Okay, next chapter is about ready...

?: HOLD IT!

Neptune?! What's the meaning of this?

Neptune: You've been focusing waaaaay too much on the Fate-stay night chars! This's supposed to be a crossover, remember?

Marvy appeared a few chapters ago...

Neptune: Nope, not good enough! There's only one way to fix this, and that is...

A cameo by you?

Neptune: Ding ding ding! Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!

(Sigh)... well, can't argue with the protagonist...

ON WITH THE SHOW!

Neptunia Guild Files: Fate/book one

A Hyperdimension Neptunia Fan Fiction

by Derald Snyder

Section 29: Main Character Cameo

Purple Heart flew at high speed toward Oceanside Town, a grim expression on her face... (Why didn't you tell me sooner, Marvy?!) There was no way she was going to let her and Nepgear's favorite local beach spot get overrun by wyverns and dragons! In the distance, she saw a pillar of darkness briefly shoot into the sky, igniting a terrible fear in her heart as she tried to increase her speed...

Soon, the town came into view, the CPU seeing some citizens being accosted by a green-scaled wyvern! Acting quickly, she summoned her katana, bearing down on the monster, chopping it in half down the middle with one smooth swing! As the wyvern dematerialized, she asked, "Are you all right?!"

"Oh, thank you, Lady Purple Heart!" the citizens cried in gratitude. Nodding in affirmation, the CPU immediately flew off to attack another wyvern nearby-

-only for the monster to suddenly fade from existence, as if it had never been there. "What...?" Turning to a nearby NPC, she inquired, "Excuse me, do you know which direction that pillar of darkness came from?"

"I think it was over there!" the NPC pointed. "I saw a pillar of light earlier, too!"

"Thank you," Purple Heart acknowledged, quickly flying off in the direction indicated... it didn't take long to find the likely place where the light and darkness had come from- a half-destroyed building with a large hole in the ground. Nearby said hole were a man and a woman... and Purple Heart could sense dark energy emanating from the woman! "Hold it right there!" she cried as she landed in front of the couple. "Were you the ones responsible for this devastation?!"

"Rider, what joke is..." the blonde woman grunted before looking up, her golden eyes widening as she jerked back in shock! "L-Lady Purple Heart?! Why are you here?!"

"I was informed that wyverns were attempting to raze Oceanside Town to the ground," the CPU responded dispassionately. "And I saw a pillar of darkness from this area not long ago..."

"With all due respect, Lady Purple Heart," the white-haired man stepped between the two ladies, "Agent Saber was responsible for that dark pillar you saw, but she is NOT the one responsible for the wyverns. We work for the Guild, like your friend IF..."

"Oh, you're Guild members?" Purple Heart tilted her head curiously.

"That is correct. I am Agent Saber, this is Agent Archer," the dark woman made introductions. "If you came to lend your assistance, you are too late. The mastermind behind this crisis is dead, and his accomplice has been arrested by Agent Ruler. You have come here in vain."

"I-it's already over...?!" Neptune reverted to her human form in shock. "Wait a nep! I'm supposed to be the cool heroine that saves the day at the last moment, not the ineffectual calvary that arrives when it's all said and done! No nepping fair!" She sat down on the ground and pouted.

"Well, it was pretty touch and go there for a bit... your assistance would have been a great help," Archer tried to assure her. Just then, Jeanne emerged from the building with her counterpart in tow. "Oh, speaking of which, here's Agent Ruler now..."

"L-Lady Neptune?!" Jeanne gasped in surprise. "What are you doing here?!"

"Oh, sure. NOW the lazy goddess shows up," Alter sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Hey, I got here as fast as I could when I heard about it!" Neptune protested, jumping back to her feet. She did a double-take, however, upon seeing the duo... "Whoa... good twin, evil twin much?!"

"More like twisted evil clone," Saber Alter muttered. "This is the accomplice I spoke of earlier..."

"Oh, yeah? So, like, why isn't she handcuffed or anything?" Neptune observed.

"Wh- Agent Ruler, what have I told you about making sure suspects are properly restrained?!" Archer said quickly, walking up to Jeanne Alter and tracing a pair of handcuffs on her wrists. "(Ahem) You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand these rights as I have read them to you?"

"Yeah, yeah," Alter sighed in resignation. "Hey, goddess, while you're here, can I ask you something?"

"Show respect to Lady Neptune!" Jeanne chastised, lightly smacking her copy upside the head.

"Eh, fine, ask away, as long as it's not asking for a pardon," Neptune sighed, crossing her arms.

"I'm not that stupid," Jeanne Alter rolled her eyes. "Okay, first, do you know anything about a town full of non-gamers that was burned to the ground a couple decades back?"

"Oh man... that was so awful, hearin' about that!" Neptune groaned. "I remember telling Histy to make sure they threw the book at those guys who pulled that stunt! I mean, just 'cause they weren't playing games doesn't mean they were secretly helping those ASIC baddies!"

"So... what's your opinion on non-gamers in general?" Jeanne Alter pressed.

"Well, I don't want non-gamers to like, become the majority or anything, 'cause then I'd run outta Share Energy and go poof... but, I get there's some people who'd rather not, and I'm not gonna force 'em to," Neptune replied. "But, that's why marketing's so important, so you entice people to want to buy and play your games!"

"...I see." Jeanne Alter looked down, biting her lip. "Thank you, Lady Neptune. Maybe we were wrong from the start..."

"So you see the error of your ways now? Sweet!" Neptune smiled. "Maybe once you've done your time, you can become part of Iffy's Guild yourself!"

"...maybe," Alter said noncommittally. "Okay, I'm done... take me away." Jeanne nodded, leading her 'sister' off to the police station...

*The next day...*

"So, I received the report from Agent Ruler," the Planeptune Guild director said as he sat behind his desk, Nero, Tamamo and Rider standing before him, IF standing off to the side. "Agent Rider, is it true that you abandoned your fellow agents in their hour of need?"

"Y, Yeah, okay, I freaked out," Rider tried to restrain her response. "But, most people would do the same facing down a gigantic dragon! Besides, I came back and rammed my bike into that monster's head! It's not like I was cowering in the corner or something-!" She stopped as the director raised a hand.

"Enough. I just wanted to hear your side of events," the shadow-man stated. "Very well, in light of your later contribution, you will only be suspended for the rest of today and tomorrow without pay. Learn your lesson well, for I will not be so merciful if you demonstrate further cowardice. Is that clear?"

"Yessir," Rider answered, bowing from the waist. "I'll see myself out, then..." She whirled around and marched out of the office.

The director sighed. "Now then... Agents Caster and Red Saber. Ruler was quite glowing in her praise of your efforts. Good work preventing an incident that could have drawn in the CPU herself, and nearly did anyway. In light of your achievements, I am revoking your temporary status and promoting you both to full-time agents." Seeing Nero's face light up, he quickly continued, "But do not let this go to your head, for pride comes before the fall..."

"Y, yes. Understood, sir. Thank you very much," Nero bowed in gratitude, Tamamo doing the same.

"Dismissed," the director nodded, the two promptly nodding and leaving. As soon as the door closed, however, a loud whoop of joy was heard from Nero in the hallway.

"At least she waited until she was outside," IF observed with a sweat-drop.

"Indeed," the director agreed. "It seems you made the right decision to recruit those two after all, despite Marie's reservations... not that I don't trust your judgement, but..."

"Trust, but verify," IF finished for him. "By the way... after Nep was finished yelling at me for not telling her about this, even though I didn't realize the severity of the situation myself... anyway, she asked if I've been doing anything with my family lately..."

"Hmm, it has been a while, hasn't it," the director mused. "Did you have anything in mind in particular?"

"Maybe just going to dinner this coming weekend. That would be good enough for me," IF responded.

"Very well, I shall make the arrangements," the director assented. "Would the restaurant at the city outskirts be adequate?"

"That's fine," IF agreed. "Until then... father."

"Until then, daughter," the director nodded as IF exited the office.

(Jeanne D'Arc- End)

...So, did you expect that wham line at the very end? XD

Neptune: Wait, the guild's director is Iffy's dad?! That explains a few things...

Quiet, you. You got your cameo, now behave.

Neptune: Yes, author... Hey, reader! Don't forget to review, 'kay?