HyperDimension Neptunia Ascension
(Afternoon – Planeptune Basilicom – April 26, XX18)
"It may not look it, but this training is... kinda stupid." whined a light purple haired petite who was slouching over.
"Aw, come on, Neptune." A girl dressed in a white form fitting uniform encouraged. Her eyes had a mysteriously enticing glow to them, a strange white console power symbol being their pupil. "You need to transform, that was the condition of the training Histoire is having us go under, you don't want her to get mad again, do you?"
"Ah-ho… don't worry about me, Nep. Jr…" Neptune closed an eye and rose two fingers to her head. "I'll be A-okay. But I'm gonna be honest, this training is super boring… Histoire, can you tell us why we're doing this again?"
Small blonde eyebrows perked up. "Hmm?" The oracle of Planeptune made a 180 and faced the two goddesses. "Neptune..." her voice was laced with failing expectation. "You would not be struggling under the weight of my technical move if you would just transform."
"Uh… Histy..." Neptune's eyes looked more like big minuses at this point. "I'm not struggling, I'm just bored… And neither is Nepgear, see?" She lifted a thumb over to her transformed little sister to see she was just standing still, waving with an awkward smile.
"Wh-what?" Histoire took a second look around the two. Around the large matted room was a large spell circle that was currently shining as bright as a star, its unknown powers being streamed out into the area of its affect; however, it would be apparent that whatever effect it was to have was not as strong as she would have hoped. "I don't understand, it was fine yesterday? My Goddess Trapper is working?"
"Goddess Trapper?" Nepgear curiously inquired. "Why would you have a technique called 'Goddess Trapper'?"
The oracle's eyes furrowed seriously. "To teach a certain goddess a lesson! Neptune, transform, otherwise it won't activate! Transform now!"
"Um, Histy. If all it takes to avoid your move is for me to remain in human form, then your technique is seriously flawed..." Neptune bluntly stated, her little sister agreeing alongside her with a couple nods of the head. "So if you don't mind, I'm gonna go have lunch now."
"No, you cannot not, not yet!" Histoire urged loudly. "You must finish your endurance training for today, why can't you just do this one thing. Day after day we go through the same thing, just do this already!"
Neptune plumped down onto her rear and stretched her arms upwards. "Hey, Nepgear, why don't you say me and you head off to Lastation, okay? You wanna see Uni again?"
A wide smile presented itself on Nepgear's face. "Mmm! I'd love to, big sis!"
"Well alright! Sorry, Histoire, we'll do our training when we get back!"
"No, please, Neptune!" The oracle outstretched a hand as the two CPUs began to walk away. "Neptune, please, listen to me! It is for your own protection, you must trust me! I need to train too!"
The two girls stopped in their tracks. A guilty frown came over Neptune as her eyes took a glance backwards to Histoire. She seemed rather desperate. "But Histoire… we've been doing this for the past three days now… A small break is not going to hurt, and besides, it barely feels like training. I… honestly don't think you know what you're doing." A smile came over her again as she turned around. "Besides, what would you need to train for, fighting the bad guys is my job, remember?"
"Neptune..." Histoire quickly approached the two girls. "I think you fail to understand that I'm only trying to help. I do not mind you going off to do whatever it is you wish to do, but please, I stress you finish my training. You may not feel any of the effects now, but it will start to become more and more difficult down the line, I just need to warm up, please."
"Um, Histoire?" Nepgear said, "what reason could you have to train anyway? Is it your responsibility as an Oracle to make us stronger?"
The small blonde turned to the transformed girl. "That is none of your concern at the moment, Nepgear."
"Well, there must be a reason? You're planning on gaining a leash on us, are you?"
Histoire's eyes shrunk in panic and she rose defending hands to her chest, proceeding to wave them. "No, no… It's nothing like that, it is for our protection. Mine and your's, you must trust me as your Oracle and allow me to do as I need to do. Please, both of you, step back into the circle, and if you would kindly cooperate Neptune and transform into Purple Heart."
"But transforming is exhausting, I don't like staying in that form day after day..."
Histoire's eyebrows made an upside down V. "And what if you could not transform back into a human?"
Both Nepgear and Neptune's eyes shot up. "What do you mean, Histoire?" Nepgear asked.
The Oracle bowed her head slowly. "I beg you, please take your training seriously..." The two purplette's exchanged looks of curiosity before turning back to Histoire, then Neptune gave a groan.
"Ohh… why must I be such a good person?" a confident smile came over her person as she planted fists to her hips. "Alright, Histy-bisty! Since it's you, I'll do it! Okay!"
Nepgear looked to her. "You're not going to ask why?"
"Eh, I'm not interested, I just know this is what Histy wants, so let's do this, Nepgear!" She pumped a fist up.
A large sigh of relief and a smile was present on Histoire's features. "Thank you, Neptune. Now, let us begin."
(Afternoon – The Dungeon – April 26, XX18)
Fuuin and MarvelousAQL were walking along another long bridge, in the middle of a large and confusing city of blocks and ruins. Fallen columns and vines were the main source of décor around, and the numerous small monsters didn't exactly make things better. Here and there, the two teens could make evidence of technological placement and tampering, which seemed strange considering there were no real sentient species down here, at least there weren't for the longest time, but Fuuin figured they were probably just leftovers of the ancient people that used to preside in this city before it became whatever this place was now.
It was almost disturbing, the city was abandoned and yet it showed signs of being refurbished in various places. The two teens and gone through several puzzles involving large gaps and strange switches, one room needing to start a mechanism which would spin it around slowly like a revolving platform and timed switch pressing. Now here they were, standing in a room with a very large hole and a long narrow open hall surrounded by walls and a ceiling, and no floor what-so-ever. Incomplete columns hung from the roof in a non-symmetrical pattern, almost as if they were placed with no structural reasoning.
Fuuin had already equipped his signature weapon, the Ritan, to his right arm, and it had already come in handy regarding the repeated pressing of timed switches and platforms. It was odd how well maintained so many of the mechanisms here were, and yet there was not one active sign of sentient life around, just monsters scattered here and there.
Fuuin gulped as he looked at the hanging columns, this just wasn't his day, and he could see his companion was getting more nervous the deeper they went. This wasn't fun for either of them in the slightest, the longer they went on, the more and more stamina and energy they used. They were getting tired, and without food, they would need to retreat and come back later. With many of the puzzles and rooms solved behind them, headed back wouldn't be too hard. Many of the rooms seemed they'd stay that way for a while, or showed no signs of ever reverting back, but then that left room for other travelers to come and claim whatever prize was here, and if it was that crystal Mr. Leon wanted, Fuuin could take absolutely no chance.
A dark scowl came across his face at this new obstacle, and the look of him struck worry into his girl compatriot. He held a strong form of resentment in his heart, towards what, she wasn't sure. It could have been anything, it could have even been himself, that was honestly one of her better guesses. She glanced away from him and too looked over the path before her. Many of the columns were covered in vines, all it really seemed to be was to jump from one column to the other, but they were some distance apart from one another. Not anything impossible, but it would be one hell of a jump to make. Looking around, she spotted a nice trail of vines climbing high up the wall until they neared the roof.
"Fuuin." he was not going to like this. She bumped his side and he casually turned over to her and traced her eyes over to the vines. Knowing where this was going, an expression of disbelief came over him before he shook his head and walked over towards the vines. One after another, they both climbed high up until one reached the top. Fuuin looked out towards the column, the distance he would need to cover with this leap was wide, wider than he thought he could make in any day, even at his best. A deep swallow came. "Fuuin, are you scared?" MarvelousAQL asked.
The boy could hear the concern in her tone, he was indeed frightened.
"If you have any doubts about this, you should not try, we'll find another way."
He shook his head. "No, this is fine." He didn't have the time to wait around and look for another way. This was it, it was either this or never. Either way, he was going to be killed if this kept up for too long.
"Fuuin-"
"I said this is fine!" he shouted with a shake.
Marvelous could see his eyes wide and staring forth. He was most certainly in a hurry, and that was not a good thing. "Fuuin, you need to calm down, and relax, okay? If you don't, something bad will definitely happen, and neither of us want that." Her eyebrows arched up. "I'm concerned for you, Fuuin, I really am."
Fuuin glanced down, his eyes shaking before he closed them tight, then opened them up again. They appeared softer, but only due to the fear that was now present in them. "We need to move." Fuuin once again looked at the weapon hoisted onto his right arm, then he looked towards the column. He took a deep breath, then planted his shoes firmly against the wall. Marvelous' eyes opened wide.
"Fuuin, wait!"
He took a strong leap forward, his arms outstretched towards the approaching column. He was closing in fast on it, MarvelousAQL watched with wide eyes in despair, seeing his plummet to the bright abyss begin. Fuuin could feel his descent starting, he was not within arm's reach of the column. Wind began to rush past his body, sending his hair and coat into a flailing whirl of wind. He pointed his arm outward and fired the Ritan. A thin green line of energy connected the projectile to the base on his arm. He threw his arm forth and the blade slung with it. The Ritan smoothly wrapped around the column before locking in place and he was pulled quickly towards it. With a brace, he put his feet forward, bent close to his body before he came into hard contact with the column.
He shook, teeth grimacing as a painful shock vibrated through his body, then he grabbed hold of the column and hugged it. With a mental signal, the weapon dislodged and unwrapped itself from the column and came upon its resting place against the base mounted on Fuuin's arm. He turned to MarvelousAQL, whose eyes were wide with shock and awe. "Marvy?"
She shook herself awake. Her eyes were wide and shaking. I thought I saw him plummet to his death. I thought he died! A dark image took an instant hold in her mind, flashing for a second before her gaze fell downward. Two other girls were at the heart of that image. She closed her eyes and her own teeth grit slightly, a sorrowful frown coming over her.
"Marvelous?" Her eyes shot open wide, wakening from her stupor.
"Huh?" She looked around. "Oh, sorry, I kind of zoned out for a sec there, huh?.." An embarrassed smile. Fuuin's eyes closed halfway as he looked downward. He then turned towards the next pillar, avoiding looking down at all costs.
MarvelousAQL climbed up to the peak of the vines and aimed towards the pillar, seeing her comrade ascending for the next leap. She took in a deep breath. He's going to be okay… She too planted her feet against the vine covered limestone and kicked off strong. She easily reached the pillar and grabbed hold of the vines. If there weren't so much of a risk involved, she herself would have taken to jumping from there to the next one, but this was a serious matter. One mistake and it would all be over.
Fuuin furrowed his brows as he reached the peak, then he leaped. Flying faster than before, he fell a good distance, but reached his target in the end. His stomach slammed hard against the pillar, earning a pain filled groan. At least I'm still alive… He looked up to see his orange haired friend come against the same pillar far above him. His eyes widened at seeing her undergarments in full view. A blush came over him and he looked away quickly.
MarvelousAQL took a look down over her shoulder to see if he was managing nicely, and it seemed he had a good grasp onto his section, but curiosity over took her. Why is he looking away like that? She turned towards the next pillar and shot towards it.
Hearing her move quickly, Fuuin breathed out a breath he held in, feeling his erection come up more. A small reminder of why he did not want to die. He climbed up more and more until he reached the peak of the vines and looked ahead. His eyebrows lifted sadly. "Three more?" He wasn't sure he could make one more, his body was getting more and more tired, he wasn't cut out for this kind of manual labor.
Ahahahahahahaa…
Fuuin's eyes widened. What was that? His eyes darted over his shoulder. A laugh? Out here? He grit his teeth as he began to look around. At the other end of the large open hole, MarvelousAQL landed squarely and securely on her feet onto the floor. Instantly, the floor began to shake, making her yelp out loudly in fear. Feeling it begin to topple under her feet, she quickly jumped and landed onto another cube making up the floor of the dungeon, and watched as the loosened ground fell apart and collapsed, descending into the abyss far below. Her eyes widened and she looked up to see Fuuin watching something behind him, where they once were.
"Fuuin!"
His eyes snapped towards her. "Sorry!" he called out. Taking one last look, the boy prepared to take another leap. With a great push, he flew towards the next column and took hold of it. Quickly, his grip started to slide. He gritted his teeth as parts of the vine began to snap under his weight. He jittered down to a rapid stop, a small cloud of dust left in his wake. His fingers and chin had turned a shade of red and they were sore, he closed his eyes, hoping it would all just get easier, if even a little bit. He was becoming more and more exhausted, if this kept up, he wasn't sure if his heart would be able to take it. Looking up pitifully, he could see the orange haired girl standing there with hands to her head, looking genuinely concerned for his well being. His eyes became softer and sadder and he looked down seconds later.
A sigh.
"Fuck..."
Slowly, he resumed his climb.
"Just… two more..." It was getting harder and harder to move. He didn't know how she could do it, she was just that much better than him. "No wonder… the women in this world… have such a hard time..." He grasped hard onto a vine and groaned loudly as he pulled himself up. "Finding good men… Most of them… are superior..." A picture of Purple Heart came to his mind's eye, then he couldn't help but laugh. There were three more like her, possibly more, and then there were chicks like MarvelousAQL? What chance could a person like him stand in this world with anyone like that. Surely there were better people out there for her, much better. Besides, his situation shut him off from any kind of futures like that, at least until he cleared himself. But would that even be a possibility?
It was very well a likability they would just pound down another job on him in exchange for his life. In this business, you can't just walk away. He was stuck for sure, he was positive of that. His eyes narrowed as he reached the peak, then took a leap. His eyes widened. Oh shit! He was falling too soon. He could see the vines of the column quickly going up, he desperately outstretched his right hand. Instantly, the Ritan shot forward and stabbed into the last section of the column, and with a harsh snap, Fuuin felt his salvation hit him hard in his shoulder.
He grimaced loudly.
"Fuuin!" MarvelousAQL called out. "Hang on, I'm going to come get you!"
"No!" he yelled. He turned to her, gray in his half closed eyes. He groaned loudly as he tried to haul himself up. "Stay over there!"
"But Fuuin!"
"Do as I say!" He shakingly reached up and pulled himself up onto the vines. With a loud exhale, he latched onto the vines and pulled up. He pulled again, and again. As he climbed higher, his breathing started to become slower and longer. His body swayed with every breath. Reaching the near top, he turned to see the ground a mere jump away. A tired smile came over him. "Solid ground..." He resumed his climb until he reached as high as he could, and planted his feet against the wall. He then pushed off with every ounce of strength he had. He flew and fell just as quickly as he reached above ground and landed hard onto his feet. He winced, but smiled and panted.
Instantly, the floor shook with a loud crack, snapping his eyes wide open. Marvelous made a mad dash for him, almost flying with an outstretched hand. "Fuuin!" Wind rushed past her as she quickly lessened the distance between. Fuuin kicked forward and reached towards her when the ground suddenly crumbled into large chunks underneath him.
Fuuin screamed out as he plummeted, and Marvelous leaped down onto her stomach, reaching forth and grabbing hold of the boy's hand. They both winced as they felt their muscles pull. Her arm and Fuuin's body slapped hard against the ground. "Ah!"
"Fuuin!" MarvelousAQL's body became uncomfortable, her necked stretched to accommodate the immediate strain on her body. Her eyes barely opened. "Hang-on!"
Fuuin winced loudly, but gripped to her hand as hard as he could. MarvelousAQL's body was beginning to slide over the edge. Her hand desperately sought for any kind of indention in the limestone she could get a grip on. Her fingertips brushed against a half-centimeter carving the floor, but it wouldn't last.
"Fuuin, hang on, I'm- I am going to pull you-UP!" her muscle began to stretch, she felt a sharp pain in her ribs. It was like a large knife was being driven through the side of her lung. Her teeth clenched visibly.
The boy began to cry out in pain. "Marvy! Don't let me go, please! Please, I don't want to die, I don't want to die!"
"I'm not going to let you go, I promise!" she cried out. "Just don't let go of me-"
The ground shook, snapping her eyes open in shock. She gasped as she looked dead behind her to see smoke coming from the edging in the ground. Another shake, her eyes shrunk.
"Oh no."
She turned towards him in despair as Fuuin looked up at her in pure shock. He blinked rapidly. "Marvelous?"
Her mouth began to shake. "Fuuin… I can't-"
"It's okay." he told her. "Let go, you have to save yourself, don't die for someone like me." MarvelousAQL's eyes opened wide. She stared down towards the bright abyss far below him.
"N-no..." Tears started to form in her eyes. "I can't, not like this." Her mouth quivered quickly, arching upside down as salty water started to roll down her cheeks, shaking her head side to side. "No, I won't let go."
"Marvelous!" he yelled. "Let go of me!" His expression softened immensely. "It's okay, alright?" She continued to shake her head, sobs starting to ring forth. "I don't want you to die."
"Fuuin, hang on!"
Another shake of the ground, the both of them could feel the ground beginning to slide slowly. Fuuin cast a grim look down and closed his eyes slowly.
"I'll get us out of here!"
He looked up towards her, his eyebrows arching into an upside down V, tears in his eyes. "It was fun." He released his grip, instantly slipping from her hand.
"Fuuin!" yelled another voice. The brown haired girl, IF, rapidly dashed from the columns. She froze in place, eyes wide open.
MarvelousAQL's own eyes widened slowly as she watched the boy quickly fall, his form becoming smaller and smaller by the second. She watched in shock as another shake in the ground occurred.
Fuuin himself watched the whole dungeon's size shrink before his eyes, feeling wind rush rapidly around him. There was another person there? His own gaze cast forward slowly, shock in his eyes. Just one second, if I had held on for one more second… His clothes roared loudly around him, flailing chaotically. "Fuck me..." He closed his eyes as light slowly and blindingly consumed him.
He tilted his head back, trying to remember all of the good memories of his life. Nothing really came to mind other than the times he would loiter around, nothing that really stood out until the recent time in his life. When MarvelousAQL had somehow stepped in. She brightened his life up so vastly, he couldn't believe it. She was like a beacon in the dark for him, and now he was going to die. He opened his eyes up slowly to see nothing but bright white, the dungeon was far from him. He smiled to himself lightly.
"Hopefully Marvy will live on. I… think I may have loved you…" Peace came over his person until light had consumed him, the light of an abyss in a dungeon long since forgotten.
