Day 91

It's been three weeks and four days since the change of my sentence. And during those three weeks, things have been going… rather well actually.

Honestly, working for Vert with the research on Causality isn't as bad of a thing as I thought it'd be. Part of that may be because Vert isn't normally there, that's left to the R&D team working on said project.

And let me tell you, the first time they met me, they were ecstatic about finding a candidate that could actually do things with their gauntlet activated. Though I still felt a bit awkward since I was working with people I had stolen from.

That said, I didn't start work until about day 68, since the doctors and nurses at the Leanbox Hospital wanted to make sure I was fine before they discharged me.

Of course that isn't the only change that's made it's appearance known…

"Whoa!" Neptune shouted, as I sat on the sofa behind said CPU who had just fallen onto her Bean Bag Chair. "That was close… almost didn't make it there."

She was currently gaming away to some weird rpg game that had a battle system VERY similar to the one found the Neptunia series, and other Idea Factory IPs, like Fairy Fencer F. The art style wasn't really like how said games looked, choosing a more Chibi like approach to it.

Honestly, I wasn't really impressed.

"I'm bored!" Said a voice from our left, as I turned to give a passive gaze at Peashy.

See, Peashy had also started living in the Basilicom about three weeks ago. Which of course, meant that I had gotten to know the wasp while I spent most of my time here. Why do I call her a wasp?

"Play with me Neptuna!" Exclaimed Peashy, as she huffed at Neptune. "I'll bug you!"

Yeah, I think my answer explains itself.

I honestly don't have much of an issue with Peashy, it's just that she gives off the same vibe my younger brother does, that of a kid who won't leave you alone. This is also one of the reasons my room now has a key lock on the door. Don't ask for the other reasons, I know you perverts can guess yourself.

"Look, P-ko, we've been over this. My name's not 'Neptuna', it's Neptune, okay?" Neptune said. "Learn it, Live it, Love it."

"I think I'm still having trouble with steps two through three." I said, rolling my eyes.

"You shut it, mister!" Neptune said absentmindedly at me, as I shock my head with a slight smile on my face.

"Neptuna, Neptuna!" Peashy screamed out in a fit of attention hogging.

Neptune let out a battle cry of sorts as she furiously started to mash buttons, I let out a chuckle as I watched with amusement at Neptune's misery. It's fun not being on the receiving end of this.

Peashy just puffed her cheeks, before grabbing the cable to Neptune's game console and proceeded to cut it in half. I blinked, therefor I don't know how she did such a feet.

"Aw dude!" Neptune whined, looking back at Peashy, missing the slight smile on my face as I awaited the carnage. "If you do that it'll corrupt my save file."

Neptune crawled over to the power bar that had all the cables to each console in her possession plugged in. She took a moment to look at the cable that was supposed to have been unplugged in confusion.

"Huh?" Neptune turned to look at Peashy, only to see the small girl give a triumphant grin, as she held up the cable to the console, the cable having the wire cut.

Neptune rushed over to her console, picking it up to confirm what Peashy had just done.

"Ah!" Neptune let out a scream of displeasure, as Peashy just smiled all the same.

"Now you have to play with me!" Peashy said, tossing the cable aside as she threw herself at Neptune, the small girl easily knocking the CPU off her feet, probably knocking the wind out of her as well.

I quickly dived for the console grabbing it before any real damage could occur. I sighed, picking it up and moving it away from the angry goddess and the gleeful wasp.

I walked over to IF, Compa and Histoire as they had their drinks watching the events unfold.

"That's so cute, those two are best buds, aren't they?" Asked Compa, as I had a seat beside them, placing the console on the ground.

"You think so?" IF asked. "Neptune looks more like a punching bag to me."

"I can confirm this." I said, sitting down as they turned their attention to me. "Plus, it's not just Neptune, it's also Neptune's stuff that's taken a hit."

"I can see that." Said IF, gesturing to the console on the floor beside me.

"No, I mean some of the OTHER stuff." I said, waving my right hand subtly. "Just three days ago, she put an entire Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich in the VCR!"

"Wait, you guys have a VCR?" Asked IF.

"Had. We HAD, a VCR." I clarified, sighing as I leaned back.

"Hey Histoire?" IF deviated from the current topic. "Have we still not found that girl's guardian?"

"Afraid not. And it's already been three weeks too." Said Histoire, as I nodded along. "Are you certain we don't have any leads at all?"

"We're totally clueless." Said Compa.

"Which is odd, seeing that she sees to know who Compa and I are." IF said, as I just felt a small smile form on my face, unnoticed by everyone. Ah… Re;Birth 3… and Victory I guess, what wonderful games you were.

"The way it's going, you make it sound like we're lucky to even know her name." Said Histoire.

"Well that, was written on her underwear and we're pretty sure that wasn't the brand name." Said Compa.

"Yeah, I don't want to know the story behind this discovery." I said, crossing my arms. I had been working in Leanbox, so I missed this certain event. I'm actually rather happy about that to be honest.

I returned my attention to Neptune and Peashy, as they continued their game of tag.

"I got you know!" Neptune exclaimed, as she grabbed Peashy and started to do what looked to be a suplex, before Peashy smirked in victory.

"Pea-Punch!" Peashy turned around, delivering one of the strongest punches I've ever seen IRL, as Neptune flew a few feet into the air, before crashing onto the ground.

I walked over to the CPU, as she lay on the ground.

"Wow, it's really weird being on the other side of this, huh?" I said, smirking at Neptune, only to be quickly tackled by Peashy as I hit the floor. "This… changes… nothing!"

"Uh…" IF scratched her cheek as She, Compa and I stood watching the scene in front of us, that of Nepgear basically having her face pressed in Vert's boobs in a state of 'sisterly love'. "I'm not exactly sure what I walked into…"

"I think she's trying to level her lily rank!" Compa said.

I just facepalmed, letting out a sigh of WTF am I doing here again? As I looked at the scene in front of me.

Suddenly, the doors behind us opened up, and Neptune walked out.

"Gosh darn it, Vert!" Neptune exclaimed. "Boobie time is over! She's my sister!"

"Wow, okay. THOSE are some words I never thought I'd ever actually here in my lifetime…" I said, crossing my arms.

Nepgear and Vert separated, as they had blushes on their faces as they looked at Neptune in shock.

"Oh, I was just…!" Nepgear tried to say, before laying her face back in between the twin peaks of leanbox, Vert twitching all the while. "Hah…"

"We're all friends now aren't we? What's the harm in spending some time together?" Vert said.

"You know, I understand that you guys are goddesses and I'm not supposed to ask, but with you I don't think I have to." I said, deadpanning at Vert.

"Geuh… You want all that sweet Nep to yourself, but she's my and don't you forget it buddy!" Neptune said, sounding actually threatening at the end of that, as chills went up my spine.

'Okay, now if that's how scared human form Neptune can make me, I am officially TERRIFIED of what "Madam Goddess" could just say to make me piss myself.' I thought to myself, taking an unconscious step away from Neptune.

"There there, Neptune's just jealous of what we have…" Vert said, as I felt my eye twitch. "But don't worry, give her some time and I'm sure she'll come around.

"Excuse me, Kettle? Mister pot called, he says you're black!" I shouted, gaining a disapproving face as I walked up next to Neptune.

"Why did he join in this?" Asked IF, sighing as she awaited what was probably going to end up becoming carnage.

Vert turned to look at us. "By the way, the real truth is I'm here for you." She said, looking at Neptune.

"Are, you trying to make a sister sandwich?" Asked Neptune. "Oh my how lewd~."

I felt my eye twitch as I watched Neptune squirm around.

"...Anyways…" I said, looking at Vert. "What's going on?"

"That wasn't the plan?" Said Vert. "I thought Blanc already contacted you."

"Do you honestly think NEPTUNE would check her emails? For something that WASN'T game related?" I asked.

"Huh? Oh did she?" Asked Neptune, stopping her squirming.

"God dammit Neptune…" I said, facepalming.

"Unbelievable…" Said Noire, as we stood in a semicircle around her. "I've come to expect a certain level of jackassery from you, but this is over the limit."

"Yeah, so funny story…" Neptune began, rubbing the back of her head. "P-ko decided to throw a mid-air temper tantrum and so I lost my transformation and fell."

"I don't know what's worse, the fact that this actually happened or a tiny child was able to punch you out of HDD." I said, shaking my head. "I mean, how does that even work!?"

"How typically clownish." Said Noire.

"We're really sorry." Said Nepgear.

"Oh P-ko, introduce yourself!" Said Neptune.

Nepgear placed Peashy on the ground as the small girl put her arms on her hips in an attempt to look epic.

"Call me Pea!" Said Peashy.

"Wow Neptune, you have a child already?" Asked Blanc.

"It's crazy I know! But she's my little girl and I just love her to bits!" Said Neptune, as she rubbed her cheek on Peashy's.

I looked around to see most of the people in the room having their attention on me know.

I just gave a look of confusion, before realizing what the looks were for and quickly gained a red face. "Oh don't you give me those looks!"

Neptune looked at my red face before realizing what was happening, as she put an arm around my neck, bringing me down closer to the floor.

"Gak!" I let out a cough of shock as I was forced into a kneeling position.

"Brycey here sure has helped a lot!" Said Neptune, as the ones who understood grade 9 health turned and looked at me with mild shock.

"Can we not!?" I exclaimed, very embarrassed now.

"I'm just joking!" Neptune said, letting me go suddenly, as I let out a 'Woah!' as I fell backwards. "P-ko's a lost kid and we're taking care of her at my place."

"I was making a joke." Said Blanc.

"Well you guys sure took it like it wasn't a joke…" I said, pushing myself off the ground, a faint blush still on my face.

"Rom, Ram, play nice with the little urchin." Said Blanc.

"Kay!" Said Ram.

"You wanna play with us?" Asked Rom, as Peashy nodded.

"You bet I do!" Said Peashy, her hands raised in the air.

"That goes double for you Peashy." I said, as the small child looked at me. "You got Neptune, save your slight violence for the punching bag."

"Hey!" Neptune said in rebuttal, slapping my shoulder as I just smirked and pushed her hand away.

"I was joking!" I said, rubbing my shoulder. "I really need to work on my pain tolerance…"

The three small girls chased after Uni's Bandicoot as Blanc started speaking again.

"Now, back to the subject at hand." Said Blanc.

Noire sighed. "We should really take this somewhere else. Uni, I'm leaving you in charge while I'm out."

Uni gave a quick nod of understanding, before the CPU's, plus me, as I was following behind them, walked over to the elevator.

"Wait… why is Bryce following us?" Asked Noire, as she turned to look at me.

"What? Am I not allowed to come along?" I asked, giving a 'I dunno' shrug.

"Last time I checked, the last time you were in lastation you stole from me." Said Noire.

"Oh come on!" I said, raising my arms in the air, showing off the web shooters attached to my arms. "Did we not already establish that we were all buddy buddy now? Hell, you gave these ones to me about a week ago!"

"It is CPU business." Said Vert.

"Yeah, and I'm the guy from another dimension." I said. "Look, I'll sit in a corner silent the entire time if you want me to, I don't care."

So here I was, sitting the corner, quite as I said I would be, as I watched Neptune laugh her *ss off.

"What the hell's so funny anyways?" Asked Noire. "I must have missed the joke."

"Oh come on! You were all bragging about it, remember?" Asked Neptune, before pointing up at the ceiling with her finger. "Lastation's security is the awesomest in the whole world! Then, derp, you got hacked. Too funny!"

I snorted a bit, realizing the backdoor I installed earlier probably played a part in this 'hack'.

"Hardly any point crying over spilt milk." Said Blanc. "Just make sure it never happens again, simple."

"No, I'm going to find out who did this and tear them limb from limb." Said Noire.

"...Does anyone else suddenly feel very cold and unwelcome? No just me? Okay." I said mainly to myself, as the CPUs looked at me for a second.

"Uh oh, Noire's in rage mode." Said Neptune.

"Conveniently, I summoned someone to deal with this very situation." Said Vert, as I raised my eyebrow at this. "You can come in now!"

The door across from us opened up, as a girl in a grey business suit walked into the room, a hair clip on her head looking almost identical to the Microsoft Windows 7 logo.

"This is setag." Said Vert. "Ultra genius programmer, and pride of leanbox."

"Ms. Setag? Who was that again?" Asked Blanc.

"She was made for the anime!" Neptune said, as I suddenly started choking on something, like the world was physically against the now non-existent fourth wall breaks.

"Indeed, I am a new character, bing. I'll worm my way into your heart, bing." Said Setag.

"...F*cking windows seven!" I muttered to myself as I felt another choking fit come on.

"Bing? What?" Blanc said.

"Her catchphrase thing is totally lame!" Said Neptune. "Man this character is gonna bomb with the fans."

"Don't worry, I am a one off character made just for this scene, bing." Said Setag.

I let out a large cough, as everyone turned to face me.

"PLEASE STOP WITH THE FOURTH WALL. I AM LITERALLY DYING HERE!" I said, coughing after every two words.

Noire turned back to Setag, as things went back on track.

"Whoever you are, think you can track down the hacker or not?" Asked Noire.

Setag pulled out a laptop from freaking nowhere, before she started typing.

"Of course, leave it to me, bing." Said Setag, as she started typing away.

The CPUs not native to lastation looked on in awe, as I just sat and watched as Blanc's hat fell off her head.

I was currently web swinging through the city, as the CPUs had transformed and left me with Setag, while they went to most likely visit Anonydeath.

"If I remembered where he was…" I muttered, before finding the building that Anonydeath, Linda and I had used while planning for the Lastation Heist. "There we are…"

I landed down, firing some stray webbing behind me to slow my descent.

As I landed, I looked up to see the CPUs touch down almost immediately after.

"Bryce? How did you get here before us?" Asked Purple Heart as the CPUs returned to their human forms.

"Uh… Because I know how to chain momentum?" I said, shrugging. 'That, and I also knew where this place was, so… there's that.'

"That's great and all, but why are you here?" Asked Noire.

"What? You think I'm not going to try and help out?" I asked. "I'm trying to make myself not look like an asshole, so helping you out with this issue should help with that."

Neptune just shrugged, before pointing to the sky, not really listening to me.

"Okay! Let's meet the bad guy!" Neptune exclaimed, as I face palmed while Noire freaked out.

"What the heck is wrong with you!? If he hears you yelling he might run away!" Said Noire.

"*Cough*DoubtIt*Cough*" I coughed out.

"Hold up there, are you really the right person to say that?" Asked Neptune.

"I don't see why she isn't." I said, crossing my arms.

"Whose side are you on?" Asked Neptune, putting her hands on her hips as she turned to look at me with suspicious eyes.

"Whichever side gets me the most brownie points." I said, shrugging. "Now come on, let's get in there."

We had soon infiltrated the building. I was currently following behind the CPUs in a familiar cardboard box I had found lying around.

We had soon reached an opening to a room with just enough of a crack to see Anonydeath on the other side.

The door was quickly slammed open, as the four CPUs held their weapons out towards Anonydeath, ready for a fight, while I sat underneath the cardboard box, solid snake-ing.

"Don't you move an inch!" Said Noire. "Hands in the air, and turn around and face me slowly!"

Anonydeath complied, slowly raising his arms before turning around to face us with the help of his swivel chair.

"Fess up! You're the hacker, now aren't you!?" Noire asked.

Anonydeath just let out a breath, as some parts of his helmet opened up to let the air out.

"Answer me or I'll cut you!" Threatened Noire.

Anonydeath suddenly stood up, squirming around sorta like how Neptune did earlier today.

"Aww, don't talk like we're strangers sister!" Anonydeath said, as I stood up, tossing the box away.

The CPUs stared at Anonydeath in shock, while I just had a smug grin on my face at this whole thing.

"Just call me annie, kay girlfriend?" Anonydeath said, as Neptune did a literal faceplant.

"Nep-WHAT!?" Neptune exclaimed, getting up onto her knees. "A flaming robot!? But you look so manly!?"

"Don't question him Neptune… I learned it's not worth it a while ago." I said, looking at Anonydeath.

"My metal gear may be solid snake, but my heart is as maidly as they come!" Said Anonydeath.

"Oh wow, he's a walking stereotype." Said Blanc.

"And I'd imagine he has a bit of a foul mouth too." Said Vert.

"Guilty as charged sweety! I thought you were all boobs and no brains, but maybe not!" Anonydeath said.

"Wow, is it me, or did he get more flamboyant while I was gone…?" I mumbled to myself.

"Listen, your gender identity is Irrelevant here. Are you the hacker or not? Just spit it out!" Noire said.

Anonydeath just started laughing at this, while Noire just got more annoyed. "What's so funny!?"

"You're even cuter in real life noire, I could just eat you up." Said Anonydeath, his visor gaining a red tint.

"Huh? Wait, is that supposed to be flattery or a threat?" Asked Noire.

"Knowing him, probably both." I said.

"I may be queer, but let me lay it straight." Said Anonydeath, as I snorted in laughter. "I'm hot for you."

Anonydeath snapped his fingers, as a bunch of images of Noire popped up around us.

"I'm a voyeur honey, so sue me!" Anonydeath said, arms raised in the air.

Noire looked at the photos in shock, before letting out a scream.

Neptune quickly joined in, letting out a scream of her own.

"Look, that's Noire! And that's Noire too!" Said Neptune, pointing at the different images. "There all Noire!"

"We can see that Neptune." I said, rolling my neck. "I'm surprised, could've sworn your collection was bigger the last time I saw you."

"You know him!?" Asked Noire.

"Uh, yeah. He was one of my Higher Ups in ASIC, as well as the guy who primarily planned out the Lastation heist." I said. "Wait, I should probably not bring that up. Forget I said that last part."

"I'm like your biggest fan Noire, I just wanted to see more of you that's all! It was an impulse crime!" Said Anonydeath, knocking his fists on his helmet.

"I couldn't care less about your stupid photos, I'm mad because you hacked my system-!" Noire began, but was cut off by Anonydeath.

"You really don't care, not even about these?" Anonydeath asked, as I quickly pulled my phone out and turned its camera on, pressing the record button as I watched the magic happen.

Anonydeath snapped his fingers, as some of the photos changed to Noire making cosplay outfits.

It took a second for Noire to realize what had just happened, as when it did, she just let loose another scream.

"Noire's sowing like somebody's mom!" Said Neptune.

"It does seem rather uncharacteristic…" Said Blanc.

Noire recomposed herself, barely, as she began to speak again.

"Well my secret is out, deep down I'm just like an old house wife…" Noire said, trying to keep her dignity intact.

"I feel like I've seen that outfit before." Said Vert, pointing to one of the photos.

"You've got some imagination you crazy goddess you." Said Noire, before turning to Anonydeath. "Anyway like I told you, that's not why I'm here!"

"I'm surprised the others haven't figured it out yet." I said, causing Noire to look at me and see the smug look on my face. "Oh look, more photos."

As soon as I said the words, Anonydeath snapped, as if we had planned this, we didn't BTW, as the remaining images not made up of Noire making cosplay outfits were changed to the above depiction.

Noire instantly snapped, as she just started screaming. Screams that didn't seem to have an end. I just stood there recording the whole thing, a smile on my face.

This will be great to laugh at with Neptune later…

"Whoa… Check it ou!" Said Neptune.

"Upon inspection, they're cosplay." Said Blanc.

"So that was a four goddesses online costume, so that's why I recognized it." Said Vert.

"Stop Looking!" Noire got out, as she continued her spree of being mortified.

"O. M. G! You're totally cute when you flip out." Said Anonydeath, before holding out a camera and taking a shot. "Exclusive!"

"That! Is enough!" Noire Exclaimed, a blush on her face but emitting a murderous aura that matches the one that Blanc pulls off. I took a few steps away from Noire as no longer felt safe next to her. "You big…! Metal… Turd Box! I am going to throw you in jail!"

"My goodness! What language!" Anonydeath said. "Well you can arrest me, but just so you know if I leave here, all of the photos will be automatically published online."

"What!?" Noire gasped.

"See, that, I was expecting." I said.

"See, at first I was going to keep them all to myself, but then I got to thinking how fun it would be if I plastered the whole world with your cute little cosplay selfies." Anonydeath said.

Noire just started to shake in anger and embarrassment.

"This is quite the dilemma." Said Vert. "If such compromising photos were to be published…"

"She'd be to embarrassed to show her face." Finished Blanc.

"No it's cool, yo... She looks cute, so no prob…" Neptune said uneasily.

"You need acting lessons." Said Vert.

"I can help with that." I said, off to the side, away from the splash zone that was Noire and Anonydeath.

"You know what!? Fine!" Noire exploded in anger, as I suddenly wished I had my cardboard box again. "All it will cost you, is your life!"

Noire jumped into the air, transforming into Black Heart, as she swung her sword down at Anonydeath.

"Heaven or Hell… Let's rock!" Anonydeath shouted, sending the images over at Black Heart.

"No creep!" Black Heart shouted, slicing through the oncoming projectiles.

I side stepped over to Neptune, Blanc and Vert.

"Hey, does anyone else fear their well being right now?" I asked.

"Uah…! They're coming from above!" Neptune shouted, as some of the Images started attacking us.

"Oh come on!" I shouted, web zipping away as the photos just focused on the CPUs. "Okay, that's better.

"It's been fun sweet heart, and don't worry, I was lying about publishing the pics." Said Anonydeath, as the CPUs fought the photos. "Oh and Bryce, I sent you a package, think of it as a good job not rotting in jail gift. Tootles!"

Anonydeath escaped through a secret doorway, as the CPUs dealt with the rest of the photos.

"Bryce, where'd he go!?" Asked Black Heart, as I just pointed at the secret door.

What soon followed was an explosion, and Anonydeath giving up. Anticlimactic I know, but still.

I stood next to Neptune as we watched the Lastation Police Department take Anonydeath away.

"This is lovely, but he never did admit to the hacking." Said Blanc.

"Well as long as he's locked up that's no longer a concern." Said Vert. "Besides, Noire has more pressing matters on her mind."

"Don't look." Noire said to the candidates. "You didn't see did you?"

"Oh no, we saw something but-" Uni began, but was quickly cut off.

"I saw! I saw everything!" Said Ram, as the candidates and Noire looked at Ram in shock.

"So what's cosplay? Looks fun." Asked Rom, as Noire returned to her embarrassment induced screams.

"What are you guys even doing here!? It's like you came by just to laugh at me!" Noire exclaimed.

I smiled at the scene in front of us, before looking over at Neptune only to find her walking towards Peashy, said girl was sitting against a nearby wall.

"Hey P-ko!" Neptune said, as Peashy looked up at the CPU.

"Tada!" Neptune said, holding out a cup of pudding. "You want some pudding? I snuck it here in my pocket."

"You bet! I'm super hungry!" Said Peashy.

"Kay! But you have to share it with me!" Said Neptune.

"Kay! Half for me and half for you!" Peashy said, a smile on her face.

I watched the scene with a smile on my face before my brain started thinking.

"...What did Anonydeath mean by Package?" I asked myself. "...Eh, I'll find out when I get pack to Planeptune I guess."

I let out a sigh, as I looked a the two groups doing there thing as I felt myself feeling left out again.

I closed my eyes. It seemed I wasn't there yet… Oh well… I'll eventually make my place here.

...Did I even want that?

I paused, as I realized that I was getting used to this world. I thought I wanted to go home but… Why am I suddenly feeling all, okay with staying here?

I shook my head. No, I need to go home… This world… It's not mine, and I don't think anything can make that change…

We were back at Lastation's Basilicom, when an explosion grabbed our attention.

"Uh oh! That sounds like bad news!" Said Neptune as Vert, Blanc, Neptune and I ran outside, finding Uni standing there out of it, and a girl in a greenish blue night dress sitting on top of Noire. "Nep-wiggity, what?"

"Ow that hurt…!" Said the girl as I suddenly felt a sense of dread roll down my back.

"Who are you?" Asked Neptune.

"Oh? Who am I?" The girl asked, as she stood up off Noire. "Call me Plutia, it's nice to meet all of you!"

"I'm from Planeptune by the way." Said Plutia. "I'm the goddess there."

Everyone else around me stood silent at this news while I just made inner peace with myself now that I realized Plutia was among us.

Goddess help me.