Uni took a deep breath as she took aim at the ancient dragon. She held her rifle firm as she tracked her target, always looking for that perfect shot. It had been her day off and she had humorously decided that it was best spent doing missions for the guild as a means of raising Lastation's shares. Perhaps it would be better to say she preferred to think of it more as hunting rather than guild work. A chance to go out and test her skills for no other reason other than to cut loose with her guns.
Yeah, that's what she told herself. Who was she kidding? She had tried spending time with Noire but her sister had been too busy working. When she asked if she could help, Noire merely told her to go and relax and take a break, how Uni was such a hard worker and deserved to rest. Uni wondered if her sister knew what irony meant or at least hypocrisy.
Nevertheless, Uni entertained her sister's wishes. She had gone to take quests in Hyperdimension's Lastation but found that most of the good 'hunting' targets were already taken. So now she was in Ultradimension, hunting its monsters.
"Alright perfect." Uni thought to herself as she pressed the trigger. It was quick and painless, at least in her eyes. One moment the dragon had held its head up after being distracted by something, the next it fell flat on the ground before its buddy turned to pixels dropping behind its loot.
Uni couldn't resist smirking to herself as she made her way toward the dragon's loot. It had been another one-hit kill. That was the twelfth in a row, a testament to all that level of grinding she's been doing. Picking up the dragon orb she stashed it away in her inventory. That was the last one she needed, now she could return to the guild.
However, before she could eject from the dungeon, she heard footsteps approaching. Feeling rather curious she decided to wait to see who it was, not like she had anything better to do. If it was a friend then she'd greet them, an enemy, well she could get her thirteenth one shot, and if it was a random NPC then she'd just leave.
Unfortunately for her, she didn't know what to make of the owner once they did show up. He wasn't any of their friends that was sure. Instead, it looked like a human in a randomly assembled disguise. They had a strange knight-themed look similar to Affimojas but the armor was far from being as bulky or cool looking. It was a pretty crude homemade suit, to be honest.
"Uh, excuse me fair maiden, have you seen any ancient dragons nearby?" They questioned. They were unmistakably a teenager from her guess. Not surprising given the guild hires mostly young adults and teens but the outfit was definitely a first for her.
"Sorry, but I killed the last one," Uni told them. "I think if you wait a few hours, they might respawn, or you could just come back tomorrow." She offered.
"Oh, I see, well thank you for the information, I'll be off." They said as they ejected from the area.
Uni just stared at where they were before shrugging and ejecting as well.
"What a strange guy." She mused.
"Thank you for the help." The guild receptionist commented as she took the dragon orbs from Uni. After ensuring the drops were safe, the receptionists then gave Uni her reward. It wasn't much, some money and some low-level gear but that didn't really bother her. She had been in it for the hunting anyway.
After leaving the guild Uni started wandering around the Ultra Lastation. She still had time to kill, and it was always nice getting to walk around the alternate city. Uni had grown up in the Hyperdimension version, thus Ultra always felt like a new city to explore, despite supposedly still being Lastation.
There were businesses she knew and those that were brand new. The mere fact that Ultra Lastation had been founded only a few decades, maybe three or so, was also a bonus. It was still relatively new. It was in the process of developing its own culture and history.
Uni wasn't exactly into history, but sometimes it felt nice hearing stories about the past from her Noire. Some incidents she wished she could have been present for, like when some of Lastation's greatest games were released. It would have been nice to see how some of those juggernaut titles started but alas those were days long gone.
Unless….
Uni may not have been to see how her Hyperdimension Sister had accomplished things, but maybe she could see her how the Ultra Noire was handling it. After all, it's not like Ultra Noire disliked her or anything. They were well acquainted enough and maybe Ultra Noire would have loved some help as well.
With that thought in mind, Uni made her way to the Basilicom to find her 'other' sister. Much to her surprise, she found the same strange knight from earlier being unceremoniously thrown out. She watched him stand back up and try to enter again, only for the guards to block him again. He tried again and was soon tossed even further landing in an alley. Uni noticed his helmet fall out, rolling right in front of her. Taking it up she handed it back to the knight who simply offered her a simple thanks. It seemed like he was ready to try again until a beeping from his pocket drew his attention.
"Shoot," He muttered as he answered the phone. "Yeah, dad…no I'm not there." He answered. Shrugging her shoulders Uni just left him be as she turned around and headed to the Basilicom. She was about to walk through the door when. "No dad I didn't meet Lady Black Heart, and don't worry I won't get myself involved with the CPUs."
"Halt." The two guards stationed crossed their lances in front of her.
"Excuse me. What is the meaning of this?" Uni questioned. "Do you two know I am?" She asked them.
"We are aware of your identity Lady Uni." One guard answered. "That being said Lady Black Heart has instructed us to ensure no one disturbs her today." The guard added. "She has stated that unless the nation is being threatened as a whole, she will not entertain guests today, mortal, Oracles, or even CPUs and Candidates." They informed.
"Is there a reason why she has ordered this?" Uni inquired. It was a rather strange request for Noire to make. Even if she acted like Tsundere at times (not that Uni would say it to her face), Noire always left her door open for any of her friends to come regardless of which version of her it was.
"Uh," The guards seemed a little nervous. "We don't actually know why she's requested it." He informed.
"So, you don't know." Uni frowned. "In that case then I have to see her now." Uni voiced as she tried to walk through, only for the lance to cross paths once more.
"As we've said Lady Uni, we can't allow that to happen." The guards said. "Though we may not know why this is not the first time our Lady has made such orders. It is an annual tradition of hers to close herself off on this day, every year." They answered.
"She does this every year," Uni remarked. That wasn't something she knew about. Her Noire didn't do this, nor did Kei tell her of anything as such.
"Yes. Ever since Lastation was founded it has been a tradition. For most, we assume it's just her day off, so we don't interrupt, since tomorrow she shows up just as normal." The guard explained.
"I see. Well, then thanks for the information." Uni noted. "I'll see if I can visit another time," Uni told them.
"We will inform her that you stopped by."
Uni left as graciously as she good. She walked a good distance away from the Basilicom, headed into a nearby alley, HDD up, and flew to the top floor of the Basilicom. She was pleasantly surprised to find Ultra Noire practicing her swordplay on top, though her attire was off.
She landed softly behind her and detransformed. However, before she could even greet her alternate sister, she was met with a blade rushing to her face. In a state of panic Uni quickly braced herself. When she felt no pain, Uni slowly peeked her eye open to find a slightly shocked but frowning Noire looking at her.
"Uni?" Noire questioned softly. "What are you doing here and why were you trying to sneak up on me? Don't you know you must never do that when I'm training with a sword?"
"Hehe…sorry other sis." Uni chuckled. "I just really wanted to see you," Uni answered.
"And you didn't think to call in advance or knock on the door?" Noire deadpanned, at least Uni had the decency not to crash land on top of her.
"Well, I would have knocked but the guards didn't want to let me inside," Uni admitted. "Even though they totally should have."
"No, they were just doing their jobs." Noire corrected. "I made it clear no one was to interrupt unless it was an immediate threat to the nation or Gamindustri as a whole. It was my mistake not to remember I had you and my Hyper counterpart to account for." Noire admitted.
"So, is there anything I can help you with?" Noire asked as she walked to put away her sword. Uni took note of the strange name plaster on Noire's outfit. It was just some casual clothes, a black jersey with the buttons from their controller with black shorts. However, the back of the jersey had the words Noire Lastation printed in white letters.
"Oh, not really. I was just in the area doing some commissions. My Noire gave me a day off, so I thought I'd monster grinding. You know hunt some monsters for fun." Uni explained.
"I see." The CPU noted. "And I take it you're Noire is still working."
"Yeah."
Ultra Noire didn't say anything in response. She seemed to look conflicted about something for the moment. "Why don't you come inside, and I'll make get something for us to eat?" She informed.
"This is delicious," Uni muttered as she took another bite of the cookie. Apparently, Ultra Noire had made cookies earlier that day but hadn't eaten any yet. Unsurprisingly they had been rather delicious, but then again, Noire was her big sister. "Where did you learn to make these?"
"Lastation family recipe," Noire answered. "I'm surprised you didn't know. I thought your Noire would share it with you."
"Oh, my Noire doesn't bake," Uni told her. "I don't think I've ever seen her in the kitchen unless it was to get a snack or something to drink."
"Really, a shame." Ultra Noire answered. "I'm not a baker myself but I do pride myself on at least knowing the family recipe."
"Family recipe?" Uni questioned.
"Oh…that's right. CPUs in your world aren't the same as ours." Noire reminded herself. "I sometimes forget that." Uni noticed how Noire's expression seemed to sour a little before she forced a smile on her face. "So how are things in Hyperdimension?" Noire asked.
Uni could tell she wanted to change the topic. As much as she wanted to pry a little further, she'd leave her be. "Well not much really. It's been pretty peaceful as of late."
"Well, that's good," Noire noted. There was an awkward silence between the two as if neither knew what to say.
"So, uh... I've been wondering, have you guys by chance stumbled on ultra-versions of us." Uni questioned. "We found an Ultra Neptune world hopping not too long ago and was wondering if there were any Ultra candidates running around." She questioned.
This seemed to get a response from Noire. "I'm afraid not as far as my searches go, there isn't any Ultra Uni or other candidates as far as I know," Noire answered. "Though I am curious, how many years younger are you than Hyper me?"
"Huh," Uni questioned. She thought for a moment, while she didn't recall her age she was certain maybe she was a few decades or centuries younger. "Maybe a hundred or so," Uni answered.
"That big huh," Noire noted. "Well, perhaps it's just a matter of waiting then. Perhaps the Ultra Uni will be born sometime in the future. Though given the circumstances I'm not sure that's a good or bad thing."
"What does that supposed to mean?" Uni questioned. Did Ultra Noire not want a sister of her own?
"Don't take this the wrong way Uni but there are drawbacks to becoming a CPU in this dimension," Noire explained. "We're born mortals which means we have families. If an Ultra Uni is born, she's going to have her own mother and father. To her I'll be just a total stranger who might show up one day, I won't be a sister like I am with you." Noire noted.
"Oh, I didn't think about that." Uni sighed. Uni had been born to be Noire's sister in her own world but that wasn't the case here.
"It's not your fault." Noire tried to cheer her up. "It's just how things are here." Noire corrected. "Besides as much as I love having you here as my sister, I do find the idea of seeing a mortal you group as entertaining. Watching you grow up with your parents in a nice peaceful world, it's a nice thing to look forward to."
"Guess I never really thought about that," Uni noted. "For me, I suppose everything had always been just I knew it."
"Immortality has its perks but there are some downsides," Noire admitted. "Of course, you'd never realize it unless you experience both." Something about those words made Uni wonder.
"Do you…do you regret becoming a goddess, becoming an immortal?" Uni questioned her Ultra sister.
"That's…complicated," Noire answered. "If you're asking if I regret becoming a CPU, regret building this nation of mine for my people, then the answer is no. I don't regret it. I've come to realize though just what the price is for a mortal to have this kind of power. A lot of the people I know today won't be around in another decade or so, and by the time a century passes, all the mortals I would have known would pass away." She lamented.
"I know you all in Hyperdimension probably experience things differently but it's kind of terrifying to me." She admitted. "I don't know how the others handle it but for me, it's just something that worries me," Noire told her.
"You worry?" Uni repeated.
"Worry I'll forget," Noire answered. "I had a family once Uni, but a few years prior to becoming a CPU, I lost them," Noire explained. "I had a mother and father…and even an older sibling, but eventually one by one I lost them."
"My point is, mortals can die, and I'm worried that once it starts happening enough to me. I'll get accustomed to the idea and start forgetting. I'm scared that I'll forget my family." Noire explained as tears began to well up in her eyes. "I don't want to forget."
"That's why every year, I take one day off to reflect on my humanity and remember where I came from." She admitted. "I had once been enthusiastic about this power, but I hadn't known the consequences back then." To Noire's surprise, a pair of arms pulled her into a hug. It was Uni. "Uni?"
"Don't," Uni whispered. "Let's just…let's just stay like this. I never knew you thought about this kind of stuff Noire." She mused.
"It's not something you want people to see. A CPU needs to be strong for her people." Noire told her.
"For people, yes, but for her family…she can be herself…right?" Uni questioned. It wasn't her Noire, but it was still Noire, and Noire was her sister regardless.
"I suppose she could," Noire answered.
"Good. So why don't you tell me about this family of yours." Uni noted as she looked at Noire. "I'm sure it will help you remember more if you talk about them."
"Where do I start?" Noire wondered.
"You mentioned something about a Lastation family recipe," Uni recalled. Ultra Noire had said something about pride in knowing the family cookie recipe or something of the sort.
"Ah yes," Noire noted. "The Lastation family recipe passed on from one Lastation generation to the next. My grandparents taught my parents it, and they taught me and my brother it."
"Wait…you have a brother," Uni exclaimed. She had known the CPUs had their sisters, but this was the first time she heard of Noire having a brother. Come to think of it she did meet a boy with red eyes and black hair earlier. He had said he had business with the CPU.
"I had a brother." Noire corrected. "He got kidnapped a few months before Plutia found her CPU memory. I tried to track him down after becoming a CPU but I never found him. The last I heard the place he had been captured had been destroyed in an explosion."
"Oh…" Uni noted. Perhaps that wasn't the best topic to bring up.
"Relax Uni. I've come to terms with it a long time ago." Noire told her. "Now why don't we focus on these cookies." Noire urged.
"Okay."
"So, the first thing we need to do is…." Noire's voice trailed off as they began preparing the cookies. "And done," Noire said as they took the tray out of the oven. The CPU took a cookie and broke it in half, giving a piece to the Candidate. "On three. One two three." Noire counted. Noire and Uni then ate the cookie.
"Not bad," Noire commented. "Definitely better than when I first tried." She explained. "Well done you're Uni. You're definitely a Lastation." Noire smiled.
"Huh?" Uni noted. "What do you mean I'm a Lastation?" She was the CPU candidate of Hyperdimension's Lastation but the way Ultra Noire was saying it sounded like she was referring to something else.
"You know…you're a Lastation just like I'm one," Noire noted.
"I still don't follow. Do you mean I'm a Lastation CPU Candidate or a Lastation citizen?" Uni questioned.
"Wait you seriously don't know?" Noire asked in disbelief.
"Know what?" Uni continued. Something seemed to click with Noire as Uni said that.
"Well, this is embarrassing." Noire chuckled nervously. "Listen promise me you won't laugh okay."
"Uh, sure," Uni answered.
"Well, you see. Lastation is my family name." Noire explained as she gestured to her jersey.
"Wait…so your full name is actually…"
"Noire Lastation." The CPU finished. "Look I know it's kind of silly naming the whole nation after myself but I was still a bit overzealous with my newfound Godhood," Noire explained.
"I mean…when putting it like that it does sound vain," Uni noted. "But then again I suppose it does make sense naming it after the Goddess that founded it." Uni didn't know how her world's nations got their names. But she did know that many companies and businesses when formed often took their founder names. This was the same principle just on a larger scale.
"Still, it is kind of funny thinking your actual name is Noire Lastation. Wait so does that mean the others are the same, Vert Leanbox, Blanc Lowee, and Plutia Planeptune." Uni teased.
"Actually Plutia's last name is Ages, her full name is Plutia Ages."
"Seriously? Like her family is literally called Ages."
"Yes but I recommend for your sake and mine…don't bring it up. Plutia doesn't have the fondest memories of her family and bringing them up just puts her in a bad mood."
"Like Iris's heart levels of bad?"
"You bring it up, and you'll realize just how nice Iris Heart treats us compared to what she's truly capable of." Noire deadpanned.
"Oh."
