Pre-word :: I haven't updated at all in two weeks. This probably had some people thinking, "It's the Vision discontinuation curse." Nope, I'm planning to continue working on this story. Here's the situation. I have exams next week which is why I haven't had the time to update. After next week, I'll hopefully have the next act finished by the end of February. It should be out in early February at latest. This isn't Act IV…However; I would call this following chapter a "bridge" act that will set up everything that is to occur in Act IV. This will also serve as a chapter that focuses on how everyone else is doing in the different lands of Gamindustri. Well…more of a short story involving Lastation. Without further ado, Bridge Act I, please enjoy.


Hyperdimension Half

Bridge Act I, The Turning of the Tides

Lastation. Known as The Land of Black Regality. The country of Lastation and its main cities lies south east of Lowee. Lastation, Planeptune and Lowee all lie on the same continent. However, Planeptune, east of Lastation is separated from the Land of Black Regality by a range of mountains which trail towards Lowee's borders and where the Gamindustri Graveyard once stood prior to the downfall of Arfoire and ASIC. Leanbox on the other hand, lies on a separate continent south of the mainland.

Grey smog and the odor of steampunk and heavy duty machinery haunt the main capital city of Lastation. Of the four main nations, Lastation is best known for its mass production and its heavy advancements in Gamindustri's commercial market. The capital's employed populace consists of factory workers, scientists and engineer specialists who continue to make advances with the nation's gaming and technology.

Inside the main Basilicom of the capital, Kei Jinguji quietly put her pen down in order to rest briefly. She has been working on the daily business reports since 5 AM that same morning. This sort of rigid work was nothing surprising for Lastation's all business Oracle. Although she comes off to others as cynical, cold and unsentimental, she cares deeply for the nation as she does towards Noire and Uni: the goddesses who rule over Lastation.

Kei noticed her cellphone ringing. She picked it up from her desk's left hand side only to notice a mail icon on the screen.

She opened up her cell's inbox, with a simple message coming from Mina Nishizawa of Lowee: "Lady White Heart, Miss 5pb and their group have left the capital."

The workaholic Oracle put down her cellphone and muttered, "Hmm. About time."

"May I come in?"

The door opened immediately as a black haired beauty with twin-tails entered the main office. She was dressed in a blue and white outfit which sported frills on her torso and the skirt. Her posture was that of a noble-like and dignified manner and her expression remained cool and relaxed. Her name is Noire, otherwise known as Lady Black Heart: the goddess of Lastation.

Kei greeted, "Noire, you're pretty early. I do recall telling you the night before that the reports aren't expected until today's business lunch with the neighboring companies."

"Tell me something I don't know," Noire scoffed slightly. "I got a text message from Blanc."

"How ironic, I just finished reading what Mina just sent me." Kei stood up from her desk and observed the cellphone message which was being shown by the goddess herself.

The text message read: "On the way to Lastation. We'll be here in a few days. – Blanc."

"It's unlike her to actually care if I knew when she would arrive to this place." Noire commented, closing her cellular shortly after. "Have you seen Uni? I've been calling on her all morning yet no sign of her."

"She's training again," the oracle stated with an as-a-matter-of-fact tone, "You should find her over at the park."

"That girl is so hardworking," the twin tailed goddess sat down on the office couch. "It shouldn't come off as a surprise. Afterall, she will surpass me one day."

"No time to be sentimental," Kei walked over and sat down beside her. She drew out what looked like two printed reports. "As of 1:08 AM as of this morning, I've sent official statements to Leanbox and Planeptune regarding our 'situation'…"

"Good timing." Noire smirked, "I just got off the phone with both Vert and Neptune. They'll be arriving in Lastation within a few days as well. This is all turning into a giant international diplomacy conference."

"And that man who happens to fall mysteriously into the middle of this all."

"Don't talk nonsense, Kei." Noire huffed, standing up to prepare herself some coffee. "Just because that martial artist happened to fall into Lowee around the time our databases started messing up means nothing. I still don't get why I have to give some stranger like him an audience."

"I didn't say you had to," the Oracle chuckled slightly, a rare gesture from somebody like Kei. "It would be appreciated, however. I was skeptic towards his motives but he naturally has no knowledge of Gamindustri. Based on Mina's recent statements, it would be…probably, keyword is probably, safe to assume that he is indeed an 'outsider'…"

"Outsider or not, I could care less." Noire crossed her arms, "…but…since he's coming all this way…I guess it wouldn't hurt to give this mystery stranger an audience. Somebody who's willing to put up with Blanc for a five-day trip…is pretty bizarre. If not uncanny."

Kei drew a photo out and showed it to the tsundere goddess. "Lowee's security ops took this photo under a request from Mina. I asked her myself personally, however."

Noire observed the photo and commented, "He looks…pretty tall…no, pretty built too…he gives off this eerie martial artist vibe…"

Kei deadpanned, "Noire, you seem…too absorbed into that photo."

The goddess shrieked and backed away, calming her reddened face down. "It's absolutely nothing Kei. Don't get any funny ideas! Got it!?"

Thus, it was another normal morning in Lastation.

Back at the main capital of Lowee, Mina strolled through the Basilicom's grand hallways. Blanc and her group left the main capital just two hours ago. Blanc entrusted Mina to taking care of her younger twin sisters. She called out, "Rom! Ram! It's time for breakfast."

No avail; as the oracle didn't receive a response. She tried again, "Girls, I made waffles for breakfast!"

Once more, there was silence. "Now where could those two girls be? Perhaps they're playing a game of hide and seek."

A male Basilicom soldier rushed to the oracle, "Lady Nishizawa! I have terrible news!"

"Calm down and speak slowly, soldier." Mina ordered, "What is it? Is it an attack by ASIC remnants!?"

"No!" he hollered as his face grew more panicked, "Rom and Ram are gone! They've vanished! My squad can't find them anywhere inside the Basilicom! The capital security can't find them in the city either!"

Mina's face went pale. "Oh….god….!"

Somewhere…on the open road…a gigantic black bus is seen cruising through the highways of Gamindustri. Inside the luggage compartment…

"S-sis….it's too hot in here…when can we come out?"

"Shhh…not yet, Rom…! We'll sneak out of here soon enough…if we keep talking, Blanc will find us and…"

The luggage compartment opened. "So there you are, you little ants! Mina is looking all over for you back at the Basilicom!"

Both twin sisters gulped. They were in for it now…

To be Continued…


Author's Notes ::

Well, I got that out of the way. Everything else should be completely clear in the next chapter. As for what Leanbox and Planeptune are up to, expect some more scenes in Act IV. Please, leave a review.