Uni and the CPU turned in unison.
Vert and Noire stood nearby.
Uni edged away.
She'd never seen Vert so angry.
And Noire…
Her sister was clutching her side. A crimson stain had blossomed through her clothes, despite any attempts of treatment. She held something in her other hand, but Uni was too far away to tell what it was.
The CPU's eyes narrowed at the sight of Noire. "You? How in all the dimensions did you get here?"
"Sorry we're late," Vert said, glancing art Uni, "your girlfriend's evil twin here did a pretty good job of slowing us down, but the tables are now turned."
Noire glared at the CPU. "This is one time I will not rail against hacking!"
The CPU frowned. "Hacking? What are you – "
"Game's up, Little Missy," Vert smirked, "how did we get here? The same way you did! You're not the only one to come from another dimension. We have contacts in others ourselves. We've come to let you know they're onto you. They control your communications in this dimension and they control your convenient little system of portals. Oh, and just to let you know – their CPUs and their military are on the way, and they're coming for you."
Noire shuffled to Uni, but the CPU blocked her way. "You stay away from her! She's mine!"
Vert transformed into HDD and in the same instant lunged at their enemy.
Just in time, the CPU did likewise, bringing up her sword and parrying the thrust.
Uni stared. "So that why no one recognized her…"
"Yeah," Noire nodded, "she has that helmet on in HDD. It didn't even cross our minds it could Nepgear…" she faltered, seeing her sister's look of anguish, "I mean…a version of Nepgear…"
The CPU turned to Noire. "You insolent, self-serving cow, I'll kill her," she pointed at Uni, "and then I'm killing you! This is all your fault! You, and Histoire and Neptune! You made me into this! I hate you all!"
"Then why didn't you limit your vendetta against them?" Vert hissed. "Why take out your bitterness on Lowee and Leanbox? Why unleash your army on civilians? If you think you have cause for vengeance, then it is as nothing compared to what must avenged here."
With a tortured scream, the CPU hurled herself at Vert, the force pushing the pair through a window and out into the streets below.
Noire staggered to Uni's side. "Uni…here!"
"Huh?" Uni yelped as her sister thrust something hard and sharp into her chest.
The pain was momentary, replaced by a rush of energy that made Uni shriek. The jolt was of such magnitude it sent her straight into HDD.
Staring down at her glowing form, Uni looked to her sister, mystified. "W-What was that?
"Sharicite," Noire answered, falling to her knees, "the combined sharicte stocks of Lowee, Leanbox and Lastation." Wincing, Noire grabbed her sister's hand. "Uni…stop her! We have pinned our hopes on you! Stop this…this conquest version of Nepgear!"
"Me?"
"You should have ample power now," Noire winced again, "we know what you've been doing, Uni. We know that more than anyone, justice for this lies with you."
Uni's anger bubbled forth, but she hesitated, glancing at Nepgear. "Wait. First…I must do something else…"
"Uni?" Noire gasped. "Th-There's no time! If you don't stop that CPU – "
"Noire," Uni said quietly, laying her hands upon Nepgear's body, "Nepgear's dying. I can help her now. I have more than enough power for the both of us…"
"But if you use too much on Nepgear – "
"There's no such thing as using too much to save someone you love!" Uni flashed back. "Besides…if I win now and return to find I don't have enough strength to save her when I knew I did have…" Uni choked, "I must do this, Noire…"
Regarding her sister in sympathy, Noire withdrew.
Uni was not a healer. Not like Nepgear. But this wasn't healing as such. This was a transfer of energy. A transfer of people's belief in their goddess. Forcing herself to relax, Uni attuned herself to Nepgear's frequency and surrendered her power freely.
In her trance-like state, Uni was not aware how long the process took.
Seconds?
Minutes?
It didn't matter.
To Uni, only Nepgear mattered.
Her Nepgear.
The Healer.
The Protector.
And then…it was done.
Nepgear would accept no more.
Uni…thank you…
"Nepgear…" Uni's eyes filled with tears. Taking her girlfriend's hand, she cradled it to her cheek. "You're going to be okay now…"
We're not clear yet…Nepgear answered, my body is still too weak to move, but my soul is strong…thanks to you. You have given me a lot, Uni…I dare not take more. I may not be able to fight by your side directly, but I can fight with you…
Nepgear's sword materialized at her bedside.
"But Nepgear," Uni whispered, "I-I have no training fighting with a sword…"
I know, Uni was cheered, sensing that Nepgear was smiling, but I do. We shall fight together Uni. Your strength will swing the blade, my skill will guide it. Please Uni, take it, accept what little help I can give you. It's less than I'd hoped, but it's all I can offer in repayment for saving me.
"I will take it," Uni nodded, wiping her eyes, "I'll take it, Nepgear. We'll take her on together. For Planeptune…for Lastation…for all of Gameindustri…"
Uni glanced at her sister, doubled over on the floor.
"I still have a lot of power in me," Uni murmured, kneeling at Noire's side, "I can help you too – "
"Uni," Noire growled, edging away, "healing me would be meaningless if that cow just stabs me again! We can't defeat her! Only you can! Now for the literal sake of Gameindustri, get out there and bring me back that creature's head!"
Uni's eyes strayed to Nepgear's sword, and she remembered...
The blast at Lastation's tereportation terminal…
Her landing in Planeptune…
Finding Nepgear…alone, and unlooked for…
The efforts of their previous enemies, like Linda and Badd, who were trying so much to help them…
Taking the sword in her hands, Uni looked it over, her resolve growing.
Uni…let's do this together…
Returning to the bed, Uni kissed Nepgear's forehead and headed out to do battle.
Payback time had finally come…
Noire scrambled back as Uni passed, horrified by the look of malevolence on her sister's face.
Uni approached her opponent calmly, her sword held tight.
Conquest Nepgear loomed over Vert, who had fallen from exhaustion.
"Well, well, well," Conquest Nepgear gloated, "the old lady has burned out again, has she? Red ring of death blurring your vision, old maid?"
Vert staggered to her feet. "I…I am not done yet…"
"No," Conquest Nepgear agreed, raising her sword, "one more blow should do it – "
A black streak whizzed by, blowing up dust and leaving Conquest Nepgear startled. "Hey!" She snarled, finding her quarry gone. "Where did you…oh…there you are…"
Vert lay on the footpath, in Uni's arms.
"Stay here," Uni told her, "I'll handle it from here."
"Oh, finally grown a spine have you?" Conquest Nepgear sneered. "And using a sword too? You're that desperate? Well, I suppose when you're such a crappy shot with a gun, it's natural to reach for the nearest thing and try to hit people with it."
Uni's eyes narrowed. "Let's do this, Bitch…"
The pair clashed with such disastrous violence it sent shockwaves rippling through the surrounding buildings.
Uni's power was phenomenal.
Despite her rage, she was afraid; afraid she might not realize her own strength and accidentally cause collateral damage. Nepgear's spirit was definitely with her, guiding her blows. Uni could feel the heat of her anger…an anger borne of grief. An anger Uni understood all too well…
Yet despite her immense strength, Uni was astonished how resilient her opponent was. No matter how many times she was slashed, whacked or smashed against walls, she always got back up…though she was certainly on the defensive.
Pushing herself, Conquest Nepgear unleashed a flurry of blows, forcing Uni to retreat, then looked skyward and reached for the heavens.
Bathed in light, Conquest Nepgear bounded after Uni, energy crackling across her body.
Now it was Uni who was forced to defend. She might have been buoyed by the shares of three nations, but her opponent called upon the shares from other dimensions…
Uni began to feel her edge dull.
In the back of her mind, she realized Noire had been right; she'd used too much of her power to heal Nepgear, and now she hadn't the strength to finish the fight, at least, not alone…
Then, hope – Uni managed to disarm her enemy, sending the cursed blade clattering to the ground.
The hope was short lived.
Conquest Nepgear dodged Uni's next swing and leapt up, delivering a mighty kick to her head. With a final scream of exertion, she locked her hands together and brought them down on Uni's back as she struggled to rise.
Uni collapsed and twitching, managed to roll over, in time to see her enemy retrieve her sword.
But she did not return to Uni.
Instead, she pointed at her, and snarled, spitting flecks of blood. "I'm going to bathe you in the blood of your lover!"
"W-Wait!" Uni protested, staggering to her feet.
But Conquest Nepgear was too fast and leapt back into Nepgear's ward.
"Now, where is she?" Conquest Nepgear snarled, blood dripping from her mouth. "I'm going to cut that weakling in twain!"
"Get back!" Noire shouted. Supporting herself on Nepgear's bed, she staggered to her feet.
"Noire," Conquest Nepgear sneered, brushing aside her feeble attempts to slow her, "wait your turn. I promise, you'll be next…"
"Stop." A voice commanded.
"What now?" Conquest Nepgear muttered, turning. Her eyes widened. "You…"
Neptune stood in the ruins of the window. In HDD, she held her sword ready.
"Oh…look who's here." Conquest Nepgear muttered. "Hmph…you look just as feeble as I thought you'd be. A right sourpuss too. Was it something I said?"
"Take responsibility for your actions and go home." Neptune said.
"Take responsibility?" Conquest Nepgear repeated in fury.
Neptune's eyes were utterly cold. "There's only one to blame for what happened to you, and I'm looking at her right now."
"You made me – "
"You chose to!" Neptune snapped. "Whatever our other selves did, we would never have forced you to do anything. Even if we did, you always had the choice to fight back. It was your life to live. Do not ruin my world and tell me I made you do it. You chose to come here. You chose to kill instead of entreating our help. You caused pain and destruction and death…" Neptune drew so close she could see adversary's eyes through the glint of her visor, "…and now, you dare to stand here and tell me that you are the victim?"
Before Conquest Nepgear could answer, she was slammed across the room and into the far wall. Grabbing her, Neptune hurled her back outside, into the streets, and the pair engaged in the bitterest combat any of the CPUs had ever seen. No quarter was given. Every trick, however low, was used.
The fight grew so savage that Uni could not bring herself to watch.
This was no honorable fight between two goddesses…this was a death battle between two wild beasts.
Hair was pulled.
Heads were smashed into walls.
Blows to the face…the throat…the genitals…
For a time, it seemed that Neptune might just do it…Conquest Nepgear was definitely weakened, and running more on anger than stamina…
But it was not to be…
Neptune failed to avoid an energized punch from her opponent, a punch so hard the impact sent Neptune spinning and landing face first on the ground.
Standing over her, Conquest Nepgear yanked her over and spat upon her bloody face.
Gripping her sword, Uni charged.
Yes.
Her enemy was definitely weakened.
She didn't even have the strength to get out of the way, and though she managed to parry, Uni's attack sent Conquest Nepgear staggering back.
But she was by no means finished.
Though both were cut and bleeding, the pair fought fiercely.
For all of Uni's anger, she could not overcome Conquest Nepgear's unyielding spite.
At the end of their strength, the pair disengaged.
Uni, near delirious from exhaustion, collapsed.
Conquest Nepgear fell to her knees, panting. Propping herself up on her sword, she staggered over to Uni, wincing with every step. "Y-You…little…bitch! I'm going to cut off your arms…then your legs…then I'm going to strangle you with your own entrails!"
"My, my," a voice murmured, "have you forgotten the law of karma? What goes around comes around…you're must be a real glutton for punishment…"
Glancing up, Conquest Nepgear was startled to find four figures above her. Three she recognized…the other…
That other descended, settling beside Uni.
Conquest Nepgear regarded her with irritation. "And who, may I ask, are you?"
"Me?" Plutia murmured. "I own these girls. They are my toys," her eyes narrowed, "and I don't appreciate others breaking them…"
A wave of fear passed across conquest Nepgear's face. Try as she might, she could not disguise her unease.
Uni recoiled as Plutia turned to her.
"Come now, sweet Uni…" Plutia smirked, "you don't have to be frightened – though I prefer it if you are…"
Laying her hands upon the candidate's wounds, she closed her eyes, focusing her energy. "I can heal as well as I can hurt…"
Pain shot through Uni, so much so that she screamed, but almost as soon as it had come, the pain subsided, and Uni was left in a state of bliss.
Plutia opened her eyes. "Well Uni…how does that feel, hmm?"
Uni looked down at her body; she was completely healed…
"Come on then, up you get!" Reaching down, Plutia yanked the candidate to her feet. She turned, to see Conquest Nepgear edging away from her allies – the Vert, Noire and Blanc of her world, who had likewise descended, and were giving the foreign CPU death-glares.
"Oh?" Plutia flicked her hair nonchalantly. "And where do you think you are going? My pretty little appetizer…you think I'll let a nasty, selfish, conniving little rat like you slip away? Oh no! The chance to have my way with Nepgear, and at the same time punish the perpetrator of this crime…it's too good to be true!" Plutia's grin vanished. Her gaze grew withering. "Besides…you've caused a lot of grief, and I enjoy above all else repaying grief in spades. You've hurt poor Neppy. You've hurt her nation. And you've hurt them too," she thumbed to her three allies.
There was a rush of footsteps.
The military forces of Plutia's world had arrived to reinforce Planeptune.
Seeing them, Conquest Nepgear whimpered.
It was over, and she knew it.
Plutia whipped her sword. It cracked inches from Nepgear's hands and she withdrew with a shriek.
"We feel just as much hurt and anger for what you have done as our counterparts here…oh, and just to let you know," Plutia knelt down and whispered to Conquest Nepgear's ear, "where I come from, I am the CPU of Planeptune…and that makes what you've done here so much worse for you…"
Plutia's face darkened. The aura of anger around her was palpable.
Conquest Nepgear quivered in terror as the four encircled her.
Plutia smirked. "Do you know what we're going to do now?"
Conquest Nepgear's eyes welled with tears.
"We're going to take turns…"
"N-No…" Conquest Nepgear pleaded. In desperation she looked about and tried to crawl away. "NO! Please! SOMEONE! SOMEONE HELP!"
Plutia's hand closed around her ankle.
An ear-splitting scream echoed through the desolate streets.
Uni, her face ashen, looked away, and, with her fellow CPUs, allowed the soldiers to escort her to safety.