Netherrealm and Neptune were taking a rest on a bench. "Hey Netty, am I bad person?" Neptune asked. "Why the hell would you ask that?" Netherrealm scoffed at that notion. "Well, Noire told me that, I killed my older sister, Uranus. To keep the Console Wars going, that I even bragged about it," Neptune said, her face slacked into a shameful expression. "You answered your own damn question. If you feel guilty, then that means there is some hope. That means you're not the same person you were before," Netherrealm assured Neptune with a somber chuckle.

Neptune's face broke into a thankful grin. "Thanks Netty, now you got me choked up," Neptune said sniffled, wiping her eyes. "You holding up okay? Seiryū's death wrecked you," Neptune asked. Netherrealm looked at the sky with a frustrated yet tired expression.

"No, It's burned into my head. I failed my little brother so many times. I could've saved him, but I was too slow. Arfoire, she'll pay for that," Netherrealm replied, shaking as he remembered running through Lastation. Carrying Seiryū's bleeding body, begging anyone for help.

"Well we're all here for you Netty. You've risked your life for us many times already. I'd do the same for you, Iffy and Compa too," Neptune assured her friend. "Speaking of Compa, I know you love her. It's so obvious, why don't you confess already?" Neptune asked, crossing her arms and raising a brow. Trying to look serious, but ended up looking adorably unthreatening.

Netherrealm sighed and looked down at the concrete. "This adventure has been torturous. I lost every member of my family to the same person. I've broken my back, my arms and legs, fought my own brother, and had to travel with the CPUs I hated for years. I don't think I can keep going. I'm probably just gonna head back to Planeptune soon," Netherrealm explained.

"NEPU?! Netty, you're our best fighter! You're our friend! We need you!" Neptune exclaimed in shock. "You have Noire, and soon you'll have Green Heart... and White Heart. You don't need me anymore. I've gotten all the answers I've wanted. There's no reason for me to continue, just leave me alone," Netherrealm said, his voice tired and low.

Neptune sharply stood up and clenched her fists. Tears brimmed her eyes and her face turned red with anger. "I can't leave you like this! You've stuck around since day one! Gamindustri needs you! None us have to do this, but we want to! We're going to beat Arfoire and recruit the other CPUs!" Neptune yelled at Netherrealm.

"Why can't you just forget about all this shit?!" Netherrealm asked, also standing up quickly. "Why can't you just understand that I'm done with this?! Just go be a hero, and stop worrying about MY business!" Netherrealm yelled at Neptune. Breaking down after all the shit everyone had endured. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that," Neptune apologized calmly. Words won't work on someone like Netherrealm.

Neptune transformed into Purple Heart and all the civilians stared, whispering. "The hell are you doing?!" Netherrealm asked. "Netty, watching your friends and brother die. You couldn't do a thing, you don't want to be a scared little boy. I know you Netty, we might not have known eachother for long, but that doesn't matter. Because we made irreplaceable memories," Purple Heart said, crossing her arms and glaring at Netherrealm.

"The Netherrealm I know would try even harder to prevent Arfoire from hurting more innocents. Your friends, brother, parents, how many more will be lost if you don't do anything? How many more children grow up on the streets because Arfoire killed their parents? You fought your own brother to prevent innocent people from being dragged into something dangerous."

"I'm not letting you leave. Because I know you'd regret it, and I don't want that for you," Purple Heart explained. Netherrealm shook his head in disbelief. "You're the dragon, Netherrealm. You're too prideful to actually quit. I'm going to take a page from your book and beat some sense into you," Purple Heart declared. Netherrealm's eyes widened at that. He put on his mask, entering Battle Mode. His now solid white eyes glared at Neptune.

They both got into stances and inched foward, until their arms crossed over at the wrist, like swordfighters before a match.

Multi-Platformers Party Member

Netherrealm

Netherrealm moved his wrist to the side and downwards, pushing Purple Heart's wrist away from her face. Then Netherrealm used his other fist to try and punch Purple Heart. She caught his fist, and pulled him in slightly, then throwing a hook with her opposite fist. Netherrealm leaned back, narrowly avoiding the blow. He attempted his a hook the second Purple Heart's hook reached its end. Purple Heart backed up to dodge Netherrealm's hook.

They were now a few feet apart as the warm up ended. Netherrealm entered Lightning God Style and flashed in front of Purple Heart. Driving his fist into her stomach. Purple Heart coughed as the wind was knocked out of her. Netherrealm then threw a flurry of lightning infused punches. Which Purple Heart held up her hands to block.

Then Netherrealm backed up and switched to Demonic Inferno Style. Yet Purple Heart jumped at Netherrealm. She grabbed his shoulder pads and the two were falling to the ground. As they were falling, Neptune slammed her head right onto Netherrealm's head. Netherrealm crashed onto his back. Purple Heart got off him, waiting for Netherrealm to get up.

Netherrealm stood up and cracked his neck. Netherrealm jumped at Purple Heart, his feet kicking in a bicycle motion. Purple Heart was thrown onto her back. 'Damn, what has he been eating?!' Purple Heart wondered. Netherrealm made the 'come at me' gesture.

Purple Heart kicked up to her feet. She has hundreds of years of combat experience. Those instincts, the muscle memory, Purple Heart could feel them sharpening. Her mind forgot, but her body did not. Purple Heart floated in the air and flew at Netherrealm, who entered Lightning God Style again.

Their quick punches and kicks had trails of violet light for Purple Heart and black electricity for Netherrealm. Purple Heart isn't holding back, she's giving it all she's got. Yet Netherrealm is not only keeping up with her, he's overwhelming her. 'He's inhuman!' Purple Heart thought.

Netherrealm caught Purple Heart's wrist and reeled back his fist. Purple Heart pulled Netherrealm in and gave him a headbutt. Then she landed a final punch to his cheek. Netherrealm stumbled and almost fell over, but he kept standing. Purple Heart fell to one knee, and struggled back to her feet.

Purple Heart turned back into Neptune, and Netherrealm left Battle Mode. They heard clapping and cheering, as civilians assumed they watched an exhibition match. The two ran off into an alleyway, stumbling nearly every step.

"That was Purple Heart!" "That was the Silver Dragon of Planeptune!" "Huh? You mean the people who fought that YingLong robot in Lastation?" "Well there was the CEO of Avenir, he was beaten by the Silver Dragon of Planeptune." "Purple Heart was so sexy!" "I want her to sit on me." "Were they sparring?"

Neptune and Netherrealm collapsed on the couch in the lobby of their hotel. "Damn, you're stronger than I thought," Netherrealm said to Neptune. "Yeah, you're some kinda monster. Like, now you went toe to toe with a CPU. If it went any longer, I would've lost," Neptune admitted. "You're still remembering your powers, so I haven't fought against a fully fledged CPU," Netherrealm corrected Neptune.

"Well after all this, we'll fight for real. If you stick around," Neptune offered. "How could I possibly refuse such a generous offer," Netherrealm chuckled. His resolve back in full force.

!Bond Level Increase!

Neptune: 6-7

"Hey you two!" IF called out as she and Compa entered the lobby. "Mom and Noire got us an meeting with the Basilicom," IF said. "Give us a minute," Neptune groaned. So IF and Compa glanced at eachother. Sitting down next to their friends. So they could rest up for the meeting.