Intermission Eleven: Promise

Origin-Blanc and Origin-Neptune stared each other down, weapons pointed at each other.

"So, I doubt I can change your mind right now. Am I right?" Origin-Blanc stared at his brother.

"Of course. You know you can't beat me in an argument, Neptune. But there is another way you can stop me." He raised his weapon higher into the air. "This." Origin-Neptune grinned.

"Yeah, you're right." He straightened his arm out, then looked to the side. "Although I knew that already." Origin-Blanc narrowed his eyes.

"Then why'd you ask?" Origin-Neptune shrugged his shoulders.

"No reason." Origin-Blanc rolled his eyes.

"You could have just said that you wanted to make this fight as authentic as possible." The purple haired swordsman brightened up.

"Hey, that works!" Origin-Blanc facepalmed. After removing his hand from his face, Origin-Blanc sighed.

"Oh for- Neptune, be serious!"

"I am serious." Origin-Blanc growled while his friend laughed. "Okay, okay. I'll stop now." Almost immediately after saying those words, Origin-Neptune's face turned into a cold, yet amused look. He twisted his sword hand and aimed his weapon between Origin-Blanc's eyes.

"Alright! Let's get this started!" Origin-Neptune grinned.

"Everything I feel is in this sword!" His brother looked at him with a disturbed expression.

"That doesn't sound right." Origin-Neptune looked at his brother, annoyed.

"Hey, we just had a comedic relief discussion. No need for another one." Origin-Blanc chuckled and then shrugged.

"Whatever floats your boat." Origin-Blanc got into a fighting stance. "...Good. Come on!"

IF felt Neptune stirring and set the girl down.

"Everyone, Nep's waking up!" All eyes were directed to the CPU that was sitting up.

"Ugh, what happened?" Neptune put a hand to her face and squeezed her eyes shut. "It felt like I ate a pack of pudding, but didn't realize they were three years expired." Compa patted her friend's head.

"It's okay, Nep-Nep. Look." Compa pointed to the direction of the two battling brothers! Neptune's eyes lit up!

"OH! Duel boss battle!" Neptune threw her arms in the air. "This is gonna be rad!" The girl sat down, a buttered popcorn flavor pudding pack in her hands. Compa sat beside her, smiling brightly now that all of her friends were okay.

Origin-Neptune dashed at his brother, katana ready to strike. As he edged closer and closer, Origin-Blanc held his bo staff readily. Once he was in range, Origin-Neptune swung his weapon at his opponent, but immediately stopped and sidestepped to the right.

Not suspecting the fake out, Origin-Neptune followed up with a roundhouse kick and the attack connected with the white brother. Origin-Blanc staggered forward from the blow, but seemed unfazed. Next, Origin-Neptune hopped over his opponent's sweeping attack and swung down at his opponent's head. Origin-Blanc raised his hand at the blade and wind blasted out of it.

"Galeforce!" Origin-Neptune's katana was pushed away from Origin-Blanc and then the owner of the blade backed away from the spellcaster. The spellcaster then aimed his hand at the swordfighter. "Absolute Zero!" A pillar of ice erupted from under Origin-Neptune and the swordfighter had to jump out of the spell's range, creating even more distance between the two.

As soon as Origin-Neptune landed on his feet, Origin-Blanc pointed his hand at the ice.

"Galeforce!" The wind cut up the ice and sent the pieces at Origin-Neptune. The swordfighter looked at the ice shards flying at him and shrugged. He then pulled his arm back and swung his katana at full strength. The oncoming ice shards immediately shattered after the swordsman swung his weapon.

More ice shards flew at the swordsman and Origin-Neptune swung his weapon multiple times, destroying the rest of the shards. When the ice dust cleared away, Origin-Blanc had vanished from his original position.

"Pyre's Wrath!" The swordsman looked up to see his opponent high in the air. Out from under Origin-Neptune, fire erupted from under him. The swordsman rolled away before the spell could shoot out. As Origin-Neptune got to a standing position, Origin-Blanc was higher into the air.

"Snowflake's Blizzard!" Ice bolts fired out of his hand, and he used the last bolt to propel him a little bit behind the swordsman. "Burning Rage!" A fireball flew out of the caster's hand, growing in size as it moved closer to swordsman. As he fell towards the ground, Origin-Blanc aimed his hand at the sky. "Thunder's Vanity!" From the sky, lightning shot out of the sky without clouds, coming from a magic circle instead. The bolt dropped towards the swordsman.

With the ever growing giant fireball, the numerous ice bolts and the speeding lightning bolt, a total of three elemental spells moved toward Origin-Neptune. The swordsman stood still as the spells closed in on him. He raised his free arm high into the air and dropped onto a knee. Origin-Neptune then punched the ground with as much force as he arm could possibly muster. The spells immediately dissipated and shattered.

"Wha- What did he just do!?" Noire watched in amazement as the spells disappeared around Origin-Neptune and faded into nothing.

"The original Neptune had the ability to create shockwaves out of pure force, that's what he used to destroy the the shards of Absolute Zero with his sword. By punching the ground as he did, Neptune can create a dome-shaped shockwave that can protect him from attacks or force opponents away." Noire widened her eyes.

"Doesn't that mean that Neptune can do that too?" If the Neptune she knew could do that, she wouldn't be able to comprehend what trouble she could get into.

"No. Although Neptune is the reincarnation of the original Neptune, we made sure that the CPUs would not be able to inherit most of their powers, only a small portion. For Neptune, she only physically inherited her original's speed, power and looks." Neptune tilted her head to the side.

"Wait, I actually fought other me." The entire party turned to the CPU, surprised.

"What!?" Neptune nodded.

"Yeah, he really beat me around. He even used my own moves against me." Arfoire narrowed her eyes and put a knuckle to her chin.

"It would not be wise to theorize how Neptune did that." Histoire had moved herself from Arfoire's head and back onto her tome. "I believe it would be in our best interests if we had asked him ourselves." Everyone agreed with the tome fairy, not wanting to make some absurd theory of what could have happened.

"Speaking of the original Neptune…" The party returned their attention to the battle ahead of them.

Origin-Blanc landed on the ground, unsurprised by the fact that his brother just stopped a barrage of his attacks. Instead, he smirked at his brother's ability.

"Heh, you've gotten better." As he said this, Origin-Neptune closed the distance and swung his sword. Origin-Blanc blocked the attack with his bo staff. As the two of the fought for dominance from the clash, the two had wide grins on their faces.

"You have too." The two backed away from each other. Origin-Neptune straightened and raised one hand, as if asking to shake hands. "I guess life has taught both a few things." Origin-Blanc grinned and stood up straight as well.

"How many years has it been since we fought like this?" Origin-Blanc casted Burning Rage again and Origin-Neptune destroyed it with a shockwave slash again. Out of the fading fire, the spellcaster emerged and attempted to strike his opponent.

"Uh, for you, two years. For me, two centuries plus two years." Origin-Neptune sidestepped once more but this time backflipped knocking Origin-Blanc's weapon into the air.

"Oh, well that's different. It's just you know…a lot of stuff has happened." The weaponless spellcaster attempted to reach for his weapon, but the swordsman chucked his weapon, spearing his opponent's weapon and sending them away from both of them. Raising an eyebrow, Origin-Blanc turned to his brother, seeing a mischievous grin on his face. "It's…"

"Yeah?" The spellcaster attempted to cast a spell at point blank range, but the swordsman uppercutted him in the stomach and the used his other hand to punch him in the face. Origin-Blanc stepped back, he then rubbed his cheek, grinning even wider.

"It's just different." Origin-Neptune exhaled relief but was kneed in the stomach by his opponent. He grabbed his opponent by the head and smashed his head with his own, causing both to reel back in pain. Origin-Neptune shook off the pain and let go his opponent, sparta-kicking him away from him.

"Yeah, it feels different for me too. Last time we fought, we're all serious and crap." Origin-Blanc slid on his feet and regained his footing.

"Aren't we serious right now?" The swordless swordsman grabbed his head.

"No." The spellcaster opened his right hand, magic gathering in his hand.

"Well, I wonder what it is." Origin-Neptune ran at his brother full speed.

"Does it matter? I am so going to kick your ass!" As his opponent got closer, Origin-Blanc launched a small blast of ice magic at Origin-Neptune.

"No. No. No. No. No. No. No." Origin-Neptune backhanded the magic, the ball of energy exploding far away from them. "I'm gonna kick your ass!" The spellcaster tried to punch the swordsman, but the latter caught the former's attack with his hand. Out of instinct, the swordsman did the same thing, and the same result appeared. A huge grin was on Origin-Neptune's face.

"Oh ho ho, it's on now!" From then on the two would exchange blow for blow, some of their attacks containing elemental magic within them.

"Hey, isn't that infus- whatever it's called?" Arfoire nodded and patted Neptune on the head.

"Yes, infusion. The original Blanc had taught his adoptive brother how to use it, although he would use it in moderation." The silver haired woman raised a finger. "In fact, Infusion would be inherited by all of you. Why do think you girls have regular attacks with elemental affinities to them?" The party made a collective "Ooooooh." while the former tactician grinned with pride.

The two fighters pulled away from each other, bruised and bleeding from their hand to hand skirmish. Both of them panting and gasping for air.

"Hey, Neptune." Origin-Blanc placed his hands on his knees while Origin-Neptune was on one knee, his hand on the ground.

"Yeah?"

"I think…" Blanc's original took a deep breath and straightened himself. "We should end this." Origin-Neptune stood up as well, rubbing his neck.

"I think so too." Both young men raised their hands into the air, summoning their weapons. Origin-Blanc used his magic to create a spiked end on his bo staff and the two of them pointed their weapons at each other.

"Let's finish this, Neptune." Origin-Neptune laughed.

"It ain't over until the incredibly plump lady sings."

"What did he just say?" IF looked at Compa for confirmation. The peach haired nurse shrugged.

At once, the two rushed at each other, screaming at the top of their lungs. As they met, both fighters swung their weapons. After striking, the two stopped moving and stayed in the same position.

After the two hadn't moved for a minute, Blanc looked to Histoire.

"Histoire?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think that anything will happen to-" As she asked the question, both of the fighters collapsed onto the ground. "Nevermind."

Before anyone could approach the two unconscious fighters, a bright light engulfed the entire area.

"No! Not again!"

When the light ended, everyone saw the same thing. A vision.

"Blanc?" Origin-Neptune was looking upon the sleeping body of CPU Blanc, in his palms was a small bright white light. "Sorry... it took me... two years... to get you back... but I couldn't... find you before... they did this... to your body."

Origin-Neptune was bleeding all over his body. He had holes and cuts all over him. Blood was flowing out of his body. He could barely breathe, much less talk. Behind him were a very concerned Arfoire, Love and Peace. Alongside them was a quiet and oddly stoic Histoire.

"Lord Purple Knight, it is imperative that you finish your business or I fear that you will not survive the process." Origin-Neptune turned to Histoire, attempting to make a smile.

"Just a… second." The young man began to cough and Peace kneeled next to him. "I'm… fine…"

"But Nep-Nep…" Origin-Neptune shook her off, albeit painfully.

"Fine…" He moved the ball of light over the sleeping CPU. "Little sis... I'm sorry... but I don't... think I can... watch over you... anymore… Blanc… please give her… some of your… power… even if it's… a little bit." Origin-Neptune dropped his hands and the ball of light drifted slowly into CPU. Once the light was completely absorbed by the CPU, the young man smiled. "Thank you… my brother…"

The original Neptune collapse into Peace's arms.

"Nep-Nep!"

"Nep!" Arfoire turned to Histoire and nodded.

"Love. Peace. We must hurry. We don't have much time." The two looked at each other sorrowfully, lifted Origin-Neptune, and carried him outside.

"Goodbye… Little sis…" The two close friends led their friend out of the room and the tactician and tome fairy left the room.

With that, the vision ended.

"So, that's what happened." Everyone turned around to see Origin-Blanc and Origin-Neptune standing side by side.

"Yeah."

"So why did you show us all this?" Origin-Neptune sighed.

"I wanted to make sure that you know why you lost your body after what happened to you."

"Man, that sucks."

"Yeah, also I wanted to stop the fight with a random vision."

"Why?"

"Eh? No main reason." Origin-Neptune smiled at CPU Blanc. "But, I do have a promise to keep." CPU Blanc widened her eyes.

"Big bro?" The smile on her brother's face got wider, resembling that of his reincarnation.

"Hey, little sis. I kept my promise this time. So, let's catch up on what we missed after centuries of being separated."