Chapter 53

[Kotomi]

I still couldn't see anything… the area was dark but I could see my hands when I looked down, I can see my clothes and I had a bright outline. I looked around the area and saw just darkness but it was slowly lighting up. The area around me turned into rubble. It looked like I was in Planeptune, but the buildings and the roads were destroyed.

I couldn't move my legs but I heard rubble moving out of the way. Then a young girl came out of the rubble out of breath. Her red hair was short and messy and her black T-Shirt was ripped at her left side, revealing a wound, she had regular jeans on and red sneakers

"Hah...hah…" she breathed heavily before looking around the area, "It's going to take forever to find food…" the girl muttered before walking forward a couple more steps.

"Don't think like that." a deeper voice said, there wasn't anyone else around. But I could hear it in my ears. "You can do this. I believe in you."

"I… I know… but I wish… I wish daddy didn't…"

"I know how you feel, we were all devastated when we saw what happened to him but we can't fret on the past."

"You're right. Daddy wouldn't want me to worry about him!" the girl said and clenched her fists, "I'll find the food we need!"

"That's the spirit. Good luck Kotomi." the deeper voice said and the scene vanished. I could freely use my arms now so I put my hand up to my head… I… I remember that… Planeptune was in ruins… and I had to find food… but who was I calling daddy? What is the mission that I solely remembered? And who was that guy that I was talking too? So many questions I have in my mind and yet I still can't answer them… IF's right, I need to find those glowing orbs or find some other ways to trigger my memory. If getting my memory back once gave me the ability to fight then my other memories should help us out even more.

I closed my eyes and felt warmness cover my body, I slowly opened my eyes and saw myself in the corner of a room in a bed, I was under a green blanket and next to me was a computer desk with a lamp and then a computer next to it. I sat up and rubbed my eyes and looked around more, on the far wall was a bookshelf with many varieties of books and under the lamp was a picture of a family: a girl with a purple skirt and pink shirt and apron, her brown hair was neatly trimmed and her bangs were tied back in her hair so it looked like two strands above her eyes, there two guys, one was taller then the girl with a black suit and bald head. Then there was a little boy, his blonde hair was in the shape of Makoto's and he had his eyes open smiling, showing off his dark blue eyes. I couldn't help but smile back, he looked so happy at that time… he must have been devastated when he lost his mom and dad… just like me…

I quickly shook off the thought, I can't think any negative thoughts. I need to find these… memory orbs, I'll call them, fast.

I got out of the bed and made it before opening the door and walking out. I walked through the halls until I opened a door. Makoto was sitting in his chair going through some of the files on his computer. He looked over and saw me. "Ah. You're awake."

"Yeah. Where's IF and Ozaki?"

"They already left, they said they're going back to Planeptune with the documents and papers I gave them. They're going to try and find out exactly who is in control of the nations and to ask Lady Histoire something that I thought of." Makoto said and stood up from his chair, "don't worry about them right now. Are you alright?"

"Yeah… yeah I'm fine. But I remember something."

"Really? What is it?"

"When I was younger, I saw Planeptune in ruins. I was wandering around searching for food and I knew someone that was talking to me from an earpiece I'm guessing. His voice was deep but I never said his name… and my parents passed away too."

"I-I see… my sincere apologies." he said and bowed.

"It's alright." I said and then took a serious look, "Except… I don't know where exactly to start… without the CPU's I'm clueless."

Makoto held his hand to his chin, "What if you assist the CPU Candidates? Round them up and go around doing peoples requests? The guilds still get requests for help with some monsters. You can go and get the shares up while searching for those orbs you mentioned. Plus you can help with what I thought of."

"What is it?"

"In each nation there are mascots that preside in each nation, ensuring prosperity and they remain neutral to all forces. Lady Vert once told me about them and Lady Histoire mentioned to me a couple times. They may be able to help us."

"You mean like game mascots?"

"No. They use the name of mascot, but I wasn't told on why they named themselves that."

Besides that last part, Hearing this made me smile, "Hikan was right about you. You're the best!" I said and gave him a running hug, Makoto patted my shoulders.

"Thank you. But we must go, I'll take you to Planeptune but after I drop you off you're on your own."

I let go of him and nodded. "Got it."


[Third Person]

The laws that ASIC made are making sure that everyone forgets about Hikan and violence. Anyone who would know a thing about the CPU's would be taken away and brainwashed.

Four soldiers approached a house on one of the many streets of Planeptune at night, the moon was shining on them from above. The lead soldier knocked on the door once reaching it and a young woman opened the door. "Pardon our intrusion, but is your daughter here?"

"Why yes. She is. Do you need her for something?"

"Indeed we do."

"Well. Okay…" the woman replied and turned, "Miho! Can you come down her please?"

"Coming mom!" a small voice was heard and a young girl ran down the stairs. "What is it?"

The lead soldier stepped into the house, "Come with us young lady. We want to talk to you about something."

"Um… okay? What do you want to talk about?"

"Come with us. We have a present we want you to see."

"Really?!"

"Indeed."

The girl jumped for joy before turning back to her mother, "Bye mom! I'll be right back!"

"Be careful Miho. And don't stray far from their sides!"

"I won't!"


The soldiers led the way with the girl in middle. "It'll be a little walk from here."

"Okay!" the girl replied, "so, can you give me a hint of what it is?"

"You won't have to worry about violence anymore. It'll be just you, your mother, and your home. You won't have to worry about violence or the CPU's."

"But I like the CPU's. I like Purple Heart!"

"CPU's only brought violence to the world. There hasn't been one issue in the past three years."

"I don't want the present if it'll make me forget Purple Heart!" the girl said and tried to run, but one of the soldiers grabbed her hand and held her up.

"Don't resist, you'll be grateful for when you don't remember." the soldier said and started to drag her, she yanked at her arm with tears welling up in her eyes.

"No! Don't! Let go!"

Near one of the alleys, a stone was thrown from the side and hit one of the soldiers in the leg. He looked down and then looked at the alley where it was thrown. He held his side where his pistol rested and slowly walked towards it.

"What is it?" one of them asked the one walking.

"Something threw a stone at me. I'm going to check it out."

"Hurry and do that then catch up." the other soldier commanded and then turned to the other three. "Let's go."

"Please help! Somebody!"

The soldier unholstered his pistol from his side and held it up as he cautiously walked forward, he walked into the alleyway and looked behind him and farther in front of him, but he didn't see anything. He was about to put his pistol back in it's holster but he felt an arm grab his arm and pulled up. Yanking his shoulder out of socket, he turned quickly and swung his other arm around. But whatever was attacking him moved out of the way and kneed him in the stomach. Knocking him over on the ground out of breath, he looked up and saw a shining light from a metal arm and then he was punched, knocking him out instantly.

The three other soldiers were still walking, they were out of Planeptune now and were approaching their destination. The girl was still resisting but they covered her mouth up so she wouldn't yell anymore. Ahead of them was a hovering truck with two others sitting on the bed of it, along with a couple of worn down buildings. One of them hopped off the truck once they saw the group. "So this is her?" they asked and the soldier holding the girl nodded.

"Yes."

"Where's Mikey? Did he get lost or something?"

"No, he said he was going to check something out."

"He's too easily distracted…" the other soldier on the bed of the truck said and pointed down, "Let's load her up."

The girl shook her head as tears escaped from her eyes, before they could put her in the truck, Mikey the soldier came flying from one of the trees and collided with the side of the truck. All of them looked at him before looking where he came from.

"Mikey!" one of the soldier shouted and went to check on his comrade, but Mikey was rendered unconsious. He looked over and grabbed his Assault Rifle from his back, "Show yourself coward!"

Each of them looked around and grabbed their weapons out, three more Assault Rifles and two of them with swords.

They heard sounds all around them, they looked in every direction before a fist lashed out at one from behind the truck. They turned and saw only the shine of a metal arm before it quickly showed a man: his right arm was the metal arm and had a normal left arm then a black cloak over him, he had a short sleeved shirt underneath it with a black symbol taking up the entire shirt, it looked like a pentagram with a lines going through it from all sides. His cargo pants had multiple pockets, including one with a pistol in it, and had black boots. His dark black hair covered up one side of his face and eye while the other side showed off a dark brown eye, filled with aggression.

One of the soldiers quickly aimed their gun and fired at him, but the man quickly went behind the truck and jumped over it. Landing on the soldier who opened fired and knocking him off his feet, he grabbed the gun from the air and held it in one arm and fired next to him. Hitting one of the other soldiers, then threw the gun in the air and dodged a sword slash from one of the others. He held his metal arm up and the soldier hit it and reeled his arm back, dropping his sword as well. Then the man grabbed the soldier and kicked him in the head. Knocking him back down to the ground and driving the soldier unconscious.

The man turned again and dropped down to dodge another bullet, he reached for his pistol and fired it at the soldier who fired and then got back to his feet. He rolled over and fired again, the soldier who fired fell on his knees and fell on his side.

"We need back-up!" the remaining soldier shouted into a walkie and fired at the man, but he held his hand up and an energy shield blocked the bullets. The soldier stepped back before hearing something from his walkie that made his heart drop. He lost feeling his in eyes and then nodded, "Understood…" he said and dropped his gun. He grabbed something from his pocket and reached for the girl, he held out a grenade and then pulled the pin, the man's eyes widened as he dashed towards them, he grabbed the girl and kicked the soldier in the chest, making him let go of the girl and knocking him back, but he dropped the grenade before he was kicked. The man looked down and saw it before it exploded.

The explosion ringed through the field and went back towards the city. Kotomi and Makoto were almost at the city when they heard it. IF and Ozaki also heard it and were about to go investigate.

Up in the Basilicom, Shizuki, Nepgear, and Histoire all walked out on the balcony and looked at where it came from.

Back at the source, the man was on all fours with the little girl under him, he blocked the explosion with his own body and his cloak was nearly disintegrated. He slowly opened his eyes and looked down at the girl, she slowly opened her eyes and looked the man. He got up after seeing that she was okay and grabbed his shoulder, with a groan he pulled it down a crack was heard. Then turned away from the girl.

"You saved me… why?" The man turned back to the girl and shook his head, he turned back and saw a wolf start walking up to him, wondering what the commotion was about, he held his hand out and held up his thumb, pointer, and middle finger and moved his arm to the left. The wolf then nodded and walked up to the girl, she grew nervous but looked at the man and saw him nod. The girl held her hand out and the wolf nuzzled her hand before turning and crouching down, the man walked towards the girl, picked her up, and placed her on the wolf. "...I know now." she said and looked at the man and smiled, "You were sent by a CPU. Weren't you?"

The man didn't say anything, he only shook his head and thrusted his arm out, the wolf then ran forward while the girl held onto its pelt. The man then turned towards the truck and grabbed one of the soldiers unconscious body and started to load them in the bed of the truck.