A Goddess of two Nations: Rabendā

Chapter 4: A Misunderstanding of Bullets and Swords! Neptune vs K-Sha

Flying over most of the area, Purple Sister was carrying Rabendā through the fields between Lowee and Lastation. It wasn't long she snapped focus, feeling something was going on in Lastation in that direction. It was a surge of Share energy like it was bursting out in one single area. It felt like it had to be Neptune because no one could make that kind of energy without reason. Rabendā's worry for her parents Neptune and Noire was growing even more rapidly as Purple Sister and she were about to cross Lowee's borders, her hair whipping in the wind. Purple Sister started to descend to the ground, letting Rabendā drop to her feet first. Purple Sister put a hand to her chest, letting her hair dance lightly in the wind.

"That surge of share energy, it felt like Neptune. She has to be in a fight right now." Purple Sister said before frowning, "That means K-Sha must have attacked her. But why or why this feeling?"

"But will we make it in time?" Rabendā asked fidgeting her fingers in concern, "K-Sha might kill her, I-I don't want that. Please be safe." only for Purple Sister to wrap her arms around her niece, her head to her chest.

"She'll be okay. No matter what, Neptune is strong, no one can beat her so easily. We'll get to her Rabendā, promise. I won't let anyone hurt her, trust me." she replied, brushing the back of her hair.

"Auntie Nepgear," Rabendā responded, softly, feeling Nepgear's comforting words reassure her. Grabbing hold of her niece's hand, the pair took off back on their trek to make sure to help Neptune and Noire. Rabendā wasn't too worried, they'll get to them in time. They just pray that feeling wasn't Neptune in a fight. have to make sure, just to be sure.

"Everyone, evacuate the area immediately!" Guild members from Lastation called out, telling citizen and Nation visitors to leave the festivities and get out there before they are hurt. Not many knew what was going on, felt the Share Energy, but knew that one of the CPUs was in combat was a force that shook up the area. No one would know that the CPU Neptune was engaging in a fight with K-Sha of Gold Third and Noire was watching this unfold. Noire was watching her friend and long-time fellow CPU fighting each other, and stopping them was out of the picture.

Neptune's sword was blocked by K-Sha's guns, the blade digging into the pistols with sparks flying. K-Sha held her ground, feeling her body wanted to give way at the strength of the short CPU. She gritted her teeth and didn't expect Neptune to fight back. She looked at the CPU's eyes. They didn't have the same carefree nature, but anger and hatred for the Gold Third member. This was a side of Neptune she didn't expect, a side that wasn't normal for the Planeptune CPU. K-Sha could feel the weight of Neptune's CPU power, even from here it's powerful.

'She was never this strong, even in her human form? Was Neptune always this human as me, no way able to beat me.' K-Sha thought

"I will give you only one option," Neptune warned, pointing her sword at her, her tone darker, "Leave now and I won't hurt you."

"Not a chance, until I get my answer why she chose you over me, then I'll leave, Neptune," K-Sha replied darkly, pointing one of the uzis at Neptune.

"Not a chance, my ass!" Neptune screamed, shocking K-Sha to see her this angry or swear before. Neptune was never this angry before, was that gift being shot upsetting her. Neptune dashed again to K-Sha, swinging her sword at the Gold Third member. K-Sha was strong? K-Sha finally broke the guard and jumped away, her feet skidding the ground and faced Neptune.

"You've gotten stronger, guess you and the Gold Third were strong enough to beat us months ago. But that's only because of Kurome you were able to get the jump on us." but K-Sha was still as nimble enough to dodge her swings, hearing Neptune continue to speak to her, "You think you can just come here and attack me to just let you bother Noire, you're as crazy as you look, you little snake!"

Neptune's sword collided with K-Sha's Uzi, K-Sha staring down the CPU and her insult. Her teeth gritted again, she eyed her, "I'm the snake? Look who's talking! You never gave a damn about Noire!" and she pushed her back, finally firing from her guns at Neptune.

"What?!" Neptune exclaimed, using her blade to deflect the bullets from her. Each force was pushing her back, but she kept her guard, blocking each bullet, shouting back at the Gold Third member, "What are you saying, I care about Noire, she's one of my comrades, my friend!"

"Stop lying!" she screamed, one of her bullets finally pushing Neptune that the sound of the bullet hitting metal echoed in the air. K-Sha's grip on her two Uzi's, her bangs covering her eyes, "Noire always tells me how you've treated her like she's just a friendless loser!"

"She did?" Neptune asked, looking from K-Sha and to Noire who stood silent. Noire looked away, ashamed of the fact that she admitted to K-sha. She frowned, not expecting the trouble of her chats with the Gold Third member to come out. Her hands fidget to her front, now knowing her girlfriend in a sense learned what she said behind her back.

"Of course she does, at least I care about her. You've known her for decades and all you do is mistreat her! Noire has no friends, Noire is a loner, Noire has a sister complex for Uni, hahaha, so funny!" she shouted, mocking Neptune's voice. Neptune flinched, all was what she picked on Noire for the longest time. No one pointed out how she treated her, was that how she treated her. She looked to Noire, the black-haired CPU seeing her gaze rest on her. Her mind flashed to all the time she spent, all it was teasing her and always teasing. Her face looked more solemnly at Noire and back to K-Sha, who now pointed her Uzi at the CPU. She looked down, eyes closed and now feeling more the weight for her treatment of someone who's practically an ally to her. Her other hand balled into a fist, she hates how true K-Sha's words were.

"You're right, you're right, K-Sha," she said at once, no sarcasm, no joking tone, her words were serious and sincere, "I was… a jerk to Noire, picking on her, calling her lonely Heart, even treating her other dimension self like she was a fake. I was a terrible person who treats everything like I joke, I even let my sister get treated like trash in the Ultra Dimension. I can never take all of those years back, even if I could. But I will do this," and raised her head high, her purple eyes narrowed seriously, "Be there for her now because I love Noire."

"Neptune…" Noire mumbled, putting a hand together to her front. Noire looked to K-Sha and felt something from the young girl. Seeing a mist of energy surrounding her, looking almost too familiar when Kurome had control of her feelings and delusions.

"You're lying! A zebra doesn't change its stripes! You'll only keep making Noire feel bad! You don't deserve her, Noire belongs to me!" she shouted.

"If you think you can take her from me…" Neptune pointed her blade at her, her purple eyes narrowed, "Come at me, bitch."

"Neptune.." Noire said softly.

The two girls stared down at each other, the light wind blowing their hair. They kept their eyes glued on each other, weapons gripped at the read again. Noire just kept watching, her new girlfriend and first real friend, were fighting for her. She didn't want this to happen, but if she tried to step in the way, it would only break their ride. She only wished neither hurt each other badly. Finally the two rush at each other to attack.

K-Sha fired his Uzis as she ran, Neptune dodges them and swung her sword finally near the Gold Third member. K-Sha guarded the blade with her right Uzi, trying to then fire at Neptune's head. She dodged, pushing the Gold Third Member back again. Neptune dismissed her sword and pointed her index finger into the air.

"32-Bit Mega Blade!" she exclaimed, a large purple sword digitized above her. The Mega Blade came crashing down before her as its faith energy set K-Sha flying back. She lands on her back, skidding feet from Neptune. K-Sha would transparence a little from fall, grabbing her guns and look at Neptune. She was way stronger than when they first fought her back during the CPU Shift Period. Her right hand glowed green, healing her scratches before four gold transparent cards appeared in front of her.

"Kil Assault!" she exclaimed, grabbing the third card and golding up into the air. The card shined in her hand before K-Sha pointed her hand towards Neptune. With a command of, "Go!", small bit-looking ships were conjured, the ships firing into her. Neptune was hit with a barrage of bullets before K-Sha made a running start and leaped into the air. "The final hit!' and then brought the two ships back to her side. Holding her hands out, a red laser charge in the palm of her hands, the same time blue, and green laser were charging from the small ships. Noire gasped as the three lasers fired and hit Neptune and sent her flying into one of the booths, the curtains, wood, and debris covering the CPU.

"Neptune, Neptune!" Noire shouted, seeing the dust covering the wrecked booth. Her only concern seeing the wreckage was running to help Neptune, but she couldn't move. She didn't want the idea K-Sha hurting Neptune too badly. K-Sha walks to the wreckage, her Uzis still in her hands when Neptune finally started to emerge from the wrecked booth. Her body was covered in scratches, her outfit having small wear and tears, even her left sleeve was about to rip. Noire sighed in relief, Neptune was still okay. Of course, this was the same person who fought with her against the Deity of Sin, Rei Ryghts, and Kurome. She was stronger than she looks.

"Oh thank goodness, you're…" Noire called out to her but saw the look on Neptune's face was even angrier. The Share energy surrounding the short CPU was emanating around her body. She brandished her sword again and swung through the air, the sheer force sending K-sha flying far from her. K- Sha kept her balance to not fall to the ground when Neptune held out her other hand, a power symbol crystal materialized.

"Neptune…?" she asked, seeing that crystal means she is going to transform.

"Nepgear helped me with this outfit. I won't forgive you K-Sha, I won't forgive you for this. Transform!" and the crystal then shined as Neptune held it close to her chest, her body engulfed in the light. Her outfit vanished and her body stretched, her short hair lengthened, tightening into two long twin tails as her processor unit formed around her. When Neptune emerged from the light, she was now Purple Heart, but her processor unit was different. Her hair and hair clips remain the same while her bodysuit, while still black, has purple and blue lining all around the torso and arms. The middle of the torso has purple mesh, allowing a vague vertical view of her stomach. She also now wore thigh-high boots with octagon patterns on the side at the very top; one filled it with purple and another just a white outline. Noire realized it was a processor she obtained while in the Ultra Dimension. Neptune's sword turned into a long purple katana, now readying to continue this fight.

"I won't let you defeat me. Let's end this."

"That Share Energy, that's got to be Nepsy just now," Uzume said, putting a hand to her chest. Everyone was still in Blanc's room. Rom, Ram, Uni, Blanc, and the remaining Gold Third Members were still waiting on a report from Nepgear on the situation. Everyone was on pins and needles, when Mina returned into the room, she seemed not in the calmest moods. The Oracle came towards and sighed, it seemed she didn't have a great mood.

"Anything Mina?" Blanc asked her curiosity.

"Well, you should turn the TV on, looks like things have gotten worse," she instructed. Blanc nodded, grabbing the remote from her desk and turning her TV on. A news report was just going on right now, the showing was looked to be the Festival going on at Lastation. It looks completely vacant, with only one person standing there. She was a fair-skinned girl with bright teal-green eyes. She had long blonde hair worn in a ponytail held by a red ribbon-shaped lightning bolt with white and black accenting. Her outfit consists of a black tank top with a white band going across the bottom with two blue jagged lines going across it, one darker than the other. At the neck is a red tie with lines of black and white. She also wore a pair of white short-shorts with a red and black belt with a white buckle and a pulse line, black fingerless gloves ending above her elbows with white frilled cuffs, and above the knee black boots with red bands below the cuff.

The girl was Dengekiko, a reporter in Gameindustri and underneath her on the screen was the caption, "Festival break out! Attack on the CPUs". Everyone went pale at the words 'Attack', meaning not that long Nepgear and Rabendā left, Neptune was attacked. Uni was quivering in fear, Noire and Neptune got attacked?

"What seems to be a normal day in the city of Midgar leads to the CPUs, Purple Heart, and Black Heart, to be attacked by a young girl. The girl was identified to be K-Sha, a student at Lastation High School and a member of Gold Third. Many eyewitnesses remember the girl who first attacked the CPUs not so long ago, only to assist them when giant monasteries were attacking the Nation. No one knows why a Gold Third Member, a group now renowned as heroes, would attack one of the CPUs, Purple Heart also known as Neptune. Right now, the Festival grounds are bare and everyone is evacuated. We will keep you informed of what will happen. This is Dengekiko, signing out." and Blanc turned the TV off, looking towards everyone.

"Looks like things have escalated. How long did Nepgear and Rabendā leave anyway?" C-Sha asked.

"Not too long ago. So who knows if those two even made it or if K-Sha hasn't got them in the crossfire?" S-Sha asked, and everyone looked to the silver-haired woman, "K-Sha's mind can be very unstable. Not just her life in the Order, but Kurome's influence on her emotions. I don't think she has recovered from it more than the rest of us. Who knows what happened if she did run into Neptune and Noire? She does like Noire, so who knows what she has done to them."

"Wait, you don't think she will kill Neptune would she, she tried to kill me once before," Uni explained.

"Who knows, but you faced K-Sha in that state before, so who knows what she'll do to Neptune," B-Sha replied. Uni's face went pale, remembering how terrifying K-Sha was, pointing a gun at her, wanting to kill her, her crazed repeating 'Forever and ever' over and over, it was a memory to forget. Uni's face was even paler when she imagined the bodies of Neptune and Rabendā in the group, with a blood-stained K-Sha stand over them, a gleeful look on her face, and tear-stained Noire crying over the loss of her new girlfriend and daughter. Uni was in fear, K-Sha wouldn't kill someone, would she? No, K-sha isn't like that, she's moved on. But from what they said, her feelings got worse thanks to Kurome's influence and even that's not gone despite the hold on her is gone. Uni had to do something, and she let Nepgear and Rabendā walk right into that.

"Damn it!" Uni swore, hurrying to the door.

"Where do you think you're going Uni?" Blanc asked, her voice stopping the Lastation Candidate from exiting the door. Uni gripped her hand and turned back to everyone.

"Isn't it obvious, I'm going after Nepgear and Rabendā before they get hurt," she replied, her tone irritated that Blanc would stop her knowing her sister, friend, niece, and the nation was in danger.

"Look I get you are worried, but we can't just send others to the situation until we can fill out what to do," Blanc said, her tone still calm and now angry.

"What is there to fill out Blanc, the more we stand here twiddling our thumbs, K-Sha could seriously hurt Neptune in her assault on her. You think I'm going to let my friend and niece get hurt by her?" she snapped., raising her voice.

"And I think you should calm down and not react on impulse. Or is it how you acted to Nepgear when she was told by Histoire and how the three of you treated her?" Blanc retorted, her tone more forceful, "Ram, Rom!" she snapped her attention to her sisters who flinched, hearing Blanc was angry, "It's one thing to be just laying around, but when you attack Nepgear, IF, Compa, and the others unprovoked on the idea Nepgear was some evil Goddess? And when the Killachines were unleashed you two should have joined forces on the spot to help them, you decided to play around. Instead of acting like the Candidates you are, you play around like children!" her voice carried around the room, The Gold Third members and Uzume all flinched too.

"But we did help them, honestly!" Rom shouted half-heartedly, not adding how rude she was when they first retreated when the Killachines were unleashed to only helping them afterward.

"And yet you took too long and had Nepgear and them deliver the Mascot Disc on their own? No wonder your childish behavior caused Rom to be kidnapped. If the two of you grew up and realized how we spent those three years trapped while the sole mission for Nepgear to save us had this many problems!" Blanc shouted, it was clear she was waiting for the day to discipline her sisters for how they acted, Uni was just the gaslight of start the fire of how the Candidates acted when the CPUs were captured and Nepgear recruitment of them, how they barely tried to get along before letting the ASIC members have to be the reason they join to save them. She then snapped back to Uni again, her hand gripping tightly, "And don't get me freaking started with you Uni? I get you to care a lot about Noire, I get that but you called Napgear a traitor, are you stupid? IF and Compa were also at fault at that and you never gave Nepgear a chance to explain?" Everyone gasped, they didn't know that from anyone, even the Makers, "You may be a CPU Candidate, but stop acting like a child thinking she can do whatever! No wonder you let Brave defeat you!" and as Blanc yelled, Uni was getting furious listening to hounds on her from the past, wanting to finally scream out, "And you think you can go and save Nepgear and Rabendā, stop daydreaming and grow up!"

"AND I'M JUST GOING TO STAND AND WATCH MY FAMILY BE KILLED BY K-SHA?!" Uni shouted, finally the whole room went silent. Her words made even Blanc freeze up, The sisters, Mina, and Uzume, and Gold Third Members as well. Rom looked like she was ready to cry, seeing her older sister fighting with Uni was terrible to watch. Uzume clutched her arm feverishly and worried this might turn into a fight. Uni took a moment to realize she shouted, seeing everyone look at her like she grew a second head. She bowed her head in shame, her face now saddened, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout."

"No, I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry." Blanc said softly.

"Please Blanc, Ms. Uni, don't fight. We all moved on, and I know we shouldn't have attacked Nepgear, but we aren't the same girls from when the ASIC was around. We are sorry for how we acted, right Ram?" Rom asked, looking at her twin sister.

"Yeah, we are sorry for all the trouble we caused and should have listened to Nepgear and helped sooner. It was all on me at the time." Ram explained, "I laughed when Nepgear and they had to make a retreat back to the Basilicom, I was jealous of Rom being friendly to Nepgear. If it was for Rom, we would still be in our room letting Nepgear and others unable to get through the Kilachies. I've changed since then, but I do regret how bratty I was."

"It's true." Mina nodded, remember all of that. Everyone looked to Uni, who still had her head bowed.

"You're right Blanc, all of it. Back when I ran into Nepgear and learned she was Neptune's sister, I was too angry and foolish to not even listen to her. I called her a traitor, was very rude to her, yet that girl, that girl still sees me as a friend, despite how bad I was, and still am. She's still my friend when I point my gun at Uzume, not giving her a chance to explain because I thought she took Noire. I haven't learned anything since ASIC and still won't learn to not treat Nepgear as a person but as a friend. But I can't stay and let K-Sha hurt others. It's not just Noire, Nepgear, Rabendā," Uni rose her head back up, and put a hand to her chest, her face fixed on looking Blanc dead in the eyes, "but my Nation too. So please, let me protect them, my family, and my nation." she finished, her words sincere.

"Blancsy, I'll go with her and keep her safe. I can take K-Sha on just fine if she attacks me. Plus I want to protect Gearsy and Rabsy too ya know?" Uzume said cheerfully. Blanc sighed, going to her computer and typing something.

"You are Noire's sister after all: once you put your mind into something, you'll do it," Blanc said wholeheartedly, knowing Lastation's CPUs are pretty bullheaded when it comes to doing something big. Like Noire's plan to enter VR. She shouldn't underestimate Noire's bull-headedness and neither should she doubt Uni.

It wasn't long that Uni and Uzume were speeding through the fields between Lowee and Lastation in a blue hovercar. The two CPUs sat in the back, facing the seat of their driver. They know Nepgear and Rabendā shouldn't be that far when they left to when they catch up to them, but they have to play it by ear the make it before they get into a fight with K-Sha. Blanc's words when the left echo in their minds.

'I'd owe the driver a favor but if you need to get to Lastation's Midgar, you need his help. A driver known for his racing skills will get you there in no time. If Nepgear and Rabendā didn't leave long before you, You'll get there before they encounter K-Sha. Don't worry, as the leader of F-Zero, he'll get you there.'

"Thanks for helping us get to Midgar, sorry you had to get wrapped up in this," Uni said to the driver.

"No problem Lady Uni. I owe Lady Blanc for funding for our stadium the other month, so I don't mind getting you to your destination." spoke the driver. He was brash and flashy in appearance, tall and firm. His outfit is a combination of a flight suit and body armor. It consists of blue pants, blue form-fitting armor, and a red helmet as well as a single pauldron on his right shoulder. He always carries a sidearm in a holster on his right hip. Without the visor on his helmet, he had a scar above his left eye. His hair color is dark with brown eyes.

"Thanks uh, Douglas Falcon," Uzume said, cocking her head.

"Just Captain Falcon Lady Uzume." Captain Falcon corrected, adjusting the mirror to the back of the back seat where Uzume and Uni sat.

"Okay, Captain." Uni nodded before looking at the moving scenery, her concern now on Rabendā and Nepgear as well her sister and Neptune. Resting her head to the window, her red eyes staring blankly out looking at just fields, only thinking to help her family. They had to make it there, she wasn't going to lose them, any of them. Blinking her red eyes, she looked more determined than ever.

'You helped me once before, now it's my turn to help you.'

Purple Heart stood on the wreckage of the booth, her twin tails blowing gently in the breeze as her eyes looked intently at K-Sha, her sword pointed at the Gold Third member. K-sha kept her Uzis held in both her hands, ready for Purple Heart to make the first move. Purple Heart step from the wreckage and kept her sword still pointed, now going to let her guard down at the black-haired girl.

"Neptune…" Noire mumbled, still concerned.

"So you're going all out?" K-Sha asked, pointing her right Uzi at her, "I thought you transformed into your Next Form."

"I have intent to use such power against a comrade. But, I will give you one warning…" snd Purple Heart's eyes were more serious, "Leave, you caused enough trouble."

"Not until Noire is safe from a horrible person like you Neptune. You done far enough to her for decades, she needs a real friend!" K-Sha exclaimed, her Uzi pointed at her. Purple didn't respond but dashed at K-Sha, the black-haired Gold Third Member guarding at the tall purple-haired woman.

"What she needs, isn't your toxic influence," Purple Heart growled at her.

"Look who's talking!" K-Sha exclaimed, sending her back.

The two were going at it as Noire watched, Purple Heart's sword continuing to collide with K-Sha's Uzis. The two were moving so fast, it was hard to believe for Noire, they did fight before. K-Sha fired from her left hand and used her sword to deflect the bullets fired. Neptune tossed her sword at K-Sha, K-Sha blocking it but felt the sword pushing her back, move backward. Purple Heart's katana return to her hand and pointed her blade

"Critical Edge!" Purple Heart exclaimed, dashing over to K-Sha, slashing her upwards, launching her up into the air with the end of her blade, leaning back before slashing her in the air. Purple Heat landed with K-Sha behind her and panted. She still felt the damage of the impact with the booth, the long katana slipping from her hand. If it wasn't for the anger she was feeling, the adrenaline she felt, she dropped like a rock. But she wasn't going to let K-Sha hurt Noire, she won't.

BANG!

Purple Heart cried out as her blade dropped from her hand and she dropped to her knees, her body sparking with electricity. Noir gasped before she called out to her girlfriend

"Neptune!"

K-Sha had fired from her Uzi a paralyzed shot, her gun sparking from the barrel. Her expression was serious as she pointed at her back, keeping her distance from the CPU Goddess.

"Looks like it works. Not for dirty tactics but it works," K-Sha said, her tone more serious," I no longer have the same strength we used when Kurome changed the world, but as long I can stop you, I don't care how weak I am."

"Damn, you.." Purple Heart spat, one eye open at the girl looking at her.

"Don't worry, I won't kill you. But I will not hesitate, every year you hurt her, I'll make you suffer for it, for the rest of your life," K-Sha added darkly.

"K-Sha, stop!" Noire cried out but K-Sha didn't listen, all it matters to her was making the source of her friend's woes pay

"Time to learn, to not treat others like crap, Neptune," she added, her trigger finger ready to pull it.

"Please, stop this!" Noire pleaded but again K-Sha didn't listen.

At the same time, Nepgear and Rabendā had to arrive in Midgar and at where the festival was, running as fast through the many booths. Nepgear stopped while holding Rabena's hand, panting heavily, and kneeled to the ground.

"Auntie Nepgear?" Rabendā asked.

"Sorry, guess I used too much of my power. I'll be okay," and gingerly tries to get up but kneels back down. Rabena held her aunt, patting the back of her head.

"Thank you, I'll go on ahead, just rest," she said and before Nepgear could respond Rabendā dashed off, Nepgear trying to call her back!

"Rabendā, it's too dangerous!" as a gunshot was heard, And Nepgear's eyes were wide in shock. Did K-Sha shoot Neptune? No, she wouldn't try to kill her, this is too much. Her body felt like lead, She used much of her energy to fly here but she needs to recover and stop them. THen it means, Rabanda is running right into that.

"Rabendā…. NEPTUNE!" Nepgear screamed as Rabendā was out of her eyesight.

The young Goddess kept running, the sound of a gunshot was heard. She's heard a gun before, the one sounding close, her mom's… they're in trouble. Her legs kept moving, she doesn't care if she dropped, she was going to protect them, her family. Her feet skidded to a halt, seeing Purple Heart (body sparking with electricity) and a black-haired girl point a gun at her.

"K-Sha, please!" Noire screamed.

"Every shot won't be fatal, but you'll learn, treat people like crap, get treated the same way," K-Sha said darkly, her trigger ready to fire.

"No!" Noire screamed as a gunshot was fired before hearing something…

"Mommy!"

Rabendā felt her legs on auto point, the gun ready to hurt her momma, not knowing what she'd do. Her hand reached out, not seeing something forming from it. As the bullet was fired, time felt like it was slow to an inch. The fear of losing her parents so soon after meeting her, the feeling of losing her, she didn't want to, she wanted to protect her momma. But She wasn't like Neptune and Noire, they were Goddesses who thought of many strong villains, she was just a newborn, a fletching goddess, if only, if only she had the power, the power to protect them…

A second gunshot was fired…

"Neptune!" Noire cried as she turned away. Before she could hear Neptune's cries of pain, the sound of metal echoing ran in her. It didn't sound like Neptune crying in pain, it was like someone stopped the bullet. She looked back and gasped before her eyes.

Rabendā was between Purple Heart and K-Sha, her hand holding a slightly materialized sword in her hand that smoked from the bullet shot before vanishing into data.

"Rabendā?" Noire asked, startled her daughter was here, but why, it was too dangerous, and how she found out where they were.

"Momma!" Rabendā cried, kneeling to hug her mom, "Are you okay, can you move, what's wrong?!"

"Rabendā, what are you doing here?" Purple Heart asked, feeling the paralyze was wearing off, finally the sparks gone from her body.

"I was the news reporter and Auntie Nepgear and I rushed over. Thank goodness you're alive, I'm so glad," Rabendā replied, a tear shedding from her eyes, "I didn't want to think of losing my mommas so soon."

"Mommas?"K-Sha repeated, her eyes wide as the horror sunk in. Rabena looked at the black-haired girl, to eyes nervous.

"You're K-Sha aren't you? Please, don't hurt Momma Neptune and Momma Noire anymore," she asked.

"Momma, you are their daughter?" K-Sha asked before her hand trembled in anger, "So not only you hurt her feeling you violate her? How low can you get?!"

"Violate?!" Purple Heart blurted out with a flushed face, "You got the wrong idea, all we did was kiss1"

"You took her first kiss?!" You are worse than scum, now you force her to bear a child? I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!" K-Sha shouted once again, almost in a tantrum stand before pointing her gun at Purple Heart and Rabendā. Purple Heart took her daughter into her embrace to use her body to protect her as K-Sha was about to let the next bullet hit them.

"No!"

Before K-Sha could fire from her Uzis, her wrists were grabbed before she could fire from them. Noire had stopped her, trying to make her drop her weapons. Purple Heart and Rabendā looked back, seeing Noire had saved them. At the same time, Nepgear was running her way to them as K-Sha struggled.

"Noire, let me go, she has to pay for what she…" only for Noire to turn her around quickly, grab her cheeks, and collided her lips to hers.

Purple Heart stared blankly at what just happened, Rabendā confused as her mother. Nepgear made it to see the damaged area, bullet holes, and sword slashes all over and Her sister and niece on the ground, and Noire and K-Sha kissing… Wait, Kissing?

'What the heck did I miss?' Nepgear thought eyes bugged.

Noire's lips left K-Sha's, the Gold Third member was feeling many emotions: happiness, enjoyment, and confusion. Noire put a hand to her cheek and solemnly looked at her.

"I'm sorry, I really should have understood your feelings, I was just not ready for the idea someone cares for me, that's why I was so upset about the rumors you gave those two that I liked girls. At the time, I could barely understand my feelings for Neptune let alone yours, I'm sorry. You are my first real friend, I'm happy you are my friend. But Neptune's part of my life now, Rabendā too, because I kissed Neptune first, our share energy created Rabendā, Neptune did nothing wrong. I did it, it's my fault, and I owe up to it: not understanding your feelings and creating Rabendā, so, please don't hurt them anymore," and embraces K-Sha, the young Gold Third Member feeling mixed emotions about what's happening.

"Noire…" K-Sha said, her tone back to normal.

Noire let K-Sha go and K-Sha dismissed her weapons and walked over to Purple Heart and Rabendā, the latter returning to her normal self.

"I'm sorry Neptune, I got too overprotective and felt jealous and angry and I took it out on you. You matter to Noire, I guess I didn't learn anything when I almost kill Uni. If you are part of Noire's life, I should accept you. You said you'll do better, I'll believe it. So, can you two forgive me?" K-Sha asked, bowing her head to Neptune and Rabendā.

Neptune sighed, feeling the anger she felt subsided from before. "As long you won't hurt myself and Rabendā, I'll forgive you. I said some hurtful things too."

"I am so confused, I came to save momma and one of them is kissing you. But you seem like you'll keep your word. I don't think you wanted to hurt Neptune, so I want to be your friend," Rabendā said looking up to K-Sha.

"You want to be my friend?" K-Sha asked, taking aback her forgive her even after that misunderstanding. Rabendā smiled happily, her eyes closed.

"Yes!"

"Noire, Neptune!" the voice of Uni caught everyone's attention as she turned up behind Nepgear, with Uzume beside her. The purple-haired Candidate was startled both wee here, as she only just left Lowee not too long ago.

"Uni, Uzume? What are you doing here?" she asked bewildered.

"Midgar was on the news so we followed after you thanks to Blancy's connections. Everything okay?" Uzume asked, seeing the damage but it looks like things have settled down with no injuries, "But it looks like things are fine now."

"Yeah, it was just a misunderstanding, I think…" Nepgear replied, still trying to process Noire and K-Sha kissing. Before a chance to explain, Uni ran over to Noire and greeted her, glad she was okay, Rabendā too. The black and purple-haired girl then felt her Aunt Uni hug her and glad she was okay, Nepgear too coming over to hug her. K-Sha watched feeling a little awkward, but it was kind of her fault all this mess happened. Before she could speak up, Neptune was away from the sisters and Rabendā and over to the fallen doll that was dropped. Seeing the bullet hole in it, Neptune picked it up with tears shed from her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't keep you safe…" she said softly and held the doll to her chest.

Hours passed since the situation at Midgar that it took a couple of hours to clean up the broken booth and things that were destroyed. The festival would reopen in a few days and Noire had to pull a few strings so K-Sha wouldn't get blamed for all the mess as Neptune had to defend herself over a misunderstanding. As the sun was setting on another day for Gameindtrustri, Noire was talking on the phone with people in Midgar about the festival that had to be postponed until it was ready to open up again. The black-haired goddess had on her black and white sleepwear and was tapping her feet in a steady rhythm.

"So the damage will take a few days but the festival will re-open in a week. That's good, I don't want any visitors to miss out because of a misunderstanding. Let the reporters know the full story. And as for K-Sha, she helped with the mess. Thanks, have a good night!" and Noire hung up the phone. She walked over to her bed and climbed in, after turning off her lights, letting the room bathe in the setting sun.

"Well, I was able to clear up this ordeal. Didn't take too long," and stretched her arms out, " boy what a day. How are you feeling Neptune?"

Neptune was beside her, her white directional pad hair clips were absent, where pink sleepwear similar to her parka while holding onto the Noire doll. She looked to her girlfriend, a small smile on her face. After snapping at K-Sha to not letting anyone see her cry, she was doing better now.

'Better. I'm sorry our date ended so soon," she said apologetically.

"That's okay, it was an eventful day still," Noir replied and held her hand.

"So that kiss, do you like K-Sha now?" Neptune asked, the slight bit of jealousy passing her lips that her girlfriend liked another. Noir nuzzled her cheek, Neptune blushing a little.

"I just had to accept I might care for her, but I love you. Better than how I handled it after the Kurome incident. Don't worry, I care for you two differently," she replied.

"If you say so," Neptune said, not hiding her jealousy. Neptune then turned away to stare at the ceiling. She remembered she saw Rabendā summon something to protect her from K-Sha's next bullet, a sword. It was a brief moment, but she saw a sword that she had, "But our daughter is something, she protected me with a sword for just a second."

"Yeah, if it wasn't for her, you'd be even more hurt," Noire agreed.

"To be honest, I'd thought she'd turned HDD right then and there to save me, but I don't think it would have just yet," Neptune said, a slight chuckle from her.

"Yeah. For starters, she was only just born a few days ago, she hasn't gathered Share energy and support from the nations to be able to, so there's no way she could transform, it goes against everything we've established as CPUs. So that blade was from her power. Small, but it shows she has what it takes to be a CPU," Noire pointed out.

"Remember what Histoire and Kei said, she's no different than a Candidate, she's not a full-fledged CPU," Neptune added and Noire took hold of her shoulder and brought her close to her, the purple-haired girl blushing a little.

"Well, we'll leave that to our sisters. We enjoyed our break but we do have work to get back to," Noire, replied before frowning, "still I'm worried I must have worried her."

"Uni worries for you but I feel before Rabendā, I want to knock some sense into that girl. Calling Nepgear a traitor, losing to brave, was going to shoot Uzume, I seriously don't think." and Neptune sighed slightly.

"Sorry on all accounts, I'll talk to her on that. Then again, as much I didn't K-Sha to hurt you, I don't want Uni to hurt others, just on my behalf," and closed her eyes, hugging Neptune into her arm, 'good night Neptune,"

"Goodnight Noire," and Neptune closed her eyes as well.

"After a rough day, she deserves to sleep," Nepgear said as she observed her niece sleeping in her and Neptune's room. She brushed the locks from Rabendā's forehead, seeing her sleep so soundly, it's the only bee her 2nd day and it's been crazy for her: meeting her parents, herself and Uni, meeting all their friends, had to rush over to see if they were alright, she couldn't imagine how hard it must be for her. Rabendā might be two days old, but her appearance is still as much a teenager with the wonders of a child who worries for their parents. She doesn't blame her. When it was her mission to save her sisters from the Gamindustri Graveyard, she didn't give up in hopes to save them. Still, she hopes Rabendā can enjoy some peace for a little while, she doesn't need to be thrust into danger so soon. She may be keeping her promise to train her, but to have her go through the things she's been through, she could think it.

"Yeah…" was Uni's response, looking solemnly at her niece too.

"Well, I'm still hungry, want to grab something to eat before we go to bed?" Nepgea asked. Uni looked at her friend but took a moment to say anything. Her thoUni followed her, the CPU Candidate not even to her door, and when two arms hugged her back, "What?"

"I know I did stupid things, I know I haven't been a great a friend at times, I just…" and hugs Nepgear tighter, her face to her back, "Didn't want to lose Noire, Rabendā, or you… I'm sorry, I don't usually act like this. And I'm sorry, I never did apologize, for blaming you, for almost shooting Uzume, I'm sorry." and her tears shed from her eyes, burying her face to the back of her pajamas.

"Uni.." Nepgear said, taking hold of Uni's hands, "I didn't know you care this much. Sorry we all worried you," and turned around and held Uni's hands, wiping the tears from her left cheek, "Don't perry, we won't let anything happen like K-Sha snapping. If there's ever a problem, we'll be there, okay?"

"O-Okay," Uni nodded, sniffing a little. Nepgear then leaned to Uni and pressing her lips to hers. Uni's red eyes closed and embraced Nepgear back, returning the kiss to her. When their lips parted, Uni blushed, before Nepgear only to put a hand to her cheek.

"Better?" she asked her.

"Yeah, I feel better," Uni replied.

"Well, come on, let's get something to eat," and Nepgear took hold of Uni's hand and proceed to walk out the room, Uni looking from Nepgear to the sleeping niece.

'Good night Rabendā…'

Another full day has ended and relationships felt closer. Tomorrow, Rabendā will be trained to see her potential as a CPU

Next Time, A Goddess of Two Nations: Rabendā

Chapter 5: Training the Newcomer! Nepgear vs. Rabendā

Michael: This was a chapter-long time coming, but apologize for it to be this late. This was short as much of the events of this arc are mostly self-contained to a day or so meaning not much time passes. But this was a short chapter as the fight as much as the title hypes it, was a short battle as it was a misunderstanding and no means of making K-Sha regress as a person. Also handling this as well as possible, that Rabendā coming in didn't feel like Deus Ex Machina, she didn't do anything besides blocking a bullet. There's a lot of plus and minus to children's OCs, it's how important they are to the overall story. In most cases, they serve as a bridge to develop a relationship of two characters, it's usually a kid they adopt, a child they have, or a child from the future. And the cliche young parents trope, kind of ruined by all the Teen mom stories in western media. Also, most of these young parent stories, or stories where a girl is sexually assaulted and has a child, are mostly written by under eighteen-year-olds

Let that sink...

But in the next chapter, Rabendā gets to train, you see a taste of her fighting style in DP, so here you'll see her battle.

See you next time...