Jupiter and Azure walked next to each other in silence, Spirit Nep speeding up and overtaking them. She hummed to herself as she flew, unaware of her surroundings. Jupiter tried to break the silence, "So, Azure..." Jupiter wondered, "How was it when you were born?"
"Huh, I guess you would be curious." Azure replied, "I was born five years ago. Kei received me when the Sharicite created me. She… She was always by my side, teaching me how to make decisions and what my role as a CPU was." Azure had a distant look on her face, a smile as she recalled the memories, "She was sometimes cold. But I never hated her for it, she was just doing her best to raise me and allowing me to become a great goddess."
Jupiter smiled, "It was similar for me. Histy and Iffy were always by my side. I didn't know then, but Histy didn't expect much of me. She thought I wouldn't work and was very surprised by my attitude towards it." Jupiter glanced at Neptune behind them, "I would guess that Histy was always criticising Neptune for slacking off."
"Looks like we had similar upbringings." She replied, a warm smile on her face, "Did this 'Histy' ever talk to you about… You know." Azure looked at Neptune.
"Iffy and Histy did bring her up a few times." Jupiter replied, closing her eyes and recalling those times, "I learned about her and what happened very quickly… But I admired Neptune. The way they talked about her… She seemed like this heroic goddess that would sacrifice herself for her friends." She smiled and scratched the back of her head, "When she first appeared… I was shocked. She didn't impose the image I always though… but when she transformed for the first time… I was reminded of who I admired. Purple Heart is so different from Neptune, and I love that." Jupiter glanced back and smile at Neptune, "Not that I don't like Neptune."
"I never learned about Noire and Uni from Kei." Azure said sadly, "Every time I brought it up… She would stop me from talking about it anymore. I… didn't bring up the topic that much, I knew it caused her great pain. I'm sure she saw me as a second attempt, but I didn't dislike that." Azure laughed a bit, "She wasn't good with people, but she tried her hardest for me. I respect Kei a lot. When she told me she'd leave for some business in another landmass, I knew I would miss her. But I'm sure she'll return someday, and when that day comes, I'll show her how much I've grown since."
Jupiter gave her a thumbs up, "I know she'll be proud."
Azure glanced back, trying to find Neptune. They were standing still, looking back at someone, "They're taking a while." She muttered.
"Should I go check?" Jupiter said, stopping next to Azure.
"I'll wait for you here."
Jupiter nodded setting off towards Neptune and IF in the distance.
Jupiter noticed that they were talking with a cloaked figure. The person slowly taking off their hood, revealing blonde hair and a kind face. She noticed as IF collapsed on her knees while Neptune stared in shock.
"Must be a friend of theirs." Jupiter thought, her pace slowing down.
She noticed as the girl summoned a giant syringe, pointing it at IF. Her voice reaching Jupiter, "Iffy… Please die." The girl said, pointing her syringe at IF. Jupiter glanced at Azure with worry, she waved at her to come. Azure noticing this signal and running towards her. Jupiter wasted no time to run at the party… She couldn't let this person hurt IF!
"Com...pa?" IF muttered in confusion, looking directly at the syringe with worry in her eyes.
"Wait. wait. what?" Neptune looked at Compa with wide eyes.
"Iffy!" Yelled Jupiter, slashing with her rapier and pushing the syringe away.
"The CPUs..." Compa muttered, moving back and avoiding the attack.
"Iffy, are you okay?" Jupiter knelt down, examining her.
"Why…?" IF ignored Jupiter's question, a distant look on her face.
Jupiter stood up, pointing her rapier at Compa. She tried to run at her, only for her to stop when she felt the pull of a hand on her dress. She looked down and saw IF grabbing her dress, some tears falling down her face, "Don't… Jupiter… Don't..."
"Iffy?" Jupiter looked at the broken girl, her eyes nearly tearing up again.
"Compa..." Neptune looked at the blonde girl, her eyes fixed on Jupiter. She saw something that she didn't think Compa would be capable of. Something very… un-Compa-like. It was hatred. Compa's eyes radiated hatred towards Jupiter.
Compa's eyes detached from Jupiter, looking back at Neptune. Her eyes returning to the usual cheerful look that Neptune remembered Compa for.
"Nep-Nep..." Compa pointed her syringe at her, "You'll come with me, right?" A smile on her face.
"Uhh, where?" Neptune replied with confusion, her eyebrows meeting each other.
"To Ge-Ge." Compa said, "She misses you very much, you know?"
Jupiter slowly approached Neptune, her rapier still drawn against Compa. IF looking in disbelief at her friend.
"I'm sorry, Compa. I miss Nepgear as well, but I can't leave my friends." Neptune replied, an apologetic smile on her face, "Hope you understand."
"Aww, that's a shame." Compa swung her syringe, Jupiter parried it for Neptune, "I didn't want to use force…"
Jupiter pushed the syringe up and attempted to thrust her rapier, Compa barely dodging the attack.
"No!" IF stood up, walking towards Jupiter and grabbing her arms, "Don't… Don't hurt her."
"Iffy, she's attacking us!" Jupiter argued, trying to break free from her grasp.
"I know… I… Know…" IF slowly muttered, sliding down Jupiter's arms. Tears falling again.
Neptune summoned her sword as Compa tried to lunge at her again while Jupiter was distracted, she blocked with the flat of her blade.
"Neptune to Compa." She said, parrying a strike, "Neptune doesn't want any holes in her body, thank you. Over."
"I don't want to hurt you, Nep-Nep." Compa smiled, "My syringe has a special tranquilliser. I can take you to Ge-Ge once you fall asleep." She lunged again.
Neptune blocked the attack, "Nep here really doesn't want to sleep right now." She parried another attack, some of the syringe contents falling on her shoulder and face. She swallowed some if it by accident, "Oh no."
Compa smiled. She just had to wait for Neptune to fall asleep now, and grab her with no interruptions...
Azure somersaulted over Compa, landing on her right side. She fired a single bullet as she landed. The attack hitting Compa in her right arm. She fell to the ground.
"No!" Shouted IF, staring in disbelief at her collapsed friend.
"C-Compa?" Neptune lowered her sword and looked at the body of Compa. She started to wobble back and forth.
"W-what did you do?!" IF looked at Azure with pain and anger in her eyes.
Azure looked solemnly at IF before looking at the ground, "It had to be done. I'm sorry, IF. She was trying to kill you."
"Compa wouldn't… she would never..." IF started to cry, her body trembling.
"Ouchies. I knew you new CPUs were meanies." Compa muttered as she stood up, shaking her head. She touched her right arm, the bullet sliding off and coming from under her cloak.
IF looked up at Compa, surprised to see her friend still alive. Neptune shared the same looked. Jupiter and Azure exchanged glances of worry and surprise.
"H-how? A normal human shouldn't be able to go unharmed after being shot." Azure muttered under her breath.
"Aww, now my cloak is ripped as well." Compa said, looking at the hole the bullet had made. She threw her cloak away, her normal clothes underneath.
IF and Neptune looked at Compa, their eyes resting on her right arm. Their eyes widening with confusion and fear. Compa's arm… Compa's right arm… "Why… Why is your arm..." IF started to mutter, "Why is your right arm… mechanical..."
Compa's right arm was missing her arm warmer, replaced by silver metal running up her arm to her shoulder. Her hand completely mechanical, yellow fingers with a yellow palm. Her forearm made of pure silver metal, the rest of her arm running with metallic lines connecting to her shoulder. She flexed her fingers and moved her arm, "It still works. Ge-Ge won't be mad."
Neptune dropped to her knees, her sword hitting the ground, "What… happened to you...?" She muttered, before falling asleep on the floor.
IF collapsed on her hands and knees, tears falling from her face, "Nep...gear… Compa… What..."
Azure and Jupiter shared an understanding look, walking in front of their fallen friends and pointing their weapons and Compa. She looked at the CPUs and then IF. Her eyes moved to Neptune, smiling, "It doesn't seem I can beat you. I'll leave for now." She pressed her arm, a small screen popping up. She pressed a few buttons.
"What is she doing?" Azure turned to Jupiter, glancing back at their friends.
A low rumble could be heard in the distance, "We'll see each other again, Meanie CPUs." Compa smiled wryly. She pointed her arm to the sky, a Nepgeardam flying by and lifting her to the air, leaving the CPUs behind.
"Should we go after her?" Azure turned to Jupiter, ready to transform.
"We can't leave Iffy and Neptune here like this." She said, kneeling down and placing her hand on IF's back, she looked at Azure, "Let's take them to the Basilicom."
"Right. Their safety should come first." Azure transformed, picking Neptune up and placing her over her shoulder, the girl muttering incoherently in her sleep.
Jupiter transformed as well. Picking IF up, one arm under her legs and the other under her head, she looked at her with sympathy.
"Compa… Why… Compa..." IF muttered repeatedly, her eyes full of tears. She had a distant look on her face.
"Iffy..."
"Hey! What's the big deal?" Spirit Nep flew through, "You left me all alo-" She noticed IF and Neptune, "What's wrong with Iffy and me?" She said in surprise, floating next to Jupiter.
"They were attacked by a girl." Jupiter replied, "Iffy… appears to have recognised her and fell into this state. Neptune fell asleep after she attacked."
"Jupiter, let's hurry to the Basilicom." Azure said, floating over her.
"Right." She nodded, floating next to Azure and flying towards the Basilicom.
Spirit Nep watched them go for a few seconds, thinking to herself, "Who… did they see to leave them like this?"
Compa? No no no no no no! Don't die!
Compa please. Don't die don't die don't die don't die
What can I do? Is there anything…?
There's so much blood…
No nonononononononono!
Compa, hang on please. Please please please…
Is there… anything… I can do?
Is there…
Anything…
Anything!
Maybe… Maybe…
Yes, that could work…
Why… did this happen?
Neptune… Help me…
Guide me…
I'm scared…
Compa please… I don't want you... to die as well…
Survive
Survive!
Survive!
… please ...
Jupiter lowered IF and rested her on the couch, the girl still muttering incoherently. Azure approached Jupiter, Neptune walking beside her.
"You look better, Neptune." Jupiter tried to smile.
"I'm sorry about that." Neptune replied, scratching the back of her head, "I should know better than to drink Compa's tranquilizer."
"Speaking of which, who is she?" Azure said, a hand on her hip.
"Iffy didn't want to fight her…" Jupiter added, glancing at the girl behind her, "Was she a friend of Iffy?"
"She… Her name's Compa." Neptune said, "She is IF's childhood friend. She's also an old friend of my sister and I."
"Telling her to die…" Jupiter muttered, "That really shook her."
"That didn't seem like Compa…" Neptune muttered, "She was… Too aggressive. Compa is a kind girl. She's a nurse! She would never want someone to die."
"But she did." Azure said bluntly, "You must face reality, Neptune."
"I know I know." Neptune replied, "I'm worried about Iffy. She's strong… But after looking for Compa for so long… I can't imagine what she must be going through."
They looked at IF, the girl had fallen asleep. Tears still in her eyes.
IF was in deep sleep, unaware of her surroundings. She was recalling her memories with Compa and Neptune. Looking back at those moments so long ago.
"Compa… We've been friends for so long… Why did you… What happened? We've know each other since we were kids, haven't we?"
Hey, why are you here alone?
I like it here.
So lonely...
What's your name?
It's Compa. What about yours?
The name's IF. Nice to meet you, Compa
IF… I'll call you Iffy!
"We were inseparable. We did everything together… We shared dreams, likes and dislikes… We went to the same school just to be with each other. Then that time when we first saw Nep…"
Hey, look Compa! It's the new CPU!
She looks so elegant
She does. I wonder what it is like up there.
We'll never know.
"Your smile… I can't forget that. The day we decided on our careers… Every single day we spent together is engraved in my mind. I recall those moments fondly."
Compa. I'm going to work at the Guild.
The Guild? Isn't that part of the Basilicom?
Yeah! I'll get to work under Lady Purple Heart.
Good luck, Iffy.
What are you going to be, Compa?
I want to be a nurse. I have experience since I'm always tending your wounds…
"We both got accepted into our respective places. We were both so happy that day. We'd meet each other after school every single day… and after work… I loved your company, Compa. I don't think I would ever have imagined life without you… These past few years have been tough, you know?"
"Losing Nep was hard enough… Losing you as well… I didn't know how to cope."
"... I remember when we met Nep, it was just after you were accepted into the hospital you wanted, right?"
Move move move!
What the heck? Hey, are you okay?
Oh, hmm. Yeah. Hey, it's IF.
How do you know my name? Have we met?
Of course I would know the name of the Guild's number one star! Who do you think I am?
Are you also a member of the Guild? I don't think we've met…
Oh right right. You haven't seen me in this form. The name's Neptune. I'm the CPU of Planeptune, Purple Heart.
L-Lady Purple Heart?
"Nep invited us to the Basilicom after that… We became good friends very soon. We never thought that the CPU herself would become our friend, did we? Remember those times when we looked up to the CPU? When it was just the both of us… Back when Nep was just a figure we looked up to. I wonder how would our previous selfs react to Nep? Then came Nepgear… "
Hey, Nep. Who's that?
Oh! Iffy, Compa. I'd like to introduce to you, my little sister!
Nep-Nep's… sister?
Um hi. My name is Nepgear… P-pleased to meet you!
Nep's sister… I can't call you Nep, so you'll be Gear. Nice meeting you, Gear. The name's IF. I'm like a gust of wind blowing through Gamindustri!
I'm Compa. Nice to meet you, Ge-Ge
Goodness, nicknames already?
"It was so soon as well… ASIC's rise and the capture of the CPUs… That's what started it all. It was really peaceful back then as well… Why couldn't it have remained that way? Why did we push Gear to find that sword? If we hadn't done it, then maybe… Maybe we would still be all together. Laughing together, playing together, doing quests together..."
"I don't think you know the despair I felt when you weren't in your house… It was our daily routine wasn't it? I'd wake you up and we would walk together to work… Why did we stop doing that? Were we afraid of what had happened? Did we need time alone? I can't stop thinking about that… Your room… When I knocked..."
Compa? It's me, IF. Are you awake yet?
Door's open…? Compa, you shouldn't leave you doo- What?!
Compa! Compa! Why… is there blood here?
What happened? Compa?! Answer me, Compa!
I'll call her… She should pick up, right? She should be fine, right?
Compa! Pick up Compa!
I… can hear some ringing… It's Compa's phone… Why… is it here…?
"Compa. Ever since that day, I've been looking for you. Searching for you. I… didn't know what to do. All my friends, taken in one instant. It was like a cruel joke, almost as if the world itself was laughing at my suffering. I couldn't bear it, I wanted to vanish as well. Disappear, and no one would care. No one would notice I was gone. All my friends… Nep... Gear… and most importantly, you, Compa. You had all been taken away from me. I couldn't do it."
"I started blaming Gear for everything… If she hadn't taken the sword, if she hadn't used the sword, if she hadn't… left… I was looking for someone to blame. I don't think anyone was to blame, were they? This all came to be on its own."
"Seeing you again, Compa… Knowing that you're alive… It fills me with happiness. Even if you hate me, even if you want me to die. I don't care about any of that! Just knowing that you're alive… Even if you have a mechanical hand, even if you don't like me… Knowing that you're alive… It's all that I need. My search has ended, and I know where you are."
"Compa, I will find you. And I will make you remember that promise we made so long ago. I will find a way to get to you, just you wait. Compa, hold on just a while longer. I don't know what has happened to you, or why you hate me. But I don't care. I will be able to see you again, won't I? We'll have fun together again, won't we?"
"Compa… I missed you so much..."
IF's eyes slowly opened, staring up at the black ceiling of the Basilicom. She could barely hear the voices of Neptune and Azure talking with each other. They were talking about something… but IF couldn't quite catch what they were saying.
Spirit Nep was watching over IF, unknown to her. She approached Jupiter once she woke up, "Hey, Jupiter. Iffy's awake."
"She is?" Jupiter looked in IF's direction, noticing the girl wiping away her tears. She had leaned forward and her head was visible from behind the couch. She approached the girl, leaving Neptune and Azure to talk between each other.
"Iffy." Jupiter put her hand on IF's shoulder, smiling at her, "How are you feeling?"
IF looked at her own hands, they were still shaking. She slowly looked up at Jupiter, trying her best to smile back, "I'm… sorry about that. I'm… better now."
"Don't scare us like Iffy!" Spirit Nep said. Jupiter relaying the message to IF.
"I'm sorry... Nep." IF looked back at her own hand, "It's just that… Seeing Compa for the first time in six years… It was shocking."
"I know, Iffy." Jupiter smiled again, "Neptune told us about you two. I can't think what you must be going through..."
"I'm fine. I'm fine." IF tried to wave dismissively, "It won't happen again."
"Don't push yourself, Iffy." Jupiter said reassuringly, moving to her side of the couch and giving her a hug, "We're here for you."
IF felt more tears coming to her eyes, she tried to force them back before hugging Jupiter back, "Thank you, Jupiter… Thank you..."
"Hey, Iffy! You're awake." Neptune approached IF, smiling warmly at her friend.
"Are you feeling better?" Azure asked, walking behind Neptune.
"Y-yeah. Thanks for worrying about me." IF replied.
"You are going now?" Azure asked, looking at IF with worry, "I'm not sure if you should push it."
"I'm fine." IF replied, "I won't push it. I will be fine."
"Hopefully." Azure replied, she turned to Neptune, "As we discussed, I believe it would be beneficial for you to head to Lowee next. If Lastation and Planeptune got attacked, either Lowee or Leanbox should come next right?" Azure glanced at IF, a hand on her hip, "Going to Lowee would be much easier than hiring a boat or flying to Leanbox."
"You're right." IF replied, standing up and stretching, "Are you not coming with us, Azure?"
Azure shook her head, "I'm sorry, but I must remain in Lastation." She tried for a smile, "But whenever you need me, just give me a call. I shall assist you when needed."
Jupiter smiled and nodded. Neptune giving her the thumbs up. IF couldn't help but smile.
Azure looked out the window, the sun almost fully set, "Looks like it's nearly night time. Stay the night, I'll take you to Lastation's borders tomorrow."
"That's a good offer." Jupiter replied, "Thank you, Azure."
Maybe things could get better…
"Are you ready to go, Iffy?" Jupiter asked, standing outside of Lastation. Azure had given them a ride as far as she could take them before saying goodbye. They looked at the horizon at the faint outline of Lowee behind the mountains.
IF nodded, looking at Nep, "Is it time for a lift again?"
"I really don't like being a mode of transport..." Neptune pouted before transforming, "Grab on Iffy."
They flew over the mountains, the cold climate of Lowee soon reaching them. Spirit Nep floated behind them unaffected by the cold. No one said anything the entire flight, they were all thinking different things.
Compa… Don't you worry…
I'm coming for you.