Disclaimer: I own nothing about Neptunia or Kamen Rider. I only own my original character.
Fourth Level – Why is Mr. Belt So Crabby?
"Is this it?" asked a tired Proto Drive from behind the wheel before Uzume nodded from the shotgun seat.
"Yeah, that's my base alright. If you park on the right, you can unload your stuff too."
"Good." He directed the Honda over before putting it into reverse and moving the storage wagon into position against the loading dock with all the salvaged gear they got from the base so that it would be easier to transport the items off. As soon as he felt a solid bump from the wagon against the loading dock, he immediately parked the vehicle and turned off the engine while Uzume got out from her side. "Haa… we made it out of the base in one piece."
"It's a good thing our Shift Car friends held those monsters off with some Slowdown while we got away," said Mr. Belt.
Proto Drive shook his head. "That Neptune girl… does she have to keep shouting that she's bouncing around like a kangaroo and alert a friggin horde of monsters?"
"Someone called my name?" Neptune hopped out of the wagon before sticking her face by the driver side window. "Why are you pooped already? Aren't you supposed to be a cyborg or something with high battery life?"
"No, I'm human," replied Daichi as he deactivated his Rider armour.
NICE DRIVE!
"Ooh… so we have an actual human male in this setting? Not some robot in disguise? I bet the yuri fans on the other side are gonna start writing death threats!" exclaimed Neptune.
"T-that's going too far!" squeaked Nepgear, coming out from the wagon as well before Uzume led the way to the main area of the shelter.
"Well, here's my place. Sorry it's not cleaner though." There were bits of damage on the walls and chunks of debris scattered on some parts of the floor but it was still decent enough to be habitable. Daichi could see a small area in the corner for sleeping, a small kitchen to fix and eat meals and the centre of the space which had some maps and monitors along with a desk and chair. This was likely where she got her mission briefings from that Umio guy who acted as her mission control.
Neptune grinned. "Nah, it's cool! I mean, it looks like some big secret base or something!"
"That's right! Like the base of a resistance! The whole layout makes it feel like a place where rebels and freedom fighters rest up after a big battle!" chirped Nepgear. "Do you have any secret passages or doors or something like that around here? I wanna see!"
"R-really? You think it's cool?!" For a brief moment, Uzume felt pretty pleased at how the two girls were praising her base.
A simultaneous "Yep!" came from the two sisters.
"I see! Hehehe… well, if you want, I'll show you around the place!"
"Can I pass on that, Uzume-san?" asked Daichi in a weary tone. "I kinda need to catch my breath after all that back there."
"Sure, you can just chill here for a bit. We'll be back shortly! If you need to use the washroom, it's down the hall behind you on your left!" With that, Uzume led the sisters around while the stuntman removed the Drive Driver and placed it on the desk before taking a seat.
"Man, I'm wiped."
"Still, that was a very productive first outing there. Good work, Daichi," complimented Mr. Belt while Midnight Shadow, Funky Spike and Max Flare all dropped in on the same table.
"Thanks, I guess." He paused for a second. "I dunno if I'll be keeping this up though."
"Hm?"
"I mean… you saw those girls out there. They're way more comfortable fighting against those monsters in this place. You can probably combine your power with them and be more effective that way," explained Daichi.
"That's true but I have specific reasons on why I believe you are the most suitable candidate to wield Drive's power." Mr. Belt paused for a moment to figure out the best way to explain things. "First of all, what do you know about the term tsukumogami?"
Daichi had to search his memory for that particular aspect of Japanese mythology. "That's used to refer to an inanimate object that comes to life after 100 years."
"Exactly. When we came to this world, we must have gone through an accelerated process that allowed me to gain sentience. It's why I have memories of how well you cared for me after filming so I knew I was in good hands."
"Geez, I was just doing my job. But that brings to mind another question..." The stunt performer sat up in a more attentive position. "You have memories of me taking care of you and you said something about having memories of building the Tridoron? What gives?"
"Uzume's mission control said something about the Dark Goddess releasing a temporal shockwave," theorized the device. "It's possible that the memories of a Krim Steinbelt in another universe merged with me due to such an event. In the end, it doesn't matter. The past is the past. We need to concentrate on the here and now."
"Good call there," said Daichi before he took a deep breath. "So you recall that I took good care of you as a prop which makes it one reason. Are there others?"
"Yes and it revolves around compatibility," answered Mr. Belt. "I was able to pick up traces amounts of an unusual energy coming from all three girls. So even if I wanted to have one of them as a partner, I likely would not have been able to maintain a stable transformation."
"I see there. What do you mean by unusual energy?"
"It could be what Miss Nepgear had been referring to earlier. About shares that is." The 'face' of the device turned into a more thoughtful image as his scientific curiosity began perking up. "I would like to see that energy for myself and study it if possible."
"If a chance drops in, I'm sure you'll make the best use of it. In the meantime..." Just as Daichi prepared to get up, an info window opened in his face.
TUTORIAL: Item Shop
'Wait, what…? We're in an apocalyptic world and we still have to worry about earning money to buy stuff?!' This seriously boggled the mind of the stunt performer.
"A tutorial, huh? I wonder how much of this world is based on actual video game mechanics. Maybe we can find save points somewhere," mumbled Mr. Belt.
Items can be purchased with credits.
'Yes, I get that,' thought Daichi irritably while an item list came up.
Healing Grass, Price: 100 credits
Detoxin, Price: 250 credits
Paralaxin, Price: 250 credits
Reflex, Price: 250 credits
Tuffmil, Price: 250 credits
Sports Car Scrap Metal, Price: 250 credits
Police Car Scrap Metal, Price: 500 credits
Limousine Scrap Metal, Price: 500 credits
Taxi Cab Scrap Metal, Price: 500 credits
"Scrap Metal? Can it be…?" A thought came to Mr. Belt. "Daichi, select a Scrap Metal on that list and see what happens!"
"Okay…?" He did as told which brought up an item description.
Taxi Cab Scrap Metal
Required component to craft Dimension Cab Shift Car
Purchase? (Y/N)
"... this must be some joke! Having to spend money to reunite with our friends…?!" Mr. Belt was certainly looking quite crabby at the moment.
If you think this is bad, just look at some of the game's actual DLC prices.
"... just what is with this world when a tutorial can respond back to you?" For a second there, the transformation belt looked a bit frazzled.
"Who knows?" Daichi decided that it would be best not to buy now and clicked on the N before the item shop list came up again. His finger then moved to the X in the top right corner to close the list and receive another prompt.
TUTORIAL: Crafting
Crafting can be only done when at a Crafting Station, typically located in a Basilicom. If an available Crafting Station is nearby, you will be notified.
That was when another pop up window opened.
Crafting Station nearby.
'Just like that?' As the thought passed Daichi's mind, the info window closed before the tutorial continued.
Just like that. Do you wish to run through a demonstration? (Y/N)
"Hm… if this world is running on video game logic, wouldn't crafting work simply as gathering all the components and then pressing a magic button to instantly create the item?" asked the human male.
"I guess we'll have to see for ourselves," admitted Mr. Belt while Daichi pressed 'Y' before new information came into view.
Rider Machine Blueprints Unlocked!
Proto Tridoron Components List:
1 x 1992 Honda NSX
1 x Bi-Directional Circuit
1 x Laser Cannon
2 x Core Driviar-N
Note: By crafting Proto Tridoron, the Rider Machine Blueprints for the Tridoron will automatically be updated.
Craft? (Y/N)
"Proto… Tridoron?" Daichi was sure that he hadn't heard of that vehicle in the series properly but maybe it would have been something Sanjo came up with later in the show or even a future movie.
"This could be very useful," commented Mr. Belt. "If we craft Proto Tridoron, my ability to assist you directly would be increased. In addition, the vehicle itself would not be affected by Slowdown in case an enemy tries to use it against us."
"Well, let's see what happens…" The stunt performer pressed 'Y' once before the two Core Driviars with him along with the Bi-Directional Circuit floated in mid-air and hovered above the black Honda NSX before merging with the vehicle and transforming it. It now sported white and purple stripes down the middle with an open gap above the left front wheel. In between the headlights were the ends of the Laser Cannon while the Rider logo was also present against the purple stripe.
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: "Debut Piece."
Description – Successfully crafted your first item
This was followed by another window flying by.
Tridoron Rider Machine Blueprints Updated!
6 x Sports Car Scrap Metal
1 x Proto Tridoron
2 x Tires
1 x Core Driviar-T
Mr. Belt looked quite pleased at the transformation. "Good! So all we need now is to save up enough money to buy enough Scrap Metal and acquire the other parts to synthesize the Core Driviar-T. It will have to come later, I guess."
"WHOOOAA! What just happened?! Did someone pimp Daichi's ride?" Upon hearing Neptune's loud voice, he looked up to see the girls back from the tour and going over the newly acquired Proto Tridoron.
"I did that thanks to my first attempt at using the Crafting system here. What do you ladies think?"
"Well… it would have been nice if it could have been expanded as a four seater rather than just keeping it as a two seater sports car," admitted Nepgear.
"I really can't do anything about that. Now then…" Daichi turned towards Uzume. "I'm hoping you can answer a few questions. Namely why this world is…"
"Why this world is totally on the verge of collapse?"
"… sure, let's go with that!" He honestly wanted to ask her about the whole gaming mechanic logic this world ran on but figured this was just as important.
"It's because of those huge monsters out there. Nobody knows what they are or where they came from. People started calling them Dark Goddesses thanks to their powers being able to destroy the Earth and the sky."
Daichi's face turned thoughtful for a moment. "That explains the multiple fractures in the sky."
Uzume continued. "From what we know, their power allows them to erase anything out of existence or essentially modify someone's personal temporal history. Because of that power, there are virtually no more humans in the city. Only monsters that retain human intellect but otherwise have nothing left of their original personalities from when they were human. So far, we haven't figured out a way to reverse the process to turn the monsters back to normal humans."
As expected, Neptune did a bit of a freak out upon hearing this. "Eeeehhhhh?! The monsters out there were humans once?!"
"I see… so that explains the lack of Share energy here. It was the damage done to this world thanks to those Dark Goddesses," murmured Nepgear.
"And if they can damage time so easily, maybe that explains how the logic this world runs on is so different from what we're used to," theorized Mr. Belt. "But… if we can beat those Dark Goddesses, will everything go back to normal?"
"Who knows…?" A look of grim determination crossed Uzume's face. "But that's my best hope right now. That's why I'll fight!"
"Right right! Now that we see who our final boss is, we just gotta grind it out until we can take them down and then we can all go back home again!" exclaimed Neptune.
"Oi, oi… don't get ahead of yourself. I wish I can say for sure that beating them will get you back home," said Uzume.
"Well, that's our best hope right now. That's why we'll fight with you!" added Nepgear, shooting back the words spoken by the other girl just a moment ago.
"Heh… you got me there." Before the red head could continue further, a beeping noise came from her wrist communicator and she immediately picked up the call. "It's me. What's the situation?"
"Uzume, I'm getting some strange readings on Sector 7. It could be some other survivors. I need you to check it out."
"Gotcha. Leave it to me." Just as she hung up, Neptune got curious.
"Who was that? Uzume's comrade?"
"Yeah, he's my mission control. Anyways, let's get going! Daichi, start that car!"
He sighed once before retrieving the Drive Driver and the other Shift Cars while the girls headed over to the parked vehicle and the wagon. "What a short break."
This merely earned a chuckle from Mr. Belt. "A Rider's work is never done."
The trip to Sector 7 looked like a simple one but because of the amount of debris and the length of time it would take to detour around just to get there, the party ultimately parked the Proto Tridoron a few blocks away and made the rest of the trip on foot. By the time they got to the area, they could see some signs of a fight that had taken place. There were faint footprints from dirt that came from both a monster and a human alike while there were black marks on the ground, indicating where an energy weapon had been used.
"It looks like we were just a bit late," noted Nepgear while Daichi looked around a bit.
"Then, let's spread out and see if we can find any survivors," ordered Uzume.
"And if we run into monsters, we just beat the snot outta them, right?"
The redhead grinned upon hearing Neptune's spirited reply. "That's right. I'm counting on ya, Neppuchi."
"… Neppuchi?!"
Uzume put her hands on her hips. "Your name was Nep-something or other, right? So I'm just calling ya Neppuchi."
For some reason, that made Neptune feel a bit depressed. "Unbelievable… is my name really that hard to remember? I mean, it's one thing for Compa not to remember my real name and call me Nep-Nep but…!"
"Onee-chan…" Before Nepgear could try and say something, Neptune's mood shifted suddenly back to her usual energetic self.
"But I'm okay with that nickname! It's pretty cute!"
'Wow… she got over that quickly.' Just as that thought passed through Daichi's head, a loud roar was heard just as a strange looking quadrupedal monster leapt its way into the scene, ready to face the party. It had lizard like features such as brown leather skin, sharp claws and a pair of huge brown horns on the head.
"Heh… fancy seeing ya here!" exclaimed Uzume while whipping out her megaphone.
"Eh… Uzume knows that monster?" asked Neptune.
"I've run into that thing before when I started doing this job. Every time I tried to fight it in the past, I never was able to beat it but now, I'm sure I can do it thanks to Daichi."
The stunt performer seriously got confused upon hearing that. "Huh? What did I do?"
"When you transformed earlier, it triggered a memory of mine in a way. Now I remember how to use this trinket that I had with me from the beginning!" With that, her right hand reached into her pocket to reveal a blue gem of sorts. "Alright, you dog bastard! This time, we're taking you out!"
Nepgear gasped upon seeing that. "A Share Crystal?!"
Uzume held up the trinket high in the sky. "Share Crystal… HENSHIN!"
'Wait… what?!' Before Daichi could react, a burst of light enveloped the redhead before revealing her new form. Her long hair was still in the same shape but it became light orange and at the base. The hairstyle got looped in a loose circle, resembling a ribbon, while the rest of the hair ran loose. Her eye colour turned light blue while the power symbol could be seen in the irises. As for her outfit, it changed to a white-themed outfit with orange and blue accents.
"Transformation complete~!"
"Who…?!" Both the sisters and Daichi stared in complete surprise.
"… is that really the same girl?!" said Mr. Belt in a shocked tone. She no longer spoke in a rough manner but instead, her dialogue was delivered in a cute, high pitched tone.
"Geez, you don't have to freak out so badly!" pouted the orange haired girl before smiling at her companions. "It's still me, Uzume… U-zu-me! Let's all do our best against that doggy!"
LEVEL 4 COMPLETE. PROGRESS SAVED.
So there's the fourth level. Finally managed to get this out after being occupied with a recently purchased Neptunia Re;birth 1. I actually got lucky when a friend of mine told me about how this was included in a Humble Bundle and got this and a bunch of other games for only $10 USD so thanks to playing that game, I'm getting a better feel for the Neptune universe characters.
As always, if you liked, please leave a review on the way out!