'Finally! A POV for the main heroine!' Neptune cheered in her head. She sat on a rooftop, drinking some Dr. Neparious soda. She finished the diabolical can of soft fizzy goodness. Before chucking it into the dumpster in the alleyway below.
She jumped off the rooftop and landed with a roll. Despite her eagerness to find Black Heart. Neptune knows the top priority is to find a place to stay. Being homeless sucks, Neptune doesn't know how Netherrealm dealt with it for years.
Unlike Planeptune, Neptune hasn't seen any inns or hotels. This is place is clearly made for industry, unlike Planeptune's focus on tourism. In fact, a small bit of fear gripped at Neptune's heart. She's not supposed to be in Lastation, but she doesn't know why. Neptune felt safer and more assured in Planeptune.
In fact, Neptune could navigate Planeptune without any trouble, despite her lack of memories. So being in Lastation is putting Neptune on edge. Neptune felt something wooden form in her hand. She looked to see that she had unconsciously summoned her sword(wood, that Netherrealm had gifted).
Every alleyway felt like a cage for an unseen monster ready to rip her to shreds. Every pedestrian felt like they would stab her in the ribs without her knowing. Even though no one is really paying attention besides the odd stare here and there. The Basilicom glared at Neptune from its height. Daring Neptune to challenge its authority over Lastation, and accept the coming death.
The very polluted air was an ever tightening noose around her throat. Neptune breathed heavier and heavier. Clutching her sword(wood, that Netherrealm gifted) close to her chest. Her leg muscles tensed and she got lower. Ready to either run away or pounce on an enemy. This is a hostile nation, and Neptune doesn't know why.
Yet, she does, but it's on the tip of her tongue. Neptune can't form the answer into coherent thought. It's an instinct ingrained into her very core. Yet that instinct is unnamed despite its familiarity. She has to get her memories back. Neptune enters an alleyway, the maw of darkness blocked the sun itself.
Neptune slid down the alleyway. She rubbed her sweaty head. Her body is weak and shaking. Lastation feels like it's sapping her very soul. Her stomach rumbled and Neptune whined. She wanted to go back to Planeptune.
"Neptune, are you alright?" Histoire asked in Neptune's head. "Histy?! You're back!" Neptune exclaimed, suprised the heavenly voice was still relevant to the story. "Yes, while projecting my to your friends costs a lot of energy. Communicating with you however, hardly needs any energy," Histoire explained.
"I have been out of commission for too long. What has happened Neptune?" Histoire asked. Neptune explained the story so far. Her anxiety somewhat passing thanks to having Histoire for 'company'. "I see, you have all survived quite the ideal. I didn't know that the killer of Toby and Edward was Arfoire," Histoire said.
"Archore? That's a dumb name. Still at least the author won't have to use Mysterious Lady the next time we see her!" Neptune said and Histoire chuckled. "Arfoire...she... she was an old friend of mine. She is the one who sealed me," Histoire said with regret in her voice.
"She also knows me, Histy, who am I?" Neptune asked. Histoire said nothing, the memories were all too painful for her. "Neptune, this is your second chance. I don't wish to sully it with your memories. When you're ready, your memories will return," Histoire answered with finality.
"Okay...but how do you know Netty's dads?" Neptune asked and Histoire sighed. "Edward and Toby hosted a moving tournament all across Gamindustri called Konsole Wars. It was a front for the Console Wars, betting Shares on each Nations' best warriors. The nation that won Konsole Wars sends the bet Shares to their goddess. Giving her a power boost in Celestia," Histoire explained.
"Woah! Since they're guys, how was Netty and his little bro born?" Neptune asked. "They adopted Netherrealm and his brother Seiryū while Konsole Wars was hosted in Lowee. I met them when they were babies. I even have baby pictures of them stored away," Histoire explained.
"Woah! Are you sure I should hear this? Netty might throw me off Lastation if he was here," Neptune asked nervously, looking around for Netherrealm. "Netherrealm was too young to remember this. It's fine," Histoire replied with some smug energy.
"Neptune, I need you to find Black Heart, White Heart and Green Heart and convince them to join your cause. Arfoire needs to be stopped. She is the reason you have lost everything. She is causing toil and strife across Gamindustri," Histoire laid out the goal in the second arc of this story.
Neptune got up with her goal fully understood. "Alright! Let's go find Black Heart! We're wasting time with this searching for a place to stay! Time to go find everyone!" Neptune exclaimed to no one in particular. Rushing off to find her friends.
With Netherrealm, he stared at the Lastation Basilicom. "Netherrealm?" A suited man came up to him. "The hell do you want?" Netherrealm asked in annoyance. "Come to the Basilicom," He ordered. "What does Black Heart want with me?" Netherrealm asked with hostility, his hand inching to his wakazashi.
"Not Black Heart, the CEO of Avenir wants to speak with you. Follow me," He briskly said, not even giving Netherrealm a choice. He was escorted into the Lastation Basilicom. It's organized and the staff are working like a well oiled machine. "I'll take him off your hands," a woman's said. The suited man bowed and left.
The woman is only a year younger than Netherrealm. She reaches his chest in height. She has silver hair that reaches the back of her neck. Cold aqua eyes and no expression on her face. She wears a black suit with a white dress shirt and blue tie. Shorts that are at her thighs. She looks like a butler of sorts. Easy to mistake as a young boy.
Netherrealm wasn't that stupid, the voice is a dead giveaway. "Kei Jinguji, Chairman Ganache's secretary," Kei introduced herself with a short bow. "Yeah... Netherrealm," He introduced himself awkwardly. Not used to this type of formality.
Kei escorted him to the elevator. The ride is awkward and silent. Netherrealm is mentally preparing himself. This meeting was a long time coming. The elevator dinged and he was taken to a meeting room. There are few people inside. One man, who is standing and talking behind the glass is one Netherrealm recognized instantly.
He has dark, slicked back hair, and violet eyes. His suit is black, pin striped. He is almost Netherrealm's height. His facial features are friendly and youthful. Considering he's not yet an adult. This is the CEO of Avenir, Netherrealm's younger brother Seiryū.
Another woman caught Netherrealm's eye. She has wild, pale blue hair. Along with red eyes with a white power symbols for pupils. She is short and her chest is almost flat. Over most of her body is shrouded by a white cloak that fades into a blue gradient at the bottom. The collar of the cloak is popped with the inside being red, trimmed with yellow.
The cloak is held together by a large red brooch, and covering her hands are white gloves. In one hand is a brown scepter topped with a blue jewel. On the long table next to her is a white top hat.
The inside of her cloak is designed like outer space, moving like it's a galaxy. She wears a white vest buttoned together by gold buttons. White trousers and black dress shoes. She has a confident and dark smirk on her face.
Kei went in first and told Seiryū that she brought Netherrealm. "Ladies and gentlemen of the board. I have with us another special guest. Meet our ticket to victory, my older brother, Netherrealm!" Seiryū introduced him. Taking the cue, he entered the board room. "Netherrealm, seated over there is Lady White Heart," Seiryū pointed to the woman garbed in white. Her red eyes stared at him hungrily.
Netherrealm wanted to rip her head off with the spine attached. He wanted revenge for the deceased Black Dragons. However Netherrealm reluctantly bowed. Despite his own resentment towards the CPUs. He knew how much Seiryū looked up to White Heart. So, he said nothing. The board was also silent. Standing next to one another, it was hard to believe the two were blood siblings.
Netherrealm is dressed as a black armored ninja. While Seiryū looked like an unassuming businessman. Seiryū has a 'pretty boy' look to him. While Netherrealm is rugged and pretty damn scary. Seiryū is approachable, while Netherrealm hostile. Hell, the two of you looked very different in terms of facial features.
There were also some similarities. Both of them stood with unwavering confidence. The same cocky smirk that infuriates people. They both had black hair and violet eyes. With Netherrealm's hair being a shaved crew cut; along with Seiryū's hair being long and slicked back. Both of them also had the design of a silver dragon in the shape of a taijutu on them. Netherrealm having it on the back of his cuirass and tattooed on his back. While Seiryū has it on a pin on his left breast.
"Years ago, Netherrealm and I had separated. He went to Planeptune, while I moved here. I waited to see my big brother pay a visit to me. Now, he can help us," Seiryū said. "What do you even need my help with anyway? Not like you ever called," Netherrealm asked and Seiryū looked at the presentation behind him.
"Netherrealm, someone has been trying to undermine Avenir. She is Black Heart, even though Black Heart has abandoned Lastation for her own desires. Leaving Avenir to pick up the slack. She comes back expecting everyone to bend over backwards for doing nothing to help her nation."
"She is slippery and none of the staff are good enough. You've always been the better fighter. I need you to get rid of her at your discretion," Seiryū said. Netherrealm held his hand up. Like he's in a classroom. "Yes?" Seiryū asked jokingly.
"Hold on a damn second! You call me here and tell me to go fight a CPU?!" Netherrealm exclaimed in disbelief. One of the board members asked why he would be capable. Then more spoke up with doubts about Netherrealm's skills. Until it was a cacophony of dissonant opinions. White Heart watched the arguing with amusement.
Until the air shifted and bent. One board member was choking. His very breath being stolen from him. Seiryū still had a smile as his hand was lazily held out. "What was that now? You all seem choking on your words now. When you so easily insulted my brother before. Now when the tables have turned, your breath has been stolen away," Seiryū quipped in an eerily calm.
The board member gasped as his face began to turn red. Everyone was frozen in horror. The life began to leave the board member's eyes. Luckily for him, Netherrealm put his hand on Seiryū's wrist. Seiryū stopped what he was doing. He turned to Netherrealm with a cold expression. "Do you accept this mission?" Seiryū asked. His hand outstretched for a handshake.
This mission, tasked Netherrealm with taking out a CPU by any means necessary. Despite some desires, Netherrealm doesn't want to kill somebody. He held tbe life of many opponents in his hands and chose to leave them alive. However, if he refused, then this opportunity will be lost forever. The chance to release his hatred onto the CPUs.
The desire to fight a strong opponent and his strong hatred towards the CPUs for not giving a damn about him and taking away the only friends he had at the time had won out. Despite the misgivings he has. Netherrealm smirked and shook Seiryū's hand. "At your service, milord," he said jokingly.
"This meeting is adjourned," Seiryū said to the board. White Heart put on her top hat. She tipped her hat to Netherrealm and Seiryū. Then left along with the rest of the board. Kei had whispered something in Seiryū's ear before she left.
Seiryū sat at a chair, and Netherrealm sat next to him. "How have you been?" Seiryū asked. Netherrealm crossed his arms and leaned back. Then all of a sudden, he slammed a fist on the table. Destroying that chunk of it. Netherrealm stared at Seiryū with anger.
"You left for Lastation without a word, taking the money I earned for us. You haven't called or reached out in years. Now you wanna pretend everything is alright?!" Netherrealm exclaimed in anger and hurt. Seiryū folded his hands with a shameful expression.
"I didn't want to be a burden to you!" Seiryū sharply replied. Netherrealm's glare slightly softened. For the next few minutes, it was awkward silence. Both of them turned into completely different people after years of hardship. Netherealm was busy with the Black Dragons, and Seiryū thought his older brother hated him.
"Seiryū, I came here on a mission. To find the bitch that killed Dad and Papa," Netherrealm brought up, figuring that it's best to rip that bandage off. Seiryū flinched and had a look of shock. "What?" He asked in disbelief, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I met her, the one who killed our parents. That eggplant looking hag said it right to my face. I'm gonna find her, then kill her," Netherrealm explained, internally conflicted at the thought of taking a life. Even if she caused him so much pain "We'll find her, then kill her," Seiryū corrected Netherrealm. His face is one of cold fury.
"Sir, you have an important paper," Kei interrupted the two. "We'll continue this later. Follow Kei, and don't disappoint us," Seiryū said briskly and left his brother with Kei. He walked behind the secretary. Being escorted out of the Basilicom.
Once he left and began to wander the streets. Netherrealm contemplated his vengeance and mission. Is it worth it to take a life for a vendetta? Sure he'd kill the person who tore his family apart. Yet Netherrealm had mostly moved on. Now the old wounds had been reopened and he has to rethink his vendetta.
He unsheathed his sword, a blade he'd only used for monsters. Yet, he wonders if he can pierce skin. Hear the sound of skin breaking and warm blood staining the cold metal. The struggling body underneath him gasping for breath as their life is drained away. Their life flashing before their eyes. Before it all ends.
"Netty!" Neptune called out to him. IF and Compa were jogging behind Neptune. "C'mon! We gotta find Black Heart!" Neptune said as she ran up to him. "Black Heart isn't in the Basilicom," Netherrealm shot down her idea(as always). "Hey, I thought we were looking for a place to stay?" Netherrealm asked.
Neptune crossed her arms with a serious expression. She began to talk in a haughty tone. "Well Netty, my good ninja man, I have deduced(Histy told me) that I have to scour the nation for Black Heart. Finding a spot of residence can be done later," Neptune explained.
The moment of truth. Is he going to take a life? Even though Black Heart has done nothing to him personally like White Heart? He'll figure that out when he gets there. The party sets off to the canyons, figuring that Black Heart might be using the monster infested region as camouflage.
So, Netherrealm is nineteen in this story. Which makes Seiryū seventeen and Kei eighteen. Just a fun little fact.
Originally Seiryū was just going to be Ganache. However, despite sharing some qualities with Ganache. They are different people, as such I'm replacing Ganache with Seiryū. It also gives me more freedom with writing Seiryū.
White Heart's outfit is Count Bleck's from Super Paper Mario. I thought it would fit considering that Netherrealm views her as the 'big bad'. I wish I could draw, so I could make White Heart in Count Bleck's outfit.