Hyperdimension Neptunia - Rise of ASIC
~ Chapter 1 - End of an Era ~
"Uni, run!"
Noire suddenly awoke, face dripping with cold water and reeling from yet another rerun of her latest nightmare. "Rise and shine, Lady Black Heart!" Another torrent of frigid water engulfed her senses as she finally came to, barely able to scan her surroundings through blurry dazed eyes.
Noire was in a prison cell, but not just any prison cell. It was her own, this was Lastation's Basilicom. The memories of recent events quickly leaped into her mind and faded like a fever dream. Noire managed to look around and saw the same 3 heavy uninviting stainless steel walls with no windows in sight. "At least these were built with bathrooms..." Positive thoughts were all the defeated girl had left lately.
A single powerful tube light was all that illuminated the room, casting long shadows upon the floor and wall of the two figures in front of her now soaking bed.
These figures were CFW Magic and one of her cronies, it didn't appear to be anyone special besides yet another ASIC loyalist. The underling stepped forward and quickly jabbed a syringe of some kind into the raven haired girl's arm. They had been keeping her drugged for the past two weeks while they interrogated her. Noire resisted but whatever they were injecting her with dulled her senses and energy considerably.
Magic produced a small rod like object, flipping some kind of switch on it. Blue and purple arcs and sparks quickly began to arc out of the device.
Lastation's poster girl felt sick upon seeing this. "Not again..."
"Where is your sister Noire? Uni, the CPU candidate!" Magic shouted as she struck home with her shock weapon.
Electrifying did not even began to describe how devastating this was for Noire, who only moments ago had been splashed with water. Screams could be heard throughout the now ASIC occupied Basilicom. Soon the jolting stopped and left a slightly smoking twin tailed girl gasping for breath.
The drugs seemed to be eating away at the girl's psyche, The temptation to reveal the information just to put an end to the 2 week sentence of discomfort and interrogation. She knew however that this could be dooming Lastation. Magic and ASIC needed Uni out of the picture before they could consolidate their power over Lastation. Noire Black Heart was just one half of this plan.
Noire stammered a bit, her mind still a storm of incoherency.
"You...won't find her." Noire attempted to spit at her captor in defiance, however she could barely move. Despite her resistance was once more under the full effect of whatever substance was flowing through her veins.
Magic looked disappointed and frustrated.
"This is a waste of time." Magic looked at her ASIC lackey.
"Go, we're commencing Operation Noose tomorrow."
"Yes, Lady Magic." said the ASIC member in a sudden response.
Magic stepped over close to Noire who was now beginning to pass out again on her bed. "Sleep well Noire, this will be all over in the morning for you."
The cell door slammed shut once more as Magic and her guard made their exit.
The words echoed in Noire's head as she fell asleep. What did she mean by "All over?" Noire was sure her friends would have rescued her by now, even now she held out hope that there was some big plan to bust her out of this dreary room.
Noire, Blanc, Vert, and Neptune were the ruling Goddesses of Gamindustri, each with their own Nation. Lastation, Lowee, Leanbox and Planeptune respectively. About a year ago a small underground movement had started up, calling itself ASIC. This moniker seemed to have meant several things, but they all pointed back to a mythical dark Goddess, known only as Arfoire.
The group started small and went largely ignored by the CPU Goddesses, who saw it simply as another fringe cult worshipping a Legend. ASIC quickly grew in numbers however, quickly spreading propaganda and influence into all 4 Nations. Its leadership was mysterious, not even the CPUs could find out anything about them. Despite incredible resources and the support of the mysterious "Guild" and its agents such as Neptune's good friend IF, the mystery only grew cloudier.
Events had reached a boiling point after riots and protests by the self proclaimed ASIC members in Lastation drew more and more support from various citizens of all 4 Nations. Before long they were strong enough to be directly affecting the CPU's share energy and control over their own Nations.
Their efforts seemed to be directed at Lastation. Perhaps it was the technology, perhaps it was because it had been the most successful Nation under Noire's watchful leadership and work ethic...or perhaps it was just the easiest target in their eyes. It didn't matter now, ASIC had capture Noire and hidden her away...while Uni was nowhere to be seen.
"Uni...Uni...Uni."
"Uni run!"
Noire was having the nightmare once more. Nightmares of the events that had transpired just two weeks ago, the events that had caused her to end up in this cell.
~ Two weeks ago ~
~ A Forest just outside of Lastation ~
Two weeks ago the "Guild" had finally found information relating to ASIC's leadership. The CPUs were paying a very high credit price for this information, so it became sort of a competition on who was able to locate relevant intelligence first among the many adventurers and rogues of Gamindustri. Given her friendship with the Goddesses from an early age (thanks mainly to Neptune) and her aptitude and skill as an Agent, IF was sent by the guild to deliver the information and accompany the Goddesses. They hoped to put an end to the fringe group's detrimental activities and game pirating once and for all and restore peace.
Noire was becoming impatient. "Are you sure it's out here?"
"Oh c'mon Lady Tsundere, have I ever let you down before?"
IF laughed off Noire's skepticism, Dismissing it as paranoia. The brown haired Guild Agent led the 4 Goddesses, along with the heirs of Lastation and Planeptune Uni and Nepgear towards the reported location. Noire and Neptune had elected to bring along their little sisters for training reasons. They would one day succeed them as full fledged CPUs and needed to be prepared for taking care of security duties such as this one.
Blanc had decided against bringing her twin pair of CPU Candidates, Rom and Ram, along due to their young age. Much to Vert's chagrin in not having even more little sisters to praise and spoil.
"Oh Blanc they would have liked to be here to see me, that reminds me can I borrow Rom for a couple of days again?"
"Can it before I get angry and have to introduce a new kind of blunt violence to you Vert. Get your own sisters." Blanc was not having any of Vert's usual games today.
The group continued to follow IF down a winding forest Path just outside of Lastation until they soon came upon an old abandoned Bunker looking structure in a clearing. Its grey metallic surface clashed with the overgrowth and picturesque greenery surrounding it.
"Woah! spooky! I bet this is the part where It's actually a haunted bunker and this was just a big ASIC trap to scare us!" Neptune was the first one to comment, as per usual.
Vert found this outburst quite amusing, but reminded Neptune that they were on serious business and to set a good example for the younger Candidates to follow.
"I'll show you a good example..." Blanc found her instinctively whispering to herself.
Neptune conceded "Oh alright then, no fun allowed!" She then exploded into white light as she changed herself into the true goddess of Planeptune, her alter ego Purple Heart.
"Serious time girls, shall we suit up?"
The clearing exploded into various shades of bright light forcing IF to cover her eyes. When she was finally able to open them, she saw only 6 Goddess like leotard clad warriors before her. "I still can't believe how much you change Nep when you do that." stated IF in admiration of Neptune's Purple Heart form.
"I'm still worried. This all seems a bit too easy." Noire who was now Black Heart, could not shake a funny feeling she had about this. Maybe it was just stress from her Goddess work getting to her, or worry since Uni was with her. She had no idea at the time.
The group approached the entrance to the Bunker, its grey steel like appearance was anything but welcoming. There was no door, just a stairway down into what looked like a large empty main hallway with various side rooms on each side and one large door at the other end which was closed.
"I bet that door is where we will find our answers." Purple heart confidently stated as Noire simply sighed.
"I'll lead the way since you seem a bit unsure of yourself today, lonely heart."
Neptune's teasing name for Noire had gotten to her many times before. However Noire was a bit too uneasy to even notice such a trivial matter as they made their way down the long hallway. Quick peering into the seemingly empty side rooms which numbered about four altogether revealed nothing but empty featureless rooms.
After what seemed like ages, the group approached the big door at the end of the hallway. It was a steel door with a small lit up control panel directly to the left of the frame. No code or password of any kind seemed to be required and Neptune wasted no time pressing the glowing green symbol on the touchpad.
"You're a real Master Hacker Neptune." Noire stated with an air of Sarcasm as she stood examining the blade of her sword.
Neptune sighed "You know Noire, its real cute when you try to act like that." Neptune was interrupted by the door sliding open with a loud grinding sound that echoed back down the hallway.
Noire was taken aback as she tried to hide her now blushing face "C-c-cute? N-Neptune we're on a mission here!"
Blanc simply sighed while Vert added her own commentary with an audible chuckle.
The door finally finished opening up to a very large, mildly lit room. As far as the eye could see were various tables, shipping boxes and on one wall in the very back of the room were weapons such as swords, firearms and wands.
"T-this seems to be some kind of...base?" Uni hesitantly chimed in as the others stood in awe at this hidden operation. It was no secret that Uni was a bit of a firearm aficionado, those caught her eye especially.
Vert checked over her spear as she observed the room "There does not seem to be anyone here? Unless they knew we were coming and abandoned ship."
IF looked worried "There could be an informant at the Guild...but I don't think that has ever happened before, unless they are that good."
Noire was the most surprised of the group and was at a loss for words. This entire base and ASIC's operation was right here just outside of her city. This is how ASIC was able to spread into Lastation so easily. She had to take care of this problem fast, before it grew into some kind of armed rebellion.
Noire raised her communicator and attempted to contact her Oracle back at the Basilicom, the ever steadfast and serious Kei Jinguji.
"Kei, are you there? we've fo-" Noire cut herself short since the communicator was letting out a mocking beep noise, indication that the outgoing signal was not being transferred properly.
"Something seems to be wrong with my...the signal is being jammed!?" Noire deactivated her communicator and sprang to full alert. "Somebody knows we're here, everyone be on guard!"
Blanc, Nepgear and Uni who up to this point had not materialized their weapons, did so almost in unison. However there was still no sign of any other entity being in this place besides them.
A loud bang behind the party broke the rising tension in an instant. The large steel door had slammed shut behind them.
"Dammit! really!?" Blanc shouted as she winded back her hammer and attempted to break the door down, succeeding at only putting a large hammer shaped dent in it. She dislodged her Hammer looking disappointed and frustrated.
"My, how rude of you all to come here without even knocking!"
A loud voice echoed from the opposite side of the room, as a seemingly secret door opened and a single strange looking figure walked out slowly.
"W-who?" Nepgear was a bit frightened by the ongoing developments, little did she know things were about to get far worse. Two hidden doors the left and right walls of the room opened up almost in unison, and what seemed to be about fifty armed ASIC loyalists stormed out, pointing various firearms and assuming combat stances with swords and magical devices, surrounding the group before Nepgear knew it.
"Dammit! how could this be a trap!? " IF was in a rage. She had never received bad Intel from the Guild, why would it happen now!?
"This is...not good." Even Neptune, who never backed down from a fight, looked worried. They were Goddesses, but even they could be defeated by overwhelming numbers and firepower in such a confined space.
The mysterious figure had finished her approach "Now everyone, no need to start things off on the wrong foot, let me introduce myself. My name is Magic, known to my followers here and to all of ASIC as CFW Magic."
The woman before them was an exceptionally tall pale skinned stranger with long crimson pink hair fashioned into long flowing twin tails that ran all the way down to her knees. She was sporting a long red Robe, concealing most of her body. The only other noticeable feature was some kind of eye patch device on her right eye, the band of which furrowed behind her hair.
"If you would all drop your weapons and surrender, we can get on with the business at hand."
"Like hell!" Blanc shouted as she raised her hammer in response. Vert quickly grabbed Blanc's arm, attempting to calm her down. The last thing they needed was to start a fight right now.
"Well, perhaps you don't need to drop them" Magic cackled with this statement, simply raising a hand as if to signal someone, or something.
Noire was growing impatient. "What do you want Magic? What does ASIC want? We're all here now!"
Magic looked disappointed by Noire's sudden outburst. "Relax Lady Black Heart, why don't you step forward. We can discuss terms, this is Lastation after all."
Magic also beckoned to IF who had been desperately trying to establish outside communication. "Poor girl, do you want to know how much the Guild took in exchange for feeding you and the others the false information I needed to get you all here? I bet it's a lot less than you think."
"Dammit, they sold me...us out." IF looked crushed by this revelation. She thought she knew her employer in and out after all these years, mysterious nature be damned.
Magic smiled and beckoned once more "Come on girls, let's get this over with."
Noire and IF looked at each other, and walked forward to meet Magic in the center of the room.
Once they were within a few meters of each other, they stopped. Magic broke the silence.
"To answer your question from before, ASIC and my goal is to resurrect the Deity of piracy and sin, Arfoire."
Noire scoffed. "Arfoire is just a myth! You're doing this all to chase down a legend?"
Magic grinned. "Arfoire is very real, and she's so close to returning...we just need a bit more share energy."
Noire's eyes widened with fear. This is why Lastation had been losing shares recently. Noire had simply attributed it to the others stepping up their game but...there was no sign of that at the time.
"Damn!" Noire didn't know how to respond. "So how do you plan to do that?"
Magic closed her eyes, widening her grin. "Why, by taking Lastation as my own Nation of course."
Noire's mouth dropped open. "You can't, I won't let you! The others have my back! We-"
Magic cut Noire's reply off with overwhelming loud laughter. "You see Lady Black Heart, its already mine. ASIC is taking control of your Basilicom as we speak, let's just say the place is being redecorated with...crimson red right about now. I think it's much better than the old look!"
Uni dropped to her knees upon hearing this. All of her caregivers and friends at the Basilicom...Kei was there too...what was happening there?
Noire was in shock "You...you dare."
Magic simply smirked "You Goddesses are outdated, ASIC will replace you and usher in an age of Piracy and freedom for all from the oppressive share driven nations. Arfoire will return to physical existence once more."
"As for all of you...well." Magic raised a hand straight up into the air, and snapped a finger.
As quick as lightning a single shot rang out from the crowd of weapons pointed at the party...followed by a sickening thud against the floor.
IF had been struck, she never heard the shot that ended her.
Neptune's eyes began to tear up almost instantly. "IF! N-"
Neptune was cut off as more shots began to ring out in unison. Nepgear quickly raised a hand forward, creating a shield of share energy that began blocking the incoming projectiles.
Magic quickly engaged Noire as the battle begun, catching the shocked Goddess off guard as Noire looked at her now lifeless friend on the ground just to the side of her. Noire attempted to defend herself but Magic knew how to use share energy to assist her attacks...knocking Noire's sword out of her grasp as if it was easy.
Neptune, Vert and Blanc had managed to take out the mostly melee wielding opponents behind the group, creating a safe space between them and the door they had entered by. The shield continued protecting their front from the hail of bullets, their metallic surfaces impacting the shield in a display of magic disintegration.
Nepgear was straining herself to maintain the shield and it was only a matter of time before it would fail. Neptune attempted to break the door again with a powerful cross sword combo . She knew escape was the only option here as there were just too many. Uni attempted to return fire from behind the shield periodically, but the incoming hail of shots made this prospect very dangerous. The young Goddess ducked behind the shield once more as a shot deflected off the floor just in front of her...she had to help her big sister too, but how could she?
Neptune bashed against the door in a vengeful rage. She was determined to survive this, she had too for IF and Nepgear. Five more melee armed goons charged their position and were flawlessly defeated by
Magic landed a powerful punch against Noire, shaking her vision and knocking the wind out of her. Magic quickly followed up by grabbing the black leotard clad woman by the throat with one hand squeezing hard. Noire could feel herself passing out. She knew if she was defeated here it was all over. She attempted to kick magic below and somehow succeeded. Magic recoiled and responded by tossing Noire across the room with incredible power. Slamming into the wall, Noire fell to the ground and collapsed onto her stomach.
This situation was bad for Noire, she was very nearly completely cut off and guessed there was about 15 opponents in between her and the group...not to mention Magic.
A nearby ASIC soldier quickly seized this opportunity to sprint over to Noire and smash her in the back with his steel bat. Her whole body was in pain and she could see the others in the corner of her eye attempting to break the door and escape. Noire's teal eyes could see Uni, who was continuing her power gauss rifle fire.
Noire wished she should help Uni right now as the blows kept hitting her, unable to move and defend herself.
"We have to get out of here now!" Neptune desperately shouted. Nepgear was on her last reserve of strength left, the shield would go down any second and if it did things would be much more difficult.
A loud boom echoed from the group of armed ASIC loyalists as what appeared to be a rocket of some sort was fired towards the now tenuous defensive position the group had assumed. Uni spotted this new threat just in time, destroying it mid-air with a quick blast from her gauss cannon.
Vert leaped towards the door with her spear. "Rainy Ratnapura!" Vert's signature spear technique made her elegant weapon seem like a blur, as she punctured the door in a circular shape. "Blanc!" She desperately shouted.
Blanc nodded and smashed the circular formation as hard as she could with her hammer, knocking a hole clear through the steel door. "We have to go now!"
Nepgear left her shield behind as it slowly began to dissipate, grabbing Uni's hand and pulling her towards the door.
In the meantime Noire had regained her footing and quickly knocked out the club armed ASIC goon, but 4 more charged her. The white haired Goddess was in real danger now...being tired, hurt and unarmed. Taking the initiative she leaped at the closest approaching grunt and delivered a powerful jumping kick which sent them careening backwards! Not even a second after landing she was assailed by a swordswoman, slashing Noire's right flank and hitting home.
Wincing in pain the now bleeding Goddess quickly disarmed the dark haired swordswoman and she too was sent flying across the room.
"You...have to get out of here Noire...you have to get out of here now...with the others...now..." These words repeated in the Lastation Goddess's conscious over and over. Noire quickly positioned herself to counter the charging soldier armed with a shock sword, its electrifying enchantment lighting up the ground in front of them. Almost as suddenly she felt a massive amount of stunning force and pain impacting her back...a second shock sword wielding guard had managed to sneak up and disabled the weary Black Heart, who now collapsed onto her stomach.
Noire slowly peered her slowly closing eyes towards the door...noticing one small detail. Uni was peeking through the hole in the door at Noire with tear cyan colored eyes, much like her own.
"Uni, run!" Noire shouted as Magic approached Noire to finish what she started.
The conflicted young Goddess tearfully nodded and escaped to join the others just as the shield completely vanished.
The group ran back up the hallway the way they came. The lack of light at the end of the hallway betrayed that it was now night time outside. As they reached the entrance the lights of vehicles and powerful floodlights outside illuminated their position...It seemed Magic had prepared for their possible escape. Before a second had passed guns opened fire once more and a shot pierced Nepgear in the stomach.
Nepgear's pained shout caused Neptune to reflexively grab her and pick her up as the group darted into the air to make their desperate escape.
Uni never looked back. Knowing that Noire needed her now more than ever, just not here.
Back in the now quiet depths of the Bunker's main room. Magic was gloating to Noire about her victory. Quickly blacking out... her HDD deactivated and revealed the twin tailed human looking Lastation leader once more.
"Uni, run!"
~ Present ~
~ Lastation Basilicom holding cells ~
Noire awoke sweating profusely. She has relieved this every day since it had occurred. "Two weeks...one day." Her Internal clock somehow managed to keep track of her imprisonment as best she could given that there was no possible way to see the outside world in the cell. Keeping track of time was one of the few things keeping her sane.
She knew it was morning again as the coming and going of guards signaled a shift change of some sort. However, something was different this time...she heard the tapping of Magic's footwear on the hard floor of the hallway just outside of her cell.
Sure enough Magic arrived shortly, again with a lackey in tow. They entered her cell as usual, as a gun was kept trained on her...not that she could do anything in her current dulled state.
Magic grinned. "Looks like you're in luck Lady Black Heart, time to leave this place."
Noire was in disbelief upon heard these words. The guard wasted no time injecting the daily dose of syringe fluid. "L-leave?"
Noire was afraid. Why would Magic let her go? did something happen in the two weeks she was locked in her insane little world here? "W-what are you planning?" Noire managed to stammer out a sentence amid the near instant effects of the chemicals.
Suddenly two more ASIC guards entered and took hold of Noire's arms, one for each. They began moving her out of her cell, even if she could barely walk by herself...let alone feel her legs right now.
Magic laughed under her breath. "You will experience my plan very shortly, Lady Black Heart." as she began to lead the way for the soldiers. They dragged her just behind Magic as the mysterious ASIC leader led them out of the Prison. Noire noticed that the third soldier was now behind her, pointing a rifle. The thought of how pointless this was given her current state was amusing despite the circumstances. A lowly Dogoo could probably defeat her right about now in a fight.
The battered girl nearly blacked out and suddenly they were outside in the Basilicom's front entranceway. A large entrance Plaza was full of ASIC supporters. "Magic must have been busy these last two weeks...she is converting everyone." The raven haired Goddess thought to herself...hope was fading. The crowd was cheering in unison like a hive mind. Noire's hearing was too dull to make out exactly what they were cheering about...nothing nice she could imagine. Magic led them to the public speaking section of the plaza, a raised platform that overlooked the entire entranceway. This is where Noire had given many speeches and decrees to her citizens and other outlets. There were many cameras pointing here right now. "Is this being...broadcasted? There must be thousands watching..." Noire's heart sank...she hoped to never be seen like this.
Fifteen days of captivity and torture didn't leave a presentable appearance. What would normally be a strong looking confident Leader was now a wracked torn clothed mess.
The ASIC guards let go of Noire as she fell to her knees on the stage. Looking around she noticed some of the ASIC supporters were familiar faces at her events. "Just how did ASIC turn them against me?..." Noire closed her eyes. Wanting to awaken from the bad dream she was stuck in.
Magic took to the microphone. "Citizens of Lastation! This is your so called Goddess, where was she during the events of the last 10 days? Where was she to maintain order and security? Why was ASIC needed to bring order to the chaos!? Ordinary citizens like you and I! Why did we put our faith in these outdated figures, these Goddesses!?"
Noire's could not focus and keep track of what Magic was grandstanding about anymore...she had no idea what had happened as she began to space out.
"Uni...where is Uni...did she make it after all? where...Kei...anyone?"
"...and that is why! No more Goddesses! No more console wars! This is the end of an era! and the beginning of a bright new one for Lastation!"
The crowd roared and repeated Magic's final words.
The CPU felt herself being picked up again as she was carried to the front and center of the stage. Everyone in the crowd was shouting at her.
"Wait...She is...Magic is...I'm sorry..." Noire's words went completely unheard as she felt herself being kicked in the leg from behind, causing her to collapse onto her knees again...the broken Goddess slowly looked up.
A cold metal object was pressed against her head as the cheers in the crowd reached a climax.
Noire looked around at the pristine surroundings she had helped build, the people gathered here that at one point the hard working CPU had helped protect and valued more than anything.
She would never get to see Neptune's "dumb pudding encrusted face" again , nor enjoy the satisfaction of completing her paperwork. She would never get to create another cosplay outfit in secret...she would never get to spend more time with Uni... or with any of the others.
"Uni...please be safe, if you only knew how much I loved you...and Neptune..."
The fallen Goddess somehow felt hope for the future filling her heart and mind...
Uni was still out there.
As long as there was a Goddess linked to Lastation's sharicite there was still a chance.
Noire closed her eyes as a faint click was heard. The next shot would be one heard across all Gamindustri...
~ End of Chapter 1 ~