A/N: Great googly moogly, that went to shit.

And it wasn't even due to Crosswave! Speaking of Azur Lane, I need to work on A Bitter Rivalry, you think this story hasn't updated in a while… Yikes.

Ryan4ever2016: Guess there's not really much to comment on. Aside from the surprise crossover. And Koei's new occupation.

Lord-Sylph: This is four seperate reviews from before Chapter 9 and I heavily suspect that KoeIffy scared them off. I mean a story I liked suddenly went off the rails once. The difference is that this story never had rails, it just crashed into an orphanage about a 1/3rd in.

YoshiChain: Ingenuity: 0. But the power of love and twisting the law's arm ultimately won!

Right, enough rambling. You've waited long enough.


Ughhhh. Always with the hangovers. I really need to cut down. Dragging myself out of bed, I looked around. Yup, this was home at least. Putting on my pants, I walked out of the bedroom to see Uzume sitting casually on the three seater, watching TV as usual.

"Come on girl, just use your bullshit friendship power to kill the villain." She mumbled to herself, not noticing me as I put the kettle on, no memory of what happened last night.

Hearing the sound of boiling water. Uzume turned around. "Oh hey, Kosy! You're alive at least." She greeted warmly. She's really mellowed out since being you know, the Big Bad.

"Wish I wasn't." I mumbled in response as I poured boiling water into a cup, followed by some milk and took the mixture to the sofa and sat down, placing the cup on the nearby table's coaster.

"So… You doin' good?" She asked casually. "I woke up with a hangover, had a Beer, felt better."

"Eh. Can't remember last night."

"Not shocked. You went on the spirits again. I cleaned up for you because you were taking a while to get up. Speaking of, is IF up?"

I shook my head. "Don't think so." I was about to get up, but Uzume's hand grabbed my arm.

"That's… Good. We need to talk." Uzume said softly as I sat back down, the television now off.

"What's up?"

"It's about what you did." Uzume sighed, indicating the start of a pretty heavy conversation. "You had the chance to finish me off once my energy fell away and while I am eternally grateful for you sparing me, it leaves the question as to why."

I thought for a minute back to that day. "Aside from the obvious dickishness of kicking you while you had your villainous breakdown… I was in no state to finish you off even if I wanted to. It's why I wanted to have our conversation private. A heart… To… Heart."

Uzume laughed weakly. "That's kind of funny. You just say what's on your mind without a damn for what you actually say."

I smiled. "Makes sense. That's how I roll on the usual day."

"I just wonder how much faith Planeptune had in you in order to pull what you did. Looking back, you faced a goddess and won…"

I shook my head. "It wasn't a win. We tied. We matched each other in strength at best and that was with everything in my favor. If I didn't keep fighting through the pain, that would have been it for me."

Uzume put a hand to her chin. "While my own memories are understandably warped by what happened, I do remember seeing you get back up and just feeling this sense of dread as you took a sword to the chest after that barrage of blows and realising that I wasn't the hero I deluded myself into thinking…"

I sigh, taking a drink of tea as I did so. "Everyone thinks they're the hero of their own story, It does make sense in a way, even if ultimately your actions are wrong, if you believe in your own cause enough…"

"You become delusional." Uzume muttered in understanding. "Sometimes you end up doing horrific things in the name of "justice" or "what's right" and lose sight of what you stood for."

I put my feet up, putting my arms behind my head. "There we go. See, you're learning."

"That just leaves the issue of punishment." Uzume sighed again. "Why am I allowed to live here a free woman? I tried to commit genocide!"

"And? What would throwing you into a jail cell accomplish?" I ask, almost rhetorically. "This all happened because you were imprisoned within your own mind! That and come on, we both know Histoire wouldn't let anything bad happen to you when you just came back from exile."

Uzume gave the ghost of a smile. "Yeah. I suppose that I'm just shocked that I'd be welcomed home so readily."

I rolled my eyes "If you insist, I could pretend to be your parole officer." I say sarcastically, but with a smile on my face. "Alternatively, consider the fact that the two people who hated you the most are now your roommates! Water under the bridge, I got to break your face, Iffy got to left hook you in the nose, fun times all around."

"Of course you two would be talking about violence." IF sighed as she entered the conversation with a coffee in hand before sitting on the middle seat.

"Mornin' love." I say simply, seeing her brightening my day no matter what her mood was.

"Hey." She smiled back. "But really, what were you talking about?"

"Nothing important." I waved my hand, giving a quick wink to Uzume. IF didn't need to know what had gone down between us.

"The usual then." IF put her coffee down as she turned on the TV to the local news channel.


Gamindustri is finally at peace. The villainous Uzume has been subdued, the rifts have seemingly stopped and the Hero of Planeptune has managed to accomplish great feats despite not even being of this world. With the CPUs finally united, it seems that the future is bright for this Nation, if not the whole world.


"Neat." I smiled. "I have that title now I guess."

"I do not appreciate being called villainous…" Uzume sighed as she took a sip of her own coffee. "Guess some things never change, "journalism" being one of them."

Before we could question the journalistic integrity of the Gamindustri News Network, my UI Gloves started to ring.

"Ah, Koei!" Histoire was on the other end, rather unsurprisingly. "I need you and the others at the Basilicom. I have your first assignment for you."

I nod and turned off the video feed before getting up to look at my new workmates. "Well ladies, you heard the boss lady."

Finishing off my tea that was for once not boiling hot, we headed out to bigger and better things.


Ding

Stepping out of the elevator, decked out in our new jackets Histoire and Neptune waited for us. "Koei. Uzume. IF." Histoire stated simply. "I apologise for interrupting your time off, as I didn't originally plan for an assignment today, but-"

An explosion interrupted her speech.

"UNI! I told you to NOT touch the mecha's RPG!"

"S-Sorry Nepgear!"

"That." Histoire deadpanned. "They've been in that lab since morning and refuse to come out."

"Strange, I thought they came out of the closet already." IF smirked as I had to hold in my laughter because that was pretty good.

"Regardless, Neptune and I…"

Neptune rolled her eyes, clearly not pleased with being dragged into this. "We would like you to work as bodyguards for 5pb- I mean Helena while she's on-stage today."

"First day on the job, and it's babysitting." I sighed. "You know, we have a goddess with a body count with us, are you sure we can't punch a dragon in the face or something?"

Neptune giggled despite my entirely serious tone. "Helena herself insisted on it. Well, I brought it up to her earlier and she insisted on it." Histoire exposited.

"Well, that explains it, I guess." I sigh in resignation as I realise that today won't be my day off.


Heading into Planepark, a concert was being set up. Turns out that Seven Hels became a smash hit overnight, so the duo do weekly concerts all around Gamindustri. Of course this had the slightly scary side-effect of crazed fans trying to… Well, I saw some of the shipping fanfiction between the duo and it gets very M-Rated. Goddesses knows what one would do to the real thing.

"Ah, the PSF is here!~" Came the cheery voice of one San Diego, the bouncy redhead wearing a simple shirt and skirt combo. "I believe we haven't met in person, so I'm San Diego!~" She held out a hand as I shook it.

"Koei Tech. This is Uzume," I pointed to the purple-haired tomboy, who waved back. "And of course, my darling Iffy." To IF, who did have a bit of a blush after being described as "darling", but gave a curt nod anyway. "We're from the Planeptune Special Forces, but you knew that already."

"Yeah, Helena told me you'd be keeping an eye on us for today's concert. Cave would normally do it, but she had to take some time off for… Some reason."


"Dammit, so close…" Cave muttered, her upteempth loss against the boss rubbing away at her patience. Even as an experienced bullet dodger, this was on a whole other level of pain.

"Damn you, Miru Syndrome…"


"Probably some Guild mission or other." I shrug, not wanting to think about the implications if she had to drop her usual bodyguard duty.

"Plus, it's a pretty easy first job." Uzume reasoned, cracking open a Beer she acquired... Somehow. "The client can protect themselves even if we screw up."

"I'd prefer it if you didn't say such negative things in front of our clients." IF sighed as I turned back to said clients.

"Eh, she has a point." Helena walked onto the scene, a simple shirt and tracksuit bottoms serving to cover the rock goddess as she drank some iced coffee. "Sandy still has her rigging and I can use the Dragon Force if things get dire, but as you might imagine, murdering our fans is bad PR."

"We're not supposed to murder them?" I ask rhetorically, giving a wry grin as I did so.

Helena smiled in response. "I know you're able to beat the Seven Hels out of someone without murdering them."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "I prefer solving things thoroughly, but if the client insists…" I slipped Serenity into my inventory. "I'll solve issues with my fists."

IF rolled her eyes. "You could just freeze any threats with your magical artifact sword."

I scratched my stubbly chin. "Maybe. But that's not fun."

IF sighed as Uzume continued to drink on the job. "This is going to be a long day, isn't it?"

Helena gave a cute smile. "I did miss this sort of banter between workmates. My old job had a lot of that… Big office." She looked away nervously, as if she was stretching the truth somehow.

Finishing off her can of iced coffee, Helena tossed the can into a nearby bin, a rather impressive feat considering the distance. "Alright, do you think I should keep this on or go to my old 5pb. outfit?"

I put a hand to my chin. "I mean, I haven't been to a Seven Hels concert since the first one. Do you have a specific style for it?"

Helena shook her head. "Nah. I just wear what I want now. Just felt like going back to basics for once. Bit chilly, but you know."

"Go with what you think is comfortable." I suggest helpfully for once in my life.

To which, Helena smiled back. "Good idea, thanks! I'm going to go make sure my guitar is tuned before I get on stage." With that she left us to it.

What it was I don't know. But you know, things. Standing around and doing nothing was fun and all… But it wasn't.

"You know…" I mutter aloud. "As much as I love standing around doing nothing, it seems this place is rather deserted, right?"

"Yeah, but that's bodyguard work for you." IF noted, taking a drink of coffee as she did so. "Stand around, look menacing. Typical guard work. Not glamorous, but someone has to do it."

"We could just stab Helena when she's not looking." Uzume reasoned. "I mean, I won't say anything if you don't."

"I know you're joking, but try to touch Helena and I'll destroy you with my rigging." San Diego warned rather seriously.

"I'll keep them in line." IF smiled cheekily. "I'm used to idiot wrangling with Nep, so this'll be a cinch."

"Thanks for the compliment." I rolled my eyes, leaning back on one of the stage's giant speakers as I scanned the area for anything suspicious. Nope!

An audible sigh left my lips as I looked back at the other two members of the Planeptune Special Forces. IF was fiddling on one of her phones and Uzume was just standing there… Menacingly.

Yup, quiet grunt work. "So this is the life." I mutter to myself, just loud enough for the others to hear. "Beats being shanked through the chest, at least."

"Good thing you helped out with that." Uzume uncharacteristically muttered. "I really don't know what was going through me at that point…"

"Delusional energy." I shrugged. "Happens to the best of us."

Uzume gave a ghost of a smile in response. "Yeah. That works. Even if I haven't felt my Share energy since returning, I think that's for the best."

I put a hand to my chin. "Interesting. Perhaps you can adapt to more… Traditional forms of magic. Ah, if only there was a magically talented saviour of Gamindustri to mentor you…"

"Too bad MAGES. is busy. Something about Doc P." IF winked at me as she said so.

"Oh yeah, her." Helena returned, a steaming cup of coffee now in her hand. "We're distant cousins or something of the sort. Never met her in person, but I hear she's an archmage."

"The best in Gamindustri." IF exposited. "She's… Rather the oddball. I met her once on a trip to Leanbox. Very nice, but she's pretty… Quirky."

"Define quirky." I prod for details. Might come in handy if I met her.

"Well, she's just the mad scientist archtype. Mad laughter, madder experiments. She once vaporized her entire lab trying to build a time machine out of a microwave… So go the legends. I think it's a little farfetched, but you know what Gamindustri is like."

"You see a lot of strange things here. The rumor mill where I came from always talked about how insane Gaminustri was. Such a different culture from back home." Helena gave a sad smile as she rambled. "Kinda glad I could get Sandy down here in order to ease up on the loneliness a bit. I do miss my old workmates quite a bit…"

"Where did you work, anyway?"

"Somewhere that led to her… Introversion." San Diego entered the scene. "Great and painful memories alike. I'm surprised she grew so much without me."

Helena smiled. "I think being away from that place and focusing on my music made me happier in general. But for now, we have a concert to practice for." Helena finished off her coffee, tossing the disposable cup into a nearby by.

"I guess I have some vocal chords to warm…" San Diego reasoned herself, before heading off herself to who knows where.

Well, that just left us in our previous conundrum.

"So we're sure that murder isn't a solution?"

IF put her head in her hands. "Oh my fucking god…"


Some time had passed. Waiting around, doing nothing. Not even the news was interesting. Just gossip and the rumor mill and that was pretty much it. Not even good gossip, things I already knew like the "rumor" of Uni and Nepgear becoming an item. No shit they're an item, anyone with eyes can see that they're a fucking item.

Still, nothing better to do…


Gamindustri's newest couple is a Unique Gear in the works!

Ever since the Siege of Planeptune, CPU Candidate Uni has been seen hanging around Planeptune more. While at first she seemed to be simply helping out with rebuilding efforts, when Nepgear was spotted in Lastation, the rumor mill began to spin.

Unfortunately for shippers the world over, we weren't able to confirm nor deny these rumors, as the CPUs have been busy getting their Nations back to normal, the Candidates included...

Until today! In a GNN exclusive, our new reporter Famitsu managed to get an interview with Nepgear while she was out buying groceries!


Interesting. I guess they managed to replace that poor Aya girl pretty easily, but an interview with Nepgear?


Our determined reporter managed to squeeze several answers out of the CPU Candidate, not only answering several burning questions about the rumor of one Uzume Tennoboushi being alive after the events of the Siege of Planeptune, but whether or not she was in fact in a relationship with the Lastation Candidate. We'll have the full interview on GNN's website, but here's a snippet of the hot gossip our goddess had to give:

"Well, I wouldn't say that Koei is a danger to Gamindustri." Nepgear pondered as she answered the burning question of the new Hero of Planeptune. "Even if we don't count the Siege of Planeptune, he's still loyal to a fault, determined to do anything you ask of him and a great friend to be around… Even when he has a drink."

"I see!" Our lovely reporter Famitsu followed up on this. "So do you think that now that Gamindustri has no immediate threat, that Koei will hang up the spellblade?"

Nepgear shook her head. "I think he enjoys the thrill of adventure too much to retire just yet. Despite his scrapes and scars, he's got just as much of a drive to protect Gamindustri as Neptune!"

Our intrepid reporter was obviously confused by this. "So, you're saying he has no drive? Neptune is rather… Infamous for her work ethic. The lack of, that is."

Nepgear obviously got flustered at the rather cheeky remark. "N-Not like that! When Neptune gets serious, it feels like nothing can stop her. That's part of why the citizens believe in her despite her nature."

The rest of the interview, including Nepgear admitting her and Uni being a thing will be available on GNN's website. Special thanks to Famitsu for this hot scoop! Good work for your first interview!

Dengekiko


Heh. Ah Nepgear, you do not understand the cruelty of tabloids. "Well, guess cat's out of the bag in terms of NepG and Uni being a thing." I mutter, forgetting I had a job to do. "Along with a target on my head."

"Well, that was clickbait if I ever saw it." IF sighed, revealing the fact she was reading the article along with me. "I mean that's GNN for you, but to drag the newbie into this…"

"Shouldn't you be working?" I turned to IF, who gave a smug grin in response.

"Shouldn't you?" was all she replied before walking off to patrol, presumably.

"I am doing my job!" I yelled rather uselessly. All I was doing was standing around anyway. Bored, bored, bored.

"To think, I used to run a Nation." Uzume sighed. "Now I'm doing bodyguard work."

"Life works in mysterious ways, my frenemy." I ponder aloud as Uzume looked around, seemingly trying to find somebody's ass to kick.

"Yeah… Say, you got any Green Pasture?" She asked rather suddenly. "You seem like the kind of guy who would campaign against it being illegal… No offense?"

Despite my unfamilarity with Gamindustri's drug scene, I kinda figured what "Green Pasture" meant roughly. The green. Mary and Johanna.

Weed. It's fucking weed. "You're hilarious." I smirked at Uzume. "Just because I have a shaggy beard and a hipster disposition doesn't mean I know how to get the green."

"Annnd you're talking about drugs." IF returned from her patrol with a sigh, using her free hand to carry a disposable coffee cup. "Look, I know that you have a lot of free time now…"

"It's only Green Pasture." Uzume sighed in return. "Even in my time, it was low-key legal, it was just too much red-tape. Also, really unpopular with the older folks."

"Makes sense." IF shrugged. "Not to act like I know the political landscape, but I was Compa's assistant during a thesis she had to do for medical school. Namely, I had to be examined for two weeks. One as a control, and one with daily doses of Green Pasture."

"Yet you critisize me for drinking, you druggie." I smirked at her while she gave me one of her famous looks.

"It was purely for science. As expected, I was more relaxed, any pain I happened to have was reduced and I had what was referred to in the study as "increased hunger". She concluded that legalizing Green Pasture would be good for those who required it medically… And only medically"

"And to nobody's shock, Compa is a NARC." I remark sarcastically as IF rolled her eyes.

"She's allowed her opinion, Captain Druggie." "IF snarked back. "But if you're really that bored…" She reached into her pocket and pulled out a metal case, only slightly bigger than her hand and passed it to me. The design was just a picture of IF's iconic hair decoration.

Opening it up revealed several rolled cigaratte papers and the strong smell of…

"Oh… This is …"

"The remains of the Green Pasture I had after the two week trial, yes." IF smiled as I handed a joint to Uzume. "Compa told me to go destroy it, but I held on to it. Quite a bit of money to burn, quite literally." She smiled at her own joke. "But yeah, if you want them, keep them. I was never into smoking anyway. Just… Don't have too much. That study included an incident where I got "the shakes", because that is pretty strong." She warned, before I popped the case into my inventory.

Using her magic to lightly ignite one of her blades, IF lit Uzume's joint for her. "Thanks." She said simply before inhaling some of the burning fumes.

The stench of burning grass filled my nose and brought back memories of my time back at my old home. I was never much of a smoker, but the green stuff was right up my alley when I had the chance to indulge myself.

"It's like looking at a pair of teenagers." IF remarked as Uzume continued to smoke.

I raised my eyebrows at such a statement. "Does that involve you dating one of said teenagers?"

IF didn't respond, just giving a death glare with those emerald eyes of hers as the two members of Seven Hels reemerged from their dressing room, decked out in idol outfits and ready to rock.

"Annnd they're smoking Green Pasture." San Diego commented with a deadpan tone. "Not that I mind, just try not to white out from over exposure. I'd hate to have to resort to my rigging. Using military grade hardware on a fan who got a little close? Does not look good from a PR standpoint."

I nodded my head. "Yeah, sounds good. I'll at least try to be sober."

"Good to hear." She smiled in return. "The concert should be starting soon, so you know, keep an eye on things, don't screw up. I think a former CPU, the Hero of Planeptune and the second greatest spellblade in Gamindustri can accomplish that."

"Strange, I don't recall being the Hero of Planeptune." IF snarked rather obviously to that remark, to which I already had a response.

"Strange, I don't remember you almost executing me." I replied, to which IF started to silently seethe at me as I mentally scratched out a victory over her for once. Well, one that didn't involve violence.

"Ah, young love." San Diego smiled at our banter. "I can see why Helena recommended you. At the very least you're entertaining."

"Thanks?" I shrug at her compliment. "I mean, it's more of a ascended friendship full of hatred if you ask me."

"I didn't." She stated quite simply. "Still, keep an eye on things, it's what you were hired for, after all."

With that, she fucked off to the stage to join the other half of the duo known as Seven Hels while I at least pretended to work.

"So… Who hired us again?" Uzume spoke up, most of her Green Pasture burned away and her clearly showing signs of being pretty high.

"Seven Hels, the hit two person band in Gamundustri." IF expositied. "Recently formed after 5pb. retired, the duo has taken Gamindustri by storm." She put away her phone. "Sorry, was just reading the Neppedia article on them aloud, you were saying?"

"Thank you, Captain Exposition." I remark sarcastically as I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. Hold up…

Getting up and unsheathing Serenity just in case, I headed over to the moving lump, who appeared to be one of the crew members setting up the behind the scenes gear.

Of course, when they turned around…

"Linda." I state simply at the poorly disguised criminal with a hearty sigh. "Your moustache is falling off."

Linda adjusted said fake moustache with a gruff "thanks" before turning around and getting back to her work.

"You're not… Going to do anything?" I push my luck as Linda continued to work.

"Nope. Every time I go up against you, things go to shit." Linda paused her current task to wipe the sweat off of her brow. "I figure if I keep my head low and do you know, honest work I might you know, avoid prison time?"

I shrugged. "As long as you're meant to be here."

Linda sighed and reached into her jacket pocket before pulling out a card. "Here you go, Officer."

Taking a look, it seemed legitimate enough. Handing it back, I span on my heel to see IF.

"You flirtin' with the grease monkeys or something?" She crossed her arms with a look on her face.

Looking back at Linda, I could see her shaking a bit. If I did say the truth, she'd be in big trouble. "Nah, just checking on the tech guys. They keep the behind the scenes going, after all. Come on, they'll be starting soon." I led IF away from an inevitable conflict of interest.

"Surprised you're taking this seriously." IF remarked as we headed back to within the view of Seven Hels.

"It's all downhill from here." I muttered as Helena started strumming her guitar, slightly tuning it before playing the same note again. Seeming happy with the result, she repeated the process with a different note.

"You know, after 3000 words of this shit, you'd think something would have happened." I point out, to which nothing happened.

"Excitement in bodyguard work is not a good thing." IF chided as I looked at Uzume, who seemed to be so spaced out that she was in actual space.

"Yeah, but come on!" I insist. "It's just 3000 words of us bumming around, trying to make standing around doing nothing interesting! The author can't write that, the readership would riot."

"Welcome to bodyguard work." IF rolled here eyes as she kicked Uzume in a vain attempt to get her to respond. "I should have told her it was meant for group consumption."

"Alright, we're on in 20!" San Diego ran up to us. "The crowd should be coming in soon, so stay out of sight unless strictly necessary." She explained. "Can't let the crowd know that we're being guarded, loses the element of surprise if you end up doing so."

I nod as she walked back on stage as the crowd cheered. It seemed to be filling up nicely at least.

"I suppose that the real work now begins." I leaned against a wall as IF fiddled on her phone. "Now would be a good time for a drink."

As if on cue, IF took a sip of her coffee. "Goddess dammit, it's cold." With a sigh, she held out of her katars as a small flame appeared under the disposable cup, seeming to heat it. After a few moments, she took another sip. "Better."

"Huh." I mutter. "That's a rather mundane use for fire magic."

IF shrugged as she finished off her coffee. "Yeah, turns out being able to cast fire from your weapon makes for good utility from time to time. Surprised you didn't think of using Serenity like this, considering your ingenuity in combat."

"Your first mistake was assuming I was competent." I reply. "Still, I could put my ice magic to use…"

Picking up Uzume's half-full beer, I pointed Serenity at it and cast a low level ice spell. As expected, the ice surrounded the can before I stopped casting and the ice dissipated.

Taking a sip of it, it was kinda stale but felt like I'd just taken it out of the fridge. "Hot damn, that actually works. It's a bit stale, but it's cold."

IF gave a wry grin in response. "Told you. Turns out that mana can be used for more than battle."

I put a hand to my chin after putting the can back down. "So if you can use mana in mundane situations, why are things like fridges and freezers necessary?"

IF sighed. "Koei, mana is just another form of energy. It's limited. It also requires a sapient source of energy and you can imagine the sociopolitical issues that it brings up."

I shrugged. "Fair, fair. But why is there a need for doctors and nurses in a world that presumably would have healing magic?"

"Healing magic is… Complicated." IF put a hand to her head, as if struggling to remember something. "It's more than just converting one form of energy to another. People are complicated and outside of basic things, healing magic is a mystery. Compa has gone on many, many tirades when a patient asked her "Why can't you just use magic?" and so I'm very familiar with the topic."

"I see." I responded, not really wanting to see IF go on a tirade about something I barely understood myself. All I know is that my magic sword makes the bad guys fall over and that's good.

"You monologued something stupid again, didn't you? You've got that dumb grin of yours." IF smiled cutely at me. I'll admit, that smile could kill, but dammit she's adorable. "And now you thought about me. I don't mind the monologuing, but after spending enough time with you, I can tell what you're generally thinking about. Your face gives it away, might want to work on that."

"Creepy." Was all I said as Helena started to play her guitar, indicating the concert had started.


Well, that was boring. Not the concert itself, Seven Hels might be my new favourite band, but nothing really happened during the concert itself. It was too loud to properly communicate and despite my suspicions, Linda didn't try anything.

I mean it was just a rundown of their current hits. No Pain No Game, This Game and of course, Dimension Tripper! I'll admit that last one was pretty nostalgic and hearing Sandy sing it over Helena? Made the song that tiny bit better.

With the duo now off the stage, we were all now just hanging out as if nothing had happened. To be fair, it wasn't much that went on behind the scenes, but it felt like a good day of work anyway. At the very least, the job was done successfully and without incident.

"Then, Enty asks us to move closer to the dock, to which Sandy just drops the speaker from the forklift. We had to move them all again anyway, but that was hilarious." Helena finished her silly tale, one of many of her time at… Her old workplace. The names seemed vaguely familiar, but I didn't want to prod.

"Yeah, I don't know why you trusted me with that. It didn't damage any ahem vital equipment at least." Sandy admitted with some shame, drinking from a bottle of water.

"You don't remember? I just got back from my last deployment an-"

"Helena!"

The guitarist stopped with a blush before she could divulge any further, much to my disappointment. "The point is, I was busy and didn't have time to tune my guitar if the concert was going to be on time."

"Your dynamic is pretty adorable." IF admitted, having a scarcely visible blush on her.

"Same to you." Helena retorted. "I mean, I could tell you two fancied each other even without the whole domestic terroism thing Koei pulled."

I felt a gold glare. "Right. That."

I don't even turn to look at IF. "Look, I was drunk and…"

I felt an arm wrap over me as IF pulled me over for a hug. "Excuses, excuses. Just admit you like me, you stud."

I froze. "Help, I don't know how to deal with affection." I mutter as the pair laughed politely.

"I don't think any of us do." San Diego said with a positive sigh. "But that's the beauty of love, right?"

I smiled as I pulled IF into a hug. "Yeah. Least I can embarrass Iffy."

I felt the icy death glare of IF, but she didn't try to escape my hug.


After some lighthearted banter, the job was finished and we made our way out of Planepark. Uzume had sobered up significantly, but headed back to the apartment anyway to rest up.

As for IF and I? We were just wandering around Planeptune. Somehow we ended up at the Guild and I headed in on a whim.

Checking the board in a bored manner, I picked an easy looking quest, it uploading to my UI gloves nigh-instantly as I left.

"You're getting more work? I'm impressed." IF crossed her arms with a wry grin. "Guess I could do with some work too. Consider it a date?"

I blushed profusely. "Y-yeah."


Poyu Poyu Plains. Not even subtle. Filled with several varieties of dogoo who hate each other vehemently. Like christ, there's dogoo corpses everywhere.

"Yeah, this place has some… Weird inhabitants." IF sighed as the first of many dogoos fell to her blade.

Pulling out Serenity, I fired a Frostblast at an angry red Dogoo that was also on fire and currently melting a blue compatriot. The blue dogoo looked at me with those sad, sad eyes and simply wobbled away.

"Poyu Poyu Plains is well known for the diverse variety of Dogoo species. One of the oldest untouched areas in Planeptune."

"You are a walking exposition machine some days." I smiled as I pulled out Serenity and took a potshot at a purple dogoo giving me a look. One that I wish IF would give me at some point.

These dogoos are giving me weirdly sexual thoughts. I'd best start murdering before this train of thought gets any worse.

Oh look, a weirdly happy green one. Throwing Serenity at the green thing, it exploded rather unspectacularly. As I jogged over to pick the sword back up, I saw IF not casting any of her trademark spells. Running back over to her, I got into a decent position and fired a spell at a red dogoo that was harassing her.

"Thanks." She said weakly. "That thing has… Uh…"

I give a reassuring smile.. "The problem is that you have Mana Burnout, isn't it?"

IF glared at me. "I-it's not a problem! It's a challenge."

My eyes became half-lidded. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't push yourself too far. I don't need to explain to Compa about how you ended up bedridden again."

IF smiled back. "Thanks. I joined you because I know you'd watch my back."

Giving a curt nod, I got back into it, pulling out Peace and firing some potshots at a yellow dogoo who seemed rather pleased with itself. I swear that was the reason why I missed.

Really.

"I know you want to make me feel better, but we still have a job to do Kopey." IF said smugly as she slashed at more dogoos.

Rolling my eyes, I just used a Frostblast at the happy dogoo, like the psychopath I am. It's weird how I can't aim pistols, but slower magic blasts hit perfectly. I don't get it, but whatever. MAGIC.

"These little shits keep coming." IF muttered as they in fact, kept coming. How the fuck are they still coming?

As if on cue, the dogoos eyes widened and they started to back away. At first I thought they had achieved common sense but when a shadow started to loom over me. Oh good, must be getting cloudy. Turning around and-

Oh goddesses. That's a big fuckin' dragon. "Iffy… why is there a dragon here?"

IF stayed silent. "I don't know. Maybe it was staying in a cave nearby and the Siege of Planeptune woke it up? Regardless…"

I mean, I tried to run, but my legs were frozen to the ground. This fucker looked bigger and meaner than the Elder Dragon I fought way back when, and I wasn't even with a CPU this time. As it looked, this was it.

Really. Really. The dragon raised one of its massive, bloody claws, ready to take me down in a single strike. I was still frozen in fear. Sure, I've fought a dark goddess before, but a beast of this scale was something else. I made peace with any deity that would listen as the claw descended towards me.

"D-Demon Flame!" IF cried out, grimacing in pain as a wall of flame burst out in front of me, finally knocking me out of me stupor as I instinctively backed away.

Shaking my head, I saw IF on one knee, a single eye open as she clutched her side, breathing heavily as she did so. Rushing over to her, I helped her back onto two feet as the drake turned back around, the previously mentioned claw having suffered some impressive burn damage.

"Dammit Koei…" IF wheezed with a smile. "You actually listened to me and didn't try to stab a dragon in the face. Dragons are dangerous."

"I know." I sigh, letting go of her as I pulled out Serenity. "But we won't be able to outrun it without a plan."

IF nodded, still reeling from her Mana Burnout. "Yeah. What's your idea then, because I don't want to risk another attack like that."

I put a hand to my chin, before pulling out a can of Nep Bull EX II and handed it to IF. "Drink this. You're going to need the mana."

IF looked at me, but saw how serious I was and opened it without question, chugging the drink within seconds. Throwing the can at the dragon, roared in rage of her taunt, now clearly wanting us dead. "Now what?"

I waited for the dragon to raise its other, non-burnt claw at us, doing nothing partially out of the continued fear of death and for my plan.

As the claw descended again right towards me, I heard a primal scream of fear and rage. That was how I knew this gambit had worked.

Mere inches from my face, I felt something shove me over pretty hard followed by the clashing of metal on metal. Getting over the shock of said shove, I got back up and looked at IF and gave a wry grin.

If Neptune could do this, I sure as hell could help Iffy unleash her true strength. After a brief struggle, IF managed to overpower the drake's claw, forcing it back as I could finally see that form of her again.

Once I had feared for my life against that form.

Now she was my saviour.

Running back to IF, I gave her a bear hug. "Iffy! You did it! You Awakened!"

IF looked at me with a confused look. "Awakened? What do you… Oh." She looked at her previously purple sleeve, now black, red and orange. "What the hell?"

"I'll explain afterwards. You feeling alright after that Nep Bull?" I ask with some concern, just in case she needed some extra help.

IF shook her head. "I'll be fine. Compa recommended I have a Nep Bull before I did any adventuring, but forgot to stock up, so thanks… Even if you did something utterly stupid." She punched my arm. "Dumbass."

"Well, ever since I fought you, I've wanted to see what my darling Iffy is really capable of." I admitted. "That and the last time I saw it you wasn't entirely sane, so I kinda want to see what you can do with it… and you're cuter."

Before IF could ask about that last part, the dragon got very sick of our bullshit and roared, indicating that the time for chat was over.

"I'll save that comment about you finding this form cuter for later teasing. For now…"

A fire-like aura started to form around IF. "I got some dragon meat to cook."

I rolled my eyes and Awoke myself. "Okay, Arsonist."

Awakened Koei and IF

Vs.

Some Fuckin' Dragon

THE DESCENT OF DRAGONS HAS COME!

READY? FIGHT!

Without hesitation, flames erupted from beneath the drake, instantly setting it aflame as I just stood there, giving IF an incredulous look. "IF. Stop setting the enemy on fire, I need to punch the thing."

After a moment, the flames died down, allowing me to fire a few Frostblasts at the most burned locations to inflict maximum damage.

"Nice." IF commented, clearly aware of where she should locate next. The dragon did not take kindly to the dual elemental barrage and stomped, causing us to go off balance before a claw swing forced us to seperate. With a curt nod, we charged up our respective elements for a dual strike, with my next Frostblast aimed at the drake's leg.

IF fired several waves of flame towards the dragon's face, causing it to cover its eyes in pain as I shot a charged Frostblast to each leg, forcing it to be entirely immobile.

Taking the chance to run back over to IF, she seemed to already have a plan. "Good work. The dragon's been blinded by my fire magic, now all we have to do is-"

The dragon roared in anger and pain as it started breathing fire randomly, forcing me to conjure a wall of ice in order to have some defense against the blazing heat. "IF. PLAN. NOW." I stated in no uncertain terms.

"Right!" IF nodded, before putting a hand to her chin. "If I recall correctly, forcing a dragon's mouth shut while they attempt to breathe fire will cause a buildup of gasses within their body that will lead to-"

"Kaboom." I nod, understanding the plan. "But how do you get up there?"

"Who said I'd have to? You've ripped out a dragon's eye before, you can easily get up to the head while I distract it." IF said with a wry grin.

Rolling my eyes, I started to climb up the flailing lizard's back. Admittedly. It was a bit of a struggle, but I made it up eventually. Fucker was about the size of a house, but the back spikes made it a far less of an issue. The hard part would be forcing the jaw shut… Oh well, LEEROY JENKINS! Wrapping my left arm around the dragon's jaw and forced it shut. While the jaw muscle was strong, my arm was stronger. Once the jaw was properly closed, I cast one final Frostblast in order to properly freeze it shut.

Climbing back down, I ran up to IF, who was resting after having held the dragon off long enough for me to seal its jaw shit. "Ya did great, Iffy." I patted her on the shoulder as she breathed heavily.

"T-Thanks." IF blushed as her Awakened form faded, clearly out of energy after fighting a dragon. I felt my energy fade too as I collapsed to one knee. "F-fuck, even all this time later, a Dragon takes most everything I have… Oh god you said it was going to explode, right?"

Sweat began to form on IF's face. "I didn't think I'd run out of energy so soon… "

With a heartfelt sigh, I started to heft IF over my shoulder. She seemed to be fine with this arrangement, which was good because I looked back to the dragon's chest expanding, so no time for alternatives. Fighting through my own exhaustion, I ran as fast as I could away from the dragon and away from Poyu Poyu Plains for what felt like minutes before I heard an explosion behind me. Heaving a sigh of relief, I span 180 degrees to see an actual mushroom cloud.

Using my free hand to wipe the sweat off of my brow, I immediately fell forward with an untriumphant thud, IF now on my back rather than over my shoulder.

I breathed a sigh of relief that we were safe… Then promptly felt dread as IF was on top of me and wasn't moving. Trying to lift my tired body with hers on top elicited a grunt from the chunni.

"Stoppit, you're comfy." She muttered tiredly. "Not all of us have hidden untapped potential that we're aware of, Mr. Saviour of Planeptune."

"Hidden untapped potential that we're aware of?" I ask incredulously. "I assume you're just delirious from being tired, hence why you think I'm comfy."

IF rolled off my body. "Mmm, the grass is better. But I liked how warm you were…"

I reached into my inventory and grabbed a Nep Bull and proceeded to flip myself around. "Yup, this is getting weird. Want a Nep Bull or?"

"Nah. Compa would kill me if I had more than one in a day. Got any Healing Potions?"

I tossed a blue bottle at her. As she was face up, she caught it pretty easily. Ninja reflexes for the win! She did drink it down gratefully before tiredly getting up.

"So… Should we go back for the lo-"

"NO."