"Iffy, I always knew you were a joker. Such an elaborate prank." Neptune said, her expression had softened from her puzzled look, "But really? Nepgear? That can't be. She wouldn't kill me. You could've come up with something more believable."
"It is no joke." IF said, crossing her arms, "Ten years ago, we were under threat by the Deity of Sin. We had no options left, except that cursed sword."
"Cursed sword…?" Neptune asked, tilting her head.
"Gehaburn." Histoire said, a shiver running down her spine, "The cursed sword able to kill a goddess. Nepgear used that sword to kill every other CPU and CPU candidate to power it and defeat the Deity of Sin."
"Nepgear… did?" Neptune gulped. There was no way this was true. The Nepgear she knew wasn't able to fight her, much less kill her. But, what if this Nepgear was different from her own? Maybe this world's Nepgear hated her? That couldn't be it, could it?
"Hey!" IF snapped a finger in front of Neptune, bringing her back.
"Ah, yes, sorry Iffy."
"You're Nep alright." IF muttered, "As Histoire was saying, that was ten years ago. After the defeat of the Deity of Sin, Nepgear was to be inaugurated as the new Planeptune… No, Gamindustri's sole CPU. But she suddenly vanished."
"Vanished?" Neptune questioned, "Where she go?"
"No one knows." Histoire said, looking at the Sharicite room, "However, due to her absence and lack of CPUs, new ones were able to be born from the people's wishes. Luckily, there were enough shares left for that to happen."
"So, now those are ruling the nations?" Neptune asked, putting the pieces together in her head, "Which means my successor should be here?"
"Indeed." Histoire said, "She had just left for a quest when I detected your arrival here. She should be back any minute now."
Right on cue, the doors to the Basilicom opened up. A girl as tall as Neptune stood there, her blue eyes looking ahead in an almost drowsy manner. Her short orange hair had a single d-pad clip, two bangs covered some of her face. She wore an orange and white dress. She had white gloves that reached to her shoulder with an orange line going down. White tights and orange shoes.
"I'm baack, Histoire~" She called out.
"Jupiter, perfect timing." IF said, approaching her, "There's someone you should meet."
"IF is here too?" She asked, walking towards IF and following her to the others.
When she got near Neptune, they locked eyes and stared at each other. Circling around, looking at each other with interest.
"Histoire, IF, who is this?" She asked, staring down at the girl in front.
"I would like to know the same thing." Neptune said, mimicking the orange girl.
"It's like a mirror image..." IF sighed, covering her face with her hand.
"Jupiter. The girl in front of you is Neptune." Histoire said, "Neptune. She's Jupiter."
"Neptune…?" Jupiter looked at Histoire, "Wasn't that the name of..."
"Indeed." Histoire said before the question was finished, "Neptune. The previous CPU of Planeptune."
"But… she's dead." Jupiter said bluntly.
"I'm not dead." Neptune said, jumping in place and pointing at Jupiter, "I'm the protagonist! I can't die!"
"Well, you did die in this world." IF said matter-of-factly, walking away and sitting on a chair nearby.
"You don't have to be so harsh, Iffy." Neptune complained.
"As it stands, the Neptune before you is from another world." Histoire told Jupiter, "Or so she claims. It'll fall to you, Jupiter, to help Neptune get accustomed to our world." Histoire leaned in closer to Jupiter and whispered, "And keep an eye out for any suspicious activity."
"I don't really get all this other world stuff." Jupiter admitted, "But I'll do it. I'll be Neptune's guide."
Jupiter turned towards a door, waving at Neptune, "Follow me!~" she called happily.
Neptune followed Jupiter, leaving IF and Histoire alone in the Basilicom.
"To think we'd see Nep again like this." IF sighed.
"It is strange, IF." Histoire agreed, "However, I'm glad to see Neptune again. I hope her claim is true..."
IF smiled, "Same here, Histoire. I'll keep an eye out for her if that's not the case."
"I understand." Histoire replied, closing her eyes, "I hope she's really Neptune…"
"Yeah, well. I'm going." IF stood up from her seat, "I'll see if I can find more information about where… she is."
Histoire nodded, "Good luck finding information on Compa's whereabouts."
"Thank you, Histoire." IF said, walking away towards the Guild, her mind wandering, "I will find you, Compa. And make Nepgear pay."
The room was dimly lit by the multiple screens stacked on each other. Some showing information. Others showing live feed of the nations.
The girl that sat in front of the screens kept looking at the same one - Planeptune's feed. She kept rewinding the recording. She could clearly see IF taking hostage a Nepbot… But something bothered the girl. The audio of the recording kept repeating, "Hey! Hey! Careful with Nep here!".
"How did that Nepbot speak?!" She exclaimed, slamming her fist on her armrest, "I haven't been able to make a synthetic voice for Neptune yet. So, how?!"
She paused the video and zoomed in, staring at Neptune's confused look as IF took her away.
"And why wasn't this Nepbot in my list?" She said, glancing at another screen with multiple different names in it, "All the ones here are in standby! And it couldn't possibly be her… She died ten years ago."
She brought her hand to her side, grabbing the purple sword next to her and slashing a robot prototype beside her. The deep gash she left shone purple for a few seconds before dissipating.
"I must find out more about that…" She paused for a second, staring at Neptune's face, "Anomaly."
Neptune looked around the room. It was just as she remembered it. The TV was in the same place, so was the fridge and all the other things. Some new things were there, of course, like a new console and some dolls. "So, uh, Jupiter was it?" Neptune said, "Can I ask you some questions?"
Jupiter turned around and looked at Neptune, "Of course!" She smiled.
"About the other nations..." Neptune said, looking out through the window, "Do you know who are the CPU there?"
"Other nations..." Jupiter put a finger on her cheek, closing her eyes, "I think Histoire mentioned them once but I don't remember."
"You mean they don't gather here in your room and play games together?" Neptune asked, her eyes wide.
"Uh, The nations are not exactly… friendly with each other." Jupiter said slowly, opening her eyes.
"What…?" Neptune was freaking out now, "This is different. Too different for my liking. The nations are back to hating each other? It'll be the Console War all over again!"
"Neptune, please calm down." Histoire said as she floated in, "You're overreacting."
"Sorry, Histy." Neptune said, "It's just that… It is so different from my world. Why are the nations not in friendly terms? Even back then, us CPUs were not enemies."
"While that might be true in the past, it is not now." Histoire said, "After the new CPUs were born, the oracles of each nation were responsible for their upbringing, as is customary. However, I doubt that they did not let them know about what transpired before them. So it would be understandable for them to hold some grudge towards Planeptune."
"But that isn't Jupiter's fault, Ne… She did that." Neptune stopped herself before blaming Nepgear.
"That might be true, but it is without a doubt that the new CPUs were not happy." Histoire said, "Although the other oracles and I still remain good friends, the CPUs don't appear to be."
"So, couldn't you ask the other oracles to talk to their CPUs..." Neptune started to ask.
"I'm sorry, Neptune. But, at the current moment, I am the only oracle left." Histoire said, shaking her head, "The other oracles left on a journey to different parts of the world. I'm afraid it wouldn't do much good."
"Well, then I just have to convince them to become friends!" Neptune said enthusiastically, "I'm sure they'll be happy to have some company and not end up like Loner Noire."
"Neptune, I don't believe that would be a good idea." Histoire said, "At least for you."
"Why not, Histy?"
Before Histoire could reply, a robot crashed through the room's window, scattering glass shards everywhere.
The robot resembled Neptune. The only difference being the electrical line inside its pupiless eyes. It stared blankly at Neptune.
"Is that…" Neptune wanted to ask, only to stop once Histoire nodded.
The copy of Neptune took out a katana and pointed it at the group. Histoire glanced at both CPUs, before opening the door behind her and floating off to get IF.
"No time to talk uh?" Neptune said, taking out a similar katana.
Jupiter glanced at Neptune, then at the copy, before taking out her rapier.
"Let's kick this fake me's butt!" Neptune told Jupiter, who nodded in agreement.
The copy rushed at Neptune, slashing downwards. Neptune blocked the attack with her katana. Jupiter rushed at the copy, thrusting her rapier multiple times. The fake Neptune jumped backwards, avoiding the multiple stabs from Jupiter.
A robotic voice came from the Fake Neptune, "Cross Combo."
Neptune recognised the attack name, she blocked with her sword the first few strikes, unfortunately she lost her grip, allowing the Fake Neptune to send her into the air before striking her down. Dust rose from where Neptune fell.
"Neptune!" Cried Jupiter.
"Now you've done it." Neptune said, standing up and brushing some dust from her dress, "I won't go easy on you now. Transform!"
Nothing happened.
"Gosh darnit. I can't transform in this world." Neptune muttered, gripping her katana, "Will just have to give it my all. Victory Slash!"
Neptune rushed at the Fake, slashing in a V shape and ending behind her fake before a small explosion of energy appeared.
"Let's keep this going." Jupiter shouted, "Energy Thrust!" Jupiter rushed at the Fake Neptune, her sword shining blue as she stabbed and sliced multiple times.
The Fake Neptune moved backwards, trying to get some distance between the CPU and itself.
Jupiter approached Neptune, "Let's finish this together, Neptune."
"You got it, my successor!" Neptune nodded, "Let's finish this with Neptune Break!"
Neptune rushed at the Fake, sending it upwards before jumping across the room and slashing at the robot with each jump.
"Your turn, Jupiter!" Neptune yelled as the robot fell down.
"Okay!" Jupiter replied, running at the robot, "You're finished! Celestial Break!" Jupiter thrusted her rapier as the Fake Neptune crashed into the floor. Jupiter continued to thrust and stab her sword rapidly at the robot. She jumped backwards and making her rapier shine blue before making one last thrust, sending Fake Neptune flying out the same window it came from. Fake Neptune exploded soon after it was launched.
Neptune approached Jupiter and high fived her, "Well done!" She smiled.
"You did well yourself as well, Neptune." Jupiter said, smiling, "It was nice fighting with my senior."
"Aw shucks, Jupiter." Neptune said, smiling back, "You know, maybe if you keep like this, you might become the protagonist at some point."
"Really?" Jupiter said, sparkles in her eyes, "You think so?"
"Of course." Neptune replied, before putting on a half smile and looking up, "Well, at least when I'm gone from this dimension."
"The friendly discussion is all well and good," Histoire said, opening the door to the room, IF standing behind her, "but could you save it for after you both clean this mess?"
Neptune and Jupiter both looked at each other before looking around them at the destroyed room. Shards of glass scattered everywhere, dust and debris around the couch, and a broken desk.
"Oh." Neptune muttered.
"There can't be a doubt." The girl muttered, looking at the video of her robot fighting, "That has to be Neptune."
She rewinded the video once more, focusing on Neptune. Her fighting style, her attacks, how she tried to transform.
"But she can't transform..." She mused, "Maybe she's not Neptune after all… But if she is… How is she alive?"
She grabbed her sword and stared at its purple aura, "I'm sure I had killed her... "
She looked at Jupiter and Neptune attacking the robot in unison. They had defeated this one way too easily.
"And she also managed to convince the Basilicom and CPU that she's not a robot of mine."
She stared menacingly at the screen, "Things are getting interesting..."
She pressed a button and the screen in front of her changed. It now showed a black screen with a green line.
"It is time." She said, "Prepare an attack on Planeptune."