[10-10]

Chapter 11

I wake up when comes into the room and open the curtains. "Time to wake up."

With the limited arm movement I could make I moved a pillow over my eyes. "I refuse."

I then feel something impact my stomach followed by a loud yell of "WAKE UP SLEEPY HEAD! IT'S TIME TO PLAY!"

I groan and peep an eye open. "It's too early."

But the hyperball of energy wouldn't leave me alone "But everyone else is up! Your the last one! I'll drag you out if I have to!"

"Good luck with that. I need my sleep." I say rolling onto my side.

I had only two seconds to regret those words before Peashy quickly dragged me out of bed and dragged me down stairs as well. Thank whatever goddesses pray to that I was wearing pajamas this time or I'd be pissed.

Wait. When did I put these on? I just let Peashy continually drag me. When we were passing IF I say "This is one strong child."

IF sweat drops "Yeah no kidding. She woke all of us up well except for Sis who growled when she got

near her. I'd hate to see what she can do when she grows up or wants to hurt someone."

"Same. Think hers is magical strength. Heck imagine if I had both my physical strength and magical strength that Blanc has."

"You could train in using magic to do something similar to them all though it wouldn't be to the same degree. And I'd recommend elemental or utility magic instead or first since they are more useful than just raw power. Though I would have to say her strength is more magic based but we'll have to see how she is in other area's as well." Came the monotone voice of Grave as walked in wearing only a sports bra and some shorts exposing her pale skin and scars to us.

"I don't even think I could do any type of magic. I haven't done any so far anyways. So how was your night eh?"

"It was great I don't think my partner will be getting up anytime soon with how sore she is now. And as for the magic part I can perform a simple task to see if you have any magic in you though it will hurt. It's rare to find someone with no magic." Grave told me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"And what is this 'simple' task? Also are you done dragging me yet Peashy?"

Peashy let's me go and jumps on my belly waiting for me to carry her before Grave answers my question "Easy I shot a blast of raw magic at you and your magic should harmlessly negate it otherwise it will trigger every pain nerve in your body."

"I don't even want to question that method but sure why not. Also who put these on me?"

"That would be sis she tends to go around making sure everyone is dressed in sleep wear. She got that habit since we lived in the coldest part of Lowee. So that's why. She'll be asleep for an hour or two longer." IF tells me before she goes back to her breakfast.

Grave then addresses me after waiting for IF to finish. "Okay then I need you to stand up straight without Peashy with your arms at your side."

I do as instructed. "Also who's pj's are they? They're a little small and also I have enough muscle mass I'll most likely be good in most Loween places."

Grave shrugs as she builds up a glowing ball of magic I'm guessing "I'd assume they are Scarlet's though maybe an old pair of her's given they don't match her current sizes." Then without warning Grave pushed out her palm and the magic fired at me like one of those dragon ball Z moves.

Hit me sending an odd chill down my spine as it washed over me feeling like some fast moving slime.

"So if there's no pain there's some type of magic in me? Also what's for breakfast? I'm hungry."

"Yeah there likely some kind in you. Most people can branch out from the type they are born with however or have a second type. That's why you see almost everyone with healing magic of some kind or another. And I believe it's pancakes and bacon." Grave told me motioning to Compa cooking and what IF and the other girls were eating with Uni helping Frost.

"Well where I was born and raised. There's no magic. What's so ever and I'm so grabbing me some bacon."

IF scuffs at that "Must have sucked. And here's the bacon plate Compa made a lot given Sis eats a lot it. She literally ate an entire cow once for lunch." I stare at the large plate pushed towards me it was already two frickin meters high!

"Who sold us this much bacon. Seriously." I say grabbing some and hoping it wouldn't fall over. I'm surprised they cooked that much.

Soon I hear a yawn as Scarlet came over having recently woken recently I'm guessing dressed in a loose oversized shirt. "No one did I hunted some wild boar last night since we need more meat and I was hungry still after dinner. Hope you don't mind me helping myself to the bacon now." Scarlet walked over just as Compa set down a slightly smaller plate of bacon. I didn't have a chance to ask why before Scarlet began scarfing down the bacon devouring it all in about 10 seconds all along with the other plate.

Damn. She just swallowed it. I would've enjoyed the taste. "Do I have anything important to do today?"

Grave takes out her phone and scrolls through it. "We have a few things a console expo in Lastation where we will reveal the console I helped produce. Then we have a diplomatic meeting afterwards with Green heart aka my mom. Then a visit to Planeptune where we have an invitation by the CPU and candidate go on a monster hunting quest together. And lastly we are going to get are first dozen plans for then nation signed and underway. Lucy already has a head start on that. All in all a pretty busy day."

I nod. Glad I was only told this this morning. "Alright. I'm going to get dressed real quick." I say calmly walking out before speeding up abit after leaving the room.

I wanted to get to my room and changed as soon as possible. Faster we get this done the better. Wait...Did Grave just tell me I'd be meeting her mom. This could get weird quick..That is if she forces me however unlikely that maybe to go.

I get to my room and throw on my clothes. I then walk back down the stairs then the front door knowing most of them are still in the kitchen. I walk up to the edge of the porch and look into the sky. Hopefully I can get used to this sometime soon. I go from a somewhat relaxed life to this.

"Oh hi Alex you're up early ready for today?" I look and see Lucy walking down the stone pathway...Crap.

"I was forced to wake up. And I've heard I'll be having a wonderful day today."

Lucy giggles at that for some reason. "So your going to be very busy with a taxing day."

"I can run now right. Just to escape this. Don't think I'll be able to qualify to be a leader."

Lucy laughs after she hears that before she spoke up again. "Your already better than some. The Planeptunes leaders are are lazy as heck and their Oracle has to force them to work. Green heart plays MMOs for hours on end. You at least do something. Heck you can just sit back sign a few piles of paperwork then sit on your but all day. Me and Grave can take care of the heavy stuff. Really you just need to show off for the people and fight monsters occasionally. Otherwise there isn't much you actually need to do."

"Alright. You guys did throw this position onto me you know."

Lucy sighs and looks down "I know just without a goddess this place would have kept going down hill and another nation would have taken us over. We had a goddess before but she vanished without a trace."

Could it be that smug ass one inside? "That doesn't sound good. How about you come inside and have a coffee and some food."

Lucy smiles "Sure if I'm going to be your Oracle I should be more comfortable around you."

"That does make sense and I have to learn more about you due to we are going to be around each other more."

"Yup and for a very long time too. So this will be a good chance for us to learn more about each other." Lucy told me as she followed me inside the mansion.

"Sounds good. The kitchen is this way." I say walking through the house.

Soon we reach the kitchen and Scarlet gives me a look before going back to eating more bacon put in front of her. How much does she need to eat? Grave gives me a look that screams she know I almost ran. Though Compa saved me from her monotone wrath. "Oh your back Alex and you brought Lucy with you too!"

"Yeah. Also Grave. I'm still thinking it." I say with a small smile.

Grave waves to me resting her head on her arms as her kids tug at her arms. "Its okay your under a lot of pressure just know I have drones watching a lot of things even one keeping an eye on you within reason of course."

"Why do you have one on me eh. Think I'd run."

"No not really just to make sure nothing happens to ya without me knowing at least where you are. It's more of a security matter. Your the VIP right now so we need to make sure nothing happens to you. I know you can take care of yourself but I'm not taking chances." Grave told me in a very no nonsense tone and I'm beginning to see the slightly crazy side of her. But at least this is somewhat reasonable but only to an extent.

"Sounds somewhat reasonable. Oh yeah where's the queen of smugness?"

"Oh I am right behind you my dear perhaps you need to have your vision checked or your just inept to your surroundings? I was just out training to get back into shape I hope you don't mind my dear Alex." The Queen of smugness spoke in that some irritating way.

"I haven't had my morning coffee yet." I say turning my head to look at her.

She then holds out a coffee to me. "This should help you wake up. And I'd advise you take a step to the left to avoid Peashy tackling you. Take it how ever you will."

I grab the coffee and grab her arm and move her to where I was standing so Peashy could get her. "Thanks."

She gives me a look before she vanished right as Peashy came diving at her causing her to sail through nothing but air as she collided into Lucy. I look and see Sherry taking a seat at the table as Compa put a plate infront of her.

She turns to me and smirks "Going to have to try harder than that my dear sweet cupcake. I have more experience with my abilities than you do and fought things worse than your nightmares. So please do keep that in mind for next time."

"Just you wait then. I've always been quick to adapt."

Sherry shrugs "So have I but I can see what moves you may make in the future and past. Trust me you are nothing compared to sparing with my grandmother. And she is a true terror to fight when angry."

"I bet." I slowly take sips from my mug. It'll be a problem due to her teleportation though. Wonder how hard her attacks are. "So when are we getting this started?"

Grave pulled out her phone now fully dressed in her suit, gear and coat. "Well as soon as everyone is ready. The Candidates will need to come with us though we will be taking my airship over so we should be fine on security. No one will pick a fight with the Negotiator in the air."

"Alright that's fine. I'm not prone on flying in this HDD form yet. Doubt I will be for awhile."

Grave began tapping on her phone and we all here a rumble in the air. "I can ask my mother to teach you she helped most of the CPU's here how to fly."

"I'm just not comfortable with it." I look over where the kids are and see an unfamiliar face. She looked to be around four with short black hair and grey eyes that had a silver tint to them. "Also when did we upgrade a kid?"

Sherry smirks and hugs her tight. "Oh hi my dear Lexi. I missed you. Its been so long when did you get here?"

"About half an hour ago." She says before Sherry looks like she's been zapped.

Sherry quickly jumped back afterwards and shook her head. "Ow that hurt. Guess you don't recognize me due the whole temporal distortion stuff. Forgot some things may be different. Still good to see you Lexi."

"Yeah yeah yeah. Buzz off. Just been in a crappy mood lately."

Then much to my surprise Sherry gives this Lexi a short bow. "My apologies I will give you your space then. Sorry for bothering you."

I just look at em. I then turn to look at Grave. "Can I get some background here?

"Lexi comes to visit us every so often usually when she doesn't want to deal with work or other things. Basically she comes to us to relax. Oh and she's older than all of us combined and more powerful." Grave tells me and I sweat a bit at that but only mentally have to play it cool.

"Wonderful. I don't think I can be surprised anymore."

Scarlet chuckles "You'd be surprised Alex. There is always something new out there. Like Peashy looking through your cell phone."

I quickly look over and see her holding it. I pluck it from her hands. "How did you get it and know the passcode? Never mind who told her?"

Lexi smirks "I did. Thought it would be funny and it is."

"How did you- Nope not going to ask." Sliding the phone in my pocket.

Sherry pats my shoulder "Best you don't ask learned that the hard way with a passing encounter with an eldric horror. Some things are best left unknown."

"You're right but there are still curious people. Is there anymore more coffee. I need it about now."

Compa sets two pots of coffee down "There we go should be enough for everyone."

I reach over and grab a pot. "You are quite prepared aren't ya?" I ask Compa while pouring me a cup.

Compa blushes "Well I try to be being a nurse and all. Would you like a cup Lucy?"

Lucy smiles and pours herself a cup. "Thank you."

I take a sip of mine before replying. "That's good. You're acting more of a housewife than a nurse right now though."

"Well none of you are hurt right now and the local healer has things undercontrol. She doesn't need me right now. Not until we actually get a hospital built. For now I'll be keeping myself busy unless any of you want to cook." Compa asked looking all of us minus Lexi and the kids in the eye.

I cough. "I can't cook worth crap."

Scarlet raises her hand. "I can handle dinner if you want."

Sherry shrugs "Guess that leaves cooking dinner tomorrow to me."

IF groans "I can barely cook anything without big sis."

"Guess we figured that out then. So. Shall we get things started today. I can already tell I'm hating most of it."

Grave shrugs "Sure my ship is already here so we can go now. Come on girls we are going on a trip."

They get up along with Lexi. "What are we doing first again?"

"We are going to a console expo in Lastation to unveil are console. Should get some decent sales there too. Got a few thousand already made." Grave told me as she began walking.

"Got it. Wonder how well it'll go off."

Grave walks into her airship. "Fairly well normally it's reserved for Lastation tech but luckily I'm well know in Lastation. Also own a business there. Told them this is a partnership between us so it shouldn't be a problem."

"How many people know of me and that I'm a CPU? It really hasn't been long since I've been revealed here."

Grave hums making her way to the command room. "Most of Leanbox, half of Lastation, all of Lowee, and a small part of Planeptune."

"That many huh. Guess it spreads fast then." I then remember the blog Lucy had that had my pictures on it. I glance at her. "You did take down those pictures I asked of you right?"

Lucy gulps "Yes I did my best I got rid of them there should be none left."

"Remember its your ass if I still see some floating around. You know they could've downloaded em right?"

Lucy pales "Yeah I know or worse printed them. I'll think of something for that."

"I better not see one picture then. Shall we get going?"

Grave nods messing with her phone again "Yeah setting course now. Should take us ten minutes."

Hmm. I look around and see we've boarded her ship without realizing. "Got it."

"I got a lounge room you can take the kids to on the trip if you want. Oh and if it looks dangerous don't touch it. I need to go to the command deck to make sure nothing goes wrong or in case something happens. Good luck with Tomb and Ram." Grave told me as she walked off and the twins soon stare at me, with Ram having a having a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Wonderful. Hey Lucy want to help me watch over six kiddos?"

"Sure how hard can it be? It's not like they will do anything too crazy." Lucy told while picking up Frost causing Peashy to give me the puppy eyes wanting to be carried too.

I pick her up. "You'd be majorly surprised on that. Trust me."

Scarlet shrugs "I've seen worse. I'll keep an eye out for threats. Just let me know if you need help."

"Got it. Come on kiddos."

The kids smile and follow me with Ram running off ahead with Tomb sighing.

"Is there any hand held devices here? If so I might get some for the kids."

Scarlet gives me a look. "Depends what you want Lowee has the most kid friendly games. Lastation is more teen oriented so better for the older two but not the younger ones. Planeptune as some adult only games but not many."

"Alright. Guess I can get some Loween and Lastation ones." I say as we follow Ram and Tomb. The kids will have fun with them.

Peashy cheers soon afterwards. "Yay! Thanks mom!"

Nepgear smiles. "Thanks mom. Should I do some chores to repay you?"

Uni nods. "Yay we need to show our thanks in some way."

"It's fine. Think of it as a birthday gift of sorts." I say to them.

They all hug me hard after that it would have hurt if they were stronger...scratch that Peashy is starting to hurt a lot now...need..air.

"Now you girls need to act good today alright. We'll be meeting a lot of people today."

They all nod showing they understood. Even Scarlet smiled out of the corner of my eye.

"So how do the expos usually go? I'm curious."

"Each company shows off their products and give a speech. Afterwards the products can be bought if they are put on sale. It's going to be broadcast across the networks to all nations. If we want to make a mark this is it." Lucy tells me while heading to the couch.

"Guess your right. Isn't mine going to be the only main console that's portable?"

"Aside from handhelds then yes. And from what Grave told me more powerful than them." Scarlet told me while stopping Frost from poking a button.

"I can guarantee it's at least as powerful or more than their main consoles."

"Then you'll take this generation by storm. Just leave the showcase to Grave this is her thing." Lucy tells me while looking at the Lounge's TV.

"I was. Do you think I know how to do anything like that?"

"Nope. Even then Lastations politics are dangerous. Like a grenade being thrown at you dangerous. Your a fighter not a show woman. And I have a feeling you'd punch someone." Lucy says to me while sweating.

"Your most likely right. I hate dealing with certain people. Especially the arrogant ones."

"Arrogant ones are also mixed with devious assholes. But you sometimes get the geniuses and those that are just a bit cold." Lucy tells me and I get the feeling I'm going to not like this place.

"How many of them do you think show up?"

Lucy then taps her chin "Assholes? About half the audience at most. The Genuses will be showing stuff off usually."

"I can slap some of them around right. When they start being cocky. Or at least destroy their military devices if they have any."

"That's true though I doubt that will be necessary. The opposite may happen by chance to you today maybe." Sherry tells me as her irises glow a dull bronze giving me some chills down my back.

"Alright. Now how long do these things take. I don't know how long I'll be able to listen to half of them?"

Grave then chirps in over the comms. "Usually a few hours but I used my connections to get us to go first. You could just walk around while I handle things should be some adventures looking for new weapon tech or other stuff."

"Sure. I'm curious about what you guys have."

"I'll show you around and make sure you don't get cheated or scammed." Scarlet told me while stopping Peashy from headbutting a wall.

Why does she do that. "Sounds good. I don't know how much cost what yet."

"Yeah and they try to sell you crap for all they can get away with. Don't worry my sharp teeth scare most off anyways." Scarlet told us and gives us a toothy grin showing off her razor sharp shark like teeth.

Which however scared Lucy "What the heck!"

"You'll get used to it." I say to her. Watching the kids play.

Then Peashy tackled Tomb with a headbutt and I hear a sickening crack as Tomb falls back from the impact coughing up blood likely from her ribs puncturing her lungs.

Shit this is really bad!

"God damn it." I mutter moving to where they were. "Does anyone have restoration magic?" I ask a little worryingly.

Lucy gets off the couch and heads over to us. "My aunt taught me some restoration magic just hope it's enough."

"Do it around the chest area. Does it reset bones?"

"No I just know what heals wounds like cuts, gashes and poisons. Resetting bones is a higher skill level than I have." Lucy told me as her hands glow green and she held them above Tombs chest.

"You do know if her lung is pierced we can't leave it like that right?" I say pinching Tomb in a certain spot to knock her out. Don't need her panicking anymore.

Scarlet walks up and began to gently touch Tomb's chest. "Yeah her lung is pierced and filling with blood now. She needs to see a real medic not some budget rate healing magic won't cut it. This ship have a med bay around here?"

"I don't know. Ram where is it?"

"It's down the hall and its the second door on your right. Just follow me!" Ram told us before running out of the room.

I pick Tomb up carefully and follow her. "Nepgear, Uni can you watch Peashy and Frost for a minute?"

"You can count on us!" Both of them say in unison as Scarlet followed me out.

"If Peashy keeps headbutting things I'll start to think she has a stronger skull than mine. We need to teach her not to do it to people. Or at least children."

Scarlet nods "Yeah that would be for the best or duct tape a cushion to her head."

"Yeah. Heck imagine me tacklin ya."

"Wouldn't hurt me too much given my scales can take a lot of damage. Would be just rough housing unless you actually are trying to hurt me then I may feel some pain." Scarlet tells me and I figure that's another of her dragon traits.

"Heck I still want to see how much I can lift. We almost there Ram?"

Ram opens a door with a green cross on it. "We're here but I don't know how to mess with the stuff inside. Oh for lifting stuff go to the training room mom told me before."

"Got it." I look at Scarlet and Lucy. "You two know how. I don't know crap about your machines yet."

Scarlet walks up to a console and types a few things into it. "Okay just set Tomb on the table and the machines will take it from there but remove her coat first."

I take it off of her and place her on the table. "What does this machine do?"

Soon several mechanical limbs come out from the sides of the table each with a different tool on the ends of them. They soon began operations on Tomb but many off the tools ends seem to just phase into Tomb as they did there work.

"It does that. It's a surgeon's best friend. Most just call it an operating table. " Scarlet told me and that machine gave me chills.

"I never liked hospitals and just looking at this thing is not helping. At least its doing its job."

"I see we'll its scarier on the advanced models. Don't worry they are more or less painless. I have experience with most of this tech so don't worry." Scarlet told me only making me a bit more worried as it operated on Tomb.

"Alrighty then. I don't feel like testing them myself at all anytime soon."

Soon the mechanical limbs retracted and Tomb began to stir with a cough.

"Watch out kiddo. You might still have some blood in your lungs unless those machines took it out. Just don't move around too much yet."

Tomb coughs again before looking at me. "Okay. Can you carry me my chest still hurts."

"Well yes it's going to. Also sorry about Peashy. She doesn't know better yet. Believe it or not she's a few days old."

"She's crazy enough so I'll believe it. I'm still going to get payback on her in some way." Tomb says as she slowly gets up.

"Go ahead and I never said I wouldn't carry you." I say picking her up gently.

Tomb then leans into my chest soon after "Thank you. Are we there yet?"

"I really don't know but we might. Your mother said it wouldn't take that long."

"Then let's go ask her!" Ram shouts running off down the hall.

"Your saying that like I know my way around." I say following her.

"Kids don't think that far head. They still have innocence and youth so they don't have to worry yet. Let's make sure she doesn't hit her head on anything." Scarlets say to me as she walks alongside me.

"Your right about that one. Let's go."

After about a couple minutes we see Grave walking towards us holding a squirming Ram under one of her arms. "So you let one of them run off? Was about to go get you two.

"She ran off faster than we can catch well me right now anyways. I don't know the layout here."

Grave toss something at me that I manage to catch with my somewhat free hand. "Well there's a map you can familiarize yourself with. Now we reached a airship harbor in Lastation so we can disembark now if you wish."

"Sure. I don't know if you were watching or not but Peashy was trying to play in her roughhousing way and injured Tomb a little. I'm sorry." I say to quickly get it out of the way.

"I know was about to send a medical drone when you took her to the med bay. Kids are always getting into trouble alway need to be prepared with stuff like this." Grave tells me in her normal monotone while plucking Tomb out of my arm with her free arm.

"Kids will always be kids. So how big of a headache will I be getting from this eh?"

"You not in the slightest I'll be handling the showcase. You just need to go around and talk with the locals at the expo. Learn what you can. Shouldn't be too hard. Most people in Lastation are hard working and decent for the most part." Grave tells me while setting Ram down and walking past me.

"Let's get this crap started then. I can't promise I won't be tempted to deck the cocky ones."

Scarlet shrugs. "Just make sure you knock them out when you do."

I sigh hopefully this is a fast trip.

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Writer:Project Omega

Co-Writer: Alternet RedSkys

Editor: {Need one}

(Co-Writer) We do so apologize for the wait. If you wish to comment about how the story is going leave a review. If not we hope you still enjoyed reading it.