now rushing toward the direction where the two METAs continue to clash.

"Victorious-" Alabama tries to follow after her
"Don't" Bismarck grabs her shoulder
"Bismarck?! She'd get herself killed stopping two suicidal idiots"
"Other than me, Victorious is unharmed by the META's blizzard. It's an instinct just like how I could withstand it a year ago"
"Bismarck......" Alabama partially calms down
"Victorious aside, King George V snuck out earlier, you know?" Prinz Eugen turns around

Peter Strausser sneaks a glance, her sharp gaze more displeased at the missing knight than the reckless aircraft carrier.

"Eugen and Graf Zeppelin with me. Alabama you're with me as well. Strausser, you lead and try to pinpoint any vulnerable spot to strike it without restraint " Bismarck moves forward
"You're going after that carrier" Odin raises an eyebrow
"If Victorious can open a path on her side, then I will take that chance. I intend to directly interfere with their conflict"
"Two suicidal METAs and two more suicidal not-METAs" Prinz Eugen whispers to herself and chuckles
"Take this seriously, Eugen" Peter Strausser gently reminds her
"I am. It's just that Bismarck shouldn't expect this to end peacefully. A dead META possessing her sister rushed with a genuine death wish. Neither is going to stop until one of them dies"

Prinz Eugen stares pitifully at the raging blizzard in front and all around them. Her quiet stare has her thinking that the blizzard is meant to force out any interference rather than protect herself, a META who seeks death alongside the source of her bitterness.

Meanwhile......

Renown and Repulse META stare at each other in awkward silence while Hunter META blinks in confusion and is nearly dumbfounded.

"Haa.....haa....." King George V heavily pants

The knight's uniform and cape that symbolizes her status and glory, much like a lion displaying its main, is both slashed and torn from what's clearly a struggle. As for her saber, it's chipped and cracked. Struggling further would shatter it completely and risk further harm to herself.

"You strayed away from Bismarck and the others trying to get inside yourself. What are you up to?" Hunter META speaks first
"My intention, you ask? It's to prevent casualties before it's too late. This is something I must do separately from Iron Blood"

Despite the visible injuries, King George V wipes away the dirt on her cheek with the side of her index finger. As the proud and valiant knight she is, she straightens herself and lifts her visibly damaged blade, insisting on struggling further.

"Hey, she's serious....for real" Repulse META whispers to her sister
"We can't fight her, but she won't back down" Renown META is troubled by her stubbornness
"So long as she remains breathing, there's no problem, right?"

Annoyed and impatient since the two other two are reluctant to push back a wounded King George V, Hunter META loads her sniper rifle and points right at the battleship's knees.

"Hey, hey, you're serious about shooting her?!" Repulse META flails her arms
"I'm forcing her to stop in her tracks. If words are useless, then we'll settle it in a practical way" Hunter META is certain about her decision
"Why are you hindering us? You're allowing your comrade to die"
"This is what she chose since the beginning. At the very least, stopping uninvited guests is the least we can do" Repulse META frowns
"You're wasting your time with me. Bismarck and the others will reach Tirpitz first" King George V smiles confidently
"They won't make it in time, but you're a different case" Renown META responds this time
"You're smart for a knight. Before they could reach Tirpitz, you'd find your way in and interrupt them" Hunter META adds
"......."
"I don't find pleasure in taking advantage of injured prey. That's why you shouldn't make me waste a good bullet to force you into permanent retirement"
(She might land a permanent injury on my legs, but they won't let me pass no matter what happens)

King George V isn't ready to risk her career and duty as a proud knight, so she couldn't move an inch. Hunter META's unrelenting glare is locked towards her alone, so she could guess she wouldn't hesitate to shoot her if it means stopping her.

"Huh?" King George V hears a faint whistle in the distance
"Them again.......No, this is different" Hunter META lowers her rifle
"Oh boy......" Repulse META moves back a few meters
"........?!"

Right before she could react in time, King George V could only widen her eyes in silence as several highly explosive shells pierce through the air and snow, landing two direct hits on her while the rest completely misses.

"Nngh....."

The raw power directly hitting her immediately sends her nearly collapsing on the surface water. King George V remains conscious enough to keep her chest from the water by pushing her forearm on the surface even if her knees have succumbed.

"That's one way to tell someone to back off" Renown META scoffs
"It's effective though. I didn't have to waste a bullet on something trivial" Hunter META immediately accepts it
"Still, I didn't think, she, of all people, would show up" Repulse META tilts her head
(She? There's someone else?) King George V thinks to herself
"If someone like her had to interfere, then the ending is settled then?" Renown META looks at Hunter META
"Until this blizzard subsides, we must witness what they will choose"

Hunter META turns around but still carries her rifle near her with the finger away from the trigger. She lowers her guard not because she's relaxed but because the situation has robbed her of further interest or anything requiring her effort.

Inside the blizzard......

Victorious META moves two meters back while covering her bleeding forehead and briefly observing her damaged flight deck. She has expended more than half of her strength, but her opponent is still standing with enough energy to drag on their battle as far as she desires.

"Why can't you just sacrifice one version of yourself? There are countless timelines out there, so why value someone who's already dead?"

Victorious META lowers her hand, unfazed by how much blood stained all corners of her palm and fingertips. Blood continued to flow out the left side of her head and drip from her chin, but physical pain is nothing compared to her extreme frustration.

"Just stop already!" Victorious META screams

She twists left and right dodging the rain of shells directed toward her. One is about to land a direct hit, but she swings the back of her hand in an act of desperation to defend herself. Just as she manages to deflect the shell at the cost of scalding her skin and numbing her hand, the wound on her left side spills more blood.

"This version of me was happy until a year ago. I realized this timeline is close to ours, so Tirpitz META would exist here as well. Another failed 'me' whose incomplete transformation would claw at her with anguish and madness" Tirpitz META holds the gaping tear right near her neck
"......."
"Imagine being rendered a pitiful animal lashing out at everything, unable to die because of survival instinct. To only march forward until their last breath" Tirpitz META then stares at the tear on her right forearm
"That's how you see yourself, huh" Victorious META takes a deep breath
"My body couldn't adapt to the rapid metamorphosis, so it left me in a state of constantly recovering. Why do you think I wanted to die so badly?" Tirpitz META couldn't smile
"All this time, you ran out of options and gave up entirely. You thick icy blockhead.....you chose the easy way out after all......"

Seething in both rage and frustration, Victorious META bites her lower lip and tightly clenches both her fists so that blood seeps out between her fingers.

"Bismarck was warned I wasn't ready to undergo the experimental method, but I took the risk because I thought I don't care anymore.....but......I was proven wrong like a slap in the face......"

Tirpitz META lowers her head and stares at her shaking hands with deep cuts and tears on her body part, gritting her teeth in self-loathing.

"That's why I'll put myself out of misery for good....and you with it!" Tirpitz META prepares to attack again
"Our fate is inevitable, huh......"

Victorious META tightly holds her partially numb arm and it doesn't need any gestures from her for the aircraft to launch.

"Grr!"

Tirpitz META opens fire at the same time. Just as the shells fly in the air and one fighter narrowly misses a shell as it shifts its body diagonally.

".......!"

Bullets pierce through some of the shells and one of them narrowly misses Tirpitz META's head. Instead, it only manages to wound her left eye as Tirpitz META lightly slides her body to the side. It may be just a wound, but the wound is enough to damage not only the skin but her eye as well, rendering her right eye the only functional eye left.

"You-!"

This doesn't Tirpitz META who rushes through the countless bullets and swarm of dive bombers. It costs her bullet holes in her right arm and shoulders, but Tirpitz META manages to grab Victorious META by the face.

"You and I will put this grudge to rest once and for all!" Tirpitz META shouts

Using her wounded right hand, Tirpitz META pulls the arm back and forms a shard of pointed ice at her fingertips, targeting Victorious META's heart.

"Damn it! You really.....will give up everything just for this chance"

At that moment, Victorious META's thoughts flash an image not from her imagination but from her memory instead. It's Tirpitz META before her metamorphosis - the exact memory of when she dragged her by the sleeve when the stubborn ice queen refused to enjoy the beach.

"Yes. This should......end with us......to put this struggle to rest for good......"

Victorious META does the same by summoning the wisdom cube fragment at her fingertips and preparing to unleash an energy of pure chill much like a condensed blast.

"Tirpitz!"

A moment of peace overwhelms the two in the next five seconds of their conflict. They both reach each other at the same time, striking right where they intend it to be.

"......"

A blade of ice pierces through Tirpitz META's heart and out to her back, landing a sure mortal thrust to her vital spot. As for Tirpitz META's attack, the attack reaching the core causes her to disperse her construct. In the end, she resorts to piercing her hand right to Victorious META's chest, destroying her heart as well.

"......." Victorious META gladly embraces her
"......Idiot" Tirpitz META sighs
"You should know giving my life to you.....is the greatest joy I could dream of"
"So wished to be killed by me. What's....wrong with you?"
"I should ask the same thing......"

Victorious META gently wraps her arm around Tirpitz META even if the latter's hand pierces right out of her chest. Neither has yet to fall and rest for eternity, but they continue to stand and speak with each other.

"Now you have achieved your revenge, nothing is holding you back, anymore.....right?" Victorious META faintly smiles
"Yes......"
"There's no other choice, so you wanted to end everything. You don't want to close this story like a sane person would do. Instead, you tossed and burned the entire thing.....right here"
".....Yes"

Tirpitz META repeats her response and pulls out her arm from Victorious META's chest, exposing the visible hole of her final and mortal blow to serve as their conclusion.

"I would gladly meet my end at your hands. It's all I ever wanted.....ever since you chose revenge" Victorious META embraces her with both hands
"You don't have to repeat it......" Tirpitz META faintly sighs
"I wanted to at least cherish our only moment of peace......before you devour me after all"
"......."
"Aaah.....I wanted to live a little longer, but this isn't such a bad thing. I get to fulfill my promise in the end" Victorious META weakly laughs
"......."

Tirpitz META has little strength left with her heart destroyed and the fragment where her consciousness resides....is broken in half from the strain of the battle. Still, she remains conscious and breathing much like Victorious META.

"I wanted to apologize to the Victorious here for everything I did. Not just for using her but letting you choose this end......but I'm sure she will have to accept reality in the future"
"......Perhaps" Tirpitz META has little strength for long replies
"Take care of her.....so she wouldn't repeat my mistake"
"That's......"

Tirpitz META couldn't accept or reject her request. Instead, she weakly moves her arms and gently wraps them around Victorious even with a sword still stuck in her chest.

"Hopefully, I would be a worthy sustenance for the future to come"

Victorious META just leans on Tirpitz META, fully embracing her without any resistance. She's in complete bliss, spending the last few minutes of her existence openly hoping sir could be of use as if it's her way to atone for her selfishness.

.........

At the same time, Victorious shields her eyes with her right arm, forcing herself into the blizzard pushing her back. The temperature doesn't affect her, but the wind pressure is keeping her from rushing to interrupt the battle.

"Victorious!" Alabama calls out to her but she's far too behind
"......" Bismarck forces her way
"B-Bismarck?!" Alabama shakes her head and blinks several times

Just like Victorious, the wind pressure is forcing her back and delaying her further. Unlike Alabama who can barely move a meter in two minutes, Bismarck musters every ounce of her physical strength to lessen the distance between her and Victorious.

"Victorious-" Bismarck shouts at the top of her lungs
"I must.....get there.....in time....." Victorious couldn't hear anyone

The wind howling and whistling drowns out anyone's voice and any noise, so she could only focus on stopping Tirpitz META from killing both herself and Victorious META.

"I can't lose her.....no matter what......" Victorious' heart races
"Victorious!" Bismarck tries calling her out

Even if Bismarck is slowly lessening the distance between her and Victorious, her voice is still not enough to reach her.

"Damn it!"

The sudden yet brief increase in wind pressure pushes back Bismarck by two steps while Victorious slowly disappears from her view.

"Tirpitz!"

The view is still unclear, but Victorious calls out in desperation at the smallest chance her friend would hear and pause even for just a few seconds. Tirpitz has always stopped to look at her, so she believes Tirpitz would be altered by her presence.

.......

Victorious strongly believes Tirpitz would consider if she's present, but after struggling to push the wind from forcing her back, her ears catch the sudden silence within the center of the blizzard.

"......."

It's completely peaceful and there's little snow and wind hindering her. Silence fills the air because the instant she catches a glimpse of the light, her lips part but couldn't utter a single word.

"......."

The two ships in front of her couldn't utter a word. Neither of those two ships notices her presence in the slightest.

"Tir.....pitz....." Victorious blinks several times
"......." Tirpitz META doesn't say anything
"......" Victorious META is the same

The utter shock renders Victorious speechless and her shaking knees instantly meet the surface water. What unfolds in front of her is Tirpitz META piercing a hole in Victorious META's chest with her bare hands and Victorious META thrusting a blade of ice into Tirpitz META's heart.

"......You're warm....." Victorious META embraces her

Some areas of Victorious META's body begin to crack from her leg to her cheeks. Blue particles from her destroyed wisdom cube evaporate from those cracks and escape in the air only to vanish shortly after it leaves her body.

"I'm sorry for everything I did. I caused so much trouble and pain for you and your friend, but.......I don't regret anything" Victorious META looks at her normal version
"You....." Victorious is finally able to say a word
"Don't look at me like that. I didn't do anything on a whim. Even dying right now is something I chose for myself. That's why I don't feel bad meeting my end here.....because a part of me will still live on...."

Victorious META slowly loosens her arms around Tirpitz META and takes at least two steps away from her. Her lips couldn't loosen her blissful and warm smile - truly embracing her fate with open arms.

"I came to accept reality and my fate a long time ago. I wish you could do the same in the future....." Victorious META briefly looks at her disintegrating hands
"Victorious!" Bismarck manages to push herself out of the blizzard
"You didn't make it in time.....but everything's settled the way you want to believe it"

In mere seconds, most of Victorious META's left arm and her right hand have both disintegrated.

"You wished to die a sinner" Bismarck frowns
"It is my fate" Victorious META continues to smile
"Not even speaking to ur regret......"
"I don't regret anything. To die right now is my greatest joy.....and the only way to quell her desire for revenge"

The left side of Victorious META's face fades into nothingness, leaving her at least three minutes or so from completely vanishing from existence.

"Bismarck, it was painful to accept the path of selfishness and a sinner, but I was willing to endure it all for my friend. Just as you would give your life for Iron Blood, I would disgrace myself for the happiness of my friend. That's all there is to it......" Victorious META gazes at the sky
"I won't become like you. At the very least, you taught me to never become you....." Victorious steps forward
"Hahaha.....I'm glad I won't have to worry about making a sinner in this timeline"
"Still....I hope you find peace in death. You've suffered as much as Tirpitz META" Victorious shows compassion in the last moment
"That's right. I was.....once like you. Someone who tried to see goodness in everyone. That's why I know......Tirpitz is a kind and gentle person......so I wanted her to have a friend....."

Victorious META keeps gazing at the sky with faint sunlight peeking through the thick clouds. As she's at peace with everything, she slowly closes her eyes as the rest of her body breaks apart and disappears in mere seconds.

"......"

In her last moment of consciousness, Victorious META takes a deep sigh of relief, finding content that she offered what's left of her for Tirpitz META. At the very least, in her final moments, Victorious META sheds a single tear in her right eye as she remembers the exact moment Tirpitz META learns to smile and her hugging Tirpitz META out of sudden joy. After everything, she treasured the memory as she completely vanishes from the world.

"Your story came to an end. As for me......" Tirpitz removed the sword lodged in her chest

The bright glow in Tirpitz's eyes faintly dies out, making it the regular version speaking this time. She looks at her sister and friend, somewhat speechless at their enemy finding peace in death, satisfied dying as a "sinner" just to fulfill her promise.

"I have faith.....you won't be like her. That's why....." Tirpitz begins to stagger
"Tirpitz!" Victorious rushes to catch her
"That's why I.....will always be on your side.....no matter what you choose....." Tirpitz gently embraces her
"......."
"Don't worry. I'll never leave you alone.....just as you were always there by my side. You.....are the first friend I've ever known" Tirpitz's vision begins to sway
"Don't talk anymore....." Victorious gently asks her
"I did my best to keep on living because I still have you. That's why......Tirpitz wouldn't die. I would keep on living......"
"......." Bismarck quietly listens
"Bismarck......no, sister, I did my best, didn't I?" Tirpitz gently smiles
"You certainly did....and I'm proud of you. That's why don't push yourself anymore....and leave the rest to us" Bismarck approaches her
"Is that so....."
"Yes. You fought with everything you've got and gave Victorious META peace in her final moments. My sister, you stood and fought with all your might. That's why you must always stand proud" Bismarck gently pats her on the back
"That's all I wanted to hear......"

Darkness creeps from the corner of Tirpitz's vision until not only her vision fades. She could hear them calling her name over and over again, but their voices drown out incoherent noises and her consciousness immediately shuts off everything.

(I couldn't hear her voice anymore......)

Just as Tirpitz is about to close her eyes, she thinks about the "other her" who falls completely silent. This only leads her to quietly think about whether she continues to exist or vanishes without properly saying farewell. Tirpitz could only think if the other one chooses to vanish without telling anyone as she finds satisfaction in ending her revenge and leaving the painful existence she's trapped in.

Two days later......

King George V, with a cast for her left arm and bandage covering her left eye, hands over the report to Queen Elizabeth. It's part of the process to directly report to her and she does so the moment she regains consciousness. Other than her, Prince of Wales and Howe stiffly stand behind their eldest sister.

"You should have let Howe or Wales submit the report" Queen Elizabeth pouts
"I cannot pass the responsibility to my sisters. As the one to personally witness it, I must detail the events myself" King George V shakes her head
"Her Majesty is naturally worried about your state. Iron Blood towed you back and they thought you stopped breathing. You had us extremely worried"

Belfast, who's faithfully standing beside Queen Elizabeth, personally expresses her worry, not just emphasizing the queen. Even now, King George V ignores her fresh wounds and sets back to work as soon as she can walk.

"You will have to spend the next two weeks on vacation leave" Queen Elizabeth points at her
"W-what?! B-but, your majesty" King George V nearly drops her jaw in surprise
"No excuses! You will have to fully recover before returning to your duties as a knight and a flagship"
"Please reconsider. There's still so much work to be done especially the trouble Duke of York caused while I was away" King George V nearly stutters
"I said no excuses! Your health is more important than your duty to me" Queen Elizabeth stomps her feet
"Orders are orders, dear sister" Howe sighs
"We don't want you to push yourself either" Prince of Wales nods
"I.....I....."

King George V wishes to protest further, but her loyalty and admiration for the queen keep her mostly quiet.

"You can rely on us, sister!" Howe gives a thumbs up
"Don't worry. We'll keep an eye on Duke of York while you're on vacation" Prince of Wales faintly smiles
"You two....."

It's expected the two would also wish for her to fully recover from her last battle before returning as the proud leader of the Royal Knights.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot to ask! Your report stated an unseen battleship dealt a blow that knocked you out" Queen Elizabeth snaps her fingers
"That's correct, your majesty. It was the firepower of a META, but she skillfully hid her presence" King George V immediately regains her calm and collected composure
"Iron Blood never found traces of this extra META as they all fled from the scene even before the blizzard vanished"
"The other METAs haven't appeared since. Considering, even Iron Blood didn't encounter them, they're less likely to be recuperating" King George V places her hand behind her back

Prince of Wales and Howe stare at each other in shared concern with the METAs helping Victorious META vanish without a trace and suddenly quiet. As Victorious META is more an ally than a leader, they know very well those METAs would act toward a different goal again.

"About Victorious....." King George V reluctantly asks
"Victorious wishes to extend her stay in Iron Blood. As she has a valid reason, I allowed her" Queen Elizabeth proudly puffs up her chest
"Her majesty admires the loyalty of a friend, so it's her way of saying she could stay until Tirpitz fully recovers" Belfast giggles
"B-Belfast!" Queen Elizabeth stomps and flails her arms
"I'm truly grateful for the queen's compassion and kindness"

King George V immediately bows even if her muscles and limbs are still sore from her unhealed injuries.

"A-anyway, I accept no slackers just because you and Victorious helped resolve the issue with Iron Blood" Queen Elizabeth clears her throat
"Your majesty, if you allow it, I would like to pay a visit to a friend while on mandatory vacation" King George V raises her head
"A friend? Of course, you're welcome to spend time with a friend! Such a thing needs no permission from your queen"
"Thank you"

As soon as King George V keeps on kneeling with her head lowered, Prince of Wales notices the one second of bitter sadness in her older sister's gentle smile. This puzzles her since King George V is suppressing her inner thoughts in the presence of the queen.

Iron Blood territory.......

Tirpitz only regained consciousness a few minutes ago, yet she's quick to flee from the room she's resting to sit by the beach near the base. On her hand is a letter initially folded into three and behind it is the envelope she opened it from.

"I'm going to get an earful from Bismarck once she finds out I escaped the infirmary, but it's not like I'm worried about that....."

The letter is her handwriting, and she continues to thoroughly word by word, cherishing the contents. While the wind gently blows past her, Tirpitz's focus is solely on the letter, so she couldn't detect the angry footsteps heading toward her.

"Tirpitz, you big dummy!"

Only now, Tirpitz raises her head and realizes Victorious is screaming at her running towards her at top speed that her undeniable chest rapidly bounces.

"Victorious......" Tirpitz tilts her head in curiosity

Before Victorious can reach her, Tirpitz immediately folds the letter she's only halfway through and inserts it back into the original envelope. She nearly panics at the thought Victorious would see at least a few words within the letter.

"I've been looking all over for you, but you snuck out of your room! You're supposed to rest!"
"Ah, right. You're Victorious....."
"Tirpitz? Is something wrong? You sounded like you don't know me....." Victorious swallows her breath
"Sorry about that. It's just that my memory has been foggy ever since I woke up....."
"T-thank goodness. For a moment, I thought you suddenly had amnesia. That would have broken my heart!" Victorious wipes the sweat off her forehead
"......"
"Don't scare me like that!" Victorious lightly hits her
"......."

Tirpitz's smile is rather bittersweet than a fond one, but her gaze remains focused on the nervously laughing Victorious while the left hand holding the letter is on her back.

"What's that?" Victorious quickly notices Tirpitz's arm
"It's nothing" Tirpitz takes a step back
"Let me have a look"
"I said it's nothing" Tirpitz grunts in annoyance
"......."

It's rare for Tirpitz to be visibly upset at Victorious, so the latter immediately shut her mouth and stops bothering her further. She gets intimidated quite easily and lowers her guard since Tirpitz usually doesn't react to her whims.

"A-anyhow, how are you feeling? The whole problem is solved. I mean your META version passed away in peace....but you still need to recover most of your lost emotions" Victorious fidgets
"I feel.....strange. I feel uneasy being quiet now that it's a bit lonely now....."
"Silly, icy blockhead. You're not lonely, you know. Besides, your popsicle of a condition is gone when the META vanished"

Victorious grabs and lifts Tirpitz's arms, but not before Tirpitz inserts the letter in her pocket. There's no restraint keeping her extremely low body temperature in check and squeezing her hands is now filled with warmth.

"My head still hurts a little, so I feel like there are gaps in my memories. I guess it's the side effect of suddenly losing an alternate version of me fused all this time" Tirpitz stares at the sky
"That's alright because you're still my Tirpitz!" Victorious places her hands on her waist and confidently grins
"Your Tirpitz....." Tirpitz forces a smile
"Her majesty said there's no rushing going back home, so I can stay as long as I'm needed here. That means I can be here for you and help you recover the missing parts of you" Victorious excitedly spins
"I keep forgetting that you're excitable and loud. I hope this won't change this time....."

Tirpitz gently pats her on the head several times, but she smiles fondly this time while Victorious tilts her head in mild confusion.

"Your mind is wandering again....." Victorious puffs her cheeks
"Sorry. Victorious META is gone for good......but I somehow miss her"
"Don't tell me you prefer her now" Victorious grabs Tirpitz's cape
"It's not that, so stop pulling my cape. I just can't forget how she completely changed because I chose the easy way out....."
"Whatever happens here won't be like our META versions. I don't want my Tirpitz to be a vengeful ghost and I certainly don't want to be a horrible person" Victorious lets go of the cape
"I know......"

While she's busy straightening the wrinkled part of the cape, Victorious furrows her eyebrows since she could easily notice Tirpitz being somewhat uneasy and solemn. The enemy has been defeated and Tirpitz is free from her condition, yet it appears Tirpitz hasn't fully moved on.

"Tirpitz, I want to avoid becoming like our META versions. That's why you have to promise me if you ever give up, don't try to hide away your suffering and get yourself killed in front of me" Victorious lifts her pinky finger
".....I promise to never make that mistake" Tirpitz grabs her pinky finger with hers

There are a few seconds of hesitation, but Tirpitz firmly makes her promise and goes along with the typical gesture of securing a promise with someone important.

"Great! Since I'm in a really good mood right now, I'll make us some tea" Victorious claps in glee
"......."
"Be sure to get back by three or I'm dragging you by the collar again!"

Victorious points at Tirpitz's face right before she turns away and excitedly hops from the scene, reflecting her usual childish joy and enthusiasm.

"Her experimental black tea.......tastes kind of gross though" Tirpitz softly laughs

As she's speaking from experience, Tirpitz shudders a bit remembering drinking every drop of the horrible tea to keep Victorious happy and couldn't taste anything for the next five days.

"If only it doesn't exist as a stored memory. Your memory......" Tirpitz's expression softens

Tirpitz drops her shoulders and carefully pulls out the mildly wrinkled letter from her pocket. She does what she can to straighten it with her hands and stops when she flips to the back.

"Fur me. Why would you ever write that.....? Still, I'll just read the rest back in the room before it gets damaged"

Rather than return it to her pocket, Tirpitz secures it within her hand as she walks away from the beach out of worry it might get a tear or be wrinkled further the next time she inserts it.