HyperDimension Neptunia - Across the Multiverse
A HyperDimension Neptunia Fanfic by Dumbrarere1
Prologue and Chapter 1 - An Emergency in Gamindustri
"So... what do we do about this?" Andrew Hawker asked. It has been three years since the end of the war against the Heaven's Bane Crime Syndicate, and Lastation's, Lowee's, Leanbox's, and Aurelius's shares had seen a recent, dramatic spike in the past hour, and the CPUs and CPU Candidates of those nations were behaving in a concerningly bizarre manner as a result.
"Histy, this is worrying. The way their shares spiked in the past hour is not normal. And neither is their strange behavior." Neptune whined. Even the cute, childish girl she was in her human form noticed something was wrong with the rapid increase in shares the other four nations were experiencing. Histoire thought for a second.
"Normally, I would say you're being paranoid, but I'd have to agree. Something is clearly wrong. However, there isn't much that I can think of that can be done, and thus I can only adopt a wait-and-see approach." Histoire suggested.
"Are you sure that's the best course of action?! Uni is acting strange and I've been feeling like I'm up to my neck in molten steel!" Noire complained as she walked in.
"What else can we do besides wait? We don't want to do anything that could hurt you guys." Histoire replied, an obvious look of worry on her face.
"What could hurt us more than this? Our share energy is going crazy! You do realize that if it continues to spike it could kill us, right?" Noire snapped back.
"Blanc is starting to act like a drunk, and Rom and Ram are asleep in odd places. This is worrying." Jacob said as he walked in. Blanc was close behind him, wobbling about with a thick blush.
"Hey, Jaycobb! You're looking cute today. Maybe we should hit the bed and have some more of that sweet lover time together." Blanc said creepily.
"See what I mean?" Jacob asked with a sigh, his face in the palm of his right hand.
"Blanc is never a heavy drinker. What in Gamindustri is going on?" Noire asked in confusion and shock. Just then, Luna came in, looking horny... at least as they perceived it to be.
"Luna... are you alright? You're drooling and... um..." Neptune asked.
"Never been better... I feel so sexy right now..." Luna said. Her words took Noire, Andrew, Nepgear and Neptune completely by surprise.
"NEPU!" Neptune exclaimed in complete shock.
"W-w-what the heck was that?!" Noire stammered, her face cherry red.
"Histoire, what has gotten into everyone?" Lance asked as he ran in.
"This is the result of an abnormal, rapid spike in share energy." Histoire explained. Vert then walked in, a big smile on her face. However she said nothing. She just stared at everyone with her smile, which creeped everyone out.
"I am starting to doubt that my wait-and-see approach is the best plan. Something must be done quick." Histoire muttered. Her fears were confirmed when the CPUs and CPU Candidates of Lowee, Lastation, Leanbox and Aurelius suddenly collapsed, the only exception being Noire.
"What now?!" Noire whined in complete shock. Just when they thought things were over, the bodies of the unconscious CPUs and CPU candidates started to glow, before their wings extended and exploded into dozens of sharicite fragments to be strewn across the multiverse.
"No! Luna! Vert! Anyone!" Neptune called out in complete shock.
"Their share energy! It's gone!" Histoire reported, just as shocked as the others.
"What do you mean, gone?!" Jacob shouted in disbelief.
"That's just it. Their shares are completely gone." Histoire repeated herself.
"Their wings... what was that?!" Andrew asked, trying to make sense of what he just witnessed.
"I guess what happened was that their shares somehow exploded when the share spike reached its climax." Nepgear theorized.
"But those Sharicite fragments..." Lance asked in complete shock.
"Can you track where they've gone, Histoire?" Andrew asked, still recovering from what he just witnessed.
"I can, hold on… oh dear… the Sharicite fragments seem to have gone across the multiverse and wound up in countless different universes." Histoire responded rather grimly.
"They'll die if we don't get those shares back." Jacob shouted, almost crying.
"How can we?! They're in completely different universes! There's no way we can get them in time!" Noire cried, fearing for Uni.
"Are you admitting defeat, woman?!" Lance shouted.
"W-what?" Noire asked.
"Listen to me, Noire. We are CPUs. Don't you dare lose hope on me now. There's surely something that we can do." Lance told her.
"Histoire, is there? I don't want to lose Blanc, not now." Jacob asked.
"There is, but it will be dangerous." Histoire confirmed.
"Please tell us! I want to save them!" Neptune pleaded.
"If you and Andrew can travel across the multiverse and retrieve the sharicite fragments, we can bring them back. While you guys are gone, I will try to figure out what triggered the odd share spike... and their subsequent strange behavioral reactions to it." Histoire explained.
"Alone? Can't Jacob and I help them?" Lance asked.
"It would seem prudent to do so, but you and Jacob need to remain here to look over your wives and their sisters. Besides, I feel as though they will get the help of a great many people." Histoire countered.
"And what would you have me do?" Noire asked.
"You and Nepgear need to act as Gamindustri's eyes, ears and collective heart. Without a CPU for the world to rally to, chaos would soon envelop this world." Histoire explained. She then turned to Andrew and Neptune, who were looking at each other nervously.
"I will send you to Tamriel, a continent on the world of Nirn. There is a land there by the name of Skyrim. Within that land, resides some monks, the Greybeards, who will teach you two many things, including how to traverse the multiverse without using shares to open dimensional portals." Histoire explained.
"Please be careful, and do come back alive." Noire asked, almost begging.
"Shucks, if Noire wasn't so concerned about her sister, this would be cute." Neptune teased.
"Leave it to you to make a joke and brighten our spirits in the worst of times, love." Andrew said with a few laughs.
"Just shut up and get going already!" Noire yelled.
"I am going to open the portal. Are you ready?" Histoire asked.
"Ready and willing!" Neptune shouted.
"Let's get this done and return home safe." Andrew concurred. With the wave of a hand, Histoire opened a portal to Tamriel. Andrew and Neptune walk through it, just before it closes.
"I really hope they'll be okay." Nepgear muttered, just loud enough for Lance, Noire and Histoire to hear.
"They will. Don't forget that they're married, and will protect each other the whole time in their mission." Lance said reassuringly.
"I only hope so..." Noire muttered.
"I'll go watch over their children. Goodness knows Daniel and Violet are going to be lonely without them..." Nepgear said with a hefty sigh.
Meanwhile…
"Well shoot, we're falling out of the sky onto the top of a pointy, snow-covered mountain! Histy didn't think this through, did she?!" Neptune yelled.
"I don't think she planned this far ahead!" Andrew yelled back. At this point they were screaming as they continued to fall, landing with a thud moments later on a snowy field just outside High Hrothgar.
"Ouch... oh, that sucked." Andrew groaned.
"Yeah. Oh that hurts." Neptune agreed, wincing from the pain as she sat up.
"We were expecting you, but not to fall from the sky like that." a scratchy voice said, echoing across the mountain air. Andrew and Neptune turned around to see four old men in robes standing over them.
"And you must be the Greybeards, whom Histoire told us about." Andrew assumed as he stood up.
"Your intuition is as it was told to us by her. Yes, we are the Greybeards. I am Arngeir." The man introduced as Andrew helped Neptune to her feet.
"I'm Neptune, this is my husb-" Neptune began, only to be politely interrupted.
"We know who you are, and why you have come, Neptune. Histoire explained everything when she contacted us. Not a very good situation to be in, I imagine, being forced to travel across the Multiverse to save your friends' lives. We will impart the knowledge you need to begin your journey, but afterwards you will need to see Paarthurnax, our leader, to get you started." Arngeir explained.
"We are willing to learn, Master Arngeir." Neptune said in an uncharacteristically humble tone, despite the pain she was in.
"In due time, you will. But first, something must be done about the pain you two are likely experiencing." Arngeir said, before he used healing hands on the two of them. "Our magic isn't always in shouts and whispers. Sometimes we practice even lesser magics, like Healing Hands. You should be free of pain now." he explained. Neptune and Andrew knew he was right, their pain was gone.
"Yeah, not even a pinch of it." Andrew confirmed.
"And with that, the learning can begin." Arngeir announced. Andrew and Neptune looked at each other as the bitter cold stung them like needles in a fiber pillow. They then followed the Greybeards inside High Hrothgar, where a fifth man greeted them. This man wore a suit of armor made from dragonbone and dragon scales, wielding a katana that seemed to have sparks fly out of its blade.
"Dovahkiin." Arngeir began. "This is Neptune and her husband Andrew. They have arrived from another world, sent adrift along the chaotic currents of the multiverse on a dangerous quest." he concluded.
"Speak no more, Arngeir. I will help them on their way." the man said in a thick Nordic accent, before turning to the duo. "The name's Gonnaer the Unwavering. Dragonborn." he introduced.
"Dragonborn? Well, it's finally nice to meet someone like you." Neptune said, again rather uncharacteristically, blushing.
"I understand the perils that lay ahead of you. But I sense your great journey only begins here. I must warn you, that a great evil exists within Skyrim. Alduin flies above, his shadow corrupting all in its wake. As Dragonborn, it is my destiny to defeat him, but I fear I may not be able to do it without your help." Gonnaer explained. Andrew quickly glanced at Neptune, who was confused about the whole situation.
"You expect us to help you defeat Alduin... a dragon possessing unknowable power and unspeakable evil... how much time do we have?" Andrew asked, pondering the situation based on the information he got from books back in Lowee.
"Not much, I'll be honest with you. That is why we need to start your training immediately." Gonnaer replied
"As a CPU and Paladin-Knight, you know you do not possess the dragon blood, therefore you cannot shout like a dragon without extensive training that takes decades. Decades which we do not have. There are, however, skills we will share knowledge of that will help you on your adventures." Arngeir explained, reiterating what he said earlier. Just then, he opened his arms, and a blast of energy coursed into the two of them, subsiding moments later. "The knowledge I have shared with you will allow you to access HDD in the worlds beyond Gamindustri. It also allows you to cast portals to any world of your choosing, even ones you have been to before, should the need arise. Be aware that those who witness your power will be touched by it, and, should you lend them your aid, they will lend you theirs in the battles to come." he explained.
"Huh. It's almost like I've had this knowledge all along." Andrew muttered.
"The Greybeards' ability to share knowledge knows no bounds. Use it to get through the multiverse quickly." Gonnaer explained.
"With that accomplished, you must go see Paarthurnax. Be quick about it. The journey to the top of the Throat of the World is long and arduous." Arngier said.
"Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, Arngier. We won't let you or our friends down." Neptune said with a confident smile. With that, the three of them departed for the top of the mountain. As they approached each "gate" of cold, violent weather, Gonnaer would use Clear Skies on them, and they dissipated within seconds.
"Wow" Neptune muttered to herself at the Dragonborn's power. They continued their journey, fighting Ice Wraiths, frost trolls, and the bitter cold. At long last, they reached the top, and Paarthurnax awaited them.
"A... dragon?" Andrew asked quizzically.
"A bit odd, I know, but I have learned to live with it. The first time I came up here, I asked about a certain shout used to defeat Alduin in the Dragon War. All he asked of me was patience. With you two here, I see why." Gonnaer explained to them. Andrew and Neptune nodded, before walking up to the old dragon.
"Paarthurnax. By the will of the Greybeards, we have arrived, and now seek your wisdom in our coming trials." Andrew said graciously.
"Ol Lost Prodah, as was foretold by my vision." Paarthurnax said.
"Um... excuse me?" Neptune asked, extremely confused.
"I did not expect a CPU to understand the tongue of a Dovah, Mindoraan." Paarthurnax replied. He looked between the two of them. "You seek the the rekrah viingolz, the Sharicite fragments. Many such crystals exist within the multiverse. Many beyond my knowledge." he continued.
"That's correct. Histoire believes you and the Greybeards can help us." Andrew said.
"Indeed. And one such fragment exists. Here in Keizaal, in Skyrim." Paarthurnax explained.
"Ugh, it helps if you don't use dragonspeak." Neptune groaned.
"Are you sure that's wise, Nep?" Andrew asked worryingly. Paarthurnax mumbled something in response.
"Her confusion is... reasonable. As is her request. But I digress, for what good is a dovah without his language?" Paarthurnax finally spoke. "I can help you find the Sharicite. But, alas... there is a problem." he continued. Neptune decided to remain silent for the rest of the conversation.
"Let me guess. Alduin?" Andrew asked.
"Hmm... your intuition is... astounding." Paarthurnax spoke. "Yes, Alduin. With his corrupting power, the Sharicite remains... faint." he concluded.
"But we have a plan, right? Gonnaer mentioned something of a shout that could help to stop him." Andrew asked.
"Indeed. A shout that can overpower the World-Eater himself... but, unfortunately, I do not know of it. Aan Krosis Vahzen." Paarthurnax muttered.
"But Alduin's Wall did mention of it. Perhaps... if one were to travel back in time, at least through the mind..." Gonnaer hypothesized.
"A good plan, but one would assume that it requires great power and focus..." Andrew countered.
"There is a way. If one were to find a Kel, an Elder Scroll, one might be able to unlock the shackles of time, and learn what was lost." Paarthurnax explained. His words gave the three of them hope.
"So, find the Elder Scroll and read it... if only it were that simple." Andrew muttered aloud. Gonnaer knew exactly what was going through the Paladin-Knight's mind.
"Thankfully, I know exactly where to find one." Gonnaer said.
"Oh?" Andrew asked.
"Blackreach. This information comes directly from Septimus Signis, one of the most insane, yet ingenious minds in Skyrim." Gonnaer explained.
"Sounds to me like a dangerous mission. We'd best be on our guard." Andrew said.
"Aren't we always?" Gonnaer asked, a smirk on his face.
"Hooold up… What are we supposed to face at Blackscreech?" Neptune asked, finally breaking her silence.
"Blackreach, Neptune. We will likely face Falmer, Dwarven Constructs, Chaurus… Blackreach was inhabited by Dwarves and Snow Elves, according to recorded and archaeological history. As for the Chaurus, they're venomous, large insects that are easily tamed by the Falmer. There's also the darkness we have to be worried about, as Blackreach is said to be several meters underground." Gonnaer replied in haste. Neptune's face showed she had no idea on how to respond.
"The longer we take, the worse our situation will get, and not just in this world. I'd suggest we leave immediately." Andrew suggested. Gonnaer nodded in response, and they were off. The walk down to Ivarstead was treacherous, as ice on the thousand steps made it difficult to walk. They were having little trouble due to their own experiences with this kind of climate, but the frost trolls made things dangerous. Thankfully, the Dragonborn used Unrelenting Force against the trolls, forcing them off the cliffside and falling to their death. Andrew blinked at this, unsure whether or not to say something about it. Eventually, however, they made it down to the small town at the cusp of midnight.
"Dang… how long have we been up there?" Andrew asked as he stared at the night sky.
"About three or four hours, I would guess. Granted, I've been in High Hrothgar for about a month, waiting for you two." Gonnaer replied. Andrew looked to Neptune, seeing her eyes about as heavy as osmium.
"I suppose we should find a place to stay. Is there an inn or something nearby?" Andrew asked, gently holding his CPU Wife's hand, doing his best to keep her awake until they reached a warm place to rest.
"Aye. The Vilemyr Inn is here in town. I have about three thousand Septims, so getting rooms for us should be no problem. After that, it should be a safe ride by horse-drawn carriage close to our destination. We will leave first thing in the morning." Gonnaer replied with a nod, leading the purple duo to the inn. Once inside, he paid for two rooms at ten Septims each, before the innkeeper led them to their own rooms and wished them a good night's rest. Once the door was shut, a kiss on Neptune's cheek was all it took before they fell into the bed and fell asleep.
Morning came, and Andrew was up and about, with Neptune just getting out of bed. He was checking in on the situation back in Gamindustri via his N-Gear, an exact copy of the one Nepgear uses.
"Morning, love." he said to Neptune as she walked up to him, a smile on her face.
"Morning, Andrew." Neptune replied. Once Andrew was done checking in, he put away his N-Gear, and turned to her. Gonnaer knocked on the door and, when invited in, he entered with some warm bread and cheese to get them started on their day.
"I just checked in with Histoire. She's currently investigating what caused the Share Spike, but says it will take three days." Andrew announced to the both of them as he took his food.
"Three days? Such an investigation would otherwise take several months and the best mages in Tamriel to crack that." Gonnaer quietly exclaimed.
"Bah! Histy doesn't need silly mages. She's an oracle and a chronicler, she can do this sort of thing easy peasy. She just has a hard time doing anything quicker than three days." Neptune countered.
"A little hard to believe, considering I've never really met this Histoire, but, you know her better than I do…" Gonnaer said, shrugging it off. "By the way, there's a horse and carriage just outside the inn. We should catch it, and hopefully get us as close to the entrance to Blackreach as possible." he added as they ate.
"Sounds good to me. The sooner we leave, the better." Andrew replied with a nod. They took their food with them to the cart and ate on the trip, whilst discussing the political turmoil in Skyrim.
"Skyrim, my home, has been gripped by civil war for quite some time now. The evils of the Aldmeri Dominion have forced the Empire's hand, denouncing Tiber Septim of his status as the ascended god, Talos. What the Dominion wants us to forget, is that Talos' power brought about the end of the evil that was the Alyeid King Umaril at the close of the Third Era more than two hundred years ago. Many Nords realized this, and one man, Ulfric Stormcloak, rose up against the injustice, creating the Stormcloak Rebellion in the hopes of kicking the Empire and the Dominion out of Skyrim." Gonnaer explained.
"Civil War, eh? What side are you on?" Andrew asked, an eyebrow raised.
"I've not chosen a side directly, due to more pressing matters... but if you ask me, I'd rather side with the Empire. Ulfric may have the right idea, but he's going about it all wrong. With the disunity created by him, the whole province is being torn asunder. Strengths and manpower needed to overthrow our new High Elf overlords is being wasted against this rebellion. I believe that this is what the Dominion wants, for the Empire to essentially destroy itself overtime. They're planning something big, we've known that for a while now, they're just having the friction caused by the internal strife in the wake of the destructive war against them to keep us from dealing with the problem directly." Gonnaer replied matter-of-factly.
"And how exactly do we deal with the Dominion now?" Andrew asked.
"Now? There's no way we can gather the strength necessary to deal with them. Unless we can gather support from the greater multiverse, I fear that dark times are ahead of us. If the Dominion are allowed to succeed, they could extend their reach beyond this dimensional plane, and wreak havoc in the multiverse. With you both here, it brings a new hope for us all." Gonnaer replied in ernst. They quickly continued to their destination, and once close to a potential entrance to Blackreach, the driver stopped the carriage, letting them off. Gonnaer tossed the driver a bag full of a hundred coins, before they left. As they walked, the glimmering of Dwarven metal greeted them as a lift that went straight to Blackreach. With some fiddling, Gonnaer opened the gate and entered the lift, taking it straight down.
"Woah, this goes down quite a bit." Neptune muttered as the lift continued to go down.
"You weren't kidding when you said Blackreach was several meters underground, Gonnaer…" Andrew added. This led to a few chuckles from the Dragonborn as they continued their descent. Finally, after what seemed like ages, the lift stopped, and they entered into a world that seemed unimaginable. Glowing mushrooms and crystals dotted the landscape, and ancient Dwarven mechanisms, powered by magic-infused resonance gems, gave life and light to the otherwise gloomy place.
"It's so beautiful… Andrew, you should totally nab some pictures on your N-Gear! I can't wait to show this to the kids!" Neptune shouted quietly.
"Already ahead of you, love." Andrew said as he took his N-Gear out and documented the beauty of the place. As he nabbed a few pictures, he noticed a rustling in the distance, followed by an eerie screech. "I think the pictures should wait… we seem to have company…" he said as he put his N-Gear away. He summoned his sword, a jewel-encrusted claymore, before closing his eyes and getting a feel for the situation. He opened his eyes again just in time to parry a surprise attack by a Falmer Gloomlurker, countering with a swing powerful enough to send it crashing into a wall.
"Falmer!" Gonnaer shouted as he drew his blade. Neptune summoned her katana and got into defensive stance.
"There's a ton of them! We're surrounded!" Andrew shouted as the encroaching Falmer warriors penned them in. He quickly activated HDD and transformed, the bright flash lighting up the darkness for but a brief moment. Neptune quickly followed suit, hopefully evening the odds against the deranged and disfigured horde. This made their situation a tiny bit worse, however, as the pitter patter of Chaurus signalled that their transformation alerted more of the horde around them.
"If we don't do something soon, we will be done for before we even get a look at an Elder Scroll…" Neptune huffed as they continued their fight.
"Behind you!" Andrew shouted, before diving into and blocking an attack on Neptune from behind with his shield. "These freaks are all over the place… Ugh! Meteor Storm!" he shouted, before using his famed EXE attack on the Falmer hordes and the approaching Chaurus. The attack wiped a large portion of the falmer out, but sadly woke up something much bigger. With loud, metallic thumps, the remaining hordes scattered.
"Sweetie… what did you just do?" Neptune asked him, as though she were getting goosebumps.
"Huh? What do you mean, Nep?" Andrew asked in response. The thumps got louder, until the silhouette of a Dwarven Centurion approached.
"Watch out! Dwarven Centurion!" Gonnaer called out. The construct quickly went into combat stance, charging at the group. Neptune prepared herself, before unleashing Cross Combination on it. Her strikes landed on the core, critically damaging the construct before it could use its deadly arsenal on the three of them. All it took was for one final strike, before the construct finally collapsed, dead as though it were a mortal being.
"That was… I… remind me not to wake up any more of those, Neptune…" Andrew muttered. Neptune simply smirked, before the both of them left HDD. Looking around, new silhouettes started to appear in the platforms, what Andrew guessed to be archers. He simply swapped his sword for the DC-15s Blaster Pistol he was given early on in the war against the Heaven's Bane Crime Syndicate three years prior. Gonnaer looked at it with arched eyebrows, but said nothing as the Paladin-Knight took aim at the Falmer archers, before pulling the trigger, taking them out one by one, before despawning his weapon once all of the foes were dealt with.
"Uh… okay, don't let me piss you two off…" Gonnaer said, having seen exactly what overpowered shenanigans Neptune and her husband were capable of. Neptune giggled in reply.
"I think Andrew and I are overleveled. Or maybe it's a hint of plot armor that makes us so awesome." she chided playfully, garnering a chuckle from both Gonnaer and Andrew.
"Aren't you the sly one?" Gonnaer asked.
"Neptune and I work well together as a team. Anyways, we should get going, before more horrors show up." Andrew replied.
"I was going to suggest the same thing." Gonnaer said, before they were off. He pulled a cube covered in Dwarven Runes, a lexicon, out of a cloth bag and held it out, as though using whatever secrets lie within to guide them to their destination. "This way. Follow me." he said, guiding them to the ruins of Alftand. They were pretty much walking there unhindered by this point, the Falmer having long scattered into the darkness, which allowed Andrew to take more pictures of Blackreach with his N-Gear's camera. Once at the heavy doors, Gonnaer opened them, allowing them entry into the ruins. Once the doors shut, the echoes of steam systems and, to their detriment, dwarven constructs, became apparent.
"We've got more company… Keep your guard up." Andrew said cautiously as he put his N-Gear away, before he resummoned his sword. Neptune did the same, as Gonnaer unsheathed his sword once again. They moved forward slowly, but surely, checking every corner for threats. Neptune screeched as a Dwarven Spider Construct fell from the ceiling, before she sliced it in half with her katana. The noise got the attention of a nearby Dwarven Sphere, which entered combat stance, its sword and crossbow ready to attack. Andrew parried one such attack, quickly countering with a slash that connected and destabilized its gyro. Like a drunkard, it quickly took on a tilt, struggling to keep itself upright. This crippled its combat effectiveness, making it very easy to defeat. Gonnaer made the final blow against the construct, and it fell to the ground with a clang.
"Not bad…" Gonnaer muttered with a smirk. They continued their way over, doing their best to avoid trouble. Eventually, they made their way to the cathedral, where a magnificent sight met their eyes.
"What is this thing?" Neptune asked.
"I'm not so sure myself…" Gonnaer replied as they made their way to the top of a large spiraling ramp. What met them there was unbelievable.
"It's… I think it's some sort of archive…" Andrew exclaimed, looking at the spherical mechanism.
"Oh? Can you try and figure out how it works?" Gonnaer asked. Andrew looked around, eyeing a control panel with an empty receptacle.
"Let me see that cube." he said, holding his hand out to Gonnaer, who put the lexicon in his hand. Andrew then stuck it into the receptacle, and the runes glowed brightly, interlinking with the ancient system. A ray of light suddenly shot down from above, and Andrew began to get an understanding of how it worked. "I see… ingenious…" he muttered.
"Care to explain how this thing works?" Gonnaer asked.
"This ray of light is coming in directly from the surface, fed by a system of lenses that amplify it, before this prism separates it into individual beams. And I assume that…" Andrew began, before pushing one button. The whole system moved about, redirecting the rays of sunlight. "...these things are mirrors, and those emerald circles on the sphere are like a locking mechanism that can only be opened when the sunlight rays hit them. Give me a moment, I need to configure this." he finished, before pressing several buttons at random. After a few moments of fiddling with the buttons, he manages to unlock the Dwarven Archive, and behold, the sphere opened up, revealing the Elder Scroll in all its glory.
"So, this is the Elder Scroll…" Gonnaer muttered.
"It's magnificent. I can feel the magical resonance from all the way over here." Andrew replied.
"What's so special about these Elder Scrolls?" Neptune asked.
"An Elder Scroll is like a divine messenger from ancient times. One can open it up and be given a specific message, see the future or the past, or even cast evil beings out of the mortal realm. They are indeed the most powerful artifacts in Tamriel, but their power comes with a price. If one does not take great care and preparation, those who use the scrolls may face blindness, insanity, and perhaps even death." Gonnaer explained. His words sent shivers down Neptune's spine.
"G-gosh… that bad? Is it even worth the risk?" she asked.
"It's our only hope of stopping Alduin. Without the power of the Scrolls, we are doomed to fail." Gonnaer replied grimly.
"Now that we have the scroll, we should hurry back to Paarthurnax and make preparations to read the thing." Andrew said. Gonnaer nodded, and they soon went to the nearby lift that would take them directly back to the surface.
"Welcome back, Dovahkiin. And the CPU and Paladin-Knight are safe as well. Tell us, what is that in your hand?" Arngier asked as they returned to High Hrothgar.
"It's an Elder Scroll. Paarthurnax said that it will be able to help me learn a lost shout from long ago." Gonnaer replied, looking at the scroll gingerly in his hands.
"An… an Elder Scroll… By Akatosh, how did you get your hands on such a thing? It couldn't have been easy." Arngier asked, shocked as he thought of the words that Gonnaer told him.
"It wasn't. We were lucky enough to find this in a Dwarven Archive deep in Blackreach, but that place was crawling with Falmer and Chaurus." Andrew replied.
"I see. Quickly then, to Paarthurnax. Whatever shout the Nords of Old used to defeat Alduin, it must be learned quickly. Esbern and Delphine sent us a letter, warning us of an attack directly on High Hrothgar by the World-Eater himself. Go, time is of the essence." Arngier announced. Andrew and Gonnaer nodded as they rushed up to the top once more.
"How did this Esbern and Delphine get such intel?" Andrew asked.
"They're the current leaders and the remaining members of the Blades, They were Dragon Hunters back when they first formed." Gonnaer replied.
"That answers that, then." Andrew muttered as the three of them continued to the top with haste. Once there, Neptune was panting from their rush.
"Hi Daal. A hasty return." Paarthurnax boomed.
"Yes. Alduin is on his way here. The final battle is upon us. We must be quick, if we are to learn the Shout and prepare for his arrival." Andrew said with a nod.
"Then, Dovahkiin. Take the scroll and read it in the time wound. Your Dragon Blood should protect you from the adverse effects. Hurry." Paarthurnax instructed. Gonnaer nodded, before walking into the time wound and opening the scroll, before collapsing on the ground.
"Woah, woah! Hold on a second, you said he'd be alright!" Neptune shouted, confused and perhaps a tad angry.
"Trust his wisdom, Nep. Gonnaer wouldn't use the scroll if he didn't think it was worth the risk." Andrew said, calming her down. All Neptune could do is sigh. After roughly ten minutes, Gonnaer regained consciousness, and stood up as if nothing happened.
"Gonnaer, you alright?" Andrew asked.
"I've got the Shout." Gonnaer announced. That was when a dragon's roar could be heard in the distance, and the shadowy figure of Alduin approached, landing on the top of the mountain.
"Dovahkiin. Your resistance is admirable. But, you're too late. You cannot stop what is to come." Alduin spoke.
"You underestimate your chances, Alduin. It is my destiny to defeat you and restore balance to the world, with the aid of the CPU and her husband." Gonnaer said back. Alduin could only mutter to himself about being warned about the CPU and her husband, before flying into the sky. Before he could fly off for an attack from the air, however, Gonnaer shouted the words to Dragonrend. The Thu'um energy lashed at Alduin's very soul, and he falls to the ground with a thud. He got back onto his feet, before he attacked the Dragonborn with everything he had. Andrew and Neptune quickly transformed, before striking at their foe while his guard was down.
"FUS RO DAH!" Gonnaer shouted, unleashing Unrelenting Force with all his strength against Alduin. A scorching blast of Fire Breath from Paarthurnax further hurt him. Then, with a terrifying, pained roar, Alduin swept Gonnaer, Neptune, and Andrew aside, before rising up once more and retreating for the safety of Sovngarde.
"Ugh! I wasn't expecting that…" Gonnaer groaned.
"Lot Kongrah. Alduin's allies will think twice after this victory." Paarthurnax congratulated.
"Where do you think Alduin is headed?" Andrew asked.
"He heads to Sovngarde…" Paarthurnax said.
"Sovngarde… That's a sacred realm, where Nords go when they die. If Alduin is there, he has tainted it with his presence." Gonnaer swore.
"How do we get to this Sovngarde?" Neptune asked.
"Alduin has a portal to that place. Only he and his most trusted and loyal followers know of its location." Paarthurnax explained grimly.
"So we try to persuade one of his allies to change sides. Perhaps a show of force will be all that is necessary to persuade them?" Andrew theorized.
"Yes. One of his allies could tell us. Motmahus… But it will not be so easy to… convince one of them to betray him." Paarthurnax responded in kind.
"So you say, but with both Tamriel and Gamindustri hanging in the balance, We will not be deterred. What are our options?" Andrew asked.
"Understandably defiant… Perhaps the hofkahsejun - the palace in Whiterun… Dragonsreach… should provide the answer… It was originally built to house a captive dovah…" Paarthurnax responded. Gonnaer essentially deadpanned as he heard of this development.
"Wait… Dragonsreach housed a captured dragon?!" he asked in shock.
"A fine place to trap one of Alduin's allies, hmm?" Paarthurnax asked in response.
"The Jarl of Whiterun might not think so." Gonnaer replied with a sigh.
"Hmm, yes… But your su'um is strong, Neptune has admirable wit, and Andrew has very strong logic and foresight. I do not doubt that the three of you can convince him of the need." Paarthurnax countered.
"It's worth a shot. I mean, it's a gamble, but the alternative is running around Skyrim blind, looking for this portal to Sovngarde." Andrew finally said.
"Right. Dragonsreach it is. I shall arrange us a meeting with the Jarl of Whiterun in High Hrothgar, and get the Imperials and Stormcloaks to join us." Gonnaer spoke up. Andrew and Neptune quickly transformed back into their human forms, before following the Dragonborn back down the mountain, and back to High Hrothgar.
"Arngier, we need to gather forth the Jarl of Whiterun, and the Imperial and Stormcloak leaders." he announced.
"Why, whatever for, Dovahkiin? What could be so important that we must waste precious time assembling a meeting between political leaders here?" Arngier asked.
"It has to do with our next plan of action. Alduin has escaped our battle, and fled to Sovngarde. We have an idea as to how we can follow him there, but we need the warring parties to work with us and put aside their differences for the time being while this crisis continues to unfold." Andrew explained. Arngier took some time to think about it, but eventually nodded in understanding.
"The Greybeards have never involved themselves with political affairs, but given the seriousness of the situation both here in Tamriel and in Gamindustri, we will have to make an exception. Even the Greybeards must bend to the winds of change, it seems." Arngier finally said. "I shall make the preparations, and have the men requested sent word. They shall arrive within a day. In the meantime, you must all be tired from that battle. Go ahead and get some rest." he finished.
"Thank you, Arngier." Andrew replied with a smile. They parted ways, and he and Neptune went to an open, unused room, before they sat on the bed. Neptune got out two cups of pudding and handed one to him. They ate in silence, before they went to sleep.
"You were right about the CPU and her husband. As difficult as it is to say, I thank you for the information that you have provided me." Alduin spoke at the ruins of an ancient Nordic temple, to a girl apparently in her late teens, wearing dark clothes and brandishing a wide, red-bladed rapier that was sheathed down her back.
"I see by the scars, they and the Dragonborn defeated you quite easily… this won't do at all, Alduin…" the girl replied.
"The Dovahkiin unleashed a powerful Thu'um… one I have not seen since the Dragon War… it lashed out at my soul… and they had the help of one of my most trusted followers, a dovah I once called a brother… Paarthurnax… I was… outsmarted…" Alduin admitted. There was a bit of shame in his voice.
"Unfortunate… and, interesting… To think that the Dragonborn could unleash such a power… let alone gain the help of Paarthurnax… Perhaps, through what remains of the Akaviri dragon hunters, known as the Blades, I can dispose of him. You are outclassed, and fated to die… but you will at least die, knowing a traitor will be killed. This can give the Dragonborn and the Greybeards some thought about their interference in the True Goddess's plans." the girl replied with a smirk.
"You test me, CPU. Know that your ability to manipulate nightmares and travel the multiverse will not keep you safe from my wrath… but there is some truth to your words… Sovngarde will be my last stand… If I am fated to die in vain, then so be it. I will plunge their souls into despair, and bring forth the word of the coming of your True Goddess…" Alduin returned.
"Trust me, Alduin. This is only the beginning. Her plans will succeed, and this world, amongst others in the multiverse, will spiral down the whirlpool of delusion." the girl finally said, ending the conversation with a twisted smirk.
Author's Notes:
-HELL YEAH, BABY! Neptune and Andrew Hawker are back at it, ready to eat pudding and kick ass!
-"Rekrah viingolz" is dragon language for "Goddess Crystal", referring to the Sharicite. The other dragon language bits can be translated here: www-thuum-org/ (Just replace the "-" with dots/periods, and you're fine.) and go to Translator under the Language tab.
-There are a few references to other games in this first chapter alone.
-This story as a whole pulls inspiration from Kingdom Hearts, Tsubasa: ReservOIR Chronicles, and other similar bits of Pop Culture.
-The mysterious girl is pretty much easy to guess amongst the entirety of the Neptunia fanbase. The sword she uses will be revealed in more detail on a later chapter.
-Chapter 1, which used to be longer, has been split into two separate chapters. This is due to some people not having the patience to read long chapters. (I won't hold it against them, it's their choice.) Regardless, this leaves the opportunity to split "An Emergency in Gamindustri" and "The Alduin Crisis" into two separate chapters, rather than leave it in one long text.
That's all for now, everyone. It's good to be writing Neptunia fanfiction again. Keep watch for my coming Lucky Star fanfic, A Touch of Femininity, which will be released sometime soon. And remember, your opinion matters! Keep on Nepping! Cya!