Rewrite of 4th Chapter
Don't forget, the disclaimer is in first chapter!
BETA/EDITOR: EL Hunter
X— Chapter 04 —X
Friendly fire? No, it's certainly a jealous attack! Beware the main cliché villain finally appears!
—Part 01—
Planeptune's central city was truly a sight to behold. Many skyscrapers littered around the city's most advanced landmass in Gamindustri. Even if this was the third time Shirou was walking in this wonderful city, his breath was always taken away by the curious yet amazing advanced scenery. It was, as if, he was in a very far future, where humanity had advanced by leaps and bounds. Something which happened only in sci-fi fiction movies or novels, he'd had a pleasure to watch and read in his busy life as Hero of Justice.
Walking next to him, IF was watching Shirou with silent amusement. It was only normal for IF to find how amusing Shirou was. After all, he just acted like a little boy visiting the land of Purple Progress for the first time, which was not entirely untrue.
Both of them had finished their business with the nearest Branch of the Basilicom from the Monster Cave. When Shirou heard the name of the place they were going, saying he's agitated was an understatement. After all, Shirou had seen the beautiful and marvelous sight of the Basilica in his world before, and yet in this world, the great site of Humanity had been butchered into a very horrifying pun. It was true that the Basilicom he'd visited with IF was only a branch of the main Basilicom resided in center of Planeptune's Central City and it had wonders of its own. However, the damage had been done and Shirou wasn't amused by the badly named pun.
In the Basilicom's branch, Shirou had registered himself as new Mercenary just like IF. To be honest, traveling around Gamindustri to kill the nuisances (read; weak monsters) or in rare times; true monsters, and saving innocent life sounded just like dream that came true for the red head. It felt like he could be the 'Hero of Justice' in this world, although how easy it seemed to be left a bad taste in his mouth somehow.
From the Basilicom's branch, or the Guild's branch as IF affectionately called it, Shirou had gotten many information he deemed important about this world, or what the natives simply calls; the Tutorial. Shirou had even got very good information that will help his mission with his rag tag group.
Shirou got his hands on a Guide-Tablet filled with the latest update of monster data, which probably helped him in his fight, a many checkpoints scattered around Gamindustri, which was branches of the Guild. He was also becoming the top Guild's Mercenary with IF's recommendation. Aside from that, he's got an inventory disk to keep his possessions in.
For Shirou, it was an awesome piece of 'Mystic Code' to behold. It was a disk that imbued with ancient magic of this world, blessed by the World's Everything AKA Histoire herself long time ago. It worked like Gilgamesh's vault key that's linked with the bastard's infinite pocket dimension. Shirou had used the Structural Grasp on it and he'd copied it to his infinite armory. Oh... The beauty of his Reality Marble and Structural Grasp which most Magi deems as useless and waste of an effort.
"So, where are we going?" IF's sudden question snapped Shirou from his musings. Shirou stared at his new friend whom she reminded him of Rin, well, not enough, but she was someone whom made Shirou reminded of his former lover. He threw a glance around, trying to find a good bar or café to buy a simple snack for IF as he had insisted her upon. However, as if his luck was running out for today, he found everywhere was full.
Shirou decided to ask the native of this world for her input. "Do you know a place that sells good meals?"
IF put a thoughtful expression. She did something similar as Shirou by looking around for a less crowded café. However, she didn't find any and said to Shirou. "Well... This area seems crowded. Why don't we move to another less-crowded area?"
Shirou raised his eyebrow at that. He then shrugged carelessly. "Eh, why not. Lead the way." said Shirou.
The two of them walked to another district in Planeptune. However, so far they hadn't find a good place.
Along the walk, they tried to get know each other better. Shirou had found out more about IF than his Structural Grasp when his passive weapon scanning skill had given him. He found out that IF was an orphan just like him, but instead of being adopted, IF had lived her early life in an orphanage. Shirou listened at IF's curt and straightforward story of her early life, how she had ran away from the orphanage at age of eight, training to be strong in the wilderness, until she became an skilled traveler and mercenary at age of thirteen.
The Hero of Justice was amazed by IF tenancy and stubbornness. He had found out IF was a hardheaded individual and could be very rude given the circumstance. However, deep down, she was very compassioned individual and had good heart. Her main problem came from her loner attitude, which results her poor social skill. IF had a sense of a very dry humor too, and yet, the most different trait between her and Rin was; IF is kind of geeky and loved her cell-phones very much.
Shirou left in bewilderment when he saw IF's cell-phones collection, each one inside a phone pouch, strapped on her belt.
From their conversation, Shirou also found out how IF respected strong and independent individuals. It made Shirou feel mildly embarrassed when IF pointed how strong he was. All in all, IF was someone that he will be happy to be friends with. Actually, Shirou is sure that they'll become good friends in the future.
"By the way Shirou, do you have a cell-phone?" Asked IF after she paused while taking bite from her Horsebird burger. Shirou shook his head silently as his mouth was full by his own meal. They have stopped for a small break and bought some food on the way. It wasn't that much, just a Horsebird Burger and a cola which they ate and drank as they sat on the bench near the fast-food booth. "Why?" Shirou asked back after he swallowed the junk food and drunk his soft drink to push the food away to his stomach.
IF shrugged as she took small sip of her own drink. "Nothing. Just thinking it will be convenient if I have your number when I want to contact you in the future," she said
Shirou tilted his head slightly, pondering what IF had told him. Having a cell-phone would make his life easier as he could request some quests on an online channel than going to nearest guild on feet. When he was still a Freelancer, he had simple hand-phone for communication only. It was simple and easy to use. Shirou stared at IF with a contemplative expression and asked her. "Tell me, how much is the cost of a simple Cell-Phone?"
"Do you want to buy one?" IF paused and raised her eyebrow at Shirou. When she saw Shirou nod, she hummed and then answered, "Well, Planeptune is the most advanced landmass in Gamindustri. Hi-Tech technology in this place is cheaper than in the other Landmasses. Tell me, how much credits do you currently have?"
Shirou counted his earned money after he got from... exterminating the nuisances during a quest. He had around 8,000 credits. He'd spent some for registering himself a Mercenary in the Basilicom, and some to repay Compa when he borrowed her credits to buy Neptune's weapon. He had spent few Credits for their meal. He had only 5,000 Credits left. Shirou smiled wryly when he thought that with amount, it wouldn't be enough to buy a cheapest cell phone in the market. "I don't think I have enough money to buy the cheapest model." He told IF dryly.
IF only raised her eyebrow from small moment. She then said, "Well, how can you be sure of it? You haven't told me how much credits you have."
"I only have around 5,000 Credits left..."
"It's enough." IF stated in a matter of fact. It left Shirou bewildered and the red head reacted while left dumbfounded 'huh?' IF sighed and elaborated to her confused new friend. "Planeptune is called as the most advanced landmass for a reason. True, it won't be enough if you only have that small amount of credits in other landmasses, however, it is enough in this place." IF then emptied her drink and threw the empty container into a nearby trash can with great accuracy. "Let's go, I'll help you with it."
IF's last statement snapped Shirou out of his trance. He immediately ate and drank his portion clean and threw it to the trash. Unsurely, Shirou followed his new friend to a nearby shopping district.
—Part 02—
When IF told Shirou his Credits were enough to buy a cell phone, he thought it would be the cheapest and it usually would have very limited features. So, when he had bought an old model smartphone, the SamTune Galaxy, which resulted another eye twitch for Shirou, that was released just two months ago with only 3,950 Credits, he was very much speechless by it. Shirou finally understood just how advanced Planeptune is. The Land Purple of Progress was very advanced in a very ridiculously fast pace. Every month, a new product and/or utility that's more advanced than its predecessors would be released to the public. It made the price of the old gadgets cheaper. A newly released handheld gadgets, such as a handheld console or a cell-phone, cost around 5,000 to 10,000 Credits. However, when a new product is released, the prices of the old ones are cut down by a dozen percent, to clean the stock; or so they said. In Shirou's opinion; He'd found it utterly ridiculous. Surreal even.
The owner was tinkering with his new cell phone, while checking the features, he couldn't help but marvel at how advanced it is. It have higher specs than the latest gadget in his home world and doesn't have a keypad whatsoever, only a big touch screen.
The 8 Megapixel camera was pure high quality for a handheld gadget which wasn't specialized for just taking pictures. There was also front camera with 5 Megapixel resolution for a video call. Beside the Dialer, Instant Messages, Music Player, Video Player and Recorder, and audio recorder, his new smartphone includes also... the InterNep—Shirou sweat dropped at yet another bad pun that he have a displeasure to know—features in it. The smartphone could install other applications from the NepStore which had been installed by the factory. So far, Shirou had only installed an application that showed him this world's cuisines and recipes, and another application for checking and requesting a Quest from Basilicom, called: The Basiline app.
Considering this is old model, Shirou couldn't help but wonder just how advanced the new one actually is?
"Thank you for your help IF." Shirou thanked his new friend for helping him buying his new smartphone. The brunette just simply nodded back at him.
Both of them were taking a small break in a small park. They were sitting on a wooden bench, savoring the luxurious peace in their usually hectic life. The sky had turned beautiful golden and some birds were flying back to their nests. The atmosphere was peaceful and they savored it to its worth.
Shirou suddenly made a contemplative face as he thought about something. "Ne, IF?"
"What is it?" IF asked back, acknowledging Shirou's question, even her eyes didn't stray away from her favorite phone cell's screen.
"Would you mind if you join me and my group for a mission?" Shirou asked bluntly.
The 3rd rate magus had planned to ask IF to join his group in their mission to save Histoire. She wasn't as strong as the transformed Neptune or he if he decided not to hold himself back, but Shirou knows IF is strong in her own right. It will be good for his mentality if a fellow sane person joins his little band of misfits. It wasn't like he disliked Neptune or Compa. On the contrary, those two became somewhat close to him. It is true they weren't as close as Rin or Sakura... yet, but he'd promised Histoire that he will protect Neptune and he is man of his word.
Compa is also someone Shirou acknowledged as a close person. She is kind of a ditz and more of a bigger airhead than Neptune. However, she'd nursed him and gave him shelter and food even if he was practically a stranger to her. Compa is too kindhearted for her own good and he would be lying if he said that he didn't feel fear of unsavory people taking advantage of Compa's kindness.
Years of experiences that he had accumulated from his journey for his dream and upholding his ideal had shown how dangerous humans can be. Even so, he would still save them as it is his reason to live, to exist after the fire of Fuyuki in his early memory. Though, if they brought peril because of their own foolishness, he would like to watch them as they screwed their own lives with a box of popcorns in hands.
IF finally moved her eyes from her phone cell's screen and glanced at Shirou from corner of her eyes. Her look was neutral. "What kind of mission?"
Shirou paused, pondering what he should say next to her. After small moment he was quiet, he finally elaborated in an unsure tone. "To be honest, the mission itself is a little unclear. We just know we need to find a way to release a Celestial assistant from her prison to stop the goddesses from fighting a useless battle."
"A Celestial Assistant?" IF pressed further. Her attention was fully at Shirou right now.
When Shirou knew IF wanted to hear more, he made a pensive face. "Yeah… Histoire… the world's everything, or you can say she's the will of this planet, the one who created the goddesses in the first place, but she is imprisoned and we have a mission to release her," Shirou said with a tired expression, "to be frank, in my opinion, that they are fighting each other in the Console War is just too meaningless. They should protect their people from monster threat than just fighting each other for some stupid domination or becoming a supreme goddess in this world."
IF made a thoughtful expression, mimicking Shirou. She nodded slowly and told him her own thoughts. "Very true. I feel they are helping people in their territory just to gain faith from their people to sustain their Shares. When they gain enough Shares, they will go to Celestia and continue fighting each other in the Console War. I do think it's very stupid." IF sighed loudly.
Shirou looked at IF in understanding. He shared the sentiment.
IF continued after stopping sighing. "However," IF made an annoyed expression, "I feel that Purple-Heart-sama's absence is suspicious. I have heard rumors that only Purple-Heart-sama hasn't descended to her landmass while the other goddesses have descended yesterday."
Shirou face shifted into a blank expression. Inwardly, he is worried when he heard what IF told him. 'If the other goddesses have descended from Celestia and are now on each landmass, it will be bad if they'll find out Neptune's current state', thought Shirou. A small frown craved on Shirou's face as he continue his musings, 'they will take advantage of Neptune's amnesia problem and she'll get pushed back in her confusion. Even if Neptune's the strongest goddess of the four, she will be overpowered when they gang up on her. She might be very powerful back before she lost her memories, but right now catching the glimpse of Neptune's power I've sensed yesterday when she transformed, she's just as powerful as a Mid-tier Servant. Hmmm, I should be careful if I want to protect her from the other goddesses' threat.'
"…Shirou? Shirou, are you listening?"
His companion's voice snapped Shirou from his thoughts. Shirou stumbled slightly and asked the Claw user in an awkward tone. "…sorry, what did you say?"
IF sighed in exasperation when she saw Shirou's confused face. She knew Shirou didn't listen to what she'd told him a moment ago. She sighed, IF opened her mouth to replay what she'd said before… only for Shirou to suddenly roughly grab her arm and jumped away from their position, pulling IF with him. "Shirou… Wha—!"
KABOOOM! IF widened her eyes when she heard something massive hitting the bench where they were sitting just seconds ago. She widened her eyes in surprise, she see that there is a small crater instead of the bench they sat on. "Wha—What happened? An enemy?" IF asked as she readied her Claws and gun.
Meanwhile, Shirou narrowed his eyes at the place he and IF had sat before. His instinct had screamed to him to dodge from the mysterious lethal attack. He was glad his Eye of Mind ability had become (True) after his experiences in many journeys and missions he had gone as Enforcer and Executioner. He possesses a C-class Eye of Mind (True) as ability and he is thankful to it because it had saved him many times.
Shirou had released IF and prepared his own weapon. The tree branch he had altered into a wooden sword with a sharp edge and reinforced as much as he could on his right grip, while his Hunting Sword was gripped on his left hand. He'd flooded his Od to fill many imperfections in his body and he is ready to make inhuman feats with it.
"How could you cheat on me, Shirou!"
Whatever Shirou had prepared in his mind, he was rendered speechless when he hear a familiar accusing tone from his mysterious attacker.
When the dust is cleared, Shirou sees the appearance of Neptune in her true form, or should he refer her as Purple-Heart? He'd seen older version of reckless midgets he'd saved from freefalling two night ago. Even if Shirou felt a chill travelling in his spine, for some reason, when he sees Purple-Heart's furious and betrayed expression at him, he is confused when he heard her question. Why is Purple-Heart thinking he is cheating behind her back? And since when are they in a relationship to begin with? It is then that something clicked in Shirou's mind.
Unfortunately, before Shirou can speak, IF had butted in and demanded an answer from the amnesiac goddess, quite rudely in fact. "Who in the hell are you, old hag?"
Purple-Heart pointed at IF with her shaking finger. "Don't call me old hag, you man-stealing, washboard of a girl in oversized coat!" She shouted back furiously.
"The hell! Who do you call man-stealing, you tramp! And don't you call me a washboard!" IF shot back with eyebrow twitching quite dangerously.
"Ara~ Haven't you looked yourself in the mirror? For someone with near nonexistent breasts, you're clearly in denial, or perhaps you have inferiority-complex in regard of your breasts?" Purple-Heart sent a vindictive smile at IF as she stared pointedly at the Brunette's chest. To rub salt on the wound, Neptune crossed her free arm under her breasts and raised her two firm and healthy breasts upwards, making them look bigger in very provocative manner.
"You… You… bitch! That is a low blow dammit!" IF's face burned red and steam appeared from her ears after hearing Purple-Heart's latest comment. Her small body is shaking in rage. It is like IF had restrained herself from attacking Purple-Heart with everything she have because her experience in fighting monster so far, and pulling first movement could be simple yet a fatal mistake in a battle against an unknown foe.
Shirou deadpanned at the sight in front of him. His early thoughts was thrown away by the bickering amnesiac goddess and adventurer with an inferiority-complex (?) towards her own breasts. He stabbed the Hunting Sword on the ground and brought his left palm to his face, trying to nurse the ache that suddenly drilled his head because of this sudden plot-development. 'Why… just why me of all people?' Shirou lamented mentally.
Suddenly, a white light covered Purple-Heart and when the light dimmed, the beautiful goddess had transformed back to the adorable little Neptune.
IF was thrown aback by the transformation as she gaped at the sight. "Wha—How? What in the heck is this?! No, it's not important right now!" IF surprised look turned to a pissed off expression and she pointed at Neptune accusingly. "How dare you calling me a washboard when your chest is more flat than me!"
Neptune's adorable face contorted into a cute pout, in which actually is a very menacing scowl in her opinion, which she fail horribly at. "It doesn't matter. I get awesome a rack and a sexy ass when I'm transformed, even so, my adorable loli figure have more sex appeal than your butchered fat figure. I bet my blossoming adorable body gonna arouse Shi-kun's Jr than yours!" Neptune pointed IF viciously.
Shirou snapped his neck at Neptune because of her exclamation. His jaw dropped in disbelieve and he stared at Neptune with a scandalized expression. He wouldn't be aroused at Neptune's body no matter what! He isn't a lolicon or a pedophile, DAMMIT!
"Wha—Wah-! How could you accuse me from being fat, you insufferable midget!" IF looked like she can't restrain herself from attacking Neptune in blind rage. She readied her claws and tensed her muscles, preparing to pounce at that little bastard. Likewise, Neptune had readied her Katana in her right hand and sent 'come at me!' gesture with her left hand.
Knowing what's about to happen, Shirou decided that this crazy banter is enough and he don't want it to escalate into a needless bloodbath. He jumped between the two girls. He shouted aloud with utter seriousness. "Okay you two. It's enough!"
Thankfully, IF released the tension first, but she is still on het guard. She narrowed her sharp green eyes at Shirou for a second before locking on Neptune. Unfortunately though, Neptune seemed to not agree with Shirou.
"Step aside, Shi-kun. This is fight between the girls!" Neptune exclaimed with stubborn tone and sees fire of determination in her eyes.
Shirou would let Neptune do what she wanted as long as it doesn't endanger her wellbeing. However, this time he seems to not take no as an answer. Shirou stared at Neptune with blank expression. His lips formed thin line. Neptune reeled back in shock and fear when she sees Shirou staring at her like that. However, what made Neptune more afraid is Shirou's eyes. Shirou's pupils color isn't the soft amber a she is accustomed, no, it is silver with a crimson outline hue. There was small, black-colored, incomplete ring with short, black-colored vertical slit on upper part of the ring where the cut of incomplete ring was. It reminds Neptune of a blade drenched with blood. The change in Shirou's eyes color is only for a split second, it made Neptune think it is no more than an imagination.
However, the message was clear for Neptune. Somehow, she had made Shirou mad and her heart lurched when she knew about it. Slowly, Neptune lowered her weapon. She stared down at her shoes and chewed her bottom lip like a child being scolded by her parents. Both Shirou himself and IF where oblivious of the change in Shirou's eyes. IF stood in opposite side and she couldn't see Shirou's face when it had happened. Meanwhile, when that happened, Shirou had felt many negative emotions when he heard Neptune didn't abide his words.
Shirou blinked as the hate and anger disappeared from his mind as if it hadn't been in there in the first place. He felt bad when he saw Neptune looking like a kicked puppy. He is also curious and worried as to why he was suddenly like that, however, there is a more pressing matter and that is the sulking goddess in front of him. He pushed everything in the back of his mind and focused to cheer Neptune. He walked up to her and saw Neptune flinch when he was standing in front of her. Now, he feels like a big jerk because of his mysterious outburst.
Shirou crouched down until he was in Neptune's eye-level. He patted Neptune's head softly. With timid movement, Neptune raised her head to see Shirou. The redhead smiled when he sees Neptune looked at him. "Sorry, for snapping at you. But, I don't want you fight my new friend, Neptune."
Neptune averted her eyes from Shirou's. A guilty expression was clear on her face. "I'm sorry too. I was mad when I saw Shi-kun with that little girl for some reason. It was bad of me…"
Shirou heard an indignant "Hey! I'm bigger then you!" from his back. If this was an anime, he was sure should have sweat dropped, instead he just smiled wryly at that.
"However, Shi-kun…" Shirou raised his eyebrow curiously when he heard Neptune wasn't finished, "…how can you cheat on me before you finished the Heroine's route by opening all flags for it and unlocking the *censor* scene between us! You cannot just start harem route before you finished the main story first!" Neptune said indignantly. Her face showed a betrayed look.
It successfully wiped the wry smile on Shirou's face into a funny expression in instant. A bulging vein could be seen on his temple and it was throbbing dangerously. "Neptune…" Shirou said lowly while gritted his teeth.
"What is it Shi-kun? Do you want to jump into an M-Rated scene instead…?" Neptune blushed and averted her eyes, "Yadaaa yo~ Shi-kun no ecchi~"
Another bulging vein appeared on Shirou's forehead and his left eyebrow started to twitch dangerously. He took a deep gulp of air and let out a long suffering sigh. "Just forget it…" Shirou stared at his back, missing Neptune's pout, and sees IF watching at his direction with expression that could be simply called as a 'WTF!' expression. He let out another long sigh as he's sure that IF had heard what Neptune said. After all, Neptune hadn't lowered her volume when she said those absurd things, almost as if the amnesiac goddess had done it deliberately.
Scratch that, he is sure that Neptune said that on purpose.
Shirou whipped his head to stare at Neptune again, and he saw Neptune's innocent face is just like an angel staring back at him. Shirou frowned slightly before he glanced at IF, missing Neptune whose hand pumped on the air with a victorious expression, as if she was succeeded in something grand and epic.
"IF, sorry for the inconvenience. Let me introduce you to one member of my small group. This is Neptune." Shirou said. The Claw user, whose face had turned back to its neutral expression, nodded at Neptune. Shirou then continued after looking back at Neptune. "Neptune, this is my new friend and will be new member of our group for saving Histoire. Her name is IF."
Neptune's eyes narrowed, seizing potential threat to this IF character proved to her romantic interest to Shirou... She blinked when she tried to understand what actually kind of threat IF possessed for her. Honestly, she's a badass protagonist who has both ravishing mature body and illegally adorable loli appearance.
She tilted her head with thoughtful expression, which was very cute. After a small moment and yet she couldn't understand what it was, Neptune decided to think the brunette as mere nuisance for her romantic life and clearly not worthy of pain and trouble baiting Shirou's ire. In the end, she greeted IF with deceptively friendly smile. "Nice to meet you Iffy~"
IF blinked when she heard Neptune's greeting. "Ah, um, sorry? What was that?" She asked in confusion.
"What do you mean by that?" Neptune asked with same expression as IF, in which was also shared with Shirou.
"Well... This and that..." IF frowned and looked pensive for small moment, "I mean, you seem very friendly for someone who tried to kill me moments ago. And what's with that transformation stuff? You're like a different person back then and what's with that Iffy stuff?"
Shirou was listening in silence between IF's and Neptune's conversation. He is also curious, and slightly wary, about Neptune's answer for that.
"Oh-!" Neptune's lips formed 'O' as she slammed her right fist on her left palm, "Well, it is my super awesome magical heroine's transformation! It have many features like: A power boost and the ability to fly and having squishy and big boobs, firm buttocks and elegant thighs—" Shirou had stuffed his ear with an headset and listened to the music from his smartphone after he heard the 'magical heroine's transformation' part, "—which arouse Shi-kun and turns him into an drooling mess as he wants to *censor* and *censor* me... and then... and then..." IF deadpanned at Neptune.
The loli's voice had deepened and her face flushed in clearly not innocent thought IF didn't want to bother to know. IF didn't believe at almost everything Neptune had exclaimed. She took a glance at Shirou and saw the redhead had closed himself from reality and loads of dogoo's shit that came out from Neptune's mouth. "...and any way, I called you Iffy because it sounds cute."
"Eh, cute?" IF was taken aback by Neptune's latest statement.
"Yep! IF=Iffy... Sounds really cute, ain't it?" Neptune grinned proudly for some reason. Her face then shifted into impish expression with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "What's that? Were you picked by that name when you were a kid?"
"You can call me whatever you want, and, no, I was never picked when I was little." IF answered with tired expression.
"Oh-! Are you sure? You're face seems miserable enough for a character with a bad childhood that like you're locked away every day in the toilet, or bullied by another child, and have her meal stolen by others?"
A throbbing vein appeared on IF's temple as Neptune sent a vindictive smirk. 'This little—,' thought IF as she restrained herself from shooting Neptune with her trusted gun. Thankfully, Shirou, who had opened one of his eyes and unplugged his headset, asked Neptune about something that bothered him. "Neptune... Where's Compa?"
Surprisingly, Neptune paled in a horrifying realization when she heard Shirou's question. It made Shirou feel apprehension. "Oh, no, I left Compa alone on top of tallest tower in Planeptune!" Neptune shouted frantically. She transformed into Purple-Heart, and flied to the Planeptune's central city's direction.
Shirou and IF looked at where Purple-Heart flied to, then to each other. The girl with the oversized coat asked the inter-dimensional Magus with an amazed expression. "How can you stay sane with her around?"
Shirou smiled wryly at that and answered. "Well... I've met someone much more badly than that in the past..."
IF stared blankly at Shirou, disbelieved. "You're joking, right?" She asked with flat tone. Shirou's deadpan was enough to shut IF for good.
—Part 03—
He stared at his inner world in confusion.
He had been in here in countless time, but this time he's feeling something is amiss. His Reality Marble isn't changing or something like that. Such Idea is just ridiculous because he's going to die if his soul changed suddenly.
The restless feeling he currently is feeling is because something alien had invaded his world somehow… but, it's impossible, is it not?
Suddenly, he felt a tugging feeling on his navel. He was aware of this feeling. It was someone had called his consciousness somewhere and he knew who called him.
Shaking his head, he pivoted on his heel and got off of his Reality Marble,
When he disappeared, he missed someone watching him with a giddy smile. The person was young with crimson eyes and bright golden hair...
"Aww… he's leaving!" The entity breathed out with pout, "Nah, Father and Mother told me to be patient and I am going to wait until we meet face to face, Onii-san…" The child entity said.
Suddenly single golden ripple in the air appeared next to him and a chocolate bar came out from the ripple. The child entity took it and started to eat his chocolate as he waited for what was going to happen next.
—Part 04—
"Wake up..."
"Augh..."
When Shirou opened his eyes, he was greeted by the black haze again. He looked around to find that no one was there...
"Oh... Thank goodness you're awake..."
...Aside from Histoire. Okay, he had to expect that one as the memory of his first meeting with the Celestial Assistant was still fresh in his mind. Histoire is the one who could pulled him from dreaming in wasteland filled with swords after all.
"Well, Histoire... I'm not exactly awake, am I? The fact that I'm here means that I'm not, after all..."
A small chuckle from the black haze. It stretched everywhere and its origin was also from everywhere in this incomprehensible black haze. "Yes, that is true, isn't it?" After assuring Shirou's mental consciousness, she changes her tone of voice."... I can't believe it. You actually managed to survive an attack from the Guard Vermin... To think you would still be alive after taking an attack from one of the four monsters who guard the Key Fragments…"
The appearance of a potentially important piece of information made Shirou shake off whatever grogginess he might have and focused to the disembodied voice. "Key Fragments? What are those Histoire?"
"The Key Fragments are four jewels that holds the powers of earth, wind, ice and fire. They are the objects you need to find in order to free me."
'I see...' Shirou nodded silently as he pondered of this important information. 'So this is the objective which we seek...' Shirou focused back at the Planet's everything, "What will you do once you are freed Histoire?" He then remembered an important detail that was bugging his mind and asked two more questions. "Why can't you use your power to free yourself anyway? And what do the Key Fragments look like?"
"I have much power, the power to do anything in this world. I simply cannot be the one to use it." Her explanation puzzled Shirou quite a bit. "I was created with only a piece of a previous goddess' power, who wanted to make sure that I could not abuse it. I need the approval of all four current goddesses to do anything. Put simply, I can execute an idea, but it cannot be my own."
'A mind-boggling yet very sensible justification,' Shirou approved such ingenuity silently. The previous goddess gave up a piece of herself to ensure she wouldn't abuse it, and in turn created the will of this planet, thus forcing the rulers of this world to discuss and form a unified opinion? Admirable. Just like Prometheus giving fire to the cold suffering humans.'
"As for your second question, you already have one remember? Neptune defeated the Guard Vermin and got it."
'Oh. It all becomes clear now.' Shirou suddenly remembered one of the last sights he had before passing out, the purple jewel that was in the hands of-
"Histoire, what was that power Neptune showed yesterday?" Shirou asked her, still very much serious, partially because of how it affects Neptune's state, and also because of the implications.
Slowly, the tome began to explain. "That was Hard Drive Divinity. It unleashes the power of the Processor Units, weapons and armor of great power."
Hard Drive Divinity...
Aside from the fact that the acronym that name forms was painful yet again, Shirou eyes widened at the conclusion he'd already formed and prepared for, and yet still hoped it wasn't true."... So then. Neptune is really the Planeptune's goddess?"
Histoire answered the rhetorical question Shirou already knew the answer to. "Yes. It is as you have said. She is the Console Patron Unit Purple-Heart, Emiya-san."
"Root damn it..." cursed Shirou lowly. His face fell into a state of bitterness and sadness.
"What is it Emiya-san? What's wrong?"
"It just isn't fair Histoire," Shirou told her, still facing towards the abyss, or what he believed where Histoire actually is. "How come a girl like her has to carry such a huge responsibility?"
"Emiya-san?"
"Histoire, look at Neptune again. She acts like she's just fourteen! She can't lead or protect a landmass like this! And I don't care if she is thousands of years older than me because she's a goddess, a girl like her shouldn't have to go through with that!" Shirou paused, a memory of Saber's life flashed in his mind, before continuing silently, 'it's maddening.' Shirou swore he could feel something repulsive feelings crawled in his throat.
In truth, though he did resent divine beings. Shirou's experiences in life had shown him how they could be good deity as well. Berserker was born of by one of the gods, and even though he hated them with a passion, the fact that he still protects Illya even under his madness showed that he had a Hero's Heart after all that suffering. Rider was a divine being, no matter that her divinity is nearly nothing after her monstrous transformation by the cruel gods and her dislike of them. Even Gilgamesh has his moments. But gods and goddesses, no matter how stupid or savage or arrogant they may be, have responsibilities behind that power, especially in this world where they are in their own age of the gods, where the goddesses must be relied upon for protection.
That's what Neptune must face. And frankly, Shirou didn't want to let her do it. He'd already seen what happened to Saber when she carried the weight of a nation on her small shoulders. She lived her life sacrificing her happiness and humanity for her people, and Shirou couldn't help but draw that comparison because of Neptune's goddess form.
Shirou was expecting Histoire to get mad, to get frustrated. But yet he could feel her becoming satisfied, assured. "Emiya-san... You really do care for Neptune, don't you? I was so surprised when you nearly sacrificed yourself for her. I actually felt responsible for that... I'm sorry... I made you take care of her, and then this happened..."
Her sorrowful voice showed that she didn't just consider Shirou as a tool, someone to do her bidding. She considers Shirou as someone, a living being with its own will and desire. That was something Shirou had never heard of. Histoire, the very essence of the world, acknowledged him, a mere human, albeit distorted one.
The thought made Shirou smile. 'I suppose this world has its own advantages,' thought Shirou. He focused back at the will of Gamindustri and replied, "I would've done so anyway, Histoire. That's how I've lived all my life. All that promise did was let me know that you'd be watching. Don't blame yourself."
Though that lightened her up a bit, Histoire then became worried for him.
"Emiya-san, please, refrain from doing such things. I don't know how Neptune would feel if you did at this point, and I don't know how I would either." Becoming serious, she continued, "You made Neptune activate HDD on her own. She gained that power again because of you. That's no small feat. Did you know that she actually gave up eating breakfast to watch over you? I've never seen her think of other people this much."
Shirou's eyes widened again. 'Her powers were activated at the emotional response of nearly losing me?' Shirou couldn't help but have an inkling feeling he had before about Neptune's feeling to him. It seems her feelings for him were serious after all.
However, it had also given Shirou a second thought. Even if Shirou knew Neptune is a centuries, or maybe eons, old goddess. To him, she is still a child with a dangerous and chaotic mood swings. If it is Purple-Heart... Well, he decided to enact wait and see approach for now.
"I'll be more careful. But I'm afraid I can't make any promises on this, Histoire. I've lived my entire life for the sake of others, and I can't stop now." Shirou then smiled, knowing that she could see him, and told her, "Besides, I wouldn't accept that promise if I wasn't ready to do at least that. And trust me, I'm not your average swordsman. I'm alien to you for a reason, you know?"
Histoire paused for a moment, then made her resignation known. "Just take care of yourself. Please?"
Shirou sent his a wry smile at the darkness. "As best as I can, I will."
The light signifies that this time is ending soon.
"I'll be waking up for real now. I won't be telling Neptune of her identity yet. Until I can at least make this easier for her by having you guide her once again, for as long as it's possible... Console Patron Unit Neptune won't be a goddess, but will instead live as a human, gains knowledge until she's prepared enough to do her job, is that OK?"
"I will allow that. As I have asked, take care of her. I shall be watching over both of you and all of your friends."
"Thank you." He replied to the World's Archives, smiling in satisfaction. "Well Histoire... Good morning then."
"Good morning, Emiya-san. Have a good day."
The light washed over Shirou and he left the dark abyss together with the warm comforting light.
—Part 05—
After breakfast of which Shirou was the one who prepared for everyone, the extraterritorial Magus of Gamindustri announced what he had gotten from his meeting with Histoire last night. Shirou stared at everyone in the table, and pride swelled in his chest when he saw their near orgasmic expression from his food alone. It was a miracle after what happened in the previous day, Neptune and IF didn't try to kill each other in their sleep. He was thankful of that… as well to Compa because she had accepted IF as a new member in their… team. Shirou suddenly cleared his throat and then took a deep breath, making the girls wonder what this was all about.
"… This is going to be big. I won't force either of you to come if you don't want to."
When Shirou said that, he really wouldn't. Compa's just a nurse-in-training. She doesn't need to be tossed into perilous adventures. No, she should stay back here at Planeptune. And there is Neptune and her problem. If she want to live a normal life, well, who he is to stop her? Histoire might want her help, but if Neptune doesn't want to, he couldn't help Histoire in that regard. He would do this alone if he had to. Even if it would be difficult, even if it would be a lonely journey, Shirou would stick to his word. I will help Histoire, and see if I can solve the other landmasses' monster problems as well.
Shirou held up the jewel in front of them, holding it by the ends with his thumb and pointer, and began telling them about their… no, his mission. "In each landmass is a Key Fragment just like this one. Histoire wants us to travel to all the three other landmasses get each of the jewels. This will be a long and hard journey… so if you don't want to come, you shouldn't and I won't hold it against you."
And thus, Shirou's companions become silent. No doubt, they were contemplating their next course of action.
However, Shirou was surprised when he got an answer so quickly, though he had expected it. "Like heck I'll leave Shi-kun alone! Shi-kun is the fated Hero for a Heroine, ME! I'll go with Shi-kun even if we will go to hell itself!"
Shirou sighed at that. More and more, he could feel Neptune infatuation to him turned to borderline obsession, and it made him feel apprehension and perturbed. "Neptune… Are you sure? This quest will be long and hard. Even I don't know what will happen. Are you sure you don't want to live a normal life with Compa?"
"No way Shi-kun. You're nearly dead in our first fight! I won't let you die before we get the final chapter of this story!" Shirou deadpanned at Neptune, but she wasn't finished, "Besides… I wanna be with you Shi-kun! After all you've done for me… I'm not leaving you no matter what!"
Neptune's sincere declaration made Shirou flat face contorted into a surprised expression. Inwardly his mind worked in a very fast pace. 'Has she really dedicated her entire life to me and formed a bond with me so quickly? What will happen to her if she stays with me? I fear the effects of what happens when she begins to follow my ideals, my way of life. I stand by my belief that my ideal is beautiful… But I won't doubt for even a second the reality that it is a painful path to walk. I would never forgive myself if others, especially an innocent little girl like her, were to be hurt walking it with me.' Shirou shook his head to snap himself from his thoughts.
Shirou stared at the Planeptune's Goddess. "If you say so Neptune. Glad to have you on board," Shirou told her, masking his uneasiness with a smile. Admittedly, he is relieved that he wouldn't be alone. Neptune's battle prowess in both her HDD and normal form were not to be underestimated, and with enough training she could be competent in both forms, and have various tactical applications for transforming.
Shirou then turned to Compa, who has remained quiet throughout the entire exchange. Her eyes were very wide, showing the amazement she feels. "Wow… I-I'm not sure… I thought you'd just be staying in Planeptune, but now you're going on a world tour… I just don't know…"
"But Compa," Neptune began, raising her voice in objection, "You said yesterday that we're not supposed to leave the party or the goddesses will zap you, remember?-! You can't do that!"
IF raised her eyebrow when she heard that statement. She isn't as oblivious as Neptune and Compa when Shirou's eyebrow twitched by the irony in Neptune words. "Well, I'm in. Shirou has become my partner and whenever he goes, I'll go. He is a strong fighter and I can feel this adventure will be full of profit." IF stated with mild tone as she continued playing with her phone-cell.
"Wait, wait! I… I just don't know yet, OK? I still have to make preparations… Nep-Nep, I can't just leave without doing anything! "
"I understand Compa," Shirou assured her. "We're in no rush," he told her. "I want to stay in Planeptune for a while. Our first order of business is to buy the needed supplies, and about money, we can pick some more quests and the reward will be enough with some to spare for the journey. I also want to train her here first."
Compa felt relieved at Shirou response, while Neptune complained, "Aw, but Shi-kun! I wanna go already!"
"Neptune," Shirou explained to the childish goddess, "We're go on a journey. It will be long, difficult and dangerous. We'll be facing monsters if we want to find the Key Fragments, or even just to find information. I want to make sure we're prepared." He then give her a small smile. "Besides… I can't just leave the people the way they are. As long as I can help them, I will help them. So if you really want to follow me, well, I guess you're just going to have to get used to that."
Neptune contemplated Shirou answer, then grinned at him. "You're right! And you know… Helping people doesn't sound too bad at all! Count me in then!"
"Thanks Neptune," Shirou replied gratefully.
"Shirou-san? I also remembered about something."
Shirou turned to Compa and saw the nurse was smiling happily. He was curious and asked her, "What is it Compa?"
"Well, yesterday when I and Neptune searched you in city, we checked the Army and look at what the Army gave us!"
Shirou raised his eyebrow when he saw Compa dropped a big heavy pouch. When the pouch dropped on the table, Shirou heard clinking and ruffling noises. He opened it slowly, and to his great surprise there was a veritable amount of physical credits.
"Is this…?" Shirou questioned hesitantly.
"Apparently, defeating the Guard Vermin really helped! So when the military found out about it, they called me over and gave me sums of money as a reward! Since you're the leader in our party, you keep all of it Shirou-san! There should be enough to buy a good supplies and still have some left overs!" Compa exclaimed.
"Wowzers Compa! This is an awesome reward!" Neptune said excitedly at their windfall from the little expedition they had yesterday.
"Damn! So, you all are the mysterious adventurers who defeated the Guard Vermin?" IF breathed out in disbelief. Last night, she had halfheartedly listened to Neptune boastful story when she had fought against a spider-monster with her 'main heroine power boost transformation' ability. However, this is the first time she heard about what the spider monster truly was. She had hunted the Guard Vermin in the Monster Cave after she got the quest from Guild, it was the catalyst of her meeting with Shirou. IF was also a bit miffed when she found out she had used her time uselessly by hunting a Dungeon Boss which was already exterminated.
"Compa…" Shirou looked at the nurse, filled with gratitude and a bit of uneasiness. "We can't take all of this! It's just… We just can't OK? You deserve some of this too!"
"I haven't left the party yet, remember?" Compa reminded Shirou, "So what's yours is mine, and what's mine is yours!"
"Thank you Compa. Thank you so much," Shirou thanked sincerely.
"Well… We're done for now. I say we get started today. Shall we?" Shirou declared and then he turned to IF and said, "IF, could you ask the Basilicom for a small extermination quest for us?"
IF looked at Shirou for brief moment, then answered, "Sure." The brunette then got back to her favorite cell phone.
"B-but Shirou-san, you just got a really big injury the day before yesterday and you're fighting monsters alone yesterday! You should rest!" Compa declared, quite alarmed at Shirou willingness to go out into the world so quickly.
"Don't worry about it Compa. I'm just fine. All my wounds have healed since last night, and what medicine you did gave me already sped up the process. So I'm completely fine, OK? Don't worry." Shirou exclaimed.
Compa gave Shirou a concerned look and something else… it was an intrigue. Seeing that Shirou had actually recovered, she sighed and said, "OK then Shirou-san… Just be careful OK? Don't do anything reckless like yesterday. I was really scared when you got slashed, you know? Just please… Don't hurt yourself again, OK?"
"I'll try my best Compa," Shirou assured Compa. "Don't worry, I'll be careful, OK?"
"Don't worry a dink, Compa! I'll protect Shi-kun and everyone with my epic magical girl transformation powers! Nothing'll lay a finger on him!"
There's a small part of Shirou that suddenly became uncomfortable at the mention of the words 'magical girl'. Shirou didn't know why, there had to be some reason that he felt that way, and for some reason Shirou thought Rin is somehow involved … But Shirou shook it off, as a bigger part of him wanted to smile. "Thanks for that Neptune," Shirou told her, actually a bit touched at her words. If Neptune can play her cards right, that might actually be the case. For now though, if she wanted to reach that stage, Shirou would be happy to offer his guidance. "Don't rely too much on that form though. It wastes your energy, and if you rely on it too much you won't be effective in combat. Just use it as a last resort, alright? You'll get stronger that way."
Neptune thought this for a moment and brightens up. "That makes sense! Sure Shi-kun, whatever you say!"
"Perfect," Shirou told her. Pocketing the Key Fragment and keeping it safe, he announced to his companions, "Well then… IF, if you want to lead us to our next mission..."
The brunette in oversized coat snapped her phone shut and smirked at Shirou. "Follow me..." She stated simply.
—Part 06—
"IF, why exactly are we going this way again?"
IF continued taking the path, but it turned out to be a dead end. The brunette smirked to herself and told Shirou, "Trust me, you'll find out why." IF then raised one hand. Without warning, Shirou could sense magic energy emanating from her arm and a brilliant light shoots forth from it. The beam arced forth and when it landed… A treasure chest was revealed.
All of them, sans IF, were struck speechless. Neptune began shaking excitedly and then shouted, "That was AWESOME! Man! That can get us rich!"
"Wow, Iffy, you're really amazing!" Compa commented, still using the nickname for whatever reason.
"Well, my Bandit Bangle is made for this kind of thing, so I'd hope it'd work well," IF proudly declared, still having that grin on her face.
"May I see it?" Shirou asked with glint in his eyes. He couldn't deny the useful ability that artefact possessed, even if the Treasure Chest part was annoyed him slightly.
"Uh, sure, whatever you say, you can check it out while the other two open it."
After answering, IF rolled her over-sized sleeve up a bit and showed Shirou her Bandit Bangle. It was a very intricate accessory, a cream brown bracelet with much attention to detail in each symbol and carving.
"Very interesting…" Shirou mused to himself, scanning it and committing the Artefact's existence into his Reality Marble. Though his Reality Marble focuses mainly on swords and other close combat weapons, with a little effort Shirou could trace other magical artifacts as well, just like Rho Aias. At the rate he was going, he might even have a fine collection of impressive gadgets by the end of this journey. "Thanks IF. It's a beautiful accessory," Shirou gratefully told his newest party member.
"Meh, its fine," she replied, not minding it in the slightest.
"Oh hey, look guys! It's a bracelet!" Neptune cried out with much glee. Before Neptune could take it, IF had taken everything in a flash.
"All mine then. I'm taking it," IF said as she got the content of the chest and put it on her free arm.
"I guess we should get going then. Let's move." Shirou shook his head by childish antics of his team. Shirou's eyes swept around the mythical cavern and found some nuisances. The mysterious glint from before appeared and he turned his head to his team. "So? Want some simple warm up?"
—Part 07—
"Whew! I can't believe that went so well!" Compa said joyfully at their recent victory. Actually, it could be counted as pure massacre.
"Yeah, it was a lot easier than I thought it'd be, but we did it," IF replied happily, "And it's all thanks to Shirou. I mean, you managed to destroy two third of those monsters alone. And you have amnesia. Seriously, how is that possible? I'm REALLY beginning to wonder if you actually have amnesia… this morning you were prepared breakfast for us too."
Shirou smiled dryly at the adventurer as he thought what IF had said. "IF, I don't have any memories of Gamindustri or any of the four landmasses, nor any of the monsters we've fought, or anything about my life when I was a child, OK?" Shirou countered calmly.
"I get it, I get it," IF sighed in response. "But seriously though, you have no idea who the goddesses or even what the landmasses are? Yeesh, don't tell me you're an alien from another world or something…" That was actually the most accurate assessment IF has ever given. In retrospect, Shirou felt rather sad knowing that the weirdest assumption she could come up with was actually the most correct one…
"I promise that this time I won't slow you down everyone!" Compa said determinedly, fired up by the success of today.
"Yeah, this time it'll be a piece of cake!" Neptune declared confidently. "With my and Shi-kun's awesomeness, we'll be done in no time!"
"Neptune, please, always be ready," Shirou warned her sternly. "You never know what could happen at a time like this one."
It is a wonderfully peaceful moment, the kind you'd wish everyday would be like that. That was before Shirou suddenly felt a familiar presence, but not in the same situation he was normally used to meeting her in.
"Emiya-san!" She sounded so desperate…
"What!-? Who's that?" IF was shocked when she heard the disembodied voice. Meanwhile, Neptune and Compa perked happily at that.
"Histy!"
"Histoire? What's going on?" Shirou asked the world's archive as he felt her desperation.
"Please be careful, she's after you!"
The sheer alarm in her voice made Shirou turn on his battle senses and alerted him to the next event. Namely, a fireball nearly burning his legs.
"Shi-kun!"
"What the hell?-!" Shirou gritted out as his Hunting Sword was brandished in the direction of the spell's origin.
'Something feels wrong. What is it?'
"Shirou, are you OK?-!" Shouted IF as she unsheathed her claws and dropped a stance ready for battle.
"I'm fine… Compa, stay behind us, I don't know what we're facing and I don't like it…" Shirou warned the nurse-in-training while keeping his eyes trained on the darkness.
"OK…" Compa replied, very nervously holding her syringe at the ready.
To their surprise, they heard a maniacal laugh echoing through the caves. "Hah! Yes, that's right, all of you ought to treat my power with that kind of fear and respect…"
A mysterious woman stepped out of darkness. Her skin was inhumanly pale, almost purple in coloration. Her dress revealed much of her body, barely covering much of the middle with sleeves detached. An actual witch's hat covers her head and long boots are on her legs.
Shirou would probably blush at the newcomer choice of attire if he wasn't in hid battle mode and her presence that felt... Wrong.
At her side was a mysterious trident looking spear, almost like a staff. It glowed ominously in the darkness with its sharp tips oozed sickening feelings that lurched Shirou stomach. What was worse is that face, that cruel expression showing no mercy. And even worse than that? Her nature. Shirou could smell no life from her, no soul, just energy… It was so wrong… So… Twisted, evil, dark.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Shirou asked her in a low tone, trying to get anything out of the twisted existence in front of him.
"Oh, it's you. The annoying one," the evil incarnation growled back, her eyes sharpening towards Shirou in contempt. "And yes Histoire, I know you're there. So this is the fool you've chosen to help you?"
'Wait… SHE can sense Histoire's presence?' thought a startled Shirou with wide eyes.
"Arfoire… Please stop this. None of what you're doing needs to happen. Can't we all just return to the way things were before?" the tome of the pleaded. From that, Shirou could deduct she had a close relationship with this… thing in the past, and doesn't seem to want a confrontation.
"The moment I decided to do this, that kind of life became impossible," the apparently named Arfoire sneers dismissively. "Terribly sorry Histoire, but I have more important things to do."
"Um… hello?" IF interrupted the conversation. "I and Compa are a bit behind on all this. Care to enlighten us?"
"Histoire knows the… woman in front of us, and she doesn't want to fight her," Shirou explained while getting his blades prepared.
"But I DO want to fight you!" Arfoire exclaimed, grinning in evil delight. "I'm going to make all of you suffer for annoying me… Especially YOU, little boy…"
Shirou whipped his face to his back when he felt power surged from behind him. What he found was... "Neptune?" Shirou asked with clear surprise.
The Goddess was very angry. Her power was radiating without abandon, and the expression on her face was so unlike her, she almost looks like another person. It was irrational, unidentifiable, unadulterated rage…
"NEPTUNE WAI-!"
Without warning, Neptune transformed and boosted over to the mysterious attacker, attempting to kill her with one fatal slice. And to everyone's bafflement, the twisted woman raised her mysterious weapon to block it.
"She blocked it that easily?-!" IF shouted in disbelieve and surprise, "Dammit, that attack can take down most monsters in one shot! And she blocked it just like that?"
"Nep-Nep looks scary now…" Compa commented while gripping her syringe even tighter.
"Oh, what's this, Neptune? I see you've a bit more bite down here…" the evil entity laughed in a mocking voice. Neptune's anger continued to grow as she tried to force her attack through.
"You… You... How dare you threatening MY Shirou!" roared Neptune as she exerted her strength to slice the spear that was blocking her attempt to slice the mysterious woman.
Putting a miniscule amount of effort into holding off Neptune's attack, the witch continues mocking her. "You, defeat me? Hehe, you're funny!" That angered Neptune even more as the battle intensified. Shirou, Compa and IF, alongside Histoire, watched the match between inhuman beings with varying expression.
"Nep-Nep and that woman… They look so scary now… I really want to help but…"
Shirou nodded at Compa, understanding her emotions. "You get the feeling you shouldn't right?" Shirou told her, and she nodded hesitantly. Truth be told, Shirou wanted to help as well, but the match in front of them was so intense. Anything that tried to get inside would probably be cut into pieces, and they couldn't risk friendly fire. The only option they have was to watch and wait. "Histoire… Who is this woman? What is she?"
Hesitation. Shirou could already sense it from Histoire. Finally, a few pained words come out from Histoire. "That's Arfoire. She was a goddess, and the one who helped me create the current generation of CPUs."
Those few words from Histoire made Shirou's eyes widen in horror. A former goddess, a fallen goddess, was after Neptune?-! As the revelation was made, a clanging sounds snapped Shirou back to the fight and only to find Neptune knocked down on the ground.
She lost?-!
"Your pointless efforts are rather humorous to see honestly," Arfoire gloated as she continued hovering mockingly around Neptune.
"Neptune can't handle her alone, and I'm not even sure you can… Please, retreat now!"
"We can't do that," Shirou countered Histoire alarmingly. Neptune couldn't stand up to that, not on her own. Shirou is aware he can't risk Compa and IF, and considering the kind of speed and magic the Fallen Goddess has, Shirou is not even sure retreat is a viable option.
Gritting his teeth, Shirou began running before Neptune could be finished off. "IF, protect Compa! We're not going to do the usual formation for this one!" The remaining member of Shirou's team nodded at his orders as he reinforced himself and his blades. The fallen goddess seemed to take notice of Shirou and raised her arm to block Shirou's attack rather effortlessly.
"Shirou!" Shirou ignored Neptune's call as he sensed so much contempt, so much hostility aimed at him as the former goddess glared angrily at him. "You again… Stop interfering my plans you annoying brat!" Arfoire exclaimed with venom dripping in her voice.
'Interrupting her plans…' mused Shirou. That was an important statement to think about, but he stored it in his head for later. No doubt this piece of information would be valuable. "I have no idea what you're talking about, but I'm rather glad that I've foiled whatever you've been planning."
Shirou threw back the block and got into a guard stance while giving Neptune time to ready herself. "Look Neptune, I NEED you calm if we're to get through this. Histoire told me who she is, and we can't stand up to that kind of opponent if you won't cooperate. Please?"
Neptune floated up and readied herself again, sighed and nodded. "You're right. I apologize for how I acted… I'll make up for it now." Neptune apologized regretfully.
"Insolent fool…" Arfoire said, hovering above the ground. "You've gotten in my way for the last time. I'll make sure that this fight will be the end of your life and your troubles of me…"
Hearing that, Shirou gripped his blades even tighter. "You can try, but I assure you it won't be easy at all."
With those last words, Shirou held his blades back and began running toward the dark lady. Arfoire is much faster than Shirou, breezing through the air she is, but fortunately Shirou have a flying ally on his side as well. Using himself as a diversion, Neptune flied past Shirou, rotating her body to both slide by Shirou and attempted to slice the witch. Again, Arfoire was taken by surprise by Neptune's sudden appearance, but as before Arfoire held her off. But not Shirou...
Reinforcing his blades, Shirou surprised the witch yet again by grazing her cheek. It was actually enough to draw blood, however small it actually was. This obviously caused her to get angry as she wiped off the scar from her cheek. "You will pay for that…" Such a time was the opportune moment for IF to interrupt with a large amount of shots. "Annoying brats!" Irritated by the sudden attack, Arfoire jumped to the side, leading to the perfect kick landing from Neptune.
"AUGH!"
As the witch gets hit by a nearby wall, she forced herself back up and tried to regain the momentum by attempting to hit IF with fireballs. Fortunately IF was fast enough to dodge it unharmed.
Despite being a former goddess, it is very clear that Arfoire isn't very skilled at fending off multiple attackers with a clear, strategic formation. Her moves were raw, desperate and honestly unbefitting of anything with the title of a Goddess. With that in mind, it's easy to confuse her, forcing her to guard all Shirou's attacks as Neptune slammed into her with her clawed gauntlet.
"GUH!"
Finding a nice spot on the wall once again, Arfoire found herself face down on the floor for the second time. She seemed to be very angry at this turn of events, having three pathetic humans aid her own creation in rebelling against her and succeeding quite well. "How could you weaklings stand up to me…?"
"You're actually managing to stand up to her… Amazing…" Histoire noted with much awe in her voice. However, Shirou paid Histoire no mind at this point. There were other things deserving much more attention.
Shirou walk up to the fallen goddess with a cold face and words equally hard ready for her. "Listen closely. Tell me everything. What do you want from Neptune? Why do you hate me? Did I do to you? Answer me! Or else."
In all honesty, Shirou never expected Arfoire to accept his demands. Arfoire seemed so much like Caster during the Fifth Grail War that it isn't even funny. No, really. The whole dark purple motif, that aura of cruel darkness and malice, so much more. Such a person would never surrender so easily. Shirou understood he should also have expected, however, more tricks up her sleeve.
"Ha… hahahahah! Oh, so you idiots think you've cornered me!" Arfoire shouted as she laughed maniacally. "Well then… Let me show you… A goddess' power!"
As she slowly began to rise, restarting the battle, Arfoire is changed her tactics. More than that, she changed herself. An odd energy flowed around her body, and to Shirou's astonishment, it is familiar in more ways than one. The first one is how it was done. The energy itself is wrapped around her spear, which began spinning wildly, as though lusting for blood. This is not direct combat magic. It is like the reinforcement magic, and the way the rest of her body was getting that energy, Shirou could already sense that this will be much more difficult. The second is the very energy itself, the very means to this maneuver.
It's Neptune's energy.
But how?!
"What…?"
Shirou is sure Neptune felt exactly the way he did when he went near Archer. Gritting his teeth, he stood in front of her and prepared to take the assault.
"She has Neptune's power?-! Why?-! How?-!" Histoire shouted, equally startled by the revelation.
"You know Neptune? I think I'll take out those annoying friends of yours first…" stated Arfoire.
Before any of Shirou's group could react, Arfoire immediately sped by us and headed for Compa. IF saw it coming and tried to stop the fallen goddess, but it wasn't enough. The initial thrust provided too much for Compa to block, sending her several feet backwards and catching her off-guard. Unable to ready herself again, IF received a painful kick to her ribs, a kick glowing with power, and IF was sent flying into a wall.
"IFFY!" Compa shouted in horrified alarm, but she couldn't move because she was stricken with fear at the sadistic evil goddess before her, glowing ominously in the dark cave. She could barely move, but bravely tried her best to defend her fallen friend.
IF coughed painfully while trying desperately to stand up again, but she's taken too much damage. "Dammit… Compa, move it! You can't beat her, she's gotten way too strong!" IF said while trying to shake herself awake and stand up.
"Your friend is right you know, you don't stand a chance against me… But oh well, what difference does it make? I'm going to kill all of you right now anyway…" Arfoire said as she walked up menacingly towards the defenseless Compa.
"I'm not letting you hurt her!" Compa stated, still trying to muster up her courage.
Arfoire stared down at the nurse. "Cute. Not that you have a choice anyway…" She began pulling back her spear to make the final thrust…But before that could happen, she had to block a slice from Neptune on the front and Shirou coming from behind. This movement made the aura around her ever darker, so much malice covering the area. By that spectacle alone, Shirou still wondered how this woman was a goddess. "Your dare to resist me again?" Arfoire demanded.
"Get away from our friends NOW!" Compa roared, her rage burning over the possibility of her friends being harmed.
Shirou was there with Compa, face burning with the same anger. "It's too late to ask for forgiveness. You WILL pay for this."
With that, Shirou and Co. began attacking her together, but it isn't working very well. The power she is summoning is working too well. Sure they're somewhat forcing her away from their friends, but they aren't actually catching her off-guard or breaking through, or anything. This assault is wearing down on her bit by bit though, and they're buying Compa time to heal IF, so this should work just fine…
"You know what's rather pathetic?" Arfoire said so pleasantly, "Your efforts are so futile… And so easy to stop. You know how?" She jet backwards, gathering energy into her palm, "I simply have to aim for them instead…"
"Goddammit!" cursed Shirou out loud. He ran in front of his two remaining allies to shield them. The spell was shot and he tried to block it with his Wooden and Hunting Sword, but it is a futile effort. It is fire, a very hot fire. The sword Shirou is using, reinforced to handle any kind of difficulty, one which had taken on beasts and monsters of countless types over the past day, one is burnt to cinders in seconds while the other melted into unrecognizable shape bar to the handle.
Shirou gritted his teeth as sickening laughter echoed throughout the cavern. "Very good, very good!" The energy in her hand was much bigger now, and Shirou is unarmed as he is, could do nothing to stop it. But then the unthinkable happens. A streak of purple dashed in front of Shirou, blown away by a terrifying wave of red light, rendering it bruised and battered.
Shirou stared in horror at the sight before him. The brave goddess, wounded, damaged and burnt.
"NEPTUNE!"
"NEP-NEP/NEP-KO!"
Everyone took all attention away from themselves and assess Neptune's condition. The wounded goddess tried to stand, but couldn't get up. Perhaps even worse, her energy was drained to the point of reverting back to her normal form, tired and damaged.
"Ugh… Can't move…"
"She can't take anymore… No…" Histoire noted, worried and fearing for Neptune's condition.
Seeing Neptune like this brought an odd, familiar feeling to Shirou's head. It began to burn with fury Shirou never had, his teeth almost grinding against each other at the sight of what he is seeing.
"HAH! Look at that! Your only hope of standing up to me is gone! And with all of you like this… I can finally focus on you, boy!" the fallen goddess stated, grinning sadistically.
The heat in Shirou's head began growing at the sheer atrocity of what had happened. "How dare you… How dare you…" He growled to Arfoire, standing protectively in between the fallen Goddess and his friends.
"Shi-kun, everyone… Get outta here… Just let her have me…" Neptune coughed out, willing to sacrifice herself to leave her friends unharmed.
"Nep-Nep... Everyone…" Compa cried, still trying her very best to heal their friends who were injured trying to protect her.
At these words, the fire in Shirou's head turns white hot. "Compa, you just stay there and try to heal them. I'm taking her on."
"Shirou, what're you doing?-! You can't take her on by yourself!" IF shouted to Shirou, trying to dissuade him from holding off the fallen goddess alone.
"HAH! How courageous… But stupid, as expected." The spear began revving up, a drill of death glowing an insulting, maddening purple. "Any last words boy?"
"The words I have will be the end of you," Shirou answered coldly and angrily, his hands moving beside his legs, ready to change the world.
"Emiya-san, what are you doing? Please, don't …"
"Histoire, watch closely. You're going to see exactly why I'm so foreign," He said to World's Archives. Shirou could sense Histoire becoming startled at what he is about to do. Perhaps since she could connect with mind as a conduit to communicate, Histoire can sense what Shirou is about to do.
"Emiya-san? What are you…?"
The drill spun wildly, and with a mocking laugh the witch cries madly, "It's time to die boy! Face your foolishness now!"
"SHI-KUN/SHIROU!"
"EMIYA-SAN!"
As all eyes were focused on Shirou, His own were closed. Instead of this world, he remembered the wasteland with unlimited blades.
"I am the bone of my sword…"
The world of Gamindustri suddenly shook…
—To Be Continued—