Oh gosh, I can't believe I forgot to explain why Shirou holds back… Crap.
I'll explain it. For those who play RPGs, you know what happens if you're only an average (I repeat, AVERAGE) player and abandon character growth for the rest of your party. Making Shirou OP his way through the story and not give the rest any room to develop their skills? No, no, no, he can't do that.
Also, I retconned him cooking in chapter 2. He needs to have a much more… satisfying reveal than the stupid one I gave him because I was nearly asleep…
If there are format issues, my sister's laptop acted up while I was typing the first few parts. Blame FF for conking out on me...
Oh, I don't own any series I reference, except possibly my DTs series, and we already know how many people have THAT name in the market…
And now, we begin our journey into Lastation. Enjoy!
*CHAPTER START*
After a nice day of sleep and yet another painful defeat at Compa's hands for the battle of the sweet, sweet kitchen (But today will be
the last... HA! No more 'But it's the host's duty to cook' argument anymore!) and making sure everything's packed and ready(No
more lost discs Compa... She's apparently water, fitting since she's a nurse in training...), the three of us head out to meet IF.
"Ah... Goodbye, sweet home! One day, I shall see you again, basking in the glory and honor of victory, tons of achievement points
and credits galore, and being levelled up to the max!"
"Neptune, one, you've barely stayed here for three days and two, this isn't a goddamn game..."
And thus, we begin our journey, anticipation in our hearts and a headache in my forehead.
*SCENE BREAK*
"Ah, it's you guys! You're ready to leave?"
IF, the most experienced one in our party in travelling the world and the one who has agreed to guide and accompany us (My... just
like Rin in more than voice indeed..), is standing outside the painfully named and strangely empty Basilicom, which handles both
religious and political matters.
"Hello IF. Have you been waiting here for a while?" Shaking her head, she replies, "Nah, just got here a few minutes ago." She appears
to be fiddling with a pink cellphone, one thing that she and Rin definitely don't have in common...
"Oh wow, the Basilicom is so big and towering and pretty... Wait, where is everyone?" The hyperactive Neptune asks a question I'vebeen meaning to ask while she bounces around like a kid waiting to go on the roller coaster. With a sad tone, our newest companion answers, "They're all hiding from monsters... Planeptune's seems to have been ravaged the most out of all the lands... It's probably because they don't have the goddess' protection yet due to the fact that she's here right now..."
Crap. That actually seems like a very plausible explanation.
I wonder how much better off Planeptune would be if Neptune were in charge...
Yeah, they're better off without her for a while...
"Anyway, register us for Sky Harbor transfer. Just give them any info they ask for, OK?" Our CPU confidently says, "You got it!"
Before she leaves however, I give her the very important reminder of, "Remember Neptune, DO NOT tell anyone that you're theCPU! We don't need the attention right now!" Grinning at me again, the ditzy goddess shouts, "OK, Shi-kun! You can count on me!"
When she enters the Basilicom, I suddenly realize what we've just done.
"Why did we send her to register us again?" IF's eyes widen and in a short while her palm is on her face. "Oh, hell, what was I thinking..." Compa raises her hands and with determination declares, "Nep-Nep will do fine guys! I believe in her!"Both of us just silently gaze at her and slowly palm our faces in unison again.
*SCENE BREAK*
"Hey guys! I'm back!" We hear the calls of our divine friend and turn to her. "Did you remember everything I said? What did he ask for?" Replying while waving her hand at me up and down, she tells me, "Oh, relax Shi-kun, I did what you said! I told them we were going on a really long trip to kill monsters! They don't know a thing! I even told them that I was that Tsuki person you told me to be!"
I put a finger on her mouth. "Quiet down! That's good and all, but we don't want anybody hearing that, you idiot!" Both of our friends stare at me curiously as I keep my hands on Neptune's mouth. "Um, Shirou-san, why did you have Nep-Nep change her name?"I deadpan at her. "Come on, Compa. Name of landmass is Planeptune. Girl is purple-haired and is called Neptune. Come on." Compa pouts at my bluntness, while IF nods, "Ah, you want to erase any suspicions... Good job." Tilting her head curiously, she asks, "Why Tsuki though? There are better names out there." I sigh at that. "It was a long, hard battle against Neppermint, Nepster and and many other stupidly obvious names, but I called her Tsuki and I finished the argument quickly." Pausing, again, she asks, "OK... but why Tsuki?" I simply grin at her. "Personal preference."
What? Type-Moon would totally not mind being naming a goddess...
Holy crap, wouldn't it be ironic if I met a personification here...
As Neptune continues to try to get me off, IF asks, "OK, I get all that Shirou but... are you REALLY sure that you're going on this trip with nothing but a bokutou? We'll be facing off against some pretty strong monsters, you know?" Seeing the logic behind her words, I take my hands off Neptune and tell her, "Don't worry about that. With the windfall we gained from the funds we split, we bought Neptune a new sword and Compa- san some expired liquid, as well as enough supplies to last us until Lastation. Don't worry about it, I can do fine until we get there." IF stares at me incredelously. "Are you serious? That was the same one Nep-ko's been using for the past few days, and you just got it from a chest in the dungeons! Not to mention all the crap it's been through! You're really doing this!" With a grin, I say, "Oh, don't worry, I'll get new weapons when the time is right."
The right time can be anytime I feel like it actually, but more for when I believe they really need my help. I need them to get stronger,and mowing down all our enemies won't allow them to get any combat experience.
"Oh, to hell with that... That's it, we're taking on quests right now until we get you a better weapon!"
I contemplate this. Yes... I suppose getting a fallback weapon might actually be beneficial... "But are you sure? We could be heading there right now and if we go afterwards we might be tired..."
"But Shi-kun, we can't just abandon these people to the monsters! We have to help them out!"
A look of surprise covers my face as the normally apathetic Neptune says that she actually wants us to say and help out.
I break out into a small smile. Maybe Planeptune will have an excellent leader after all when this is all over.
"Well now... To think that you were the one who wanted to leave already yesterday..." As she sheepishly rubs the back of her head, I tell her, "You're growing up Neptune. You're right, that's exactly what we wanted to do when we set out on this mission, and wouldn't it be hypocritical if we didn't help out those we had the time and capability to?"
"OK then. Let's do what we can."
*SCENE BREAK*
We decided to come to the aid of the excruciatingly named ZECA (Though considering what Neptune represents, at least not ironically.) The first quest is to get Dogoo Gelatin Cells, simple enough that we took on another quest.
It was to defeat the 'speedy blue shadow' attacking its facilities.
THAT was painfully ironic.
And so we went through one of its factories, thankfully filled with Dogoos to speed things up a bit. After reaching the end, I prepared my head to take any more game referencing madness in the form of a speedy blue hedgehog.
It was a wolf.
Somehow, the shattering of my expectations makes my forehead ache even more.
"Goddammit... Let's just finish this..."
Suddenly, the wolf starts leaping around swiftly.
"I can't see ANYTHING!"
The wolf thinks it has us confused and disoriented, and ready for an easy meal.
Unfortunately, I've faced much quicker opponents than this furry jerk.
This thing is just too slow for my eyes.
"Neptune, slash behind you now!"
The CPU complies with my orders and manages to graze its fur. The wolf growls at the slight damage and slows its tempo just a tiny bit.
"Stay in a circle everybody! I'll observe its movements and force it to try and attack us!"
The wolf soon takes several hits to various parts of its body due to my observational tactics and the quick compliance of my allies.
The wolf appears to have noticed the reason it's being beaten down and starts to focus on me more often.
Good. I can end this.
"Everyone, it's going to attack me now! I'll draw it off and you guys finish it from behind!"
I dash towards a small corner of the current area to trick the wolf into thinking that I can't escape.
As it tries to bite me, I raise my blade and smash it against the wolf's advancing mouth. It does not cut through, and nor do his teeth. I support my blade with my hand as my opponent and I continue to glare at each other.
"Come on! Finish it!"
I wait silently for my comrades to come. Ten seconds... Twenty... Thirty...
Before I realize what's happening, the wolf suddenly stops its growling. It stares at me, starts to whimper and twitch its eyes and slowly collapses to the ground.
What just happened- Oh god.
I look at the wolf more closely and what greets me is a sight so painful it makes we cringe and twitch my eyes.
The reason the wolf had such an unceremonius collapse was because of how it happened.
Compa stuck her giant syringe up its butt.
The sight is traumatizing and horrifying.
I suddenly feel the urge to put one hand one my own rear to protect it.
Far away, both Neptune and IF don't seem to have taken it well either. Neptune has her tounge out in a disgusted look, while IF's eyes also seem to be twitching.
"Are you OK, Shirou-san? I hope I didn't come too late!"
Not having the heart to tell her that she's done me more psychological damage to me over the past few days than any physical pain any of the monsters have caused (which is to say for the latter, none at all), I simply mutter out, "Y-yes. Good job Compa," I say while I cover my rear painfully, "Good job."
She tries to pull out her syringe, but even more disgustingly, it's stuck, making horrifying sounds as she tries to take it out.
"Need help?"
Shaking her head, she puffs her cheeks up. "Al... most... There..."
With a mighty heave, she shouts, "KYAAAHHH!"
Compa falls to the floor, her legs spread wide openGAH!
AGAIN WITH THE PANTIES!
"Are you OK Compa-san? !" I ask, looking away from her embarrassed. "Y-yeah! I'm OK... Ow..."
Walking over to her, I offer my hand. "Err... just grab it so I don't see." Feeling her arm grasping mine, I use my strength to pull her up. "Th-thanks, Shirou-san..." Compa's looking down, slightly red and probably feeling the same as me.
Sighing again, I just reply, "No problem... No problem..."
IF's laughing just like Rin would, while Neptune is oddly silent.
I wonder why?
*SCENE BREAK*
We have time for one more job, fighting a Sand Worm back in the caves where we met IF.
It was pretty damn easy compared to last time. Hell, Neptune didn't even need HDD. All it took was a few pistol shots to the inner mouth from all of us, and it was gone easily.
As we head back to Planeptune, I suddenly feel a malevolent hostile presence in the area and hold my hand up.
"Stop. We're being watched."
Readying my blade, I shout out, "Who are you? Show yourself! We know you're there!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! So you know I'm here! Very interesting, little boy!"
A pale-skinned woman leaves the shadows, wearing a very revealing outfit and the stereotypical witch's hat. Her general appearance and the way she sounds sort of remind me of Caster, though I know that unlike her this one definitely doesn't have a hint of kindness in her.
"What's with the melodramatic laugh? Sounds so cliche and overused, yeesh..."
The witch's anger grows at the airheaded goddess' words. "So, you haven't changed at all even after falling to the lower world... Always know how to push people's buttons..."
I narrow my eyes at her outrage.
This woman has just heavily hinted at the possibility that we may be facing an enemy of divine origin.
So far, the only such entities I know of in this world are the four CPUs and Histoire... Who could...
Wait.
"I created you all alongside the other goddess...
But that was a dire mistake."
"You... Might you be the other goddess Histoire mentioned, I wonder..."
The witch suddenly stops her arrogant cackling and glares at me with a furious look on her face. "Who are you to say such things, little boy? How do you know that woman?" She gives me an analytical expression and becomes curious."You... You are different from the others here, even moreso than the brat... Foreign... Alien... Not of these worlds..."
Her words and reactions might as well have confirmed my suspicions.
She is our enemy.
An extremely dangerous one, if Histoire was correct.
"Shi-kun, what is she talking about..."
Alarm very evident in my voice, I quietly warn the others. "This one is dangerous... Neptune, transform. IF, Compa-san, get ready."
My friends are mystified at my words but realizing the meaning of even me thinking and saying these them makes them follow my orders quickly, Neptune undergoing HDD and IF and Compa adopting fighting stances.
In response, the witch brandishes a four bladed short spear that may very well be a staff or wand, a sort of more versatile casting medium. Her power rises as she begins to float in the air just like our own divine ally.
"You shall meet your demise now, fools! Prepare to die!"
*SCENE BREAK*
The battle begins with the witch trying to stab Neptune. She was fairly fast in her assault, but I intercepted it easily.
IF tries to dash up to her and slice her, but the mystery woman breaks off before it connects. She blocks all of Compa's shots as well. She's skilled enough... but so far, to our luck, not as much as I thought she would be.
Perhaps not coincidentally, all her attacks so far have been focused on Neptune. She probably thinks that Neptune is the only one worth paying attention to being a goddess.
Let me change that.
"Boy, stop your interference NOW! I will be forced to unleash more of my power on a feeble human like you if you do not cease your annoyances!"
With a cold voice, I reply, "Go ahead. So far, you've disappointed me greatly, so why don't you do just that?"
Her face contorts into one of immense displeasure and rage... but then breaks out into a vicious, murderous smile. "Very well then... If that is what you wish!"
Rather unexpectedly, her speed increases and she attempts to thrust her spear into me.
Did I say unexpectedly? Her speed was absolutely pathetic compared to the Lancers I've seen, and even Caster can get more out of that.
Rather half-heartedly, I block the thrust with the back edge of my blade and punch her with reinforcement.
"Really? That is all? Please, continue to demonstrate your power, pathetic dark one."
Her shock turns into even more anger. "You... You will pay for these insults!"
I sigh as she continues her futile barrage. I barely have to use both hands. Each slash she makes is blocked and countered, each thrust easily sidestepped and repaid. I wonder how it must feel, a divinity like her, wielding a spear, being repelled easily by a human with a bokutou? Insulting.
The rest of the party is simply watching in awe at how uncaring I seem to be of this battle.
"Oy. Don't just stand there. Get your hits in."
Snapping out of their stupor, they get back into the fight. The woman seems to be getting a little overwhelmed, so she backs off again and tries a new tactic.
"Feel this!"
Red energy shoots out from her spear, heading straight for me. Sensing danger, I hop back instead of blocking it and find to my displeasure that it was fire.
I would have lost a good sword if I wasn't careful.
"OK everyone... I think I'll need a bit of your help now."
I decide on a new strategy. I get in close and simply draw her aggression. Distracted by her personal vendetta against me, the others easily get their shots and slices in. We soon wear down our opponent now that Neptune is more prepared for any counter attacks and has become much faster than at the start of the battle as a result.
*SCENE BREAK*
"Well? Had enough, witch?"
As she stands in a corner and breathes heavily, she asks with frustration, "Why... Why are you so powerful? ! You're just a bunch of measly humans, and that bratty CPU doesn't even look like she exercises..." She starts to nod her head as though realizing something. "Yes... that's it... you're in Planeptune, her home turf..."
"Rationalizing your loss? How sad."
"Shut up!" She stares at all of us with resentment. "Next we meet... will be the last..." She looks at me again and directs her hate towards me. "I won't forget this, boy... Soon, perhaps you will learn to stay out of other people's affairs."
With a cold voice, I reply, "Unfortunately, that is impossible for me. Go ahead and run away. I'll be waiting to make sure that next we meet will be the last I see of you as well, witch."
As our aggressor escapes in disgust, I turn to the others again. IF looks at me suspiciously.
"Hey... what was all that about an evil goddess anyway? Something we should know?"
I turn to Neptune. "Do you remember our conversation with Histoire, Neptune?" She becomes silent for a while, and then nods her head. "Yes. Which part?"
Addressing the whole group, I say, "During one part of our conversation, Histoire told us that she created the goddesses alongside another..." I recall her words and reiterate them to the party ominously.
"...She said it was a dire mistake."
All of them become confused when IF widens her eyes. "You mean to say that... We just faced off against one of the creators of all the goddesses and won? !"
I discourage any pride the party might feel from this. "Do not underestimate her. She was simply too arrogant for her own good. I've seen people waste all their power due to their pride, that fatal weakness becoming the cause of defeats when they should've easily won."
Gilgamesh. You lost against me because you were arrogant, too arrogant to unleash Ea before I had the chance to stop it.
So did this one.
"And Shirou... What was that about you being foreign anyway? What does she mean?"
I become silent.
Should I tell them everything? Should I tell them where I come from, why I'm here, the reason for my existence in this distant universe?
"... I don't know. Histoire said the same thing. Perhaps we'll find out over the course of our travels."
No. Not yet.
When the time comes that my powers are to be revealed... Yes, that will be the time.
"Shirou-san, you have amnesia too?"
I look at Compa and chuckle at that. "Just a bit Compa-san. Just a bit."
It's true anyway. After all, I have no idea of who the hell I was before the fire.
"Anyway... IF, should we still go for Lastation today? I think it's too late and we're tired from everything that just happened." Though I may not have the cooking tonight... It's for the best.
My suffering is nothing compared to the success of our journey.
"Hmm... Yeah, you're right. We'll head back home for now."
I gently ask, "Please, join us back at Compa-san's home. We're party members now. We'll be together for quite a while... It's the least we can do for all the help you've given us."
IF contemplates this for a while and smile. "OK then... Thanks, Shirou."
Compa becomes contemplative as well then nods her head. "Shirou-san... You wanted to cook, right?" I nod my head. "It's OK Compa-san... it's your house. I should respect that. You can cook tonight."
She shakes her head and then beams at me. "For all your hard work today and for protecting all of us... You can cook tonight!"
I freeze in my walk.
I slowly twist my head towards her. Did she just say...
"I... can... cook?"
She nods happily. "Yes! You can cook tonight!"
I suddenly feel the urge to cry. I walk up to her and cup her hands in mine, my palms trembling. "Thank you! Thank you, Compa-san! You will not be disappointed tonight, I swear it!"
Blushing at the sudden contact, she stutters out, "S-sure, Shirou-san... It's no problem..."
Neptune is quietly regarding this scene for whatever reason. She seems a little down...
Odd.
"Anything wrong?" She shakes her head and says quietly, "No, it's nothing..."
I let go of Compa's hands and walk towards Neptune. "Are you sure?"
"Positive."
I still can't get this... Ah well.
"You did well today. Just be sure to always remain on guard, she nearly got you at the beginning." Nodding her head, she says, "I understand. Thank you for... protecting me again."
Why did she hesitate? Is there suppose to be something special behind me protecting others?
"It was no problem." With a spring in my step and the promise of some long-awaited kitchen time, we head back to Planeptune to report the results.
*SCENE BREAK*
After getting a sizable amount of money, we head back for Compa's house when we suddenly see a gigantic truck.
"Is it recycling day today?"
Neptune points out something she sees. "Something funky's on it! Looks like furniture, but it's not like anything I've ever seen, no sir!"
I deadpan, "Neptune, considering your amnesia, that may not be very much at all." I look in the direction she's facing and say, "That's a jukebox. It plays music when you place old vinyl recording discs inside." IF nods. "Yeah. Don't see much of those around anymore." Compa marvels at this. "Vinyl? Wow, Mr. Jukebox must be a real antique!"
"That is correct."
An elderly man makes his presence known, his voice melancholic and depressed.
"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt you sir! I was just musing out loud about how wonderful it must've been!"
The old man stops working on the jukebox and chuckles. "Don't worry, I was about to take a break anyway." A small, bitter smile forms. "...And you're right. It was wonderful."
Neptune asks, "Is it broken?" Nodding his head, the old man sadly says, "Yup. Can't find any parts to fix it... Useless stuff gets thrown away..."
I become silent at his words. This jukebox must have been an important part of the man's life for him to act like this...
"It's sad. This company... it had its roots in selling these beauties."
Curious, IF questions, "Isn't this a game company?" Turning to her, I explain, "Many companies change as time goes by, becoming radically different from their origins due to times, technology, business... A card-manufacturer could become the next big game company, for example." The old man nods his head. "You have a bright head on your shoulders, young man. That's right. Many of the game companies you now see today had their humble beginnings as jukebox sellers. When games became big and the technology progressed, they changed over."
Becoming melancholy yet again, he stares at the antique machine. "Youths back then found the loves of their lives dancing to the music this old thing played... The beautiful melodies, the lovely tunes..."
My compassion turns into pity.
Excited, Compa shouts, "Wow! It's like a musical cupid!" The man, still fondly recalling old memories, replies bitterly, "Yeah... that it was, little lady..."
Sighing, he looks away. "Well, I better leave now... Anytime you need some classical rock'n'roll... This'll be sitting around here..."
With a happy shout, Neptune declares, "OK, oji-san!"
He nods and starts to walk away.
"It'll probably start working when you forget it's even existed... Ah well..."
"Wait."
The old man stops at my request. "Yes, boy? What is it?"
I walk up to the jukebox and put my hand on it, using Structural Grasp Magecraft on it. The insides are a bit rusty and several parts are indeed missing...
As I grasp the structure, I examine the memories hidden within...
"She was beautiful."
The man eyes me curiously. "What?"
"Long flowing brown hair... deep green eyes... You met her for the first time, dancing together to the music of this old treasure, didn't you?"
The old man gasps. "H-how... How did you..."
"Old man, don't give up on your memories so easily. The ones you love may be gone, but the things that remind you of them, the good and bad times you went through together... They can keep you going."
I take a look at the truck and abandon public decency by climbing inside.
"Hey, Shirou, what are you-!"
I scan for parts I can use... Bolts... Wood... A bit of this and that...
I take out a wrench from within my pockets. Jumping down with all my supplies, I start working on the man's most valuable reminder of his happy life.
...
"Done, old man. Why don't you try it out?"
As the others stare at me wide-eyed, the old man slowly walks over to the old machine and, with shaking fingers, presses play.
The sound is weak, but an old love song, passionate and catchy manages to make its way out of the ancient discs and into our ears.
Tears of nostalgia fall from the man's face. "Oh... It works again... Oh thank you, thank you..." He continuously shakes my hand as he cries. "Young man... How can I ever repay you?"
I smile at him. "Be happy. That's how I've wanted to live my life: Making others happy. Never forget her old man. She'd want you to be happy."
He nods his head rapidly. "Thank you so much, kids! Just pass by if you want some rockin' tunes to listen to! I'll always provide for you!"
The man leaves with the jukebox in his hands, joyfully bringing with him the happiness his wife wanted for him.
"Wow, Shirou... That was amazing. I didn't know you knew how to work machines..."
I turn to IF and smile again. "That was my job for a while... It was nice to use it for something nice again..."
"Hey, Shi-kun... what you said about making people happy..."
"Yup. All true. That's what I want for my life in a nutshell." Beaming at me, she says, "It's a little cheesy... But it's awesome!" Compa nods as well. "That's very admirable, Shirou-san!" Even IF, who has Rin's voice and thus makes the words that follow extremely ironic, tells me, "You know, that's not a bad way to live at all..."
Wow... That... That actually makes me feel good... Nobody calling me an idiot for that.
"You're some of the few people that say that... Thanks, guys."
Now feeling even more invigorated, we make our way back to Compa's house.
*SCENE BREAK*
Oh... The sweet pleasures of cooking... Ah, how I've missed you so...
Slicing the veggies, dicing the meat, boiling the soup... They all relax me and bring me back to simpler days.
Finished with the preparation, I look forward to the next part: How others think.
"Enjoy the food everyone."
IF, Compa and Neptune stare at my food with wide eyes, and the goddess is drooling at the sight.
Miso soup, tofu steak, shrimp tempura and beef enoki all invite the onlookers to indulge in the feast.
"Wow, Shirou-san... It looks amazing..."
"Damn, Shirou... Just, damn...
"I wanna eat already!"
"Hold it, hold it girls... You know what to do first."
Clasping our hands together, we shout, "Itadakimasu!"
Compa politely starts digging in, IF starts to eat a little roughly, while Neptune ravenously consumes the dishes. "Oh wow... Dish ish sho goooooood!" Compa widens her eyes. "Shirou-san... This is so good! It's even better than my cooking!" IF does this as well. "God, this is so good... I can't even cook at all!"
I wisely choose to hold back my laughter at the irony right now. Ah, the times when Rin tried to take over the position as house chef, and now here 'she' is saying she can't cook at all...
"Thanks everyone. Glad you all enjoyed it."
IF starts to praise me. "OK, so you can fight, think up battle strategies in the blink of an eye, fix machines, and now you can cook... What CAN'T you do? !"
I chuckle at her. "A lot of things, IF. Please, you all have your own strengths and weaknesses. I have my own. We all need each other if we're gonna save the world, got that?"
IF smiles at me. "Maybe so, Shirou... Maybe so... Yeah, you're right."
As we have one last night of celebration, I bond with the people who will be my comrades for the journey ahead, laughing alongside them and getting closer to them as we prepare for the beginning of our mission.