Fate/Neptunia

Ah yes. Imagine it: Shirou Emiya, Magus Killer, epic chef and clueless chick magnet finding himself in a place filled with the moe anthropomorphizations of every facet of the Game Industry.

Yeah.

This is the Ataraxia, yes, ATARAXIA Shirou, one who has become a dimensional traveler and, as one, has been shown all three routes of the VN, as well as other parts of the Nasuverse and many other universes.

Not to mention all the training becoming a DT involves.

I own no franchise I reference in this series.

Let us begin!

STORY START

OK, let me get this straight.

I've gone through a brutal tournament that's changed my life, a illusionary version of it made to keep a precious woman alive, then was forced by my friends to become one who walks all of the omniverse to save worlds or such, a Dimensional Traveler.

Wow.

I was shown all the possibilities of that war. I was trained for months. I was made to go to the other, unknown parts of my own universe. I was sent to many other unique worlds to help answer their plights.

And then, there was this one.

I was made to study, observe and analyze a part of many people's lives that I have ignored and consequently forsaken:

Video games.

Why?

I was sent to this world, the dubiously and painfully named planet of Gamindustri.

Why?

Because I have experience with women, they said.

I sometimes question the reliability of my superiors in my line of work.

I arrive at my destination, the blue pillar that teleports us dissipating.

I take a look around and the first thing I notice is something peculiar.

"Wait a minute what's that over there- Oh. Great. Floating landmasses in the sky."

Nothing incredibly unusual, all things given.

The one I'm currently in seems to be in the center, a capital of sorts, with an incredibly advanced city. The buildings are all bluish silver, sleek and probably filled to the brim with technology.

"Hmm... No leads now... so I guess this is my stop."

I make my way towards the city.

*SCENE BREAK*

The townspeople don't seem to be incredibly happy, for some odd reason. At any rate, first things first, I take a look at the weapon shop to familiarize myself with the arms here and to... make a few acquisitions so to speak.

"Iterrashai, what can we do for you?"

Convenient… They speak Japanese here.

I tell them that I'm just looking around, and I examine the weapons. They are of fine quality, the many broadswords and katanas having been forged from fine steel. The guns and unusual claws don't appeal to me much…

"Um, excuse me sir, what are those bottles with liquids for?"

The shopkeeper smiles at me. "Oh, those are for our doctors! They're combat medics you see, so when they venture into dangerous places, they always bring a special syringe with them! Instead of paying for a higher-quality weapon, they pay for the more powerful substances which they inject!"

Interesting... So even the doctors have some combat experience...

"Ah… Thank you very much. I'll be coming back when I have more time and money. Ja matta."

As I take a look around town again, I find a very peculiar sight.

A girl with long, flowing pink hair, is walking around. She has a white blouse, a black hairband and long white boots.

I get an odd feeling from this girl, as though I'm supposed to become friends with her for some strange reason…

"Um, excuse me, can I ask for directions to the nearest inn?"

The girl looks over to me, and she smiles and politely gives me directions. "Oh, it's nearby! It's on the way my house, so I guess you can come with me, if you want to."

I smile at her and thank her. "Well, it seems we'll be temporary neighbors then." I extend my hand. "I'm Shirou. Shirou Emiya. It's very nice to meet you..."
The girl smiles at me and cheerfully replies, "Oh, I'm Compa, a nurse in training! It's nice to meet you, Shirou-san!"

... Wait, Compa? Pink hair, white clothes...

What do you know, I really WILL have to be with this girl, she's freaking Compile Heart!

I hide my wincing. It would be unfair to make her feel bad about something that is the fault of people who made me waste my time on game history just to make me groan in suffering like this. "Likewise, Compa-san. I guess we'll be walking together for a while."

I think I'll have some information gathering while I walk to the inn. "Ah, Compa, I'm a bit new to this place... What's it called?"

She stares at me, bewildered. "What, you don't know? This is, like, one of only four countries in Gamindustri!"

... Wait.

There are only four?

"I-I'm sorry about that... I'm a bit... uninformed when it comes to such matters..."

I need to think up a better alibi soon...

Compa's still staring at me. "How could you not know... Oh, you poor thing..."

Great. Now she thinks I'm "special."

She explains to me anyway, at least. "Oh well, nothing to it... This is the landmass of Planeptune, the most technologically advanced out of the four nations, the others being Lastation, Leanbox and Lowee!"

Playstation, Xbox, Wii... Oh, right. But what's Planeptune though... Even though the pun is horrible... "Ah, I see. It really is progressive... But do the people have problems around here?"

She nods at me. "Monster attacks have become more intense... Even the military can't hold them back for long." She then becomes forlorn. "Oh... if only the CPUs would descend soon..."

I latch onto the subject, quite curious indeed. "CPUs?" She nods again. "Console Patron Units, the four goddesses of each nation. Once they descend from heavenly Celestia, they'll be able to lead the people into a better and brighter future!"

No emotion is on my face. I have a sort of... disrespect for the gods, you could say. All I've experienced of them, at least in my world, is that they are arrogant, uncaring and wholly unconcerned of the "inferior beings" they are supposed to guide.

Poor Berserker. Though he may have tried to kill me several times, I pity him. His power and strength, his blessing and curse of immortality and all of his legendary life was filled to the brim with sorrow caused by the irresponsible divine beings that created him. And yet, despite his insanity, he cared for Illya, and after the War the monstrouous Servant even helped us break out of the endless loop...

And that's why I don't like many gods.

But I'm willing to give these ones a chance, at least. Good ones have made themselves known, so I can give them the benefit of the doubt.

"Well, let see if they don't." This could very well be what I was sent to answer. If I can find the cause of these attacks and stop them, maybe I'll be able to get away with this before Saber and the rest notice I'm gone over the next twelve hours... I mean three weeks.

"Oh, we're here!"

The hotel, I suppose, is also tall and sleek, perhaps about 10 stories. I suppose I can handle this.

"My house is just on the outskirts of the city, over that way. If you ever have any problems, you can visit me!"

Well, she certainly quite caring. "I'll try to stop by. Well, see you later, Compa-san."
She nods at me and gleefully says, "You too, Shirou-san!"

As she leaves, I enter the inn and with my meager starter cache of credits, the currency of this world, I pay for a small room.

The room is as high-tech as I expected, with automatic doors and all the works. Ah well. I don't have much to do, so I think I'll just have a little nap.

*SCENE BREAK*

"Hello?"

A mysterious voice awakens me... no, wait, I appear to be still asleep, because my field of vision is fully obscured by darkness, a serene echo resounding throughout the ether.

"Who are you? Show yourself."

The voice becomes downcast and apologetic. "Forgive me... I want to make myself known, but, well... I simply cannot."

Assuming that I myself have a form, I'd probably be narrowing my eyes at her. "Who are you then? What is it you want of me?" Someone who can infiltrate and communicate with me through my dreams... This could prove to be very dangerous. So far, the only things preventing me from using my failsafe in protecting myself from all mindspace invaders is the sincerity of her tone of voice, though the lack of ill will may or may not be deceptive.

Case in point, her reply. "I am Histoire. I am the world. The world is me. I am a tome of the world. A personification of it, and yet a part of it."

My eyebrows actually rise a little at that. "Wait... a sentient core of this world?" That makes me a little uneasy, truth be told. Like gods, the experiences I have with beings like these are mostly unpleasant in a way. The Root of the World may be responsible for most of my happiness in life, but it's also responsible for many of the unfortunate, dangerous times as well. I've nearly been screwed over by it probably more than any other person alive in my world.

Except for Archer. And yet he's me too...

Good God, no wonder his luck is E, the Root hates us... me... whatever.

"Somewhat. Suffice it to say that I need help."

OK, that could be bad or good. "Go on."

This time, she pleads with me. "The world... is on the brink of disaster. Monsters overrun the world. The Console War, lasting for countless eons, has come to a standstill. The CPUs have descended from Celestia..." Here, she pauses. "But they are divided. They have gone their separate ways, focusing on advancing their own nations. An even then... I have lost contact with them."

I remain silent. I become more convinced of my original views, of gods being arrogant and uncaring.

"And yet... there is still hope."

I can already see where this is going. "What do you want me to do?

This Histoire continues. "You... You are special. Out of all the beings I have seen, you are seem to be foreign, alien. As though you were not part of this world."

No emotion is in my voice. I prepare to summon my power if I deem my intruder to be hostile. "So what does this mean? What do you want of me?"

"You are willing to give me a chance, untrusting as though you may be, you have not truly said no."

Her praise loosens some of my tension. My guard is still up, but I wonder...

"There is still one I can try to connect with. One who has fallen. Please... save her. Accompany her on this journey."

...

"You haven't told me everything, have you, Histoire?

I can almost picture her smiling. "In time, strange one. Thank you for your help. Really, I am so grateful."

I feel that I can trust her enough for now, if only with my name at the least... Future meetings with her may be inevitable at any rate. "It is Shirou. Shirou Emiya. And please, give me reason to trust you, and I will."

Again, I feel a somewhat... content aura again. "Very well then, Shirou-san." Unexpectedly, she becomes alarmed. "Oh, I must go now... Hurry. Your first task awaits."

*SCENE BREAK*

I wake up abruptly from my slumber. Were the events of my dream... real?...

A strong energy. A powerful force.

I look outside the window.

A shooting star...

That wasn't just a dream after all...

Leaping off my bed, I get out of my room and return my keys to the unsurprisingly startled receptionist telling him that I may not be back and a refund is unneeded. I thank him for the hospitality and leave the hotel.

Looking up at the sky, I reinforce my eyes and examine the star.

By the Root.

"Is that... a woman?"

It looks like that Compa's goddesses may be with us sooner than we thought.

I reinforce my legs and sprint as fast as I can in the direction of the star, hoping I can catch up with it.

*SCENE BREAK*

A few minutes later, I'm in the outskirts of town, still chasing after the star. I'm almost past the forest already...

It's starting to near the ground.

I analyze the position of my target and the crash point.

Seven seconds till she hits. I need to hurry.

Six seconds till impact. She is accelerating. At this rate, a crash, especially in her current position, may prove to be fatal.

Five seconds till impact. I pour even more od into my legs. I must not fail.

Four seconds till impact. My legs are becoming hot as I sprint towards my target.

Three seconds till impact. The light is becoming brighter, my surroundings hotter.

Two seconds to impact. Pain is starting to flow through my body.

One second to impact. I won't make it this way.

0.75 seconds to impact. I transfer the od to my upper body and leap, extending my hands as far as I can.

0.25 seconds to impact. Heat sears my body raw and the unbearable pain of penetrating the light around a comet and literally trying to catch a falling star courses through every nerve, an agonizing sensation.

I must endure.

0.00001 seconds to impact.

...

Impact averted.

I crash into the goddess, making us hit the ground and rebound several times. If this goes on...

A tree...

I shift my weight and manipulate my position. Almost there...

In seconds, we collide with the tree trunk, a loud thud resounding throughout the forest.

Whoa. Somehow, SOMEHOW...

I managed to catch a falling star. Or rather, a goddess, true.

That was incredibly excruciating.

*SCENE BREAK*

Most would take a deep breath and relax, but I have somebody to take care of.

I examine the goddess that I just saved.

She has purple hair braided into twin tails, with odd accessories on the sides. A black body suit covers most of her body, and there are bruises all over. She seems to have been in a fierce battle...

The Console Wars... Tch.

I suddenly notice the upper part of her suit.

OK, the view is...

I'm not staring!

"Where... where am I..."

Somehow, she still retains normal bodily functions despite having nearly fallen headfirst into the earth... landmass in the sky from the heavens... higher landmass in the sky called Celestia at WAY past terminal velocity.

"On Planeptune. You fell from the... higher skies."

The goddess looks at me, and if I had any doubt before that she was one, they are gone now.

In her eyes are strange, stylized Ns, filling up the empty abyss.

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

Her voice... It's soft, helpless, confused...

A goddess she may be, but I'd be a hypocrite if I judged her too quickly.

"Someone who can help. I won't hurt you, I promise. I'll get some help soon, OK?"

She gives me one last grateful smile. "Thank you..."

With that, the CPU closes her eyes, losing consciousness.

Without warning, A bright light envelops the CPU. Eventually, the light dissipates into little specks.

The goddess has been transformed. She is now a little girl with shorter purple hair, whiter d-pad hairpins, a white hoodie, a short skirt and some shoes with long socks.

This was certainly unexpected.

"It's really dark...Who turned off the lights... Where's the circuit breaker..."

I palm my face. I've barely known her for ten seconds and yet I can tell she's IMPOSSIBLY different in her other form.

Dear Lord.

I suddenly hear rustling in the bushes and prepare to trace a sword to defend ourselves.

"What was that big boom... Shirou-san!"

Oh, it was Compa. I guess there was nothing to worry about-Why is she looking at me incredulously?

"Shirou-san, what are you doing with that girl?"

... In retrospect my current position right now is probably extremely awkward to look at .

"Nothing, really. She fell from the sky and I caught her. We need to give her medical attention now!" Compa nods at me. "I understandWait what?"

Huh?

"I can understand her falling from the sky and all but... you caught her?"

I nod my head.

She gives me a curious, wide-eyed expression.

And then she starts to blink at me.

Repeatedly.

"Um, OK, seriously, she needs help..."

...

Goddammit.

"Believe what you want..."

She sighs and says, "OK then, Shirou-san... Just follow me."

Carrying the little CPU, I follow Compa once again. I hear her mumble incoherently.

"Hey, is anyone there... Gonna wait for text boxes... Gonna chase for golden rings if you take too long..."

I feel a growing headache on my forehead, and I'd rub it if I wasn't carrying the cause of it. She thinks she's in a video game!

Calm down, Shirou, focus on other things, like, say, what company she's from. Golden rings could be referring to Sonic the Hedgehog, so maybe she's Sega...

"Kahh*Snort*"

What was that... Wait, she's drooling on me?

"Geez, you're welcome for saving you..."

Ah well. Being an ally of justice needn't be thankful anyway. Besides, Archer would probably be pissed if I couldn't take a little drooling while he had to undergo a betrayal to his ideals to the face... I don't need another reason for him to end BOTH our existences...

"Shirou-san, we-re here!"

I look up ahead, and I see a small cottage that is literally on the edge of the city, or rather the landmass. It looks like a stereotypical fantasy cottage, but it's quaint.

I head inside, and am greeted by a sight so blinding that my manly pride makes me twitch.

What is with all the pink?

"Just put her down there Shirou-san." I follow her directions, putting my load down on what I presume is her emergency patient's bed.

"Thank you, Compa-san. You've probably saved her life." She shakes her head. "You were the one that found her Shirou-san! You deserve the credit too!" I smile at her and start to head outside. "Wait, where are you going?" I turn back. "Heading to sleep. I wanna go stargazing for a bit, so I think I'll have a spot on the roof. May I?"

Well, I'm observing more than stars tonight, actually. You never know if assassins or anything else would follow a goddess falling from the sky.

"Are you sure? It's really cold outside." I smile at her concern. "It's also beautiful. Don't worry, I'll be fine." She continues to look concerned, but she concedes. "OK, Shirou-san... Good night!" I reply, "Good night, Compa-san."

Climbing to the top of the roof, I begin my watch, observing the world around me and trying to sense any hostiles nearby.

The night sky, above and below, is breathtaking. It gives off a peaceful, serene feeling...

After a few hours, I start to lie down on the roof and reflect on today.

Histoire,the CPUs... and the one that fell.

Everything is connected to them. My answers, my mission... everything starts with what leads I have.

The first day has passed. Let's see if the next few won't be as eventful.