Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

King of Beasts Productions Present:

The Legend of Falcom: Into the Western Continent!

Chapter 2: The Party is Formed

"The Resistance, was it?" Falcom asked her new acquaintance Bungie whilst they hid in another alley away from the pursuers. "What do you need to meet them for?"

"A resistance you say?" Nisa asked, understandable left in the dark. "I have not heard of this. Then again, I have not been in this land for long, so that is to be expected."

"From what I've heard, various Resistance Groups have opposed the Empire time and again." Falcom provided some much needed exposition. "Many of the older groups were squashed due to most of them disorganized, but this latest one has been brutally effective."

"Indeed." Bungie chose this point to interject. "My intel states that the rebels are rather organized, employing guerrilla tactics to outmaneuver the Empire. You've learned much over your stay here, Falcom. Color me impressed."

"Thanks, but that doesn't explain why you're here, though." The adventurer gave the agent a questioning look. "Or why Leanbox has taken an interest in the Steam Empire's enemy."

"Fair enough. I promise that I'll explain what I can." Bungie nodded in agreement before taking quick look at her blind spots, checking for any of their pursuers. "But not here. We need to find a place where we can lay low and go over this in detail."

"Hmm...I think I know a place."

"You do?" Nisa asked Falcom, who wore a knowing smile on her face.

"Yup. There's a pub I go to near here. I actually live with the owners, so letting us in won't be a problem for them." The adventurer explained. "Also, we don't have to worry about them saying anything. They're not the biggest fans of the Empire either."

"If that's the case, then let's not waste any more time." With a nod of agreement between the three of them, they followed Bungie's suggestion and made their exit.


"Yaaaaay you're back~!"

"And you brought new friends, it seems."

"Hey, Plutia. Hey, Sadie." Falcom greeted as she and the other two entered the pub. "Nothing happened while I was away?"

"Just some soldiers showed up, asking if they saw bobbed-haired swords-woman and a bluenette came in here. I told them no, of course." Sadie answered while giving the trio her signature creepy leer. "My, what naughty thing did you do this time, Falky~?"

"W-W-We're going to talk about that in a bit!" Falcom waved her hands in a flustered manner, and with good reason: If what she heard from Nepgear was correct, this side of Plutia was terrifying, even moreso now that it was a separate entity.

"Anyway." The red-head continued, eager to change the subject and gesturing towards the other two. "I haven't introduced them yet. This is Nisa, one of my old travelling buddies from home. And this is Bungie, someone I just met who is also from home."

"Nice to meet you!" Nisa announced in her usual jovial manner.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance." Bungie added likewise in a reserved tone.

"Pleased to meet you, too~! Any friend of Falky is a friend of mine!" Plutia giggled with infectious mirth before diving below the counter. "Anything you guys wanna driiiiink?"

"Just coffee for me." Falcom placed her order, followed by Nisa and Bungie respectively.

"Warm milk for me, please!"

"Just hot water will be fine."

The other two gave their new companion a quizzical look whilst Plutia prepared the drinks. As soon as they were served, they immediately saw why; After pressing a few buttons on her gauntlet, a compartment opened on her left wrist revealing assorted tea bags lined up in a row.

"What?" Bungie raised a brow at the other two as she placed a green tea flavored bag in her mug. "For someone in my line of work, tea helps calm the mind and body."

"You're not wrong." Falcom shrugged as she took a sip of her coffee, savoring it's taste. As they had this quiet moment, Plutia closed up for the night and took a seat in their table along with Sadie.

"So, you said you had a story to tell." The blue-haired older sister spoke first. "I don't like getting teased for nothing."

"Moving on," Falcom abruptly ended it so that things don't get out of hand. "You said you were going to tell us what you were doing here, Miss Bungie."

"Please, Bungie is fine." The armored Leanbox agent raised her hand. "As for my mission, it all started a month ago..."


Leanbox Basilicom. One Month Ago.

"You may enter, Agent Bungie."

Hearing the Oracle's command prompted Bungie, clad in a military uniform complete with a beret, to enter a room with a circular table at the middle of a dimmed room. In other words, it looked like your typical secret council meeting.

One the right hand corner sat Chika, Leanbox's Oracle, looking as impressive as ever in her black dress and green hair. On the left was Cave, her superior, looking as stoic as ever with her red twin tails and white dress. At the middle was the Goddess of Leanbox herself, Vert. Her fair features, coupled with her long blonde hair and impressive figure, made her look as if she was one of the fae.

"Your presence honors us, Milady." Bungie could not help but go on one knee at the presence of divinity.

"No need to be so formal, Agent Bungie. Just Vert will be fine." Vert dismissed her with a smile before turning to her Oracle. "Chika, I believe there is a matter of importance that needs to be addressed? There is a significant amount of back-log from my BL games that needs to be taken of."

"Of course, my darling." The greenette sweatdropped at her CPU's skewed priorities before turning towards Bungie. "Tell her what you told me and Cave."

With a nod from the red-head, Bungie rose and began her briefing. "As you probably heard from the Oracle and the head of Special Ops, several suspicious looking characters have been brought in for questioning."

"Yes. I do recall these characters being arrested for inciting civil unrest." Vert nodded thoughtfully while placing a hand on her chin. "For quite a while, they have been stiff-lipped about their actions, or whether they were from the other nations or not."

"Indeed. However, I am glad to say we finally made a breakthrough." Bungie continued. "After looking through the spies' belongings, I found this."

She tossed a torn piece of black cloth on the table. Vert picked it up immediately and, after seconds of observation, her eyes widened. What caught said eyes the most was the emblem: It was a large white S in the middle of what looked like a gear.

"What is the matter, Darling?" Chika noticed the troubled expression of her Goddess.

"This symbol..." Vert muttered in an audible whisper. "That insignia belongs to the Steam Empire from the Western Continent."

"The Western Continent? Isn't that place a myth?" Cave questioned with understandable skepticism.

"I assure you that it is no myth." Lady Green Heart sighed. "It was once a great land, a utopia that put all our Four Kingdoms to shame, under the rule of a benevolent CPU."

"What happened to her?" Bungie dared to ask.

"That is the biggest mystery. One that was lost with the land's Golden Age." Vert let out another sigh in dismay. "What I know for certain was that her disappearance gave rise to Emperor Valve's Steam Empire, a land as mechanical as their ruler. 'Tis no wonder that a Resistance Movement exists."

"Be that as it may," Bungie chose this time to respectfully intervene. "If the Empire has spies in Leanbox, who is to say the other Nations aren't being observed as well? What design does this Emperor have for our homes?"

"Yes. That is indeed disturbing." Chika nodded in agreement before turning to Vert. "What do we do now, my Darling Vert? We certainly cannot let this slide."

"Agreed. However, this is not a matter Leanbox can handle alone." The Goddess nodded as well. "I will make sure to inform the other goddesses as soon as possible. We may be able to prepare a contingency plan for a potential invasion. I trust you will contact the Oracles as well, Chika?"

"But of course, My Darling." Said Oracle nodded at the command.

"Cave, you will keep vigil over the city for any more of these spies. Contact the Guild if you must. I know for a fact that I can rely on Iffy's help."

"Of course, milady." Cave bowed slightly just as Vert finally turned to Bungie. "As for you, your task is quite monumental."

"What is it, Lady Vert?" The agent dared to ask.

"You are to head into the Western Continent." Lady Green Heart explained. "Your task is to make contact with the Resistance's leader, General Blizzerd, and offer him whatever aid you can muster. Obviously, you are to avoid detection from the Empire at any cost. It would not do if a spy from the East was discovered in their territory."

"Affirmative."

"Good." Vert smiled as she turned to her trusted counsel of three. "If there is nothing else, then I expect all of you to fulfill your tasks to the best of your ability. For now, you are all dismissed."


"And that's my story." Bungie ended her tale with a sip of her green tea. "Which led me to meeting you two fighting off the local authorities."

"Woooow~!" Plutia squealed in her usual drowsy tone. "That's such a good story, Bungie~!"

"Quite a precarious mission you have there." Sadie noted, crossing her legs while place a hand on her chin thoughtfully. "Then again, General Blizzerd of the Five Lions is quite an ally to have if you wish to face the Empire."

"Forgive me for being clueless again." Nisa interjected. "But who ARE the Five Lions?"

"I'd like to know as well." Bungie added. "Unfortunately, we do not have much intel on the Empire's military, so I lack knowledge concerning important officials."

"I can explain this part." Falcom nodded. "The Five Lions are the most distinguished Generals of the Empire, answering only to the Emperor himself. One of them, Blizzerd, has defected due to unknown reasons and founded the latest incarnation of the Resistance with several like-minded individuals."

"I see." Bungie nodded understandably. "I suppose it would be best to avoid contact with the other four at any cost."

With that, the Leanbox Agent rose to her feet. "Thank you for your hospitality, but I'd rather not involve you any more than I should."

"You can stay here for the night if you waaaant~" Plutia offered.

"It's a tempting offer..." Bungie mulled over it for a moment. "Alright. I'll stay for the night, then depart as soon as I can."

"Also, who said you were going to do this alone?"

It was at this point the Agent did a double take at Falcom and Nisa's direction. "You cannot be serious..."

"But we are!" The jump-suit clad bluenette would be first to speak. "After seeing the evils of the Empire first hand, I cannot let the citizen's cries for help go unanswered! At the end of this, they will know Justice!"

"Well, there's that." Falcom chuckled, though her mirth was quickly replaced by determination. "Besides, if the Empire has any plans of invading our homes, then I can't just stand aside and let that happen. Consider our help yours."

At this point, Falcom stood up and promptly offered her hand to the Leanbox Agent with a smile.

"...You two are exactly as how the files describe you." Bungie couldn't help but smile at their spontaneous decisions to help out. "Very well, I'll accept. Considering your accomplishments, you two will make formidable allies."

With that, Bungie accepted the hand offered to her, all while Nisa, Plutia and Sadie watched with smile on their faces. "We leave in the morning. You two better be ready by then."

"Got it!


Imperial Police Northern Branch. Around the same time.

Captain S2 was not having a good day. Not only was he not able to arrest the one who was speaking badly about the Emperor's regime, but he and his men were bested by two unknown individuals and got his mech gloves soundly wrecked. Oh, and they escaped him too.

"I'm going to need an aspirin after all this." The anthropomorphic gorilla groaned as he opened the door to his office. "Can this day get any worse?"

That question was promptly answered. Sitting on his desk with her legs crossed was a statuesque woman garbed in black, spiked armor with red outlines with a red cape on her shoulders. Her facial features had a rough edge on them, but she was by all means considered quite beautiful as her pale skin and ruby red eyes gave her an otherworldly aura. Her jet black hair flowed like river up to her shoulders. On her back was a great sword made with gleaming black steel and runes etched across the blade and on her side was a revolver in it's holster. In her hands was a novel, a tale of adventure written by one A. Christin. Ironic, considering this tale.

As you readers may have already surmised, this woman was one of great importance in the Empire, as even the imposing Captain S2 was shaking in his figurative boots. For you see, she was one of the Five Lions of the Empire and, arguably, the greatest of them all.

"G-G-General Bethesda!" The large gorilla managed to sputter out "Since when did you-"

"I've arrived today incognito. It draws less attention to me that way." The woman answered with the dignity of her position. "As for the reason of my visit, I merely came searching for intel on the rebels. Unfortunately, what I saw was a disappointing performance by our esteemed police, to say the least."

"My apologies, General." S2 bowed as best as he could. "I have no excuse to explain my failure at apprehending those two."

"No worries. Unlike the other generals, my punishments aren't so severe." Bethesda sighed as she snapped her book closed. "However, if this mishap goes unaddressed, the Imperial Police will look bad to the citizen's eyes. That is something Emperor Valve will not allow."

"Then what do you suggest, General?"

"I would suggest setting up block points at every exit the town has. Make sure no one goes out unless we approve." Bethesda nodded "If they do not surrender peacefully, then lethal force is authorized. Do not make the mistake of underestimating them again. Is that understood?"

"Yes, General." S2 gave her a salute.

"Good. By tomorrow, we'll have made examples of them." Bethesda stood up and raised her gleaming sword for all to see "May all those who oppose the glorious Steam Empire taste our steel!"

End Chapter 2


Nepstation Time!

Neptune: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! It's time for your regularly scheduled Nepstation, featuring your series protagonist, Neptune!

*takes a brief pause before speaking again*

Neptune: This lil' spot is where we take a break from all the drama and talk about what's happening in this story! By the way, props to Falcom for getting the protagonist treatment for the first time ever! Especially since this is the one fanfic in where she's the lead! Oh before we get sidetracked, I bring to you our very first guest and protagonist of this here tale: Falcom!

*Falcom enters and sits beside Neptune*

Falcom: Shucks! This is kinda embarrassing!

Neptune: As humble as ever, I see! Well, get used to it, Falky! This is what it means to be a protagonist~!

Falcom: Feels kinda nice actually.

Neptune: Soooo, what do we expect of this story? Any juicy bits you can share so far?

Falcom: Nothing really. Just expect more Western companies to show up. Oh, and next chapter will be quite a doozy.

Neptune: Watcha think of General Bethesda? She seems pretty scary. Well, not Sadie-level scary, but someone I want to meet in a tussle.

Falcom: From what I've seen, she seems rather intimidating. However, she looks like someone I wanna face in a duel. She seems to know her way with a sword.

Neptune: Ah, a typical Falcom answer. Oh, one more thing: King of Beasts DOES know that Plutie and Sadie are kinda the same in personality, right?

Falcom: *laughs sheepishly* He kind of realized in hindsight. However, the concept of having the two personas exist as different entities excites him to say the least.

Neptune: ...I have no comment to that. One Sadie is enough for this world. Anyways, that's all the time we have, so I'll see y'all for the next round!

Falcom: See you next chapter!

End Nepstation.


A/N: Welcome back to another chapter as well as the first Nepstation of this story! Well, since most of what I said has already been covered by Nep earlier, all I wanna say now is thank you to those who've read and reviewed it! I enjoy listening to your feedback so that I know how I can make this tale better. Also, make sure you leave a review when you're done reading this chapter! I wanna hear what you all have to say!

That's all from me, so until the next chapter, this is the King of Beasts signing off!

Next time on The Legend of Falcom: Into the Western Continent!: The Daring Escape!