The four members of the ASIC have been defeated by the hands of Nepgear and the gang, but little did they know, their defeat would give rise to a greater power, stronger than any foe they have faced thus far.
This begins, The Apocalypse.
"The Deity of Sin has returned." Histoire said with a serious face.
"I'm so sorry... It's all because we unknowingly..." Nepgear apologised.
"Don't apologise for something you couldn't have known." Mina, Lowee's Oracle replied to the apology, "All we can do now is devise a new plan of attack."
"Whatever the plan the end goal is set-we must defeat the Deity of Sin." Kei, Lastation's Oracle said matter-of-factly.
"Straightforward, but true. Do we even stand a chance against her, if we struggled against the Four Felons?" Noire, the CPU of Lastation, added on.
"It's sad, but that's a good point. At the rate we've been going..." IF said, sweat dripping down her face.
"We need to learn more." Blanc, CPU of Lowee, said with a straight face.
There was a short silence which was soon broken by Neptune, "Oooh, I think is what you call a brain freeze... My noggin isn't knockin' out any good ideas!"
"Um..." Nepgear began as she thought about something.
"What's up? Think of a winner?" Neptune asked her sister, probably trying to coax out a reply.
"Well... Remember the rumours about that cursed sword the person in Lastation mentioned to us?" Gear brought up something that they heard about quite a long time ago while gathering the discs to help with the Deity of Sin.
"Hmmmmmmm... I think..." Compa said trying to remember.
"Didn't they say it was capable of defeating the Deity of Sin?" IF questioned.
"Yes, that's the one! What if we found that sword?" Nepgear suggested.
"Are you being serious right now?" IF retorted, "It was a rumour, Gear. Even if it were real, we have no actual leads."
"The story does feel like something a bored public would make for fun." Cave added.
"B-But, researching it is better than doing nothing at all, right?" Nepgear tried to hold her stand on the matter.
"It stinks of desperation, to me." Uni said in light of Nepgear's words.
"The likelihood of us winning is pretty pathetic right now, though." Noire told the group.
"The rumour does intrigue me. Allow me to do some research about it on my own." Chika told her plan of action to everyone.
"We're short on time, so we may as well assist with the accumulation of pertinent data." Kei said in a business like tone.
"We'll contact you once we learn anything of substance." Histoire told Nepgear and gang.
"Let's get our snoopin' and and sleuthin' on, kiddies!" Neptune optimistically said.
"I'm really grateful." Nepgear adds on to her sister's comment, she's glad that everyone's in on the idea for now.
But it won't be long before everyone leaves the cause.
"You're actually going to seek out that sword, are you?" The Mysterious Man says to Nepgear, they were in Planeptune, asking around for anyone who knew any info about the damned thing.
"Do you know anything more about it?" Nepgear asked, the man probably has a little knowledge about the sword, though not much, it still provides a small lead on where it is.
"Do I? I wonder... Tell me this, child. Are you truly prepared?" The man questioned Nepgear.
"Prepared? For what?" Uni wasn't really sure of what he meant by "Prepared". It could mean anything.
"Is it kept someplace dangerous, nyu?" Broccoli asked the man.
"Hmm... I've never heard of it being used, so maybe it's all right to tell you what I know..." The Mysterious Man pondered about telling the info to this mass group of girls made up of the CPUs, CPU Candidates, and some Humans. "The sword is said to be kept sealed away deep beneath Gathering Castle." He told the group.
"Thanks, oh wrinkled one!" Neptune said to the Mysterious Man. "Let's get our roll on!" Neptune said cheerfully.
"Hey, gramps. If you knew where it was this whole time, why didn't you take it yourself?" Noire asked the Man.
"I am neither strong nor young enough to attempt to retrieve the sword." He said, "Plus, if my research is accurate, the blade would be of no use in the hands of a mortal like me." He added on.
"My, you make it sound as though there is some cryptic truth about this weapon we've yet to learn." Vert expressed her concern over the crypticness of the description of the weapon.
"Just who are you, anyway?" Blanc asked the man.
"Haw, haw... I am but an old man who relishes in telling old tales, nothing more..." He replied, further adding to the enigmatic descriptions he told to the group.
Soon they made their way to the location of the sword.
Deep beneath Gathering Castle.
"So... Do you think this is it?" Nepgear said, looking at what seems to be a rusting, discoloured sword sitting in the room.
"Lame. Colour me disappointiwinkle. It's rusty and cobwebby and probably has tiny insect poo on it." Neptune commented on the condition of the "cursed sword".
"Yeah. Hard to believe it's supposed to stop the Deity of Sin." Noire commented.
"But, maybe if we polish it and give it a good sharpening, it'll turn out into a really neat sword." Nepgear says optimistically.
"I am not one to enjoy grasping at straws..." Vert says.
"Still, let's try cleaning it a bit. If it's still junk, then we can try to come up with a new plan. Okay?" Nepgear says as she picks up the sword.
They made their way back to Planeptune.
*Shine, Sparkle* The sword shone in the light after a good ol' polish.
"There. Nice and shiny and pretty." Nepgear said as she finished up the polishing and sharpening.
"You done good, Nep Jr." Neptune said to Nepgear. "But it still looks like any old sword you can buy at a store."
"I don't sense any special powers coming from it, either." Blanc continued.
"Like I said, it was just a rumour." IF said to try and solidify her earlier point.
"Aww... Did I just waste everyone's time...?" Nepgear said sullenly before being interrupted by her phone.
"Oh, phone call! It's Histoire. Hello, this is Nepgear." She said as she answered the call.
"Nepgear! Is it true that you have obtained the sword?" Histoire's frantic voice was heard over the phone.
"Y-Yes, but it doesn't seem to be anything special..." Nepgear replied.
"You still have not used it, have you? Is everyone still all right?" Histoire was starting to panic.
"Yes, we're okay... All I did was give it a little elbow grease and cleaned it up..." Nepgear said, unsure of Histoire's tone of voice.
"I see. Thank goodness. I contacted you in time, then." Histoire heaved a sigh of relief as she heard those words.
"Um, in time? What's wrong? I've never heard you in such a panic before." Nepgear asked, growing concerned over Histoire's unusual motions over the phone.
"I will explain in time. For now, return with the others to our Basilicom." Histoire issued instructions to Nepgear. "And no matter what, use the utmost care when handling that weapon."
"Um... Okay..." Nepgear said, still unsure of the cause of distress in the Oracle.
They made break for the Basilicom.
"We're back, Histoire." Nepgear said as she arrived.
"It took you long enough!" Histoire sternly said to Nepgear.
The other three Oracles were around but they were silent, their faces held a serious look.
"U-Um, why does everyone have such serious looks on their faces?" Nepgear asked.
"We found some shocking information relating to that sword..." Mina said sternly.
"If what we learned is accurate, that sword really might be able to defeat the Deity of Sin." Chika added.
"Really? This typical, run-of-the-mill sword?" Noire expressed a bit of shock at how the plain looking sword could possibly best an enemy that strong.
"Are you pulling our leggings? We can win with this thing?" Neptune asked with uncertainty.
"Yes. That is, if you actually decide to use it." Kei replied.
"Is there some issue preventing us from using it?" Vert asked, if this sword could defeat the Deity of Sin, it would be worth listening to the setback that is preventing the usage of the sword.
"As it is now, it has no power. But under a certain condition, that can change." Histoire replied to Vert.
"Condition?" Rom asked.
"You're being so mean, teasing us like this... Just say it, jeez!" Ram's pushing Histoire to say it despite her reluctance to do so.
Histoire fell silent, it was as she was debating with herself whether to tell the group or not.
She then spoke, "The sword must slay one of CPU lineage. For each kill, it will grow in power."
"What?" Uni exclaimed, seemingly angered and shocked at the condition to power the sword.
"Kill... CPUs?" Blanc said with a hint of fear in her words.
"There are eight of you gathered here of CPU lineage. If one kills the other seven, then the sword will..." Kei started to explain the process before being shut down by Nepgear.
"S-Stop it!" She cried.
"This has to be some kind of joke! There's no way we'd resort to killing each other off!" Uni angrily shouted.
"We aren't asking you to use it. But should you choose to, it would increase your odds of success greatly." Kei pointed out. "You spent precious time searching for that sword while the world suffers the effects of the Deity of Sin's return." She added on.
"Shut up already! Are you telling the CPUs and CPU Candidates to kill each other!?" IF shouted.
"All I've stated are facts. I have no right to tell anyone more than that. This is their decision." Kei retorted.
"The answer is simple, then." Uni says slightly calmed down.
"Yeah. We don't need some stupid evil sword to win!" Ram confidently said.
"i-I don't want to see anyone die..." Rom spoke.
"The life of someone of CPU lineage..." Nepgear thought to herself. "Uni, Rom, Ram... Neptune, Noire, Vert, Blanc... No! I could never, ever use it..."
"But... but if we do... We can best the Deity of Sin... We could save Gamindustri..." Nepgear immediately thought of the other side, both options pushed weights on her, it was a huge dilemma being torn between two sides of the scale.
"Hey, Nepgear!" Uni shouted to her, noticing that her attention wasn't in the "discussion".
"Y-Yes!?" Nepgear replied back, snapping away from her soon-to-be messed up train of thought.
"You looked lost in thought. Don't tell me you were actually mulling it over..." Uni started questioning her.
"N-N-No... No, of course not..." Nepgear denied.
"This is nothing to decide on a whim. Please think on it overnight." Histoire said with a serious voice and tone, the situation and the severity of it was grave so rash decisions were to be overruled.
"And Nepgear, know that regardless of your decision, I will always be on your side." Histoire reassured Nepgear.
"I... I know..." Nepgear replied back.
The next day came round.
"Have you come to a decision?" Histoire asked Nepgear.
"I have." Came the reply.
"And what is it?" Mina asked, anticipating the next reply.
"I... Can't take anybody's life." Nepgear replied. "And even if I offered my own life. I believe that nobody else here would be willing to take it, either."
"Nep Jr...! You're so awesome! I knew you'd say something epic!" Neptune threw a compliment at Nepgear the way she knew how.
"It's the only obvious decision." Uni added.
"Why did we have to wait overnight? I totally couldn't sleep!" Ram exclaimed.
"Although, one must admit that it would be a rather lucrative option for whoever would remain." Vert said.
"I don't think I have any right to talk about whether or not it's right to take someone's life." Blanc added.
"However, without this sword, your odds of victory are near zero. What do you think about that?" Kei asked Nepgear, she must have a backup plan if she does not intend to use the sword.
"I told Nepgear I would be on her side, but to send you all into a losing battle without hope is..." Histoire says with growing concern.
"Um, I thought about that too..." Nepgear said with a slight sullen look. "What if we gather all the Shares throughout Gamindustri and focus them in one nation?" She proposed.
"All of the world's Shares?" Histoire said in a questioning tone, she wanted to verify what she just heard because the proposal sounded a bit too... Much...
"Do you know what you're saying!?" Noire exclaimed, the gathering of Shares from around the world and putting them in a single nation, would have drastic effects on the other Nations and their CPUs.
"If we moved everyone's Shares to Planeptune, then my sister and I could fight the Deity of Sin alone." Nepgear tried to reason her proposal to everyone.
"J-Just hold on a minute. That does sound like a decent enough plan, however..." Mina said, trying to slow the discussion down a bit, everything's going everywhere, it's a somewhat decent plan since both the CPUs of the nation which has gathered all the Shares would be somewhat "Supercharged", but...
"What of our nations? Losing our Shares would destroy our economies and weaken the CPUs beyond recovery!" Chika posed a serious question. This "Supercharge a nation's CPUs to defeat the DoS(Deity of Sin)" plan has that big of a drawback.
"Maybe, but everyone would still be alive in the end, right?" Nepgear said, still trying to reason with everyone else.
"I suppose that is true, but..." Histoire has a sour look on her face, sure everyone else would live, but the cons outweigh the pros.
"I can't tell if this is the ignorance of youth or an attempt to be didactic. Either way, I can't condone this idea." Kei said, losing Shares would mean the various businesses in the other nations would be hit catastrophically, the CPUs would also be too weak to defend from any opposing external threats.
This would seem like the end of the other three nations if one were to go Share farming.
"I cannot allow it, either." Mina dismissed the idea.
"Same. If this is your great idea, why not move all the Shares into my darling Vert's Leanbox?" Chika dismissed it as well. "There's no reason it has to be Planeptune."
"Please... Can't we please consider this?" Nepgear was starting to lose support and quickly.
"Sorry. I can't sign a death warrant a for my nation and my people." Noire expressed regret on not being able to help, but she can't just leave her nation and people to die.
"Be forewarned that if you seek this path, you leave us no choice but to oppose you." Vert told Nepgear.
"If you threaten Lowee's Shares and its people, then Planeptune is my enemy." Blanc was slowly losing her cool from the proposed plan.
"I knew you were a bully!" "Miss Nepgear..." Both Ram and Rom said respectively.
"Why can't you understand...? This isn't the time to argue about nations and power..." Nepgear was seriously trying to push her idea forward now.
"We'll never agree on this. Bye." Uni said coldly to Nepgear.
"Wait! Don't go...!" Nepgear cried out to the people slowly exiting the Basilicom.
It was fruitless, they were probably never coming back.
"So, uh, Nep Jr... Um... Buck up, kiddo?" Neptune tried to console her sister, left brokenhearted, her friends were gone.
"Why won't they listen to me? I just don't want anyone to use this sword..." A hint of frustration and sadness hit Nepgear.
"It is what it is. If I were in their positions, I wouldn't want to sacrifice my entire nation, either." IF agreeing to the other CPUs and the Oracles reasoning.
"Do we have to fight our friends?" Compa asked clearly not wishing to fight their former allies.
"It'll be inevitable if you try to take their Shares, nyu." Broccoli replied to Compa.
"So... I don't get what any of you are talking about, but is this our only option or what?" Red asked, she didn't catch anything from the long discussion and she isn't the brightest either, more brawn over brain.
"It's all I could think of, yes... Nobody would die, which is what I thought we wanted to avoid..." Nepgear was clearly distraught at the matter.
5pb stood there silent.
"Oh. That's right, you're from Leanbox originally. Are you going to go back there now?" IF asked the pop idol of what she wanted to do now, since this charade seems to be falling apart.
"N-No... i came this far believing in myself, so I have faith this is the right choice. I'm staying here." Came her reply.
"Don't blame us if you end up regretting it later." IF forewarned the idol, her choice in staying here is admirable, but if she choose poorly, it's bad news for her life.
"I don't think my returning to Leanbox would change anything..." 5pb was almost certain about this fact.
"All right. Now, get it together, everyone. If we're doing this, we're gonna go all the way." IF told the remainder of the group that hadn't left, this is the path of no return, if they want to walk down this path, they have to go full force.
"Yep, things are gonna be just fine. You've got Nep-Nep on your side, and the hero never loses right!?" Neptune chirpily boasts.
But all Nepgear could muster from that was just a simple "Right...".
And so the Share collecting began, first in Planeptune, it was necessary to gather and solidify Shares in home base first, if they can't do that then they can't g on and gather Shares from the other Nations.
"Looks like we're gathered a good amount of Shares in this area." IF said confidently.
"How do you feel, Nep-Nep? Ge-Ge?" Compa asked Neptune and Nepgear.
"Uhhh, I think my muscles are getting bigger, but I dunno..." Neptune replied in a very unsure manner.
"Yeah... I don't think this is anywhere near enough..." Nepgear commented, it seems that the amount they gathered was not significant enough to provide a power boost for the two.
"If we take any more time, the Deity of Sin is going to be at full strength, nyu." Time is ticking and they don't have much of it, they have to get enough Shares for the two Planeptune CPUs to be able to fight the Deity of Sin on fair ground.
"This isn't going to work, is it? And after all I had everyone go through..." Nepgear was starting to doubt herself and the plan she concocted.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. If you sing too many sad songs, you'll actually get depressed." 5pb tried to comfort Nepgear a bit, these moments when she doubts herself may lead to inefficiencies.
"I see..." Nepgear replied to 5pb, everyone has sullen looks on their faces, they know time is running out.
"I've been hanging onto this sword ever since... I mean, just in case worse comes to worst..." Nepgear began thinking to herself, "N-No! What am I thinking? I'll never use this!" She tried to steer her mind towards using the Sword, but that thought still lingers in her head.
With that ends their Share collection in Planeptune, next stop...
Lastation.