Chapter 5: The Ultimate Combo, Part 1
Central Planeptune City, during IF's capture…
A well rested Nisa energetically moved through the streets, helping grannies cross the street safely and helping unwilling kittens take a quick shower. She did this all with a sense of urgency, not forgetting what her task for the day was. Unbeknownst to IF, Nisa intended to verify whether Lid was safe or not. She made a call the night before to some friends who might be able to help her. She was now on her way to meet up with them to see what they could find out.
At the turn of a corner, Nisa found the meeting spot- a ramen noodle shop. Luckily, it was late enough for it to be brunch. As she pushed the door to go in, a bell jingled and she was given a hearty welcome by all of the staff behind the counter. If only the one person she was supposed to meet here wasn't too busy slurping up her bowl. Nisa walked over to take a seat at the counter next to her contact and tapped her on the shoulder.
"I see you're still maintaining a healthy diet, Cybercon!", Nisa smiled.
"Moh! Mnisa! Mgoou to mee gou!", CyberConnect2 grumbled with her mouth full. She bit down onto the noodles to separate them from the bowl and slurped them up. The energetic blonde set her chopsticks down beside the growing pile of empty bowls next to her and spun around in her seat to face Nisa. "Oh, sorry about that. Gotta get my energy going for the day, you know?", she grinned.
"Indeed!", Nisa nodded. She glanced around the restaurant briefly before returning her attention to CC2. "I see B-Sha isn't here yet."
"Nah, she was the first one to get here. She seemed pretty enthusiastic about this and went on ahead- not that I'm complaining!", CC2 responded before taking another slurp from her umpteenth bowl.
"Well let's not keep her waiting, then! Let's go find her!", Nisa said. She clapped her hands onto the counter as she said this, causing one of the waitresses to come over and pour her a cup of tea. "Oh hey, thanks!", she smiled as she took a sip.
"Heeeeey, slow down! If she's following a trail, we'll have no idea where she ended up! Just leave it to her and that robot thing of hers and relax until she gives us a call!", CC2 reassured Nisa.
"Fair point. I can't help but think that you're really just making excuses, though...", Nisa crossed her arms.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of CC2's cellphone ringing. She tried to slurp up the noodles she was currently eating, hurrying up as the phone's ringing compelled her to pick up the pace. After several painfully long seconds, she finally picked up.
"Mhm! Bhe-gah! Bgisa's-", CC2 muttered with her mouth full.
"I'll take that. Hello?", Nisa declared as she snatched the phone away.
"Nisa? Oh good, you're together! I was able to find a trail of debris that must have come from that giant robot you mentioned. Meet me at the Digital Dungeon Pass!", B-Sha's voice buzzed through the phone.
Due to the phone's loud volume, CC2 could hear everything B-Sha said. Nisa and CC2 nodded at each other and lept off of their seats. They quickly ran outside, however the blonde returned to leave some credits on the counter to pay for her meal before bolting off once more.
When the pair arrived at the dungeon entrance, B-Sha had her back turned towards them as she looked up the digital ramp. Upon hearing their footsteps, she turned around and smiled at them.
"If I knew you guys could move this fast, I would have waited for you at the noodle shop!", B-Sha greeted.
"A hero must also rush to their destination when someone's life is at stake!", Nisa announced proudly, "But you already knew that, didn't you?".
"I-I don't know what you're talking about! You're the only hero around here! Hahaha…", B-Sha chuckled nervously.
"Even I can see through that...", CC2 smiled awkwardly, "Anyway, this is the place, right? Come on, I'm already itching to go! Fighting a giant robot sounds like it's going to be awesome!".
"Don't you think I am too?! I was considering going in without you two! Bandam and I would so be able to take that thing on!", B-Sha replied with sparkling eyes.
"I am glad you two are so enthused to SAVE MY FRIEND!", Nisa spoke up.
CC2 scratched the back of her head with a grin on her face. "Hey, I didn't forget about that! we'll bring your friend back, no matter what!", she responded.
"And since your friend's not a kid, this is gonna cost you. How does 50,000 credits sound?", B-Sha said.
"Ah, what a shame. Perhaps I should enlist the help of Presto Mask instead...", Nisa said as she crossed her arms.
"N-no need for that! I'm sure Presto Mask is very busy right now!", B-Sha replied frantically.
"Good! Let's get moving, then!", Nisa declared as she ran ahead to the ramp. B-Sha followed closely behind her and CC2 stood still for a moment.
"Come on, she doesn't really think she's fooling anyone, does she?", CC2 muttered to herself. She looked around and realized that the other two had already gone ahead. "Hey! Wait up! I'm the expert when it comes to this place, you know!", she shouted before running in after them.
As the Triple A Trio jogged through the dungeon, the digital landscape danced with life in a colorful display that probably should have required a seizure warning at the entrance. They navigated through the dungeon in search for some sort of clue as to where K-Sha's robot might have gone. Unfortunately for them, some digital monsters made their residence here, and decided to show the uninvited girls out the door.
"I was wondering when these guys would show up! This will be a piece of cake!", CC2 grinned as she summoned her daggers.
"Make sure you don't get in my way this time. Don't blame me if you get hit again!", B-Sha spoke up as she brought out her bazooka, "Stand back, Nisa! We've got this!"
"Hm… very well then! Show me how much your hearts have grown!", Nisa said with a nod. She crossed her arms and created some distance between herself and the pair of blondes.
Some Pixelvaders and Tokimeki Sisters. Nothing too complicated. CC2 predictably dashed ahead and quickly dispatched of one before leaping up into the air, allowing B-Sha to shoot one that was underneath CC2. After the explosion, CC2 dashed through the air towards another foe and unleashed a devastating combo upon it before kicking off of it. She landed behind the group of enemies and they all turned around to gang up on her.
"Now!", the nimble thief shouted.
Her call was answered by a barrage of bazooka shells exploding amidst the group of monsters. When the dust cleared, B-Sha was counting the credits the monsters left behind.
"Thank you for your patronage!", B-Sha smiled as she put the credits away with dollar signs in her eyes.
"That was a pretty good warmup! I'm REALLY fired up now!", CC2 grinned.
"Yes, an admirable display indeed! Your teamwork was admirable! ...Though B-Sha seems to have done more there.", Nisa smiled awkwardly.
"Aw, whaaat? No way! Guess I'll have to go all out on this giant robot thing so you can see what I'm really made of!", CC2 replied as scratched the back of her head.
If she hadn't been scratching her head, CC2 would have been knocked out then and there by the energy blast that intended to get a headshot. The impact of the blast caused CC2 to jerk forward and stumble away from where she was standing. Nisa and B-Sha looked up towards where the shot came from.
Atop the higher platform stood a taller woman with brown hair wearing a blue and white outfit (that struggled to contain her big… heart) complete with a matching beret, stockings and boots. She had one of her arms pointing down at them with a blaster attached to it.
"Why settle for a giant robot? I'd be happy to give you a fight!", the busty woman announced to the smaller girls beneath her.
"C-Sha? What are you doing here?!", B-Sha called out.
"Oh hey, some more viruses. Sorry, but I can't let you through here.", C-Sha replied. She disappeared into a beam of light then reappeared with another one in a crouching position. As she raised her head to look at the group, a silver ring glowed within her eyes.
"C...C-Sha?", B-Sha muttered.
"Something's wrong with her! Get ready to fight!", Nisa shouted.
CC2 ran up between her group and C-Sha. "Viruses? Don't you even recognize your own friends? How could you just talk about killing your own friends so easily?!", she spoke up.
"Friends? I'm not friends with any viruses. Come on now, at least give me a good fight so I can finish today's hunt!", C-Sha replied.
"Fine then. I'll just beat some sense into you!", CC2 shouted back.
"We'll back you up!", B-Sha exclaimed.
"No, this is my fight! I'll bring your friend back, no matter what!", CC2 shouted back.
"Do not do anything reckless, Cybercon!", Nisa butted in, "She's not seeing straight! She won't hold back at all!"
"Ha! Don't worry about me, I can han- uwah?!", before CC2 could finish her sentence, C-Sha ran up and kicked her in the chest.
C-Sha followed her attack with a swift jab to CC2's face and then proceeded to perform a roundhouse kick towards her head. The nimbler fighter was able to raise her daggers up and block this attack, pushing C-Sha's leg away. CC2 backflipped away from the blue brawler to try to create a gap between the two. Her backflips were answered with a flurry of energy shots trying to catch up to her. She would able to dodge them so long as she continued to hop and flip away, but she could only do so for so long.
CC2 finally leaped straight up into the air and suddenly dashed through the air at high speed towards C-Sha. The taller woman was able to block the initial strike, but wasn't able to keep her arms up as CC2 proceeded to slash and kick her several times while still in mid air. Just as the thief thought she had gained the upper hand, the blue brawler managed to block one of CC2's kicks and then proceeded to spin around perform an uppercut into her jaw. She followed through with the attack by continuing to rise upward into the air, then skipped away backwards after landing back on the ground.
CC2 hit the ground and quickly kicked her way back up. She looked around for C-Sha who seemed to have disappeared somehow.
"Where'd she go?!", CC2 shouted.
"I couldn't see… It's like she just vanished!", Nisa replied.
"Wait a minute, I know this trick… Cybercon! Watch your back!", B-Sha cried out.
Suddenly, a thin beam of light hit the ground behind CC2. C-Sha appeared in the spot where the light hit and had her blaster pointing directly at CC2's back. The barrel of her blaster shined brightly as a tell-tale sign that it was charged with energy. She unleashed the charged shot into CC2's back at point blank range, giving the poor girl no chance to dodge at all.
CC2 was blasted forward and fell limp against the round, out cold. C-Sha smiled to herself in satisfaction and stood up straight. Nisa would have bolted forward to enter the fight, but B-Sha held her hand in front of her to stop her.
"Wait.", B-Sha said plainly. She pointed towards CC2's body, which promptly poofed into a log.
"Well, that was certainly something. She sure made good target practice! I think I'll go for some lunch now…", C-Sha said to herself. She closed her eyes and envisioned her meal, only to quickly open them upon hearing a scream she didn't think she would hear.
"Two can play that game!", CC2 yelled. She suddenly poofed behind C-Sha and dashed forward with both of her daggers ready to strike. C-Sha was able to block the attack, but the sheer force of the thief's attack broke through her guard and caused her to flinch. CC2's attack led her up into the air, after which she rapidly slashed downwards and hit C-Sha a second time.
After CC2 landed, C-Sha seized the brief opening and grabbed the smaller girl, bringing her up into the air and slamming her down with a suplex attack. Her bounciness added insult to injury. After the attack, C-Sha kicked herself up from the ground. She coughed and as she looked up, she saw B-Sha and Nisa rapidly approaching her. C-Sha repositioned herself and got ready to deal with them.
Nisa dashed in first and unleashed a devastating combo upon C-Sha which would promptly sent any other victim into next week. Unfortunately for the heroine, the bigger woman was able to keep up with her and block her attacks. Not just some of her attacks, but all of her attacks. C-Sha answered Nisa's attack by spin kicking her three times while in mid-air, knocking her away from herself.
A blast went off behind C-Sha and she turned around to see B-Sha had begun to open fire on her. She began to shoot back against the tiny blonde with her own mega blaster as she ran to avoid fire. B-Sha also ran as she continued to open fire, causing the two Sha's to run around in a counterclockwise circle. They continued to shoot at each other until C-Sha suddenly began to run towards B-Sha. This gave B-Sha an easy shot she didn't intend on missing. She expertly took aim as she did countless times before, and unleashed a powerful shot towards C-Sha. However, at the last second, C-Sha seemed to suddenly step forward and vanish, appearing right in front of B-Sha with a digital sword emanating from her blaster. She swiped her cyber sword before B-Sha could react, sending the girl reeling backwards.
C-Sha now stood between the defeated cirque du flat and knocked some dust off of herself. Before she could do anything else, her stomach grumbled. "Guess you viruses get to live another day. Don't go trying to get through or anything while I'm eating, or I'll really have to delete you!", C-Sha smiled. The silver ring in her eyes shone again before C-Sha vanished into a beam of light, leaving the bested trio alone.
CC2 was able to weakly reach into her pocket and take out a button with an "eject" arrow on it and pushed it. With a flash of light, the three of them were teleported out of the dungeon and back to the entrance. After some muffled groans, they were able to stand up and eat some of their recovery items before they were able to stand back up.
"I think we're gonna need some more help to help this friend of your's, Nisa.", CC2 said.
"Not only her! C-Sha's under control or something now!", B-Sha spoke up.
"Yes, I could sense a suspicious aura emanating from her. We'll have to free her from whatever is controlling her! Let's go back to Planeptune! My pup- partner will be able to give us the edge we need!", Nisa responded.
"Wait, partner? You have another partner?", B-Sha asked.
"It doesn't happen to be that Presto Mask girl, right?", CC2 said jokingly, a smug grin plastered across her face.
"Psh, I-I'm sure Presto Mask is way too busy helping children to help us!", B-Sha said with an alarmed tone.
"Yes… anyway. Her name is IF and she's very promising! She still has a thing or two to learn about Love and Justice, though!", Nisa said as she struck a pose.
"I just hope this doesn't end up like your last partner…", B-Sha said in a more serious tone.
"...She won't.", Nisa said as she closed her eyes. With that, Nisa began her walk back to Planeptune.
"I feel like I'm missing something here. What happened to Nisa's last partner?", CC2 asked B-Sha.
"Lets just she's… not around anymore. Anyway, this isn't the time for this. Come on, let's catch up to Nisa.", B-Sha responded urgently. She ran off ahead to catch up to Nisa.
CC2 thought for a second as she scratched the back of her ear. "That must be really tough… I can't let that happen to Nisa again! I'll make sure we'll all get home safe from this!", CC2 said to herself. She expected some sort of response from one of her companions, only now realizing they had gone ahead.
"Huh?! Oh, come on!", CC2 shouted as she ran off to catch up to them.
Athletic Enterprises HQ, Leanbox, After IF's capture…
A distinctive silver and blue helicopter landed on the tarmac next to a huge corporate building. As the large propellers slowed down, Elsa jumped out and began to walk towards the building. The gust generated by the propellers caused her track suit jacket to flow wildly as she walked away.
"Ms. Elsa! The helicopter hasn't stopped yet!", one bodyguard called from within the chopper.
The girl ignored the warning and fixed her jacket as she entered the building. She walked through the lobby with a displeased look on her face and walked past the reception desk, where the receptionist nervously picked up the phone on her desk.
"S-sir, your daughter is here. She doesn't seem to be in a good mood.", the receptionist said.
"Ah, good. I've been meaning to speak with her. Send her right u-", Elsa's father answered before being interrupted by the door to his office flinging open. He immediately dropped the phone back down onto the receiver.
"Honey! I've been meaning to speak to you!", he said as he walked in front of his desk to greet Elsa.
"Don't you try to sugarcoat me! I was kidnapped for a whole day and you didn't even send anyone to look for me at all!", Elsa shouted.
"You know I always wait for your kidnappers to contact me first before I send out the search party.", he responded as she leaned on his desk with his arms crossed.
"There wasn't going to be a ransom, daddy! Some crazy psychopathic PIG was going to try to turn ME into a pig so she could cook me!", she growled, "I can't believe you're so calm about this! I could've really died this time!". She clenched her fists and glared at him.
"Elsa, I am calm because I trust in your ability to handle yourself. I didn't sign you up for all of those sports clubs for nothing! I'm sure your athletic abilities helped you escape, did it not?", Elsa's father answered sternly.
"They… did. I'm sorry, daddy…", Elsa muttered embarrassedly. She unclenched her fists and stared at her feet as she stood up straight.
"Oh, do not worry, pumpkin! What matters is that you're safe!", he smiled at her, "And you couldn't have come at a better time! Come, let me show you something!". He pushed himself off of his desk and walked over a bookshelf. He pulled a few books out and re-arranged them, causing the entire bookshelf to move into the wall and open up sideways, revealing a secret room. Unsurprised, Elsa followed her father through the bookshelf.
Behind the bookshelf was a small closet with several drawers and sports jerseys on display encased in glass cases, all belonging to Elsa's father. Elsa groaned internally, knowing full well what came next.
"Did I ever told you the story of how I founded this company?", he said as he admired his memorabilia.
"About how you wanted to be a Football champion but someone else beat you, so you turned decided to start a business instead?", Elsa muttered.
"Ah, good. Well, it's time to tell you the other half of the story.", he said as he turned around to face her.
Elsa crossed her arms and tilted her head as she looked back at her father.
"After I lost the championship, I vowed that I would never be bested by another man again. So, I decided to sell merchandise instead! Eventually, I made enough money to buy the very team that defeated me. Now the man who put me to shame worked for me!", he smirked, "And I didn't stop there! I moved on to other sports… and bought those out too! I was able to grow a monopoly off of the merchandise and sports equipment! Ah, those were the days! When you own everything, everyone bows down to you!".
"Daddy, why are you telling me all this now?", Elsa interrupted.
Elsa's father put his arm around her and walked her up to his encased football jersey. "Times are changing. Sports aren't as popular as they used to be! Youngsters only want to stay home and play video-games now! That is why we're starting a video-game division of our company.", he said.
He opened one of the glass cases and took out a pair of white wristbands that had a silver trim along with red and blue stripes on them and held them out towards Elsa. "You're going to be the face of this company one day, Elsa. That is why you're going to lead this new division!", he said proudly.
Elsa looked down at the headbands, then back up at her father. "You want me to do it? I… what would I even be doing?", she asked.
"Your job would be to join the Guild and represent our company as you gain shares. The company will then use your popularity to sell merchandise! Who wouldn't want to buy merchandise of such an outstanding guild member? Our profits will skyrocket!", he said with a hearty laugh.
Elsa hesitantly took the wristbands her father gave her. "I… understand, Daddy.", she muttered.
"Now, go on then! Make me proud!", he smiled. Elsa nodded and put on the wristbands before leaving the closet and made her way out of the office. Elsa's father was now all alone in his little shrine. He turned around once more to admire his collection a little longer until his cellphone rang.
"Hello? ...Yes, I know. She just left. Well done on the test. I trust you also held up your end of the bargain? ...No matter. I'll send someone to bail you out now.", Elsa's father closed his phone and took one last look at his collection before walking outside the hidden room. The bookshelf slowly closed itself to normal, leaving the memories of his past glory shrouded in darkness.
CHAPTER 5… The Ultimate Combo, Part 1... END.