C-Sha POV
"B-Bruce!?"
I am totally dumbstruck… yet now it all starts making sense… Just like that time.
"C…" he mutters bit and stands up. Then, he starts rushing.
"No! Not this time!" I quickly dash and grab his wrist. He tries to resist my grip, but gives up fast. He sighs deeply and turns his head on me.
"I guess there is no point in running or hiding, huh?" Tear starts dropping from his eyes. "You saw all of it, right?"
"Y-yeah…"
"I couldn't believe it myself… just think for yourself. You get somehow bonded with this… monster… and you fight with that thing… next, you get teleported here… pretty crazy, right?"
"It must be pretty bizarre and hard for you."
"So that's the whole picture. What are you waiting for?"
"Huh?"
"Aren't you here to finish me off, so this other guy won't come out and make mess?"
"What? N-n-no, Bruce! How can you come to such conclusion?"
"This time, I saw all of it… how its existence already caused havoc… ruined city… this messed up forest…"
"Bruce. I am sure there should be better solution."
"Which is?"
"Well…"
"Even you don't have a clue. Do we risk everyone around me?" He looks down.
"No, that's not my point! We haven't figured out the whole situation. Maybe, we can remove this dragon from you. Or help you calm this guy down or even control him," I grab his wrist tighter and approach him. "Besides, it looked like this guy was acting in self-defense. I saw its battle… large beam from the sky."
"You think so?"
"Yeah. Life is important. It's better to try every other solution before giving up easily."
"You are pretty optimistic."
"So were you. How can I forget your naïve and kind side? Look. I understand why you are panicking, but this is not like you."
"Let me be honest… this is me. I always tried to hide my weak and timid side… especially after my father's death. You remember my motto, right?"
"Trying to help others."
"Yeah. With this alter ego inside of me, that's not possible."
"I am pretty sure it was initially provoked. Can you try to remember?"
"I remember getting crushed under rubble… but this time, I kinda remember what happened next… explosion… light surrounding me with heavy force crushing me… it felt so… real…" he keeps shaking head. "Then, I was moving fast. And crashing here with huge impact… it all makes sense now."
"Say again?"
"Before coming to this world, I was ambushed by certain machine. That must be it! There is no other way to explain whole situation."
"Are you saying the thing that attacked you followed you to here?"
"Most likely although I don't remember after transforming into other guy for the first time," his face becomes pale. He begins to pant heavily and panic. "Maybe, I am better away from everyone. Or I risk getting everyone around into trouble."
"I don't think so. It's better to get help. Besides, you are naked again," I mumble and blush. I didn't notice before, but he has nice muscles. "Come on. Let me get you to help."
"T-thank…" he is also blushing. He looks cool, yet cute.
Once again, I sacrifice my clothes to cover his groin.
"Alright. That's done. Let's head back to Lowee and see what happened."
"Are you sure? What if the same attack happens again?"
"This time, your identity will be hidden, so no worry."
"If you say so…"
Blanc POV
"Damn it… it's all messed up."
I raise my head. My vision is slowly recovering. I shake head and look around. It's like aftermath of war. Shattered windows, broken buildings, debris everywhere… When was the last time Lowee was like this? ASIC?
"Oh wait! Rom! Ram!" I look around. Thankfully, they are close to me. I approach and shook them. "Rom! Ram! Wake up!"
"O-oooh~ I-I feel… dizzy…" Ram lifts her head.
"W-what happened? Where is the dragon?" Rom mutters with groggy eyes.
"I am so glad that you guys are fine," I say as I hug them. Despite going through several ordeal, it still feels refreshing to do this.
"Shouldn't we contact others?"
"You are right," I try to contact Financier, but comm is all fried up. It must be because of that shock. "I can't make contact right now. We better head back to basilicom. Come on."
As we fly above buildings, damage done on my city becomes clearer. Damn it, Noire! What got into you?
"Blanc. Do you think Noire did this?"
"Only one way to find out."
It didn't take long to reach the basilicom.
"Financier! You there?"
"Answer us!"
"I am here!"
Thanks goodness… she is safe. We rush to her.
"I heard loud noise and explosion. What happened?"
"That Underling went through transformation and attacked the city, so Rom and I fought her. Bruce got involved and crushed under rubble… and then…"
"You mean that dragon?"
"Yes… followed by attacks from Lastation."
"Really?"
"Yes. It's like Noire knew exactly where and when that thing would spawn."
"Lady Blanc. I know your feeling, but…"
"Don't worry. I want to talk to her first. I'm not compulsive. Still, I am pretty pissed off."
"I already prepared emergency contact line."
"Good. Make contact. I have so many things to ask."
Brrrr…
"She is taking long time…" Ram wonders with a tilted head.
"Do you think…" Rom looks upon me.
"Shush. Just be quiet."
Brrr…
"Hello? Blanc?"
"Hey, Noire! What the hell were you thinking!?" I shout out loud as if fire is coming from my mouth. "You better explain why you fired on my city!"
"W-wait what?"
"Don't play dumb! Attacks came from Lastation!
"Really? While I was on mission? I never gave any permission to do that! Are you sure it really came from my nation?"
"Yeah! Looking at direction."
"It could've come from near Lowee."
"Sorry to bust bubble, but by witness account, there wasn't any sign of artillery fire close to Lowee," Financier interrupts and elaborates.
"I don't think we have that kind of technology to reach Lowee."
"Could it be that someone is scheming within Lastation without Noire knowing?" Rom adds.
"Only one way to find out."
"Fine. Come to Lastation. Let's find out. I don't know what's happening in Lastation."
"Good. Meet you there."
With that I put off phone. My hand is still shaking out of anger and confusion.
"Blanc, can we follow you?"
"No. You guys stay here just in case."
"But…"
"Do as I say. We don't know what may happen here during my absence… especially after all this mess," I put hands on their shoulders. "This means I entrust Lowee just like last time."
"Just be safe," Rom says with bit teary eyes.
"Okay. Leave Lowee to us!" Ram cheers.
"Don't worry," I hug them nicely. Why am I feeling like I won't come back? Hell like that bad omen will actually happen! "Trust me."
"Here is the spare phone. You should be able to contact others like always," Financier hands me the spare device.
"Thanks. I am going," I grab it and make my way to Lastation.
My frustration fuels me as I accelerate toward Lastation. It looks like even Noire was kept in black. How incompetent should she be to allow this to happen? Then again, the same happened during memory wipe. I guess this is why we should be kept alert during peaceful time.
Brrr…
The screen shows that it's from Neptune.
"Hey, Neptune."
"Hello, Blanc? I just heard terrible attack on Lowee."
"Yeah, that's why I am heading to Lastation. Noire has so much to answer for this."
"W-wait! Are you saying Noire is responsible for that?"
"Highly likely. I looked at direction of the attack. It was definitely from Lastation. But Noire sounded unsure about it. We will see."
"Hello? Blanc, Neptune? You there?" Vert intervenes our communication. "I just received news about attack on Lowee. Are you okay?"
"I am fine. I am just little pissed off."
"Be patient, Blanc. I am sure Noire didn't mean it. Anyway, I am heading to Lowee as well. I was called by Noire."
"Noire did?"
"Yes. It looks like this is something that needs attention of all four of us."
"How come I haven't been called?"
"That's because I was about to," the last CPU joins our conversation… "Look, I am telling you. I have no idea when that thing would've popped up at Lowee. I have no idea someone secretly prepared weapons in my nation."
"How incompetent do you have to let something like this go unnoticed?" I growl and pick on Noire.
"Stop it, Blanc! I understand how angry you are right now, but let's meet and see for ourselves, ok?" I wish you show that kind of side more often instead of teasing me with your boobs, Vert…
"Just come here then! Let me prove my innocence and solve this misunderstanding!"
"You better…" I speed up even faster after I close the com.
Valos POV
Multiple energy signatures converging on this location
Good. They took the bait.
"There is no point in hiding anymore," she deeply sighs. "I don't think I can come up with any excuse. You better have something in spade."
"Oh you will see…" I examine her hand. She is holding the device to show that she is threatening me. Foolish human. She has no idea that's empty threat.
CPU conversion unit ready
Noire POV
I finally arrive at basilicom. How stupid of me not to realize what's going within my nation… I ponder for a while before entering. Why do I feel guilty? I approved none of this! Then again, if I paid more attention… Ugh… there is no point in grumbling. I better confront whole mess with others before it escalates further. When I look at the sky, I see a familiar white figure heading here.
*Shhhhh*
*Clank*
Blanc roughly lands on the balcony with pretty pissed off look. I understand. All I can do is explain while finding out what's going on together.
"Blanc…"
"Just lead the way. I don't want excuses," she shouts out loud. You know that's what I have to do, right?
"Let's not make it into a war between nations," Vert follows next and lands nicely unlike Blanc. "So what's our next step?"
"Figuring out what's going on within my nation. I contacted Kei. She has been up to something without my approval. Look. We have been through like this. Remember how we lost our nations?" I begin to make excuse.
"Yeah, but this time, it's between two nations."
"I am sorry that I didn't realize what she has been up to. She probably doesn't have anything against Lowee. She is business-driven, but she is smart. There has to be explanation."
"She is setting up Lastation at top with all those weapons."
"Blanc!"
"Enough! Both of you! This is not why we are here in the first place," Vert intervenes to calm us down.
"She is right. Since I am here as well, let's start finding where it all started," Neptune lands on the balcony, making her the last to arrive. Good. Now, I can guide the rest through the basilicom. "Come. Follow me. It looks like Kei has something to show us. But keep your HDD just in case."
"Good. Who knows what she has against me… I am itchy to smash!"
"Blanc! Please!"
Ugh… I can't help… she kinda has every right to act like that toward me.
"Just calm down… You can unleash your anger after witnessing everything," Neptune tabs on her shoulder.
We set our feet on an elevator. Then, we descend deep into floor. As we go down further, we witness things that even I wasn't aware of… what are these machineries?
"Vert? Are these from Leanbox? Since Leanbox is famous for its military…"
"No, those are totally not Leanbox design. They are totally foreign to me…" Vert sounds dumbstruck as well.
We see bunch of machines moving around and operating. Huge cannons, missiles, mechanical arms… it's like a war factory!
"According to Kei, she got help in order to drive out that creature."
"You sure about that?"
"I guess you are kinda right to be suspicious about her. She wants Lastation to be best, but I never approved this way!"
I can't believe it! This whole thing was going on without me noticing? Even Uni wasn't aware of this? How could Kei hide this so well?
"We finally arrive. Kei should be on this floor with her new assistant."
We walk and look around. All of us sweat bit with eyes wide open. Technology looks whole new level compared to everything Gaminudstri offers. Could this be from that crash site? I thought there was nothing but scrap there… Or Kei must've taken something from there without acknowledging me.
*Bzzzz*
Suddenly, ray of light covers us. Then, it goes from top to bottom. Is that thing scanning us?
"Lady Noire. I am here," Kei waves at us. "And welcome Lady Neptune, Blanc and Vert."
"Hey, Kei. Is this all your new partner's work?"
"Oh yes. I am sorry to hide this all this time."
"You could've asked me in the first place! So there wouldn't have been any misunderstanding at all!" I furiously shout and stare at her. Kei… what has gotten to you?
"We were on joint operation to track and take down that creature."
"Is that why you fired on Lowee? Hurting innocents? Huh?" Here we go again…
"If you could've tracked down the creature yourself, I would've not been forced to resort to this."
We hear some obnoxious machinery voice. It's intimidating and chilling. We put our guard up just in case.
"Show yourself," Neptune shouts.
*Brrrr*
*Shhhh*
From the ceiling, snake-like figure comes down. The face part shows irregular blinking light. Is that like its facial expression?
"Greeting. My name is Valos. I was brought to this world after my fight against the creature," the machine's face shows weird signs again.
"Hey, are you responsible for attack on Lowee?" Blanc points her weapon at it.
"Yes."
"You, bastard!"
"But I drove out the creature as a result. What could've happened if I didn't?"
"Or it could be that you are the one that stirred a hornet's nest! Couldn't you ask us to cooperate in the first place if you so cared about hunting that dragon?"
"I couldn't risk losing sight of it. After all, I was the one that managed to find it out."
"And you pathetically failed!"
"At least, I managed to get it out. What have you done all this time?"
"Ugh… you… grrr…" she kinda lost argument, didn't she?
"She did her best searching that dragon," I came in her defense. Why am I doing this? Because I feel bit guilty for all this? Maybe…
"Lady Blanc. I am sorry about damage, but I believe our priority should be set on that creature," Kei calmly says. "After all this is over, Valos will compensate."
"You better… A-anyway, what's the plan?"
"You, CPUs are parts of my plan."
As soon as Valos finishes muttering his words, wires suddenly sprawl out and grab our feet.
"What are these?"
"Be careful, guys!" Vert shouts and readies her spear.
"Hyaaa!"
"Oryaaa!"
All of us are fighting back. With each swing, wires get crushed and sliced, but that's not enough. We quickly start losing ground. It looks like wires on our legs are draining our energy! On top of that, huge chunk of wires overwhelm us. Each wire wrap our body. We are totally trapped. I am having déjà vu of Gamindustri graveyard…
"Hey, this is not a part of our deal!" Kei shouts.
"You are so naïve if you truly believed in me."
"Remember this?"
"Yes, self-destruct device you planted in me."
She presses the button without hesitation.
"W-what the?"
Nothing happened. She is totally dumbstruck as she looks at the device.
"You think you could hold me as hostage with that? I already disabled it long ago."
Another wire thrusted toward her. This time, like a spear.
"Kuk!"
"Kei!"
The wire penetrates and makes a hole on her left abdomen. As the wire withdraws, she helplessly falls on the ground. She is soaked in her own blood…
"K-Kei… damn you, bastard! You will pay for this!" I ferociously look at Valos and yell.
"Death is too kind for betrayal. She is alive. I want her to witness her folly in agonizing state."
"Why are you doing this? What do you want from us?" Vert asks while trying to break free.
"I researched on CPUs. You will be good power source when I will confront that creature."
"You waited for this moment, huh?"
"Two birds with one stone."
"D-damn it…" Blanc puts her head down.
"Valos! What are you doing to my nation?"
"Changing it for my own use."
"You will never get away with this!"
"Empty word means nothing to me. On the other hand, human race ruins everything in their path," Valos projects screen. "Behold. Arrogance and folly of mankind. See all the pollution just from this nation?"
Through the screen, I witness factories dumping polluted water and garbage. Damn it… I have been pretty busy especially after the last incident. It really hurts overall my image and nation.
"Hey! We do our best regulate our environment!" I argue back. I admit I have been too busy to check on Lastation, but I still regularly check our policy. But this…
"Don't lump other nations with Lastation!" Blanc does as well. It hurts, but I have no excuse.
"Is that so? Where I came from… it was the same deal. Humanity abusing environment… selfish, destructive… they are like parasites. Destroying their hosts…"
"Just because there are bad people among us doesn't mean all of us are the same!" Neptune also joins in counter argument.
"Is that so?" this time, he shows Planeptune… only picking up bad side… "Your nation is fundamentally the same."
"Hey, we do our best to keep our nation clean!"
"You are all the same. Making excuse. Not caring surrounding."
Ugh… this guy pisses me off to no end.
*Boom!*
"Noire, are you alright?" it's Uni! She must've blasted the way through. But how did she?
"Although I spared you, you are pretty resilient."
"*Cough* Good thing that… I had insurance…" Kei murmurs. She must've contacted Uni.
"Just another useful source for me."
Another batch of wires head toward her, but she swiftly shoots them down.
"Watch out!"
Few tentacles manage to get hold of her leg, but she quickly blast it. As expected from my little sister. But that's not enough. At this rate, even she will get caught.
"U-Uni! Just get Kei out of here! Don't think about us!"
"B-but…"
"Just do it! Take Kei to safety for treatment and get help! This guy is too much for you!"
Swarm of wires convinces her even more. Ultimately, she quickly grabs Kei and flies back to where she came from while blasting any machine in her way.
"That was unexpected. I was caught off guard. But no matter, you four should be enough for now."
"So much for looking down on us. Not so perfect, huh?" Blanc smirks.
"Noire… I'm pretty sure Uni will do fine. Help will come on the way like the last time," Neptune looks at me and comforts me.
"Uni… I am counting on you…"
