WELCOME TO THE NEXT LEVEL ~Stage 7~
By
Darkness Shade
After Ryan's little heartwarming statement, the group made their way to Lastation to meet the other Oracles and form their strategy.
"It's easy enough." Kei explained, "While our combined forces overwhelm ASIC's, you all will break off and go after their leader; I believe you are quite familiar with her as she was the one to imprison the four CPUs three years ago."
"Magic…" Nepgear quietly stated, "We won't lose to her again!"
'Hmmm…I wonder if Linda was able to talk to Magic.' Ryan thought as he listened to the plans, '…I wish we didn't have to fight her…darn it…'
"Hey! Big guy! It's time to roll out and stuff so transform already!" Neptune shouted breaking Ryan from his thoughts.
Nodding, Ryan did such and gathered up the girls before taking off for Planeptune…
"They've already started fighting." IF remarked as they landed on the outskirts, "Their army is larger than I figured…"
"Still…we've got the number advantage so we shouldn't have too much trouble." Uni noted, "…uh oh, we've got trouble."
Their presence hadn't gone unnoticed and the group found themselves surrounded by a large portion of ASIC's monster soldiers.
"This no good, we must take out leader if to truly win." Gust grumbled as she fired off a few spells, "Can Ryan see from up there?"
"Hmmm….I don't see….wait." Ryan replied as he squinted, "There in the distance…I'd recognize that shade of pink anywhere."
"Ugh…these stupid morons are in our way!" Blanc grumbled, "Go cut her off and we'll catch up!"
"Right!" Ryan shouted before leaping through the battlefield, "Magic!"
"Oh…the boy's found me huh? Perfect." Magic cackled as she took off, leading Ryan to a secluded field, "No pep squad today?"
"Heh, they've got their hands full as it is; I think I can handle someone like you." Ryan chuckled, "…I'd rather not have to kill you Magic."
"Oh…and why is that? What brings on such concern for your enemy?" Magic mocked with a laugh, "…Underling!"
"…Linda?" Ryan asked before feeling something latching on to his wrists and ankles and keeping him from moving, "The hell?"
"…how was that CFW Magic ma'am?" Linda asked as she headed over to where Magic was standing avoiding eye contact with Ryan.
"Perfect! Where's your bravado now boy?" Magic cackled.
"…you don't have to do this." Ryan calmly replied, "I would hate to have to make Linda sad…"
"What does that mean?"
"I know about how you two met…I know how much you mean to Linda." Ryan explained, "What I don't know is why you would so desire destroying the world like this? Why work so hard to bring about Arfoire and the destruction she'll cause?"
"…I do what I will to serve our goddess." Magic spat out, "Besides…what are you talking about in regards to her?"
"Linda told me what happened to her when she was young…what you did when you found her." Ryan stated, "Someone evil wouldn't have bothered to take care of someone as if she were their little sister…"
"Ryan…" Linda softly stated, "…CFW Magic ma'am…why are you trying to resurrect her if this is true?"
"…you see me as a sister?" Magic asked in confusion, "…I'd forgotten about all that…it seems so long ago…you were so much younger."
"What's happening to her?" Ryan asked as he noted Magic grabbing her head and screaming in agony, "She looks like she's fighting herself."
"CFW Magic ma'am?" Linda asked as she noted her stop moving, "Are you okay?"
"…such a worthless vessel to have such horrid free-will."
"That voice!" Ryan shouted, "I know that voice!"
"Heh…those that do not bend to my will all suffer the same fate in the end."
"What's she talking about Ryan?" Linda asked, confused at what was transpiring.
"Linda! Get away from her! That's Arfoire!" Ryan shouted, trying to break his bonds, "Dammit!"
"Heh, I can see that this one means much to you…perhaps I should take what you've borrowed from me out of her?" Arfoire cackled as she raised her weapon and took aim at Linda, "This is what happens when you mess with the Deity of Sin!"
Ryan couldn't let this happen, he couldn't let Linda get hurt like this after everything; the memories of his dream flashed through his mind for the briefest of moments and that was all the incentive he needed to rip free from the bonds.
"Linda!" Ryan shouted, diving at her and scooping her up only to feel Arfoire lash out at his back, "ARGH!"
"You stupid fool; always playing the hero…compassion for the enemy is a ridiculous trait!" Arfoire shouted as she continued lashing out at Ryan.
"Compassion…for anyone…is never misplaced as long as they deserve it, enemy or not!" Ryan shouted, winding back and delivering an epic bitch slap that knocked Arfoire into the nearest mountain, "Oh God…that really hurt…at least my clothing is soaking up the blood."
"Ryan!" Linda shouted from her grip, "…you gigantic moron…are you okay?"
"Heh…I'm fine…here, go find some cover." Ryan groaned as he let her go and then stood up, "I've got someone to take care of."
Growling in pain and anger, Ryan transformed and felt his aches dull slightly before turning his attention to where Arfoire had been knocked to.
"I must say…you are quite a surprise boy." Arfoire spoke in a tone that chilled Ryan's spine, "You must know you can't fight me…"
"I don't have to fight you…I just have to keep you busy." Ryan shot back with a grin, "Come on! Let's see what you've got!"
Frustrated at his bravado, Arfoire dashed towards Ryan and attempted to land a blow; unfortunately for her with his transformed speed she couldn't touch him.
Unfortunately for Ryan, the same applied to him as all of his attacks were missing; it seemed the two opponents were at a bit of an impasse.
"You might be borrowing my power…but you are still human, boy!" Arfoire shouted in anger, "You will eventually tire and then I shall be the victor."
"If you think your words can affect me then you've no idea who you're dealing with." Ryan laughed in reply, "Besides…this power is my own…nothing you have could be as pure."
Incensed at his continued cockiness, Arfoire lashed out with all she had and Ryan began to think maybe he'd overdone it with that last bit until…
"Superior Angels!"
With a brilliant flash and a huge crash of explosions, Arfoire went flying backwards and landed in a heap; curious as to why he wasn't dead Ryan looked up and saw the CPU candidates coming to the rescue.
"You know, I had her on the ropes." Ryan joked as he saw the other CPUs and girls right behind them, "Nice of you all to show up at last…"
"Aw, look at the tall guy being all tough and stuff." Neptune teased, "No need to impress us girls with being tough; we already like you!"
"Even transformed you're a goof." Ryan teased before falling to one knee, "Ugh…crap…"
"Mr. Giant!" Compa shouted as she ran over to him, "Those wounds look bad, lie down!"
Figuring he'd better listen to the doctor, Ryan grunted as he de-transformed and crashed onto his stomach; with that Compa got to work tending to his wounds while the others looked at Arfoire's motionless body.
"So…is she dead?" Nepgear asked, poking her with her sword, "…are you dead?"
For a moment or two Arfoire's body didn't move until suddenly she shot straight up and began yelling loudly.
This freaked the girls out and they jumped back as Arfoire shakily rose to her feet and glared at all of them.
"You…you think you've won defeating this worthless vessel…?" Arfoire coughed out with a unsettling grin, "Peh…this only plays further into my hand…that useless woman can have her body back."
With a groan, Arfoire's body shook and shook until at long last it settled and Magic seemed to be herself again.
"CFW Magic ma'am!" Linda shouted as she ran from her hiding spot and gave her a hug, "Are you okay?"
"…Linda…? Ugh...I'm sorry." Magic gasped before coughing up blood, "I…did not realize I was her reincarnation."
"What?" the group collectively asked in shock.
Ryan, now patched up, walked over and knelt down by the others watching the scene with worry; he didn't like what he saw one bit and he knew this wasn't going to turn out well.
"When she was defeated all those years ago, part of her survived and was reincarnated years later as me." Magic explained as quickly as she could, "With my death the series of events she needed is complete."
"What you do mean CFW Magic ma'am?" Linda asked, tears already forming in her eyes, "You can't die!"
"Heh…listen…my time left is short." Magic gasped in ragged breaths, "With the Four Felons gone, our souls will return to her and then…she'll awaken."
"Gust does not like sound of this."
"If that's true, then damn…we played right into her hand." Noire groaned.
"I'm sorry that…things didn't go the way they should have." Magic coughed, "I knew what she would do and still…still I tried my hardest to bring her back."
"CFW Magic ma'am…"
"Heh…don't cry Linda…I'm glad to know you cared about me so much; I'm glad I could give you a chance at life. At least I did something redeeming with my life…" Magic groaned as she felt her body giving up, "You…the tall one…Ryan…"
"What is it Magic?" Ryan asked as he leaned in to hear her last words.
"You'll keep your promise to her, right?"
"Promise…what are you talking about CFW Magic ma'am?" Linda asked, the tears now streaming down her face.
"Heh…don't cry…this isn't goodbye…there's always the next life." Magic coughed with a smile, "You've got him to protect you…he said he would…and I feel he isn't…one…to…lie…"
"CFW Magic ma'am…? Magic!? Magic…" Linda cried as she watched her body began to fade away into dust, "Magic! Magic! Sis!"
"Heh…goodbye Linda…and…I'm…so…sorry…" Magic choked out before her body disappeared in a vibrant display of sparkles that swirled around and around.
"So pretty."
"It is Rom…it is." Ram added as the group watched in silence as she finally disappeared, leaving only a strange looking device where she stood.
The group was unmoving after the scene they'd witnessed; the only one even making any movements was Linda who, after falling to her knees, was crying her poor little heart out.
"Linda…" Ryan softly spoke before offering her his hand.
Looking over at his hand, Linda bit her lip before flinging herself into it and grabbing his thumb tightly as her desire for comfort overwhelmed any other feelings she had.
"Shhh…it's okay little one." Ryan whispered as he held her to his chest, "Just let it all out…I'm not going anywhere."
Looking down at the girls, Ryan gave a wink and nodded back towards Planeptune; getting the idea Iffy and the others made their way back while letting Ryan do his best for Linda's broken heart.
"But Iffy, what about that card we saw?" Neptune whined, "I know what it looked like…should we just leave that there?"
"It certainly did look familiar…but something was different about it." IF replied, "Besides, based on its size only one person could wield it…"
"That's right…it's the same size as the other two Mr. Giant has." Compa remarked, "I guess we'll let him handle it then, huh?"
"The hero of Justice will return after easing the heart of the maiden Underling." Nisa added despite not needing to, "His compassion is as massive as he is! I truly respect being his partner in righteousness!"
With that the group made simple banter on their way back as Ryan continued sitting there, Linda crying into his shirt as he did his best to comfort her and reassure her that she wasn't alone.
A few hours later Ryan was still in the same position, Linda snoozing under his hand after crying herself to sleep; as the sun was setting he noted her finally stirring before seeing her stare up at him with tired eyes.
"You're still here…" Linda softly stated with a smile.
"Well, it's not like I had anywhere to be." Ryan softly chuckled as he hugged her close, "Feeling better Linda?"
"Yeah…thank you, by the way…"
"Thanks for what?"
"For keeping your promise…and for trying to talk Magic out of it…" Linda replied as she gripped his shirt, "…all that talk wasn't just talk was it?"
"Heh…it never is with me." Ryan joked, before hearing small rumbling noise, "Well now, that seemed to be your little tummy…"
"I guess I'm a little hungry after all that…it's gotten late hasn't it?"
"A little…but you seemed to need the sleep so I didn't have the heart to wake you." Ryan replied as he held her close and stood up, "Oh man…that was loud. It would seem the ground is not a place my back agrees with."
"…idiot. Always acting so cheery and upbeat with us even when in pain." Linda remarked as she held his thumb tight, "…oh, what about that?"
Looking down, Ryan nodded as he bent down and retrieved the card Magic had left behind; turning around in his other hand he noted it looked similar to the ones Iffy had shown him but the color was different…and something else felt off to him but he couldn't pinpoint it.
"Well, I'll figure it out later; I'm sure the girls are wondering where we're at." Ryan noted as he began walking back to Planeptune, "Heh, maybe Compa's got dinner waiting?"
"…I know how you feel about me but…"
"You're worried how the girls will treat you, huh? I wouldn't worry too much about that."
"And just why the hells do you think that? How could they after all I did to harm them…hinder them…and just be a pretty mean bitch about things?"
"It's easy…they care about me…I care about you…and I don't think they'll let those things get in the way of someone that wishes to change their ways; I'm sure Nisa will have some silly remark about it to be sure." Ryan chuckled as he smiled down at her.
"As simple as that?"
"Well, if they don't it'd make me sad…besides, Nepgear said they wanted to help me help you so I wasn't sad so don't sweat it." Ryan explained, "It'll be a little awkward for a bit, and some of the girls might have a harder time trusting you but I think in the end you'll do fine."
"You and that tongue of yours, always so damn eager to bolster people's moods…how is it you know just what to say?" Linda asked as they neared the hangar entrance.
"It's easy…when you've experienced the emotional gamut I have…and when your isolation means you've been able to observe how people truly act and behave without interference…well, let's just say that it becomes easier to know how situations are and to read people." Ryan explained as they entered the hangar, "To be less wordy and "me" about it, I'm just damn good at empathy and feeling people's emotions…it's not always the best but…I don't know how to be anyone but myself."
'Thanks goodness for that…' Linda thought with a smile.
"Hey, there's the big guy; took him long enough."
Waving to Iffy with his free hand, Ryan walked over to where the girls were and sat down; Linda looked hesitant but she nodded and pointed down towards the ground.
Understanding what she wanted Ryan lowered the hand she was in and watched her hop off and stand near the girls but…he could sense the tension in the room.
"So, any sign of Arfoire reappearing yet? I really didn't like those last words she gave us before vanishing." Ryan asked, trying to keep the awkwardness to a minimum.
"Histy and the others are trying their hardest to pinpoint any information but so far no go tall dude!" Neptune replied, "So with Underling here I guess you're showing off your shonen awesome extreme compassion!"
"There's that saying again…" Ryan chuckled, "Yes…Linda is, well, she's going to be part of our group now. I know that some of you might have some difficulty with this but…well…it's not entirely her fault she did the things she did…"
"I know I don't…I don't deserve any forgiveness from any of you for what I've done to harm you…to hurt you…" Linda brokenly stated, shuffling back and forth on her heels, "I just owed so much to Magic for…for saving me. I know it's probably a really lame excuse and if you told me to go to hell I'd completely have it coming but…even if we can't be friends I hope that we can at least get along. I don't want Ryan being the only one to…"
"Well, you did kind of completely devastate my city." Vert commented with a frown.
"And you kidnapped and brain-washed my sisters." Blanc added, an annoyed look on her face.
'Huh…don't remember that happening…must've been when I was knocked out.' Ryan thought, noting the growing tension in the air, 'Hmm…'
"And you did kind of beat the crap out of my sister and Nepgear." Noire stated with a growl.
"Now girls…" Ryan began saying, trying to break the tension…until Nepgear ran over and hugged Linda.
"Huh…the hell?" Linda asked as she felt Nepgear squeeze her tight, "You…"
"You want to truly change right? And well, I wanted Ryan to help you out and now he can. He already looks less sad now that you're with us." Nepgear explained with a smile, "So if you want to we can be friends."
"And not in the twisted kind of sense." IF joked, "…that Gear is really something else."
"Though I have my doubts, the strongest hero is almost always the redeemed villain; therefore the heroine of justice will welcome the anti-heroine Underling if she truly means it."
"Heh told you Nisa would say something silly." Ryan joked, "See? Didn't I tell you not to worry Linda?"
"I…I guess you did; but don't get so smug dammit! Just because you were right and all that doesn't make you everything under the sun!" Linda shot back with a smile.
"Ah, there is Underling we know and love." Gust joked which brought a laugh to everyone there.
"…my name is Linda…but I guess you can still call me that." Linda remarked as she patted Ryan's knee, "I'll just be his underling from now on."
"Well, the hours and benefits are definitely going to be better than what you had with ASIC, that's for sure." Ram joked.
"Great benefits…" Rom added.
"Oh Lord, are you trying to make me blush girls?" Ryan asked with a laugh, "So I don't suppose Compa is cooking up a meal is she?"
It turns out she indeed was and had a feast set up in a side room so they could all dine together; she even had set up a place for Linda.
"Well, when Mr. Giant wasn't back right away we knew he'd be bringing Miss Underling with him." Compa explained when asked about it, "I hope we can put things behind us and become friends; after all my grandpa did say 'Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer as long as they don't have hand grenades; not unless you want to lose a leg!'"
"You airhead, that makes no sense." Linda sighed, but her smile spoke her true feelings, "…I wonder where that dumb rat is at? He's so lost without me."
"Actually…to be honest about that." Compa started explaining before a quick blur dashed across the hall and collided with Linda's leg, "He came by looking for you…apparently he heard what happened and somehow knew you'd be with, how did Mister Mouse put it again? Oh yeah: "That really tall dork that has the hots for the peon, chump!""
"Oh, he did did he?" Linda groaned as she looked down at Pirachu glomped on to her leg, "You big idiot…"
"I'm not a dork…am I?" Ryan asked, but received no answer.
Picking up Pirachu, Linda looked at him for a moment before hugging him tight; a move that took Pirachu by surprise.
"I guess you really do care about me, chu!"
"You stupid rodent...why wouldn't I after all we've been through?" Linda replied as she let loose a few tears, "I'm so glad you're okay…"
"Hey, I love all the heart-warming silliness as much as the next Shoujo fan but Neptune is hungry!" Neptune whined, "Purple Neptune needs food badly!"
"…and she's the older sister?" Linda commented as she looked at Nepgear.
"Well…Neptune is Neptune." Nepgear quickly replied, "We should probably eat though…she might eat it all if we take too long."
Agreeing to that, the group that now totaled 15 if you included Ryan sat down and ate a peaceful meal after such hectic battles intent on enjoying what downtime they had before Arfoire's diabolical plan revealed itself.
The next day Ryan was sitting cross-legged, his eyes closed in concentration as he tried to focus.
Linda, situated on his knee, was a little bored but still felt weird around the girls…sure they had said they'd try to treat her like a friend…or at least with respect…but she still felt unsure of it; as she looked up she saw IF and Compa carrying some things and having a bit of a time with it.
"Ugh, these boxes are so heavy…darn that Nep for slacking off." IF grumbled as she dropped them again, "Why can't I hold all these boxes?"
Groaning, she began to pick them up before she looked over and saw Linda looking at them; noting she'd been seen Linda quickly looked down again and avoided eye contact.
"Hmmm…hold on Compa." IF stated as she ran over to Ryan's knee and looked at Linda, "Hey Underling…could you give us a hand with this?"
"…um, well…"
"Go ahead Linda, I'm not going anywhere; go enjoy some time with the girls." Ryan remarked, opening one eye and looking down at her, "Go mingle with Iffy and Compa and have some fun."
"Well, I guess I could go do that…you seem like you really need my help after all." Linda teased with a smile as she climbed down and followed Iffy.
"Oh, Miss Underling! Thanks for the help!" Compa remarked as they divided the packages up evenly, "So…I was wondering what your hobbies are? Oh, do you have a favorite food? If you do I could cook it up for you when we're done!"
Seeing that she was going to be okay, Ryan closed his eye and began focusing again…until he heard two voices talking.
"What Ryan doing? He seems in pain."
"Oh Gust, you are truly a novice heroine indeed. I have seen such a technique before: after that last fight he's obviously attempting to find the next level!" Nisa explained, "By honing his mind and energies he's hoping to reach that next step so he can help stop Arfoire!"
"Oh really? Then perhaps Gust should make notes on this too…"
"…I would be finding that next level if two tiny heroines weren't distracting me." Ryan teased, sticking his tongue out at them, "You can watch me if you want but no talking…you have to concentrate and focus for this to work."
Hearing their silence, Ryan went back to focusing and waiting for some sign until…
"About time you got here."
Opening his eyes, Ryan could see he was no longer in Planeptune but in a large, wide-open plain devoid of much life beyond some plants…and the man standing opposite of him.
"Ah, it's been a while Dark…"
"Heh, I'm just glad we're the same size this time; I mean, don't get me wrong, being the tiny is cool and all and has its awesome side but I feel much better in my own skin…so to speak." Dark remarked, stretching and spreading his wings, "But we're not here to talk about that, are we?"
"Not in the least." Ryan replied, doing some stretching of his own before striking his fighting stance, "Now…how are we going to handle the info we have about Arfoire?"
"Well, we have to get stronger." Dark remarked, dashing at Ryan and trading blows with him, "She couldn't touch us…but we couldn't touch her."
Dodging his punches, Ryan ducked down and sweep-kicked Dark's legs before grabbing hold of him and sending him flying.
"We do have those two other cards…the TT and that one Magic left." Ryan replied as he ran after him, "I don't think I can harness the TT one the same way as the R-4 one though."
"Heh, not too bad Ryan." Dark replied, pulling himself out of the throw and landing a kick to Ryan's head, "Perhaps we can use it to power up that beam saber you've been carrying around?"
"Ugh…not a bad idea." Ryan replied, recovering as he hit the ground, "So then the final card might have something we can use…"
"That's a good enough deduction." Dark replied, pulling out his beam saber, "Shall we go all Duel of the Fates?"
"…I hated the prequels." Ryan groaned, pulling out his saber and charging Dark, "I've always preferred X vs. Zero!"
"Good enough for me!" Dark growled as he blocked Ryan's attack and knocked him backwards, "So we modify the saber, and I think I know just the design…but what do we know about this other card?"
"Well…it appears to be like the Arfoire cards in this realm; but it's a different color." Ryan explained, throwing his saber at Dark and disappearing from sight.
"A different color, eh? Do you think it's a purified one?" Dark asked as he ducked under the saber and gave a kick to his right, his sneaker making contact with Ryan's gut and sending him tumbling along the ground, "Almost had me there."
"Heh…not bad for a human facing a half-demon, eh?" Ryan joked as he grabbed his saber and stood back up, "Yes, it's gold and white…the ones Iffy has shown me were a dark color with brown lines and a skull on it; this one has a crown."
"A crown?" Dark asked as his and Ryan's saber crashed with each other, the sparks flying in all directions, "Sounds like its right up the hero alley then."
"Indeed." Ryan chuckled as he knocked Dark's saber away and elbowed him in the face, "So then what is the next step?"
"Well, it should be obvious to you…after all; you remember our stories don't you?" Dark asked as he shook off the blow and came charging again, "You should remember…when the two of us weren't enough…"
"We had to become the one that was." Ryan stated, finishing Dark's sentence and holding off his advances, "Now that we've cleared that up…there's only one thing left to do..."
Grinning at his suggestion, Dark jumped back and readied his stance as Ryan did the same thing.
"Give me all you've got my twin!" Dark shouted as the two dashed at each other lighting fast, a brief flash of light the only sign they had crossed blades, "…ugh…I guess it wasn't enough…"
"Oh…I wouldn't say…that." Ryan groaned as he clutched his arm, "Nice to see…you didn't hold back either bro…"
"Heh, if anyone should know that Darkness Shade goes all out, it certainly should be you Ryan." Dark chuckled as he watched his shades crack and fall to the ground, "Ugh…this…was certainly productive."
"You bet…but…I've got to get going…" Ryan remarked as he felt himself slipping away, "I'm counting on you."
"I know…go kick her ass…for the both of us." Dark replied as he disappeared before throwing his hands in the air in celebration, "Heh, I even managed to get a fight sequence in this story…Hell yeah!"
"What's he doing?" 5pb asked the others as she came downstairs and saw them watching Ryan intensely, "He sure is sweating a lot…"
"We aren't really sure; Nisa and Gust just said he'd been like this for the last two hours." IF explained, "He hasn't moved since Linda, Compa, and I got back from that delivery run."
"I keep telling you, the hero is trying to find a new power within; it's typical hero behavior." Nisa huffed, "He'll be back when he's ready."
At that moment Ryan's eyes flew open and he let out a loud groan, the likes of which sent the girls scrambling backwards in surprise.
"Huh?" Ryan stated as he noted them spread out in front of him, "…it's not my birthday is it? I mean, I can't think of any other reason I'd have such a lovely batch of cuties to pick from."
"You idiot!" Linda shouted throwing her sword at him and watching it bounce off his forehead, "Don't go zoning out and then start acting so goofy…so damn annoying."
"Nice to see you too Linda." Ryan chuckled, "Goodness…if you're all here…how long was I out for?"
"Gust would say two hours…or so." Gust noted, "Ryan made many strange faces…but Gust has them all drawn in notes."
"They look so…intense." Uni remarked as she looked over Gust's drawings, "N-not that, you know, it makes you look cool or anything."
"So did you find that new power?! Have you become the next level of hero!?" Nisa demanded, all but jumping at him for an answer.
"Uh…um…sort of…wait, wait, wait…why does my face…feel weird?" Ryan asked, feeling his face and noting something was on it, "What the heck?"
Getting up and going over to a nearby panel of glass, Ryan looked at his reflection and was dumbfounded: someone had drawn all sorts of pictures on him.
"…which one of you did this?" Ryan asked, turning around and staring down at the girls.
At first, no one said anything…and then Ram started pointing fingers and it all devolved into chaos until finally everyone began pointing at Ram and Rom.
"The lolis just had to cause trouble, huh?" Ryan remarked with a grin, "But I can't help feeling there's more to it than that…"
"If I go down, they're going with me!" Ram shouted, pointing at the others, "They kept suggesting things to doodle…"
"Yeah…doodles…" Rom added, "They took advantage of us younger minds."
"The hell are you saying?!" Blanc grumbled, "Don't you dare pull that innocent card on him!"
"Well then, I guess I'll just have to demand a "sacrifice" to make up for your transgressions against the giant of Planeptune." Ryan stated with a chuckle as he sat down, "So…who is it going to be?"
As if expected, yet another squabble broke out as they all decided just who would be the scapegoat…of course, the thing Ryan didn't expect was that they were arguing that each of them should be the one to take his "punishment" as they were putting it.
"Yo, yo, yo…this is damn crazy." Linda huffed getting everyone's attention, "If we all want this, why don't we just gang up on him at once?"
"…I don't like where this going…" Ryan mumbled, unsure of what they were planning to do, "Now girls…be reasonable here…"
After a few tense seconds that seemed like minutes, Ryan heard a collective war cry from the girls and saw them come charging at him; too slow to react they began climbing all over him in some form of "revenge" mixed with just being a bunch of goobers.
"Oh God…I don't know whether to be terrified or overjoyed that they all just huggle tackled me like this." Ryan debated as he lay there unmoving lest he accidentally injure anyone, "…I concede! I should not have taunted the doodles! Fear the cute ones!"
And so their days began to settle into a strange rhythm of peace as nothing continued to happen; Ryan didn't like this one bit given that it could only mean Arfoire was biding her time and so he found it hard to relax with this still hanging in the air.
So while he waited he made the most of it, spending his time actively working on modifying and tinkering with his saber and trying to figure out just how to interface it with the TT card; as for the other card he was pretty stumped at what to do and even continued "discussions" with Dark left him with no answers and a growing concern.
Sighing that at the very least he had finished with the beam saber in the three weeks of peace they'd had, he looked down to note Nepgear had been watching him at work as usual.
"Hey Gear…everything still okay upstairs?" Ryan asked as he put away his saber and gently picked her up, "I haven't seen Neptune in some time…she avoiding me after what happened back then?"
Nepgear could only blush as she was reminded of that memory and cleared her throat to focus.
"She's acting really…weird." Nepgear remarked with a sign, "She's actually taking her job as CPU seriously and doing paperwork like crazy!"
"Hmmm…that's strange…I remember Uni, Ram, and Rom mentioning something similar when I visited them last week." Ryan noted, "I suppose being trapped for three years totally would back up all their duties…I'm surprised though, she won't even take a break? That's not like her…"
"I know…I'm kind of worried that she's overworking herself." Nepgear stated with a groan, "If she does then when Arfoire finally shows she won't be ready for it."
"Hmmm…let's go gather the other candidates; I think I've got an idea brewing." Ryan chuckled with a knowing grin, "I think they should be game."
With that Ryan went forth with Gear and gathered together Uni, Ram, and Rom and then began detailing his plan to help them relax; at first they were a little concerned about getting the Oracles help but…well Ryan can be very persuasive and even the Oracles had noted their CPUs were working far too hard given what was going on.
"Alright, it's agreed then; I probably need three days to get it all together and then I'll meet you at Planeptune." Ryan noted.
"What about Neptune?" Nepgear asked, "If she's there we can't do our part."
"I'll just kidnap her…I don't think she'll mind since she said she loves when the "Shonen awesome extreme hero goes vroom-a-zoom-zoom!" in the sky." Ryan joked, "So then…let's do this!"
Three days later, Nepgear waited nervously for the other girls to arrive…and for Ryan to "kidnap" Neptune so they could get to work.
"Why you so nervous Nep Jr.? Did you swallow your hair clip or something?" Neptune asked as she quickly signed paper after paper.
"Oh, no reason…just waiting for something." Nepgear remarked till she heard a knock at the Basilicom's front door, "…I think it's for you."
"I'm too busy…Histy can answer it."
"Now Neptune, I really must insist and side with Nepgear on this." Histoire remarked, "Please go answer the door…"
"Oh fine!" Neptune huffed, puffing her cheeks in annoyance, "Hello…what the hey!?"
"Come my lady, we have other guests to acquire."
And with that, Neptune was now out of the way…and just in time at that as the other CPU candidates had shown up.
"Was that Ryan in that getup?" Uni asked, "I can't believe he really went all out with this…not that that makes him cool but his dedication is admirable."
"Come on, time's a wasting!" Ram shouted, "We've got things to get ready!"
"Right! Get ready!" Rom added, "Ryan will be back soon."
Ryan, meanwhile, was on his way to Lastation with Neptune safely stowed in his coat pocket; despite her questions as to what was going on and why he was dressed in such a fashion he remained silent before arriving and gently knocking on Lastation's Basilicom door.
"Oh, so you've arrived then." Kei remarked when she answered, "It's nice to see you looking properly dressed for once…perhaps there is hope for you yet."
Ryan grinned before picking up Kei and watching her squirm; he thought his clothing was a nice touch for what the girls were doing and he didn't appreciate the back-handed compliment.
"I take it back! You're just a ruffian no matter what clothes you happen to wear." Kei grumbled as Ryan sat her down and ruffled her hair.
"You know, after all this time I'm beginning to think you do that on purpose." Ryan teased with a wink, "If you just want to be held Lady Kei all you have to do is ask and Mr. Giant will be more than happy to snuggle."
"Preposterous rubbish!" Kei shouted back before calling for Noire, "…just kidnap her and be on your way you rapscallion."
"What about scallion Kei?" Noire asked as she walked outside and saw Ryan, "Hey, what's he doing here?"
"Yoink." Ryan remarked as he quickly picked up Noire and placed her with Neptune in his pocket.
"Hmmm…he seems to be after CPUs." Neptune deduced, "I wonder what he's planning? I bet my sister is behind this…she's so crafty."
"What are you going on about?!" Noire groaned, "Kidnapping me like this…and Kei's going along with it. Grrr, well, I guess if Kei isn't worried than I should be okay…just watch that turbulence!"
Having made his way to chilly Lowee, Ryan had to deal with a few of his fans before finally getting to the Basilicom and getting Mina's attention.
"Ah, I see you've finally made it then…one moment please." Mina stated as she went inside to fetch Blanc, "Blanc…can you come with me please?"
"Can't...too busy writing…"
"You need to take a break once and a while or your eyes will get strained." Mina chided, "Please…come with me."
"I said no Mina, I've things to do."
Hearing their back and forth, eventually Ryan heard yelling and then saw Mina pushing Blanc out the doors before smiling up at him.
"Here she is…do see she is taken care of." Mina asked with a smile, "And she better behave."
"Yes, my lady." Ryan replied with a bow, "Shall we Lady Blanc?"
"This is ridiculous." Blanc grumbled as she refused to get in his hand.
"Oh well, no choice then." Ryan smirked as he picked her up and placed her with Neptune and Noire, "She'll be back later Lady Mina…enjoy your quiet time."
With a wave, Ryan was off into the air again heading for the last CPU to go "capture".
"So what's this all about anyway?" Noire asked, wishing to kill the time somehow while captive in Ryan's pocket, "Neptune?"
"Don't ask me guys…he's all super secret agent with his info; he refuses to tell me what's up." Neptune grumbled, "He just says to relax and not to worry…"
"Idiot! He thinks he's being all cool and mysterious." Blanc grumbled, "I bet Ram and Rom put him up to this."
"Come to think of it, Uni seems to have been absent when he picked me up." Noire commented with a frown.
"Ah ha, so you've drawn the same conclusion as me then." Neptune proudly stated, "I think our little sisters are being mischievous today."
"You ladies need to quit worrying so much." Ryan stated as he landed outside Leanbox and headed towards the Basilicom, "All will be explained once we get Lady Vert…"
"What the heck? Oh, right…Nepgear told me he'd be coming." Chika stated as she saw Ryan draw close, "…I wonder if he realizes what his clothing combined with those wings of his will do to my dear Vert?"
"Ah, Lady Chika; no doubt you are aware of the invitation sent out?" Ryan asked upon seeing her, bowing as he spoke.
"Heh, indeed I am; I wasn't aware that you would be playing this role." Chika remarked with a grin, "I'm not sure you'll be able to handle her reaction but I'll go get her. Just remember…Vert is mine."
"Of course my lady." Ryan teasingly replied as she left, "I wonder what she meant by that?"
"What do you mean keep my eyes closed?" Vert asked as Chika led her out the front door.
"Trust me…you'll love this." Chika giggled, "Now open them."
Opening her eyes, Vert looked out and then up and up and up taking in the sight of Ryan decked out in a fancy black suit, brilliant white gloves, with his feathery, jet-black wings billowing in the wind, and a pleasant smile across his face.
"My Lady." Ryan stated, crossing his right arm across his chest and bowing, "Your presence is requested in Planeptune."
Vert stood their stunned, silent and just staring at Ryan intensely.
"Oh God, here it comes…" Noire sighed just as Vert finally spoke.
"Oh my God! You look just like him!" Vert squeed in joy, "This is just like in my games! Did you make this yourself? How did you know I loved that series?!"
"Well, I don't wish to speak highly of myself Lady Vert." Ryan remarked as he grinned at her, "Suffice to say, I am one hell of a butler."
"Oh my God you said the line!" Vert squealed in delight, "Oh my…and it's not even my birthday!"
"This is trouble…if the tall dude can go from shonen awesome extreme to shoujo suave that easily…we're all doomed." Neptune joked with a smile, "Doooooooomed!"
"Can I take that to mean you accept the invitation?" Ryan asked, offering her his hand.
"Oh a thousand times yes! Screw my paperwork; I've got a cosplay hottie to keep company!" Vert shouted as she enthusiastically scrambled into his hand, "Oh do I have plans for you…"
Pleased and a little surprised by her reaction, Ryan placed her with the others and took off back for Planeptune.
"…the others are here too? Oh well, as long as I get to have some fun time with my favorite butler then I don't really care who is along for the ride." Vert sighed as her mind wandered, "Oh yes…"
"…at least he had the decency to pick her up last." Blanc groaned as the three of them listened to Vert lost in her own fantasy all the way back to Planeptune.
Landing back in Planeptune, Ryan escorted the ladies to a small room that had been set up for today's activity.
"So just what is going on here?" Neptune demanded, before seeing Nepgear and the others come running up decked out in maid outfits, "What they hey?"
"Welcome home my lady; please take a seat and allow us to serve you." Nepgear stated with a bow.
"We've been baking tirelessly since this morning, so we hope you enjoy all the sweets made just for you." Uni added as she walked up with Ram and Rom, each of them carrying a tray of goodies.
"So please my lady, take a seat and allow us to serve your treats and tea." Ram stated with a smile.
"Yes, treats and tea." Rom stated as she smiled cutely.
"Ah ha…so I get it now." Vert deduced with a large smile, "Seems our little CPU candidates were in cahoots after all."
"Well, duh, that's what we all were saying on the trip back." Noire huffed, "However, I suppose a little rest wouldn't kill us…and those cakes do look tasty."
"Those two…okay, I'll take a break." Blanc admitted, shaking her head and smiling.
"Then allow me ladies." Ryan remarked as he pulled their chairs out for them and helped them get seated, "And allow the CPU maid candidates and the devilishly handsome giant butler to grace you with a pleasant respite."
"You can honor me with anything you want Ryan." Vert squealed in delight, hearts flying all around her.
"You shall make me blush my lady." Ryan replied with a smile, "Nepgear, Uni, Ram, Rom…please serve our guests."
"Yes Ryan!"
"Wow, they even decorated them with each of us in mind." Neptune noted, looking at her very purple and d-pad laden cake, "I've got the best little sister ever!"
"You even made me one; thank you Rom." Vert stated as she examined her cake decorated with a bright green x, "To include me even though I have no CPU candidate of my own…should Blanc ever tire of you, I'd welcome you with open arms."
"Lady Vert…please don't tease me so." Rom replied with a shy smile, "I hope you enjoy."
And with that the four CPUs got a much needed moment of peace and relaxation that helped them realize that maybe they were working a little too hard; as such Nepgear's plan went off without a hitch…but for poor Ryan and his amazing butler self he was relentlessly hounded by Vert to be her cosplay partner at the next Leanbox convention until he finally relented and agreed sighing the whole time.
'How do I get into these situations?' Ryan thought with a chuckle as he watched Vert jump around excitedly at his agreement, 'Well…I probably can't fit in the convention building but I guess showing up would be enough for her.'
And with that peace settled for a time again…
It was a week later, while Ryan was watching Linda spar with Compa, Iffy, and Nisa that trouble finally reared its ugly head.
"Hey, is that all you've got?" Linda chuckled as she huffed, "You guys seemed so much stronger when we were enemies…don't go all soft on me now."
"Miss Linda sure is having fun, isn't she?" Compa giggled, "I haven't seen her this happy in a long time."
"I will admit I didn't trust her at first." IF stated, "But I genuinely believe she's turned over a new leaf…I guess we'll have to give her our all."
"The heroine gladly faces the anti-heroine in grand combat; to trade blows with her is the path to true power!" Nisa declared as she dashed towards her, "Come and fight with righteousness!"
"Heh…quit your talking and just fight dammit." Linda huffed as she dodged Nisa's blow and countered with her own.
As this was all going on, Ryan couldn't help but smile as he watched them all get along with Linda; while a few of the girls still had their lingering doubts, it seemed that most of them had learned to be civil and even become friends with her.
As he was thinking this, and just as Linda was unleashing a special move on the three of them the ground began to shake and heave violently; whatever was going down was huge as this easily outclassed the last earthquake they'd encountered.
"The hell is going on?" Linda gasped as the four of them were knocked around before Ryan scooped them up and held them close, "Ryan?"
"I don't know…it would figure after a month of piece she would finally show herself." Ryan commented, "There's only one person I think can be behind this."
"…I was beginning to hope she was lying, Mr. Giant, but it seems like Arfoire really is making herself known." Compa sighed as the shaking slowed before coming to a halt, "I hope the others are okay."
Hearing a familiar ding, Ryan turned to see Neptune, Nepgear, and Histoire come running over towards them.
"Did you guys feel that? At first I thought it was just the tall guy falling down but then it kept on shaking." Neptune remarked, "We aren't in a snow globe are we?"
"Nep, stop being so ridiculous." IF remarked as Ryan set down her and the others, "Histoire, have you contacted the others?"
"Yes, they're on their way as we speak; it would seem that Arfoire has finally made herself known." Histoire explained with a sigh, "I too had hoped she was only bluffing from what you told me but it would seem that was a foolish thing to do."
"Histoire, there is nothing foolish about hoping for peace." Ryan noted with a wink, "So no frowning, we took down those Four Felons and we'll take down the so-called Deity of Sin as well!"
"Heh, you are right…you have all proven your strength so there is no need to fret." Histoire replied with a smile.
Soon enough, the other CPUs and heroines had assembled at Planeptune and they deduced that there really was only one option; thus it was they found themselves back at the Gamindustri Graveyard ready to face the final boss, the grand finale, the…
"Will you shut up with your showboating?!" Linda growled, "It's getting on my damn nerves!"
Jeez, some people just have no sense for showmanship from the narrator…now where was I? Ah, yes, our group was preparing for the battle that would determine it all as they made their way towards the center of the Graveyard.
"I think Mr. Narrator is a bit upset with you Miss Linda." Compa remarked as they creeped along.
"If it's anything like with the big guy he'll get over it." IF added, "This place still seems too creepy for my tastes."
"Tell me about it…I'm nearly nine times your size and it still manages to freak me out." Ryan grumbled, "The sooner we take down this pain the better."
"I could play a song to help ease everyone's tension." 5pb offered, pulling out her guitar.
"Ah, yes, the theme of the heroines…plus one hero…would do great to set the stage for our climatic showdown!" Nisa shouted with a pose, "By all means play!"
"Gust feels Nisa too excited for fight." Gust sighed, "Music may make worse but anything better than quiet."
"Jeez, I know heroes have to have some type of banter on the way to the final battle but…I didn't think it'd be like this." Noire sighed, "RPGs have totally lied to me…"
"You just haven't been playing the right ones then dear." Vert replied with a chuckle.
"Shhh, I think I hear something." Nepgear quickly stated before pointing in the distance, "Look!"
"This vessel…Grrr."
"That thing is Arfoire?" the group asked noting the strange being that stood opposite them.
'…that can't be right.' Ryan thought, 'This Arfoire looks nothing like the one from the dream…true this could be her real form but…hmmm.'
In front of them stood a strange, massive beast colored in reds, yellows, and purples; huge hind legs and a gigantic mouth were prominent but as Ryan could see there was one part of this Arfoire he recognized: the fox-demon-esque upper body attached to the top of the face of this creature.
"She's big…but still not as big as me." Ryan noted, "I'll be ready to pinch hit when you want but feel free to kick her butt girls."
"I'm going to pay her back for everything we had to deal with." Blanc growled, forming a fist and shaking it angrily.
"I suppose it's good we're ready then; she seems to have seen us as a threat now." 5pb squeaked, "She feels so strong…"
"Well we're stronger! With the 14 of us working together we can't possibly lose!" Nepgear shouted, transforming for battle, "We haven't gotten this far just to fall short at the end!"
"Heh, with all this upbeat attitude even I can't be pessimistic in the moment." IF joked, "Well, then, shall we do this?"
"Yes! The final fight at last! I'm so excited; my career as heroine has led to this moment!" Nisa shouted happily, the fire in her eyes burning brightly, "Let us show her Gamindustri's justice!"
"Roar…you shall all fall before me." Arfoire growled, her mannerisms showing her to be more animalistic than last time, "GRAR!"
With that, the girls jumped into the fray launching their attack from all sides; Arfoire had a tough time keeping up with all of them but still she managed to land attack after attack causing the girls to take a more cautious approach.
While this was all happening, Ryan couldn't help but feel something was off; this Arfoire seemed strange to him.
'I don't get it…she was so calm…so tactical and confident…so annoying.' Ryan growled in thought as he watched Linda and Iffy combo attack her, 'I've got a bad feeling about this…'
"This will end it!" Nepgear shouted, teaming up with her sister for the final blow, "Violet Schwestern!"
With a flurry of back and forth swipes that turned Arfoire into a ping-pong ball of sorts, Neptune and Nepgear finished her off with one last gigantic explosion that caused her whole body to collapse and crumble away, as a bright purple flash engulfed the entire Graveyard…
