Sorry for slipping off schedule folks, my birthday rolled around on the 5th of March (I'm 26 now, hooray for getting bloody older) then I had the family to deal with for the week after and then finally a trip to the Sherwood Forest Renfaire with my work buddies and family. Needless to say between that and work I've been busy and a bit drained.
I'll admit, I've been looking forward to doing this chapter and the next one but damn, the favs/follows are still climbing! You lot are bloody awesome y'know that? As always it's deeply appreciated and fuels me to keep going full steam ahead.
Reviews:
F14M3RZ: I can't lie, you managed to me make me laugh with the Flustered Heart bit. I've started looking forward to your reviews every new chapter, the fact you plotted out a situation similar to one in my head was just a bonus frankly. Just may use that in a way when I get to the Lastation arc or find some way of making it worse.
Jeitron: What can I say, I started rolling dialogue in my head during work and one thing lead to another while I thought about how the other CPUs would act around him.
Cobaltroid: Apologies if my pacing needs a bit more work, but glad you enjoyed the hilarity. Given it's a main focus in the story it's good to know I'm keeping things up to a good standard.
And on a final note? Yes, Zeno actually once injured himself trying to be flashy with a sword he owns. Our friendship is filled with terrible jokes and situations such as that from our high school days and beyond, there's a reason he's the inspiration behind the character after all.
Is he going to get payback in some form? It's possible, just as I'm referencing events that have actually happened he has just as much material on me. Not that I mind, if it makes you all laugh and enjoy the reading of our respective stories who am I to complain?
Without further ado, enjoy!
]l[
By the time the four were approaching Planeptune's central city it was already around the five in the afternoon. Spirits were pretty high, the group laughing and chatting animatedly about anything and everything. Even IF had lightened up somewhat and was contributing, trading snark back and forth with Axel while the other two merely laughed as they tried one-upping one another. Compa, of course, had taken to the news of Neptune being Purple Heart without much trouble, the girl merely blinking and tilting her head before stating that she was still Nep-Nep to her regardless of who she was.
Naturally, the reason why everybody was so cheery was Neptune herself, the girl was optimistic and happy already to begin with before but at the moment it seemed she was on cloud nine. Her good mood was infectious, Compa and IF easily falling into it before Axel too found himself cracking a smile from the scowl he had been wearing..he'd slip it back on of course but there weren't people around at the moment besides the other three. "Sheesh Neptune, you're just filled with energy aren't you?"
"Of course I am Axxy! I'm the pro of protags and my friends are sticking with me through thick and thin, I'm so amped up I could Nep ALLLLL the monsters in the world and still be ready for more! Besides, the serious moments aren't due for a chapter or two"
"Yeah yeah... let's just take that one step at a time, some of us have limits." Axel didn't bother trying to figure the last bit of gibberish, writing it off as Nep being Nep.
Axel naturally knew it was more than just her friend's acceptance of her that had raised her spirits so high, sure there were the promises they made to visit her and stay friends even when Gamindustri was saved as well but well... it was tough to ignore something when you were a cause of it. It was especially difficult given how the pint-sized CPU would glance his way with a knowing smile and a playful look in her eyes when she'd catch him blushing as the memory replayed in his head. When she wasn't skipping and twirling ahead of them she was all but attached to his arm and nuzzling against him like an over-affectionate cat.
Needless to say, Axel was flustered though he was playing it off decently, or at least that was what he was hoping anyway from how Compa and IF were watching the two interact. The nurse at least went with his whole 'pep talk' bit while IF merely eyed him for a moment before shrugging it off. Thankfully being so close to the city meant she couldn't transform into Purple Heart, he wasn't sure if he could handle that right now. There wasn't any dancing around the matter regardless, it had happened. She had kissed him and he had enjoyed it, once his skull had finish rebooting from the shock anyway.
Most people would probably be jumping and shouting in joy over such a thing but most people were not Axel. For someone who was more likely to hiss and shut himself up in a nice cold room and sleep rather than deal with sunlight and people outside of his very small circle of friends before his life had done a one-eighty a week or so ago, this was all new and unknowable territory. He wasn't some dense protagonist when it came to women, once he actually sat and thought about things it was tough to ignore the writing on the wall. Neptune and Compa admired him, despite acting in his usual asshat manner they looked up to him, and it was probably going past the friend level at this point. In some twisted and unholy way, his father was right.
He did not like that thought, not one bit. Already picturing that idiotic smile of his was making him inwardly twitch as he couldn't help but look forward to socking him a few times though he didn't let the others catch wind, cracking one of his fingers here and there as he debated what to start with. A dropkick? Lariat? Clobber him with Clementine and hope his mother doesn't interrupt or stop them? So many choices...
Not to mention there was that damned scanner ability of his, if he so wanted he could see just how much he had grown on the two though that seemed... off, not to mention he was a bit twitchy at seeing just where on the scale Neptune had gone after their little moment. Sure he wasn't foreign to attachments and such but THIS was well beyond what he had any experience with. Noticing the feelings was one thing, figuring how he should go about dealing with them made him want to go lurk under a large rock and not come out... with Neptune clinging to his arm he resisted the urge to claw at his hair in frustration, keeping a small honest smile on his face as he watched her.
"H-hey, c'mon now Neptune you'll be yanking my arm off at this rate." He mumbled half-heartedly after fighting down the urge to blush for what felt like the millionth time since beginning their trek. It'd be nice if there was a transit system or something for them all to use rather than walk, this whole thing just felt like some excuse for a higher power to force exposition and the like. No sooner had that thought flickered into his head it found itself shattered and thrown out as Neptune leaned up and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"D'awww, Axxy you're so adorable when you get shy!" That Cheshire cat smile she was giving him screamed she was doing all of this on purpose... flirty Neptune was a new and dangerous foe he couldn't hope to fight against. At least not yet anyway, rolling his eyes and mumbling to himself he tried his best to tune her out. IF and Compa giggling, however, made his head snap in their direction with a weak glare sent their way.
"It's not funny!"
"Seems pretty funny, must've been a good pep talk you gave her." IF smirked, crossing her arms while Compa giggled to herself.
"This is the highest spirits I've seen Nep-Nep in, I'm starting to feel tired just watching her!"
Axel simply grunted and continued putting one foot in front of the other, at least until he felt some added weight on his other arm. "Eh?" He glanced down only to be met with Compa wrapped around his remaining arm and smiling shyly up at him. Doubting she'd let go even if he asked her to, not that he would, of course, he simply settled for letting the two girls drag him along. He forced a bit of a scowl on his face though it likely wouldn't do him much good with his cheeks red in embarrassment.
"You know, maybe we won't have any trouble..push comes to shove we can just throw Axel at the other CPUs and hope they help us." IF piped in with an amused voice, Axel's left eye twitching which only made her smirk grow.
"What am I some kinda goddess chew toy or something here? As if that'd work..."
"Well, you are a nice person Axxy. I'm sure the other goddesses won't want to fight if you just ask them." Compa nodded, only adding more fuel to the fire as far as he was concerned.
"Psssh, they wouldn't stand a chance if we threw Axxy at 'em! Especially if their the lonely tsundere types with no friends! Boom! Critical hit! Headshot! It's super effective! Axxy is the bane of any Goddess or trope personality related girls!"
"Knock it off already!" Axel grunted, really not liking where this conversation was going.
"I don't know, seems to me it's a double-edged sword..sure he's got some kind of weird popularity with girls but he seems pretty weak to 'em himself. You two got him trained pretty well already after all."
"I'll get you for that later Iffy." Axel grumbled while she simply laughed at his reaction.
"You'd have to get free of those two first Axxy and I don't see that happening anytime soon."
Now he couldn't help but want to get to the city sooner, if only there would be people around and the faint hope they'd stop clinging to him as much. "We're hitting the city in a bit, let's try not to draw any attention to ourselves yeah? No telling where that old lady may be y'know?"
]l[
"So everybody know how this is gonna go? We grab what we gotta grab to prepare for the trip, meet back up at the Sky Harbor by nine o'clock." Axel glanced around, despite the troubles Planeptune was facing the city was still a bustling hub of activity. "Compa, Neptune, and I handle the food, IF handles all the other important bits."
"Got it Axxy!"
"Understood!"
"Yeah, about that... how about Nep and Compa handle the food and you follow me, Axel." IF spoke up, tilting her head as the other three stared at her a bit confused.
"Eh?"
"Huh?"
"Iffy's trying to get some Axxy time for herself eh?" Neptune grinned only for IF to roll her eyes.
"No idea what you're talking about, anyways, I'm sure Compa can be the responsible one when it comes to Neptune and keep her from buying nothing but pudding. I may need a bit of help when it comes to picking out some things and it'd be easier to have you around for that. Besides, if nothing else you could carry some things and it makes sure the other two focus instead of goofing off with you."
Before Compa or Axel could hope to ask any questions or argue Neptune had stepped forward and gave IF a thumbs up. "Sure, we'll loan you Axxy for the day!"
"I'm not a damn rent a bishie or something y'know-"
"But Nep-Nep.."
"Now now Compa, we can't be the only ones he gets affection points with after all! As for you Axxy between you and Iffy's smarts, I'm expecting a lot of good items and gear!" With that, she grabbed the nurse's hand and dashed off towards one of the market districts while Axel and IF could only stare as she nearly left a dust cloud behind them. "Onwards to the food!" Before she got too far away she managed to turn and shout out to the two standing there dumbfounded. "Axxy! Better get that Iffy flag or else I'll have to give you a lecture about how you're being lazy!
"Slow down Nep-Nep I'll trip at this rate...!"Compa squeaked as she soon disappeared around a corner.
"Not even going to try and figure that one out?" IF spoke quietly as the two watched the spectacle that was their two friends getting farther and farther away
"Nope, at this point I just chalk it all up to Neptune having her own orbit and we're all just floating along as she does what she wants. Neptune operates and thinks on an entirely separate plane of existence that we'd probably just get headaches trying to figure out. "
"Seems a wise decision... well, let's get going." Not wasting any more time the brunette turned and made her way towards one of the market districts, Axel sighing a bit before following after her.
"So... mind telling me why we're going against the plan?"
"To be honest, I think it's better this way, I've done some thinking after seeing how everyone fights and I've decided to fix some things."
"Things?" He glanced her way, raising an eyebrow.
"Tell me, how does everyone fight from your point of view Axel." IF said simply, crossing her arms behind her head as they walked. This conversation just may piss the guy off but better to be honest and get it out of the way than ignore it.
"Well, let's see... first off Neptune, I guess. Pretty balanced I'd say, she packs a solid punch.. and she's picked up a support spell or two from what I could see. Type of fighter who can't go wrong any way she goes..then there's when she transforms and gets that extra oomph to her abilities."
"Pretty good observation, I'm impressed."
"That kinda stings Iffy. Sayin' I'm an idiot or something?"
"Compa?" IF chose to ignore the question, too easy an opportunity to tease him and they may get off-track if she took it.
"Just glossing right over the question huh? Obviously, without her we're in bad shape, she's our healer but she's got surprisingly more attack ability than you'd think from looking at her. I mean she's not Neptune but we don't have to panic if we see a monster go after her." He shrugged. "Not to mention that damned needle..." Axel shook his head, inwardly shivering at the thought of getting poked by that thing. It wasn't that he had a fear of needles but that thing looked like it would take the life out of someone if she filled it to the brim.
Now that he thought about it that image was just too damn disturbing to let linger in his head... he shook his head vigorously to try and be rid of such nightmare material. Give her an evil laugh and some dark form and she'd be a boss he wouldn't mess with. Oh yes, Compa as the true final villain...
Nep all of that noise.
"Not bad, and you're not wrong, okay, myself?" IF's voice broke Axel out of his self-induced spiral into places best not mentioned and he blinked as he brought himself back to reality. Idly he realized how he just used the word Nep and couldn't but groan, he was sincerely hoping that kind of thing didn't stick...
"You're damn near as fast as I am, you've got magic to blast enemies clustered together and you're no slouch when it comes to close combat. Honestly between you, Neptune and Compa just you three alone cover each other's weaknesses pretty well, I'd say."
"Thanks for that, now my final question... how would you evaluate yourself?" IF had stopped, keeping her eyes ahead as Axel tilted his head in thought. This would be where they'd either argue and would result in a very long and frustrating trip with him..or things would work out. Honestly, she was hoping with everything she had it would be the latter, their teamwork would suffer if he took what was about to come the wrong way.
"Where do I stand fight wise... well.." He glanced upwards, scratching his chin. "I'm probably the fastest of the group, maybe on the same level of speed as you give or take. I'm pretty solid with attacks and I can manage crits pretty easy. Plus I got the whole transformation bit going for me when we need it."
Here IF sighed, this would be the potentially shit-storm causing part of the conversation. "While I agree as far as offense goes you're the best we have, at least until Neptune goes HDD that's really all you bring to the table, Axel."
"Eh?" His head snapped in her direction a bit faster than what she would have liked.
"Hear me out, sure you've got bashing enemies in spades but at what cost? Your defense is pretty poor unless you transform and even then it's at a standard level. You can survive maybe one good hit as you are before you're needing a heal. When you transform you get a bit of a boost to your defense but you can take maybe two or three hits at most even then... sure you get faster on your feet and you hit harder but you can't rely on luck and speed forever you know."
Axel had gone quiet now, tucking his hands in his pockets as he closed his eyes.
"I'm not saying you're a liability but if we're going to be working together as a group it's best we know our strengths as well as our weaknesses. Against normal monsters they may as well just disappear into credits and EXP at the sight of you... but against a boss? Without help, you can't go one on one even on your best day unless you go HDD... it's fine to have a trump card but you can't rely on that every encounter where you're put in a corner. Keep going as you are and that luck of yours may run out sooner than you think..."
"Tch..."
"And besides that? You have two skills, one you can't even use yet without transforming first. No support or offensive magic, just an attack that lowers an enemy's defense and that scanner." Here she crossed her arms, looking off to the side rather than see his reaction. "I hate to say it but you're a bit of a one-trick pony Axel, the only strategy you really have is to go all out right off the bat and hope for the best... and what happens when that high-risk high-reward type of doing things takes a turn for the worse?"
"Game over..." Was his quiet reply, his only reply as he stood still as a statue with his fists balled tightly and his eyes hidden under his bangs.
"Game. Over. Nep and Compa adore you, even I'll admit you're a nice enough guy in small doses..." IF blushed just faintly before forcing it down and clearing her throat. "We lose you? It would break them, Axel... I can't see them ever getting the resolve to see this thing through if you're six feet under." Turning back to look at him she sighed as she straightened herself. "Yell and get angry with me as much as you want about it but I'm just stating the facts as I see them, I pulled you away from those two because I didn't want to hear a lot of arguing from them for pointing out your faults."
The silence that lingered between them left her feeling uneasy but she had said what she felt needed to be said... if Axel threw a fit over this they'd just have to work through it. She couldn't help but tense up when he raised his hand, getting herself ready to dodge whatever hit he was about to send her way though when he instead only ruffled her hair with a sigh she could only blink in shock. "...Axel?"
"When you're right you're right Iffy, there's no skirting around that truth. Looking back at a few of our fights I've gotten by pretty much by luck, I mean damn the Guard Vermin alone would have been the end of me if not for Nep. Kinda irritating to realize honestly." He tucked his hands in his pockets, a bit an annoyed look coming to his face "I don't exactly like hearing it but can't expect Neptune or Compa to go telling me."
"So... you aren't mad? At all?"
"You're just lookin' out for me and the others, someone in this bunch has to keep my head out of the clouds. Neptune and Compa pump me up to the point I think I can take on anything some days even when I honestly can't. It's not a bad thing but if there's someone that's going to knock me down a peg or two to remind me I've got limits just like everybody else it may as well be you." He managed a quiet chuckle, grinning a bit. "You've got your head screwed on better than the rest of us after all."
Shaking off her surprise IF smiled some herself while swatting away his hand. "Knock it off already, come on we've got some specialty shops to look into before they close."
"Specialty shops?"
"What, you thought I was just going to point out your faults and leave you to fix them yourself or something? We're getting you some new equipment..don't expect me to pay for everything myself, though."
"Yeah yeah... you owe me a pit stop for ruining my mood. There's an arcade down the way we're going."
"Fine, shops first then the arcade."
"Deal."
"And... thanks for not getting mad. I was really worried there for a second."
"Don't worry about it, just shows you're a good person IF... even if you're a complete softie."
"So it's going to be like that then huh?"
"Yep."
"Maybe I should have left you with Neptune and Compa after all."
"Too late for that, you're stuck with me for the day now."
]l[
It had only been about an hour and a half since the two had separated from IF and Axel, so far things had gone quite well apparently today a lot of sales and specials were going on when it came to the market. Thankfully Compa was in charge of the money otherwise, Neptune would have spent everything on snacks and pudding, not that she didn't manage to weasel a few here and there with the quivering lip treatment. Neptune's mood, however, had yet to dim even in the slightest even if she wasn't able to buy all the pudding she could find and Compa was growing more and more curious.
"Nep-Nep be careful, you've nearly slammed into several people already." Compa called out as the smaller girl spun to avoid yet another random person as she skipped along.
"Sorry Compa, can't help it! I'm just so happy today I can't contain myself!" She brushed herself off, somehow not dropping any of the bags she was carrying as she moved ahead of Compa. "Don't see why it has to be today, though, couldn't we just shop in Lastation?"
Compa shook her head as she hurried to keep up while watching for any good bargains. "Axxy got some news from Mr. Ze-Ze that Lastation is having some trouble and prices for goods have shot up all over, we'd be paying a lot more than we need to."
Bringing a hand to her chin as she processed the information Neptune nodded a few times. "As expected of our hero in training, using those wits of his. He'll be just short of my protagonist level in no time!" She then suddenly blinked as something came to her. "Huh? Wait... Mr. Ze-Ze?" She tilted her head, looking to Compa curiously who only laughed to herself.
"It's easier to say than Zenotyne, I couldn't help it."
"That's... GENIUS Compa! Way to save on letters! Ze-Ze, I think that's gonna stick easily!"
"Huh? Save on... letters?"
"Don't worry about it, more food hunting! My stomach is growling already!" With that she hurried off, making a beeline towards a vendor selling funnel cakes. "Compaaaaaaa... we can share one, we have more than enough money, c'mon c'mon!"
Rolling her eyes with a small sigh Compa couldn't help but smile as she followed after her at a relaxed pace. "Okay, okay, this is the last thing we buy though Nep-Nep. We should grab something for Iffy and Axxy at some point too. But Nep-Nep I've been meaning to ask, what happened between you and Axxy that's got you so cheery? Wouldn't you normally be fussing if you got too far away from Axxy?"
The nurse in training wasn't exaggerating either, between the sparring sessions, random battles and otherwise Neptune was hardly ever too far away from her fellow hack and slasher. Neptune only beamed Compa a proud smile as she struck a victorious pose. "I'm not worried because I managed to strike first! I invaded Axelvania in a daring nepkrieg and planted my flag, I'm the main heroine so it's only right I manage it first and get the first major fluff moment!" She nodded to herself at her logic, not catching she was only confusing Compa even further.
"Nep... krieg... ? Flags? Fluff...moment?" Now Compa was even more curious, Nep-Nep was just making it worse. "Umm...huh?"
Seeing the bewildered state of her friend Neptune scratched the back of her head. "Oh, right, guess it might be easier just to tell you huh? Sorry about that, still on cloud nine a little bit." She glanced upwards, her smile softening. "Well... I was feeling pretty down once I got some of my memories back, really wasn't looking forward to going back to how things used to be just from that little bit I had seen. The whole Console War thing feels pretty pointless when I've got you, Axxy, and Iffy with me... didn't want to go back to days of fighting over and over once we save Histy. Axxy found me, gave me a soulful pep talk and promised me he'd find a way for us to stay friends when it's all said and done...then well..." The girl blushed, her smile widening as she slipped from one foot to another while the memory replayed itself in her head.
"Sounds like Axxy, but what happened from there Nep-Nep?" Compa had an odd feeling now, something had happened between the two and her curiosity wasn't going to leave her alone until she had figured it out.
"Well, he was just so... I don't know, honest with everything he said. Wasn't trying to use his cool guy persona for anything or play off what he felt like some lonely tsundere. Told me he'd do anything to make me smile and be happy again and I knew he meant it so... I seized the moment and kissed him when his guard wasn't up! It was his own fault, using those lady-killer skills of his."
And just like that all of Compa's thoughts came to a screeching halt as that information sank in... her eyes widening as she processed that fact after mentally rebooting once or twice. "Y-you kissed Axxy Nep-Nep...?!" She was having trouble controlling the volume of her voice from one extreme to the other but Neptune thankfully didn't seem to notice how it was fluctuating. "I-I see... that... that explains your good mood then."
"Yep! I... kinda expected him to push me away or tell me I was being annoying or something but once he got over his surprise he kissed back... short as it was, it was... well... nice." She smiled, turning to Compa only to blink as she took note of her troubled expression. "Compa? Hey, you okay there Compa?"
Snapping out of her own thoughts Compa forced a smile and waved her hand reassuringly. "O-Oh, yes I'm fine Nep-Nep! I'm happy you finally got the courage to act Nep-Nep, I'm sure you two will be... very... very happy together, yep, very happy!" Not wanting the conversation to go on any longer she moved ahead, or at least she had tried too before Neptune had caught one of her sleeves and refused to let go. "Nep-Nep, we should hurry we still have a lot of shops to see before-"
"Hey, Compa... I'm sorry, I guess I kind of forgot you have a thing for him too when I said all of that."
"It's-It's oaky Nep-Nep, I'm fine... really!" She did her best to keep her usual cheeriness in her tone, turning to look Neptune's way to try and convince her only to be caught by surprise as the smaller girl hugged her.
"Come on now Compa, we're a party now so no tugging my hoodie strings like that when I can see something's wrong. It may not actually be there but I can pretty much see the rain cloud floating over your head now. As this story's protagonist I can't let you be upset because of me, that'd make me a bad main character and ruin my image for my fans after all! Tell you what, I've got a great idea on how to fix this!"
"F-fix? Nep-Nep what are you-"
"We'll just share Axxy, simple as that! This way we don't end up fighting over him and ruining our friendship, everybody wins!"
"Sh... SHARE?!" Compa couldn't help but say much louder than she intended, a few people stopping and staring at the two before continuing on with their business. "But Nep-Nep that's... how would we..."
"Come on now Compa, we both know Axxy is too much of a nice guy to force himself to pick anyone if he had to. He'd just end up banging his head against a wall forever until he triggered a bad ending and ended up alone or captured by Arsnore and put through some possible terrible adult-rated scenario. Can't be having that so we'll save him the trouble." Neptune beamed a smile up at her, shooting her a thumbs up.
"Nep-Nep, are... are you sure about this? I mean what if he isn't alright with it..." Hopeful as she was it wouldn't do her any good to go getting too far ahead of herself.
"Well..., he might freak out a little. ..may overheat, or just suffer a massive nosebleed that'll shoot him into a wall but I think things will be okay, and if he doesn't agree we'll just tell him he doesn't have a choice. He can't say no when I go HDD after all! From this day on we're starting our own club, the Axxy Fanclub!"
Unable to help herself Compa began to giggle before she patted Neptune's head. "Okay Nep-Nep, I'll be putting my faith in you. But... what do we do if someone else gets interested in Axxy?"
This succeeded in making Neptune pause, the girl bringing a hand to her chin as she mulled over that scenario. "Hm... hm... well, it's a possibility, he doesn't know how to turn off that charm of his even if he says he doesn't have any a hundred times. We'll just see if they meet our standards before we induct them or not then! Maybe quiz 'em on a lot of Axxy related things like his height or birthday... or make it a requirement they drag him on four dates or something like in one of those Dating Sim games."
"But... we don't know that stuff either Nep-Nep."
"Baby steps! We gotta even the score first Compa so things are fair between us first! Ooh, looks like something's going on over there, let's go!" With that Neptune dashed off towards where a crowd was forming, leaving Compa standing there smiling to herself.
"The Axel Fanclub../" She murmured to herself, she kind of liked the sound of it. Though she shook off her thoughts and hurried after Neptune before she lost sight of her. "Nep-Nep, stop running off every opportunity...!"
]l[
Between the two of them IF and Axel had managed to find a good number of upgrades when it came to equipment, and with a bit of haggling and inspecting, they had managed a number of deals to boot. At the moment they were browsing a clothing and armor shop, IF leaning against the door of a changing room as she waited on Axel to finish trying on what she had picked out. It was kind of nice to pick at him and carry a conversation without Compa or Neptune making things fly off the rails, though she couldn't help but groan as Axel began the next round...
"Awesome Heart"
"Goddess no..."
"Hm... Axer Heart?"
"Lame."
"Zerker Heart! Rage Heart! ...Bass Heart?"
"Come on, are you even trying Axel?"
"You've shot down every damn one I can think of, that's twenty-seven in a row now IF! Gah... c'mon think... how about... A-X Heart?"
"That's...that isn't too bad actually. Best one you've thought of so far. Stick with that one, anyway, how is it fitting?"
"It fits... but are you sure this stuff is worth it?" Not that he doubted IF's eyes when it came to gear but this stuff hardly seemed special as he looked himself over. Instead of the usual tank-top and jeans he usually wore before he was now sporting a white deep v-neck t-shirt parted down the middle of his chest, a black leather military styled jacket over it, and of course matching pants and fingerless gloves. He couldn't lie, IF had an eye for taste as far as he was concerned but it still felt a little bit much.
"That's genuine Fenrir leather you're wearing, not exactly standard material. Besides giving you a bit of resistance to the elements it's also blessed to increase it's durability, as far as defense goes it's the best option there is for you. Anything else and you're going into heavier gear that would weigh you down, we're looking to compliment your speed, not hamper it."
Letting out a sharp whistle Axel threw a few punches in the air, testing it for himself. "Not bad... isn't confining for me at all..." Twisting to look at the mirror once more he nodded in approval. "Doesn't restrict my movements even in the slightest, and it looks pretty damn bad ass on me all together I'll admit." Bonus points that it went with his favorite black combat boots too.
"You wouldn't get the full benefit unless we bought the full set, it's a little pricey but in your case, it's worth it I'd say. Now quit stalling and let me see for myself already."
"Yeah yeah... laughing though or I'm walking out of here." With that, he opened the door and stepped out, IF circling him as she looked him over from head-to-toe. Axel admittedly felt a little-flustered being on display for her like this but he ignored those feelings as she nodded her approval.
"Not bad, not bad at all really. Black leather suits you nicely...though..." She stepped forward, not caring for his personal space as she reached up and ran her hand through his hair before she began fussing with it.
"H-hey, what are you doing?!"
"Relax... just fixing your hair, there... much better." She smiled as she appreciated her work. "An unruly look suits you better... and it compliments the look pretty well. See for yourself." She grabbed his arm and dragged him back into the changing room before pushing him in front of the mirror.
"You're real pushy today aren't you? Hope this doesn't turn into a habit for you." He grumbled before inspecting himself once more, while he wasn't one to usually mess with his hair aside from cleaning it IF had given it a messy kind of look, it didn't look too bad if he had to judge it for himself.
"Judging from the bangs nearly in your eyes and how it's just barely on your shoulders you don't plan on cutting it, besides it completes the bad boy look you've got going now I'd say... even if it's just for show." She smirked as he rolled his eyes. "Black leather, dark auburn hair, turquoise eyes... maybe if we're lucky the other CPUs will stare at you rather than fight and things can stay nice and simple."
"Sure, keep joking, now I'm regretting this..." He mumbled, shaking his head.
"Oh relax, you can handle a little teasing, besides,I think Compa and Neptune will definitely like the new look. You're about as durable as the rest of us so we shouldn't have to worry about you getting knocked out from one bad attack now." She tossed him his wallet which felt much lighter than he liked but this was for his sake. "You pay half and I pay half when it comes to this... only thing your missing is an accessory and I already covered that for you."
"Eh? Like a bangle or something?"
"Better." She fished something from one of the many pockets of her coat and hung it around his neck before smiling. "A skill crystal, one of the shops we passed had one in stock, took the liberty of adding a few skills I felt would suit you best to it. You've got a decent support ability and a few attack skills... and since it's tied to the crystal you can manage them just by wearing it in spite of your poor magic skill. We might be able to augment it with more when we hit the other cities if we're lucky..just bear in mind these aren't cheap so you better appreciate me going through the trouble."
Idly he fingered at the small crystal as he inspected it, of course, she'd grab the one that matched his eyes..and he couldn't argue with what she had picked..they were basic but he'd make good use of them. "Thanks, Iffy, I'll have to try 'em all out once we hit Lastation. I owe you."
"Don't worry about it, now all we need is a pair of glasses..." As he scowled at her she rolled her eyes. "What you thought I wouldn't notice how you'd squint in some fights? Guessing you don't bother with any kind of ranged weapon since you're near-sighted." Her only response was Axel grumbling under his breath as he glanced off to the side. "That's a yes then... fine, we'll skip on getting you a pair for now, we've spent enough as it is."
"Zeno probably has a pair for me anyway... much as I hate wearing the damn things. Probably left them in the base... again."
"Any reason why we're waiting so late to go see him? Been meaning to ask about that." Paying for the goods they both exited the store while Axel simply shrugged.
"The Hero Brigade started in Lastation, we've got a place there which has more than enough room for us and then some. Besides, figured we may as well enjoy Planeptune while we can... no telling when we might be able to come back. Plus I think it'd be nice for Nep to run around here. I shot Zeno a text about when to expect us so it's not like he'll be waiting there pointlessly for hours not knowing what's going on."
"Can't fault your logic there, I just hope those two stay out of trouble. Seems like there's some commotion going on..." While things had been quiet for the two there seemed to be something going on in the city judging from how people seemed to be in a bit of a panic, every now and then they had nearly been collided into. "Probably just a monster or two judging from the shouting..I'm sure Planeptune's military will handle it."
"We'd be too slow getting there any way I'm betting... anyways, we've got a name for my HDD... any idea just what the hell I should say I am? Maybe a GPU or something?"
"GPU? Goddess Protection Unit? Or Gamindustri Protection Unit, something like that? They sound alright but I'm pretty sure one of those might be copyrighted..."
"Eh?"
"Don't worry about it, you'll figure something now-"
"Outta the way! Outta the way!"
That loud shout had been the duo's only warning before something small, red, and very fast collided into IF and sent her to the ground. "Oww! Seriously, again with this?! What did I tell you about corners Nep!" Axel's snickering only made her growl before shooting a glare in his direction. "Thanks for the help there Axxy, such a gentleman..." She shot out with sarcasm almost literally dripping from her words.
"Oh if looks could kill Iffy, but that isn't Neptune."
"Then who the hell is it?!" She glared to the perpetrator who only smiled down at her.
"Aww, what's the matter? Did you bump your head and that's what has you cranky? You're not allowed to be sleepy yet even if you need a nap!"
Axel would forever remember the utterly flabbergasted look IF had on her face at that statement, and from the glare she had shot him she was very aware of his thoughts. He already liked this shooting red bullet. "Well, she has been walking around all day... she might just need a nap."
"Can it Axel! I'm not sleepy! Who are you?! G-get off me already!" With that, she began flailing her arms for all the good it did her while she was pinned.
Her attacker only shook her head before smiling brightly. "Oh my, no can do. When you tell me to get off, it just makes me not want to. Sorry!"
Axel really liked this girl.
IF glared his way as a shit-eating grin came to his face and he fought the urge to cackle. IF opened her mouth to retort only to suddenly have an idea, traveling with her new odd friends had prepared her for this sort of thing. "Then... don't get off me?"
"Don't worry, I have no intention of doing so."
...Or so she had thought. 'Goddess dammit...' She mused irritably in her mind before she resumed her struggle. "Ugh! Just get off, seriously Axel quit standing there and help already!"
"Yeah yeah... up we go tiny terror." Before IF could possibly cause an incident he scooped up the other girl, tugging her up by one of her sleeves.
"H-hey, no need to manhandle me Mr. Biker! I'm not looking for hubbys!" She of course struggled and flailed about much like IF had done but he set her own on her feet gently before she could put up much fuss. IF had taken the opportunity to bolt upright and glare Axel's way before turning her attention to the newest person to go colliding into her. "Well, she's a demanding one, isn't she? You didn't have to get up so quickly you know."
"Oh you have no idea, she's a regular slave driver when she's in one of her moods let me tell ya."
"About time you help.." She grumbled, remembering his little comment for later while Axel merely smiled and ignored the killing intent she threw his way before she composed herself. "Just who are you? Why'd you come barreling into me? Didn't go and hurt yourself did you?"
The girl herself was just an inch or two shorter than IF, despite that and her childlike appearance however she was certainly well endowed. If IF had noticed this and was bothered she had one hell of a poker face about it if Axel was one to judge. Very fair skin color much like himself and black eyes, with bright red hair with some of it from the left side of head worn in a fashion similar to a side of a ribbon, held by a black ribbon with yellow beads on the end. She had white highlights on her bangs on the right side and on the end of the tied hair on the left side. Honestly, she stood out like a sore thumb just like he did.
As far as clothes went she was certainly unique in her tastes. A dark gray and black, collared sleeveless vest with gold trimming and red stitching with some red circular-like logo on the back of it. A golden trimmed, light blue Magatama on her chest with a smaller version of it behind the bottom of the back of her vest. Red detached sleeves with cherry blossom flower patterns and has a black. On the top of her sleeves are black frills, and at the near bottom end are golden five-petaled patterns with golden linings at the top and bottom of the patterns.
She was wearing a golden trimmed, red skirt designed like it was separated into five large petal-shaped sections. The skirt had cherry blossom flower patterns similar to her sleeves and black tight shorts with red linings at the bottom. Red, textile ankle cuffs with cherry blossom flower patterns similar to her sleeves and skirt with black socks that only reach through her to her ankle cuffs. On her feet were red getas with light brown wooden bases and a Magatama, similar to the ones on her chest, on the straps on each side.
And lastly, of course, was the golden serpent-like dragon with red eyes that was wrapped around her waist... and watching him. Axel resisted the urge to poke it and see how it would react, for once something chaotic was happening to someone besides himself and he'd be damned if he'd ruin that. The girl looked around before she gave herself a once over for any possible damage before shrugging and smiling brightly. "Nope, not even a scratch thanks to you protecting me with your body..." The last bit had come out airily and both couldn't but twitch at that.
IF couldn't help but grumble as she replied. "It wasn't intentional... trust me."
Axel meanwhile had felt a cold shiver run down his spine as he had already assumed this tiny red devil was a miniature Scarlet and took a single step backward.
"Ooh, modesty sure is a turn-on! I like your humble attitude!"
That being said, it was nice to see someone else suffer... and she at least didn't seem to be a secret sadist.. .at least so far anyway. IF merely blinked and closed her eyes as she crossed her arms and waved that comment off. The other girl, however, wasn't deterred in the slightest as she continued speaking.
"What's your name, chick? My name is Red. Y'know, R-E-D, Red! Who is the guy who looks like he should be carrying around a gun sword and have a scar on his face while we're at it? Is he your minion? Boyfriend? Husband? Bestie male friend? Pocket tank that you feed to keep from disappearing forever?"
Both at least had the decency to blush at some of those implications, though by the end of it Axel was somewhat annoyed and IF had a pleased smirk as karma seemed to be siding with her just a little once again. "I'm IF. And... 'Chick...?' That just doesn't feel right, as for him..."
"Axel, A-X-E-L. Got it memorized?" He cut in before she could get any verbal jabs in, Axelvania was not under attack in this situation. Oh no, he was going to ensure it was only Iffyville that suffered...
'Wait... Axelvania? Just how in the hell did that pop in my head...' He scratched at his scalp a bit, somewhat worried Neptune's influence was eroding his own sanity and sense of normalcy. Because aside from IF he was most certainly one of the more sane and normal ones of the bunch so far.
...Right?
Closing one eye and pointing in IF's direction the girl got a confident grin to her face as she spoke loud enough for everyone within earshot to hear. "Fine, Iffy! From now on, you're gonna be my wifey!"
The war between Axelvania and Iffyville was ended in an instant, a decisive and utterly merciless victory that would long be remembered throughout history. A number of people were staring at the three, IF was utterly mortified, Axel's grin was threatening to split his face and Red was as damned happy as she could be with everything going on. IF could only stare in shock at the girl before Axel's cackling made her glare in his direction. "Stop laughing already! Don't make me kick you again!"
"Uh-oh, it looks like Iffy..."
She knew what was coming, her left eye began to twitch. "Axel... don't you dare... I swear by the goddesses above I'll..."
"...IS SEEING RED..!"
"AXEL...!" She was annoyed, ready to deliver just and righteous punishment. She had warned him, now she was going to have to knock him out again. It was for his own good after all, he was clearly enjoying this too much. She, however, froze completely as another new sound filled her ears.
RED was laughing, holding her sides before she skipped up to Axel. The two fist bumping as if they were old friends "That was great! You're hilarious you know that!"
Axel had found his new best friend, and she was a good weapon to use against IF to boot!
IF meanwhile would burn that image of the two instantly bonding in her mind, she'd need it for inspiration when she'd ensure he have some regrets for his actions that later on... "Me?! You're wife?! Do you even know what you're saying...?!"
"Of course. Whoever I love becomes my wifey, y'know? Like, marriage? Consecrating the vows... oh, you can be the best man Axel!"
"Oh RED, I feel as if we're going to have a friendship that the world will envy...I gladly accept!"
"More like dread..." IF mumbled in a deadpan tone before she sighed. "You're not wrong, but..."
"I called dibs on you, and nobody has challenged that for ten minutes so now it's official, right?"
"That... doesnot make any sense at all."
"Hush IF, don't fight your feelings!"
"Quiet Axel!"
A frown came to Red's face and her eyes lost some of their luster as she began to pout. "You don't wanna be my wifey...?"
"That's really not the point here..." IF mumbled, feeling just a tiny bit guilty for how dejected she seemed now. Red all but instantly went back to her cheery self as she held up her sleeves. "Okay, then it's decided! Yay! First wifey obtained! Now I must look for more!
If Axel died from laughing at this point he would be happy with his fate, this shit was gold. Pure, majestic, hilarious gold. IF meanwhile was trying to keep herself from pulling her hair in frustration before she blinked as an idea came to her. Turnabout was fair play after all. "Look, Red... it's not that I don't want to be your wifey... I'm on an important quest to save all of Gamindustri with Axel here. Without me around we're all but doomed if we leave it up to him and the other girls that follow him around."
Axel's eyes widened as he immediately caught onto her tactic, she wouldn't go that far... right?
"Wait... other girls? What's Wifey Number One talking about Axel?" Her gaze was on him now, and something about it made him afraid. "You don't just travel with Iffy? You're really trying to save the world?"
Laughing nervously he scratched the back of his head. "Well... there's Neptune and Compa... and yeah, we're trying to do something like that." He wasn't sure where this was going now but he had a feeling he wasn't going to like it. His instincts were proven right as Red all but jumped and sat upon his shoulders. "What are you doing...?"
"Oh-kay! I've decided!" She brought her fist down upon her new mount's head, patting it a few times. "You have a wifey magnet ability, I'm going to join your party! By the time we've saved Gamindustri I'll have learned and mastered it for myself, then I'm gonna usurp you, conquer your entire party and make 'em all my wifeys!"
Of all the ways this could have gone neither IF nor Axel had expected anything remotely close to this. Both could only share a glance with one another before they sighed in exasperation, seems they had a new oddball in the group now. "So... the arcade then?"
"Yeah... please, for the love of the goddesses please let's go to the arcade now IF..."
"Onward to the arcade!"
Red at least seemed to have some enthusiasm and cheer while the other two shambled along as if all the life and joy had been sucked out of them.
]l[
[OMAKE]
A Golden Christmas
It could be said that Axel had grown to fear holidays as they approached, they only meant chaos and insanity he had to endure chapter after chapter. He could see why those who worked retail utterly despised such days, especially if they worked for some soul stealing company spread across the globe that refused to let you have any of them off without fighting bosses who had more levels than you did for long extended battles that could last weeks. After so much madness he for once was looking forward to this one.
Why do you ask? Because it was agreed he'd be dealing with the CPU Candidates this chapter and it was something he was quite happy about.
While the CPUs drove him mad some days the Candidates all loved their big brother Axel to death despite their quirks and questionable older sister influences. Just the fact their affection wasn't romantic in nature towards him made him want to dance with glee, not that he was tired of the other women it was just some days it was nice to know there were others who looked up to him rather than trying to look through whatever he was wearing.
Besides, this was his story, when the author that created this world on a whim finally got to Sisters Generation they were his little brother's problem..or rather Nepgear and Uni were but he was starting to lose his train of thought. Either way, things had been planned, decided, and finalized and for once since all of this madness started he was looking forward to the holiday.
One can only imagine his anguish when in the middle of the night the door to his bedroom had been kicked in by an overly enthusiastic B-Sha who promptly jumped onto the bed with him in it and began shouting point blank in his face.
"Merry Christmas! I brought you a present and just because of what day it is I'll only charge five hundred credits for it instead of two thousand!"
Scratch that, he was back to hating holidays again. This was going to be one long night...
Around an hour later a very annoyed Axel was seated in his living room, he was now in a spacious mansion of all things thanks to the various women in his life. Honestly, he gave it one or two chapters before it was blown up or ended up turning into some kind of giant transformer, he doubted nothing when it came to this omake segments. The Gold Third were all seated with him, save for wherever K-Sha happened to be with a multitude of presents for him and each other.. .plus the other presents that had been delivered to him by everyone else.
"Damn non-canon segments... "
Apparently, Nepgear and the others were needed for something important so C-Sha had decided to come along and bring the rest of the group with her so he didn't spend the day alone. At three in the morning everyone had a mug of hot chocolate in their hands and were dressed in their pajamas, Axel, of course, was the designated cook..not surprising since C-Sha and Neptune could and HAD eaten him out of house and home on more than one occasion.
"Come on champ, it's not that bad. How often are we going to get these chances to be together before we hit the Megadimension arc? I had to work up an appetite just keeping up with these two when I told them where we were going." C-Sha as always was happy to be around because it meant she could guilt her friend / possible love interest into feeding her. B-Sha nodded enthusiastically as she downed her mug of melted chocolate and marshmallow goodness before getting a refill, she wasn't a part of his harem... or future harem as it were but they were still besties.
"I can't just leave my sidekick to enjoy the holidays alone! Especially when he doesn't even charge for his awesome cooking! If C-Sha leaves any leftovers I can sell 'em and make a tidy profit!"
Oh right, B-Sha had decided he was her sidekick. He wasn't going to question it and those witnessing this from the fragile fourth walls protecting them were better off accepting it as fact right now and leaving it at that. There were some days she'd barge into his house regardless of what he was doing and drag him off to fight crime and make poses with her as they did so and he had learned long ago there was no telling the orange bazooka toting girl otherwise.
"...'m not interested in spending time here." Came S-Sha's very much expected reply, of the bunch he perhaps got along best with her. That goo man that served her and always talked about his muscles while running around in a speedo royally freaked him out and made him uncomfortable but her nonchalant attitude and tendency to go with the flow meant she was easy to talk to and she didn't have any outrageous moments towards him. Lady at least he could appreciate... in an odd but friendly way anyway. Goo lady with a dogoo head aside she did have a figure, as she so often reminded him. Were he and S-Sha friends? Definitely, anything more? He wasn't sure... the author would probably use this as some strange opportunity to get reader feedback.
Lazy asshat of a higher power that made his life a strange mess all for his and others amusement...
When it came to E-Sha they got along well, even if was mostly through text messages..he couldn't help but swear those two dogoos of hers bugged him and found him more at her request than S-Sha's. The only thing that struck him as odd when it came to the other personality in the body is that E liked getting him in yes or no situations..or at least that's the impression he got. Some were funny, others... well... best not to go into detail there before it's decided.
"Sure you aren't... that just means E-Sha wanted to be here... or you both did and you're just being yourself." She stared at him for a moment before shrugging and taking a small sip from her mug.
At least she wasn't some blonde emo swordsman with an oversized blade that stayed hung up on someone when there was someone else who fought with her bare hands or even a spunky ninja eying him. Not that he wasn't a fan but still, sometimes he just wanted to punch him and ask him if his head was up his ass for the warmth. He liked the pink summoner girl too, she was awesome... and he legitimately dropped his controller that day when it all happened... but shit had happened and that was that. If he really wanted to do right he'd make sure she stays alive in the Kingdom Hearts games and made sure a one-winged nut-job with mommy issues didn't go after her... or he would personally take it upon himself to go flying into that universe to dropkick him... then backhand Sephy.
He was getting off subject again but the point remained... he'd yell Dynamic Entry as he did it and would have no regrets.
"So... I'm gonna regret asking this I'm sure... but where is K-Sha?"
K-Sha, of all the women in his life she was right up there in the top three for making his life a living total hell when it came down to it, she only lost to Iris and Cyan Heart who were tied for the number one position. Knowing her mind was like trying to program a VCR, both were feats that most considered impossible unless you had the manual... and just as in every case of such matters... there was no such manual. The damn yandere shot at him and tried offing him more times than could be hoped to be described in a single sentence due to her love of Noire...
Which meant he was on her shit list for HIS relationship with Noire. Nevermind Uni, oh no they were buddy-buddy after all was said and done. Axel and K-Sha however... nope.
"Dunno champ, she said she had a special present for you and we haven't since her since we got to the front yard." C-Sha spoke up casually, grabbing a nearby plate of cookies and happily munching away.
Axel really didn't like that answer... a K-Sha not in sight was a K-Sha up to something... lining up a shot with a sniper rifle, hanging from the ceiling from a rope above his bed... ever so slowly inching towards his neck with a bowie knife or aiming a revolver point blank in his face. That or just trying to blow him up. He couldn't even describe them as friends... frenemies? Maybe, they did act nice towards each other for Noire's sake when she was around. He could only hope the readers didn't show favor of including her, his life could only handle so much crazy.
Idly he swore he could hear the author cackling at the possibilities but he wrote it off as just hearing things. If he had just made a pun that was also a fourth wall break, he regretted nothing... a lot of walls had been broken already after all.
"Hell with it, let's get this done with, presents?"
"Sounds good to me."
Neptune and Nepgear had made him a new axe that was going to show up sooner or later when it was finished, Noire had gotten him a certain cosplay outfit... all he needed was a pair of butterfly knives and he was good and set for being Hazama and terrorizing Zeno when he had the mood to do so... Blanc had given him a leather bound journal with which to write his own take on their adventures in... Rom and Ram had given him some photos of them pranking Blanc, those would be going on his fridge with pride.
Blanc's felt like an odd gift honestly but it was the thought that counts... personally he felt his writing was utter shit. I mean who would care about his life and the oddness within it?
Vert's apparently was requested it be saved for last so he set it to the side, Uni had gotten him a magnum and while he couldn't picture himself using it... he did like pretending he was Wesker or Alucard some days.
Even heroes get to have silly moments thank you.
As for the Gold Third, C-Sha had gotten him a few dozen cooking books. The message had been clear but he did enjoy cooking so he saw no reason to comment on the obvious. B-Sha? He wouldn't rank them out loud but she easily won Christmas as far as he was concerned. A red cape and gloves... it took everything he had not to scream the lyrics to 'The Hero' along with her. He'd be damned if he'd go shaving his head bald though...
S-Sha and E-Sha had apparently after much trouble got him his very own Cactuar summoning materia, and he was more than happy to do the dance later with his new friend Mr. Prickly when it came to using a certain move that involved a thousand needles.
Plutie had made her very own Axel doll, and while it was more for her than himself it still made him smile. The spiked black leather collar that came from Iris Heart, however, had made him go a shade paler, apparently she had transformed while shopping and thought of him... lucky him...
Rei hadn't gotten him anything special, a business suit complete with teal lining and a matching tie much like her ownA simple gift but he was certain he'd look sharp in it.
Finally, there were but two remaining, Vert's, and the one he could now see had eye holes. "Oh, I wonder what K-Sha has gotten me this year.." He spoke in obvious sarcasm as he inched closer to what he could only suspect was death awaiting him, his left eye twitching as he could faintly hear music coming from it.
"~Consentes Dii Juno, Jupiter, Minerva, Apollo, Mars, Ceres,
Mercurius, Diana, Baccus, Vulcanus, Pluto, Vesta, Venus~"
"...Oh, shit..."
The Mirai Nikki theme, this was going to sting... a lot.
That would be the only thing he'd get in edgewise before K-Sha popped up with two uzis pointed at him, there was a split second of silence before the house exploded in the sounds of gunfire, the rest of the Gold Third had gotten used to this and simply waited for the results. "Merry Christmas." K-Sha spoke simply, emptying her magazines and reloading them as the dust cloud faded away leaving one pissed Axel sitting in the mangled remains of his pajamas.
"Y'know K-Sha? You wanna shoot me, fine... but shoot me in my own damned HOUSE?! I've had enough!" In an instant he was in his HDD mode, popping his knuckles as a bloodthirsty grin came to his face. "It's a beautiful day outside... carolers are singing... snowflakes are falling... on days like these..." A black aura began to envelop him as he began taking step after step towards her as he was getting ready to start a proper holiday bash. "Yanderes like you..." He drew his fist back... "SHOULD. BE. BURNING. IN...!"
S-Sha had taken that moment to stand rather conveniently between the two, holding Vert's present out to him. "E-Sha wants you to open this first."
Growling Axel powered down and undid the box, he'd deal with K-Sha later... he'd make sure of that. When the top of it came undone there was but a single photo laying face down with a card over it. Blinking and unable to help his curiosity he picked up the card first and opened it, given recent events he was surprised Chika wasn't trying to murder him through a booby-trapped present. Clearing his throat he began to read out loud. "Axel, I've always wanted a little brother or sister to dote on... you've given... me... some... thing.. .better...?"
The women in the room all stared at him as if he had grown a second head, Axel himself was twitching as his eyes grew wide. Yanking the photo up in a hurry he was left utterly silent as he saw Vert holding a pregnancy test...a positive one, all the while wearing a positively radiant smile. There was a moment of silence as the Gold Third scrambled behind him to inspect the picture, right before Axel promptly fell backward, twitching.
"He forgot Uzume and Umio's gift..."
"Dibs if it's money!"
]l[
I originally wasn't going to split this chapter but as you can tell by the length I may have gotten a tiny bit carried away. Hope you all enjoyed it, see you later today for part two. Looking forward to feedback, especially with some things mentioned in the omake. Lots of references, have fun finding them.
And puns, we haven't seen the last of those.
Next chapter? We see Nisa, Lyrica, and Gust... finally hit Lastation and things go from there!