Netherrealm, IF, Compa and Neptune returned to Compa's house to recuperate after the tough fight. Netherrealm is sitting on the couch, processing the fact that he found the one who killed his parents. Compa was making pudding for everyone.
IF sat down next to Netherrealm, twiddling her thumbs. "So, you doing alright?" IF asked awkwardly. Netherrealm looked at IF with a look that says, 'really?' IF nodded and looked away, trying to think of something else. "I checked out The Guild, and saw you have a wanted poster. What did you do?" IF asked and Netherrealm leaned back on the couch.
"I fought in underground fight clubs," He replied tiredly. "Oh, yeah, that explains a lot," IF said and Netherrealm frowned. "What do you mean by that?" He asked. "Well, you're violent and an asshole. Yet, you risked your life for us," IF said and he gave a bitter chuckle.
"Am I really that predictable?" Netherrealm asked. "Yup," IF replied with a cheeky grin. "Hey, why does the Mad Fenrir of Planeptune want to fight you so badly?" IF asked and Netherrealm sucked in his teeth. "Kyoken, she's just interested in me, I don't know. The best I can think of is that she wants to test me or someshit," He replied with a sneer.
"Cool, cool, thanks for sticking around and not leaving us to die," IF said gratefully. "You guys are soft, especially Compa and Neptune. I guess, I felt this protective urge, I don't fucking know. I don't want more people on my conscious," Netherrealm answered, crossing his arms, and looking away. Turning red as a result.
"More? Like your parents?" IF pressed and Netherrealm was silent for a minute. "I ran with a gang when my dads died. My brother and I were homeless. I was too young to get a job. So, they took me in, and eventually they bit off more than they could chew. Biting the dust right in front of me," Netherrealm explained nostalgically and somberly.
"They lived like idiots, and died like idiots. But that commitment to living life how they want to. Facing death on their own terms without a hint of regret. I admire that, the idea of grasping your fate with your own two hands. As a natural born fighter, fighting fate is appealing to me," He continued looking back on those crazy sons of bitches.
"What about your brother?" IF continued to press. "Well, he was soft and weak. He wanted to please White Heart, and eventually made it big as a CEO of a company in Lastation. We haven't talked in years," Netherrealm replied, clenching his fists.
Because of that woman, Netherrealm's family was torn to shreds. Fathers dead, brother estranged, and him all alone. "I'm gonna kill her, i'll burn her alive, tear her head off, and make sure she feels every bit of it," Netherrealm proclaimed, a black pit of hatred burned in your eyes.
"Then I'll be here with you, after all, you protected Compa and I while we were unconscious. It's the least I could do, that and not turn you in for some quick cash," IF gave his shoulder a pat before standing up. Ready to eat some pudding made by Compa.
After a minute of sitting alone. Netherrealm joined his friends at the table. "I've saved some pudding for you Netty!" Compa chirped, handing him a plate with pudding. He nodded and began to eat. Not really chiming in on the banter. Just absorbing the friendly atmosphere.
It's an atmosphere he hasn't had in years. Since he's been a criminal for most of his life. He hardly had the time to relax. Just seeing Neptune, Compa, and IF goof off. Despite having an epic quest assigned to them. It's pure unadulterated bliss for Netherrealm.
The fire in his eyes burned brighter. Now, because he decided to stop and smell the roses for once. Instead of living everyday like it's his last. He finally saw value in the world. These happy memories are things he will cherish until the day everything ends.
Netherrealm looked at Compa as she giggled at one of Neptune's jokes. Her peach colored eyes twinkled in amusement. A small blush dusting across her cheeks. The way she adjusts her silky salmon bangs out of her eyes. His heart pounded as she looked at him. Giving him that sweet and heartfelt smile.
Netherrealm felt warm inside at that smile. He asked for seconds, causing Neptune to whine despite being on her fourth serving of pudding. "Nep-Nep, you've already had four servings of pudding. Sharing is caring Nep-Nep," Compa lightly scolded Neptune with her usual serene smile. Giving Neptune a good poke on the nose before handing Netherrealm his seconds.
"Thanks, anyway, how are we gonna get to Lastation? tickets for an airship ride are hella expensive. Pooled together, we could scrape a ticket or two. That's if the prices haven't been jacked up," Netherrealm asked, and they all began to wrack their brains.
"We could do more quests?" Compa suggested. "I can participate in some tournaments, they always have cash prizes," Netherrealm brought up. "I'd rather not be arrested by association," IF snarked, he kicked her chair in retaliation.
While those options were good, and would net money. However, it would take too long. Especially with the culprit of Netherrealm parents' murder on the loose. "We could stowaway on the next flight to Lastation!" Neptune declared.
"And how stealthy are you?" Netherrealm asked and Neptune slumped immediately. IF was checking the prices on tickets to Lastation. "Looks like you got the ticket prices from Lowee to Planeptune and Lastation to Planeptune mixed up."
"Both are expensive, but some questing should net us enough for some one trip tickets," IF explained. Compa and Neptune brightened up. Netherrealm stood up as Compa was gathering the dishes.
"I'm hitting the town tonight, anyone wanna come with?" He asked. "Sure, got nothing better to do," IF said as she stood up. "Oooooooh, story original event, i'm game," Neptune giggled as she stood up. "If everyone's going, then so will I," Compa said, leaving the dishes to soak.
The four left Compa's house. "So, what did you have planned?" Compa asked and Netherrealm sucked in his teeth in slight embarrassment. "...Karaoke," He replied, blushing. "Wait, the violent, assholish ninja man who faces down the boss of Skoll-Hati, sings?" IF asked with a teasing smirk. Netherrealm's silence was the answer IF needed. "What's next, do you dance shirtless in your room?" IF asked.
"No, I workout shirtless in my room," He replied with a scoff. The four of them reached the karaoke parlor. The receptionist asked how many there are. Netherrealm, showing more suprising generosity, paid for the room.
The room was the size of an average bedroom. With comfy couches lining the wall, a minibar, some TV screens to show the lyrics to a song, and a tablet on the couch.
They all had microphones in hand. Neptune looked at the song list. "Rock paper scissors! Whoever loses first has to sing!" Neptune declared. These words ignited Netherrealm's competitiveness. "I'll crush you all and feast on your hearts!" He exclaimed with an excited smile.
"Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!" They all said at the same time. Netherrealm and IF chose paper, Neptune chose scissors, and Compa chose rock. Netherrealm and IF glared at eachother. "Ooooh! Duet! Duet! Duet!" Compa cheered, clapping her hands.
Netherrealm and IF stood up, holding the microphone. "Alright! Judgement, by Netty and Iffy!" Compa exclaimed and the song started. The guitar started, Compa and Neptune began clapping at the beat.
Netherrealm started the song with fire buring in his eyes. "Reeru kara hazureta!" Next, it was IF, "Furyouhin no norainu sa!" She held the microphone with two hands, nodding her head to the beat. Her long hair began to bounce. "If-fy! Oi! Oi!" Neptune cheered, seperating the syllables of IF's nickname to match the tune.
It was back to Netherrealm "Da kedo kantan ni wa!" he said, tapping his foot to the beat. "Teeru wa furanai ze!" IF sang, her imagination starting it's engines. "Go go! Let's go! Let's go! Net-ty!" Compa cheered.
The chorus began to draw near as you took the stage, getting lost in the song. "Iesu man ni! Narisobireta!" Netherrealm sang, and IF provided back up with "Woah oh oh, woah oh, we are bad boys!" Netherrealm continued the verse, "Waru ni nokosareta! NO to iu na no!"
Both Netherrealm and IF's imagination reached its peak as at the same time "JUSTICE!" Both Netherrealm and IF said the final word of the verse at the same time.
The world shifted as a full stage, with red lights and fogs formedaround IF and Netherrealm. Both of them wore leather jackets, ripped jeans, boots, and headbands. IF had a guitar, with Netherrealm in front of a mic, now with a stand. Compa wore a white tank top, and her hair in a ponytail and black trousers, she is the drummer in this scenario. Neptune was on keyboard, with a black parka with fire on the sleeves, shades and dark shorts.
"WOW, breakin' the law! Breakin' the world! Kowase!" Netherrealm sang with fist pump and hardened glare. IF, playing electric guitar was on his right. She leaned into the mic with a somewhat quiet "Breakin' the world!" "Kirisake TENDERNESS!" Netherrealm exclaimed.
"WOW, breakin' the rule! Roppou zensho ja shibarenai!" IF sang and Netherrealm repeated 'breakin' the world' as backup. "Hanran bunshi sa! Furiageta!" IF sang, then both of them were shoulder to shoulder with the mic between the both of them.
"Nigiri kobushi ga oretachi no!" Netherrealm cut in, pointing his index finger to the sky. Then, he and IF pointed to the fictional crowd. Ending it off at the same time with "JUDGEMENT!"
The imaginatory stage dissapeared, there was no crowd, no outfits, Compa and Neptune were still in their spots. They clapped and cheered for the two. "Who's next?" Netherrealm challenged. Before Neptune could even raise her hand. Compa's shot up and she skipped to the stage.
Netherrealm drank some water as the song Compa chose began to play. It is cheery and had a costal vibe to it. "Eien ni. Kawaranai no ka. Fukai neiki to shinderu youna REM suimin," Compa began, her eyes closed, not reading the lyrics. She knows this song by heart. Compa relates to this song quite well.
"Iikagen. Sorosoro okiro yo," Compa sang, swaying her hips to the beat. IF, Neptune, and Netherrealm were all clapping along in synch. "Kenmei na sunshine. Kumo to curtain ga saegiru," She continued, one hand on the microphone and the other hand moving like ocean waves.
"Hisabisa no yasumi dashi asu wa. Oyogi ni ikou imagoro tabun yume no umi no naka," Compa was leading up to the chorus. The karaoke parlor disappeared around her as her mind wandered.
Compa is now at some docks, with the afternoon sun reflecting off the water behind her. She wore a red button up t-shirt with the collar popped. Khaki shorts and a ukelele in hand. "Toshigainaku hashaide," She began the chorus. Strumming the ukelele along with the song.
The scene shifted to Compa on a speedboat. One arm draped over her knee. "Boat wo kashikiri ni shite," She sang, and gave the 'camera' a corny thumbs up with a smile.
The scene shifted again, and Compa was blocking the sun from her eyes with her hand. "Shizumu yuuhi nagamereba. Saikou no Weekend Day," Compa sang as the 'camera' was now behind her. She is admiring the sunset. The camera was now in a profile view of her. "Kyou wa migakeba hikaru great diamond!"
The scene shifted again, and Compa was in front of a small brick wall. She reached out her hand to the 'camera', with her other hand holding the ukelele. "Dakara please, get up my baby!" Compa strummed the ukelele.
There was now a chorus of voices, concluding the song as Compa strummed away. "Iikagen okiteokure yo. Tanomukara okiteokure yo. Istumademo okiteokure yo. Yoku sonna nereru ne..." The voices concluded as Compa struck a pose.
Everything was back to normal. Neptune skipped up to the stage, then turned into Purple Heart. The song started, it is melancholic and slow. "Baka mitai kodomo na no ne," Purple Heart began. She slowly swayed her curvy hips.
"Yume wo otte kidzutsuite," Purple Heart sang, the lyrics being remembered at a glance. "Uso ga heta na kuse ni," She continued, looking at the rest of her friends. They clapped their hands to the beat to cheer Purple Heart on.
"waraenaiegaowo miseta," Purple Heart's imagination started to turn. "I LOVE YOU mo roku ni iwanai," She sang, the chorus creeping up. "Kuchibeta dehonma ni bukiyou," She continued, and the world around her faded away. "Na no ni na no ni doushite sayonara wa ieta no," She finished the verse and the scene changed.
Purple Heart is sitting at a bar, wearing a black formal dress. In one hand she has a shot glass. "Dame da ne dame yo dame na no yo," Purple Heart sang, shaking her head along with the lyrics.
"Anta ga suki de sukisugite," She continued, the 'camera' is now focused on a picture. The picture is that of a plate of pudding. We switch back to a profile shot of Purple Heart, looking at the picture longingly.
"Dore dake tsuyoi osake demo," Purple Heart's voice is still going. Yet her lips aren't moving. She downs the shot glass in one go. She slammed the glass down with an expression of a broken heart. "Yugamanai omoide ga," The song is now wrapping up.
Her lips moved along with the last word, "baka mitai." Purple Heart is back at reality. She transformed back into Neptune. The four left the Karaoke parlor. They all walked the streets in good spirits.
"Didn't know you liked singing so much," Neptune said to Netherrealm. "My brother and I used to sing a lot. The gang I used to run with did Karaoke a lot," He replied. As the four party members reached Compa's house. Netherrealm looked at the stars.
"Tomorrow we head to Lastation!" Neptune declared.
!Bond Levels Increased!
IF: 1-3
Compa: 1-5
Neptune: 1-4